"I have a surprise for you," he told me half an hour later. We strode hand in hand down the hall, and he swung our hands back and forth. He didn't seem to have noticed the absence of my ring quite yet; if he had, he hadn't mentioned it.

I turned to stare at him with wide eyes. "You didn't have to do anything for me," I replied curiously, squeezing his hand.

He smiled. "It's more of what I'm doing for us," he answered, pulling me along. "This way!"

We went down many different staircases and passageways until we reached an enormous, smoky cavern. Parts of it were in shambles, but most of it was intact. The main entrance was a row of enormous columns, which were mostly piles of rubble, and so we entered through a side door.

"The forges?" I asked, my voice echoing around the room. The forges were hot and brightly lit. Glowing, molten streams of metal flowed from one end of the room to the other, crisscrossing each other on the floor. Kili led me to a smaller forge in the corner. It sat in a row of small forges—at least, small in comparison to the ones the size of small towns—and was the only one out of all its companions that was lit.

"Aye. I decided it was time to teach you to make a betrothal bead." I turned to him with wide eyes. He looked very nervous, although he bore a slight smile.

"Oh, Kili—"

"Come on," he said quickly, leading me to the fire. "I'll show you how."

During the next few hours he taught me how to pick the metal and heat it to the right temperature to melt, and then how to pour it into the small mold to shape it. Fortunately for me, one could not make only one bead at a time, so I had several score spares to work with. Once the metal had cooled slightly, he showed me how to carve the correct designs into the metal with a tiny chisel. This was the part that took the most work, since he could not do it for me.

Finally, after mauling most of the beads, I completed Kili's betrothal bead. The white-gold bead was similar to mine, and it had miniscule vines that wrapped round it. Even smaller runes were carved into it, twisting around the vines like flowers.

At the end of the process, Fili—who apparently had been lurking around waiting for me to get the bead right—appeared to show me how to present the bead to my fiancé. I did, and Kili and I both were glowing. He embraced me, lifting me off my feet.

Amidst the joy I felt, though, I also felt a twinge of guilt. Was I betraying him?

Once this was done, we went upstairs to wash the soot and sweat from our faces, and then wandered round the mountain.

Several hours passed. Kili continuously offered activities to try, but I turned down each one. To be perfectly honest, I was incapable of doing pretty much anything involving my hands. I was a miracle I had been able to complete his bead, for my hands shook so badly that any time we entered a room and took a seat, I was forced to either plant myself on top of them or keep them clenched firmly in my lap.

Kili assumed that their trembling was due to my apprehension regarding his refusal to listen to me concerning the battle, or Thorin's illness, or my joy at finally sealing our courtship, while the others assumed it had something to do with me being on my… time. In fact, most of the dwarves I passed stopped me and congratulated me on my being able to conceive; apparently Fili had taken it upon himself to tell the whole company.

Although I was a bit irritated with Fili initially, I quickly saw his actions as a blessing. The company had no reason to question my pale pallor or trembling hands; they assumed it had something to do with the time of month. They were partially correct; the cramps that continued to plague me throughout the day were not particularly pleasant—but more than anything it was the fear that my actions would be discovered.

Sometime in the middle of the afternoon, I could take it no more. I stood and brushed myself off, then clasped my hands behind my back. Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, and Ori stared up at me, smiles on every face. They were taking a rare break from searching for the thrice-damned Arkenstone, but their brothers and cousins were looking at that time. They would trade off later, except for Fili and Kili, whom Thorin had not yet made look.

"I am going to rest," I told them softly, wincing and bringing my hand around to press against my middle. Kili made to stand, and I motioned for him to sit, smiling wearily at him. "It's alright, I'll be fine."

"What's happening?" Bilbo questioned. I started; I had not noticed him come in.

Kili glanced at him and smiled, waving him over. "Bilbo, it's good to see you! Please, would you make sure Aeyera makes it to her room alright?" He paused. "I don't want her getting hurt, and she's too stubborn to admit that she needs my help," he added in a joking whisper.

"My time has not affected my hearing, Prince," I told him, raising my eyebrow. The other dwarves chuckled. Kili grinned cockily, and I couldn't help but smile back. Eru, I loved him.

"But of course, my dear Princess," he answered, bowing his head.

I laughed and followed Bilbo out the door, smiling giddily to myself as Kili's chuckles echoed round the hall. We walked in silence for several minutes, and I spent this time listening for any footsteps or shuffling that occurred around me. It was not until I was satisfied that no one could hear me that I spoke, and even then I waited until we were in an empty hallway far from the throne room before I began.

