Wheep, new chapter! Sorry for last chapter's cliffhanger :D

Akilah Swiftblade: Put that fish away! You'll see what happens in this chapter :D

Hiding in the Shadow: Did Tarya do something? Well, of course, she did. You'll see :D

kaia: Yes, I had to leave it there because I just love reading your reactions after cliffhangers xD And Dain has his first appearance in this chapter and he'll be there for the next one as well, so I hope you'll like that :D

Adalyn: Thank you very much! I've been trying to build up a bit of nervous apprehension these last few chapters, so I'm glad you can feel that :D

Thanks also to bleeding-roses-16, Dalonega Noquisi, Aryabloodlust and Teshka for your reviews! I loved reading them!

And to those who followed and favorited! It is highly appreciated!

Well, now… Let me just say that we are finally approaching the BoFA (oh god. yes, it's happening. durin help me!). So, just so you're prepared, there is only one chapter left before it starts, so… yeah. Get ready xD

But until then, I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter and leave me your thoughts if you do! :)

Tarya was standing near one end of the balcony, her breathing heavy and her fists clenched tightly at her sides as she tried to regain her composure. She'd had no control over the pulsation that had shaken the floor; it had rushed through her veins and sprung out of her before she even knew what was happening. The only thing she had known for certain was that Thorin was going to throw Bilbo over the edge of the balcony and that something had to be done. Her powers existed to protect the ones she loved, Tarya knew by now, and so she had protected Bilbo without even really knowing how, instinctively, because he was her friend and Thorin was endangering his safety.

And now she was standing there, eyes wide as she watched Thorin regain his balance, his eyes finding her amongst the dwarves who were all staring at her in shock. Tarya couldn't bring herself to look at anyone but Thorin. She had practically attacked him just now, and even though she had only meant well, she was sure that if she had been in trouble before, the dwarf-king would be furious with her now.

"You!" Thorin growled and Tarya took a step back as he seemed to make for her. She could feel her instincts urge her to defend herself but she suppressed this feeling as the dwarf-king was cut short in his movement by Gandalf's voice that rang loudly up to them.

"Stay!" the wizard called. "Your wish is granted! Gandalf is here, and none too soon it seems. If you don't like my Burglar, please do not damage him. Leave him alone, and listen first to what he has to say."

Tarya took a deep breath as Thorin's dark gaze rested on her while the wizard spoke, and she swallowed tightly as she returned it, standing tall under his dangerous scowl.

"It seems you are all in league!" Thorin said, looking at her as if she were a mere scrap of dirt before tearing away his gaze and sending Bilbo a disgusted look. "Never again will I have dealings with any wizard or his friends. What have you to say, you descendant of rats?"

Tarya looked at Bilbo who was scrambling to his feet, brushing some dirt off his trousers. She felt her heart go out to the hobbit as he kept his gaze lowered for a few more seconds, seemingly gathering the courage to look the fuming dwarf-king in the eyes. And when he finally did, he straightened his shoulders, keeping his face even as Thorin glared at him.

"I am sure this is all very uncomfortable," he started and Tarya's eyebrows rose upon this understatement. Bilbo seemed to realize that his choice of words had not been the best, as well, and quickly continued, clearing his throat.

"We are not all in league, as you would like to believe. Tarya had nothing to do with all of this," he said, sending the Amarok a short glance that told her to keep quiet and let him speak. Tarya felt guilty letting him take the blame, knowing that it was wrong, but Bilbo continued before she could say anything. "She was merely trying to protect me just now, I think. Do not blame her for something she had no part in just because she is my friend. It was me who gave the Arkenstone to Bard and the elves. You may remember saying that I might choose my own fourteenth share?"

Tarya saw Thorin's fists clench at his sides as Bilbo continued, seeming to grow more confident in his speech.

