Twelve: Dragon's Gold

The loud pounding of dwarven feet awoke her. Llorabell had been taking a nap; the company had been gone for so long. Dwarves came streaming in with grins and laughs.

"What a sight Bilbo!" Shouted Kíli. His eyes shone with excitement. The young dwarf lifted up something. "Look at this! Look at it!"

Llorabell sat up in bemusement as Glóin shout in the back, "Oi! Why'd ya get to be the one to show it off?"

Kíli turned back and countered with a grin, "I have the piece we picked up for her."

Nori appeared at the prince's side and took the piece. The thief dodged Kíli, Bofur, and Fíli as they tried to take the object back. The star-haired dwarf reached Llorabell but Dori caught him as he did and lifted him away from her. The white haired dwarf yanked the object out of Nori's grasp and tossed it to Balin.

"We've talked about this Nori," Grouched Dori — Nori started talking back even as Dori continued speaking. "Ya mean ya talked at me about this." — "You're not to go anywhere near Bilbo."

Balin settled down at her side with an amused air about himself. He held out the object to her as the company dissolved into an argument. Dwalin was holding both Fíli and Kíli back by the collars as things looked close to coming to blows. Llorabell decided to ignore it like the older dwarf was. It was easy to do as the argument had quickly dissolved into khuzdul. "We've all gotten a piece. It was agreed this would be yours."

Llorabell took the object and stared at it. It was a chunk of stone that seemed roughly shaped as a spear. It was twice the length of her hand but thin enough for her to hold it within one. All but two sides and the bottom of it was encased by a translucent rock. The sides that were not covered in the whitish rock had clearly been broken off from something. The translucent rock rose a few inches above the interior rock to form a pointed edge.

"It's part of the rock that we found embedded into the dragon," Balin explained, "It's diamond. We think it's part of the destroyed statue's axe, though we've been wondering how the diamond got there…"

"Betting you mean!" Shouted Bofur with a grin, "Well lass, how'd the diamond get there? Got 20 gold on it growing over the existing stone axe from your hobbity 'abanizûghel."

Llorabell found the entire company staring expectantly at her. She'd have to explain some of it. The hobbit licked her suddenly dry lips. She had avoided explaining for as long as she could. Maybe she could just tell them the basics, avoid trying to explain how or why it happened.

Llorabell's rushing thoughts paused at that. She could just tell them what happened and avoided explaining that it was unusual or that the arkenstone was involved.

Bofur's words caught up with her thoughts. She looked back down at the rock. Diamond. Memory of the axe pulling free from the mountain, suddenly gleaming like a thousand arkenstones filled her mind. It had simply been diamond refracting the moonlight.

"Lass?"

Llorabell jerked her head up. She sighed at the staring dwarves. Right, they wanted an explanation. How to explain? "Uhh...Well…You see... I'm not entirely sure where the diamond came from. Smaug had knocked the statue's weapon into the mountain and when it got back up the diamond was covering the axe blade…"

"Ha, pay up! Pay up!" Hooted Glóin, interrupting her explanation.

Dwalin scowled. "You didn't bet that's what happened!"

"Aye!" cried Nori in agreement.

The two dwarves paused to give each other looks before the thief shrugged and Dwalin sighed. The rest of the company jumped into with their own opinions. Llorabell sat in bemusement when no one asked what she meant about the statue moving.

Thorin sank down on her right with a soft grunt. Óin followed a minute later.

"How're ya feeling?" asked the healer as he lifted her foot with the hurt ankle. He carefully pushed and pulled at her foot, moving it in various angles.

"Better."

Oin looked up at her thoughtfully. "Not back in tip top shape, though."

Llorabell nodded.

"Yer ankle not given any twinges when I do this, does it?" he asked as he pushed her foot up again.

Llorabell grimaced at the slight ache as the motion stretched muscles that didn't want to be stretched. "No...Something feels stretched but it doesn't hurt."

The healer, seeing her expression, nodded. "The sprain is getting better."

"Will she be able to walk around soon?" asked Thorin.

"Ah, no. No, she should stay off her feet for a few more days at least. There are the burns that need healing on top of the ankle," Óin said. He looked up at her thoughtfully. "How's the head? Light still glowing too bright?"

Llorabell glanced at the light glowing from the treasury. She shrugged. The light seemed very bright still but that could simply be from her staying in the dark area of the hall instead of venturing out into the light.

Oin made a slight noise at her lack of a proper response. "A few more days of rest, I should think."

