Defended with Shield and Body

These are dark days.

Bilbo was right. Bilbo was right and yet there was nothing that would make him change his mind.

It was a dark night in Erebor, though when Thorin went up to the gate and looked in the distance, there was much to see. Smoke, from the still burning city Laketown. And lights. Lights from an army of the woodland king Thranduil and that of Bard's.

The king sighed. Why did everyone have to be so stubborn. And where was that goddamn Arkenstone? Many times, he had asked Bilbo about it, and many times his burglar had replied he couldn't find it. Thus, Thorin continued searching himself.

There was nothing that could put him from it, he didn't eat, nor sleep, he just spend his entire days in the treasure chamber, looking for a tiny gem. If he had been in his right mind, he would've told himself he was pathetic. But he wasn't.

Sometimes, the dwarves would come and watch him, but he kept rejecting their help. Everyone had betrayed him, everyone but Bilbo. Bilbo's company was the only one he would allow. He wouldn't even allow Fili and Kili in the room. Sometimes, they would secretly go up and watch their uncle searching franticly, and it made them sad.

They all knew both Thranduil and Bard were coming for their share, but apparently Dain from the Iron Hills was now coming too.

War was coming. They all seemed to know. And they all wanted to prevent it, except Thorin.

The next day, Bilbo saw the lights coming closer and closer to the mountain, and he went down to Thorin.

"Thorin.. We've won the mountain.. Is that not enough? They only want a small part of your treasure, not all of it, and you can keep the Arkenstone."

But Thorin would not be reasoned with. He called out for all the dwarves, and led them to the armoury.

"Now, we defend it. Will you follow me, one last time?"

Every dwarf could pick their own battle armour, and they put it on with a heavy heart, dreading this war.

Thorin took Bilbo aside as he did not want to dress for battle. "Bilbo.. You should put on some armour.." He frowned. Bilbo shook his head.

"It's all too heavy for me. I couldn't walk anymore."

As he said that, Thorin's eyes widened a little and he made a gesture to the hobbit to stay exactly where he was as he sprinted off. Bilbo stayed with a confused look.

After a little, Thorin returned, holding a small and elegant piece of chainmail. "Here, put this on." He said, and his voice was soft, softer than Bilbo had heard it in a long while. Was there still hope for him?

Bilbo took the armour, and was utterly surprised when it was as light as a feather. He didn't question why Thorin had given this to him, or what it was, but he just put it on, a little awkward as Thorin was still watching him.

The dwarf smiled, pleased with himself, before walking off again to bellow to his nephews they had to hurry. It made Bilbo cringe.

Thorin's mind was fixed on the Arkenstone, fixed on his task to find it but now he first had to keep these intruders out and away from his mountain. Fully dressed in his armour and his crown upon his raven hair, he positioned himself.

His two nephews beside him, the other dwarves not far behind, they stood proudly, awaiting the two armies.