And here is the second update. Enjoy.
xoxo Mels
Third Person POV
In Erebor, Thorin gazed upon the throne over which the Arkenstone had been inlaid before it was lost. Behind him, Balin, Dwalin, Bilbo, and Adaira listened to him as he spoke. Adaira had managed to pull herself together after her talk with Bilbo, but she was still tired. She could barely sleep, barely eat out of worrying over Thorin. Rok had yet to return and she knew that he may not reach Lord Elrond for weeks yet. They didn't have that kind of time.
"It is here in these halls - I know it," Thorin said, his tone different, possessed almost as he stared at the broken throne which had been destroyed when Smaug had taken the mountain.
"We have searched and searched…," Dwalin told Thorin who instantly cut him off.
"Not well enough!" Thorin told him angrily and Bilbo's face fell, the Hobbit and Adaira standing closer to Thorin and the throne than either Balin or Dwalin. Bilbo and Adaira shared a look and then Adaira looked down at her feet, sighing heavily.
"Thorin, we all would see the stone returned," Dwalin told Thorin earnestly, hoping that Thorin would believe him.
"And yet, it is still not FOUND!" Thorin angrily said through gritted teeth, his voice echoing around the throne room.
"Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" Balin inquired of Thorin who turned around and slowly began to walk towards Balin and Dwalin. "The Arkenstone is the birthright of our people," Balin reminded Thorin and his words rubbed Thorin the wrong way.
"It is the King's Jewel," Thorin corrected Balin in a low and dangerous voice. "AM I NOT THE KING?!" He shouted, Adaira flinching and as Thorin turned away from Balin and Dwalin, all four of the others looked uneasy and Bilbo reached out and covertly squeezed Adaira's hand. "Know this - If anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged." Thorin said, turning back to stare at Dwalin and Balin as he spoke before he turned and walked away.
Bilbo, looking very disgruntled, sniffed, his nose twitching and he looked up to Adaira as Balin and Dwalin walked away from the throne, leaving the two of them behind. Adaira had tears in her eyes and she angrily wiped them away with the heel of her hand and Bilbo placed a hand on her back trying to comfort her. He gently suggested they go get a breath of fresh air, Bilbo knowing that it wasn't good for her to remain here.
Bilbo knew that the atmosphere in the mountain and what was going on was not good for Adaira or her child and getting her away from Thorin for a moment was all he could do for her. They ducked into a room off of the hall and found Balin who was breathing deeply as if he had just been weeping himself. Bilbo walked closer to the older Dwarf, Adaira lingering in the doorway as she took a very deep calming breaths herself.
"Dragon-sickness - I've seen it before," Balin said, turning to look back at Bilbo and Adaira sighed deeply and stepped closer to the two men. "That look. That terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love, Bilbo, Adaria. It sent his grandfather mad, your grandfather, Adaria," Balin explained to the Hobbit and Adaira and she nodded, tears shining in her eyes.
"I know. I know he's changed, Balin," Adaira said as she drew in closer to her brother in law and Balin put a hand on her back as tears streamed down her face. "I don't know how to help him. There has to be something we can do," Adaira said and Bilbo frowned at her words, wondering if indeed there was something they could do.
"Balin, if-if Thorin...had the Arkenstone…," Bilbo began, drawing closer to Balin and Adaira as he spoke in a low voice and he slightly cocked his head while Balin looked surprised, understanding the implication of Bilbo's words. "or...if it was found - Would it help?" Bilbo asked the older Dwarf who stared at Bilbo for a long moment before answering him.
"That stone crowns all. It is the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power upon he who bears it. Will it stay his madness?" Balin asked before she shook his head firmly as Bilbo stared at Balin with wide eyes. "No, lad; I fear it would make it worse. Perhaps it is best that it remains lost," Balin told Bilbo, raising his eyebrows so that Bilbo would catch the meaning of his words.
Adaira's legs chose that moment to buckle and Balin quickly caught her and held onto her to steady her as Bilbo started forward, worry crossing over his face.
"Adaira?" Bilbo asked as Balin stood and sat her down in his chair and Adaira waved them both off as she put a hand to her forehead. "When's the last time you slept?" Bilbo inquired, noting how dark the circles under her eyes were.
