Chapter Thirteen
During the entire boat trip, Thorin hardly had spoken to DJ, as well as the other dwarves. Only Bilbo had spent time with DJ, keeping her company. But even with Bilbo's gentle and kind demeanor, depression clouded over DJ, she felt the love between her and Thorin growing distant, the more closer to they drew the Mountain. When they arrived at the base of the Mountain, they climbed out of the boat along with their belongings. They made camp for the night. DJ tried to sit with the company, but still getting the same treatment as she was before. Even Thorin, seemed to be avoiding DJ. "Where are you going, DJ?" asked Bilbo, as he noticed DJ standing up.
"I'm going to take a small walk, Bilbo. I won't go far, I promise." said DJ. "Just be careful, and come back soon." said the hobbit. "I will, Bilbo." said DJ, and she walked away from the company. DJ strolled quietly nearby the shorelines of the lake, looking out. DJ began to wish she stayed behind with Fili and the others, to help take care of Kili. Everyone is now treating as if she didn't exist, the only one person that spoken to her was the hobbit, and she felt quite thankful for that. But her heart ached, wondering what she had said to Thorin and the dwarves.
Bilbo sat in his spot looking out over where DJ had walked to. Suddenly Balin spoke up to Bilbo. "Where's DJ?" asked Balin. "She went for a walk. Something's troubling the poor girl, but she won't tell me. She's been feeling depressed since the boat ride." said Bilbo. Balin bowed his head. "I hope she'll return soon. " said the older dwarf. Thorin sat and looked over his map, pondering over where the hidden door was located. After looking over the map for a little while, Thorin looked over at his companions. He noticed a person missing among them. And it was DJ.
Alarmed, Thorin quickly stood up, marching over to Balin. "Balin, where is DJ?" asked Thorin. "Bilbo told me she went for a walk." Balin replied. "Which way did she go?" asked Thorin quickly. "She went over in that direction!" said Bilbo, pointing in the direction where DJ had went. "Thank you." said Thorin, walking away from the company, taking the same path as DJ. Meanwhile, DJ sat by shore line, looking at the sunset. She knew Durin's day would be tomorrow night, wondering how everything would turn out But she dismissed those thoughts, and she turned her thoughts to someone whom she loved very much.
Tears streaming down her face, as she sat in deep thought.
But suddenly, she heard a familiar deep voice speaking to her, breaking her thoughts. "You shouldn't be walking out here alone, DJ. You know better." said the voice firmly. DJ turned, and she saw Thorin looking down at her, his eyes glaring at her, and his expression cold and dark "I'm sorry, Thorin." said DJ softly, bowing her head, trying to keep Thorin from seeing her tears. She didn't want him to see that she had been crying. "Lets go back and sit with the others." said Thorin. DJ nodded, and she followed Thorin back to the company.
But before they reached to their camp, Thorin stopped DJ. "Wait." said Thorin, placing his large hand on DJ's shoulder. DJ turned, now looking directly at Thorin, and the two stood really close together. "You've been crying?" asked Thorin. "No, its my allergies." DJ lied. "Deej." said Thorin firmly and gently. "Okay, I've been crying. I don't need to talk about it, okay?" said DJ. "DJ, what is troubling you?" asked Thorin. "You should tell me. We hardly spoken since we left Lake Town! Is it something I said?" asked DJ.
Thorin took DJ's hands gently. "Its nothing you said. You have done no wrong, Deej. I have a lot on my mind right now. But there is more than what you are telling me." said Thorin. "Thorin-I'm scared." said DJ. "Scared? Why are you scared?" asked Thorin gently.
"I'm not only scared, but worried." said DJ. "DJ, you don't need to worry or be scared. I will protect you from that beast." whispered Thorin, pulling DJ close to him. "Its not the dragon that I'm worried of Thorin." said DJ. "What are you saying?" asked Thorin. "I'm worried of you. I fear that I'm going to lose you." said DJ. "DJ, you are not going to lose me. I will be fine." said Thorin, gently placing his hand on DJ's cheek. "Do you love me, Thorin?" asked DJ. The words caught Thorin off guard. "Why are you asking me this? Of course I love you, Deej!" said Thorin. Thorin didn't understand why DJ had asked him the question.
