The company had been down searching in the treasury for most of the day, and came up later in the evening with no success in finding the Arkenstone. Bombur was busy cooking for everyone, after he quickly checked with Anna to make sure that Bofur was alright. Oin was busy making Anna something for her fever, which had begun to rise again.
A loud caw made the company stop, and move over to where the sound came from, the balcony above the front gate. They were met by a raven of great size sitting atop a ledge, the top of his head bald, and he was nearly blind.
"O' Thorin son of Thrain, and Anna daughter of fire and flame." The old bird croaked, and the company could understand it's speech as it was talking in the common tongue. Anna jumped slightly, but furrowed her brow, and looked at the raven curiously. "I am Roac, son of Carc. Carc is dead, but he was well known to you once. It is a hundred years and three and fifty since I came out of the egg, but I do not forget what my father told me." The old bird continued, and the company was listening with great interest. "Now I am the chief of the great ravens of the Mountain. We are few, but we remember still the king that was of old. Most of my people are abroad for their are great tidings in the South- some are tidings of joy to you, and some you will not think so good."
"Behold! The birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from the South and East and West, for word has gone out that Smaug is dead!" Roac croaked, and eyes turned to Anna who looked down at the ground.
"So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield. You may return to your halls in safety; all the treasure is yours for the moment. But many are gathering hither beside the birds. The news of the death of guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during the many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil. Already a host of elves is on the way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter. By the lake men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves; for they are homeless and many have died, and Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure whether you are alive or dead." Roac spoke, and the company's faces grew grim.
"Your own wisdom must decide your course; but thirteen is a small remnant of the great folk of Durin now scattered far. If you will listen to my council, you will not trust the Master of the Lake Men, but rather he who descends from Girion. Bard is he, of the race of Dale, he is a grim man but true. We would seek peace with once more among the dwarves and men and elves after the long desolation; but it may cost you dear in gold, I have spoken."
Thorin's expression darkened, and Anna slipped her hand in his as comfort, giving it a small squeeze. Thorin opened his mouth to say something, but Anna quickly spoke before Thorin could say something.
"You have our thanks, Roac, son of Carc. The people of Laketown wanting gold to rebuild their city I can understand, as many were killed when Smaug went on his rampage. But the elves of Mirkwood? They honestly expect a share of the gold after imprisoning us in their realm?" Anna questioned. "Though, Thranduil did speak of gems made of pure starlight when he interrogated me, it may be what he is after."
"You and your people shall not be forgotten, Roac. But none of our gold shall thieves take or the violent carry off while we're alive. If you would earn our thanks still more, bring us news of any that draw near. Also I would beg of you, if any of you are still young and strong of wing, that you would send messengers to our kin in the mountains of the North both west from here and east, and tell them of our plight. But go specially to Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well-armed, and dwells nearest to this place. Bid him hasten!" Thorin continued, looking up at the old raven.
"I will not say if this council be good or bad," Roac croaked, "But I will do what can be done." Roac added, before flying off.
"Back into the mountain." Thorin ordered, "We must eat and rest, before continuing our search and fortifying Erebor."
The company nodded in reply, and went back inside the strong walls of Erebor. Anna briefly turned to watch Roac fly away, before continuing on into the mountain. Anna smiled slightly up at Thorin, who cracked a small smile at her before looking ahead. When the company got back to where they had set up their bedrolls, Anna sat down, and sneezed rather loudly.
Willow looked over at her, and smirked.
"Bless you." Willow stated, and Anna rolled her eyes.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"WHY IS THERE SO MUCH GOLD IN THIS DAMN HALL?" Anna roared in frustration, and kicked a gold cup across the treasury. Anna ran a hand through her hair angrily, the company had fortified the walls of Erebor, and Thranduil and Bard had come to negotiate gold, but their arguments fell on deaf ears. The company had been searching for the Arkenstone for days, and Thorin grew more and more agitated with each passing day.
"You know what?! I'm done with this stupid gold, and this stupid treasury! I'm not searching anymore! I'm sick, and tired of this!" Anna growled, and flew out of the treasury agitated. Normally, Thorin would've gone after her, but something wasn't right. His mind was growing sick.. And he sought out the Arkenstone in the treasury more and more each day.
Eventually, the company left the treasury as well, leaving Thorin alone in the treasury.
Anna cautiously walked down into the treasury, her hair tied up in a messy bun with her courting braids hanging loose.
