Author's Note: I own nothing.
37 Betrayed
Thorin had them set a watch on the completed gate, it would rotate every six hours, so someone would always be watching the survivors of Lake Town. Fili frowned.
"Why are we not helping them? They helped us and we woke the Mahal damned dragon we should be helping them not keeping them out." He insisted and Thorin glared at him.
"You'll take first watch. Keep a sharp eye. Kili, fetch him a bow and some arrows we need to stock them up here anyway." He called. Kili frowned but moved to obey. Thorin stalked back into the mountain. Fili looked around frowning.
"I'm not wrong." He insisted and Bella nodded, eyes fixed on the doorway Thorin had disappeared through.
"You're not wrong Fili." She said as the others nodded. Fili frowned at her.
"What's happening?" He asked and Bella shook her head.
"I fear nothing good. Just do as he says for now, we're working on it." She said glancing at Balin who nodded slightly. Dwalin stepped up.
"In the mean time we should keep looking for the stone." He said and the others nodded.
"I think I'll say out here with Fili for a while." Bella said, no one argued. Nori patted her on the shoulder.
"I understand not wanting to go back in there, place still smells like dragon." He said and Bella snorted.
"I think Smaug's bedroom will always smell a bit like dragon." Nori snorted at that and headed inside. Fili turned to Bella.
"Do you think Thorin's going to be alright?" She sighed looking out over Dale, watching as the glow of campfires lit several windows here and there.
"I don't know. I can only hope." She said and Fili nodded looking grim.
When Bella made it back to her and Thorin's bedroom that night things had changed a bit. He'd dragged a few chests full of gold into the room and on top of one of them was a freshly cleaned dress. It was long and deep green like the leaves in summer. The detailing was in glimmering gold, the sleeves were sheer and Bella had never seen something so beautiful. She jumped slightly as Thorin stepped out of the shadows.
"Do you like it Mizimel?" He asked and Bella nearly balked at the gold gleaming in his eyes, it nearly eclipsed the blue now.
"It's beautiful Thorin." She choked out and he smiled. It was nearly sinister next to the gleam in his eyes.
"Will you try it on?" He asked and she nodded stepping over to the dress and carefully picking it up.
"Where did you find this?" She asked. She'd never felt fabric like this before. It was smooth and silky but strong.
"I had Dori go looking for something more appropriate for you. The Queen of Erebor shouldn't be dressed in rags." He said with a smile. Bella frowned. She turned to the en-suite bathroom, dancing out of Thorin's reach with a smile.
"It has to be a surprise." She insisted as she closed the door. Thorin's laugh was dark as he leaded on it from the other side.
"I cannot wait Mizimel." Bella's hands shook slightly as she changed into the dress. She had to figure out something to do.
The next morning things got infinitely worse. Overnight Thranduil's forces had arrived in Dale. Every open surface stable enough to be stood upon was filled with fully armored elven solders. They remained centennial as a single rider on a white horse came galloping up to the gate. It was Bard and Bella was delighted he'd survived, she hoped his children were alright as well but she never go the chance to ask. Thorin turned him away cold and in that moment Bella knew she had to do something. The others were beginning to prepare for not just a siege but all out war. Thorin approached her holding a shining tunic.
"Mizimel, you'll need this." He said holding it out. "Mithril, made for some elf princeling or other but no blade can pierce it. She pulled it on over her dress. It fit surprisingly well. "I would have you safe my jewel, for I think you are the only one here I can trust." He pulled her aside so the others could not overhear them. "I am betrayed. One of them has taken the Arkenstone I know it. One of them is false. I can trust only you." He said cupping her cheek and she forced a smile.
That night Thorin fell asleep first. Bella changed quickly, after a moment's thought slipping the Mithril on under the green tunic she'd been given by Bard's children. She hoped they were alright as she slipped out of the room silent as a shadow. She'd learned her way around quickly these past few days and made it to the gate easily enough. Bombur was on watch. He smiled at her.
"Bella! What are you doing awake this time of night?" He asked as he stood rubbing his hands together. She shrugged.
"Couldn't sleep. How about I take over your watch for the time being? I need the fresh air, I've never spent so much time underground before." She said stretching lightly.
"I'm to wake Bofur for his watch at midnight though." Bombur said with a frown. Bella shrugged.
"Sleep in the anti-chamber. I'll wake you to wake Bofur, that way if anything happens you'll be close by." She said and he smiled.
"Bit of a devious mind you got there lass, I see why Nori likes you so much." He chuckled. She forced a smile and shooed him back inside. Once she was sure he was gone she pulled one of the roped off the wall where Kili had hung them just in case and secured it to a jutting rock on the rampart. She checked that she had her ring and began the arduous climb down the gate. It was slow going and she breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the ground but she did not allow herself time to think. Instead she set out keeping to the shadows towards the gates of Dale. She had to reach them well before midnight if her plan was to work.