Chapter 27
Preparing for War

I woke up with nausia in my stomach. I got up without waking Fili and quickly slipped away to throw up. I held my hair out of my face near a tree as I threw up. I whipped my mouth and leaned against the tree, closing my eyes. The sickness wasn't going away. I opened my eyes and took a look around the garden, having a first look at the garden.

It was beautiful. Different flowers like Poppy's, Lily's Lavender, Roses, etc. were growing around. A beautiful fountain with dwarves stood in the middle. Fili's great grandmother sure had good taste. I head back to Fili, who was just waking up.

"Where did you go?" Fili asked.

"Just to looking around now that its daylight. It's beautiful here." I lied so I wouldn't scare Fili. Fili nodded and pulled me down into his lap and held me close. Fili nuzzled my neck.

"I want to wake up every day with you in my arms." Fili whispered.

"And you will. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. But we'll need to go back to the Shire and get my things with my father." I said.

"Kili and I will accompany you both." Fili said, kissing my nose. I smiled up at him.

"We should get dressed and head back to the others." I said. We were getting dressed when Kili came running our way.

"I hate to interupt but we were up all night building the gate." Kili said.

"What? Why?" I ask.

"The people of Laketown have arrived." Kili said.

"We better get to the gate. Thorin will want me there and I want you at my side." Fili said. I nod and we follow Kili out of the garden and head for the front gate hand in hand. We met Thorin, who eyed me but led the way to the gate where the others were still working. I walked between Fili and Kili.

"Come on!" Thorin called, heading for the pathway to the top of the gate. The dwarves put down their tools and follow us to the top. Fili and Kili stood on either side of Thorin. I stood on Fili's left with Bilbo on my other side. I gasp as I see elves surround the ruins of Dale.

"Elves? Why are they doing here?" I ask.

"Thraunduil wants the jewels that we have and he'll have war if he doesn't have them." Thorin said. I saw Bard riding our way on a horse. He comes to a stop in front of the gates.

"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard called.

"Why do come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin asked.

"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole?" Bard asked.

"Perphaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." Thorin said.

"My lord. We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked. Thorin nods and steps away, but walks to a raven. He speaks to it in hushed voice. The raven flew off heading towards the hill. I look at Fili and he looked worried. We head down the stairs and stood watching as Thorin steps to the gate to talk to Bard. Fili stood with an axe in the middle and I stood at his side as we listened.

"I'm listening." Thorin said.

"On behalf of the people of Laketown. I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives." Bard said. I bit my lip not sure how Thorin will react to this, because we knew he was changing.

"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door." Thorin said.

"That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms." Bard said. I didn't want war and I didn't want to see my friends and the dwarf I loved fight in this.

"Your threats do not sway me." Thorin said.

"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help. And in return, you bought upon them only ruin and death!" Bard said.

"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" Thorin asked. I couldn't stand it and I ran off. I found the library and slipped in. I ran my hands over the book bindings and let out a sigh.

"You see it to?" Bilbo said. I turn and saw him watching me.

"I do." I whisper.

"We will find a way to save Thorin along with Fili and Kili from this sickness." Bilbo said, coming up to me and hugging me.

"I hope we do, father. I can't sit back and watch because it could consume Fili when he becomes king." I said.

"Come. The dwarves are going to the armory and I told Fili I would find you." Bilbo said. I nod and we head to the armory. We saw the others dressed in armor standing near the door. I was starting to get the sick feeling again, but I swallowed the bile down. Thorin stood by the door in gold armor holding a shirt.

"Master Baggins, come here!" Thorin called. Bilbo and I walked up to Thorin. I saw Fili and Kili talking to Dwalin, but decided to stay with my father. I knew that I had to talk to Oin right after my sickness. Thorin holds a tunic of white mail out to him. "You are going to need this. Put it on." Bilbo begins to remove his jacket. I took it from him. "This vest is made of silver steel. Mithril. It was called by my forefathers." Thorin holds it up and Bilbo slides into it. "No blade can pierce it." Bilbo looks at the other dwarves and sees them looking at him.

