Chapter Fifteen

"Oin, take her to the Healing chambers." said Balin quickly. "She's not going anywhere! Oin, you work on her here!" barked Thorin. "Laddie, look at her! You worked her too hard! She needs her rest!" Dwalin shouted at Thorin. "Take her to the Healing Chambers, Oin!" said Balin, sternly. Dwalin picked up Tabitha as he carried her to the Healing Chambers, followed by Oin and Balin, leaving Thorin and the others to continue searching for the jewel.

An hour later, Tabitha woke up in the Healing Chamber, and she could see Balin sitting in a chair next to her bed. "You're awake! How are you feeling?" asked Balin. "Miserable, worried and scared at the same time." Tabitha replied sadly. "I know, lassie. He has us all worried. It has taken its toll on him." said Balin sadly. "Oh, Balin.." said Tabitha softly, as tears falling down her face, as Balin wrapped his arm around her, allowing her to weep.

Two days later…

It had been two days, and Thorin and Tabitha both hadn't spoken to each other in days.

On top of that, the armies of men and elves already setting up an encampment in the ruins of Dale. Hardly anyone had spoken to Tabitha except for Bilbo, whom seemed to be feeling worried about her. Tabitha had lost some weight, due to the little food they had, and not only that, Tabitha had refused to eat, and she remained confined to herself. She wanted to avoid Thorin, considering the state he's in. Suddenly, a raven appeared in her window, carrying a note. A note! I wonder who's it from? Tabitha thought, as she opened the letter, and it was from her mother.

Dearest daughter,

I'm writing you this letter as a warning that you father is heading towards Erebor as we speak. He has horrible plans for you-please remain in Erebor, and do NOT leave. Makes sure the dwarves protect you too. Please stay safe daughter, May the Valar watch over and protect you.

Love, your mother.

When Tabitha read the letter, she nearly panicked. She didn't know what to do now. What happens if her father is amongst the elves that are making camp in Dale? She had to do something fast. She took the letter, and quickly left her room to find the dwarves. As she ran, she wasn't paying much attention where she was running.

And she didn't see Thorin walking down the corridor, and she rammed right into him. "What is the hurry, Tabitha?" asked Thorin. "Thorin, there is something I need to tell you. I'm in grave danger." said Tabitha. "Tabitha, this isn't the time for this. We have a battle to prepare." said Thorin. "Thorin, you don't understand! My father is after me, he's going to kill me!" Tabitha screamed, and she shown the letter to Thorin. Suddenly, Thorin threw the letter back at Tabitha.

"What do you expect me to do about it? You're the one that landed yourself in this mess, so get yourself out of it!" barked Thorin. A flash of anger and hurt clouded over Tabitha's features. "You asshole! I cannot believe I'm hearing this! My father is out to kill me, and you don't care? Don't you care I'm going to be killed?!" screamed Tabitha, tears running down her face. "Everybody dies, Tabitha." said Thorin, icily and he walked away. Tabitha screamed in anger, and picked up an object laying nearby and thrown it at him. "I HATE YOU! YOU'RE NOT THORIN! You're a MONSTER!" Tabitha shrieked.

Thorin already had gone, as Tabitha collapsed to the ground screaming in anguish, and weeping. It was Balin and Bilbo who found her. "Tabitha! What's going on?!" exclaimed Bilbo as both dwarf and hobbit knelt before her.

They first allowed Tabitha to calm down and to collect her thoughts. After that, Tabitha told them everything that happened, beginning with the letter, and of Thorin's horrible reaction, and refusing to protect her. Bilbo growled. "If he loves you so much, he could have least promised to protect you!" said Bilbo, hotly. "Bilbo, that is not Thorin." snapped Tabitha. "She's right, we have lost him." said Balin.

There is something I'm going to do about that, and I have a plan to do it, thought Bilbo.

Bilbo turned to Tabitha. "Tabitha, may I have a word with you alone?" asked the hobbit. "Of course!" said Tabitha. And the two walked out on the balcony. "Tabitha, there is something I need to tell you. I'm not sure how you're going to take it." began Bilbo, as he took out something from his pocket. It was the Arkenstone. "BILBO! You got it! Why haven't you returned it to Thorin! You've had us all searching for nothing!" exclaimed Tabitha. "That's just it. I'm not returning it to him, Tabitha. After all, the contract had stated, fourteenth share. And the jewel is the only way to save Thorin, and to stop a war from breaking out." said Bilbo.

Tabitha had realized what Bilbo had just said made perfect sense, and also a good idea to keep the jewel as far away from Thorin as soon as possible. "And I'm asking you to go with me, Tabitha." said Bilbo. Tabitha stood in deep thought, as another idea came into her mind. "Yes, I will come with you. Bilbo there is something else I want you to do." said Tabitha, as she whispered some words in Bilbo's ear. "Tabitha, isn't that a bit risky? Thorin is going to be in there!" exclaimed Bilbo. "Put your ring on, and walk quietly as possible. You've done it before, Bilbo! You can do this. Meet me outside at the Front Gate, when you're done!" said Tabitha. "Got it!" said Bilbo and he left.

Tabitha really hated having to do this, but this was the only way to make everyone happy, and to save Thorin. Tabitha knew that she herself will be taking risks as well, considering she may run into her father. She told herself its time that things are going to change around here. She like to see the elves at peace with dwarves again, as well as the men. And she would do whatever it takes to do so, even if it would possibly betray her beloved Thorin. After throwing on her cloak, she also grabbed a weapon just in case, and she made way to the Front Gate, fortunately without getting noticed.

