Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
Authors Note: This story is 208 pages on microsoft word. Was shocked when I noticed.
Warning: MalexMale kissing in this chapter.
For four weeks more and more people went back to the ruins of Lake Town to raid the masters former home and take what they could. A lot of gold was taken to other towns and was used to buy food, water and medicine. The elves of Mirkwood and the people of Lake Town were slowly gaining back there strength, the dwarves however were a different story.
The dwarves still refused to enter the mountain and use the gold within to get supplies, but Dain had managed to bring plenty of supplies with him knowing that his cousin would pay him back or if Thorin and his heirs died then he would inherit the mountain himself.
Thorin, Fili and Kili to everyone's surprise seemed to be getting much better thanks to Oin's hard work. Oin barely left their sides and took even the slightest of movement's from them as a good sign.
Ori and Bofur were making their way to the elven camp to visit Bilbo. The two of them were the only dwarves allowed to do this. The other members of the company wanted to, but they were not trusted by the elves. Ori and Bofur were an exception due to their good manners and behaviour. As they walked towards the elven camp they were stopped by two of the guards and searched. Once they were checked and given the all clear they were taken to Bilbo.
Bilbo knew Ori and Bofur were coming he could smell them. He smiled and ran up to them "Ori, Bofur" he said happily.
"Bilbo lad" Bofur said hugging his friend.
After a quick hug from each of them Bilbo took them inside the tent he was staying in.
"How are Thorin, Fili and Kili?" Bilbo asked.
"Oin says they are still getting better. No more fevers and sometimes he sees them twitching in their sleep" Bofur replied.
"That's good" Bilbo said relieved.
"What about you Bilbo, how have you been?" Ori asked.
"I've been...good, but I do miss the company" Bilbo replied truthfully.
"We miss you too lad" Bofur said.
"Why don't you came back with us?" Ori asked.
"Things are still tense between me and Dain's men and I don't want to cause any more trouble" Bilbo replied.
"I know what you mean. Dain and Balin have met many times to talk about the elven problem" Ori said.
"The elven problem?" Bilbo said confused.
"He's means the fact that the elves are not leaving" Bofur said.
"Oh, well Thranduil would leave if he got his wife's necklace back" Bilbo stated.
"We know that, but Dain won't have it" Bofur said "All he cares about is keeping people out of the mountain until Thorin tells him otherwise"
Bilbo puffed up his cheeks in annoyance "Well what right does he have to do such things?"
"I'm afraid he has the only right. He is Thorin's cousin and with all three Durin's unconscious and unable to do anything Dain is the only one the dwarves will follow" Ori said.
"Well What about Balin?" Bilbo asked "Surely he has some right to give orders?"
"Well that's a bit complicated, but to put it simply if Dain wasn't here Balin would be the one to be giving orders" Ori said "The people would trust him. His many years working for the line of Durin would be enough reason for people to follow him"
"Isn't there something we can do?" Bilbo asked.
"Not to be a downer, but all we are is a miner, a scribe and a hobbit, what can we do?" Bofur said.
"Maybe we could talk to Dain and work something out?" Bilbo said. Bofur and Ori seemed sceptical "I mean all Thranduil wants is the necklace and some gold for the supplies and people he has lost. He'll leave if he gets that" he explained.
"I don't know Bilbo, Dain's as stubborn as Thorin and he won't listen to the three of us" Bofur said.
"But you're hero's of Erebor. You stood up against Smaug. Surely that must stand for something? Don't dwarves value bravery?" Bilbo said upset.
"We do Bilbo, but we are not royalty and we're not part of any royal council. Hero's we maybe but we don't have that type of power" Ori said.
As Bilbo though about what Ori said he had an idea "What about King Bard?"
"Bard? What can he do?" Bofur asked.
"Maybe nothing, maybe something. I think I have an idea" Bilbo said.
Ori and Bofur were still a bit sceptical but they went with Bilbo to find Bard.
The three of them went to the human camp in the ruins of Dale and found Bard. Bilbo told him he had a plan that may or may not work in getting the people and the elves the gold they were owned. Bard followed them into a building where no one could hear the plan.
"So what is your plan?" Bard asked.
