Authors Note: Sweet Mahal, I am SO sorry it took so long to update. I've been busy with work and just super unmotivated to write lately. I'm not sure why but I'm hoping my new creative writing classes might make me a little more motivated when I start next week. It's only one day a week so I'll still have time to write :D If I can sit on my ass and do so :p
Again, sorry it took so long and here it is! Enjoy~
"I'm coming with you." Sylwen stopped Bard as he mounted up on his horse, grabbing the edge of his coat as he stopped, looking down at her. Sylwen had wandered off to check on the children while Bard was talking to Thranduil, feeling a little uneasy under the scrutiny of his stare.
She knew just what he was after too. For she had laid her gaze upon the white gems that he sought.
The white gems of Lasgalen.
It was during one of the many of the years she spent in the mountain, when Smaug had put more trust in her not to wander off once out of his sight..
"How long is hallway?" Sylwen murmured quietly to herself, following the darkened hallway, seeking out the white light that laid at the end. She normally wouldn't bother with the long dark hallways that were scattered throughout the deep mountain, but today was different. As she was passing by, a light caught her attention. It wasn't that of a torch, but rather starlight..
It was something sacred to the elves, and though only half elf herself, the light of the stars was always something that mesmerized her. And thus she followed it, though her depth perception seemed to be a little off, since she was sure this hallway looked a lot shorter than it was.
What she found in the room at the end, was more literal than she had first expected.
"The white gems of Lasgalen.." Her voice barely came out as a whisper as she stepped closer to the stone slate they laid upon. She had only ever heard of the, but if she recalled correctly, they had belonged to the late Queen of Mirkwood.
But what were they doing in Erabor?
"I need you to stay here and watch the children." Bard told her, reaching down as he cupped her hand gently, smiling softly.
She shook her head stubbornly. "They're fine. Perhaps I can talk to him, he might listen. I seen him the day Smaug attacked the mountain. Perhaps I can remind him of what he felt that day." She told him, grasping his hand tightly. "Please, I need to do this." She begged him, feeling like this was the only way she could make amends with the young king.
She had broken her promise to him when she went into the mountain, unable to save any of his kin on that fated day.
"Please Bard.."
Bard was silent for a few moments, his brown gaze melding with her green ones as he sighed softly. He didn't need to search far for the answers he sought, they were written all throughout her soft green gaze. Shifting his gaze towards the ruins momentarily, he nodded. "Alright.." He said, holding out a hand to her.
Sylwen's shoulders visibly relaxed, grasping his hand as she pulled herself up and onto the back of the horse. "Thank you." She said, settling herself on the back of the horse, glancing up at Bard for a moment before she cleared her throat, wrapping her arms around his midsection and leaned against him.
Bard grabbed the reins once more, glancing back at her before kicking the horse into actions, heading across the stone bridge towards the mountain of Erabor.
Lucy leaned on the edge of the stone wall, watching as the white horse disappeared amongst the rocks and hills. "I hope they know what they're doing.." She said quietly to herself, letting out a small sigh before pushing herself off the wall, heading back to Bain and the girls.
Sylwen felt her stomach twist as the mountain came closer and closer, the memories of 60 years ago beginning to resurface. Still the same, but under different circumstances. Her gaze traveled along the large blockade the Dwarves had structured in the doorway, blocking any entrance.
As the horse began to slow, she watched as countless heads began to appear at the very top, 13 pairs of eyes staring down at them.
"You alright?" Bard asked once he stopped the horse, looking back at Sylwen, who's grip had tightened on him increasingly the closer they grew to the mountain.
Sylwen could only muster a nod, putting his mind at ease despite her stomach churning as she fought back the nausea that had overcome her. "I'll be fine." She laughed weakly, unwrapping her arms from him as he slid off the horse, following suite.
"You don't have to do this." Bard stopped her before they approached the gate, putting his hands on either side of her face, tearing her gaze from the mountain.
Sylwen stared up at him for a few moments, taking a steady breath before she shook her head. "I have to." She said, lifting her hands to his as she placed them over his. "I need to lay my past to rest, or else I can't move on." She told him, standing up on her tip toes as she brushed a soft kiss on his lips.
Bard felt a small flicker of hope light in his chest as he saw that familiar sparkle in her green eyes, feeling a weary smile tug at his lips. She was still in there..
Parting from Bard, Sylwen stepped past him as she brought her gaze to the heads of the Dwarves that stood far above them, her green gaze locking with the strikingly familiar blue ones. "Hail Thorin, Son of Thrain!" She called, standing her ground as she stared up at him. "We are glad to see you have survived." She continued, though his scrutinizing gaze couldn't be said the same for her.
"Why do you come to the gates of the King Under The Mountain armed for war?" He spat out, the dislike clear in his voice as he stared down at the elven woman.
"Why does the King Under The Mountain fence himself in, like a robber in his hold?" Bard stepped in, standing beside Sylwen as he gazed up at the Dwarf. He knew full well the contempt the Dwarf held for him, and though the feeling was almost mutual, he needed to play nice else war would break out.
Thorin's eyes narrowed at the bargeman, before his gaze shifted to the elf beside him. "Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." He snarled out, not bothering to hide the animosity directed toward the woman.
