Ya'aburnee

Sickness

Eventually, they returned to the  hoard to check on the others, and there was yet no progress on finding the precious gem. Bilbo looked at her questioningly as they returned to the huge chamber, and she shrugged subtly, although there was an uncomfortable expression on her face. He had tried to get her to try on some of the furs, but she had refused, citing her vegetarianism as the reason. In truth, that was only part of the reason. She was getting the distinct impression he was trying to buy her affection, or dress her up to show off his new wealth, or something of the sort, his apparent 'kindness' feeling rather shallow and fake.

Bilbo approached them both. "Have they made any progress?" Thorin asked him.

"Uh, yes," Bilbo replied, "The braziers are lit, and most of the chamber is lightened up now. But uh... still no Arkenstone."

"I see." Thorin sounded quite upset, and Olivia and Bilbo looked to one another. His behavior was starkly different than it had been even a week ago. Both were wondering about the people of Laketown, and Olivia nodded to Bilbo, letting him know that she would ask.

"What... what of the survivors from Laketown?" She asked tentatively, and Thorin was quiet for a long while.

"We do not know if there even are any survivors." He sounded so indifferent about it, Olivia furrowing her eyebrows and looking incredulously to Bilbo when Thorin turned away to look over the huge pile of gold.

"But... Fili, Kili... and Oin and Bofur!" Olivia said, "Shouldn't we at least try to see if they are alright? And see if there is anyone else in need of aide?"

Thorin looked up at her and smiled, but it was almost patronizing. "Oh, Olivia. So loyal to the company you've become. And how naïvely kind are your thoughts of others. Even though they tried to hinder us, you still wish to make sure the people of Laketown are okay?"

Her jaw dropped slightly before clenching tightly. "They helped us, Thorin. And they're people! That is all I need to know for me to hold concern for them."

He didn't seem to hear her fully, just squeezing her arm, almost affectionately before turning and walking forwards. She stared after him in shock. It felt like her  heart was being ripped from her chest. Thorin, her Thorin, was dead, replaced by some ill copy. "Walk with me." He ordered over his shoulder, and Bilbo gave Olivia a look of concern and pity as the woman moved to follow the dwarf king. Before she caught up, she whispered to Bilbo, "If the others show up, turn them away..." She gulped. "I do not know if it is safe for any of us to be near this treasure... or Thorin."

She swiftly caught up to the king, walking just behind him, over his right shoulder, hands crossed behind her back. She wanted to leave the mountain, talk to the others, come up with some plan to help Thorin, or to get everyone the hell out. But she couldn't. She was stuck following Thorin around as he oversaw everything. He hadn't yelled at her yet, though he yelled at the others, but every time she hesitated, or went rigid, or pulled away from him, she could see the anger simmering beneath.

He was especially cold and frustrated when she and Bilbo begged him to go out, help the people of Laketown. The gold and treasure could wait! But he resented that, and would not leave until the Arkenstone was found.

For days he stood over the treasure, not letting Olivia leave his sight, so that she had to sleep lying on the mound of gold, getting more and more nervous. She was afraid that even if the disease lifted from his mind, she would not be able to see him the same. He had never caused her to be afraid of him before. Now, she sit nervously, telling herself that these were all signs of an abusive relationship, something she'd conditioned herself to avoid. What if she could never forget this? What if she had to tear herself from him forever to rid herself of this awful feeling?