Chapter 33

I stood quietly on the ramparts as the army of dwarves marched to Erebor. The red banners they carried waved in the wind, and I noted that every single dwarf among them had battle armor on. At the head of the group was a dwarf in black armor, riding a large brown boar. He was further ahead of them, and he'd halted his army before they reached the steps. It was similar to when Thranduil had approached the mountain last winter. I narrowed my eyes at the dwarves and turned on my heel and walked back into the mountain as a guard took my place. I hurried to the front gates as Thorin and his nephews walked down to go head outside. As I joined them, I came alongside Dwalin. I didn't want to give away my position at Thorin's side, so sticking with the warrior was my next best choice.

"Arina what could you see?" Thorin asked, before we left the safety of the mountain walls.

"They are armed and ready for battle," I replied. "Their leader rides a battle boar that is also armed."

"Let's see what we can make of this then," Thorin rumbled, and walked out.

He was in an outfit similar to what he had fought in many times before, but instead of chain-mail I had urged him to hide a mithril shirt under his blue tunic. No one could see it under the clothing he wore. Fili and Kili wore similar protection, while Dwalin was in his usual battle ready clothes. The warrior chose to put on his knuckle dusters today instead of carrying his usual hammer. They were steel blades held together with chains, which linked to broad wrist straps. A deadly weapon if Dwalin ever chose to use it. Instead of both of his axes, he only carried one. Thorin himself carried Orcrist at his side, and Fili and Kili were armed with their usual swords.

I didn't need anything if they chose to assault us, which I was hoping they decided not to. Glancing at Dwalin, he returned my look and tilted his head with an amused smile at my expression. Sighing quietly, I stopped when Thorin did and put my hands behind my back as we waited. The dwarf on the battle boar came to a halt right before the steps and hopped off.

"Rumors had begun to spread," he smiled, and gave a bow after he took his helmet off. "We heard the mountain had been rid of the dragon and then it didn't."

"You should have come during the quest and seen it for yourself," Thorin replied coolly. "What is your business here? Why do you come to Erebor so heavily armed?"

"We heard that yet another dragon had taken the mountain and is guarding it," the dwarf replied casually.

"And who are you?" Thorin asked coldly.

"I am Melor, son of Prokhor," the dwarf smiled with a slight bow. "And you?"

"I think you know perfectly well who I am, Melor," Thorin answered. "You are looking directly at the King under the Mountain and his heirs. Now state your business here."

Melor's brown eyes widened slightly. Under all his armor, I couldn't exactly tell how he was built except for his flaming red hair and beard. Melor bowed then, his little nose almost touching the dirt.

"Hail, Thorin," he murmured quickly, as he picked himself up. "Hardly king yet. Where is your crown?"

"He doesn't need one," Dwalin replied, his voice almost a growl. "He is king by default. We don't need any proof of that."

"Really? I heard you were slain in battle, or lost to the second dragon," Melor mused. "We came here to dispose of the creature."

"Really? The ones who wouldn't take on Smaug, but you would freely campaign against another dragon?" Thorin asked in heavy amusement.

"There were so many rumors, we had to see for ourselves," Melor smiled. "I beg your forgiveness. You are indeed alive and well. And did you dispose of the second beast as well?"

Thorin tilted his head, and I noticed Fili glance my way quickly with a slight smirk. I couldn't help but smile and looked at the ground as they spoke. I had to be serious, and the elder prince was not helping me.

"Depends," Thorin said thoughtfully. "If you wish to come here and take the mountain, then yes, the beast is alive and well."

Melor narrowed his eyes at the king and then bared his teeth in what could be a snarl. "Just remember, Thorin son of Thrain. You are no king to me," he snapped out suddenly. "So whether or not this beast is alive, we've come here for this mountain and you will be killed off like you were supposed to be."

Dwalin grunted a little and then drew his axe in one swift movement as Melor drew his sword. Thorin looked at the Firebeard dwarf for a moment, and then I watched his shoulders tighten slightly as the army of dwarves moved to the ready. We didn't have the numbers to take on this army.

"I will ask you once to leave this mountain," Thorin said viciously. "You have no claim on this land. This is Durin's Folk land. You are a coward and a traitor. I remember you now. You were present when I called the meeting in Ered Luin. You were the one who thought it was the most ridiculous idea to come here. And now, here you are battle ready and willing to take on a King."