"Aye lass," Balin asked in concern as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I...I haven't slept well since we've gotten here," Adaira confessed to the two men as she looked up at them, looking pale. "I can't stop worrying about Thorin and now Fili and Kili. I'm worried the gold will start affecting them too," Adaira said and Balin sighed heavily.
"You can't run yourself ragged lass. Come on. You need sleep and I dare say a good meal or two," Balin said before he offered his hand to Adaira. "I'll tell my brother you weren't feeling up to joining us," Balin said and Adaira shook her head at that.
"No, I don't want to worry him," She said immediately and she rose to her feet, swaying a little unsteadily at first before she managed to stand on her own two feet. "Besides, Thorin will note my absence and he's been insisting that I stay by his side," Adaira said and Balin shook his head.
"They can go without you for one night. I insist," Balin told her firmly and Bilbo piped up then too.
"As do I," Bilbo said and Adaira turned her gaze upon him, her brow rising.
"We need you," Bilbo said quickly and Balin nodded at that. "You'll be no use to us though if you're run off your feet," Bilbo added and Adaira sighed heavily and shook her head.
"You're not going to let it go are you?" She asked them and both men shook their heads. "Very well, but only for a few hours," Adaira finally agreed and Balin nodded before he offered her his arm. She slid hers into it and let Balin escort her to her room while Bilbo took a moment to collect his thoughts.
Bilbo walked out into the hall and sat down on a bench, needing a few moments to collect himself before he had to return to the treasury and Thorin. Bilbo frowned as he thought about how far they had come on their journey. He was a Hobbit of the Shire and now he was in, of all places, Erebor. Bilbo reached into his coat pocket and pulled out something he had been holding onto for quite some time. Thorin, who had been walking in an adjoining hallway, saw the action and turned around the corner.
"What is that?!" Thorin demanded in anger and he strode rapidly toward Bilbo as Bilbo rose from the bench, his mouth falling open in surprise. "In your hand!" Thorin added as he strode in front of Bilbo, blocking him in.
"It-It's nothing," Bilbo stammered as he stared at Thorin in shock at Thorin's sudden anger.
"Show me," Thorin ordered looking at Bilbo almost possessed like he had when he had threatened Bilbo in the treasury.
"It…" Bilbo said and he held out his hand in which was an acorn. "I picked it up in Beorn's garden," Bilbo said and Thorin's eyes turned to look down at it, his face changing as he saw what it was that Bilbo had.
"You've carried it all this way," Thorin said in surprise and Bilbo nodded, smiling slightly.
"I'm gonna plant it in my garden, in Bag End," Bilbo told Thorin and his anger fading, Thorin smiled fondly at Bilbo, chuckling slightly as he looked like the old Thorin.
"It's a poor price to take back to the Shire," Thorin told Bilbo, his eyes warm and full of life.
"One day it'ill grow," Bilbo said, chuckling slightly. "And everytime I look at it, I'll remember - Remember everything that happened, the good, the bad. And how lucky I am that I made it home," Bilbo told Thorin and the two smiled at one another, both Bilbo and Thorin chuckling slightly. "Thorin, I..." Bilbo said, not knowing what it was exactly that he wanted to tell Thorin but before he could make up his mind, Dwalin came up behind them, interrupting them.
"Thorin, survivors...from Laketown. They are streaming into Dale. There's hundreds of them," Dwalin informed Thorin, Thorin's smile fading into a stern, uncompromising face.
"Call everyone to the gate," Thorin ordered as his face turned dark once more and he strode off as Bilbo's face fell. "TO THE GATE! NOW!" Thorin shouted and Bilbo turned in the direction Thorin headed off in closing his eyes and sighing heavily.
Third Person POV
The people of Laketown walked into the ruins of Dale. They stared around at the ruins, charred and burned bodies that had never been buried covered by snow. Trees were overgrown, bushes were dead and many structures were falling down, the stones crumbling with age and the destruction that Smaug had rent upon the city.
"Come on, keep moving," Bard told the survivors of Laketown, ushering them up the stairs and into the city as the sun sank over the horizon.
"SIRE! Sire! Up here," Alfrid shouted and Bard looked up to see Alfrid on one of the city walls. He shared a look with Lyssaria and the two ran to join him, jogging quickly up the stairs before coming to a stop beside the man. "Look sire, the braziers are lit," Alfrid told Bard, pointing to the giant braziers full of fire at the gates of Erebor.
