Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 27

As I reached the city of Dale I looked down at the city to see Bard and his family helping the others. I landed in front of Bard and looked around to see the people afraid and cold. I expanded my wings and touched the ground with the tips, I placed my hands together and breathed deeply. My eyes glowed as light from my wings spread through the ground, as the light came closer to the fires they produced more heat and stronger than before. My eyes started to go back to normal as the people gasped at the sight of the fires. Bard looked around the town and then to me.

"Paephan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help...Wait."

I turned to see an elf army walking past the people into the courtyard. I walked down the steps and approached the elves, Bard followed as the elves moved to make a pathway for us. The closer we got to the centre of the army, Thranduil rode up on his deer.

"Of course it would be you to come to the mountain."

Bard bowed his head.

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

"I heard you needed aid."

Thranduil turned and as a wagon full of food and drink came through the army. The people cheered and started to unload the cart with the elves help. Bard approached Thranduil gratefully.

"You have saved us! I do not know how to thank you."

I turned to see Thranduil turn his head away from Bard.

"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf... I came to reclaim something of mine."

Thranduil turned to me and spoke to his men.

"Hold her away. I do not wish to have her interfere."

As the elves held their bows to my head, I smirked. I reached into my pocket to pull out a light bracelet of white gems almost as if they were starlight.

Thranduil ordered his men to put their weapons down.

"These are what you seek are they not. The White Gems of Lasgalen."

The elves in front of Thranduil moved out of the way as he came forward on his steed. I looked up at him as he held his hand out to me. I sighed as I handed the bracelet to him. Thranduil carefully took it as he looked at it in almost a loving matter.

"There are others on that mountain, but I ask you to let me reason with Thorin. He will listen to me."

Bard stepped forward.

"Let me go with you. He made a promise to the people of Lake-town. I will see to it."

Thranduil turned to both of us.

"You would reason with a dwarf."

"Yes."

The elven army marched toward Erebor as Bard and Thranduil rode in front. I walked ahead of them and looked up and the rampart to see the others looking down at us. Kili and Fili looked shocked to see me as the others stared out toward the army. Thorin stood up to the rampart as Bard spoke.

"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain! We are glad to find you alive beyond hope."

"Why do you come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?"

"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in? Like a robber in his hole."

"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed."

I looked up at Thorin and spoke.

"Thorin- they have not come to rob you, they seek an only fair settlement. Will you not speak with us."

Thorin nodded his head and stepped away from the rampart and down to the stairs. Bard dismounted his horse and we both crossed the bridge to the gate. In the gate was a hole, Bard looked through first to see Thorin on the other side.

"I'm listening."

"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honour your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives."

"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door."

"That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms."

"Your threats do not sway me."

"What about 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!"

"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!"

"A bargain was struck!"

"A bargain? What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard, the Dragonslayer..."

Bard looked up, surprised.

"...Why should I honour such terms?"

"Because you gave us your word. Does that mean nothing?"

Thorin disappeared from the hole for a moment and said nothing. I gently pulled Bard away.

"Let me speak to him, privately."

"Paephan, he won't listen..."

Suddenly Thorin spoke.

"Begone, ere arrow fly!"

Bard slapped the rock in anger. I kept him from the gate.

"Go, I will speak to him."

Bard walked away as Thranduil watched with a smirk. I turned back to the hole to see Thorin.

"Thorin, don't do this."

I shook my head and looked at him.

"You have sided with the enemy. Why should I trust you."

I closed my eyes and reached into the hole with my arm. I looked at Thorin as he glanced at my closed hand. Thorin brought his hand to mine. I placed a small golden feather in his hand.

"Because you hold my life in your hands. Please, Thorin... don't do this."

As Thorin held the feather in his hand, I could see some light in his eyes. He turned his head away from the hole.

"Go."

I sighed as he turned away. I walked back to Bard and Thranduil. I looked back to see the dwarves dislodge the head of one of the massive stone statues which fell on the bridge to the gate. Thranduil spoke.

"It is fruitless to reason with them; they understand only one thing."

He pulled out his sword and gazed at it.

"We attack at dawn! Are you with us?"

As Thranduil rode back toward Dale, I looked over my shoulder at Erebor.