Battle Scars (Hobbit/Star Wars Crossover)

Chapter 14: The Sickness

Once I reached the entrance of the giant fortress, I saw that it was destroyed. No doubt that was Smaug's doing. As soon as I entered, Bilbo and Neria approached me. They both looked worried and I wasn't entirely sure why.

"You need to leave. We all need to leave." Bilbo urged as he grabbed my arm.

I furrowed my brows. "I don't understand. Bilbo, what's going on?"

"I tried talking to him, but he won't listen. Thorin's been down with the treasure for days. He doesn't sleep, he barely eats. He's not been himself, not at all. It's this, it's this place. I think a sickness lies upon it." Bilbo explained.

"A sickness?" I repeated, rather baffled.

I then remembered Elrond's words back in Rivendell. "Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?"

"The sickness...it's real?" I inquired.

Bilbo wore a grim look as he nodded. "I'm afraid so."

Before any of us could say anything, Thorin approached us. He wore a stern look on his face. "What are you doing here? My Arkenstone has not been found yet."

"Thorin, Miona just returned from Lake-town." Neria mentioned.

"Then she will be of good use in helping find the Arkenstone." Thorin retorted.

With that, he stormed back into the fortress. I looked over at Bilbo and Neria, who both wore grim looks. Once we walked inside, we met up with the rest of the company, including Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Anakin. We were all relieved to see one another in one piece. However our reunion was short-lived as Thorin ordered all of us to search for the Arkenstone in the massive piles of golden coins, jewels, and other treasure.

"Any sign of it?" Thorin asked.

"Nothing here!" I shouted out.

"Nothing here." Ori mentioned.

Ahsoka groaned. "I found nothing."

"Keep searching!" Thorin barked.

"That jewel could be anywhere." Obi-Wan commented. "It can take weeks to find it."

"The Arkenstone is in these halls, Master Kenobi. Now find it!" Thorin ordered. "All of you! No one rests until it is found!"

As we continued searching, I noticed Thorin grab a necklace of white gems. Uncle Thranduil's words echoed in my head. "There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight."

Thorin laughed. "The White gems of Lasgalen. I know an Elf King who will pay a pretty price for these."

I then watched as he threw the necklace into the giant pile of jewels as though they were nothing to him. I watched as he stormed off. Was there any way to get the old Thorin back? There had to be hope, even if it was a sliver.

•••

Thorin, Dwalin, Bilbo, and I were in Thorin's throne chambers. We watched as Thorin paced back and forth, looking frustrated. "It is here in these halls, I know it."

"We have searched and searched." Dwalin informed him.

Thorin shook his head. "Not well enough."

"Thorin, believe me we would all like to see the stone returned to its rightful place." I assured him, hoping he'd snap out of this sickness.

"And yet it's still not found!" Thorin snapped.

"Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" Balin asked.