Ya'aburnee

The Sky is Falling Down, it Crashed into This Lonely Town

The others soon joined them outside, up in the ruins of Dale, watching helplessly as the dragon flew across the lake.  All at once, the town was ablaze, angry red shining off the water. Olivia's hands were clenched so tightly, crescents of red sprung from her palms, joining the silvery lines of her scars.

She had been assigned to protect the lives of Fili and Kili as well, had she not? And they were both down there now, in the blaze, along with all the people of Laketown, burning. The screams of the people were too distant to hear, but in her mind, she could almost hear them. The clanging of the warning bell however was not unheard, traveling northward to them.

She was not the only one who was weeping, staring helplessly at the distant fire and the great plume of smoke that rose from it. "Poor souls," Balin murmured from behind her, and she bowed her head in shame.

The rest of the company did the same, full of shame, and worry. Blaming themselves, because if it had not been for them, the dragon might have never crashed upon the town. They worried for the rest of the company, Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin too, knowing that they would be lucky indeed to make it out alive.

There was only one of the company who did not look to the south, looking instead northwards, towards the mountain. Bilbo noticed Thorin, away from the group, seemingly uncaring about the fate of the town. Olivia knew he was there as well, but did not look to confirm. She instead imagined he stood with the group behind her, looking as devastated and worried and ashamed as she felt. She knew once, he would have, and that was the version of him she saw in her head. The version she was admitting to herself that she had grown to love. She did not know if she could bear to look him in the eyes and see a stranger staring back.

A sudden screaming roar made her head snap up, watching as the dragon rose high above the town, writhing, its body illuminated from below by the orange firelight, and it screamed and roared until it reached the apex of it's flight. The glowing light within the creature died, and it plummeted. Its wings rose upwards from the force of the wind, falling on it's back into the lake.

She let out a gasp, of relief? Surprise? She wasn't sure, her body flooded with an odd mix of joy and grief. The dragon hadn't killed them all, but she was sure that the deaths numbered many. 

"What was that?" Ori asked at the noise of the loud splash of the dragon hitting the water. "What happened?"

"It fell," Olivia breathed out, surprising herself with a huff of laughter. "Someone killed it!"

"Yes, I saw it!" Bilbo agreed, rushing forwards to stand over Olivia's shoulder. "It's dead..." He turned back to the dwarves. "Smaug is dead."

"By my beard, I think they're right!" Gloin said as Olivia turned, standing. She clutched a hand to her chest and let out a deep breath, a small smile. The cawing of a bird was heard, and Gloin continued, "Look there! The Ravens of Erebor are returning to the mountain!"

"Aye," Balin said, "Word will spread. Before long, every soul in Middle Earth will know that the dragon is dead. 

Olivia looked up with a peaceful smile at the birds as her friends cheered, the first hints of dawn shining pink on the snowy top of the Lonely Mountain. Her smile faltered, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. It was Thorin, who walked quickly now down the steps from the ruins of Dale towards the gates of the mountain again, not even sparing a glance at the lake, shining with fire.

She felt a stabbing in her chest, watching his familiar back recede from her, in an all unfamiliar way. Bilbo stepped beside her, following her gaze, getting a worried look as well. 

***

Eventually, they all realized that Thorin was returning to the halls of the mountain, and, although mildly confused that their leader did not let them know, followed him anyways. Olivia stayed until the last dwarves were leaving the lookout, biting her lip nervously as she fell in line last with Balin. Balin had quickly noticed too, and was even more worried now that he saw that Olivia was worried as well.

"He is not himself," Balin spoke quietly, so the others could not hear, and she agreed with a shake of her head.

"Balin... what...?" She wasn't sure exactly what she was trying to ask. "How can we...?"

"Help him?" Olivia nodded to Balin finishing her question for her. He sighed. "I don't know lass. Perhaps we have nothing to worry about. This was a big night, after all, homecoming, fighting the dragon... and don't forget, his nephews were in that town." She nodded, looking ahead at the leader in the front.

They reached the doors, finally, and quickly, it became evident that it was worse than they had thought. Thorin had gone immediately to the great treasure, looking at it in awe, the rest of the company shifting nervously. "What are you all standing around for?" He asked coldly, turning slowly to the company. "We must find the Arkenstone. Begin searching. Light the braziers, so the search is easier."

"The company hasn't had rest for over a day," Balin tried to argue, "Perhaps it would be best to take a short rest..."

Thorin cut him off. "No! Start looking." The company, besides Bilbo, quickly scattered, over the large pile, digging through it for any sign of the heart of the mountain. "Olivia," The calling of her name made her turn back to the king, standing awkwardly.

"Yes?" She asked nervously.

He looked at her in a way that made her a little uneasy, shifting from one foot to the other. "I know your eyes are not as sharp in the dark as those of my kin," He motioned her to walk with him, and she nearly tripped over herself falling into step with him. "You will stay by my side. I have much I wish to show you."

She opened her mouth to protest slightly, but her words fell short. She had no good excuse, except that he wasn't her commander, although that excuse might fall flat, as she had never questioned following him before. She noticed him looking up at her and just nodded curtly. Satisfied, he turned to lead her further into the mountain, taking a torch to light their way.

"What do you think of my city, so far?" He asked her.

"Oh... Uh." She stuttered. "I haven't seen much of it, yet, but I... I like it. It's..." She looked up at the towering ceilings high above. "Grand." That was the only word she could think of in that moment to describe it.

Thorin smiled up at her, but it was not his smile. She looked away, walking rigidly beside him. He walked with intent, quickly finding the room he was looking for. It was the dressing room for the king, filled with furs and silks and gems. In the back of the room, in the center, there lay a crown, heavy and detailed, and Thorin walked quickly over to it, Olivia standing nervously at the threshold. 

He breathed out in wonder, fingers ghosting over the cold metal of it. He lifted it slowly, placing it upon his head. He turned to Olivia with a grin. "What do you think?"

'I hate it.' The metal looked almost harsh, pressing upon his hair and although it was made of precious metal, it looked somehow plain and gaudy all at once. She couldn't put her finger on why she hated it so much. Perhaps it was the look it put in his eyes. "It is becoming of you." She lied through her teeth with a small smile and a tip of her head.

He smiled and turned away from her, putting on some of the furs as well, and as he did, dressing up more and more like a king, she realized what had caused her to have such a negative reaction to the crown; he didn't look like him anymore.