A/N: The beginning of this chapter is some "filler" but I enjoyed creating the scene. :) I've also included a scene from the book which I would have loved to have seen in the movie. My continued thanks to everyone who has read, followed, and reviewed! It puts a huge smile on my face.

Just4Me: She would feel guilty. She knows that's what Gandalf was hoping she'd be able to do and she takes her job very seriously. What she sees as a failure would be crushing for her, not to mention the fact that its her husband! It has been hard to write.

ro781727: He's fought it a little but that dragon sickness is a sneaky bastard.

Dare queen: Please don't cry (yet.) It's certainly been really hard to write. I knew this part had to come when I started but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it and hope you like this next chapter!

swthrt890: Wow! I can't say thank you enough! Your words really made my day! There's been stories I've read repeatedly but never thought anyone would do the same with mine. :) I'm so glad you are enjoying the story!

As always, I'm just a girl living in a Tolkien (and PJ) world, wishing I could be that awesome!

The flames in the fireplace crackled pleasantly, casting a cozy glow over the living room of the King's Residence but Rhae wasn't aware of it. Ever since that episode in the throne room she had mostly kept to their chambers, not wanting to face another day watching the company dig through the piles of gold or for them to see her break. Fíli had not told anyone what had happened in the training arena, for which she was grateful, but her hold on her emotions was tenuous at best. Rhae was afraid the smallest thing might be all it would take for her to completely crack under the pressure. She had to stay strong for the rest of the company. They had seen her stand firm, never wavering throughout everything they'd encountered during their journey and she wasn't about to let them down now. So she had remained secluded, either in their home or in the library, which she had discovered by accident a couple days earlier. Thorin hadn't even returned, staying in the treasure hall, though no longer requesting her daily presence there. There was a constant ache inside, one that she couldn't rid herself of no matter what she tried. It had been a quiet couple of days. A knock on the door pulled her from her musings.

"Afternoon, lass!" Dori said cheerfully. Ori simply gave her a small smile. She looked at the two dwarves in surprise.

"We were sent to help you prepare for dinner," the fussy haired dwarf told her.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Her utter confusion was written on her face.

"Thorin requested that I come help you with some of the dresses that belonged to his grandmother, that they most likely wouldn't fit quite right." His words caused her to stiffen in apprehension. She quickly told herself that Dori was only doing as his king had commanded. She might not care for the situation, it might send bolts of ice through her veins, but none of that was the fault of the dwarf in front of her. If Thorin was going to insist she wear some of those blasted clothes she might as well make sure the damned things fit.

She stepped aside to allow them entry, letting Ori look around for a moment before motioning towards the hallway. Dori followed, leaving his younger brother in front of the fire. He looked at her a bit expectantly once they were in the bed chambers and she sighed, running a hand over her face.

"Dori, I have no clue what to say or suggest. This is not my idea nor my wish." The complete despondency in her voice caused the dwarf to tut-tut to himself and he stepped in front of her.

"I understand, lass, I do." He paused, as if unsure whether to continue or not. "We have all seen the change in Thorin. I have no answers for you but if our king is requesting you dressed for dinner then lets give him a reason to forget about that cursed gold for a while." He gave her a cheeky grin and she couldn't keep the corners of her mouth from twitching upwards.

"What would you suggest, Master Dwarf?"

"Blue," he told her without hesitation. "He couldn't keep his eyes off you that night in Rivendell with the pointy-eared tree huggers." The memory was pleasant but painful at the same time though she kept the smile on her lips. The dwarf plunged into the closet, returning several moments later with a blue velvet dress. "Here, lets see if we can make this work somehow."

