I am alive. I'm sorry updates to this story haven't really been consistent. College has kept me so busy even if I am only on week five. But I am back and so is this story.
So without further ado, here is the next chapter.
Mels xoxo
Adaira's POV
I rose at dawn and dressed in a blue velvet dress that Balin had, had brought from Erebor for me and Dwalin had helped by lacing up my corset lightly. The dress had used to belong to my Aunt Dis and time had at least been kind to it. To top it all off I managed to smooth out my hair which had finally grown past my ears and now was at a length where I could keep it from sticking up at odd angles all the time. My circlet was the pes de resistance so to speak, informing all that I was royalty.
Dwalin escorted me across the camp and to the tent where the meeting was to take place and I began to direct the Dwarves who were conducting the final set up. Elladan and Elrohir were next to arrive and while they were playful and joking around as ever, they took their seats close to my end of the table and grew more serious as Dain arrived with two of his own soldiers who were to act as his guards.
Balin arrived next with Ori and Gloin, Gloin and Dwalin to act as our guards and then Gandalf arrived with Bilbo the wizard cheerful as ever as he greeted each of us with a pleasant good morning. Bilbo looked a bit lost, but seemed very determined as he took his seat to my left between Balin and Ori.
"Ready for this?" I asked the Hobbit and he shook his head.
"Not exactly," He answered me truthfully. "To be honest I cannot really tell why I am here. I can't hope to be much help," Bilbo told me and I smiled down at him and placed a hand on his arm.
"That's not true at all, Bilbo. You've been the voice of reason many times on our journey. I have the highest of faith in you. As a Hobbit you don't have any stake in any side of this matter even if you are friends with us. Just listen and speak from the heart," I told him and Bilbo made a face before he nodded firmly in understanding.
"They're late," Dwalin grumbled as I took a seat at the head of the table, my husband right behind it with his arms crossed.
"Thranduil is making us wait more like," I told him and I drummed my fingers on the table as I pursed my lips in irritation, knowing it was going to be one of those days.
Fifteen minutes past the time the meeting was supposed to begin, Thranduil ducked inside the tent, having to duck low due to his tall stature. He was flanked by two heavily armed Elven guards and behind him trailed Bard who surprisingly had brought no one with him from his side to take part in the meeting. I rose from my chair as was only respectful and bowed my head to Thranduil and to Bard who I had heard had been made King of the people of Laketown after the battle.
"Good morning King Thranduil and too you, King Bard," I said, greeting the two men as I bowed my head and King Thranduil swept over to the other end of the long table and sank into the chair opposite me.
"Greetings, Princess Adaira" Bard said respectfully, bowing his head to me before he pulled out a chair to Thranduil's right and sat down.
"Yes, yes, enough with the pleasantries," Thranduil said, waving his hand as he rolled his eyes. "I was told this was going to be a meeting to negotiate peace," Thranduil said then as he stared at me from across the long table. "Since when does a King send an underling to do his work for him?" King Thranduil asked with a sneer and I forced myself to count to ten before answering him.
"King Thorin is still recovering from the wounds he received during the battle. As such he cannot move from his bed. The King has entrusted the job of negotiating this peace treaty amongst our people to me in his stead," I answered King Thranduil as I sat back in my chair, deciding that I might as well get comfortable as I most likely would be here for quite some time.
"Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins of the Shire are here to act as mediators amongst us. I might have formally called this meeting between us, but I do not wish to conduct it. We need to decide upon what is best for our people and I believe that is peace and compromise, but we cannot hope to find either if we hold on to the past and petty feuds amongst our kin. I will say no more at this point and leave the floor open to Gandalf," I finished and I looked to the grey wizard who nodded, smiling pleasantly, his pipe in his hands which he had been stuffing with pipe weed as I had spoken and which he now lit and began puffing on.
"Well, that was nicely said Adaira," Gandalf said as he pulled his pipe from his lips. "And you're quite right too. It is your people whom you must think of now, not yourselves. Too long have you let petty feuds divide your races. It is time to reunite the kingdoms in the North," Gandalf said and Thranduil who had been listening while drumming his fingers upon the table rolled his eyes once more.
"If I recall it was Thror who began this feud you speak of," Thranduil drawled out and I nodded in agreement at his words.
"I don't disagree with your statement King Thranduil. My great grandfather indeed began this feud when he kept the Gems of Lasgalen for himself, but he was not himself. We have discovered in the mountain a...tomb. My father is there, cursed into an enchanted sleep by the Arkenstone. It was never a gift as my great grandfather thought it to be, but a curse," I explained as I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I saw Gandalf's eyebrows raise as I spoke of my father and I plowed on as Thranduil looked curious.
