Chapter 55: Making plans

More than three weeks had elapsed since Allie Fairchild had been crowned Queen of Erebor. The restoration of Erebor had begun and the dwarves had been busy with fixing everything that Smaug had destroyed during his sixty year long stay here. The dwarves wanted to move on with their lives and were putting everything back into place.

Allie had mostly been busy with her responsibilities that came with being a sovereign. She had entrusted Balin, Dwalin and Bofur to aid her with counseling so that she wouldn't have to do this all on her own because Allie knew nothing about being a proper leader to her people.

Many long days had been spent inside the council chambers where terms of a possible alliance with Dale and Mirkwood were being discussed. Thranduil and Bard had been present for all of these meetings so that they could talk about a possible outcome that could benefit all of them.

"I want to restore a trading agreement with Dale and Mirkwood," Allie said late one afternoon inside the council chamber. "For many centuries there has been a strong trading agreement with our three kingdoms and things went well for all of us. We all provided the other with what they required."

Allie didn't just want to restore Erebor on the inside, but also wanted to built a good future for her people with many prospects.

"I know what it's like to not want the responsibilities as leader," Bard began. He was being accompanied by his close friend Percy. "Still I have to admit that you're making fine choices for someone who never wanted to be Queen. I never wanted to be King of Dale myself, but here were are."

"Then you understand better than anyone what I am going through," Allie said as she folded her hands together. "We both want what is best for our people. I'm doing whatever my father would've wanted and that's why we're going to help Dale with the restoration."

"And he would be very proud of you, Allie," Bofur told her.

"What do you expect to trade with Dale and Mirkwood then?" Dwalin asked her curiously

Allie licked her lips. "I was thinking that once that Erebor is being restored to its former glory and the forges are lit again that we can ask our blacksmiths to craft armor that will be suited for elves and men as well."

"That has never been done before," Balin told her. "We've only ever created armor for dwarves."

"Then I guess that it's a good time to change that tradition. Dwarven armor is thicker than any other armor and it will surely give the others an advantage and a better protection during battle," Allie explained thoughtfully.

"You want us to fight in armor made by dwarves?" Thranduil asked skeptically. The elven King was being accompanied by Tauriel and Yldris.

"You don't to," Dwalin made clear. "Allie is right when she says that the armor us dwarves craft are a lot thicker than other armor. It can only be used to your advantage."

"Perhaps," Allie began which earned everyone's attention. "It is possible to sent miners deep inside the mountain once the dwarves from Ered Luin have arrived here. There might be a chance that there is still mithril to be found."

"I've heard many things about mithril," Thranduil responded with interest.

Bofur frowned. "You want to share mithril with other kingdoms?" he asked hesitantly. "That might not be a wise choice to make."

"I don't see why not," Allie said with a shrug. "If we are to form an alliance then we can share mithril with others to create an even stronger force."

"It's not a bad idea," Balin agreed. "Still we don't know if there is any mithril left inside the mountain. For all we know Smaug has gotten rid of all of it."

"That's why we should try and sent out miners to that they can possibly harvest the ore," Allie replied wisely.

"I think Allie is giving us nothing but a fair proposition," Bard said. "Even if you can't find mithril I think we all will benefit from dwarven craftsmanship. If Dale is being restored I want to join this trading arrangement to trade wine for it in return."

Thranduil folded his hands together. "I agree with Bard here. We will join this trading arrangement with certain food and herb," he suggested.

Allie tilted her head. "And what about an alliance between Dale, Mirkwood and Erebor?" she questioned them. "Let's be honest we all know that the three kingdoms are stronger together against potential threats."

"It's been quite some time since an alliance between elves and dwarves has been formed," Thranduil pointed out with a smirk. "Not since the Dark Days."

"You and I both have the power to change that," Allie said. "You know well enough that it will be better for both of us if we combine our powers. No one is a loser in that situation."

She saw Bofur, Balin and Dwalin give her a proud look. Allie had truly made an impressive progress as a Queen in those three short weeks since her coronation.

"I like you, Allie Fairchild," Thranduil told her fondly. "I had never expect that I would be saying this but I will accept your offer about an alliance. Mirkwood will join forces with Dale and Erebor."

"You surely are a fine Queen," Bard added with a chuckle. "Dale is more than honoured to join your alliance."

Allie could only flash the two Kings a wide grin at their answer. She had single-handedly formed an alliance with nearby kingdoms that would profit the sake of her people.

"Well, who would've guessed that would happen," Dwalin muttered in awe.

"Still to make all of this official I need you to sign this contract," Balin told them as he placed a piece of parchment and a quill on the large table. He handed it to Thranduil first.

"You sure are a wonder, lass," Bofur told her in amazement. "You never seize to surprise me."

Once it was Allie's turn to sign the paper she read it first.

I, Allie Fairchild, Queen of Erebor hereby agree upon an alliance between the kingdoms of Dale and Mirkwood that will benefit and protect my people.

She slowly scrabbled her signature on the bottom of the page. Being Queen surely was a difficult thing.