Torn In Two | Thorin Oakenshield |

16. Erebor

A/N: I'm so sorry for the late update! I went out of state for a few days and had no service.

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The moment we entered Erebor, I could sense something was wrong. It was like a darkness hung within the air. Tainted it's glorious walls and I remember feeling such a thing back at the fortress.

Taking in deep breaths, I follow behind the dwarves cautiously, glad that things between this small group have resolved.

After my breakdown, everyone was quiet at first. Most likely trying to take everything in and decide what to do with me. My sanity was close to breaking thanks to all the stress but everything turned out okay after awhile.

They don't completely trust me but all the hesitant looks and glares have finally disappeared.

Anxiety pools at my stomach and I'm not sure if it's because I have to face the rest of the Company, or because I'm in a large kingdom that's so empty. Probably both.

I shiver slightly as a cold chill ghosts by and my arms immediately go to shield my freezing torso.

"Here." Fili stops a few feet away, shrugging off his coat and stretching his arm out. "Dwarves are used to this."

Surprised by his gesture, I stare at the item for a few seconds to decipher if this is some kind of trick.

After finding no source of mischief within his gesture, a shy grin stretches out onto my lips and I take the clothing with a nod. "Thank you."

Fili gives a half smile in return and moves to catch up with the others after I've put the larger item on. The furs instantly tickle my torso upon contact and I let out a breath, seeing it form right in front of me.

"Wait!" A familiar voice shouts in panic and I glance up to see Bilbo racing down the stairs. "Wait!"

"It's Bilbo!"
"He's alive!

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" He instructs with a hand stretched out, his bare feet nearly slipping against the cold stone. "You need to leave." Bilbo huffs out as he reaches the last step, sliding in front of us and I stand next to Bofur nervously.

"We all need to leave." He takes in a few deep breaths, occasionally looking my way with the same distrust like the others had before. 

"We only just got 'ere." Bofur defends and the others mutter things in agreement.

"I've tried talking to him but he won't listen." The hobbit informs and immediately answers Oin's question."Thorin." Bilbo says firmly before checking the path whence he came.

"Thorin?" I mutter, my heart now pounding as it squeezes in fear. "What's happened to Thorin?"

"He's been down there for days." Bilbo continues to answer in pieces and I glance over to Fili, who is eyeing something down the hall. "He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself."

I blink at the new information and wonder if it's due to the darkness I've been feeling since we've arrived.

"It's this place." Bilbo confirms my thoughts while pointing all around frantically. "I think a sickness lies on it." He hunches over a bit to catch his breath and I stare down at the ground in thought.

There shouldn't been any curses here. Whoever Azog was serving, only corrupted the fortress and I don't recall any enchants being cast on Erebor. I gulp and turn my attention when Fili suddenly runs off to descend the many steps to our right.

"Fili!" Bilbo calls and follows him hurriedly, causing the rest of us to run down as well. "Fili!"

I breathe out through my mouth as the stairs continue to stretch on, leading us down to a golden glow that seems to harness all the dark power. The ache residing in my heart has yet to disappear and it only worsens the closer we get to the room.