"Italics" - Elvish, Sindarin

'Normal' -thoughts to one's self

'Italics' - thought speak (thought speak only applies with Galadriel)

A/N: I do not own Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit.

Thirteen dwarves, one hobbit, two wizards, two elves, and a horse stood in a circle in front of the Lonely Mountain.

"So what's our first order of business?" asked Balin, kind of awkwardly.

"The Gates must be fortified. This mountain was hard-won. I would not see it taken by orcs," Thorin said calmly.

"Thorin, surely there are more pressing matters..." Gandalf started, but Victoria cut him off.

"He's right. The dwarves should start rebuilding the Gates. They should leave an entrance wide enough for two people to walk through. Although you should construct a way to quickly seal off the entry way. I'm going to have the survivors of Lake-town that can't fight move into the mountain. If we were fighting one army they might leave Dale alone, but with two armies the first that attacks us will likely split of some of its force to attack Dale. An attempt to make us divide our force to protect them. Then the second army would strike."

Victoria was looking at the ground the whole time she said that, and when no response came she looked up to find everyone looking at her.

"What? That's what I would do," Victoria stated, glaring around at everyone, absentmindedly petting Luna. 'Well, it's what Ron would've done.'

"That is probably what will happen if Dale remains their refuge. I agree, it would be wise to move the sick, the young, and the old into the mountain," Gandalf said, looking at Thorin as he spoke.

"What if these so-called sick try to steal the gold while we are risking our necks?" asked a dwarf, but Victoria was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice which dwarf.

"Let them. A share of it belongs to them regardless. I can handle a bit a thievery at present, with orcs bearing down on us. I can not handle the deaths of innocents," Thorin stated loudly. "Though we will check them all before they leave lest they try to pocket the Arkenstone." Thorin actually smiled a little as the dwarves laughed. The laughter brought Victoria from her thoughts in time to see Bilbo twitch a little at the mention of the King's Jewel.

"Another matter worth discussing is appeasing King Thranduil. I believe he will only support us if you pay the debt you previously agreed to Thorin," Gandalf said looking down at the dwarf next to him.

"The White Gems of Lasgalen, made into a beautiful necklace. I believe I know where they are in the mountain, if Smaug did not move them. I will find it so they may be given to the Elven King should he arrive. Is he going to arrive?" Thorin said, directing the last question at Victoria and Tauriel.

"With Smaug dead, he will march on the mountain to recover what he believes to be his. Whether on not he knows about the orcs, I can't say," Tauriel said.

"My father would have likely turned back if he knew two armies now march on the mountain," Legolas said, chipping in for the first time.

"I'm sorry to say but that's lucky for us. He will soon be surrounded and have no choice but to atleast fight his way out," said the Black Wizard. "I can cause a lot of damage while he fights his way out."

"Surely King Thranduil will not back down from such a large force so close to his own lands," Tauriel said. She was standing next to Victoria, and at some point had slid her arm through the Wizard's left arm, leaning slightly into her seeking solace. "Not when he marches in such strength. Not with two wizards here."

"Living behind high walls for a long time can make even the wisest overestimate their ability to keep the enemy out," said Gandalf as Legolas nodded along.

"Gandalf and I should go to the people inside Dale and convince them to make for the mountain. They probably saw us kill the dragon. They will trust us," Victoria said, feeling energized leaning against Tauriel. Orcs and bats headed their way, but Tauriel seemed to make her feel alive.

"Light the braziers on those two large statues. Let the people in Dale know we are alive. Gandalf and I will go see what state the people are in," Victoria said.

"We have much to do, a little time to do it. Let us all get to work!" shouted Gandalf, when no one had anything else to say, moving off, effectively breaking up the meeting.

Tauriel's hand found Victoria's and lightly squeezed it as she smiled and walked over to converse with Legolas. With a dreamy smile on her face, Victoria turned to catch up with Gandalf when Bilbo jumped in front of her, shoulders hunched. Like he was trying not to be seen. Victoria looked around and saw no one looking in their direction.

