Chapter 18: A Thief in the Night
Now the days passed slowly and wearily. Many of the dwarves spent their time piling and ordering the treasure; and now Thorin spoke of the Arkenstone and the Arkenstone alone, and bade them eagerly to look for it in every corner. A deep lust filled his eyes as the king surveyed the gold and wealth before them, but he also looked rather ill. His skin became tinted gray; he ate and slept little.
Bella was also doing poorly. The guilt over hiding the Arkenstone from Thorin ate at her every minute of the passing days, and it had even caused her to throw up several times in the mornings upon her awakening. The fact that Thorin cared little over the fact that she was ill sent up red flags, not only to her, but some of the company as well; at least, only those who weren't afflicted by the sickness upon the gold. Those few were Balin, Kili, Fili, and Bofur. The rest had succumbed to a less severe version of the dragon-sickness.
"For the Arkenstone of my father," Thorin said, "is worth more than all the treasure within this Mountain, and is beyond price. That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it."
Bella heard these words and grew afraid; wondering what would happen if Thorin found out that she had had the stone this entire time. All the same she did not speak of it, for as the weariness of the days grew heavier, the beginnings of a plan had come into her head.
Things had gone on like this for some time, when the ravens brought news that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves, hurrying from the Iron Hills, were now within about two days' march of Dale, coming from the North-East.
"But they cannot reach the Mountain unmarked," said the raven, "and I fear lest there be battle in the valley. I do not call this counsel good. Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain? Winter and snow is hastening behind them. How shall you be fed without the friendship and goodwill of the lands about you? The treasure is likely to be your death, though the dragon is no more!"
But Thorin was not moved. "Winter and snow will bite both men and elves," he said, "and they may find their dwellings in the waste grievous to here. With my friends behind them and winter upon them, they will perhaps be in softer mood to parley with."
That night Bella made up her mind. The sky was black and moonless. As soon as it was full dark, she went to a corner of an inner chamber just within the gate and drew from her bundle a rope, and also the Arkenstone wrapped in a rag. Then she climbed to the top of the wall. Only Bombur was there, for it was his turn to watch, and the dwarves kept only one watchman at a time.
"It is mighty cold!" said Bombur. "I wish we could have a fire up here as they have in the camp."
"It is warm enough inside," said Bella.
"I daresay; but I am bound here till midnight," grumbled the fat dwarf. "A sorry business altogether. Not that I venture to disagree with Thorin."
"I will take your turn for you, Bombur," she said. "There is no sleep in me tonight."
"You are a good lass, Ms. Baggins, and I will gladly take your offer."
As soon as Bombur had gone, Bella put on her ring, fastened her rope, slipped down over the wall, and was gone. She had about five hours before her. Bombur would sleep and all the others were busy with Thorin. It was unlikely that any would come out on the wall until it was their turn.
It was very dark and the road was strange to her. At last she came to a bend where she had to cross the water, if she was to make for the camp, as she wished. The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad, and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit. She was nearly across when she missed her footing and fell into the cold water with a splash. She had barely scrabbled out on the far bank, shivering and spluttering, when up came elves in the gloom with bright lanterns and searched for the cause of the noise.
"That was no fish!" one said. "There is a spy about. Hide your lights! They will help him more than us, if it that queer little creature that is said to be their servant!"
"Servant, indeed," snorted Bella; and in the middle of her snort she sneezed loudly, and the elves immediately gathered towards the sound.
"Let's have a light, gentlemen," she said. "I am here, if you want me!" She slipped off her ring, and popped out from behind a rock.
They seized her quickly, in spite of their surprise. "Who are you? Are you the dwarves' hobbit? What are you doing? How did you get so far past our sentinels?" they asked one after the other.
"I am Ms. Bella Baggins," she answered, "companion of Thorin, if you want to know. I know you king well by sight and even in friendship. I demand to be taken to King Thranduil and Bard immediately!"
"What be your business?" asked one of the elves.
"Whatever it is, it's my own, my good elves. I do not think Thranduil will be pleased for you keeping me from his company. I do believe he will be rather cross."