Rhae took the dress from him, disappearing into the bathing chamber to change. Once she had it on her body she almost laughed; the former Queen Under the Mountain had been a few inches shorter but several inches wider. She felt slightly ridiculous as she rejoined Dori, the dress showing her bare feet and lower legs while hanging off her body ungracefully. But she had to admit that it was a gorgeous creation. The dark fabric of the overdress had even darker, typically dwarven geometric patterns woven in and the sleeves, while slightly puffed around her shoulders, hung to her knees. The underdress was almost indecently sheer, though it was only visible at the neck, a slight slit at the bottom, and the sleeves. While the neckline of the overdress was wide and square, the sheer underdress covered all the exposed skin of her neck. The sleeves were truly beautiful. The sheer material had hundreds of tiny gems woven throughout, causing them to sparkle when she moved. Dori paced around her, rubbing his chin in thought, then clapped his hands together in glee.

"I think that will work splendidly," he exclaimed. "The extra material in the back can be used to make the dress long enough in the front. You'll lose the train but somehow I don't think you'll be much bothered by that. "

She laughed a bit while looking at him thoughtfully. "If you don't mind my asking, how do you know anything about ladies' dresses?"

"My amad was one of the dress makers in Ered Luin. Her work was most sought after, especially by Thorin's sister and other members of the aristocracy. Since my father was not around to teach me anything else, I learned her trade." Rhae simply nodded and he began pulling and tucking on the extra fabric. "This will be no trouble at all and I'll have you ready for this evening."

"Thank you," was all she could say. Once she was back in her usual clothes, she returned to the front room to keep Ori company while the older dwarf stayed where there was more light. The young scribe had lit a few more of the candles and was seated near the fire, hunched over the book he had carried with him since the beginning of their journey.

"How is your journal coming, Ori?"

"Quite well, thank you. My original journal was taken by Thranduil's guards and I've been trying to recreate as much as I can remember. Now that we're in the mountain I've been able to really sit and work on it with more detail." He held the book out to her shyly.

"This is amazing work," she breathed as she flipped through the pages. It was amazing what he had been able to recreate so far and just from memory! Besides his script, there were all manner of drawings: landscapes, weapons, plants, members of the party. There were even sketches of moments during the journey. She chuckled over a picture of a food fight around what had to have been Bilbo's dining room table. She glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow. He peered over to see what she was looking at and smiled.

"Yes, you weren't with us yet. We were having a merry time filling our bellies."

"I can only imagine Bilbo's state of mind at the time." Ori merely shrugged and she returned her attention to the book before her. There was one of her facing off with Thorin on that first day, small sketches of her various sparring matches with members of the company. A drawing of Gandalf smoking his pipe by the fire seemed to almost leap off the page it was so lifelike.

"These are truly magnificent, Ori. You captured our journey in exquisite detail." She continued flipping through the pages, pictures from the quest bringing a sad smile to her face. Her fingers paused when she came to one that depicted the ceremony that had bound her to Thorin. Ori had captured so much, even down to the look in the dwarf king's eyes as he'd slid his ring on her finger. It was absolutely beautiful and absolutely heartbreaking. Rhae took careful breaths, hoping to halt the tears that threatened so close to the surface. She quickly handed the book back to Ori; she just couldn't look at any more.

"This book will be sought after by many dwarves in the future. All will be enthralled by the journey of Thorin Oakenshield," she managed to tell him. She could see the question in his eyes but he merely thanked her as he took the book back. They sat in silence for a while, the young dwarf scribbling away and Rhae staring into the fire. Her mind was surprisingly numb. Perhaps the stress of the past few days was finally getting to her. She felt her eyelids drooping and she let herself slide down on the settee. Ori smiled with tenderness when he looked over a little bit later to find the female asleep.

She stood staring at herself in the mirror, amazed at Dori's handiwork. No one would be able to tell that just a few hours ago the dress hadn't fit. It looked like it had been made just for her. Running her hands down the front she took a deep breath.

"You are truly a miracle worker," she praised. The fussy dwarf actually blushed a bit above his elaborate braids. "I feel a bit silly dressing up in such fashion simply to go sit around the fire for supper but I don't have the strength to argue with him about it right now."

"As I said, lass, perhaps this will keep his mind from other things."

