A/N: And so we're almost to the battle. I've put it off as long as I could (lol!) but I didn't want to rush into it like the movie portrays. I hope the scenes I've created work; please let me know if they don't! We may be on the eve of battle but there are still several chapters left of my story so we're not to the end yet! I'm still listening to Brunuhville as I write; his music is fantastic! Check it out!
ro781727: I know. He warned them over and over about the danger they were going into and then he's not there to help. Frustrated me too!
Winter's Thunder: Thank you so much!
As always, only Rhae and the scenes I've created are mine. All the awesomeness belongs to Tolkien and PJ!
Whether Rhae's words had any affect or the elves just weren't planning on attacking right away, she was relieved that the next few days passed uneventfully. They could see the elves camped around Dale but they hadn't made any move towards the mountain. It was eerily calm. Ravens were sent out several times and though Rhae had no idea what messages they carried she knew exactly who the messages were for. The King Under the Mountain was conversing with his cousin Dain and from what Balin had told her, Thorin was usually the more reasonable of the two. Inside Erebor if they weren't in the treasure hall the dwarves were preparing for battle, sharpening and fixing weapons, trying on and cleaning armor, and spending hours in the training arenas. She remained on watch to allow the company the time to prepare as they saw fit. Thorin had explicitly forbid her from any of the training and while she knew he did it, in part, to protect their child, she also knew it was that possessiveness speaking. He actually thought he'd be able to keep her from the forthcoming battle. And so she sat for hours on the stone barricade, staring across the valley to Dale, trying to just empty her mind for a while. It wasn't working too well. She leaned back, laying a hand on her belly, a sigh escaping her lips.
"Oh my little one, things are more uncertain now than they've ever been. What does that mean for you?"
There was a shuffling of feet and Rhae glanced towards the stairs, not exactly in the mood for conversation - or another argument if it was Thorin. A blonde and brunette head appeared and she gave them a strained smile.
"We've come to keep you company, irak'amad," Kíli said, plopping down on the ground next to her. She smiled at the name; it was the first time he'd called her aunt.
"Shouldn't you two be down in the training halls?"
Fíli shrugged. "It's almost time for your watch to be over so we came early." Rhae could hear what he hadn't said, they had needed to get away from Thorin. She hated to think what this was doing to them, having to watch the only father figure they'd ever known spiral into madness.
"Anything going on out there?" Kíli asked, nodding his head towards Dale.
"Not a thing," she replied, tossing a pebble over the edge of the wall. "They just seem to be biding their time."
"Perhaps they've decided not to do anything," the younger prince mused.
"They'll come. Thranduil is just as pig-headed as your uncle."
Not wanting to think about Thorin, Fíli changed the subject. "Are you warm enough?"
"Aye. I'm fine. I'm quite accustomed to being outdoors in all weather."
"You once said you'd traveled all over Middle-Earth. Can you tell us about some of it? We've only seen the Blue Mountains and Dunland." She could hear the slight wistfulness in Kilí's voice.
"I've seen the ocean to the south, the hills of Rohan, the plains of Gondor."
"Is there truly a tiered city guarding its border?" Fíli wondered.
"There is. Minas Tirith is an awe-inspiring sight, its white stone rising seven levels above the grassland, each level one hundred feet tall." She allowed her mind to wander as she recalled the many places she'd traveled. "I've been down the Anduin, seen the mighty Argonath built by my distant ancestors. I've slept among the trees of Lorien and trudged through the snows of Forochel, visited the ruins of Annuminas and Fornost. I've even spied the deserts to our east."
Kíli looked a bit longingly at the horizon. "There's so much out there."
"Aye. There is indeed."
"You've seen so much; what has been your favorite? What was your favorite? What would you visit again?" Fíli asked.
She contemplated his question for a bit, a smile growing on her lips.
"There are a lot of marvelous sights in Middle-Earth but my favorite is a small campfire surrounded by thirteen dwarves, a hobbit, and a wizard, the smell of rabbit or venison stew wafting in the air." Kíli looked at her a bit puzzled but there was understanding on his brother's face. "If I could I'd return to those evenings or the mornings when I awoke to dew on my face and the sounds of grumbling from dwarves who didn't want to get up."
"I would return to those days as well," Fíli murmured. The two scooted closer to her, wrapping their arms around her. They knew the pain she was feeling as they were suffering through the same. They remained like that for a while, the three simply enjoying being in each others company, until it was time for Rhae to return to the King's chambers.