"It's not like Bilbo will be much help at the gate," agreed Balin, "or in the treasury. No offense lass, but you don't seem to know much about stones and gold — certainly not enough to help organize it."

"That's true," muttered Thorin thoughtfully.

Llorabell looked between the three dwarves. "Well...yes, I don't suppose I would be much help organizing the treasury but what's this about the gate?"

Thorin grimaced. "The gate was destroyed when Smaug left. We need to seal it up temporarily."

She hesitated for a second before asking, "Are we expecting...unkind company?"

The king smiled grimly at her. "Most certainly but it should be a while before such happens. No, winter is here. We need to seal the gaping hole into the mountain to keep the worst of the cold out."

"Though, the ravens and birds have been celebrating. Roäc admitted that they've started to spread the word. Soon all of Middle Earth will know that the dragon is dead," add Balin.

Llorabell turned to Balin. "Who's Roäc?"

Oin answered, sounding pleased, "Roäc is the leader of the ravens of Erebor. They've returned to Ravenhill as I said they had." Óin gave Balin a triumphant look. "I told ya that the portents said that the ravens were returning."

Balin gave a heavy sigh in response as Thorin caught Llorabell's attention with a further explanation, "The raven's of Erebor have always been allies of ours. Many of them have the ability to speak common and Roäc is one. Roäc came to us while we were investigating Smaug's body. He gave thanks and explained some things he had seen of Smaug's demise. The raven had asked after you, in fact."

"Explained some things?" she asked with a slight frown.

"Oh aye!" cried another voice.

Llorabell looked up to find the rest of the company had stopped their bickering at some point. Bofur stood grinning at her as he expanded, "The raven told us of the statues fighting Smaug!"

Llorabell breathed out an "oh" as her mind stuttered to a halt. What else had the bird said?

"The word will spread," remarked Dwalin, "Smaug is dead. Killed by the very mountain he had stolen."

Her head snapped up at that. Her eyes grew wide in horror. "Wait! They can't spread that! People aren't supposed to know about such things!"

The company stood in silence for a second. Then they all bursted into motion, arguing and shouting at each other. Finally Thorin shouted out sharply, "Takât!"

Silence snapped out like a knife. The king turned to Llorabell. His expression was grim and determined. "The word would have already spread but does not include you within the tale. The raven's chose to not spread lies and didn't know what part you played. If asked we can allude to a dwarven secret or blessing from Mahal. We will keep your secret."

Llorabell slowly nodded but paused. "What of my title? To keep this secret I cannot be the dragon's death."

Thorin frowned at her. Conflict flickered across his expression for a moment before he heaved a sigh. "Your title will not leave this company. We will not spread your deed through our people." The king raised a hand as someone made a protesting sound. "We will remain silent to this deed to keep your secret. But we will not keep silent to the other deeds you have done for us."

The room fell silent at his proclamation. Llorabell relax. The secret would stay safe and she no longer had a ridiculous title.

"We need to think of a new title, then," Kíli remarked.

"No you don't!" Llorabell said sharply back.

Glóin added cheerfully, fully ignoring her, "We'll have to celebrate again." The rest of the dwarves all nodded seriously. A few serious looks cracked with grins.

"Why?" the hobbit asked in frustration.

Thorin raised a brow at her. "The deeds of the person is always celebrated properly, especially when a title is bestowed onto them."

The lass gave him a flat look. "Why do I need another title?"

A snort escaped Dwalin. "Ya think ya shouldn't have one after everything?"

"I don't need a title," she countered, "I wanted to help. Everyone deserves to have a home. I simply did what I could to help you take back yours. I did all this to help you, not for some title!"

Silence stretched across the room again. Llorabell found all the dwarves giving her various looks of appreciation. Fíli's stare seemed to burn into her in particular.

Thorin rose, clapping her shoulder warmly as he stood. "We wish to honor you for everything you've done for us. We know you didn't do it for the prestige. At this point I doubt any of us would believe you if you claimed that you did it for the gold. Let us honor you." The king paused and gave her a considering look. "It is our way. But we will not begrudge you if you choose to not name your title in introductions as titles do not seem to be your way."

Llorabell stared up at him for a long moment before giving a reluctant nodded. He smiled down at her.

"It'll take time for us to decide on a proper title," muttered Dori, "The first was perfect…"

"How to top it?" agreed Bombur in mild annoyance.

