Heart Of Stone

Chapter Fifteen

Within the walls of Erebor, the company work to block up the entrance that Smaug broke through. They carry rocks both by hand and with the help of various pulleys and other machines. Fawn breaks large rock with her booted feet, the gold making her body as hard as gold an unbreakable. When the rock is done being broken down to sizes not too hard to carry the dwarves take them and Fang rolls the next rock to her in need of breaking.

"I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again." Fawn hesitates slightly but then continues.

Kili stops and approaches his uncle. "The people of Laketown have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything."

"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for."

Fawn stops completely and looks to Thorin, panting. She approaches him. "But they'd starve. Some could be injured and dying. What if the children?"

Thorin looks out at the city of Dale, where many fires can be seen lit by the people. He then turns and shouts "More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!".

Fawn flinches, his booming voice hurting her sensitive ears. She looks to Bilbo who is starring out at Dale, his face grief stricken.

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It is night in Dale, and the people sit around, as the healthy tend to the wounded. Infants can be heard crying. "These children are starving! We need food!"

"We won't last three days!"

Percy approaches Bard, his face etched with sorrow. "Bard, we don't have enough."

"Do what you can, Percy"

"We need more water." A woman complains.

"The children, the wounded and the women come first." Bard states.

Bard walks over to where Alfrid had been standing guard. Alfrid was actually napping, and he wakes up as Bard speaks. "Morning, Alfrid. What news from the night watch?"

"All quiet, sire, I must report. Nothing gets past me." Yawning, he gets up and follow Bard outside, only to find that Bard has stopped suddenly in the archway. Now this is interesting. Bard sighs. "Except an army of elves, it would seem."

Outside, the courtyard is packed full of Mirkwood elves dressed in full battle gear, standing in perfectly ordered lines. The people of Laketown begin coming out of their buildings and see the elves. Bard walks down the steps and approaches the elves, some lines of which turn and step back to make a pathway for Bard.

As he exits out the bank of elves, King Thranduil rides up on his steed, and all the elves turn to face him. So this is the elf king, Thranduil.

Bard bows. "My lord Thranduil; we did not look to see you here."

"I heard you needed aid." Thranduil turns and looks at a wagon that is pulling up; it is loaded with food and drink for the people. The people of Laketown smile and cheer, and begin unloading the cart with the elves' help. Bard approaches Thranduil gratefully. "You have saved us! I do not how to thank you."

Thranduil cocks a brow. "Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf." Thranduil's voice is cold, colder than the air around them. "I came to reclaim something of mine."

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Fawn stood before a box filled with the rest of the elven jewels. "The white gems of Lasgalen." Thorin says from beside her. She looked at her arm then the gems. "So that what you are." She says, awed. She knew they were gems of starlight but she never knew they were the gems Thranduil coveted.

"Thranduil wants these..." Fawns comments, uneasy.

Thorin scoffs picking up a handful. "Yes, but like I said, no elf deserves them more than you. I only ask you never let him have'em." He drops the handful and closes the small box.

Fawn gulps and slowly picks up the small silver, gold inlaced box, craddling it close to her. "I-I..." She sighs. "I promise my king." They bow to each other and Thorin leaves. Fawn strokes her fingers over the box her mind wandering to Thranduil.