She was not surprised to find the rooms empty when she got there. After a quick bath she wrapped herself in the blankets from the bed and curled up before the fire. If she closed her eyes she could imagine herself back around those numerous campfires, the dwarves conversing amongst themselves, Gandalf and Bilbo puffing on their pipes. The memories hurt but she didn't bother trying to wipe away the tears that slid down her cheeks.
It was another dream though this one held none of the comfort of her others and she knew she would not be seeing either of her parents. Everything around her was gray and dead and she slowly realized she was before the mountain in the plains scorched by Smaug's fire. There didn't appear to be anything or anyone around though the air seemed to reek of smoke and blood and death. A feeling of helplessness and panic started to descend on her in the stifling, eerie quiet. She trudged through the dirt, her boots kicking up dust which was caught by the slight breeze she could feel on her exposed skin. Her eyes darted here and there on the look out for anything in the desolate landscape. Everything began to darken around her and she shivered, cold racing through her veins.
"Poor little Dunedain," a voice hissed in her head. "You are not as strong as you think." She whipped around, her hand automatically going to her hip but her sword was not strapped to her waist. There was nothing behind her and she spun, frantically searching for the source of the voice.
"You cannot save him or yourself," it continued.
"Who are you?" she yelled. She scanned the barren plain but still saw nothing.
"You know. You've felt it all along." Fear prickled at her spine and she tried to calm her breathing, not daring to voice her thoughts.
"Get out of my head!"
"Neither you nor your kind can stop what is coming. Soon, your world will be plunged into everlasting darkness and any who seek the light will only find their own nightmares staring back at them." There was a flash of fire to the south and she turned, stumbling when she saw the fiery eye on the horizon. It seemed to be watching her intently. She heard a sound at her feet and she glanced down, crying out when she saw the bodies strewn over the ground. They were everywhere.
"Rhaella," one of them cried out in a weak voice and she climbed over dead or dying dwarves to find whoever it was calling her name. Her toe hit armor and she looked down again, this time screaming out in horror as she looked upon Thorin lying in a pool of blood, his blue eyes staring at her unseeing.
"Rhae!"
Her eyes snapped open and she saw Thorin leaning over her, concern on his face. She bolted upright, throwing herself onto his chest. He was taken aback by her sudden movement but recovered quickly, putting his arms around her gently. She closed her eyes tight, breathing in his scent and soaking up the feel of his body against hers. Eventually her breathing returned to normal and he could feel her relax under his hands.
"Are you alright? When I returned I found you curled up on the floor, crying out in your sleep."
She shook her head slightly. "I don't know if I'm alright or not. I was standing before the mountain, everything was gray. I saw ... I saw ..."
"What?"
"HIM! I saw him, Thorin. He knows we're here. Something is coming. He said we wouldn't be able to defeat it. My mother said the same the other night."
"Rhae. You're making no sense. What do you mean your mother told you?"
"I saw her, in a dream a few nights ago. She didn't elaborate but she said something was coming and we would have to be strong to defeat it. And then ... He said the same, confident that we would fail."
He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "He who?"
She met his eyes with urgency in hers. "The Dark Lord ... Sauron," she whispered, afraid to utter his name. "There were bodies everywhere! I saw you, Thorin, laying there..." She couldn't go on, couldn't say what she'd seen as she was terrified saying the words would make it real. He pulled her to him again, rubbing her back soothingly.
"I am here, Rhae, I'm alright. We are safe in the mountain."
They sat there before the fire for awhile as he held her. His mind had been somewhat clear when he'd walked into the bedchamber and found her but the longer he sat in the silence, the more urgent the voice in his head became. He tried to push it back, tried to focus on the woman in his arms but the darkness slowly seeped back into his mind.
"You said something is coming?" She nodded against him. "We need to fortify the mountain. I will not let anyone or anything in to steal from me." Rhae froze at his words. When she could move she slowly sat up and looked him full in the face.
"If what I saw is true, there are more important things to concern ourselves with at the moment."
"What could be more important than safeguarding the treasure of my people?"
"How about the lives of everyone in Middle-Earth?" she snapped. "If that darkness returns we will all die."
"I must find the Arkenstone. It is worth more than all the treasure in this mountain. Once I have it, no one will be able to refute my claim to the throne."