Ori nodded enthusiastically. "It must be subtle to keep people from wondering about our hobbit but still bring across the same importance as her secret title."

Thorin waved a hand out. "We can think about this while we work. You know where you're best suited: To the treasury or the gate!"

The company dispersed. Fíli took a moment to bring more water and food to her side but soon slipped out to the treasury with Kíli. Llorabell found herself alone again. She was perfectly alright with that. The hobbit curled up. She could use another nap.

Days slipped by as the company worked diligently. It took only a few days to have the hole by Smaug sealed. It wasn't long after that, that all the dwarves were working through the treasure.

It took another few days before Llorabell was awake enough to notice something was wrong. For the first few days she was able to convince herself that it was her imagination, stemmed from the elf king's words. It was difficult to tell time in the mountain after all. Yet she couldn't continue convincing herself when she had eaten three meals and still hadn't seen any of her dwarves.

The dwarves didn't pause often to eat or rest. Fíli, Kíli, and Bombur were by the most regularly but the rest seemed to only come once a day, if that. She needed to make sure they got some food and water. Overworking themselves like they were wasn't going to do any of them any good.

With that thought in mind, the next morning Llorabell pulled the bandages from her feet. She paused as she saw them. The skin was raw. She pressed her hand against one of her soles. An ache threaded up from her touch. The hobbit lass frowned as she wiggled her toes. Nothing felt stretched from the burns but her feet were sensitive still.

Shaking her head at the strange occurrence, hobbit feet were not sensitive, Llorabell pulled herself up and hissed. An ache radiated out from both feet. Her ankle throbbed and her calf felt odd. A muscle or two was being stretched.

Llorabell took a moment to get used to the feeling before scooping up her wanders cape, thread case, a waterskin, and a bag of cram. Then the hobbit walked out into the treasury. She blinked through the bright light.

"Bilbo!"

"What are you doing!"

Fíli and Kíli rose from their seats at the stairs. Llorabell smiled at them. "I wanted to come join you all and make sure you eat." She lifted the bag of cram. The brothers shared twin grimaces.

Kíli grumbled even as he took the bag. "Cram yesterday, cram today, cram tomorrow!" The brunette pulled out a biscuit and stuffed it in his mouth. "Wisch weave havv meeit." Llorabell wrinkled her nose at Kíli.

Fíli took Llorabell's arm and, ignoring Kíli's grumblings, guided her over to the top step. "Sit. You shouldn't be on your feet yet." Fíli shot a look back at Kíli. "Don't eat it all. Go see if anyone else wants some."

Kíli grumbled but, after stuffing a piece into Fíli's and Llorabell's hands, stomped down the stairs.

"Fíli," Llorabell said before the blond could sit down by her, "You should offer water to everyone. It's been a while since anyone's been up to eat or drink."

The prince stared down at her with a frown. "You're going to stay here right? You aren't going to start walking around when my back is turned?"

Llorabell huffed. "I'm not going to move as long as you lot take care of yourselves! Eat your cram, drink some water, and then go make everyone else do so too."

Fíli nodded slowly and smiled down at her. "As you wish."

Llorabell watched as Fíli obeyed her demands to eat before heading back into the camp to come out with a few of the other waterskins. He also brought a small bag of cram which he set at her side before stomping down the steps. She relaxed. The brothers would make sure everyone got some food and water.

The hobbit lass looked out across the treasury and spotted Glóin, Bombur, and Balin. She watched as the three dwarves slowly moved treasure. She couldn't see any rhyme or reason but as Balin had noted a few days ago (or was it over a week ago?), she didn't know gold or stone from the next. Fíli climbed up to each and gave them water. Llorabell relaxed even more as each dwarf was left a waterskin.

The hobbit leaned against the stair rail and laid out her cape across her lap. She was almost caught up. Her fingers traced the unfinished barrels she had stitched into the cape. If she had ribbons she could make the water more robust. It would have been quicker to finish too. Blue ribbons and the silver wire would make the water quite nice.

Maybe she could get some ribbons to embroider the dragon's fire? A deep red ribbon would do well. She could use the last of her red Took thread to create the dragon and similarly colored ribbons for the fire. Some of the Baggin's copper wire would highlight the dragon and maybe the fire too?

Llorabell hummed quietly to herself as she went back to embroidering the barrels. She was going to run out of thread and wire soon. There wasn't likely any thread or ribbons in Erebor but maybe she could find some wire fine enough to use.

