Chapter 11
The next morning, it was decided that a company of elves and men would visit the dwarves again. Brethilorn and Legolas again led a small elven host of spearmen. Joining them this time, was a tall, dark haired man, leading the men of Laketown, Esgaroth, who called himself Bard. Legolas and his brother were much intrigued by the man, as he was the bowman who slew Smaug.
The company of men and elves marched up the slope to the gates of Erebor again. In front of Brethilorn and Legolas, walked the staff-bearer of the elves, bearing the green banner of the Elvenking, and in front of Bard, walked the staff-bearer of the men of Laketown, bearing the blue banner of Esgaroth.
Again, they were greeted by Thorin at the gates.
"Who are you that come armed for war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King Under the Mountain?" called the dwarf.
Bard stepped forward, answering, "Hail Thorin! Why do you fence yourself in like a robber in this hold? We are not yet foes, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope. We came expecting to find none living here; yet now that we are met there is matter for a parley and a council."
"Who are you, and of what would you parley?"
"I am Bard, and by my hand was the dragon slain and your treasure delivered. Is that not a matter that concerns you? Moreover, I am by right descent the heir of Girion of Dale, and in you horde is mingled much of the wealth of his halls and towns, which of old Smaug stole. Is not that a matter of which we may speak? Further in his last battle Smaug destroyed the dwellings of the men of Esgaroth, and I am yet the servant of their Master. I would speak for him and ask whether you have no thought for the sorrow and misery of his people. They aided you in you distress, and in recompense you have thus far brought ruin only, thought doubtless undesigned."
Legolas and Brethilorn looked at each other, slightly surprised at the man's eloquent words, and fair logic, wondering how the stubborn dwarf would argue.
"You put your worst cause last and in the chief place," came the dwarf's stubborn answer. "To the treasure of my people no man has a claim, because Smaug who stole it from us also robbed him of life and home. The treasure was not his that his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lake-men we will fairly pay – in due time. But nothing will we give, not even a loaf's worth, under threat of force. While an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves.
"It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain."
Legolas and his brother exchanged looks. Both knew what the Elvenking's fury would be.
Bard replied the dwarf, "A just question. But you are not dead, and we are not robbers. Moreover the wealthy may have pity beyond right on the needy that befriended them when they were in want. And still my other claims remain unanswered."
"I will not parley, as I have said, with armed men at my gate," answered the dwarf.
"We're not men," murmured Legolas under his breath so that only Brethilorn could hear.
The dwarf continued, "Nor at all with the people of the Elvenking, whom I remember with small kindness. In this debate they have no place."
"We showed you kindness enough in letting you live," Legolas muttered, Brethilorn placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from acting rashly. "We let you eat our food and drink our meads, for we are not barbaric like you."
"Hush, Legolas."
"Begone ere our arrows fly!" yelled the dwarf. "And if you would speak with me again, first dismiss the elvish host to the woods where it belongs, and then return, laying down your arms before you approach the threshold."
"Who crowned you king?" the younger prince of Mirkwood asked in a low voice.
"Himself," Brethilorn answered, motioning for his brother to quiet himself.
"The Elvenking is my friend, and he has succoured the people of the Lake in their need, though they had no claim but friendship on him," answered Bard, defending the elves. "We will give you time to repent your words. Gather your wisdom ere we return!"
With his words, the company descended down the mountain again.
"Insolent dwarf," muttered Legolas.
-------
A few hours passed after the company's encounter with the stubborn dwarf. IN that time, Brethilorn, Legolas, and Bard conversed and discussed with Thranduil the situation. That afternoon, they returned again to seek Thorin's answer to Bard's offer.
A trumpeter marched before Brethilorn and Legolas, blowing his trumpet.
A man at Bard's right hand called aloud, "In the name of Esgaroth and the Forest, we speak onto Thorin Thrain's son Oakenshield, calling himself the King Under the Mountain, and we bid him consider well the claims that have been urged, or be declared our foe. At the least he shall deliver one twelfth portion of the treasure unto Bard, as the dragon-slayer, and as the heir of Girion. From that portion Bard will himself contribute to the aid of Esgaroth; but if Thorin would have the friendship and honour of the lands about, as his sires had of old, then he will give also somewhat of his own for the comfort of the men of the Lake.
Without warning, an arrow shot out from one of the holes in the stone wall. The man was saved only by his battle-trained instinct. The arrow stood quivering in the man's shield.
"Since such is your answer, I declare the Mountain besieged. You shall not depart from it, until you call on your side for a truce and a parley. We will bear no weapons against you, but we leave you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!" called Legolas to dwarves.
With that, the company marched down Erebor.
-------
"Did you see that Halfling with the dwarves?" asked Legolas to Brethilorn.
"I suppose that is the one the men have been speaking of," answered Brethilorn.
The two brothers were making their way through the camp, just back from conversation with Thorin and Company.
"Don't you find it odd, Legolas?" continued the older.
"Find what odd?"
"I do not recall him as one of the prisoners we caught. We only had the dwarves in captivity."
"Very true…" the younger said as he trailed of in thought. Suddenly, his head snapped up, as an idea came to his mind. "The hobbit must have aided the dwarves in escaping. Who else?"
"True, but how could he have gone undetected?"
"I know not the answer to that, but I recall seeing a faint shadow in the torchlight during the dwarves' 'stay' in our halls."
"So the hobbit wields magic?" asked Brethilorn in a humored tone.
"Apparently so."
-------------------------------------------
spastikLeggyluver – Thnx! Glad you like it! I meant to post this chp w/ the last one, but it didn't get finished in time, cuz I didn't get to use the computer for a while.
Kelsey – Thnx for the review! Sorry bout the short chapters, there wasn't much to say in the last one, and I meant to have this one up sooner. I tried to stay as true to the book as I could without totally copying everything Tolkien wrote. I didn't really like Thranduil when I first read the Hobbit, but I've realized he really isn't that bad of a guy, just greedy, like you said. Also, thnx so much for all the reviews you gave to my other fics! I really appreciate it! Thnx for the pointers in Forgiven. I wrote A Lost Life, A Lost Soul before Forgiven and Journey's End. So, yeah, i hadn't the idea for Leggy's brothers at that time. Oh well. And since Journey's End is set before A Lost Life, A Lost Soul, I just decided to use the same characters.
-------------------------------------------
I'll try to get the next chp. up asap.
Please review! Thank you!
------------------------------------------