The Waterdancer

Chapter 25

It felt like all air was stolen from my lungs when I was facing the open tunnel. We did it. We were here. We were home. "Erebor." I breathed.

"Thorin..." I looked behind me to see Balin choking up in awe of the sight. I put my hand on my old friend's shoulder, and then I entered.

It was as if nothing had changed. I could feel a sting in my eyes as I walked through the halls that I never thought I'd see again. It even smelled the same. It smelled like...home. I ran my hands along the walls, taking in their texture once again. "I know these walls, these halls, this stone. You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light." I said.

My old friend nodded. "I remember."

I saw the company gathering around a carving in the wall that was located above the door. "Here lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all Dwarves in defense of this home." Gloin read aloud. Master Baggins kept his gaze on the carving, staring at it in awe.

"The throne of the king." Balin explained to him.

"And what's that above it?" the Hobbit asked. Balin paused before answering.

"The Arkenstone."

"Arkenstone. And what's that?" he asked. I raised my eyebrows and gave him a knowing look.

"That, Master Burglar, is why you are here."

Master Baggins widened his eyes a little as the company turned their eyes towards him. "I'll go with you." Nemirien offered.

"That is out of the question!" I nearly snapped.

The little Elf took a small step back. "Why?" she asked.

"It's alright, Nemirien. This is what I signed up for." Master Baggins cut in before I could. Nemirien paused before wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Be safe." she told him.

"Of course." the Hobbit smiled. Balin offered to show him the way, and once they were off, I led everyone else outside the door. All we could do now was wait.

...

It had been a couple of hours since we sent the Hobbit inside. I could feel my heart pounding faster with every minute he was in there. He had to find it. He just had to. It was the only way the Dwarf lords would acknowledge me as king. It was the only way I could get...my gold back.

That was when I felt the earth shaking underneath my feet. Several members of the company stood up. "What that an earthquake?" Dori asked.

"That, my lad...was a dragon." Balin said. I froze. Smaug was alive. Smaug was alive, and in the mountain. The Hobbit could be dead now, for all we know. I could feel myself crawling into my own thoughts. How was I supposed to get the Arkenstone if the Hobbit was dead? How else was I supposed to reclaim my ho-...my treasure?

Suddenly, we saw an orange glow coming from the entrance. "What about Bilbo?" Ori asked.

"Give him more time." I shrugged. It was fine. This was the Hobbit's job. This was what he signed the contract for.

"Trying to do what? To be killed?" Balin challenged. I turned to face him and I narrowed my eyes.

"You're afraid." I accused.

Balin raised his eyebrows. "Yes, I'm afraid. I fear for you. A sickness lies upon that treasure hoard, a sickness that drove your grandfather mad." I looked away from Balin and gritted my teeth.

"I am not my grandfather."

"You're not yourself. The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there-"

"I will not risk this quest for the life of one...burglar." I cut him off. I'd had enough of this. The burglar was the only one who could do this, and if he lost his life in the process...he signed a contract, I would not be liable for it.

"Bilbo. His name is Bilbo." Balin was looking at me with distaste in his eyes. I ignored him. Then I heard someone heading towards the door, and I turned around.

"What do you think you're doing?" I nearly shouted.

"I'm going after Bilbo. He may just be some burglar to you, but he's my friend. I will not leave him to die, not when I can do something about it." Nemirien said, and began to take another step forward.

"Stop!" I yelled.

"I was there, Thorin. I've seen the things that Smaug can do. I won't let that happen to Bilbo."

I blinked at her statement. She was right. What was I thinking, that Bilbo's life wasn't valuable? I gripped my sword. "I'm going in there." The company began to gather their own weapons in their hands. Nemirien stood next to me, and I gripped her arm before she could run in. "I understand that you want to protect your friend. I want to protect him too, believe me. But you have to promise me something before we take one step inside that mountain." Nemirien looked at me expectantly.

"You are never going to leave my sight while the dragon still lives. No matter what happens, you have to stay with me, and you cannot go anywhere I can't see you." The little Elf inhaled sharply, and didn't answer me. "Promise me, Nemirien." I pressed. When I saw her lip slightly quiver, I could see just how scared she really was.

"I promise." she said in a small voice.

I took her hand in mine and gave her a smile of encouragement. "Come on, then. Let's go get Bilbo." I let go of her hand, and we all ran into the mountain, not knowing if we would ever come out again.