I felt ticking as I snuggle into the blanket as Fili pressed a kiss to my forehead. I roll over and look up at him.
"Its Morning." Fili said as he helped me sit up. I stretch as he looked at me. "The hole is covered." I stood up as I looked at him.
"Yer uncle is still getting bad?" I ask. He nods.
"He's getting worse." Fili said. Fili and I head towards the front gate. We walked hand in hand as we near the gate. Thorin joins us and strides towards the gate.
"Come on." Thorin growled. Some of the dwarves lay down their tools and pick up weapons. We follow him up the stairs and looked out towards Dale. Elves were dressed ready for war standing on the walls.
"What are you planning Thrandruil?" I whisper as I stand at Fili's side. Bard rides up the path to the gate on a horse. He stops in front of the gate.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard said.
"Why do you come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin asked.
"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole." Bard said.
"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." Thorin said.
"My lord. We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked.
"Thorin. He was the one that brought down Smaug. Ye should listen." I said. Thorin nodded and motioned with his head. He walks to where a raven was sitting and talked to it. I watched the raven fly away heading for a hill as the dwarves head down. I wondered if he was sending word for help. The Iron hills were not that far away. I head down and go stand with Fili, who stood holding an axe. We watch as Thorin approach the barricade.
"I'm listening." Thorin said.
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so taht they might rebuild their lives." Bard said.
"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before the door." Thorin said.
"That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms." Bard said.
"Your threats do not sway me." Thorin said.
"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help and in return you brought upon them ruin and death!" Bard said.
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?" Thorin asked. I shook my head at him. He was lost.
"Valar." I whisper.
"A bargain was struck!" Bard said, anger was clear in his voice.
"A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the DDragonslayer. Why should I honor such terms?" Thorin asked.
"Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?" Bard asked. Thorin turned away from the hole, disappearing out of view. He leans back against the blockade. He looked tired and weary. I thought for sure he was fighting the sickness. He looked towards us as he thought. I saw his eyes glaze over as the sickness took control.
"Be gone, ere arrow fly!" Thorin said. Bilbo and I share looks. We head up to the platform and watch Bard go back to Dale.
"What are you doing?! You cannot go to war!" I said.
"This does not concern you, woman." Thorin said.
"Uh excuse me! But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there. And not to mention serveral hundred angry men. We are outnumbered." I said. Thorin turns and looks at me.
"Not for much longer." Thorin said.
"What does that mean?" Bilbo asked.
"It means Master Baggins, you should never underestimate dwarves." Thorin said. Thorin looks at all of us. "We have reclaimed Erebor. Now we defend it1" Thorin strides down the steps. Balin looked out with distress on his face.
"Valar. Help us all." I said. Dwarves go over to the statue of the dwarves and breaks the head free. I watch as the head falls and breaks the bridge leading into Erebor. Fili watched his uncle leave with hurt in his eyes. I come up to him and hug him.
"He isn't the same uncle that raised me and my brother." Fili said as we took a walk. We were heading for the armory.
"There has to be a way to save him." I said.
"I hope. But how?" Fili asked.
"We will have to see. I just don't like this idea of war." I said. Fili pressed a kiss to my head as we came to the armory. I let Fili go in, declining the armor. Bilbo comes up to me.
"We have to get the Arkenstone out tonight." Bilbo said.
"Ye plan to take it to Dale?" I ask.
"Aye. I will need your help." Bilbo said.
"I will." I said.
"Master Baggins, come here!" Thorin called. Bilbo and I turned to see Thorin fully dressed in armor, holding a tunic of white mail. "You are going to need this. Put it on." Bilbo starts taking off his jacket. I saw the dwarves standing off talking. Fili and Kili were goofing around. "This vest is made of silver steel. Mithril it was called by my forebears." Bilbo puts it on. "No blade can pierce it." Bilbo looks at himself.
"I look absurb. I'm not a warrior. I'm a hobbit." Bilbo said.
"It is a gift. A token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by." Thorin said. I saw him send a look at the dwarves and frowns. I pale, not knowing what he was going to say. He grabs me and Bilbo, which shocked me and pulls us out of hearing from the others. "I have been blind. Now I begin to see, I am betrayed."
"Betrayed?" I ask.
"The Arkenstone." Thorin said, moving closer to us. Bilbo looked extremely uncomfortable and worried. I watch Thorin. He didn't look like his old self. "ONe of them has taken it. One of them is false." I almost cried. He was questioning the loyalty of his kin. Fili was gonna be devestated when he finds out.
"Thorin. The quest is fulfilled. You've won the mountain. Is that not enough?" I asked
"Betrayed by my own kin." Thorin said. I looked at Bilbo, who sent me a worried look. I look back at Thorin.
"No. You made a promise to the people of Laketown. Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Our homor, Thorin. I was also there. I gave my word." Bilbo said. Thorin put a hand on Bilbo's shoulder.
"For that I'm grateful. It was nobly done. But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown." Thorin said. He walked backwards. "This gold is ours and ours alone. By my life, I will not part with a single coin! Not one piece of it!" His voice grows deeper and sounded like Smaugh. He was clearly mentally affected. Bilbo and I looked at him in shock. Dwalin comes forward leading the dwarves. Fili and Kili looked like princes in their armor. Fili gives me a look and I shook my head at him as I felt tears in my eyes. Thorin disappeared. I turned to Bilbo.
"Tonight." I said.
"Aye." Bilbo said.
That night. Bilbo climbed down the ramparts and went towards Dale. I was on first watch so Bilbo could do this. I lean against the ramparts as I looked out at Dale. Fires were lit. I sigh.
"Your shift almost done?" Fili asked, making me jump not realizing he came up to me. "Jumpy tonight?" Fili wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"Just lost in thought." I said. Fili pressed his lips against my head as I turn in his arms and hug him. Fili held me close as we enjoyed each others company.
"Ahem." Bilbo said. We see him standing behind us. I smile. He gave me a nod. "I'll take over, Laila. Go spend time with Fili." Fili pulled me towards the royal chambers. Fili struggled to get out of the heavy armor.
"Here. Let me help." I said. I come over and help him get out of the armor. The armor drops to the floor. I ran my hand up Fili's chest, making him shiver. Fili pressed a kiss to my lips as we kiss. We laid on the blankets wanting some peace and quiet and enjoy each others company. "Fili. Yer uncle was questioning the loyalty of his kin." Fili looked into the fire. I ran fingers on his chest.
"Promise me. If I become king and fall under the sickness, you will find a way to save me." Fili said.
"I feel like you won't, love, but I promise I will." I said. Fili pecked my lips.
"Thank you, Princess." Fili said. He pulled me onto his chest and pulled the blanket over us. I lay my head on his chest. He fell asleep after me. I prayed to my father that I had the strength to save Thorin and save the Line of Durin from Azog. I fell asleep.
AN: Oh boy. Getting close to the battle. Till next time.