The Enemy of my Enemy
As it turned out a 'small group' composed of Shayla, who demanded to go, Fraya who naturally followed Shayla's lead, and Rayson, who somehow managed to twist himself into the group. It was true that Finwe had wanted to travel with the group, but the king refused, he didn't think it wise for two of the royal family to go on the small mission, and he had duties as the captain of the guards anyway.
King Beren had pondered time and time again on sending a larger group, but after much thought decided that it would be unsafe with so many enemies around that would easily spot a large group. The three however could slip among the shadows, unnoticed, by the orcs at least.
Fraya returned Shayla's sword to her and equipped herself with a spare blade and bow. With Shayla's sword back all she needed was new arrows, which she used to replace the Mirkwood ones that she had recently disposed of to avoid unwanted questions.
Before the dawn of a new day, found the three warriors on the edge of the small campsite.
"Erebor is not far from here, around two hours should all go well, we expect you back before the rise of the morning sun." Beren said to the small group, handing Shayla a scroll with agreements for the Dwarfs.
"Scouts have reported small activities around the entrance of the mountain, the men of Laketown have retreated to the ruins of the city Dale, North of the lonely mountain." Added Finwe.
The group of three bowed, within an hour of reaching the camp, Shayla and Fraya were off again but with the company of Rayson. It was not long before Ray began ranting on of tales of the adventures he had had in the past month and was currently talking about a prank that had included Finwe, Cook and oranges. Shayla however had tuned out after the first hour of his stories in their journey.
To Shayla, something was wrong. Her thoughts kept traveling back to the discussion she had had with her father, the whole conversation seemed… unnatural. In the past, king Beren was well known for his procrastination in all sorts of matters, on a good day it could take him hours to decide something as small as land trade, and in a matter of minutes the king had agreed to an alliance with the Dwarfs of Erebor!
"We will aid the dwarfs in this battle, and in turn we will have a mutual alliance with the dwarfs of the Erebor should we win…." Her father's words echoed through her mind, trying to find a trace of any sort of bigger picture hidden in the words.
"We will fight besides the dwarfs against the orcs once again. Shayla and a small party will go and propose this idea to the Dwarfs before dawn approaches, should they accept, we will ride to the lonely mountain first thing." But there was nothing in the words, nothing but the words of a King searching for an alliance.
On the one hand, maybe the king truly did see the consequences of the orcs taking Erebor, but it seemed unlikely. On the other hand maybe Beren needed aid in a different war that he had foreseen, but that just seemed even more unlikely.
"It makes no sense…" Shayla unconsciously said aloud.
Rayson stopped mid rant and he and Fraya both turned to look at Shayla.
"Well you see" Rayson began, "Cook owed me from this one time when she-"
"No not your trivial tale, Ray." Shayla interrupted, earning a mock look of hurt from Rayson.
"My father," Shayla continued, "He agreed unusually quickly to our proposal and with little anger toward our….miss-travels" The ones he knows about, Shayla added to herself quietly, "and now we are going to get an alliance with the Dwarfs! Does it not all seem so…" Shayla stumbled to find words.
"Peculiar?" supplied Fraya
"Uncharacteristic?" Rayson suggested
"suspicious" Was the word Shayla finally opted with.
The word hung in the air like an open letter, inviting others to write in it, but no one did, so the silence fell into the empty slots of words as the trio continued their way.
"He's up to something, I know it." Shayla stated when no one spoke. "Its not good, whatever it is."
Rayson sighed, "Your overthinking the whole situation"
"Am I?" Shayla retorted with slight anger as well as genuine questioning
"Yes" was Ray's short response.
Before Fraya could say something Shayla got there first. "So you just believe the kings words to be truth?"
Rayson just shrugged, "He's my King." He said evenly as though it was the only explanation needed.
"You believe his intentions are genuine then?" Shayla pushed
"I believe in Karma" at Fraya's raised eyebrow he continued, "What goes around comes around, doesn't matter if his intentions are genuine or false, truthful or deceitful." When both Fraya and Shayla stared at him questionably, Rayson just sighed in exasperation. "It'll all work out fine in the end, just you wait and see, I promise." He paused then smirked, "And when it does I'll say I told you so." Fraya rolled her eyes and Shayla mirrored this.
For a Shayven a promise was not a small matter and held much trust with them. But for Rayson, one of his promises was about as sincere as Sauron himself. But never the less, it did help put Shayla's mind to ease.
It was not long before Fraya started up a conversation again, and as expected, Rayson took over the focus of attention and continued with his tale. Fraya listened and objected too many parts, Rayson snarled and Shayla just laughed. It continued in the same manner until they reached the lonely mountain an hour later.
From a distance, it was easy to see the immense height Erebor. And now, walking through the shadows along the edge of the mountain, it really was massive. The mountain was almost as long as it was tall. It was no wonder the Dragon would choose live inside it. Well Lived.
"Why couldn't the Dwarfs have wanted to take the Iron Hills or something, it close enough to Erebor" Fraya said as her eyes scanned the side of the mountain face. "Without a dragon, or as many orcs, or-"
"Gold." Rayson interrupted, "Or Gems, or-"
"A Man?" Shayla asked, interjecting Rayson
"A Man?" Ray questioned, "Would they be pros or cons?"
