I took a deep breath, pressing my hand against the old wooden doorframe. Barely any sound came from inside the room, but firelight flickered under the door. Perhaps I should leave; try and catch Thorin during one of his sane moments. I shook my head. No. There was no telling when the gold-sickness would release its hold on his mind, and I couldn't sit around and wait until he was free. Releasing the breath, I pushed open the door and strode inside, my head held high even as the rest of me shook.

My eyes darted from side to side, taking in everything in the room. All the dwarves except the princes and the king sat on either side of a long wooden table, eating. However, it was not the jovial event I was used to. No food flew through the air. No laughter warmed the room. A fire roared in a fireplace to my left, but it did little to rid the room of its tomb like feel. Barely a smile showed on any of the dwarves' faces, and many of them pushed pieces of food around their golden bowls, subdued. That is, until they caught sight of me. Smiles appeared on nearly every face, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

My ears registered the scraping, grating sound of benches being shoved violently back, and then crashes as they slammed into the wall. Within seconds, I was surrounded by my friends, who all were embracing me and talking over one another.

"Aeyera!"

"It's so good to see you, lass!"

"Where have you been?"

I laughed, tears springing to my eyes. I had been crying a lot lately, I noticed. I embraced Bombur and Ori, the two dwarves closest to me. "It is so good to see you all," I choked, smiling through my tears. They chuckled and gazed at me fondly, proud smiles on their faces. It took me a moment to realize that they were all gazing at the braid in my hair. My stomach dropped, then clenched, and I felt that I might vomit. My smile faltered. What if they hated me? What if they threw me out?

Balin stepped forward and, to my complete astonishment, bowed low, so low that his beard nearly touched the ground. The others followed suit, and I stood frozen. When they had all risen again, Bombur with the help of his brother and cousin, I found my voice. "You… you aren't angry with me?" I managed, my throat completely dry. My voice came out as a raspy squeak.

Dwalin chuckled and stepped forward, clapping me on the shoulder. "Lass, we've known that Kili's carried a torch for you for quite a while, it was only a matter of time before he proposed. After everything that happened in those damned elven caves, I'm surprised you're not married already!"

I blushed, my grin reappearing, and Balin stepped forward, tutting. "Brother, don't torment the poor girl. We're happy for you, lass," he beamed at me, his eyes sparkling in the way only old men's could. "Now where is the young prince?" he asked.

I shook my head, my smile fading quickly. "I thought he would be here," I confessed, confused. "He took his leave nearly an hour ago."

"Where have you been, then?" Dwalin asked curiously.

I shrugged. "There was a bit of broken stone outside in the open; like a balcony," I explained. "Bilbo and I were enjoying the fresh air and speaking together."

"And before that?" Balin pressed.

"I found a room," I told him, my voice dropping in my grief. "You already know that my people fought for you here?" He nodded. "Well they didn't all make it out. The room I found… my people and yours were in it, dead, huddled together in the corners—" I looked away, biting back the grief that threatened to overwhelm me. "Kili found me and comforted me, then Bofur and Oin and Bilbo found us. While I spoke to Bilbo, the others left, and Bilbo and I somehow ended up outside."

"Fili was not with the others who found you?" Balin asked. I shook my head, Bofur and Bilbo nodding to confirm my answer, and he closed his eyes.

"Balin? What is wrong?" I asked, alarmed.

"It is possible… no, probable, that the princes are with Thorin." I must have paled, for several dwarves exchanged significant looks, all subdued once again. "Steady, lass," he said, placing a hand at my elbow. "They should be along soon."

"But what if it—" My voice was squeaky and afraid once more. "If it takes hold of them—"

A knowing look entered the old dwarf's eyes, and he glanced back at the others. "Go back to supper," he told them. "Our princess isn't feeling like herself." He turned to me. "I'll show you where you can sleep." He glanced at Bombur. "Why don't you get our hobbit something to eat?" he asked kindly. "I'm sure he's hungry."

With that he pulled me gently out of the room as the others sat back down, scraping the legs of their stools against the stone as they hauled them back into place. They began murmuring amongst themselves again almost instantly.

"Gold sickness?" Balin asked me as soon as we were out of earshot.

