Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 25

After a day or two helping the townsfolk. I looked toward the mountain and expanded my wings but before I could Tauriel stopped me.

"Wait."

I looked at Tauriel and noticed she had Ringil. I saw Orcrist on Legolas as he waited for Tauriel to join him.

"You will need this."

She held out the sword, Legolas looked unpleased but he didn't say anything about it. I took the blade from her hands and tied it around my waist. I looked at her with a smile and opened my wings. I was prepared to launch myself into the air but my attention was brought to Legolas. I looked over my shoulder.

"May she sleep in the stars."

Legolas looked stunned as I smirked. I launched myself into the sky and back toward the mountain. As I approached the gates to see Kili, Fili, Bofur and Oin at the gates. I landed beside them as Bofur called out for the others. Bilbo came running from another part of the city, calling out to them.

"WAIT! WAIT!"

Oin smiled at seeing Bilbo unharmed.

"You need to leave. We all need to leave."

I walked in front of Bofur and looked down at Bilbo with a concerned look.

"What's going on Bilbo."

"Thorin. He's been out there for days. He doesn't sleep. he barely eats. He's not been himself-not at all. It's this- It's this place. I think a sickness lies on it."

As Bilbo spoke I saw Fili look past him and saw golden light coming from the bottom of the city.

"Sickness? What kind of sickness."

Fili walked past the group and started to walk toward down into Erebor. I saw as the others tried to stop him. I expanded a wing in front of him.

"Please, Paephan. he is my family."

I closed my eyes as I could sense everyone looks at me. I retracted my wing and he continued down the stairs. Bilbo looked at me and sighed as he followed the others. As the went down the stairs, I could hear Galadriel's voice once more.

"Paephan, You must come to me."

I looked at the glowing golden light as the others followed it.

"Give me a moment, My lady."

I flew to where the golden light came from but I hid from the sight of the others. I folded my wings as I looked down to see Thorin walking through the treasure. He was dressed in ornate robes and covered in jewellery. He looked almost possessed and started to speak to himself.

"Gold- Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief."

Thorin looked up to notice the others looking at him on the stairway.

"Behold- the great treasure hoard of Thror."

Thorin flung something into the air to the others and Fili caught it. It was a giant jewel.

"Welcome, my sister's sons, to the kingdom of EREBOR."

I moved away from the pillar and turned around and carefully walked up the stairs when I felt the others would not hear me. Suddenly I heard the sounds of steps by me. It was Bilbo.

"You're not leaving him like this? Are you?"

"Gandalf is in trouble. He needs my help."

"Thorin needs it more."

"Then tell me why you have hidden the Arkenstone in your pocket."

Bilbo looked shocked.

"Keep it out of his sight for now. I will come back."