Chapter 4
Those left behind
Bard had gotten them some clothes and Thorin was looking out the window.
"A dwarven twin lance," Thorin said as he looked out the window and Ruby stood not far from him.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Bilbo said drinking something and Ruby looked to Bard and his children.
"Thank you Bard," Ruby said with a smile as Thorin walked over.
"You took our money where are our weapons," Thorin said.
"Wait here," Bard said and disappeared then reappeared with a large bag. "Here," he then opened the bag and everyone looked at them.
"What is this?" Thorin said picking one of the weapons up.
"Pike hook, made from an old harpoon," Bard said
"And this?" Kili said
"A crowbell we call it, fashioned from a smithy hammer, heavy in hand I grand. In defense of your life serve you better than none." Bard said
"We paid you for weapons, iron forged, swords and axes," Gloin said.
"It's a joke," Bofur replied as they all started to throw the weapons back on the table.
"You won't find better outside the city armory," Bard said, "All iron forged weapons are held there under lock and key."
"Thorin, why not take his offer and go," Balin said, "I've made do with less and so have you. I say we leave now."
"You're not going anywhere," Bard said.
"What did you say," Dwalin said.
"There are spy's watching this house, and probably every dock and Warf in the town. You must wait till night fall." Bard said.
Bard then walked outside leaving all of them inside the house.
"We shouldn't linger here any longer," Thorin said and everyone agreed.
"My da said to wait," Bain said.
"Well laddie your da not here," Dwalin said "Step aside,"
"Wait," Bain said as all the dwarves snuck out of the house with Ruby in tow.
"Maybe we should have waited," Ruby quietly said as they hurried around the town to find the armory, she turned and saw pain in Kili's eyes "Kili are you alright?"
"Fine," Kili said as night came and they found the armory.
"Ruby stay here," Thorin said as he turned back to the others "After we get the weapons we head straight for the mountains. Go go go."
Ruby watched as she saw almost everyone hurry in through the window to get weapons. She was stuck waiting outside when she heard a loud crash from the inside and Kili yell.
"Kili!" Ruby called as she hurried over to the door before she heard some guards yelling and she was grabbed on the arm "Hey!"
"You're all coming with us," they said and everyone was pulled out the armory and pushed along the path.
"What's happening," Ruby said quietly to Bilbo as they were all shoved forward in front of a house and waited.
"What is the meaning of this," a man said as he walked through the door. Ruby could only think that was a face of a man that only a mother could love.
"We caught them stealing weapons sire," the captain said pointing to them all.
"Ah enemies of the state eh?" The Master said.
"A bunch of mercenaries if there were ever some sire," Alfrid said.
"Hold your tongue," Dwalin said "You don't know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal, this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror," as he moved and Thorin moved to stand next to Dwalin.
"We are the dwarfs of Erebor," Thorin said "We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town in the great days of old, fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. It was not a forsaken town on a lake; this was the center of all trade in the north. I will see those days returned, I would relight the great forges of the dwarfs, and send wealth and riches once more from the hall of Erebor."
"No!" Bard yelled "Dragon fire, and ruin. If you awaken that beast it will destroy us all."
"You can listen to this naysayer," Thorin started "But I promise you this. If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold, to rebuild 10 times over."
"Listen all of you, have you not forgotten what happened to Dale," Bard said. "Have you forgotten those who have died in the firestorm, and for what purpose, the blind ambitions of a mountain king, who was so consumed by greed he could not see beyond his own desire."
"Now, now we must not have any of us be to quick to lay blame. Let us not forget it was Gideon Lord of Dale, your ancestor," Master said as he pointed at Bard. "Who failed to kill the beast?"
"Its true sire," Alfrid said, "We all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark."
"You have no right," Bard said as he walked over to Thorin "No right to enter that mountain."
"I have the only right," Thorin said and turned to the master "I speak to the master of the men of the lake, will you see the prophecy fulfilled. Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?"
"I say, unto you, Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! King under the mountain," The Master said.
Ruby could not believe the turnaround of the Master when gold was mentioned. Greed went far with some and Ruby could not help but think what would actually happen when they reached the mountain. She looked around the master's dining room and saw everyone eating and drinking merrily. Even Bilbo was enjoying himself, but something just didn't sit right with Ruby.