"My plan is to invoke the right of the Kings promise" Bilbo said.
"The Kings promise? What's that?" Bofur asked.
"I've heard of that" Ori piped up "It's a decree the first dwarven Kings made. If a King makes a promise to another King it must be kept no matter what happens to the King who made that promise"
"Thank you for explaining Ori" Bilbo said.
"How do you know of decree Bilbo? It's supposed to be a secret from other races" Ori said.
"That's because the decree wasn't invented by dwarves. It was made by Hobbits. Back when we had a King and not a Thain" Bilbo replied.
"No, no that can't be right. Dwarves made that law after finding lands to settle on" Ori said shocked.
"Only after they met Hobbits" Bilbo said and began to tell the story of the Kings promise "The story is dwarves met Hobbits a long time ago when they were both looking for places to live. None of the races had seen each other before and were very curious about each other, but true to both are natures we were very secretive. However there was one thing we did share and that was knowledge. The Hobbits showed the dwarves how to plant food near mountains and the dwarves showed the Hobbit how to fight. After a while the two races decided to go their separate ways, but before they did the King of Hobbits asked the King of dwarves to make a Kings promise and to not to tell anyone about their existence. The Kings of dwarves was confused and asked what a Kings promise was. The King of Hobbits explained that the Kings promise was a promise only made by Kings, from one King to another and each King must keep that promise no matter what happened to them. The King of dwarves liked the idea of the Kings promise so much he asked the Hobbit King if he could invoke the same law. The King of Hobbits agreed but only if he kept his first promise and tell no one of their meeting and that the decree be open to all races. The dwarf King Agreed and went on to make the decree and told people he had came up with idea, keeping his promise to the Hobbit King. And ever since then dwarves have believed they came up with the idea of the King's promise"
Bard was fascinated by the story, while Ori and Bofur sat with their mouths agape.
"I-I can't believe it. We've been fed lies all these years?" Ori said almost angrily.
"Not lies Ori. The King merely kept his promise. Something we Hobbits have been grateful for and respect. Which is why we didn't mind him taking credit for the creation of the Kings promise" Bilbo replied.
"I suppose that is a good thing" Bofur said "So how does this help us?" he asked.
"Thorin made a promise to Bard back in Lake Town. If we invoke the right of the Kings promise Dain will have to let us into the mountain and give Bard what he and his people are owed" Bilbo said.
"I'm not sure that will work Bilbo. Bard wasn't a King when the promise was made" Ori pointed out.
"And neither was Thorin. Both Thorin and Bard were heirs to a throne when the promise was made. Now they are both Kings and that promise can still be kept because of those circumstances" Bilbo explained.
Ori's eyes widened at the realisation "You're right Bilbo, this plan might work!" he said excited.
"I still don't understand" Bard said.
"Bilbo's saying because you and Thorin made a promise when you weren't Kings but heirs to the throne you two were of the same status and now the both of you are Kings that promise will carry over" Ori explained "All we have to do is tell Dain about that promise and invoke the right and he'll have to let us fulfil Thorin's promise as King"
"But will Dain believe us?" Bofur asked "If he doesn't the plan won't work"
"He will have to. Thorin made that promise in front of many witnesses and one of them is Balin" Bilbo said "You said it yourself Balin is trust worthy, the dwarves know who he is and would trust his word. Also wouldn't the dwarves agree with the hero's of Erebor? The very people who helped regain their homeland. Dain cannot go against so many least he look bad" Bilbo explained with a smirk.
"No, Dain wouldn't go against us" Ori said.
Bofur feeling a new sense of hope jumped to his feet and said "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go find Dain"
"Right. Bofur can you gather the company?" Bilbo asked.
"Of course" Bofur replied and rushed off to find them.
"Ori can you tell Balin our plan?" Bilbo asked.
"Can do" Ori said also rushing off back to the camp
"Bard let's get your horse" Bilbo said.
"Should we tell Thranduil?" Bard asked.
"No, he might complicate things" Bilbo replied. He knew Bard was slightly saddened by this, but it was best to keep elves out of this for now.
Bilbo and Bard had a casual trot to the dwarven camp and waited for everyone to arrive at the round table being used a as temporary council meeting place. Soon enough the rest of the company began to join them. Bilbo was practically twitching in anticipation and seeing all of the company again was making him frantic.
