The new chapter is here, hooray! I'm really trying to keep going with weekly updates though it is a bit difficult at the moment because I have to work a lot, so I hope you'll forgive me if there should happen to be a delay in updates :)
kaia: I'll see if I can put the wolf-elf reunion in somewhere for you :D
Hiding in the Shadow: Yeah, Thorin is in a rather dark place at the moment, unfortunately. But I'm glad you like Kili and Tarya together and the last chapter :D And well… you might be right to be worried about how this will end :/
Nimtheriel: I'm glad you liked it! And yes, I just had to have at least one of them play the harp because in the book they pick up instruments rather than jewels or something when they first go through the treasure and start playing, and I just wanted that in there somewhere :D And we'll see how the conversation goes between Tarya and Thorin in this chapter. I hope you won't be disappointed!
Teshka: Yeah, dragon sickness is a bad thing. Let's hope Thorin will come to his senses rather sooner than later… ;)
Kaity. Laity: There you go, as fast as I could :D You'll see how the conversation goes down in this chapter. I hope the apprehension hasn't killed you yet :D
Thanks to ZabuzasGirl, KilisAMAROKprincess, Akilah Swiftblade, Dalonega Noquisi and FleurSuoh for your lovely reviews! I loved reading them! :D
And thanks to the followers and favoriters!
So, here we go with the chapter, I hope you enjoy! :)
Tarya stopped as she reached the top of the stairs, uncertainty rising in her stomach as she saw Dwalin and Thorin stand by the stone bannister together a little distance from her. She hesitated shortly before she made up her mind and stepped onto the platform. Dwalin was the first to notice her as she approached them and he shot her a small reassuring look before Thorin turned, the dwarf-king's eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he caught sight of her. Tarya tried to ignore Thorin's gaze, exchanging a quick look with Dwalin instead. The bald dwarf looked at her for a moment, hesitating before he eventually nodded curtly at her and stepped past her. Tarya took his place next to the dwarf-king while Thorin watched his friend go. It was only when Dwalin had disappeared down the stairs that Thorin turned to face her.
They looked at each other for a moment without saying anything. Tarya sighed quietly, searching the king's icy blue eyes carefully before she finally spoke up.
"I don't expect you are going to apologize," she said, voicing it rather as a statement than a question, and Thorin huffed quietly, confirming her thoughts.
"You would be right with that."
Tarya had anticipated that but still couldn't suppress the slightly annoyed sigh erupting from her mouth. However, her voice was still calm when she continued. There was no need to argue with him again, so Tarya came straight to the point. "I understand that you do not deem me a right match for Kili."
"Do you now?" Thorin interrupted mockingly before she could continue and Tarya just raised her eyebrows at him pointedly. She was trying not to let her temper rise, but he was making it rather hard on her with his attitude.
"Yes, I do," she emphasised, lightly scowling at the dwarf-king who shot her a sceptic look. "I am not a dwarf. And I am not of noble descent. I'm just a wolf that became human because she fell in love with a dwarf, nothing more." She paused for a moment, looking at the dwarf-king hesitantly, but Thorin kept silent, letting her speak. "I know that Kili is a prince and I know of the responsibilities that come with that. And so does he. You probably think that he doesn't care about his heritage if he affiliates himself with someone like me but you are mistaken. Kili is loyal to you and this quest; he has been the whole time. I was just an unexpected addition along the way."
"A distraction," Thorin corrected grimly and Tarya shortly pressed her lips together as the dwarf-king crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"Kili has always been devoted to your purpose," the Amarok said in reply. "I have never been a distraction for him."
Tarya grew slightly more nervous than she already was as Thorin stayed silent for a moment, considering her before he spoke again. "You said that you became human because you fell in love with my nephew. What did you mean by that?"
