Chapter XVIII
"This is an ill time for war", Eruanna paced around her grandfather's tent whilst he sat leisurely in a chair. "Ceveniel needs at least another day to recover."
"What of Naurion and Sûlion?", asked Thranduil.
"They're doing better. I just hope they're ready for battle. But if I know anything about them, they're always itching for a good fight", Eruanna said. "Even sometimes I find it hard to control them."
"We stayed at Imladris for some time during this journey", Eruanna said.
"Oh? So your daeradar Elrond knows about this... quest", Thranduil asked. "What are his thoughts?"
"He had his doubts. Probably still does. Why wouldn't he? Thorin has succumbed to the Dragon Sickness as we feared. His pride will be his downfall", Eruanna responded, pacing in front of the King. Thranduil sat on his throne and considered her words.
"We can't get grandmother's gems. Not now, unless you wish to massacre all those dwarves", Eruanna said.
"You care for them", Thranduil said.
"I care for my people", Eruanna said. "I won't have them die over gold. Nor would you, I'd wager, after fighting in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. And yes, some of the dwarves are still kind. I do not wish to admit it but I'd hate to see them die."
"Why did Mithrandir want you on this quest?", Thranduil asked.
"Mayhaps he hoped that by having an elf on this quest he could end the blood feud between our races. But some things just cannot be forgotten", Eruanna responded. Just then, she felt a presence nearby and noticed Bard.
"I can see you there, Bard. If you have something to say, you can come in here and say it", she said.
"There is a visitor seeking you both. A wizard...", Bard responded.
"He is more than welcome to meet us here", Eruanna said. Bard moved aside as Gandalf stepped in. "You come now, when tensions are high?", Eruanna demanded, angry with the wise wizard.
"Forgive me, my lady. I had something to attend to", Gandalf said. "It was an urgent matter. I fear we are on the brink of war against a common enemy." Eruanna's blue eyes widened.
"I must speak with your grandfather in private", Gandalf declared. "Whatever you have to say to him, you will say in my presence", Eruanna said. Being the descendant of powerful elves, Gandalf knew it was unwise to refuse her.
Gandalf turned to Thranduil and Bard. "You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves. War is coming. The cesspits of Dol Guldur have been emptied. You're all in mortal danger", he cautioned. "What are you talking about?", asked a deeply concerned Bard.
"I can see you know nothing of wizards", Thranduil got up from his chair. "They are like winter thunder on a wild wind on a wild wind breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm is just a storm", he took a glass of wine and handed it to Bard before going to pour one for himself when Eruanna stopped him. "Put the wine down. You drink enough of it as it is." Thranduil grunted and put the wine away whilst Bard smirked.
"Not this time", Gandalf urged. "Armies of orcs are on the move. These are fighters, they have been bred for war. Our enemy has summoned his full strength."
"Why show his hand now?", Thranduil asked.
"Because we forced him. We forced him when Thorin Oakenshield and his company set out to reclaim the Mountain", Gandalf said.
"An endeavor you insisted they undertake. So, who exactly forced the enemy's hand?", Eruanna questioned.
"Which brings us to this", Thranduil faced Mithrandir. "How dare you drag my granddaughter in your schemes?"
"Listen to what I am telling you. The dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor, Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His Master seeks control of the Mountain. These are the gates to reclaiming Angmar in the North. If that fell Kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lórien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall."
Pointing out that her people wouldn't fall and that she had dragons seemed callose to Eruanna so she said nothing. The prospect of Angmar rising again terrified her and left her uncertain about what was to come. Sure, her people could take ship for Valinor, but to abandon Middle-Earth in its greatest hour of need seemed cruel to her, as she very much cherished the land she was born in.
"These orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir", Thranduil said. "Where are they?"
Night fell, and Eruanna began to feel Gandalf's frustration. Her paternal grandfather was a stubborn man and Eruanna knew it. "Since when has my council counted for so little, what do you think I'm trying to do?", Gandalf asked, frustrated.
"I think you're trying to save your dwarvish friends and I admire your loyalty to them but it does not dissuade me from my course", my grandfather said. "You started this Mithrandir, you will forgive me if I finish it."
Eruanna came inside the tent to see Thranduil giving orders to kill anything that moved on the mountain. "The dwarves are out of time", he said. Gandalf left with a huff, leaving grandfather and granddaughter alone.
"You don't approve, Úlumiel?", Thranduil asked Eruanna.
"I do not think it is wise to waste such a valuable army on grandmother's gems", Eruanna said. "As much as I wish they were returned to us, as much as I know about the love you both shared, I also know my grandmother was a sensible person. She would not want blood to be spent on her jewels when we'll be forced to spend on something else more dire."
"More dire?", he questioned. Eruanna looked at him.
"You are not so naive. Not when your realm is threatened by darkness. Who do you think brings upon that shadow that lies over Greenwood?", Eruanna asked.
"Sauron", Thranduil said. "But Úlumiel, when the time comes, we will not be facing him alone", he said.
"Do you want to see it?", Eruanna asked. "Bodies upon bodies of dead elves. Elves who could have gone on living forever? Elves who could have created a larger purpose for themselves?"
Thranduil looked at her. Suddenly, he felt hesitant. He had fought alongside Eruanna's maternal grandfather, Elrond, in the war with Sauron that ended the Second Age. It was in the Battle of Dagorlad, his own father, King Oropher, had been lost. Thranduil remembered the rivers of blood, the endless corpses of men, elves and dwarves. Did he want to see it again?
"No", he finally said.
Just then, a voice cried out. "Eruanna!"
"Bilbo", Eruanna smiled at him. "You're safe. What are you doing here?" Bard and Gandalf came inside the tent and Eruanna noticed a bundle of cloth in Bilbo's hands.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is the halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards", Thranduil said, sitting on his throne.
"Yes", Bilbo mumbled. "Sorry about that."
"If you didn't let them get drunk, they would have caught him", Eruanna said, throwing her grandfather a smirk.
Bilbo turned to Eruanna's grandfather and Bard. "I came to give you this", Bilbo said, placing a piece of cloth on the desk and revealing the Arkenstone.
"The heart of the mountain. The King's Jewel", King Thranduil said, stunned. "And worth a King's ransom", Bard chimed in. "It's the Arkenstone. Where did you find this? Does Thorin know?", Eruanna asked. "I found it in the halls of Erebor. He knows about none of this", Bilbo confirmed.
"How is this yours to give?", Bard asked. "I took it as my 14th share", Bilbo said. "Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty", Bard said. "I'm not doing it for you. I know the dwarves can be obstinate and pig-headed and difficult and suspicious and secretive with the worst manners you can ever possibly imagine", Bilbo said.
Gandalf and Eruanna shared a smile.
"But they are also brave and kind, loyal to a fault. I've grown very fond of them and I will save them if I can. Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for its return I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war", Bilbo finished.
"Well", Eruanna said after a while. "Worth a shot." "I agree", Bard said. "Very well", Thranduil said. Eruanna kneeled down and looked at Bilbo. "How is Thorin?"
"Bad. Very bad. I-I think he has the Dragon sickness", Bilbo stammered out.
"Just as I suspected", Eruanna murmured. "What do we do?", Bilbo asked her.
"Bilbo, I don't know what to do. I wish I did but I don't, just hang on. We'll find a way to fix this", Eruanna said. She wasn't so sure if she was trying to convince him or herself. "Yes, but we all need some rest. Come Bilbo", Gandalf said. Eruanna stood up and the wizard led Bilbo out.
Eruanna and her grandfather exchanged looks. This was going to be a long one.