Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)

I woke up the next morning wrapped up in Thorin's cloak, my head in the crook of my very sore arm. I groaned and sat up slowly, my head pounding and the world spinning. I peered around me to find that nearly everyone was passed out on the floor except for Thorin, who was nowhere to be found. I frowned and moved to stand.

"He's back down with the treasure, looking for the stone," I turned my head to look at Bilbo, who was the only one awake. I frowned and brushed my hand across my face, pushing strands of hair out of my eyes.

"Come with me?' he asked softly. His tone was very serious and very not like him. I nodded and stood slowly. I waited for a moment to calm my rebelling stomach before following after the hobbit. When we reached a side room, he paused and looked at me.

"Do you really think that taking his offered proposal was good idea?" He asked finally. It was so not what I was expecting and my mouth opened and closed for a moment.

"What do you mean?" I finally asked dumbly.

"Talya, you must have seen it. How he has changed."

"But last night…"

"Was one night. Talya…" He sighed and glanced off in the distance where the faint golden glow lit up the corridors. "You have not gone down there with him. You have not seen the madness in his eyes. You don't understand…"

This was not what I needed right then. My head hurt terrible and I felt as though I was going to vomit.

"I know, Bilbo." I finally ground out. Bilbo shook his head.

"No, you can't…"

"Dammit, Bilbo! I know!" I snapped. He jumped and looked at me in confusion. "I know everything,"

The words were broken and I hated the weakness in my voice.

"Do you think my little foresights were just nifty little guesses of what was to come?" I asked, "Did you think that I just had really good women's intuition?"

Bilbo frowned and shook his head.

"Talya, I don't understand."

"I've known all along how everything was going to happen. I knew about the quest before Gandalf ever found me. I knew about the trolls. About the goblins."

"That is impossible…" Bilbo started.

"I know what you found when you went up against the creature Gollum." Bilbo froze and his eyes shot up to watch me warily. A flicker of something flashed over his face and I let out a dry laugh.

"I'm not interested in your ring, Bilbo." I said softly. "I'm here to keep Fili and Kili alive. To keep Thorin alive."

He watched me for a moment, uncertainty in his eyes.

"What about the rest…" He started.

"They aren't fated to die." I interrupted. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly, much like mine had earlier.

"Oh, Talya…" He whispered softly. He hugged me suddenly and I let out a soft sob.

"Bilbo… You have to promise me something." I whispered. He pulled back and leveled me with a serious look.

"When the time is right, and you will know it when it is, take the Arkenstone to Thranduil and Bard."

"But…"

"Please, Bilbo. It's important."

He closed his mouth into a thin line and nodded slowly.

"I promise."

I nodded and touched my hand to my pounding head.

"I've been a coward." I admitted softly. "I don't want to go down there. I don't want to see him like that."

I glanced down the corridor and let out a stifled breath. Last night felt like a dream, a distant memory that held no baring.

"You are not a coward," Bilbo stated firmly. "You are the bravest person I have ever met."

I choked back a small laugh as he hugged me once more.

"Come now. You could use some tea, and I am sure the others will be hurting too. Once you've drank some, and had something to eat… Then we can worry about facing Thorin."

He led me away back to the common room where the dwarves were beginning to stir, groaning. Bilbo set about making tea and, as soon as Oin awoke, helped the healer begin to make something for the hangover all of us had.

"Where's Uncle?" Fili asked, yawning and rubbing sleep from his eye. I looked away.

"Hes resumed his search," was all Bilbo said. Fili glanced at his brother and the two frowned.

"Perhaps we should go talk with him…" Kili said, trailing off.

I sat myself back in the spot I had awoken in, leaning myself against one of the benches, pulling Thorin's cloak tightly around my shoulders. After Oin brought me tea, I stared off into the fire. My heart hurt so much that I could barely even think. I closed my eyes and leaned it back against the bench. I felt so stupid for allowing myself to believe, even for a second, that one night of revelry and drinking would suddenly alter Thorin's sickness.

Thankfully, everyone seemed to be just as hungover as I was and I was left alone. I don't know how long I sat there, the dregs of my tea having long gone cold, before suddenly I heard Dwalin calling out.

"The man, Bard, is riding towards our gate!" He hollered. My eyes popped open and I felt a chill run down my spine. There was a huge commotion as everyone rushed towards the gate. I did not need to walk up there to know what was going to be said. I did not want to see Bard and I did not want to see the look on Thorin's face.

