Natalie

~~~

"Let me guess it went horribly," I conclude with a bored look as Bard returns. His face gives it all away, not like we all already knew how it would play out.

"He will give us nothing," Bard confirms. He looks crestfallen. He truly did want to avoid war.

"Such a pity. But still you tried," Thranduil says with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. I give him a nasty side eye in response.

"I do not understand. Why? Why would he risk war?" Bard asks desperately.

"Dragon sickness does that to dwarves...and men," Smaug answers.

"It is fruitless to reason with them. They understand only one thing," Thranduil mutters and draws his sword. "We attack at dawn."

My eyes widen as his words sink in. If there was even a shred of hope before it's now gone.

"Are you with us?" Bard looks up at Thranduil and gives a half nod.

"Wait what?!" I sputter. I wasn't expecting him to go violent so quickly. "No! Thranduil there is no point in that!"

He ignores me and turns the elk around to head back into the ruined city. Bard follows him with his head bent down.

"Thranduil! You listen to me! Don't do this!" I shout. "If you're willing to go to war over gold you're just as bad as them!"

My yells don't waiver them.

"Natalie I don't think their listening," Smaug murmurs and reaches out to touch my shoulder. I step out his his reach and fume.

"I can't believe this is happening. Thranduil is being such a fool!"

"Natalie we need to warn the dwarves," Smaug points out gently.

"We need to stop Thranduil and Bard," I counter. There's a long pause of silence before I let out a sigh. "I'll stop my king, can you talk to the dwarves?"

"I'd do anything for you," Smaug replies and gives a slight bow.

"Smaug you're too sweet to me. Seriously one of these days it might hurt you," I mutter and reach up to pat his cheek, though he has to bend down so I can reach. "But thank you. Now go." Smaug smiles and shoots into the air with one wing swipe. I grin and shake my head.

For an all powerful dragon he can be such a dope.

"Now for Thranduil," I utter and take off running after his snootiness.

~~~

"Bard please listen to me. At Least try to reason with Thranduil. He seems to listen to you more than me," I plead and grab the mans arm. I followed them back to Dale and tried to talk to Thranduil again, I was shot down. Now I've turned to Bard who has his men suiting up for war.

"I've tried little hobbit but it'd take a miracle to talk your king out of his decision," Bard replies. "Believe me o want to avoid a fight as much as you."

"Then why help Thranduil fight? Why participate?" I snap angrily.

"Because we need allies and I can't risk losing Thranduil as an ally. He brought my men food, medical assistance, and clothes. I need him," Bard explains and I feel a stab of sorrow for him. His words, there is a personal note to them.

"I understand your predicament and your decision. You are a wise leader Bard. After this is over I believe you can be a good king to your people," I say with a nod of respect. "The Woodland Realm shall be your ally for as long as I have a say." Bard smiles at me thankfully making the corners of his eyes crinkle. He is a genuine good man. "And even after I am gone I will assume Thranduil would like to keep you close." Bard stiffens and the faintest of blushes comes to his cheeks.

"Thank you Advisor Natalie."

~~~

Lacy

~~~

I watch from afar as the dwarves grab weapons and put on armor. They look grim and angry.

"I can't believe this has happened this way," I whisper sullenly.

"I know seems it was just yesterday we were drinking and partying in Rivendall," Emily murmurs. "Now we're preparing for war."

"This won't be the first battle I've seen and certainly it's not the last but I have a feeling it'll be the worst," Alex mutters. She's picking at her nails and frowning. "I've never had a battle that had more than one friend involved..I have also never fought with one eye fucked to hell."

"Well I've been in a war before. It wasn't fun. Actually wait it was, but that's only because it was stupid orcs we were fighting against," Sam adds with a shrug.

"I've seen war before. It's a bloody mess," Jacob remarks.

"I don't know how to fight very well. But I will because I want to help," I utter. "I'm scared though."

"We all are Lacy," Sam admits and rubs my shoulder. It's a small gesture but it helps ease my nerves. I'll fight for them, I'll fight for my friends.

Allie is by Thorin wearing a downed expression and watching him. Thorin makes sure she is never more than arms reach away.

"Master Baggins, come here," Thorin beckons and Bilbo walks forward breaking away from Sam and Jacob. Thorin is holding up two silvery chainmail shirts. "You're going to need this. As will you my lady Allie." Thorin presses one vest into Bilbos hands.

"They are very nice Thorin," Allie states with a big fake smile.

"Put it on," Thorin tells Bilboe and he pulls of his coat. "This vest is made of silver steel. Mithril it was called by my forebears. No blade can pierce it." Bilbo nods gratefully and pulls the vest over his head.

"I look absurd. I'm not a warrior, I'm a Hobbit," Bilbo remarks exasperated.

"It is a gift, a token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by," Thorin says and smiles fondly. "And for you my lady it is a token of my deep affections."

Allie gives him a real smile and let's Thorin help her into the vest. It seems to have been tailored for her. It clips in the back and has gaps for her wings.

"You're too kind my lord," Allie murmurs and gently strokes his cheek. "Too kind."

~~~

Allie

~~~

I see Thorin truly and honestly through his eyes now. The blue mist seems to have cleared for a moment. He reaches up and holds my hand against his cheek gingerly.

"You have a true heart."

Thorin glances around and suddenly pulls me away from the others.

"Thorin what are you doing?" I hiss as he drags us back.

"I have been blind, but now I'm beginning to see. I am betrayed!" I hold in a nervous gasp and try to look earnest.

"Betrayed?"

"The Arkenstone...one of them has taken it. One of them is false," Thorin growls. The gold lust is back in his eyes. The moment of clarity is over.

"Thorin, the quest is fulfilled, you've won the Mountain. Is that not enough?" I ask in a small voice. I pray I don't set him off.

"Betrayed by my own kin."

"No, uh...you...you made a promise to the people of Lake-Town. Now is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Our honor, Thorin. I was also there, I gave my word," I say managing to keep the shake out of my voice. I remember Laketown clearly. I remember the Master discreetly pulling me and Bilbo aside. We gave our word that Thorin was honest.

"For that, I'm grateful. It was nobly done. But the treasure in this Mountain does not belong to the people of Lake-town. This gold...is ours, and ours alone," Thorin responds. His voice is clear and deadly. The look in his eyes makes me nervous and slightly terrified. He grabs my arm and hold them making me look into his eyes.

As I look at Thorin I stop seeing him and start seeing Smaug and hearing Smaug.

"With my life I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it."