"When I first transformed in Rivendell, Gandalf spoke of commitment," Tarya said quietly after a moment's hesitation and Thorin nodded, conveying that he remembered. "Commitment is something that Amaroks do when they love someone. Our soul binds itself to the one person we love and that we would give our life for. It allows us to transform into a human form that will fit the one of our beloved. Hence my height."
"So this has indeed been going on since Rivendell?" Thorin asked, annoyance swinging in his voice. Tarya shook her head, then hesitated and shrugged slightly.
"Theoretically that might be true. But neither Kili nor I realized what we felt for each other until much later. I only learned what commitment truly means a little while ago when we were in Mirkwood."
"Mirkwood?" Thorin inquired, one heavy eyebrow rising sceptically. Tarya swallowed lightly before she nodded. Thorin seemed to put the puzzle pieces together before she could continue. "The wolf?" he asked, though it didn't really sound like a question. "Thranduil's… companion?"
Tarya just nodded again and Thorin's brows drew together as he looked at her. "That wolf is my father. He… explained a few things to me."
"Is that why you are so keen on the elves as of late? Because your own father is their loyal companion?" Thorin growled now as he took in this new information and Tarya refrained from rolling her eyes at the dwarf-king. She would not start arguing with him, she told herself once more. Their conversation had been more or less civilised until now and she intended to keep it that way.
"I am not keen on any elves," she said plainly. " I dislike Thranduil as much as you do, though I cannot deny that at least two of his people helped us when we were in need and I am thankful for that, no matter what I think of their king. My father may have built a companionship with the Elvenking but I have not and I never will, either. I have chosen my path a long while ago already."
Thorin considered that for a moment, looking at her intently before he eventually inclined his head slightly, seemingly acknowledging her words. "And you chose dwarves over elves?"
"There was never a question of either dwarves or elves. I chose to be loyal to you long before we even met the elves and that has not changed. I have made friends amongst you and you have welcomed me into your company as if I were a member of a family. I can never express how grateful I am for that." Tarya hesitated a moment as she looked up at the dark-haired dwarf before her, letting out a quiet sigh. "And it just so happened that I also found love amongst these friends."
They remained silent for a moment in which Tarya and Thorin just looked at each other, both revelling in their own thoughts. It was after a little while that the dwarf-king sighed quietly, the anger in his gaze dissipating ever so slightly as he looked her in the eyes. "They do love you. Kili most certainly does," he added quietly as an afterthought almost as if to himself.
Tarya inclined her head slightly, deciding to stay silent. It was only a moment later that a slight huff erupted from Thorin's throat and she watched as he turned away from her, his hands gripping the stone bannister as he lowered his head as if in defeat. Tarya stood beside the king as he sighed deeply, watching as Thorin's fingers dug slightly into the stone beneath them. It was a long moment in which Tarya didn't quite know what to do until Thorin spoke again.
"I cannot give you my blessing for your union with my nephew." His voice was low and serious, though not exactly unfriendly. "But if Kili has truly found his One, I cannot stand between that, no matter my opinion on the matter. It is rather obvious that he loves you as you love him I have to admit. He is right with what he said about you, too. You are loyal and honest, a good person."
Tarya watched the king's back rise slightly as he took and released a deep breath. "You are a noble savage, Tarya, but a savage nonetheless. And though you might be able to learn our ways in time, our people will not understand and most likely not approve of this union."
The Amarok nodded slightly. "I am aware of that," she said, though disappointment filled her once more as Thorin turned around to face her again, a serious frown on his forehead. His blue eyes swept over her for a moment before he caught her gaze and held it sternly.
"Nevertheless you are a child of the Amarok, a descendant of a proud and fierce race. Even though they are wolves, they are a honourable and precious tribe. You can only hope that our people will come to appreciate you the way this company already does. And all I can do to help you with that is to give Kili's and your courtship my approval."
Tarya held her breath in surprise as Thorin suddenly took a step closer and one of his large hands reached up to grab the braid on the side of her head. The king's thumb was resting on the shiny metal clasp Kili had put in her hair and he looked at her as she stared at him wide-eyed. His eyes were unwavering as he gave the braid a small tug, one corner of his mouth slightly curling upwards, though he did not smile.