"Perhaps I took it too literally – I have been told that dwarves are sometimes politer in word than in deed, though I refused to believe it until now. The time was, all the same, when you seemed to think that I had been of some service. Descendant of rats, indeed! Is this all the service of you and your family that I was promised, Thorin? I have been of more service to you on this journey than was possibly agreed on in our contract and you would do well not to dismiss that so easily. Take it that I have disposed of my share as I wished, and let it go at that!"

Tarya held her breath, feeling her throat go dry as she watched the scene before her with a heavy heart. She could see Thorin's jaw clench as he nodded grimly, and she wanted to step in, go to Bilbo's side and defend him against the wrath of the dwarf-king. But as she took a step forward, she could suddenly feel a strong hand wrap around her forearm and holding her back at the same time that Bilbo shot her another look that told her to stay out of it. Tarya looked down at the hand that was wrapped around her arm before she glanced up at the dwarf that was holding her, staring into Dwalin's grim face. The bald warrior didn't look at her, just kept his grip tight around her arm as Thorin finally spoke again.

"I will," the dwarf-king growled. "And I will let you go at that – and may we never meet again!" With that, he turned away from the hobbit, dismissing him as nothing more than a lowly thief and traitor as he spoke over the bannister to the people below. "It was rightly guessed that I could not forbear to redeem the Arkenstone, for it is the treasure of my house and the heart of my people. I will give one fourteenth share of the treasure for it in silver and gold. That shall be the promised share of this traitor, and with that reward he shall depart, and you can divide it amongst yourselves, as you will. He will get little enough, I doubt not."

"Take him, if you wish him to live. No friendship of mine goes with him." Thorin spoke and Tarya struggled slightly against Dwalin's hold as the dwarf-king turned towards Bilbo once more who was standing a few feet away where he had left him, looking smaller than ever. "Get down now to your friends! Or by Mahal, I will throw you down!"

Bilbo just nodded. "What about the gold and silver?"

"That shall follow after, as can be arranged," Thorin growled. "Now get down before I forget myself."

The hobbit lowered his gaze and stepped up to the bannister as Ori came forward from the group, handing him piece of rope that was held by him, his two brothers and Bofur. Bilbo took it with a small askew smile that did not reach his sad eyes. It was then that Tarya freed herself from Dwalin's grip, roughly shaking his hand off and stepping forward until she had reached the hobbit.

"Bilbo!" she breathed, her throat dry as he turned to look at her. Tarya ignored Thorin's disapproving glare as she reached her arms out, hugging the hobbit fiercely.

"I am so sorry," she whispered into his curly brown hair, feeling him hugging her back just as tightly. "You don't have to do this alone."

"Yes, I do." Bilbo murmured quietly, sniffling slightly as he pulled back from their embrace. Tarya felt her eyes sting with unshed tears as the hobbit shot a short look over her shoulder to where Thorin was standing behind her, arms crossed over his broad chest, glaring at his former burglar. "You still have a place here, and this is where you belong. I would not want to take that away from you, though I am grateful for your friendship."

The hobbit sighed deeply, shortly squeezing her shoulder, and Tarya pressed her lips together as her friend stepped away from her and gripped the rope tightly in his hands.

"Farewell, Tarya. May we meet again," Bilbo said with a small smile, and with that he was swung down the wall, and departed with nothing more than the thin mithril armour that Thorin had already given him days before. Tarya stepped up to the bannister, bracing her hands against it as she watched him reach the ground and walking over to the gathered people. Gandalf greeted him with a warm smile before the hobbit turned to the mountain once more.

"Farewell!" he cried to them. "We may meet again as friends!"

Tarya shortly glanced around the company, seeing pity and shame mirroring on the faces of more than one dwarf as they watched him go. Only Thorin's expression was stoic and dark, his jaw clenched tightly as he called out to the hobbit.

"Be off! You have mail upon you, which was made by my folk and is too good for you. It cannot be pierced by arrows; but if you do not hasten, I will sting your miserable feet! So be swift!"

