Wheew, I was fast this time! I'm surprising even myself :D

Akilah Swiftblade: Yeah, Bilbo the evil mastermind is on the roll :D

kaia: I almost had her go wolf on him, but there will be something else happening in this chapter that will have a similar effect ;)

DGfleetfox: Yeah, Thorin could just make a list of what he is displeased with Tarya about xD There will be another thing added today. Hooray :D

Thanks also to Hiding in the Shadow, Oluhasuu and FleurSuoh for your reviews! I really enjoyed reading them!

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And now go ahead, read, and leave me your thoughts because I'd love to hear from you! :)

Bilbo looked at the Amarok before him as he held the Arkenstone in his hands, the gem shimmering in a soft white light between them in the shadowy half-light. Tarya's eyes were wide as she first stared at the stone and then at him. Bilbo swallowed tightly, already starting to think that showing her the jewel might have been a bad idea. But Tarya seemed to be the only one that was seeing things as they were, and was actually brave enough to confront Thorin about it. Bilbo would not have had the courage to stand up to Thorin like she had. Tarya was the only one that would understand how they could use the Arkenstone to help the Lakemen and Bilbo hoped that she would support his plan.

"Why have you not given it to Thorin?" The Amarok eventually asked in a quiet murmur, her eyes shortly wandering to the empty corridor behind them as if she was afraid that the dwarf-king would be standing there. But the corridor lay silent and empty behind them and they were alone.

"I don't know," Bilbo admitted quietly, careful that his voice wouldn't echo too far. "I… I wanted to. But then I saw how intent his search for it became and when he said he would be avenged on anyone who found it and withheld it, I grew afraid. So I kept it a secret."

"You have told me," Tarya pointed out and Bilbo nodded curtly.

"Yes, well," he muttered. "I trust you. I know you won't go and sell me out to Thorin."

Bilbo watched as Tarya nodded silently in agreement, her eyes still wide as her brows drew together in thought. She glanced up at him, her golden eyes shimmering in the shadows. "We cannot give it to them."

"But –"

"Bilbo, this is… this is not right. The Arkenstone belongs to the dwarves. It is the heart of the mountain… Thorin's heart. He is already mad with the search for it, what do you think will happen if he finds that Bard and his people have it? What do you think he'll do when he finds out that we have given it to them?"

Bilbo swallowed tightly at that thought before he pressed his lips together and shook his head slightly. He looked at Tarya determinedly. "Is it right to deny them their share of the treasure? You heard what Thorin said. He would rather start a war than give them anything. Trade is the only way for them to receive what is rightfully theirs without one."

Tarya looked at him silently for a moment and Bilbo could see doubt swirling in her bright eyes. He shot her an intent look. "Dain's army will be marching through the valley and to the mountain in a few days at the latest. And when they arrive, there will be no chance to have a reasonable talk anymore. If we don't do something now, war will descend upon us before we know it and I for one am not sure whose side I would be on in this case." The hobbit watched as Tarya raised one hand and slid it through her hair uncertainly.

"You're right," she muttered hesitantly after a few moments, biting her bottom lip in thought before she looked back at him. "Yes, you're right. But how are we going to do this? We cannot just march out the front gate with the Arkenstone in our hands."

"Bombur has the watch right before midnight," Bilbo answered quietly. "I thought I could tell him that I would take his turn for him and while he goes to sleep, I will climb down the wall and go down to the camps of the men and elves."

"Sounds like you've had this plan for a while already," Tarya muttered and Bilbo just tilted his head slightly and shrugged, confirming her thoughts. "And what do you want me to do?"

Tarya's brows knit together in an earnest frown as she looked at him and Bilbo released a deep breath, relieved that he had managed to convince her of his plan. He was not sure if he would have dared to do it had he been completely on his own. But to know that someone else believed what he wanted to do was right gave him courage.

"No one must know that I am gone," he said and Tarya nodded slowly.

