HEY!
Happy Thanksgiving from the US!
Am I the only one that's working today or are any of my readers stuck in the same boat?
How many of y'all don't celebrate Thanksgiving?
I get to spend my day waiting on rich people...
Who knows... maybe I'll get some good tips.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
As always, please review!

~ Rachel

Eärwen stayed close to the pool's bottom as she waited each day for Azog to come torture her. Her shirt was now in tatters and she had lost all sense of time. She tried to remember how long she had been in Azog's control, but without knowing what day it was, she was at a loss. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a violent jerk on her chain. She was pulled out of the water and material was thrown in her face.

Eärwen held the fabric up to reveal a ragged dress that had once been pale green, but was now dirty and smudged. Her chains were removed and an orc motioned for her to put on the garment. She sat still for a moment before pulling the dress on and allowing her body to shift to her land form. She stretched her legs and toes before standing weakly.

Before she was even fully upright, her hands were bound with rope and a foul smelling sack was pulled over her face. The orc began to push her down the hall and into an area that was full of noise. Eärwen's head began to ache from the sudden barrage of noise and she let out a startled yelp when she was picked up and thrown over the back of a large creature.

Azog positioned Eärwen in front of him on his warg and gave a command for the orcs to begin to march. Soon, he would have his revenge on Thorin Oakenshield, very soon.

-oOo-

Eraveth walked around the elven camp while Thranduil conversed with Bard the Bowman. They had already tried to talk with Thorin but Thranduil had made sure that she wasn't going to be there. Tonight, something was different. She stood outside Thranduil's quarters and listened as a third voice began to talk. Her eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice offer Thorin's coveted Arkenstone to the two leaders in an attempt to blackmail Thorin.

Fear settled into Eraveth's heart as she thought of the possibilities that could happen if this person was found out. She waited in the shadows until the newcomer took his leave and called to him in a whisper, "Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins!"

Bilbo spun in the direction of the voice and a huge grin split his face. "Eraveth!" he whispered excitedly, "you're alive! Everyone will be thrilled!"

Eraveth embraced the hobbit like an old friend and said, "I need you to get me into Erebor, Bilbo. I can't stay here one moment longer. I'll go insane if I don't see everyone soon!"

Bilbo nodded, wide-eyed, and motioned for her to stay quiet and follow him. The duo sneaked past the elves and followed the path that Bilbo had taken down from the Lonely Mountain. Eraveth was stunned when she first set eyes on the great dwarf kingdom. Everywhere she looked showed the wealth of the kingdom and she gazed at the majestic beauty of the stone halls. Never before had she seen anything that was remotely close to the grandeur of this place.

Bilbo led Eraveth to where the company had set up camp. Even with an entire mountain at their disposal, they still preferred to stay together. She smiled at the sleeping company and was relieved to see that they all appeared to be unharmed. Just then, she noticed that two of the dwarves were missing and she asked Bilbo where Thorin and Dwalin were.

"Thorin isn't the same," Bilbo said with a heavy sigh. "Ever since we arrived, he has been obsessed with finding the Arkenstone. He refuses to eat or sleep. I think it has something to do with Thror's gold sickness. He barely cares for anything but the Arkenstone and would rather die than part with a single coin."

"Where is he?" Eraveth asked softly.

Bilbo was about to speak when another voice came from down the hall, "He's in the treasury." Eraveth jerked her head up to see Dwalin coming their way. She moved past Bilbo and stood in front of the old warrior. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "It's good to see you well, girl. Maybe you can convince him to stop his search. Anything to make sure that he eats. He's making himself sick and we don't know what to do."

Eraveth offered the tattooed dwarf a smile and said, "Show me where he is and I will try."

They walked in silence for a time before Eraveth said, "You haven't asked me how I got here."

"You were last seen with the elves," Dwalin grunted. "Figured you followed them once you were better and then snuck your way in. How precisely, I don't know, but right now that's the least of my concerns."

Dwalin came to an abrupt stop just then before two giant doors and motioned for Eraveth to enter. She stepped inside and her mouth dropped open. More gold than she had ever seen before lay in mounds that filled the entire chamber. The tinkling sound of gold coins falling caught her ear and her gaze was drawn to the lone figure in the room.

