I stand at the side as we watched Smaug attack Laketown, I went to walk forward but because I hadn't finished healing my burns they still seared through my skin. Dragon fire was harder to heal as the wounds ran deep. Aulton held me and sat me down as he pulled out the water sack again.
"Water from the earth would be better…" I spoke and pulled water from the plants, moving it onto my body I let my skin absorb the water and slowly healed my burns.
"Poor souls." Balin spoke,
"I would transform again if I had the energy… I could help." I spoke, Balin looked at me,
"You've done enough, my lady. You fought well and saved us." Balin spoke as I frowned. Austen looked at me and then back at the town,
"It's my turn. I can fight fire with fire." Austen looked at Aulton, he nodded, and my brother leaned towards me and kissed my forehead gently, "heal quickly, sister." Austen whispered as I reached my hand behind his head as he rested his forehead against mine,
"Fight true, brother." I added as he moved his hand behind my head as well, a second later he pulled away and ran down the hill.
I see him use air to make himself run faster as the dwarves watch him go.
"You two have some power." Dwalin spoke,
"It's a gift. It gets passed down the generations of our families. It only shows if that generation needs it though." I explained as I stood up. The water was absorbed into my body and the deeper wounds healed.
I look at Thorin and see he's staring back at Erebor, not even paying attention to us.
We see fire and gusts of air blast around Laketown, Smaug lands on the town but as he goes to strike, I see a gust of wind push the black arrow forward.
Smaug roared and we watch his body hit the ground, shaking the land, an echo followed moments later.
"What was that? What happened?" Oin asked,
"It fell. I saw it." Bilbo pointed, we all peer out at the town in the early morning light, "It's dead. Smaug is dead!" Bilbo cheered.
I looked back a Thorin who was still staring at the Lonely Mountain and not at the town, has a strange expression of happiness cross his face. I frown slightly?
"By my beard! I think he's right! Look there! The ravens of Erebor are returning to the mountain!" Gloin cheered, several birds can be seen cawing and approaching the Lonely Mountain.
"Aye - Word will spread. Before long every soul in Middle-earth will know - The dragon is dead!" Oin spoke as the dwarves cheered and laughed in glee, I watch Thorin move quickly down from the lookout point and approaches the gates of Erebor.
I follow after Thorin, leaving the group. Thorin moved through the halls of Erebor, and I follow him to where all the gold is kept and see him just stare at it. I stop at the top of some stairs as he was halfway down a flight, his steps slow as he looks around at everything.
A chill went up my spine as he moved to the corner of the platform and picked up a piece of jewellery from the pile of gold.
"Thorin…" I spoke and took a step down, he didn't look away from the necklace in his hands,
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Thorin asked as he looked around at the gold,
"Erebor is beautiful." I smiled,
"And all this… it's…" Thorin stopped as I made it behind him and put my hand on his shoulder. Thorin looked back at me and smiled at me, but his smile didn't seem genuine. "You're with me? Aurora." Thorin spoke as I smiled sadly,
"I'm with you, Thorin." I spoke gently as he suddenly moved his hands around my neck and attached the necklace he held,
"I will protect you. You will live here where I can make sure nobody hurts you again." Thorin spoke as I frowned slightly,
"My home though?" I asked,
"This is your home now. Erebor." Thorin spoke as I looked over his face, "You are mine." Thorin added as I didn't know how to respond, this wasn't Thorin… the Thorin I grew to love. "You belong here." Thorin took my hands in his.
I smiled at him, and nodded,
"Let me show you everything." Thorin turned towards the treasure, and I felt sick in the pit of my stomach.
A day and a couple of hours had gone by, Thorin had sheltered me away from the other dwarves, given me a very lovely long green dress to wear.
The only dwarf apart from Thorin that could see me was Balin… for some reason…
Balin had come to get me from the room as the other dwarves and my brother had returned.
I followed him down the corridor, we snuck by Thorin as Balin had noticed how possessive he had become of me.
I found my brother with Aulton, and I hugged him dearly,
"Sister? What is this dress?" Austen stepped back, he looked tired and worn out as I looked over him,
"It's dwarven lad." Balin spoke,
"Thorin gave it to me." I spoke as Balin looked sad for a moment, I looked at my brother and at Aulton, "I need to remain here for a time, to help Thorin find the Arkenstone." I smiled, I glanced at Bilbo, I knew he had the stone, I saw him take it. I didn't say anything to anyone as I didn't know who to trust currently.