"You look lovely, Rhae," Ori told her, looking up from his journal where he had been sketching furiously. She smiled fondly at the two dwarves.

"Thank you both," she said quietly. Dori handed her a few more items, the long, dark gray sash and elaborate silver belt standing out in contrast to the darkness of the dress, and the silver choker that allowed the necklace Thorin had given her to hang beneath it. If the situation hadn't been so disturbing she probably would've enjoyed what she saw in the mirror. However all she could think of were Thorin's words to her that day in the gallery, making her feel like he saw her as mere property now. She sighed.

"Let's not keep everyone waiting. I'm sure Bombur is hungry." The brothers laughed in agreement and escorted her out.

The other members of the company were waiting when they entered the room. Rhae was surprised to see that a table had been dragged in from somewhere and was set with dishes and candelabras. Someone had been busy. For all its simplicity it looked lovely but she knew it was only to appease Thorin's current state of mind. There were exclamations of praise directed at her, which she accepted with a smile and nod of her head. Her husband said nothing, merely indicating the chair next to him, but there was a smile on his lips.

She was extremely uncomfortable throughout the meal, unsure of what Thorin might have said to the other dwarves concerning her and very aware that beside the two of them, everyone else was dressed as normal. Though keeping up her part in the conversations she saw the spectacle for what it was, the king's desire to show his superiority over the rest of the group. It made her want to cry. After the small meal had been eaten, Thorin offered his hand, helping her to rise from her seat, and he led her from the room. Not knowing what to expect from him, she felt her body stiffen as they walked through the mountain. As they ascended some steps he finally spoke.

"You look lovely this evening, Rhae."

"Thank you." He stopped in a doorway and turned her towards him. She felt herself relax a bit when she saw the darkness only hovered in the back of his eyes.

"Believe me when I say that you will be a queen all in Erebor will be proud of."

"Only because of my looks?" She was a bit disappointed. Appearances could always be deceiving and she didn't want Thorin's people accepting her for such a superficial reason.

"No. Because you are strong and kind and never shirk from any task you are given." A smile bent his lips, the blue in his eyes softening, and he kissed her softly. "But you are also very beautiful and they will see it as well." She felt a bit appeased.

There was a fluttering of wings and a decrepit old bird appeared over the rocks just beyond the doorway they were standing in. Thorin led her through, out onto a ledge in the mountain. The bird was almost blind, could hardly fly, and the top of his head was bald. His obviously advanced age didn't take away from his great size. Rhae couldn't remember ever seeing a raven that large in her life. The bird alighted stiffly on the ground before them and approached Thorin.

"O Thorin, son of Thrain," he croaked, one beady little eye swiveling towards Rhae. "And Rhaella of the Dunedain. I am Roäc, son of Carc. Carc is dead but he was well known to you once. It is a hundred years and three and fifty since I came out of the egg but I do not forget what my father told me. Now I am the chief of the great ravens of the Mountain. We are few but we remember still the king that was of old. Most of my people are abroad, for there are great tidings in the South, which you will not think so good." Rhae sucked in a breath at the bird's mention of the South. Well she knew what lay hundreds of miles to their south. Roäc seemed to be watching for her reaction. When she met his eye it seemed as if he nodded at her.

"Behold," he continued. "The birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from South and East and West, for word has gone out that Smaug is dead." It was Thorin's turn to stiffen in surprise. He had not expected that news to travel so quickly. "So, Thorin Oakenshield, you may go back to your halls in safety, all the treasure is yours - for the moment. But many are gathering hither besides the birds. The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil." Rhae saw Thorin's lip curl in a sneer, his hands fisting by his side. For a moment she cursed the bird; that was the last thing Thorin need to hear.

