DISCLAIMER: THIS DOES CONTAIN MOVIE SPOILERS, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY SEEN THE MOVIE (sort of). It's not blatant, but it's better to be warned than not. Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien save for characters not in his original works.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has read, and reviewed. I can't believe there are over 200 reviews! That's the most I've received for an ongoing story. Ever. And the reviews really make my day. We're winding down, and there will probably only be one or two more chapters. Thanks for sticking with me this far!

~filimeala

Chapter Fifty-Two

Dawn came quickly, and Nuil could not wish it away no matter how much she wished to. The sky filled with light and she watched as elves approached, assembling themselves in rows upon rows before the gates. She was alone, her watch being the last. Dread filled her stomach. There was little hope that there wouldn't be a battle today. Thorin was not himself, and if possible, worse than before.

She had come to him in the late hours as he sat upon the crumbled throne. He did not see her nor hear her. But he had muttered to himself of his gold and of the Arkenstone. Staring off into the endless space muttering the same phrase over and over again.

"I am not my grandfather."

And yet.

"Good morning."

She startled violently, hand flying to the hilt of her sword, gasping as she looked to her side. Bilbo stood before her, cheeks flushed from some exertion that he had done. But he looked refreshed, even if his hands did tremble. His left hand hovered over one of his pockets, but she did not wish to dwell on that.

"Bilbo, you scared me," she murmured, relaxing.

He looked abashed before rolling his shoulders. "I did not mean to," he replied. "I wanted to get some fresh air before the day started. But it would seem-" he peered over the wall "-that the elves had the same idea." He chuckled a bit breathlessly. She narrowed her eyes, frowning.

"What's going on, Bilbo?" she asked quietly, becoming aware of the sounds of their companions down below. "You're breathless . . . you-" she frowned. "You were missing when I woke." His face paled. "Bilbo. What did you do?"

"It's not that bad," he said smiling tightly. "I'm trying to save you all. Trying to save Thorin." He backed away from her as her face grew panicked.

"Bilbo-"

But Dwalin had climbed the stairs and gave a cry of anger at the sight of the elves standing before the gates. "By my beard! Those nasty tree-shagging lovers better have a good reason to be standing before here!" He gripped the stone, until his tattooed knuckles turned white. "Wake up lads!" he shouted down to the others. "We got dainty elvish guests at the gate!"

Nuil pulled Bilbo to the side as a rush of dwarves ascended the stairs and looked over the side. Thorin was last and he only had eyes for the elven forces. From among the elves the Elvenking and Bard rode towards them, grim faced and determined.

"Come no further!" Thorin shouted angrily. "What is your business here? I have already told the Bowman he will have none of our gold!"

The Elvenking inclined his head. "We have already been given payment, which we accept." Thorin stiffened and so did Bilbo beside her. "But are willing to exchange for a payment of . . . equal value."

"What payment?" Thorin demanded frowning. "I gave no payment."

Thranduil looked at Bard who withdrew a stone from his coat. Nuil gave a soft gasp as Bard raised it and the others too. The stone in Bard's hand was the Arkenstone. She would recognize it anywhere. The many faceted, glowing stone, was none other than the King's stone that had sat above the King's throne.

"It's a bluff," Thorin murmured. "A fake. A trick of elvish magic to get my gold."

They murmured among each other, agreeing with Thorin.

"No! No, it's not," Bilbo said stepping forward. His shoulders were back and he met Thorin's eyes. The Company turned towards Bilbo, frowning or looking on in confusion. Thorin's gaze turned dark. "I took it as my share, my fourteenth share."

"Your share?" Thorin murmured, his voice dangerously low. His lip curled, hands flexing, while his eyes became damp. "I am betrayed. By one I considered friend," his drew in a sharp breath. Bilbo's face fell as Thorin's darkened. "There will be no share for you, Bilbo Baggins, thief." He seized Bilbo by the collar.

"I will throw you from the wall and be rid of you!" he roared, slamming Bilbo into the stone wall. The hobbit gasped in pain. Fili leaped forward to pry his uncles hands away from Bilbo's throat while Nuil pulled on him.

"Thorin, no!" she cried. Bilbo clawed at Thorin's hands, gasping for air.

"Would that I had never met you, Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, fell is the day you came to our company!"

Nuil reached forward to pry his hands away while Fili did the other.