"Ruby come have a drink!" Bofur said and burped and Ruby just shook her head and quietly snuck out to a balcony off the dining room.
"Not enjoying the festivities," Thorin said behind her as he walked out to stand next to her.
"I am just a little tired is all," Ruby said as she leaned on the railing "and nervous," Ruby then turned and saw Thorin looking at her "Thorin what if the dragon is still there. How are we to fight it?"
"We will fight down to the last dwarf," Thorin said.
"That is what frightens me," Ruby said as she twisted her ruby ring on her hand.
"Ruby," Thorin said as he stepped closer and took her hand and stopped her twisting the ring "Do not worry, we will all see Erebor restored," he then put a hand on her cheek "Nothing will happen."
"How can you be sure?" Ruby whispered "I do not know if I will be brave enough."
"You are as brave as anyone here. Though I do admit you tend to get yourself into more trouble than the others," Thorin said with a smile and then gently kissed Ruby "Tomorrow we will take back Erebor and you will see the halls of our people's greatest kingdom."
"Tell me about Thorin," Ruby said as she turned as Thorin drew her close into a hug "What is it like?"
Morning came rather quick as Ruby was awoken by Thorin, who gave her a smile before getting ready himself. Ruby could not stop the pounding in her heart as they all finished getting ready and headed to the docks to head towards the Lonely Mountain.
"You do know we are one dwarf short," Bilbo said as they were walking through the crowd to reach the dock.
"Where is Bofur?" Ruby asked as he looked around "I cannot find him."
"If he's not here we leave him behind," Thorin said as he reached the boat.
"We'd have to, if we are to find the door before night fall. We can risk no more delays." Balin said as they all started to load into a boat.
"Not you," Thorin said as he held Kili back and then began to load the boat with weapons "We must travel with speed you will slow us down."
"What are you talking about, I am going with you," Kili said. "I'm going to be there when the door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers."
"Kili," Thorin said with concern and care in his face "Stay here, rest, join us when you're healed."
"I will stay with the lad, my duty lies with the wounded," Oin said as he got off the boat.
"Uncle," Fili said, "We grew up of tails of the mountain, tails your told us. You cannot take that away from him."
"Fili," Thorin said and Ruby looked over and saw how ashen Kili looked and it broke her heart.
"I will carry him if I must," Fili cried as he looked at Thorin.
"One day you will be king and you will understand," Thorin said. "I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin." Fili then got off the boat and Thorin grabbed his arm "Fili don't be a fool, you belong with the company."
"I belong with my brother," FIli said as he walked over to Kili and Thorin then looked at Ruby that had gotten off the boat during his conversation with Fili.
"Ruby," Thorin said and she touched his cheek. "Oin will take care of him, you are coming with us."
"But Thorin," Ruby said and Oin looked at her.
"Go on lassie, I got it covered. Good thing we have two healers," Oin said and Ruby nodded before Thorin helped her back in the boat.
"Get better Kili," Ruby said as Kili gave her a pained look and Fili gave her a sad smile.
Horns sounded and soon they were off down the canal, towards the mountain, looking at all the people as the passed under a bridge. Ruby looked back and could not get the faces of Fili and Kili out of her head as they passed out of their sight. The boat ride across the lake was a quiet one as well as the journey, towards the overlook. Ruby couldn't help but take in the majesty quality of the Lonely Mountain even as they reached the overlook.
"What is this place," Bilbo said as they all walked towards the outlook.
"At last the city of Dale, now it is ruin. The desolation of Smaug," Balin said.
"All those people," Ruby whispered to herself as she looked upon the ruin city.
"The sun will soon reach midday," Thorin said "We must the hidden door into the mountain before it sets, this way."
"Wait, is this the overlook? Gandalf said to meet him here, and on no account…" Bilbo said.
"Do you see him? We have no time to wait for the wizard we are on our own," Thorin said and started to walk away "Come," soon all that was left at the overlook was Bilbo and Ruby.
"Where is Gandalf?" Ruby asked
"I don't know," Bilbo said as they both hurried after the dwarf to search for the hidden door.