The raven continued. "Already a host of elves is on the way and carrion birds are with them, hoping for battle and slaughter. The Lake-men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves, for they are homeless and many have died. They too think to find amends from your treasure, whether you alive or dead." After a pause Roäc went on. "Your own wisdom must decide your course but thirteen is small remnant of the great folk of Durin that once dwelt here. If you will listen to my counsel you will trust him that shot the dragon. Bard is he, of the line of Girion. We would see peace once more among dwarves and men and elves after the long desolation but it may cost you dear in gold." Rhae again felt like smacking the poor bird. Couldn't he have left out some of what he'd just mentioned? Did he really have to mention the bloody gold?

"Our thanks, Roäc Carc's son." Thorin spoke with thinly controlled anger. "You and your people shall not be forgotten. None of our gold shall be taken while we are alive. If you would earn our thanks still more, and if any of you are still young and strong of wing, if you could go to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well-armed and dwells nearest this place. Please tell him of our plight."

"I will not say if this counsel be good or bad but I will do what can be done," Roäc croaked. They watched the bird slowly fly off and Rhae watched Thorin for his reaction. He was quiet for a time, his hands clasped behind his back, staring into the dusk as he thought. Eventually he motioned for her and he led her back into the mountain.

Rhae remained quiet as they strolled through the halls. She knew where Thorin wanted to be but she refused to relinquish her hold on his arm. The longer she could keep him away from the gold the more reasonable he would become. Despite the message from Roäc the darkness in his eyes had receded a bit and she hoped to get him back to their chambers before it tightened its grip again. Beyond keeping him from the gold, which she knew wouldn't be possible for long, she had no idea what to do in order to reach him and she doubted what he'd just heard would help. He wouldn't listen to a word anyone said. Even Balin was ignored. Every day she hoped Gandalf would appear at the Front Gate and every day passed without word from the wizard. If she was honest with herself she was very worried about his continued absence. He had said he would meet the company at the overlook before they ever entered Erebor. That had been three weeks ago? She wasn't sure; she was slowly losing track of time. But knowing what had been concerning him before he'd left them at the edge of Mirkwood caused her worry to grow with each passing day. She sighed to herself. Was it any wonder she was exhausted? The sudden tensing of the arm under her hand pulled her from her musings.

"What is that?" Thorin growled, yanking his arm from Rhae's grasp as he strode forward. Peering around him she saw Bilbo standing in the middle of the passage, a surprised and worried expression spreading across his face. "In your hand!"

"It's - it's nothing," the hobbit stammered.

"Show me." Thorin's voice was almost unrecognizable and Rhae could almost feel the rage billowing off him. She had no idea what he thought he had seen but whatever it was made him furious. She watched the hobbit questioningly. The little guy finally held out his hand. Resting in his palm was a small, brown acorn. Her brows came together in a frown; what about this had upset Thorin?

"I picked it up in Beorn's garden."

"You've carried it all this way?" The amazed disbelief was clear in the dwarf's voice.

"I'm going to plant it in my garden, in Bag-End."

Thorin's anger had quickly faded at the hobbit's words. Apparently this was not whatever he had thought Bilbo carried. A soft smile curved his lips and Rhae's heart stuttered. It was the first time she'd seen a glimpse of her husband in days.

"That's a poor price to take back to the Shire."

"Oh I don't think so," Rhae said gently, smiling fondly at the hobbit. "It will grow big and strong there."

Bilbo nodded. "One day it will grow. And every time I look at it I'll remember - remember everything that happened, the good, the bad, and how lucky I am that I made it home." Rhae could've hugged the hobbit at that moment. Thorin's face was relaxed and happy, the madness chased away from his eyes. This was what he needed to be free of the dragon sickness: reminders of the little things, the good, pure things in the world. She placed a hand on Bilbo's arm, meeting his eyes, her gratefulness clear in hers. He seemed to consider the two in front of him for a moment, almost like he was summoning up his courage, and opened his mouth to speak.

"Thorin, I -"

He never got a chance to finish his thought. Dwalin hurried through the adjoining passage to join them. "Thorin, survivors from Lake-Town. They are streaming into Dale. There's hundreds of them." At his words the king's face fell, the relaxed smile being replaced with a stern, uncompromising expression, the darkness creeping back in.

