Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 23- Divided Opinions
The hours have slowly been passing since Thranduil declared his intention to attack the Lonely Mountain. Bard has been trying to get the population of Lake Town ready to join the Elves in their efforts. The few trained soldiers of Lake Town that remain have been trying to provide basic combat instruction to the rest of the men who have volunteered to join the militia Bard has been trying to form, practicing with weapons retrieved from Dale's armory.
Steve has kept himself away from the preparation, maintaining his stance that he will not be involved in this endeavour whatsoever. Seeing Steve's hard line on his stance has shaken Bard's confidence in his decision a bit, but not enough to give up on it.
As the Lake-Men are continuing to train and look for anything in the town that could provide a useful advantage in combat, they suddenly receive a bit of excitement as a horse suddenly comes galloping through them as an old man on its back shouts, "Let me through! Make way!"
Gandalf comes riding into the courtyard outside Thranduil's tent and the building that Bard is using as his headquarters. He allows Bucky to slide off of the horse first before he himself climbs down from the horse. The two look around a bit, watching what's happening in the courtyard while also looking for someone who looks to be in authority.
Their arrival is noticed by Alfrid. The former Master's Deputy is still very salty at Steve taking place as Bard's second and him being rather sidelined. Seeing the two new arrivals, Alfrid sees a chance to exercise some authority.
"No, no, no! Oi, you! Pointy hat!" Alfrid calls out, trying to get Gandalf's attention. Once he sees Gandalf looking at him, he walks towards Gandalf as he says, "Yes, you. We don't want no beggars, tramps, nor vagabonds around here. We've got enough trouble without the likes of you. Off you go! On your horse!"
"Who's in charge here?!" Gandalf demands loudly and testily, causing Alfrid to shrink back a bit.
"Who is asking?" Bard asks, walking up to the pair, wondering who these new arrivals are.
At that moment, Steve also comes walking into the courtyard, and spots the new arrivals. He breaks out in a huge smile as he sees his old friend. "Bucky!" he calls out to his friend as he trots over to the gathered men. Bucky grins as he spots Steve coming towards them, and the two friends meet in a happy embrace.
"Good to see you in one piece, buddy!" Steve says as the two separate. He then looks at Bucky's new armor and says, "And looks like you got a wardrobe upgrade."
"A gift from the Galadhrim," Bucky says with a slight smile, feeling a bit proud of the armor that Galadriel gave him herself.
"It is good to see you again, Steve. However, we must speak with Thranduil and you, bowman. You are in danger," Gandalf says urgently.
"You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves. War is coming! The cesspits of Dol Guldur have been emptied. You're all in mortal danger!" Gandalf declares emphatically. He and Bucky had accompanied Bard to Thranduil's pavilion to try and convince the two rulers. Bard seems to be listening, but Thranduil is clearly unconvinced.
"What are you talking about?" Bard asks Gandalf.
Before Gandalf can respond, Thranduil stands up and goes to pour some wine as he says, "I can see you know nothing of wizards. They are like winter thunder on a wild wind roling in from a distance, breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes, a storm is just a storm."
"Not this time, Lord Thranduil. Armies of Orcs have left Dol Guldur. And these Orcs have been bred for war. That's not the worst of it. The one leading them is named Johann Schmidt, also known as the Red Skull. He was my friend, Captain America's, worst enemy. He received a primitive version of the treatment that Steve received, heightening his strength and reflexes, but disfiguring him in the process. He is a brilliant scientist, and now serves as Sauron's chief lieutenant," Bucky explains.
Both Bard and Thranduil look at Bucky in surprise. The surprise is greater on the part of Bard, Steve having explained about the Red Skull before. However, the shock is greatest for Steve. "Schmidt's alive?" he asks in shock.
"Yes, Steve. From what he told me, he did not die when you thought he did. Something known as the Tesseract transported him here. He discovered Dol Guldur shortly after his arrival, and swore his allegiance to Sauron," Gandalf explains.
Steve stands there in shock, not wanting to believe this. Gandalf, seeing that expression on his face, continues, "I know you do not wish to believe he is alive, Steve, but it is true. I saw him and spoke to him in person. The Red Skull lives."
Finally, Thranduil asks, "Why has the Enemy revealed his hand now? Why let the Red Skull loose on us now?"
"Because we forced him!" Gandalf responds curtly before walking out of the pavilion to a ledge that has a view of the Gates of Erebor. Everyone follows the wizard out onto the ledge as he continues to speak, "The Dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor. Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the Mountain. Not just for the treasure within, but for where it lies, it's strategic position. This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the North. If that fell kingdom should rise again," he turns back to face his audience, "Rivendell, Lorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall. And now, with the Red Skull on the loose, we may deal with an additional enemy."
"Gandalf is right. Schmidt's ambition is uncontainable. He sees himself as walking in the footsteps of the gods. He will not be satisfied unless he rules over the world. He will not let even Sauron stand in his way. Sauron will certainly have put his genius to use crafting new weapons for his army, but Schmidt will attempt to destroy Sauron and take his place if he can. We face two great threats if Schmidt is involved here," Steve says emphatically.
"And how do you intend to convince Oakenshield of the danger we face?" Thranduil demands.
"With the truth. Steve and Bucky will explain the danger to Thorin," Gandalf says.
