Spring was just beginning to win its annual battle over winter when the raven arrived with the message from the Blacklocks. Thorin immediately called for a meeting with his generals, King Brand of Dain, and Lord Arodir of the Woodland Realm. Thorin wouldn't give reason for the meeting until all were present, but all were almost certain what the message contained, and the tension ran high as everyone waited for the delegation from Dale.
As soon as Brand was seated, Thorin immediately began by reading the message from the Blacklocks, "King Thorin, an army of Easterlings, numbering more than 5,000 strong, is heading west. We will attempt to delay them. Mahal keep you safe." He put the message down and continued, "I believe that it is time to implement the war agreement between the three kingdoms."
All in the room nodded in agreement.
"5,000?" Fili murmured loudly.
"It is a large number, but we are ready," Dwalin answered firmly. "We likely have two weeks before they reach the Carnen river, maybe more if the Blacklocks can slow them down. That will give Dain enough time to get his people out and seal up the Iron Hills. His forces are the already closest to the river."
"Aye, I'll send a raven to Dain immediately to implement our plans. What about Dale?" Thorin asked, turning to Brand.
"Dale will be ready," he replied. "The elderly, infirmed, and young ones will evacuate as soon as possible, and all others will be told to be ready to go at a moment's notice. Our army will be ready to go in a day."
"And the Woodland Realm?" Thorin asked.
Lord Arodir bowed his head politely, "I will leave for King Thranduil's halls as soon as the meeting is over. I do not anticipate any problems. His majesty will adhere to the treaty."
"With your permission, King Thorin, I suggest that Lord Arodir leave now. He is not needed for these discussions and the sooner he leaves, the sooner the elven army will arrive," Amayla interjected.
Thorin looked to Arodir who replied simply, "By your leave." At Thorin's nod, he stood and was gone.
As the elf left, Thorin turned to Kili and Tauriel, "You two should say your good-byes to your sons, I want the mounted patrol out of Erebor by mid-day. You will join with Dale's patrols and make for the river at speed. Dain's forces should already be there when you arrive. You can start scouting and setting up defenses at the likely crossings. Erebor's, Dale's, and Mirkwood's forces will be only days behind. Mahal watch over you."
The two immediately stood, saying the appropriate "Yes, Thorin" and moved to leave, only to be stopped by Fili who wrapped his brother up in a hug before knocking his forehead. He did the same to Tauriel, although a little more gently, whispering something in her ear before letting the two of them go.
King Brand announced his departure shortly after Kili and Tauriel left, promising to have his troops and people ready on schedule.
After the delegation from Dale left, Thorin send Balin was off with the acknowledgement that he knew what to do. Everyone else was dismissed except Fili, Dwalin, and Amayla.
"I want to discuss Princess Lin during this crisis," Thorin began, nodding at Fili. "We want her protected at all costs, and if necessary, taken out of Erebor. All of our soldiers are needed at the front, so we want someone capable that we can completely trust to watch over her. Therefore, Fili and I have decided that Ardin and Hilaeg will be her guards. She will have the Arkenstone in her possession. If Erebor should fall, we want them to sneak her out through one of the escape tunnels. They can make their way north to the outpost, and if necessary, westward toward Rivendell and then the Blue Mountains."
Amayla and Dwalin looked at each other in shock, their hands instinctively grasping each other's. Concern poured out of their eyes, but they said nothing at first. Amayla felt Dwalin squeeze her hand and give the slightest of nods.
"Ardin is not going to be happy to be forced to stay out of the battle," Amayla whispered.
"He will follow his king's order," Dwalin responded softly.
Turning to look directly at Thorin and Fili, she asked, "These are your orders?"
Both responded, "Aye."
"Then it will be done," she replied, voice cracking.
"And finally, during the battle, Amayla you will ride with Kili and the mounted forces. Dwalin, you will fight next to Fili and have his back," Thorin announced.
"Thorin! I fight next to the King of Erebor!" Dwalin nearly shouted.
"Thorin held out a single hand to calm his friend, "Aye, and after the battle, Fili will be king."
The three were silent for a moment, astounded by what Thorin had said.
Finally, Fili broke with a single statement, "Uncle – no!"
"It is time Fili, and you are ready," Thorin sighed, sitting back in his chair. "There will be a new order once this battle is won, Mahal willing, but I am tired. Maybe it is from spending time with Bilbo, but I've come to realize that I don't have much time left before going to the Halls of Mandos . . ."
"Don't say that Uncle!" Fili interrupted, but Thorin just waved him off.
