Chapter 12
Days had passed after the last encounter with the dwarves. Life soon became uneventful. Elven harps rarely sang anymore, and the camp became hushed and somber. Legolas and his siblings were forced to resort to anyway possible for amusement.
"Stand still," Thalion ordered his younger brother.
"You're sure about this?" Legolas asked nervously, looking quite ridiculous, standing with an apple on his head.
"Do you doubt my marksmanship, gwador-nin?" asked Thalion indignantly, drawing back his bowstring.
Legolas rolled his eyes, choosing not to comment, and prayed silently to the Valar that Thalion was as good an archer that he thought himself to be.
Thalion released the arrow and watched it fly through the air, piercing the apple and lifting it off his brother head perfectly. Behind Legolas, Ithilwen caught the apple as it flew through the air.
"Good shot. Now, my turn," said Brethilorn.
Ithilwen grabbed Legolas as he tried to walk away, and placed another apple on his head. "Did you tell Ada of your idea?" she asked.
"What idea?" responded Legolas.
"Of how the dwarves escaped from the palace," she answered.
"Oh, that one."
She rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I told him."
"And?"
"He—" but, Legolas was interrupted by his brother.
"Duck!" yelled Brethilorn, as he released his arrow.
Legolas dropped and the apple rolled off his head. He caught it in his hand and looked up. Behind him, Ithilwen was also crouched in a similar fashion. The arrow was imbedded in the tree behind her.
"Not you, nitwit," Brethilorn said to Legolas. "I meant Ithilwen."
In response, Legolas threw the apple at Brethilorn. Thalion caught it and placed it on his twin's head. Before Brethilorn could move, Legolas shot an arrow at him, straight into the apple.
"Nice shot, 'nitwit'," said Thalion.
"I say, my dear elves, you are without a doubt, in need of some other amusement," came a familiar voice from behind them.
Turning, the four elves found an old man dressed fully in grey. His long grey beard was tucked into his belt. His eyebrows stuck out beyond the brim of his tall, pointy hat, and he leaned on a tall knarled staff as he puffed on his pipe.
"Mithrandir!" they exclaimed.
"I believe that is my name, yes."
"What brings you here?" asked Brethilorn.
"Why, I believe you are besieging some of my friends up in the Mountain."
"The Noegyth?" asked Legolas. "You sent them on this journey?"
"Now, don't be absurd," said Gandalf. "It was their idea. I merely helped them out the door and along the way – some more so than others."
"Then why are you here, Mithrandir? To end the siege?" asked Ithilwen.
But the wizard would say no more, and simply stood there, puffing on his pipe, his eyes twinkling as he watched the elves.
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Night had fallen. Legolas led a small company of elves, patrolling the camp by the river. Seeing nothing, they marched past. Suddenly, they heard a splash in the stream.
Hurriedly, Legolas brought his company back, to the river, lanterns shining, searching for the origin of the sound.
"That was no fish," he said. "There is a spy about. Hide your lights! They will help him more than us, if it is that queer little creature that is said to be their servant."
As the lights were extinguished, the elves heard a voice. "Servant indeed!" it snorted. And in the middle of the snort came a loud sneeze. The elves gathered about the source of the sound.
"Let's have a light!" the voice said. "I am here if you want me!"
A Halfling seemed to appear out of thin air. With trained agility, the elves seized the hobbit, despite their surprise.
"Who are you?" asked Legolas.
"Are you the dwarves' hobbit?" asked Celebfindel, an elf-guard.
"What are you doing?" asked another guard.
"How did you get so far past our sentinels?" questioned Legolas.
"I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins," answered the hobbit, "companion of Thorin, if you want to know. I know you king well by sight, though perhaps he doesn't know me to look at. But Bard will remember me, and it is Bard I particularly want to see."
"Indeed!" said Legolas, slightly cocking an eyebrow, "and what may be you business?"
"Whatever it is, it's my own, my good elf," answered Bilbo. "But if you wish ever to get back to your own woods from this cold cheerless place, you will take me along quick to a fire, where I can dry – and then you will let me speak to your chiefs as quickly as may be. I have only an hour or two to spare."
