"Wait! Please, wait! You would go to war over a handful of gems?" Bard asks shocked as Thranduil revealed his reason for being there. I look on from the sidelines, staying silent. "The heirlooms of my people are not lightly forsaken." the Elf lord states. "We are allies in this. My people also have a claim upon the riches in that mountain! Let me speak with Thorin!" Bard reasons. "You would try to reason with a dwarf?" Thranduil retorts, spite resonating in his voice. "To avoid war? Yes!"
I chose this moment to step forward, making all attention turn to me as it's easy to do so. I found that I stood out amongst these people. "Let me come with you." I say to Bard. "I hold a responsibility towards that company. I do not want to risk a fight if it can be settled with talk. I believe I have earned their trust, so let me help negotiate." I say, making them look down at me sceptically. Eventually they agreed to let me come.
As I mount a horse, Thranduil stops me for a moment. "Where is my son?" he asks rather sternly. I guess it makes sense he would ask me, for we left together. He most likely is aware of this fact.
"I am afraid I have no knowledge of his whereabouts. He was well when I saw him the day before. I'm sorry I don't have a satisfying answer." I tell him. He narrows his eyes a little, but asks no more. "We will speak further when you come back. See that you do." he says, warning me not to flee. I can only nod in response before rushing off after Bard. Legolas' father sure is an imposing figure.
Soon we come upon the looming blockade that is placed at the entrance of the famous mountain. Dismounting, we walk forward, looking up at the faces of the dwarfs and Bilbo. "Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard speaks up, attempting at creating a feeling of goodwill.
"Why do come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin growls out from the other side. "Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole." Bard counters. "Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." "My lord - We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with us?" Bard practically begs.
For a moment, all is silent as Thorin leaves his place on the wall. "I'm listening." sounds his voice from the other side of the blockade. There is a gap there from which we can just see his face.
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honour your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives." Bard starts. "I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door." Thorin interrupts. "That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms." Bard warns him.
The warning is taken the wrong way by the Prince. "Your threats do not sway me." "What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help. And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!" Bard says angrily. "When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" "A bargain was struck!" "A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragonslayer…" Thorin begins as I watch on the painfully obvious development of their conversation. "...Why should I honor such terms?" "Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?" Bard says, striking a chord.
Thorin leaves our sight and after a moment he calls out: "Be gone, ere arrow fly!" Bard growls in frustration, slapping the rock blocking him from the stubborn dwarf before stalking off briskly. I on the other hand have not had my say and will be sure to do so before I leave.
"Thorin! Are you really this foolish?! How can you turn your back on people in need like that? Does every act of kindness from you need something in return?" I ask him, knowing he can hear me.
"Leave here woman! Do not speak of things you do not know! Besides, I will not listen to reason coming from a traitor!" he calls back, making me frown. Sounds of protest sound from the top of the wall. "How dare you?! Have I not proven myself to you yet? I thought I counted as a friend." I say, feeling angry. "Then you are mistaken." he says bluntly.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down before I do something I will regret. "I know we haven't always gotten along well, but that you will think so lowly of me... I don't know what has happened to you Thorin, but this is unlike you. I do hope you will snap out of it soon before it's too late. I will not be able to help you anymore if you take this path." I tell him before turning around and walking away towards the lonely horse.
As I mount, I glance back at the entrance, seeing the heads of the dwarfs at the top of the blockade, along with a hobbit's. "Be safe my friends." I say, saluting them before trotting off, not missing the looks on their faces. Balin and Dwalin especially seems to be having a hard time.
I wish I did not have to leave them and would be able to help them, but if Thorin won't have me, there is not much I can do. I doubt I will be able to change Thranduil's mind in any way and I fear the worst for the company.
When I reach Dale, I find myself unable to look at anyone, knowing I have failed in what I set out to do. They mustn't think much of me after this, if they did at all. "It is fruitless to reason with them; they understand only one thing." Thranduil says. "We attack at dawn! Are you with us?" he asks, turning to Bard, who nods reluctantly. I know that this is not what he wants, but in order for these people to survive, he is left little choice. I will not stop them, but I will not aid them either. Honestly, I feel at a loss of what to do.