This is the last one for tonight. I hope you guys love me because I wrote all of this while on vacation so I don't want to hear any complaining about updates lol
Chapter 37:
"A King Without His Jewel"
"It is here, in these halls… I know it."
"We have searched and searched."
"Not well enough." Thorin stated in frustration.
"Thorin, we all would see the stone returned." Dwalin tried to reason.
"And yet… It's still not found!" his voice echoed off the walls.
Balin spoke next, choosing his words carefully, "Do you doubt the loyalty… Of anyone here?" the king-to-be turned to face him then slowly stepped down a couple of steps as the advisor continued, "The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people."
Thorin spoke slowly, "It is the King's Jewel… AM I NOT THE KING?!" he shouted and made Torshar jump slightly as she stood aside to his left with Bilbo beside her, "Know this… If anyone should find it and withhold it from me… I will be avenged." He whispered and walked off.
A few minutes later, Torshar and Bilbo found Balin in the records room, crying softly. The versifier walked over and wrapped her arms around him in comfort, whispering, "I know…"
Balin spoke, knowing Bilbo did not fully understand, "Dragon sickness… I've seen it before. That look, the terrible need… It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo. It sent his grandfather mad and it may well prevent him and Torshar from ever having a future together."
"Balin… If Thorin had the Arkenstone… If, if, it was found… Would it help?" the burglar asked in a hushed voice.
"Bilbo, that stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth… Bestowing power upon he who bears it. Would it stay his madness? No… I fear it would only make him worse…" Torshar voiced in sorrow at the idea of losing her beloved to the sickness, "Perhaps it would be best if it remains lost."
After the talk with Balin, the minstrel excused herself and returned to her old room that had, remarkably, remained untouched since her last visit. She stopped at the doorway and ran her fingers over the gems that were fixed into the stone, "Aquamarine, emerald, ruby, diamond… Sapphires…" she whispered as she touched every jewel. Subconsciously, her other hand went to her stomach and rubbed it gently.
"Torshar…" Dwalin said quietly but still scared the poor woman, "My apologies. I did not mean to frighten you, lassie." He apologized as he held up a small stack of clothes and a pair of boots.
"Thank you, Dwalin. You are very kind." She smiled and opened the door for him to enter first, "Please… Come inside."
He nodded in gratitude and walked in, laying the clothes on the bench at the foot of the bed and the boots on the floor. As he turned to leave, Torshar's voice stopped him, "He cannot see what he is becoming, Dwalin…" she stated sadly.
"The sickness is strong in his heart, lass. I fear it will only grow if he does not leave this mountain."
"He will never leave now that the dragon is gone!" she shouted in heartbreak, "Forgive me, Dwalin… He just… He cannot see what he has become. I fear he will turn on us and with me in my condition…" she slowly trailed off as her hand went to back to her stomach, making the bald Dwarf's eyes widen.
"You've got to tell him, Torshar."
"He already thinks I'm an Elvish whore, Dwalin! Imagine what he'll think if I tell him I was with child too…" her voice cracked as a sob escaped. The burly Dwarf quickly encircled his arms around her as more tears began to fall down her cheeks, "I love him, Dwalin! And I fear for him!"
Gingerly, he rubbed her back in comfort, "Breathe, lass… We'll find a way to save him, I promise." He whispered into her hair but loud enough for her to hear. They stood together for a few more minutes until the minstrel had calmed then Dwalin slowly pulled away, "I have to go but we will talk more later, ok?"
She nodded and received a kiss on the forehead by the balding man who then left the room. Her gaze turned this way and that, taking in the details as if it were the first time all over again. When she finished, her eyes fell to the clothes that Dwalin had brought with him. A navy blue blouse with a cream under bust corset that buckled in the front, a pair of light brown trousers, a thick black fur coat for when the cold really kicked in, and black silver toed boots. She quickly shed her Elvish gown and dressed herself in the outfit then picked up the coat and left the room.
As she walked the market near the entrance, she heard Thorin's voice echo, "To the gate!" putting the coat on, she made her way there and climbed up to the ramparts where Dwalin stood looking out at Dale.
"Dwalin, what is going on?" she asked.
"Survivors from Lake-Town are flooding into Dale." He answered, not tearing his eyes away as the others arrived.
Thorin stepped up to the opposite side of Dwalin, "How many?" he asked.
"Hundreds… Possibly a thousand."
All was silent for a moment then the sickened king spoke again, "Gather all the stones you can, even damaged statues, whatever you can find. We're going to seal the entrance."
"But shouldn't we help the people? I mean, the dragon attacked them because of us…" Torshar suggested and received a glare from the king.
He returned his gaze to Dwalin, "Do as I say." And then he stepped down from the rampart.
Night soon fell upon the land as the Dwarves continued to bring stone to the gate to seal it. The work was slow and only seemed to upset Thorin, "I want this fortress made safe by sunup! This mountain was hard won. I will not see it taken again."
With that, Kili could stay silent no more, "The people of Lake-Town have nothing! They came to us in need! They have lost everything!"
"Do not tell me what they have lost! I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for… More stone. Bring more stone to the gate!" Thorin shouted.
Torshar and Bilbo looked on sadly as the Dwarves continued their labor. Her heart seemed to keep breaking further and further as Thorin kept sinking deeper into the sickness, "Bilbo… Please… Escort me back to my room…" she requested as she grabbed his hand with her shaking one.
"Of course, Torshar." The Hobbit agreed and gently began to lead her away. He was also extremely worried about Thorin but even more so for Torshar in her condition.
The duo made it back to the versifier's room with little trouble and she ushered him inside, "I need to talk to you." She stated as she closed the door.
Confused, the burglar nodded, "Ok… What about?"
"It was what you said today to Balin, about the Arkenstone…" now he knew he was found out, "You have it… Don't you?" she asked as she knelt and started a fire in the fireplace.
When she finished and stood up, the burglar answered, "Yes…" making her turn to face him.
"Bilbo, listen to me… Under no circumstances are you to give the stone to Thorin. If he gains possession of it…" she stumbled over her words trying to fight back tears, "He will only grow worse…"
The Hobbit pulled her in close for a hug, "What would you have me do? Thorin has nearly caught me with it…"
Suddenly an idea popped into her head, "Leave it here tonight. I know the perfect hiding spot." She said and pulled away but grabbed Bilbo's hand and led him to the bathroom, "There is a tile loose at the bottom of the tub. It's big enough to hide the stone, for now. At least until I can come up with something better…" she suggested as the burglar removed the gem from his pocket and placed it inside the hole that the versifier revealed.
When all was said and done, the minstrel and her Hobbit companion emerged from the washroom and hugged once more. Bilbo spoke softly, "You and the little ones get some rest. Tomorrow we devise a plan for getting that stone as far from Thorin as we can."
She nodded, "Agreed." With a final squeeze, the versifier escorted her friend to the door and closed it quietly behind him. As exhaustion began to set in, Torshar shed her corset and boots then climbed into bed falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.