"As you wish then, Master Baggins," answered Legolas.
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The hobbit sat wrapped in a warm blanket beside a roaring fire. The light of the flames reflected off his beautiful mithril coat. Across from him, Thranduil and Bard sat side by side, looking curiously at the hobbit. Behind the Elvenking stood Brethilorn, Thalion, Legolas, and Ithilwen.
"Really, you know," started the Halfling in a business-like tone, "things are impossible. Personally I am tired of the whole affair. I wish I was back in the West in my own home, where folk are more reasonable."
The four elves smiled slightly at these words.
"But," continued Bilbo, "I have an interest in this matter – one fourteenth share, to be precise, according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept." He drew a crumpled and much folded letter from the pocket of the jacket he wore over his mail.
"A share in the profits, mind you. I am aware of that. Personally I am only too ready to consider all your claims carefully, and deduct what is right from the total before putting in my own claim. However, you don't know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now. I assure you, he his quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here."
"Well, let him!" said Bard. "Such a fool deserves to starve."
Brethilorn, Thalion, Legolas, and Ithilwen nodded in agreement, but stopped as Thranduil looked at them.
"Quite so," agreed Bilbo. "I see your point of view. At the same time wither is coming fast. Before long you will be having snow and what not, and supplies will be difficult – even for elves I imagine. Also there will be other difficulties. You have not heard of Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills?"
"We have, a long time ago; but what has he got to do with us?" asked Thranduil.
"I thought as much. I see I have some information you have not got."
Bard and the elves frowned slightly at the hobbit, but he continued.
"Dain I may tell you, is now less than two days' march off, and has at least 500 grim dwarves with him – a good many of them have had experience in the dreadful dwarf and goblin wars, of which you have no doubt heard. When they arrive there may be serious trouble."
"You do you tell us this? Are you betraying your friends, or are you threatening us?" asked Bard grimly.
"My dear Bard!" squeaked the hobbit. "Don't be so hasty! I never met such suspicious folk! I am merely trying to avoid trouble for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer!!"
"Let us hear it!" said the elves and the human.
"You may see it," said Bilbo. "It is this!" and he drew forth a small package and tossed away its wrapping.
Thranduil stood up in amazement and Bard gazed upon the "offer" in silent wonder. In the hobbit's hand was a beautiful white stone globe. It shone as if filled with moonlight and wrought of stars. Its thousand facets glittered as silver rain with the firelight.
"This is the Arkenstone of Thrain," said Bilbo, "the Heart of the Mountain," and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in bargaining." With that, he handed the Arkenstone to Bard.
Bard looked at the stone in his hand dazedly. Finally, as if with great effort, he asked, "But how is it yours to give?"
"O well!" said the hobbit uncomfortably. "It isn't exactly; but, well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim, don't you know. I may be a burglar – or so they say –"
Here Brethilorn and Legolas smiled slightly at each other.
"personally," went on Bilbo, "I never really felt like one – but I am an honest one, I hope, more or less. Anyway I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful."
Thranduil looked at the hobbit with a new wonder. "Bilbo Baggins!" he said. "You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honoured and thrice welcome."
"Nothing would please us more than your company, Master Baggins," added Ithilwen kindly.
"Thank you very much I am sure," said Bilbo with a bow. "But I don't think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all we have gone through together. And I promised to wake old Bomber at midnight, too! Really I must be going, and quickly."
Resignedly, the Elvenking and Bard rose, and they, with Thranduil's children saluted the hobbit with honour and gave him a guide to escort him back across the river, to the Mountain.
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gwador-nin = my brother
Noegyth = Dwarves
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Lintulinda i luvasi ello eldar – cool name, btw. yeah, i thought that Legolas couldn't be completely evil to the dwarves if he became friends w/ Gimli.
spastikLeggyluver – Thnx! Very sad that he dies.
Kelsey – Lol. hope Smeagol's alright. :P yes, i decided leggy needed a little temper as thranduil's son.
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Please review! Thank you!
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