Fire and Water ThorinxMermaid!OC

ꪻ᭙ꫀꪀꪻꪗ-ꫀ꠸ᧁꫝꪻ

A/N: I'm going to do a little bit of time jump to get the ball rolling a little more.

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The dwarves had made camp near the entrance to Erebor. Loreth was much more at ease without Thorin around as much as it pained her to realize that. She was eating like normal again and getting plenty of rest. The dwarves looked after her as if she were one of their own and she was very grateful for that.

The survivors from Lake-Town had since filtered into the city of Dale. When Thorin was informed of this, he made himself known only to bark orders, instructing them to build a wall from the rubble of the previous door. Thorin would glance at Loreth but she did not grant him the satisfaction of returning his gaze. He would try to go to her but the dwarves had her back and knew she wasn't ready to speak to him yet.

They were absolutely shocked to learn that Thorin had accosted her. That seemed to be the last straw for them too. He had fully descended into madness and was beyond help. That was really how Loreth saw it anyway.

The new master of Lake-Town, Bard, tried to speak with Thorin. All they wanted was food, shelter, somewhere out of the snow and cold. Loreth was not surprised that Thorin would not give them that. He was also no longer agreeing the terms of which were once promised in Lake-Town. A share of the treasure, but alas he had gone back on his word.

The company grew even more anxious when Thranduil from Mirkwood had arrived in Dale, with and army of elves clad in shiny gold armor. Although they had their fortress to protect them, the company was certainly outnumbered.

The worst bit of all came when Thranduil approached the mountain with his army; Bard at his side.

"We've come to inform you that payment of your debt has been offered, and accepted," Thranduil spoke carefully.

Loreth looked on from the ramparts in confusion. She hadn't recalled Thorin offering anything.

"Payment? I gave you nothing; you have nothing."

Bard spoke now, "We have this." He pulled something from his coat pocket and held it up high in the air. It was a large round jewel that emitted lights of blue and orange. It was absolutely magnificent. That had to be the arkenstone. So someone did have it. But who? All of the company was here and accounted for.

Kili became upset about this which came as a surprise to Loreth. Normally, he hadn't been consumed with finding the stone, "They have the arkenstone! Thieves!" Kili's voice changed liked Thorin's had. It was deeper and darker. It had to be the dragon sickness getting to him too. Thorin was bad enough she would hate to see nephew and uncle at each other's throats.

"That stone belongs to the king!" Fili called down.

"And the king may have it." Bard shrugged and put the stone away," with our goodwill too. But first he must honor his word."

Thorin thought for a moment, all eyes on him. Loreth prayed he would see reason in this, but she also knew that he was nearly too far gone.

"They are taking us for fools," Thorin smirked, "this is a ruse, a filthy lie. The real arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!"

"The stone is real..." came the kind voice of Bilbo Baggins. Loreth let her eyelids close with a sigh. Not Bilbo. Why would he give it to them? But then Loreth thought why would he not give it to them? He was just trying to get through to Thorin like they all were. "I gave it to them."

"You," Thorin seethed, " you would steal from me?"

"Steal from you? No! I may be a burglar but I like to think I'm an honest one," Bilbo bounced in the ball of his bare feet. Loreth couldn't help but smile at the hobbit. For someone so small he had more bravery and courage than perhaps all the company combined.