"I look absurd. I'm not a warrior, I'm a Hobbit." Bilbo said.

"But it will protect you in battle." I said. Thorin nodded in agreement.

"It is a gift. A token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by." Thorin said. He looks at the others and pulls me and Bilbo away. I bit my lip. I had a bad as he pulled us out of earshot from the others. "I have been blind. Now I begin to see. I am betrayed!"

"Betrayed?" Bilbo and I asked. I felt my heart tighten.

"The Arkenstone." Thorin said. I looked towards Fili. I saw a look of worry on his face as he watched us. I looked back at Thorin as he moved closer to us. Bilbo looked worried. "One of them has taken it." I heard Bilbo sigh almost. "One of them is false."

"Your questioning your kin?" I ask. Thorin doesn't answer me.

"Thorin. The quest is fulfilled. You've won the mountain. Is that not enough?" Bilbo asked. I saw Thorin's eyes were far in the distance. He was lost to us.

"Betrayed by my own kin." Thorin said. I felt tears spring to my eyes. He was questioning his own kin and I knew they would not steal from Thorin or hide the stone from him.

"No, eh. You. You made a promise to the people of Laketown. Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Our honor, Thorin. I was also there, I gave my word." Bilbo asked. Thorin jerked his head at the mention of treasure and I knew there was no reasoning with him.

"For that I'm grateful. I was nobly done. But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown! This gold... is ours.. and ours alone. By my life I will not part with a single coin! Not... one piece of it!" Thorin said, stepping back. As he talked, his voice gets deeper and more like Smaug's. I look at him in shock as Dwalin walks by leading the dwarves. Fili was right behind him and he looked like a king in his new armor along with Kili. Bilbo and I looked at each other and we knew he was lost.

I walked towards Oin later that night as Bilbo disappeared.

"Oin. I need to talk to you. Alone and in private." I said.

"Let's go to the library, lass." Oin said. We head to the library and I sit on the couch that was in there. Dori and Ori have been cleaning the library and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the books to read of the dwarven history. "What's wrong lass?"

"I've been throwing up since Mirkwood and it won't go away. I don't know what's wrong." I said. Oin got down and started examining my stomach. I answered the questions he asked. Oin stood up. "What is it?" I ask.

"Your with child, lass." Oin said with a smile on his face. I pale. I was happy I was with child, but with the madness that with Thorin. I didn't know what to do. "You a month along. I take it happened when we were at Beorn's?" I nodded

"Please don't tell anyone, Oin. Not until Fili and I are ready to tell." I said.

"I promise, lass. Congradulations. We were waiting for this day." Oin said.

"Just not this soon." I said. Oin nodded and I hugged the healer. I head to the gate. I slid down and bury my head in my hands and started crying. I couldn't do this. I couldn't bring my child into this family of madness. I knew Fili wasn't affected but what would happen if he becomes king.

"Bell." Bilbo said, taking my hands and I look up at him.

"Daddy!" I said, hugging him.

"What's wrong? Did Fili hurt you?" Bilbo asked.

"No. I'm with child." I said. Bilbo froze. "I'm scared. I can't bring my child into this family." Bilbo took my face in his and whipped the tears.

"I found a way to save them. I had the Arkenstone." Bilbo said.

"You had it. Father. Why didn't you give it to Thorin?" I ask.

"Because of the gold sickness. I took care of it. I gave it to Bard and Thaunduil." Bilbo said.

"What?" I whisper.

"I also found out that Azog is drawing near with an army of orcs." Bilbo said.

"No. There can't be war. I can't loose my family and friends." I said, panic in my voice. Bilbo hugged me.

"We'll find away. Go be with Fili." Bilbo said. I nod. I found Fili asleep with Kili near the others. I decided to wait till this passes to tell him. I curl up with him. He pulled me close and I fall asleep in his arms.

AN: Well we are close to the battle, but I got a twist coming and please. No complaining. I want to do something different and it will lead into the sequel. Yes I plan another story. I got plans. Yep. Bell is pregnant. Heh. Heh. Till next time.