"Azror," he murmured roughly, his deep voice rumbling in his chest with the dwarven word. He nodded curtly at her then before he let go of her hair as abruptly as he had grabbed it and stepped back. Tarya could just stare at him blankly for a moment until she realized what had happened. They did not have his blessings, but he was willing to give them his approval. Tarya wasn't quite sure how dwarvish courtships worked but to receive Thorin's approval was more than she had hoped for when she had come up here.
She lingered for a moment longer, only realizing that she was still staring at Thorin when the dwarf-king pointedly raised his eyebrows at her.
"You may take your leave now."
Tarya nodded slightly, for a few seconds thinking about staying a moment longer and talking to him again about giving part of the treasure to Bard when he would arrive. But then she decided otherwise, realizing that Thorin's patience had already been strained enough for one evening. Confronting him now about this was not a good idea, Tarya knew, and so she nodded at the king once more before she turned away and slowly made her way back down the stairs, leaving Thorin to his thoughts on the nightly balcony.
Almost six days had passed ever since the company had reunited and Kili had spent half the day exploring the mountain together with Tarya and Fili. He was walking along the dark corridor by her side, Fili a little ways ahead of them as the torches they had brought with them lighted their path. Kili's hand was brushing lightly against Tarya's every once in a while and he shot her a small sideways glance as they walked along.
They had taken an opportunity to get away from the others for a while when they had decided to explore this part of the mountain. The mood between the three of them and Thorin was still rather tense at times, though not nearly as hostile as it had been six days ago. Tarya had told Kili what she had talked to Thorin about on the balcony when they had gone to sleep that night and the young dwarf had had to accept that approval was all he would be getting from his uncle in terms of his relationship with Tarya. He didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do to change Thorin's mind, Kili knew. If he tried, they would only fight again and that was not what the young dwarf wanted. And as long as Thorin accepted Tarya's and his union and didn't talk badly about her again or try to stand between them, Kili could live with it. At least for now, that was. Kili was quite sure that in time they would be able to convince him of the profoundness and pureness of their bond as well so that in the end, he would give them his blessing after all. But no one could tell how long it would take until they got there.
"I guess these were the old royal quarters," Fili said quietly, turning around to them from where he walked, effectively ripping Kili out of his thoughts as he glanced around the wide corridor that was lit with the light of their torches. Smaug had destroyed the majority of the mountain, though some wings were still more or less intact and with enough work put in them would be ready to flourish once more in all their glory of old.
"It's good to see that there are still a few places that were untouched by Smaug," Kili answered his brother as he and Tarya caught up with him. Fili just nodded in reply.
"But his stench still lingers everywhere," Tarya muttered from beside them, her eyes following the slender lines of small gems that were adorning the walls to both sides. Light from the torches was dancing golden within them and reflecting back again in her golden eyes. And while Kili watched her as her fingers trailed lightly over the veins of gems, Fili just tilted his head in agreement to her statement.
"It's beautiful," she murmured quietly, her gaze set on the small jewels in the wall.
"It is," Kili and Fili both agreed in unison, though while the blond dwarf's eyes were focused on the slender lines of gems as well, Kili was still looking at Tarya, a small smile on his lips that went unnoticed by the other two.
It was a while later that they decided to go back to the others, turning around and walking back lazily the way they had come from. However, after rounding a few corners, the sound of hurried footsteps reached them, echoing off the stone-walls as naked feet hit the floor with every step. Kili looked up in confusion just as a small figure came running and slithering around the next corner. Bilbo was panting rather heavily as he caught sight of them, an agitated look on his face.
"Bilbo!" Tarya called worriedly, stepping forward from in between the two dwarf brothers as the hobbit gestured wildly in the direction he'd come from. "What is going on? Did something happen?"