"LEAVE MY HOBBIT THORIN OAKENSHIELD!" Came a booming voice from below. Gandalf emerged from the ranks of elves, weary and enraged, pointing up at them. "STAY YOUR HAND. OR I WILL NOT STAY MINE!"

Thorin let go of Bilbo, and Bofur pulled him away from the dwarf. Bilbo stumbled, coughing and gasping as he regained his breath. Nuil followed at his back. "Hurry, lad." Bofur told him. Bilbo grasped the stones and climbed over, his gaze falling on Nuil. She rushed forward, laying her hand on his as Thorin spoke with Thranduil, Bard and Gandalf.

"Oh, Bilbo," she murmured, eyes filling with tears. "Stay safe. Mahal, stay safe."

He gave her a wan smile before climbing down. She turned back in time to see Thorin speak his last words to Bard and Thranduil.

"We will have war."

"Thorin! Thorin!" she called desperately, leaving the others at the gate to watch the battle unfold. She had stared in shock as Dain's forces had come and engaged the elves. When the orcs had shown up, she had despaired further. Bilbo was out there.

She came to him, standing in the treasure room, gazing out over the gold. Her heart pounded, half in fear, half due to the gold. She wanted to look at it and forget everything. But could not. She would not lose herself again. Nuil approached his still figure, placing a hand on his arm. He turned on her suddenly, grabbing her by her shoulders.

"Nuilweyil. Amrâlimê," tender was his voice, but strong his touch. Her arm still ached from where he had held her the day before. "You must leave me, I am not myself-" he choked on his words, looking down as his grip tightened. He breathed heavily before looking at her, eyes mad. "I would have you, forever, here." He pressed her into a pillar, burying his face in her neck and pressing his lips hotly to her skin.

Nuil gasped, pushing at his shoulders once she realized the intent of his words. He stood, like a statue as his hands wandered. His grip went to her hips, bruising as he brushed aside her worn tunic. She pushed even more at his shoulders. "Thorin. Thorin. Thorin stop!" she gasped.

He had her pinned, hands burning hot on the flesh of her stomach. Thrashing she freed her arm, smacking him. The resounding sound of her hand meeting the flesh of his face echoed through the chamber. Thorin reeled away from her, hand out to steady himself as he blinked wildly.

Nuil straightened her tunic, standing still by ready to bolt if need be. "What is wrong with you?" she whispered. "What has happened to you?"

His shoulders hunched, before he looked at her. He took a step towards her, but she shied away. Thorin drew back his hand that had been outstretched towards him. He stared at his hands.

"I am . . . Thorin. King Under the Mountain." He murmured to himself.

She shook her head. "You are not the dwarf I know."

"I am Thorin, King Under the Mountain!" he roared at her. She flinched away, and he blinked, ashamed in an instant. "Nuil-"

"You're not yourself. I know you not," she whispered tearfully backing away from him.

"I am. I am!"

"No," she sobbed. "You're not."

"I am King Under the Mountain!" Thorin advanced on her, eyes blazing. She shrank away from him. For the first time in her life, she was afraid of the dwarf standing before her. Not even when he had demanded she leave Ered Luin had she feared him.

Then Dwalin was there, standing between her and Thorin, arms raised. She slumped to the ground, fighting the burning tears in her eyes. Thorin tried pushing past Dwalin but the burly dwarf would have none of it. He pushed back against Thorin.

Thorin's eyes were wild with madness, seeing neither her nor his friend. "It's mine! My own! It belongs to me, they will have none of the gold while I yet breath!"

He turned away from them and Nuil saw Dwalin shoulders slump. "Can't ye see what yer becomin'? Turning on yer friends, yer lady?" He spread his hands imploringly. "This is not the dwarf I knew in Ered Luin-"

"I am not a destitute dwarf lord!" He roared. Dwalin stopped, lowering his hands as Nuil picked herself up. Thorin met her eyes over Dwalin's shoulders. His eyes cleared, and he looked shocked. Then looked at Dwalin and the hall around him before looking at his hands. "I am not my grandfather. I am not my grandfather . . ." He looked at her again. "Nuilweyil, I did not- I- you must leave me."

He looked at Dwalin, backing away from them. "Leave me!"

Dwalin grabbed Nuil pulling her out of the treasury. She stumbling along, blinking away tears as she was led towards the front gate. The sounds of battle reached her ears, and once Fili and Kili stood rushing to her side. "Aunnie?" Fili asked anxiously.