"So, the company of Thorin Oakenshield survived," Bard said with a small smile on his face. He was happy that they lived, the young woman Adaira had been kind to him and if what he suspected was true before she left for the mountain then perhaps her child was safe as well.
"My cousin…," Lyssaira said softly before smiling. "Good," She said and Bard slipped his hand into hers and squeezed it.
"Survived?" Alfrid asked him as if that was the worst thing possible. "You mean there's a bunch of dwarves in there with all that gold?" Alfrid asked as Bard turned away from the sight of the mountain, Lyssaria following him.
"I shouldn't worry, Alfrid. There's gold enough in that mountain for all," Bard told the other man as he turned back to him before he walked away from him. "Make camp here tonight. Find what shelter you can. Get some fires going," Bard called to the survivors down below as he leaned over the city walls. "Can you see to the children?" Bard inquired of Lyssaria and she smiled at him.
"Of course," She answered Bard, squeezing his hand and leaning in to kiss his cheek before she walked away demurely to find the children.
"Come on, hurry along, now," Percy told the people down below, trying to help Bard get everyone settled before nightfall.
"Alfrid, you take the night watch," Bard told the man who seemed so eager to please him if only to give him something to do to get him off his back and as Alfrid looked sourly at Bard and stomped off, Bard looked back at the Mountain, uneasy.
Third Person POV
Within the walls of Erebor, the dwarves worked to block up the entrance that Smaug broke through. They carried rocks both by hand and with the help of various pulleys and other machines. Dwalin laid a giant rock into the groove made by another before turning back to get more stone as Gloin and Nori carried stones behind him.
"Up it goes," Bofur said as he directed one of the pulleys that was heaving a heavier bit of stone up and Kili helped to push the giant stone dwarf head up, looking uneasy as he worked.
"That's it," Dwalin said as he directed the stones into place, the gate to the mountain being blocked up quickly.
Adaira who had been called from her room to the entrance of the mountain was working alongside the others, helping to pull wheelbarrows filled with broken stone pieces back and forth, Bilbo and Kili lending their strength to her. She had thrown off her heavy outer robe but still had to navigate in a long dress and she was huffing and puffing as she worked.
"I want this fortress made safe by sunup," Thorin said the only one who was not working as Gloin chiseled one of the stones to fit perfectly in place with the others. "This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again," He continued as Bilbo, Kili, and Adaira pulled a wheelbarrow of stone over to the others.
"The people of Laketown have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything," Kili said, dropping his end of the wheelbarrow and Adaira let out an ooph as it tipped into her, groaning slightly before letting go her side as well, the handles banging into the floor as she stood beside her cousin.
"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship," Thorin told Kili before he turned and looked out over the ruins of Dale where many fires had been lit. "Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for," Thorin said and Kili looked at Adaira with a frown on his face and he went to speak again but Adaira put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him, shaking her head. "More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!" Thorin shouted then as he turned back to the Dwarves and began grabbing stone, piling it upon the gate and Bilbo looked on in despair as Adaira chewed at her bottom lip, watching the progress of the others as they were barricaded into the mountain.
Third Person POV
Night fell over Dale and people sat around the fires, trying to keep warm as the healthy tended to the wounded of which there were many. Babies cried weakly as their mothers tried to get them to suckle. There was no food, no water, nothing to give those who were near death to ease in their passing.
"These children are starving! We need food!," A man complained as the woman tended to the sick and the survivors did what they could, doing what they always did, tried to hold on.
"We won't last three days!" Percy said before he looked to Bard who was carrying bowls. "Bard, we don't have enough," Percy told the man, laying a hand on his shoulder and Bard sent the man a pleading look.
"Do want you can, Percy," Bard told the man before he brought the bowls over to a woman who was trying to see to feeding as many people as possible.
"It'll be alright, don't worry," A man tried to comfort someone who was near dying, trying to give him some amount of hope.
"We need more water," A woman cried as Bard walked amongst the wounded, trying to insure that at least so semblance of order was seen to.
"The children, the wounded and the women come first," Bard said firmly, seeing Lyssaria where she was helping see to the wounded and he gently put a hand on her back. She rose to her feet and wiped her hands on a rag as another woman took her place so she could take a moment's rest. Bard took her hands in his and kissed her fingers as she looked up into his eyes and Lyssaria smiled at him tiredly before the pair of them walked over to Alfrid who was supposed to have been standing guard, Bard's arm around Lyssaria's waist. Alfrid was actually napping, and he woke up as Bard spoke.