"The Lakemen… elves… they…" the hobbit took a deep breath as to regain his voice. "They are here."
Kili's eyes widened slightly as he and Fili caught up with the other two, following as Bilbo quickly led them back to the front gate.
"Bard?" Kili asked as they hurried along the corridors, their heavy footsteps echoing oddly dull off the walls. Bilbo just nodded in reply and Kili saw his honey curls bounce on the back of his head from where he walked behind the hobbit.
"And Thranduil," Bilbo said uneasily, hurrying down a set of stairs in front of them as they followed, their pace much quicker than when they had climbed them a while before. "They demand to speak to Thorin and Company. The want amends. A part of the treasure."
"And Thorin is not exactly in the mood for negotiations?" Tarya guessed, though it sounded more than a statement than a question. Bilbo answered nonetheless, shooting the Amarok a small wide-eyed glance over his shoulder.
"That would be quite an understatement."
It didn't take long until they reached the others then, and they ran up the stairs that led up to the balcony above the firmly closed front gate. Most of the company was already gathered there, looking down on the Lakemen and Elves that were standing in front of the doors to the mountain. Kili was the one that led on after Bilbo stopped rather uncertainly, squeezing his way through their companions to get to the front where Thorin was standing.
"What is going on?" he asked as he reached the front, even though he already knew as he caught sight of the amount of people gathered before the gate beneath them. Lakemen armed as if for war were standing together with elvish bowmen, staring up at them grimly and silently. It was then that Thorin's voice suddenly boomed over them darkly as the dwarf-king called to them.
"Who are you," he called in a very loud voice, "that come as if in war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King under the Mountain, and what do you desire?"
Kili shortly glanced at his uncle, seeing that Thorin's eyes were dark with anger as he let his gaze wander over the crowd of elves and men, his eyes shortly lingering on the green banner of the Elvenking.
There was a heavy silence over the people for a little while before suddenly a very familiar voice echoed over the crowd and up to the company, and it took Kili a moment until he could find Bard at the front of the crowd, standing next to an equally familiar blond elf.
"Hail Thorin!" the tall Lakeman called loudly so they could hear his voice clearly from where they were standing. Kili could see his gaze resting on Thorin for a moment before he swept it over the rest of the dwarves he could see. And as if on cue, Kili felt something graze his arm as Tarya stepped up next to him, her right arm slightly brushing against his as she braced her hands on the stone bannister to gaze down onto the gathered armies of men and elves. For a short moment, Kili thought he saw Bard's expression softening a bit as he caught sight of the Amarok before a frown came to play on his face as he looked back at the dwarf-king. "Tell me, why do you fence yourself like a robber in his hold? We are not yet foes, Thorin and Company, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope!"
Kili heard his uncle huff quietly next to him, his eyes narrowing sceptically as Bard continued. "We came expecting to find none of you living here except those that have parted from us not too long ago." He gave a short nod in Tarya's direction, the Amarok returning the gesture, though Kili could feel how tense she was. And from what he knew about Tarya, she never got so tense without a reason, most of the times because trouble was not far away. "Yet now that we are met there is matter for a parley and a council!"
"And of what would you parley?" Asked Thorin loudly, his voice unrelenting and leaving no doubt that any chance of parley was practically non-existent. Kili suppressed a sigh, shortly catching Fili's worried gaze from where he was standing on their uncle's other side. They were flanking their king, standing tall and strong like princes should, but their thoughts were whirling and worried as to what the outcome of this discussion would be, considering the mood Thorin had been in ever since they had arrived.
"It was by my hand that the dragon Smaug was slain and your treasure delivered. Is that not a matter that concerns you?" Bard replied, staring up at the dwarf-king, brows drawn tightly together. "Moreover I am by right descent the heir of Girion of Dale, and in your hoard is mingled much of the wealth of his halls and towns, which Smaug stole long ago as he did your kingdom. Is not that a matter of which me may speak? Further in his last battle Smaug destroyed the dwellings of the men and women of Esgaroth. I would ask whether you have no thought for the sorrow and misery of these people? They aided you in your distress, gave you food and lodging. And in recompense you have thus far brought nothing but ruin to them, though doubtless unintended."
