Through the darkness, Rose could see the figure fall to the waters below. It clawed at invisible footholds, struggling to stay airborne in any way it could. The light in its eyes flickered before fading out entirely, and just before he collided with the waves, Smaug was no more. Silence passed through the dwarves as the screams raged on. Rose had always imagined this moment to be much different, ending in joy and celebration. But there was no joy that night. No cheers or song, but cries of despair as countless people lost their homes, their loved ones, and their own lives.
"Is there no way we can turn around?" She asked. "The dragon is dead, perhaps we could tend to as many as we can before we make for the mountain."
"We must continue," said Oin, "our orders were clear. The moment Smaug was taken care of, we were to take you and the baby to Erebor, if Thorin didn't find us first." His voice was filled with strain. Oin's duty was not just to her, but to the wounded in general. She didn't press him further, knowing how much it bothered him to keep going, as a doctor, and leave so many behind to suffer in the aftermath.
Fili indicated with a finger to something ahead. "Look- just there, I see the shoreline."
Sure enough, the fog cleared to reveal the rocky land littered with pebbles and mud. The water shifted as rocks scraped against the bottom of their boat. The screams became more distant. Kili was the first to leap out, and he made his way to the side where Rose sat to help her. She drank the tonic given to her the previous evening and allowed him to proceed. Lifting her with as much care as he could manage without sinking into the rocks, the young dwarf hefted her up, one arm under the bend of her knees and the other behind her back, and began making his way toward the mountain's main entrance. "There are too many stairs at the back door," he said to the others. "It would be faster and safer for Aunt Prim if we head straight to the front."
"Agreed," said Oin, "onward, then."
Dawn had just begun to show on the horizon. The smoke cleared little by little, allowing them to see the path ahead. They didn't speak for some time, and Rose imagined they were still trying to come to terms with the chaos at their heels as much as she was. As they made their way through the desolation, Rose wanted to cry. A land once filled with green was now barren and empty, save for the occasional thrush that would land to claim a meal before flying off. "Thorin once said they would bring us good fortune," she commented as Kili handed her off to his brother. By now the shore was half a mile away, the little boat still rocking on the waves.
"Thorin also said the dragon would be difficult to kill," said Fili.
"And that if we weren't good," added Kili, "little goblins would raid our closets and steal our shoes."
Rose laughed despite herself. "Still sore about that, are we?"
"It leaves quite the impression on a child."
"He's gotten better with Fror, I promise you."
"I should hope so, with another on the way."
Rose thought about it and added "Literally" to finish his statement. When Kili gave her an odd look, she smiled and continued. "Well, think about it," she said. "The baby and I are literally being carried on our way to him." Fili returned her smile with one of his own. The braids in his beard swayed and lightly slapped against his face as he walked. "He must be so exhausted, being forced to do all this hard work." The sarcastic tone was not lost on Rose.
"Yes," she said with reverence, "I am in awe of his strength. I wonder how he manages."
"The same way he managed to slay the dragon, I assume."
Oin interrupted their game with a hard look. Rose knew it wasn't right to poke fun at her husband, especially when he wasn't there to defend himself. But that was just it- Thorin wasn't there at all. Their jokes weren't to air out their anger toward him, not in the least. They simply fell back on jokes to cope with the uncertainty. They didn't know what they would find in that mountain, or who would be left to give them the whole story. Rose had already witnessed more than enough death for one day. Without their humor, she didn't know if they could get along much longer.
At last, the winding path that was the desolation of Smaug was behind them. What remained was a short trek across the great bridge, and they were home free. Fili gave Rose back to Kili and pulled his swords from his hilt. Oin had his vials at the ready, prepared to assist any who needed it. All was quiet. The doctor came in first, followed by Kili and Rose, and Fili bringing up the rear. He turned every which way, trying to prepare himself for a strike from any angle.
"Hello!" called Oin, "Bombur? Gloin? Anybody?"
