CHAPTER 51 - A PARLEY OF HEARTS

Be prepared... that's all I will say ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any of the characters/story lines that belong to it, all credit goes to J.R.R. Tolkien, in all his glory.


Four days had come and gone since the Company had heard news of Smaug's death and they had made little progress. And by progress, I mean persuading Thorin to form the alliance with the men and elves that would prove nothing but useful to Erebor and its new inhabitants.

Thorin remained adamant that no piece of treasure would leave the Mountainside and that the men and elves were enemies if they believed he would give it up.

When he wasn't fighting off his sister's attempts to sway him, the new King Under the Mountain searched for his heart – the Arkenstone. At the times when the dwarves were not restoring their home, he had them searching every crevice in the Kingdom for the gemstone, but to no avail. Little did he know that his precious stone lay in the sleeping bag of their very own burglar.

Hayden tried to help as best as she could, but she had no skill with tools, so she spent her time with Harvey, trying to find a way to save the man she loved. Not that he noticed anyway, for Thorin's attention was so intent on finding the Arkenstone that he hardly touched her anymore. She had hoped that the reappearance of his sister might help shake him from his sickness, but it only pulled him further into it.

Heartbroken and disheartened, Hayden began to wonder whether it would be worth saving him in the end, if this was what her future would be like.

No, don't be stupid, she would tell herself, you love him and he loves you… when this is all over it'll be different…


"Hayden… Hayden, wake up – there are people here."

Hayden woke fast from her light sleep and sat up, looking dazedly around her.

"What is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"They're here," Harvey said, kneeling beside her.

"Oh," Hayden sighed, stretching out her arms and standing up beside him, "Are the others already at the Gate?"

Harvey nodded and together they made their way to the Front Gates of Erebor, where the dwarves had been working most of their time to fence it off from the open Wilderness.

"Who is it?" Hayden asked Bilbo, when they arrived.

"Wood-elves and men from Lake-town," Bilbo said.

Hayden looked through a gap in the solid wall the dwarves had built and saw a company of elves and men, holding a green flag for the Elven King and a blue flag for the Lake.

The company stopped in front of the wall and began muttering to one another. Hayden noticed one who she recognised – Bard the Bowman.

"Who are you to come to the gates of Thorin, son of Thrain, King Under the Mountain?" Thorin said loudly.

Bard stepped forward from the group and looked to the wall where Thorin's voice had come from.

"We have come to parley, Thorin, son of Thrain," Bard said, his voice strong with pride.

"Who are you?" Thorin asked again.

"Perhaps you will remember me from our last meeting," Bard said, "I am Bard of Esgaroth, who slew the dragon that guarded your halls these many years."

"And what is it you wish to parley, Bard of Esgaroth?" Thorin asked, a harsh bite in his voice.

"I am the descendent of Girion, Lord of Dale, and part of his wealth is mingled with the treasure of Thror," Bard said, "And it was myself and my kin who helped rid of the dragon and deliver your treasure, though it was not without a heavy price. Can we not speak of this as allies?"

"I will tell you now that no man has a claim to the treasure of my people," Thorin said stiffly, "Your inheritance and amends for the acts of the Lake-men will be given in due time. But not a single ounce of gold will be paid while we are under threat."

Dís took a sharp intake of breath and huffed impatiently at her brother's words, but Thorin ignored her.

"Tell me, Bard," Thorin said, "If you had found this treasure unguarded, how much inheritance would you have paid to my kindred?"

Bard frowned and thought through his answer carefully.

"A just question," Bard nodded, "But you are not dead and we are not thieves. Do not forget which town served you when you were most in need."

"I will not parley with those who approach my threshold fully armed as if for war," Thorin snapped, "And certainly not with those who intend to side with elves, of whom I share no tolerance for. Return if you must, unarmed and without the company of elves."

"King Thranduil has been kind enough to offer my people aid in our need, and I consider him my friend," Bard said stiffly, "Fear not, Thorin Oakenshield, for I will return in due time."


And return he did, only a few hours later.

The bearers of the banners marched back up to the Front Gate and blew a sharp horn, gaining the attention of all within the Mountain.

"In the name of Esgaroth and the Forest, we speak unto Thorin, son of Thrain, King Under the Mountain," a strong voice called out to the Gate, "We bid him to consider the claims made by Bard of Esgaroth or be declared our foe."

