"I don't understand why it was so difficult for anyone to understand how important you guys were." Bilbo grumbled from his comfy chair, shaking his head in shame. "I mean, if it wasn't for you guys...they probably wouldn't be in the presence of the rightful rulers to the throne."

Antien and Frerin were now sitting at my feet while Estelwen was still in Thorin's lap.

"Sadly," Thorin grumbled as he tried to keep our daughter from squirming around, holding up his finger to his lips as our daughter pouted and nodded her head reluctantly. "it only got worse before it could get better."

"I don't understand how you kept a level head throughout all of this." Bilbo mumbled bringing the cup of tea up to his lips, taking a small sip. "Especially everyone keeping their cool around the dwarves. If I was there I would probably have had a word or two to say to them."

"Grin and bear it as our Nana would always say." Beriohtarion said with a slight smirk as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"So what-"

"Mr. Bilbo." Frerin said turning his head to look back at Bilbo, holding a finger to his lips. "Shh."

Bilbo glared playfully down at my son who only returned the glare with a slight pout as I could only chuckle at the little exchange.

"Frerin." I called out bringing my sons attention back to me as I shook my head still with a smile on my face. "Manners."

"Sorry Mr. Bilbo..." Frerin mumbled quietly as Bilbo and I shared a smile.

"Balin." I called out as I finally was able to stop the elder dwarf in his tracks.

"Belle." Balin greeted with a smile. "What can I do for you lass?"

"I would like to speak with you...if you have time." I said with a smile. "In private if that is alright with you."

"Sure lass." Balin agreed as he turned to walk. "Shall we head to my studies to talk?"

I nodded my head as I followed the elder dwarf to his study room and began to think on how to start off the conversation...my mind all in a jumble, but I knew that I needed some information. Information that I hoped Balin could provide me with.

I followed Balin for a while before he turned and opened a door, motioning for me to step in first before closing the door behind him.

"Now, what is it you would like to talk about Belle?" Balin questioned as he moved from the door to a table that was situated in the middle of the room.

"I actually want to speak to you about how the meetings with the counselors are doing." I stated, pulling out a chair from across Balin and taking a seat. "I am curious to see what the other counselors are saying and if the rumors are true."

I watched as Balin sighed before placing a hand over his eyes.

"Depends on what rumors you have heard Belle." Balin sighed. "There's so much going around that I'm appalled by such disloyalty."

"There have been talks among Thorin's counselors that due to Thorin being with me...he may lose his right to the throne." I spoke bluntly getting straight to business causing Balin to look up at me in shock before quickly recovering.

"That is actually confidential...it was supposed to be only known among the counselors." Balin shook his head. "Where did you hear that from Belle?"

'I can't tell him that Gamil had spoken to me about that certain matter...' I thought as I coughed into my hand. "I overheard some counselors speaking amongst themselves; they assumed they were alone..."

Balin gave me a suspicious look before sighing sadly.

"I would like to say that it's all just talk...that it's simply a threat because they don't approve of an elf being with Thorin. But...I'm afraid it's true, they've been discussing this in secrecy without me being a part of their secret meetings...not even Thorin knows of their intention yet." Balin sighed. "Order is surely slipping I'm afraid...and there will be a point where we won't be able to control it."

"I am curious...if Thorin knew and was given an ultimatum, what would he choose." I questioned, dreading what Balin's reply would be...though deep down I kind of knew what Thorin would do.

"Understand this Belle." Balin stated, crossing his arms across his chest as he leaned back into his chair, his head lowered as he looked to be in deep thought about his next words. "If you had asked me this question possibly at the beginning of this quest, I would tell you that he would choose his throne in a blink of an eye." Balin then sighed and looked back to me, staring straight into my eyes as he smiled slightly. "But now...I have never seen Thorin look at another female the way he looks at you. I've known Thorin since he was a little dwarfling. There have been many suitors that have come up to him and he has turned them away. I can't even remember any lass actually catching his attention like you have."

Balin reached out and placed a hand upon my own that was resting in the middle of the table.

"If you want my honest answer Belle: the throne is indeed important to Thorin, but...I think if he were forced to decide giving you up for the throne, or forfeit the throne to be with you...he would give up the throne in a heartbeat." Balin said.

'The throne is indeed important to Thorin...' I thought as I looked at Balin's hand over my own. 'but...can I live with myself if he were to give that up? He would be ridiculed and his name would be forever slandered if he were to choose an elf over his birth right...'

"Are the counselors planning to tell Thorin this any time soon?" I questioned curiously.

"I can't say for sure if they will or not, they don't tell me about those meetings." Balin said. "They'll probably spring it on in any meeting when they want to."

"I suppose I will find out when Thorin decides to storm into our room with a murderous look..." I mumbled, slowly getting back to my feet. "Thank you Balin for answering my question, I am sorry for taking up your time if you were headed somewhere important."