I leaned myself back against a pillar and waited for the scene to unfold. It didn't take long for Thorin to stomp down the steps of the ruined gate to speak with Bard through a crevice in the blocked doors. I watched from a far as Thorin's face contorted in anger and I closed my eyes tightly at the tears that threatened.

Thorin turned to storm away when he finally saw me.

"Talya." He looked startled. "I am sorry I was not there when you woke… I was busy…"

"Thorin…"

"I was looking for the Arkenstone. It has to be there somewhere. It has to be. It must be found, it will be. Everyone will search through the night if necessary." His voice was distant, his eyes nearly glassed over. I ached to see him like this, particularly after the night before.

"Thorin, do you hear yourself?" I asked softly.

"You must come down to see it. You have not yet and, oh Talya, it is a sight to behold. The golden glow of my grandfather's treasure, the glistening jewels. There is something there fit for you to wear as my queen, and I will find that too, once the Arkenstone is found…"

"Dammit, Thorin, will you listen to yourself?" I finally snapped. His head jerked to look at me.

"What are you talking about, ghivashel?" I did not like the way he said that, did not like the way he looked at me as the word passed his lips.

"You are ranting and raving. You looked exhausted. What happened to you? You were so different last night."

"I am fine… The Arkenstone.."

"Can wait! There are so many more important things to deal with right now!"

"What can be more important than regaining my family's greatest treasure?" He asked, his voice almost a laugh.

"How about war? How about Bard and the people of Lake town?"

His eyes hardened at the mention of Bard and he sneered.

"You suggest that we give them the share that that Man Bard" The name came out as a growl "Has demanded?"

"Yes, dammit. We need to repay…"

"Repay them for what! For nearly imprisoning us? For their false flattery? For the Master's greed as he sought to bargain away my people's wealth for moldy bread and moth eaten blankets?!" He snarled and I flinched.

"Because they used what little resources they had to help you on your way. Because people died for the gold you now hoard. Because their homes were destroyed. And because you gave your word." I snapped back. Thorin laughed then, a harsh and bitter sound that was not his.

"Do not waste your sympathies on them, ghivashel. They are but greedy Men who deserve nothing." He reached out to try and touch my face but I pushed his hand away.

"Are you forgetting that I am of the race of Men?" I growled out.

"Do not put yourself in the same league as them, ghi…"

"Stop calling me that!" I yelled. Thorin narrowed his eye brows.

"It is a term of endearment. It means…"

"I know what it means. I am not a treasure, Thorin. I am a god damn person. I don't understand how you can be like this!"

"And I do not understand why you are putting up such a fuss for them!" He yelled back loudly, his voice echoing. "You are to be my queen. They are beneath your notice!"

I shook my head at him.

"That's not you talking. The Thorin Oakenshield I know would remember what it was like to have nothing. To have your home destroyed, to lose loved ones, and to beg and scrape to get by. The Thorin Oakenshielf I know would honor his word!"

"They will not get a single coin!" His voice was so low and dangerous I took a step back. "They can beg and starve as we did!"

"So you would turn your back on them when they need your help the most?" I asked, my voice shaking. He didn't meet my eyes.

"I owe them nothing." Came his solid reply.

"Then you are no better than Thranduil when he turned his back on you." I bit out softly. Thorins head snapped up and he glared at me, the look on his face pure venom. Faster than I could react, he grabbed my wrist in his hand, his grip painfully tight. Tears sprang to my eyes.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" He demanded. "I am King!"

"You are hurting me," I tried to keep the emotion out of my voice. He glanced down at his hand then, seeming to be surprised to find that his fingers were so tightly encircling my much smaller wrist. He let go as if I had burned him and looked at me searchingly. Without another word he turned and brushed past me and I cradled my bruised wrist to my chest, tears flowing freely down my cheeks.

"To the armory!" He yelled. "We must fit ourselves for war!"

I left then, not able to stand watching as they outfitted themselves in armor. I wandered for a while before I finally found myself in Thorin's old room. I curled up on the bed and closed my eyes. Had it really only been the day before that a much different Thorin had asked if I would be his wife?

I could feel tears still falling freely from my face, but I could not bring myself to wipe them away. After a while, I propped myself up against the headboard and began to listlessly run my fingers over Thorin's cloak.

"I can't reach him," Bilbo said softly and I raised my eyes to meet his as he stepped through the door way. "He believes that one of his kin has stolen the Arkenstone from him."

I didn't answer, just nodded my head slowly. Bilbo approached me slowly before sitting down next to me on the bed.

"You knew he would, though, didn't you?" I nodded my head slowly and he sighed.