"Refute your claim? Thorin, no one is going to question your right to the throne of Erebor. You are Thrain's son, Thror's grandson and everyone knows it. Why must you waste time looking for that blasted rock? If it's in this mountain as you claim, it will turn up in time."
"I will have the Arkenstone and will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it from me." She tried to suppress the shiver that spread through her at the sound of his voice. He had seemed almost like Thorin when she'd awoken but now ... now the King Under the Mountain was clearly in his place. "Dress yourself and come with me. The company is gathering in the armory."
Rhae followed him with a frown. If her father had seen her he'd have said she was pouting but she didn't care. Things should not be escalating to this. There was no need. Again she blamed Thranduil. If he hadn't pushed Bard into confronting and issuing an ultimatum to Thorin, they'd just be sitting here in Erebor waiting for ... well, she didn't know what exactly but they wouldn't be on the verge of a pointless battle over blasted gems! Blame also fell on her husband - or who her husband had become. He had given his word in Lake-Town and what was owed was not much. Without the dragon sickness clouding his reason it would have been paid, Bard would have had no reason to listen to the Elvenking, and they wouldn't be in this situation. They would be able to focus on what her dreams had meant which in her mind was much more important.
The company was already sorting through the armor, finding pieces that fit everyone. She stood back and watched, not in the mood to encourage this action, though she had to swallow a laugh as she saw Bofur trying to fit pieces on Bombur. The workmanship she saw was impressive even through the cobwebs and dust. A glint of silver caught her eye and she stepped up to something handing on the wall opposite where she'd been lounging. It was a breastplate, pauldrons, and gauntlets however they were much smaller than all the other armor she'd seen. A swipe of her hand revealed intricate runes and dwarven designs. There was a coat of chainmail hanging next to it as well. She wondered who this armor had been crafted for as it was extremely fine.
"Master Baggins, come here." Rhae turned to see Bilbo cautiously approaching Thorin who was holding what appeared to be a small chain mail shirt.
"You are going to need this," the dwarf king told him, holding it out for the hobbit, who eyed it uncertainly though he removed his coat. "This vest is made of silver steel - mithril it was called by my forbearers. No blade can pierce it." By this point the dwarves were also watching this exchange.
Bilbo finished wiggling into the shirt, looking down at himself skeptically. "I look absurd. I'm not a warrior, I'm a hobbit."
"It is a gift. A token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by." He started to smile however his gaze slid to the dwarves and it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. He took Bilbo's arm and dragged him to the side where Rhae had been standing.
"I have been blind. Now I begin to see. I am betrayed!" His voice was low but in earnest. The two with him frowned in confusion.
"Betrayed?" the hobbit asked.
"The Arkenstone." Concern flitted across Bilbo's face as Thorin took another step towards him and Rhae could've sworn he looked scared. "One of them has taken it. One of them is false."
Bilbo shifted on his feet a bit nervously. "Thorin, the quest is fulfilled. You've won the mountain. Is that not enough?"
"Betrayed by my own kin," Thorin continued as if the hobbit hadn't spoken. She looked at him in bemusement. Was she hearing him correctly? Was he truly doubting the loyalty of his kin? He had hinted at such days ago during that scene in the throne room but she had hoped it was just anger talking. It seemed that he was in deadly earnest.
"You think one of your family has found the Arkenstone?" she asked, incredulity in her voice.
"Found it and kept it from me in the hopes of usurping my rightful place," he growled low in his throat.
Bilbo shook his head. "No. You .. you made a promise ... to the people of Lake-Town. Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Rhae's honor? She was there, too, she gave her word as well."
Thorin looked at her with that desire in his eyes that frightened her. "It was nobly done, the action of a true queen." He turned back to the hobbit. "But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Lake-Town! This gold is ours - and ours alone. By my life I will not part with a single coin! Not ... one ... piece of it!" His voice took on that serpent like sound she had noticed the day they'd arrived in Erebor and she shrunk away from him. Bilbo looked after him as Thorin followed the dwarves from the armory, shock clear on his face. She put an arm around his shoulders and they began to slowly follow after the company, careful to keep their voices low.
"Are you alright, Bilbo?" she asked gently. The fellow was almost shaking.
"No - yes - I mean, I am fine but Thorin is not. He ... he sounded just like Smaug," he mumbled, fear in his voice.
"What do you mean?"