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That is how it came about that some two hours after Bella had escaped from the Gate, she was sitting beside a warm fire in front of a large tent, and there sat to both the Elvenking and Bard. Thranduil had been pleased when she was brought to him, and treated her like an old friend, and she greatly approved of Bard as well.
"Really you know," said Bella, "things are impossible! Personally I am tired of the whole affair, and I desperately wish for Thorin and the others to return to their normal selves. This dragon-sickness is exhausting and heart-crushing to witness. But I have an interest in this manner – one fourteenth share to be precise. Have you heard of Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills?"
"We have, a long time ago; but what has he got to do with us?" asked the king.
"I thought as much. I see I have some information that you have not received. Dain, I may tell you, is now less that two days' march off, and has at least five hundred dwarves with him – a good many of them have had experience in the dreadful dwarf and goblin wards, of which you have no doubt heard. When they arrive there may be serious trouble."
"Why do you tell us this? Are you betraying your friends, or are you threatening us?" asked Bard grimly.
"My dear Bard!" squeaked Bella. "Don't be so hasty1 I never met such suspicious folk. I am merely trying to avoid trouble for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer!"
"Let us hear it."
"You may see it," said Bella. "It is this!" and she drew forth the Arkenstone, and threw away the wrapping.
The Elvenking stood up in shock. "The King's jewel," he murmured.
"This is the Arkenstone of Thrain," said Bella, "the heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin." She winced as she said this, not going unnoticed by Thranduil. "He values it above all else. I give it to you to aid in your bargaining."
Reaching over, she gave the tainted jewel to Bard, who gazed at it in wonder. "But how is this yours to give?" he asked.
"O well!" said the hobbit uncomfortably. "It isn't exactly; but I will let it stand against my claim, don't you know. I may be a burglar, but I like to believe I am an honest one. Anyway, I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful."
"No!" Thranduil said quickly. "I doubt Thorin will see this act of kindness as such. I must request you remain with us, and here you shall be welcomed, honored, and protected."
Bella smiled softly at the king. "Thank you, king Thranduil, I am honored. However, my duty lies with my king. I shall not abandon him during these rough times, and I feel that war is upon us. I will fight alongside him, whether he wishes me to or not."
Nothing they could say would stop her, so an escort was provided for her, and as she went both the king and Bard saluted her with honor. As they went through the camp, an old man wrapped in a dark cloak rose from a tent and came towards them.
"Well done! Ms. Baggins!" he said, clapping Bella on the back. "There is always more about you that anyone expects!" It was Gandalf.
For the first time in many a day Bella was really delighted. But there was no time for all the questions that she immediately wished to ask.
"All in good time!" said Gandalf. "Things are drawing towards the end now, unless I am mistaken. There is an unpleasant time just in front of you; but keep your heart up! You may come through all right. There is news brewing that even the ravens have not heard. Good night!"
Puzzled but cheered, Bella was about to continue on when she spotted Thranduil on a giant elk galloping towards her. Confused, she looked up at his terrifying animal as the King dismounted in front of her. "My apologies, but I wished to discuss something quick with you."
"Alright," Bella said, wishing to know what the king wanted.
"You'll have to forgive me for being blunt," he said as he kneeled down in front of her. "But elves have the ability to see things that many cannot. I noticed it as you left the tent. You are pregnant."
Bella froze. Her blood turned to ice and all the air left her lungs. Mouth gaping like a fish, a million thoughts began to race around her head. How was that possible? She'd only ever done that once, and with Thorin. That meant he was the father! Oh Mahal, this was not good. Not good at all. Of course, deep down she was pleased, but she knew Thorin would not be.
"I think it would be wise to remain here with us, but since I know that you will not, I advise you to not tell Thorin about the child until after all of this chaos has passed," Thranduil said softly.
Bella nodded slowly, still trapped in a daze before she was led back to the Gate. Carefully, she climbed carefully back up the rope with great weariness. She untied it and hid it, and then she sat down on the wall and wondered anxiously about what she was to do now. Ending up pregnant before a war? She knew not to get her hopes up. More than likely she would miscarry the child within the next several days.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.