"What is it, Bilbo?" asked Victoria. She watched as he calmed himself before he continued.

"Victoria, if Thorin had the Arkenstone, if it were found, would it help?" asked Bilbo.

"Help, I don't know about help. That stone crowns all, but if any dwarves show up they would likely by loyal to Thorin anyway. They would accept him as the leader. But the stone can no longer hurt him. He has battled and overcame the sickness Smaug left over this treasure. He is the same Thorin we met in Bag End, only now he has more friends." Something about Bilbo's question had intrigued her since it left his mouth.

"You have the stone, don't you? You didn't know if it would drive him mad. You were protecting him," Victoria stated all at once, a huge smile on her face. She lunged at Bilbo lifting off the ground in a tremendous hug.

"It's true what Gandalf says, you hobbits truly are the best of us," Victoria said, setting Bilbo back on the ground, a blush prominent on his face. "Take the stone to him. Say you didn't want to reveal it while the dragon was still alive encase it drew his attention. A truth, but a half truth. He will also be grateful you didn't show it during a meeting with elves present. Are you okay with that? For what's to come, we do not need any loyalties shaken."

"Yes, that fine. Thank you, for understanding, I guess," Bilbo said, bowing his head in thanks.

"Anytime, my friend," Victoria said sweetly as she started walking toward Gandalf.

Victoria saw Gandalf waiting patiently, but somehow felt he had heard her talk with Bilbo and couldn't resist messing with him.

"Are you ready to go old man, feels like a life time I've been waiting on you," she shouted as Luna walked up next to her.

It took Bilbo half an hour to find Thorin. He was in a room covered in precious gems of all colors, but as Thorin moved through the room his gazed focused on a pile a pure white gems. Bilbo walked forward and saw Thorin reach into the pile and remove a beautiful necklace that seemed to shine with star light.

"Ah, Mr. Baggins, I need to speak with you," Thorin said, as Bilbo joined him.

"Let me go first," Bilbo said breathlessly as he drew the Arkenstone out of his coat pocket and presented it to Thorin. "I found this when we first entered the mountain. I thought to bring it out or talk about it would draw the dragon to it. But now that we are alone for a moment, it's time a fulfill my part in this quest."

Bilbo watched Thorin look down at the stone in awe and love. But when Thorin grabbed the jewel and set it aside to clasp him on both shoulders, Bilbo knew the love in Thorin's eye was for him.

"My greatest mistake was to ever doubt you. You will receive your fair share of the treasure and forever be welcome in my halls, Bilbo Baggins. A more loyal friend and companion a dwarf could not ask for," Thorin said, a kind look on his face.

As the both stepped back Bilbo asked, "What did you need to talk to me about?"

"I have a gift for you. And I have a favor to ask of you," Thorin said, reaching into a satchel at his side. To Bilbo, what he drew out looked like a fancy shirt made of shiny metal.

"You going to need this, if you plan to enter the battles to come," Thorin stated low and ominously. "Put it on." Bilbo looked at him skeptically but began to take of his overcoat.

"This vest is made of silver steel. Mithril it was called by my forebears," Thorin whispered, holding the shirt up. As Bilbo began to put it on Thorin continued, "No blade can pierce it."

"I look absurd. I'm not a warrior, I'm a hobbit."

"It is a gift. A token of our friendship," Thorin said, bowing his head slightly. "And now for the favor, my friend."

Bilbo watched as Thorin put the necklace in the same satchel the mithril coat came out of. He then took off the satchel and handed it to Bilbo.

"I need you to get this necklace to Victoria to bargain with the Elven King if he arrives. Once you meet with Victoria or Gandalf, if it appears the elves are not going to show up, return to the moutain will all haste. Unless either wizard has need of you, I want you safe inside the mountain, if safe can be found anywhere," Thorin said, staring off into nothing toward the end.