She rushed forward, sweeping him into a fierce embrace. "No matter what Fili, I am proud of you and will always love you." She kissed his forehead before moving to Kili, leaving Fili to stare after her confused.

"Listen to your brother, Kili," she told him, kissing his forehead. "I love you."

She pulled away from him and approached the stairs leading up to the gate. Nuil whipped away what was left of her tears. Checked the weapons on her person, her belt was tight, knives in her boots. She reached the top, looking out over the battle. Dain's forces holding the orcs at bay while the rest, Thranduil's and Bard's, went to the city. They were seriously outnumbered. Her eyes scanned the land and that's when she saw it.

Upon Ravenhill, in the old watch post, was raised a flag, while orcs walked the top. There was the command, the eyes and head of the forces. If she could take it, kill it, then they would have a chance. Thorin wasn't himself, and she knew she couldn't save him. Couldn't help him. She had been there for him as long as she could. But even he knew that he could not be around her any longer. He wasn't in his right mind. She had broken away from the hold of the gold, and he would have to do the same.

Nuil climbed upon the wall, swinging her legs over.

"Nuil!"

"Aunnie!"

She looked up at the others as they scrambled up the stairs to her. "What are ye doin' lass?" Bofur called, scrambling up behind Fili and Kili. Nuil knew she would have to climb down before they reached her.

"I'm going to stop it. Stop Azog," she called back, looking over her shoulder. She could hear them coming up the stairs. "I do this for you."

Fili crested the top of the stairs, panting as he lunged for her. Nuil let go off the wall, dropping down the earth below her. Fili was leaning over the edge of the wall, "No!"

Nuil landed on her back, gasping for breath from the impact. Forcing herself to work past the pain and draw in breath she climbed to her feet, wincing. Fili slammed his fist against the stone. "Aunnie, don't do this!"

"Fili, it's alright. It'll be over soon," she called back, walking backwards as the others joined Fili. They called for her to return. Nuil stared at them, burning their faces into her memory. Turning away she broke into a run, drawing her sword as she neared the roiling mass of bodies before her.

'I am not my grandfather. I am not my grandfather. I am not my grandfather.'

Thorin blindly wandered through the gold, whirling around as it rose around him. Calling to him and enclosing around him. He wanted to bury himself in it, away from the world. Away from those who would take it from him. He wanted to bathe in the gold, wear the golden armor made for his grandfather. But there was a small voice in the back of his mind, nagging him ceaselessly.

'You are not yourself.'

'I know you not.'

'This is not the dwarf I knew . . '

Thorin grabbed his head, groaning as he whirled about. He wanted gold. But he didn't want to hurt his friends. He didn't want to hurt her. As he stumbled about he saw Kili standing in the doorway, staring down at him with a weary expression. He could see Kili's mouth moving but couldn't hear the words, his heart was hammering so loud it hurt his ears. When Kili saw that he wasn't responding he grew angry, yelling down at him.

'Dain's outnumbered . . . surrounded . . '

The words slowly entered his clouded mind.

'She's gone.'

Gold. Gold all around him, filling the hall with a bright light. Surrounding him. She's gone. Thorin fell to his knees. Gold in massive piles, jewel's shining. Dain's outnumbered. The weight of the crown sitting on his head was so heavy. She's gone. Who was gone? Nuilweyil? Where was she? Gone, what did that mean?

With a roar he tore the crown from his head and sent it flying towards the piles of gold. Breathing heavily he shed the heavy fur cloak and kicked it away from himself until he was only in his traveling clothes and simple armor. He turned around, the gold around him making a pit open up in his stomach. H

He had been so blind. Blinded by the gold that surrounded him. He looked up to find the others standing in the doorway, watching him with varying degrees of shock and relief.

"Thorin," Balin said stepping forward.

"Forgive me, Balin," he breathed heavily.

Relief shone in the white haired dwarfs eyes. "Always, my friend."

Thorin walked towards them, keeping his eyes on them instead of the gold around them. It sickened him, how it had affected his mind and made him act. Guilt grew, replacing the ill feeling. Bilbo . . . Nuiweyil . . . Mahal what had he done.