I nodded. "Yes," I whispered.

"You know of it?"

I shook my head, shaking. "I can see it. It is a dark, glimmering cloud that surrounds Thorin just as it did Thror." Balin frowned, and I stopped him, fingertips unintentionally digging into his sleeves. "You cannot let it take him," I said, voice rising in urgency. "You cannot let it take Kili or Fili. We have to save them."

"And what of the king, lass?" He asked me sadly, brown eyes morose and melancholy. He was older than I, I recalled, and had seen much death, even more than I, possibly. "Would you leave the king to this fate?"

"No, Balin." My frustration grew. I didn't have words for the urgency I felt. Days before I had stood on death's doorstep; I knew the feeling of doom that surrounded this place as it had surrounded Bard's cottage. "But if we do not save the princes, then all will fall to it. It is evil. I had thought Thorin was stronger, but I was wrong. I refuse to allow Kili and Fili to fall to the darkness."

"I understand your thinking, lass. But we are loyal to the king. He demands that we stay, and stay we must. Even the princes. Even you."

"Balin—"

"No, Aeyera," he cut me off sharply. "Do not say it. He may not be thinking straight, but he is still the king. He is my king, and I have sworn to protect him."

"And I have sworn to protect his nephews," I countered angrily. "And if it means protecting them from him, so be it!"

"Princess!" He bellowed, surprising me. "Hold your tongue for once in your life." I stood still, stunned. "You cannot speak as freely here as you once did. Yes, I remember you," he said in answer to my confused look. "You don't remember, but I was the one who was your guide during your time in Erebor. I heard you speak to the kings, and while you were brave, you were also very foolish. You cannot speak now as you did then. You cannot even speak as you did on our quest. That journey is over, Aeyera." His voice turned gentle.

"Not for me."

He closed his eyes in frustration and placed his hand on my arm in a fatherly way. "Aeyera—"

"No, Balin." I grasped his hand tightly. "I promised I would protect them. Thorin too. And getting them out of here is best for them. If Thorin harms either of them, it will kill him. I know that hurting someone you love is more devastating than anything. Saving them will save him, Balin." I paused, letting my words sink in, and then gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "But I am not leaving, and I will stay and protect them and love them as I promised I would. I will not abandon them now."

Before he could answer, two familiar, booming laughs echoed through the hall, and we both turned sharply to see who it was. My body relaxed when I saw that it was Kili and Fili striding down the hall, smiles on both their faces. Forced smiles, yes, but smiles all the same. I wondered where they had been; what Thorin had said to them.

My heart swelled as Kili's smile changed from exhausted to elated as his brown eyes rested on me. He bounded forward and scooped me effortlessly into his arms, spinning me around. I shrieked with laughter, gripping his shoulders tightly as he returned me to my feet. He pressed his forehead against mine, breathing deeply. I smiled as his beard tickled my forehead, and I jumped in surprise as he kissed me on the mouth in front of his brother and Balin. After a moment of surprise I kissed him back, wrapping my arms round his shoulders as he pulled me closer.

"Ahem," Balin coughed. We ceased from kissing, although we still held on to one another. My face was on fire, and I smiled so widely that my cheeks ached. Balin smiled kindly at the two of us. "Do you have news, young prince?" he asked Kili.

He nodded, his dimples showing through the dark hair on his face. "I found a raven nesting near where the people of Laketown are camped," he told me. "And I sent a message to my mother telling her of my intentions to marry you." I froze and twisted to face him, sure that all color had just disappeared from my face. "She knows of you, see. She remembers you from when you visited Erebor and she remembers you trying to ride down the ridge to save them. Several minutes ago, I received a reply." My heart beat like a drum against my chest, and I was sure that Kili could feel it. "She approves, Aeyera. She gave us her blessing, and she said that our people are already beginning to prepare to come live here."

I was stunned. I was going to marry Kili. Lady Dís gave me her blessing. I thought back to the young dwarf princess, probably my own age, who had watched me with wide blue eyes as I spoke to Lord Girion and Bain. I had not thought of her in years. I wondered what it was like for her knowing the one intending to marry her son was the same age as she.

