Chapter 16: Taking Sides
The next morning Lily awoke to streams of sunshine pouring over her face. Her eyes fluttered open and she noticed a gentle swaying beneath her. As she looked around her she noticed she was inside a tent, and just outside the drapery she could see elves carrying the tent. How long had she been asleep? The sun seemed quite high in the sky already, when did the elves move out?
She sat up slowly, maneuvering around her belly to get comfortable. To her left was a small package of food waiting for her, and she happily ate and drank. Once she had finished she looked out of the tent at the landscape. She must have indeed been asleep long, for they were now already by the great lake, and she could see smoke rising high into the air. Lake Town had been burned down.
Soon the camp stopped just by the edge of the lake, and Lily's tent was gently lowered to the ground. She quickly stepped out and scouted about for Thranduil. She saw him conversing with two men, an elderly man in ragged shape, and a younger, handsome man. Thranduil turned and looked at Lily, motioning for her to join them.
"Lily, this is the mayor of Lake Town, and this is Bard, he has slain the dragon." Thranduil said addressing each at a time, "Gentlemen, this is the lady Lily of the house of Winters," He said placing a hand on her shoulder, before he continued, "And as of late, the new queen of the dwarf kingdom of Erebor..."
At this statement both men stared at her. The knowledge of her being of the house of Winters was already quite a big shock, as she noted from their faces, but when Thranduil advertised that she had married the dwarf king, it utterly threw them.
"You're married to Thorin?" Bard asked in a surprised voice.
"Yes, indeed I am. Why does that seem so surprising?" Lily asked defiantly.
"Well, he is a dwarf, and you are a daughter of man..." The mayor began, then noticing her heavily pregnant belly suddenly protruding out of her red cape, "And you are with child!" He said, his eyes wide. Lily did not like the way the mayor addressed her and looked at her.
Thranduil then stepped in, "Indeed, she bares the heir of Erebor, therefore she is under the strict care of the elves." He said calmly, looking at her with a gentle encouragement.
"Ah, I see..." Said the mayor, his maniacal brain trying to figure out an advantage to this situation. Bard remained quiet and merely observed Lily. Thranduil led the mayor away to discuss aid for the survivors leaving Bard and Lily alone. Lily turned to Bard,
"Why does my marriage to Thorin surprise you so, dragon slayer?" Lily asked poignantly.
"I do not find it surprising that a daughter of man would wed a dwarf, rather that someone is wed to Thorin. He seemed hard-headed and very focused on Erebor, one would think that he did not have room in his thoughts for anything else." Bard explained.
"Well indeed, he is wed, and I am she who wed him." Lily said proudly.
"Indeed." Bard said with a slight smile.
"When did you see him last?" Lily asked with a soft desperation.
"A few days before Smaug attacked. I'm sorry my lady, but I do not know if they are alive. We are sending a convoy today to look for survivors, you are welcome to join, although I think it would be best if you waited here for word." Bard explained.
"And why would that be best?" Lily asked warily.
"Because your ladyship might not like what she sees..." Bard said in a sad warning.
Lily swallowed hard as she looked into the kind eyes of Bard. She knew he only meant to protect her from seeing something she would not be able to bear, but she knew she could not bear waiting for news, it seemed all she did at that point was sit and wait, and it was killing her.
"I thank you for your concern, but I am determined to go with." Lily stated.
"Very well, my lady, I will inform Thranduil of your wish and we will make arrangements for you."
The small convoy of soldiers left that night, having set up provisions for the Lake Town folk. Lily's tent had been moved to the mountain as well, and the ride seemed to last forever, although it only took the swift elves a few hours. Upon arrival she was placed down gently, and she sprang out quickly into the dark. She walked around frantically, holding her belly and searching for Bard or Thranduil. Suddenly a hand grabbed her elbow, and she turned to find Bard,
"This way, my lady. We think they are alive, there is a barricade at the front door." Bard whispered as he led her forward. Soon they stood beside Thranduil and several officers at the foot of the mountain, and there was indeed a barricade at the front door.
Thranduil was the one to speak, "Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, are you and your company injured?"
Lily's breath caught in her throat as she waited to hear his voice, "No, we are all sound, and if you were wise, you would all leave." He yelled back in warning.
Lily felt as though she might cry with joy at the sound. Bard then continued on, seeing as how angry Thorin seemed towards Thranduil,
"We mean you no harm, we are here to provide aid. The dragon Smaug has been slain, and Lake Town is now in ruins. We will provide what little food and supplies we have in exchange for a portion of the riches within your mountain." Bard said as diplomatically as he could. An arrow whizzed through the air and landed at his feet in answer.
Lily looked at Thranduil with wide eyes and quickly stepped forward, Bard and Thranduil trying to stop her,
"THORIN!" She yelled as loudly as she could, "It's Lily! I've come back for you my love! Let us help you!" She begged. No sound came from the mountain,
"My love, all they ask is for a small share of the riches each to repair what Smaug had destroyed. They will make an alliance with you, help you restore Erebor as they restore Dale." Lily continued on, pleading.
"No." Thorin's deep voice echoed back, "They have done nothing to help us. The gold is mine! I am king under the mountain!" He bellowed back,
"And am I not your queen?" Lily yelled back. Silence followed, "How can you say they did not help you? Bard gave you supplies and horses, they cared for you in Lake Town. You cannot be so selfish!" Lily continued.