"Our Stone Sense is what caused it. My grandfather could sense the Arkenstone and it caused him to go mad," I said and Thranduil rose and eyebrow at me.
"The Arkenstone, what has become of it then if it can cause such madness?" Thranduil asked of me and I frowned deeply.
"It has been destroyed. It was causing Thorin's own madness and destroying it was the only way to help him. Without the Arkenstone...my father can never be awakened, at least according to the inscription we found in the mountain," I answered Thranduil and the Elven King regarded me for several long moments before he looked away as if unmoved. Bard on the other hand looked deeply regretful.
"That isn't what this meeting is about though, it's about our people and what is best for them," I reminded Thranduil and Bard before I looked back to Gandalf who looked thoughtful. "Many of our people died in the war against Azog the Defiler. We owe it to them to honor their memories and bury them with dignity and respect. The Dwarves of the Iron Hills will be interred within Erebor, that we already know, but how might we help you honor and bury your dead?" I asked Bard and Thranduil, my eyebrow slightly raised as I crossed my hands in my lap.
"My people will be taken back to their home to be buried," Thranduil answered with a slight sneer and I went to roll my eyes but stopped myself when I remembered that I was in the middle of a diplomatic meeting.
"As they should be," I said, bowing my head slightly to Thranduil. "Do you require any assistance, Lord Thranduil?" I asked the King and he looked red in the face at the mere suggestion.
"My people are self-sufficient. We do not require your...assistance," Thranduil told me, the word coming out of his mouth like it was a curse and I smiled at him pleasantly as if his bad attitude didn't even phase me.
"Lord Bard, I was raised amongst the race of Men so I know the burial practices of your people. Have you thought of how you would like to proceed?," I asked Bard next and the man sighed loudly and reached up to wipe his face with one hand looking terribly stressed.
"We lost so many people. We just do not have the time or enough people to dig a grave for each person. The only answer would be a mass grave," Bard told me, grimacing in distaste at the idea and I grimaced as well, not liking that idea. Everyone who died deserved to have their own grave, not be forgotten amongst a mass burial.
"No, your people deserve better than that Lord Bard. They fought bravely and without them Dale would have been decimated by Azog's army. Lord Dain?" I asked, looking toward my cousin and Dain perked up.
"Yes, cousin?" Dain asked me and I took a deep breath as I quickly thought about my request before speaking.
"Can we offer Lord Bard aid in digging graves for his people? I know your soldiers are tired and many themselves are still overwrought with dealing with our own dead, but these people deserve some dignity," I asked and Dain reached up and stroked his beard as he thought it over. Everyone watched Dain as he thought over my request and finally Dain nodded and lowered his hand from his beard.
"Aye lass, we can offer him aid," Dain told me and I smiled gratefully. "My soldiers might be tired, but 'tis for a good cause," He said and Bard sighed in relief, his hands on his head as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"You don't know how you have just unburdened my mind," Bard told me as I turned back to look at the man who slowly slid his fingers out of his hair before he sat back in his chair out of his hunched over position over the table. "Becoming a King at such a tumultuous time makes me wonder if I know what I'm doing. No, I don't know what I'm doing. I wasn't born to be King. I'm a simple man who wants a simple life with his children. I never asked for this, but now these people look to me and I have nothing to give them," Bard said, looking defeated and I nodded at Gloin after making eye contact with him and Gloin went and poured Bard a stiff drink. Bard thanked him and began downing it immediately as soon as it was offered to him.
"You have everything to offer your people Bard. The Master of Laketown kept them downtrodden. You know what it is like to live like that. You can lead them out of the dark. They already love you and look to you. Leadership is sometimes thrust upon you and it is terrifying, I understand that because it's happened to me too, but your people need you. Without you they have no one to look to. Winter is coming and our people need us to think of their best interests first. You can do this Bard," I told the Man and he snorted as he raised his cup to me which had been refilled as I spoke.
"Thank you for your vote of confidence," Bard told me, a smirk on his face and I laughed at that.
"Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it," I told the man before shaking my head. "Do you think anyone really knows how to rule? You could have all the best tutors and go through all the training to become a King and then get up there and croak. Not everyone can be a leader. Some people you just know are and you are a leader Bard. People keep telling me I am too and all I lack is confidence. In lue of confidence I put a smile on my face and I press forward and do the next right thing. I listen to my people and go with my gut decision," told Bard who was listening to me closely, his head tilted to one side.
"Perhaps I ought to try that," Bard said once I finished speaking and I nodded in encouragement. When I looked back at Thranduil he had a look like he had just sucked on a lemon on his face and he was sitting back in his chair, his posture stiff. I finally had enough with it and decided to call him out on it.