"This isn't a death wish, nephew. I plan on celebrating the victory, but when the battle is over, I will give you the crown. I rebuilt Erebor once, the next time will be your responsibility."
Dwalin leaned forward in his chair, nearly begging Thorin to reconsider, "I've always fought by your side!"
"I know, my friend, but not this time. Now Fili is your concern. I will have Dain with me, and we all know that he is far too stubborn to let anything happen. Now there are duties we all must perform. You are dismissed."
As Amayla and Dwalin reluctantly left the room, she glanced back to see uncle and nephew hugging.
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Hands clasped, Amayla and Dwalin didn't speak as they walked to their office.
As he collapsed in a chair, Dwalin held his head in his hands, "He shouldn't be fighting at all. There's no shame in it. He's already proven himself a warrior."
"Do you really think that Thorin wouldn't go out and face an enemy as long as he can hold a sword?"
"Of course not, but I should be protecting him! Dain is no spring chicken himself!"
Amayla snorted, "I'm sure Dain would be happy to prove you otherwise!"
Dwalin stared at the far wall, his eyes moist.
"He is your king, my luv."
"Aye, but he is also my best friend."
Amayla wrapped her arms around him from behind, gently rubbing his arms, "All you can do is honor his request and bring Fili through this alive."
"Aye, but I don't have to like it."
"Neither do I, luv," she paused, "and neither will your son when he hears the king's order. It was bad enough when I told him that I was considering holding him back to guard the ramparts with the elven archers in case of retreat, but when he hears this . . ."
"You should be certain there's no weapon nearby when you tell him," Dwalin suggested.
"When I tell him?! No NO NO! There's no way that I'm telling him by myself – you coward!"
"Who are you calling a coward!?"
"YOU!"
Dwalin shrugged and huffed, "I can't really argue with that." He then drew her in for a kiss. "We'll tell them together, after all, they'll be in it together."
"That's my only consolation. I just pray to Mahal that it is not necessary," Amayla sighed.
"Then we'll just defeat those Easterlings at the river, and it won't matter," Dwalin said firmly. "We've been planning this for months. I'm confident we'll stop them."
"Agreed," Amayla said as she snuggled closer.
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The next day found all of Erebor in an uproar. Dwarves were moving their belongings into previously assigned locations, with family and friends doubling and tripling up to free up space for dwarves from the Iron Hills and people of Dale. While everyone knew where they were supposed to go, the hallways were jammed with hand carts, barrels, and bundles as well as irritable and stressed dwarves. Even Hilaeg slammed the door, muttering to herself, after she returned from moving her things in with Princess Lin, startling her Uncle Nokaeck, Aunt Merlig, and cousin Tutheck who were moving their things in with Amayla and Dwalin. Hilaeg immediately apologized
"I'm sorry. It's just that Ardin is a complete jerk. As if there isn't enough stress around here without him acting like a spoiled dwarfling!"
"Is he upset with having to share with me?" Tutheck asked, "because I can sleep on floor in the living room until I leave."
"You absolutely will not!" Amayla insisted. "Ardin will make do just as everyone else in Erebor. End of discussion." Turning to Hilaeg, she cocked her head and told her to join her in her room.
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When the bedroom door shut, Amayla immediately asked, "What did your brother do?"
"He made Lin cry."
At an arched eyebrow from her mother, Hilaeg continued. "I know that Ardin is mad about not going to the front to fight but it isn't Lin's fault! He shouldn't have taken it out on her."
"What did he say?" Amayla sighed, sitting down on her bed.
"When Ardin was helping me take my things to Lin's quarters, she tried to apologize to him about being stuck behind looking after her and he just went off about how hard he had trained and that his friends were going and that he was stuck babysitting her. Well, Lin didn't like being called a baby at all and said that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Ardin snorted at her which only making her madder, and then she said something about being better than him with a bow and he said a bow was a dam's weapon, and then she dared him to say that to Prince Kili and he said that he couldn't because Prince Kili was leaving for the front while he was stuck back in Erebor babysitting her. Then Lin burst into tears and ordered Ardin out. She wouldn't even talk to me, so I came back here," she said, plopping down next to her mother, resting her head on her shoulder.
Amayla gave her a quick kiss, "Do you know where Ardin is now?"
"No, but he was supposed to help move Uncle Balin in here when we were done moving me and then Uncle Balin was going to take us down to the secret passageway. We're going to take some of our supplies down there now."
