The Elf, the Hobbit and the Dwarf - Book 1 NEW VERSION

The Deal

"We have come to tell you, payment of your debt has been offered, and accepted," Thranduíl said and smiled, feeling confident. He was playing with Thorin, making him suffer which was cruel based on how inferior the Dwarves were. Míriel wished they could just be clear and say that they had the Arkenstone and that they were going to give it to him gladly if Thorin just agreed. Some White gems for Thranduíl and a share of the gold for Bard - that was it and then they could focus on what was important.

"What payment?" Thorin asked, he did seem a little confused but determined that Thranduíl must be lying. "I gave you nothing! You have nothing!"

Even when he spoke he sounded different, there was greediness and bitterness in his voice that Míriel did not recognise at all. Thorin wore a crown on his head now, that was the only difference in his appearance, but there was still something else that was different. He could have been much older actually for he seemed tired and worn.

"We have this," Bard said and showed him the Arkenstone to Thorin's fear and shock. He smiled faintly, feeling superior to Thorin now. Míriel saw Thorin's face fall, a gloominess laid upon it now as he watched the stone. Míriel wondered if he had seen it since they arrived in the mountain, or if Bilbo had kept it hidden all this time? She assumed the latter since Thorin seemed completely surprised and he looked at the stone as if he wasn't sure it was the right one.

"They have the Arkenstone," Kíli whispered and shook his head in disbelief. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house! That stone belongs to the King!"

Now as he looked at Míriel, she could see the anger in his eyes which was not something that she wanted to see. Míriel wondered why he or any of the Dwarves had let Thorin go this far and not to hold his word? Surely they could not agree with him, or had they all fallen ill with this horrible sickness? It did not seem like they were as affected by it as Thorin but some they must have been for they would never let their king act this way otherwise.

"And the King may have it," Bard said and played with the stone, threw it in the air and caught it again. "With our goodwill. But first, he must honour his word."

"They are taking us for fools," Thorin whispered to Balin and Dwalin. "A filthy lie! The Arkenstone is in this mountain, it is a trick!"

Míriel frowned again; this she would have never thought. Thorin was so blind that he would not see, he did everything not to give them what they asked for. He came up with excuses so that he didn't have to fall on his knees in front of Thranduíl. But Bard, he had done nothing wrong and still he would not honour him.

"It's no trick," a small voice said from up the mountain.

Míriel widened her eyes as she saw Bilbo, how had he even gotten up there and slipped passed them from Dale? Míriel hadn't noticed that he was gone for Gandalf had told him to stay in Dale with him. Gandalf didn't want to come down to Erebor and stand on the opposite side of the Dwarves to appear as an enemy, but now it seemed like he had to. Gandalf may be their last hope if Thorin was this uncooperative.

"The stone is real. I gave it to them. I took it as my fourteenth share."

"You?" Thorin said and glared at Bilbo. "You would steal from me?"

Míriel knew that he was angered, but he did not believe that this was true. She could see tears in the Dwarf's eyes for that was how angry and deceived he felt. He had truly trusted Bilbo with all his heart, and it was heartbreaking to see Thorin like this. The chilliness of him made her realise that Bilbo had been the only thing that could break through the surface, the one that Thorin had actually talked to.

"Steal from you?" Bilbo said and shook his head. This was no theft; this was a way of trying to help a friend from becoming someone that he would end up hating. "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."