First things first: I'm sorry guys, if you've waited for the last Chapter so long! It seemed as if encountered some problems last night and this morning as well and somehow the Chapter wouldn't upload properly. I'm glad they fixed it though and I hope I can upload this Chapter without any delay or strange error messages.
As Gaming Girl said: shit's going down. And because I'm mean, it'll go down in two different ways to add a little to the tension. And I'm still hoping that nobody will hate me for it *ducks and runs*
Anyways, thank you lovelies for your reviews and enjoy the next Chapter!
Days and nights passed by at a frightening speed. While the Dwarves were busy with battle preparations, prepping their weapons once more and going through maps of the surrounding area to determine points of attack and defence, Bilbo felt like he was slowly choking and dying a horrible death. Though Erebor was vast, bigger than any city he had ever seen, he felt trapped and imprisoned and he craved nothing more than sunshine and the feeling of grass underneath his feet. He often wandered through the deserted corridors and streets, wondering if it would have been any different if there was actually life within those large halls, voices sounding through the streets and burning lights and the buzzing of many. Erebor, to him, had begun to feel like a graveyard and the closer the inevitable battle dawned, the more did Bilbo fear that for many of his new found friends, Erebor would prove to be an early grave indeed.
He had tried to stick close to Fíli and Kíli, waiting for comfort and their heart-warming smiles to chase off the fear and nightmares but ever since Thranduil's army had set camp at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo could not recognise Fíli any more. The youngster spent day and night with the council of his uncle, taking part in the battle discussions and he had quickly become the leading strategist of this battle, very much to Thorin's delight. Every time Bilbo tried to speak to him, Fíli would brush him off, saying he was busy and he'd scurry off to another part of this never-ending dark city. One night he caught Fíli down in the forge, bend over the blades of his swords, carefully engraving Dwarven runes into the dark, firm metal. One soon read ôyùpur, which Balin translated as 'pride' for Bilbo and the other read gond which meant 'vow' and thus Fíli's weapons finally had their own names, for they had already served in battle and would serve him until his dying days.
Thorin watched the changes in his oldest nephew with contentment but seemed more and more concerned for Kíli, for the younger brother grew unusually quiet. It was not fear that bothered the youngster. Not once did anyone doubt that Kíli would have the heart and courage to step out this front Gate and face the Elves in battle, quite the opposite. It was his brother that concerned him. Fíli would still sit with him and they would laugh and chat and speak of all the pranks they could play once everyone had travelled back to Erebor but the carefreeness that Fíli had carried with him throughout this journey had vanished. And slowly, Kíli began to feel that his brother was going somewhere, where he could not follow. Not yet, not now. And maybe he was even going somewhere, Kíli did not even want to go.
The youngster refused to name his sword, he refused to study maps and listen to battle discussions. Instead he often retreated to his mother's old rooms and sat there on his own, playing the golden harp they had found, Fíli's instrument lying quiet beside him. It broke Bilbo's heart to see him like this and he tried to comfort him as well as he could. After all, they were both terribly afraid. Though they feared different things.
"If only there was a way to avoid this war", Kíli muttered one day and Bilbo did not know what to respond to that. His brain had picked up work unnoticed though and as the days passed by and Thranduil's Elves slowly started to grow weary, a plan formed in the Hobbit's head.
One night he sat on one of the upper balconies by himself, once again shut out from another battle council and he vacantly played with the jewel he had found in the Hall of Thráin amongst all the piles of gold. He didn't hear the steps approaching and flinched badly, when someone settled down by his side.
It was Kíli, curiously glimpsing at the stone in the Hobbit's hands.
"What's that?" he asked, snatching the jewel from Bilbo but before he even had a chance to reply, Kíli's eyes grew big like saucers. "By Mahal", he mumbled, staring at the treasure in his hands. "You've found it!"
"It? What is it?" the Hobbit inquired, believing that he had found some ordinary jewel that only shimmered particularly beautiful.
"This, my dear Master Boggins-"
"Baggins."
"I know, let me tease you. This is the Arkenstone", Kíli held it against the bright moonlight and the jewel broke the light and reflected it on the polished walls of Erebor, making it glisten like a beautiful yet terrifying rainbow.
"What's that supposed to be?"
"The Arkenstone is the greatest treasure of Erebor. It was discovered hundreds of years ago by my forefather Thráin the First."
"Thorin's father?" Bilbo asked, getting confused over all the names and generations again.
"No", Kíli chuckled. "Way before that. They polished the jewel and it was declared the King's Jewel, the Heart of the Mountain. It is an heirloom to my family ever since and it went lost when Smaug attacked Erebor. I didn't think I would ever see it."
The youngster examined the diamond curiously and mesmerized and it only dawned then on Bilbo, that he had found the treasure of all treasures. He suddenly grew incredibly anxious and worried, since he had kept it from Thorin for so long.