"Good morning, Alfrid. What news from the night watch?" Bard asked the man who barely opened his eyes as he began to get to his feet.
"All quiet, sire, I must report. Nothing gets past me," Alfrid told Bard, yawning, and he got up and followed Bard and Lyssaria outside, only to find that they had stopped suddenly in the archway just outside the door.
"Except an army of elves, it would seem," Bard said, his face grim as he looked outside, the courtyard packed full of Mirkwood elves dressed in full battle gear, standing in perfectly ordered lines. Their boots stomped loudly in unison and the people of Laketown began coming out of their buildings and saw the elves, murmuring to themselves fearfully, not knowing why the Elves were there.
"This may not be good," Lyssaria murmured to Bard who nodded and the two of them walked down the steps and approached the Elves, some lines of which turned quickly and stepped back at their approach to make a pathway for them. They stopped for a moment in surprise before they walked forward and as the two of them walked through the line of Elves they turned back in formation, facing the front once more. As Bard and Lyssaria exited out the bank of elves, King Thranduil rode up on his Elk, and all the Elves turned to face him in one fluid motion.
"My lord Thranduil; we did not look to see you here," Bard addressed the Elven King as he reigned up his magnificent and large Elk in front of Bard and Lyssaria, Lyssaria looking down at her feet awkwardly.
"I heard you needed aid," Thranduil said to Bard and he turned and looked at a wagon that was pulling up; it was loaded with food and drink and Bard looked to it with surprise. The people of Laketown smiled and cheered at their good fortune at the hands of the Elves and began unloading the cart with the Elves' help. Bard and Lyssaria walked down to the carts and watched everything in relief before Bard approached Thranduil gratefully.
"You have saved us! I do not how to thank you," Bard told Thranduil, shaking his head as Lyssaria approached Bard's side, smiling widely.
"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf," Thrainduil said coldly then and Bard's face fell. "I came to reclaim something of mine," Thranduil told Bard while up in the Mountain, Thorin picked up a beautiful necklace made of tiny, shining, and white gems.
"The white gems of Lasgalen," Thorin said with a smile on his face as he picked up the necklace out of a pile of similar white gems. "I know an Elf-Lord who would pay a pretty price for these," Thorin said and he went to toss the necklace back on the pile of white gems but thought better of it and turned around. "Adaira," He said and his niece who was standing behind him, watching him jumped at his rough tone. "I desire you to wear this," Thorin told his niece firmly as he drew close to her smiling as he held the necklace up for her inspection.
"Adad...I already wear enough baubles," Adaira tried to say, but she instantly quieted at her Uncle's dark look. "Of course adad," She agreed weakly then and she turned around and lowered herself, presenting her neck to him. Thorin reached around her and secured the necklace around her neck and she rose before turning back around, smiling though it did not reach her eyes. Thorin chuckled, seeing the Elven necklace on his own Heir's neck.
Meanwhile, back in Dale, Thranduil watched his troops march out of Dale. Lyssaria frowned at Thranduil's words, trying to remember her history, everything her mother had told her about her Uncle and then she had her anwer.
"The white gems of Lasgalen," Lyssaria breathed and Bard frowned beside her upon hearing her words and he ran up to Thranduil.
"Wait! Please, wait!" Bard cried as he hurried to Thranduil's side. "You would go to war over a handful of gems?" Bard asked Thranduil in disbelief, wondering if the Elf truly could be that petty. All knew of Thror's slight against Thranduil.
"The heirlooms of my people are not lightly forsaken," Thranduil said coldly without sparing Bard a glance.
"We are allies in this. My people also have a claim upon the riches in that mountain! Let me speak with Thorin!" Bard told Thranduil, speaking quickly as he tried to dissuade the Elf against a war. He knew that his people would be stuck in the middle of it with nowhere to go.
"You would try to reason with a Dwarf?" Thranduil asked him, finally turning to look at him, his brow raising.
"To avoid war? Yes!" Bard insisted as Lyssaria approached the two men.
"Adaira, Thorin's Heir is my cousin. She might be made to listen if Thorin will not," Lyssaria said as Bard and Thranduil turned their attention onto her.