"It's not a problem lass." Balin said with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry things aren't going as smoothly as I had hoped. I was actually hoping that once we reclaimed our homeland that things would just fall into place and there wouldn't be a problem...but I guess not everything goes the way we plan."

I shook my head and went over to place a hand on Balin's shoulder.

"I am sure things will settle soon..." I said sadly. "then you can relax and not stress so much."

Balin smiled and reached up to place a hand over my own.

"I do hope you are right Belle." Balin mumbled.

I nodded my head before placing my hand back at my side.

"I shall see you around Balin." I stated, heading toward the door. "I must go and make sure my kin are keeping themselves in order...not to mention seeing if they are progressing with our restoration plans."

"Thank you Belle..." Balin mumbled causing me to turn and look back at the elder dwarf over my shoulder.

"Hm...?"

"For relieving some stress off of Thorin...I think if you weren't helping out much then I think Thorin would've caved in by now and went off on his father's counselors." Balin stated.

I smiled and nodded before taking my leave back to my room.

I had hoped to get some peace once I get to my room, but as Balin had said...not everything goes as planned for the moment I opened my door I was greeted by an enraged King.

"Those blasted insolent, infuriating, insufferable dwarves." Thorin was mumbling to himself as he kept pacing back and forth in the middle of the room. "I don't understand why my grandfather kept them around...I don't even understand why I keep them around."

"Thorin?" I questioned, quietly closing the door behind me. "What is wrong my King?"

Thorin only mumbled as he kept on pacing, he didn't seem to notice me and kept cursing in both Khuzdul and in common tongue.

I could only sigh and went over to the pacing dwarf getting right behind him. As soon as he swiftly turned to pace back the other way Thorin bumped right into me causing him to stumble back ever so slightly.

While Thorin was rubbing his forehead I gently placed both my hands on his shoulder and kept him still. Thorin looked up at me and I saw the stress lines on his face edge away while a serene expression replaced it.

"Welcome back Thorin." I joked ever so slightly as I chuckled just a bit. "Now what troubles you on this lovely afternoon?"

Thorin looked torn before I felt his shoulders slump under my hands.

"Thorin?" I questioned a bit unsure as I slowly placed my hands back at my side. "What happened?"

"It's my grandfather's counselors again..." Thorin mumbled as he slowly turned his back to me. "They...they're making me choose."

'They didn't...' I thought, the feeling of dread settling in the pit of my stomach. "Choose Thorin?"

"If I choose to keep you by my side...then I forfeit my right to the throne." Thorin growled out as I could see his hands clench at his side. "I just don't understand why they can't understand...it's not that hard to get!"

It hurt my heart to see Thorin struggle, and it hurt even more to know that I'm part of the cause for his troubles.

"What did you tell them?" I questioned curiously.

"Nothing, I stormed out the moment they spoke." Thorin replied, as he laced his hands together behind his back. "I would not hear another word, or hear their reason for saying such a thing."

Thorin sighed before he went over to sit on the edge of the bed, placing his head in his hands.

"I'm going to tell them tomorrow that if I have to forfeit the throne then I will." Thorin suddenly said after a few minutes of silence.

"Thorin..." I mumbled swiftly moving to stand in front of him, kneeling down just a bit. "you can't..."

Thorin held his hand up to silence me before reaching out and taking one of my hands into his own, giving it a tight squeeze.

"If it wasn't for you Belle I wouldn't be standing here, breathing. My nephews wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your family. You've done so much for my kin and some of the stuff the counselors assume it's just a fairy story." Thorin mumbled. "I almost lost you once Belle and it wasn't by choice. This time I do have a choice and I'm not going to choose to let you go."

"Thorin..."

I couldn't finish my sentence for Thorin had gotten straight onto his feet and silenced me with his lips on my own...it caught me off guard and I was unable to react. When my mind finally registered what was happening he pulled away.

"This conversation is over." Thorin stated his face still very close to mine. "No more talk of this Belle...if I have to give up the throne just to be with you then I will. Fili is the next in line for the throne...I will just assist Fili in his ruling. He will be a great King."

"But Thorin, you should not have to give up anything for something that rightfully belongs to you." I defended, reaching my hand out to place it over his. "The throne, this mountain, is your birthright. You have fought and risked your life to reclaim it for your people. You should not have to give it up...this is...it is important to you."

"But you're more important." Thorin said straight out without giving it a second thought. "The throne is indeed my birthright, but I have said before...you are more important than the Kings Jewel, and you are definitely more important than the throne."

'Thorin...' I thought as I took a step back. "And what of your people...they will always think badly of you and your kin for choosing an elf over the kingdom."

"I could care less what they think of me." Thorin grumbled as he shook his head. "Let them talk all they want."

Thorin leaned forward and placed a kiss to my forehead before sighing and walked around me, heading to the door.

"I've made my choice my sweet jewel." Thorin mumbled. "I wish we could spend this time alone together...but I have to go and speak with Balin. I'll be back here later tonight..."