"You want me to keep watch while you're away," she concluded and Bilbo only needed to give her one look to confirm her thoughts. Tarya fell silent then, seemingly considering his plan as they sat together. She released a deep sigh after a while, looking up at him seriously. "What if they find out? Giving this jewel to Bard means betraying Thorin, betraying our friends. He will consider it treason."

"Then I will take the blame," Bilbo answered earnestly, seeing her face fall at his words.

"What? Bilbo, no, I –"

"I will take the blame," Bilbo interrupted her sternly, "because it was my idea to do this."

The hobbit could see that she wanted to protest but he cut her off as he stood up abruptly, putting the Arkenstone back into the pocket of his jacket in a quick movement. Tarya followed his example slowly, a worried expression on her face as she looked at him. Bilbo just shot the Amarok a reassuring smile. He was more than grateful for her help and to have her on his side, but he would not let her be the target of Thorin's rage again should anything go wrong. Tarya had far more to lose than only friends and Bilbo didn't want that to happen to her. He liked her far too much for that.

They exchanged a determined look then and together they walked back the way they had come from, already hearing quiet murmurs mixed with rather loud snoring when they arrived at the room the company was in. As they entered, Bilbo could see that most of the dwarves were already asleep, though Bombur was still sitting amongst them, chatting quietly with his brother. It was not yet midnight, then, Bilbo thought as he crossed the room with the Amarok by his side. The hobbit shortly caught sight of Thorin who was sitting with his back against a wall on the other side of the room next to an already sleeping Balin. The dwarf-king's gaze shortly lingered on the two small figures that were crossing the room, and Bilbo shot the dark-haired dwarf a short nod while Tarya ignored him completely.

"There you are," Fili said, his tone friendly as he spotted the two of them, waving them over to him and his brother. "We were starting to think you had gotten yourselves lost somewhere."

The blond dwarf shot Tarya a short look but she didn't say anything as she sat down next to Kili, the brunet glancing at her with a small frown as she settled in. Bilbo, however, smiled lightly at the two brothers before he sat down as well, making himself comfortable beside Tarya. It was still a little while until midnight, and he could already feel a nervous knot building in his stomach, as the weight of the Arkenstone was ever present in his inside pocket.

"Where have you been?" the hobbit then heard a low voice from beside him and he shortly glanced over to see Kili talking quietly to the Amarok who just kept staring straight ahead, trying to avoid the brunet dwarf's gaze. "You shouldn't have run off like that."

"I wasn't far away," Tarya replied quietly, drawing her knees to her chest as her eyes focused on an invisible spot on the wall opposite her. Bilbo looked away to give them at least some privacy as Kili's brows drew together as he watched her.

"Is everything all right?" The brunet dwarf asked and Tarya just hummed quietly in reply, her eyes trained on something on the other side of the room. Kili followed her gaze, seeing Bombur getting up and walking up the stairs to the balcony for his watch. His frown deepened in confusion.

"Tarya?" he asked as he brought his gaze back to her and this time she looked at him, a calming smile on her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Instead, Kili saw a strange expression mirroring there that he couldn't remember having seen within her golden orbs before. He couldn't quite tell what it was, though. The Amarok just nodded at him before she shuffled a bit closer and Kili watched her as she took his hand, her fingers intertwining lightly with his.

"Everything is fine," she muttered, which Kili doubted after the dispute she'd had with his uncle before. "I just… needed to think."

Tarya didn't say anything else as Kili just nodded and put his arm around her, pulling her against his side. Tarya felt his lips brush against her temple as he inclined his head towards her.

"Maybe some sleep would do you good then," he murmured against her skin before he pressed a small kiss there but Tarya shook her head while everyone else was getting ready to sleep around them. Fili had already lain down beside them, his head pillowed comfortably atop his bundled cloak. Thorin was lying on his back on the other side of the room, his arms crossed over his chest. Tarya doubted that he was asleep already.