"I believe you are my prisoner," Thranduil said coldly as he stared at Lyssaria and he raised his hand and gestured to Lyssaria and two soldiers fell out of formation and rushed over to Lyssaria and grabbed her between them.
"What is the meaning of this?" Bard asked, turning to Lyssaria as she looked at Bard with pleading eyes.
"Oh, she didn't tell you?" Thranduil asked Bard and Lyssaria tried to shake off Thranduil's soldiers who did not budge. She turned a dark gaze on Thranduil then,her eyes narrowed at the Elven King.
"I told him well enough, Uncle," Lyssaria said with a sneer before she turned to Bard. "I was imprisoned for simply breathing or actually because my mother was banished from the Woodland Realm and by extension so was I. Legolas and Tauriel saw to my release," She told him and he nodded before she turned back to Thranduil. "As I am no longer in your halls or your forest I see no reason to be held prisoner," Lyssaria spat and Thranduil regarded her for a long minute before he waved his hand and his two soldier's released her.
"So you consort with mortals now?" Thranduil inquired and Lyssaria raised her eyebrow at that as she brushed her arms off.
"I don't see how that should be any of your business seeing as you don't claim kinship with me," Lyssaira told Thranduil who sniffed before he turned his head away from them.
"You may try to convince Oakenshield if you'd like. I can wait," Thranduil told them as Bard put an arm around Lyssaria's waist and she looked to Bard, nodding. They had nothing to lose from it and only much to gain. All they could hope for is that Thorin would be willing to listen.
Third Person POV
In Erebor, Thorin strode towards the blocked off gate, the others still working, even though they were weary having worked through the night to get the gate sealed. Adaira sat on a large piece of stone nearby, Fili and Kili having insisted that she take a break and rest. Around her neck she now wore the white gems of Lasgalen, given to her by Thorin during the night. Her eyes were just beginning to close as she nodded off, too exhausted to stay awake any longer.
"Not a bad night's work," Gloin complimented as he and the others stood back to marvel at their handiwork. Some of them still working on stones to fit in the small gaps.
"Come on!" Thorin shouted then, turning back to look at Fili and Dwalin who laid down their tools and picked up their weapons as they moved to follow him.
Fili walked over to Adaira and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, waking her reluctantly. She started for a moment and he gestured his head towards the gates and she nodded, letting him help her to her feet and she followed him and the others up the stairs they had created in the blockage, all the way to a platform they had built at the top of the gate from which they had a vantage point over the plain in front of the gate. From the top they could see the walls of Dale filled with Elves ready for war. A single horse rode up the path towards them and it stopped in front of the bridge leading up to the gate, Bard and Lyssaria on the back of it.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope," Bard called out to Thorin as he pulled his horse to a stop before the bridge leading into the mountain.
"Why do come to the gates of the King Under the Mountain armed for war?" Thorin demanded, Adaira reluctantly standing to his right side, Kili and Fili standing near her. Kili who was closest to her put a hand on the small of Adaira's back, lending her his strength.
"Why does the King Under the Mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole," Bard inquired as he looked upon the hastily made barricade at the front gates.
"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed," Thorin shot back angrily and Adaira sighed at his side, her eyes turning down to her feet.
"My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked Thorin, hoping to speak civilly with Thorin not shout at him from a distance and Thorin looked beyond Bard out at the gates of Dale and the Elven soldiers before he nodded and stepped away from the platform and down the stairs.
Bard dismounted his horse, gently asking Lyssaria to stay there while he tried to talk with Thorin. While she did not like being told to stay behind she saw that it was prudent for Bard to speak to Thorin one on one rather than crowd him, especially as Thorin seemed to be in a less than forgiving sort of mood. Bard crossed the bridge in front of the gate and as he approached the blockade, a raven flew out of the opening above the gate and winged away rapidly, cawing loudly. Adaira looked up at this and frowned deeply, spotting something tied to the raven and she looked to Balin who only shook his head, letting her know that he did not know why the raven had been sent. Upon his approach Bard saw a hole built into the blockade, and Thorin strode up to the other end of the hole.
"I'm listening," Thorin said, not facing Bard, but his head was level with Bard's height.
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives," Bard pleaded with Thorin, and the Dwarf King turned his head slightly towards him and shook his head.
