*Okay, this is kind of a filler chapter, so sorry about that, but I promise the next chapter will be better. Also, I'm acknowledging that I am the worst at updating possible. So, bear with me until the end of this story. It's super long, but thanks for putting up with it. Ciao!*
Kili finished off the wrapping the wound for a moment. We sat down in chairs, Kili and I taking the couch. His hand rested upon my knee in a very cordial manner.
"Yes. The arrangements involving the rebuilding of Dale, and the lives of my people. I am asking for more than what Dain is offering. Please. It is not enough. Winter is upon us, and we are hungry. We are in need of supplies." He begged.
"We are well aware. We have a proposition." Fili said. "We are going to let you come live in Erebor until the spring after Dain leaves tomorrow morning. Here, you shall have homes, food, and accommodations for the winter. While soon, the Erebor dwarves will be back, we have multitudes of rooms, and enough resources to share with you."
"Once the spring comes, we shall send you on your way to Dale with food and three hundred coins per family, and another thousand to start your economy. We shall also freely give our help and resources upon rebuilding the city, being as we need it. We shall start on Laketown over the summer, providing more to those who want to make the journey back." I continued. Bard smiled, and it was very kind.
"That sounds very reasonable. Are you sure we cannot repay you for helping us so much?" Kili's head shook.
"After everything the Lakemen has done for us, it is the least we can do. You made it possible to make it to Erebor. You helped us even when you did not want, and we must repay you after the desolation of Smaug." He explained with a grateful look.
"Then it is settled. Though... I still have the Arkenstone. What should I do with it?" Fili answered without hesitation.
"Give it to Iridian. She is the most pure of heart here. She shall keep it safe until Dain is gone, and until the Lakemen have gotten comfortable in Erebor. From there, she should probably keep it until we rebuild the throne, so it can be placed where it belongs. It belongs in its dias, for everyone to gaze upon it's beauty." Bard nodded thoughtfully, clearing agreeing.
"Then it is settled." He pulled out a pouch, and handed it to me. The whole nation of Erebor rested in my palms; within the pouch was the spirit of the mountain. "Go on, check I am not lying." I could tell we all wanted to see it closer. I wanted to see it again. I took it out slowly, and gazed upon the most beautiful stone I had ever seen. It was white and milky, similar to a moonstone. Inside were a multitude of colors swirling around. It was like its own universe, with its own mind.
"It's beautiful. To finally gaze upon the King's Jewel." Fili breathed. I knew there was no greed in his voice, only pure awe. It truly was breathtaking. I placed it back in the pouch, tying it to my belt. "Thank you, Bard. Not just for sending Dain away, but for being willing to compromise after all the dealings before the Battle of the Five Armies."
"It's no problem. Despite Thorin was unreasonable, I knew he was not himself. How you three are being, is how he really is."
"More or less." I shrugged, causing my shoulder to twinge in pain. A round of laughter passed around in the small room. "So, our deal is settled? You will come around noon, a few hours after Dain has left? I will, hopefully, be around to help make accommodations with you. Balin, Kili and Fill as well." I summarized. Bard's eyes clouded for a moment, as though wondering what I meant.
"What do you mean hopefully?" He said. Kili tightened his hand on my knee. Our eyes darted to the side, wondering. "What is it I do not know?" Fili looked wary, but finally nodded. I sighed.
"I have an idea on how to save Thorin. But it may not work, given my heritage. I could die, or Thorin could still." I said vaguely.
"I wish you the best of luck, and I understand if you are not there."
"If all goes well, I will be. Or I will be in a couple days. Do not despair." I explained. He nodded. He decided to change the subject, wanting to talk more.
"Dain does not like you much." He said as a statement. It was no question.
"It is because I am a female, and clearly not dwarf. I talked back the night of the feast, and he did not appreciated that. He didn't like how I spoke for the princes' behalves, and how I said I was of equal status."
"You are above that stubborn man." Bard spat. "You are much more equipped for diplomatic matters, even if you have never been in them." I smiled, thanking the man. "Well, our deals are finished, I must be getting back, and inform everyone of our decisions." We stood, shaking one another's hands. "You three are wise, and I am glad that Erebor has you as leaders with Thorin." He said honestly.
"Thank you. The citizens of Dale should be honored to have such a kind and just leader." I answered. "Are Sigrid, Tilda, and Bain alright? I have not heard of them since we left for Erebor. I only know they found you." Bard smiled, looking down at me.
"They are doing wonderfully. They are alive and well, and will look forward to seeing you. Tilda especially. You grew on her." He stated. I shrugged, again a small pain in my shoulder appearing.
"Guess I'm good with kids." I smirked, and we laughed again. "Well, I shall lead you out, Lord Bard. Fili, Kili, continue on with whatever else must be discussed, and do not tell Dain of our plans. He would rather kill the former Lakemen than let them stay in these walls." I covered the Arkenstone pouch with my hand. We opened the door, and saw Dain and his advisors waiting, anxiously, Balin holding a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
"What have you decided that I must refuse?" Dain growled low, approaching. Kili stepped in front of by half a pace. "What did you do? You cannot make decisions without consulting me."
"Believe it or not, we can. You're going to go back to the Iron Hills, where your place is. As Lord of the Iron Hills, you cannot dictate our decisions. Once you leave, it will be under our control anyway. We are not in need of your services or 'father figure' during this time." I said calmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to show Lord Bard out. Thank you all. Continue discussing the rebuilding for Erebor. I suggest airing it out."
