This was originally planned as a one-shot, but the BotFA has convinced me that a 'fix-it' is in order and I realized this story could easily be expanded into one. It should be three chapters altogether, I hope you enjoy it. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.


Chapter 2

Fíli let out a deep sigh and rested against the stone pillar at his back. His eyes fell closed and he sighed again, trying to clear his head. The negotiations with Bard and Thranduil had gone as well as could be expected. It had been easy enough to agree with Bard on the amount of gold needed for the rebuilding of Esgaroth; the bargeman clearly had no idea that the quantity requested would never be missed from the vast horde. Balin was already gathering double the asked-for amount at Fíli's behest and readying it for delivery.

In theory, Thranduil's demands were even simpler; he merely requested the cask of white gems that were the center of his long ago dispute with King Thrór. All they had to do was deliver the jewels and the elves would be on their way back to Mirkwood. But the young prince had no idea when he agreed to deliver the gems that they would be so bloody difficult to find! They had been searching for nearly a day and thus far there was no trace of them. Weary and frustrated, Fíli slid down the pillar until he was seated on the chilly floor with his head resting on his bent knees.

Familiar footsteps approached and the blond smiled to himself despite his woes, his heart eased by the presence of his brother. A booted toe nudged his foot, "Are you well, nadad?" Kíli asked solicitously.

Fíli looked up and smiled at the brunet, "I'm fine, Kíli; just tired and taking a break from looking for those damn jewels."

Kíli slid to the floor next to him and leaned into his shoulder affectionately, "Why's he so determined to have them, anyway? There's tons of junk down there he could have instead."

His brother blew out a long breath, "I wish I knew, Kee. They're obviously important to him, and I know there was some dispute over them between Thranduil and Thrór, but I don't know what it was about. Balin doesn't know either, and I'm not about to ask Thorin."

"We could offer him something else," Kíli suggested, "just until we find the jewels."

Fíli scrubbed a hand over his face, "I've thought of that, but as you've probably noticed, trust is in pretty short supply between the dwarves of Erebor and King Thranduil at the moment. I'm afraid he'll think it's just a ploy to keep them for ourselves." He snorted derisively, "Like I care about his damn necklace! I'm as fond of jewels as much as the next dwarf, but there are thousands down there to pick from if I wanted!"

Kíli's eyes crinkled in amusement, "But they'd look so fetching on you, brother!"

The blond heir shoved his brother and glared, but couldn't keep the laughter from his eyes. They giggled together for a moment before sobering.

"I guess just having him wait until we find it is out of the question…" the brunet sighed.

"I wish we could, nadadith," Fíli replied ruefully, "but there are two very good reasons why we need to get the elves on their way as quickly as possible."

His brother nodded, his face grim, "Thorin." In the hours since Fíli had imprisoned him, their uncle had calmed…somewhat. He was no longer screaming obscenities and pounding on the door, and had allowed the other dwarves to tend to his needs without attacking anyone who entered the room. But to say he was not reconciled to his captivity was a vast understatement. Both heirs knew that Dwalin was allowing Thorin to stay imprisoned only with the greatest reluctance, and if they did not release their uncle soon the big dwarf would take matters into his own hands.

"Dáin as well," the blond added gloomily. "I can't see him being happy about my locking Thorin up or the fact that we're negotiating with Thranduil. This has to be resolved before they arrive."

At that moment their soft-footed hobbit burglar approached them with a smile, saying, "There you are, lads! Bombur asked me to tell you supper will be ready soon if you'd like to join the Company for a meal." Seeing their somber faces, he amended, "Unless I'm interrupting something important."

Fíli shrugged and smiled thinly in return, "Nothing new, Bilbo. We haven't found Thranduil's jewels yet so the odds of us persuading him to leave anytime soon are slim at best."

Kíli stood and offered a hand to his brother, pulling him to his feet, "There must be something we can give Thranduil that he would be willing to take in place of the jewels, even temporarily."

"It also has to be something that Thorin values and would be willing to exchange," Fíli added, "since I doubt he'll be eager to cooperate with the elves once he's released."

Bilbo cleared his throat diffidently, catching the attention of both dwarves, "Fíli, Kíli, there is…something I should show you. Come with me."

The brothers exchanged a glance, equally mystified by the hobbit's announcement. They followed him, not toward the Company campsite as expected, but down a dusty, rubble-strewn side corridor nearby.

Bilbo reached into a dark corner behind some decorative stonework and brought out a small, cloth-wrapped bundle.