Still no sound. Oin and Fili rushed down the final stretch of the bridge, bounding up the stairs and into the great hall at the main entrance. If she wasn't worried out of her mind, Rose would have marveled at how beautiful the stone walls still were, even after all these years. "Wait! Stop!" a voice cried out. It echoed off the walls and carried over to Rose when her nephew had just made it to the bottom of the stairs. He tried his best to quicken his pace at a rate that wouldn't hurt her.
"It's Bilbo!" said Fili from atop the stairs, "He's alive!"
The hobbit didn't wait for them. "You need to leave," he said with urgency, "We all need to leave."
"Leave?" asked Oin.
"But we've only just got here," said Rose.
Bilbo saw her at last, and both of them gasped quietly. As he took in the bigger-than-ever stomach and tattered clothing, Rose noticed that her appearance had nothing on his. His coat was singed in half a dozen places, the wild look in his eyes making him seem more dangerous than the hobbit who left the Shire. He gave Rose a slow once-over, then grew sympathetic. "I'm sorry, he said, "I tried to tell him. But he won't listen to me."
Oin paused. "Wh...what do you mean, laddie?"
"Thorin! Thorin, he's been down there for days. He doesn't sleep, he hasn't eaten- he's not himself. Not at all. It's this...this place. I think a sickness lies upon it." The words rang in Rose's ears. "What do you mean," she asked, "what kind of sickness?" Something caught Fili's eye just then. Kili set Rose down to chase after his brother, all the while Bilbo trailed after them shouting "No! You must go back!"
Rose teetered where she stood. Oin saw the action, and steadied her with a hand. "Easy, now lass."
"What's he talking about?" She made toward the stairs, and was cut short by Balin. The old dwarf was slower than usual, but he greeted his queen with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Balin, what's happened? Where is Thorin?"
But he didn't answer.
Instead, his brother Dwalin met them at the top of the stairs and bade that Rose wait there while he went to fetch her husband. The dwarves who had reached the mountain with Thorin came in, and the cheer was genuine as they embraced and shared stories. They were sure to be gentle with Rose as they beheld her, marvelling at her being there with them. Bilbo had returned, and was just in the middle of telling his account with the dragon- he actually spoke with the creature, on more than one account- when a separate pair of footsteps thundered through the room. Thorin Oakenshield walked among his kin, clothed in finery and pride.
His eyes flickered over each of them in turn, as if daring anyone to question his ultimate authority. When he set his eyes on Rose, there was little joy and more power in them. His walk resembled that of a hypnotized sleepwalker rather than a normal dwarf. The King Under the Mountain embraced his wife harder than the others had. "Wife," he said in his deep base.
"Th...Thorin?"
The others could see the fear in her stance, hands raised to ward him off, feet already taking a step away from him. Her husband seemed to be completely oblivious, relishing in his glory. Bifur made to stop Thorin's advance, but was held back with a hand from Dwalin. He shook his head once in warning. The crown adorning the king's head flashed with blinding brilliance with each movement. He matched her step with his own, taking each side of her arms in a firm embrace.
"Thorin...what are you doing?"
He gripped her shoulders with hardly a care of how tight it was. "I have done it, Rose. I have taken back Erebor."
The light in his eyes were too fierce to be of any comfort. The contact made her wince. When she didn't respond right away, Thorin took another step closer. "We have been looking without rest. It won't be long now- I will have the Arkenstone once more. This gold- all of it- is ours." His eyes went skyward as he tilted his head back. "Behold," he boomed, "Gold! Gold beyond measure, beyond sorrow and grief."
A flickering image of fire and screams flashed through Rose's mind. Her husband continued.
"The great treasure hold of Thror is ours again!"
"Thorin," said Rose. Despite her best efforts, the word came out as a choked plea. Her husband didn't seem to take notice. She took his face in her hands, trying to find the man she loved. "You promised you would come back to me." The tears flowed down her face, and she didn't care that the others were watching. "You said we would be a family again. Fror- Fror will be on his way. And the baby. We can all be together." She tried to smooth the lines from his face, but Thorin turned away to face his treasure hoard. Balin took her hand and spoke softly. "You are tired, my lady. We must get you to your chambers so you can rest." Thorin seemed almost glad to have her go. He released her without so much as a care, and a white-hot anger seared her thoughts. She shook Balin's hold from her and walked back to her husband, who was already at the staircase again.
