Thyri, Daughter of Thrain, Dragonslayer (Book 2)

If There Is A Dragon In There, Don't Wake Him Up

As the thrush flies away, Bilbo laughs with relief and delight and points at the wall "The last light !" The moonlight illuminates a keyhole in the rock, and Bilbo gasps in surprise, then yells for the dwarves, who have already gone, to hear. He peers over the edge of the clearing at the stairs, but sees no sign of the dwarves "The keyhole ! Come back ! Come back ! It's the light of the moon, the last moon of autumn ! Ha ha ha !" He then begins looking around on the ground "Where's the- Where's the key ? Where's the- it was here...but it was here, it was here ! It was just..." Bilbo is looking frantically around on the ground in the clearing for the key. Suddenly, his foot hits it and it goes flying from the clearing. Just before it falls off the side of the mountain, a boot steps on the string and stops it. It is Thorin. Bilbo sighs in relief. Thorin slowly reaches down and picks up the key, then examines it. The other dwarves step up beside him. They all smile in relief at Bilbo. Thorin inserts the key into the keyhole and turns it.

Mechanisms are heard turning behind the rock. Thorin pushes the wall, and a previously unseen door opens into the mountain. The seams of the door were completely invisible earlier. The door opens into a tunnel going into the mountain. The dwarves look on it awe as Thorin stands on the threshold "Erebor." Balin chokes up "Thorin..." Thorin puts a hand on his shoulder.

He then steps into the mountain "I know these walls... these walls, this stone. You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light." As he says this, Thorin runs his hands over the walls, lost in memory. Balin steps into the tunnel "I remember." The rest of the company slowly and reverently enters the mountain. Inside, Nori points at a carving in the wall above the door. It is of the throne of Erebor, with the Arkenstone above it, sending out rays of light in all directions. Gloin reads aloud the inscription on the carving "Here in lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home." Bilbo looks at the carving in interest and curiosity. Balin explains it to him "The throne of the king." Bilbo asks "Oh. And what's that above it ?" Balin tells him "The Arkenstone." Bilbo asks "Arkenstone... And what's that ?" Thorin tells him "That, Master Burglar, is why you are here." All the dwarves look at Bilbo, and he looks bewildered, but resolute.
*Meanwhile*
In Bard's house, Kili is laying on the table and moaning and straining in pain. His face is covered in sweat "Ah ! Ugh ! Argh !" As he continues moaning, Bofur fills a bowl with hot water and rushes to him. Fili asks "Can you not do something ?" Oin says "I need herbs, something to bring down his fever." Bard searches through his bag of medicines "I have nightshade, feverfew..." Oin asks "They're no use to me. Do you have any kingsfoil ?" Bard replies "No, it's a weed. We feed it to the pigs." Bofur whispers "Pigs ? Weed ? Right." He points at Kili "Don't move."