Pursing her lips together, Sylwen took a breath of air. "I bear no ill will towards you Thorin." She told him, though she doubted he'd believe her at this point. If it were any other time than now, she may have laughed as she watched him bristle at her words.
"Do not speak to me on such familiar terms, elf." He snarled venomously, watching as Bard once again stepped in front of her, his jaw clenching slightly as he looked at him, his patience wearing thin.
"My king, we have not come here to rob you, but to seek fair settlement." He spoke to him, grasping Sylwen's hand gently as he gave it a small squeeze. "Will you not speak with us?"
Sylwen was sure he was going to refuse them as he made no motion, before he offered the slightest nod and disappeared from the stone wall.
Bard glanced down at Sylwen, nodding once before the approached the wall, crossing the stone bridge as he glanced at the enormity of the mountain.
Continuing to fight the onslaught of nausea and nostalgia, Sylwen stepped up to the stone barricade, finding but one opening in the wall that was perfectly squared open.
Dwarves.
It was but a moment before Thorin's head appeared on the other side of the wall, his gaze traveling out to the pair that stood before him. "I am listening." He spoke, his voice thin.
Bard stepped up to the wall, eyes on the Dwarven king. "On the behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge." He asked of him, keeping his voice steady though his gaze pleading. "A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives."
Thorin gazed at the man before a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "I will not trade with any man, while an armed host lies before my door." He spoke, amusement laced in his voice at the prospect that they'd even consider asking him such a thing.
Bard let out a thin sigh. "That armed host will attack at dawn if we do not come to terms." He warned him, leaning against the stone wall, but he only watched as Thorin didn't even seemed phased.
"Your threats do not sway me." The king spoke with a light shake of his head.
"What of your conscious? Does it not tell you our cause is just?" Sylwen watched quietly as Bard tried to reason with the Dwarf who had clearly already been lost to the Dragon Sickness. Her gaze traveled along the large wall they had built, pressing her lips together.
"My people offered you help, and in return, you brought upon them only ruin and death."
She was brought out of her thoughts when Thorin snapped though, his voice echoing through the stone.
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?" He snapped, his gaze blazing as he looked at the man.
"Are bargain was struck!" Bard pressed on, and Sylwen could hear his patience running thin with the Dwarven king.
"A bargain?!" Thorin could have laughed in his face. "What choice do we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food!" Thorin snapped angrily. "To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade?"
Sylwen felt her throat go dry as his words struck her. It was true..and even though she had no part in their bargain, she still felt guilty.
Thorin's tirade continued though. "Tell me, Bard the dragon slayer," He made sure his voice dripped with every bit of animosity and venom he could muster. "Why should I honor such terms?"
Sylwen shook her head, stepping in beside Bard. "Let me talk to him." She whispered, Bard stepping to the side as she took his place. "Because you know what its like to go through this Thorin." She spoke, his gaze snapping to her. "You've lost your home to a dragon just as the people of Laketown did. You've suffered just as they are right now. You know just how scarring it is, so why would you want to put such a fate on someone else's shoulders?"
"Coming from the one who stole our home just as much as that dragon!" He snarled accusingly. "Do not think I don't remember your face, elf." Thorin leaned into the hole, his eyes burning into her own. "Be gone!" He roared, causing her to take a step back. "Do not let me see you near here again, or my sword will make home in your heart!" He threatened, disappearing from view as he shouted a string of Dwarvish Sylwen did not understand.
Bard could tell she was shaken, casting a glance at the wall before he lead her back to the horse, helping her on before climbing on behind her, heading back to Dale. There had to be another way without going to war..
Thorin leaned against the wall, seething at the elf's words. How dare she speak to him on such familiar terms after making home with that dragon. She deserved the same fate as he!
When Bard finally reached Dale, Thranduil waited for him on the bridge, slowing the horse down in front of him. "He will give us nothing." He informed him, more than a little ticked off. Not only that Thorin refused to honor his word, but also the way he spoke to Sylwen.
True as it may be, Bard knew that was part of her past now and refused to let it change his view on her.
"Such a pity." Thranduil said, clearly not surprised as he glanced at Sylwen who sat on the horse, her gaze seemingly else where. "But still, you tried."
Bard shook his head with a airy laugh. "I do not understand. Why?" He glanced back at the mountain. "Why would he risk war?"
"The dragon sickness.." Sylwen's voice spoke up finally, her gaze lifting to the elven king. "It has claimed him just as it claimed his grandfather.." She said, hearing the echoing of rubble coming from the mountain, glancing back as the statue crumbled and took the bridge with it.
A smirk curled at the tips of Thranduil's lips. "She is correct." He said, glancing at Bard once again. "That gold has 60 years of dragon on it. It was only a matter of time before it claimed the new king." He told him. "It is fruitless to try and reason with them at this point. They understand only one thing now.." He said, pulling the sword from his side as it glinted in the sunlight. "We attack at dawn."
Bard pressed his lips together as he looked at Thranduil, hating to admit that there was no more talking they could do.
"Are you with us?" The king continued, tugging on the reins of his elk as he began into Dale once again.
Casting one last glance at the mountain, Sylwen bit her lip slightly before glancing up at Bard. "There's no more to be done." She said softly.
Bard looked down at her, heaving a defeated sigh as he kissed her forehead. "I know." He said softly, before following Thranduil back into the city.
There was nothing he could do but prepare for dawn..