Thirteen - Preparations

“The cesspits of Dol Guldur have been emptied. You’re all in mortal danger,” Gandalf told Thranduil, who rolled his eyes. “What are you talking about?” Bard asked. “I see you know nothing of wizards,” Thranduil said and stood. 

“They are like winter thunder on a wild wind, rolling in from a distance breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm is just a storm,” He explained and Cleos got annoyed. “And if it is truly more than that?” Cleos asked. 

“Armies of Orcs are on the move. These are fighters, they have been bred for war. Our enemy has summoned his full strength,” Gandalf explained. “Why show his hand now?” Thranduil asked him. “We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland,” Gandalf walked out of the tent. 

“The Dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor, Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the mountain, not just for the treasure, but for where it lies, its strategic position. This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the North. If that fell kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall,” He continued as we looked out at Erebor

“These Orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir, where are they?”

~~~

“If we are fighting an army of Orcs and thirteen angry Dwarves we need to practice,” I told Cleos and continued walking out of the city with him behind me. “We’re going to train like we used to,” he smirked and pulled out his sword.

I turned back to him and pulled out one of my swords. “We haven’t had a proper sword fight in years,” I smirked as we circled a few feet away from each other. I lunged and he backed up and knocked my sword with his. 

I continued to back him up while our swords clashed together until he spun my swords out of my hand and it dropped away. I reached for my other sword and ran my hand against the blade, igniting it with a decent sized fire. 

He looked at me in annoyance. “We never said we couldn’t use our abilities,” I defended. He rolled his eyes and tried to spin my sword out of my hand. 

I knocked his sword down and reached for the dagger at the small of my back to hold against his throat and win. He grabbed my right hand and spun us around. He tripped me with his foot and I went down and pulled him down with me. 

He landed on top of me and I groaned. “I win,” he said victoriously, pinning me and holding my wrists. I flipped him on his back, reached for my dagger and held it at his throat and his smirk faded. “Did you?” 

Cleos has always been a better sword fighter than me, and that’s nothing against me, he’s bested Nik hundreds of times over. He is, without a doubt, the strongest fighter in our family, aside from Martarys, of course. 

We continued to spar then put down our weapons entirely and fought hand to hand for a bit. Hand to hand is where I thrive, even without using a gust of wind, or a spark of fire to spook opponents. 

“Had enough yet, Rennie?” He asked, using a childhood nickname that used to, and still does, annoy me. “Never,” I flicked my wrist, sending him backwards with a puff of wind. He groaned as he hit the ground and I laughed. 

“What about you?” I asked. “Yeah,” He panted, sitting up. “I think we’re in good shape,” He said and I smiled, offering my hand to help him up. He took it and we laughed as we walked back.

“You think the Dwarves will surrender? They won’t. They will fight to the death to defend their own,” I heard a familiar voice and turned to see Bilbo with Gandalf and Bard. “Bilbo Baggins!” Gandalf said and I walked over. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

~~~

“I came to give you this,” Bilbo said quickly and pulled out a brown cloth and unwrapped it. 

The Arkenstone. 

I stared at it in shock and Thranduil stood. “The Heart of the Mountain. The King’s jewel,” He said in awe. “And worth a king’s ransom. How is this yours to give?” Bard asked and we looked at Bilbo. “I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure,” Bilbo smiled. “Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty,” Bard asked. 

“I’m not doing it for you. Dwarves can be difficult, suspicious, and secretive, but they’re also brave, kind, and loyal to a fault. I’ve grown very fond of them and I would save them if I can. Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for it, I believe he will give you what you’re owed,”

I looked back at the stone then to Thranduil and Bard. “This is our last chance at peace. And the best one to get through to Thorin before we start a war. We can not waste it,” I told them and they both nodded in agreement.

“Verena, you and Gandalf should stay behind the ranks, it will be best if Thorin doesn’t feel betrayed and cornered at the same time,” Cleos suggested and I nodded in agreement.

Please, Thorin, don't make a rash decision.