"King Thranduil," I began and the Elven King raised an eyebrow at me as I smiled at him sweetly and I saw Balin's eyes widen slightly at my tone of voice and I saw him shake his head slightly. Gandalf was still blowing smoke rings and seemed to be watching the situation with curiosity. "Since the moment you arrived you have sat there with a sour look on your face and you've continually responded rudely when speaking to me. This meeting was called to discuss peace between our three kingdoms. I understand that after years of this feud between our people your opinion of our race is not the best, but could you at least try to be civil and seem invested in trying to negotiate this treaty?" I asked King Thranduil who sat up in his chair, his eyes narrowing and he opened his mouth to speak, but Gandalf raised his hand and cut him off before he could respond.
"Adaira is quite right. I will not tolerate this pettiness. If we are to aid your people you must be open for negotiations and try to be civil with one another," Gandalf said and he looked between the three of us before he opened the floor back up for discussion. Bard was the next to speak and he looked directly at me as he did so.
"Before the battle we spoke of peace. You promise to help my people by allowing us to shelter within the mountain during the winter. The number of sick and injured amongst my people has only grown. We have nowhere to go. Will you honor that promise?" Bard asked me and I nodded immediately.
"I've already spoken to my Uncle about it and we most certainly will be honouring that promise. Erebor will be open to your people and to your people Lord Thranduil, should any need shelter this winter," I said and Thranduil went to sneer but held himself back from it and merely nodded slightly. I could see the," That's not going to happen," in his eyes though. "Many of the homes are empty of course and it will take a bit of work to make them habitable, but there is already a group of Dwarves working on getting some places in the mountain restored. I can't say it won't smell of dragon either," I warned Bard with a smile on my face and Bard chuckled slightly.
"The smell of dragon is better than sheltering this winter in the ruins of Dale," Bard told me and the unspoken words of "and dying of the cold," hung in the air and I nodded in agreement. "Perhaps a group of our women could help in the mountain, cleaning up houses and making them livable," Bard offered up and I thought on that for a moment, looking to Balin who nodded so I looked back to Bard nodding.
"That would be most welcome, Lord Bard. It would be my pleasure to coordinate this with you myself. We would of course ensure the safety of your people whilst they are in the mountain. I think we should have a look about the house first and use our Stone Sense to ensure they are safe before sending in your people to clean them," I said and Balin spoke up then.
"I think that is a brilliant idea, my Lady," Balin said before he looked to Bard. "Our Stone Sense helps us sense if there is potential for a cave in or other such dangers. Your women folk would be quite safe once we ensure that the structure of the mountain is safe for them to be in," Balin assured Bard who looked relieved.
"Thank you, that eases any worries I might have in sending them to complete such a task," Bard told us and I nodded, glad that we had unburdened his mind.
"Once the mountain is habitable we can begin to move our injured into the mountain as well so that we might better care for them," I told Bard who nodded in agreement and then I looked to Thranduil. "Lord Thranduil, my sincerest thanks for your aid. Without the help of your healers my Uncle and cousins would be dead along with many of my people," I said and Thranduil's eyes widened slightly, the Elf surprised that I would thank him for such a thing.
Bard too gave his thanks then to the Elf for his aid after the battle and I folded my hands in front of me and put them on the table before I looked at Gandalf and raised an eyebrow. I knew that Gandalf was hiding something. He obviously had learnt something more at Dol Goldur, but whatever it was, he wasn't talking. I knew it had something to do with my grandfather and even with me, the purpose of why I was sent away from Middle Earth and basically why this all had started and it was high time that the wizard gave some truthful answers.
"Gandalf," I addressed the wizard and he looked at me, still puffing away on his pipe and he raised a brow. "I want to know what else you discovered in Dol Goldur. I know you found more there than my grandfather and I know whatever else you found there has something to do with why I was sent away from Middle Earth in the first place. I want answers," I told the wizard who looked very put on the spot and he began spluttering on his pipe.
"Well...you see…," Gandalf said and at that moment someone entered the tent and we all turned to see who it was and my mouth fell slightly open. Lady Galadriel, dressed all in white, was standing at the door of the tent, Lord Elrond just behind her, dressed completely in armour, dressed for battle.
"Mithrandir…," Lady Galadriel said in her quiet, serene voice and Gandalf instantly stopped spluttering, their eyes locking intensely. "It is time she knew the truth," She said and that was when the Elven Lady looked to me. She seemed to be radiating light and she smiled down at me as she walked over to me and stood a few steps from my chair.
