The King and Dragon Lord

Ch. 13

The next few days were rough. Thorin was not himself and everyone didn't know what to do. I was now worried for Bilbo too because the Orcs could kill him and get the One Ring while also getting me.

To help get my mind off of Thorin, the dwarves would go outside with me for most of the day to help me learn how to use a sword. That and we all wanted to do something to occupy our minds.

"C'mon Nex. Hit me." Kili said playfully and provoking me. He held his arms out.

I walked towards him. "I don't need to." I swung my sword and we went at it for a few seconds. When I raised my sword one last time Kili blocked it and looked at me. His eyes immediately went wide with regret and I swung my leg, knocking him to the ground. Everyone started laughing. "How do you keep forgetting I do that?" I said laughing as I helped Kili up.

"Must suck to get beaten by a girl brother." Fili went over to him and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Shut up." Kili pushed Fili away.

"You're getting very good at a sword after just using it for a few days," Dwalin said sounding very impressed.

"I guess it just came naturally." We all went back into Erebor laughing and making jokes. Mostly Fili messing with Kili.

While we were on our way to the armory to sharpen our swords and tend to them, we needed to pass through the forge. "Nex." I heard Balin say.

I stopped and looked at him. "Hm?" He nudged his head toward the Gallery of Kings. I looked over and saw Thorin walking around on the golden floor, wearing full royal attire.

"Do you want me to take your sword?" Balin asked as I started to walk off.

"No, it's fine. I'll keep it just in case." Balin nodded and I continued to walk to the Gallery of Kings. "Haven't seen you wear that before." I held one hand on the hilt of my sword as I walked over to him.

"Am I a bad king?"

I stood there dumbfounded. "What?" Thorin turned to me. His eyes were red and I could tell he had been upset. He was also holding his crown. "Thorin you're not a bad king."

"Nex I'm hurting everybody again. I even hurt you."

I walked over to him and grabbed his crown. "If this has to do with how the Arkenstone is affecting you." I placed the crown on his head and let one of my hands rest on his face. "It doesn't make you a bad king. I can see it's hard for you to fight its sickness and that is fine." My hand fell and when I turned to walk away he spoke.

"Do you still not trust me."

"I trust that you do the right thing." I looked at him once more before heading to the armory where the others were at.

Later that day, after everyone had gone to sleep, I stayed up sketching my vision. Except for the past few days, a bit more of it has been showing.

I am almost tempted to let you take it

If only to watch Oakenshield suffer

Watch it destroy him

Watch it corrupt his heart

And drive him mad!

But I think not

I think our little game ends here

So, tell me, thief

How do you choose to die

My door squeaked and when I looked up it was Bilbo. "Oh. Hi Bilbo. Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Bilbo shook his head. "I can't. What are you drawing?" He came over and sat on my bed.

"I keep having this vision of Smaug." I handed him the papers, one with the sketch and another with what Smaug says.

"This is what Smaug said to me. I was there." Bilbo looked at me and then back at the papers.

"I know. I remember you telling me about it when I passed through the Shire."

"Do you know why you keep having this vision?" Bilbo handed the papers back to me.

I shook my head. "No. But I'm honestly hoping to get an answer when I take the Arkenstone North."

"You think the dragons would know anything?"

"It would help to also get answers on what the heck a dragon lord is." I placed the papers and quill on the floor next to my bed. "Is the ring safe?"

"Never leaves my pocket," Bilbo said reassuringly while smiling. He showed it to me and put it back. "What did you mean it would make it easy for the Orcs?"

"Well. Sauron owned the ring. It was his and always is his. And with everything going on, if even a single Orc knew you had that they would instantly kill you and take it. Only giving him the power he so wishes he had because he can never be at his full potential without it."

He nodded. "What should I do with it?"

"Keep it safe for now. It doesn't seem like Sauron is worried about it at the moment."