For the Love of Gold

Kayley strolls the great halls of the Woodland Realm always with two guards walking directly behind her. She is a prisoner in a land far away from home, and yet these are her grandmother's people - her kin. She never smiled, but many kind elves would approach her with welcome to Merilineth's grandchild and tell Kayley stories of her grandmother whom she has no memory of since she died when Kayley was only three years old. They will tell her she has her grandmother's eyes, as blue as the sea they say. Her father too has the same eyes. She had hair as red as the leaves of autumn and skin as fair as can be. Merilineth is not forgotten for her beauty or her songs here in the Woodland Realm.

Her grandmother was an elf who had fallen in love with a lord from the race of man. She had even given up her immortality to live and die with the love of her life. That's love, Kayley thought.

Is that what she feels? Does Thorin feel the same? Or is he more like her father - claiming loyalty to her mother, but never touches her or looks at her the way a lover does. Does Thorin see her as her father sees his mistresses? Kayley feels her chest tighten at the thought and continues on her way to the training quarters.

It has been days since Thorin and the rest of the company had escaped, leaving her behind as Thranduil's prisoner. However, Kayley relieved her anger in the training quarters increasing her skills hours a day. Today, her practice is interrupted by an elf with high cheekbones, long auburn hair and big green eyes.

"My Lady Kayley." Kayley hacked with her sword one last time at a dummy then turns around to face the elf.

~*Lord Thranduil has sent for you.*~

The king has never asked for her presence and the only thought Kayley hopes for is the fate of her companions. And Thorin.

The king stood in the Throne room at the base of his throne with his scepter in one hand and watching Kayley as she approached him. She has been trained to bow in the presence of royalty, but she holds herself from doing so in the presence of her captor.

"Has there been any news of Thorin?"

"Smaug the dragon whom has inhabited the Mountain for sixty years is dead."

Kayley's heart leapt. "And Thorin? He killed him? He has reclaimed his homeland?" she suddenly forgets her anger with the elf lord.

Thranduil ignores her questions and continues, "I march with my army to meet with the men of Dale, whose town had been destroyed by the dragon. I will send them food and then I'll pursue the mountain and claim what is mine."

"Yours?"

"White gems known as Nauglamir. A precious heirloom rightfully belonging to my kin."

Kayley didn't understand, yet didn't care. "Please. Let me go with you."

"You will remain here and once I've taken back what is mine I will send you home to the North Downs."

"My lord I ask you again to let me go with you."

~*You dare argue with me? I do not care you are Merilineth's grandchild, I will have you thrown in the cell if need be.*~

Kayley is completely taken aback. Thranduil coes toe to toe with her and tilts his head down to meet her eyes. His cousin's eyes. "Do not throw your life away for a love that is unrequited."

Kayley lowers her eyes, stunned, defeated as Thranduil walks directly passed her commanding his guards to prepare to march.

Thorin stares up with hungry, greedy eyes at the empty slot above his grandfather's throne where the Arkenstone was once placed above the king. Since his nephews and the other companions left in Lake Town rejoined their kin, Thorin had them all search for hours on end for the stone. It has yet to be found.

"It is here in these halls, I know it," he growls to himself. He is joined in the throne room with Bilbo, Balin and Dwalin.

"We have searched and searched," Dwalin assures.

Thorin spits, "Not well enough."

"Thorin, we all want to see that stone returned."

"And yet, it is still not found!" Thorin barks.

Casually, Balin asks, "Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?"

Thorin turns around to face the two dwarves at the base of the steps.

Now that he has Thorin's attention, Balin continues, "The Arkenstone, is the birthright of our people."

"It is the king's jewel," Thorin adds with a hiss. "Am I not the king!" His shout echoes throughout the empty, vast hall. Bilbo stands beside him in discomfort. Bali turns his head away knowing reasoning with Thorin is no longer an option.

Dwalin boldly stepped forward. "If Kayley was here with us, she wouldn't hesitate to say what we're all thinking."

"I do not care for the elf-friend wench!" Thorn spat. Bilbo shut his eyes feeling the blow to his chest, feeling thankful Kayley isn't here to hear this. "I think I love him," he remembers her saying to him. Thorin's name was the last thing she spoke before she drifted off to sleep and Bilbo helped the dwarves escaped the dungeons of Mirkwood.

Thorin turns back around to look up once again at the Arkenstone's empty frame. By his expression, which Bilbo could only see, he wondered if Thorin instantly regretted his words. The dwarf turns back around glaring down at his kin with warning. "Know this. If anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged."

The guard stationed inside Kayley's bedroom slumps against the wall with pieces of a broken vase scattered around him.

The guard outside bursts in and instantly goes to the unconscious guard.

~*Wake up! Where is the lady?*~ but his companion only answers in a soft mumble as Kayley sneaks from behind the door and quickly closes it, sliding the spear she took from the other guard through the door handles.