"The truth?" I asked Lady Galadriel and she nodded. Elladan and Elrohir who had risen from their chairs when their father had entered the tent looked to me in confusion and curiosity before exiting the tent, Lord Elrond excusing them both and telling his sons that they were no longer needed. They had tried to protest, but one look from their father had ceased their arguments entirely.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond assumed the seats they had vacated and Gandalf looked rather flustered by their arrival and Lady Galadriel's words. Once they were seated Lord Elrond looked around the table until his eyes fell upon me. I got that feeling like I was being looked through and my mind read and I lowered my gaze before taking a deep breath.
"Forgive us for interrupting this important meeting between your three kingdoms," Lord Elrond began and I looked up towards him once more, his gaze no long directly upon me. "Lady Galadriel insisted that we hasten here even if I was against the idea," Lord Elrond said and he gave a sidelong look to the female Elf sitting beside him with a serene look on her face.
"For many years I have seen two futures unfold," Lady Galadriel said as she looked around the table. "One in which Thorin Oakenshild dies and Dain Ironfoot assumes the throne and another future where Thorin Oakenshield lives and…," She said before Balin finished her sentence.
"Assumes the throne," Balin said and Lady Galadriel tilted her head to the side as she looked at him and she hummed before nodding.
"Yes," She told him and then she continued on with her explanation. "I never understood why I saw these two futures and then I saw her, a young Dwarven woman. I realized that she was what was different. In one future she joined the Company of Thorin Oakenshield and in the other she did not. In both futures the you reclaimed the mountain, but only in one Thorin Oakenshield survived the battle after the mountain was reclaimed. This dwarven woman was the key," Lady Galadriel said before she looked directly at me. "You, child," She told me and I nodded, understanding that already.
"At first I could not understand why or how the future would change like it did and then I saw the reason. A set of events set into place just so. I saw another world and this woman in it and I saw the nudge she needed to bring her back to our own world," Lady Galdriel said and I harrumphed at that.
"A nudge?" I asked her, raising one of my eyebrows. "More like wooly homicide. I swear that sheep was trying to kill me," I said and I heard my husband snort behind me as I had brought up my hatred of sheep many times in our discussions. Thranduil, Bard, and Dain stared at me in confusion while Lord Elrond just raised an eyebrow. Bilbo rolled his eyes at my mention of murderous sheep once more, Gandalf shook his head and Balin and Gloin sighed or harrumphed.
"A nudge," Lady Galadriel repeated and I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms and sat back in my chair. Dwalin's hands came down and rested on my shoulders and he rubbed his thumbs into the juncture between my neck and shoulders, rubbing in circles and I hummed under my breath and closed my eyes in relief before opening them again as he continued and I went back to listening.
"It has been the will of the Valar this entire time for events to play out as they have. What we discovered at Dol Goldur…," Lady Galadriel said and it was Thranduil who interrupted her this time.
"You keep alluding to this grand mystery that you discovered in these ruins. Get on with it," Thranduil told Lady Galadriel who's serene gesture broke just a little as she sent Thranduil a slightly miffed look before doing just that.
"Since the War of the Ring we thought Sauron to be gone, but his spirit still remained," Lady Galadriel said then and I frowned in confusion as Thranduil's face instantly fell and he looked very grave at the news. Bard looked concerned as well and I heard Balin inhale sharply beside me as well. Thankfully Bilbo looked just as confused as me.
"When Isildur cut the ring of power from Sauron's hand Sauron's body crumbled into dust. Isildur did not destroy the ring. The lure of its power was too strong for him. Without destroying the ring, Sauron's spirit is free to remain. He is formless, but must have made his way to Dol Goldur where he began to regain his power," Lord Elrond explained and I raised my hand then and everyone turned to look at me.
"Uh yeah, sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but who exactly is Sauron?" I asked Lord Elrond and he raised a brow slightly before answering me.
"I forgot that you would not know," He said before he sighed heavily. "Sauron was once a Maia and a gifted student of the Vala Aule, but he turned to evil and joined with the Vala Melkor in destroying Middle Earth and its people. They tainted all that they touched, corrupting Elves and transforming them into Orcs, creating dragons and other dark beasts," Lord Elrond explained and I nodded as I listened wondering what had to happen in a guy's life to make him want to turn to doing that.
"After Melkor was defeated by the other Vala Suaron became the second Dark Lord and he sought to conquer all of Arda by creating Rings of Power," Lord Elrond told me and I frowned in confusion.
"Rings of power?" I asked him for clarification, wondering if I had heard him right.
"Yes," Lady Galadriel answered for him. "Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne, in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, one Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie," Lady Galadriel recited and after she did so the entire mood around the table changed.
"In the Second Age of this world, Sauron was defeated when the Last Alliance of Elves and Men fought him,united under the kings Gil-galad and Elendil. I fought myself in this battle. In the final battle, Isildur, son of Elendil, took up his father's broken sword and with it he cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger, dismantling the Dark Lord's corporeal form and power," Lord Elrond explained to me and I nodded in understanding now.