"Speaking of which . . ." Amayla began peppering Hilaeg with questions as only a mother can. "Do you have a full quiver? Flint? Your rain cloak? The extra lembras? The bag of coins?"
Hilaeg answered each question with a nod and a "Yes, amad."
Amayla finally finished and put an arm around her daughter, "You do understand what an important task it is?"
Hilaeg leaned into her mother, "Aye amad, and unlike my brother, I agree with the decision. Lin must be protected and Ardin and I are the logical choices. Every soldier is needed for the fight and Ardin and I are quite capable outdoors. If need be, we will get her to someplace safe. We would protect her no matter what anyway. Have no fears."
"Ah my sweet, I have the greatest of fears about it, but I know you'll both make us very proud, even your jerky brother," Amayla said as she drew Hilaeg into a deep hug.
"Can I tell Ardin you called him a jerk," Hilaeg mumbled into her mother's shoulder.
"Absolutely not!" Amayla chuckled, pulling her daughter back for a bump on the forehead.
The first contingent of elves arrived late on the second day, led by Captain Telhurmion. Amayla happily greeted him and led him into her office where they went over the battle plans with Erebor and Dale's generals. The elvish army was expected in two days just in time to for all three armies to march together to the river.
On the morning of the day that the march was to begin, Amayla was up with the sun. Restless, she made her way to the stable to greet her horse and check on the elves. But when she got there, she was startled to see the entire elven company up and packing as if getting ready to depart.
"You know that we aren't leaving until Adar arrives with his army," she smiled at her old friend. "A little anxious?"
Telhurmion did not smile back, nor did he stop saddling his horse. "We have been recalled. A messenger arrived minutes ago. We are to return immediately. King's orders."
Amayla stood blinking silently as her brain processed what she had heard. "No, no no! This can't be happening. Thranduil would not turn his back on us once again! He signed a treaty! Did he say why?"
"All I have are my orders to return, Amayla. The king does not provide explanations for his orders."
Amayla placed a hand on the elf's chest, "Wait! Just wait, please! Let me talk to King Thorin. He can send a raven and find out. If necessary, I'll go with you and make adar change his mind!"
Telhurmion cocked an eyebrow at Amayla's last statement. "It'll probably take a quarter of an hour for us to be ready to leave. That's all I can give you. I have my orders."
"Fine! I'll be back!" Amayla yelled as she sprinted away.
Amayla ran back to the main entrance where a guard stopped her, telling her that the king was waiting for her in his chambers.
She took off running again, slamming open Thorin's door and skidding to a halt when she saw Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili, and Galen waiting as Thorin was pulling on a tunic.
"Amayla, I see you've heard," Thorin muttered as he finished dressing.
"Aye, your majesty. And I request your permission to ride with the elves to Thranduil's Halls. I'm sure I can change Adar's mind. He won't abandon us again!"
Dwalin snorted while the others told her to calm down and breathe.
"Calm down?!" she shouted. "Thranduil signed a treaty! We need his troops!"
"Amayla, please listen," Thorin said evenly. "Far be it from me to defend Thranduil but he has good reason to pull his troops. He is under attack."
"What!?"
"We received a message this morning. Orcs from the Misty Mountains have attacked the Woodland Realm. He asked for his troops to return and sent his apologies. I believe him," Thorin explained.
Amayla's mouth hung open and she froze in her spot, the wheels in her head spinning. Without explanation, she turned on her heels and ran out of the room, ignoring everyone calling her name. She didn't pause until she reached the elves once again.
"Wait! Please my friend!" she shouted, spotting Telhurmion mounting his horse.
Telhurmion turned with a quizzical look.
"The Woodland Realm is under attack from the mountains," she gasped out, trying to catch her breath.
Telhurmion responded softly, "I thought as much. I did not believe that the king would break his word."
"If you can, please give him my love. And may the Valar watch over you," Amayla said, placing her hand on her heart and extending it toward him. Telhurmion returned the gesture before ordering his soldiers to ride out.
Amayla's return into Erebor was much slower this time as the significance of not having the elves with them bore down on her. The males in the room stopped talking as she slowly opened the door.
Thorin cocked his head and raised his eyebrows at her.
"I had to say good-bye and send Thranduil my love," she shrugged.
Thorin sneered at her, but she sneered right back, daring him to say anything. Wisely, Thorin said nothing, instead waving her forward to look over their plans.
