The Navigator

Exposure

(This is after Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to the Gandalf, Bard, and Thrandiul)

Shifting in his armor, Kili looks back to where Vistial had disappeared, running after his uncle. Sighing, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bead. He turns the bead in his hand, examining it. He had found it when he was searching for the Arkenstone. It was a courtship bead. He knew Vistial didn't know all the dwarvish customs when it came to courtship, but he'd explain it to her. He had been wanting to express his feelings to Vistial, and the bead would help him. He knew it would.

"Come on." Thorin suddenly appears, running to a point where he could look out of the kingdom to the outside world, where the people from Lake-town and Mirkwood were gathering. Kili glances behind Thorin, but doesn't spot Vistial.

"Uncle, where is Vistial?" Kili asks. Thorin ignores him and rushes to look out. Kili follows him. He looks over the wall and spots Bard. He takes a bow near him and fires an arrow at the man, Thrandiul, and Gandalf, who stood next to him.

"I will put the next one between your eyes." Thorin growls.

"We have come to tell you payment of your debt has been offered and accepted." Bard states.

"What payment? I gave you nothing. You have nothing." Thorin snarls.

"We have this." Bard lifts something into the air. Kili sees his uncle's face drop.

"They have the Arkenstone." Thorin shouts. "Thieves! How came you by the heirloom of our house? That stone belongs to the king!"

"And the king may have it with our goodwill." Bard states. "But first he must honor his word."

"They are taking us for fools." Thorin states. "This is a ruse. A filthy lie. The Arkenstone is in this Mountain! It is a trick!"

"It's no trick." Bilbo pushes through the Company and stands in front of Thorin. "The stone is real. I gave it to them."

"You?" Thorin turns on the Hobbit.

"I took it as my 15th share." Bilbo states.

"You would steal from me?" Thorin growls.

"Steal from you? No. No, I may be a burglar, but I like to think I'm an honest one." Bilbo states. "I'll let it stand against my claim."

"Against your claim?" Thorin laughs. "Your claim. You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!"

"I was going to give it to you. Many times I wanted to, but.." Bilbo stops.

"But what, thief?" Thorin demands.

"You are changed, Thorin." Bilbo says. "The dwarf I met in Bag End would never have gone back on his word. Would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!"

"Do not speak to me of loyalty." Thorin growls. He looks at the Company. "Throw him from the rampart!" The dwarves look at each other, but don't move.

"Did you not hear me?" Thorin snarls. "I will do it myself." He reaches over and grabs Bilbo by the shirt and pins him against the wall.

"Curse you!" Thorin shouts as the Company moves to stop him. "No! Cursed be the Wizard that forced you on us!"

"If you don't like my burglar, then please, don't damage him." Gandalf shouts. "Return him to me." Thorin takes his hands off Bilbo, who stumbles away. "You're not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain, are you, Thorin, son of Thrain?"

"Never again will I have dealings with Wizards! Or Shire rats!" Thorin spits, glaring at Bilbo.

"Are we resolved? The return of the Arkenstone for what was promised?" Bard questions.

"Why should I buy back that which is rightfully mine?" Thorin growls. "Keep the stone, sell it. Ecthelion of Gondor will give you a good price for it. I will kill you! By my oath, I will kill you all!"

"Your oath means nothing." Gandalf shouts. "I've heard enough. Thorin, lay down your arms. Open these doors. This treasure will be your death."

"No, not mine. But it will be someone else's. Someone who you hold very close to your heart, wizard." Thorin growls. He walks over to a near-by door and yanks on a large chain. A figure stumbles out of the door and Kili gasps at the sight. Encased in chains, Vistial struggles to stand upright as Thorin pushes her forward. The girl had bruises and cuts on her face, yet her face was firm with determination.

"Uncle, what are you doing?!" Kili demands, but Thorin ignores him.

"Thorin, you leave her out of this." Gandalf shouts. A look of fear crossed his face.

"You brought a human-elf into our midst, claiming she was the best navigator in Middle Earth. But you kept her true identity secret." Thorin spits. "I don't appreciate secrets." He leans down and glares at Vistial. "Show them." Visital just looks at him, no emotion in her eyes.

"Did you not hear me? Show them!" Thorin shouts, but Visital continues to stare at him. "You miserable girl!"

"Uncle, stop!" Kili rushes forward and catches Thorin's wrist as he goes to slap Vistial.

"What are you doing?! How dare you interfere." Thorin growls, shoving Kili to the side. He stands over his nephew, glowering over him. "To think I allowed my sister's sons to join me. You are useless in the world." Vistial was on Thorin in an instant. She had shifted in anger and tackled Thorin to the ground. Her eyes were constricted and she roars at the dwarf. Thorin struggles underneath her talons, but all Vistial saw was red and the dwarf that tried to hurt her love.

"Vistial, stop! Don't do it!" Kili shouts as she takes a breath. He knew she was preparing to burn his uncle into the next world, and he couldn't let it happen, even though she was protecting him. Vistial hesitates for a moment, so Kili continues. "I know he tried to hurt me, but you know he's not himself. Don't hurt him, Vistial." Vistial's eyes dilate and she slowly lets out a breath. She looks down at Thorin, who gazes up at her in fear. Vistial quickly takes her talons off him and Thorin scrambles back. She gazes back at Kili, and he sees dismay and hurt in her eyes. She looks out and spots the people near the gate of Erebor. Bard was looking at her in surprise, a look of awe crossed Thrandiul's face, and Gandalf...Gandalf was looking at her in sympathy.

"Vistial." Kili says, taking a step to her. She backs away from him. "Vistial, it's okay..."

"No, it's not." She says, tears filling her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Visital, wait!" Kili shouts as Visital dives off the rampart. She banks right and flies as fast as she could, Kili's voice dying in the wind. Three words echo in her mind as she flew away.

I'ma monster.