"I could not imagine knowing what you do," He said softly. "It would drive me…"

He trailed off and winced. I gave a bitter laugh.

"Drive you mad, Bilbo. That is what I believe you were going to say."

We sat there quietly, staring into the cold hearth of the fireplace. Bilbo finally looked up at me.

"Thranduil's army is outside the gates of Dale. No doubt Bard is there with his soldiers as well." He said. I glanced at him.

"I will go tonight," Bilbo went to stand, but I shot out my hand to touch his arm.

"Bilbo…" I said suddenly. "I want to see it. The Arkenstone."

He frowned but didn't argue. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a well concealed handkerchief. He unwrapped it slowly and I watched as the glistening gem slowly came into view. It was beautiful beyond measure and the reflection it in reminded me of the Northern lights. It should have left me feeling awestruck and amazed but all I felt was hatred for the cold rock.

"Go, Bilbo. Take it away." I muttered brokenly. He rewrapped the jewel and tucked it back in his pocket safely before taking my hand in his and squeezing it gently. We looked at each other a moment longer before he turned and left.

He was long gone by the time I finally untangled myself from Thorin's cloak and made my way back to the common room where everyone was gathered, adjusting their armor and sharpening their swords. I felt eyes follow me and I self-consciously tugged the cloak tighter around me, hiding the dark bruises that had already begun to form on my wrist. I finally stood in front of Thorin. He was slow to raise his eyes to me.

"Thorin… Can we talk, please?" He face was stern and solemn.

"Will you dare to compare me again to that thrice-damned elf?" He asked with a sneer. I dropped my eyes and rubbed my aching wrist without thinking about it. Thorin let out a soft gasp and his eyes softened. He cursed quietly in dwarvish and hesitantly reached for me.

"Talya… " I flinched away from him and I saw the hurt in his eyes. He frowned, then set his axe down. He stood and, careful not to touch me, led me out into the halls.

"I did not mean to cause you harm." His voice was his own again, soft and sad. I glanced up at him.

"What is happening to you, Thorin?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"I do not understand what you mean," He replied, frowning further.

"You are not my Thorin. You are different." He huffed.

"Everyone continues to tell me this, and yet I see it not!"

I dropped my eyes again and he let out a long sigh.

"I do not wish to fight with you, Amrâlimê."

I hesitated then, closing my eyes tightly. I slowly reached out and took his hand in mine.

"Come with me?" I asked softly. He glanced back towards the others.

"There are many preparations to make, Talya…"

"Thorin," I interrupted, my voice so soft. "I need you."

I watched his eyes shift, I watched lust fill them, I watched a small bit of my Thorin peek out, and I hated myself. I tugged gently at his hand and, when I found no resistance, I led him slowly to his bedroom and, once we were inside, closed the door behind me.

He immediately went to the hearth and started a fire that soon had the room warm and bathed in a flickering light. We took our time undressing one another, took our time to learn one another's bodies. We drew out one another's pleasure with our hands, our mouths. We poured all the love we had for one another into our lust, into our passion, and once we could move no more, we slept.

I woke him again in the middle of the night and once more, we rode our passions until we collapsed in each other's arm. As much s I tried to tell myself that I was just distracting him from Bilbo, I knew that I was truly saying goodbye.

The next morning we woke and silently, I watched as he pulled on his armor and once more secured his crown on top of his head. He pressed a searing kiss to my lips before he turned and left me in the room, touching my lips and with no tears left to cry.

I slowly dressed and began to make my way towards the common rooms. Bilbo passed by me and offered me a very sad smile and I knew he had done as I asked. I should have felt at least relieved that he had managed the task without being seen, but I couldn't find it in me.

It wasn't long before I heard a commotion outside and the dwarves once more gathered at the front gate. I slowly walked up and leaned against the wall, looking out at the elves and men gathered there. Thranduil on his elk and Bard on his white stallion were waiting, watching. Thorin had Kili's bow in hand, an arrow knocked and drawn back.

"We have come to tell you that payment of your debt has been offered." Thranduil called up, his voice echoing. "And accepted."

Thorin sneered.

"What payment?" He demanded. "I gave you nothing! You have nothing!"

Thranduil raised an eyebrow and glanced at Bard, who shifted on his horse. Bard reached into his coat and pulled out the Arkenstone. He looked down at it a moment, before raising his eyes to meet Thorins. He raised his hand up, the stone glistening in hand.

