The Navigator

The Lonely Mountain

Vistial launches herself into the sky and banks to the mainland. Hundreds of boats were lining the shore, their cargo huddling on the dry land. Vistial spots the others and lands a short distance away. She shifts to her normal form and walks over.

"Vistial!" Kili immediately encases her in a hug, burrowing his face into her. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he? I couldn't see what happened." Kili starts to examine every inch of Vistial, down to her boots.

"Kili, I'm okay." Vistial laughs. The rest of the group walk over. "Did Bard and Bain make it safely?" She asks.

"Yes, they're with the girls now." Fili says.

"That was a brave thing you did, lass." Oin comments.

"I couldn't just let him destroy their homes." Vistial replies.

"Speaking of homes, we can return to the Mountain, can't we?" Bofur asks. Vistial smiles.

"Yes, you can."

~~~

Vistial looks up at the ginormous mound of rock before her. The Lonely Mountain was much bigger than she had anticipated.

"Come on, the others must be waiting for us." Kili walks forward. Vistial could tell that he felt much better. She had seen the remnant of his wound, which was now a small scar on his leg. He acted like the same Kili she had met in Bag-End, young and excited to start on a journey.

"Some of us are alittle older than you, laddie." Oin huffs as he climbs next to Vistial.

"I could fly us up there." Vistial suggests.

"Are you sure?" Fili asks. Vistial nods, shifting. With the rest of the group being dwarves, she didn't have to be large. The dwarves climb onto her back, Kili closest to her head. Vistial throws her wings open and launches herself into the sky. She giggles as Kili let loose a little squeak, clinging to her horns. She easily flies to the top of the Mountain and spots the rest of the Company gazing out at the lake, where Lake-town was still burning. They were deep in conversation, not noticing the dragon as she easily sets down, her talons grazing the rocks of the mountain side. Fili, Kili, Oin, and Bofur slip off her back and she shifts.

"Come on. Let's see what the fuss is about." Oin says, taking the lead.

"...Thorin." Bilbo was saying as the group walks over. "He's been down there for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself. Not at all. It's this place. Ahem. I think a sickness lies on it."

"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Fili interrupts, poking his head in.

"Fili." Dwalin nods to the dwarf, then stops. "Fili! Fili!" The Company erupts with cheers as they notice the group.

"Gold." A loud voice thunders, interrupting the greeting. The Company looks up to see Thorin. "Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief. Behold the great treasure hoard of Thror. Welcome, my sister-sons to the Kingdom of Erebor."

"Kili!" Balin exclaims, hugging the boy. He notices Vistial, nodding to her. "Lass, thank Durin, you're alive."

"It was hard, I will admit." Vistial jokes. Thorin interrupts their conversation.

"Any sign of it?" He glares at Balin.

"Nothing yet." He replies.

"Stop standing around! Keep searching! That jewel could be anywhere. The Arkenstone is in these halls. Find it!" Thorin orders. He turns to the Company. "All of you! No one rests until it is found."

"What does he want us to find?" Vistial whispers to Dwalin.

"The Heart of the Mountain. The Arkenstone."