All Ruby could see was cliffs, upon cliffs and rocks everywhere. She didn't even know what exactly she was looking for.
"Anything," Thorin called as he looked around
"Nothing!" Dwalin called back.
"If this map is true, the hidden door lies directly above us," Thorin said as they all looked around trying to find something anything.
"Up here," Bilbo said as they saw a zigzag staircase.
"That is beautiful," Ruby said as she looked up and then realized something "….How am I going to climb that?"
"You have keen eyes Masters Baggins," Thorin said as they all headed over to the staircase.
"Don't look down don't look down," Ruby mumbled to herself as they started to climb the stairs.
"Ruby," Thorin said as he turned and notice Ruby was having a hard time getting across the larger gaps "Jump I will catch you."
"What if I fall?" Ruby said and looked down the long staircase.
"I won't let you," Thorin said as Ruby nodded and jumped as Thorin caught her hand and pulled her up.
"Thank you," Ruby replied and Thorin just gave her a soft smile as they drew closer to the top.
Once they reached the top Thorin took out his key, smiled, and turned to everyone.
"This must be it," Thorin said "The hidden door, and all those who doubt us. Rue this day!" and everyone cheered.
"Right then, we have a key. Which mean some where there is a keyhole" Dwalin said.
"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole," Thorin said as they watched the sun set "Nori," and Nori went over and tapped among the stone while Dwalin kept pushing against it "We are losing the light come on." Dwalin then started to kick the stone.
"Be quiet, I can't hear when you are thumping," Nori said
"It's not here," Dwalin said as he was getting frustrated and started to kick it harder.
"Break it down!" Thorin said and they started to hit the wall with their weapons.
"It's no use, the door is sealed it cannot be opened with force. There is powerful magic on it," Balin said as the sun set below the mountain and the light disappeared.
"No," Thorin said with such sorrow and defeat, "The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole. This is what it says. What did we miss? What did we miss? Balin?"
"We lost the light," Blain sorrowfully said "There is no more to be done. We had but one chance, come on away laddies."
"Wait, wait where are you going? You can't give up now!" Bilbo said as Ruby turned as she heard a light thud and saw Thorin drop the key " Thorin we cannot give up now." He then put the map in Bilbo's chest.
"Thorin!" Ruby called out but all the dwarf ignored them and left the two by themselves.
"Bilbo," Ruby said as she looked at him "What did we miss?"
"I don't know," Bilbo said.
"Maybe it's easy what we missed," Ruby said. "Stand by the grey stone, when the thrush knocks, the setting sun. The last light of Durin's day, will shine upon the keyhole."
"The last light," Bilbo said as they both looked up and saw the moon shining behind a cloud before the moon came out completely.
"Bilbo" Ruby said as they saw a thrush knock and the moon revealed a keyhole in the stone. "It's the moon Bilbo! The moon!"
"The last light," Bilbo said as he smiled wide "The keyhole! Come back! Come back! It's the last moon of autumn. Where the key!"
"Bilbo where is it," Ruby said as he looked around and suddenly Bilbo hit it with his foot as it went towards the edge of the cliff as she moved towards it before it was lost "No!"
Suddenly a foot stopped it and Ruby saw Thorin pick up the key as everyone else appeared and looked at the grey stone as Thorin put the key in and turned it and then pushed the stone door open before he took his first steps in Erebor in over an age.
"Erebor," Thorin said as Balin came behind him.
"Thorin," Balin said with tears of joy in his eyes.
"I know these walls, the halls, a start," Thorin said with something that made Ruby's heart fill with joy "You remember Balin, chambers filled with gold."
"I remember," Balin said as they all walked inside the stone door. "I remember."
"Here lies the Seventh Kingdom of Durin's folk," Gloin said as they looked at a carving above the door "May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarfs in defense of this home."
"The Thorne of Kings," Balin said as he looked at the carving.
"And what's that above it," Bilbo said
"The Arkenstone," Balin said.
"The Arkenstone," Bilbo said looking around at everyone "And what's that?"
"That master burglar is why you are here," Thorin said as everyone looked at Bilbo and Ruby looked at Bilbo and fear crept into her.