Chapter 24
Stand Down
The next morning I went to the gate before anyone else. The elven host stood before the gates. I knew that even if I begged and pleaded that they would not go. And I could not blame them for it. Thorin and the others soon appeared beside me. I saw Thranduil and Bard ride forward, Thranduil on his great Elk and Bard on his white steed. My heart was pounding in my chest, waiting for them to reveal the Arkenstone. Thorin raised his bow and fired an arrow at the hoof of Thranduil's elk.
"I will put the next one between your eyes!"
The doors started to cheer and I pushed his bow down.
"Stop."
"We have come to tell you, payment of your debt has been offered. And accepted." Bard said.
I turned around and Thorin pushed me to the side.
"What payment? I gave you nothing! You have nothing!"
I sucked in a breath as Bard reached into his pocket.
"We have this."
He held up the Arkenstone.
"They have the Arkenstone. Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house!? That stone belongs to the king!" Kili said.
"The king may have it. On our good will. But first he must honor his word."
I looked at Thorin nervously.
"They are taking us for fools. This is a rouse, a filthy lie." He raised his voice. "The Arkenstone is in this mountain! This is a trick!"
"It is no trick."
I closed my eyes and then looked at Bilbo.
"The stone is real, I gave it to them."
I slowly looked at Thorin.
"You? You would steal from me?"
"Steal? No, I may be a burglar but I like to think I am an honest one."
Thorin looked absolutely livid.
"I am willing to let it stand against my claim."
"Against your claim? You have no claim over me you miserable rat!"
He started to go forward and I tried to grab him. He pushed me away.
"I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to but….."
"But what thief?"
"You are changed Thorin! The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word. He would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!"
My eyes widened and I looked at Thorin again.
"Do not speak to me of loyalty. Throw him from the rampart!"
No one would do so.
"Did you not hear me!?"
Still no one would step forward.
"I will do it myself!"
"NO!"
I yanked him back and got in front of Bilbo.
"Move Elena!"
"I will not! You will have to get past me, and I know you would never hurt me."
We stared each other down before he grabbed me and threw me aside. I hit my shoulder on the stone and he grabbed Bilbo. He started to shout at him and then I heard another voice.
"If you do not like my burglar then please, do not damage him, return him to me."
Gandalf had finally come. I got up and ran to Bilbo.
"Come on quickly."
"Will you be alright?"
"I will be fine. Now go quickly!"
He went down the rope.
"You are not making a very splendid figure as King Under the Mountain are you? Thorin son of Thrain."
Thorin stared them down and Oin checked my shoulder.
"I am fine." I said.
"No lassie, you have a dislocated shoulder."
Thorin when you come back to your senses I am going to slap you!
I held my breath as Oin put it back in place.
"Will you have peace or war?!" Bard asked.
I stood up and looked at him. A raven came and landed in front of Thorin. Thorin smirked and then looked over to the east.
"I will have war."
My eyes widened. Then I heard them. It was Dain, Thorin's cousin. The dwarves started to cheer and Dain came riding forward on a war pig.
"Maria….can I get one of those?" Alejandro asked.
I had to laugh.
"Good morning, how are we all?"
He stopped on a rock.
"I have a wee proposition if you would not mind giving me a moment of your time. Would you consider…..JUST SHOVING OFF!"
He was a lot like Thorin when he got mad.
"ALL OF YOU! RIGHT NOW!"
"Stand fast!" said Bard.
I watched Gandalf walk forward.
"Come now! Lord Dain."
"Gandalf the Grey?"
Gandalf bowed his head respectfully.
"Tell this rabble to leave or I will water the ground with their blood." said Dain.
"There is no need for war between dwarves, men and elves. An army of orcs marches this way. Stand your army down." Gandalf said.
"I will not stand down before any elf. Least of all this faithless woodland sprite! He wishes nothing but ill will upon my people. If he chooses to stand between me and my kin, I will split his pretty head open! See if he is still smirking then!"
The dwarves cheered and I shook my head.
"He is clearly mad, like his cousin!"
I narrowed my eyes.
"HEY!"
They all looked at me.
"Speak ill of Thorin one more time and I roast you like a chicken!"
He looked at me with a 'yeah right' sort of look. I raised my brows and then blew fire into the air. His eyes widened and then Dain said,
"You heard that lads? Lets give these bastards a good hammering!"
The dwarven prepared to charge but then the ground began to rumble. Large worm-like creatures came up from the ground. My eyes widened and Alejandro's mouth fell open. Then the orcs started to pour out of the holes created by the creatures. Dain led his army towards them to fight, but the elves did nothing.
"I am going over the wall, who is coming with me." Fili said.
The dwarves started to nod.
"Stand down." Thorin said.
I turned and looked at him.
"What? Are we to do nothing?"
"I said stand down!"
I glared at him.