"So Sauron has returned?" I asked Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel for clarification and they looked at one another and then shared a look with Gandalf before Lord Elrond nodded.
"His spirit has been banished back to the lands of Mordor but it is only a matter of time before he begins to grow in power once more," Lord Elrond told everyone and he shook his head. "We know that on October the fourth in the Third Age II, Isildur and his company who were traveling from Minas Anor were attacked by a group of Orcs near the Gladden Fields. He sent his esquire, Ohtar with the shards of his father's sword, Narsil far from the battle. His son Aratan was mortally wounded, and his son Ciryon was killed. His eldest son Elendur begged him to flee in order to prevent the Orcs from capturing the Ring. Isildur agreed and he left his son behind who was slain leading the remaining Dúnedain on battle," Lord Elrond told us and watched Balin's expressions more than anything for any hint of what this all meant.
"Isildur headed for the Anduin river and he removed his armor and waded into the river intending to try to cross it. The current was strong and despite his great strength, it pulled him toward the marshes of the Gladden Fields. He rose out of the water, but was spotted by Orcs who shot him with arrows. When we found him the Ring was no longer with him. I learn later that he was traveling with the intentions to deliver the One Ring to me as his eldest son Elendur had convinced him that this was the best thing to do," Lord Elrond finished and I absorbed all of what Lord Elrond had told us for a few moments before I spoke up.
"You said without the ring being destroyed, Sauron's spirit is free to remain, right?" I asked Lord Elrond and he frowned before nodding in confirmation.
"Yes," He answered me and I hummed as I put a few things together.
"So the Ring of Power is basically like his Horcrux," I said and everyone stared at me in confusion and it was Gandalf who spoke up next.
"A Horcrux? And what exactly is a Horcrux?" Gandalf asked me as I leaned back in my chair, Dwalin rubbing my shoulders once more.
"Well in this book series I read back home this Dark Wizard split his soul into seven pieces and put each of the pieces of his soul into seven different objects called Horcruxes. You have to murder someone to make one in the book, but it is basically an object where you store part of your soul inside so you become immortal. If you die, you could have someone resurrect you using that part of your soul," I explained and I saw the looks of horror on everyone's faces.
"That's vile!" Bard exclaimed and I nodded in agreement.
"My thoughts exactly. Like the book doesn't say exactly how their made just that murder is involved and then the author added in later that a horrific act also had to be committed which could be anything your mind could invent," I said and I realized I was rambling so I stopped myself from saying more.
"Anyway, Sauron created this ring right and obviously part of his soul is stored inside or all of his soul or something so...yeah. So as long as the ring is still around, Sauron can't die, right?" I asked and Lord Elrond nodded.
"Yes, though I would not have likened it to these Horcruxes," Lord Elrond said and I shrugged, you couldn't please everyone.
"So we search for the ring and destroy it," I suggested and that suggestion was met with a scoff from Thranduil. While I made this suggestion I did not notice the look of rage that Bilbo had sent me from under narrowed eyes, his hand in his pocket.
"And where would you suggest we begin looking?" Thranduil asked then with one eyebrow raised. "Middle Earth is vast. The ring could be anywhere and without even a whisper to go forth from, we have no chance of finding it," Thranduil said cynically and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well, at least we would be looking rather than sitting around and doing nothing," I said and then I shook my head.
"You should not speak on matters you know nothing about," Thranduil snapped back and I heard Dwalin growl and I raised my hand, stopping him as he went to move.
"This is what Sauron wants, isn't it? Everything you've said about him, Lord Elrond. He seeks to divide us. When we are divided we are weaker," I said and Thranduil rolled his eyes. "Your army is indeed strong, King Thranduil, but Sauron wasn't even fully back and yet he was able to raise an army greater than them. If Sauron's forces marched upon the Greenwood, you wouldn't be able to fend them off by yourself. None of us could. Only when we unite can we truly defeat our enemy," I said, everyone looking at me and Lord Elrond nodded his head in agreement.
"Where I grew up, there was so much prejudice either for the color of your skin or for the nationality you were born into. Men, Elves, Dwarves we are all alike. We want peace, a chance to raise our families in safety, and for our people to prosper. Yet we sit here, arguing when the true enemy is out there," I said as I pointed over my shoulder.
"The Greenwood, Erebor, Dale, these are the three great kingdoms in the North now. If Sauron rises once again we will need to look to each other. Only our armies combined as we were on this battlefield are enough to defeat the armies raised by Sauron," I said and Gandalf rapped his knuckles on the table.