She glanced up from her work every few minutes. Her eyes wandered over the treasury, checking on the three dwarves she could see and looking for ones she hadn't seen yet. Soon, though, Llorabell fell into the calming rhythm of embroidering and lost track of time. She munched at her cram as she worked.

The next time she looked up was when her stomach rumbled with hunger and the small pile of cram were all gone. Llorabell frowned as she stared out. She had expected Fíli and Kíli back by now. Her eyes traced over the view. It hadn't changed much. Her frown deepened. The three dwarves she could see hadn't moved much at all. Balin had traveled the furthest, coming to rest on one of the lower steps.

Llorabell cut her thread and rolled it up. She watched the dwarves as she carefully put her threads back into their case and folded up her cape. The three didn't move.

The hobbit watched with growing concern as time trickled away. She kept silently insisting that one of them would move on to a different section at any minute. Finally the hobbit couldn't convince herself anymore.

Something was wrong.

Glóin was staring at a diamond. He had been for the last twenty minutes. Bombur was crouched over the same small chest of treasure for longer than that. She vaguely recalled him leaning over that chest earlier that day. Balin was stroking a golden goblet filled with small gems as he stared out at the piles of treasure.

She called out to Balin, the closest of the three, "Balin." The dwarf gave no indication of hearing her until she screamed out to him. "Balin!"

The elderly dwarf looked over at her in confusion. He called up to her with a hint of concern, "What are you doing out here lass? Do you need something?"

Llorabell felt her tongue tie. He hadn't noticed she had been out here for hours. Balin stared at her for a second longer before his gaze dropped to the goblet in his hands.

The hobbit snapped her thoughts back to the matter at hand. She didn't actually have anything to say but she needed to say something to keep Balin from going back to staring witlessly at the treasure. "Umm."

The hobbit thought furiously for a few seconds. Finally something came to mind. "Balin." The dwarf looked back up at her; his eyes were glazed over. "Why do you call the Arkenstone the heart of the mountain?"

The glazed look vanished from the old dwarf's eyes. Balin stared at her oddly before rising and climbing the steps up to her. He kept a firm hold of the goblet the entire time, not seeming to notice he even carried it. "Well it was found many a century ago in the depths of this mountain, at its roots. It has been a heirloom of the Durin line for as long as it has been unearthed."

Balin paused with a slight frown and sank down on the step besides Llorabell. "The Arkenstone is the representation of Durin's claim to rule and the honor of Mahal upon our line. The other dwarven clans will come to our call if we possess the stone. We originally hired you to steal it from Smaug so we would have been able to call the armies of the seven clans together to reclaim Erebor from the dragon."

Balin hummed thoughtfully, "Though last time we called for aid we received it even without the stone, but the aid was agreed to only if we looked to reclaim Moria instead of Erebor. After Moria the other clans have refused to aid us in anyway. Many blame us for the devastating losses." Balin paused sadly for a moment before refocusing. "Gandalf insisted that with the Arkenstone the clans will heed our call. I wasn't entirely sure that they would but it was a chance we had to make. I'm still not sure they would have."

The dwarf seemed lost in thought for a moment. Llorabell watched as his eyes began to glaze over and turn back to the treasure. Many questions sprang to mind but she decided to stick with her first line of thought. Balin hadn't answered her question. She quick spoke, "But why call it the heart of the mountain? It isn't actually the heart, is it?"

Balin refocused onto her. "Goodness lass, mountains do not have hearts. They aren't living like we are." He shook his head at her in amusement. "When King Thor had our most skilled jeweler shape it, he had the stone placed over his throne. The throne is in the center of the mountain, lass. The name just stuck after that. Of course, the lad that said it was an odd one but it happens."

"Odd?"

The dwarf shrugged. "He was one of our most respected miners. Had 'abanizûghel, even. He gave the Arkenstone that title and then tried to stop us from shaping the stone to its best." Balin shook his head. "The entire line had lost itself. They had refused the royal demand on mining where the Arkenstone was found. They had even tried to stop the mining exhibition all together but it was by Mahal's will that area be minded once more."

"Mahal's will?"

"The king had had a vision. He was to have the area mined even though the section was deemed depleted."

Llorabell finished Balin's explanation, guessing at the results, "And then when his orders were followed, the miners found the Arkenstone."

Balin smiled at her. "Aye, lass. Aye."

"That's why it's a sign of Mahal's blessing," she breathed out.

The dwarf nodded at her with a smile. "Exactly. Now get some rest."

