Sorry for the short chapter but it leaves off with the perfect cliffhanger to keep you all guessing. LOL Read, Review, Enjoy!

Chapter 40

"Difficult Decisions"

Dawn rose over the landscape as the golden Elf army stood before the gates of Erebor where the company of fourteen Dwarves and an Elf stood atop it. Thranduil approached riding his monstrous sized elk with Bard at his side riding his white stallion. Shortly after they emerged from the Elven ranks an arrow bounced off the pavement in front of Thranduil causing him to look up with a small sneer to see Torshar holding a bow notched with another arrow.

"She'll put the next one between your eyes." Thorin called out.

"We've come to tell you, payment of your debt has been offered… And accepted." The Mirkwood king stated calmly, causing Torshar's grip to loosen slightly thinking that Bilbo must have succeeded in getting the stone to Dale.

This confused Erebor's king, "What payment? I gave you nothing. You have nothing!" he shouted.

As Bard reached a hand into his coat the versifier tightened her string of her bow so Thorin would think she was still on his side even though she was one who concocted the whole thing but she faltered when the bargeman produced the Arkenstone from his pocket, "We have this."

Shock coursed through the company as the minstrel lowered her weapon and Kili shouted, "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house?! That stone belongs to the king!"

"The king may have it with our goodwill. But first… He must honor his word." The dragon slayer bargained as he tucked the jewel back into his coat. Silence fell upon the valley as no one dared move for fear of being attacked by the other.

Thorin spoke up after some time loud enough for the Dwarves to hear, "They're taking us for fools… This is a ruse… A filthy lie…" his volume then rose, "The Arkenstone is in this mountain, it is a trick!"

"It-It's no trick… The stone is real… I gave it to them." Bilbo said as he stepped out from Torshar's left side, gaining everyone's attention.

The versifier's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as she dropped her bow then grabbed the Hobbit's arms and whispered, "What are you doing here?!"

"You…?" Thorin asked heartbroken.

Bilbo gently placed Torshar behind him as he spoke once more, "I took it as my fourteenth share."

"You would steal from me?"

"Steal from you? No. No, I may be a burglar but I like to think I'm an honest one. I'm willing to let it stand against my claim."

The Dwarf king scoffed slightly, "Against your claim?" he sneered, "Your claim… You have no claim over me, miserable rat!"

"I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to but…"

"But what, thief?"

The Hobbit became a little enraged as Thorin spoke to him so maliciously, "You are changed, Thorin! The Dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word! Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin or forsake the woman he loves who is bearing his children!" Torshar quickly grabbed her friend's arm to quiet him before he could say another word.

Now, Thorin was angry, "Throw him from the rampart!" he ordered. When no one moved he grabbed Fili who fought his grip and pulled away, "I'll do it myself!" the sick Dwarf then took hold of the Hobbit by the front of his coat and dragged him to the edge.

"THORIN, NO!" the versifier cried and tried to pry an arm away but was unsuccessful.

Instead she was shoved into Calyr's arms as Thorin and Bilbo struggled, "Curse you! Curse the wizard that forced you upon this company!"

Suddenly a deep, resonating voice echoed, "If you don't like my burglar then please don't damage him! Return him to me!" Gandalf shouted as he emerged from the ranks below, "You're not making a very splendid figure as King Under the Mountain are Thorin, son of Thrain?"

Ever so slowly the cursed prince released the poor Hobbit, who quickly moved towards the rope that served as his getaway the night before, "Never again will I have dealings with wizards or Shire rats!"

As Bilbo scaled down the wall Bard called out, "Are we resolved? The return of the Arkenstone for what was promised?"

"Why should I buy back that which is rightfully mine?!" the king retorted.

Scoffing, Thranduil turned to the bargeman, "Keep the stone, sell it. Ekthilian of Gondor will give you a good price for it."

This gained a rise out of the Dwarf above, "I will kill you! ON MY OATH, I WILL KILL YOU ALL!"

"Your oath means nothing!" the Elf shouted back then sighed annoyed, "I've heard enough."

The wizard was not going to give up just yet, "Thorin lay down your arms. Open these doors. This treasure will be your death." He pleaded.

Balin, who had stayed silent through all of this insanity gently took his friend's arm, "Thorin… We cannot with this fight…"

"Give us your answer. Will you have peace… Or war?" Bard asked with baited breath.

Thorin looked down for a moment, feeling defeated, until a raven landed beside him on the rampart and cawed, causing him to look up. Upon seeing the feathered creature, a fire ignited in his belly and he answered, "I will have war…"

Deciding to take no more, Torshar wretched herself from Calyr's grip and took hold of Thorin's arm, "Thorin, if you do this then you will bring nothing but death, destruction, and despair upon all of Middle Earth, and for what?! The blind ambition of a Mountain King?!" she shouted and glared.

Something snapped in that moment and Thorin grabbed the versifier by the throat with lightening speed, "I have had enough of you, WHORE!" he screamed, lifted her higher allowing her to dangle over the rampart before tossing her like a bag of garbage.

"TORSHAR!" her name was shouted by Thranduil, Bard, Bilbo, Gandalf, and the entire company as her eyes filled with tears and continued to gaze at the man she loved as the pavement below began to creep closer.