"Bard already tried to explain to negotiate with the dwarves. So long as King T'Challa remains within Erebor, he will not give up," Thranduil says.
"T'Challa will not fight against us. He will leave Thorin before doing so. We do not need to worry about T'Challa. And Thorin will listen to us. He trusts us enough to believe us," Steve says confidently.
Thranduil is unconvinced. "But do we have the time necessary for the Avengers to convince Oakenshield of the truth? How far away are these orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir?"
Gandalf looks back at Thranduil, sighing a bit in frustration, because he doesn't have a firm answer.
Steve sighs as he sits down on a piece of rubble outside Thranduil's pavilion. He, Bucky, and Gandalf have spent a very long time trying to convince Thranduil of the truth, but the Elven King is stubbornly committed to his goals of reclaiming the White Gems of Lasgalen, and is perhaps even more committed now that he knows Orc armies are coming, feeling he needs to hurry and accomplish his mission before the orcs arrive.
Bucky sits down next to Steve, and the two friends stare off into the distance. Finally, Steve says, "I'm not sure what else we can do, Buck. I don't know if there's anything we can do at this point to stop the Elves or Thorin. Thranduil and THorin are both too stubborn."
"I know. But we can't give up, Steve. If we do, then Sauron wins the Mountain, and who knows what Schmidt will do. We need everyone to fight together, or Sauron wins the war. We need to keep the Mountain out of the hands of Sauron," Bucky says. Having encountered the Dark Lord in person, he feels even more passionately about the need to contain him. Even despite having passed on Doctor Strange's promise of reinforcements, Bucky, as well as Steve, feels it won't be enough to win the coming fight.
As the two look at each other, they are aware of Bard and Gandalf talking a few feet away. The two friends aren't really paying attention. That is, until they hear a new, familiar voice say, "That won't stop them."
Steve and Bucky turn their heads, and to their great surprise and joy, see Bilbo come skidding to a stop a few feet from Bard and Gandalf as he continues, "You think that the Dwarves will surrender? They won't. They will fight to the death to defend their own."
"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf says in relief. Bilbo looks at Gandalf and smiles brightly at the sight of his friend.
"Bilbo!" Steve and Bucky both say almost simultaneously. The two men hurry over to Bilbo, delighted to see the Hobbit, who seems equally happy to see them.
"It's good to see you both. But I need to speak to Bard and Thrandui. Urgently," Bilbo says. Steve and Bucky nod and usher Bilbo into the pavilion.
Bard is also rather pleased to see Bilbo again after days. Thranduil, however, takes something else away from Bilbo's introduction.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is the Halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards," Thranduil says from his chair, looking rather sternly at Bilbo.
Bilbo stands there awkwardly for a few moments before cracking his mouth open a little bit and muttering, "Yes," before saying in a normal voice, "Sorry about that." Thranduil's expression seems to grow the slightest bit less stern, and Bard smiles a little fondly at the Hobbit.
Bilbo stands there for a second, then steps forward to the table in the middle of the pavilion as he pulls something out of his pocket, saying, "I came…to give you this." He lays the bundle of cloth down on the table, then carefully opens it to reveal its contents.
Steve and Bucky's eyes shoot wide open as the contents are revealed. Resting in the middle of the cloth is a brilliant white gem. The gem seemed to glow with a radiance of colors, shining on its own. The brilliance of the gem draws everyone's eyes straight to it. As Steve and Bucky stare at the jewel, they quickly realize its identity from stories told by the dwarves. Thranduil, who has stood up in awe, identifies it aloud, "The Heart of the Mountain. The King's Jewel."
"And worth a king's ransom," Bard describes the worth of the jewel before turning to Bilbo and asking, "How is this yours to give?"
"I took it as my 14th share of the treasure," Bilbo replies simply.
"Bilbo, you're a true hero and friend," Steve says with a smile.
"I'm not doing it to be a hero. I'm doing it to help Thorin. Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for its return, I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war," Bilbo says. Thranduil and Bard look at each other, both having to admit that Bilbo's idea has merit and could very well work.
Finally, Thranduil nods. "This could work. Perhaps we should try it," he says. Bard nods in agreement, as do Steve and Bucky.
The meeting disperses. Gandalf leaves with Bilbo, talking with him in hushed tones. At the same time, Steve and Bucky leave to have a brief discussion themselves.
"What do you think is going to go down tomorrow?" Bucky asks.
"Well, Thorin's going to lose his mind when he realizes Thranduil and Bard have the Arkenstone. The question is how far his anger will take him. There's a chance he may be so angry he may not give up anything out of anger and spite. However, what I'm really worried about is Bilbo. If Thorin finds out what he did, Bilbo's going to be in danger."
"Agreed," Bucky says, looking off into the distance. Then, after a few seconds pause, he says, "What we've really got to worry about is Schmidt and Sauron's army. It's not going to be long before they get here. I'm not sure if we have the strength gathered right now to defeat them." Steve accepts this silently, while simultaneously wishing he had the rest of the Avengers, knowing that the team could probably make short work of the Orc army.
Steve and Bucky stare up into the starlit sky, wondering what kind of craziness the next day is going to bring, and wondering whether they'll survive the next day and the battle that is likely coming.
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked this chapter.
Next chapter will begin the Battle of the Five Armies. Hope you're excited for it. It'll be interesting, that's for sure. Until it's up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!