Note: / is timeskip

Alexa smiled to herself as Kili returned to the boat. The Dwarf clearly trying to suppress a grin. Without a word, she passed him an oar and the five of them began to paddle away from the shore; with Kili glancing back towards Tauriel one last time.

"I am happy for you two," Alexa whispered, making sure the other two did not hear her.

Her words caused Kili to look at her, shocked. Before glancing at his brother, Bofur, and Oin to see if they had heard her. Understanding that he was worried, Alexa placed a hand on his arm, making the Dwarf avert his eyes back to her. She looked at him reassuringly, a soft smile on her lips, causing his expression to morph into one of shyness; a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

"Thank you, Alexa," he murmured, almost bashful.

Nodding at his words, Alexa patted his arm then went back to helping the others. Not another word was spoken, as the four Dwarves and Alexa rowed the boat across the Lake and towards Erebor. All silently hoping that the rest of the company had escaped Smaug's wrath unscathed.

As soon as they had made it to the rocky shore, Alexa and the others had jumped out of the boat. All set on getting to Erebor as quickly as possible, unable to wait any longer. Slinging a pack over her shoulder, Alexa took up the back of the line; Oin a few paces in front of her.

The landscape was a barren wasteland, with burnt trees uprooted from the ground. As Alexa looked around the area, the images from her first vision of the Dwarves flashed in her mind. Smaug had done a number on the place.

After several hours of trekking through the rocky terrain with no breaks, Alexa, Bofur, Kili, Fili, and Oin had found themselves before Erebor. Two massive Dwarf statues stood outside the gate; their forms carved into the rock. Though that did not hold their attention for long as their eyes took in what remained of the entrance to the Mountain.

Exchanging anxious glances with one another, they all quickly ran inside the Mountain. Alexa's eyes wandered over the large pieces of stone that lay around the entrance before turning back to the Dwarves.

Her green-grey eyes took in the what remained of the gate. From the shape of what was left, she had deduced that Smaug had bashed through it when he had gone to Lake-town several hours prior.

"Hello! Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?" Bofur called out, his tone holding uncertainty.

After hearing no reply or sound of any kind, Bofur ran through the debris; the others quickly following after him. Wandering through halls and over discarded rubble, the four Dwarves and woman searched for any sign that the rest of the company had survived.

"Wait! Wait!" Bilbo's voice echoed around them, causing them all to smile.

"It's Bilbo!" Oin shouted, informing Alexa and the others of what they had already gathered from hearing the Hobbit's voice.

"He's alive!" Bofur announced cheerfully, hope growing within him as he heard the Hobbit's voice.

"Bilbo," Alexa breathed, a smile stretching across her face as she watched her friend come into sight.

"Stop! Stop!" Bilbo shouted as he ran towards the small group, his words causing their smiles to drop and frowns to form.

"Stop. You need to leave. We all need to leave," Bilbo panted, standing before Alexa and the others; his tone worrying Alexa. What had happened?

"We only just got here," Bofur said confused, gaining a nod from Alexa who looked hesitantly at Bilbo.

"I've tried talking to him, but he won't listen," Bilbo said, making Alexa frown.

"What do you mean, laddie?" Oin asked, holding his hearing trumpet to his ear.

"Thorin! Thorin. Thorin. He's been down there for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself. Not at all. It's-It's this place. Ahem. I think a sickness lies on it," he informed them, as he did Fili cast his eyes towards a gold light; almost enraptured.

"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Kili asked, worry in his tone.

"Fili," Bilbo muttered, as the blonde prince brushed past his brother and began to descend the staircase.

"Fili! Fili!" Bilbo called after the blonde Dwarf before quickly chasing after him; Alexa, Kili, Bofur, and Oin not far behind.

As they ran down numerous staircases, the golden light grew brighter as they drew closer to it. Fili halted suddenly at the bottom of the stairs before he slowly walked towards the edge of the platform.

A gasp of wonder and shock left Alexa as she joined Fili's side. Rocks of all kinds flash in her eyes, as she takes in the view of the never-ending piles of gold. That wonder, however, died in her eyes as they settled on Thorin.

The raven-haired Dwarf stood amongst the expansive pile of wealth. His usual attire consisting of a worn tunic and fur coat was nowhere to be seen. He now stood before them all dressed in a regal black robe and kingly silk, with jewels draped around his neck.