"Your uncle has been looking for this, hasn't he?"
"Feverishly", Kíli grinned. "The Arkenstone belongs in its rightful place in the backrest of the King's Throne. It's been sitting there ever since Thorin was born. I remember, that when we set off from the Blue Mountains, he said 'That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it!'."
Kíli chuckled at his imitation of Thorin, turning the Arkenstone in his hands and watching the changing colours, while Bilbo went pale and nervously shifted on his spot.
"So, you think he will- you know- avenge himself on me?" he quietly asked, his voice quivering a little.
"Huh? On you?" Kíli laughed. "No worries Bilbo, I'm sure if you gave it to him, saying you didn't know what it was, he'll be fine and not hold a grudge."
Relieved, the Hobbit slumped back on his place, watching the glistening jewel. And out of nowhere, the idea crept back into his mind that had haunted him for quite a while. If this jewel was so valuable to Thorin, maybe one could bargain with it. He carefully took it back from Kíli, turning it his own hands, his face stern and his eyes focussed.
"Bilbo? Is everything alright?" the youngster asked, a little worried about the sudden frosty atmosphere that had spread on the balcony.
"So Thorin would do anything for this jewel?" the Hobbit asked and Kíli was surprised by the tone in his voice.
"Pretty much", he replied. "Why?"
"Even call off a battle and maybe fulfil certain claims, though unjustified they might be?"
"You're scaring me, Master Hobbit", Kíli smiled nervously. "What are you implying?"
Deep in his heart, the Hobbit knew that his plan was unjust and dirty beyond compare. Thorin did not deserve such treatment, he knew but he could not see any good outcome of a battle that was based on hurt pride alone. There was no reasoning with the King under the Mountain anymore, Bilbo knew for sure, for Balin had tried countless time and every time had been to no avail. But maybe, one could convince Thranduil to call off the battle if only he had something valuable enough to bribe Thorin with. After all, the share of the treasure that Thranduil requested should mean nothing to the Dwarven King and the only reason for Thorin to withhold it was the pride of Durin that, as Bilbo had learned plenty of times, was not easily broken.
"There is something I need to do. I need to do it quickly, possibly tonight even", Bilbo murmured quietly and the young Dwarf by his side looked at him with concern in his eyes.
"Nothing reckless I hope. You're only small after all."
"Look, if Thranduil had a weapon powerful enough to avoid this battle without any bloodshed, what would you think about that? You're uncle would live, nobody would risk their lives and one could part as rivals. But living rivals."
"That would be dreamy", Kíli said, looking up at the moon, a small smile playing on his lips. "But it's useless Bilbo, such a weapon does not exist."
"Oh but it does", the Hobbit began to play with the Arkenstone once more.
Kíli watched the jewel, then Bilbo's face and when it dawned on him, his heart began to race in his chest. The Halfling was right; any battle would be avoided if Thranduil could force peace onto Thorin with the help of the Arkenstone. It was unfair, Kíli understood that much but at least his uncle would be safe, lives spared and bloodshed avoided. He glimpsed at Bilbo again and a plan began to form in his head and when he started grinning, the Hobbit returned the smirk.
Many hours later, when most of the company were already fast asleep, Kíli stood waiting by the Gate. The Dwarves had carved a smaller door in one of the massive Gates for them to easily pass through one after the other, without having to move the entire huge black thing. That door stood a little ajar and single snowflakes occasionally danced into the Halls of Erebor, melting quickly under the heat of Kíli's torch. He was wrapped in his cloak against the cold and he was waiting patiently. Hours passed by and the sky crew lighter until it was soaked in a cold, glistening grey.
A sudden push against the door made the youngster jump and he smiled relieved, when Bilbo took off the ring and stuffed it back into his pocket. He was wrapped in a thick fur brimmed cloak, his cheeks, nose and toes red from the cold. He smiled contently and Kíli returned the smile, when they heard footsteps approaching.
Down the stairs came Fíli, already dressed and wide awake and he froze on the last step when he noticed his brother and Bilbo, both wrapped in cloaks, standing by the door.
"What have you been up to again?" he asked, sounding quite cheerful. He could tell from the look on his brother's face that Kíli had been up to mischief again, of course pulling poor Bilbo along and for a moment he felt a sting of jealousy in his chest, for usually Kíli carried out all mischief with him.
"Nothing", Kíli whistled innocently.
"Oh come on now", Fíli crossed his arms before his chest, looking very much like a younger and blond version of Thorin. "You've done something crackbrained again, haven't you?"
Still he sounded curious and happy and Kíli immediately felt himself lured into the love and undying trust to his brother again. He grinned and slowly approached Fíli. When Bilbo noticed what Kíli was up to, he quickly tried to grab his cloak and stop him but it was too late. Panic shone in the Hobbit's eyes.
"Kíli-" but the youngster wasn't listening anymore.