Thorin stood atop an enormous pile of gold and jewels. He was sifting through the treasures as he mumbled to himself. Eraveth immediately began to make her way toward him, but he didn't seem to hear her even when she slipped and fell. She glanced back at Dwalin but found that he was no longer in the room. She turned back to Thorin and began to climb the giant mountain of gold once more. Her wound began to hurt the more she slipped on the coins but she kept on.

Finally, Thorin heard her fall and spun around quickly. Eraveth looked up to find Thorin's icy gaze on her and sighed when she saw it clear and recognition fill his gaze. He rushed forward and pulled her up, all the while checking to make sure that she wasn't a part of his imagination. Eraveth was slightly annoyed with the way he was looking at her and reached forward to flick his nose.

"What was that for!?" he roared as he brought his hand up to his hurting nose.

"To prove I am really here," Eraveth said matter-of-factly. She smiled widely at the dwarf king and threw her arms around him in a hug. She would normally never have done such a thing, but she had missed him so much while she was in Mirkwood without him. She began to notice that she had incredibly strong feelings for him when they first entered Mirkwood and they had only intensified while she was apart from him. She had no idea if he even felt the slightest thing for her, but right now, she didn't care.

Thorin went rigid when she first hugged him, but he soon returned the embrace lightly. When she pulled away, he felt a small sense of loss. He looked into her emerald eyes and noticed the uncertainty in there depths. He was about to say something but she spoke first.

"I missed you," she said quickly. "I only woke up some days ago, but I made sure that I came when I heard Thranduil tell his guard that they were coming. I just sneaked in here and met Bilbo, then Dwalin came upon us and led me to you. I couldn't stand another moment with those elves and their no meat diet. Don't get me wrong, I like fruits and vegetables but not all the time."

Eraveth knew she was rambling, but she had to think of a way to keep Thorin distracted from the gold sickness. She sighed dramatically and asked, "Could we please find something to eat?"

Thorin stared at the female in bewilderment and nodded. He led her down through the mounds of coins and back toward the room where the company was sleeping. Dwalin stood outside the treasury doors and fell into step behind them. He gave a small nod in Eraveth's direction and she swore she saw a hint of a smile grace his otherwise stony face. Thorin began to tell her about the grandeur of Erebor and she listened wordlessly while they walked. They came into the room where the company slept and Dwalin nudged Bofur with his foot.

Bofur pushed his hat away from his face and looked up into Eraveth's laughing eyes. "Eraveth!" he cried as he scrambled to his feet and tripped over his brother. Bombur awoke with a loud shout and caused every dwarf to wake up with a start. Eraveth doubled over with laughter as she watched the dwarves blindly reach for weapons or stumbled over the next person in an attempt to wake up. Soon her laughter turned to coughs and she gripped her abdomen where the arrow had hit her. Feeling hands on her shoulder, she allowed herself to be guided to a stone bench along the wall.

Once she caught her breath, she looked up to find fifteen pair of eyes on her. She gave them her best smile and was greeted with a giant hug from her brother. She winced slightly and he pulled away with a look of worry and concern etched into his brow. She patted his shoulder and scanned the company until her eyes settled on a dark-haired dwarf.

Standing up, Eraveth moved to stand in front of Kili. She smiled and pulled the younger dwarf into a tight hug which he returned lightly in an effort not to hurt her. "I'm so glad you're not hurt," she said as she pulled back and ruffled his hair.

"We were more worried about you," he said with a sheepish smile. "You are never allowed to get left behind again. First Goblintown and then Mirkwood, you are trying to see how close you can come to death, aren't you?"

"Not really," she said with a laugh. "I promise to try to keep myself safe as well as you all. I will tell you all about it, but right now, I'm famished."

Instantly, the dwarves were in action and seated Eraveth with some dried meat and bread. Supplies were not at the best but they were all so relieved that she was back. Eraveth found herself sitting between Thorin and Tosur as she nibbled on the bread.

"I don't remember much of what happened," she said once she was done. "I remember the pain and kicking Kili into the river but after that, it's all a little foggy. I woke up about a week before Durin's day and found out that I had been shot with a poisoned arrow. I had a fever for a long time and then I was unconscious for a while. Once I woke up, I found out that Queen Erubadriel was the one to find me and take me to the healing hall. She was incredibly nice and quite different from her husband. Thranduil did not like me very much and Erubadriel found it all highly amusing. When we received the news of Smaug, I made sure that I was brought along with the elves. Tonight was the first chance I got to sneak away."