Bilbo threw his green overcoat over the mithril shirt and found he actually like the green on silver look. "Don't worry, I'll get the necklace to Dale. I need a nice run anyways. Prepare for the battle so to speak," Bilbo giggled nervously.

"Be careful, my friend. And if you are staying with the wizards, have Victoria send word."

"Send word?" asked Bilbo.

"Earlier, she sent off a spell of white light and later two elves where suddenly at our gates. I thought it a messenger spell," Thorin responded with a shrug.

"Sure, will do. Good bye, Thorin."

"Good bye, Bilbo."

Luna carried the two wizards swiftly to the ruined gates of Dale.

"Let us through," Gandalf shouted from in front of Victoria in the saddle. "Make way!"

Gandalf rode like he expected everyone just to jump out of their path. Victoria wouldn't have trusted one of the people to not be an idiot and freeze up at the sight of a large horse barreling down on them.

They entered a large courtyard when Gandalf pulled Luna to a stop. Looking around, Victoria saw the able bodied survivors had armed themselves somehow and we using the open space to train.

Both wizards dismounted, and Victoria felt comfortable leaving Luna to her own devices. Her faithful and insightful horse always show up when she was needed.

"Oi! You two! The pointy hats. Yes. You. We don't want no tramps, beggars, nor vagabonds here." Victoria leveled the mousy-faced man dressed all in black with a piercing glare, being instantly reminded of the rat, Pettigrew.

"Hey!" a man at practice stopped to look at two new arrival. "Those are the two wizards that kill the dragon!"

Suddenly every eye in the courtyard turned to Victoria and Gandalf. Victoria felt intense scrutiny for all of a second before loud cheers rose up. Both wizards were temporarily surrounded by people patting them on the back and asking to grasp hands with them. Victoria let this go on for about ten minutes before raised her wand into the air and letting off blue sparks. As the crowd backed up, Victoria tried to make her voice come out loud and clear.

"Thank you for your congratulations. I am glad many of you survived. I am also saddened many didn't. But now other threats approach because the mountain is seen as unguarded."

Gandalf, towering over the rude man who first spoke to them, leaned forward letting a little magic slip out, enhancing the shadows around the courtyard. His gaze was fierce when he asked, "Whose in charge here?"

"I am," answered a man dressed in a brown undershirt, a chain mail shirt, and a blue overcoat. He had black hair, a black mustache, and the beginnings of a beard.

"I am Bard, I was a ferryman and when the dragon attacked, and well, I rescued quite of few of the people here. They showed their gratitude by making me leader of this ruined place and desperate people."

Victoria was about to question how many wounded and how much food they had when her quidditch instincts picked up a shine of gold in her peripheral vision. Turning to the source she couldn't stop herself for being grateful to see the elves arriving, and with food, but she also felt guilty. Like she was now in Dumbledore's shoes. Playing the Grand Chessmaster, manipulating pieces around a board. How many elves would soon die because she didn't send off a patronus warning to the elves concerning the orc armies. She tried to shake these thoughts from her head. Tauriel, Gandalf, even Legolas thought Thranduil should commit his forces to this battle.

As dozens of elves glad in golden armor and armed with beautiful bows marched into Dale, a single elven-lord, rode a large elk through the elvish army. He wore regal dark clothes under armor polished like silver and a silver and black cloak.

"My lord Thranduil, we did not look to see you here," Bard said striding forward.

"I did!" called Victoria, with a smile on her face. Gandalf cast his eyes to ground and gave a sigh.

Thranduil stared bemused at the wizard before bringing his elk around to speak to Bard. "I heard you needed aid." With this said, Thranduil looked over at the elves still coming into the city. Now many large horse-drawn carts filled with food and drink were arriving.

Many of the survivors began to chatter amongst themselves excitedly as the made their way to the numerous carts. Provision were handed out to the starving people now inhabiting Dale with many a mutter of thanks to the helpful elves.