She waited patiently for Bilbo at the Front Gate.

Fifteen minutes later, Bilbo returned, holding some jewels in his hand. One of the jewels belonging to Thranduil, as it was his late wife's, there was another that belonged to Tabitha's mother. Maybe this can change the relationship between my father and I, thought Tabitha. "I'm ready!" said Bilbo. "Let's get this show on the road!" said Tabitha, smiling at the hobbit. "I didn't know this was going to be a show!" said Bilbo. Tabitha laughed. "No, Bilbo, I'm speaking metaphorically. Its just a saying." said Tabitha. Bilbo laughed. "Oh, okay." said the hobbit, as they headed towards Dale to the encampment of the men and elves.

Once they arrived, they headed towards the tent. Once they entered, Bilbo and Tabitha not only saw Thranduil and Bard, but they could see Gandalf in the tent as well, and also of course, Tabitha's father, Telemarin. Tabitha closed her eyes. "Your father is here, Tabitha. Will you be okay?" whispered Bilbo. "Yes, lets get this done and over with." Tabitha whispered back. First Gandalf had greeted them, and then they stood and faced Thranduil, Bard and Telemarin. Bilbo first presented the Arkenstone to the man and elves, explaining his reason why he is doing this.

"And there is something else too! Your Majesty, I do believe this belongs to you!" said Tabitha, handing over the necklace to Thranduil. The Elf King's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm hoping this would help things more." said Tabitha. "Its really bold of you to do this, Tabitha. But what makes you think this is going to change our differences with the dwarves?" asked Thranduil. Telemarin nodded. "Because you don't understand them well as I do, well at least Thorin. We're not only doing this just to stop the war, but to save Thorin as well. I want the old Thorin back." said Tabitha.

To Tabitha's surprise, her father stepped forward, and even more surprising, he showed no signs of anger, but worry and concern. "Your heart is in the right place, daughter-but Thorin will not change if you take something he loves and possesses away from him." said Telemarin. "And how would you know that father? You barely even know him! My love for Thorin is strong, and I will never stop loving him no matter what. Bilbo and I agreed on doing this together." said Tabitha, as tears fallen down her face.

Telemarin stood in surprise. "You really do love him, do you?" said Telemarin softly. "I would walk to the ends of the world for him, Ada. That's how much I love him." said Tabitha.

"Go on back to Erebor, daughter, before they see you are missing." said Telemarin, as he kissed her on the forehead. "Farewell, Ada, for now!" said Tabitha. "Farewell!" said Telemarin, as he watched his daughter and Bilbo walk away. "Well that went well! And you got yourself all worked up about your father for nothing!" said Bilbo. "I know, I feel like an idiot." said Tabitha. "You're not an idiot, Tabitha." said Bilbo, and then they continued to walk in silence.

"Father told me to keep the jewel, I was going to give him. He said he wanted to give the necklace to me anyway." said Tabitha. Bilbo smiled. "That's good." said Bilbo. Soon they entered the mountain, without getting noticed, and Tabitha went to the King's chambers, where she had been staying with Thorin. It was already passed midnight, and by the time she entered the bedroom, she noticed Thorin was no where to be seen at all. Which was good, because she didn't want to raise his suspicions on her whereabouts.

Tabitha tried to go to sleep, but she couldn't. And so she remained awake, going through her belongings, when she found some stuff that she had brought with her from California. One of them was her mp3 player that still worked! Tabitha turned it on and pressed play, and a song played, and this song reminded her and Thorin.

And she began singing along to the song quietly to herself, tears running down her face as she done so. She was so busy doing that, that she didn't realize Thorin already had entered the bedroom, and he stood there and listened to her, still with a hardened expression on his face however, but then it softened the more he heard the song. Soon, the song ended, as Thorin watched Tabitha openly weep. "Is that really how you think of us, Tabitha?" asked Thorin quietly, his voice husky.

Tabitha startled and jumped a little at Thorin's voice. "When did you come in here?" asked Tabitha. "Just a few minutes ago. You still didn't answer my question, Tabitha. Is that how you really think about us?" asked Thorin. "For now, Thorin, but soon those suspicions will die down, and we will be back to the way we were before." said Tabitha, his voice broken with emotion. "What makes you think I'm suspicious of you? I love you, Tabitha, and nothing is going to change that." said Thorin, sitting beside her.

"Thorin, don't-you're making this difficult-!" said Tabitha. "Tabitha, I haven't been paying that much attention to you lately, and I'm sorry. I've been very busy lately." said Thorin. "Yes, with your stupid gold and treasure-it seems you care more about than, than your own family and loved ones." grumbled Tabitha.

"Now wait just a minute, that's NOT TRUE!" snapped Thorin, standing up. "It is true! You would've cared less if someone was to come in here and kill me! Just as you said when we talked in the corridor!" Tabitha snapped back. "Tabitha, you know I never meant to say that to you! I didn't know what came over me!" pleaded Thorin. "Just leave! Leave me alone!" Tabitha shouted. "FINE!" snapped Thorin, and he stormed out of the chambers, as Tabitha collapsed on the bed.

Author's note: The song Tabitha is listening to in this chapter, is Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds'. I was listening to it while working on this chapter, and I thought it would be the perfect song for Thorin/Tabitha. And you can definitely see how it relates to them in the next chapter…