"We will help too." Austen nodded; I smiled as Thorin suddenly walked in the doorway.
Thorin looked at me and how I had my hands on my brother's arms and he frowned, I let go of Austen and turned towards Thorin. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I looked down,
"I need to speak with you, Aurora." Thorin spoke as I nodded, "everyone else, get ready to look for the Arkenstone." Thorin looked around the group as I moved forward.
I glanced back at Austen and then at Bilbo, I probably looked like I was begging for help as my brother went to say something but Aulton out his hand on Austen's shoulder.
I followed Thorin down the corridor as I heard the others start talking again.
Walking into Thorin's chambers I sit on a chair and look at myself in the mirror. Thorin moves behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders,
"You will remain here until I call on you." Thorin spoke as I frowned, his hands moved over my shoulders and pushed the dress down my arms. I took a deep breath as Thorin moved my hair over my shoulder and I felt his lips touch the back of my neck gently as I bit my lower lip. Thorin still cared, but it wasn't the Thorin I knew at all… Thorin only cared about my body, not what I wanted.
Not once did he call me his love.
He only spoke about my body.
It had been another day and a half… Balin had come to see me in Thorin's chambers, he was upset and crying as I had my arms around his shoulders, though moments later Bilbo appeared at the door.
"Bilbo…" I stood up, Balin wiped his face quickly as I stood in his way to hide his face.
"Dragon-sickness - I've seen it before. That look. That terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo. It sent his grandfather mad." Balin spoke as I moved to the side and Bilbo walked in,
"Balin, if-if Thorin...had the Arkenstone..." Bilbo slightly cocks his head, and Balin looks surprised, understanding Bilbo's implication. "...if it was found - Would it help?" Bilbo asked, "That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power upon he who bears it. Will it stay his madness? No, lad; I fear it would make it worse. Perhaps it is best that it remains lost." Balin explained, Balin raises his eyebrows at Bilbo.
Balin stood and looked at me, "He best not catch you here, lad. Thorin is very protective of Aurora here." Balin frowned as I smiled sadly at him, Bilbo looked at me and bowed his head slightly,
"Are you okay?" Bilbo asked as I looked at him,
"I don't know… honestly." I sighed as Balin took my hands in his for a moment,
"If you need anything, let me know." Balin spoke as I nodded, and the dwarf left.
Bilbo looked at me as Balin left,
"I know, Bilbo." I looked at the door, "Don't give it to him." I whispered, "I saw that dragon chase you down, and I saw it." I added, Bilbo looked determined in that moment as I looked at him, "I fear he's going to get worse… before he gets better." I spoke, Bilbo's expression softened as I turned away and walked to the bed. "You better leave… before he comes." I added,
"If you want to leave. I'll help you escape." Bilbo offered,
"I'll be sure to take you up on it if I need to." I smiled at him, Bilbo turned to leave, "Bilbo…" I called, he stopped and looked at me,
"Thank you, for being such a good friend." I smiled at him. Bilbo smiled happily at me, he nodded and left the room.
Some time passed and I thought about Thranduil's agreement with me, how he wanted some white gems… I had been thinking about how I could get them for Thranduil. With the way Thorin was I had an idea on how I could manipulate the situation.
Thorin entered the room and brought me some jewellery from the vault,
"Thank you." I smiled,
"Anything for you." Thorin spoke,
"Anything?" I questioned, Thorin turned his head slightly,
"You want something in particular?" Thorin's eyes narrowed,
"I do…" I smirked at him and turned on the stool I was sat on, "Thranduil tried to make a deal with me back in Mirkwood." I started, "he wanted some stupid white jewels." I explained as Thorin frowned, "I've decided I want to keep them. And wear them. To show him we are better than him." I stood up and walked forward towards Thorin and I gently grabbed the collar of his cloak, I felt Thorin's arms wrap strongly around my waist as I squealed,
"I'd love to see his face. I will get the others to find them for you." Thorin smirked and pulled me down to kiss him forcefully, I kissed him back as I wanted to keep up the facade.
