Hey guys! Sorry this is later than usual, I've been ill past few weeks and things been going hectic at home, so not had the time to update until the other day. Please forgive me xx

Review repsonses;

pallysdeeks - :D! Yup, they're finally reunited, back together in time for all the madness to start!


Madness

In the middle of our celebrating, during which time Kili gives me a courting braid with one of his beads, Thorin enters the room and calls all the dwarves to the treasure hall to look for the Arkenstone. I sit on some stairs as I watch the dwarves comb through the piles of treasure.

"Any sign of it?!" Thorin asks.

"Nothing yet."

"Nothing here."

Ori answers, followed by his brother Nori.

"Keep searching!" Thorin orders.

"That jewel could be anywhere!" Oin points out.

"The Arkenstone is in these halls - find it!"

"You heard him - Keep looking!" Dwalin barks out.

"All of you - No one rests until it is found!"

I see movement out of the corner of my eye and spy Bilbo walking out of the hall. Letting Kili know I'm going for a walk, I follow after him. Seeing him sit on the battlements, I walk up the stairs to see him sat on some stone, Arkenstone in hand.

"You managed to pick it up then." I say, causing him to jump slightly.

He visibly relaxes when he sees it's just me and nods. "Just before Smaug released his fire at us."

I look to him. "Just after you vanished."

He gives a sheepish and apologetic smile before looking back to the stone. "I was just remembering what Smaug said to us; 'I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him.'"

"'Watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad. . .'" I finish, also remembering those words. I take the stone from Bilbo and hold the smooth, cool gem in my hands, watching the colours swirl around each other. "I fear some kind of madness has already started. . .Thorin didn't seem to acknowledge the return of Fili and Kili, but yet we were overjoyed at seeing them, Bofur and Oin. I don't know what's going to happen now, but I know I don't like it."

Bilbo nods in agreement as I return the stone to him.


Over the next couple of days, the dwarves spend most of their time locked away in the golden halls by Thorin, looking endlessly for the Arkenstone, only Bilbo and I knowing that it won't be found by them. During the rare moments Kili and I get to spend alone together, he confides in me his worries about Thorin. I just hold him close, not knowing anything else I can do to help reassure him, for I had no idea what was going to happen, or whether Thorin would eventually get better. I just prayed to both Yavana and Mahal that everything will be well again.


On one day, late into the week, the dwarves and I are huddled in the main hall, Thorin in council with Balin, Dwalin and Bilbo. I'm sitting in between Fili and Kili, the three of us talking quietly when I see Balin and Dwalin enter, but only Dwalin stays. Looking to Balin, even from where I am sat, I can see he has a distraught expression running across his face as he leaves without looking at any of us. Excusing myself from Fili and Kili, I get up and follow him, concern running through me for the old dwarf, the one I see as a grandfatherly figure.

I follow him into what appears to be a library, many books scattered on the dusty floor, shelves covered in dust and cobwebs. Even though the room is full of dust and webs, I can tell this room was just as grand as any other in the mountain and would become truly beautiful once again.

Hearing quiet sobs and sniffling from the back of the library, I follow the sounds and find Balin in what I think to be the records room as there are many books and scrolls lining the shelves. Looking to Balin, I see his back to me and his shoulders start shaking with sobs. Hearing footsteps from behind, I turn to see Bilbo has joined me. I now know that something has happened with Thorin and my worry instantly grows.

Hearing the both of us, Balin glances back to us.

"Dragon-sickness - I've seen it before." he turns to face us fully as we walk over to him. "That look. That terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo. It sent his grandfather mad."

"Balin, if-if Thorin. . .had the Arkenstone. . ."

Bilbo slightly cocks his head, and Balin looks to the hobbit in surprise, understanding Bilbo's implication. He has the Arkentstone. I glance at Balin in worry.

". . .if it was found - Would it help?"

"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 raises his eyebrows at Bilbo, and I take that look to mean; keep it secret, keep it safe. The three of us leave, Bilbo going in one direction and Balin and I heading back to the main hall.

"Did you know lass?" Balin asks me, keeping his voice down.

"I've known for a few days. We didn't tell anyone because we were scared of what would happen."

Balin shakes his head. "No, you did well to keep it secret. Like I said, If he had the stone, I fear it would make it worse."

I nod as we continue walking and soon arrive in the hall.


Late that night, after being informed the refugees of Lake Town have arrived in Dale, Thorin orders everyone to block up the entrance Smaug crashed through.

The dwarves carry rocks of all sizes by hand and with the help of various pullets and other machines they have made.

Kili, Bilbo and I come back into the hall, pushing and pulling a cart full of rocks.

"I want this fortress made safe by sun-up. This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again." Thorin orders.

Kili drops the end of the cart he's pulling as he looks to his uncle. "The people of Laketown 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."

Thorin looks out at the city of Dale, where many fires can be seen lit by the people. He then turns and shouts to us.

"More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!"

Kili takes my hand and pulls me along as we continue with helping. Looking back to Bilbo, I see him looking on in despair, a look I know is plastered on my face as well.

A few hours later, well late into the night, the wall is finally finished. It's been built up to fifty feet in height. As I look to the wall, a feeling of dread fills my entire being. I know things are going to only get worse from here, and there's nothing I can do to help. I just hope that we all make it out of this alive.


Early the next morning, I am woking up by Thorin calling everyone to the gate. Following, I stand between Fili and Kili at the top and as I look towards Dale, I see an army of elves in golden armour lining the walls, staring at the mountain.

Hearing the sound of hooves, I look down and smile in relief as I see Bard riding towards us. I grip Kili's arm.

"He made it. . ." I mutter, causing him to smile to me in relief.

Bard stops in front of the gate, just beyond the bridge.

"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope."

"Why do come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?"

"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole."

"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed."

"My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?"

Thorin nods, and steps away from the platform and down the stairs. As we follow him, I see him talking to a black raven before sending it off, the bird cawing loudly as it flies out of the mountain. Thorin strides up to a hole in the blockade.

"I'm listening."

"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives."

"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door."

"That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms."

"Your threats do not sway me."

"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!"

"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!"

"A bargain was struck!"

"A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragonslayer. . .Why should I honor such terms?"

"Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?"

Thorin turns away from the hole, disappearing from Bard's view. He leans back against the blockade and for a moment he looks tired and weary. He then looks to us all, who have gathered together and are standing watching him. He shouts back to Bard.

"Be gone, ere arrow fly!"

I hear Bard slap the rock angrily, before he mounts his horse and rides back to Dale. We watch him go from the top of the platform.

"What are you doing?! You cannot go to war." Bilbo suddenly shouts to Thorin.

"This does not concern you."

"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."

Thorin turns to look at Bilbo, smiling.

"Not for much longer."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Master Baggins, you should never underestimate dwarves."

Thorin turns to the whole group.

"We have reclaimed Erebor - Now we defend it!"

As Thorin strides down the steps, Bilbo, Balin and I glance at each other, all of us looking distressed. I just turn to look to Dale as some of the dwarves tear off one of the stone heads of the statues to break the bridge, stopping anyone from reaching the mountain.


Well, there we have it. The beginning of Thorin's madness. The next chapter begins the battle. Stay tuned for it and please keep your lovely reviews coming x