Sorry for the long wait. Our computer broke down for i while and i was spending some time at comicon. Trust me it was fun! I should stop apologizing and get to the story, right?" Thanks for reading and reviewing! Continue reading. I spent lots of time on this chapter so i am sorry if you don't like it. Thanks!
-WingedIceWolf
WARNING!: Contains spoilers for the BOTFA
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the hobbit nor any of it's characters. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson
"Come on." Thorin ordered, voice deep with greed as he proceeded up the stairs to the balcony. His ears caught the sound of horse hooves stomping against stone. A cold breeze whipped his hair in his face as he stood like a proud tree, tall and straight. Pretty soon all of the company, including poor Bilbo were watching from the balcony as the rider neared the gate, halting his horse a couple paces away.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain." Yelled a familiar voice, loud and clear. "We are glad to find you alive beyond hope."
The dwarves, some glaring at the rider, kept their faces stern as the bowman spoke. Behind him an army of elves were waiting with their weapons drawn, standing upon the ruined walls of Dale, and in a battle stance, armour glimmering in the sun. Thranduil upon his stag remained patiently as the dragon-slayer spoke with the dwarves, his silver hair blowing softly about him.
"Why do you come to the gates of the King Under The Mountain armed for war?" Thorin asked angrily, ignoring the bowman's comment.
"Why does the king of the mountain fence himself in…like a robber in his hold?" asked Bard a little sharply, horse stomping its hooves upon the frosted stone.
"Perhaps it is because I'm expecting to be robbed!" snapped Thorin loudly, voice echoing throughout the mountain. The other dwarves remained standing, as if Thorin's yell didn't even faze them. The Dwarf King stood, tensed and fight ready.
"My lord," Bard began softly as his horse became restless. "We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement."
The dwarf king didn't respond, but simply let his gaze fall upon the army of elves once more, eyes burning with anger.
"Will you not speak with me?" Asked Bard. The Dwarf King cocked his head slightly in annoyance. He started down the stairs as the dwarves turned to look at their leader. He came to the base of the gate and stood upon a stone so that he was eye level with Bard, eyes never meeting the bowman.
"I am listening…"
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge."
The Dwarf King glanced sidelong at him, cocking his head slightly once more, features full of anger. A cold breeze blew past the two, barely recognized by either of them. They were both too focused on the matter at hand than to acknowledge the wind.
"A share of the treasure, so that they might rebuild their lives."
"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door." Thorin replied with a smirk, turning his gaze away from Bard.
"That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms." Bard reminded the dwarf in an as-a-matter-of-fact way.
"And your threats do not sway me."
"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?"
The Dwarf King turned away from the crack in the wall, glancing at the floor in thought. His eyes were dark like a pit of nothing but darkness as he thought to himself.
"My people offered you help…" Bard began once more, biting his tongue to keep himself from releasing his anger out on the stubborn dwarf. "And you brought upon the only ruin and death!"
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid but for the promise of rich reward?!" snapped Thorin harshly.
"A bargain was struck!" Bard yelled, leaning in closer.
"A bargain?!" Thorin yelled back, too leaning in. "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?"
Bard's brown eyed glance fell, hand clutched in a fist upon the cold stone wall. He flexed them quickly in anger, taking a deep breath.
"Tell me Bard The Dragon-Slayer." Thorin began, as if mocking Bard's name. "Why should I honor such terms?"
"Because you gave us your word." Bard's gaze fell upon the dwarf again, stern and strong. "Does that mean nothing?"
Thorin once more turned away from the opening, stepping off the rock, and pressed himself against the wall. "Begone! Ere our arrows fly!" he shouted angrily.
Bard turned away from the opening and shook his head in disbelief, slamming his hand against the wall and yelling angrily before he galloped away upon his horse. This dwarf was stubborn indeed, but he was not going to part with a single golden coin. Even if his word meant nothing.
The dwarves above were still listening, hearts pounding with fear. Thorin had just declared war, and sent them basically on a suicide mission. Some, such as Fili and Kili were strong fighters, but others, such as Bilbo were not. Bilbo stepped back a couple paces, standing out from the group as Thorin stood on the balcony watching the rider leave.
"What are you doing? You cannot go to war."
"This does not concern you." Replied Thorin sharply.
"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 fisherman. We are in fact outnumbered."
The dwarves that had turned to Bilbo agreed in their heads, eyes full of worry. Every one of them, besides Thorin, knew that Bilbo was brave to stand up against such a figure as Thorin. They kept their heads low to the floor until Thorin responded "Not for much longer."
"What does that mean?"
"It means, Master Baggins," Began Thorin, taking a step toward the hobbit. "Never underestimate dwarves. We have reclaimed Erebor. Now we defend it."
Thorin turned back to the dwarves and replied "To the armory, now!"
When Fili, Kili, and Bilbo were beginning to leave Thorin caught all of them and said "Not you three, you come with me." Bilbo's heart sank as he walked slowly with the dwarf king, hand clutched over where the Arkenstone remained in his robe.
"He will give us nothing." Said Bard, galloping up to Thranduil.
"Such a pity. But still…" Thranduil began, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "You tried."
"I do not understand." Said Bard sadly, turning to the mountain. "Why? Why would he risk war?"
