𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝CHAPTER FIFTEEN❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐑 to sunrise, easily sneaking back inside the mountain unnoticed to both parties. Ellaria didn't care what Gandalf said. She wouldn't lose her friends trust. Now, there they all stood, staring down at Elf army before them. Thorin shot an arrow at the feet of Thranduil's steed making him and Bard come to a stop. "I will put the next one between your eyes." Thranduil allowed his lips to curl up at the corners before the army behind him prepared their bows, moving in perfect synchronization. They all ducked except for Thorin.

     Thranduil held up a hand and the elves put their arrows back in their quivers. "We have to tell you payment of your debt has been offered and accepted."

     Thorin kept his bow aimed. "What payment? I gave you nothing. You have nothing."

     Thranduil raised his brows before looking at Bard who pulled the arkenstone from his coat. He held it up for Thorin to see. "We have this."

     "They have the arkenstone," Kili whispered in shock. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house?! That stone belongs to the King!"

     Bard remained unphased. "And the King may have it with our goodwill." He tossed the stone up, catching it in his hand before putting it back in his coat. "But first he must honor his word."

     Thorin shook his head and said quietly, "They are taking us for fools. This is a ruse. A filthy lie." He said louder, "The arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!"

     Bilbo made himself known. "I-it's no trick. The stone is real." Carefully, he approached Thorin. "I gave it to them." Ellaria closed her eyes.

     Thorin turned to him, betrayal dancing in his eyes. "You?"

     "I took it as my 14th share."

     "You would steal from me?"

     Bilbo smiled and shook his head. "Steal from you? No. No, I may be a burglar, but I like to think I'm an honest one." He looked at all of the Dwarves. "I'm willing to let it stand against my claim."

     Thorin's eyes darkened. "Against your claim? Your claim. You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!" He tossed his weapon down, moving towards him. Ellaria's hand twitched, preparing herself to grab an arrow.

     "I was going to give it to you," Bilbo said. "Many times I wanted to, but—"

     "But what, thief?" Thorin snarled.

     "You are changed, Thorin." Bilbo made his voice firm. "The Dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word. Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!"