My Own Star In The Sky

Chapter 26: One last time

Dakota's POV:

The next morning a guard woke me up. "It's time, My Lady." He said and led me to Thranduil's tent. Thranduil had a big meal for breakfast. I heard my stomach rumbling. Without asking I grabbed a chair and sat down. I started eating from his food. The Woodland King looked at me surprised and so did Bard and Gandalf when they walked in. "What? A pregnant woman has to eat!" I exclaimed. Bard and Gandalf chuckled but Thranduil was definitely not amused. "From my food, though?" he asked. "It's the first edible thing I saw." I replied. "But of course, enjoy." Thranduil said and he stood up and got ready. When I had eaten almost his whole meal I stood up. "That was lovely, thank you My Lord." I said and Thranduil looked at his plate. "I thought you would only eat a bit!" "Be happy that I didn't eat everything!"

I grabbed my cloak and pulled up the hood. "Are you ready, My Lady?" Gandalf asked. "I'll have to be." I said. "I'm not sure how Thorin will react when he sees you with us but I don't think he will be too happy with you." "I know. If he is furious I'll go back to Dale." I said and Gandalf nodded. "That sounds like a good idea.

We walked to the courtyard where the army was waiting. Bard was already on his horse and Thranduil on his elk. Thranduil held out his hand to me and I took it. Thranduil pulled me on his elk.

The army was at the gate and we made our way to the front line. I hid behind Thranduil so the dwarves wouldn't see me. Thorin shot an arrow in front of Thranduil's elk. "I will put the next one between your eyes." Thorin shouted and all the dwarves cheered. Behind me all the elves drew their bows and aimed them at the dwarves. Everyone duck except Thorin. Thranduil held up his arm and the elves put away their bows. "We have come to tell you payment of your debt has been offered and accepted." Thranduil said. "What payment? I gave you nothing. You have nothing." Thorin shouted. Thranduil looked at Bard. 

He pulled the Arkenstone out of his tunic. "We have this." Bard said. Thorin lowered his bow. "They have the Arkenstone! Thieves!" Kili yelled. "How came you by the heirloom of our house?! That stone belongs to the King!" Kili continued. "And the King may have it with our goodwill." Bard said but then put the Arkenstone back in his tunic. "But first he must honor his word." Thorin shook his head slowly. Thorin said something to the dwarves but it was too soft for me to hear. "The Arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!" Thorin shouted. "Let's see if your wife says the same!" Thranduil said and he slightly turned his elk. I removed the hood from my face. An expression if hopelessness crossed Thorin's eyes. 

Before I could say something another voice spoke up. "It's no trick." It was Bilbo. "The stone is real. I gave it to them." Bilbo said. I watched in fear for what was going to happen. "You?" Thorin asked. "I took it as my 14th share." "You would steal from me?" Thorin asked. 

"Steal from you? No. 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." Bilbo replied. "Against your claim? Your claim. You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!" Thorin shouted. "I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to but—" "But what, thief?" 

"You are changed, Thorin. The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word. Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!" Bilbo shouted. "Do not speak to me of loyalty. Throw him over the rampart!" Thorin ordered. No one moved. "Did you not hear me?!" Thorin shouted and grabbed Fili. Balin released Fili from Thorin's grip. "I will do it myself!" Thorin shouted and grabbed Bilbo. "Curse you!" he shouted. The dwarves tried to stop him. "Cursed be the wizard that forced you on this company!" Thorin shouted and pressed him against the edge of the wall. 

"No Thorin!" I shouted but he didn't hear me. 

"If you don't like my burglar, then please don't damage him. Return him to me." Gandalf appeared out of the elven army. "You're not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain, are you, Thorin son of Thrain?" Gandalf remarked. Thorin released Bilbo and the dwarves helped him to the rope. "Wait! If you get your burglar back, then I want my wife!" he shouted. I jumped off the elk and ran towards Bilbo who just got off the wall. I gave him a hug while Thorin was still shouting. "Never again will I have dealings with wizards or Shire rats!" "I'm sorry Bilbo." I quickly said. "It's okay. It's not your fault." He said and joined Gandalf. I climbed my way up and Bofur helped me over the edge. Thorin pulled me to his side and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I was surprised at how protective he was.