The Half Breed Ranger

Chapter 30: Thranduil

Amanda turned the corner to see Bilbo's back facing her. She knew he had the stone. "He will kill you if he finds out," Amanda told him causing Bilbo to jump and almost drop the stone. He stuttered trying to come up with an excuse but Amanda just held up her hand for him to stop talking. "Do not worry, I am the last person who will tell him." Bilbo released a sigh of relief. 

"I was going to give it to him, I am going to..." Bilbo trailed off while Amanda shook her head.

"Thorin cannot get that stone, he is sick Bilbo. That stone will only worsen it." Amanda told him as she walked over to stand right in front of him. Amanda cupped her hands around his holding the stone. She wrapped his fingers tightly around the stone under hers. "You must keep this safe, keep it hidden." Amanda told him, "You will know what to do when the time is right." 

"And you? Are you, alright?" Bilbo asked causing Amanda to chuckle softly. She patted his shoulder softly. 

"As well as I can be Baggins. But I fear I am no longer welcomed in Erebor by its King." Amanda laughed softly confusing Bilbo. Amanda saw this and decided to explain a little more. "I may have thrown him off a balcony. But in my defence, it was because he lunged for me." Amanda laughed at him. 

"So where are you going to go?" Bilbo asked her. 

"The people of Lake-town will no doubt be heading for Dale. I must go and make sure they are well." Amanda told him, "Tell Kili I will see him soon." 

"I will." Bilbo nodded to her as she turned from him. 

"And Bilbo," Amanda said before turning to face him once more. "Be careful, I won't be here should things take a turn for the worst."

"I will." Bilbo nodded once more before putting the stone in his pocket. They smiled at each other once more before Amanda walked away from him. She walked down the halls and up the stairs to the gates of Erebor where she left through the gates. She stopped before turning to look back at the mountain. She turned around to walk towards the City of Dale.

"Amanda!" Kili's voice yelled at her. Amanda stopped and sighed closing her eyes. She had hoped to slip away without anyone noticing. "Why are you leaving?"

"I am no longer welcome here Kili." 

"Nonsense, of course you are," Kili told her as Amanda shook her head.

"No, Thorin's mind is sick. As long as it is, I am not welcome." Amanda told him as Kili took her hands in his. 

"I cannot lose you," Kili said to her. Amanda took her right hand out of his and placed it onto his cheek to move his eyes to hers. 

"And you won't. I will not be far. I am heading to the City of Dale to make sure the people of Lake-town settle in." Amanda told him softly. Kili took both her cheeks into his hands and pulled her lips to his. The kiss was desperate but filled with love. He pulled away from her lips slowly and his eyes fluttered open.

"I love you," Kili muttered to her softly. Amanda smiled as she reached up and took his hands from her cheeks. She gave him a soft smile before turning away and rushing down the steps away from him. Kili watched her as she moved away from him and closer to Dale. "I love you." He muttered softly as he turned and walked back into Erebor.

Amanda arrived in Dale to find the people of Lake-town had begun to settle into the ruined city. Amanda rushed through the crowds of people to find Bard. 

"So, the company of Thorin Oakenshield survived."

"Survived? You mean there's a bunch of Dwarves in there with all that gold?" Alfrid hissed through his teeth at the thought of the dwarves surviving.

"I shouldn't worry, Alfrid. There's gold enough in that Mountain for all." Bard told him.

"You will have a hard time getting any from inside the mountain," Amanda called to Bard as they both turned to look at her.

"Amanda, what are you doing down here? Should you not be in the mountain with the dwarves?" Bard asked stepping closer to her.

"I was, but Thorin's mind has been overthrown with Dragon sickness. And I was no longer welcome." Amanda explained to him as he nodded. "So I am here to help. Somewhere where I hope I am welcome." 

"You are always welcome with us,"  Bard answered back as he placed a hand onto her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. Bard let go and walked past her calling for the people to make shelter for the night. Alfrid walked over to Amanda and also tapped her shoulder. But Amanda grabbed his hand and twisted it, causing Alfrid to whale in pain and crumble. 

"Don't you touch me, slime." Amanda hissed at him as she threw him to the ground and walked away from him. They settled down for the night. While some slept, Amanda helped with tending to the wounded. Bandaging and medicine for the one that needed it. Soon morning came and Bard tapped her shoulder as she finished wrapping a men's wounded arm, motioning for her to follow. The town's people had settled down and only babies crying and a low murmur of chat could be heard. 

"Morning, Alfrid. What news from the night watch?" Bard asked him as Alfrid looked to have just woken up from sleep. Amanda shook her head, he should never have been trusted with a watch in the first place. 

"All quiet, Sire. Not much to report. Nothing gets past me." Alfrid told him half asleep before standing up to follow the two of them outside. Their steps slow with the sight in front of them.

"Except an army of Elves, it would seem," Amanda said unsurprisingly at Alfrid. Bard and Amanda stepped forwards towards the elves in golden armour. Alfrid began to step forward as well but Amanda turned and shot him a glare causing him to instantly freeze. The elven soldiers turned to make a corridor for the two to walk down. Leading towards the sound of hooves beating against the stone pavement.

"Of course," Amanda muttered annoyed. "I leave one annoying self-centred King only to run into another."

"My lord Thranduil," Bard called out as Thranduil pulled his moose to a stop in front of Bard and Amanda. " we did not look to see you here."

"I heard you needed aid." He told Bard as an elven cart filled with supplies appeared from the entrance he had just trotted through. The townsfolk cheered and rushed over to the aid cart.

"You have saved us. I do not know how to thank you." Bard told him.

"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf. I came to reclaim something of mine." Thranduil told him and Amanda nodded. She laughed and shook her head.

"And there it is." Amanda chuckled causing Thranduil to snare down at her.

"What is that abomination doing here." He hissed lifting his chin up slightly more.

"Abomination? At least I am here to help out of the goodness of my heart and not for selfish reasons." Amanda told him crossing her arms staring directly into his eyes, challenging him. "Oh wait, nothing new there." 

"Filthy creature, how dare you speak to me in such a way." Thranduil hissed. 

"What? Does Daddy not like his only daughter back talking to him? Or is only his son allowed to do that?" Amanda asked pushing his buttons to see how far he would go. 

"Amanda enough." Bard shushed her.

"I want that creature out of my sight." 

 "I'm afraid not, she is part of this and has valuable information about what is going on inside the mountain," Bard told her while Thranduil just glared and moved away from the pair.

"Wait! Please, wait! You will go to war over a handful of gems?" Bard called running after Thranduil leaving Amanda behind. He returned to mount a horse before looking at Amanda.

"I must go to the gates of Erebor, I must try to reason with him before Thranduil attacked the mountain." 

"You cannot reason with him, Bard," Amanda told him as he just shook his head while looking down at Amanda. 

"I must try."