"I made you something," he told me shyly, reaching into his pocket and pulling something out of it. He unwrapped it and showed it to me, and my breath caught in my throat. A white-silver bead sat nestled in his palm. Miniscule runes were carved all along it, and tiny bands of metal curled around the edges like vines.

"Kili," I breathed, look ing up into his eyes. He looked nervous and hopeful, and tears pricked at my own eyes. "Its beautiful, Kili." I reached up and pressed my lips to his cheek before resting my head on his shoulder. "Thank you." A thought struck me as he took my braid and traded the plain silver bead for the other one. "What about you?" I asked. "Are our beads and braids supposed to match?"

He nodded. "I will teach you to make one," he smiled softly, kissing my forehead. "Very, very soon."

I nodded, smiling, and placed my hand against his cheek. "Good."

"Laddie," Balin spoke up, still smiling paternally at us. "Did you speak to Thorin?"

His smile faded, and his body stiffened. I grasped his hands, as he squeezed them lightly as if I were his lifeline. "Yes."

Balin waited, then spoke again when an answer was not forthcoming. "What did he say?"

My fiancé glanced at me, then at the elder, and finally looked to his brother. Fili shook his head, and Kili spoke, his words choppy. "He… well, he wasn't himself. He wanted us to lead the search for… for the Arkenstone." I resisted the urge to glance at Balin then, though I desperately wished to know what he was thinking. "He also wanted us to—" he swallowed, and a look of rage crossed his face. "To keep an eye on you, Aeyera, in case you tried to make off with your father's gems."

The look on my face must have been fierce, for Fili himself took a step back. A guttural growl rose in my throat, and it took all of Kili's strength to keep me from tearing up the stairs and ripping Thorin apart. How dare he? How dare he?! Didn't he know what I had gone through to protect his family? To protect him? Did he honestly think that I would be so foolish; so selfish; so dishonorable to steal from him? From my betrothed? From my family?

"No, lass," Balin reassured me firmly, taking hold of me and looking me in the eye. Only then did I realize that I had been speaking aloud. "He does not think that."

I remembered. Gold sickness. I had to get them out of here. I knew that I was being affected by the mountain much like I had been affected by the Mirkwood, and I worried for myself, but not as much as I did for the dwarves. I closed my eyes and realized that I was shaking.

Kili pulled me close to him and wrapped his arms around me, humming gently in my ear. I was tired; more tired than I had ever been. I remembered then: I was mortal. I had to sleep. A wave of fear crashed over me, and I was suddenly wide-awake. I pulled away from Kili. My panic must have shown on my face, for alarm immediately registered on his.

"What's wrong?"

My tongue felt like wood, and a ringing filled my ears. "I have to sleep—Eru, Kili, I have to sleep—"

He grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look him in the eye. He looked worried, but his voice was calm. "Aeyera, calm down."

"Kili, I can't, I—"

"Aeyera." He stayed silent until I looked back at him, horrified by the tears that sprang to my eyes. "You're going to be alright. I am going to stay with you. I'll make sure nothing happens. I promise."

I could not stop shaking. What was wrong with me? I was stronger than this, I had to be stronger than this. "How can you promise that?" I whispered.

"Because I love you," he murmured. "I will never let anything bad happen to you."

I gave a sort of choked laugh and nodded, forcing back any negative emotions as he pulled me close to him. I pressed my chin into his shoulder as he rested his hands on my back. Everything would be fine. Thoughts began to assault my mind. My people dead in the mountain; my father having me flogged; the sickness surrounding Thorin—I shook my head as Kili pulled me close to him. I would not break. I was engaged to a man whom I loved. I would protect him, and he me, until our final breaths. I would be strong for as long as time allowed. Whether nightmares assaulted me or not, I would be strong. I couldn't let Kili see how weak I really was. If I couldn't protect myself, how could I protect him?

I took a deep breath and pulled away, releasing the breath slowly. Kili pressed his hand against my cheek, and I smiled shakily at him, wrapping my fingers around his. "I love you too," I murmured. "But I'll be fine. I promise."

"Lass, do you want me to show you your room?" Balin interrupted.

I nodded without turning to him, keeping my eyes locked with Kili's. "Yes, please."