"All right what in the name of Mahal is going on here?" Dain bellowed as he approached the table.
"King Dain" Bard greeted with a bow.
"King Bard" Dain said politely "I'm glad to see there are no tree shaggers among us" he chuckled.
"They are not involved in this" Bilbo said.
"Good, sick of seeing them" Dain said "Now what is this all about?" he asked.
"This is about what King Thorin owes King Bard" Bilbo said.
"Not this again. I've told you many times I will not let anyone in that mountain without my cousins consent" Dain said annoyed.
"Which is why I want to invoke the right of the Kings promise" Bilbo said.
"You can't do that" Dain replied.
"Yes I can. Anyone can invoke the right of they were there when the promise was made" Bilbo said "I was there when Thorin made a promise to Bard"
"But Bard was not a King. He was a barge man" Dain said trying to discredit him.
"Thorin was not a King when he made the promise. Both Thorin and Bard were heirs to a throne when the promise was made. Because they were of the same status that promise carried over when both of them earned their right to take their thrones" Bilbo explained almost smugly "And to top it all off all of the hero's of Erebor were there when the promise was made. They all heard it"
Dain knew he was beat but he wanted to confirm it himself "Did you?" he asked.
"Aye we were Dain" Balin said.
The rest of the company said they were all there when Thorin made his promise and Dain had no choice but to relent "All right. Giving the circumstance I Dain Lord of the Iron Hills hereby grant you permission under the right of the Kings promise to enter the mountain and take what you were promised. Just remember promise or not if you steal what is not yours or desecrate the mountain in any way my people will stop you, be force if we need to" he warned "And no elves can enter the mountain either" he added before storming off.
"Well done master Baggins" Balin said with a smile "I don't know why I didn't think of the promise of the Kings before"
"No problem Balin. Now how are we going to do this?" Bilbo asked.
"I will go back and tell everyone we can enter the mountain" Bard said.
"That could be a bad move" Bilbo said stopping Bard.
"He's right Bard. Having so many people in the mountain may cause some problems. Some parts of the mountain are damaged and the chance them collapsing is high" Balin explained.
Bard knew he was right, also there were people Bard knew would take more than they needed and he didn't want to upset Dain "Very well. What do we do then?" he asked.
"I have a plan" Bilbo said "Dwalin if you go with Ori to Dain's camp and get us a cart we can use it to transport the gold to Dale"
"Why do we have to get the cart?" Dwalin asked.
"Because you're strong enough to bring it here Dwalin and Ori has been working with Balin enough to be trusted" Bilbo replied.
"Alright fine. Let's go Ori" Dwalin said turning towards the camp.
"C-Coming Master Dwalin" Ori said following him.
Dori and Nori gritted their teeth and wanted to chase after their younger brother, but were stopped by Balin telling them to stop being such worry warts.
Bilbo being the sneaky Hobbit he was knew Dwalin and Ori liked each other. They had never acted upon their desires but Bilbo knew some time alone might change that. As all of them waited for Dwalin and Ori to return with a cart Bilbo smiled to himself in hopes that they would get to know each other a little bit more.
Dwalin and Ori made their way through the crowd of dwarves to get a cart off Dain's men.
"M-Master Dwalin?" Ori said.
"What is it?" Dwalin asked.
"What should we tell Dain's men? We can't tell them Bilbo's plan, they might stop us" Ori said.
"We'll just say we need it to transport some things for Dain" Dwalin replied.
"What if they ask what we are transporting?" Ori asked.
"I don't know. Isn't that why Bilbo sent you with me? You're the thinker not me" Dwalin replied.
"I don't know what to say" Ori admitted.
"You'll think of something" Dwalin said trying to encourage him.
Ori felt his face burn red with embarrassment and hoped Dwalin didn't notice.
The two of them eventually came across the carts and Dain's men.
"Evening lads" Dwalin greeted.
"Master Dwalin, what can we do for you?" one of them asked.
"We need a cart" Dwalin answered.
"What for?" the other dwarf asked.
"Transport" Dwalin replied.
"Transport of what?" the dwarf asked.