I took a deep breath. "Bilbo, I need to tell you something."

The hobbit's brows furrowed, but he nodded. "I thought so, you do not seem yourself today. What has happened?"

"You… you know how Thorin is. He's not himself. You saw him yell at Dwalin and Balin; his two closest friends." I swallowed. "When he finds out about the people of Dale, they will be slaughtered."

The Halfling's eyes widened. "You think it will come to that?" he gasped. "Aeyera, I admit that he does not seem like himself, but to murder innocent people?"

"Bilbo, you do not know what it is like to have your mind possessed by a darker power. You do not know how it feels to have your thoughts controlled and twisted by darkness, and I pray you never will." He shuffled, looking distinctly uncomfortable. His hand drifted towards his pocket. "I have." He clasped his hands before him, staring up at me pityingly. "Do not pity me, Bilbo Baggins," I ordered, frowning. "I do not remind you of my past to gain your sympathy, but to warn you. Thorin's choices are not his own; he would slaughter all men and elves in Middle Earth if the darkness commanded him to.

"So… so he sees friend as foe, and foe as friend?" Bilbo suggested, trying to better understand.

I shook my head wearily. "No. He sees all as his foes, even his own kin. He no longer can differentiate between his closest friend and his most hated enemy; he sees us all as dangerous and unworthy of trust. This is why I speak to you. If he discovers you have the stone, nothing will prevent him from striking you down where you stand."

Bilbo seemed to have either forgotten or dismissed my previous worries about knowing of his treachery, perhaps assuming that I was about to commit treason myself. "B-but we're friends," he stammered, frightened. "He wouldn't—"

"Yes, he would. And that is why I must tell you of what I have done."

Bilbo glanced up at me, his hands fisted against his hips. He was obviously flustered, and very pale. "What are you talking about?"

"I have been warned of what is coming," I told him. "I have seen it. The one I love most…" I swallowed, my voice thick. "He does not survive it."

"Kili?"

"Let me finish," I snapped miserably. "Thorin initiates this battle. I must either prevent it or tilt the scales in our favor."

Comprehension and horror dawned on Bilbo's face. "Aeyera, what have you done?"

"What I had to." I took a deep breath. "My brother will be leading an army to the mountain, and with any luck they will arrive before the battle begins. When they do, it is my hope that they can either block off Thranduil's army or get the people of Dale to safety."

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" Bilbo snapped in a harsh whisper. "You are committing treason against two of the most powerful kings in the east of Middle Earth."

I glared at a small chink in the stone above Bilbo's head. "It does not matter, they both hate me anyway."

"Aeyera—"

"Bilbo, I am telling you this as a warning, not because I ask your advice. The letter has been sent. The eagle is on its way, and should reach my brother tomorrow at dawn. Assuming they leave within two hours, they will be here the following morning. I suspect that my brother is closer than expected anyway; he always had a knack for knowing when a battle was about to occur."

"Aeyera… are you sure about this?" Bilbo fretted. "If Thorin finds out—"

"My dear Hobbit." I crouched down and placed my hands on his shoulders, speaking softly and clearly. He stuttered to a halt, staring up at me with wide, sad eyes. My heart broke for how worried he was about me, but I couldn't let him influence or make me question my choices. It was too late for that anyway. "It is no longer a question of if, but rather a question of when. I am afraid I am not fortunate enough to avoid detection for long. I fear that Thorin suspects me already, and I fear that his suspicion will grow until it covers the company. I don't know why I am telling you this but to ask that if I am forced to leave… that you find a way to get Kili to safety. Tie him up, lock him in the armory, I don't know; but do something."

Bilbo sighed. "You seem to have forgotten my own treachery, Princess. When Thorin finds out—"

I cut him off. "If. If he finds out." Bilbo eyed me curiously. "For you, Bilbo, it is a matter of if, not of when. He trusts you, Bilbo. More than he trusts the rest of us. Do not let him find out the truth, Bilbo. It will take more than general suspicion for him to harm you."

"But… but is it possible that he will not know it is you who called for your brother? Surely he cannot blame the presence of elves on you alone," Bilbo argued.

"No," I told him gently. "It is not possible." My throat ached, and I left as though I were about to weep. "For my brother has my ring, and I will go to him when he comes. I trust that Kili will understand; that he will forgive me."

"But—but surely you are not going back on your promise," Bilbo's eyes grew wide, and he looked betrayed and horrified. "You swore to protect them!"

I frowned, eyes darkening, and straightened up, letting my hands slip off Bilbo's shoulders. I would never break my promise to protect them. I am an elf of my word; I would never go back on it, especially not on something such as this.