"We have this,"

Thorin inhaled sharply and began to lower his bow, his face drawn into a mask of shock and confusion. I bit my lip and crossed my arms tightly against my chest, my stomach in knots.

"They have the Arkentstone," Kili muttered softly. "THEIVES! How came you by the heirloom of our house?! That stone belongs to the king!"

Bard shrugged.

"The king may have it." He tossed the stone up and caught it easily before tucking it back in the pocket of his coat. "And our good will. But first, he must honor his word."

Thorin shook his head slowly, not taking his eyes off of Bard.

"They are taking us for fools," He growled out, lowly. "It is a ruse. A filth lie!"

Thorin leaned forward and glared down at the elf and man.

"The Arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!"

I watched as Bilbo hesitated and I closed my eyes tightly for a moment before watching the hobbit step forward.

"It's no trick," He said cautiously. "The stone is real. I gave it to them."

Thorin froze and, painfully slow, turned his head towards Bilbo. I stood up straighter, the hatred and anger in his eyes startling.

"You… "

"I took it as my share," Bilbo said, glancing down. The dwarves watched on in shock, glancing at each other.

"You would steal from me?" Thorin's words were oddly devoid of emotion and I could feel my heart begin to race at the implied threat in his posture.

"Steal from you?" Bilbo laughed mirthlessly. "No. No. I may be a burglar, but I'd like to think I am an honest one. I am willing to let it stand against my claim."

Thorin sneered again.

"Against your claim?" Thorin returned the mirthless laugh. "Your claim. You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!"

Thorin started forward and Bilbo flinched backwards. I took a few steps towards him, only to be stopped by Gloin, his hand snagging my cloak.

"I was going to give it to you," Bilbo admitted and I loved the hobbit then for his bravery. "Many times I wanted to. But…"

"But what?" Thorin snarled.

"But you've changed, Thorin. The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word! Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!"

Thorin shook his head and he once more took a step forward.

"Do not speak to me of loyalty." His voice was hurt and I swallowed hard, Gloin's hand still on my arm.

"Throw him from the ramparts!" He bellowed, turning away. I tried to step forward again, but still Gloin held me back.

"Don't!" I cried out. The dwarves glanced at me and looked around at each other hesitantly. Thorin turned to glance back at us, rage in his eyes.

"Did you not hear me!?" Thorin snagged Fili roughly by the arm only to be shoved away by his nephew harshly.

"I'll do it myself!" Thorin lunged forward and I cried out again as he snagged Bilbo roughly by the front of his clothes.

"Curse you!" He snarled. Fili jerked forward and snagged Thorin, wrestling with him for Bilbo. "Curse the wizard for forcing you on this company!"

Thorin lurched forward and slammed Bilbo's back so hard on the ground I flinched. Bilbos face was panicked as Thorin pushed him closer and closer to the edge.

"IF YOU DO NOT WANT MY BURGLAR," The voice bellowed up around us and I felt myself nearly collapse in relief as I realized Gandalf had arrived. "Then please, do not damage him. Return him to me!"

I watched as Thorin looked up at Gandalf.

"You're not making a very splendid figure as King under the mountain, are you, Thorin son of Thrain?"

I watched in baited breath as Thorin began to loosen his grip on Bilbo's shirt. Thorin glanced down at the hobbit, then back to Bard and suddenly his face hardened. My heart leaped into my throat as he slammed Bilbo down once more.

"He dies a traitor's death!" He snarled. The dwarves all watched on in horror and my heart broke in my chest as I realized what I had to do.

"Thorin! NO!"I screamed. I jerked out of Gloin's grip and pushed through the dwarves.

"It was me!" Thorin's head snapped up at me and he frowned.

"I bid Bilbo to give them the stone when you said you would not honor your word. Do not blame Bilbo. It was me."

Thorin jerked back as if I had struck him.

"Why…" He trailed off and stumbled to his feet. "I would have had you as my QUEEN!"

He threw Bilbo towards me and I lurched as I caught the hobbit, stumbling. Bofur and Gloin caught me before I fell and Bilbo and I steadied ourselves.

"Leave!" He snarled, his chest heaving. His eyes bore into me. "Leave and if I ever see your face again, Talya Conner, I will kill you myself."

Bofur helped Bilbo and I through the dwarves and towards the edge of the gates.

"Go," He whispered softly, pushing us on ahead. Behind us, Thorin ranted.

Bilbo tossed a rope over the edge of the gates into the water below and he hurriedly helped me step up on the loose rock. I glanced once more at the faces of my friends, the looks of betrayal cutting me to the bone, before I started downwards.