Chapter 24-

Hello All! Well, did you enjoy the last Hobbit movie? I know I did, apart from the copious amounts of crying I did at certain scenes….. Well friends, dry those tears, maybe, and gear up for another chapter!

Thorin wandered for what seemed like hours through darkened halls. He had a feeling that he had walked this way before, but he could not seem to remember when. Every which way he turned there was darkness, without a single spark of light to break its oppressive hold. Thorin knew he had to break free from this place… he needed to find someone….. but who? Out of the darkness, there came a voice, gently calling his name. He turned in the direction of the noise and followed the voice as it led him through the winding passages. As he continued to walk, he could see the shadows falling away as a light got brighter and brighter. Just as the last shadows almost disappeared, a figure darted out of a joining passageway and shoved him against the wall. Long nails clawed at his face and throat as he struggled with the thing. At last, he gained the upper hand and shoved the thing away from him and to the floor. He threw back the hood that had covered its face and gasped. It was Illea! She spat at him and struggled even harder against his hold.

"You cannot win Oakenshield! I never should have saved you! " she screeched as she reached up one hand and placed it on the side of his head. He gasped and tried to struggle away as scenes from his life seemed to replay in front of his eyes. There he was first seeing Fili, and some years later, Kili. He saw himself leading the party away from the hobbit's house, their arrival in Rivendell. He saw again the dragon descending on the hapless men of the lake. And at the last, he saw himself descending into madness, casting off his kin in his mad need for gold. Thorin could feel the tears streaming down his face as he witnessed again the pain he had caused his nephews, their faces registering the shock and grief that they felt at his words and actions. Beneath him, Illea laughed, seeming to gain strength from his pain.

Margaret awoke when she heard the cry from Thorin's bed. She raced from where she had been sitting by the fire and was appalled to see him writhing on the bed as if in tremendous pain. Then she saw the tears coursing freely down his face and Margaret felt like crying herself. Grasping his hand in one of hers, she placed her other hand on his cheek and called softly to him.

"Thorin, Thorin….. Wake up! It's only a nightmare, it's not real." He seemed to stiffen at her words and then his struggles began to ease, even though the tears continued to fall. Margaret did not move, instead she remained where she was, softly stroking his hair and holding his hand in hers.

"It's all right," she continued to murmur," I'm here. I won't leave you."

Thorin continued to struggle with Illea as more and more scenes from his life flashed in front of his eyes. Each memory seemed more terrible than the last, and he was not sure how much longer he could keep fighting. Had so much evil really occurred in his life? Just when it seemed as if Illea would overpower him, he heard another voice. This one was calm and sure. It offered peace and contentment and seemed familiar. He should know who it was, but he couldn't seem to think clearly, every time he tried Illea would struggle and kick against him. The other voice continued to call to him and with one final push he shoved Illea away from him and continued towards the light, and as he ran, he remembered who the voice belonged to. Margaret! She was calling for him and he had to answer. As he continued to run, he felt a fiery pain that originated in his hand and traveled up his arm. Ignoring the pain he continued on towards the blinding light and his Margaret.

Light, light…. There was light everywhere and it was so bright! Thorin carefully opened his eyes and gave a small groan as his room came into focus. His head, in fact his whole body, ached; but nothing so much as his arm. He moved his eyes and saw the concerned face of Margaret. He tried to sit up but stopped when she placed a light hand on his shoulder.

"Not so fast Thorin," she said. "You have been unconscious for over a day and were sorely wounded beforehand. You need rest."

"Margaret," he said and was surprised at how hoarse his own voice sounded. Margaret gave a small laugh of relief mixed with joy as she saw the dissatisfied expression he made at the sound of his voice, and she gave him a mug of water that was standing next to the bed. After taking several small drinks, Thorin cleared his voice and tried to speak again.

"Margaret, what happened to me? Why are you here?" The last part came out harshly and he almost winced as he saw the hurt in her eyes. Composing her face into the professional mask of a healer, she sat back on her chair and released his hand.

"My lord, you collapsed after the incident in the mines. Prince Fili came for me and requested me to tend to you. If you would like, I can fetch him now?" Thorin nodded, already missing the pressure of her hand in his as she left. He hated what he had to do to her, but he knew that this was the only way.

Margaret stiffly stood up and headed for the door, glancing back at the figure on the bed. Thorin's face was set in a grimace and while her heart tugged at her to return to his side, she ignored it and opened the door. Just as she was closing the door, she heard Thorin's voice, soft and low asking,

"Margaret, please see if Oin can come as well."

"Yes my lord," she replied and closed the door with tears in her eyes. As she walked down the hall, it seemed as if she was walking through the shambles of her dreams.

Well, what did you think? Remember, I told you to keep tissues handy! As always, reviews are appreciated.

Thorinsgirl900