He looked at them, forcing himself to meet their eyes. He expected hatred and anger, but was met with relief. Thorin reached his nephews, laying a hand on their shoulders. "Fili . . . Kili." He touched his forehead to theirs, relieved that they did not force him away. Kili embraced him fiercely before pulling away.

"I know I have no right to ask you of this. But will you follow me, one last time?"

Dwalin stepped forward, ax in hand. "Aye. We made a promise to ye brother, to reclaim our home. We'll not shirk from that promise." He gripped Thorin's shoulder tightly and Thorin returned the gesture. He lead them from the treasure room towards the gates. A nagging feeling entering his head and pulling at his chest.

He turned to Dwalin. "Where is she?"

Dwalin's face became grim. "She went to the battle, jumping from the wall."

Thorin raised his eyes to the wall, grim. He hoped that for her own sake she was still alive.

Nuil winced as she climbed the slope of Ravenhill, her sword clenched tightly in her fingers. She had fought her way towards the hill, sneaking around the orc forces at one point to reach the stairs that would lead to the top. Dain was hopelessly surrounded, and she knew that they needed Thorin. But the chances of Thorin coming to their aid were slim.

The stone was cold beneath her dirt and blood covered fingertips. Her breath hung in the cold air, like smoke. She felt tired, but would not lie down to rest. Her blood was pumping from the thrill and exertion of battle. The River Running was frozen as she came to the outpost. The watch tower seemed empty, save it were for the orcs at the top.

Taking a deep breath she ran towards the frozen surface. She slipped on the ice, sliding in the rest of the way to the stones across the water. Grunting past her bruises she pulled herself upright, climbing the rock and moving towards the stairs. The air was full of the sounds of battle. The screams of orcs, men and dwarves. She could see that they had breached Dale. Nuil only hoped that they either died quickly or were well barricaded. Woman and children would die alongside the men today.

She crept down a dark passage, moving slowly to keep her steps from echoing and carrying towards the orcs. She could hear them speaking in their guttural and dark language. She came to the doorway that would led to the top, and took a deep breath, bracing herself.

Until she was slammed forward. a gasp tearing from her lips as she flew out into the open, her sword flying from her hands and over the side of the tower. She landed on the cold stone, smacking her head into it. Nuil scrambled to her feet unsteadily, drawing a knife from her boot and cursing herself. Winter wind nipped at her skin, dragging her hair in all directions.

Before her stood the pale orc, Azog. He glared down at her, but a smile twisted his lips as he advanced forward.

"Thrak gru," he said grinning. "Dushakskut's gru."

The orcs around her moved forward, rusted and jagged blades in their hands. She blocked the firsts blade, kicking the other before stabbing the third. The orc before her slammed his head into hers. Her vision went black and she collapsed, blinking painfully up at the orc as he grabbed her by her boot and dragged her towards Azog.

"NO!" came an agonized cry. Nuil turned her head, blinking the blood out of her eyes as they landed on a brown haired man, struggling in his bonds. Nogoth. They had beaten him, his face swollen and bloody. Clothing ripped and torn.

"Nogoth . . ." she whispered. The orc beside him smacked him with the butt end of his blade. Nogoth groaned, leaning forward before looking at her again. The orc dragging her stop, dropping her foot as Azog stepped forward, standing over her. His lips pulled back to look down at her.

"Kurv, lat mat. Molva Dushakskut u gurz."

He lifted his foot and pressed it to her throat. Nuil panicked, pushing against his foot with her hands, but he snarled down at her, pressing harsher. She choked, black spots filling the corners of her vision. She was vaguely aware of Nogoth struggling, screaming and thrashing. Azog spat something and the orcs and one moved towards her brother.

He grabbed Nogoth by his hair, pulling his head up as he fought, thrashing wildly. The orc raised a blade. No. She reached out a hand towards him, tears burning her eyes as he looked at her. There was acceptance in eyes, pain. No. The orc swung. Nuil cried out.

Blood splattered across the stones, mixing with the ice and thin layer of snow. The orc raised Nogoth's severed head with a triumphant cry. He kicked Nogoth's body to the side, impaling Nogoth's head on a spear. Her chest heaved and she looked up at Azog. He grinned down at her while she glared up at him, tears blurring her vision.

Azog pressed harder, her hands clawing at his feet. Black clouded her vision, his cruel laugh echoing in her ears as she passed out. She was vaguely aware of being moved before she lost consciousness completely.