"DJ, I love you very much. With all my heart." whispered Thorin, cupping DJ's chin with his hand. Then he leaned over, pressing his lips onto DJ's. And they stood and kissed for a while. When the kiss broke, DJ touched his face. "Come, lets go and join the others." said Thorin. DJ nodded, and they went back to the camp. DJ sat with Thorin, laying in his arms, dozing off ito sleep on his chest. Balin sat down with Thorin. "DJ worries a lot, Balin." sighed Thorin. "She's not the only one who worries of you, my friend." said the old dwarf softly. Thorin looked at Balin.
The next day, the company climbed up the mountain.
That very night was Durin's day, and they had to get to the side door. It was Bilbo whom had found the door. "You have keen eyesight, Master Baggins!" smiled Thorin. As they now stood in front of the door, Thorin read over the script on the map. Thorin tried to use the key to open the door, but wouldn't open. Thorin tried a few times, much to the annoyance of the other dwarves. "Lets try bashing down the door!" snarled Dwalin, and both him and Nori tried to break the door down. Thorin looked at Balin, confused on why the door wouldn't open.
Suddenly, she noticed sadness clouded over the dwarves and Thorin, and they walked away. "Its over. We missed it." said Thorin sadly. This angered DJ and Bilbo. DJ and the hobbit couldn't believe the dwarves would give up on the quest this easily. "Everybody stop right now!" shouted DJ. All eyes then turned to DJ. "I cannot believe you people! Giving up this easily, after we got this far!" barked DJ. "You cannot give up now!" snapped Bilbo. Thorin and the dwarves just looked at DJ and Bilbo, and they walked away.
"Dwarves aren't quitters, now get your asses back here now! Vamoose!" ordered DJ hotly. "DJ! THORIN!" called out Bilbo, as now the moon light came out. Thorin picked up the key, inserting it in the keyhole, and the door opened. "YES!" said DJ softly, smiling.
Balin smiled back at DJ and Thorin. As they entered, Thorin and Balin, alongside with the other dwarves became emotional, thinking of the memories of their home as they entered. "I know these walls-these halls-do you remember Balin?' asked Thorin softly, as he ran his hands over the walls. DJ, wiped a tear from her eye, seeing the beauty of the place. "This is your home?" asked DJ. Thorin smiled at DJ, pulling her close to him. "Yes, this is our home. And it will be yours too." whispered Thorin, kissing DJ on the cheek. "What is that?" asked Bilbo, pointing at the artwork on the wall.
"This is why you are here, Mister Baggins." said Thorin. "The Arkenstone. You will find it for us, lad. When you find it, bring it to Thorin." said Balin gently. Bilbo nodded. "Bilbo, be careful." said DJ. Bilbo nodded, and he walked away from the company. "I hope he finds it." said Thorin. An hour or so went by, when suddenly they felt the entire mountain shook. "Is that an earthquake?" asked one of the dwarves. "No. That my friends, is a dragon." said Balin. "Thorin!" exclaimed DJ softly. Thorin pulled DJ close to him. "Stay close to me, Deej!" said Thorin.
When Bilbo had not yet returned. Thorin felt worried. "Where are you going?" asked DJ.
"To help Bilbo." replied Thorin. "Thorin, please be careful!" said DJ, as Thorin walked away from the company. But DJ and the others decided to follow Thorin, hiding behind the pillars of the treasure room. And there, she saw Him. The large red dragon, glaring at the hobbit, and speaking to him. DJ took notice Bilbo quickly picked up a shiny bright object, placing it in his pocket. She knew it was the Arkenstone he had found. The Dragon and Bilbo continued their conversation, when it suddenly turned to the fact Smaug knew the dwarves are in the room.
