In The End-The Hobbit

Chapter 23 : Good and Bad News

"Why show his hand now?" Thranduil asks far from convinced.

"Because we forced him! We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland. The dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor. Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the mountain. Not just for the treasure within, but for where it lays its strategic position" Gandalf explains.

I nod agreeing. Erebor is in the best spot for taking over Middle Earth. You can see armies coming from miles away and you can defend from all directions, it's the perfect spot. We all follow Gandalf out the tent as he continues "This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the north. If that fell kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lothlorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall!"

"These orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir. Where are they?" Thranduil asks. Gandalf looks to the ground unable to answer.

I shoot Thranduil a glare "Why can't you for once, in your poor life, just once, listen to someone other than yourself" I say walking back into Thranduil's tent with Gandalf.

"Since when has my council counted for so little? What do you think I'm trying to do?" Gandalf says getting frustrated with Thranduil.

"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. You started this, Mithrandir. You will forgive me if I finish it" Thranduil says exiting the tent. We all listen in as Thranduil asks an elf "Are the archers in position?"

"Yes, my Lord," The elf says.

"Give the order. If anything moves on that mountain, kill it! The dwarves are out of time" Thranduil says walking away. Gandalf, Bard and I look between each other before exiting to the tent.

"So why are you here?" Gandalf asks.

I sigh "Thorin kicked me out of the company, leaving me in Lake Town, claim 'we don't need you any more'" I explain, trying to mimic the dwarves gruff voice "So I've stayed with Bard to help out the people of Lake Town when Smaug attacked. I've also joined with Thranduil just this once, to help Bard out and get my share in the gold."

"Does the gold really mean so much to you?" Gandalf asks.

"No" I answer, disgusted that he had to ask that "I just want to get back at Thorin and help get the others out of this mess. I've grown to love all of the dwarves, each and every one of them...apart from Thorin, he's pissed me off."

"Very well," Gandalf says looking ahead to Bard and picking up his pass "You! Bowman! Do you agree with this? Is gold so important to you? Would you buy it with the blood of dwarves?" Gandalf questions Bard.

"It will not come to that. This is a fight they cannot win" Bard explains.

"That won't stop them," A small voice says. We all turn around to see Bilbo standing a few metres away from us "You think the dwarves will surrender, they won't. They will fight to the death to defend their own."

"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf cries cheerfully.

"Bilbo! It's great to see you!" I cheer. Bilbo gives us a kind greeting smile "but, what are you doing here?" I ask, remembering how authorised Thorin is and wondering how Bilbo managed to get out.

"I'm here to speak on behalf of Thorin, even if he doesn't know or want me to."

***

Back in Thranduil's tent, Bilbo is presented before Thranduil "If I'm not mistaken, this is the Halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards" Thranduil says surprised.

Bilbo begins to rock back and forth uneasy "Yes..." Bilbo says under his breath "Sorry about that" I let out a small giggle, quickly covering my mouth. There's a short silence before Bilbo steps forward to Thranduil's table, placing a wrapped package on the table "I came...to give you this" Bilbo says unwrapping the package revealing the Arkenstone. We all stare in awe as it makes the tent glow. Thorin would never have let Bilbo take the Arkenstone. Not if he had found it. Unless...Uh-oh...

"The heart of the mountain! The King's Jewel" Thranduil says under his breath in amazement.

"And worth a king's ransom," Bard says stunned "How is this yours to give?"

"I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure" Bilbo explains. I look over at Gandalf and Gandalf at me. This isn't good. Gandalf smiles slightly at Bilbo having the same thought as me. If Thorin were ever to find out about this, I fear what he'd choose to do.

"Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty" Bard says.

"I'm not doing it for you. I know that dwarves can be obstinate and pigheaded and difficult, suspicious and secretive...with the worst manners you can possibly imagine, but they also brave and kind...and loyal to a fault. I've grown very fond of them, and I would save them if I can" Bilbo says looking over to me and Gandalf. I give him a smile, I too have grown fond of the dwarves "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 explains. Gandalf, Bard, and Thranduil look at each other.

***

Gandalf, Bilbo and I walk through Dale "Rest up tonight. You must leave on the morrow" Gandalf says to Bilbo.

"What?" Bilbo questions.

"Get as far away from here as possible" Gandalf says hushed.

"I-I'm not leaving. You picked me as the fourteenth man. I'm not about to leave the company now" Bilbo exclaims.

"There is no company, not any more. And I don't like to think what Thorin will do when he finds out what you've done" Gandalf says with his thoughts wondering off. I nod agreeing with Gandalf. Thorin will not take this lightly.

"I'm not afraid of Thorin," Bilbo says.

"You should be" I state "Gold that is cursed with Dragon sickness can make the worst of all people."

"What Ivy is saying is, don't underestimate the evil of gold" Gandalf explains to Bilbo "Dragon-sickness seeps into the hearts of all who come near this mountain."

"Well, almost all," I say gesturing to Bilbo. Bilbo and Gandalf smile.

Gandalf yells over to Alfred who approaches "You there! Find this Hobbit a bed and fill his belly with hot food. He has earned it!"

Alfred comes walking over mumbling to himself. He begins to lead Bilbo away. Gandalf grabs Alfred's arm and whispers "Hey. Keep an eye on him. If he should try to leave, you will tell me."

Alfred walks off, cursing as a group of people walk in front of him and Bilbo "Move it!" Alfred yells.

"Well, isn't he a kind fellow," Gandalf says with sarcasm.

"That's only the beginning," I say rolling my eyes.