An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Battle Continues

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Thalia looked around trying to spot Bilbo in case something had happened to him; the orcs were still coming thick and fast meaning that Dale was practically overrun by now. 

There were still people around them fighting and Thalia had a feeling that no one was willing to flee from the battle when there was nowhere for them to go even if all hope seemed lost. 

Bilbo was doing surprisingly well with holding off the orcs that swarmed around them, he was determined to prove his worth and help out in any way that he could.

Thalia was relieved that the orcs seemed to be thinning out right now giving her a small break from the fighting; she was careful as she moved across the street in case someone decided to take her out. 

Brushing her fingers through her hair, Thalia doubted that anyone back home would recognise her now if they were to see her. 

Shaking her head to stop herself from thinking about home, Thalia wasn't sure where that was anymore and part of her had begun to think of this as her home. 

Her life back on Earth had been so lonely and yet here Thalia felt for the first time that she belonged, that she had a family that loved her, that there was someone that loved her for her. 

There was no telling how much of that would remain when this was all over, Thalia didn't know if Thorin would ever snap out of the gold-sickness that consumed him but she was sure that she wouldn't have to return back to Earth unless she wanted to. 

Bilbo walked over to Thalia taking in the bodies that scattered along the floor, they were both lucky to only support scratches, bruises and cuts which was little compared to what could have happened.

***

Walking towards the throne where Thorin was sat, Dwalin couldn't help but stare sadly at the dwarf that he would have followed anywhere; he couldn't believe how far he had fallen since they had retaken Erebor. 

"Thorin..." Dwalin said knowing that he needed to tell him about the state of the battle, it wasn't looking good and he doubted it would be long before they would be fighting themselves. 

Dain was losing and it would not be long before the armies turned their attention to the mountain, there was no way that the company would be able to hold Erebor for long. 

"They are dying out there," Dwalin stated when there was no reply from Thorin, he had no idea what to expect anymore especially now that Thalia was gone. 

His eyes had swept the battle ground for any sign of the blonde before he had come to speak with Thorin; there was no sign with her and he prayed to Aulë that she would be alright. 

Thorin looked down at Dwalin confused in what he was being told, his mind starting to put together a plan in case the mountain was breached and his treasure was lost. 

"There are holes beneath holes within this mountain, places we can fortify, sure up, make safe," Thorin rambled making Dwalin wonder what had happened to the dwarf that had once been his friend. 

There was no sign of him anymore, he had hoped that news that they were losing this war might snap him out of it especially after he had banished Thalia and Bilbo. 

 "We must move the gold further underground to safety," Thorin urged getting to his feet, he moved to head for the treasury only for Dwalin to stop him short. 

Dwalin couldn't help but fear how much further Thorin was going to fall, he had never seen him like this before.

"There is no sign of Thalia..." Dwalin said hoping to get some sort of reaction from Thorin, something had to give and they could not continue on this path.