The Undecided Title Of Sara Miller *Hobbit Fanfiction* (Thorin/OC)

Chapter 36: Hidden Truths are Unspoken Lies

"Are ya alright lass? What happened? Why are ya crying?" She did not look up or answer, only shrugged. Dwalin shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable, before trying again. "Tell me what's brought ya to tears lass."

"It's nothing, I'm fine," she said, shaking her head. Dwalin looked back at him but Thorin made no move or sign to help.

"Can I ask you something then lass? Only I have to know. I fear Thorin has gone plum out of his skull." Thorin frowned. The girl sniffed, wiping her face before closing her eyes and nodding, ready for the worst.

Dwalin drew a hand over his face before letting out a breath. "Thorin insists that you know more than you have been letting on. That somehow you know the future of the company." All activity in camp came to an abrupt halt and eyes flicked between Thorin and the girl. "Well lass?" prompted Dwalin gently. Not a muscle twitched nor was a breath drawn as all waited for her answer.

"It's true," she said finally, so quiet Thorin was surprised he could still hear her from this distance.

"What do you mean lass?" asked Dwalin unsure. "What exactly is true?"

She got slowly to her feet and said in a voice clear and firm, "It's true. I've been keeping secrets. I have known about Middle Earth from the very start. For the past week I have known how the quest will end. I even know... I know..." But here her false vibrato failed her.

"She even knows that Fili, Kili and I will die in the near future," said Thorin, stepping into the light. All eyes were on him as he strode forward, glaring at her. "She has been lying to us all from the very start."

"I never said I wasn't familiar with your world," she said, looking away from him.

"A hidden truth is no more than an unspoken lie," he spat. "As you well know Ms. Miller." The group was growing uneasy and several mutters broke the uncomfortable silence. Dwalin stumbled away from the girl as if he had failed to block a hammer blow to the gut. Thorin was a bit surprised to see both Nori and Bifur come to stand on either side of the girl. The weed of suspicion twined through him, strangling his lungs, as he saw the looks of apprehension they cast the girl and each other. Nori and Bifur were aware of Ms. Miller's deceit, and judging by his fearful but defensive stance so was Mr. Baggins.

"What is the meaning of this?" he accused, pointing at the two dwarves. "You knew and yet you said nothing!"

"It was for the best," said Nori, jamming his hands in his pockets. "Yes, we knew. Bifur has suspected for a very long time now but we only found out the full extent of her knowledge about seven days ago." Seven days ago? But that was the day he had kissed... The day the company had gone for baths, the day Nori and Bofur had both gone to retrieve the girl from the woods and returned without her or the wizard. "As for Fili, Kili, and your death's," continued Nori. "I don't know what you're talking about. Sara says we retake the mountain successfully and none of us are killed."

"That's not what I said," interrupted Sara cutting over the thief. Nori and Bifur both turned to her. "Thorin is right. As far as I know the line of Durin will end sometime in November, about three months from now." They came around to face her, confused as the rest of the company gathered around, their expressions that of shocked disbelief and confusion.

"But you said no one died in the book," insisted Nori.

"What I said was that none of the company were killed by Smaug and that you retake the Erebor."

"Then I don't see..."

"Nori," she said, cutting him off again. "Smaug is not the end of the book. There are five chapters after he dies. There is a battle for the mountain and it then that... that..."