"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door," Thorin told Bard as he gestured with his head in the direction of Dale, and he smiled bitterly.
"That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms," Bard told Thorin firmly and Thorin shook his head once more, not looking the least bit swayed by this.
"Your threats do not sway me," Thorin told Bard, not even giving him the respect to look at him.
"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help," Bard said as he put a hand on the stone before him and leaned in closer to the hole he had to speak through. "And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!" He told Thorin shaking his head and Thorin finally turned to look at him.
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" Thorin asked angrily and Bard frowned at that. It was Thorin who had proffered the gold, it was Thorin who said they would share in the riches of the mountain.
"A bargain was struck!" Bard reminded the King and Thorin started at that.
"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?" Thorin inquired before he turned his head downwards, his face taking on an odd expression. "Tell me, Bard the Dragonslayer…," Thorin spat and Bard looked up in surprise at the fact that Thorin knew it was him who slew the dragon. "...Why should I honor such terms?" Thorin demanded and Bard inhaled deeply and tried once more to reason to Thorin's better nature.
"Because you gave us your word," Bard said and Thorin blinked several times and looked down. "Does that mean nothing?" Bard asked him and Thorin slid away from the hole, his eyes still on Bard, disappearing from the other man's view. Thorin leaned back against the blockade and for a moment he looked tired and weary, but then he looked at the other dwarves and Bilbo, who were all standing there waiting for him. "Be gone, ere our arrows fly!" Thorin shouted to Bard who grunted and slapped the rock angrily before he hurried back to his horse, mounting up in front of Lyssaria, the two of them riding back to Dale.
"What are you doing?!" Bilbo asked Thorin in disbelief as the Company watched them go from the top of the platform. "You cannot go to war," Bilbo said as he shook his head, his face screwed up in confusion.
"This does not concern you," Thorin told him without looking at him as Adaira stepped away from her Uncle and closer to Bilbo's side.
"Excuse me?! But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there. And not to mention several hundred angry fishermen," Bilbo said in frustration, having absolutely had it. "We-We are in fact outnumbered," Bilbo stammered as he looked around at the others who were watching the conversation and Thorin turned to look at Bilbo, smiling.
"Not for much longer," Thorin said and Bilbo went to open his mouth then shut it as he frowned.
"What does that mean?" Bilbo asked Thorin in confusion, Adaira frowning as well as she stared at her Uncle.
"It means Master Baggins, you should never underestimate dwarves," Thorin said as he walked closer to Bilbo and stared down at him. He reached out then and gently touched Adaira's cheek and she closed her eyes, but he pulled his hand away all too quickly and turned to the others as Bilbo sniffed his nose twitching. "We have reclaimed Erebor - Now we defend it!" Thorin told them all and as Thorin strode down the steps, Bilbo and Balin looked at one another distressed, Balin putting a hand to his mouth as he held back tears. Tears that Adaira had been holding back herself ran down her cheeks freely now and she hurried down the stairs away from them all.
Dwalin made no move to go after her and Bilbo harrumphed before going to find her. It took him longer than he would have liked to track her down, Erebor more of a maze than even the Shire was, but when he did she was sobbing. Bilbo pulled her into his arms and held her, rubbing her back and trying to sooth her, but knowing that there was little that he could do. When at last she stopped crying Bilbo knelt down in front of her and offered her his handkerchief and she chuckled as she accepted it, wiping her eyes before blowing her nose. Bilbo told her to keep it and she tucked it into a pocket of her robes before she stood.
"There has to be something we can do," Bilbo said, shaking his head as he tried to figure out a way that they could help Thorin and Adaira nodded at that, a look of determination crossing her face.
"There is," She said and then she bit her lip. "I can't say everyone is going to like it though," She added and Bilbo raised an eyebrow while he frowned in confusion and Adaira sighed heavily.
"I've let this go on long enough," Adaira said as she smoothed out her skirts. "I will not let Thorin start a war with the Elves or with the Lakemen," Adaira said and Bilbo saw a fire in her eyes for the first time in days. "I need you to help me get everyone together. I'm calling a meeting," Adaira said and she raised her head and Bilbo thought she looked very regal in that moment.
