Hello all,

Thanks for the lovely reviews, and here is the latest chapter. Enjoy.

Nothing really prepared Veirra to face Thorin Oakenshield's wrath, but then again she was not expecting a gentle telling off. Instead she prepared for a screaming match between herself, and Thorin as Dwalin led her to the throne room. An angry Thorin stood talking to Balin, as Bilbo stood silently nearby trying his best to be invisible. Dwalin gruffly told Veirra to wait towards the entrance as he moved forward to stand by his brother. It seemed, for the moment; Veirra had a reprieve as Thorin seemed to have all but forgotten about her. The dwarf lord did not even ask Dwalin if she had returned, instead their voices carried to her as she listened in, and kept out of sight.

"It is here in these halls I know it." Thorin said his voice different from the more gentle tone he once had. It caused an uneasy twist in her stomach to hear Thorin like this. Veirra peeked out to see him looking at the throne; and the vacant spot the Arkenstone had once sat.

"We have searched and searched." Dwalin said as stood by Balin.

"Not well enough." Thorin's cold voice sent a chill down her spine. This was not the dwarf she knew as she watched on.

"Thorin we would all see the stone returned." Dwalin said trying to adopt his brother's smooth negotiator skills.

"And yet it still is not found!" Thorin's voice echoed through the throne room making her flinch. After a moment Balin calmly asked.

"Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" The question got Thorin to face the pair of loyal dwarves with Bilbo standing close by, "The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people."

"It is the king's jewel, am I not the king?!" Again his loud voice echoed, now she saw fully what everyone else was seeing and fearing. This was not Thorin. It was like a stranger took his place! Would she even be able to get Thorin back? The fear that the Thorin she knew was gone made her cringe as he continued, "Know this: If anyone should find it and withhold it from me...I will be avenged."

It was then Thorin walked off, and Veirra came forward from the shadows. It was Bilbo that spotted her first, and looked to the others. Balin looked drained, and his brother put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The soft noise of Veirra's boot hitting a pebble made Balin look up at her. "What are you doing here lass? Dwalin get her our of here before Thorin finds out."

"I am not going anywhere Balin." Veirra said firmly.

"It is dangerous, Thorin is not-" Balin started then seem to have trouble controlling his emotions, "Excuse me." The white haired dwarf moved past them quickly leaving Dwalin to shake his head, and Bilbo to try, and give Veirra a brave smile.

"It is good to see you Veirra, but they are right-" Bilbo started to say.

"I am not leaving you all to this." Veirra said stopping him, and Bilbo dropped his shoulders knowing he would never convince her to leave Erebor.

"I will go check on Thorin." Dwalin said heaving a sigh, "Do me a favour Bilbo keep our queen from trouble."

"Of course," Bilbo said as Dwalin left to follow Thorin.

"So how mad is Thorin at me?" Veirra asked warily.

"He was yelling for hours. Oin said if he yelled much more we would all need trumpets." Bilbo said trying to lighten the mood, but then sighed. "It is only going to get worse, I fear."

"Let us go check on Balin." Veirra said not really wanting to think too much on Bilbo's last comment. Instead the pair soon found Balin in the storeroom Oin, and she had checked before. The poor dwarf was upset as tears escaped, but peeked back at them when he heard them enter.

"Dragon sickness... I have seen that look before. That look, that terrible need. It is a fierce, and jealous love. It drove his grandfather mad."

"Balin if Thorin had the Arkenstone. If it was found, would it help?" Bilbo asked, causing Veirra to look at Bilbo. He never needed to verbally announce it, but suddenly it all made sense why the Arkenstone had not been found.

"That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this wealth. It bestows power over the person that wields it. Would it stay his sickness? No I fear it would make it worse. Perhaps it is best that the Arkenstone remain lost."

Bilbo nodded understanding. It was Veirra that spoke up next. "Do not worry Balin we will find a way to cure this sickness."