Thorin's lip curled in anger and he seized Kili's bow from him and shot an arrow through a gap in the stonewall, where it hit one of the men's shields.

"If that is your answer," the man said heavily, "Then I declare this Mountain besieged! None shall enter or leave until your side calls for a truce and parley."

That's when Hayden lost it.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" she growled, "Besieged?"

"I know, Hayden," Thorin said, sighing in his annoyance, "But we cannot hope to sway their decision-"

"Their decision?" Hayden gaped incredulously, "It's not them who's the problem here, Thorin."

Thorin frowned and his lip curled slightly in anger, "Are you saying this is my fault? That I brought this on us?"

"That is exactly what I'm saying," Hayden said.

By now they had caught the attention of many of the others. The dwarves and Bilbo, of course, had bare witness to a few of Hayden and Thorin's rows, but for Dís and Harvey this was an entirely new experience.

"I don't understand how one dwarf can be so stuck in his ways," Hayden said incredulously, "It should actually be physically impossible."

"I am protecting the legacy of my people and the treasure my grandfather loved," Thorin growled.

"Oh, he loved it did he?" Hayden said, "You wouldn't call it an uncontrollable greed?"

"How dare you-?" Thorin snarled. He stepped forward threateningly but Hayden held her ground.

"I have no problem with you defending the legacy of your people," Hayden mimicked, "But when it threatens my life, the lives of my friends and family – that's when I have a problem."

"They are my family, Hayden," Thorin snapped, "More than they will ever be yours."

That took Hayden by surprise. She stepped back from him in hurt and shock.

"Thorin," Dís growled warningly.

"No, it's fine Dís," Hayden said, her voice surprisingly steady, "He's right… you're not my family."

"Hayden," Kili gaped, looking genuinely heartbroken.

"Even if they are your family," Hayden said, looking directly into Thorin's burning eyes, "You haven't treated them like it ever since you set your eyes on that treasure."

"It is not your business how I treat my family," Thorin said.

"No, it isn't," Hayden said simply, "But if you keep going on like this, you're going to kill them all."

"And how would you know that?" Thorin asked, "Was it in another of your books? Is there something else important that you have neglected to tell me?"

The bite and force in his voice was shocking, even for Hayden. She had never heard him speak like this or look at her the way he was doing right now. He wasn't the Thorin she had fallen in love with.

"Its just common sense," Hayden snapped, "Something you're clearly missing."

Thorin shook his head and glared at her, "I should have known you would always defy me – always side with anyone but myself… you are not one of us."

"Then perhaps I should leave you with those you really love," Hayden spat – she'd had enough of this. She reached underneath her jumper and ripped off the chain that held Thror's key around her neck and threw it to the ground.

Thorin winced slightly as the key hit the ground hard, but kept his face impassive, glaring from her to the key on the floor.

Hayden backed away from him and smiled mockingly, "I know you and your treasure will be very happy together."

Thorin growled and made towards her threateningly again, only this time something stopped him.

Harvey had swiped the sword from Hayden's sheath and stepped protectively in front of her, the sword pointed towards Thorin's throat.

"Get-away-from-my-sister," he said, glowering at the dwarf.

Behind Thorin, Dwalin put his hand to his sheathed axes, but Balin caught his eye and subtly shook his head. Dwalin nodded and lowered his hands – they both knew the lad stood no chance should Thorin decide to properly defend himself.

And it was true. Harvey compared in no way to Thorin's width and strength, but he was a fair bit taller than the dwarf and he used that to his advantage, raising himself to his full height.

"Don't come near her," Harvey said, his hands and voice shaking slightly in his anger, "Or Iswear to God I will use this."

Thorin looked bitterly from Harvey and down to the tip of the sword. Slowly he took a step back away from them.

"Don't even think about touching her again," Harvey glowered, gripping the sword tighter.

As soon as he was sure Thorin was subdued, Harvey lowered the sword to his side and took Hayden's hand.

"We're leaving, Hayden," he said, glaring once more at Thorin.

"Harvey-"

"I said, we're leaving," he said, and Hayden knew she stood no chance arguing against him – in that way, they were alike.