" No idiot, look"
Leaving what the trio supposed was the entrance of the mountain was a man; he was wearing colours of Laketown, with shabby black hair and with a tired posture. He was riding towards the ruins Dale in yonder on horseback and had not noticed the trio in the shadows.
"Negotiations?" Shayla questioned
"Let's hope not." Fraya replied.
When the man was well away the group advanced the entrance. Or what was left of one. The whole thing had been blocked by large boulders stacked high upon each other, it would be close to impossible to knock down easily.
"Umm" Shayla looked at her companions when no Dwarfs could be seen, they just shrugged back at her.
"Leave now while I still allow it." Came the gruff voice that belonged to no other then Thorin himself, who was standing above the large cluster of rocks and pointing an easy-to-dodge arrow at them.
"We bring tidings from King Beren of Shyarvan." Shayla shouted up.
"Lady Shayla?" A new voice said from above. Balin. Shayla smiled.
There was a long pause and then heavy footsteps descending could be heard on the other side of the stone wall.
"What do you want?" Thorin asked roughly through a small hole in the barrier.
Looking through the hole, Shayla spotted Thorin. He was worn and tired looking; he was dirty with bags under his eyes. It almost seemed that he had aged in the past few days of departing his company.
"King Beren of Shyarvan, son of Queen Tarlea the great, wishes for an alliance between the elves of Shyarvan and the Dwarfs of Erebor." Shayla stated formally.
"You just want to get your filthy hands on MY Gold." Thorin shouted defensively.
"We do not want any of your gold." Shayla replied calmly.
"EVERYONE wants my gold." He replied hotly.
In response Shayla simply pulled out the scroll that her father had given her and pushed it through the narrow hole in the wall. It sat there for a while before being snatched by someone on the other side of the wall. Shayla gave them a moment to read over it and leaned against the wall as her friends eyed her questionably, which she ignored. They had no idea what was on the parchment, but Shayla had been there when it had been written and remembered every word, silently she went over it again in her head.
'Thorin Oakenshield son of Thrain, King under the mountain.
I, King Beren of the Shyarvan elves write to you on this day, the second winter of this year.
My congratulations, Recently you and your company have reclaimed Erebor, the lonely mountain Northern Rhovanion and north of Dale, the Dwarven underground Realm once again belongs to the Dwarfs.
It has come to my attention that you will be in need of aid for the war we can all foresee. A treaty between the elves of Shyarvan and the Dwarfs of Erebor is what I offer. Should you choose to accept I offer my forces to you in the battle to reclaim your home once and for all.
In the future I foresee a treaty to prove useful long-term for both our realms. Trade will be welcome and encouraged between both our realms. Coal and metal may prove useful for my realm and the wine and skill at war of our realm may be of use to you.
As Shyarvan, we pride ourselves in earning of wealth and therefore request/ and will not accept any of the riches found in Erebor for that belonged to Thrain and now You, King Thorin and your people. Below are my conditions if such an alliance was formed.
-No Alliance between yourself and Mirkwood may be made before informing Shyarvan of you doing so.
-Aid in any war/conflict the other Realm may face
-Trade of weaponry is forbidden (Gifts are expendable)
Should these conditions be broken or murder of an Elf by Dwarf/ vis-verse, the treaty will be severed. Add any requests you wish, be aware, If you make any amends to the alliance I will read through it first before I agree to it. When my patrol returns, and should I choose to agree to your conditions, I and my people will ride to your aid first thing
Sincerely, King Beren of Shyarvan.'
"Seems Mirkwood has finally joined the party." Rayson stated, pulling Shayla from her thoughts and 20th time reciting the words in her head, as the Dwarfs discussed the alliance in privet behind the stone walls.
Sure enough in the distance stationioned around the lost city of Dale the golden armour, tinged with green, of Mirkwood glistened in the pale moon light, and from the fires of torches below.
"Do you think they have seen us" Fraya question the thought on Shayla's mind.
Rayson snorted and shrugged, "Doubt it, our metal doesn't shine in the moonlight." He said amused rather than irritated.
Fraya and Shayla looked down at their worn traveling cloths and purple cloaks wore by all Shyarvan elves. Rayson was the only one of the trio to be wearing warriors amour composed with a dark rich metal, so dark purple it was it could be easily mistaken for black, and with the purple cloak.
Shayla's brother and father would be wearing the same armour (with slight variations) but lighter in colour, so it could be easily seen as purple, as was the royal amour of their family. Shayla too would be wearing the same colours had she not just returned from her journey. And instead she was wearing her preferred fighting cloths of leggings, tunic and purple cloth with ankle high brown well-worn boots, much alike Fraya.
"Don't think that it really matters now anyway." Rayson was saying "If the Dwarfs agree, they'll see us soon enough."
"Ai, let's hope they do." Fraya added softly. The other two warriors nodded in agreement.
They waited in silence for at least an hour longer.
"We have come to a conclusion" the curt voice of Thorin boomed behind the cold stone.
A/N- #cliff-hanger. (: bit of a slow chapter sorry but had that important stuff that you needed to know, hope it was good anyway. Next chapter... What is Thorins conclusion? Yay Bilbo stars in the next chapter. Legolas fans, he will come again in a few chapters. And what are the kings true intentions you shall find out in the next chapter- "Alliance?"