Let there be War
Vale
Washington and the rest of the survivors of the City of the Lake were getting ready to make camp in the abandoned city. Washington was telling people to look out for the injured and the sick.
"Washington! Over here look!" said a man
"What is it?" asked Washington
"There are lit torches at the entrance of the Lonely Mountain." said the man
Washington saw the torch light and knew what it meant.
"Looks like the company of James Ironwood survived. That is a relief." said Washington
"So the gold is back in the hands of the hunters?" asked the man
Washington turned to look at the man with a serious look.
"Lets get one thing straight here. That treasure is cursed. We will ask for what was promised to us, and nothing more. Can you take the first watch?" said Washington
"Yes." said the man
Washington proceeded to go down and help his family settle for the night. They all hoped that tomorrow everything would be better. Sadly, that was hopeful thinking, because the hunters had another thing in mind.
Beacon
The hunters were pulling all of the rubble and began to pile it all at the opened entrance. They were all helping, even Jaune, either bringing more stone or putting it to cover the entrance.
"Quickly, we need to cover the entrance. All of these fishermen think that they can come here and take what belongs to us by right, but they won't get anything." said Ironwood
Jaune was helping Sun bring more pieces of rubble to block the entrance when they heard what Ironwood had said.
"The people of that city suffered because of us! They have nothing, we should help them!" said Sun dropping the cart
Ironwood turned and gave Sun a dark look.
"Do not tell me about their suffering! I know it all too well. The people that survived the fire of the dragon should be rejoicing. They have much to be thankful for. Us on the other hand still have much to do. More Stone!" demanded Ironwood placing a tone at the entrance.
"I almost feel bad for those people. But my pity can only go so far. Besides it seems that you will have you hands full Jaune." said Cinder
As the night went on the hunters created a massive new entrance to their kingdom. Once the entrance was done the hunters took a much needed sleep.
Vale
In the morning the people of the City of the Lake woke up to the sound of the night watcher yelling that they had a problem. Washington came out to find himself face to face with an army of White Elves armed to the teeth with bows, arrows, and swords. All armed in golden armor.
"Well, this is the last thing I thought I would see today." said Washington
"Wash! I closed my eyes for a second and they were there! I swear!" said the night watch
"Alright, just calm down." said Washington
Washington then began to walk up to the army and the army opened up to let him go through. After carefully walking past the armed elves Washington found himself face to face with non other than King Thranduil, aka the Polar Bear King.
"My Lord Thranduil, to what do we ow this pleasure?" asked Washington as nice as possible
"I heard that you needed help so I came as quickly as I could." said Thranduil
Then a carriage arrived with food, and medicine. The people then began to give it to everyone. They were all grateful to the Forest King.
"We thank you my lord. I am not sure how we can repay your kindness." said Washington
"You are mistaken, if you believe that I only came here to aid you. Since the beast has died the treasure of the mountain is unguarded. I have come to reclaim the ancient relics of my people at any cost." explained Thranduil
"But the company of James Ironwood is there. Are you saying that you are willing to go to war over a bunch of jewels?" asked Washington trying to stop the Forest King
"The treasures of my people are no so easily forgotten. Are you implying that you will stand against me?" asked Thranduil
"No. We are allies in this matter. My people also have a claim to a part of that treasure. So let me speak with James Ironwood." suggested Washington
"You would negotiate with the Hunter?" asked Thranduil
"If I can prevent a war, yes." said Washington
Beacon
Everyone was sharpening their weapons and getting ready for some sort of attack. Jaune was skeptical about the idea of the survivors of the City of the Lake trying to attack them, but Ironwood was getting worse by the minute, and he had the control. Suddenly everyone walked up to the newly build gate watch. Jaune walked with everyone to see what was going on. Then his eyes widen, at the sight of an army of elves armed to the teeth.
Then their sights switched to Washington riding a black horse straight at the entrance. He stopped and stepped down from his horse to greet the company.
"Hello James Ironwood, son of Thrain." saluted Washington
"Why have you come to the front gate of the King Under the Mountain armed for war?" asked Ironwood
"Why has the King Under the Mountain hide himself behind these gates, like a robber in his hideout?" asked Washington
"Come closer and we shall talk." said Ironwood walking down to one of the holes in the door.
As Washington moved to the same hole a raven flew away from the inside of the mountain to another part. Washington decided to pay it no attention since he had something more important to do.
"I am listening." said Ironwood through the hole
"In the name of the people of the City of the Lake, I demand that you honor your promise. A part of the treasure, so that they will be able to rebuild their lives. Also the Elves demand some white jewels that they treasure like their own lives. Those are our demands." explained Washington
"I will not negotiate with an armed guest at my door step." said Ironwood
"That armed guest will attack this mountain unless we come to an agreement. If you do not collaborate you and your allies will die." said Washington
"Your threats do not convince me." said Ironwood
"What about your conscious? Doesn't it tell you that this is the right thing to do? My people gave you their support, and in exchange you only brought upon them ruin, despair, and death." said Washington
"But, your people agreed to aid us in exchange of a reward." hissed Ironwood
"There was a negotiation." snapped Washington
"Negotiation? We were forced to give away our birthright, and our people's treasure for food and blankets. Tell me, Washington the Dragon Hunter, what kind of a deal is that? Why should I honor such terms?" asked Ironwood
"Because you gave us your word. This is a fight you cannot win. My father once told be that there are things a man can and can't do. This is one of those times." said Washington
Ironwood turned to look at his fellow warriors and family members. They all stood with him.
"Begone now, or you will die by our arrows!" said Ironwood
With that said Washington punched the gate and began riding away with his horse.
All the hunters watched as he left. Their fates had been sealed by that decision. Only Jaune was able to speak out.
"What did you just do? You don't need to... No, wait let me rephrase. You CANNOT go to war!" said Jaune to Ironwood
"What did I told you Jaune? He is no longer listening to reason. The question is, what are you going to do about it, besides talking?" said Cinder
"This does not concern you." said Ironwood
"Well EXCUSE ME, but if you haven't noticed there is an army of elves armed to the teeth out there, as well as several hundred angry fishermen! We are out numbered. This is a fight that we cannot win." explained Jaune
"That won't last." said Ironwood
"What do you mean?" asked Jaune
"It means, Mr. Arc, that you should never underestimate Hunters. we have reclaimed Beacon, now WE DEFEND IT." said Ironwood as he walked to the armory
Jaune looked at the rest of the hunters hoping that they would speak up against Ironwood's decisions, but sadly they only had sad faces.