Balin rose, gave her a soft pat on the shoulder, and returned to the treasure. The hobbit stared after him. All her questions died on her lips with how quickly Balin turned back to the treasury.

Llorabell couldn't help but feel like she was missing something. Why would someone give a stone such a name? Maybe it was something only a dwarf could understand or a dwarf with that ability, stone sense - if she recalled Ori's explanation correctly. Bifur had stonesense. She could ask him if he knew.

But for now she had more pressing worries than the stone. Llorabell frowned worriedly after Balin. She watched as the old dwarf trailed down to the last step and sat once again. He picked up a stone and lifted it up. After a good few minutes Balin nodded and added the stone to his cup. Then he returned to staring out at the treasure like before she had caught his attention. It wasn't natural for anyone to be that enamored by anything.

She needed to go find someone with some sense left in them. Llorabell pushed herself up onto her feet and slowly walked down the steps, clutching her cape in her hands. She flinched as she stepped into the treasure. Her feet stung sharply with every step and her ankle throbbed but Llorabell ignored it. Honey eyes wandered over the treasure in search for more dwarves.

She found Óin and Bofur first. Neither paid her any mind at all, even when she called out to them multiple times. Óin didn't complain about her walking on her feet. Neither even looked at her. The hobbit lass continued on, worry bubbling in her gut.

Llorabell found and left alone the Ri brothers. All three were as bad off as the rest of the dwarves. None of them noticed her. None seemed to hear her call. They all were distracted by some piece of treasure. They were too enamored to care about the rest of the world.

It was when she came across Fíli and Kíli she finally found some hint of sense left. The two brothers noticed and acknowledged her before she even noticed them.

"Bilbo what are you doing?" Fíli cried out, "You said you won't move."

The blond dwarf slid and stomped down the pile of treasure he was standing on. Frustration and annoyance radiated off him. "Sit."

"Fíli," sighed Llorabell in relief.

Fíli frowned at her. "Sit down," he ordered.

Llorabell sank down onto a chest. "Fíli."

The blond dwarf knelt and pulled up one of her feet. His hands carefully moved over her foot, checking for injury. All it did was make her squirm. It was ticklish. She had never had her feet feel ticklish before. Dratted dragon fire making her feet sensitive.

Llorabell squeaked as Fíli brushed an extra sensitive spot. "Would you stop that!"

The dwarf gave her a bland look. "No, you could have hurt yourself!"

"I did not! I know how to take care of myself unlike all of you!" hissed Llorabell. The two glared at each other. Both of them were frustrated and worried.

"Oin said you need to rest for a few more days," Fíli scowled up at her.

"Last time he even came to see me was a few days ago!" she countered.

Fíli shook his head. "That can't be right. We checked on you together a few minutes before you came out to the treasury."

"No you didn't."

Kíli ran up to them with a grin, interrupting the potential argument. "I think this is it Fee!"

Fíli lowered her foot and turned to his brother. "Really?"

"Fíli," the hobbit lass spoke. She repeated herself with a hint of annoyance as the two brothers ignored her.

Fíli took whatever it was Kíli had and grinned. "This is perfect."

"Fíli you need to listen to me," snapped Llorabell.

The prince turned to her and set something onto her head. "That looks very good in your hair."

"Fíli! Everyone has gone crazy," Llorabell hissed out. Her hand flew up to her head and pulled off the jewelry. She tossed it to the side without any thought. Shock flooded the two prince's faces.

"Bilbo?"

"No one is taking care of themselves! They all are too busy staring at treasure!" Llorabell added, "How long have you been hunting for some perfect jewel to stick in my hair? Have you eaten anything since I forced you to? Drank anything?"

Tears welled up. Worry and frustration gnawed hungrily at her stomach. Something was terribly wrong. Fíli and Kíli weren't themselves either. Whatever had caught the other dwarves simply hadn't caught them fully.

"It's not that bad," Kíli remarked from the side, "We've just gotten started, what, an hour ago?"

Llorabell lifted up her cape. "I've gotten hours worth of embroidery done today. You left when I started."

The princes looked down at her cape. "You've done quite a lot since I've seen it," remarked Kíli.

Fíli touched the barrels. "These hadn't been done. Laketown hadn't existed at all," he whispered. His hand dropped from the embroidery.

Fíli and Kíli looked at each other. Worry stretched across their faces.

"Do you think?" asked Kíli, not finishing his question but Fíli clearly understood.

"Take Biblo out of here, Kee. I'll… I'll find Uncle and we'll figure this out."