"Adaira is quite right. Sauron's return changes everything. Here at this table sits many of the greatest leaders in Middle Earth. We can no longer be blind to his return. It is not if, but a matter of when. When Sauron rises to power once more we must be ready. Three kingdoms now hold the North. If Sauron should take even one of them, the entire North shall fall," Gandalf said, agreeing with me and Lord Elrond nodded.
"We cannot force you of course to come to a negotiation, but it would be in the best interest of you all and in the best interest of Middle Earth," Lord Elrond finished and Bard opened and closed his mouth as if searching around for his words before he began speaking.
"My people have nothing to offer either kingdom. We are only surviving with the good graces of King Thranduil and King Thorin," Bard said and I nodded at that, knowing that his people were destitute at the moment and how that might feel, having to beg just to get his people fed, clothed, and sheltered for the winter.
"That is our fault," I spoke up and Bard snapped his head around to me. "We woke the dragon and because of that Smaug destroyed Laketown. The Kingdom of Dale is in ruins at the moment, but your people will prosper once more. Part of our end of the peace treaty would be to help you rebuild Dale to its former glory and to shelter your people until Dale is rebuilt. It is our only way to make reparations for our actions and I hope that our people will come to grow closer and learn a tolerance for one another over this winter," I offered and Bard looked relieved by my words.
"Your constant support of my people, Lady Adaira is astonishing to me. You give with a generous heart. I hope too that our people will learn a tolerance for one another over this winter and come to celebrate our differences," Bard told me and I smiled at the man and nodded my head regally before Bard and I both turned to look at Thranduil, the only hold out.
Regardless of Thranduil's decision, I would ensure that Thorin continued to support Bard's people. Our half of the treaty did not hinge upon Thranduil joining us. I would also make it very clear that we should continue to show respect towards the Elves and whether Thranduil wanted to engage with us or not, we should continue to try to be diplomatic with him. No doubt our people would have to negotiate again or come in contact with one another and this time, I refused to let a feud break out amongst our people. Especially since Tauriel was Kili's One. She might have been banished from the Greenwood, but it was still where she grew up and I would not disrespect her people.
Thranduil stared back at all of us and then he moved one of his legs off his knee where it was propped up and sat properly in his chair, giving us his full attention. He seemed pensive as he no doubt mulled over everything that we had been talking about. I knew we were putting a lot of pressure on him to make a decision and Lord Elrond was right, we couldn't force him to want to have an alliance with us.
"Sauron's return to power could be swift or slow," Thranduil said first and I nodded in agreement. None of us knew when Sauron might return. "I am not so ignorant that I do not see the relevance of your words, but the Greenwood has been under my care and mine alone for over two thousand years. I have protected my people without the need of outside armies," Thranduil said and I hummed understandingly. For Thranduil this was a matter of pride and asking for help or even having to admit to himself that he needed help was probably difficult. "The feud amongst our races has been long, but…," Thrandil said as his gaze flicked over to me. "Your methods are persuasive," Thranduil told me and I frowned at that, my eyebrow raising slightly.
"Unlike your forbearers you have wit and an uncanny ability to get under one's skin," Thranduil told me and I snorted, figuring that was his way of telling me I was annoying. "I will agree upon an alliance with your people, but with some stipulations upon your part," Thranduil told me and I sat up straighter in my chair and looked at Balin out of the corner of my eye and the older dwarf nodded.
"I'm listening," I assured Thranduil and he smirked ever so slightly.
"It is no secret that Oakenshield and I have no love for one another. If we are to have agreeable relations between our two kingdoms in the future then I wish to be able to have an intelligent conversation with the person I am meant to be negotiating with," Thranduil said and my husband growled under his breath at the below the belt insult towards his King and I reached back and patted his arm which was tense. "I purpose an ambassador to the Greenwood…," Thranduil said and I smiled as I thought of the best person for the job.
"You make a good point King Thranduil. Negotiations cannot happen when two monarchs fight like children over a small toy," I said, smirking slightly as I quipped back my own low key insult at his behaviour when we were in his kingdom. "I think I have the perfect person to act as ambassador to your kingdom," I told Thranduil who looked a bit confused.
"You mistake my words, I mean for you to be this ambassador seeing as Oakenshield sends you to negotiate for him," King Thranduil told me and I nodded, figuring he had been heading in that direction.
"You must forgive me, King Thranduil, but I would not make a good ambassador to your kingdom. I know little about your people or your language and while I wish to further our relationship and come to understand both, I do not wish to insult your people unknowingly," I told Thranduil and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"Then who would you suggest as an ambassador?" Thranduil asked me and my smile grew only a little wider.