On the morning they were to march out, Amayla, Dwalin, and Galen were walking to the front of the assembled troops offering words of encouragement as they went. Galen made a stop in front of his wife and daughters, knocking heads with each. Amayla followed suit, reminding Sarna that hand-to-hand combat with the Easterlings "should not end the same way as with Galen!"
"Have no worries, Amayla. After all, I was trained by the best," she replied.
"Thank you, lassie!" Dwalin smile, puffing out his chest.
"I think she was talking about me, my luv" Amayla sneered.
"I think she meant her loving husband!" Galen insisted.
"You are all wrong," Sarna replied, shaking her head. "I meant General Ardru!"
All three generals looked at each other sheepishly.
"Can't argue with that," Amayla mumbled.
"Generals, your troops are waiting for you to lead us to victory. Get going. We'll see you afterwards," Sarna smiled as she pushed them away before stepping back and putting an arm around each daughter.
Once all the troops departed, Erebor became eerily quiet. Although filled with new dwarves and many people from Dale, there was no laughter to be heard, no raucous revelry. And even though the food halls were full, everyone spoke in quiet tones as if they were all straining to hear sounds from miles away.
Lin and Hilaeg spent the days helping to make certain that the evacuees were comfortable and finding their way around Erebor. Ardin always trailed behind, a scowl permanently on his face. Finally, Lin blew up at him.
"Ardin, son of Dwalin, I know you hate me for getting you stuck under the mountain but that doesn't mean you have to follow me around scaring everyone! Why don't you just go jump in the cold pool!"
"I don't hate you Lin. It was the King and Prince Fili who ordered me to stay and it's my duty to stay close to you so that, if and when the order come to leave Erebor, we can go quickly."
"And you always do your duty, no matter how much you hate it," Lin sneered, raising on her toes to get in his face.
"Of course, your highness," he responded glaring down at the princess.
"That's enough brother," Hillaeg said stepping between the two and pushing Ardin back, "If you're going
to follow us around you need to start being helpful and act happy to do it. There's enough stress and worry under this mountain without you making it worse!"
"Fine, How's this?" Ardin put on an obviously fake smile.
"Spare me!" Lin screamed through clenched teeth. "I am going back to my quarters. Don't even THINK about following me!"
Hilaeg put a hand on her brother's chest, telling him to hold and glaring at him until Lin's footsteps faded. When Ardin opened his mouth, his sister stopped him.
"Don't say a word brother. Just shut it and listen!" she growled. "Everyone under this mountain knows how frustrated you are about not being with the troops. But if you could stop feeling sorry for yourself for two minutes, you might see how much stress Lin is under!"
"Stress? Lin?" he snorted. "All she has to do is go around distributing blankets and food to all the newcomers. How stressful is that?"
"You are such an idiot! Have you no clue why it is so important for the dwarves from the Iron Hills to see Lin being engaged and caring? Her crown could depend upon their acceptance of her!"
"What are you talking about," Ardin sneered. "Lin is Prince Fili's heir. Everybody knows that."
"But not everybody accepts it," Hilaeg sighed. "There are many dwarrow who don't think a dam can rule and that the crown should go to Dain and his line after Fili."
"But Lin is the heir! She'll be a fine queen!"
"You and I know and most of Erebor know that, but there is no guarantee that all the other tribes will agree, especially the Iron Hills. Why do you think that the king ordered us to safeguard Lin and the Arkenstone?"
"I just thought they were being overprotective," Ardin shrugged.
"Not in this case. Mahal forbid that anything bad happens to the king or Prince Fili during this battle, because the crown could possibly go to Dain if the worst occurs. He is well-liked and respected. Lin is well aware of that."
"So that's why she's looking after the refugees from the Iron Hills. I thought that she was just being nice."
"Of course she's being nice, you idiot! That's her nature, but there are politics going on underneath."
"Bah! I hate politics!"
"That is readily apparent brother! But, like it or not, you need to knock off the moping and start being supportive!"
"Fine," he shrugged. "Do you think I should go apologize?"
"Not now. She needs some away from you. Go home and see if Aunt Merlig needs anything."
Rubbing the back of his neck, Ardin stared at the hallway leading to Lin's quarters, "Are you sure? I should be guarding her."
"You don't think I'm perfectly capable of guarding Lin? Because, I'm willing to spar right here and now, brother!"
"No, no. Not necessary. I'm going," Ardin mumbled. "I'm sorry."
"Good to see you're capable of apologizing. Remember that tomorrow brother. But for now, just go home."
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********** Author's Notes ******************
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WARNING: The big battle takes place next chapter. It's war, beloved characters are going to die.
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