"When I was in here looking for the Arkenstone, Smaug said those exact words to me about the gold, that he would not part with a piece of it." He stared in the direction of the treasure hall. "There is a curse on that gold."
"I have never doubted that."
"He is going to go to war over trinkets," Bilbo said sadly.
She shook her head in hopelessness. "I wish I had comforting words for you, Bilbo, but I don't. I have no idea how to stop this madness or how to get through to Thorin. I wish Gandalf were here ..."
"Now you sound like me."
"When you're right, you're right."
"Are the two of you coming?" a voice called. Looking up they saw Thorin standing there waiting for them. She nodded at him and he spun on his heel to continue down the corridor.
"Come on," she urged. "I'm afraid all we can do at this point is try to stay near him and hope to pare back some of his rasher decisions."
Bilbo grimaced. "That isn't very reassuring."
Rhae was once again clothed according to her husband's orders. She had slipped into another dress Dori had altered for her, this time one wine-colored with an underdress of dark gray silk. Thorin also insisted that she wear the golden crown. She stared at her reflection for a moment after setting it on her head. It was the first time she'd ever worn it and she wasn't sure what to think about it under the present circumstances. Something was happening - or going to happen - that Thorin saw as important enough to want her dressed as a queen. As she moved through the quiet halls of Erebor worry began to grow inside. It felt like something was just waiting, waiting for a spark to ignite it, and once it did there would be no way of stopping it. The company was waiting before the barricade, dressed in their armor. She had to admit they looked rather imposing. Her heart almost stopped as her eyes fell on Thorin. Clad in golden armor, the heavy furred robe over it, and the raven crown of Erebor on his brow he was truly a magnificent sight. If it hadn't been for the darkness in his eyes she knew she would have felt extremely proud to be married to such a dwarf. The members of the company inclined their heads a bit at her approach and she knew it was a show of respect, not exactly a bow but an indication of their recognition of her position. It made her a bit uncomfortable. At their king's word they ascended the stairs to the platform, Thorin actually offering Rhae a hand.
As soon as she looked across the plain before the mountain she realized why he had insisted on the armor and her crown. The elven army was lined up ready for battle, the men of Lake-Town behind them. He had known they were all out there and had outfitted himself and his wife as King and Queen Under the Mountain for them all to see. A horse and what appeared to be a massive elk approached the broken bridge in front of the mountain. With a quick movement surprising for a dwarf, Thorin had drawn a bow and shot an arrow that stuck in the dirt in front of the elf and man. They halted in surprise.
"I will put the next one between your eyes!" Thorin yelled, drawing his bow again. Most of the company cheered at his words and waved their own weapons around. Rhae wanted to hit them all. At an almost imperceptible motion from Thranduil and in a seamless, fluid motion, several rows of elves had drawn their bows and had arrows pointing at the dwarves. The company, with the exception of Thorin and Rhae, ducked behind the stones for protection. The two glared at the Elvenking and from his place next to the elf Bard was amazed at the sight before him. He'd seen the female under several different circumstances but never had he seen her look so regal as she did standing next to her husband facing down Thranduil. The duo made quite a pair. He again wished the circumstances were different. The air was thick with tension until the elf raised a hand, his archers lowering their weapons. Rhae smirked a bit; did he think he could intimidate Thorin?
"We've come to tell you: payment of your debt has been offered and accepted," Thranduil drawled in that imperious tone the Ranger found so infuriating.
"What payment? I gave you nothing! You have nothing!"
"We have this," Bard called, reaching into his coat and pulling something out. Rhae felt Thorin jerk beside her and he lowered his bow. There were gasps of outrage from the company as they saw what the bargeman was holding up.
"They have the Arkenstone?" Kíli cried in disbelief. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house? That stone belongs to the king!" Rhae stared at the gem in shock, just as puzzled as the dwarves.
"And the king may have it - with our goodwill," Bard assured them, slipping the stone back in his coat. "But first he must honor his word." Rhae stared down at the man, wondering how he got that blasted gemstone, though she couldn't fault him for his tactic. He obviously knew how important that stone was to Thorin and Rhae had to agree with him: the dwarf king would probably give them what they asked for the return of the Arkenstone. Had he not said to her hours earlier that it was worth all the treasure in the mountain?