"Tauriel," I said and I saw Thranduil's eyes widen slightly in shock before he hid all his emotions behind a hard mask. "When she was banished from your kingdom she officially became a member of ours as she is my cousin's One. Who better to be an ambassador to the Greenwood than one of your previous subjects?" I asked Thranduil, knowing that I was treading a fine line.
"And do you know why she was banished from my Kingdom?" Thranduil asked me and I nodded, letting him know that I did.
"She was banished for disobeying her King's orders. For following her heart. I know that in a soldier, especially one such as Tauriel you must expect total obedience, but if it was not for Tauriel we would not have known about Azog's second army. Her actions and the actions of your own son saved us," I told Thranduil and I saw a strange emotion come into his eyes but his lips turned down into a thin line.
"She was also banished for threatening her king," Thranduil told me and I looked down at my hands before looking back up at Thranduil.
"Like it or not, if Tauriel had not made you see reason, had not made your armies turn back into battle, many more lives would have been lost. I grieve for your kin just as I grieve for mine. Loyal, brave, true, Tauriel possesses all of these qualities. She disobeyed your orders knowing she might lose everything, not just to follow her heart but because she had to do what she felt was right. Who better to speak for both our people? Tauriel knows your people and she knows you. She will see what is best for both of our people," I told Thranduil who had been listening to me intently.
"And how am I supposed to trust her?" Thranduil asked me and I shook my head at that.
"Trust her as you always have. Trust me when I say I don't think Tauriel ever wanted to turn against you. She's too loyal for that," I told Thranduil who seemed thoughtful.
"And where is she now?" Thranduil asked me and I sighed heavily at that.
"For the moment she refuses to leave my cousin's bedside. At first she would not speak after he was brought into the infirmary nor eat or sleep. She was in deep shock. Every day she improves as my cousin's condition does as well, but perhaps some friendly faces and being amongst her own kin would help her as well. I worry for her. I know our stone halls will not be so inviting to her. She is a child of the forests and while I feel safe amongst the stone, she does not possess Stone Sense. She is connected to growing things," I said and Thranduil tilted his head to the side as he listened to me.
"I feel as if this would be beneficial to Tauriel. Being an ambassador to your realm will give her the chance to walk amongst the trees once more when she visits your realm. While no longer your subject, she would still be able to visit the home she once knew," I said and Thranduil stared at me for several long moments after I finished speaking before he spoke.
"I see merit in your words," was all Thranduil said about my suggestion before he turned to look at Bard. "I will continue to offer aid to your people regardless if they shelter the winter at Erebor or not. I too will pledge to help rebuild Dale to its former glory come the end of winter. I also pledge my aid to you, Dragonslayer. Becoming a king is no easy task, I assist you in that matter," Thranduil told Bard who nodded, looking grateful and like a large weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.
"Thank you, King Thranduil. I now have hope that my people will survive the winter that is to come and with any luck, Dale will begin to prosper come spring," Bard said and I was happy that the man didn't look so worn out now that some of his fears had been assuaged.
"I purpose a written treaty with all terms we have negotiated set down in ink. Three copies that we will each receive so we know in the future what was set down here. If there comes a time when a new treaty must be made, we can negotiate new terms under a new treaty," I proposed and Bard and Thrnaduil turned to look at me and I saw them thinking over my proposal.
"Agreed," Bard and Thranduil responded in unison and I turned to Balin who I knew could write up the treaty since he had written up the contract for our venture.
"I propose we name the treaty, the Treaty of Versailles," I said and everyone kind of stared at me in confusion at the proposed name. "Where I grew up there was a treaty named this. It was the most important treaty, one that ended a World War," I explained before I shrugged. "Only this time we are seeking to end a war of a different kind before a World War starts," I said and Thranduil waved his hand flippantly.
"If we must," He told me and Bard shrugged his shoulders.
"Seems about as good as a name as anything else," Bard said and Balin dipped his quill into some ink and looked at me and I nodded before he set the quill to some paper and began writing.
Lunch was served for all those in attendance, Balin the only one who politely declined so he could continue writing. We all engaged in polite conversation which was only stopped when Balin asked Thranduil if he had made a decision about Tauriel as he needed to know for the sake of the treaty. Thranduil, now having indulged in more wine, seemed in more of a good mood than he was this morning if less sneering and snide comments was any indication of this and he agreed to my suggestion, officially making Tauriel the ambassador to the Greenwood.
Once Balin was finished writing the first copy, Ori began helping, writing one of the other copies as Balin set out to write the treaty for a second time. Once each copy was finished being written Thranduil and Bard took turns signing the treaty. When it came to my turn I looked at Balin because obviously I was not in charge. Balin suggested upon two signatures for our part of the treaty, mine as negotiator and Thorin's as King.