She watched as Thorin mumbled to himself, his eyes never leaving the treasure. "Gold. Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief,"

At his words, Alexa turned to look at Bilbo. The Hobbit, however, continued to stare at Thorin, causing Alexa to shift her attention back to said Dwarf. The uncrowned King raised his head, catching Bilbo and the others in his peripherals.

He stared at them for a moment; the sight of the small group seemed to have snapped him out of his mumbling. "Behold the great treasure hoard of Thror," he muttered lowly, his eyes cast down to the gold before he tossed a red Jewel towards Fili; who caught it with ease.

The group looked from Fili to Thorin who had since lifted his hand to rest over his heart. "Welcome my sister-sons to the Kingdom of Erebor," he finished, his deep voice echoing around the halls as he stood with his arms raised.

Alexa stared at a sick Thorin, a worried look in her eye. Her stomach churned as she sensed how his force signature had darkened and become twisted. She knew that he had been off lately, but nothing had prepared her for this.

- Time Skip -

Alexa stayed behind with Bilbo as Bofur, Kili, Fili, and Oin ran into another one of the many rooms Erebor had; reuniting with the rest of the company.

"Balin!" Bofur cried as he entered the room, barely walking another step before being pulled into a crushing hug by Dwalin.

Laughter erupts from the Dwarves as they all reunited with their respected Kin and friends, the whole atmosphere lively and cheerful.

"Kili!" a voice piped up,

"Thank Durin you're all alive!" Balin said, hugging each Dwarf that had returned safely.

"Bombur," Bofur called, engulfing his brother in a tight hug.

"You're alive!" Ori called, wrapping his arms around Fili who eagerly returned his embrace.

Whilst this was all going down, Alexa had stood beside Bilbo; watching the heartwarming scene. She smiled as she watched as Bifur and Bombur wedged Bofur between their bodies; hugging him tightly. Her eyes ran over every Dwarf, making sure everyone was there. Once she had, she averted her gaze to the Hobbit beside her.

"I am glad you are alright Bilbo," Alexa said, causing Bilbo to peel his eyes away from the joyful scene.

"I'm happy you made it out too," he replied, a smile on his face.

Motioning towards the others, Alexa took Bilbo's hint and pulled him in for a hug. His arms wrapped around her neck as hers wove under his and around his back. They held each other for a while, neither wanting to let go. Eventually, though, they did.

Alexa smiled down at Bilbo and straightened his coat for him; which caused a huff to leave Bilbo and his nose to twitch. Releasing his jacket, Alexa barely had any time to do much else as she was pulled into another chest.

"Don't scare me like that Al," Nori whispered, his arm wrapped firmly around her waist as he hugged her.

Instead of replying, Alexa looked down at the ginger Dwarf before placing her arms around his neck; their height difference making it a very awkward embrace.

"You all scared us there Alexa," a soft voice whispered, shortly before Alexa's back became suddenly encompassed by heat.

A smile on Bilbo's face grew as Alexa became sandwiched between Nori and Ori. A cough left him as he watched as Dori, Kili, Fili, Bifur, Bofur, Gloin, Oin, and Balin joined the three. The Dwarves all mashing together for a group hug, with Alexa stuck in the middle. His laughter ended as he found himself pulled in to the group hug by Bombur.

"Not laughing now, are you Bilbo?" Alexa chuckled, her warm smile on her lips as the Dwarves hugged her; though she couldn't help but feel like someone was missing.

After a few moments, the Dwarves released their grip and ended the group hug. Patting each other on the back, they led Bofur, Kili, and Fili to the designated cooking station.

As the Dwarves walked over to grab some food, some patted Dwalin on the back; the action catching Alexa eye. Before she could think more on it, Bilbo pats her on the arm; making her look down at him. A single nod was all she received as the Hobbit glanced between herself and Dwalin before he joined the rest of the company.

Biting the inside of her cheek, she raised her eyes to meet Dwalin's blue ones. An awkward chuckle left her as she played with her fingers. Never breaking eye contact, Dwalin walked towards Alexa, his expression blank.

Alexa soon stopped fiddling with her fingers as Dwalin came to a halt right in front of her; their chests almost touching they were so close. Without a word, Dwalin wrapped his arms around Alexa's upper half, embracing her. Not too long after, Alexa reciprocated his hug; her arms weaving around his neck. A heavy sigh left both of them as they just held each other.

