'Brann, for Durins sake, stop yelling at me!' Thorin murmured as the door closed behind his back. His company had been led to the guest wing and they were given time to rest. Master Lindir had even mentionned something about a bath and had wrinkled his elegant elven nose at some of the dwarves. Thorin had seen to it that everyone of his company got a nice accomodation before he got one himself, but his wife had been yelling at him since their arrival at the gates.

Impolite, stubborn piece of dwarf! I cannot believe you did this!

'Lord Elrond was impolite and arrogant. I am a king, I do not need to accept such behaviour.' Thorin growled and sat down on the bed before he stood up again. The bed was way too soft for his liking.

This is lord Elronds home! You are a guest and you behave like a group of oliphants! Brann was annoyed. But...at least you were polite towards Lindir.

'That elf helped you to stay in Mandos Halls. He gave us hope. I will be damned if I ever forget that.' Thorin mumbled and leaned against the window frame, looking out into the valley of Imladris, as Rivendell was called. It was indeed beautiful. He could feel Branns hands on his shoulder and her comforting sigh.

Insufferable dwarf.

########

Brann sighed deeply as the dwarves were invited to dinner. She had become used to the dwarvish way of eating and behaving during eating, but she knew that the elves would look upon the dwarves with disdain and she already dreaded it. In fact, dinner passed peacefully until Bofur started to sing and dance on one of the tables. Brann smiled lovingly as she saw Thorin move to the merry song. He looked at peace when he was smilling and enjoying the merry dinner and did not had to think about the quest and its outcome.

My dancebear...Brann whispered lovingly and saw Thorin smirk into his beard. 'I wish that I could dance around with you.' she thought but kept it for herself. In the same moment she heard Thorin whisper. 'I wish you were here.'

Brann nuzzled her nose to Thorin, which her husband felt as a warm wind breeze. She noticed that Thorin was looking at Lindir, who seemed to feel extremly uncomfortable with the roudy dwarves around. As a scone flew by and only missed him by inches the young elf flinched. Lord Elrond on the other hand looked shocked, as if he could not decide wether to find this amusing or infuriating.

Belladonna sat with Fili and Kili. She noticed that her fathers expression was dreamy and distant and she knew that he was thinking about her mother, probably also talking to her. She and Fili teased Kili for not being able to distinguish a male elf from a female and Belladonna felt at home for the first time since the death of her mother. This company was her family. They were on a quest and they could lose their lives, but they were together. She finally had a goal to move on to. As she turned to her father again, he was gone.

Thorin walked down the halls of Rivendell, enjoying some peace and quiet alone with Brann. They had barely talked during the quest because Brann wanted her husband to be focused. There were enough dangers on the road. After a few moments of peace, Thorin walked up to one of the balconies and noticed the hobbit standing on it. The dwarf king wanted to turn away as he heard Gandalfs voice. The wizard was talking to Elrond. About Thorin. The elven lord worried about Thorins state of mind. They talked about the goldsickness and how it had destroyed Thorins father and grandfather. At first, Thorin was furious. But then he felt his heart grow heavy. Elrond had uttered Thorins worst fear. What if he would also succumb to Durins curse like his father and grandfather before him?

You will not succumb to Durins curse. Not as long as I am here with you! Brann spoke softly and tried not to startle her husband. His sad face broke her heart and she wished for nothing more than to take him into her arms for comfort. She wanted to say more, but in this moment the hobbit turned around and saw Thorin standing behind him. Bilbo looked surprised and embarassed to have listened to something as personal as this, but Thorin did not care. He did not care about the hobbit at all. Not looking at Bilbo, Thorin made his way back to his chambers.

