Saving the Sons of Durin

Thand Otoquë

"I am sorry I interrupted your private time. I know it must be precious to you after spending so much time with us." He apologized. Ellía gave him a light smile and said, "It wasn't very relaxing so do not worry. It was actually quite frustrating because every book that caught my attention is in your secret language." Fili let out a small chuckle and said, "When we get settled I will help translate whatever you wish to read. Consider it your payment since you did not wish for any gold."

As the two approached the gate, Ellía caught him my the sleeve and brought them to a halt. "What is it, El?" he asked her. The elf hesitated before whispering, "Do you see how he has changed?". Fili furrowed his brows and looked away from her. "He is under a lot of stress is all. Once our people begin to arrive and we start to rebuild Erebor, he will return to his less brooding self. You'll see. Now, c'mon." Fili told her with a somewhat forced smile as he used his free hand to take hold of her wrist and drag her along with him.

"The survivors of Lake-Town are flooding into Dale. We need to barricade the gate." Thorin ordered and had the dwarves start to pick up larges pieces of broken stone and close up the opening. Ellía was in awe as she watched the men pick up the stone as if it weighed nothing. This was the first time she had ever truly witnessed the fabled strength of the dwarven race.

"I want this fortress made safe by sun-up!" Thorin called after they had been working for a few hours. Ellía stopped for a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow. Her elven abilities were the only thing helping her somewhat keep up with the  dwarves. "The people of Lake-Town have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything." Kili spoke up.

"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragon fire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for." Thorin said as a smug smile grew on his face. Bilbo looked up at Ellía with fear in his eyes as Thorin shouted for more stone to be brought to the gate.

"What should we do?" He whispered, just loud enough for her elf ears to pick up. "I fear that I do not know, mellon." Ellía breathed back as she stared out in the distance where small fires were being light by the humans in Dale. All she could hope for right now was that Thorin would soon come to his senses...

~~~~~

The next morning, Ellía had come down to the chamber where the dwarves were beginning to take inventory of the treasure, with a small spread of breakfast Bombur had whipped up. She walked in to see Thorin standing over a table as he grinned down at the gems sitting before him. Ellía's heart jumped when she realized just what Thorin was staring at.

"The White Gems of Lasgalen." He announced as he held up a beautiful necklace towards Ellía. She sat the food down in front of Bofur and walked to stand in front of Thorin as she gazed down at the gems she had heard stories about as a small child. "I know an elf lord who will pay a pretty price for these." He sneered and tossed the necklace down into the pile of unset white gems, causing them to scatter.

Ellía felt like she had received a slap to the face as she watched the gems of her ancestors fall to the floor like they were worthless. Knowing that it might set off the unstable dwarf, Ellía blinked away the burning tears from her eyes and forced herself not to drop to the floor and pick up every last one of them. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and she glanced over to see Fili behind her with a sympathetic look. "Come on! All of you!" Thorin called from the doorway, breaking their gaze.

The company rushed to climb the steep steps to the terrace above the front gate. Once the reached the platform, Ellía looked out to see an army of Elves lining the walls of Dale. Out in the distance came a Bard galloping towards them on a horse. "Hail, Thorin, son of Thrain. We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." The man called up. Ellía felt a bit of relief as she looked at the man, knowing Tilda and Sigrid at least still had their father.

"Why do you come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin called down. "Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in like a robber in his hold?" Bard called back. "Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." Thorin retorted. "My lord, we have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked.

Thorin thought for a moment before nodding and heading down the steps and to the bottom of the gate to speak with the man through the gate. "Send the raven." Thorin ordered lowly to Ori as he passed by him. Th young dwarf nodded quickly and tied a small piece of parchment to awaiting bird on Nori's shoulder. "Make haste." Ori whispered before the bird cawed and flew over the wall and into the distance.

"Who is that for?" Ellía asked no one in particular. The dwarves all shared a look, but did not answer the girl's question as she watched the bird fly away. When she was only met by silence, Ellía furrowed her brows and turned around to see all the dwarves were avoiding eye contact with her. Even Fili and Kili.

She couldn't help but feel hurt as she looked at her friends. After everything they had been through, after everything she has done for them, she really had thought they trusted her fully. Now, they did not feel comfortable telling her whom they sent a message to? "Fine, keep it to yourselves." she said lowly and walked to stand to the side and away from the dwarves. A moment later, she saw Bard angrily hit the wall and return to his horse before galloping away.

Thorin marched up the stairs and joined them as they watched the man head back to Dale. "What are you doing? You cannot go to war." Bilbo said in disbelief. "This does not concern you." Thorin said, not taking his eyes off Bard. "Excuse me, but just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of elves out there. Not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. W-we are in fact outnumbered." Bilbo said.

"Not for much longer." Thorin said with a smile as he turned to look at Bilbo. "What does that mean?" Ellía spoke up, becoming worried. "It means, dear Ellía, you should never underestimate dwarves." Thorin said to her and patted her shoulder. The dots began to connect in her head as he moved away from her. "We have reclaimed Erebor. Now, we defend it." Thorin declared and walked down the steps. "You have called for your kin to come fight the elves..." Ellía whispered to Balin with sadness as her heartbeat quickened. The older dwarf said nothing, but only returned her sorrowful look.