"Thank Mahal yer safe. Ya had me, worried lass," Dwalin murmured, breaking the silence; his arms tightening around the woman as he breathed the words.

Alexa held him tighter in her grasp as he whispered the words, "Thank force you're okay," she replied, her voice a mere whisper as she nestled her head into his neck. Knowing that he was the one that she was missing in the group hug.

They embraced each other for what felt like seconds; when in reality, it was minutes. Over Dwalin's shoulder, she saw almost all of the Dwarves and even Bilbo quickly avert their gaze from herself and Dwalin. The sight caused a light blush to rise on her cheeks; embarrassment filling her.

Retracting her arms from around his neck, Alexa stepped out of his arms and stared into his dark eyes. Averting her eyes from his gaze, she shuffled past the burly Dwarf and headed over to the station where Bombur was currently pouring out the soup into bowls.

Grabbing a filled bowl, she quickly thanked the ginger Dwarf and took a seat on the floor next to Bilbo and Nori. The latter of which had a smirk that was threatening to grow bigger at seeing her flustered state.

- Time Skip -

"-and then Alexa pushed the top half of his torso off," Fili told the Dwarves and Bilbo, his face and Kili's morphing to mock the shocked look on said Orc's face; causing hearty laughs to echo around the small room and into the vast hallways.

Nori slapped Alexa on the shoulder, almost making her spill what soup she had left; his laughter along with the rest of the companies ringing in her ears. A huff of her own left her lips as the company laughed at the two brother's recollections of the fight against the Orc's in Bard's home.

Those who were in Erebor when Smaug attacked had recounted their journey to Erebor as well as their battle against the dragon. Each one piping in with their own recollection, as well as correcting others. Overall, the company par Thorin all caught up; their spirits lifting as they told the story.

Unfortunately, their joy of the reunion did not last long as Thorin entered the room. The once cheery laughter died down to complete and utter silence as they turned to stare at their leader.

"To the treasure room, all of you! We must find the Arkenstone," he growled, his words causing what happiness the Dwarves had felt from the reunion and stories to die.

Kili's smile dropped at his uncle's words, "There is no rush uncle," he told Thorin, causing said Dwarf to turn his piercing stare at him.

"We leave now!" Thorin growled, his eyes dark as he gazed at his nephew with lidded eyes.

Next thing Alexa knew they were all exiting the hall; their bowls of soup remaining behind. The shining light from the treasure soon entered the woman's vision, as she walked beside Bilbo towards the room of vast gold, they were in before.

Following after the Dwarves, Alexa went to search through the treasure when Thorin grasped her arm; the act making her wince as he had grabbed her left.

"Not you," he muttered, his words making Alexa's gut twist uncomfortably; the energy around him unsettling her.

/

Alexa found herself standing on a balcony, several meters from Thorin who was overlooking the company; a permanent frown on her face. Her arms draped over the stone, as she looked down at the endless mounds of treasure. The Dwarves had been searching for about four hours now and not once had Thorin let them stop for a break. Not only that, he had not let her help them or even leave his side. The whole thing was confusing, and if she was being honest, his behaviour towards her was beginning to worry her.

"Any sign of it?" Thorin shouted, his voice booming over the clinking of coins.

"Nothing yet," Dwalin replied, his hands digging through the treasure.

"Nothing here," Ori called, his tired eyes scouring the gold beneath his boots.

"Keep searching!" Thorin ordered, pacing the balcony he stood on.

"Tha' jewel could be anywhere," Gloin grunted, shifting through the gold before him; his legs ready to give out from under him.

"The Arkenstone is in these halls. Find it!" Thorin commanded, his voice straining as he shouted the words.

"You heard him. Keep looking," Dwalin grunted after catching some Dwarves pausing in the search.

"All of you! No one rests until it is found!" Thorin growled, his usually blue eyes black as he watched the company slave away.

At his words, Alexa averted her eyes from him; a sigh leaving her. The Thorin who stood not far from her was not the one she had met in Bagg-end, that's for sure. A sad look flashed in her eyes as she observed the company sift through the treasure; unable to do anything to help.

She could only hope that Thorin would come out of the sickness and fast; his life depended on it.