'We have to reach the Shire.' Elessars voice pulled Thorin and Kaya out of their torpor. Bilbo, Merry and Pippin were pale and breathed heavily, but they were determined to reclaim their homes from the orcs.

'There are only two ways into the Shire...either over the Brandywine bridge or over the main road.' Bilbo told the kings. He eyed Thorin and Kaya who still behaved awkwardly around each other. After all of this was done, he would ask them what had happened and he would not take anything but the truth for an answer.

'We should split up. My warriors and the elves from Rivendell will cross the river.' Thranduil had joined with his kin. The elves from Rivendell were led by lord Elrond himself, but once the Shire was taken, Elrond would join the healers and tend to the wounded. His sons, Elladan and Elrohir would lead the army into battle at his side. The dark twins hated orcs more than anything else and had spent their life hunting and killing them wherever they could find them. Their whole lives were assigned to avenge their mother, who had been captured and tortured by orcs. She had not died, but she had left Middle Earth and her family for Valinor and her sons missed her greatly.

Elessar nodded. The men and dwarves would take the main road. Bilbo would go with the elves, much to the dismay of Thorin. But even the stubborn king of the dwarves agreed that the elves needed a guide who knew every corner of the terrain they were about to attack. Arwen stayed at her husband´s side, as well as Eowyn and Kaya, who still looked pale. But there was no time to worry about this. In the morning, they would take the Shire back.

In the first ray of sunlight the armies attacked. The orcs had been warned, but they had not expected the determination of the three armies, neither the fighting spirit of the hobbits of the Shire. The battle was bloody and costly. All three armies of men, elves and dwarves had lost one third of their soldiers. Even some elven healers had died, much to Elronds remorse. He had not planned to take them with him into battle, but the orcs had been numerous and they had needed every sword. After the orcs retreated, the leaders of the three armies met in Bag End. The House of the Old Took was still in the hands of Southrons. A small group of wild men from the south had taken control over the Shire´s Thain and held him hostage. There was no was for the men, elves and dwarves to get near them without risking the life of the Thain or his family.

'There is one way.' Thranduil mused. 'The Southrons are primitive savages. They might lose their alertness if confronted with some pleasures...wine, good food and ...women.'

'We have no women with us...' Elessars eyes widened as he understood the implication. 'You mean I should send my queen...?'

'I am not talking about your queen.' Thranduil shook his head. 'Neither am I talking about lady Eowyn.'

Now it was Thorins turn to frown.

'Lady Kaya is not bound to any man. She is a beautiful woman and the Southrons will quickly focus on her. She would be the perfect divertion.' Thranduil plotted.

Thorin was about to object, but he knew that Kaya was not his to protect. His heart wrenching with guilt, Thorin realised that if he had not succumbed to the goldsickness, Kaya would now be his and would not be forced into this situation.

'She will not go alone.' Thranduil held up his hands. 'I will send my captain of the guard with her. Tauriel and Kaya shall divert the southron guards until we find a way into the house of the old Thain.'

Elessar looked as if he wanted to object, but in this moment Kaya and Tauriel emerged from the shadows. Kayas expression was blank and almost resigned, but Tauriel was fuming with anger. But Thranduil was her king and she was bound to his order. To make things worse, Tauriel knew that it was the only way to save the Thain, Bilbos uncle. Thorin frowned as he thought about Kili, who would try to save his beloved from this fate.

Thorin tried to catch Kayas gaze, but she avoided to look at him during the whole meeting. It was at the door when he intercepted her. He did not dare to touch her again, but he had to talk to her.

'Please, do not do this.' he asked her quietly and his words made her look at him.

'Why do you care?' Kayas tone was icy and her words hit Thorin directly in the heart. 'Nothing they could do to me would be worse than what you did.'

The day after Smaug had fled the mountain, Thorin woke up in the huge dusty bed with Kaya in his arms. Thorin pulled her close and let his eyes wander over her sleeping form. He desired her greatly and with a smile he remembered her blush as he had pulled her close in the forges. His body had reacted strongly to her closeness, but it had not been the time. Now, in the peace and silence of the morning, Thorin could feel his longing grow strong. For a moment he could only feel his longing for Kaya, but as the time passed another longing crept into his heart. He wanted his gold. He needed to see it.

In this moment, Kaya turned around in his arms and opened her eyes. Slowly realising where she was, she smiled at him and kissed his nose. Thorin relaxed back into the bed as Kaya started to stroke his face with her fingers again. Thorin enjoyed these intimate gestures and leaned into her hand to kiss her palm. Kaya chuckled as Thorins beard tickled her hand.

'Good morning.' Thorin whispered against her skin. 'Did you sleep well?'

Kaya smiled and laid her forehead against his. 'Better than in a long time. What about you?'

Thorin was about to answer as he realised that he had slept the whole night without having any nightmares. 'I slept very well. I think its the beautiful woman in my arms.'

'Charmer.' Kaya whispered and smiled. She remembered the last evening and looked at Thorin in anticipation. 'Will I ever see you smile?'

'I am smiling right now.' Thorin answered stunned and looked down at her.

'No, you are not. I mean a smile that reaches the eyes. A smile that makes you look carefree and...not like the king.' Kaya moved her thumb over his lips and Thorin breath faltered.

'I am the king.' Thorin told her and cupped her face in his hands. He was the king and he would claim his queen. 'Maybe one day, you will see what you wish. Until then, you will have to cope with an old, grumpy and severe dwarf. Is that enough for you?'