Kíli nodded sharply. Llorabell squeaked when she suddenly found herself in Kíli's arms. "Kíli!" she smacked his chest in complaint, "I can walk."

"You're not walking till Óin says you can," Kíli countered firmly as he stomped down the pile.

The hobbit grumbled quietly to herself as she realized there was no winning the argument. She sifted in the prince's arms and held onto his shoulders for support. The hobbit lass had the distinct feeling that there had been too much carrying her around lately but, with the orders of the company's healer superseding her own insistences, there wasn't much she could do.

Llorabell glanced behind them to watch Fíli climb up the treasure pile. Hopefully he would be able to find Thorin before he got trapped by the allure of the treasure like everyone else. She bit her lip. She shouldn't let him go on his own. Who would pull him from the spell if he fell to it like the rest?

"He'll be fine," Kíli stated as he headed out of the treasury, away from their little camp, "Fíli will find uncle and figure this out."

"Shouldn't we head back to the camp?" Llorabell countered, choosing to ignore Kíli's words.

He would be fine. Of course he would be. The hobbit mentally squashed her bubbling fear. Fíli would be fine. They all would be fine.

Llorabell felt Kíli shrug before his voice rumbled out. "There's another way back to the camp. I figured you'd and Fíli would prefer if we avoided going through the treasury."

"Oh," She said, "Yes. Thank you."

They walked through the stone hall before it opened up into a great cavern. Llorabell stared in wonder out at the expense of the mountain kingdom. What she could see were great carved stone pillars and walkways. There were areas on the walls in the the pillars that looked like windows and doors. As Kíli walked across the walkway the hobbit came to realize that they were on a single level of the kingdom. Looking above them revealed higher levels of walkways.

Kíli turned a corner and Llorabell squeaked, tightening her grip as they came to a set of stairs Kíli proceeded to almost skip down. There was no railing. It was a very long way down to the next walkway. It was Dori and Nori throwing her up the stairs all over again. Except Kíli was almost running downstairs.

"You alright?" asked Kíli. Llorabell could hear amusement coloring his voice.

"Where are the railings?!" she hissed into his chest.

"Looks like they were torn out," Kíli paused before adding, "I think I saw some railings in the treasury."

"You used gold for railings?" the hobbit ask in incredibility.

Kíli laughed. "Well, yes it seems like we did." The prince hopped down the last few stairs, skipping two steps all together.

Llorabell couldn't help the high squeal that escaped her lips. Her arms tightened around Kíli's neck and the dwarf chuckled. "What?!"

"Just thinking that Fíli should carry you around next time," Kíli explained as he turned down another walkway.

Llorabell turned red but pulled away and glared up at the dwarf. "Don't you dare tell him!"

Kíli simply grinned at her before taking another turn, revealing another set of stairs.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" the hobbit lass hissed out, "What is it with you dwarves and stairs!? It's not sensible at all."

"Exactly how isn't it sensible?" Kíli countered.

Llorabell scowled into his chest as she tucked her head in so she couldn't see the steep drop they were walking right next to. Her voice was muffled as she explained, "We hobbit keep things on one level. Makes it simpler. Much simpler. You're less likely to fall."

"Oh yes, clearly that's the sensible thing to do. Live in a mountain but just at the base. No need to expand above or below," Kíli said drily.

The hobbit lass grumbled against his chest in response.

"Shit!" cursed Kíli suddenly as he ducked, falling to his knees on the stairs, and dropping Llorabell onto the stairs in front of him.

The hobbit lass stared wide eyed at Kíli as he looked up sharply and cursed colorfully in khuzdul. Her heart was pounding in her ears.

The young prince scowled up at the dark. Llorabell couldn't help seeing the resemblance between uncle and nephew again. "You mangy bird!" growled Kíli as he sat up, "Why'd you dive at us!"

"Wha-" A raven landed on the step in front of her before she could finish.

The raven tilted its head at her before turning to Kíli and opening its beak. Broken words came out, "Elfman. Come."

Llorabell glanced over at Kíli. "Eh. A male elf is coming?"

The raven turned to her and repeated, slower, "Elf. Man. Come."

"Uh." Llorabell mumbled out. Her heart was finally calming down.

Kíli leaned forward and said, "Elves and men are coming?"

The raven turned back to Kíli and hopped down a step. "Yes."

Kíli cursed. Llorabell grabbed the dwarf before he could run off. "How many?" She demanded of the raven.