"It is fruitless to reason with them. They understand only one thing." Thranduil pulled out his blade from its resting place and looked over it. The blade shone in the sun as he examined the well-crafted sword. "We will attack at dawn. Are you with me?"
"Come with me." Thorin demanded, tugging on Bilbo's robe. Kili, having been rather confused followed without question, coming into the throne room. Thorin strode up to the throne and glanced at where the Arkenstone was to rest. The room was quiet, like usual.
Thorin turned back to the group and said quietly "Someone is hiding the Arkenstone from me, I know it. You three are the ones I can truly trust with my life."
"Now tell me, have any of you seen it?"
There was silence as a note of fear struck the three companions' hearts. Fili tapped his brother's arm softly and pulled him back a little. Kili didn't hesitate to lean into his brother's comforting grasp. Bilbo shrank as well, heart pounding.
"Well?" shouted Thorin, turning to the companions.
Bilbo jumped, foot slipping over the stone step. He looked for something to keep him from falling but it was too late, his hands grasped air and his head slammed into the floor. He grumbled in pain as stars clouded his vision.
The sound of something crystal-like hitting the floor rang in Bilbo's pointed ears. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what it was. The Arkenstone had slipped free of its hiding place and had hit the floor along with Bilbo.
Fili and Kili looked to the hobbit who lay sprawled on the floor, rubbing his head. They indeed did see the glowing Arkenstone and as such they gasped. They were more concerned about Bilbo than the blasted stone however, and paid little attention to it.
"Are you alright?" asked Fili and Kili at the same time, rushing to Bilbo's side.
Thorin glared at the hobbit, rushing to him with immense speed, hand placed on the hilt of his sword and said "You stupid thieving hobbit!"
"Uncle, stop!" cried Kili, stepping in front of Bilbo and his brother. "He was trying to protect you!" Thorin glared and pushed his nephew aside forcefully, causing Kili to nearly fall. Kili was trying to be brave, but behind his bravery hid fear.
Fili looked his uncle in the eyes with a plead. Looking into those eyes was like glancing into Thorin's soul, full of darkness. He saw a spark of light, quickly being corrupted by evil. He knew in his heart that this was not his true uncle that he had grown to love. "Uncle please, this is not you!"
Thorin came upon the hobbit who staggered backwards, trembling with fear. "T-Thorin."
Thorin slammed the hobbit's head on the stone harshly then picked up the hobbit and spun him around so that he was facing the wall. The hobbit swiveled on his feet, grumbling once more in pain. Thorin's grasp was too strong for Bilbo to escape on his own. Bilbo tried to scream , hoping that the other dwarves would hear him, but his head hurt too badly and Thorin's hand was covering his mouth.
Fili and Kili quickly leapt at their uncle and dragged him down to the floor. He was strong, but at least that would give Bilbo enough time to escape.
"Run!" screamed Kili.
Bilbo scrambled away quickly, but didn't get very far. He ached all over his body which he guessed was covered in forming bruises. He had to escape though. It pained him to leave his friends behind, but they needed help.
"Kili!"
Bilbo's attention was turned to the dwarves as Kili fell upon the floor, clutching at his nose. Thorin kicked him hard in the side, making the winded dwarf cry out. Fili dropped to his brother's side quickly, glancing angrily at his uncle.
Thorin turned back to Bilbo. The hobbit stared in horror, eyes wide in disbelief. Thorin agin picked up the hobbit, spun him around and held him tightly. "I was wrong to trust you. You betrayed me, and now you will pay the greatest price…your life."
"NO!"
Suddenly Bilbo felt horrible pain in his chest and cold metal in his flesh. He screamed as loud as he possibly could, his vision fading in and out. A sound rang in his ears before he fell limp in Thorin's arms. To Bilbo's surprise the dwarf released, easing the hobbit to the floor and scrambling back.
"B-Bilbo!" screamed the Dwarf King in fright, hands trembling.
Fili walked up to Thorin and punched him hardly in the nose. The anger, welled up inside him, had finally overflown. "You are a monster!"
Thorin curled up near his throne and backed as far away as possible, taking in the scene. His nephew was on the floor and his companion was bleeding out. He had watched himself drive the blade into the hobbit's back, but no matter how he hard he had tried, the dragon's spell had taken over.
"I-"
"Never come near Kili and Bilbo or me ever again!" interrupted Fili. He scooped up his brother and looked him over. "Can you stand?"
"Yes." Said the dwarf gritting his teeth and clutching at his side. "Is Bilbo…"
Fili looked at his companion then back at his brother, he tore off his cape and scooped up the limp hobbit carefully. Bilbo cried out once more. "I am sorry…" Fili pressed his fur cloak to the hobbit's wound. Bilbo grit his teeth and hissed in pain, fingers squeezing Fili's jerkin.
Warm blood spurted over Fili's fingers as he ran carefully but quickly out of the hall screaming for help. The blood remained on the floor, but the Arkenstone was gone. Right now Thorin didn't care about the stone that had caused him to betray his company.
"What have I done?"
All i can say is
Sorry...
and
Keep reading and reviewing!
and
This chapter is dedicated to Sophia-RoseDJOlympusTartarus
-WingedIceWolf
