Ever since my arrival at Erebor, Thorin and I shared the same bed like I was his wife. During cuddle time, the two of us held long conversations of many things, including the future and matters we both deemed important. Thorin took heed of most of my words except about the she elf, for which he kept quite stubborn still, but it was expected. He seemed troubled all the time. I became his peace, for he could vent his worries to me and feel relieved in more ways than one.
With the spread news of the dragon's death, and rumors of the vast hoard of treasures under the mountain, many would be the ones to attempt claiming the gold they believed to be owner-less. Restless was the company's construction of a wall that would prevent unwanted invasions of their stronghold. Also they fortified the main entrance for days, as well as reconstruct the path that was broken. For the past three weeks, Thorin returned to me exhausted and not so romantic after hours of hard work. In fact, he fell asleep on me often. But I was very understanding of him and made myself useful instead of demanding.
Sometimes, after going downstairs to the gold hoards, Thorin returned irritable and his mood scared me, for he acted strangely like he was not himself at all. I avoided him when that happened, sleeping somewhere else. He was obsessed with finding the Arkenstone. By advice of Balin, I did as best as I could to keep my lover from going there. Most of the time I succeeded by being quite persuasive, convincing him of sending Bilbo in his stead. There was no doubt he loved me and that was an advantage I had.
Kili on the other hand, spent restless days looking out the window after work. Each day his hopes to see Tauriel again became thin. He even lost appetite, which was an easy thing to do since all of us were getting tired of the same cram each day. Fili forced his brother to eat. He did not want to see him getting ill. Each of us coped with the situation as best as our capabilities allowed. Days had gone since word was given in the blue mountains and the iron hills about Smaug's death, letting the rest of the dwarves know it was safe to return home to Erebor. All of us awaited patiently for them. Until then, it was just the 15 of us against whomever dared break in. The only safe way was to remain locked inside, depending entirely of the ravens for updates. No news of Gandalf at all were given. I began to wonder if he abandoned the quest.
As expected, a crowd of men and elves arrived with torches one night. They were all armed for battle. Two messengers, one man and one elf, approached the main entrance to realize it was blocked by an immense wall. It was quite a surprise for them, as they expected the mountain stronghold to be deserted. The booming voice of Thorin Oakenshield demanded of them to halt and state their business. The man identified himself as Bard the Bowman, at the service of his Master and helped by elves to arrive to Erebor. He laid claim of the promised partaking of the riches under the mountain and the fairness of it, as it was him who killed the dragon.
"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, KING under the mountain! If your intentions are true, you will send your elf friends back to their woods and lay down your weapons. Only then we may negotiate. Until then I want no business with you!" Responded Thorin.
"We will give you three days to repent from your words, King Thorin Oakenshield. Until then, we leave you to your gold and eat it if you may, because this mountain is besieged!" Said Bard before returning to his people. Both men and elves began to camp around the main entrance.
It seemed to me like Thorin rejected an offer of peace, so I tried to reason with him, "Love, they have come here all the way from Lake Town. Bard himself has spoken for them. By refusing to negotiate, they will starve us to death. Do you not think this is the perfect moment to mend the alliances and make peace?" I said to him, deeply worried for they were too many.
"Wyenne, have you failed to see they are all dressed for battle? If their intentions were honorable, then why the hostile appearance? And they have come with the elves. It is obvious that negotiations is the last thing in their minds. We are only thirteen dwarves, a halfling and you. It would be suicide! I am sorry, but I cannot risk us until the reinforcements of the Iron Hills arrive. I will earn as much time as I can until their arrival." Said Thorin, not moved by greed, but by concern.
At the mention of elves, the decaying mood of Kili changed. His exhausted eyes filled with hope as he thought of Tauriel, "I am going out! I will return soon, I promise!" Said Kili with enthusiasm.
Thorin grabbed him by the arm, "Kili no! You are not going out this day, or any other day." Said Thorin to him, and then addressing the rest of us... "In fact, no one is allowed to leave these walls until the dwarves of the Iron Hills arrive. That is not a request! Dwalin, lock the gates."
Thorin's words made sense to me. However, I wondered how long were men and elves truly willing to honor their truce; if they were willing to wait the mentioned three days or if it was a trick to give us a treacherous attack. Tension was building. I never felt so insecure in my life as I did now. I prayed to the Valars for Gandalf to come. Everywhere we could breathe... war!