Tarya felt guilt well up in her stomach as she listened to Thorin's harsh words. Bilbo did not deserve his entire wrath, and all this disdain. She had been a part of this, as well, and she should be down there now, together with Bilbo, taking the responsibility for what they had done. Her thoughts, however, were halted as she suddenly caught Kili's gaze from where he was standing on the other side of the gathered company. His expression was inscrutable, various feelings mirroring in his eyes as he looked at her.

Tarya held his gaze as Bard called out from down below, telling Thorin that they would give him time until tomorrow and then come back to see if he had brought the portion that was to be set against the stone from the hoard of treasure. If it would be done without deceit, they would depart and the elf-host would go back to the forest. Tarya paid only little attention to their words as she watched them turn and go back to the camp. Most of her companions were slowly turning away as well now, one after another going back inside the mountain, though no one spoke much. Tarya stayed where she was, her gaze still set on the distant camps. She could feel Thorin's dark gaze on her, though she refused to look at him until he turned away and followed the others back inside.

"I take it you are not coming just yet," Fili muttered from where he was standing beside his brother, both of them looking at the Amarok that was standing by the bannister on her own, looking out into the lands with an unreadable expression on her youthful face.

Kili shook his head slightly in reply to his brother's statement and Fili nodded in understanding. Tarya and Bilbo had always been good friends. Seeing Bilbo banished by their uncle had not been easy for any of them, Fili thought, but at least, most of the dwarves could understand where Thorin's wrath was coming from. Bilbo had stolen the Arkenstone and given it to their supposed enemies. And even though Fili knew that the hobbit had only meant to help, he had still betrayed their trust. As for Tarya, this was different, for she had no connection to the treasure whatsoever, she didn't care for gold or silver, and neither did she care for the Arkenstone. Tarya cared for people, and always did what she thought was the right thing. So it did not surprise Fili that she did not judge Bilbo as harshly as the rest of them when it came to his betrayal.

"I will wait inside," the blond dwarf said quietly to his little brother who simply nodded, sending him a small smile before Fili turned and moved down the stairs, leaving Kili alone with Tarya on the platform.

The brunet dwarf hesitated a moment before he slowly walked up to the Amarok that still stood motionless by the stone bannister. Tarya didn't even seem to notice him when he came to stand next to her, following her gaze down to the camps of the men and elves. The camps where Bilbo was now.

"He was only trying to help," she eventually muttered, causing Kili to look at her in surprise. Tarya's gaze was still set in the distance but apparently her mind was not as absent as he had initially thought. Kili sighed quietly upon her words.

"That might be true," he said. "But it does not excuse what he has done."

Kili saw Tarya press her lips together, her eyes shortly closing as she shook her head. "He did not have a choice," she murmured. "Thorin would have started battle rather than give them anything. You know their claims were reasonable and just, Kili. They needed something to trade or else this would have gone on forever. Giving them the Arkenstone was the only way for them to get what they rightfully deserve."

The brunet dwarf frowned upon her words, turning slightly so his side was leaning against the stone bannister as he looked at her, his arms crossing loosely over his chest. It was a few moments until Tarya turned her head to return his gaze and it was then that Kili suddenly recognized the expression that had mirrored in her eyes ever since the trumpets had rung in the morning.

"You knew," he breathed, his eyes widening in disbelief as Tarya slightly lowered her gaze. Kili felt his stomach twist in a strange manner, feeling as if someone had punched him in the gut. He pushed himself away from the bannister, staring down at the woman before him. "That's why you said he didn't have to do this alone, because you knew all along!"

Tarya just nodded in reply and the young dwarf felt his jaw clench in sudden anger. "Last night, when I asked you where he was going, you lied to me, didn't you?"

"I could not have told you the truth," Tarya tried to explain but Kili cut her off heatedly.