Kili's eyebrows rose slightly at Bard's carefully chosen words, and he couldn't help but think that he was right with everything that he was saying. A council to discuss all these subjects would indeed be wise. It would give them an opportunity to negotiate over the amount of treasure that these people were entitled to, for they certainly were entitled to some of it in Kili's opinion. Bard's words were fair and true, and Kili thought his uncle would at once admit what justice was in them. But Thorin just huffed again.
"You put your worst cause last and in the chief place," the dwarf-king answered, seemingly calm as his voice floated over the crowd beneath him. "No man has a claim to the treasure of my people, because Smaug who stole it from us also robbed him of life or home. The treasure was not Smaug's that his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lakemen will be fairly paid – in due time." And then Thorin's voice grew louder again, turning into a mighty growl as he continued. "But nothing will we give, not even a single coin of gold, under threat of force! While an armed host stands before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves!"
"Uncle," Fili muttered quietly from his side.
"Thorin!" Tarya spoke at the same time, but the dwarf-king ignored them both. The rest of the company could only watch as he spoke, some visibly agreeing, others with concerned expressions on their faces.
"It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain."
"A just question," Bard stated, his expression grim. "But you are not dead, and we are not robbers. And still my other claims remain unanswered."
"I will not parley, as I have said with armed men at my gate. And I will not parley at all with the people of the Elvenking," Thorin growled, sending Thranduil who had followed the exchange silently the whole time a dirty look, "whom I remember with small kindness. He and his men have no place in this debate. If you would speak to me again, first dismiss your elvish host to the woods where it belongs. And then return, laying down your arms before you approach the threshold."
And with that, he turned around, only stopping when Bard's voice echoed once again over the crowd up to them. "The Elvenking is my friend, and he has helped the people of Laketown in their need, though they had no claim but friendship on him! We will give you time to repent your words. Gather your wisdom ere we return!"
Thorin didn't turn around and walked back inside the mountain without another word, and Kili shortly caught Bard's gaze as the Lakeman looked up. The young dwarf could only sigh and press his lips together slightly, sorry for his uncle's harsh words. Bard's face remained grim and only when his gaze flicked over to the Amarok that was still standing beside Kili, his eyebrows rose slightly, almost as if in question.
While the others were slowly following Thorin back inside, Tarya pressed her lips together undecidedly as she held Bard's gaze. She couldn't understand how Thorin could be so stubborn. Bard had made reasonable and true points, and a council would be the best thing to do in a situation like this. Normally, she knew Thorin would be able to acknowledge that, but she hadn't reckoned with the power that gold had upon which a dragon has long brooded, or with the relentlessness of dwarvish hearts and the effect both of it had on Thorin. If it hadn't been obvious before, it was undeniable now. Thorin had spent the past days almost solely in the treasury, and the lust of it was heavy on him, clear for Tarya to see, though she doubted she was the only one. Bilbo saw it, she was sure. And even Fili and Kili, who had always been loyal and never questioned their uncle during this whole quest, were starting to notice that something was wrong. Thorin had hunted chiefly for the Arkenstone, without success so far, yet he had an eye for many other wonderful things that were lying there, as well. Precious gold and gems that clouded his mind like a dark curtain.
Tarya didn't understand his lust for the treasure, for she didn't see the appeal in it. But from what she had heard about dragon sickness along this journey, she was rather sure that Thorin was affected by it. He was behaving unreasonable, his mood was dark and he was mad with the want to find the Arkenstone. The Amarok let out a deep sigh as she made up her mind, sending Bard a curt nod as the Lakeman turned away and the crowd moved back to the camps they had made down by the river, along the outskirts of the mountain.