"Call everyone to the gate." He stomped off in the direction Dwalin had just come from, yelling as he went. "To the gate! NOW!"

Dwalin looked at the downcast expression on the woman's face and regretted his interruption. He could almost see her slumping under the weight of her worry.

"I thought we might have broken through," she muttered sadly, her head drooping.

"I'm sorry, lassie."

"It's alright, Dwalin."

"Why would the survivors come to Dale?" Bilbo asked as Dwalin led Rhae in the direction Thorin had disappeared.

"We left them on the lakeshore. They had nothing. I'm sure they're looking for shelter from the weather. Winter took its time getting here but it has arrived now. Snow will surely fall soon," she told him.

"I doubt they'll find much there," the dwarf next to her said with a shake of his head. Rhae agreed with him but she really wasn't too concerned with the folks spilling into the ruined city. She didn't want them to suffer, of course, but at the moment all she was worried about was her husband and the proximity of those survivors most likely wouldn't help the present situation.

She hurried back to their chambers, pulling the dress from her body, tossing it from her, and pulled her usual clothes back on. Not knowing what to expect she also strapped her sword to her waist before running back towards the Front Gate. What she saw when she got there rooted her to the spot.

The company was hauling stones and fairly large pieces of masonry towards the jagged hole in the gate; already there was a thick wall built to block the opening. Spotting Bilbo off to the side she joined him wordlessly. He just gave her a grimace. Neither of them were strong enough to move the stones the dwarves seemed to be almost effortlessly hefting around. The huge braziers flanking the outside of the gate had been lit, their flames casting an eerie glow on the scene.

Thorin was pacing, hands behind his back, barking orders. "I want this fortress made safe by sunup! This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again." Rhae stared at him in alarm. He saw them as a threat? Did he truly think the folk from Lake-Town wanted to claim the Mountain?

"The people of Lake-Town have nothing. They have lost everything," Kíli spoke up, coming to stand in front of his uncle. She could see the worry in the prince's face.

"Do not tell me what they have lost," Thorin snarled. "I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragon fire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for." Kíli looked a bit crestfallen at his uncle's words and Rhae couldn't blame him. While some of what Thorin said was true - he could understand how they felt at the moment, having lost their homes to dragon fire - the fact that he said they should be rejoicing and grateful floored her. Yes, they would be grateful to be alive but there wasn't anything else they would see as a cause to rejoice. They would also remember the dwarf king's words all those weeks ago and who had awakened the dragon. Her thoughts drifted to Sigrid and Tilda, wondered if they'd located Bard and Bain, or if they were even now entering that desolated city with only Tauriel for protection. Even if her husband did not approve, she would have to find a way to locate them; she had promised them her protection if their father had not survived. It had been at least two weeks since she'd left them and she was worried for their safety.

Thorin climbed to the top of the wall the company had already constructed, staring in the direction of Dale, his face hard in thought. His profile lit by the fire from the braziers, she was suddenly reminded of that night so long ago when Thorin had chastised his nephews for their glib comments concerning orc raids. He had stood on the edge of that cliff just as he was standing now, hands clasped behind his back, moonlight illuminating his profile, and she recalled thinking how kingly he had looked then, how much awe and respect his company had for him. The irony was not lost on her. Traveling the wild, hoping to avoid orcs or other manner of danger, he had seemed so much more kingly than he did now, rich robes about his shoulders, his kingdom reclaimed, but his company apprehensive and questioning his motives.

"More stone!" he shouted, turning from the valley in front of him. "Bring more stone to the gate!" Seeming to think the company wasn't moving fast enough he began reaching down and grabbing stones, lifting them into place. Rhae and Bilbo remained where they were, a look of despair on the hobbit's face and cold fear settling in the woman's stomach.

Revised/Edited April 2016