So she allowed him to lead her out of the hall towards the hidden door tunnel, ignoring the dwarf's stares as they did so. Hayden kept her head down to the floor, for she knew if she looked into any of their eyes she would break down.

"Hayden, no!" Kili cried. He made to run forward towards her but Thorin held out an arm to hold him back. "Please, come back."

Hayden looked back one last time before entering the tunnel. She saw Thorin holding back Kili, who looked absolutely hopeless. Behind him, Fili looked like he had the breath knocked out of him.

Tears began to well in her eyes and she quickly turned away and disappeared up the tunnel before they could see them shed.

"You fool."

All eyes in the hall turned to the youngest dwarf in their midst. Kili stepped back from his uncle and glared at him with more hatred than anyone thought it was possible for him to have.

"Excuse me?" Thorin asked, unable to hide his surprise. Kili had never stood up to him, nor ever challenged his authority.

"You realise what you just did?" Kili said, "You've lost our Hayden and doomed us all – what makes you think we'll stand a chance without her?"

"Only the fact that we managed fine before she came along," Thorin snapped.

"No, Thorin, we managed," Kili snarled, "It was only because of her that things were starting to get better!"

Thorin noted that his nephew had called him by his name and not "uncle," but he pushed that aside for the moment.

"Do not raise your voice at me, Kili," Thorin reprimanded.

"Or what?" Kili challenged, raising his arms to his sides, "You'll take away my weapons? Send me to my room? Things are different now, Thorin."

"So is this what you have chosen?" Thorin asked, "To side with her?"

"What sides? We're all behind you!" Kili cried exasperatedly, "Do you think we would be here if it weren't for you? Do you think Hayden would have abandoned her only home if it weren't for you?"

Kili paused, trying to control himself before continuing.

"We're all on your side, Thorin. Hayden was on your side – you have just been too blinded to see it lately," Kili said, "You care more about that filthy treasure than your own love- than your own family!"

"I am doing this for my family, Kili," Thorin growled, "Do not pretend you understand."

"No, I don't understand – and I never will," Kili said, "How many people does it take to confront you for you to realise what you are doing is wrong? You would sacrifice everything we have worked for on this journey for a pile of wretched gold! You will kill us all!"

"Then so be it!" Thorin roared, his fists clenching at his sides, "If that is what it takes to remain loyal to my bloodline than that is what will happen. If this is to end in war and fire then we will all burn together!"

His words echoed off the stone walls menacingly and an eerie silence filled the hall. The dwarves all looked absolutely shocked, but Kili was still glowering, unabashed by Thorin's words.

The young dwarf stepped forward bravely to face his uncle square on. He took a deep breath and looked straight into the once familiar grey eyes that were now clouded with greed and anger.

"We are Durin's folk, uncle – we carry the pride of the dwarven race," Kili said, "But if you continue like this you will bring nothing but shame to us all."

And with that Kili turned swiftly on his heel and walked out of the hall, heading for the nearest tunnel that led to the deeper parts of the kingdom.


As soon as Hayden and Harvey had reached the end of the tunnel, Hayden fell to the ground, sobbing hard into her hands.

"W-what have I d-done?" Hayden sobbed, "I-I've lost him."

Harvey knelt down to her eye level and gently removed her hands from her face.

"I-I need to go b-back," Hayden said, making to move back towards the tunnel, but Harvey held her in her spot.

"Look, Hayden," Harvey said, looking into her eyes, "We both know that that dwarf in there isn't Thorin – it was always going to happen."

Hayden continued to sob but nodded weakly.

"The only hope you have of getting him back is winning the war and saving him – all of them," Harvey said.

"H-how can I do that w-when he's away from m-me?" Hayden said, shaking her head, "It w-won't work-"

"Do you love him, Hayden?" Harvey asked. He held her gaze with his brown eyes, so like hers. Hayden nodded. "Then by God we're going to save him."

"How?" Hayden sighed hopelessly.

"You're not the only one who's read the Hobbit," Harvey said, standing up, "I have a plan."

He reached down and offered her his hand and Hayden took it with a weak smile, standing up beside him.

"Come on," Harvey said, patting her on the shoulder and leading her away from the tunnel.