"I'm not tired," she said, turning her head to look at Kili as he lifted his hand to brush some stray strands of hair from her forehead. He shot her a rather doubtful look but she just settled more comfortably against him without saying anything, just enjoying his warmth. Kili watched her silently for a moment before he placed another small kiss on her forehead.

"Well, I am," he murmured as he pulled back. "Will you lie with me until it's my turn to watch?"

Tarya just smiled and nodded as the brunet dwarf lay down and held out his arm for her to join him. The Amarok shortly glanced over to Bilbo who was still sitting beside them, and the hobbit shot her a small smile in reply. He got up at the same time she lay down and as Tarya saw him approach the stairs out of the corner of her eye, she felt Kili lift his head slightly to watch the hobbit go.

"Where's he going?" he asked quietly, wrapping his arm around her as she placed her head on his shoulder. Tarya took a deep breath, feeling the hairs on her neck stand on end as she gave him an answer that was not entirely true.

"He said he wanted to take Bombur's watch," she muttered against Kili's neck, feeling his fingers trail a small pattern over her arm as he hummed quietly in understanding.

"That's nice of him," the brunet murmured, his eyes already half closed as he took a deep breath. Tarya just nodded slightly, her stomach twisting nervously as she saw Bombur toddle down the stairs and walking over to his bedroll that was placed beside his already sleeping brother.

"It is," she whispered absentmindedly, glancing towards the stairs, knowing that Bilbo was climbing down the wall at this very moment. "He only wants to help."

She didn't get an answer from Kili as the dwarf's breathing had already evened out beside her. His arm was still wrapped around her in a protective grip as he slumbered away while Tarya was still wide awake, her gaze moving through the room as she watched her companions sleep. Her eyes shortly lingered on Thorin whose breathing seemed even and deep now as well. Tarya knew that what Bilbo and she were doing would be considered treason by him should he ever find out, even though they were only trying to do the right thing. Tarya was nervous, and she felt guilty for deceiving her friends like this, but she knew that there was no other way to prevent Thorin from starting a war that was unnecessary.

Tarya couldn't tell how long she had been lying awake, though it must have been a few hours, when Bilbo finally came back. Her head jerked up as she heard him walk down the stairs and she quickly yet gently freed herself from Kili's hold without waking him. She got to her feet then, hurrying over to the hobbit that was standing by the stairs, waiting for her with a serious expression on his face.

"Bilbo!" the Amarok whispered in relief as she arrived at his side. She glanced around; making sure that everyone was asleep. "Did you…?"

"I gave it to them," the hobbit nodded, whispering quietly. "I saw Gandalf, too!"

Tarya's eyebrows rose in surprise at this unexpected piece of information and she gave the hobbit an unbelieving look. "Gandalf?"

Bilbo nodded vigorously, grabbing her arm and pulling her a bit closer, his voice getting even quieter. "He says that an unpleasant time is just in front of us."

"Well, we're already in one if you ask me," Tarya whispered, chancing a short glance over to where Thorin was sleeping but Bilbo shook his head at her, confusing her even more.

"No!" he breathed. "I don't think that's what he meant. He said something about news brewing that even the ravens have not heard and –" Bilbo stopped abruptly as a quiet groan sounded from their side and they both turned quickly to see Dori turning on his bedroll. Bilbo pressed his lips together, eyes wide as he looked back at the Amarok after the grey-haired dwarf was lying still again.

"Maybe we should talk of this in the morning," Tarya whispered as she glanced over the sleeping dwarves, her mind whirling with thoughts after this news. The hobbit just nodded, brushing his hands over his jacket in a nervous manner. Tarya shot her friend a small look, putting one hand on his shoulder and squeezing lightly to try and calm him down.