Balin smiled up at her, but did not look hopeful. "That, my queen; is what everyone is hoping from you, but I fear that the others ask too much of you."

Straightening Balin left a stunned Veirra, and Bilbo. Once she was sure no one was within ear shot Veirra looked to Bilbo, and crossed her arms over her chest. "Bilbo, I know you have it."

For a moment the hobbit's eyes widened, and he looked a bit nervous as he cleared his throat. "Have it? Have what?"

Veirra raised a brow as if to ask: 'Do I need to answer that?' Bilbo lowered his head a little ashamed at keeping this secret for so long. "I was going to give it to him-"

"No! You must never even consider giving him that stone." Veirra said shocking the hobbit, "Whatever is happening to Thorin that stone is at the heart of it, and it is making him worse. You heard Balin it is best if that stone remains lost. For now keep it hidden and safe from him, please."

After a moment Bilbo nodded, "Of course Veirra." It was then she turned to leave the room, she had to stop this somehow. "Where are you going?"

"To try and get our Thorin back before it is too late."

"No it is too dangerous, Veirra." Bilbo said shaking his head fervently worried that Thorin might hurt her.

"I must try Bilbo," Veirra said leaving the storeroom, and heading for where she knew Thorin would be. This was going to be a dangerous and risky move, but she hoped Thorin would come to his senses. 'He is not lost, not yet. I can bring him back I know I can!' Veirra thought fiercely as she moved purposefully to the treasure room. Coming to stand at the top of the stairs leading down into the treasure room, Veirra soon spotted Thorin. The dwarf lord was overseeing the other dwarves as they looked for the Arkenstone. Looking down she spotted a bunch of coins, and picked one up. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smirk onto her face as she took the coin, and flicked it. The gold coin shot down and flew past Thorin's face stopping him short. It was then he looked up at her coldly.

"So you have returned, I expected you to hide after you defied me." Veirra swallowed calmly as she told herself she could do this, and to not back down.

"Past time for all dwarves in the treasury to be in bed." She called down to the others that were shocked, and worried to see her there. The group of dwarves looked between her, and Thorin nervously watching the exchange. "You heard me off to bed now." She said firmly, then turned her attention to Thorin. "I do not do hiding or cowering, Thorin. If you expect that of me perhaps you should choose someone else for your queen."

The words made him glare up at her, but she merely smirked at him. The other dwarves still had not moved, unsure of who's orders they should follow. "Back to work all of you."

"No, off to bed." Veirra corrected firmly as Thorin moved towards the stairs determined to take her elsewhere. Most likely to scream at her, but as she looked out at the hesitant dwarves she grew tired of them not listening. "Either you lot get to bed, or I go back to Dale now!"

The threat shocked the dwarves into action. While many worried for her going up against Thorin, none of them really wanted her to leave. Some feared Thorin would only get worse without her there, so in that moment her orders were followed as the dwarves headed for their bed rolls. Most cast worried glances back at her, but she gave a reassuring smile. "You are not going anywhere."

The low angry voice of Thorin, made Veirra sigh as she faced the glaring dwarf lord. Instead of arguing, Veirra raised a brow at him; as if to ask if he thought he could really stop her. "Does it look like I am going anywhere? I only threatened to leave if the company did not go, and rest."

"I lead this company not you!" Thorin yelled, his voice echoing around the chamber.

"Than act like a leader!" Veirra snapped back, "You fellows are tired, and hungry; and you have them searching endlessly for a stone!"

"How dare you, I am the king!"

"Than act like one!" Veirra replied loosing her calm, and had to force herself to be calm, "But be a good king not a cruel one." Slowly the words seemed to register with Thorin as he took deep steady breathes and considered her more.

"You say I am cruel, yet you are the one that disobeyed me and left!"

"To aid my kin, would you not have done the same?" Veirra asked as Thorin drew closer, but she refused to back down.

"You should not have left! You are to be my queen! You belong by my side, not his!"

"His?" Veirra asked confused.

