Defended with Shield and Body

The beginning of the war

So, Thorin had chosen the path of war.

A path he would never win on. The elves and the men from Laketown readied bows and spears, ready to attack the mountain if Thranduil and Bard told them to.

But then, another army was heard. They looked up astonished, and on the hills, coming down towards them, there was an army of dwarves.

The dwarves inside the mountain cheered with joy and called out to the red-haired dwarf riding towards them.

"Dain Ironfoot.." Gandalf said grimly as Bilbo looked up questioningly.

Dain rode his pig onto a big rock and looked down at Thranduil, insulting him and shouting battle cries, the dwarves getting ready to attack the elves.

"This one is mad, like his cousin.." Thranduil replied with a smirk before shouting in Sindarin. Instantly, all the elves readied their bows and pointed at the dwarves.

Then, the second they wanted to charge, there were high and screechy noises. Startled, they stopped. A horde of orcs and goblins came running down from the other side, flanking them.

"Oh bugger, I was about to have a verra good time" Dain grumbled before shouting again and turning all the dwarves towards the orcs.

They charged, and after Gandalf had reasoned with Thranduil, the elves attacked as well.

Thorin, however, stayed behind the walls. "We will do nothing." His deep voice roared as his nephews tried to get him to fight. With that, he turned and walked away, back to the throne.

The first ranks of orcs were all killed, but more and more kept coming. And they were not only coming from the side.

A loud battle horn sounded, and an army of orcs charged into the already ruined city of Dale. "Fall back to the city! Protect your women and children!" Bard cried, galloping over the hills back to the city to find his own.

Even after all the fighting, Thorin did nothing. Dwalin approached his king. "Thorin..." Thorin's head snapped towards him. "I am your king.." He hissed.

"My king Thorin.." He began again. "Dain is surrounded. They will be slaughtered. We have to fight."

Thorin merely shook his head. "Yes, they will die. But the gold in this mountain cannot be counted in lives lost. It is worth so much more.."

Dwalin blinked back his tears as he watched his best friend. "This is not the Thorin I know. Bilbo was right. You have changed. You cannot see what you have become.."

All of a sudden, Thorin drew his sword and pointed it at him. "Do. Not. Speak. To. Me. Like. That." His voice was deep and dark.

Dwalin looked hurt, but didn't take a step back.

Thorin seemed to regain his conscious for a second, and he staggered back. He spoke, his voice broken.

"G-go... Before I kill you.."

******

Thorin sat alone in the great hall of Erebor, his crown upon his head and dressed in his golden armour. Voices sounded in his head. Voices of people he used to hold dear.

"A sickness lies upon that treasure hoard.. A sickness that drove your grandfather mad."

I am not my grandfather.

"All for a dwarf who can not see beyond his own desire!"

"You are changed, Thorin.."

I am not my grandfather. Not.

Then, when he looked down at the gold again, tears were in his eyes. He was his grandfather. He'd gone down the same path. They were right.

He threw off his crown, which clattered upon the ground.

He wiped his eyes and sighed, changing into his normal clothes again. Slowly, he approached the other dwarves who sat down sadly, not wanting to watch their kin get slaughtered.

When they saw Thorin approach, some stepped back in fear, but his nephews stepped forward. "I will not hide behind a wall!" Kili yelled, "while others fight our battles for us!" Fili finished.

"We're Duríns, Thorin.. 'T is not in our blood.." Kili said softly, his voice hurt.

Thorin nodded, pulling them both into an embrace. "I'm sorry..." Then he stood straight again, looking at the rest.

"I have no right to ask this of any of you, but will you follow me one last time?"