"It was the right thing to do, Bilbo," she murmured quietly and the hobbit nodded after a moment's hesitation. Tarya sighed silently as she let go of the hobbit's shoulder. The Amarok had no idea what to make of Gandalf's words but she had no reason to doubt the wizard. If Gandalf said that bad news was brewing, then there was indeed an unpleasant time ahead, even if Tarya didn't know what it was all about yet. But maybe, if their plan worked and Thorin would trade a part of treasure for the Arkenstone, he would be more willing to think of a council with the people before his gate and they could talk to Gandalf.

Tarya shortly pressed her lips together before she motioned for Bilbo to lie down. Bilbo let out a low breath, nodding shortly as he shot a small glance over to the sleeping dwarf-king before he followed her back to where Kili and Fili were still lying, both fast asleep. Tarya saw the hobbit shortly look over to where Bombur was sleeping then before he brought his gaze back to the brunet dwarf to their feet. Tarya guessed his thoughts as she realized that it was Kili's turn to watch after Bombur's shift. The Amarok motioned for the hobbit to go settle down and get some rest.

"I will wake him," she murmured and Bilbo smiled slightly, giving her a curt nod before he turned and walked the few feet away to where his own bedroll was spread out on the floor.

Tarya sighed quietly before she knelt down beside Kili, lightly tapping his shoulder. But Kili was a sound sleeper and he only woke when Tarya resolved to shake his shoulder rather roughly. His eyes sprang open then and Tarya watched as it took him a moment to focus his eyes in the darkness before his gaze finally settled on her. His brows drew together as he saw her kneeling beside him.

"Have you not slept at all?" he asked, looking at her in concern as he sat up. Tarya shook her head with a slight shrug.

"I wasn't tired," she just said, even though it wasn't true. She was very tired, actually, but she'd had to stay awake and wait for Bilbo to return, and she could hardly tell that to Kili. The brunet dwarf just huffed quietly as he shook his head at her, his eyes studying her face. Tarya couldn't tell what it was that made his gaze soften after a few moments before he got up, holding out his hand to her. Tarya took it hesitantly, looking up at Kili in confusion as he pulled her to her feet.

"Then you won't mind keeping me some company as I keep watch, will you?" he asked with a small smile and Tarya was quite sure that he could see how tired she actually was. But she just shot him a smile in return, taking his hand and leading the way to the stairs. Maybe the fresh air would help her get rid of some of the tiredness. Kili simply intertwined his fingers with hers as he followed her up the stairs, not saying anything even as they reached the platform above. Tarya took a deep breath and shortly closed her eyes as the cold night air washed over her, a soft breeze lightly whirling her hair around her face.

Kili let her stand like that for a few moments before he tugged on her hand, silently leading her to the wall and pulling her to settle between his legs as he sat down. Tarya leaned her back against the dwarf's chest as Kili leaned back against the wall behind him, his arms coming around her middle. The brunet's hands locked over her stomach, pulling her further into his body as she leaned her head back and turned it slightly so it was lying comfortably in the crook of his neck. Tarya felt her limbs grow heavy as she revelled in Kili's warmth, feeling his thumbs trail small circles over the front of her tunic. She sighed quietly, shortly leaning in and pressing a small kiss to the side of Kili's neck. The dwarf just smiled, his gaze set on the small lights of the camps that could be seen in the distance.

It wasn't long until Tarya felt her eyes fall closed of their own volition, even though she tried to fight it. She felt Kili's hold tighten slightly around her as she finally gave up and snuggled against him, letting his steady breathing and the comforting touch of his warm hands lull her to sleep.

Kili awoke with a start to the sound of trumpets, his head jerking upwards as his eyes opened. The morning sun that shone through a few grey clouds momentarily blinded him and it took the dwarf a moment to realize that the loud noise was coming from down where the camps lay. He frowned slightly, realizing that he must have fallen asleep during his watch. He shook his head silently and glanced down at the Amarok that still lay snuggled against him in his arms, though her eyes were open. Apparently, the trumpets had woken her, as well. Kili let go of Tarya as she untangled herself from his hold and together they got to their feet. Walking over to the broad bannister, they both braced their hands on the stone to peer out into the distance.

