Chapter 17:::::: UNTITLED:::::

Previously on Chapter 16:

((He looked uncertainly at her, then at the amber leaves falling onto the ground, and he nods. "We move out and rest at sundown." He ordered and the company gathered what remained of their packs that the elves had given them, and set off. Tharwen's mind wandering back to Thranduil and Mirkwood, although it would always be the Greenwood to her. Always.))

Dwalin was always suspicious of other races, they either looked down on him because off his height, or the fact he was covered in scars, had a long beard, was a dwarf.

When he met that fussy little hobbit, who had treated them as respectfully as he could as they arrived, obviously unaware that the dwarrows were to be coming to dinner, was kind enough to give him his food, his supper, and in the end joined this mad quest.

Dwalin, although no one ever really noticed, was extremely observant.

He met Tharwen; there was something about the girl, Dwalin couldn't quite pinpoint, he first thought it was how she spoke about her race with so much passion and wonder, or how she kept to Nori, Bofur, the princes and the hobbit. Then he thought it was because her glares and scowls could rival Thorin's, like when Dis pushed him into raging rapids when his beard came in before hers. Or was it the soft smiles she gave that reminded him of Balin. It could have been that she treated everyone, excluding Thorin and Gandalf, fairly and had offered to help them.

Then he noticed her unwavering loyalty, her caring nature, the kindness she offered, her fiery passion when it came to those she cared about, how unnaturally beautiful she was when fought, it looked like her blades were dancing in the fire light.

It was her carefree nature around the elves that first pushed him to want to forge a friendship with her. She had told them, 'I know them, I can trust them.' She had let them coddle and hold her.

But he could not shake the looks off grief she gave the company once they had passed Beorns.

It was like despair had settled into her heart and had locked it's talons into the sides, unrelenting and unwavering. She watched the company with a sad frown on her face, before putting a fake smile and forcing a fake laugh.

The walkway to Lake Town was just a rickety old jetty. At the gates, there were two guards, with mugs of ale on a small table in between them and weapons leaning against the wooden walls.

They managed to make it three quarters across the walkway before the guards had noticed them and called out for them to stop.

"Stop! Who are you and why are you entering this town?" One asked, fumbling for his sword.

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son or Thror, King Under The Mountain."

"You're a dwarf." The other guard said in wonder.

"And you're an idiot." Nori added in return.

"We wish to speak to the Master of this town if you will." Balin said diplomatically to the two guards.

"And you say you are the King of the mountain?" The Master of Lake Town asked.

Thorin nodded in conformation.

"We have come to ask for your permission to stay in your town for a few days." Balin said calmly. "We have had a long journey and are very weary."

"O-of course." The Master bumbled in surprise.

"Thank you." Thorin thanked.

"Also, if you could provide for a way for use to acquire transport to the mountain. It would be appreciated." Balin added.

"Y-yes, yes of course. Good sir." He stumbled and gave a nod of gratitude.

"Now if we could leave, we would like to get some rest, we are tired." Thorin said and the Master nodded.

"I thought you would be asleep." Thorin said, walking out to the balcony, seeing Tharwen sitting in a chair with her knees pulled up against her chest chin resting against them, staring out into the moonlit night.

"I will get some sleep later." She said softly.

"You've been quiet, what's wrong." He took in her appearance. Dark circles under her eyes, looking like she'd been punched in the face. Her face had become pale and her skin was waxy.

"When a Tharken sells their soul, it means they are mated with someone after they have met their bonded." She explained tiredly. "And since my bonded is dead, half my soul is spent. And the rest of it is back in that forest."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"When I was younger, the night before my coming of age, I bonded with someone that wasn't my bonded, so my soul was partially intertwined with theirs. I promised them, if anything had happened to my bonded, I would give them what was left of my soul." She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Thorin." She said painfully. "Why is this such a big deal to you?"

Because I want to keep you safe, because I want to lock you away with all the gold in Erebor and not let anyone come near you, because I love you.

Thorin did not voice those concerns instead, he answered her with a determined scowl on his face.

"Because I care about you."

"This isn't a fairytale Thorin, it won't be happily ever after." Her nose crinkled in annoyance.

"I never said that it would be." He snapped.

"But you expect it to be don't you? Have you ever thought that you might die because off this quest, that Fili and Kili might lose their uncle, the dwarves of Erebor would lose their king. That I could lose you? I've seen many die in my life, I don't think I could see anyone else, in this company, die, especially you."

Thorin froze, the thought off being so close to home, had diverted him from his concentration, from his focus, and he'd forgotten his company. She didn't have to raise her voice to make him feel ashamed. Did he really want to risk his nephews, his One and kin? Without thinking first.

"You underestimate how much people care for you Thorin Oakenshield."

"I.." He trailed off, unable to answer.

"You, are their leader. You, are their king. You belong in that mountain, leading your people and giving them a peaceful life. Don't waste your life, and go reclaim your kingdom." She said. "Then maybe I can get back to mine." She muttered under her breath.

"You're crazy, you're crazy but I love you. You're stubborn, wise, caring, loyal, crazy, beautiful, and I love you for it. I'd give up this dammed quest for you." He sighed.

"Go to sleep Thorin." She said softly.

"But?"

"No, we aren't going to discuss this. Go. To. Sleep."

"Where are you? Where are you hiding? Where are you little one?" It was a gruesome being, marred and rotten flesh, fresh and dried blood splattered on his face. It's twisted grin and sadistic laugh flooded her mind, haunting her memories.