"Like I said, you are no king of mine," Melor replied. "I was simply there as a stand in for my father. Durin's Folk are reckless, and stupid. You were never supposed to reclaim this mountain."

"Actually, he was never supposed to reach the mountain," I stepped in suddenly. "He was supposed to die by Azog's hand. However...Azog seems to be missing. Because he's dead. The armies he brought were destroyed, and Sauron has been banished back to Mordor. What is your point? Are you so greedy that you would turn on a King and demand he step down from his kingdom? Or do you serve a different master?"

"There's no reasoning with them," Dwalin muttered. "Especially if they serve Sauron..."

Melor glanced past Thorin, and then glared in my direction. "We have a King, and it is not Thorin Oakenshield."

"Well, you are on his lands," Dwalin shrugged, leaning on his axe. "This is really a pity. I was hoping this would be more entertaining."

Thorin's shoulders shook in a soft laugh. "Yes, indeed," he rumbled. "They do not realize that we are at a distinct advantage."

"Oh really?" Melor smiled pointing his sword at him. "You are fiercely out numbered, King Thorin."

He spoke the word king in such a sarcastic manner that Fili and Kili were both glaring. I was guessing after the battle of Moria that many dwarves had lost their respect for Thror and his bloodline. I glared a little as well, and watched Thorin calmly step forward and advance toward Melor. My assumption that the Firebeards had aligned themselves with someone else was also starting to seem true.

"Get off my lands," he said lowly. "And if you don't, you will regret it. I don't need numbers to win a fight like this. I have the loyalty of someone you cannot possibly defeat. So try to take this mountain and I will assure you, all of you will fall this day."

"You are fooling yourself if you think you can win," Melor glared, though he stepped away from the king.

"I think you'll find that you are the fool, Melor son of Prokhor," Thorin answered, and stood tall before him.

He gave a slight tilt of his head as he gazed down at the shorter dwarf. I noticed the army shuffling behind him, all of them itching to do something. I watched several of them draw their blades and Dwalin tensed when he spotted it as well.

"He's going to move them," he muttered. "He's desperate."

"Are all Firebeards this stupid?" I hissed.

"They are quick to anger, and vengeful. They lost a great many in the battle of Moria and never forgave Thror for it. The hate passed down to Thorin," Dwalin rumbled quietly. "If they could take the mountain it would be such a blow to our line, as great as the loss of Moria."

"Are you telling me they hold grudges longer than Thorin?" I asked, and the comment made him smile.

"Yes, much longer than our king," he grinned. "They lost many in the battle for Moria. It was a heavy blow, just like with Thorin. Grandfathers, fathers and sons were lost. They never forgave Thror for what happened."

"Cause that's Thorin's fault," I snorted flatly.

"Sorry, Thorin," Melor sneered suddenly. "But this mountain is ours. It will be easy to take it from you."

His sword tilted forward a fraction and the dwarves started marching forward. I sighed loudly, catching Melor's attention. Moving forward, I walked up to join Thorin's side.

"Do you really wish to release such a beast on your men?" I asked quietly.

"There is no dragon in that mountain," Melor snorted, pointing his sword at me. "It's all lies."

Thorin shifted instantly, and I noticed Fili and Kili did as well. Melor smiled suddenly at the protective stance that they took when he threatened me.

"It would be such a blow," he hissed. "To take your mountain and the woman wouldn't it Thorin?"

"Ugh," I grunted, and I looked at Thorin who gave away nothing on his face at Melor's threats. "My Lord."

"Yes?" Thorin asked slowly, making Melor pause slightly as the dwarves drew near.

"Can we wake the beast yet?" I asked with a tease. "She would be very happy to defend the rightful King under the Mountain."

Amusement flashed across Thorin's face and he stepped back from me. It was the only answer I needed. He drew his nephews and Dwalin away from us and Melor bristled.

"Don't you dare walk away from me Thorin!" Melor snarled.

"You might want to step back as well, laddie," Dwalin called.

I looked at Melor with a smile and then sighed when he brought his sword to me again. "It's amazing, really. This power I have now. It's kind of a blessing, because I no longer find myself cowering in a corner like I used to. I know I can fight and win. I can kill, and defend those I love. I can take the form of a beast so fearsome that Orcs even second guess challenging this mountain. As well as your master."

