They were close to the mountain, she could feel it. Though weakened, the Arkenstone called to her. The closer they got, the more the General used her to try and push past Radagast's defenses. When they found it strong, the General turned his attention to Dale.

Most civilians had already evacuated to Erebor, but a small contingent of soldiers remained. They were easy to break. Each time a mind shattered under her power, a piece of her soul died, but she allowed herself to bend to the will of her captor. In all ways, she complied, letting herself seem weaker and weaker. It was easy to let her grief and fatigue show as days without sleep added up. He was wearing her down.

Every night, after the General fell asleep, Danica worked to see just how much power she could use without him knowing. Thus far, she'd only managed to make herself invisible while walking around the camp. When she felt his consciousness waking, she would return with him none the wiser. Touching him in sleep was impossible. It was as if he had an alarm set to know when touched him without his permission.

If they could get just a little closer to Erebor, she may be able to reach out to Radagast for help.

Her hope faltered when the peak came into view, and the distant sounds of battle floated on the wind.

"Time for us to go to work," the General murmured in her ear. He'd taken to having her ride with him.

Swallowing her dread, she followed him off their steed. He called for his men to stop and rest before they joined the battle in the morning.

Darkness fell on the cold valley, working with the trees and groups of boulders to shelter them.

While the tent was set up, the General took Danica's hand, their rings touching. Cold weight pressed down on her, and she found herself walking the trail that sentries used to scout outside the hidden door. She was alone on the trail, but could feel his mind caress hers. A shudder of disgust ran down her spine.

Unsure what the plan was, as they didn't have the key, she walked up the trail. Screams and clashing metal echoed around her, almost deafening in its intensity. When would they retreat, left to survive against an endless siege?

"Search for, and destroy any sentries," the General ordered.

Praying every dwarf was either inside of on the front, she did as he said. For a while, there was nothing but the cold wind that raced up the mountain. To the south, the sky glowed orange with the flames of battle. Dale had long since been taken, by the height of the fire. How many of her loved ones had fought to save the city?

"Shall we take a detour and ease your fears?"

No. No matter how desperately she wished to, she couldn't. Grinding her teeth, she resumed her walk, the General's dark chuckle following close behind.

When the first sentry appeared, dread threatened to halt her steps. Still invisible, it was no trouble moving straight in front of him. She raised her hand toward the male, and froze. Brow furrowing, she tried again. Nothing. She couldn't use her power against him. Easterling curses filled her ear, but she couldn't contain her smirk. Radagast's magic was holding firm.

"Danica?"

And there was his voice. Hope sparking, she looked around, but there was no sign of the wizard.

"Come back to me," there was an edge to the General's voice.

Danica closed her eyes for a moment. What she needed to do went against every one of her instincts.

"I will. Just let me do what you need, first,"

Before he could question her, she grabbed a rock, rushed behind the dwarf, and crashed it against his head. As she'd hoped, the force field only worked against magic, not physical attacks. Stunned silence stretched between her and the General. She kept walking up. Only a little longer, then she would reach the top.

"What are you doing?" his voice was cautious, curious.

"I'm done fighting you," she sighed. "Just promise me I can have my son,"

Two more dwarves guarded the door. It took no time at all to knock them out as well.

"You'd better send some of your men, soon," she advised. "These dwarves won't stay down forever,"

"They will. I have already broken their minds. Once you rendered them unconscious, the wizard's magic weakened,"

Disbelief flooded through her, drawing her eyes down to the dwarves at her feet. Gleaming in the moonlight was their blood, leaking from their mouths and noses. She gagged.

"Come back to me," he coaxed again.

"Danica!" Radagast cried. "I can help you!"

She didn't hesitate. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself back down the mountain. Back to his side. The moment she felt solid, she collapsed. He caught her just before her knees hit the ground.

"Easy there," he said gently. "All of our power must finally be affecting you. Come, we will rest tonight. Tomorrow, we will sweep through the battlefield, claiming the north as our own,"

Weary in every way possible, she nodded against his shoulder. As easily as if she were a kitten, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the pile of furs that made up his bed. She only realized she was naked when he laid them down and she felt the soft bedding on every inch of her skin.

A tear fell down her cheek. Shushing tenderly, as if comforting a child, the General wiped the tear away. She kept her eyes to the roof of the tent as he undressed himself and reclined next to her. She knew what was coming, and what she would need to do. More tears fell.

"Letting go is never easy, is it?"

Her breath came in soft, shuddering sobs, but she did not resist him as his lips traveled over her face and down her neck.

"I can feel it," he murmured against her pulse. "No longer will the light pull you away,"

"My son," she whimpered.

"Will be safe. I swear,"

To her surprise, there was no lie in his voice.

Though the tears could not be stopped, her breath calmed, hitching only when his wandering hands brushed over her breasts and between her thighs.

"Give in to me," he bought his mouth back to hers in a gentle kiss. "Open yourself to me,"

She did. When he kissed her again, she melted into him, molding her mouth to his. He growled in triumph, and she arched against him. Her mind was blank, heart and soul numb. All she was in that moment was sensation. The softness of the fur beneath her, the heat of his mouth and the skin of his hands working together to elicit sounds of pleasure.

No thoughts, no feelings.

When his head dipped between her legs, she didn't hold back her cry and subsequent moans. She gave herself to carnal pleasure that was purely biological and instinctive. He brought her over the peak, and she followed, falling without restraint. No thoughts.

No feelings when he entered her. When they moved together, the sounds of their joining filling the tent.

One of his hands wrapped around her throat. Not violent, but possessive nonetheless.

"Say it," he growled, sweat beading his golden brow. "Tell me you're mine,"

No thoughts. No feelings. She laced her fingers through his free hand, their rings touching.

"I'm yours,"

He snapped. Grip tightening on her, he pounding his hips against hers, roaring when his own climax took him. Panting and slick with sweat, he collapsed on top of her, body quaking with aftershocks.

"You're mine," he whispered roughly in her ear.

Distant voices rose outside the tent, but he appeared to be oblivious, basking in the way their bodies still connected, their fingers still intwined. Danica turned and looked into his dark eyes.

"Never,"

There was no time for him to register her words. Leveraging her hips, she rolled them, yanking the ring from his finger and crashing her forehead as hard as she could against his face. Satisfaction filled her at the crack that resounded around them. Knowing he would only be blinded for a few moments, she ran.