"Tarya?" Kili asked as she abruptly turned to follow the others inside and the Amarok quickly dodged his hand as he tried to reach for her wrist before he could stop her. She needed to talk to Thorin, and she was quite sure that Kili wouldn't deem that a wise idea. It probably wasn't, Tarya knew, but that wouldn't stop her from confronting that pig-headed dwarf. It didn't take long for Kili to catch up on her thoughts though, as he followed her inside and she determinedly headed directly for Thorin.
"Tarya! Wait!" he hissed but the Amarok was faster again, ignoring the brunet dwarf as she stepped up to the dwarf-king.
"Thorin!" she called, making him turn around to face her with a questioning frown.
"Do you have something you would like to say?" Thorin asked grimly, already crossing his arms over his chest as he looked at her. Tarya narrowed her eyes at him.
"Indeed, there are many things I would like to say," she huffed. "Why did you not take Bard's offer to parley? The things he said were true and reasonable, taking council with him would have been a wise decision."
"You were standing right there," Thorin said, anger swinging in his low voice as he shot her a dark look. "You heard what I said and why I wouldn't take council with him and his little elven friend."
"You might be right not to grant Thranduil any of the treasure, for he has done nothing but hinder us on this quest. But Bard and the people of Laketown deserve what is rightfully theirs!" Tarya forced herself to stand strong as Thorin's eyes narrowed dangerously at her, his blue orbs flashing with anger. "And you would agree with me were you in your right mind!"
"Do you mean to say I am not?" Thorin growled over the murmurs that had broken out over the company, and Tarya instinctively took a step back as he came one closer. She took a deep breath before she shook her head, forcing herself to look the dwarf-king straight in the eyes as she spoke.
"This – out there – was not you speaking. It was the lust of treasure that has taken hold of you," she said, and heard the company fall silent around them again as everyone watched their confrontation. Tarya's voice calmed, as she tried to reason with the king, her tone conveying how worried she was for him. "You are so blind with greed that you cannot think straight anymore, Thorin. This treasure, your untiring hunt for the Arkenstone, it changes you. It has changed you already. It is making you sick."
"Watch your tongue, wolf," Thorin snarled lowly, his voice so dangerous it sent a shiver down Tarya's spine. "You don't know what you are talking about."
The Amarok swallowed tightly, shaking her head as she looked at him. "I know what this treasure has done to your grandfather," she muttered, staring at the dwarf-king searchingly as his eyes darkened suddenly, the blue of his eyes now almost black with rage. "I fear that you might –"
"Who are you to talk to me like this!" Thorin barked, making her flinch back from his tone. "You know nothing of my grandfather or my people! And you would do better to know your place and not cause any more trouble than you already have, for I have already shown you more generosity than I should have when I let you court my nephew."
Kili tried to step in at that point, but Thorin silenced his nephew with one single glare and a harsh movement of his hand. He brought his gaze back to Tarya who stood before the king, disappointed and concerned.
"If you so agree with Bard and that petty Elvenking, you may go join them and your father, the elf-friend, I am sure that wolf is down there somewhere as well," Thorin growled, raising his finger at her. "You either go now, or you stay here. But you will never speak to me of this or of my grandfather again, do you understand?"
Tarya could just stare at the dwarf-king for a moment, taken aback by his words and momentarily rendered speechless. He was on the road to ruin and didn't even want to acknowledge or change it.
"This treasure will be your downfall if you go on like this," she eventually said, her voice soft yet urgent. "What are you planning to do? Barricading yourself in here and wait for the Lakemen and elves to give up and disappear?"
"I will do what it takes," Thorin huffed and Tarya shook her head in disbelief.
"They can camp before your gates for months if they want. They have provisions, tents, water; everything they need. Yet our food will only last for a few more days at the most. Your treasure might be nice to look at, Thorin, but you cannot eat it. You will starve within the halls of Erebor."
