Chapter 29

His son was more important than all the gold in the world.

If there was war, then Bilbo might be killed. They had found the mithril shirt on his bed, meaning that Bilbo had no armor at all. Thorin did not put it past Thranduil to just leave, taking his only son with him, raise him with the Elves even. Bilbo had already shown a weakness towards the Elves… Thorin snarled.

"Get the gold." He spat out. Dwalin and Dori and Gloin all moved quickly. It was a half an hour later that ten heavy sacks of gold was sent by pulley to the ground from the ramparts.

"Release my son!"

Thranduil smiled and nodded. "Now that wasn't too difficult, was it?"

The Elves moved to unchain Bilbo but the sound of marching stopped everyone. Bard had already gotten four trusted men to take the gold back and distribute it among the people. Sigrid would oversee it and make sure it was done right. Bain would keep an eye on Alfred Lickspittle.

Thorin's eyes widened when he realized who it was. Dain! "Bloody brilliant timing, you old fool!" Dwalin snorted in agreement.

Thorin watched as Thranduil didn't release Bilbo immediately. Bilbo's eyes looked over and found Thorin's. He shook his head slowly and raised his hands. They were still bound. Thorin's chest tightened.

He cursed himself for craving gold so much that it got his only son in chains. What sort of father am I?! I had refused to part with so paltry an amount of gold for what price? For to what end?! My son's freedom?!

He closed his eyes and imagined a life without Bilbo. Without Fíli or Kíli or Dwalin or Dis. A life without his family. Gold can only get me so much. It does not provide love. It is only a metal found in dirt! He opened his eyes. "Hail Dain. He needs to know that Bilbo is my son."

Dwalin nodded and stepped forward. "HAIL! LORD DAIN OF THE IRON HILLS!"

Dain waved to them. Thorin moved towards Roac and whispered into the bird's ear.

"Thranduil has kidnapped my son and has held him for ransom, which I have paid. Do not attack, for the risk of injuring or even killing Bilbo is far too great. He has no armor and no protection."

The bird quickly flapped and flew and landed on Dain's arm. Dain listened, and then, his eyes immediately found Bilbo's chained form. He looked over at Thranduil, who was smirking.

"I do not think it would be wise to accidently kill the son of the King Under the Mountain. I believe the term would be…idiotic? Or perhaps, traitorous?"

Dain growled. "Hand the lad over."

Thranduil laughed. "Stand down, first, Lord Dain."

Thorin silently pleaded for Dain to stand down. Dain looked at Thorin, who nodded. With a grumble, Dain gave the order. The Dwarves all grumbled a little but moved into 'rest' position.

Thranduil motioned once again for Bilbo to be unchained, but the earth started shaking.

Thorin, Dain, and Bilbo all groaned. "What now?!"

Dain's glare melted into one of disbelief as holes were made in the ground and Orcs and goblins started pouring out of them. "DEFEND THE HEIR! THE HOUNDS OF HELL ARE UPON US! DEFEND THE PRINCE OF EREBOR!"

The Dwarves quickly moved into a defensive position around the Elves. Gandalf moved quickly towards Thranduil.

"Thranduil, do not just sit there! Fight! This is madness!"

Thranduil stared at the Dwarves and then at the charging Orcs. He looked at Bilbo. Bilbo looked at Thranduil.

His voice was soft as he spoke in Sindarin. "In the end, King Thranduil Oropherion, you will do the right thing. Arda is still your homeland, and you will protect it."

Thranduil stiffened, staring at Bilbo in surprise, and then, he gave the order. The Elves leaped over the Dwarves and attacked the Orcs.

Thranduil swooped down and pulled Bilbo onto his Elk. "My son spoke highly of you. It would do my people well if I were to befriend you and trade with you when you are on the throne. Thus, you need to stay alive."

Thranduil unchained Bilbo and handed him the Dwobbit's weapons that the Elves had confiscated. Bilbo had tried to pick the lock on his cuffs using a throwing blade.

Bilbo huffed a laugh and shook his head. "Truly, you are too pragmatic for words, Elf-King."

Thranduil smirked and started driving his Elf faster. "Go back to Dale. You will have a higher chance of surviving than trying to climb that thrice-damned mountain in daylight." He deposited Bilbo and nodded to him. "Fare thee well, Prince of Two Lands."

Bilbo bowed and touched his heart in an Elven blessing. "May the Stars guide you and provide you with comfort in this time of darkness." Bilbo turned and ran towards the city of Dale, killing as many Orcs as he could with his new daggers and blades that Fíli found for him in the armory.

He heard a rumble and turned to see the fortifications of Erebor's gates shatter. He watched as his father charged into battle, aiding Dain.

Bilbo stared at the Men, Elves, and Dwarves all fighting against each other. He bit his lip and saw the raven, Ilthric, another Raven of Erebor. "Hail! Hail oh Raven!"

The bird landed on his arm. Bilbo bit his lip and spoke slowly. "Go to Beorn, the skin changer west of Mirkwood. Tell him that Bilbo needs his help. The strength of bears and eagles will be our only hope in survival." He repeated the message, this time in Sindarin.

The bird cocked his head and then nodded and flew away. Bilbo hoped that it understood.

He stared at the valley below him and then noticed something. Azog! He was delivering orders via Ravenhill!

Bilbo glowered and then he smiled and started making his way to the Hill, slipping his ring on while he ran. His grin disappeared, but it was still there.

This time, Bilbo would show his father just how well trained in combat he was!