Carefully balancing two brimful ale mugs Ella approached Fili who stood at the balustrade that looked down on Thror's tremendous treasure hoard.
She offered him one and he accepted it with a hint of his old, blithe smile.
"I thought you didn't like Balin's homebrew. What changed your mind? Let me guess- something about desperate times and desperate measures?"
Ella snorted."This isn't Balin's plonk. This, my friend, is the good stuff."
She brought the mug to her lips and took a deep draught. "Bombur found a couple of barrels in the storerooms when he was looking for supplies. Most of the food in there had gone bad after all those years, naturally, except for a few flour bags, but at least we won't die of thirst."
"Well, cheers to that."
Fili raised his own mug and emptied it in one go. He looked tired.
They all were.
Smaug had managed to destroy Erebor's front gate completely when he had broken through on his way to Lake-town, but Thorin wanted it repaired in order to keep out invaders who he was sure would soon come to steal his riches.
And so they had spent most of the day carrying up boulders and piling them up into a high stone wall.
The dwarf prince wiped his mouth quite un-princely with the sleeve of his tunic. He looked down at the treasure hall and shook his head in wonderment.
"I wouldn't have believed there was so much gold in all Arda," he said. "I can almost understand why Thorin was so eager to get it back- and why he's so scared now somebody might take it from him."
Ella threw him a suspicious sideglance. "You are also a Durin," she began slowly. "Do you feel it, too? This strong desire for the treasure, the urge to protect it at all costs?"
Fili squinted when he considered her question. "I guess a treasure such as this must awake the desire of anyone, be it dwarf, elf or man- even a hobbit's." he said at last. " But no. In case you're worried I might succumb to dragon sickness as well, I can reassure you, this is not going to happen. In the end, it's only gold, right? And I would give it away any time- all of it- for the sake of my people- my family, the ones I love."
Ella released a relieved breath at his confident words. He was really such a good person and certainly, he would one day make a great king.
She laid a hand on his arm. "I'm so happy you're back," she said softly. "And you needn't worry. Thorin is willing to return Thranduil's heirlooms to him if that's what it takes to get Kili back. He may not like it, but he will do it, he told me so. He knows he has to."
She tried an encouraging smile. "We'll all be together again soon and then-"
And then all will be good.
If only she could believe that.
"By Mahal, let's hope so," Fili replied. "I'm so worried about Kili. Not because of Tauriel, mind you, her I trust. She followed us to Lake-town post-haste when she learned about the poisoned arrow, and she did what she could to help Kili. Even Oin was impressed by her healing skills. And how she fought off the orcs- she really is a very brave woman. But what if they didn't make it back to Mirkwood in time? What if Thranduil refused Kili the medicine he needs?"
He clenched his fists. "If only I knew for sure!"
"He'll be fine," Ella tried to soothe him. "You were right to trust Tauriel, she will know what to do. She was the one who helped me free you, you know? Even though she was well aware of the consequences should Thranduil find out about her intervention. I think- I think she really likes Kili very much."
Fili shook his head with an incredulous smile. "An elf, of all people. Who would have thought-? But I think you're right. I think she may well be his One."
He paused when he saw Ella's confused look.
"It is our belief that Mahal created every dwarf with the desire to meet the one that carries the missing piece of our soul." he explained. "These persons are called our Ones, and we can only be complete once we have found them. However, not everyone is that lucky, some of us may search their whole lives but never find their Ones. Besides, there aren't many dwarrow dams you know- so perhaps it is only natural that some of us should find their Ones outside our own people-"
He gave Ella a curious look."Has Thorin never-"
He paused and cleared his throat." Well, I would have thought- since you are now obviously- well- close."
Ella looked down and shook her head.
"No,"she said quietly.
Thorin had other things on his mind these days than talking about soulmates, that much was certain.
