The Undecided Title Of Sara Miller *Hobbit Fanfiction* (Thorin/OC)

Chapter 66: Despair and Deception

"You are not welcome here, you or your treacherous thieving people," shouted Thorin, his face red and splotchy.

"It's you who is the traitor, the liar," shouted Eric just as vehemently. The two lake men who held Eric back looked uncomfortable with the altercation. "You promised us safety inside the mountain and yet you have delivered us to a grave."

Sara stood to the side, numb as the words flew like daggers between Eric and Thorin. What was going on? How had things devolved this quickly? They stood in the remains of the entry hall, the thick black smoke waffling around the high arches of the room. Ever so slowly the smoke drew lower and lower as the room filled. They were trapped in the mountain and yet all these two could think to do was hurl accusations at each other.

They had searched the flaming rubble for any survivors but only managed to locate the remnants of two guards so far. Thorin, however, insisted that they continue and find the remaining thieves. When they asked who the thieves were and what they had attempted to steal, he told them in hushed and cautious tones of the four guards who had attempted to steal the black arrow lodged in Smaug's chest and blown up the front gate.

Sara's stomach churned, remembering the glittering insistence in Thorin's eyes as he said the missing guards must be found and slain for the protection of all. It only got worse when several minutes later Eric and the two other men arrived only to find the front gate blocked with stone and fire. Sara wasn't sure who had started shouting first, but with every second the argument had grown more heated and less intelligible or productive.

"We must stop them," said Balin, beside her. "Thorin is not in his right mind and if this goes on much longer things will be said that cannot be unsaid."

"I agree," said Sara, glancing at her siblings, sitting some distance away watching. "But how do you suggest we break up the fight?"

"I will see what we can employ. But I will need you to remain. I'm afraid diplomacy will be much more difficult without you here."

Sara nodded and Balin made his way towards Dwalin and Oin. After a few whispered words to them, Balin nodded and waved her near before approaching Thorin.

"Might we have a word?" asked Balin, placing a cautious hand on Thorin's shoulder.

Thorin shrugged the hand off irritably. "Leave me be," he said, his attention still riveted on Eric.

But Balin did not back down. "Sara is concerned for your health," said Balin quietly.

"My health is fine!"

"It's not just Sara, Oin is also concerned. You have bled quite profusely from your head wound."

Thorin finally turned to look at him and then Sara.

"You did bleed a lot," she said. "Oin should look at your ribs again. You may have reinjured then."

"Perhaps we could all use a moment to assess," said Balin looking toward the disgruntled lake men. "Would you be able to identify the two men whose remains we pulled from the rubble? Who might their compatriots have been? Are there any missing persons we should be aware of? Also what resources were your people able to bring with them? Once we have those answers we might be better equipped to discuss our options moving forward."

Eric and the other two men didn't look entirely convinced but after a few whispered words, the men agreed and drifted across the room to speak in low tones. At last, Thorin relented and followed Balin back toward the others.

"Sit," instructed Oin, motioning to Thorin. Reluctantly the dwarf king sat with his back to the healer.

"I tell you I am well," grumbled Thorin, though Sara saw him wince as he shifted his weight.