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"Have you noticed anything odd about Thorin?" Alenia asked Fili and Kili.
"Yeah." Kili answered softly, trying to be quiet so no one else heard. "He's been very... harsh. Like he's made out of stone, and the only emotions he can show is anger."
"It's this place. You know that Thror had something similar happen to him. I just didn't think that it would affect him this quickly, if at all. He's always seemed so-"
"Strong." Alenia finished quietly. The courtyard was quiet, despite the fact that the entire Company was out in the fresh air before they would have to go back to searching for the Arkenstone.
Or it was, until Dwalin raced down the steps from the fortified wall, heading for Thorin.
"Thorin, survivors...from Laketown. They are streaming into Dale. There's hundreds of them."
Alenia watched as a rare smile that had been on his face from talking to Bilbo disappeared in a flash.
"Call everyone to the gate." Thorin said, walking towards the gaping hole in the protective wall that guarded Erebor. "TO THE GATE! NOW!"
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"Kili." Alenia said, grabbing ahold of his arm, as he went to pick up another piece of stone to add to the growing pile standing in as a gate into the mountain. "You know this isn't right."
"I know, love." Kili responded, tearing a hand through his hair. "But he's my uncle, as well as my king, and that means I must obey him."
"Even if he's wrong?" She asked, letting go of his arm.
"Even if he's wrong." He agreed, frowning, before he stooped to heave another chunk of rock to the gate.
"I want this fortress made safe by sunup." Thorin said. "This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again."
"The people of Laketown have nothing." Alenia called up to the king, causing him to jump down from where he stood, and stalk over to her. "They came to us in need. They have lost everything."
"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for."
"If you know of their hardship, then why leave them to it?" Alenia protested. "If you do, then you're no better than the elves of Mirkwood-"
Thorin's hand was moving towards her in a flash, and Alenia just barely managed to block it. But she didn't see his other hand coming, clenched into a fist, until it collided with her face.