"Thorin?" Anna murmured, climbing up the pile of gold on which Thorin sat.
"What is it?" Thorin growled, and Anna recoiled slightly at his tone.
"It's nearly midnight, are you going to come back to the company?" Anna asked, a small yawn emphasizing her point.
"No, leave me be." Thorin grumbled, and Anna frowned. Anna sat down beside Thorin, and looked over at him cautiously.
"Thorin.. Are you alright? You haven't seemed like yourself lately." Anna muttered.
"I'm fine Anna. Leave." Thorin ordered.
"Thorin.." Anna murmured, recoiling away from him.
"I said leave!" Thorin roared suddenly, and Anna backed away from him. Anna looked at Thorin with wide eyes, before she flew off out of the treasury. Anna walked back to where the company was sleeping, and leaned up against a wall, slowly sliding down to the floor.
"You alright lass?" A voice asked, and Anna looked up to see Balin looking over at her in concern. Anna looked down, before shaking his head.
"He's... Just not right, it's like the gold just has a hold over him." Anna muttered, and looked back up at Balin. Balin's face was grim.
"Then it is as I feared, he is under the Gold-Sickness." Balin muttered.
"The Gold-Sickness..?" Anna echoed, a confused look crossing her features.
"Aye.. Thorin's grandfather Thrain fell victim to it, it's what lured Smaug to Erebor. He became distant, and he spent nearly all of his time by the gold." Balin murmured, his eyes seemingly fading off into memory.
"Is there any way we can snap him out of it?" Anna asked cautiously, almost afraid of the answer she would get in return.
Balin shook his head, "I do not know of a way, I'm afraid. We can only pray he recovers swiftly." Balin murmured, and Anna nodded meekly, before crawling over to her bedroll and laying down, a sinking dread pooling in her stomach.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sebastian yawned, and stretched, the moon still high in the sky when he craned his head upwards. Him and the rest of the company that were in Laketown would've gone to Erebor, but the injuries and deaths of Smaug's rampage needed to be dealt with.
Sebastian walked through the array of tents that had been set up to shelter the refugees, and headed towards a figure sitting near the edge of the camp. That figure was Kylie. Sebastian settled beside her, and looked over at her, before looking out across the landscape at Erebor.
"Can't sleep?" Sebastian asked, and Kylie nodded. "Well, I don't blame you. With all that's happened.."
"It's just all wrong." Kylie muttered grimly, and Sebastian gave a slight nod.
"Well, Erebor has been reclaimed. Our quest is complete." Sebastian replied, and Kylie nodded in acknowledgement.
"It's just.. Something feels off. There should be peace, but something is brewing and I don't know what." Kylie muttered, tucking her knees up to her chin as she wrapped her arms around her legs. Sebastian frowned slightly, and sighed, a puff of warm air expelled from his mouth as he looked back down at the ground.
Sebastian sat silently for a moment, before a surge of bravery seared through his veins and he moved behind Kylie, wrapping his arms around her form. Kylie tensed, and tried to crane her neck back to look at Sebastian.
"W.. What are you doing?" Kylie asked, and Sebastian rested his head on her shoulder.
"It's cold out here, you're going to get sick." Sebastian stated, a flush spreading to both of their cheeks. Kylie sputtered slightly, and shifted uncomfortably. Eventually, Kylie relaxed, and reluctantly melted into the embrace. Sebastian worked up courage, and gave Kylie a quick peck on her cheek. Kylie's cheeks went a beet red, and she tensed.
"I.. I'm sorry.. I shouldn't.." Sebastian muttered, and released Kylie, turning away from her. Sebastian was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a soft hand rest on his shoulder. Sebastian looked over to see Kylie looking at him, a soft smile on her features. Kylie moved her hand to Sebastian's shirt, and quickly pulled him into a kiss.
Sebastian's eyes widened, before they closed, and his arms snaked around Kylie. The two eventually pulled away from each other, each gasping for breath. Sebastian smiled dreamily at Kylie, who grinned and rested her head against his forehead.
"That better mean what I think it means." Sebastian murmured, placing a small kiss on Kylie's nose. Kylie blushed, and nodded.
"Don't you worry, it means what you think it means." Kylie replied. Sebastian smiled, and pulled Kylie up onto his lap, Kylie leaning back against his chest.
The two sat quietly, content in each other's company.