"They are taking us for fools," she heard Thorin muttering next to her. The rest of the dwarves were watching him, having heard his words as well. "This is a ruse, a filthy lie." He turned back to the two below him. "THE ARKENSTONE IS IN THIS MOUNTAIN! IT IS A TRICK!" While Thranduil didn't seem affected Bard jolted a bit at Thorin's bellow. Based on the reaction of the few dwarves who had actually seen the Arkenstone, Rhae was fully aware that what Bard held was genuine.
"It - it's no trick. The stone is real. I gave it to them," a quiet voice said behind them. Before Rhae could move she saw the worried expression that flashed between the two below her. That alone told her that the hobbit was speaking the truth. She squared her shoulders and turned to face the storm that had just exploded upon them. Thorin's face was a painful mix of betrayal and anger. He couldn't speak for a moment and everyone just stared at the hobbit in shock. Rhae didn't know what to think. Bilbo's intent was clear, to try and stop the battle that now seemed imminent, but she was suddenly terrified for the fellow.
"You..." Thorin breathed, disbelief clear in his voice.
"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." Without realizing it, Rhae took a small step towards the hobbit, her instincts screaming at her to protect him.
"Against your claim? Your claim? You have no claim over me you miserable rat!" Thorin yelled, throwing his bow to the ground and advancing on Bilbo.
"I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to but ..." The little fellow was shaking slightly but he didn't flinch away from the furious dwarf.
"But what, thief?"
"You are changed, Thorin!" His words broke over the company, freezing them where they stood. Up to this point no one had dared voice what they all knew. "The dwarf I met in Bag-End would never have gone back on his word! Would never have doubted his kin!"
"Do not speak to me of ... loyalty!" He turned to the company. "Throw him from the rampart!" Instead of obeying, the dwarves nearest Bilbo took a few steps away from him, clearly confused at what was happening or what they should do. Rhae could see the conflict in their eyes; Bilbo was a part of the company, a friend but, in their minds, he had taken something from their king. Her heart hurt for them all.
"DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Thorin screamed, shocked that no one had obeyed his order. He grabbed Fíli's arm but his nephew shook him off. "I will do it myself!" He lunged for Bilbo, stepping around where Rhae was trying to shield him, and grabbed the hobbit.
"CURSE YOU!"
"No!" Fíli and Rhae reached for Thorin, trying to free Bilbo from the king's grasp. As they struggled the rest of the dwarves leapt forward, trying to help Fíli and Rhae pull Thorin away from the hobbit. Somehow he still managed to get a grip on him and began shoving him over the rampart.
"Curse be the wizard that forced you on this company!" he growled.
"IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY BURGLAR..." a loud voice suddenly boomed over the plain. Rhae snapped around in shock to see Gandalf striding through the amassed armies. "Then please don't damage him. Return him to me. You're not making a very splendid figure as King Under the Mountain, are you, Thorin son of Thrain?" He stared down at Gandalf, the wizard's words trying to push their way through the fog in his mind. He released Bilbo and several of the company rushed over to help him up.
"Never again will I have dealings with wizards," Thorin grumbled, still watching Gandalf. "Or Shire-rats!" Bofur helped Bilbo throw a rope over the side of the wall, talking quietly to him.
"Go!" Rhae whispered urgently. He met her gaze a last time and then quickly clambered down. She watched until he was safely on the ground and hurrying to Gandalf before turning back to the mess she was now in the middle of.
"Are we resolved? The return of the Arkenstone for what was promised." Bard called out again.
Thorin began pacing back and forth on the rampart, breathing heavily, and glancing again and again to the hills in the distance. It was as if he was expecting something. Rhae's eyebrows came together as she realized he was constantly looking to the east - the direction of the Iron Hills. He was waiting for Dain.
"Give us your answer," Bard called up. "Will you have peace or war?" Rhae wanted to scream in frustration at everyone. This was so ridiculous and unnecessary! She pushed her way through the company to stand next to Thorin. He met her eyes and she wanted to cry. There was so much in those orbs that broke her heart - betrayal, anger, desperation. She remained silent, just looked at him pleadingly. He bowed his head, almost as if in defeat, and she felt a small sense of relief. It was quickly dashed as there was the sound of flapping wings and a black raven landed on the stone next to Thorin's shoulder. The king and messenger just stared at each other for a moment and then a hard sneer stretched across his lips as he turned back to Bard.
"I will have war!"
Revised/Edited April 2016