The conscious guard begins yelling and banging against the doors.

Kayley doesn't stop. There is no time for hesitation. She runs like the wind towards the stables and leaps onto the first horse she sees. A smile spreads across her face. The rush of adrenaline courses through her veins. Never had she ever thought she could ever perform such a stunt. Her elf-like hearing inherited from her grandmother warns her of guards coming her way looking for her. She kicks her horse and it rears into a gallop.

~*Fly fast, Friend. To Erebor we fly.*~ Kayley could feel the rhythm of the horse's gate change and as if the horse understood, as Kayley hoped, it takes charge and Kayley does little to steer in the right direction.

With no weapon on her person, Kayley remembers this and hopes with all her heart she gets to Erebor, to Thorin before something of evil finds her first.

The sun is rising and Kayley has yet to feel the weight of sleep overtake her. When the sun has fully risen, her eyes begin to droop and the force of wind hitting her face adds the weight to her eyes desperately wanting to close for rest. That's when she sees him.

Astride another horse is a grey figure. It's Gandalf!

~*We must meet the Grey Wizard, my friend!*~ and the horse gallops directly towards Gandalf and both horses rear to prevent a collision.

"Kayley! What on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm going to Erebor. The dragon is dead and I must know what has become of Thorin and the others."

Gandalf sighs wondering how she had gotten separated from the company in the first place, but all in due time, he'll find out. His eyes scan her person and finds no weapon what so ever. "Stay close. We must waste no time!" Together the wizard and lady of the North gallop as quickly as they can.

They ride past the ruins of Lake Town, until finally they come to Dale. Kayley's stomach aches when she sees Elven guards within the walls. Finally they dismount where they are greeted by a short, pale, "You, point 'at!" and rude Lake man.

"We don't want no wenches," he says referring to Kayley, "beggars, nor vagabonds. We have enough trouble with out the likes of you."

"I am Kayley daughter of Gideon, Lord of the North Downs, you do court."

The grotesque little man eyes her outfit, "You don' look much like a lady. Do not take me as a fool. Now be off an' take your granddaddy with you."

"Who's in charge here?" Gandalf demands. It's just then a tall, brunette fisherman steps forward.

"Who's asking?"

"I am Gandalf the Grey and this is Lady Kayley of the North Downs. A member of the company of Thorin Oakenshield." The man shows his familiarity with the name too well. "You are in danger and I must speak with Lord Thranduil."

"I am Bard. I lead us survivors of the dragon fire. I am also the bowman to slay the Great Worm, Smaug. Come with me, I'll take you to Lord Thranduil."

Bard leads them to a tent where Kayley comes face to face with Thranduil.

"You." Thranduil's eyes narrow at her. "You are supposed to be within my fortress. Guarded."

With her head held high, Kayley answers, "I told you, there're no guards nor walls that can stop me from helping my friends." Thranduil snickered at her words.

"I suppose you Gandalf, helped her escape."

"No. I merely met her on the road from Dol Gul Dur. And I have come to warn you."

Thranduil sat in his chair focused on what the wizard has to say.

Gandalf explains, "You must set aside your disagreement with the dwarves. War is coming. Dol Gul Dur has been emptied. You're all in danger."

"What are you talking about?" Bard asks stepping towards the wizard.

Thranduil gets up from his chair and pours himself a glass of wine. "I can see you know nothing of wizards. They are like winter thunder on a wild wind rolling in from a distance. But sometimes a storm is just a storm."

"Not this time." Gandalf continues to speak while Thranduil listens but nothing more. "Armies of orcs are on the move. These are fighters bred for war," he looks at Bard to see if the leader of the men of Lake Town is listening. He is. "Our enemy has summoned his full strength."

"Why show his hand now?" Thranduil asks.

"Because we've forced him. We've forced him on the company of Thorin Oakenshield as they reclaim their homeland." Gandalf walks out of the tent, beckoning the others to follow him. "The dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor. Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the Mountain." As Gandalf continues to explain the desire for the mountain by this master of evil he speaks of, Kayley can't help but stare at the gates into Erebor. The giant dwarven statures that guard what is no longer an entrance but a wall. Thorin is in there. And Kayley is just outside.

Kayley doesn't realize that as she stands there staring, hoping to see a sign of anyone, Gandalf and the two leaders leave. Elven soldiers continue to do drills. They march around this broken city. The men are in training. There is a battle to be expected. But if no one knew until now about the army of orcs coming this way, the battle expected would have to have to be against…, "Thorin," she breathes. What has happened that men and elves ally together to fight against thirteen dwarves and a hobbit. She pivots and instantly finds her way on her own to the old weaponry takes a sword. She looks around and sees what appears to be a shirt of chainmail. She holds it up then sets it aside to undo her jerkin. She then slips the chainmail over her tunic and instantly feels the weight. The shirt goes down to her mid thigh, only a few inches longer than both her tunic and jerkin. She puts her jerkin back on over the chainmail and next attaches the sword and sheath to her belt.