"You'd better hurry, lass," Balin coaxed. "Thorin might come through soon, and we don't need you two having a fight in your states."

Fili let out a bark of laughter. "Aye," he chuckled, blue eyes glinting merrily. "The mountain would implode."

A crooked smile appeared on my face. Kili turned back to me. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" he asked softly.

I nodded. "Yes."

He nodded uncertainly back at me, then bowed and took my hand. He pressed his lips to my knuckles, allowing his dark whiskers to scratch against my skin, then pulled away. "You have my mother's old room," he told me. "Fili and I are in Uncle Frerin's, right down the hall. If you need anything—"

"You'll be there?" I finished.

He nodded. "Of course."

"Thank you."

"Come on, lass."

Balin took my arm and led me away as the princes continued to the dining hall. The roars of delight that followed as they opened the creaky old door brought a smile to my face, and to Balin's too. The elderly dwarf led me up several winding staircases until we reached a corridor that looked considerably more kept up than the rest of the mountain I had seen thus far.

"We've been renovating and cleaning out this section of the mountain," Balin explained. "This was originally the quarters for royalty, but Thorin said we should all stay in one place." The note of anger in his voice led me to ask the question on my mind.

"But…?" I prodded.

He sighed. "He doesn't allow any rest," he bit out irritably. "Not for us. We are to search until the Arkenstone is found."

"And then?"

He stared me in the eye, and the look he gave me frightened me. "Mahal help us," he whispered.

"Balin, you heard Kili. Thorin is not himself. He thinks me a spy and a traitor. I can not stay near him."

"The princess' quarters are right here," Balin ignored my protests and nudged an ornately carved door to his right. "Thorin's are on the floor below, and Fili's and Kili's room is across the hall." He handed me a key. "Like most items of dwarvish make, this key is enchanted. Your door will open for none without the key or your express permission. I suppose one could break it down," he added as an afterthought, "but I doubt that will happen."

I gave the advisor a weary smile. "Thank you, Balin."

He patted my shoulder kindly. "You're very welcome, dear." He turned to go, and I went to push the key into the door. As I pressed my hand against the wood, however, the door opened with a creak, without me having placed the key inside the slot. I froze on the doorstep. A fire burned on the hearth, casting warm light around the room. The corners of the room remained cloaked in shadow. My bag rested on the trunk at the foot of the bed along with my bow and quiver, and lanterns on the wall flickered merrily.

What caught my attention, however, was the hulking, shadowy figure in the corner. I immediately tensed, placing my hand on the pommel of my sword. Only the figure's eyes were visible, and they narrowed.

"Step out of the shadow," I growled, drawing my sword from its sheath and holding it out before me.

"Put down your weapon, elfling," came Thorin's voice. It was so angry and authoritative that I started and dropped my sword in surprise and fear. The sound of clanging metal on stone roused me from my daze, and I stepped back as Thorin stepped into the light. Except… the shadows followed him, billowing around him like a cloak caught in the wind. "I thought I'd find you here."

I took another step back. "It has been too long, Thorin," I addressed him politely, deciding it was best not to anger him.

He laughed softly, running his hand over the back of an ornately carved, wooden chair. His laughter was menacing, and I found that it matched the lilt of my father's laugh. I glanced behind me, praying to the Valar that someone—anyone—would appear in the doorway. "Aye, I suppose it has." I didn't move. "I wondered when you would reach the mountain," he commented idly. I did not respond. "I suppose Kili's leg slowed you down?" He continued without waiting for an answer. "And yet you arrived much more quickly than I would have expected for one who seemed so sickly the day we left." He finally turned and stared at me, blue eyes shadowed and angry. "I suppose you wanted to get your hands on your father's jewels as soon as possible, didn't you?" I was too startled to speak; all I could do was shake my head mutely. When I didn't answer, his face hardened in rage. I jumped as he bellowed out, "Answer me!"

I shook my head more, beginning to shake. "No, Thorin—"

"I am the king!" He shouted. "You will address me as such, elf!"

My gaze hardened as my fear disappeared. When I spoke, my words were edged with steel. "Do not forget, Thorin Oakenshield, that I am the reason you are alive and well. Do not think for a moment that your title holds any sway over me. I swore to protect you, and you are a friend to me. Those are the only reasons I stand before you now."