Thorin turned to leave and though he assured me that he was alright with his decision, I felt a slight unease with the way we left this conversation. The expressions he conveyed were different from the words he spoke...and I knew he was conflicted. His words weren't lying...that much I could tell, but I'm sure that it hurt to know that he was giving up his throne. His eyes were so sad...and it was my fault.

He is being forced to choose between someone he loves and something that he deserved...something that I fought hard for him to claim. Not to mention I had gone against the path the Valar had set, and almost paid with my life...not to mention my nephews almost lost their lives for my decision.

I was getting irritated with all this thinking; I could feel my head hurting as I reached up to pinch the bridge of my nose.

'What am I going to do...' I thought as I left the room, sighing.

As I walked around the kingdom, I could see the disorder and the tension that my kin caused, though it was well hidden...to those that knew of the problem could see it clear as day and I growled in irritation.

"You." I called out to the nearest elf that had passed me, startling the poor thing at how loud I had accidentally called out for him. I looked to his ear and saw that he did not have a piercing. 'Must have joined us from Mirkwood.' I thought suddenly, looking him over.

"Yes Ma'am!" The young elf said his body stiff as he stood at attention.

"Have you seen Tauriel around?" I questioned as the young elf nodded.

"She took a group of elves to Dale, said that Bard had asked for some extra hands to help rebuild some of the buildings." The young elf said suddenly.

I nodded my head and turned to leave before turning back to him.

"You are from Mirkwood." I stated plainly causing him to nod.

"Yes Ma'am." The elf stated. "I joined up with you, along with many others, after the battle. It's an honor to finally meet you in person." The elf looked away a bit embarrassingly. "I was just one of many of the new recruits that you were training back in Greenwood the Great, so you probably don't remember me."

"I remember all of the people I have trained Aylan." I replied catching the young elf off guard. "Thank you for the help and keep up the good work."

I instantly left toward one of the areas that held our horses, mounted one and took off toward Dale, set to find one person.

The horse I was on galloped straight across the open field that lay between Erebor and the city, and once I hit the bridge that connected the two places I pulled on the reigns causing the horse to come to a slow trot.

"Excuse me," I called to a passing villager that was holding a bunch of wood. "I am looking for Bard or an elf with red hair."

"They're at the Great Hall ma'am." One of the villagers replied with a smile. "The very pretty elf and Bard is giving out orders and assignments to every able-bodied person, everyone is pitching in to help rebuild our home. You can find them there pretty lady."

"Thank you kind sir." I said with a nod and pulled the reigns of my horse in the direction of the Great Hall, ordering the creature to a slow trot through the streets of Dale.

When I reached my destination I saw Bard and Tauriel. The two looked to be slightly arguing over something on the piece of parchment that was held between them.

"Tauriel. Bard." I called, my horse slowly coming to a halt as I swung my leg over and off the horse.

"Bellethiel." Bard greeted with a relieved smile. "What brings you to Dale?"

"I was looking for Tauriel." I replied, taking a look around the open courtyard. "Progress seems to be going well."

"Yeah, it is." Bard commented with a smile. "With everyone pitching in, progress goes by much quicker and Dwarves tend to move quickly as well." Bard then turned to look back at me. "I know I've said this before, but it's really good to see you alright and walking around. The kids have been asking about you."

"Well give them my best." I said with a smile before shaking my head. "Sadly, this trip is not for entertainment purpose. Tauriel."

Tauriel nodded her head before handing the piece of paper back to Bard and came to my side.

"I will only be borrowing her for a second." I assured Bard who only waved away in dismissal.

"Please, take all the time you need." Bard commented with a smirk as he retreated back into the Great Hall.

I could only chuckle as I looked back to Tauriel who only glared slightly at the back at Bard.

"Did I miss something?" I questioned playfully causing Tauriel to shake her head.

"No, it's nothing. Just some slight disagreement." Tauriel assured as she then turned to look at me. "What did you want to talk about? Did Gamil talk to you again?"

I looked around and saw the courtyard crowded and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Let us go somewhere private." I commented, urging her away. "This is a conversation meant for our ears only..."

When Tauriel saw how serious I was being, her expression turned serious as well and she nodded her head as the two of us headed toward a secluded area on the second floor of an unoccupied building.

"What happened now Bellethiel?" Tauriel questioned with worry as I folded my arms across my chest and stared out into the scenery in front of us.

I told her of my conversation with Thorin, and I told her everything...never leaving out any small detail.

"So, Thorin was given an ultimatum..." Tauriel mumbled. "this cannot go well."

"I cannot see it going well." I said in agreement as I shook my head. "His people will always talk, and his name will go down in legend as the King who turned his back on his people and choose an elf over his followers. I do not know if I can live with that guilt Tauriel..."

"I wouldn't even know...what advice I can give you to help Bellethiel." Tauriel mumbled sadly. "I can think of two and both options have terrible outcomes."

I nodded my head, knowing exactly what two options she was talking about, and it was true...both paths led to both having terrible outcomes.