Dwalin didn't know what to say and hoped Ori had thought of something.
"Safety!" Ori said quickly "It's for safety"
The dwarves guarding the carts looked confused "You want to transport safety?" one said.
"No, we a need a cart so we can easily transport some large rocks to stop a collapse" Ori lied "Some of us did a check of the mountain and found a structure about to collapse thanks to Smaug rampaging through the tunnels"
The guards still looked slightly unconvinced.
"Well come on then!" Ori said startling them "We don't have much time, lives are at risk" he said making the situation sound very urgent.
The guards moved quickly and gave them a cart.
Dwalin and Ori thanked them for their cooperation and took the cart.
When they were far enough away Dwalin spoke up "Nice thinking lad"
Ori blushed and said "Thank you master Dwalin"
"Just Dwalin" Dwalin replied.
"A-Alright" Ori said.
When Dwalin and Ori returned with the cart Bilbo told them the rest of the plan "Now that we have a cart we're going to go into the mountain and get enough gold to feed Bard's people and rebuild Dale. However there is one other thing we need to do"
"And that would be?" Nori asked.
"We need to give the elves their payment as well" Bilbo said. Naturally the dwarves were not happy.
"Why do we need to give the prissy King anything" Dwalin complained.
"So he will leave" Bilbo replied "If Thranduil gets what he wants then he will go"
"Dain will not be happy" Balin said.
"Dain has no say in the matter. My plan is for Bard to give Thranduil his payment. Bard has permission to take what he needs from the mountain and if he wants to gives some of it to Thranduil there is nothing anybody can do about it" Bilbo explained.
"I get it. Because of the promise of the Kings we invoked and got permission for anything Bard takes from the mountain becomes his to do with what he wants and that includes giving it to someone else" Ori said.
"Exactly" Bilbo said.
"I don't agree with giving Thranduil anything, but if it will get him to leave so be it" Gloin said.
When everyone agreed to Bilbo's plan all of them entered the mountain with the cart to load it with riches.
Bard's breath was stolen from his lungs when he saw the vast treasure of Erebor. Now he understood why the dwarves didn't one anyone entering the mountain. He followed Bilbo and the others down a safe path until his feet touched the gold.
"What exactly should we load onto the cart?" Nori asked.
"Well we have not use for jewellery, so maybe just coins to buy food and medicine" Bard replied.
"Alright, let's start loading up some coins" Nori said.
As the dwarves began to load sacks of gold into the cart Bilbo led Bard into another room. The room was filled with gold and jewels were splayed all over a desk.
"I found Thorin in this room once admiring the jewels" Bilbo said. He walked Bard over to the desk and showed him some pure with jewels and a necklace "Thorin said that this is the necklace Thranduil wants"
Bard admired the necklace for a moment and said "I will take it to Thranduil"
"I know you will. There was one other necklace Thorin was admiring as well" Bilbo said. He took Bard to another desk in the corner where a large golden necklace laced with emeralds lay "Thorin told me this belonged King Girion your ancestor. By rights this now belongs to you"
Bard looked at the necklace before snorting "I have no use for such a glamorous thing"
"You might not, but Thranduil might" Bilbo said smirking.
Bard looked at Bilbo confused and asked "You want me to give it to him?"
"Thranduil has done a lot for you, I would be a nice gift and emeralds are his favourite jewel" Bilbo replied still smirking.
"I was going to give him that necklace" Bard said pointing to the white one on the table.
"That necklace was a gift for his wife who passed away years ago. He is never going to wear it" Bilbo told him "I will give Thranduil his wife's necklace and you can give him this one as a gift before he returns to Mirkwood"
Bard thought about it for a moment and agreed. The two of them collect the necklaces and went to rejoin the dwarves.
The cart was loaded with plenty of gold and jewels for the men and elves and with some effort the cart was taken outside of the mountain. First they would see Thranduil.
Bilbo and Bard entered Thranduil's tent with matching smiles, which Thranduil noticed.
"You two seem happy, did something happen?" Thranduil asked.
"Yes something did happen" Bilbo said. He put the jewellery box on Thranduil's table and opened it.
Thranduil's eyes widened with shock and disbelief. He touched the necklace gently and whispered "How?"
