Chapter 36

Stand My Ground

Gwirithiel's POV

There stood the last person I wanted to see at that moment. Thorin stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the jewel. I stepped back and he looked at me.

"Gwirithiel give me the Arkenstone." He said.

His voice was rough and tears formed in my eyes.

"No Thorin. I will not."

Anger was clear in his blue eyes. He actually drew his sword. I would not draw mine nor would I stand down. Kili got between us.

"Uncle stop this! It is Gwirithiel!" Kili shouted.

"Get the jewel from her then and give it to me. You know this is why we came all the way here!" Thorin growled.

"No uncle it is not! We came here to reclaim our home! The Arkenstone is a small price to pay for that!" Kili shouted.

"Get out of the way Kili! NOW!"

Kili drew his sword and shook his head.

"No! I stand with you on many things, but not this. Do you not remember what you told me about my great-grandfather? How you saw him in the treasury every night just walking amongst the gold and jewels? You told me you know something was wrong with him, and now there is something wrong with you Thorin! There is only one way to stop this."

Kili's POV

I knew that the only chance I had was if I destroyed the stone. I looked at my wife and nodded. She put the gem on the floor in front of me. Thorin's eyes were wide.

"Kili….do you know what will happen if you do this? The seven armies of the dwarves will never acknowledge me as king if you destroy it!"

I looked him dead in the eye.

"If all you care about is this…you are no king."

With those words I brought the pummel of my sword down upon the jewel. I smashed it to dust. When I looked back up my uncle was glaring at me.

"Get out…..both of you!"

I took Gwirithiel's hand and we left. As we passed, Gwirithiel looked at Thorin.

"Thorin you brought this upon yourself. I will always love you as an uncle and a friend. Namarie Thorin Oakenshield." she whispered.

He started to shout and curse at her in Khuzdul, but she did not cry. We kept walking and then started to climb over the barricade.

"Kili? Gwirithiel where are you going?"

I looked at my brother.

"I destroyed the Arkenstone."

He gasped and now Bilbo came forward.

"You should have let me do that." he said.

I shook my head.

"Gwirithiel wanted to do it, but I did. In front of uncle."

"Kili why?!"

"It was the only way. I am so sorry brother. Take care of yourself and…"

"No! You cannot leave, neither of you can. You belong here with us!"

"Fili! Mother is coming along with the other dwarves. If she cannot talk sense into Thorin then none can."

He sighed and then hugged me.

"Be careful. Take care of her." he said.

"You know I shall."

Fili then hugged Gwirithiel and kissed her cheek. Then we climbed over the barricade and left. My uncle had turned into a monster and thrown us out. I could only hope he would come back and realize what he had done.

Gwirithiel's POV

I was fighting tears the whole way down from the mountain. I would not let Thorin make me cry. All my life I had been quite frail and at times over emotional. Now I knew I had to be stronger than I was, especially for my Kili. Legolas came to me with a smile. I could not bring myself to smile back.

"Is everything alright my friend?" he asked gently.

I shook my head.

"What has happened?" He asked.

"My uncle has banished the both of us. I destroyed the Arkenstone, in front of him. Gwirithiel refused to give him the jewel. He drew his sword on her and I drew mine on him. I smashed it and he banished us both." Kili said.

Legolas looked at me sadly.

"I am sorry my dear friend. I wish there was something I could do to help you." he said.

I walked forward and hugged him.

"Hannon le." I said.

He hugged me and then I went back to Kili. I refused to cry and I looked around me. The people of Lake Town were cold and hungry. And Thorin I know would not give them anything. I saw a child sitting alone. I took a deep breath and walked forward. I knelt down in front of her and smiled softly.

"Hello. What is your name?" I asked.

"Tilda." she answered.

"I am Gwirithiel. It is a pleasure to meet you Tilda."

She smiled and nodded. I looked around.

"Where is your family?"

"My da is with the Elvenking and my sister is helping the people. My brother went with my father." she said.

"And who is your father?"

She smiled proudly.

"Bard the Dragon slayer!"

I smiled and bowed.

"It is an honor to meet the child of such a brave man." I said.

I heard Kili come up behind me and I looked up at him.

"You! You're one of the dwarves who destroyed our home!" Tilda said.

I turned back to her.

"No, no Tilda! We tried to stop him from going there. I was face to face with him and told him not to. My friend Bilbo Baggins did as well." I said quickly.

"Everyone blames the dwarves. If they had not gone to the mountain we would not have lost our homes." she said.

"Tilda that is not true." came a voice.

I looked over and found a man walking forward. He had shoulder length brown hair and a grim face.

"Da."

My eyes went wide and I bowed. Mostly in apology.

"My lord Bard I presume? I am Gwirithiel daughter of Arthion. I apology for all that has happened to your people." I said.

"I do not blame you. Nor do I blame the dwarves. They just wanted their home back. I understand that now more than ever. The only thing I want now, is a home for my family and my people." He said.

I immediately looked towards the mountain.

Kili's POV

Gwirithiel looked towards the mountain and then nodded.

"Then I know what I must do."

I was getting worried now.

"Gwirithiel?" I asked.

"I have to go back to the mountain."

My eyes went wide.

"Gwirithiel no!"

She looked at me and smiled.

"I have to Kili my love. I have to help these people." she said softly.

"NO! I cannot lose you or our baby!" I said.

She shook her head.

"You will not. Thorin will not kill me. He may not be in his right mind now, but I can help him. I have to try. And you cannot come with me this time. At least not all the way to the gate."

"I will not allow you to go before Thorin alone." I said firmly.

She looked at Bard and his young daughter.

"Kili I have to go alone. In the beginning I always needed you to speak for me. Now….I have to speak for myself. I have to try and stop this before it cannot be stopped. I…..have been quiet for far too long." she said.

I sighed and then nodded. She kissed me and then I just held her in my arms.

"You are not the same woman that I met all those months ago. You are stronger now. Stronger than any dwarf, elf or man I could ever know."

She held me tighter. I could only hope she would be able to help Thorin see reason.