"Elf. Lot," the raven said, "Man. Few."

"Laketown men?" Llorabell asked, "Mirkwood elves?"

"Yes."

Kíli lifted Llorabell up and sprinted up the stairs. He shouted behind him, "We're up here." The prince turned back around as he reached the top step. "Could you bring Roäc?"

The raven crowed an affirmative before flying into the dark.

The dark haired dwarf ran down the walkway and almost flew through one of the doors coming off it. Fíli, Dwalin, Balin, and Thorin were standing in the middle of the room. They were in the camp again.

"Where have you been?" Fíli demanded.

Kíli ignored his brother and spoke to Thorin. "There's a group of elves and men heading this way!"

"What!" demanded Thorin.

"A raven came," Kíli explained.

The dwarves all turned grim and started talking to and over each other. It took only a few minutes for them to come to some type of consensus. Dwalin and Balin stomped back into the treasury.

Llorabell squirmed in Kíli's grip, finally feeling that she could safely interrupt. "Would you set me down?"

An old raven flew through the door just as the three Durin's directed their attention to her. Kíli quickly set her down to her feet as the raven landed on some gear. None of the dwarves paid any mind to her standing on her feet.

Llorabell stared down at the old raven. Most of its head was balding. It was an odd look for a bird.

Dwalin, Glóin, and Bombur stomped back into the room as Thorin spoke to the raven. "Greetings Roäc. We've heard of some elves and men heading this way. Do you have any more information than what your kin passed over to us."

Roäc nodded his head slightly. "Greetings Thorin, King of the Mountain. The Elf King comes with an army at his back. The Lakemaster comes with a party. They desire treasure of the mountain. The Elf King claims rights to jewels of starlight. The Lakemaster claims rights to a share for hospitality given."

The company became grim at the raven's words. Llorabell looked around them all and found that Balin had reentered with the rest of the company at his back. They all looked grim and furious. Llorabell unconsciously backed up at the fierce looks. In that moment she was reminded sharply of the tales of dwarves, particularly the stories of their fierce possessiveness of gold. The elf king's words whispered in the back of her mind stronger than ever.

The greed of dwarves burns as brightly as dragon flames.

"They come for our treasure," snarled Thorin. The king turned towards his kin, nearly spitting out, "They claim rights to what is ours. The men stand by the elves and will demand more than agreed to." Thorin turned sharply back to the raven. "Roäc, will you send word to my kin in the Iron Hills?"

The raven nodded. "As allies of old, yes."

Thorin nodded. "Dáin Ironfoot resides as lord. Tell him the mountain is reclaimed and elves come to take it from us. I would have him come with an army at his back to protect Durin's treasure, our treasure!"

The king turned sharply back towards the company. "We are to prepare for war. Balin do you remember where the closest armory is?" Balin nodded. "Lead everyone there and armor up. Dwalin break everyone up into threes. We will rotate in three for gate duty. The rest of you will find the Arkenstone!"

Llorabell jerked at his last words. Why did he need the Arkenstone? Balin's explanation earlier came to mind. It was a sign of their right to rule and the other clans would come to their aid if they had it. But surely Dáin would come to their aid without it. There was no dragon to deal with now.

The company dispersed, leaving Llorabell and Thorin. The king stepped over to the treasury entrance and looked out. His hands folded behind his back.

Llorabell shifted back and forth. She wasn't sure what to do. Her eyes wandered to her pack where the Arkenstone lay. It was Thorin's but there was something wrong with it. Why hadn't Gandalf shown up yet?

Roäc fluttered up to an alcove by Thorin's head and capturing the king's attention. "Be careful King of the Mountain. The treasure is likely to be your death as it has been the mountain's."

"What?" demanded Thorin. Llorabell agreed with that question. Her heart pounded at the warning. What did the raven mean?

The raven didn't explain. It simply took flight.

"Thorin." Llorabell spoke up hesitantly.

The king turned sharply back at her with a startled look. He had forgotten she was there. The dwarf stared at her for a moment before he said, "What is it?"

"Why do you need the Arkenstone?"

Thorin seemed to relax at her question. An amused smile stretched across his grim baring. "I don't expect you to understand, Bilbo. It is the jewel of my house. Dáin would expect to see it when he comes."

Llorabell frowned at him. "But why do you need to find it now? Could...Shouldn't we prepare for the army coming?" Llorabell waved her hands about. "Like...like getting food and water together?"

