Hello lovelies. I am sorry for the long wait and I am sorry to announce that in about four or more chapters this Fanfic will be ending. Ending as in complete. Maybe that is good news and maybe not, but i come with a chapter! Please read, follow, enjoy, and review. Again, so so so so sooooooooo sorry for the long wait.
-WingedIceWolf
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own The Hobbit
It was at least midnight when Fili cracked the door open, glancing into the darkened hallway. The whole place was dark and the dwarves had fallen asleep, barricading the doors with heavy golden objects. The blonde haired dwarf quietly snuck downstairs to where the stone wall blocking the entrance to Erebor stood. A cold breeze blew through the gaps, whipping Fili's braids in his face.
He needed to get out of here, just so he could hide the stone for now. Except, the gaps in the wall were far too small for him to crawl through. As he peeked through them, he caught sight of something stuffed inside a crack. The object was far from his reach, resulting in him climbing to the balcony of the wall.
As he examined the object closer, he could see by now that is was a long rope, coiled up and attached to one of the balcony stones. He didn't know how it got there, but he gave it a hard tug to see if it was sturdy and the rope remained in its position. He looped the rope around his wrist and placed the stone inside his jerkin, starting with one foot down the wall. Left, right, left right. He moved swiftly down the wall, clutching to the rope as his feet found the cold familiar surface of stone. Then, without any hesitation whatsoever, he dashed towards Dale.
Several heads turned towards him as he ran through the crowd of people, some stirring around and others tending to the wounded. Elves, men, women, and children all turned their heads to the running dwarf who rushed past them.
"It's a dwarf from the mountain!" a voice called, followed by several mixed conversations.
Fili didn't know exactly who he was searching for or what, but a feeling told him what he was seeking was here. Several small tents perched in the snow were buzzing with people, both coming in and out to gaze at the rushing dwarf. That was when Fili caught sight of a tall man striding through the crowd, dressed in grey.
"Gandalf!" shouted Fili, cupping his hands around his mouth. The wizard spun around, but did not catch sight of the dwarf. Most of the people here in the crowd were about his height or taller, which didn't help his situation, but he couldn't help being short.
"Gandalf!" he called again, louder this time, rushing towards the wizard. Gandalf seemed to recognize the form of the dwarf rushing up to him. Fili didn't stop to catch his breath, even though he knew Gandalf would allow him.
"Ah, Fili," cried Gandalf, pulling him close. "You seem troubled. Now, what is the matter?"
"I-" Fili began, figuring out where to start and panicking a bit. "Firstly, can we speak privately?!"
"Calm down, Fili," Gandalf said in a hushed tone. He motioned for Fili to fallow him. They both pushed through the busy crowd until they came upon a large tent in the center of the town, lit with the glowing embers of torches. Two voices were arguing and Fili thought he recognized them but he pushed the matter away for the time being.
Gandalf led him to a tent near the center tent with a bed, table, desk, and furs strewn across the floor. It was a considerable size and the wizard didn't have to bend down to avoid hitting his head. Fili took a seat and shortly thereafter Gandalf did as well after closing the tent flaps, trapping the fiercely cold air momentarily while shadows flickered and danced.
"Gandalf," Fili began once he knew he had the wizard's attention. "It's Thorin. He has gone terribly mad! He is so sick. I know that somewhere in there is the uncle I know but he won't reason unless he has reclaimed his Arkenstone."
Gandalf nodded his head slowly, a frown crossing his face as he allowed Fili to continue.
"That stone is the very same one that caused him to send us to war and possibly take Bilbo's life…"
"Bilbo?!" the Wizard asked, his head snapping up in concern with anger on his features. His knuckles turned white as he clutched onto his staff tightly.
"He may be dead right now for all I know," Fili said with mixed sorrowful and anger in his voice. "Bilbo was hiding the stone from him in his attempt to protect Thorin but he slipped and hurt himself one day, causing the stone to fall free from his pocket and cause Thorin to turn into a wild beast and attack him. Kili and I were able to hold Thorin down for a while but Thorin hurt Kili and right at the moment when Bilbo would have turned and ran he looked back.
I heard Bilbo's scream and I saw him sink to his knees with Thorin's blade protruding from his back. Then Thorin had this innocent look in his eyes and he backed away, trying to apologize but I was too infuriated to accept his apology so I went up and struck him in the face."
