Hello All! Well, here is another chapter. I can't believe that we have made it this far. Thank you to all who consistently review and all those whose follow or favorite this story! Well, on with the story!

Chapter 20-

Margaret followed the crowd as they filed out of the grand hall and made its way towards the dining hall. She let her mind wander over the ceremony as she was pushed along. While she agreed with the general chatter that the queen had indeed looked beautiful, she couldn't help but notice the shadow that had flitted over the queen's face as she was crowned. Margaret shook her head to rid herself of the image of the newly crowned queen, and instead turned to face Fili who was walking beside her. Ahead of the pair, Kili walked with his mother a few steps behind the new monarchs and their guard, who were clothed entirely in black, Margaret noticed. She nudged Fili and said,

"That clothing hardly seems appropriate for a wedding." When he did not respond, she turned to look at him. Fili was lost in thought as they continued down the corridor, and did not even notice when she grabbed his arm to prevent him from walking into a nearby table.

"Fili," she prompted. "What is wrong my friend?" He stopped and looked at her with a confused and somewhat pained expression on his face.

"Margaret, there is something that I need to talk to you about. I think….. at least I believe….." he stopped with a frustrated sigh.

"Fili, "she said laying a hand on his arm, "you and your brother once told me that I could come to you and talk over any problem I had. Well, I know extend that same invitation to you." He gave her a small smile and put his hand over hers.

"My lady," he said with a mock bow, "will you walk with me for a while?" Giggling, Margaret dropped a curtsy in return and followed as her led her away from the main crowd and off into a smaller, more private corridor. At the head of the column, Thorin turned his head and watched the pair walk away. He couldn't explain the small hitch in his breath as he saw them leave or the clenching of his heart as he wished she would stay. Illea, walking next to him, put a possessive hand on his arm and leaned down to whisper in his ear:

"You are mine now Thorin Oakenshield. Do not forget that." She smiled at a passing peasant and tightened her grip on his arm.

Margaret followed Fili down the hall away from the procession and down yet another side corridor until they reached an oaken door, studded with nails and a large lock. Fili took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, ushering her inside. Inside, she found a small table with two chairs and a window, overlooking the audience chamber where the wedding feat was to take place.

"This room belonged to my great grandmother," he said, pulling out a seat for her. "She used to come in here and watch the court proceedings and then discuss them with my great grandfather. It was not as common then to have a queen be active in the ruling of her people. Kili and I discovered this room before the battle and decided to keep it our secret." Margaret sat down and arranged her skirts and braid, giving Fili the time to sit down and collect his thoughts.

"Margaret," he began, looking into her eyes, "I have no doubt that you have noticed that things have begun to change around the city. New laws, strange occurrence's; acts, no crimes, being done in the name of the queen, long before we had a queen. I think, I believe…." he glanced at her in order to gauge her reaction. "I believe that the Lady Illea stands behind these changes. I believe that she is evil and means to bring harm to Erebor." Margaret looked down at her folded hand for several moments before replying.

"Fili," she began. He tensed as if expecting a reprimand, "I believe you are right," she continued. "I have talked to several merchants who have been forced out of their livelihood because they did not want to pay the protection fee that was being levied on them. I went to talk to Lord Thorin about it, but was detained by the queen's guard". Fili heaved a sigh of relief and took her hand.

"Thank you Margaret," he said. "I have been worried that you would think me crazy for thinking these things, let alone voicing them. We will need to talk to uncle, he must no know about her true nature or he would never have married her!" Margaret was about to reply that she did not think Thorin was so blind, but they were interrupted by a loud scream from the room below. They rushed to the window and watched as half a dozen bruised and bloody miners burst into the hall and rushed towards the dais where Thorin and Illea sat.

Thorin looked up when the doors to the audience chamber burst open and leapt to his feet as the miners poured in. He jumped to the ground, discarding his cloak as he did so, and ran to meet the leader of the ragtag group half way. The miners stumbled to a weary halt and executed sketchy bows in front of him.

"My lord, "the eldest dwarf, who had a shock of white hair that reached almost to his shoulders, gasped, "My lord, I bring woeful tidings. The easternmost tunnel has collapsed. Some several dozen miners are wounded or dead and at least 20 more are trapped in the tunnel!" The crowd gasped at the news and Thorin closed his eyes for several seconds, trying to digest the horrible news. His eyes suddenly snapped open and he began issuing orders to those around him.

"Balin," he yelled, "organize labor teams and start moving them towards the tunnel to begin clearing it. Oin, get your healers and as many supplies as you can carry and meet Balin at the opening to the mines. Dwalin, take our most experienced miners and make sure that the other tunnels will hold." The three nodded and ran off to their allotted tasks. Thorin placed a hand on the miner's shoulder and said:

"Lead the way friend." The miner nodded and started out of the room at a run with Thorin close behind. In the hidden room, Margaret had gasped and run down the stairs as soon as the miner said that there had been a collapse. Thorin soon caught up with the pair in the hall and silently grabbed Margaret's hand as they hurried towards the mine entrance.

Well, what do you think!?

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