An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Sixty-Three: Preparing for Battle

Moving towards the destroyed entrance of Erebor, Bard took a deep breath knowing that he had to try; he wanted to prove Thranduil wrong, he had little interest in starting a war like the elf-lord did. 

"I am listening," Thorin grumbled through the small opening that had been left when the entrance had been blocked up, he wasn't going to take any risks when it came to defending his treasure. 

It hadn't escaped his notice that an army of elves seemed to have appeared overnight, Thorin knew that Thranduil had come for the jewels that he had found; they were clearly only interested in them. 

Bard ducked down to look through the hole, he frowned at Thorin taking notice in how different he seemed; something that clearly wasn't going to help him in the slightest. 

"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honour your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might re-build their lives," Bard pleaded staring at the dwarf-king, he couldn't imagine what would come of his people if Thorin refused.

The last thing that Bard wanted was a war but he was aware that if Thorin refused then he'd have no choice but to side with the elven company to get what was owed to them all. 

Thorin frowned staring right back at Bard, he had very little interest in sharing any of the treasure with anyone; it belonged to him and him alone, he felt no need to help those who had so quickly turned their backs on him and his people. 

"I will not trade with any man, while an armed host lies before my door," Thorin replied sternly, he glared at the man that thought he would come and threaten him; there was no way that he was going to be pushed in keeping a promise he was forced into. 

Standing a little away from Thorin unseen, Thalia stared at him feeling her stomach turn watching him talk with Bard; she hated the man that Thorin had become because of this mountain.

"That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms," Bard insisted hoping that this would make Thorin see sense, there was no way that the dwarves would win if it came to a war. 

They would be slaughtered by the elves to get what they wanted and Bard would hate to see that happen; while he might not be fond of the dwarves, he did care for the woman that had protected his children. 

Thalia was the main reason that Bard continued to try and sway Thorin from his course; he had no idea what had happened to the blonde but he knew she wouldn't have wanted to see her friends slaughtered. 

"Your threats do not sway me," Thorin scoffed to Bard, he didn't care what his refusal lead to only that he protected what was his; the dwarves behind him would defend the mountain with his lives. 

They would fight the army no matter what came and Thorin didn't care how many of them were lost, he would win one way or another; he would be sitting on his throne at the end of this. 

"What of your conscience? Does it not tell you our cause is just? My people offered you help. And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death," Bard snapped angrily, he was furious that the dwarf was trying to get out of his promise so easily. 

Staring right back at Bard, Thorin scoffed at his words while his mind filled with the memories of how his people had been treated during their exile from their home. 

They had been shunned and they'd been forced to beg and plead to make their lives before they'd settled in the Blue Mountains; no one had wanted to help them when they were homeless. 

"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid what for the promise of rich reward?" Thorin demanded glaring at Bard, he couldn't believe that the man had the nerve to demand such things from when he had been nothing but a problem for them.

Closing her eyes, Thalia shook her head and moved away from the scene of Thorin and Bard talking; she couldn't bear to watch this anymore, she felt her heart break knowing that this wasn't the dwarf that she had fallen for anymore. 

Walking away Thalia tried to ignore the looks that she was being offered by the rest of the company, she couldn't bear to be around them any longer. 

"A bargain was struck!" Bard shouted disgusted that this was happening, his people needed that money and they had done so much to make the dwarves feel welcome in their home only to have it thrown back in their faces now. 

If it hadn't been for them, the dwarves wouldn't have made it to the mountain and they owed them all so much; it was painful to see it now that everything had been done for nothing, the dwarves didn't even care. 

"A BARGAIN? What choice did we have but to barter our birth rights for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the dragon slayer, why should I honour such terms?" Thorin thundered scowling at Bard, they'd had no choice and even then it hadn't been much that they had been given. 

They'd been welcome guests but it was clear that the people of Laketown had only been interested in the treasure that they would gain from helping the dwarves on their way. 

"Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?" Bard said shaking his head, he couldn't believe how far Thorin had fallen and he could only hope that he would see sense soon. 

Not looking back, Thorin turned away from Bard and moved to leave him behind; he had no interest in what Bard had to say to him any longer.

***

Waiting until everyone had fallen asleep, Bilbo sighed slowly moving away from his sleeping area; he moved carefully so that he didn't wake anyone knowing that if he was caught then there would be nothing but trouble. 

Having watched Thorin turn Bard away without keeping his promise, Bilbo had reached a decision about what he was going to do to make sure that the people of Laketown got what the deserved. 

Taking a deep breath, Bilbo couldn't imagine what was going to happen if he didn't do something; no one seemed to be able to snap Thorin out of this. 

He had watched Thalia try everything that she could to bring back the Thorin that they had been traveling with but nothing that she did seemed to work. 

Shaking his head, Bilbo continued on his way throwing a rope down the wall so that he could climb down; his destination was the camp hoping that he would be able to stop this. 

Reaching the bottom, Bilbo didn't waste any time before he carried on his way not wanting to waste time; he needed to hand the Arkenstone over to Bard and come back before anyone else noticed that he had been gone for so long. 

Stepping out into the cool air, Thalia took a deep breath as she watched the hobbit hurry towards Dale; she crossed her arms and prayed that whatever he was going to do work. 

They would only lose any war that was brought upon them and Thalia had no doubts that Cornelia and Paloma would help them; she had no plans to turn her back on the company now. 

She had heard her cousins whispering about leaving the mountain to complete their mission, however Thalia felt that they needed to be here; she couldn't walk away now. 

"Be careful Bilbo," Thalia whispered closing her eyes, she couldn't help but fear what was about to happen in the coming days.