Blessed 7

A/N: Three chapters in one day…ya'll should be proud of me. I'm on a roll with it right now. This one will be a bit shorter than the previous two but it's leading up to the Dragon chapter which will be much better.

Chapter 7 – Esgaroth and Erebor

They eventually made it to Bard's home, having to go up through the bloody toilet which has Belle feeling rather disgusted. Bard's oldest daughter immediately pulled Belle with her to the girl's bathroom so she could take a bath and get clean, which Belle thanked her repeatedly for. The younger daughter even gave her a dress to wear while the older one cleaned her clothes for her. Once she was clean the older girl braided her hair and the three joined the men in the family room, Belle blushing as Thorin gave her a heated look. She was wearing a simple shift dress the younger girl had loaned her but apparently Thorin liked what he saw. Thorin was entertaining the thought that his Hobbit could wear a simple sack and make it look beautiful, and he told her exactly that when she asked if it was alright. The resulting blush made it more than worth it in his eyes. Bard watched the exchange with a fond smile, remembering how he used to do the same with his wife.

"Are you two married?"

"Oh…um…no…"

"Not yet."

Belle stuttered out an attempt at an answer until Thorin spoke over her in his firm voice and pulled her into his lap. She relaxed into his warm strength and let out a soft sigh. Sadly the weapons provided by Bard were…less than satisfactory to her warrior dwarves…thus they ended up sneaking into the town's armory in the dark of night. This ended up being a very bad idea as Kili tripped down the stairs with an arm full of weapons…and woke all of the guards in the process. Thorin opted not to fight the guards, thanks to Bella's rather strong suggestion, and instead allowed them all to be brought before the Master of Lake Town. The Master of the town was a large smelly man that Bella instantly decided was a cowardly weasel that she would not trust one bit, Thorin agreed with her but he also pointed out that they would need food and supplies before trying to take the mountain from the dragon. Belle conceded to his point and ended up staring at the dwarf she'd fallen in love with in stunned awe as he roused the town's people to his side with his impassioned words.

She was disappointed in Bard when he spoke interrupted Thorin and tried to turn the people against them, though she could understand his fear of the Dragon's ire after learning that Girion had been his ancestor. She was badly startled and disturbed when the town master's pet weasel, Alfrid she remembered Bard calling him, grabbed her roughly by her arm and dragged her in front of the town's master, thrusting her arm out so the man could see her mark. Thorin's face greatly resembled a thundercloud and the fire that raged in his eyes then could have put any dragon to shame.

"Look Master…they have a Blessed One with them. Perhaps they would be willing to let the poor dear remain here where she would be safer while they fight the dragon…"

Belle had begun to shake as one of her worst fears seemed to be coming true right before her eyes, but Thorin swiftly pulled her away from the slimy weasel and tucked her tightly against his side as he scowled at the man.

"Anyone who dares lay a hand on her again will find themselves missing that hand. She is MINE and will one day become my Queen. Am I perfectly clear?"

"Of course your majesty…no harm will come to her I assure you."

Thorin's glare could have cowed Smaug himself at that moment and the men of the town found themselves backing away from the irate dwarf king, and the rest of his company as well since they surrounded the two and made a rather formidable living wall. Belle breathed a soft sigh of relief, knowing she was safe in the arms of her King and surrounded by her friends.

"I'll not allow them to lay so much as a finger on you again Little One."

Thorin's whispered words eased her fears and she nuzzled deeper into his side as he held her close. Each of them took comfort in the other's touch. Balin frowned at Alfrid and began to lecture him about daring to manhandle a Lady, let alone one of such importance. Belle found herself stifling the urge to giggle as the man began to look like a scolded child, the amused look on Bard's face and the man's twitching lips did little to help her. The Master of the town had a feast set out for them and rooms prepared, though they all insisted on sharing a room together and refused to be separated. Thorin and Belle ended up sharing a bed with Fili and Kili, Belle being sandwiched between all of them and feeling very safe there. Balin and Oin shared another, as did Bifur and Bofur. The Ri brother shared one between the three of them, while Bombur and Gloin each had their own beds…Bombur due to sheer girth and Gloin due to the volume of his snores. Dwalin chose to remain awake and keep the first watch, later being relieved by Bofur who was then relieved by Bifur.

Come morning they were all a bit more refreshed and eager to be heading out to the mountain. They were given a large boat and plenty of food to last about a week as they left the dock. Belle making sure no one got left behind, including Kili who damn-near missed the boat due to being rather hung-over. Thorin nearly left the poor lad behind to teach him a lesson but Belle's scowl had him changing his mind quickly while Dwalin laughed at him for being cowed by such a tiny thing, only to end up cowering himself when she started smacking him with a spatula she'd nicked from Bombur. By the time they reached the mountain it was mid-day and they still had to climb up a long set of stairs to reach the place the secret door was supposed to be at. It was nearly sun-down by the time they made it and the dwarves swiftly set about trying to find a key hole, only to have Balin point out that trying to find it would be pointless until the right time revealed it. When sun-down came and went they all began to leave, ignoring Belle's pleas to wait and be patient. Thorin looked so sad but she refused to believe it was over, and as the moon peeked out from behind the clouds and shone on the space it revealed a small hole and she began shouting for Thorin to come quickly. He ran to her side, thinking she'd been hurt, only to find her pointing excitedly at the small hole. Thorin inserted the key into the door with shaking hands and turned it, nearly crying with joy as the door slowly opened. Belle wrinkled her nose as the smell of sulphur invaded her senses and Balin chuckled softly.

"That'd be the dragon Lass…they do not smell pleasant."

"I can smell that much Balin…oh that is foul."

They all looked at a engraving at the top of an archway inside the door and Belle pointed to a piece of it in curious wonder.

"What is that?"

"That, my dear Little Belle…is the Arkenstone…the King's jewel. There is no other like it in all the world. It shines with it's own light."

"That is what I'm meant to find down there isn't it?"

"You will not be going down there."

"Thorin…I have to go. That was the whole purpose of me coming with you, the reason I signed that contract. Remember? Is any of this ringing a bell in that thick skull of yours?"

"I will not risk losing the most important person in my life to that beast Belle."

"Thorin. I'm small and quiet remember? I doubt the dragon will even know I'm there…if he's still in there that is. If he does hear me I have my ring to keep me hidden. I'll be fine. Now let me do my job."

It took a great deal more convincing before Thorin was willing to let her leave his side and venture into the mountain, Balin leading her as far as he dared before letting her continue on her own…though he did so with a heavy reluctant heart.

"Please be careful Lass…I dare not think of what Thorin would do if we lost you."

Belle gave him a soft smile before heading into the dragon's lair, formerly known as Thror's treasure chamber. Her jaw dropped as she took a good look around and saw mountains of gold and jewels as far as her eyes could see, which was much further than any dwarf that was for sure. She began to carefully tiptoe her way through the treasure, trying to find that one special gem, only to go stiff as her blood froze in her veins on hearing a deep sigh of breath.

"Oh Valar help me…He's awake…"

A/N: Next chapter will see Belle meeting Smaug…which I think will be quite fun given what she is lol.