"Shit!" sworn DJ. Smaug turned towards the dwarves, glaring at Thorin. Dwalin kept DJ close to him. Luckily, the dragon hadn't noticed Thorin and the dwarves just yet. As Bilbo turned to return to the dwarves, Thorin stood directly in front of the hobbit. DJ and the dwarves as she watched Thorin looking at Bilbo. The look on Thorin's features scared DJ tremendously. "That is not Thorin standing there." said DJ softly. Balin looked over at DJ, taking DJ's hand. The old dwarf could feel tears streaming down DJ's face. He knew all long this is what DJ had been worried herself over. She worried for Thorin, and the sickness that slowly effecting him.
"Did you find the Arkenstone?" asked Thorin.
"Uh-no, I'm afraid I haven't found it, Thorin." stammered Bilbo. Bilbo could see that the gold sickness started to effect Thorin. DJ could see those eyes, were not the same loving eyes she remembered the many times she had been with Thorin, and spending intimate times together. Suddenly, Thorin aimed his sword at Bilbo. "Thorin, what are you doing?!" shrieked DJ, running down to them, standing in front of Bilbo. "DJ, you should be with the others." said Thorin, darkly. "I want to be with you." said DJ. "DJ, go and join the others." said Thorin coldly.
"Thorin, what's wrong with you?" asked DJ. "There is nothing wrong with me, now do as I say!" roared Thorin. DJ ran back to the others, tears streaming down her face. "You have sent the hobbit in danger, we're worried of him, and of DJ." said Balin. "I'm not going to risk the quest of a burglar and a woman." said Thorin. "His name is Bilbo, and remember this woman, DJ loves you." snapped Balin. DJ felt her heart breaking as she heard the words from Thorin. She knew she had to do something to break Thorin from this. "DJ, where are you going?" asked Dwalin. "For a walk!" said DJ.
"Not alone, you're not!" said Bilbo.
"Bilbo's right. Bilbo, you go with her. And keep searching for the Arkenstone. We'll wait here." said Thorin. Thorin avoided looking at DJ, but kept his attention on Bilbo. "Why is he looking at you like that?" asked DJ. "I don't know. He's scaring me, Deej." said the hobbit. "You're not alone, Bilbo. He's scaring me too." said DJ, as they walked. "DJ! What are you doing? Smaug's in there!" exclaimed Bilbo. "Bilbo, I have a plan to keep from Thorin going mad. And the only way to do it is to negotiate with Smaug." said DJ. "DJ, this is a really bad idea! You'll get hurt, or even killed. I wouldn't do this." protested Bilbo.
"Bilbo, I have to do this. This may be risky, but I'm going to do this." said DJ. As they walked further into the treasure room, they saw Smaug, sitting amongst the gold. They could hear the dragon mumbling to himself. "Smaug! I came to talk to you!" called out DJ. The dragon looked at DJ and Bilbo. "Oh I see Barrel Rider has brought a friend, a human! What is a human, a woman doing here? You know you are facing death, don't you?" spoken up Smaug. "Smaug, I have a proposition for you." said DJ.
"Well then, speak. What is this proposition?" asked the dragon.
"If you take me as your prisoner, will you give the dwarves their home? You will have all the food you can eat, ponies, cows, animals." said DJ. "Mm-you are on to something here, but I like it." hummed the dragon. "DJ! What in the world are you doing? Fili and Kili are still in Lake Town? You're going to get them killed! Then Thorin is going-!" protested Bilbo. "Bilbo, trust me. This plan will work." said DJ softly. "DJ, I hope you know what you're doing." said the hobbit softly. I Should've told her my plan, Bilbo thought. "Very well. Its decided. Come with me, DJ. I will show you will you will be imprisoned. Climb on my back." said Smaug.
DJ climbed on Smaug's back. "DJ!" cried out Bilbo. "Don't worry, Bilbo! I'll be fine! Go tell the others my-oops." said DJ, quickly covering her mouth. "Others?" said Smaug. "Its nothing, Smaug." said DJ quickly. Bilbo nodded and he bolted back to the company. "Bilbo! Where is DJ?" asked Balin. Bilbo explained to the dwarves of DJ's plan. "WHAT?!" all the dwarves cried. "Why is she doing this?" asked Nori. "Thorin isn't going to like this." mumbled Gloin. "Where's Thorin?" asked Bilbo. "Looking for the Arkenstone." said Dwalin.