He took a menacing step forward, eyes flashing, and I did as well, gritting my teeth. "You insolent—"

I moved forward until I stood only a sword's length away. "Wake up!" I shouted. "Whatever has a hold on you, fight it! You are better than this, Thorin!"

He drew his sword, and I leapt back, landing several paces away. The dwarf stood still, breathing hard, glaring at me with an iron gaze. "Watch your mouth, filth," he spat. "I could run you through right now for betraying me."

"You will not," I retorted, my voice rising. "Do you know why? It is because I have never betrayed you, and you know it! I was flogged for you many times. I faced death for you and your kin. I have given my life to protect your family, Thorin—" Before I could blink, he had crossed the room and pressed the point of his sword against my chest above my heart.

"Not another word," he hissed. He pushed harder, and I backed up, moving away from him until my back was pressed against the wall. I was too afraid, too shocked, to move. I knew what gold sickness was like, but this? I had never imagined this. He pressed harder, and I whimpered, afraid. My sword was on the ground behind him, and any movement for my knives would get me killed. My bow was on my bed; I was defenseless. He stepped forward and placed his hand on one side of my head, keeping the blade pressed against my front. "How I would love to kill you," he hissed. "See what the old elf king does once his daughter's been slaughtered."

"He'd laugh and thank you," I bit out, running my hands over the wall. The stone behind me was flawless; there were no loose pieces I could use to defend myself.

He chuckled darkly. "You're probably right. I saw the light dance in his eyes as he threw you in your cell. He loved hurting you. What if I were to sent you to him?" My fear much have shown, because he threw back his head and laughed. "What an excellent actress you are, elfling. But I know why you are really here: to steal my wealth and return it to your filth of a father."

"That is not true—"

"Silence!" He screamed, looking quite deranged. Spittle flew from his mouth. I shrank back, and he pulled his blade back as if preparing to kill me.

"Uncle!"

"Stop!"

I had never been so glad to see the brothers in my life. Fili and Kili stood in the doorframe, weapons drawn, staring into the dim room with wide eyes. Thorin froze, then stepped away and removed his sword. Still furious, he sheathed his weapon and shoved past me. He left the room, glaring at his nephews as he went.

I slid down the wall and onto the floor, shaking violently. I wrapped my arms around myself protectively, keeping one palm pressed against my chest. The brothers entered my room and shut the door, locking it. Kili ran over and knelt beside me as Fili shut and locked the door.

He pressed his hand against my cheek. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, fighting back a scream. I was afraid. I was so, so afraid. He helped me up and half carried me to my bed, setting me down on the edge. Fili came over as well.

"You told me you'd be fine," Kili muttered.

"I know."

"Do you want me to stay?" he asked softly.

I thought about it for a moment. If he stayed, I would feel safe, to a degree; though I doubted I would ever feel truly safe again as long as I was on this side of the world. On the one hand, if Kili stayed, Thorin might find out, assume the worst, and kill me. On the other hand, if he didn't stay, Thorin might come back and kill me still.

"I don't think—"

Fili cut me off. "She doesn't get to make this choice." He addressed me personally. "Princess, we're not leaving you. I'm your brother now, basically, and I'm not leaving you. Kili is your fiancé. Now if you don't feel comfortable with us here, I'm sorry, but I won't allow Thorin to return and hurt you. He's not in his right mind, as you may have noticed. I'll take first watch, Kili can sleep on that couch, and you will sleep in the bed. I will wake him if you experience any nightmares. Alright?"

I nodded, too overcome to say much else. He nodded as well, his features softening. Kili spoke. "We don't want you to be hurt," he told me.

"I know. Thank you."

He smiled slightly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

In minutes we each were in our own corner. Fili sat before the fire, smoking his pipe; I had no problem with it, as I had lived with the rangers for a century and it had become quite a comforting scent. Kili rested beside his brother, the dark bags under his eyes looking like bruises. I lay under the coverings, staring at the door, waiting for sleep to overtake me. It did not take long. Soon the shadows on the walls faded together, and the crackling of the fire disappeared as the first dream of many rose to the surface and consumed my mind.