"Speak plainly," Melor glared. "Wench."

"Oh, ouch," I smiled at him. "Let me guess, you lost many important people back in the battle of Moria almost 60 years ago right? So much so that you aligned yourself with someone else?"

He glared at me and I eyed the dwarves as they began to spread out. "We lost generations! It was because of Thror and his filth of a family. Gold sickness, something that took him over and meant more to him then his own kin! Our master cares for us!"

I felt rather than saw Thorin and his nephews all tense dramatically at the insult, and I just tilted my head at him. "You blame a king who has long sense passed, and now a new one will rule with no such influence on him."

"Exactly, because that king will be me!" Melor snarled.

"You do know that only a Durin can sit atop that throne," I replied coldly.

"Doesn't matter. Not anymore," Melor smirked. "A kingdom is a kingdom for the dwarves these days."

"And it will not be yours," I said darkly, walking forward.

Reaching out as he raised his sword, I grabbed it as my hand turned into a dragon claw. Melor balked at the sight and his eyes grew wide as he watched the change. It was something I had to focus on doing, but my senses were still very alert.

"Witch," he snarled. "Thorin has disgraced us all by aligning himself with a witch!"

"Do you remember the stories of a young girl that Prince Thorin rescued back before Smaug attacked?" I asked, batting my lashes at him.

"All dwarves did," he snapped. "What of it?"

"She was a shifter," I replied. "One of the last."

"They are all dead and gone," Melor snorted, but eyed his sword as he signed to his soldiers to come forward.

"Not this one," I glared. "And you made a very very terrible mistake in thinking that you could come here and take a throne that doesn't belong to you. If Dain had not left, I wouldn't have to lift a finger, but my duty is to my king as always. You threaten those I love."

"The ones I love are dead, and he should be the same," Melor hissed.

"Then you can join them!" I snarled, as I flung him back.

The moment I threw him the dwarves charged me. I eyed Thorin as he went to move forward but I shook my head and changed. Wings snapped open from my back and toward the sky and as I took form, the dwarves attacking suddenly went the other way to avoid getting stepped on or flattened by my tail. Turning around, I swung my tail and opened my wings with a growl as I faced the army before me. For a moment, my eyes saw red as rage bubbled up in me, and I almost panicked at the surge of emotion. Snarling, I dug my claws into the ground and roared at them, letting some energy out.

"Do you have anything that can pierce dragon scales?" I demanded with a hiss.

It was extremely satisfying to watch the Firebeard soldiers hastily retreat to a safe distance while Melor stood there in shock. His brown eyes were wide, and his sword dropped to the ground carelessly. Not that it could have protected him from me anyway.

"Challenge Erebor now, wretch," I growled baring my teeth. "Dragon scales are not the only thing that protects me. Nothing will kill me. I've killed ten times the size of this army, and yours...Melor I could kill in a single breath of fire."

Thorin slowly walked forward to stand by my left claw, and he laid a hand on the large talon. "Stand your men down, Melor and they will not have to die," he said loudly. "Take you and your men far from here and do not come back. Unless you wish to speak of an alliance, you are not welcome in these lands. I have eyes everywhere watching, and we will know if you try to come back."

"One of these days you will not have your witch to protect you, Thorin," Melor glared. "And when she's gone...we will take this place."

Smoke shot from my nostrils as fire gathered in my belly and glowed in my chest. I arched my neck with a growl and lowered it to Melor, letting the heat of it blast him in the face. His face paled, and his expression stuck to terror.

"Run," I growled and then roared, sending them running for their lives.

People from Dale had lined their streets and the gate to see what was going on, and they stayed put as the Firebeards beat a hasty retreat. Melor jumped on his boar and ran with them, like the cowards they were. Snapping my teeth shut, I rumbled loudly and glared in their direction as they kept moving. Thorin sent a raven after them to make sure that they kept going.

"Arina," he said softly, when I continued to glare.

Blinking, I glanced down at him and then blew out sharply. Lowering my head, I gazed at him for a second and then pushed myself to my human form. Taking in a big breath, I rubbed the side of my face after a moment. My heart thudded in my ears, and I closed my eyes to calm myself.