"How could you do this?" he hissed, his voice low as he took a step towards her. Tarya shrunk slightly beneath his glare as he raised one large hand and pointed his finger at her. "You betrayed us! You lied to me!"

"I did what was right." Tarya stated, now raising her gaze to look him in the eyes. "Thorin was too tangled up in dragon sickness to acknowledge Bard's claims. To give them something to trade was the only way to prevent this from ultimately turning into a war, Kili."

Kili shook his head; even though he knew her words were not entirely untrue. "You could have told me," he growled, clenching his hands into fists as she shot him a sad look.

"No, I couldn't," Tarya replied, her voice soft but Kili tried to ignore it. He was angry with her, shocked and disappointed. But there was still the small part in his mind that was saying that her words held truth, and that he was not right to judge her as harshly as this. "You are loyal to your uncle, Kili. I know that. Even though you two have been arguing the last few days, you would have told him if you knew that Bilbo had found the Arkenstone. And you would have stopped him from giving it to the Lakemen."

Kili couldn't deny that this was true, but it was no excuse. She should not have gotten involved in the hobbit's plan in the first place, he thought grimly. The dwarf released a deep breath, trying to calm down as he ran his hands through his hair. "You should not have done this," he ground out. "What am I supposed to do now?"

The young dwarf felt his shoulders slump as the Amarok before him gave him a small, almost comforting smile. "You will do what you think is right, as I did what I thought was right," she said kindly, not seeming to be at all upset that he had found out, or about what he might do now. She understood that he was angry, and she accepted it without complaint and without trying to give an excuse for what she did. "I supported Bilbo with his plan knowing exactly what I was doing and I would have taken the blame with him today had it not been for Bilbo himself telling me repeatedly that I shouldn't."

Kili's brows drew together as she looked up at him earnestly, her golden eyes reflecting every emotion that passed through her for him to see. He could see nothing but sincerity in her gaze, though there was a small part of remorse swirling in her bright orbs as well. But Kili knew that she did not regret giving out the Arkenstone, but merely that she had lied to them and not taken the blame together with Bilbo as she undoubtedly thought would have been right.

"I will gladly take responsibility for my actions should you decide to tell Thorin about this," she said seriously and Kili knew that she meant it. He ran his fingers over his face, shaking his head as he threw his arms in the air in a desperate manner.

"But I do not want you to take the blame, Tarya!" he growled, his voice a bit too loud. "If I tell uncle about this, he will throw you down this wall with his bare hands, if not worse! I do not want that! But I didn't want you to lie to me, either! I didn't want you to betray us like you have!"

Tarya sighed deeply, inclining her head as he stared at her intently. She looked up at him from underneath her lashes, her gaze soft and understanding. "I know," she muttered. "But you have to understand that I did not do it in bad faith. I was merely trying to help, as was Bilbo."

"I always thought you were on our side," Kili said, trying to calm his voice down again. "That you were one of us, and then you go and throw away the one thing that my people values above all else."

"I did not throw it away. I let Bilbo give it to Bard as a piece of trade," Tarya replied quietly, cautiously taking a step closer to him. Kili didn't move away as her hand gently touched his arm. "And I am one of you, as far as allegiance goes. But I could not stand for the injustice that Thorin treated the Lakemen with. Something had to be done to make him listen, and to give them what they deserve, even if it meant to go against the will of the company."

"Uncle would have kept his word," Kili replied with a stubborn shake of his head, sending his beloved a disappointed look. "He would have given them a share of the treasure after the elf-host had been dismissed to the forest. Thorin keeps his word, always."

"How can you be so sure about that?" Tarya asked quietly and Kili shortly lowered his gaze. Sure, Thorin had been very gloomy lately, and very intent on the treasure and the Arkenstone. But Kili was sure that had Bard done what his uncle had asked of him, Thorin would have been willing to have a parley with him. However, his trail of thoughts was abruptly cut short as the very centre of their conversation came up the stairs onto the platform.

