Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Thirty Eight: The Plan

Both Bella and Thorin were on their feet once the mountain had officially stopped shaking for the time being. The company all stared into the doorway, into the mountain and an orange glow lit up the tunnel. "Bilbo?" Bella uttered beside Thorin who clearly didn't even hear her as his own fears took over. The young woman slowly made her way towards the entrance, unaware how close she had come, wondering what had become of her friend. Was he even still alive? Did the dragon already get him? Bella was about to take another step closer when the tunnel lit up again and a rush of hot air hit her skin.

"Bella get back!" She felt someone grab her by the arm and pulled her away from the entrance and looked beside her to see it was Dwalin.

"What about Bilbo?" Ori asked.

"Give him more time." Thorin said as he refused to look at any of his men or the woman.

"I think we've given him enough time, Thorin!" Bella pressed. " He could get killed!"

"You're afraid." He spat and the half-breed just glared at him, wondering what brought on this change of behavior.

"Yes, I'm afraid, Thorin. And I know damn well you are too!" The woman snapped.

"I am not afraid." Thorin denied, feeling the anger in him rise. She was about to say something, when someone else intervened.

"I'm afraid." Balin confessed, narrowing his eyes at the leader and stepping in front of Bella, so she was behind him. " I fear for you!" He continued, pointing a finger at him and Thorin looked away and stared into the darkness. " A sickness lies on that treasure hoard, a sickness which drove your grandfather mad!"

"I am not my grandfather." Thorin stated, angrily.

"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." Thorin sneered, causing Balin to take a step back in shock. He feared this was to happen when they got here.

" Bilbo. His name is Bilbo! What is wrong with you, Thorin?" Bella shouted, coming from behind Balin. Thorin still refused to even look at either one of them...or any of the others for that matter. He wasn't about to risk his life just to go in after the Hobbit. When Bella saw she wasn't going to get anywhere with the Dwarf, she pulled out her sword and started heading towards the door.

"Bella, where are you going?" Ori asked, looking at her worriedly.

"I'm going in to save my friend. I don't know what the rest of you are doing." She pressed, walking with determination into the mountain and started running, disappearing around the corner. The Dwarves all looked to their leader wondering why he wasn't following in after her.

"Are you just going to let the lass, you care about face the dragon alone!?" Dwalin yelled at him, causing Thorin to tear his gaze away from the night and look in the direction of the mountain. He did a quick look amongst his company and sure enough, the young woman was not among them. Thorin's face expression suddenly changed he was no longer filled with a strong sense of resentment, but guilt and apprehension for not stopping her when he could and the king without question charged through the door, pulling out his sword as he chased after the half-breed, the others following close behind him with their weapons drawn.

As Bella ran further down the tunnel, it didn't occur to her until now, that she had no idea which passage led to the treasure room. The half-breed knew she couldn't wait for Thorin or the others to catch up to her, by then who knows what damages the dragon could do in that time. Bella went with the only thing she could rely on, which was her gut feeling and she charged through the tunnel that she thought would take her to the treasure room.