"We're saving your sorry asses", he declared proud, meeting his brother's doubting gaze.
"Are you? Hear ye, hear ye, and how might you do that?"
"It's a perfect plan! Thranduil now has something to give to Thorin in return for a small part of the treasure."
Fíli's face fell, unnoticed by Kíli and Bilbo realised that it was all too late now.
"What did you give him?" the elder asked.
"Something precious Bilbo had found by chance", Kíli beamed. "The Arkenstone."
He waited for words of appraisal, possibly one or two questions but surely his brother would recognise that the plan was bound to work. The expression on Fíli's face though was unreadable. His features looked like a blank mask, no emotion showing in his blue eyes anymore. Kíli smiled at his brother and the smile slowly faded after a long moment of silence.
"Brilliant, isn't it? That way we can avoid all bloodshed!" the younger brother exclaimed happily but then took some careful steps back. "Fíli?"
"How could you do this?" the prince whispered, too shocked to speak loudly.
"What do you mean?" Kíli's smile became crooked and insecure. "We won't have to go into battle this way."
"You went behind Thorin's back and offered the enemy the one thing he had desired the most. The only one thing he had desired. And you know that."
"It's for the best!" Kíli tried to defend himself but to no avail. "Once Thranduil hands him the stone again, all will be well."
"Nothing will be well!" Fíli suddenly thundered and the Hobbit jumped. "You have betrayed Thorin, Kíli! By giving the Arkenstone to this despicable Elf, you have betrayed your uncle and your King! Are you even aware of that?!"
Kíli shrunk under the harsh words of his brother.
"But- I- I thought-"
"I don't care what you thought! This is unforgivable, Kíli! It's reckless and stupid!"
"Oh come on now! As if you haven't screwed up before!"
"I have!" Fíli admitted easily. Too easily for Kíli's liking. "I have and I know now that I have. And it won't happen again! I've learned my lesson Kíli and I thought you had too after all that has happened in those past months! But it seems I was wrong."
"What are you saying?" the anger had suddenly disappeared from Kíli's face, replaced by terror and fear.
"I've moved on from this. The pranks, the carelessness, don't you see that we can't go on like this?" Fíli had the most hurt expression on his face and it broke Bilbo's heart to see him like this, remembering the joyful youngster he had first encountered when they had left the Shire. "Get a grip for Mahal's sake, this is not a bloody game anymore. You betray your King, acting like it was a casual thing to do but it's not. It's the worst thing you could have done!"
"But-", Kíli was close to tears. "But it will be fine again. It's always fine in the end, isn't it? You and I, we will go through this together and Thorin will understand and all will be well, you'll see."
"You and I?"
"Of course! It's always been you and I, it will always be you and I!"
"Would you betray me like this?"
"What?" Kíli stared at his brother bewildered. "Why would you- no! Of course not! You're my brother!"
"And I'll be your King one day, yet you could easily betray him", Fíli muttered, pain and disappointment in his eyes. "I can't do this anymore, Kíli. I have to grow up."
"Fíli, don't-", Kíli's voice broke.
"You're alone in this, little brother. I'm not helping you anymore."
When Fíli turned his back on his brother, disappearing to the Hall of Thrór, Kíli sank on his knees. Disbelief played in his eyes, pain, frustration and despair. He believed in their plan. He really did. He believed firmly that they had done the right thing but usually the right thing always involved his brother.
Never had there been a moment when Fíli had not been by Kíli's side, supporting him in his mischief or at least saving him when he had overdone it again. Thorin, Dwalin and Dáin, those had been legends for Kíli but his one true hero had always been his brother, protecting him from all the harm in the world. One smile from Fíli had been enough to make everything better.
And now he sat on the polished floor of Erebor, watching his brother's back and the broad shoulders disappear behind the archway to the Hall and his words rang in his head. Never before had Fíli looked at him like this. Never before had he abandoned him. And it felt like a large chunk had been ripped from Kíli's heart, too big to be mended and he would slowly bleed to death until nothing but an empty shell remained. His entire body hurt. It was the worst pain he had ever felt in his entire life and no poppy seed could cure it.
Bilbo carefully approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Kíli I- I'm sorry. He's your brother, he still loves you! I'm sure he'll regret his words soon", he tried to console the Dwarf but Kíli gently brushed his hand off and got up.
"You need not worry, Master Baggins. I won't hold a grudge at you for this. It's my fault after all", he looked at the empty archway. "You don't need to comfort me, I had it coming I suppose. I'll be fine on my own."
Kíli smiled at him and it was this smile that broke Bilbo's heart in thousand little pieces. For it was fake and it did not fit the gentle, carefree youngster at all.
"I'll be fine", he assured Bilbo once more before he disappeared up the stairs, leaving the desperate Hobbit in the Hall on his own. And once again Bilbo regretted that he had joined this quest in the first place, for all he caused was pain and worry.