"I AM NOT SELFISH!" Thorin yelled back, "THIS IS MY RIGHT!" His voice filled with rage.
"What king speaks thus to his queen?" Bard asked, stepping forward and placing a hand on Lily's shoulder, "Come Lily, he will not negotiate, we will have to starve them out." He whispered to her, "Do not worry, we will be ready for them." He assured her.
With one last glance at the gate, Lily turned away with Bard and Thranduil, leaving for their small camp not far away. Lily's heart was heavy, Thorin had never spoken to her in such a way before, he seemed so different. Was what Elrond said true? Did he hate her for being in the company of Thranduil?
Thorin watched Lily retreat into the darkness in Thranduil and Bard's company, and his very heart ached with such a raw pain. Bard was right, what king speaks to his queen in such a manner? The moment she stepped forward he merely wanted to leap over the barrier and run to her. She was so far along now, he was sure she would go into labor that very moment, and he had to be there to bring their child into the world.
The very thing he feared most in his life had happened. The dragon sickness had taken hold, the very same that made his grandfather hoard the gold. He had let it take over, and push his queen away when she had come for him, just as she said she would. He slumped with his back towards the barrier, breathing heavily at the thought of his beloved being taken away again.
Bilbo watched Thorin in silence, and knew what he had to do to get the king to speak to his queen. That night, when it was Bilbo's watch, he slipped over the barrier and ran for the camp. He soon encountered Bard, and explained who he was, and that he needed to see Lily. Bard did not hesitate to escort him to Lily's tent.
Lily was so happy to see Bilbo that she began to weep, and grabbed him in a tender embrace.
"I was so worried!" Lily sobbed, "I was sure the dragon had gotten you all, and the thought brought me to my knees..." Lily trailed off.
"I've come with a plan, my lady, and this time it will work." Bilbo said confidently. He then pulled the Arkenstone out, and explained that he had found it in the treasure when Smaug had left for Lake Town. He knew Thorin was looking for it, as it signified his right to rule, as was ordained by his grandfather. Thranduil had joined them by this time, and was quite captivated by the Arkenstone. Bard had noticed Thranduil fixating on the jewel, and did not like it.
"The plan is, my lady, that you take this, and present it to him, make it a trade for a share of the wealth for the elves and men of Lake Town." Bilbo said, holding the sparkling jewel out to Lily.
"Agreed, you are the only one who can get him to listen." Bard said, nodding in affirmation. Thranduil too, had no choice but to consent.
After their meeting Bilbo slipped back over the barrier and waited until morning for the return of the negotiation party. True to form, they arrived just as the sun was over the horizon. Thorin stood waiting at the barrier, watching intently. To his surprise, neither Bard nor Thranduil stepped forward, but instead, it was Lily. His heart stopped.
"Thorin, my king, I come with a proposal. I will return to you the Arkenstone in exchange for the shares of the wealth that had been asked for yesterday." Lily said, bringing the Arkenstone into the light from under her crimson cape.
Thorin's eyes grew wide and his mouth opened, "How did you get this...?" He asked softly to himself. His mind raced for a few seconds before settling on the answer. He turned slowly and menacingly to Bilbo,
"You..." He snarled, "You gave it to them..." He loomed over Bilbo threateningly.
"Gave them what?" Bilbo asked, feigning confusion.
"DO NOT PLAY GAMES WITH ME!" Thorin bellowed at the hobbit, causing the other dwarves to step back in shock. Thorin noticed their slight retreat and was only more angered by the fact that he was being humiliated in front of his men. He lunged forward and grabbed the hobbit, throwing him over his shoulder as he climbed over the barrier and marched towards the negotiation party.
"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?" He bellowed, throwing Bilbo down at Lily's feet, causing her to bend down to tend to him, looking up at Thorin with scorn. "You have created a traitor amongst my very inner circle, and you have betrayed me to the elves!" Thorin spat at Lily, "You are no queen of mine!" He raged at her, his face flushing and his eyes ablaze.
"Thorin!" Lily cried out, "Why are you doing this? You are making this far worse than it is, just give them a small piece of the treasure, you will have enormous amounts left, and in return you will have your precious Arkenstone," Lily continued on, pausing before saying, "And you will never have to see me again." She finished in a soft tone.
The last words struck Thorin like a heavy blow, he took two steps back, looking at her with wide eyes of disbelief, "You have betrayed me to the elves, you hold my inheritance ransom, and now you will keep my heir from me. Is this what Gandalf intended you for?" Thorin said in a deep, gravely tone.
"You said yourself, I am no queen of yours." Lily said barely above a whisper. The words stung the king more than he had ever felt before. He looked at her for a long moment before turning and walking back to the barrier, as though he had just been stabbed. In a moment he disappeared over the edge and out of sight.
Lily turned and ran for her tent, tears streaming down her face, as her heart felt like it was tearing in two. Bilbo was lifted from the ground by Bard, checked over for injury, before being commanded,
"Go to her. Stay with her, it won't be long before the birth now, and I don't think she will leave the tent anymore." Bilbo nodded and went to join Lily. The shock of what had just happened left him drifting in confusion. All he could focus on was helping Lily, her child would be here soon. If only Thorin would let go of his love of gold, and remember his love for Lily. He threw one last glance back at the barrier before entering the tent.