"Bilbo, I have always kept my word. But I cannot protect Kili from behind these walls of stone. If he remains here, he is protected from the battle while I fight to keep the mountain from being breached. I called my people here to defend the dwarves, Master Baggins, as we have always tried to do. I will not hide inside this Eru-forsaken mountain while others fight my battles for me. If Kili exits the mountain to fight, I will be by his side in an instant. Until that moment, I will fight for him alongside my brother."

"But what if you fall?" Bilbo whispered. "He will never forgive himself if you die."

I gave him a half smile even as my heart ached. "I've made it this far, haven't I?"

"Only with Kili's help," he retorted. I was reminded suddenly of a fussy mother telling off her children, and I almost laughed aloud. "Aeyera, you cannot do this on your own."

"You forget, Master Baggins, that I am much older than I appear. I survived for over a century without Kili."

"But you were not alone then."

"And I will not be alone now. My brother will be with me, and I will be surrounded by the elves I grew up with. They are dear friends of mine, Bilbo."

"Which elves do you speak of?" he asked, frowning. "I though your friends were banished to Rivendell."

"That is from where they come," I answered.

"But your brother is in Mirkwood, is he not? How can he travel to Rivendell and then to the mountain in a day?"

"Aeyera!"

I whipped around to see Kili racing towards me, his hair blowing back from his face. He grabbed my hand without slowing and pulled me down the hall and up the stairs. "Sorry, Bilbo," I called, nearly tripping over my own feet. Kili seemed panicked, and so I did not ask why we ran, I simply followed where he led.

He ran without ceasing until we reached our rooms, and only then did he release his hold on my wrist. He bent over, gasping for breath, while I stood and waited for him to speak.

"I though—you were going—to rest," he panted, trying to rise and falling back to lean on his knees.

"I stopped to speak to Bilbo," I answered. "But I was on my way to bed; we only stopped to speak for a couple minutes."

"About what?" He stood, groaning a bit, and pressed a hand to his side.

"The coming battle."

He sighed. "I told you, you don't need to worry—"

"A thrush spoke to me this morning, Kili. A bird spoke to me and warned me about the battle that is coming. I cannot ignore it; that is not something I can forget."

"Maybe it was lying."

"Kili, it is a bird. What sort of personal plans do you think it has? It surely is loyal to your house or else it would not still be here after all these years. Do you remember when you fell in the river trying to save that pony?"

He started and blushed. "Yes."

"After I told you to be careful and stay away from the edge?"

He scowled. "It was the pony's fault."

I ignored his wounded pride. "I warned you then and you did not believe me, and you nearly died. Do not make the same mistake again. This is much more important than a few bags of supplies. This is your life—our lives—that are being bargained with. Do not ignore me, my love. Please."

"I am not ignoring you, Aeyera. But I trust Fili's judgment, and right now Fili is letting Thorin reign."

I scoffed, releasing a cold, helpless laugh. "Thorin? Kili, it is only a matter of time before he turns on both you and your brother."

"Do not say that."

"Kili—"

He threw his hands in the air, his features twisted in a scowl. "Enough!"

I stopped talking and stared at him with wide eyes, flinching back. He yelled at me. He rarely straight up yelled at me; our voices had risen before when we were upset, even as soon as this morning, but he rarely outright yelled at me. And though I knew he never would strike me, I could not help but flinch back; I had too much experience with being hit.

He saw my reaction, and his hands immediately were at his side. He backed up quickly, his hands held out before him, as if trying not to spook a horse or deer. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. I just—"

"Enough," I echoed softly. My mind was made up. I had no more doubts about what I was about to do. "That's enough." Kili fell silent. "I cannot persuade you to listen. I will not speak of it again, Kili."

He looked crestfallen. "I just wanted to tell you to… to put on your armor. Gather your weapons. The people of Laketown have reached Dale, and it is only a matter of time before Thorin finds out."

I nodded stiffly and turned on my heel, heading for my door. "Aeyera." I stopped and looked back at him, my face a mask. He looked regretful and sad and hurt, but he tried to give me a slight smile. "I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered. I entered my room and shut the door, and quickly donned my armor. I packed my things. I doubted I would be returning to this room. A gust of wind blew wisps of hair into my mouth, and I looked up to see the balcony doors wide open. Had I forgotten to close them this morning? I moved to stand on the balcony, one hand on the hilt of my sword.

