Chapter 1: War of the two Kings and Bard.
I watched the raven flying onto Thorin's arm, his blue eyes searching the birds black ones, they were conversing like old friends. I had my hand resting on my belly, frowning at the lack of cool breeze, I felt tired and my feet ached like a mother fucker, I wanted a foot rub, was unlikely to be getting one as Fee was busy looking for armour. I huffed at nothing and went back to our room, wincing as I eased myself into the chair, relaxing as much as I could. I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, there was a blanket over me, a smiling blonde Dwarf stood with his arms crossed in the corner, his eyes shining as he stared at me.
"What?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eyes whilst trying to sit up.
"Nothing, am I not allowed to admire my wife and our child?" He replied, pulling me gently into a sitting position.
"What was Kili talking about the other day? When he said you'd have to do a thing?" I said, yawning and getting to my feet, rubbing my back and taking deep breaths and slowly exhaling.
"Pain?" He asked quickly, dropping down and who his ear against my stomach as I rolled my eyes.
"No, no pain. Just back ache." I answered, he shushed me.
I couldn't believe his nerve.
He shushed me.
"Excuse you?" I added, he grinned and looked up at me. I felt nothing, but apparently super senses Dwarf McGee could, I frowned and nudged him with my foot, forcing him to his feet. "Don't you shush me."
"I could hear him! I could hear his heart beat!" Fili gushed, I glowered at him and then sighed, hearing the horn blowing, calling us to where the King was. "Come on, we'd better see what he wants." Fee took my hand in his tightly, I smiled as forgot why I was in a mood with him.
The stupid Dwarf had a bow and arrow, firing a single arrow at the hooves of the Elk the Elf King rode upon, the blonde King looked angrily horrified at the action.
"I will put the next one between your eyes." He threatened, drawing another arrow and aiming it carefully.
"We've come to tell you that we have accepted a payment of the debt you owe." Thranduil said smugly, his mount shifting a little, uncomfortably.
"What payment? I gave you nothing, you have nothing." Thorin replied darkly, his bow still drawn and ready, it was a truly chilling moment when Bard revealed the Arkenstone hiding in his coat pocket. He held it up for us to see, our eyes wide and fixed upon the birthright of the King of Erebor.
"We have this." The bowman said shortly, Kili frowned in disbelief and in angry, his frown directed at the pair below us.
"They have the Arkenstone." He passed before continuing. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of the house of Durin?! That stone belongs to the King!" He shouted, I nodded with a slight frown.
"Yeah, the rightful King." I added supportively, Bard looked at me before answering.
"And the King may have it, along with our goodwill but he must honour his word first." I scoffed and chewed my thumb nail.
"He never promised a payment to either Elves or Men. He has no debt to be paid, especially not to the likes of Thranduil, this jumped up Peasant has no claim over this King." I called insultingly, Thranduil glared nasty as I said this, pointing out what they had hoped would go unnoticed. Thorin was sceptical of the pair even really having the Arkenstone, he laughed once and then shook his head.
"They're taking us for fools, this is a ruse and a filthy lie spun by the desperation of lesser men. The Arkenstone is in this Mountain, safe, it is a trick." He sneered, I watched with butterflies as Bilbo shook his head and stepped forwards, opening his mouth to speak.
"No it's no trick. That stone is real... I know this because I gave it to them." He said nervously, the company looked at him with utter betrayal evident on their faces. He fiddled with his sleeves nervously as Thorin turned to face him.
"You?" He asked, I knew Thorin didn't want this to be true, his face and voice told me this much.
"I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure, as was stipulated in my contract." The Hobbit explained, tapping one of his feet as I saw a hint of a smile on Balin's face.
"You would steal from me?" The King said, heartbroken as Bilbo shook his head.
"Steal from you? No, absolutely not, I may be employed as a burglar but I'd like to think I'm an honest one if nothing else. Although I am willing to let it stand against my claim." He muttered, I looked down and saw that the pair below us were intently watching, like this was an episode of EastEnders they hadn't seen yet.
"Against your claim?" Thorin clarified, chuckling dryly as he advanced. "You have no claim over me you filthy rat!"
"I was going to give it to you." Bilbo confessed quickly, Thorin's hand staying here it was in the air. "Many times I wanted to but... You are changed, Thorin Oakenshield. The Dwarf I met back then in Bag End would never have doubt his kin's loyalty to him, would never have abandoned those in need, the way you did not abandon Miss Reynolds when she first arrived."
"Miss Reynolds is now a Princess, she will be addressed as such." Dwalin growled, interjecting the argument.
"Do not dare speak to me of loyalty." Thorin spat, rubbing his upper lip before deciding what to do next. "Throw him from the ramparts." He ordered, I saw a few uneasy looks and Kili's downright disobeying face. "Did you not hear me?!" Thorin screamed, grabbing Fili and trying to force him to do his bidding. I watched as Fee yanked himself away and glared at his Uncle in disgust, my hands gripped his sleeves fearfully. On the ground, Bard and Thranduil looked as though they were both ready to have rushed forward and caught the Hobbit. "Then I'll do it myself." Thorin grabbed Bilbo tightly, I stepped out of everyone's way as they were separated, Bofur quickly ushering Bilbo down the rope and out of harm's way. "Curse the Wizard who brought you on this company!"