Stronger together

Chapter 4

Within the walls of Erebor, the dwarves work to block up the entrance that Smaug broke through. They carry rocks both by hand and with the help of various pulleys and other machines.

"I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard won - I will not see it taken again." Thorin tells the dwarves

"The people of Laketown have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything." Kili tells him

"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough about their hardship. Those who have lived through Dragonfire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for."

Thorin looks out at the city of Dale, then he turns and shouts to the dwarves. "More stone! BRING MORE STONE TO THE GATE!"

Bilbo and I shared a look of despair. I hate what is happening, but, I don't know how to change it.

Thorin strides toward the blocked off the gate, calling to us "Come on!" The dwarves lay down their tools, pick up their weapons, and they follow him up the stairs they've created, all the way to a platform they have built at the top of the gate.

I place a hand on Bilbo's shoulder stopping him "Can I talk to you, Bilbo?"

"Um, sure Kaya what about?" He Whispered

"It's about Thorin. Do his actions seem off to you? I don't get what's wrong with him. I'm worried about him" I whisper back

"I know what's wrong. He has Dragon sickness."

I looked at him shocked "And how in the world do you know that?"

"Because Balin explained it to me, Kaya, he said it's a terrible need It's a fierce and jealous love. he also told me It sent Thorin's grandfather mad. But don't worry Kaya I'm going to fix this."

"And how do you plan on doing that."

Before he could answer we hear Thorin shout "Be gone, ere arrow fly!" and we rush up the stairs to the dwarves when we get up there we ask them what happen and they tell us Thorin will not pay the people of Laketown and we might be going to war.

When Thorin comes up the stairs Bilbo goes up to him "What are you doing?! You cannot go to war."

"This does not concern you," Thorin tells him

"Excuse me?! But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there. And not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. We-We are in fact outnumbered." Bilbo points out

"His right Thorin we're only 15, how are we supposed to fight two armies with probably ten times more people out there." I try to tell him

Thorin turns to us smiling " We won't be for much longer."

"What does that mean?" we asked

"It means Master Baggins, Madam Leafwalker, you should never underestimate dwarves." Thorin tells us then turns to the others "We have reclaimed Erebor - Now we defend it!" As Thorin strides down the steps, I see Bilbo and Balin have looks of distress.

Soon Thorin has us suiting up for battle. Just as I'm about done I hear someone come up behind me. I turn to see Kili with a frown. "Hello love, everything alright?" I asked worried

"I..." he trails off looking away

I step closer and place my hand on his cheek making him look at me "Kili, tell me what is troubling you, please."

"I... Kaya, I want you to stay here." He said trying to sound serious

"What, I'm going fight with you Kili," I say

He grabs my shoulders looking into my eyes "I mean it, you have to stay here." He said more serious

"No, Kili I have to come with you."

"Please, Kaya if we go to war I want you to be safe I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt again or worse. Please stay here." He begs me

I gently cup his face in my hands "Kili, my love, please don't ask me to stay here, because I-I can't, knowing...That you and the...others. People I care about are in danger." I place my forehead on his, as I start tearing up "I-I just c-can't."

Kili grabs my hands, removing them from his face, and holds them close to him sighing "I can't change your mind can I."

I lightly chuckled "No you can't. Please let me help Kee."

"Well then if you insist on coming," He pulls back reaching into his tunic and pulls out a stone, and places it in my hand "I want you to take this as a promise. A promise to be careful and to stay by my side."

"What is this?" I asked running my fingers over the stone

"It's a rune stone. My mother gave it to me before I left home."

"I-I can't take this then," I tell him holding out the stone

He grabs my hand in his and closes my fingers over the stone "Please take it, Kaya, at least until all of this is all over with."

"Alright, love." I smiled as I glanced at the stone