"That stupid dwarf," Gandalf mumbled, shaking his head. "I will cook him on a spit for hurting not only Kili but poor Bilbo as well! Do you have that stupid stone or did you leave it?"
Fili hesitantly pulled the glimmering stone tainted with evil from his jerkin that seemed to brighten the room like a star. He stared down at it for a minute as he recalled the awful events. Just then someone stepped into the room at the wrong moment, allowing a frigid breeze to swish about the room.
"Gandalf, Thranduil wishes to speak with you," Came the familiar voice again, but Fili didn't turn to see who was the speaker, his eyes fixed on the jewel.
"Tell him I will be there soon, Bard," Gandalf replied in a slightly angered tone.
Bard nodded his head, catching sight of the dwarf who wouldn't turn to look at him while firelight sparkled in his eyes. "Why is a dwarf from the mountain here, if I may ask?"
"None of your concern," replied Gandalf sharply.
"Bring the dwarf as well then. I assure you Thranduil would like to speak with him," Bard said, casting a slight glare at Fili as he turned to leave.
Gandalf took a couple seconds to cool down before he left the tent, holding the flap open for Fili. The shorter companion stepped outside the tent with the Arkenstone well hidden and the two of them made their way toward the center tent. Once they entered Thranduil looked up at Gandalf, seemingly ignoring the dwarf.
"Gandalf. You have seen for yourself the troubles in Dol Guldur and now I ask," began the Elf King, hands crossed behind his back and a serious tone in his posture as he strode next to Gandalf.
Those show-off elves. Fili thought to himself with a silent sigh.
"What troubles plague our reign over the mountain?"
"Sauron," answered the Wizard slowly. "As well as Bolg and Azog. They are preparing an army of earth eaters, goblins and orcs."
Thranduil cocked his head in annoyance, his long silver hair draping over his shoulders. Then he turned his head to the dwarf with a cold look in his eyes. "Ah, one of the dwarves who invaded my lands. What news do you bring from the mountain?"
Fili didn't respond but glared instead, his hand instinctively going to the stone in his pocket. Fili took the stone hesitantly and with a nod from Gandalf he placed it in the middle of the table where the Elf King stood. His eyes widened as he went towards the stone with one hand outstretched.
"My lord," Bard's sharp voice said, snapping the King from what seemed to be a trance. Thranduil looked up at him before taking a seat, one hand supporting his head. "We can try reasoning with the Dwarf using this stone."
"And if he refuses?" asked Thranduil.
"Then we will be left with no choice."
"There are thirteen dwarves against men and Elves. What could they possibly do to defend themselves?" Thranduil replied.
"Thorin will listen to no one," Fili fired back, his anger bubbling over as he stepped toward the Elf King with his hands balled into fists. "And you say that war is the answer? Tell me this. When has war solved anything? All war brings is…death. And death, I know well!"
"You have strength to speak up against one such as myself, dwarf. War will come. And your uncle will regret his choice, dragon sickness, or not," Thranduil fired back with a steel voice. "You will lose everything."
"Thranduil!" Gandalf growled, stepping in front of the blonde haired dwarf.
Fili backed away angrily, his face red with rage. The stupid Elf wouldn't reason. Just like Thorin. And Fili had heard enough. In one quick movement, he stole the Arkenstone back, clutching it in his hands as he ran. He pushed his way through several people as Gandalf called his name, but he kept running, ice cold air biting at his face. He didn't care if Gandalf would try to stop him, and he didn't need senseless Elves getting in his way.
Fili ran as fast and hard as his body would allow him, rushing up the mountainside through snow and mushy ground. He turned back to make sure no one was following, but he made a mistake. Fili tripped upon a loose rock, his body smashing into the ground and the stone leaping from his grasp.
A sound like shattering glass filled his ears and with it, horrible pain in his knee. He quickly rose to his feet, glancing behind him while he ignored his pain. The Arkenstone was shattered into pieces, shards glittering like stars. Fili kicked the pieces with his foot into the murky water, sweeping the rest into his palm and eventually into the trench.
It is better that that cursed stone is gone! Fili growled as he climbed back up the rocky barrier, minding his step. A shattered heirloom.
BUM BUM BUM! THE ARKESNTONE IS DEAD!
Okie dokie! There is the end and a little bit of a cliffhanger.
This chapter is dedicated to Twi Rinku.
-WingedIceWolf