"Bilbo was the one who came up with the idea" Bard said.
"I invoked the promise of the Kings and Dain could no longer deny us entry to the mountain. We went in, filled up an cart with gold and brought it out of the mountain" Bilbo said.
"We are going to give you a share of the treasure we have brought back, but in return you must..." Bard couldn't' finished his sentence. The thought of Thranduil leaving hurt him.
"When you have your payment you need to go back to Mirkwood" Bilbo said.
Thranduil looked at them a little hurt but he understood "Very well. Once I have my payment there will no longer be any reason for me to stay here. Me and my people shall leave"
Bilbo and Bard led Thranduil to the cart and let him take what he wanted. Thranduil let his men pack what he had picked and told everyone they were leaving. After thanking Bilbo for his brilliant plan and generosity he went back into his own tent to pack his things.
Bilbo gave Bard a small nudge and pointed to the box containing Girion's necklace. Bard got the message and went into Thranduil's tent.
Bard to cleared his throat to get Thranduil's attention.
"Evening Bard. Here to say goodbye?" Thranduil asked.
"No, well, yes but I'm here to do something else as well" Bard replied. He put the box on the table and said "I wanted to give you this as thanks for everything you've done"
"A gift? How nice of you Bard" Thranduil said with a smile.
Bard opened the box to showed Thranduil the necklace.
"The necklace of Girion" Thranduil said.
"You've seen this necklace?" Bard said confused.
"Seen it? I was there when Girion wore it when he was crowned King" Thranduil replied "I am surprised you are giving this to me. This belongs to your family"
"Maybe, but I won't ever wear it" Bard replied "I think it would look better on you" he admitted blushing slightly.
Thranduil felt his heart flutter in his chest for a moment at Bard's words. He approached him and ran his fingers down Bard's warm cheek "Thank you Bard. I will treasure it forever"
"Y-You're welcome" Bard stuttered.
Thranduil moved his fingers under Bard's chin and made Bard look up at him. He leaned forward and brought their lips together.
Bard was a surprised at first, but then he relaxed into the kiss. Thranduil's lips felt cool and soft upon his own. They pulled apart too soon for Bard's liking and all Bard could do was stare.
"I apologise if that was too forward of me" Thranduil said.
"Not at all. It was most welcome" Bard replied.
"We will meet again Bard and I hope it is under better circumstances" Thranduil said.
"As do I and I look forward to that day" Bard replied.
A little bit later Thranduil and his people were ready to leave. Bilbo and Bard bid them good bye and good luck. Bard watched sadly as Thranduil left on his now fully healed elk and disappeared into the forest if Mirkwood.
"You'll see him again Bard" Bilbo said.
"I know" Bard replied.
"Ah good riddance" Dwalin said "Now that's he's gone let's get the rest of this gold to Dale"
The dwarves followed Bard into Dale where they were glared at by the people, which was understandable.
Bard got off his horse and made an announcement "Everyone! Bilbo Baggins has convinced Dain to give us what we were promised back in Lake Town. We will not starve or freeze this winter"
All the people cheered in joy at their new found wealth and promise of food and shelter. The dwarves helped to share out the gold for everyone and were even thanked for their help.
It was almost night fall when the dwarves decided to leave Dale. It was Gloin who noticed Bilbo reluctance to leave.
"Is there something wrong Bilbo?" Gloin asked.
"I'm going to stay in Dale" Bilbo replied.
"Why?" Gloin asked.
"I'm probably still not welcome among Dain's men. I don't want to cause trouble" Bilbo replied.
Gloin was going to argue with him, tell his a thousand reasons why he would be welcome, but he knew it would do no good. Bilbo's mind was set on staying in Dale "Alright lad. Just so you know you'll always be welcome with the company"
"Thank you Gloin" Bilbo said and hugged him before he left.
Bilbo said good bye to each of the dwarves, he even said an extra special goodbye to Bifur now that he could speak westron again. He watched the dwarves leave with a heavy heart. He wanted to go with them but he stayed away out of fear. He joined up with Bard and his family and went into the building they made camp in. His mind was kept occupied by the many question of Bard's children which he answered gladly. The only thing he did often wonder was, what would happen next?