The king's smile grew into a grin and he muttered to himself, "He's chosen well."

Llorabell frowned. Who? What?

Thorin walked over to her and clapped her shoulders. "Come, let us prepare for war. The chainmail I gifted you shouldn't be the only armor you wear. Then you can take a few of us down to find food. Bombur and Balin I think would do best."

Llorabell quietly followed the king as he headed out. "Balin should remember where the mushroom caverns are and while the bats may have fled with the dragon, the lakes should have fish. They couldn't have fled, I don't think. Of course Smuag may have done something to the lakes."

"Bats?" the hobbit couldn't help but ask as she wrinkled her nose, "You eat bats?"

Thorin looked down at her with even more amusement coloring his expression. "Yes. We usually roast them but the smaller kind is sometimes used in soup."

Llorabell felt her stomach roll at the idea. "Remind me not to eat any of your soup."

The king laughed warmly as he guided her through the maze of walkways. "It might be the only food we have. Winter has come after all. And, anyway, it's similar to eating squirrel. A bit different flavor and the texture could be considered a cross between squirrel and bird but close enough."

She shook her head at the thought. "That doesn't sound like squirrel at all."

"Then you'll just have to eat mushrooms all winter," Thorin countered with a shrug and smirk. Llorabell had the sudden urge to smack him on the shoulder for the snark. The sound of singing stopped her.

She followed Thorin into what could only be the armory. The company were singing in khuzdul as they moved through the rows of armor and weapons. Thorin moved through the room and joined in the song.

Llorabell watched silently as the company helped each other find gear that fit. They all were ignoring anything that didn't have gold inlaid across the platemail. Thorin chose armor that looked to be dipped in gold.

The hobbit lass shifted with uncertainty as their rumbling voices echoed through the room. The weapons they were picking up seemed as decorative as the armor. Kíli was testing a bow covered in gold and silver. Dwalin was comparing his own hammer to another diamond encrusted one.

Fíli stomped up to her and pulled one of her arms up to compare to a vambrace. It was beautifully made and clearly two sizes too big. The blond dwarf paused in his singing to make a sound of annoyance. Then he tossed the armor piece to the side and pulled her further into the room. He began singing again, this time in common though it was clearly the same song.

"Bring to me all of my axes

Bring to me my hammer too

I fear we might need them both

Before the night is through"

The rest of the company switched to the common tongue as Fíli walked through the room. Fíli pulled Llorabell to a seat before moving around in search of armor that would fit her. None interrupted the song. Llorabell didn't either even though she wanted to tell him that all the platemail he was pulling out would be too heavy. Something about the atmosphere kept her silent.

"Once a world of glittering hope

This world is not the world we knew

The only light left to shine

Is between me and you

On our own

In a World of Stone

We are not alone..."

Fíli paused in his singing again when he finally found a pair of arm guards that fit. They were the simplest pair he had brought over. He didn't look even slightly thrilled over that fact.

Llorabell choose to take the fact that it was made mostly of leather instead of platemail as the source of his displeasure for the vambrace. It couldn't be because it only had a small design of gold across it. The braces would work well with her gloves at least.

He looked her over for a moment and frowned down at her feet. Llorabell watched as Fíli looked around at the boots nearby. If it wasn't for the song, she would head him off before he brought over any heavy dwarven boots. She wasn't going to wear any of them, especially any of the plated ones. Fíli returned to the song and headed off to find more armor.

The others paused at her side to hand back her weapons they had borrowed. Soon she was only missing the weapons she had left at camp. Llorabell stared down at her letter opener. Sting. Thorin had been carrying it all this time.

The song vibrated around her as the dwarves continued to prepare for war. Fire glowed in their eyes. Gold glittered over their bodies. Llorabell felt like she was going to be sick. Tears filled her eyes as she watched them prepare.

They were going to war.

"Bring me mead and bring me ale

To help us face this fight again

Good fortune will shine down on us

Together we will win"

If it was just men coming to the mountain, war might be avoided. It was elves that were coming, though. Tratorious Mirkwood elves who had kept them captive and who didn't aid the dwarves when they had needed it most.

"And they will never break our spirit

We will never turn and run

And we will rise stronger still

When we stand as one!"

Llorabell didn't want to go to war.

The song at the end is World of Stone. I changed a few words. You can hear it here: watch?v=4qHdAOKoL18

Its a perfect song for dwarves.

Khuzdul (let me know if I missed something):
takât = silence
'abanizûghel = stone sense