Bilbo nodded and assured her it would be done and he hurried off to find the others. It went without question that Thorin was not to be told what they were up to. Bilbo didn't know what it was that Adaira was planning but whatever it was he would support her. They needed to do something about Thorin. They could not go to war. Bilbo told Balin about the meeting first and the older Dwarf looked uneasy but agreed to it right away and helped the Hobbit round up the others. Before long they all were gathered in a long hall, talking amongst themselves as they waited to find out why they had been called there.
The doors opened behind them and Adaira strode in, looking tired, but stronger than Bilbo had seen her in days and she leveled them all with a stare as she entered, her head held high. She bid them sit at the long table and Dwalin walked over to her and pulled her out a chair at the head of the table and she sat, smiling up at him and kissed his cheek before doing so. Fili and Kili sat to her right and left with Bilbo and Balin sitting to their immediate right. Adaira called for order and everyone turned their gazes upon her and Adaira sighed heavily.
"I know you all must be wondering why I called for us to meet here and why specifically Thorin is not here," Adaira began and she was met with many tense nods and Adaira hummed slightly. "We stand now on the brink of war and I cannot allow this. I know you all to be honourable and loyal to Thorin and so I must ask you to please, listen to me. Please," Adaira pleaded with everyone who exchanged looks with one another before they all nodded once more. Adaira sighed heavily and Bilbo nodded at her, trying to give her the courage she needed in order to continue.
"Dragon sickness, it is fierce and jealous love for gold. Thror fell to it and I fear, no I know Thorin has now too. He is not himself. You all have seen it with your very own eyes. Thorin is changed," Adaira said and there was muttered agreement from all the members of the Company. "What I propose will be difficult, but I'm doing it in the best interest of Thorin. He is a danger to himself and others and given his way, he would have us go to war with the Elves and the Lakemen. The Lakemen lost everything they have because we woke Smaug. I can care less about Thranduil, but the Lakemen did not deserve what happened to them," She said and Balin was the one who spoke up for the others.
"What is it that you propose, lass?" Balin asked and Adaira bit her lip before opening her mouth to speak and then closing it just as quickly. A look of determination crossed her features and she nodded more to herself than to them before speaking.
"I propose that Thorin is unfit to rule and in his stead, I will try to lead our people until such a time as we can help Thorin come back to himself," Adaira finally said and for a moment there was quiet and then everyone was speaking all at once, arguing and yelling. Adaira placed a hand to her temple and it was Balin who finally rose to quiet them.
"Shazara!" Balin shouted and everyone fell silent once more. Balin turned to look at Adaira, tired and with an expression of uncertainty on his face. "Lass, something like that has never been done before. A king is never unfit to rule," Balin told Adaira and she nodded her head before taking a deep breath.
"I have been visited by Mahal, for the third and final time within these very halls. I was reminded that it is my duty, that the Fate of Durin's Line rests upon my shoulders. I was sent here to do this, Balin. The quest was always meant to succeed, with or without me. It's this, what came after that is mine to decide and I think it has to do with Thorin. If we go to war much could be lost. I've seen it. I was shown it. Thorin falls in this battle and not just him, Fili and Kili too," Adaira said as she looked to her cousins, tears in her eyes and she reached out towards them and they slipped a hand into her proffered ones.
"I will not lose my family when there is still breath in my body," Adaira said and she looked to Dwalin who met her gaze, his mind clearer than it had been in days. "Mo chridhe, you are my staunchest ally. Mahal told me I could not do this without my One and I cannot," Adaira said as she inhaled sharply.
"Yah have me amrâlimê," Dwalin said as he rose from his chair and walked over to his wife. He pulled her up from her chair and into his arms and she wept against him as he held her. "I've met our Maker," Dwalin said after Adaira's tears ran dry and he held her to him as he faced the others. "She was given the duty to decide the Fate of Durin's Line," Dwalin confirmed as he looked down at his wife, brushing an errant piece of hair away from her face. "It's never been done, no, but Thorin needs our help. He attacked Bilbo and when Adaira tried to protect him he fought her. He's not himself. I've known Thorin all his life," Dwalin said and the others nodded in agreement. "We owe it to Thorin to help him as he would help any one of us," Dwalin told the others and there was a chorus of "Ayes" at that.
"Thorin won't thank you for it," Balin told his brother and Dwalin nodded in agreement.
"Aye, he'll be right pissed, but Adaira's right, we can't go to war," Dwalin said and Adaira looked up at her husband and sagged in relief in his arms. Dwalin kissed the top of her head, feeling more like himself too.