Thorin stopped shortly as he saw them, standing close together at the bannister. A disapproving shadow ghosted over his face, though he didn't say anything, and Kili realized that he probably thought that they were up here to have some romantic privacy. Little did he know what they had actually been talking about. Kili watched with a small frown as Thorin walked up to the bannister himself, holding a small piece of parchment in his hand. It was a few seconds later that the flapping sound of wings could be heard and Kili turned his head as a large raven landed on the stone bannister right before Thorin.

"Roäc," Thorin greeted the bird. "I would ask you to bring this message to my cousin Dain. By now, he should be in a two days distance of the mountain at the most. Bid him to make haste."

The raven grasped the paper in one of its claws, tilting its head as it looked up at the dwarf-king before it took off again, and Kili followed its dark form in the sky with his eyes until it was out of sight. Only then did he turn to his uncle who was already walking back to the stairs again.

"What message did you send to Dain?" he asked cautiously, slightly raising his eyebrows as Thorin looked at him over his shoulder. The dwarf-king shot his nephew a small smile, that was meant to be reassuring but seemed rather manic to Kili.

"I am telling him of what has happened today, and that the Arkenstone is in the hands of men and elves at the moment. If he makes haste, I am thinking the dwarven host could overthrow them in a surprise strike. We could take back the Arkenstone without having to compensate it with any gold or silver. And once our forces shield the mountain and all its entrances, they will not have a chance to get even a glimpse at the treasure."

Kili could only stare blankly at his uncle for a few seconds, his words ringing in his ears. "But you have promised them that you would recompense them in return for the Arkenstone. And with that this argument would be settled."

"It will be settled, Kili," Thorin answered coolly. "One way or another."

And with that he turned away and descended the stairs. Kili's thoughts were whirling in his head as he watched his uncle go, and for a long while he was unable to look at the Amarok that was still standing before him. She was right, he suddenly had to realize, Thorin was not in his right mind. He was blinded by greed and was ready to start a battle over something that could easily be settled without one. It was after another long moment that Tarya finally spoke up again, her voice quiet and soft as she looked up at him.

"I ask you again," she murmured compassionately as Kili returned her gaze hesitantly. "How can you be so sure?"

A deep sigh left the brunet dwarf's throat then and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I am not," he breathed, his jaw tense as he clenched his teeth together.

Tarya just looked at him searchingly for a moment before she cautiously took another step towards him, and Kili released a deep breath as her body connected with his and her arms slowly wrapped around his middle. He hesitated a moment before he finally brought his arms up, one wrapping around her shoulders as the other encircled her waist. He pressed her against him lightly, lowering his head so he could bury his face in her hair. Kili shortly closed his eyes as he breathed in her familiar sweet scent. He still felt disappointed that she had not told him the truth about giving the Arkenstone to Bard, but he now understood why she had done it. Thorin would not have kept his word, and even now that he had made a deal with the Lakemen and the elves, he was still trying to cheat them out of it, even if it meant using arms.

Kili would not tell Thorin that Tarya had been part of Bilbo's plan. It would only fuel his anger towards her more, and would ultimately drive him to banish her as well. And if she were forced to leave them, Kili would be forced to stay. The young dwarf could not bear even the thought of losing her, not like this, not ever, and so he just held her a bit closer. He would get over the disappointment with time, Kili knew. She had only meant well, he knew, Tarya always meant well.

This day passed and the night, and as the moon started to disappear in the sky to give way to a new morning sun, Arkin was awakened by the sound of hundreds of heavy footsteps. The grey wolf lifted his head from his paws, gazing out into the still dark lands. He had found a place to sleep beneath a few big bushes near the camps, close by the river that came down from the mountain.