"Hayden Parker! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

The voice came from an old man in a thick grey travelling cloak, who was seated on a dead tree stump looking to the two siblings with kind eyes.

"Gandalf!" Hayden cried, smiling brightly.

She launched forward and threw herself at the wizard, who almost fell off his seat from the force of her embrace. She'd never been so glad to see him.

"Hello, Hayden, my dear," Gandalf laughed, hugging her back.

"What are you doing here?" she asked incredulously before she could stop herself – how stupid, of course she knew why he was here.

"I should ask you the same question," Gandalf said.

"We need your help," Hayden said.

"We?" Gandalf questioned.

Hayden nodded and stepped back so that Gandalf could see her brother.

"Oh, this must be Harvey Parker," Gandalf smiled warmly.

Hayden and Harvey stared at the wizard. Gandalf stood up and went forward to shake Harvey's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Harvey said, shaking Gandalf's hand. He looked like it was taking him immense strength to keep his emotions in order.

"How do you know him?" Hayden asked suspiciously.

"Ah, well… do not be angry, my dear," Gandalf said slowly, "But I… well, I have known about Harvey for quite some time."

"You what?" Hayden gaped.

"It was Lady Galadriel who told me of your brother's arrival – an elf's intuition I suppose," Gandalf explained, "But I knew if I told you, you would be distracted from the quest ahead of you."

"So you knew I had a brother all this time and you didn't tell me?" Hayden asked.

"I'm afraid so," Gandalf nodded, looking genuinely sympathetic, "I am sorry, Hayden."

"No, it's fine," Hayden sighed, running a hand over her face.

"So, what is it you have come for?" Gandalf asked, "Surly Thorin needs your help in the Mountain?"

"That's why we left," Harvey said, "He's… well, he's not himself."

"Ah," Gandalf nodded heavily, turning to Hayden, "He has the sickness?"

Hayden nodded uncomfortably.

"Well that is easy enough to understand," Gandalf said, "But I wonder why he let you leave, Hayden? I had heard that you were…"

The wizard looked from Hayden to her stomach and let his words trail off when he saw the girl shift uncomfortably and cross her arms tight over her chest.

"Oh my," Gandalf sighed, "I am sorry, Hayden."

"It's fine," Hayden nodded stiffly, "It was a while ago anyway…"

"What was?" Harvey asked.

"Uh, nothing," Hayden said quickly.

"Hayden, what is it?" Harvey asked with genuine concern.

Hayden sighed and leaned forward to inform him quietly. Harvey's mouth gaped in shock when she had finished.

"You mean you were-?" he asked. Hayden nodded weakly.

Harvey glowered angrily, "You mean you went through that and he still treated you the way he did?"

"Harvey, it's alright-"

"No, Hayden, it's not alright," Harvey growled, "That's not something someone goes through every day! The way he talked to you-"

He broke off angrily and kicked at a nearby stone so that it went flying over the dry lands.

"Well, there is no doubting he is your brother," Gandalf smiled to Hayden. The wizard gestured them over to him and lit his pipe. "Tell me everything."

And they did exactly that. Hayden told Gandalf all that had happened since he had left them at Beorn's cabin, not leaving out a single detail, until she ended with their argument with Thorin.

"Thorin's hard-headedness is no secret," Gandalf nodded heavily, "Bard has been informing me of what has been happening."

"Really?" Hayden asked.

Gandalf nodded and gestured away from them over the lands, where there was a camp set up of elves and men who were guarding the Mountain.

"That isn't just why we came here," Hayden said, "Something- something happens at the end of the book that we need to change."

"Ah, that I am aware of aswell," Gandalf nodded, once again taking them by surprise, "It does not take a genius to know that Thorin's stubbornness would be his end."

"But even if we do save him, what's to stop him from keeping the sickness?" Hayden asked, "What if he stays this way forever?"

Gandalf sighed and his brow furrowed in concern, "That is something we cannot know… but what we do know is this-"

The wizard turned fully to Hayden and put a soft hand on her shoulder, "You are the only hope we have of curing Thorin, my dear… without you, I'm afraid he will stay this way forever."

Hayden took a deep breath and raised her head determinedly, "What do I need to do?"


Let me know your thoughts in a review :)

Stay tuned to see what happens next in Chapter 52 of An Unexpected Journey!