"I…I've been meaning to give this to you for some time," he said, nervously rocking back on his heels. "I…er…um… Here, take it!" he said abruptly, pushing it into Fíli's hands.

The object was hard and heavy, and the blond almost fainted in shock when he pulled aside the cloth to reveal what was inside. It was a clear, faceted jewel the size of his fist that glowed with a light from within—although neither dwarf had seen it before there was absolutely no question what it was.

"Mahal," Kíli breathed reverently, "the Arkenstone."

Fíli stared at the stone, uncertain whether he felt more astonished or angry. "You…you've had this in your possession all along? You let Thorin search for it in vain? Why, Bilbo?"

"I…I'm so sorry, Fíli," Bilbo muttered, twisting his fingers together anxiously. "I found it when I spoke to Smaug. I had planned to give it to Thorin immediately, but first we were chased by the dragon, and then when we were safe again your uncle began acting so peculiarly… The more he looked for it and became fixed on finding it, the more concerned I became about what he might do should I give it to him. But—if you have a use for it, you should take it," the hobbit concluded with a firm nod of his head.

"Fíli," Kíli warned, "I know what you're thinking, but Thorin will never forgive us if we give the stone to Thranduil. He may declare war on the elves just to get it back!"

"He was ready to do that anyway," Fíli replied, his voice bleak. "At least with this we have a chance to persuade Thranduil to leave without the jewels he wants so much." He met Kíli's eyes, "Besides, Bilbo's right, there is something uncanny about Uncle's obsession with finding the Arkenstone. I fear what effect it might have if we give it to him."

"If you're sure…" Kíli said hesitantly.

Fíli chuckled mirthlessly, "Nadadith, at this moment I am certain of nothing." He rewrapped the stone and carefully returned it to its hiding place. "We'll hold it in reserve. Perhaps we'll find the elf king's gems and we won't have to use it at all." He smiled encouragingly at his brother, "Let's go get something to eat."

-ooo-

After a long night of searching for Thranduil's jewels in vain, a raven arrived at dawn with the news that Dáin and his men should reach the mountain by sunset.

They had run out of time.

-ooo-

"Balin, could you oversee the delivery of Bard's gold?" Fíli asked the old dwarf as they watched the casks of gold being lowered from the front gate to the men waiting below.

"Why, certainly Fíli. You don't wish to attend yourself?"

"I need to speak to Thranduil again," the blond told him, frowning pensively.

"I was not aware that there was anything to discuss, Fíli," Balin replied, "since we have not been able to find the jewels he desires."

"I want to see if there is anything he might take in their stead—at least until we can find them." At Balin's skeptical look, Fíli shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing is lost in asking."

"Indeed not. Do you wish me to accompany you?"

The blond prince shook his head, "No, I'll take Kíli with me. It's best to get both tasks done quickly so we can release Thorin all the sooner."

Balin nodded, his face brightening, "Aye, that would be welcome." He raised one bushy eyebrow, "And what would you have me say to Bard if he asks why we are giving him more gold than we agreed upon?"

"Tell him that we are grateful for the shelter and care we received in Laketown when Kíli was injured." He smiled at the old dwarf wryly, "It also happens to be the truth."

A short time later Fíli and Kíli were shown into the elvenking's tent, and found Thranduil sitting at his ease, watching them impassively. "You wished to speak to me, young one? Does this mean you have the gems that King Thrór stole from me?"

Fíli shook his head, determinedly ignoring the elf's tone, "I am sorry to say we have not, my lord, though not for lack of searching. I am here to ask you to consider accepting something else in their stead, as a token of good faith until we are able to locate them."

"And what is this 'something else', gold? Thranduil snorted derisively, "I believe I have a much clearer idea than the bowman precisely how much gold lies within the halls of Erebor. You could give me gold enough to fill this tent a hundred times over and it would scarcely make a dent in the dragon's horde." He met Fíli's eyes, "No, that will not do." The tall elf glanced away haughtily, "I doubt there is anything in Erebor that would be sufficient."

Fíli exchanged a glance with Kíli; his brother looked unhappy, but resigned, and nodded in answer to the unspoken question. The blond dwarf took a deep breath to steel his resolve, pulled the Arkenstone from his pocket and showed it to the elf king. "Will this be sufficient, my lord king?"

After Thranduil's cool indifference, it was certainly gratifying to see his eyes widen in shock, "You would offer me this? The Arkenstone?"

"Only as a pledge of good faith," Fíli answered gravely. "If you accept it, I would require your oath that it will be redeemed when the gems you are seeking are returned to you, or when another agreed-upon condition is met."