Kili watched with a frown as he saw a single runner hurrying along the narrow path up to the gate.

"A messenger," he muttered, earning only a small nod from Tarya as the man came to a halt in front of the front gate. It was at the same time that Kili could hear the rest of the company come up the stairs behind them to see what the commotion was about in the early morning hours.

"Hail Thorin and Company!" the messenger called up to them and Kili shortly glanced at his uncle as the dwarf-king stepped up beside him, looking down at the Lakeman. "I have been sent to ask whether you will now listen to another embassy, since new tidings have come to hand and matters have changed!"

"Ha," Thorin huffed quietly beside Kili so the man could not hear him and the young dwarf shortly caught a content look from his uncle. "That will be Dain! They will have got wind of his coming. I thought that would alter their mood!" And then Thorin raised his voice again, calling down to the man that was waiting patiently for an answer. "Bid them come few in number and unarmed, and I will listen!"

Kili felt a relieved smile tug on his lips as he heard that his uncle was willing to hear them out. Maybe Tarya was wrong with what she had said and Thorin was not really as affected by the gold sickness as she thought.

Though Kili wondered whether the coming of an army of dwarves had really changed the minds of men and elves so easily. With a shrug, he dismissed that thought after a moment. If it had, all the better, he thought.

He shortly glanced over his shoulder, finding his brother's gaze in the group. Fili nodded at him, arms crossed over his chest but looking rather content, too. Kili's smile stayed on his lips until he turned and caught sight of Tarya that was standing a few feet away now, her face set in a strange expression that Kili had never seen on her before. She bit her lip as she looked out over the wide stony field before the gate, her eyes trained on the camps down by the river. Kili frowned slightly, wondering what was worrying her so. He was about to go over to her when he suddenly saw Bilbo stepping up to her instead. The young dwarf frowned in slight confusion as the two stood together, exchanging a short look without saying anything. Maybe they were worried, Kili thought, as he turned away to join Fili who sent to sit on one side of the platform. Bilbo had always been a rather nervous little fellow, Kili thought as he sat down beside his brother, and Tarya had friend and family mingled between elves and men. It was understandable that she was rather worried what the outcome of this next confrontation might be. Especially considering how the last one went. Kili was quite sure that she didn't trust Thorin's judgment anymore, though he found that a bit exaggerated.

It was about midday when the banners of the Forest and the Lake could be seen again, carried by the Woodland elves and the Lakemen as they approached the mountain. The dwarves got up from where they had found various places to sit and gathered near the bannister again. There were fewer men than the day before, only about twenty this time. They laid down their swords and spears at the beginning of the path that led up to the gate and the dwarves watched with grim faces as the company of men and elves came to a halt before them.

As Kili got to his feet, he shortly glanced over to where Tarya was still standing with Bilbo a little aside from the rest of them. He frowned slightly at her odd behaviour, wondering why she kept herself at such a distance from him and the others, and why she hadn't spoken the whole day except to Bilbo. With a slightly uneasy feeling in his heart, Kili stepped up beside his uncle at the front of the company, Fili coming to stand by Thorin's other side as they had the day before. With a confused frown, Kili saw that Thranduil was still among the small company along with Bard, and behind them he could see a tall old man that he hadn't seen before, wrapped in cloak and hood. Kili could see that he was carrying a casket of iron-bound wood in his hands, and he shortly wondered what could possibly be in there that was so important to bring here. Couldn't he have left his luggage at the camps?

"Hail Thorin!" Bard called then and Kili's attention quickly focused on the more important things as he listened to the man. "Are you still of the same mind?"

"My mind does not change with the rising and setting of a few suns," Thorin answered haughtily. "Did you come to ask me idle questions? I see that the elf-host has still not departed as I bade! Until then you come in vain to bargain with me, Bard."