"You know who I mean, that bowman!" Thorin said, he spat the last word like it left a foul taste in his mouth. Veirra wanted to laugh at the jealousy Thorin displayed towards Bard. Obviously, her king viewed the bowman as his rival for her affections. The whole silly situation made her giggle, and Thorin scowled at her. "You think it funny?!"

"You silly dwarf," Veirra said, and caught his face in her hands before he could argue further with her. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to Thorin's. At first he was shocked by her actions, but as she kissed him the dwarf responded fiercely. She found herself pressed against the wall as the kiss deepened. It felt like he was trying to claim her again, and ensure no other could have her. They kissed until both were out of breathe, and had to come up for air.

"Thorin," Veirra said breathlessly, "You do know why I came back do you not? Why I would never stay away?" Veirra asked, as Thorin froze at her questions watching her carefully. "It is certainly not for of this..." She made a sweeping gesture to take in the treasure.

"I am yours. I already belong to you, and you know that. I love you, and have chosen you. You have nothing to be jealous of, no other will have me." The words seemed to bring Thorin back to normal. The gold in the chamber below was now forgotten as Thorin watched her carefully.

"You went to him though." Thorin said, and he looked hurt.

"I went to help my kin, not to see Bard. I went to aid those that were injured by Smaug, and taught Sigrid to defend herself some so that Fili need not fear for her. That is all. Then I came back to you." Veirra said, running her fingers over his cheeks and beard. Right then she held Thorin's complete attention, but for how long? How could she fix whatever was happening to him? She must have looked worried for Thorin touched her cheek.

"Veirra?"

"I am worried for you," Veirra confessed, "You have not been yourself, and I fear what you are becoming."

"What I am becoming?" Thorin asked as he chuckled, and a smile crossed his features. Then seeing her worried expression he grew serious. "I am myself, Veirra."

"Do you promise?" Veirra asked, "Do you swear not to change? Do you promise to be the dwarf I met?" For a moment Thorin just looked at her, then nodded as he spoke carefully.

"I promise." Veirra bit her bottom lip nervously as she watched Thorin worried. After all, she doubted a promise would be enough to keep the dwarf lord as he was. The next likely solution involved getting him away from the treasure room, and keeping him from it. As she considered ways to keep Thorin from this chamber, the dwarf chuckled at her expression, and started kissing her neck. 'Well this is one way to keep Thorin from the treasury, but I do not think I can keep him in bed.' Veirra thought as she moaned softly. She felt his hands run over her body, and him press against her. Thorin's focus now seemed to be on her as the gold sickness seemed to be quieted for the moment.

"Wait Thorin, not here." She moaned as she felt him press tightly to her.

"Why not?" Thorin asked between kisses, "You have sent the others to bed."

"True, but that does not mean they are in bed, and I want us to have our privacy." Veirra said hoping to pull Thorin from the treasury. The dwarf lord seemed too hesitant to leave, and Veirra slipped out from between him and the wall. She dashed just out of his reach.

"Come back here." Thorin replied.

"No if you want me you must catch me, or sleep alone." Veirra said challengingly with a playful glint in her eye.

"And how will you make me sleep alone?" Thorin asked.

"Well say you do not catch me, I may decide you do not really want me. Then you may find your ranger has left, and gone back to Dale." As she spoke she backed away. She knew she had hit a nerve for Thorin looked angry at the mere thought of it.

"You are not leaving!" Thorin growled, and Veirra decided to play it calm as she raised a brow.

"That depends on you, and what you do right now." With that she dashed off, and preyed he took the bait.

"VEIRRA!" Thorin yelled, and a moment later she heard him not far behind. Yes definitely took the bait as Veirra ran for the gardens. Her heart skipped a beat glad that Thorin was still in there at the core, and valued her above the Arkenstone. 'At least for now he values me over that stone, but for how long?' Veirra wondered, as she ran glad to be winning this particular battle. Tonight she would use every trick to keep him with her, and tomorrow she would need a lot of help to keep him from the treasury.