It's now dark outside when she travels back to Thranduil's tent. She can hear Gandalf shouting.

"What do you think I'm trying to do?"

"I think you're trying to help your dwarfish friends and I admire you're loyalty to them, but it does not dissuade me from my course." He strides over to the wizard huffing anxiously on his pipe. "You started this Mithrandil. You will forgive me if I finish it." He turns instantly to one of his guards. "Are the archers in position?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Give the order. If anything moves in that mountain kill it. The dwarves are out of time."

"You will not dare harm any of them." Kayley steps passed the guard right up to Thranduil. "I will not let you."

"You are not in the position to defy any orders I set upon my own men, is that understood." Thranduil turns back around to pour himself another glass of wine.

Kayley storms in after him and swipes his cup away letting the wine spill across the floor. Thranduil back-hands her across the face and Kayley stumbles to the side cupping her cheek.

"Thranduil." Gandalf stands once again in his tent with Bard and Bilbo?!

"Bilbo." Kayley forgets her pain, however still cupping her cheek she approaches the hobbit. "What are you doing here? How are the others? And Thorin?"

Bilbo didn't have time to speak as Elven guards grab Kayley by the arms and drag her outside.

"Let go of me! Bilbo! I want to know!"

"Was there any reason behind your actions towards the Lady Kayley?" Gandalf pesters.

Thranduil stares at the wizard with an icy gaze, "I will not be humiliated in my own tent. She's as stubborn as any dwarf I've ever known." His icy stare migrated down at Bilbo. "If I'm not mistaken, this is the halfling that stole the keys to my dungeons, freeing the dwarves I held as my prisoners under the nose of my guards."

Bilbo stands in silent, trying to think of the right words to say. "Yes," is his answer. "Sorry about that." He steps towards the table placing a wrapped rag on the top, "I came to give you this," unfolding the rag the glow of the Arkenstone shined like a trap star in the Elven king's tent.

Kayley sits impatiently in a tent with the two Elven guards standing right outside. She looks outside through the opening just in time as Bilbo walks pass with that rude little man.

Kayley runs out, "Bilbo!" She is caught by the arm. She looks up at the guard, "Is it also against His Lordship's wishes that I'm denied a greeting with my friend." She jerks her arm free then continues to walk up to Bilbo, throwing her arms around him. The guards watch carefully.

"Alrigh', alrigh' that's enough," the rude man pushes Bilbo and Kayley apart.

"You, do not touch either me or my friend, you understand?" Kayley snaps.

The man rolls his eyes and scoffs. "So wha'? I don' take orders from some maid, who calls 'erself a lady."

~*As kin to Lord Thranduil, I ask you only scare this pathetic excuse of a man, just this once.*~ The guards stepped forward crossing their spears across their chests and loosening their swords from their sheaths, partial of the way.

Alfrid steps behind Bilbo. "Now, now, I 'ave orders to take this here halfling to his own bed."

"When I am through speaking with my friend you may continue to follow through with your order. Now back off."

Alfrid glares at her then up at the tall elven guards. He steps aside grumbling.

"Bilbo, please tell me, what's happened? Why are you here? And Thorin. How is he?"

"I…." Bilbo is afraid to tell Kayley about the Thorin's state. He can still hear his words echo in the throne room, I do not care for the elf-friend wench! But he sees the desperation in Kayley's eyes. "I found the Arkenstone. And I gave it to Lord Thranduil and Bard."

"The Arkenstone." Kayley had heard of the stone only because she had joined the company. "Why?" Kayley thinks she knows the answer, but she wants to hear it from Bilbo.

"Thorin, he…. He is not the same." Kayley feels her heart drop as Bilbo continues. "He's obsessed himself over the treasure, he won't give up the share he has promised to the people of Lake Town. There's plenty, Kayley. Plenty for all to share - great halls piled high with gold. But he won't part with it. He—"

Kayley stops him by placing her hand on her shoulder understanding he is having trouble going holding back his emotions. "I understand. I know about the sickness that drove his grandfather mad." She leans closer to him to avoid being overheard by the guards. "If I were to see him, perhaps speak with him.…"

Bilbo is frightened by the idea she's suggesting, "Please, my lady. He is not the same. He won't listen to any of us. He won't eat. He has a hard time sleeping—"

"Stop. Alright. This does not stop me from wanting to see him. I need to see him with my own eyes."

"I'm going back before dawn. Before anyone realizes I'm gone."

"No one knows you—"

"No. No one knows."

Kayley hugs him one last time. "Please do me one thing. If you feel it will work, tell him…." She takes a deep breath. "Tell him I love him." She places her hand on Bilbo's cheek. "Tell him I'm here."