Getting to a thousand coins chucked at Dwarf heads, I finally gave up and headed back outside. There the raven found me and gave me news of the Men, though I had not asked him to. They were looking for shelter and coming this way. I gave the raven some bread from my pocket in thanks. This news made me worry for different reasons and I went back in to try and plead my case again with Thorin.
When I did and he just growled that the jewel was more important, I nearly chucked a huge chest at his head but Dwalin stopped me by grabbing my arm. Startled I looked at him and he shook his head, looking almost sad. That's when I had a better look at him and the others. The sickness seemed to have run it's course and they looked to be coming around, but not completely. I hoped and prayed that Thorin would come around as well.
I pulled my arm free and headed over to an empty hall where I had been sleeping on a bench, my diminishing pack of supplies as my pillow and my cloak for a blanket. I curled up on it, back to the wall and pulled the cloak over my eyes so that I couldn't see the torch light dancing down the hall.
I fell asleep and had particular dreams.
0o0
I knew it was a dream because my parents stood before me. I stiffened, waiting for the blood shed, only then realizing that after Rivendell I hadn't dreams of my parents dying again. Startled by this revaluation I looked at them again and my Mother brushed a strand of red hair out of her face as she smiled at me, "Ariana. You have done so much, gone so far. We couldn't be more proud of you."
My Father's brown eyes twinkled as he smiled as well, "We are so proud. Well done Ariana."
I knew I was crying but I didn't care as they stepped forward and engulfed me in a hug. There I felt their arms around me like when I was small and they let me cry, whispering love and affection into my ears. When I finally pulled away I told them everything that I knew to be wrong with the Company and having no way to help them.
Mom brushed my bangs from my eyes and said to me, "Remember Ariana, nothing is without a price. There is a way to save your Dwarf friends and so much more. It all depends on what you are willing to pay."
Dad tweaked my nose like he used to do when I was small and he wanted me to pay attention, and he said gently, "Your a smart girl Ariana. Wait, and listen and you'll find your answer."
They stood up and I quickly got to my feet. They both kissed my cheeks and Mother whispered, "When you need strength, call on us. We can help you, but once. At great need."
Then suddenly they were gone, but the warmth of their love remained.
0o0
Wondering about my dream, I found Thorin in the throne room, with Balin and Dwalin, growling at them as to why the stone has not been found. Dwalin, who has always had Thorin back told him, "We have searched and searched." Thorin snapped, "Not well enough."
Dwalin said gently, trying to soothe his king, "Thorin, we would all see the stone returned."
"And yet, it is still not found!" His voice echoed against the stone.
Balin jumped to his brothers defense, saying in his adviser voice, "Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" Thorin had had his back to them and now he turned as Balin continued, "The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people."
Thorin stepped towards him, "It is The King's Jewel." Then yelled, "Am I not the king?!" I flinched, he sounded too much like Smaug for my liking. I tried to sooth him, "There is too much treasure in that room to go through. It'll take years..." He waved me off and I bit my tongue to keep back a retort. He turned back towards the brothers and growled, "Know this: If anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged!" Then he spun and stalked out in a royal huff.
The brothers departed and I gazed after them before following Balin. I followed him to a different part of the kingdom, a huge library that made me wonder why Ori was not emerged in. I found Balin deep inside it, sighing, rubbing away tears. He heard my foot step and turned, "Dragon sickness. I've seen it before." I paused and Balin looked absolutely wrecked, "It is a fierce and jealous love, Ariana. It sent his grandfather mad."
Quietly I asked, "Balin, if Thorin had the Arkenstone...if it was found, would it help?"
He studied me and said just as softly, "That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth bestowing power upon he who bears it. Would it stay his madness?" he shook his head and clenched his hand on the bookshelf, "No, lass. I fear it would make him worse. Perhaps it is best it remains lost."
I clasped his shoulder and nodded, "So do I." and then left him, mind racing and worrying on what to do now. I found myself back in the hall where the Dwarves at and sat on a bench with a sigh, mind miles away as I tried to think of a solution.
Rubbing my forehead as it began to ache I reached into my jacket and pulled something out to play in my hands. I nearly jumped out of my skin as Thorin whipped around the corner and demanded, "What is that!? Show me!"
I was on my feet in an instant, hand instinctively going for my dagger and forced myself to pause. Thorin's face was wild and I slowly let go of my dagger, "It's nothing."
I held open my hand to show my petrified wood pendant, "Beorn gave this to me before we left. Said it was my mothers." Some recognition flashed on his face and I smiled softly at the stone in my hand, "She used to tell me about stones and what they meant. She said this on was to remind me that we are all apart of this earth."
I couldn't help but grin at him when I saw something like the old Thorin in his eyes, "She always told me that I was as hard headed as a rock, so gave me one to remember that."
He slowly smiled and said softly, "No more than any of us."
I thought he was almost back until Dwalin ran in, "Thorin! Survivors of Lake-town are flooding into Dale! Hundreds of them!" Thorin was gone in a whirlwind and I raced after him, hoping he would help them now. Only to watch in horror as he ordered the Company to shear up the front gate with rock. Seeing no choice but to help I gave Kili a hand and Thorin barked, "I want this place sae by sun up! This Mountain was hard-won. I will not see it taken again."
About to say something, Kili beat me to it, "The people of Lake-town have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything." Thorin growled, "Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those ho have lived through dragon fire should rejoice. They have much to be thankful for." Then he spun and yelled, "Bring more stone!"
I backed up as the Company did as they were told, unable to listen anymore to the man who used to be Thorin, and unable to watch as he had the other block us from the outside world. I hid in the back to watch and then saw the Dwarves arm themselves with armor and weapons. I settled against the back wall to get some sleep, hoping I didn't dream of dragons again.