The sun was setting behind the mountain, casting all the land before it in a dark, enormous shadow. The telltale light of campfires shone within Dale, revealing the huddled forms of men, women, and children moving through the ruins searching for shelter. So this was the reason for Kili's haste. He must have found out about the survivors reaching the mountain and known that Thorin would react quickly and without thought. I guessed that he either would have us attack the survivors immediately, in which case my plan had failed and I would have to defend the people of Dale against thirteen angry dwarves and a hobbit, or he would build a barricade and wait to attack until his army arrived.

I tightened my belt. I hadn't eaten today either, had I? My stomach growled, and I huffed. Now was not the time. Another cramp hit me and I doubled over. I squeezed my eyes shut and clutched the railing, taking deep breaths.

"Aeyera."

I opened my eyes and found myself face to face with the thrush, which seemed concerned for me. I tried to stand but only managed a hunched, partially upright stance. "Have you any word?" I asked it.

Its feathers fluffed up a bit. "There is news of a darkness headed this way." My brows furrowed. Darkness? "According to my kin who live near to Radagast the Brown, an army has left Dol Guldur and is travelling towards the mountain with great haste."

The blood drained from my face, and my knees gave way, smacking painfully against the stone. My mouth tasted of iron. Azog. Azog was coming. "How much time do we have?" I heard myself asking.

"They will arrive no later than the morning after next. You have less than two days, my lady. I am truly sorry."

I shook my head wildly. Some detached part of me tried to reason that I had known this would happen. I had known that Azog had not given up his search for me. I had hoped he had, but it had been a fool's hope. "Who—" I licked my lips. "Who leads the army?"

There was no mistaking the pity in the bird's gaze. "Azog the Defiler." I lifted trembling hands to cover my mouth. I could not protect the company against three fronts. I did not know if I could protect them against my father, much less Azog; the two beings I feared most would be facing me down at the mountain in two days time. I thought I might faint. "I know of your past, my lady. We all do. Our ancestors saw the skin-changer Beorn take you from the fortress of Dol Guldur many decades ago and told us of your recovery and of how you continued to protect the dwarves by travelling with the Dúnedain, and then joining the company. I am sorry that it must end this way."

"It's not over yet," I murmured. A thought occurred to me, breaking through the fog of panic that had enshrouded my mind. "Do you know of Mithrandir?" I asked, glancing up at the bird.

It bobbed its tiny head. "I do."

"Can you find him?" I asked desperately.

"I do not need to," it answered. "For my kin have seen him; he travels here even as we speak." A wave of relief washed over me. I had feared for him greatly when he had not been at the mountain as planned, although I had been too preoccupied by Thorin's insanity to dwell on it except when I had nothing else to think on. My heart was gladdened by the news that he was alive and well, although I doubted there was anything that could do him harm. "He will be here soon, along with the elves."

My mirth vanished. "The elves?" I repeated.

"Your father's soldiers," the thrush clarified. "They will be here very soon, most likely by sundown tomorrow." I made some sort of whimpering noise in the back of my throat. He could not be here. Not yet. The thrush pecked at my hand in what I supposed was meant to be a comforting gesture. "I am sorry. May your letter be delivered swiftly." The thrush spread its wings and prepared to take fight. Our conversation was over. "Farewell! Wherever you fare, till your eyrie receives you at the journey's end!"

"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks," I answered, remembering Gandalf's words. The thrush bowed its head and took of, allowing the wind to lift it up, higher and higher, until it disappeared from my sight. I sighed. I wish I had the freedom to fly away, to escape. Instead I was trapped, stuck inside a mountain. I belonged out there, out in the untouched forests of the world where I could walk beneath the starlight and moonlight until my time was spent.

As I crouched on the ground, staring up at the darkening sky, I began to wonder. If I survived the battle, could I stay here? I loved Kili with all my heart, but the mountain… I could feel it affecting me. It could not take hold of me like it did Thorin, but I could feel it stirring the tattered remnants of shadow that still remained in my mind. I could feel it seeking out a way to destroy me. If I stayed, I would be corrupted. I had to leave, but if I did, my choice would break both Kili's heart and mine. I had given up my immortality, and I had received the ability to conceive, but… I knew that when you loved someone, you often gave things up for him. But could I give up everything? My mind would be taken, lost. I would fade within the halls of Erebor. Could I give myself up for him?

I knew the answer.

But what if… what if I didn't survive the battle? Kili's heart would be broken, but he would live on. I prayed that he would love again if I were lost to him. I hoped it would not come to that, and I prayed that he would not be lost to me, but I knew that at the end of all this, I would have to make the choice between Kili and myself… and I didn't know whom I would choose.