I've had a really good couple of writing days, so I thought I would try to get at least two more chapters up before my holiday!
You guys are wonderful and patient, and I must ask for your patience while I'm away, and I promise I will do my best to get another chapter up while I'm away!
Chapter 37: The Aftermath
The celebrations that followed Smaug's demise would have surely lasted several weeks had no common sense been present at the time. If the vast majority of the company had been able to have their way, then celebrations would have certainly occurred, but Thorin had not allowed it, simply because there was too much work at hand that should be done, like, for example, beginning to restore Erebor to its former glory, sending messages to the dwarves in the Blue Mountains, sorting through the vast quantities of treasure, and, very importantly, locating the Arkenstone, which was yet to appear.
The first 'issue' to arise was that of the treasure. For during Thror's rule, his obsession with gold had led to the forging of the treasures that lay before them, spread out like a golden sea. No one had a clue what to do with it, but a possible resolution came in the form of approaching townspeople from Lake Town, led by Bard.
Balin had brought the news of the approaching townspeople to Thorin immediately, and this is where another issue arose.
It had been two days since the thrush and the raven had brought the news of Smaug's death to the mountain, and in that time Evelyn had noticed a fairly significant, and concerning, change in Thorin. He was becoming less cheerful than what he would have been expected to be in light of recent events, and his temper had grown even shorter than usual. He took to snapping at the others too much, and had been strangely protective of the treasure. Because of this, Evelyn was forced to spend a lot less time with Thorin for fear of him possibly turning on her when his temper was to breaking point.
Because of the change in Thorin's behaviour, he had now become a lot less reluctant to share Erebor's wealth with the others, despite the speech he had made back in Lake Town, promising the townspeople a share in the treasure that would grant them the ability to rebuild their town and restore Dale to its former glory. When Balin came to Thorin, he had been less than pleased.
"Let them come," Thorin had said in a growling voice. "It is not theirs to take, and I will surely not be giving away a single coin to those people,"
Balin's protests, however logical they were, fell on deaf ears in response to this.
Thorin's attention had been not focused at all on Balin, or any of the other company for that matter. For his heart and mind was set on locating the Arkenstone. The king's jewel was still missing amongst the piles of treasure, and no amount of encouragement (if you could call it that) or urging could make it appear any quicker.
However, the mystery surrounding the missing Arkenstone was soon resolved, somewhat. Bilbo took Evelyn aside on the third day with a very serious expression on his face.
"What is the matter Bilbo?" Evelyn asked her friend.
The hobbit gulped. "I fear I've done a terrible thing,"
Evelyn frowned. "I'm sure that whatever you did was not a terrible thing. What's the matter?"
Bilbo looked left and right twice to double check that there was no one nearby, but before he could open his mouth to speak, Thorin appeared in their sights. For one sickening moment they thought he had heard every word they had spoken, but he was there for a different reason.
"There are people entering the mountain," He said to them. "We're all gathering to meet them,"
Without hesitation, they followed Thorin to the main hall. Standing at the opening, they greeted the large crowd that had arrived on Erebor's doorstep. Two flags, born by two members of the crowds, fluttered in the gentle breeze.
One flag was a murky blue colour with two spears crossing each other in an 'X' shape within a darker blue circle. This flag was carried by the Men of Lake Town, who had all come for a share in the treasure that would also grant them supplies to rebuild their ruined town. Bard led the people, and the fact that he wore much more distinguishable clothes could only mean one thing; he had become the Master of Lake Town.
The other flag was an emerald green with a silver maple leaf on it. This was indeed the flag that represented the elves of Mirkwood. They all looked extremely distinguished in their silk robes, all colours of the earth, and looked distinctly more presentable next to the tattered clothes worn by the people of Lake Town. King Thranduil led the elves, and Evelyn did her best to avoid his piercing eyes, remembering how she had spoken to him.
"Welcome to all," Thorin addressed them all. "Why have you come here?"
Bard chose to step forward. "Thorin Oakenshield, I, along with King Thranduil, seek to gain a small amount of your time to counsel on certain matters," Bard's manner of speaking had certainly changed.
Thorin looked highly reluctant and would have sent them all away if not for the fact that they were all severely outnumbered.
"I would be glad to hold counsel with you people. If you would follow me then,"
Five minutes later, they had assembled in a large room that had been untouched by Smaug. In the direct centre was a large round table, perfect for holding meetings such as the one that was about to begin.
Thorin sat in the largest chair, flanked by Evelyn and Bilbo on his left and Balin and Dwalin on his right. On Thorin's right was King Thranduil, sitting with his son Legolas plus two other elves, presumably high in rank in the army. On Thorin's left sat Bard along with three other members of Lake Town. Evelyn recognized one of these people as the sinister Alfrid, who had obviously changed allegiance immediately in order to keep his job.
"Tell me," Thorin began, breaking the icy silence. "Why have you come here today then?"
Bard took it upon himself to begin. "I am now the Master of Lake Town. I am the one who slew the dragon Smaug as he attacked and decimated my home. The dragon dealt great damage to our town and many of my kin perished as a result. I have come here today so that you might honour your promise and share in the wealth of Erebor so that we may rebuild our home and restore it to its former glory once more,"
The silence that followed was eerie. When Thorin spoke, it did not take any sort of intelligent being to tell that he was not a happy dwarf.
"The wealth of Erebor does not belong to Man. It is property of the dwarves of Erebor, and as its rightful ruler I have decided that none of you deserve a single coin from my treasure," Thorin said sharply. "And I saw that you all came armed to my kingdom, and those who come barging into my kingdom demanding a share in my treasure are no better than thieves or enemies!"
"We are not your enemies, nor are we thieves!" Bard replied indignantly, obviously trying very hard to keep his voice level and free of anger.
Thorin then turned his anger on Thranduil. "And I will not make deals with elves. You come into my kingdom asking for treasure and expect me to comply when it was you who refused to come to our aid when the blasted dragon was attacking Erebor!"
Thranduil chose not to speak, staying completely silent. Legolas looked like he very much wanted to put Thorin in his place, more likely with a weapon, but he was obviously doing his best to control himself.
"Thorin, be reasonable!" Balin cried exasperatedly, getting up out of his chair.
Thorin rounded on him in an instant. "I am being reasonable. This is my decision, not yours. Do well to remember that in the presence of your king,"
That stunned the poor old dwarf so much that he sat right back in his seat. In all his years he had never had Thorin speak to him like that, and he was speechless. Dwalin opened his mouth to put him in his place, which would have certainly ended in physical violence had Evelyn not opened her mouth first.
"I don't know what's gotten into you Thorin but you had no right to speak to Balin like that," She said fiercely, facing off her partner with a glare.
He didn't come to his senses, and because of this, he turned on her. "I am the ruler of Erebor and I deserve to be treated that way. Learn your place woman, and learn to keep your mouth shut,"
Evelyn was dumbstruck, but she recovered faster than she thought she had. "You've changed, and most certainly not for the better Thorin Oakenshield. You promised these people a share in Erebor's wealth, but your greed and lust for gold has clouded your mind. You're not the man I fell in love with, and I refuse to associate myself with the dwarf who has replaced my lover!"
And with that, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door as hard as she could on the way out.
Thorin had not yet realised that he was in the wrong, and he immediately turned to the two leaders, glowering as if they were to blame for his misfortune.
"I have no more to say to you. I suggest you leave my kingdom now," He said with a dangerously low voice. He then turned and left the room without a backwards glance.
I'm probably going to spend the next couple of chapters doing a bit of improvising before the *DUN DUN DUNNNN* Battle of Five Armies, so bear with me!