Chapter Twelve

"You seem to be rather quiet this evening, sister. Are you okay?" asked Breg, as he sharpened his axe, as they journeyed towards the mountain. "I'm fine, brother. Just worried that's all." Lalina said. "I understand." said Breg. "Have you noticed Thorin? He's been very distant, even towards some of us." said Lalina. "There's no need to worry, Lalin. He's got a lot on his mind." said Breg. Lalina fell silent, as she moved over towards the Hobbit. "Hello, Mister Baggins. What are you looking at?" Lalina asked the hobbit, whom was looking at his ring.

Bilbo quickly put the ring back in his pocket. "Oh, its nothing. I found something that I've picked up in the goblin caves, I've been admiring." said Bilbo nervously. "Oh, well then! Have fun!" beamed Lalina, as she leaned back, trying to fall asleep. As she dozed off, she could hear mumblings from the hobbit, which startled her. "My precious.." whispered Bilbo. Well, just went from worrying about Thorin, and now Bilbo is acting odd? Are we due for a full moon? Lalina thought.

Soon, they reached the ruins of Dale after they climbed out of the boats. "What is this place?" asked Bilbo. "The ruins of Dale-The Desolation of Smaug." Balin replied. Lalina already felt very uncomfortable standing there. After walking through Dale, they reached the Mountain. "Everyone search for the door!" Thorin instructed to the Company. "Lalina, Breg!" Thorin called out to the brother and sister. Lalina and Breg approached Thorin. "The two of you stay down here and keep watch." said Thorin.

Lalina did not like the sound of this at all. She didn't understand why Thorin would have her being left behind-again. This angered her tremendously. "Why are you asking me to do this? You don't want me inside your home?!" snapped Lalina. "Lalina, there is a dragon in there. Until the dragon is gone, you and Breg stay watch out here." said Thorin. "Yes, and if you managed to scare the dragon out of the mountain, who's going to be at the blunt end of it?!" snapped Breg, angrily.

"Look, the two of you are keeping watch out here, and that's an order!" Thorin barked at Breg. "FINE! If the two of us die out here, I pray to Mahal, it will eat up your conscious!" Breg shouted angrily at Thorin, as Thorin walked away.

"Thorin, I don't think that is such a good idea of leaving them down there." said Balin. "They will be fine, Balin. Lets continue our searching." grumbled Thorin.

Time Skip:

Lalina's POV:

My brother and I sat outside, taking up watch duty as Thorin insisted we should do. "I don't understand why he's asking us to do this. What is he afraid of? He can't be worried about the elves, is he?" I asked. "I don't know, La. Something in that dwarf's mind isn't right!" grumbled Breg. I sighed sadly, and I knew my brother is right. I noticed Thorin is slowing changing, and I'm afraid not for the better. Suddenly to our shock and horror, we felt the entire ground rumbling.

"Lalina, something is happening…the ground shouldn't be rumbling like this!" said Breg. Suddenly I could feel the air, becoming more uncomfortable. Suddenly, Breg noticed flames coming down towards the sky. "DRAGON! LALINA TAKE COVER!" Breg cried out. "I am Fire, I am Death!" Smaug shouted as he flown over us, breathing fire in his path. Breg and I quickly ran, and we found a nearby crevice to hide in. "Stay down, and don't move!" whispered Breg. I nodded.

Suddenly, a feeling of dread clouded over me, as my thoughts turned to Fili, Kili, Oin and Bofur, whom are still in Lake Town. Oh no! The others! They're in the path of the dragon's wrath! I thought, tears running down my face. "Don't move until the beast is officially away from here." Breg whispered to me. I nodded. An hour later, everything went completely silent. "Okay, lets go-I believe he's already made it to Lake Town by now." said Breg. "What shall we do now?" I asked Breg.