"I have already sent a messenger to my cousin in the Iron Hills a few days ago," Thorin just said in reply, his voice still dark but not as loud as before. He was rather speaking in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, which somehow was even more worrying to Tarya. "As we speak, Dain and his men are on their way to help us defend the mountain against anyone that dares to challenge us. This means that a whole army of dwarves will be marching through that valley within the week. So, if these people dare to come armed to my doors again, I will consider them as foes, and I will not hesitate to show them their place."
"You would rather start a war than share a part of your gold?" Tarya asked in disbelief, wide eyes looking at Thorin who just growled lowly in reply.
"I will not be threatened into giving anything to those that do not deserve it."
"But they do deserve it," Tarya insisted only to be silenced as Thorin raised his hand abruptly, motioning her to shut up. The Amarok suppressed a growl. There was no reasoning with him, she realized. Thorin was too tangled up in his anger and greed to think clearly. She slowly shook her head in disappointment before she spoke again.
"I really hope you will come to your senses before it is too late," she said and with those words she turned away from the dwarf-king before he could reply anything, ignoring the looks she got from her companions as she stormed past them out of the room. She just walked, following her nose without having a specific aim. It was a few moments later that she found herself standing at the front gate, the high doors closed firmly from the inside. Tarya looked at the massive stone doors for a moment before she sat down on the left side of them, a deep sigh leaving her throat as she leaned her back against the wall, hidden from anyone that would follow the path she had come from just now.
Tarya didn't know how late it was or how long she had been sitting there alone when the sound of footsteps reached her ears. She didn't turn around, already knowing whom it was that was approaching her spot by the sound that his large and bare hobbit feet made on the stone floor.
"Bilbo," she acknowledged his presence quietly as he stepped around the corner, though she didn't look up at the hobbit. She listened to him coming closer and it was only a few seconds later that he sat down next to her, leaning his back against the wall behind him. Tarya kept staring straight ahead as the hobbit sighed deeply.
"You were right with what you said, you know," he eventually muttered and Tarya just snorted quietly.
"My words fell on deaf ears."
"Unfortunately, yes," Bilbo sighed, and Tarya did the same. She turned her head to look at her friend then, studying his face in the half-light. The hobbit was looking back at her with a rueful smile. "Two messengers came to the gate a few minutes ago, to ask if he had changed his mind."
Tarya raised her eyebrows at Bilbo in question but the hobbit just shook his head. "He shot an arrow at them."
The Amarok let out an exasperated sigh, leaning her head against the wall as she looked at her friend. "This treasure is luring him into destruction, Bilbo," Tarya spoke quietly, her voice echoing softly off the walls around them. "We cannot just barricade ourselves in here and ignore the responsibilities we have towards Bard and the people of Esgaroth."
"Maybe if they had something to trade with Thorin for their part of the treasure, he would be more willing to listen."
"They don't have anything he wants," Tarya muttered, shaking her head. "Thorin is more stubborn than any mule. You heard what he said, he would rather start a war with these people than part with even a single coin of gold."
Bilbo shuffled uncomfortably next to her, quietly clearing his throat as he looked around nervously. Tarya frowned at her friend, observing him in confusion as he shot her an almost conspiratorial look. "We could… we could give them something."
Tarya's frown deepened at the hobbit. "What could we possibly give them that would be a valuable object of trade for Thorin to consider?"
She then watched in confusion as Bilbo shortly pressed his lips together before his hand dug into the inside of his worn red jacket, and the Amarok's mouth opened in a silent gape as he suddenly produced a beautiful shimmering white stone from his pocket. Her eyes widened as he held it out in his hands for her to see, his gaze flicking from the gem to her as he showed it to her. Tarya couldn't find her words for a few long moments. She didn't have to ask what this was, for she had heard enough stories of this troublesome stone already.
"I might have an idea…" Bilbo murmured in careful thought as Tarya stared at him in shock.