"Look at me!" Her voice filled the room, silencing all.
Rose's husband glanced over his shoulder.
"No- you look at me, Thorin Oakenshield." He turned his body, away from the treasure that tinted his skin, to face her. The fire in her eyes was enough to bring him to focus, if not just a tiny degree. "This is not the dwarf I married," she said, "You are not the husband I once knew. You've changed, Thorin. And I want no part in it- in any of this!" She swept her hands over the mass of gold that broke her heart. She wanted it burned, buried back in the earth where no one would find it again. Her glare went back to Thorin. "Until you've pulled your head from your ass, I don't want to see you." This seemed to register with him.
"You...would abandon me in my moment of victory?"
In a huff, Rose turned her back to him, concealing her baby from his sight. Not that he cared. "You abandoned all of us some time ago."
With that, she walked back to Balin, the tears flowing without restraint. He took her arm and guided her back through the halls. Fili and Kili followed her, with Bilbo at their heels. More would have joined, had Thorin not ordered them back to work. Rose was taken to her old chambers- now covered in webs and ashes that some of the others were cleaning out (Thorin, Bilbo had mentioned to Fili thinking Rose wouldn't hear, would only allow one or two away from the treasure at a time. He wanted the Arkenstone found, first and foremost). Balin helped her into the bed, with some help from Kili. "We will have as many of us keep you company as we can," said the old dwarf. "But I must be off to speak with my brother. I'm sure you are in more than capable hands at the moment." He leaned in close and wiped a tear from her eye before it could pass the length of her cheek.
"It will be alright, lass," he said, kissing her forehead like the father she always took him to be. Balin was at the door when Rose said "When will he return to normal?"He was exhausted, that much she could tell. Leaning against the doorframe, he met her gaze with some effort. "I do not know."
"He wants the Arkenstone," said Bilbo.
"Aye, that he does."
"If he did find it- do you suppose it will cure the dragon-sickness? Would it help?"
Balin sighed. "Dragon sickness. I've seen it before. That look, the terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo."
"It sent his grandfather into madness," said Rose.
Balin nodded in agreement. "That stone crowns all. It's the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power upon he who bears it." He put a hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "But stay his madness? No, lad. I fear it would make him worse." Rose couldn't quite make out what kind of look he gave Bilbo, but it seemed to connect with the hobbit. His eyes went wide for a moment, then understanding washed over his features. Balin voiced the thoughts everyone felt, but never spoke until that moment. "Perhaps it is best it remains lost." He left the hobbit and three dwarves to ponder his words.
Over the next few days, Oin had been by Rose's side every hour. The others visited as often as they were allowed, and it almost made up for Thorin's continued absence as his search for the cursed Arkenstone dragged on. Any news would have to be relayed to her by Bilbo or one of her nephews, for Rose was ordered to be on bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy. She wasn't surprised to learn that the Elvenking, along with a number of soldiers at his beck and call, had arrived to see how the treasure faired with no dragon to guard it. The inhabitants of Laketown gathered to Dale by the hundreds, arming themselves with weapons to no doubt claim their share of the treasure that was owed to them. Rose would often ask about her husband, and the answer was seldom good.
"How is he?" she asked for the fiftieth time.
Dwalin, sitting on the chair beside her bed- the chair she had intended for Thorin to use- let out a heavy sigh. "The same as he was an hour ago, my queen."
"Don't," said Rose with a shake of her head. "Don't call me that. Not when my husband is out there, parading around like he's all that."
The old warrior took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. The faded tattoos on his hand rippled with the movement. "Will you still have him?"
"I will have him thrown off his high horse the moment I am able." At this, Dwalin laughed once- the first time in days. He swept the hair from her face, his calloused skin rough against her cheek. "I must be off," he said in a gruff voice. He stood from his place at her side, only turning when he was at the foot of her bed. "For what it's worth, you are my queen. Thorin needs you by his side, to knock some sense into him if nothing else." He was gone before Rose could reply.
