What the Heart Wants: Book 3

6

I woke up early the next morning and, to my great surprise, Thorin was still asleep. He was on his side, facing away from me so I grabbed his arm and rolled him onto his back. He mumbled in his sleeping state as I cuddled up into his chest. It felt peaceful. The peaceful moment didn't last too long before Thorin shot straight up, knocking me off of him. He looked over at me, noting the fact that I was awake.

"Hey," He said, even more gruffness in his morning voice.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired. I could probably sleep for days and still feel unrested."

I searched his eyes as he spoke and could tell he was trying to fight off the dragon sickness.

I placed my hand on his cheek, "Come on, let's get up before the rest of the company."

He nodded and turned away, walking over to his wardrobe and putting on his regal get-up. The dragon sickness seemed to be winning the internal battle. He left the room without me and I was left to change and find the others on my own. I pulled on another tunic and pants, secretly wanting to wear a dress but knowing it would only fuel the sickness. I pull the opal necklace from my old pants pocket and put it around my neck, touching the gem to my chest before leaving the room.

"It looks good on you," I heard Thorin's voice from beside me.

"Oh!" I placed my hand over my heart in surprise, "I thought you had left already."

"No, I'm still here."

I took his arm and let him guide me to where I assumed he believed the other dwarves to be. I shouldn't have been surprised when I realized we were walking towards the treasure hoard.

"Is this where everyone else is?" I asked him quietly as we drew nearer, hoping I could stop us from going towards the treasure.

"Who knows?"

I didn't say much more and let him guide me. He stopped and smiled at his treasure and I knew he was fading again.

"Thorin!" Came Dwalin's voice to interrupt my thoughts.

The two of us turned to look at the dwarf. Dwalin looked out of breath and his eyes held a hint of fear.

"What is it?" Thorin asked, nervously playing with the golden chains around his neck.

"An army," Dwalin started, still catching his breath, "An army of elves stand in Dale. You need to come to the gates as fast as you can."

Thorin nodded and grabbed my arm, pulling me along with him. His grip was tight but I was in no mood to complain. An army of elves was not a good sign and I could only wonder who, on the ever evolving list of folks, Thorin had pissed off now. We arrived at the front gates and I was surprised to see it was no longer a Smaug shaped hole. It was filled with chunks of stone and the dwarves had even remembered to create stairs. Thorin had let go of my arm but made me walk in front of him, keeping his hand on my back. I guess even with the sickness he still had a soft spot for me.

"Who is it?" I heard one of the dwarves ask.

"Ugh," Thorin groaned and rolled his eyes, "It's Thranduil."

"From Mirkwood?" I asked. I didn't believe him to be wrong but I had a hard time finding a reason for the elf king to stand at the doors of Erebor with an army. All we had done was escape.

"What does that fairy want?" Dwalin asked with a sneer.

"Maybe he's made we escaped him?" Bilbo wondered out loud.

"That's what I was thinking," I whispered to him, earning a small smile from my brother. It would appear great minds think alike.

"He wants his gems," Thorin told us.