The wolf could hear the footsteps of a host approaching, and after a while he could see the dwarven army from the Iron Hills was approaching fast in the distance. Hundreds of dwarves were coming towards them in a powerful pace, each one of them clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to their knees. They were carrying large packs, along with heavy weapons, mattocks along with broad swords and shields slung on their backs. A low growl left the old Amarok's throat as he got to his feet, stepping out of the shadows of the bushes around him as he made his way away from the river and towards the camps. These dwarves did not look as if they were coming in peace, he thought grimly.

Arkin had never really paid much heed to the business of either men or dwarves, not even elves even though he had been living with them for over a century. But it seemed that his life had taken a rather drastic turn, as had his priorities, ever since he had met his daughter. Tarya had somehow managed to awaken something in him that he had thought lost for a long time. His will to fight for something. Only two months ago, Arkin would not have cared about a possible battle between three different races, but now that his own daughter was in the middle of this whole chaos, he could not just turn his back and walk away.

The grey wolf trotted through the camp, keeping in the shadows even though he had no reason to hide here. The elves all knew with whom he belonged and the men of the lake, even though curious about him, were leaving him alone mostly because of Bard. The Lakeman knew what relationship Arkin had with Tarya and he was not about to let anyone try and do something to his friend's father.

It was when Arkin reached the large tent where Thranduil and Legolas resided that he heard voices coming from within. Quickly, he rounded the tent and walked through the entrance, effectively interrupting Bard as he spoke.

"Should they not give us the share tomorrow, we will have no choice but to –"

Arkin huffed slightly as Bard trailed off upon seeing him, and the wolf turned to look at the Elvenking as his voice rang through the tent.

"Arkin, my friend," Thranduil spoke as he got to his feet, and the grey wolf rumbled friendly. Ever since Arkin had reunited with him and the elves upon the banks of the Long Lake almost two weeks ago, the mood between them had slowly started to normalize again. Thranduil had not been pleased about his decision to stay with Tarya and the dwarves, having heard it from his son after he had returned from his orc hunt with Tauriel. But Thranduil had had to accept that Arkin made his own decisions. Amaroks chose whom they were loyal to, and as Arkin had pledged his allegiance to the Elvenking a long time ago, Tarya had chosen to give hers to a pack of dwarves. And though Arkin would always be loyal to Thranduil, a part of him also belonged to his daughter and he would protect her no matter what. That was what had driven him to stay with her in Laketown and after a while, Thranduil had come to understand and accept this, though he was not entirely happy about it.

"What is it?" Thranduil asked then, ripping the wolf out of his thoughts. Arkin looked up and growled lowly, jerking his head in the direction of the river where the dwarves were fast approaching. Thranduil understood almost immediately. "It seems we should expect some company."

And as if on cue, trumpets suddenly rang through the camp and called men and elves to arms. Arkin followed Bard as he rushed out of the tent to meet the dwarves. Behind him was the hobbit that Arkin had seen in Mirkwood once before, right before he had let him and Tarya escape. The grey wolf followed the two down to the river where now indeed were many dwarves gathered, and they laid down their arms and held up their hands in sign of peace.

"I am Dain, son of Nain," said one with a long bushy beard that was plaited neatly and tucked into his belt. "We are hastening to our kinsmen in the Mountain, since we learn that the kingdom of old is renewed. But who are you that sit in the plain as foes before defended walls?"

Arkin suppressed a snort. What the dwarf was saying so politely simply meant, 'You have no business here. We are going on, so make way or we shall fight you.' You could say much about dwarves, thought the wolf almost in amusement, but they really were a vigorous people. But Bard was not about to let them pass, for he wanted to wait until they had received the gold and silver that Thorin had promised. And so the dwarves were held at bay until the morning had arrived and Bard sent out two messengers to Erebor's gate to see whether the dwarves had paid. But there was no silver or gold, and the messengers came hurrying back, telling them that arrows had come flying down at them instead. And now Dain and his men were advancing along the eastern bank while in the camp all was astir as if for battle.