Running into the old library she quickly hit the hidden lever, and had to wait a moment for the hidden door to open. Rushing up the stairs as fast as she could that led to the Queen's garden. Veirra almost slipped, but kept going as Thorin had caught up to her some more. She made it into the garden when a pair of arms grabbed her. Before she fully knew what was happening Thorin pinned her down, and leaned over her. "You are not leaving!"

Despite being pinned to the ground, and yelled at by Thorin, Veirra felt relief as he almost seemed back to normal. "Do you understand?!"

"Yes," Veirra answered still trying to catch her breath. "Yes I understand"

His grip on her wrist loosened only slightly, but not enough to release her. "Do you have any idea what it does to me when you speak of returning to him?!"

Veirra swallowed hard at how Thorin reacted when he thought her with Bard despite what she had said earlier. "And you? Do you have any idea what you are doing to me when you act so differently? It is like I am with a stranger!"

That got him to release her wrists. He placed his hands flat on the ground on either side of her head, and his eyes softened. "Am I a stranger to you now?"

"No, for the moment I have you back." Veirra replied softly as she calmed down, now glad to have gotten him from the treasury.

"You have me for longer then a moment." Thorin said a slow smile spread across his lips. His hand came up to brush a lock of her red hair from her face. A moment later he leaned in, and was kissing her. In this moment she moaned as his lips trailed down her chin to her neck. Feeling his beard graze her neck she trembled, and her heart began skipping beats. Her breathe caught in her throat, and she heard Thorin chuckle. Then he continued kissing her neck, and after a moment she grabbed his coat and pressed tightly against him. It was all the incentive Thorin needed as he groaned, and began undoing their clothes. Like last time there was a sense of urgency to taking off their clothes, but this time it felt like her Thorin not a stranger. Kicking off her trousers she laid back beneath Thorin as the pair were covered in his coat.

For a moment the pair only admired each other as Veirra ran her hands over Thorin's chest, and down his abdomen causing him to flinch. "That tickles." He said gruffly.

"Oh my the Thorin Oakenshield is ticklish?" Veirra teased, and went to run her fingers over the area again. Not wanting to be tickled, Thorin stopped her by pinning her wrists above her head with one hand. "Awe no fair."

Thorin gave a sly grin as his free hand ran over her, and after a moment she shook her head. "I am not ticklish-" Veirra gasped sharply as his rough fingers touched her intimately making her press tightly against him. She heard Thorin chuckle as he leaned in, and his fingers caused a cry to escape.

"You may not be 'ticklish', but I am sure I can get other responses from you." As if to prove it Veirra's head shot back as she felt like a jolt of electricity had gone through her, as she gave another cry. She heard Thorin chuckle at how she responded, then went to press her making her tremble and arch her back. "Mmm sounds like I found something better than a ticklish spot."

His continued intimate touches made Veirra wiggle trying to get loose from his grasp until it became too much. "Thorin please!" She cried out feeling her self control break.

"Please what?" Thorin asked amused, and he watched her eyes open with a dazed sparkle. Her lips trembled as she swallowed a few times before managing in a soft whisper.

"Please Thorin, I—I need you."

Again Thorin grinned as he released her wrists, and pulled her against him. "Very well my queen."

Author's Notes:

Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I know many were probably expecting more of a horrible argument or fight between Thorin and Veirra. However I would not worry it does get a lot worse. In regards to the gold sickness I know Thorin must come off as rather wishy washy, but in truth his personality shifts when Veirra is around. It is basically to show what kind of impact she is having towards him, while also showing that the gold sickness is still effecting him when she is not nearby.

The end of this chapter is Veirra basically pulling out all the stops to try and help Thorin, hence using her feminine whiles. Also obviously darker days are ahead so a little intimacy between the two before the brown stuff hits the fan.

I also highly recommend 'Welcome Home' by Killthepain62. Wonderfully written story, absolutely love it.

Anyway hope you liked, please review away. Lersliezin