The elf king gazed at him appraisingly, "I strongly suspect that Oakenshield will not approve of this…arrangement."

"That is my concern, not yours." The dwarf prince shrugged, "Besides, it will undoubtedly strengthen your position in any future negotiations with King Thorin."

Thranduil chuckled, "That it will." He leaned forward in his chair, eyeing Fíli with renewed interest, "You surprise me, young prince. A bold move, and one I did not expect. I hope you do not come to regret it."

Fíli's chest tightened painfully, and he felt Kíli's hand creep into his own; silent support that he accepted gratefully.

"Very well, then, Fíli, son of Dis, I accept your conditions," Thranduil continued. "On my oath I will hold the Arkenstone in trust only until my gems are restored to me or we agree upon some other condition for its return." He gestured to Legolas, who was standing nearby quietly watching the discussion. "Are my son and your brother adequate witnesses to our agreement?"

Fíli stepped forward with the stone in his hand, "Yes. Please know that I do this in the spirit of hope that the relationship between our peoples can improve." He dropped the stone into the elf king's hand, all the while praying to the Maker that he was not making a terrible mistake.

Their business concluded, the two dwarves were about to make their farewells when an elf entered the tent and spoke urgently in the king's ear. Thranduil's eyes flicked up to the princes for a moment before he said to the messenger, "Bring him in."

He addressed the dwarves, "You will want to stay for this, I think."

The dwarf brothers had just exchanged a curious glance when familiar voice struck their ears.

"I am surprised—pleasantly so—" Gandalf rumbled as he ducked into the tent, "that you have sensibly decided to put aside your differences…"

He stopped abruptly, gazing at Fíli and Kíli in astonishment. "Fíli? Kíli? What are you…" The wizard shook his head, "When I was told dwarves were speaking to the King, I assumed it would be Thorin." His eyes widened, "Is Thorin…"

"Uncle is alive, Gandalf, just…indisposed," Fíli replied reluctantly. "I…we are representing him."

Gandalf looked at him keenly, "Indeed? We must speak more of this 'indisposition' later. But now there is something more important to discuss—the legions of orcs that will arrive in a few hours."

They all stared at the wizard in shocked silence for a moment before Thranduil snapped, "Explain! How many are there in truth, and what do they want?"

"Many thousands, my lord—all of Mount Gundabad has been emptied. Orcs, of course, but wargs and trolls as well and who knows what other sorts of vile creatures might accompany them.

"Make no mistake, this is an attack long in the making; they mean to take the Lonely Mountain and its riches. You all must work together if you have any hope of preventing it."

Thranduil motioned to Legolas, "Find Bard and ask him to join us immediately."

Legolas nodded, but before he could leave Fíli added, "Balin should be with Bard, could you ask him to join us as well?" The elf prince glanced at his father, who waved agreement, and Legolas hurried away.

"I understand why you would want Balin's council," Thranduil murmured, "but thirteen dwarves and a halfing are hardly likely to turn the battle in our favor."

Fíli's eyes flashed, "You underestimate us, my lord King. Besides, Lord Dáin of the Iron Hills and five hundred of his warriors are already on their way and will be here by sunset."

Thranduil's eyes narrowed, well aware of the reason they would have been summoned in the first place.

But Gandalf made a pleased noise, "The orcs will arrive first, but still, that's welcome news. Five hundred dwarves is a force to be reckoned with! Can you alert them to the change in circumstances?"

Fíli nodded, "I'll send a raven as soon as we're done here."

A short while later the dwarves emerged from the elf king's tent to return to the Mountain with the grim news. They hadn't gotten more than a few steps when they heard Gandalf calling, "Fíli!"

They stopped and turned to see the wizard quickly approaching them with his long strides. "A word alone, my young friend," he said briskly.

The blond prince motioned the others to go ahead. "What is it that you want of me, Gandalf?"

The wizard gazed at him, warmth and sympathy in his eyes. "King Thranduil told me what you have done, Fíli." He grasped dwarf prince's arm lightly, "It was a good thing you did, my lad; a good thing, a brave thing, and a wise thing. You took upon yourself a burden that should not have been asked of you so soon, and you have served your people well. I am very proud of you."

Fíli gently disengaged his arm from Gandalf's grip, his face bleak. "Thank you for your praise, Gandalf, but I hope you understand why I do not value it as I once would have. I would trade it in a heartbeat if it meant I could regain my uncle's love."

Gandalf shook his head sadly and watched him join the others as they made their way back to the Lonely Mountain.