"Thank Mahal," Kili said, sagging with relief himself as he sat back in his chair. "I didn't know what to do. You're right, namad. Thorin is not himself," Kili said as he looked to Adaira and Fili nodded in agreement.
"It's like Bilbo said, he's sick," Fili agreed, sighing heavily and putting his head in his hands. "Maybe he'll get better if he's away from the gold, if he rests," Fili said and Adaira reached out and put a hand on Fili's shoulder and she squeezed it gently.
"We'll do everything in our power to help Thorin, I can promise you that," Adaira told Fili who looked back up at her. "I don't want the crown, I never did, you all know that," Adaira said as she looked up at the others who muttered their agreement at that. "I'm doing this for Thorin and for our people. Our quest was never about reclaiming Erebor for the gold, it was about reclaiming the mountain so we could provide a safe home for our people. It became about the gold when Thorin fell to the dragon sickness. We have a duty to our people and we cannot fail them now," Adaira said and Fili and Kili nodded their agreement.
"Thorin always said you'd make an excellent Queen," Fili told his cousin with a small smile and Adaira fixed him with a stare of annoyance.
"If anything I will be a Queen Regent in Thorin's stead. As soon as he is well again I'll be passing the crown back to him. I don't intend to have to wear it long," Adaira told Fili firmly and Fili and Kili chuckled at her annoyance. Adaira turned to look at the Company then. "Does anyone have any concerns? I wish for you to voice them. Your opinions mean the most to me. You're my family after all," Adaira told the Company and they all looked back at her with slightly pink cheeks.
"Well lass," Gloin said gruffly as he looked at Adaira from the middle of the table. "Aye, there are concerns. It's never been done for one, but if our Maker gave you this duty who are we to deny what he has planned. We'll be behind yah lassie," Gloin told Adaira to the agreement of the others.
"We'll put it to a vote to make it official," Balin said then and he looked round the table and each member of the Company voted, "Aye", standing behind Adaira in this matter. Ori who was writing down the minutes of the meeting recorded the answers for posterity's sake. "Aye," Balin said last, sighing heavily. "That's that then," Balin said before he looked to Adaira. "What's your plan then lass?" He asked her and she blinked at him owlishly before biting her lip and cracking a small smile.
"I didn't honestly think I was going to convince you all so I didn't think this far ahead," She admitted and they all chuckled and she drew herself up to her full height as Dwalin kissed the side of her head before resuming his seat. "We need to get Thorin as far away from the gold as possible and obviously we need to keep him somewhere he can't hurt himself or any one else. I don't really fancy locking him up, but if we don't he'll just try fighting us all," She said biting her lip and Balin nodded in understanding and in agreement.
"While I don't like the thought of it either, I'd have to agree with you. The only place I can think of furthest away from the gold would be the dungeons," Balin said and they all shared a look at that.
"He really won't thank us for this, but it has to be done. I've already sent a letter to Lord Elrond asking for help for Thorin. With any luck, we'll hear something back soon. In the meantime, I know how you all feel about Thranduil and trust me, I hate the man too, but we have to make peace with both him and the people of Laketown," Adaira said and there were muttered curses from everyone in the Company including Bilbo.
"I plan on ensuring he must give back what he took from us all. He can have these white gems," Adaira said as she reached up behind her and unhooked them from around her own neck and threw them down on the table in front of her. "As someone who has worn them I can tell you they are very uncomfortable. He may wear them himself if he'd like," Adaira said to the chuckles of the others.
"I think it best we adjourn our meeting before we are found out," Adaira said as she rose from her chair and the Dwarves casted looks about them as they realized she was right. "Balin, can you find a cell down in the dungeons that can be made hospitable?" She asked the Dwarf in a low voice as Balin drew closer to her after standing himself.
"I'll see it done lass," Balin assured her and she nodded gratefully.
"What do we do now?" Ori asked Adaira and the Company turned to her all thinking the same thing.
"We worry about Thorin first, act normal until then," Adaira told them and they all nodded in agreement before they scattered from the hall. Now that they had a plan there was hope yet that she could change what she had seen in the water. This was her family and she would protect them even front themselves.
Khuzdul:
Adad- Father
Amrâlimê- My love
Namad- Sister
Gaelic:
Mo chridhe- My heart