After I signed my name, Balin and I rose and we escorted Thranduil and Bard to Thorin's tent which he had just been moved to in order to give him more privacy and so that he would have everything he required to rule at his fingertips. Balin entered his tent first as we waited outside and then Thorin called for us all to enter. It looked as if he has just freshened up and he was sitting up in bed, a robe of Durin blue covering his shoulders, the bandages that still covered his midsection showing through where his robe parted.
"Mizimith," Thorin said as I entered his tent first, King Thranduil and Bard ducking inside just behind me. Thorin instantly clenched his jaw at the sight of Thranduil and I shot him a look that meant to behave. "Balin tells me the treaty is ready for me to sign," Thorin said, still addressing me and ignoring the others and I nodded in confirmation.
"Yes adad," I confirmed for my Uncle before presenting the treaty to him so that he could read it over before he signed it. Thorin unrolled the parchment and began reading it over, humming and making various noises of approval or disappointment before he requested for Balin to bring him something to write with. He surprised me when he signed it outright, not even trying to renegotiate anything. He passed our copy to Balin after he signed it before signing the other two and Balin slipped on his spectacles and inspected everything before he looked towards Thranduil and Bard.
"Well everything seems to be in order," Balin told the other two Kings and Baard nodded his head.
"I look forward to coming to get to know one another better, King Thorin," Bard said, addressing my Uncle who nodded his head regally.
"And I look forward to getting to know the slayer of Smaug," Throin said politely in reply before he and Thranduil shared a look. "I have one request for you King...Thranduil," Thorin said and it looked like it was very difficult for him to talk to Thranduil respectfully as he almost choked over the word king. "The weapons and armor that were taken from my kin and myself when we were…"guests" in your realm," Thorin said, very sarcastically using the word guests after I shot him another behave look.
"I ask that they be returned to their rightful owners,"Thorin requested and I smiled at him, glad that he had remained perfectly polite during his request. "My niece's axes were a wedding present and many of our weapons were handed down from father to son and mean much to my kin and myself," Thorin added and Thranduil regarded him, I think a little surprised himself.
"I shall send word to collect your belongings, but I do not expect them to arrive quickly. We still need to tally our dead and bring them back to be buried before the first snows stick to the ground. The Greenway becomes more treacherous after the first snows and I will not risk my people," Thranduil finally said after a moment's silence in response to Thorin's request and I saw a vein popping in Thorin's jaw from how tight he had his jaw clenched.
"Thank you, King Thranduil," I said for Thorin as I turned to look at the Elven King. "Of course you must put your people first and not endanger them. We will be patient and we will appreciate you returning them to us when it is convenient for you," I told him and Thranduil smirked before looking towards Thorin.
"You should be proud of your niece Oakenshield. She's a testament to your people," Thranduil told my Uncle who looked even more pissed off by what he had just said.
"I am proud of my niece," Thorin said through gritted teeth and I looked at Balin and gave him a look of "we need to get Thranduil out of here" and he nodded before he began to politely usher Thranduil and Bard from the tent with excuses. He threw a look at me over his shoulder as he left with both monarchs and I took a deep breath and let it out, finally able to breathe now that I wasn't in that stressful situation. "I am proud of you," Thorin said then and I turned to look at him, my hands resting on my lower back as my eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"It was a good treaty, one that is beneficial to our people," Thorin told me before he smirked. "Maybe I should have you fill in for me more often," Thorin said and I took it as a threat.
"No," I told him instantly, pointing a finger at him. "That is so not going to happen," I told my Uncle who chuckled as my husband stepped into the tent. "That crown is staying firmly on your head even after Kili and Fili and I have made your hair turn completely grey," I told my Uncle firmly and both he and Dwalin chuckled at my words.
"You've certainly given me more greys in the past few weeks," Thorin accused and I rolled my eyes at him.
"I wasn't the one to ride a wheelbarrow down a river of gold. I think we all scare each other half to death. I'm surprised my hair isn't coming back in prematurely grey," I told my Uncle as I pointed at my own hair.
"The hardest part is yet to come," Thorin said then and I nodded as we all sobbered. The wind picked up then and beat against the walls of the tent and the tent flaps billowed open, exposing the sight of the Lonely Mountain in the distance.
"Now we live," I said in agreement and I looked between my husband and Uncle before crossing over to my husband and wrapping my arms around his middle, putting my head on his chest as I hugged him. "And try not to kill each other," I added with a laugh which was echoed by my husband and Uncle. The next few weeks would make or break us, but at least now we had some semblance of peace and home was in front of us. I looked down and put a hand over my little bump and smiled. I had a home and a family again and life couldn't be better.
