The Waterdancer

Chapter 30

We were all gathered at the top of the battlements at dawn. Everyone except for Nemirien. An army of Elves and Men lay right before my door. I would not risk bringing her out here. She was too valuable, too precious. The company and I were looking down on them, and I narrowed my eyes as Bard and Thranduil approached.

Immediately, I drew my bowstring, and shot an arrow at the feet of Thranduil's elk, causing both him and Bard to stop. I readied another arrow. "I will put the next one between your eyes!" I called down to them, causing my company to laugh and shake their weapons in their hands. The Elven king didn't seem to like that, because he immediately commanded his entire army to aim arrows straight at us.

Everyone ducked down except for me. I wasn't afraid. These people wanted something from me, something that I would protect with my whole being. They couldn't kill me.

"We have come to tell you that payment of your debt has been offered, and accepted." Thranduil arrogantly told me. I narrowed my eyes. There was nothing of mine that he could possibly have.

"What payment? I gave you nothing. You have nothing." I sneered. Then I saw Bard taking something out of his coat pocket.

"We have this." he told me, and I froze.

No. No. I couldn't believe it. How? How would they get it? "They have the Arkenstone." Kili breathed. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house? That stone belongs to the king!" my nephew shouted.

"The king may have it, in our good will. But first, he must honor his word."

I shook my head. It isn't real. Think about it. How well have you guarded this mountain? How hard have you fought to protect your gold? They're trying to deceive you! I blinked and narrowed my eyes.

"They are taking us for fools. This is a ruse. A filthy lie." I hissed to the company. "The Arkenstone is in this mountain! It is a trick!" I shouted.

"I-it's no trick. The stone is real. I gave it to them." My eyes widened, and I stilled at the sound of that voice. Bilbo's voice. I felt a pang in my heart as I turned around to face the Hobbit.

"You?" I asked, my voice nearly breaking.

The Hobbit sighed. "I took it as my fourteenth share." No. Why? I trusted him. He was my friend! How could he do such a thing? He knew what that stone meant to me!

"You would steal from me?"

"Steal from you? 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." the Hobbit said, trying to stand his ground.

"Against your claim?" I asked with raised eyebrows. What claim? That-that...rat, has nothing over you! You are the king! I gave the Hobbit a dangerous smile. "Your claim! You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!" I hissed.

"I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to, but-"

"But what, thief?" I sneered.

"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!" the Hobbit shouted. I gritted my teeth in anger before I spoke.

"Do not speak to me of loyalty." I took one step towards him before looking to my company. "Throw him from the ramparts!" I commanded. I looked around, dumbfounded to see that no one was doing anything. "DO YOU HEAR ME?" I shouted, grabbing Fili by his shoulder, only to have him shove me off. I looked back to the Hobbit. "I'll do it myself!" I yelled.

"No!" a voice screamed. I turned around to see Nemirien running past me and in front of the thief.

I narrowed my eyes at her intrusion. "Get out of my way." I warned.