"Head to the Mountain of course! Order or no order, we are not going to be left behind, especially with you carrying child!" said Breg. After we left from our hiding spot, we begin our journey to the Mountain. It wasn't long as we reached the Front Gate and I could hear Thorin barking orders at the dwarves, as they started building a wall. Breg and I exchanged looks. "DWALIN! Please let us in!" I called out. "Lalina?! Breg?!" exclaimed Dwalin, as he and Balin approached us, allowing us to enter.

"Thank Mahal, the two of you are safe! Especially you, Lalina! I tried to convince Thorin, but he refused.." said Balin. "Thorin, where is he?" I asked. Dwalin and Balin exchanged looks. "Lass, its wise that you have to steer clear from him. He has changed, and he not a good state of mind!" said Dwalin, gravely.

"I would like to speak with him!" I said quickly, and I walked away. "Lass! Lass! I don't think that's a good idea!" Dwalin called out, but I continued to walk away. "Stubborn girl, why won't she listen?" growled Dwalin. "Because she's related to me, and I never listen myself!" Breg grinned. Dwalin laughed, slapping Breg in his back.

No one's POV:

Lalina walked further into the mountain, when she could hear mumblings coming from the Treasury. "Gold-you helped me through grief, the savior of my pain and suffering-gold-!" whispered Thorin, as Lalina entered the treasury. She gasped, when she noticed he had changed into different clothing. Now he was wearing a dark blue fur line coat, and a leather tunic underneath, and mithril chain mail, with a belt to match.

"Thorin!" Lalina called out, as she stood on a flight of stairs looking down at him. Thorin looked up and glared at Lalina. "You weren't supposed to be here!" growled Thorin. "I don't understand, why don't you want me here? I am your wife, carrying OUR child!" Lalina spoke. "You were told to stay below to keep watch! Why are you disobeying my orders?!" snapped Thorin, as he angrily approached Lalina. "Thorin, what are you doing? THORIN!" shrieked Lalina. Soon Thorin reached the top of the stairs, and grabbed Lalina roughly by the shoulders.

"Listen to me, woman! You go back out there, and keep your post!" screamed Thorin, shaking Lalina. "Thorin, you don't understand! The dragon has left, he's leading for Lake Town as we speak! Your nephews and your kin are down there, for heaven's sake!" Lalina shrieked. Suddenly, she felt his large hand, striking her in the face, as Lalina tumbled over with a shriek, now on her hands and knees, and she sat on the edge of the stairs. Soon, Balin and Dwalin entered the treasury, watching the horrific scene in front of them. Lalina slowly stood up, and faced Thorin again.

"You are not my husband! You are not the man I first fell in love with!" said Lalina, icily. "I am your KING! And you will do as I say!" Thorin bellowed. "You are not my king! You're a monster!" Lalina screamed back, hot tears falling down her face. Suddenly, Thorin lunged at her, and as Lalina stepped back, she tumbled down the long flight of stairs, screaming as she went. "LALINA!" Dwalin and Balin cried out. Once Lalina landed on the bottom, she fell into unconsciousness.

Balin realized that Oin wasn't here when he was much needed. He had to tend to Kili. "Dwalin, carry Lalina to the Healing chambers, I will see to her myself." said Balin. Then Balin turned to Thorin, whom already walked away. Balin bowed his head, shaking it sadly with a sigh.

At the same time, Breg came running in. "Lalina, where is she?" panted Breg. "Breg, Lalina fell down the stairs. Her and Thorin had a big fight, and she fell." Balin said gravely. "Where is she at?" Breg demanded. "Follow me. She's in the healing chambers, as we speak." said Balin. Balin led Lalina's brother to the healing chambers. "Dwalin, go find-!" began Balin, when suddenly they could hear voices in the distance. Nori came running into the healing chambers.

"They've come back! They're alive!" exclaimed Nori. "Who?" asked Dwalin. "Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin, of course!" Nori replied, sharply. Balin turned to Breg. "Breg, you keep an eye on your sister. I will tell Oin everything that happened." said Balin. Breg nodded, as he watched the dwarves leave the Healing Chambers. Balin and Dwalin, greeted the others, as they could see Bilbo had just finished informing them about Thorin. Dwalin and Balin could see the grave looks on their faces.