"Actually," Victoria said loudly, staring straight at Thranduil. "I need your army."

The elves were quick to construct an extravagant tent for their king. Gandalf, Victoria, and Bard all stood while Thranduil sat in a fancy wooden throne, looking smugly at each of them.

It was Bard who broke the silence first. "You have saved us with your provisions. I do not know how to thank you."

"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf. I came to reclaim something of mine." Thranduil looked right at Gandalf when he said this, as if Thranduil's struggle for his gems was the Grey Wizards fault.

"I have spoken with Thorin. He will honor his deals. To both the elves and the people of Lake-town," Victoria said, almost knowing what the elf would say next.

"Somehow, I doubt that."

"Believe what you will. Thorin has overcame the curse on that gold. Dwarves are remarkably resilient. You will see when you meet him next."

"Enough," Gandalf said, pacing around. Finally he turned to Thranduil. "You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves. War is coming."

"What are you talking about?" asked Bard.

"Two armies of orcs and wargs march toward us as we speak. A force of ten thousand come at us from the south, having used Dol Guldur as their base. A second force of six thousand are coming from the west, from Gundabad," Victoria said solemnly.

"I can see you know nothing of wizards," Thranduil said, addressing Bard while raising from his wooden throne. "They are like winter thunder on a wild wind rolling in from the distance, breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm is just a storm."

"Don't talk to me of storms," Victoria said omniously, and even she was surprised when static began to jump over her body, though she kept her glare directed at the Elven King. When the light show ended, she continued. "The word of the army marching from Gundabad came from your own son, Prince Legolas. Do you not trust him?"

"These orcs have been bred and trained for this war. Long did the enemy grow strong within Dol Guldur," Gandalf said.

Victoria looked over at Gandalf and wondered how he know so much without being told. If Thranduil was to become an ally, perhaps he needed to know Sauron, an enemy, the enemy that all free people had as a common threat was still alive. So she told the three others present of her meeting of Tauriel, their branding together to investigate Dol Guldur, their encounter with Azog and then Sauron himself. She spoke of their battle and victory over the nine wraiths before Sauron reappeared with the nine. And then Galadriel saving their ass. Though she didn't word it like that.

"You say Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel both confirmed this dark entity to be the Dark Lord?" asked Thranduil, worry in his eyes for the first time.

"Yes, even Saruman the White knew that evil thing to be Sauron." Victoria wondered if she made that right call. Thranduil looked down right frightened if she was seeing behind his expressionless mask correctly. Maybe he would leave tonight and hope to make it home before encountering the orc army coming from the south. Maybe he would, as she said earlier, merely fight his way out and retreat.

"Nine wraith, did you say dear?" ask Gandalf gravely.

"Nazgul," Thranduil almost spat.

"Yes, ringwraiths. They are the nine kings and heroes Sauron ensnared with the nine rings of power meant for men as that poem says," Gandalf said.

"The three elven rings were free of Sauron's corrupting influence, were they not?" Victoria asked as nonchalantly as she could, cursing herself for not having studied the history behind the ring on her finger while back in Rivendell. She also noticed Thranduil almost bulk at the mention of the elven rings. He probably felt slighted having not received one when Galadriel and Elrond did. 'He doesn't need to know he's in the same room as two of those rings.'

"Free of his evil, yes. But the one ring would connect him to all the rings, even the three elven rings," Gandalf answered. Ideas of breaking that connect spring to Victoria's mind, but that was a matter for another time. "And the enemy now seeks control of the mountain. Not just for the treasure within, but for where it lies, its strategic position. The mountain is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the North. If that fell kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall."

Victoria looked to Thranduil, gauging his reaction. He seemed conflicted for a moment before stating, "Your words do not dissuade me from my goal. I will have what is rightful mine in the mountain!"

"You mean this?" asked a familiar voice from the entrance of the tent. How Bilbo managed to slip past the guards sparked her curiosity for a second as she stared at her small friend.

