Chapter 23: The Call of War

It didn't take long to hear the dwarves in the distance climbing up towards the steps to the gates hearing Thorin's angry voice speak, "What payment, I gave you nothing. You have nothing!"

"We have this." I heard Bard's voice, hearing the dwarves all gasp in surprise as Kili yelled, "They have the Arkenstone. Thieves, how have you come by the heirloom of our house? That stone belongs to the King!"

"The King may have it, with our goodwill but first, he must honor his word." I heard Bard say as Bilbo and I eased closer to the party hearing Thorin say, "They are taking us for fools, it is a ruse. A filthy lie, the Arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!"

Bilbo approached first saying less than confidently, "It...it's no trick, the stone is real. I gave it to them."

Betrayal washed over Thorin's expression as he turned towards us saying darkly, "You?"

"I took it as my fourteenth share." Bilbo said as I stood beside him seeing the anger begin to boil in Thorin's eyes as he took a step in our direction saying, "You would steal from me?"

"Steal from you, no, no. I may be a burglar but I'd like to think I'm an honest one. I'm willing to let it stand against my claim." Bilbo said smiling nervously as I could see Thorin's fist tighten replying, "Against your claim? You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!"

He began approaching quickly but I stepped in front of Bilbo saying sternly, "He was going to give it to you, many times he wanted to bu-"

"But what elf?" Thorin spat out in anger feeling Bilbo come around me saying firmly, "You are changed, Thorin. The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word! He would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!"

"Do not speak to me of loyalty!" he growled dangerously turning towards the dwarves saying, "Throw him over the rampart."

All the dwarves stood still as I said dangerously, "If you wish to hurt him you'll have to go through me first."

Thorin looked around at his company saying, "Did you not hear me?"

He went to pull Fili towards us but he pulled back not wishing to hurt either of us and I truly did not wish to hurt them either.

"I will do it myself, you will both die." Thorin said grasping onto my arm tightly with Bilbo trying to stop him as he brought us to the edge of the gate trying to break from his iron grip.

"Cursed be the wizard that forced you on this company!" Thorin said feeling my body being held over the edge hearing a dangerous voice say, "If you don't like my burglar and elf then please, don't damage them. Return them both to me."

Thorin stopped his movements looking down to see Gandalf give him a sad expression saying, "You're not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain, are you, Thorin, son of Thrain?"

Thorin let go of Bilbo and me as the dwarves ushered us to the rope so we could get out before Thorin decided to hurt us again hearing Thorin say, "Never again will I have dealings with wizards, filthy elves and shire rats."

Once down the rope Bilbo and I made our way to Gandalf as he gave us a look of relief before ushering us back more hearing Bard say, "Are we resolved, the return of the Arkenstone for what was promised?"

I looked up watching Thorin look to the horizon and begin pacing while he said, "Why should I buy back that which is rightfully mine?"

"Keep the stone or sell it. Ecthelion of Gondor will give you a good price for it." I heard Thranduil say spitefully making matters worse as Thorin shouted back, "I will kill you! Upon my oath, you all will die."

"Your oath means nothing, I've heard enough." Thranduil said bored waving his hand so his archers got into positon making me look up fearfully yelling, "Thorin lay down your arms, please. This treasure will be your death."

I couldn't hear it but Balin whispered something to Thorin seeing it did little to persuade him as Bard said, "Give us your answer, will you have peace or war?"

I saw a raven fly towards Thorin seeing him smirk darkly, "I will have war."

Before any of us could speak footsteps could be heard marching in our direction as we all turned seeing an army of dwarves approaching. At the front of them, all was a dwarf on an armored pig clearly the commander of the army seeing him start to approach us all.

"Ironfoot." Gandalf said moving towards them at the front as Bilbo and I followed him hearing him say, "Gandalf, who is that? He doesn't seem too happy."

"He is Dain, Lord of the Iron Hills, Thorin's cousin." Gandalf said as I looked towards him replying, "Are they alike?"

Gandalf gave us a sad smile saying, "I've always found Thorin the more reasonable one."

Bilbo and I gazed at each other uneasily seeing Dain finally stop moving on his pig saying with a heavy accent, "Good morning and how are we all? I have a wee proposition if ye wouldn't mind givin' me a few moments of yer time. Would ye consider... JUST SODDING OFF?! All of you right now!"

The humans began to move back in fear seeing Bard try to calm their worry but they were ill-prepared to take down an army such as this.

"Come now Lord Dain." Gandalf said taking a cautious step forward as Dain looked towards him saying, "Gandalf the Grey, tell this rabble to leave, or I'll water the ground with their blood!"

Gandalf put his hand up to try and calm him replying, "There is no need for war between Dwarves, Men, and Elves. A legion of Orcs march on the Mountain, stand your army down."

My eyes widened looking towards Gandalf not knowing this to be the case knowing if these matters weren't settled we could all be in grave danger.

Dain began laughing at Gandalf's words, "I will not stand down before any Elf, not least this faithless woodland sprite. He wishes nothing but ill upon my people! If he chooses to stand between me and my kin, I'll split his pretty head open and see if he's still smirking then."

I winced at his words as Gandalf began pleading for him to reconsider as he began riding back up towards his people seeing the elves prepare to attack them whilst Thranduil said, "Let them advance, see how far they'll get."

"You think I give a dead dog for your threats, ya pointy-eared princess? You hear that, lads? We're on so let's give these bastards a good hammering!" Dain said hearing his army began to yell encouraging one another to march forward.

"This is madness." I said turning towards Gandalf seeing him nod in agreement while Thranduil looked towards Bard saying, "Move your men back, we shall handle these dwarves."

Bard nodded as we all moved back wanting to be no part of this feud fueled solely on the hatred they have for one another. Once Dain blew a horn the dwarves began advancing downwards at full charge, the war for the Mountain had officially begun.