Eraveth left out the part of Bilbo for good reason. She felt movement to her side and watched as Thorin got up and walked to the door. She caught the worried glances that were directed at his back and scrambled to her feet. She ran to the door and yelled, "Thorin, wait!" Rushing to his side and ignoring the protest of her wound, she said, "Why do you not sleep? Surely your search can wait until morning. You need your rest."

Thorin turned slightly to look at her and sighed, "I must find it, Eraveth. I must prove my right to rule. I would not expect you to understand."

Eraveth stopped short at the painful tug in her heart. She did not know why Thorin's words hurt, but she could see the determined gleam in his eyes. She walked back to the company and shook her head sadly. A few sighs were heard and Balin placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's all right, lass," he said with a sad smile. "Get some rest. Things will be better in the morning."

With whispered words of goodnight, everyone settled down into their spots and fell asleep. Morning dawned and seemed determined to prove Balin's words wrong. Thranduil and Bard once again stood outside the gates and demanded their share of the treasures. Thorin once again refused but was brought up short when Thranduil produced the Arkenstone. Eraveth took a step back when she saw anger and rage contort Thorin's handsome features into something terrifying. He shouted down that he would have war before he gave into their demands.

Eraveth watched as he turned on Bilbo and immediately stepped between the two. "Stop!" she cried as she placed her hands on Thorin's chest. "He did this for you! You can stop any bloodshed if you would simply agree to their terms. You promised the lake men a share in the wealth of Erebor. Why must you go back on that promise?"

Unprepared for the furious gaze Thorin turned on her, she took a step back as Thorin bellowed, "You knew!? You knew that this thief betrayed me? You are as bad as him!"

Several dwarves yelled and Eraveth flinched as Thorin's hand came up as if to strike her. He stopped himself and turned away. Eraveth felt anger explode inside her and bellowed, "You are a fool, Thorin Oakenshield!" Everything became silent and Thorin stopped short, but Eraveth was not finished.

"You care more for that rock than you do for the lives of your men!" she yelled as a tear slipped down her cheek. Hurt and anger fueled her. "You would risk the lives of your own kin before you would swallow your pride!"

She reached out and grabbed his arm, but Thorin jerked away and spun to face her. The quick movement caught her by surprise and she took a step back. The heel of her boot caught on uneven ground and she fell to the ground. Her head hit with a loud crack and several dwarves rushed to her side.

Eraveth pushed off their hands and stood unsteadily. Her hand went to her throbbing head and when she pulled it away, it was covered in blood. Anger at herself mixed with the anger toward Thorin propelled her forward. Her hand met his cheek with a resounding smack and she bellowed, "I loved you!"

The only thing that moved or made a sound was Tosur as he rushed forward to restrain his sister. Stunned silence filled the air as Thorin reached up to touch his stinging cheek that now held a perfect example of Eraveth's hand. The blood that had been on her hand now smeared on Thorin's cheek. Eraveth fought against Tosur and berated herself for confessing her feelings.

Tears began to flow more freely as Eraveth sunk to the ground. "I loved you," she repeated quietly, "but now, I do not even recognize you. You have changed, Thorin Oakenshield, and you have allowed greed to take hold of your heart and blind you to the truth around you. Bilbo gave the Arkenstone to them in an effort to save you, but you refuse to see the truth because you are a stubborn and cruel dwarf. Look around you! These people have given everything for this quest. I was captured by goblins and sent to Azog for you! I took an arrow for your nephew! What more do you need? You condemn them to death if you continue with this madness!"

Thorin allowed his gaze to travel the company and saw the truth in her words, but his pride would never let him admit to it. He steeled himself and turned his icy gaze on half-dwarf and hobbit. "You have betrayed me," he said through gritted teeth. "Leave now before I throw you over the wall myself!"

Eraveth tried to blink away the stinging in her eyes that was caused by her blood and tears. She heard gasps of surprise and felt her heart break in two. All fire in her was instantly put out. She placed a kiss on her brother's cheek and said, "Watch after them for me." She pulled away and ran. She ran as far as she could until a sharp pain in her abdomen sent her to the ground. She missed the reappearance of Gandalf as he made sure that Bilbo was safe and escorted him back down the mountain.