"You were...different," he said slowly.

"Remember how I said that when Beorn changes..."

"The animal mind takes over usually," he completed, and I nodded.

"It is hard to control in my dragon form sometimes. Especially where you are concerned. The rage sometimes is a terrible thing. I can get angry, and then it turns to rage rather quickly when I'm a dragon. I've got to learn to separate from it," I sighed as he put a hand on my back.

"Well done lass," Dwalin said with a bow, as he walked over. "I don't think we'll be seeing them any time soon."

I chuckled softly at that. "I don't think we will," I agreed, as my heart pounded in my chest.

As we turned to walk back inside the mountain, Thorin walked ahead with Dwalin. Fili joined my side with his brother and quietly offered his arm. Glancing at him sharply, I saw the look on his face and looked at the sky for a moment. Reaching out, I took his arm and let him escort me inside with Kili on my other side.

"You were...winded," Kili said quietly, as he bent to speak to me.

"I was," I sighed. "Still am. I just need to sit."

"What happened?" Fili asked. "We've never seen you like that."

"Some things just...linger after a change," I said softly. "In this case my rage lingered and...didn't exactly help me."

"Your power is growing quite rapidly," Kili nodded. "I don't think I've ever seen you hold a partial transformation for so long before."

"No...that was hard," I grunted, as we walked to find something to eat. "I've actually never done something like that. I've changed my eyes for a moment or so, but never held it. I'm suddenly...tired."

"Do I need to take you to your room?" Fili asked in alarm.

"Mmmm...no," I shook my head as we sat down at a table.

The moment I did, my head spun, and I pressed the palm of my hand against my forehead as Fili stood stubbornly with me. Kili was gone from our sights in seconds as I tried to gather myself.

"This...surge of power is draining me," I muttered. "It's growing, I can feel it. I didn't help myself by doing what I did earlier, but I wasn't about to let them attack us."

"You need to rest," Fili said firmly. "Now."

I opened my eyes to glare at him and shook my head. "I'll be fine in a moment."

Footsteps hit my ears after a moment, and they were rushing towards us. Not quite a run, but not a walk either. I let out a breath and then grunted when I knew where Kili had suddenly gone off to.

"Thank you, Fili," Thorin said gently. "I'll get her to our room since she is stubbornly not listening to you."

"I hardly listen to anyone," I snapped back, and they all smiled.

"When it comes to your welfare, maybe you should start," Fili said quietly, as Thorin pulled me to my feet.

My vision swam at the sudden movement, but I forced myself not to sway or do anything. I glanced at the young prince and arched my brow.

"You are sounding like your Uncle again," I sighed, making him grin.

"Come," Thorin rumbled tugging me forward. "You need to rest. Your skin is hot to the touch."

He walked me off, and we took one of the private halls to our room. I didn't exactly remember how we go there, only that suddenly the door was shutting and he was escorting me to bed. Thorin helped me sit down and I glanced at him for a moment.

"Don't be proud now," he rumbled, gently taking my shoes off.

"Says the one who fought with Azog and then went off to brood," I said flatly.

"I couldn't afford it to show that I was weak," Thorin looked at me. "You can show weakness, Arina. It's all right."

"No it's not," I shook my head. "I need to be strong so that I can protect you when you need it. It's what I am supposed to do."

"What you are supposed to do," Thorin stood up. "Is get some sleep. King's orders."

"You..." I snorted and then dropped my shoulders, my remark lost on my tongue.

"Exactly," he smiled smugly. "You seemed fine after you chased them off, but I was wrong not to pay better attention. You were breathless when you were finally human. I should have noticed."

"Not your fault," I sighed.

"I take care of you too, my lady," he said softly, helping me out of my clothes.

He went to his drawer and pulled out a long blue shirt that would go down to my knees and helped me into it. The gesture provided instant comfort and I felt myself hum. Thorin picked me up and laid me in the bed after he drew the covers back.

"I will be with you shortly," he rumbled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I have matters to attend to. Sleep, and don't disobey me this time."

"Fine," I mumbled quietly, feeling that my body was actually warm, almost feverish to the touch.

"Good," Thorin sighed softly.

When he left the room, I found that I was quickly falling asleep. I had no chance to see when Thorin joined me again, and instead, fell into a dreamless sleep.

:D