I pecked Kili's cheek as I walked past, and motioned for Bard to follow. We walked the halls, and I knew where we were going. "Remember, only come at noon, or else Dain will be furious. I promise you will be treated with respect. At this point, some Erebor dwarves should be returning, but they should understand." I said once again.
"I know, Iridian. You know, you've really grown since we met. We both have. We're no longer at each other's throats."
"What made you stop disliking me? I cannot deny my actions were not admirable, and I apologize for that."
"It was forgiven long ago. After I saw how Tilda got along with you, and how desperate you looked to save Kili. You cared for my children, and kept your promise to keep them safe. It was admirable. You are an admirable person. I am glad to make deals with you. You are reasonable, and fair." I smiled as we reached the gates.
"Thank you. You, Bard the Dragonslayer, and also just and fair. The citizens of Dale are glad to have you as their leader. I realize it was forced upon you, but you are taking to it very well." We walked out the gates, pausing to look at one another. He smiled, looking down at my small frame.
"I shall see you tomorrow. I hope you accomplish what needs to be done to save the King Under the Mountain."
"Thank you. I hope I do as well. It should be this evening. I'm nervous." I admitted. He gave a soft smile, setting his hand on my shoulder.
"Don't be. You're more than capable. Anyone who's suffered so much can do it." I returned the grin, before he wrapped his cloak around himself. "I suppose I'll be on my way." He said, turning away. "See you tomorrow, hopefully." He called back. I waved and headed back into the mountain. I walked down a hallway that was fairly quiet, back toward the council room, when a hand slammed me into the wall. A part of the wall protruded into my shoulder. I gasped, and faced Dain's angry eyes.
"I don't know what deal you struck with that nasty man, but I will not stand for it. I will not have you ruin everything. I was meant to be the new King Under the Mountain. And now you're undermining everything. You ungrateful wench. You don't deserve to be with Prince Kili. You're not even a dwarf, that much is obvious. And now... I'll ruin you so badly, you won't want to come back."
He had my wrists pinned to the wall, and I struggled. I was still to weak to respond, the pain in my injuries on my shoulder and arms stopping me. Why was it always me? This was even worse than Alfrid. I opened my mouth to scream, but he covered it. Instead it became something close to a muffled whimper. "Don't you dare." He snarled. He took his hand from my mouth, but instead, I hooted twice like a barn owl, once like a brown owl. He slapped me. I did it again. Again his hand connected with my face. I cried out, and a hand closed around my throat.
I couldn't die. I just couldn't. "Fili... Kili." I choked out, but I doubted anyone would hear me.
"Not long now, they'll find your body, and they won't be able to trace it to me. And then... you'll finally get what you deserve; a grave six feet under." He sneered. I started blacking out, my throat hurting. Spots swirled my vision, and my knees buckled, leaving me at the lack of mercy of Dain Ironfoot.
"Put her down!" A voice commanded. It sounded like it was coming from far away. "Dain! If you know what's good, you will put my fiancée down." He demanded. I was dropped, and I crouched, clutching my hurting throat. I looked up to see Kili's hands wrapped in Dain's lapels, his face inches from the others. "If you dare touch her again, or hurt her, you will be sorry. Don't ever touch Iridian again. Do you hear me?" He growled low.
Dain nodded. "But that wench will be sorry." He ground out.
"You'll be sorry if you ever try and kill my One again. Once you leave tomorrow, don't come back. You are not invited for the wedding. In fact, you're not invited back to Erebor unless you have to be here. My uncle will hear of this." Kili shoved the lord away. "Now get out of my sight. You have troops that need to be out by dawn." He commanded. Dain's boots passed my body, and I flinched noticeably. Hands lifted me to look at him. "Iridian. Are you okay? Are you hurt to badly?"
"I shouldn't be. Just sore. That's all." I answered in a hoarse tone. "That bastard." I spat, as we headed back for our home. "What about the meeting?" I asked slowly.
"It's over. I went looking for you. Dain had left, and you hadn't returned. We had just adjoined the meeting, and I went to see where you were when I heard you calling." He explained as he opened the door. I hobbled in, and headed for our room. "Let's get these looked at, and then we'll just rest so we can prepare for tonight."
I let him lead me into our room, and he sat me against the bed. He took off my shoes, and got the ointment. He took off the bloody bandages, and sighed. "Stay here." He commanded softly, as we went to get water and a cloth. I set down the Arkenstone on the bedside table. He came back with more cloth to wrap it with, and started treating the wound. "I like this tunic. You should wear it more often."
"Maybe I- agh!" I hissed. "Maybe I should." I finished, grimacing. "Guess this will take longer to heal." I laughed dryly. I looked back to see Kili's eyes with concern. "Come on, that's funny." I said.
"Okay, sure." He said dryly, finishing off my wrapping again. "Now try not to ruin it again." He joked, kissing the side of my neck. I shivered slightly, and I felt him smirk against my neck. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him. I interlocked our fingers together, our rings shining. It must have been midday, and Thorin wanted to see us at four. That's what Oin had said as well yesterday.
"I'm tired, Kili." I mumbled, yawning. I rubbed my eyes like a child. He chuckled, and pulled me to lay down next to him. My eyes closed to him kissing my cheek. "I love you." I said softly, and it all came jumbling out. I didn't hear his response, something about waking me up. I smiled as his arm wrapped around my waist.