"He still might," Fili said quickly. "No, I'm sure of it. It wasn't quite clear to me in the beginning, but now it makes perfect sense. Remember how Thorin was supposedly so concerned about your reputation? "
He grinned . "Why, I'm convinced it were rather his own impure thoughts that troubled him so. And of course, things are always bit more complicated for him. You know him, always thinking he must be better than anyone else, be above such things as 'feelings' because they might undermine his authority- and yet, in the end, he wasn't strong enough to fight the dragon sickness." he finished in a bitter tone."You know, all my life I have dreamed his dream of reclaiming the Erebor. But to see him like this now- Mahal, I wish we had never left the Blue Mountains."
Ella bit her lip when she recognized the same words Balin had said to her before. But it was too late for regret.
It was this place that made Thorin sick, but now that he had it back he would never let go of it again.
"What if he stays that way?" she whispered. "What-what if it won't get better?"
Fili shrugged. "Then we will have to get used to it," he replied stoically. "He is our king and we will be loyal to him no matter what. We wouldn't go against him, never, even if he goes insane or becomes a tyrant. That is not the way of a Durin."
Ella chewed her lower lip as she let his words sink in.
Perhaps it wasn't that bad. After all, Thorin's grandfather had suffered from the same madness and the Erebor had still prospered under his reign.
Wasn't it possible that Thorin learned to live with this sickness like with any other, adapt to losing his mind as if it were an eye or a leg- and still be able to be a good king?
Possible, maybe. But hard to imagine.
"We shouldn't give up hope yet," Fili said softly as if sensing her doubts. "He may yet conquer it. And then," he smiled. "I will see him weave wedding braids into your hair."
Ella wished she could share his confidence. "Well, I hope this isn't mandatory," she muttered and gestured at her hair which was a mess, as always. The thought of the -naturally impatient- Thorin trying to braid that bird's nest on her head almost made her smile, but then again, he had never spoken of marriage to her-
"What about you?" she asked Fili in an attempt to switch topics. "Have you met your One yet?"
Her question served to spread an adorable blush across Fili's face.
"Sigrid?" she ventured a shot into the dark. Fili tried hard to maintain a straight face. "Well, she was very helpful when Kili was sick," he admitted. "And caring. Certainly a maid with her heart in the right place. But she's but a girl-"
Ella smiled. "I think she likes you, too- or at least, your mustache."
If even possible, Fili blushed even more. Unconsciously his hands flew to the beaded braids that adorned his upper lip.
"Did she tell you that?" he asked, visibly pleased.
Ella's smile broadened. "Maybe, maybe not. My lips are sealed. I'm afraid you will have to ask her yourself next time you meet."
Fili's face darkened. "If I ever see her again that is," he said unhappily. "The people of Lake-town helped us and we thanked them by sending Smaug to destroy their homes. I wouldn't be surprised if they preferred to avoid further contact with the dwarves of Erebor."
But Fili should be wrong.
Bard should soon come to claim the promised reward for Lake-town's support from the new king under the mountain.
But first, Thranduil came.
And he did not come alone.
In the morning of the next day it turned out that a huge army of Elves had set up camp in the ruins of Dale, where the people of Lake-town had taken refuge after Smaug's attack.
Like at their last meeting, the Elvenking made a dazzling appearance on his big white elk mount, although he was now visibly clad for war. He wore shiny silver armor with a matching tiara and his azure eyes shone as cold as the precious metal of his battle gear.
"So you survived," he stated instead of a greeting when the king under the mountain and the dozen that was presently his whole people had taken position on top of the provisionally reconstructed gate.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," the dwarf king retorted acidly. "You must have hoped you could just walk in over our dead bodies and help yourself to my treasures."
Thranduil raised his brows and shrugged slightly as if to say ' well, you can't always get what you want.'
"The poor people of Lake-town were not so lucky," he said."I have only come to help the destitute in the hour of their greatest need."
"Sure." Thorin snorted contemptiously. "And you brought an army with you for that. Your generosity is only exceeded by your sincerity. Now, enough chatter. Where is my nephew?"
A subtle smile played around the Elvenking's lips. "He's alive and well, considering the circumstances of course- and all thanks to the knowledge and the efforts of my healers."
Ella released a relieved breath at that and saw how Thorin and her companions did the same.
"I am grateful," the dwarf king pressed out through clenched teeth and it was clear how much it cost him to say those words. "Will you let him go?"
