A.N. (SLIGHT REWRITE) Woohoo for another story! This one will likely be shorter than my other stories, but will still have a few chapters to it. 😊 I had a dream about part of this, and have been itching to write Dark Thorin, don't ask me why. Don't worry, he won't stay bad for too, terribly long. Thank you for reading, and I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except original characters and plot points.

It wasn't supposed to have gone this way. She hadn't escaped her prison, and traveled hundreds of miles just to be held captive again. Then again, she hadn't really known what to expect from the dwarves. It was known among all races how suspicious they were, especially of magic. So, she supposed she shouldn't have been too surprised when they greeted her with distrust, not believing a word of her warnings. Seizing her and locking her in a room seemed a bit extreme, however.

Danica was an oracle, and had been sold to the men of the east not long after she'd had her first vision at five. Though she had been very little, she could still remember that day vividly. Screaming and crying as strange men pulled her from where she clutched at her mother's skirts. Since then, the men, and two sorcerers had kept her hidden away in the far east, training her, and using her visions for their own, evil purposes. There was no hiding her thoughts, though she had tried many times, for one of the sorcerers could read your thoughts as others read books, just by touching your skin. It had been torture, having him go through her dreams and thoughts every morning and night, punishing any rebellious thoughts by using her deepest fears against her. She had thought it couldn't get any worse, until she reached puberty. The sorcerers had made sure she learned that coupling was not nearly as pleasant as her hormones tried to tell her.

And yet, she had not been able to stop dreaming about the King Under the Mountain. Nor had she been able to control her feelings for him. She'd never met him, but somehow got butterflies every time she thought of him. Though she hadn't been able to keep track of the years, she knew she'd been dreaming of him most of her life. There were times he was all that kept her going. So, when she had a vision of him and his family dying, she knew she had to do something. It had taken nearly all of her strength, but she managed to hide her thoughts, and escape.

When she had first arrived at the mountain, she had thought she'd been too late. Then a couple of them had greeted her. Balin and Bofur, she thought their names were. They had seemed nice enough, but waved away her warnings. Just as they were sending her to Dale, their king had walked up. Thorin. She had barely been able to breathe at the sight of him, until she realized that something was off. Still, she gave her warnings and advice as best she could. His eyes had narrowed when she mentioned the visions.

"Can you tell me where the Arkenstone is?"

At first, she had just stared at him. This was nothing like the noble dwarf she'd seen in her dreams. Disappointment seeped through her, and settled into her stomach, making her feel sick.

"I do not know where the Arkenstone is, and what I need to warn you about is far more important,"

He had shaken his head. "Nothing is more important. If you are, indeed an oracle, you can find it. You will find it,"

It had been unbelievable, and before she could stop herself, she frowned defiantly. "No,"

That had been her biggest mistake. His face had contorted in anger, and he'd ordered his men to take her. They had been too shocked to move at first, then protested. She had taken the opportunity to run, but dwarves were excellent sprinters, and the king had overtaken her in five strides. With more strength than she had expected, he threw her over his shoulder, and locked her away until she decided to cooperate.

That was a week ago. He had come to see her every day since then, demanding that she find the Arkenstone. Every day, she told him that she didn't know where it was. She did, however, know when the elves and men had reached Dale, and when they would attack. He hadn't believed her, until the first night Dale had been lit with the torches of the survivors. Something in his eyes had changed, then, and she could see him more carefully considering her words.

"Alright, Oracle. What is this vision you had?" he asked.

She was standing next to the fireplace, which had been left cold. A blanket was wrapped tightly around her shoulders, as it had been since she had first arrived in that room.

"I saw a mountain and a river, frozen in ice. The emblems of Durin's folk waved on a flag in the wind. On the opposite side of the river, the flag of Gundabad flew as well. Around them were those of Mirkwood and Dale. A great storm rose between them, destroying many of the lesser banners of soldiers. When the dust settled, Dale and Mirkwood remained hole, while Gundabad lay in tatters beneath Durin's, which was torn in three,"

The king moved further into the room, and she took a step backward, watching him warily. His temper was quick and fierce as dragon fire.

"How does that foretell my death?" he asked, no small amount of condescension in his voice.

"The tearing of the flag meant the deaths of you and your nephews," she explained, but there was no change of expression on his face.

"How do you know this?" he took another step toward her, and she took another one back.

"I have spent my whole life learning how to control and discern my visions. You just need to trust me,"

"I don't," he responded blatantly, eyes narrowing slightly. "A strange woman arrives, claiming to have seen our future, and practically demands that we make peace with those who would rob us blind,"

"It wasn't a demand, I- "her words were cut short when he suddenly advanced, forcing back.

"Make peace, or you will die. That was your message. It sounds much more like a threat to me," the look in his eyes, and tone of his low voice warned her of danger. "You must be some sort of spy sent by Thranduil,"

She shook her head. "I'm not, I promise you. I came from the east," her back hit the wall; there was nowhere for her to retreat to now.

"Tell me where the Arkenstone is, and I may believe you,"

"I've told you already; I. Don't. Know,"

He moved so close, his breath stirred her hair, and pressed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. It was intimidation, pure and simple. "You can control your visions, can you not? Then, look for it,"

Even though she knew it was a bad idea, she closed her eyes, and tried to focus. At first, there was nothing but the feel of his breath, and the heat coming off his skin. Then, a bright light filled her vision, slowly dimming until she saw a stone, more glorious than any she'd seen or imagined. Someone was holding it, the walls of Erebor surrounding them.

"It's here," she said, opening her eyes when the vision faded. His face was closer, and had her heart jumping into her throat.

"We have searched long, and hard, but found no trace of it," he countered.

She took a deep breath, hoping she wasn't about to sentence someone to death. "It is still here. Someone has found it,"

A darkness flashed in his eyes, and one hand shot to her throat, fingers wrapping easily around her neck. "You lie," he growled. "All of my men are loyal, and none would dare cross me,"

Her gaze remained steady. She'd been threatened by worse before. "I cannot explain why they took it, only that they did,"

"Who?" his grip tightened when she remained silent. "Who?!"

Her eyes narrowed now, anger making her both brave and reckless. "I do not know, and will not look again. You can threaten me all you want, Your Majesty, but it will do you no good. I have known torture the likes of which you could never dream of, let alone produce, and killing me would only be a relief. Many times have I wished for death, and never received it. So please, by all means, do your worst,"

For a moment, they just stared each other down, her throat beginning to ache from his grip, but then he let go and studied her.

"I suppose we will just have to try again tomorrow," he said lowly. A knock at the door had him turning, and her jumping. "What is it?" he called.

One of the kinder dwarves, Balin came in. He passed a quick, sympathetic glance to Danica, then spoke.

"A horse is coming this way. I believe it is Bard,"

The king stiffened. "I will be right there,"

After another look Danica's way, the older dwarf took his leave. It took everything she had not to beg him to stay. The king looked back at her, eyes pitiless.

"We will speak again later," he said, then left with a whirl of his cloak.

Danica slid to the floor, and heaved a sigh that puffed her cheeks. This was definitely not what she had bargained for.

P.S. Just a nice, short introduction. I'm working on more, as well as chapters for my current story, "The Witch of Dawn," and have another one in the works! Reviews and comments always appreciated! 😊