3rd person pov
Thorin gazes upon the throne, over which the Arkenstone had been inlaid before it was lost. He speaks to Balin, Dwalin, and Bilbo, who are behind him.
"It is here in these halls - I know it." Thorin says
"We have searched and searched..." Dwalin says
"Not well enough!" Thorin exclaims
"Thorin, we all would see the stone returned." Dwalin says to Thorin
"And yet, it is still not FOUND!" Thorin yells
"Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" Balin asks
Thorin turns and slowly walks toward Balin and Dwalin.
"The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people." Balin says
"It is the King's Jewel." Thorin says
He begins shouting.
"AM I NOT THE KING?!" Thorin yells
As Thorin turns away, Balin, Dwalin, and Bilbo look uneasy.
"Know this - If anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged." Thorin says
As Thorin walks away, Bilbo looks very disgruntled.
Balin is in a quiet corner somewhere, breathing deeply as if he had just been weeping. Bilbo finds him.
"Dragon-sickness - I've seen it before. That look. That terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo. It sent his grandfather mad." Balin says
"Balin, if-if Thorin...had the Arkenstone..." Bilbo says
Bilbo slightly cocks his head, and Balin looks surprised, understanding Bilbo's implication.
"...if it was found - Would it help?" Bilbo asks
"That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power upon he who bears it. Will it stay his madness? No, lad; I fear it would make it worse. Perhaps it is best that it remains lost." Balin says
Balin raises his eyebrows at Bilbo.
Bilbo is sitting on a bench in a hall. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls something out. Thorin, walking in an adjoining hallway, sees the action.
"What is that?!" Thorin asks
Thorin strides rapidly toward Bilbo, and Bilbo rises.
"In your hand!" Thorin says
"It-It's nothing." Bilbo tells him
"Show me." Thorin says
"It..." Bilbo says
Bilbo holds out his hand, and in it is an acorn. Thorin looks down at it.
"I picked it up in Beorn's garden." Bilbo tells him
"You've carried it all this way." Thorin says
"I'm gonna plant it in my garden, in Bag End." Bilbo says
His anger fading, Thorin smiles fondly at Bilbo.
"That's a poor price to take back to the Shire." Thorin says
YOU ARE READING
For the Love of a King
FanfictionLilja Storm, a skin-changer who was tortured by Azog, is found by Gandalf and joins Thorin, Bilbo, and company on the quest to reclaim Erebor. On the way she discovers stuff about herself and feelings she hasn't had in ages, will she be happy again...