'You are not old.' Kaya chuckled as Thorin pinched her behind playfully. As an answer she wrapped her leg around Thorins waist and pulled him close. Kaya was an unmarried princess, but she was no virgin. She was not very experienced in lovemaking, but she knew when she wanted a man, or in this case, a dwarf. Smiling timidly, she gave Thorin an open mouthed kiss and trailed her tongue over his lips. Thorin had held back until this moment and growled as he rolled them over and trapped Kaya between his body and the mattress. Kaya moaned as he kissed her hungrily and let Thorin dominate their intimacy. She arched her back as Thorin hads slipped into her dress and cupped her breast. As he pinched her nipples, Kaya gasped into the kiss and made Thorin chuckle. He nibbled his way along her jaw, down her neck and over the exposed skin as he pulled down her dress. Kaya arched her back to meet Thorins warm lips and shivered as she felt the cold air on her skin. As soon as Thorins big hands trailed over her skin again, Kaya forgot even how to spell the word cold. Moments later, when they became one, she forgot everything else.

As Kaya woke up later that morning, she froze. She was naked, but covered with a white sheet. The bed was empty, Thorin was gone. Kaya frowned and tried not to think about it too much. Thorin had to take care of things. Smaug may be gone, but they had not heard anything from Laketown, yet. The quest was not over. Their burglar had not found the arkenstone. There was still very much to do.

Days later, Kaya had not seen Thorin again. He had stayed in the treasury and Balin had kept Kaya away with a worried expression. The old dwarf politely asked her to take care of the chambers together with the brothers Ri and Bombur and so, Kaya had been kept busy for the last days. Five days after Smaug had left, they were on their way up to the ground level as they heard Thorin yell. They rushed up to see what was going on and what they saw made their blood freeze. Thorin had grabbed Bilbo by the throat and dangled him over the cliffs above the gate. The hobbit struggled, but he was no match for a dwarf. Kaya was about to rush to the hobbits aide, but Balin held her back with a firm grip.

'Thorin is not himself. If you help the halfling, he will focus his anger and hatred on you.' Balin warned her.

'What if he kills Bilbo?' Kaya asked Balin with fear. She knew that Thorin was no murderer, but as she saw the mad gleam in his eyes all strength left her legs. This dwarf was not Thorin. It could not be. There was only one thing to do and Kaya was the only one who would do it. Determinatedly, she stepped forward and grabbed Thorins arms, pulling it back. Surprised by her actions, Thorin let go of Bilbo, who landed on the floor with a cry. It was then when Kaya realised that an army had gathered in front of Erebors gates. An army of elves and men. And they had all witnessed Thorins actions.

Kaya saw something glimmer in the hands of the leader of men, Bard. It was the arkenstone. The only way how the men could have gotten a hold onto the stone was...Bilbo. Kaya looked down at the halfling and understood immediately. Bilbo had stolen the arkenstone and had given it to the men and elves. He had betrayed Thorin. As Kaya looked back at Thorin she understood why Bilbo had done this. The arkenstone was the only thing which seemed to interest the king in his current state. The arkenstone would be the only thing making him willing to listen to the mens demands.

But Thorin would not listen to reason. Especially Thranduils presence enraged him. Kaya watched in shock as Thorin banished Bilbo and turned his back on the men and elves who had been his allies over a century ago. Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin were standing at the side of the grey wizard, staring at their king in disbelief. Thorin had lost control and everyone could see it.

With a growl, Thorin turned his back on his company and strode back to the treasury. Kaya caught up with him, but before she could say a word, Thorin grabbed her and pushed her against a pillar.

'Where are your mother´s soldiers?' he asked her darkly. 'There is an army in front of our gates, threatening us and the defense your mother promised in exchange for our marriage is not here!'

Kaya did not know what to say. She felt hurt and betrayed, but her fear for Thorin was stronger. Dwalins call made them rush back out. Kaya could see Bilbo standing at Gandalfs side, his head hanging low. But what she saw at the north flank of the army made her grow pale. Her mother´s soldiers were there. They had arrived, but they had taken position at the side of the men and elves. Apparently, queen Neeya had promised her ally Thranduil to support him instead of Thorin and had broken her word to Thorin.

'Traitors.' Thorin growled and turned towards Kaya. 'Your mother broke the contract. Leave at once.'

Kaya looked at him in surprise and shook her head. When they had made love he had looked at her with nothing but affection, desire and ...Kaya had thought that it was love. Now, all she could see in his eyes were hatred and fury. With a last hateful look at her he left the balcony and left Kaya and the company behind. Balin was about to tell Kaya that she could leave over the balcony, like Bilbo, but Kaya was already running after Thorin. She would not let him treat her like that. Her mother´s betrayal was not her fault. If the dwarves of the company would not try to reason with Thorin, she would. Kaya caught up with Thorin on the last stairway before the treasury.

'Thorin!' Kaya grabbed his shoulder, but his reaction caught her off guard. Thorin snarled at her and grabbed a fist full of her hair. With the other arm he pressed her back against him and walked towards the edge of the stairs. Kaya winced in pain and whimpered as Thorin walked so far to the edge that her feet were slowly losing the contact to the ground. Only the fist in her hair and the grip on her waist held her there. If Thorin would let her go, she would fall. Fall into the endless dark abyss of Erebor.

'Your mother´s tiny little kingdom supports my enemies!' he snarled into her ear. 'Your mother tricked me into marrying you. No man has married you until today, I should have known that there was a reason. You are treacherous like your mother. You ensnared me with your beauty and your body. But you have no honor! You are a whore, a royal whore and I will never waste a thought on you again!'

Tears fell down Kayas face, but they were no tears of fear. Thorins words hurt her more than his fist in her hair and suddenly she wished that he would let go. Never before had she loved a man. Never before she had given her heart away, only this once. And her heart had fallen into the abyss of Erebor, shattering into a million pieces.