#######

Brann did not immediately accompany Thorin back to his chambers. She felt stronger and more independent from the necklace as usual and decided to follow Gandalf and lord Elrond. She watched them walk into council. Brann froze as she became aware of the beautiful elven lady in white, standing at the rim of the balcony and moving with a grace Brann had never seen before. She smiled directly at Brann, but Brann could feel that she would not reveal her presence to the others. The elf lady turned away and Brann concentrated on Elrond. She had to know why he would not support Thorins quest. There had to be somethhing that made him turn his back on the dwarves, while he was known to be supportive of people in need of help. Brann had no idea how she was supposed to find out why Elrond tried to keep the dwarves from their quest, but a soft female voice made her turn towards a small fountain at the edge of the balcony. The elf lady stood there and moved her hand through the water. Her silver ring glowed in the moonlight and Brann was pulled to the fountain by an invisible force.

Things that were, things that are...Brann could hear the elf whisper, but then her gaze fell onto the water. The water showed Erebor in its greatest glory under Thror. Brann could see Elrond accompany a delegation from Mirkwood. She could also see Thror through Elronds eyes. Thror was magnificient. He was as tall as Thorin and his long beard was braided into jewels and mithril. But his eyes were dark and somehow...clouded. Thror was looking down at Thranduil and his elves with a smug expression while showing them a chest with white and sparkling jewels. Thranduil seemed ensnared by the jewel's beauty, but Elrond only frowned. Brann could feel his aversion against the greed of Thrors as well as Thranduils hearts and saw the lord of Rivendell frown in worry as the dwarf holding the chest closed it, the snap echoing through the throne room. Thranduil glared at Thror and turned around to leave the throne room. He never came back. Brann felt Thrors mad eyes burn into the backs of the elves and she could feel Elronds mistrust against the dwarves and especially the line of Durin. Thror had destroyed an important alliance with his greed and his ignorance. Not even his son and his grandson had done a thing to prevent this rift between the elves and dwarves. Elrond had seen the alliance between Erebor and Mirkwood crumble to his feet because of a mere pair of jewels. He had seen the curse of the Durin line with his own eyes. Thorin had not even remembered him being there and witnessing his grandfathers downfall. He had been arrogant and proud and Elrond did not trust the king of the dwarves. He did not tust him one bit.

Brann gasped as the connection broke and leaned against the fountain. The elf lady was sitting at the councils table and gave no indication of Branns presence anymore. Brann was alone in her despair. For the first time, Brann was afraid that her husband might fail. But she would not accept it.

########

Bilbo stood on the balcony for a while longer and mused. He could not imagine the strong and confident king to fall to any sickness, less a sickness of mind. He jumped as someone laid a hand on his shoulder from behind. He turned around with big eyes and released his breath as he saw that it was Belladonna. She was of the line of Durin, what if she was sick, too?

'You look as if you have seen a ghost, master hobbit.' Belladonna smirked. 'Is everything alright?'

'Of course, my lady.' Bilbo managed to croak out.

'Belladonna.' the young princess smiled. 'Or just Donna.'

'Donna, then.' Bilbo was relieved that he could use another name but his mothers. It was still strange to him that this dwarf bore his mothers name.

'Will you tell me what is bothering you?' Belladonna asked and sat down on the stairs behind them. 'You are a part of the company, Bilbo. Your worries are ours.'

Bilbo smiled at her words and decided to be honest with Thorins daughter. 'Lord Elrond worries about your father.'

Belladonna frowned in surprise and tilted her head. 'Why? I am aware that the elves are not keen on us reclaiming our home...for what reason I do not know...but why is he worrying?'

'He talked to Gandalf about a sickness of mind. Do you know what he was talking about?' Bilbo asked and had the feeling that he was stepping on thin ice. This was really none of his business.

'A sickness of mind.' Belladonna repeated in a hard tone. Of course she knew Durins curse. Her father had never talked about it to her, her sister or even her mother, but they all had known. Rumors and stories had reached their ears and Dis had finally filled them in. Thorin knew that his family was aware of the sickness of his line and he had been ashamed. Brann had comforted him and had assured him that he would not fall for it, but that had been the only time they had ever talked about it. Brann had known that it bothered her husband and she had never brought this topic up again. It had also never been necessary in the Blue Mountains, for the riches were not consisting of any gold, but only of silver and jewels. Belladonna had seen the hurt and shame in her fathers eyes many years ago and the thought that the wizard and the elf lord talked about it to turn it against her father made her dwarven side snap. 'This is nothing of anyone's business! My father is strong and his will is pure. He will not succumb to any sickness.'