"Fools!" growled Bard as he paced through the tent that they used for council. Gandalf was there, as were Thranduil and Legolas. Arkin was sitting near the hobbit that had settled on a small bench, both of them following the discussion quietly. "They do not understand war above ground, whatever they may know of battle in the mines. We have many archers and spearmen now hidden in the rocks upon their right flank. Dwarf-mail may be good, but they will soon be put to test. Let us set on them now from both sides, before they are fully rested and make an attack!"

"I would rather wait longer before I begin this war for gold," replied Thranduil calmly. "The dwarves cannot pass us, unless we will, or do anything that we cannot mark. Let us hope for something that will bring reconciliation still. Our advantage in numbers will be enough if in the end it must come to battle."

Arkin grumbled quietly in agreement to the Elvenking's words but Bard was not convinced.

"The time for reconciliation has long passed," he said. "We have given him more time than was possibly reasonable, and still Thorin refuses to hand out a part of the treasure. Even now that we have the Arkenstone to trade. What could possibly bring reconciliation now?"

"The Amarok is still up there with them," the Elvenking muttered and Gandalf cleared his throat quietly, nodding at the elf as Arkin thought about how his daughter was faring up there on her own. He was not sure if it was right to put all their hopes on her, for after all she was merely one in a company of fourteen. Arkin doubted that there was much she could do.

"That is true," the wizard said. "Tarya has a keen mind and a pure heart, she might yet be able to reason with Thorin."

"She has tried already," Bilbo suddenly spoke and Arkin turned his head to look at the hobbit as he wrung his hands in his lap. "But Thorin is adamant in his ways. He would not listen to her."

Gandalf sighed deeply upon the hobbit's words, shaking his head in defeat. "Well then," he muttered. "Let's still hope that the dwarves will come to their senses ere it is too late."

Bard was about to reply something when suddenly, loud cries could be heard within the camp and they quickly rushed out of the tent as bows twanged and arrows whistled. The dwarves had sprung silently forward to attack while they were debating, forcing a battle upon them that they had been trying to evade. Arkin rushed to the hobbit's side, flanking him as to protect him from any attack. Bilbo had his little sword drawn, but Arkin doubted that this would help him much.

The wolf growled from deep within his chest as he watched Dain's men approach, swords and axes drawn. But the wolf's growl died in his throat as a sudden darkness overcame the sky with a frightening swiftness. Arkin looked up in confusion and watched with wide eyes as a black cloud hurried over the sky. Thunder rolled through the air as a wild wind picked up, and lighting lit the sky. Arkin felt his fur stand on end and his muscles tensed as he saw another blackness whirling forward. But it did not come with the wind; it came from the North like a vast cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings. It was only at second glance that Arkin realized that it was not in fact birds but a mass of bats that darkened the sky.

"HALT!" cried Gandalf then, who suddenly appeared between the advancing dwarves and the ranks of men and elves awaiting them. "Halt! Dread has come upon you all!"

Arkin turned his head hesitantly away from the advancing darkness, feeling his stomach twist as he looked at the wizard that had his arms lifted, light flashing from his staff like lighting. "Alas! It has come more swiftly than I guessed. The orcs of the North are coming! Azog and his son Bolg are leading them here, riding on wolves as goblins and wargs follow on their heels!"

Arkin felt a dangerous growl escape his throat upon the name of the Pale Orc, remembering very well what Tarya had told him. He was the one that wore Kauni's fur like a rug around his abhorrent body. The wolf shot another look into the distance, eyes narrowing and fangs bared at the approaching army.

Shock and confusion had fallen over them all upon Gandalf's words, and even the dwarves were now standing still, looking at the wizard. Even as he had been speaking, the darkness had grown even more, as if the sky was warning them of what was to come.

"Come!" Gandalf called. "There is yet time for council. Let Dain son of Nain come to us!"

Arkin glanced at the familiar grim-looking dwarf that came forth, before he shot a lingering look up to the Lonely Mountain that loomed still and dark over them. What only had they gotten themselves into?