Misty Mountains

Chapter Seven: The Arkenstone

While the king had been busy chasing orcs and she- elves one of the other intended brides had been hard at work, she knew the way to take the victory from the elves. She knew how to seize the throne and ensure she would be queen under the mountain, not the elf. It would just require her searching the under chambers of the city for the missing jewel all dwarves thought to have secured.

The Arkenstone, the King's jewel, Heart of the Mountain. The one thing that would mean more to the dwarven people, it would force the King to marry her even if he was really wanting to marry the elf. Pressure would be put on him from the other dwarf kingdoms to choose a dwarf woman regardless and when she presented him with the Arkenstone it would seal their fate.

Dithinia knew where she would have to look deep in the mountain where the dragon had once secreted himself. She knew that the stone had supposedly been lost during the battle for the mountain but she knew better than most that that wasn't true. Her father - one of the warriors that had faught at the mountain- had found the stone in the fray and with a thought to secure his daughter a better position he hid the stone within the mountain. Upon her selection to become the bride selected from her home he had given her a map to locate the stone deep in the mountain tunnels.

Dithinia smiled to herself she would bide her time and wait for the right moment to present him with the stone and she would make sure it was the perfect time to disgrace the elf so she would be forced to leave and not return.

*******
Bilbo was standing with Thorin on the balcony overlooking the field tha stretched between Dale and Erebor, his face was a mask of concern that Arnial had not yet returned. Bilbo knew that he was also in a gloomy mood the announcement to his council had not gone over completely well though it did not get met with pure ridicule either.

Dane of course was a bit resentful as were a few of the other dwarves that were there. Fili,Kili,Dwalin, and Balin were not surprised or disappointed with his choice, it seemed clear that it benefited everyone.

"Your cousin seemed a bit hot over everything didn't he?" Bilbo asked.

"Dane is worried about the mixing of the line. Myself,Fili, and Kili have all chosen elves for brides they believe we have blended the line of Durin to much with elf blood." Thorin sighed.

"What does it matter?" Bilbo asked shaking his head. "We are all the same when it comes down to it."

Thorin looked to Bilbo and smiled softly "Not all believe as you Hobbits. The worlld would've been a kinder place if even a few more believed as such."

Bilbo chuckled and turned to look out over the field then he pointed "I see some one walking the old road to Erebor."

Thorin turned and looked back out to the road. He was able to see the figure walking the road as well, it was no dwarf that was for sure. He was squinting his eyes to try to figure out if it might be Arnial walking back.

"Why is she alone?" Thorin asked mostly to himself but outloud.

"Wouldn't the other elves have traveled with her?" Bilbo asked "What if somethings wrong?"

Thorin turned to look back into the halls and saw Dwalin standing guard as always and called to him. He ordered him to send some scouts back out onto the road to escort whoever was walking the road to Erebor. Dwalin nodded and started disappeared down the hall to get the orders put in.

*******
Once the dwarves he had sent retrieved Arnial and returned her to Erebor he met her in the throne room. She seemed in good spirits when Thorin arrived but he could see a sadness in her eyes as she turned to look at him.

Arnial bowed "King Thorin greetings."

"Arnial, why have you returned alone, I assumed that Thranduil would've at least seen you back here safely."