"What has happened to him, Balin?" asked Kili softly. "Laddie, it is as I feared. The sickness is growing in him, and I'm afraid its going to get worse!" said Balin. "What of Lalina? Where's Aunt Lalina?" asked Fili. Balin informed them of what happened. Oin's eyes widened in shock and dismay. "Take me to her! Now!" demanded Oin, and Oin followed Balin to the Healing Chambers.

When they entered, they could see Lalina awake, weeping in Breg's arms, while Breg held her and comforted her. "Lalina! Let me have a look at you please!" said Oin. Lalina looked up, and she climbed back in bed, as Breg walked away. Lalina closed her eyes, praying that her child is okay. Suddenly, she winced in pain. "Great heaven's above! She's bleeding!" cried out Breg. Oin closed his eyes. "No.. Oh no!" said Oin quietly.

Oin looked up at everyone gravely. "She-has lost the child!" choked Oin, wiping away a tear. "No no! Don't say it-!" screamed Lalina. Balin took Lalina's hands. "I'm sorry, Lalina-your child-!" began Balin. Lalina collapsed into Balin's arms and wept hysterically. Bilbo stood in the room as well, watching the heartbreaking scene. Its time to take action, Bilbo Baggins! Things are going to change from here! thought the hobbit, as he left the room.

Two days had passed, Lalina remained confined in the healing chambers, even during the time Bilbo confessed to Thorin of taking the Arkenstone. When word came to Lalina about a war breaking out between the elves, dwarves and men, which didn't help things with Lalina emotionally at all, and Breg had spent most of his time with Lalina, helping her through her hardships.

That same night, Dwalin confronted Thorin, yelling and screaming at him. "Not only that, Thorin, Lalina miscarried! Miscarried! Your child died, because of this! You killed your own child, nearly killing your wife! I hate to say this, I am ashamed of calling you King!" hissed Dwalin. "Leave! Get out, before I kill you!" Thorin bellowed back. "FINE!" Dwalin screamed, as Dwalin left, he grumbled, "You horses ass!" and disappeared.

Everyone gathered sadly in the Great Hall. Breg joined them for a little bit. "How is Lalina? How is she holding up?" asked Fili. "Not too good, I'm afraid. Losing the child has taken its toll on her. She's severely depressed, and refuses to talk about Thorin. She doesn't even want any of us mention Thorin to her at all. In fact, she said once she awakens, she is returning to Ered Luin to live alone." said Breg. "No, we're not going to let her leave. She cannot leave!" said Kili, sharply.

"If you were there to see what your foolish Uncle had done to her, you wouldn't blame her for saying so!" Breg yelled. Kili fell silent. Suddenly to everyone's surprise, Thorin entered the Great Hall. Soon as Thorin entered, Kili stood up, glaring angrily at him. "I will NOT hide while others fight for us!" screamed Kili. "I know." said Thorin quietly, as he moved closer to Kili.

"Us Durin folk will not back down from a fight!" said Thorin, looking up at the others. "This may not be my place to ask this, will you follow me, one last time?" said Thorin. The dwarves cheered. Suddenly, Breg approached him. "I will follow you, Thorin, but there is something you should know." said Breg. "Lalina.." said Thorin, quietly. "Yes, its about my sister, that you hurt in the treasury!" snarled Breg, clenching his fists. "She also miscarried." broke in Oin. "Miscarried? The child-dead?!" cried out Thorin.

"Yes, Thorin-dead." said Dwalin, darkly. "No-no-no!" cried out Thorin, tears falling down his face, guilt and remorse clouding over him. "What have I done?!" bellowed Thorin, buried his face in his hands.

"The only thing I can tell you laddie, is to give her a little while to calm down. I don't think she will be talking to you for a while." said Balin. "She will never forgive me for sure." said Thorin quietly.