Bard shook his head slightly upon the dwarf-king's words, looking up at the company grimly. "Is there then nothing for which you would yield any of your gold?"

Kili refrained from shaking his head at the question. Thorin was as likely to give them a part of the treasure under these circumstances, as an oliphaunt was to fly. Thorin huffed beside him, confirming Kili's thoughts.

"Nothing that you or your friends have to offer."

"What of the Arkenstone of Thrain?" Bard said then, and at the same time the old man opened the casket he had been holding and held out the jewel for all of them to see. Gasps ran through the company of dwarves and Kili's eyes widened as he saw the light that leapt from the man's hands, bright and white in the morning as the rays of the sun reflected within the core of the gem. The young dwarf had only ever heard stories of the Arkenstone, and yet he immediately recognized it as what it was.

Thorin could only stare at the jewel, stricken dumb with amazement and confusion. No one spoke for a long while, a tense and uncomfortable silence settling over them, as the dwarf-king's brows drew together dangerously. It was Thorin that broke the silence at length, and his voice was thick with wrath as he spoke.

"That stone was my father's, and is mine. Why should I purchase my own?" Thorin growled, though he still couldn't understand how the jewel had found it's way to them. "How came you by the heirloom of my house – if there is need to ask such a question of thieves?"

"We are not thieves!" Bard answered quickly, his voice too calm for Kili's liking. How had they gotten hold of it? Thorin had had them all searching the whole mountain for the Arkenstone for the last days and they had not found a single trace of it. And now there it was in the possession of men and elves without any logical explanation. "Your own we will give back in return for our own!"

"How came you by it?!" Thorin shouted, rage lacing his voice as it boomed through the air like thunder. His fingers dug into the stone bannister almost painfully, turning his knuckles white, as Bard hesitated and he felt a wrathful growl rise in his throat. That was until a meek voice suddenly sounded from somewhere beside them and Thorin as well as Kili turned around to look at the hobbit as he spoke.

"I gave it to them!" Bilbo squeaked from where he was standing next to the Amarok and Thorin's eyes widened in complete shock for a moment before they narrowed at the small creature. Kili could only stare in disbelief as his uncle moved forward.

"You!" he yelled, turning upon Bilbo. Thorin reached the hobbit with two big steps, grasping him with both hands. Bilbo's face scrunched up in pain and fear, as the dwarf-king's hands dug into his shoulders before he shook him like a rabbit. "You! You miserable hobbit! YOU UNDERSIZED NASTY – BURGLAR!"

"Thorin!" Kili heard Tarya's outcry in the chaos that had erupted on the platform, as she tried to step in but the dwarf-king ignored her completely, as he did the cries of his companions. Thorin shook her off roughly as he shouted at the little hobbit.

"By the beard of Durin! I wish Gandalf were here! Curse him for his choice of you! May his beard wither for forcing such a deceitful thief upon me!"

Bilbo cried out in fear as Thorin suddenly lifted him in his arms in rage, moving towards the bannister. Kili felt his heart do a shocked thump in his chest as Thorin made to hurl the small creature through the air. "As for you I will throw you to the rocks, you disgusting rat!"

The dwarves could only watch in shock as the air was filled with Thorin's shouts and Bilbo's cries and Kili couldn't bring himself to move when suddenly, two things happened at once.

The old man down by the gate lifted his hood, revealing a familiar head of grey hair and a long beard beneath it. Kili heard Gandalf calling up to Thorin to stop and put the hobbit down but it was not as if the dwarf-king had a great choice, for at the same time that the wizard spoke, a sudden and strong bolt of pulsation flashed over the platform, throwing not only Thorin but also everyone else off balance. Kili stumbled backwards as the ground shook slightly, and watched as Thorin was forced to let go of Bilbo in order to hold his ground.

Kili's wide eyes found the source of the pulsation at the same time that Bilbo landed on his butt rather ungracefully.