Bilbo jumped at Belladonnas reaction, but the princess held up her hands and took a deep breath. 'I apologise, Bilbo. I did not mean to offend you. My father is our leader and you have the right to worry about his state of mind when he leads us to the Lonely Mountain. But I can assure you that he is not under any curse.'

'If this is a sickness passed over to all the generations...could you be affected?' Bilbo had to ask.

Belladonna looked at the hobbit in wonder. She had never thought about it. This sickness had affected her greatgrandfather and apparently also her grandfather. Her father feared that it might affect him, also. But the females in the family were never said to be affected by it. Had they not been in contact with the gold? Or did they have a stronger will? The female Durins were very strong willed.

'I...I do not know.' Belladonna looked down at her feet. 'I guess we will see when we reach the Lonely Mountain. If we live to see the gold.'

'I do not think that you will succumb to the sickness, Donna.' Bilbo sat down at her side and reluctantly took her hand. 'You have the same strong will and fierce character as your father. Both of you should be fine.'

'Thank you, Bilbo.' Belladonna squeezed his hand, but pulled back instantly. She did comfortable around the small hobbit, but she was not used to such friendly contact. Bilbo folded his hands in his lap and sheepishly looked away. They sat on that stair in Rivendell for a while, neither of them saying a word.

#######

They will not help you. Branns voice startled Thorin and made him sit up in bed. Lord Elrond helped you with the map, but he will try to keep you from reclaiming Erebor.

'How do you...?' Thorin sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. He had almost been asleep.

I can hear them talk. The elf lady from Lothlorien seems to be more supportive. But she stands against Elrond and the white wizard. This white wizard is a foul person...I can feel it. I can feel nothing good in him.

'How can you hear them? I thought that you were bound to the necklace?' Thorin was confused. He had never expected help from elves, so he was not disappointed.

I...I do not know. Maybe I have a connection to Gandalf? The little brown wizard could hear me, too. He could even see me...

'Lord Elrond will try to stop us.' Thorin mused. He would let his company rest this evening. At nightfall they would leave Rivendell. 'We will leave at nightfall. Gandalf will catch up with us down the road. He always seems to know where to stick his long nose into the curse of history.'

You are the one to talk about long noses.

'Very funny.' Thorin grumbled, but had to smirk nevertheless.

Later that night, he woke up his daughter first. 'Donna, my gem, wake up.' Thorin softly shook his daughters shoulder and watched her open her eyes.

'Adad?' Belladonna was still half asleep. 'What is it?'

'We need to leave.' Thorin told her and pulled her up. 'The elves will not help us. We have to continue our journey before they can stop us.'

'Alright.' Belladonna struggled to her feet. But there was still one thing she had to do. Her father had told her that the elf Lindir had helped her mother in her search for a chance to stay in Mandos Halls. She had to thank him. 'Wake the others, I will be there when you are ready to leave.'

Thorin looked at his daughter closely. He knew that she was planning something. 'Donna, we cannot linger. I must ask you to move swiftly.'

'Do not worry, adad.' Belladonna smiled. 'I will be there when we leave. I promise.'

Thorin frowned for a moment, but Belladonna could see her mother speak to her father as his eyes softened. 'Fine. We will be ready to leave in an hour.'

'Thank you, amad.' Belladonna smirked as her father rolled his eyes.

The dwarven princess quickly packed and then walked to the library. She found a piece of pergament and some ink with a feather. She quickly wrote on a piece of pergament and left it on the table. She was sure that Lindir would find it in the morning. Her footsteps had not vanished completely from the elven halls as her letter was picked up by an elf standing in the dark. It was Lindir.

'My father told me what you have done for my mother. For us. Thank you.'

With a sigh, the elf put down the note and waited. As he heard the dwarves leave, he slowly walked up to the balcony where the White Council was sitting. He was in no hurry. The young princess deserved a home.

#######

Belladonna was tired and cold as she climbed up the path which was leading away from Rivendell. Her fathers voice jerked her out from her thoughts.

'Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up.' he scolded the hobbit.

Belladonna looked back and saw Bilbo look at Rivendell with a longing expression. She could understand the small hobbit. Rivendell had been welcoming and safe. They would encounter many dangers on their road home. Later that day, Belladonna cursed for being right. They had walked right into a thunderstorm which turned out to be a battle between stone giants. Never before had Belladonna seen such a thing and she desperately held on to her fathers strong arms as the side of the mountain broke lose.

The company was divided into two groups as the stone giants charged at each other and Thorins group had to watch as the other half of the company was thrown against the mountainside in front of them. Thorin cried out in horror and rushed to the crash, only to find his companions safe and mostly uninjured. Bofur was the one who noticed that Bilbo was missing. The hobbit was hanging on the edge of the cliff for dear life and Belladonna did not think. She jumped down onto a ledge and grabbed Bilbo by his jacket, hurling him up. As she wanted to get a hold onto the cliff above her she slipped and nearly fell, but this time it was her fathers hand which saved her from falling. Thorin pulled up his daughter as if she weighed nothing and turned at Bilbo in fury.

'He should never have left home. He has no place amongst us.' Thorin snarled and looked at the hobbit in disgust. Then he turned to Belladonna. 'And you. Don´t ever do that again. Never risk your life again for one lost halfling.'

Belladonna was shocked by her fathers brutal words and saw Bilbos expression sadden. But she was to shaken to react. She had nearly fallen into the deep and was in no condition to think straight. Maybe her father was right, she should not have come. But it was too late. She would not turn back. She would reclaim her fathers home or die trying, that she swore to herself.

The company had settled down in a cave to wait for the thunderstorm to stop as Belladonna was able to form a decent thought again. Her anger about her fathers words rose inside of her and she seeked some privacy with him. But it was impossible for Thorin and his daughter to find much privacy in the small cave. Dwalin led them to a corner and tried to block the king and the princess with his massive body. Thankful for this loyalty, Belladonna turned to her father, who was only looking at her with a frown.

'This was uncalled for, adad.' Belladonna stated and tried to hold back her anger. 'Bilbo did not fall of the cliff on purpose and it was my decision to jump down and save him. Your words hurt him.'

'He will experience more than his share of hurt on this quest, that is the reason why I did not want him here. And neither did I want you here. I nearly lost both of you in the blink of an eye!' Thorin growled. 'How should I have been able to continue on this road with my daughter? And a useless hobbit of whom I was forced to be responsible?'

'If you think him useless, then why did you bring him in the first place?' Belladonna asked.

'Gandalf insisted on taking him with us. And he is the son of...his mother saved Brann. I owed her. I have to keep him safe. But that makes him no less of a burden.' Thorin stated firmly.

He is no burden! He saved you all from the trolls! He is friends with the elves - maybe he will be able to negotiate between you and them...Brann was still speaking as Belladonna openend her mouth again.

'Stop it, both of you!' Thorin held up his arms. 'One female Durin at a time!'

Belladonna looked shocked at first, but then she grinned. 'I bet amad is angry with you for being insufferable again.'

'Donna.' Thorin growled, but he also felt a warm feeling in his heart. This was his family. His daughter and his wife. 'Your amad nearly screamed me deaf as you slipped on the edge of the cliff.'

I screamed? Brann remembered crying out for her daughter, but she had not been aware that Thorin had heard. I did?

'She did?' Belladonna asked simultaneously with her mother and Thorin pinched his nose to hold back an upcoming headache.

'We should take some rest.' Thorin was exhausted. 'Get some sleep, Bofur will take the first watch.'

The king and his daughter laid down on the hard ground at the end of the cave, while the company made ready to rest. Thorin had fallen asleep before his daughter and did not see the small shadow moving through the cave. It was Bofur, who had payed attention, who saw Bilbo trying to sneak out. Their hushed conversation woke both Thorin and Belladonna and the hobbits hurt touched both of them, even if Thorin would never admit it. But before either of them could react, the floor opened and the company was swallowed by the dark of the mountain.