"That I will. After you return to me what's mine, of course. The white gems of Lasgalen."
Thorin had expected this answer so he kept a straight face. He nodded briefly in agreement.
"Good,"Thranduil's smile broadened. "I admit, I thought it made no sense to reason with you, but apparently, I just did not have the- right arguments- before."
The dwarf king clenched his fists and a vene at his temple twitched. Clearly he wanted nothing more than to grab one of the rocks and throw it at the Elf's face in order to wipe the smug smile off it.
"Just bring him here so the exchange can take place." he snarled. "Let's get it over with."
Thranduil's dark brows shot up. "Oh, but this isn't possible. Did you think I brought him with me? He is still in my castle. Once I get the heirlooms of my people back, I will send word that he is to set free and safely escorted to you. And I will withdraw my troops as well, of course."
An angry mutter rose among the ranks of the dwarves and Thorin's face went red with rage.
"That's not how this bargain is going to work!" he thundered."I want to see him first! How will I know if he still lives? Or that you will return him to me once you have what you want?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to take my word for it," the Elvenking replied icily.
"Your word!" his counterpart spat back. " And don't we all know what your word is worth!"
Thranduil sighed, bored.
He threw a glance over his shoulder at the ruins of Dale where at least a thousand Elven warriors waited in attendance.
"It would seem to me I have the upper hand right now," he said lightly. "And thus, it is up to me to set the terms for our- negotiation. Do you want your nephew back or not? Your choice. Hand the gems over to me now and I will do as I promised. Otherwise-" he shrugged, "you leave me no choice but to take it by force."
"Thorin," Ella whispered in panic and grabbed the sleeve of his tunic. "We must do as he says. Kili will count on us, and if it's the only chance to bring him back-"
"You should listen to your pretty lady," the Elvenking, who thanks to the good ears of his people had well understood her hushed words, shouted. "She is the smart one of you two and has obviously less reservations to trust in my word."
It was exactly the wrong thing to say.
Thorin's expression froze into ice.
"Get out of here," he hissed at the Elf. "You'll get nothing from me, you hear me? NOTHING! Bring your army, I do not care. I'm not afraid of a fight!"
His words were followed by approving cheers of his companions and Ella cringed inwardly. Dwarves...would she ever really understand them?
"A pity," Thranduil said but he sounded neither surprised nor disappointed.
He pulled the reigns of his white elk. "Well, in that case, we'll soon meet again, and under less favourable conditions. Make sure you'll be prepared. I will raze this place stone by stone if I must."
The Elvenking left empty-handed, but he would soon return with the full power of his army, and Thorin shouted commands to reinforce the front gate and search the armory for armors and as many weapons as they could find.
Ella shook her head in despair as she watched the dwarves hurry to follow their king's order and get ready for battle.
How could it have come to this?
She saw Fili rush her by and quickly grabbed him by the arm.
"Fili," she gasped out. "What are we doing here? This is madness. We cannot win a war against Thranduil and we will never see Kili again if we don't bow to his terms-"
The dwarf prince turned around to her. He was very pale, his expression grim and tears shimmered in his eyes.
"Kili is dead, Ella, don't you understand?" he gasped out. " If he wasn't, Thranduil would have surely brought him with them. He knows Thorin would never rely on his word alone."
"But- but we don't know that!"
Ella shook her head and felt tears well up in her own eyes. Fili's words made terrible sense but she just refused to believe Kili should be dead.
"And even if it's true," she continued, her voice choked with tears. "Thranduil has an army out there and we- we have nothing to protect us but these walls-and no supplies for a siege. Shall we all die now- and for what? For a few cold, lifeless stones?"
She sank to her knees and buried her head in her hands.
Suddenly she felt a large, warm hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid," she heard Thorin's voice. "We are not as powerless as it seems. I knew this day would come, and I have not been idle. A raven is already on the way to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills and he will soon be here with an army of his own."
She looked up at him and saw grim determination burn in his deep blue eyes. "We have reclaimed the Erebor," he said darkly. "And now we'll defend it."