Once I had them, I was going to leave… this wasn't Thorin anymore.
With my change in attitude, Thorin allowed me to explore the mountain again and hang out with my brother without breathing down my neck.
I met everyone at the entrance to Erebor and I saw them hard at work. Within the walls of Erebor, the dwarves work to block up the entrance that Smaug broke through. They carry rocks both by hand and with the help of various pulleys and other machines.
"I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again." Thorin called,
"The people of Laketown have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything." Kili spoke, I frowned sadly,
"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." Thorin snapped.
Thorin looks out at the city of Dale, where many fires can be seen lit by the people. He then turns and shouts to his dwarves.
"More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!" Thorin yelled as I sighed,
"I won't let you work them to the bone." I rolled my eyes, Thorin looked at me. The dwarves looked tired and fed up of Thorin's attitude already. I was at least going to save them some hard labour.
I slammed my foot on the floor and pushed my hands out, I pulled them towards my body and lifted one to the sky, the rock of the mountain moved, and the door was sealed up completely. Thorin and the others watched in amazement,
"You can move the earth?" Thorin asked,
"And control water and turn into animals don't forget." I looked at Thorin, he stepped forward towards me and pulled me down for a kiss,
"I'm glad you are mine, Aurora." Thorin whispered as I saw Austen over his shoulder, seething with anger. Austen was not happy with the way Thorin was treating me… Aulton had been keeping him calm, trying to find the right moment to help me out of this situation. Bilbo looks on in despair at me.
Thorin had since found the white jewels Thranduil wanted and gave them to me. I put them somewhere safe in the mountain so I could find them quickly, I didn't want Thorin to hide them again.
Thorin strides toward the blocked off gate, calling the other dwarves to him.
"Come on!" Thorin spoke, the dwarves lay down their tools, pick up their weapons, and follow him up the stairs I created in the blockage, all the way to a platform we have built at the top of the gate from which we have a vantage point over the plain in front of the gate. I hear a horse ride up to the gate as Thorin had made me come up halfway.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard calls as I recognise the voice, a sigh of relief as I smile to myself,
"Why do come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin asked,
"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole." Bard asked,
"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." Thorin snapped,
"My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked.
Thorin nods, and steps away from the platform and down the stairs, he takes my hand quickly and pulls me with him. Bard dismounts his horse and crosses the bridge in front of the gate. As he approaches the blockade, a raven flies out of the opening above the gate and wings away rapidly, cawing loudly. We stride up to the other end of the hole that was made by me.
"I'm listening." Thorin called as he moved his arm around my waist, I looked at Bard and he frowned at me but looked sorry for me.
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honour your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives." Bard explained,
"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door." Thorin snapped,
"That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms." Bard explained,
"Your threats do not sway me." Thorin let go of me and gripped onto the stone wall,
"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help. And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!" Bard called,
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" Thorin yelled,
"A bargain was struck!" Bard retorted as I closed my eyes
"A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birth right for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragon slayer…" Thorin glared at Bard who looked surprised, "...Why should I honour such terms?" Thorin asked,
"Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?" Bard questioned his honour.
Thorin turned away and looked at me for a moment as I kept my head down, Thorin turns away from the hole, disappearing from Bard's view. I moved around and watch him lean back against the blockade and for a moment as he looks tired and weary.
"Be gone, ere boulder fly!" Thorin yelled, threatening to make me use my earthly power to his advantage and my jaw just dropped, everybody watches Thorin go from the top of the platform.
"What are you doing?! You cannot go to war." Bilbo spoke,
"This does not concern you." Thorin looked at him as I moved down,
"Excuse me?! But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there. And not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. We-We are in fact outnumbered." Bilbo explained, Thorin turns to look at Bilbo, smiling.
"Not for much longer." Thorin spoke,
"What does that mean?" Bilbo asked,
"It means Master Baggins; you should never underestimate dwarves." Thorin smirked as he looked at me and then towards the other dwarves, "We have reclaimed Erebor - Now we defend it!" Thorin cheered, as Thorin strides down the steps, Bilbo and Balin looks distressed, we exchange looks and I look away.
How dare he threaten to use me as his weapon?