Chapter 53

Only The Beginning

It was early one morning when I found Thorin in the treasury. I walked down and came up behind him.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Looking for the Arkenstone." He replied.

My eyes widened and fear struck my heart. He turned and looked at me with a smile on his face.

"So that I may destroy it."

I smiled and threw my arms around him.

"I love you so much!" I said.

"And I love you too."

When we separated he went back to looking and I walked out into the early morning sun. There was a very old bird sitting there. I smiled and slowly walked forward.

"Hello there. I am sorry I have no food to spare, otherwise I would give you something." I said.

"Greetings my lady." it croaked.

I screamed and fell back.

Thorin's POV

I heard her scream and immediately ran to find her.

"SONYA!"

I ran outside where Bilbo, Oin, Gloin, and Balin already were. Bilbo was kneeling next to her and he stepped aside when I came. She had fainted.

"What the hell happened here?!"

My friends all looked at me in shock. Sonya's way of speaking had rubbed off on me.

"Hail Thorin! Son of Thrain, son of Thror!" came a raspy voice.

I looked towards the wall and found and old raven there.

"I apologize for frightening her! It was not my intent. I merely said greetings my lady and she fell."

Dwalin came forward and picked her up. He carried her inside and I turned to the raven.

"O Thorin son of Thrain, and Balin son of Fundin," He croaked. "I am Roac, son of Carc. Carc is dead, but he was well known to you once. It is over a hundred years and three and fifty since I came out of the egg, but I do not forget what my father told me. Now I am the chief of the great ravens of the Mountain. We are few, but we remember still the king that was of old. Most of my people are abroad, for there are great tidings from the south- some are tidings of joy to you, and some you shall not think so good.

"Behold! The birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from the South, East and West, for word has gone out that Smaug is dead!"

My eyes went wide and I looked at the others.

"Dead!? DEAD?! Then we have been in needless fear and the treasure is ours!"

"Yes, dead," said Roac. "The thrush may his feathers never fall, saw him die, and we may trust his words. He saw him fall in battle with the men of Esgaroth the third night back now at the rising of the moon."

My face fell and I feared that Gem had been lost. Sonya's heart would be broken.

"So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield. You may go back to your halls in safety; all the treasure is yours- for the moment. But many are gathering higher beside the birds. The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil. Already a host of elves is on their way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter. By the lake men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves; for they are homeless and many have died, Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure be you alive or dead.

"Your own wisdom must decide your course; but thirteen dwarves, this small being and your queen are few. If you will listen to my counsel, you will not trust the Master of the Lake-men, but rather him that shot the dragon with his bow. Bard is he, of the race of Dale, of the line of Girion; he is a grim man but true! We would see peace once more between dwarves, men and elves after the long desolation; but may cost you dear in gold. I have spoken."

I knew it was my duty to help the people of the Lake who had suffered. For they had cared for us when we came down the river in the barrels. I had to help them, and I would.

"Our thanks Roac, Carc's son. You and your people shall not be forgotten. I shall indeed help the Lake-men, for I owe them much. But none of our gold shall thieving elves take. If you would earn our thanks still more, bring us news of any that draw near. Also I would beg of you, if any of you are still young and strong of wing, that you would send messengers to our kin in the mountains of the North, both East and West of here, and tell them of our plight. But go especially to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well armed and dwells nearest to this place. Bid him hasten!" I said.

"I will not say if this counsel be good or bad." croaked Roac. "But I will do what can be done." Then off he slowly flew.

I sighed and ran my hand over my face. Someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned thinking it was my Sonya, but it was Balin.

"You did the right thing laddie. And Sonya will be fine, along with Matthew. And she will be very proud of you."

I smiled a little.

"I fear that Gem may have been lost to her. This will break her heart, and it hurts me as well. Gem defended me in the halls of the Elvenking. She was a dear friend to me as well as Sonya."

Balin pat my shoulder and then I ordered a wall to be built at the entrance. I went inside to find Sonya.

Sonya's POV

When I woke up Thorin was at my side. He smiled and pulled me into his arms.

"Thank Mahal you are alright! When I came and found you on the ground I feared I had lost you and Matthew."

I laughed a little.

"You will never lose me sweetheart."

He pulled back and kissed me deeply before once more smiling at me.

"Smaug is dead! Your friend Bard killed him."

I could not remember having smiled so wide. I hugged Thorin and kissed him.

"Bard got my message. I was afraid people would have died."

Thorin's smile fell at that, and I frowned.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Many died that night my beauty. Bard I know survived….."

He stopped and looked down.

"Gem?"

"Alas I cannot say. She may yet live! There is always hope."

Tears flooded my eyes and I hid my face in Thorin's shoulder. I cried, afraid that I'd lost one of my dearest friends. Thorin rubbed my back and tried to comfort me, and it helped a little, but I missed Gem.

"Sonya, I know you need time but you must know something."

I pulled back and looked at him.

"A host of elves is coming here. The raven that spoke to you has long served my family. He apologizes for frightening you by the way." I smiled. "But also men of the Lake. I admit it is our fault that Smaug went to Lake-Town, and we owe them much. But no elves shall have any gold or treasure!" he said.

I nodded in agreement.

"Though I believe Legolas deserves something. After all he is the one who helped me while we were there. He got me out too."

Thorin nodded.

"He shall indeed be rewarded, but his father and the rest…..they shall have nothing!"

I smiled at him and he raised his brow.

"What?"

"I'm so proud of you Thorin. You've gone from being a jackass beast prince, to the most generous, noble and loving King in the world. I guess stories like Beauty and the Beast can come true. After all, our story is much like that one."

He chuckled and nodded.

"Now that I think about it, yes it is. And it will make a wonderful story to tell Matthew when he is growing up. And for him to tell to his son or daughter."

I frowned.

"My baby isn't even born yet. Don't you go making him grow up too fast. He'll always be my baby boy."

He chuckled and kissed my cheek.

"Come, we should go and get you something to eat." he said.

I nodded and we walked outside. As I looked towards Lake-Town I sighed.

"Esto es sólo el comienzo." I whispered. (This is only the beginning.)