Author's Note: I own nothing.

35 Walled In

Bella woke up slowly the room was dim, much dimmer than it had been before. She yawned and frowned sitting up and finding that Thorin's coat was laying across her. She shook her head felling a little drowsy still. For a moment she thought about going back to sleep but she needed to know how the others were doing. Her heart still ached for what had happened at Lake Town. Even assured the dragon was dead Bella was quiet as she slipped through the quiet halls of Erebor. Or, no, not completely quiet. There was the sound of clanking coming from two directions. Bella paused, one was coming from further in the apartments and another was coming from the way to the front gate. She made her decision quickly and headed for the gate, pulling on Thorin's coat against the chill of the mountain. Before she left she slipped the Arkenstone out of her pocket and into one of the pouches on her belt, making sure it was wrapped in what remained of her old brown skirt to hide its glow. She could give it to Thorin later.

She was hoping Gandalf would still appear and she could ask him what Smaug had meant about the stone corrupting Thorin. Until he did she didn't want to risk anything. It was likely that the dragon had been lying, a ruse to keep her from stealing the stone in the first place. But somehow she did not want to risk it. Gandalf would know, and if the stone was cursed maybe he would know how to break it. Shaking her head she pulled Thorin's slightly tattered blue coat closer around her as she headed for the front gate.

When she reached it she was surprised that the gate itself was filled almost all the way to the top. There were a few contraptions here she didn't recognize that seemed to have aided the dwarves in the fast construction of the barricade. She frowned.

"How long was I asleep?" She asked making the dwarf nearest her, Nori, jump. He turned smiling slightly.

"Just under a day I think. Not as long as we expected you to that I know. Speaking to a dragon must be exhausting." He said teasingly. Bella rolled her eyes but was grinning as several of the dwarves peered over the ramparts before scaling down ropes to greet her. Nori, Gloin, and Dori were here finishing up the last repairs to the gate such as it was. Bifur, Fili, and Kili were taking stock of their weapons supply, which looked to be in good shape, there were even still some intact catapults should they be needed. Oin, Bofur and Bombur were taking account of their supplies. Apparently they could survive a seige for at least a month, possibly more since they had a supply of fresh water from the source of the River Running. Bella frowned.

"I'm sorry are we expecting a siege?" Bella asked suddenly very concerned.

"No lass. None of us is really sure what to expect now though, we haven't had word back from anyone yet nor more word from the ravens but that the survivors of Lake town are moving. We know Thranduil's mustered a host but we know not why, nor if he's heading to the survivors of Lake Town or coming to us. Thorin just wants us prepared." Gloin said clapping her on the shoulder. That made Bella frown further. No one had made mention of where Thorin, Dwalin or Ori were, nor Balin for that matter. When asked Nori shrugged.

"Balin's already buried himself in the dusty old library and Ori is not far behind him. Thorin's in the kings forge, working off some frustration. Dwalin is still hunting for the Arkenstone, or on some other errand for the king." He shrugged. Bella frowned as the realization hit her. Thorin was king now, his kingdom might for the moment be empty but that made him no less a king. It was the first time she'd really thought about it. If they married, and she very much intended to marry him if he'd have her, she would be queen or something like it. She jumped as Nori snapped his fingers under her nose.

"That's a worried look if I know one." He teased as the others turned back to their work. He lowered his voice. "I think I've some idea what your worry is, and you needn't be worried about it. Dwarves love only their One in all their lives. No one will object to you it's Mahal's will, my lady." He said that last with a mock bow and Bella shot him a withering look. He laughed.

"Best get used to it lass, you'll be my lady from here out to anyone not the company." Dori called down from the ramparts. Bella blushed. "We're too close for titles like that, they're only really used in large mixed company." He assured her. She still rolled her eyes at him.

"Which way is the forge?" Bella asked. Nori grinned.

"Here I'll take you to the Kings forge. I'm not really needed here any longer. Can't have you wandering off a walkway now can you, my lady?" He asked and Bella shook her head at him as he began to lead the way back into the mountain.

"Are we really expecting a battle?" Bella asked and Nori frowned.

"To be honest with you Bella I'm not sure. If the elves are coming here we may be besieged here, but we can't be sure that's what they intend. They may be coming to confirm the dragon is dead, they may be coming with aid for the Lake Men. We're hoping for the second option but…" He shook his head. "I don't know. We're doing what we can to prepare but every few hours we send someone to look for the stone. Thorin is insistent it be found. So far no sign but I'm not sure that's all that bad honestly. All the woes of Erebor started with that stone." Nori shook his head. "Ah don't listen to me too close lass, been listening to Oin too much." He said taking her down a separate hall. The sound of clanging grew louder. They stopped at a set of broad doors that were just barely open. A glow beyond spoke of the fire within.

"This isn't the forge." She had been wondering how Thorin was working on something in the forge after Smaug's rampage. Nori shook his head.

"Nay, this is the Kings forge. They've always had secret projects, things only for them or their spouses." He said with a sly grin. "I'm not allowed in there but I'm sure he won't mind your presence. He'll be happy to see you awake and maybe it will calm him a bit. We can only hope. I'm going to head up to Ravenhill to speak with the ravens." He said leaving rather quickly. Bella paused on the doorstep before passing into the Kings forge.