"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf exclaimed as the hobbit walked to stand in front of the sole table in the tent.

"I came to give you this, with the good will of Thorin Oakenshield," Bilbo said, looking at the Elven King and pulling a white gem necklace from the satchel he carried and satting in on the table for all to see.

"The White Gems of Lasgalen," Thranduil said almost reverently, looking down. He slowly reach a hand forward and slipped a singer finger along the gems in the necklace.

"I told you, Thorin means to keep his word. Now will you fight with us, or will you let us stand alone?" Victoria asked Thranduil.

"You would have me risk my people for thirteen dwarves and a handful of men?" was his reply.

"No, I would have you risk them for the sake of every living thing that still breathes free."

After thirty more minutes of bickering and grave threats of the future offered by both wizards, Thranduil finally committed his army, five thousand strong, to defending the mountain.

Victoria had voiced her idea of moving the non-combatants into Erebor, and when Gandalf supported the idea, Bard acquiesced. She currently found herself moving around Dale, healing the injured, conjuring stretchers and blankets for the ill, and preparing everyone for the evening stroll to the mountain. Many of the sick were suffering from the effects of hypothermia. Not that these people had ever heard of it. But their was nothing she could do but warm them up and hope their body could survive. Victoria had learned that six people had died from being in the cold water while she was talking with the other about strategy.

She felt guilty after the hours she spent at work with nothing left to take her mind off those six people. She should have started making rounds to help the sick before. But getting the elven army on her side and planning for the battle would save more the six lives, she hoped.

Victoria made her way back to a tent "graciously" set up for her by King Thranduil. She would sleep in Dale tonight and march out with the elven army tomorrow, taking up a position in front of Erebor.

But for now, she felt exhausted, not magically, but mentally. Sleep found her easy as visions of an auburn haired elf flickered through her head.

Tauriel stood talking with Legolas over the orcs from Gundabad before the Gates of Erebor when an elvish rider leading another horse along with him approached them calling out, "My Lord Legolas!"

Bringing the horses to a stop, he continued, "I bring word from you Father. You are to return to him immediately."

Legolas nodded, starting toward the riderless mount. "Are you coming as well, Tauriel?"

"My Lord, Tauriel is banished."

"Banished?" Legolas questioned, with a scowl on his face.

Tauriel's heart sank in her chest. She expected something like this, but for it to actually happen still saddened her greatly. She fully intended to travel with her Black Wizard though never being able to visit her birthplace seemed unthinkable. 'Did I just think of Victoria as my Wizard?'

"You may tell my father if there is no place forTauriel, there is no place for me," Legolas replied.

"Legolas," Tauriel said, taking a few steps toward her friend. "It is your King's command."

"He is my King, but he does not command my loyalties. You are my dearest friend. I would not leave you to fight alone."

As Legolas moved to walk away, Tauriel noted a shade behind his eyes. "What troubles you, my friend?

Legolas locked his gaze with hers for a moment before looking off toward the ruins of Dale.

" A darkness fell over me in Gundabad," Legolas said sadly. "Try as I might, I can not rid myself of thimelancholy. In another age, our people waged war on those lands." Here he turn to meet her eyes. "My mother died there. My father does not speak of it. There is no grave. No memory. Nothing."

They are both silent for many long minutes. One thinking of the past, while one thought of the future with her Wizard.

A/N So I was 3600 words into this chapter when my power supply on my computer decided to exploded. I was planning a long chapter, perhaps 10k words, to get through the the Battle of the Five Armies. But since it's taking longer than expected to fix my comp I decided to post what I have plus that last little section with Tauriel and Legolas to make it a more natural break, hopefully. I typed the last bit out on my chrome app on my phone. It was only like hundred words but it was very tedious typing it out, so don't expect more updates until I fix my pc. Sorry to all that are following this story. Hopefully it won't take to long.