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A Hobbit's Rescue	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Hobbit, The Views: 5698 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "The Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story.

Chapter List
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Author’s Note – Another update for all of you to enjoy. I hope to get a few chapters of this posted today as well as other works updated too. We’ll see how my energy holds out. Enjoy!
Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make money from this story.
Chapter Twenty-five – Ripple Effect
Thorin was interrupted from his thoughts by the arrival of the elvish captain, and he rose to his feet when she opened the door to his cell. Despite the fact that he had no intention of attacking, the dwarf lord was cautious in case the elf had other intentions.
“King Thorin, my king wishes to speak with you,” she informed him quietly.
The dwarf was a tad bit surprised as it had been some time since Thranduil had wanted to have an audience with him. He kept quiet, walking beside the she-elf, and she was the one who broke the silence.
“Your company is faring well so far,” she told him, taking him by surprise by the information she had volunteered. Until now, any questions regarding his family and company had gone unanswered.
“My sister-sons and niece,” he asked, speaking of the three closest to his heart.
“The one named Fili asks about you and his brother as often as he asks about one named Ori,” she replied. “Kili is the same as his brother, though he worries a great deal about his wife.”
“How is Adamanta,” he queried, worried for the hobbit. The elf could hear it in his voice and drew in a slow breath before answering him, knowing this would add to his burden of concerns.
“She is unwell and weakening by the day,” Tauriel answered honestly. “Despite her illness, she has managed to show a strength that I have come to greatly admire. She refuses to show any weakness to my king and has lectured him quite often.”
Despite his grave concern for his niece, Thorin chuckled. His sister-son’s wife was showing more depths to her personality each day, and he was glad to see her true self emerging. The dwarf lord was proud of her growth and couldn’t wait to see what the end result would be.
“That’s Adamanta for you,” he said, eyes gleaming with mirth. “That one is a blessing from Mahal and Yavanna to my family.”
“I can see why,” she replied. “Your nephew stated she has a core of mithril, and I am very much inclined to agree with him.”
“The rest of us do as well,” he commented, then quieted when she opened the door to a small room with a table and two goblets resting upon it. This was a change from the throne room which had been the usual location where he would meet the elvish king, and it made the dwarf wonder what was going on.
“You may wait outside, Tauriel,” Thranduil ordered, and the she-elf complied with a bow.
Once they were alone, the king gestured to the table, not looking up from his own goblet.
“Be seated, Thorin,” he said to him, voice soft. “I have questions that I must ask, and I require honest answers from you.”
He reminded himself of his niece’s reported health issue and took a seat, watching the elven king with wary eyes. For Adamanta’s sake, the dwarf would do his best to keep his temper during his time in the elf’s presence.
“How many made it out of Erebor when the dragon attacked,” Thranduil asked, catching Thorin off guard.
“Less than half of the population,” he answered, voice quiet but full of remembered pain when Balin had come to him, his father, and grandfather with the report.
The elf nodded, still not looking up but seemed very lost in thought. Thorin wasn’t sure what to make of this line of questioning but would wait it out, suspecting Adamanta might have said something to put Thranduil into this mood.
“Of that count, how many actually survived until you arrived to a place where you could regroup and heal?”
The dwarf responded with a number that had been too high for a population already too low, and he could see the other king wince. Oh yes, he was definitely suspecting his niece had managed to prick the conscience of this particular king.
“If you were to attempt to retake Erebor, what would be your complete vision for that? Why would you do it?”
“It was brought to light recently that removing the heart from our home was the wrong thing to do, and we did not heed Her cries when She sickened. We believe that Mahal acted against us in order to force us to realize what we had done. To my shame, some of us did not understand what we were hearing and the others simply hardened their hearts to the home that our creator granted us.
“The gold sickness was the first sign of Mahal’s displeasure with us, but it wasn’t enough to gain our attention. Smaug’s attack was our Creator’s way of removing us from the problem in order to allow us to grow up and see with eyes unclouded by greed,” Thorin answered, somehow knowing that honesty was necessary at this moment in time.
“If I were to attempt to regain our home, I would have two important goals. One, the Arkenstone will be returned into the depths of the mountain and work to heal Her. Two, I will ensure that my people are sheltered and cared for. Our birth rate is too low, and where we live now does not produce enough to allow us to buy the things we need to thrive.”
“You truly believe that the gold sickness your grandfather had and the attack of the dragon were punishments from the Valar?”
“I do,” Thorin answered. “Our line showed no signs of the madness until the Arkenstone was removed from where it belongs within Erebor. The greed caused us to do things we normally would not have done, and I was reminded that we hindered ourselves by amassing such wealth and not spending it.”
“What do you mean,” Thranduil asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“We take pride in creating things and having recognition for our work,” he replied. “When we sell the items we have crafted, people take notice of the workmanship and order more. This sends more of our work out into the world, and recognition for the master who created the items becomes widespread. The reputation built means more than gold to a craftsman. The greed made us lose sight of that.”
“After the fall of Sauron, I knew that evil would still be able to flourish in Arda and thought nothing of it, simply content to watch over my people. When our women never conceived, I believed it was Ilúvatar’s way of keeping us safe because our younglings are slow to grow and require a great deal of care,” the elf began.
“I found out recently that my way of thinking was erroneous. Our Father has blessed the elves of Imladris and Lothlórien with younglings, but our home was overlooked. The Greenwood has now been corrupted and has become Mirkwood.
“It was pointed out to me that my people are being punished for my actions and pride,” Thranduil said softly. “The difficulties began when I turned my back when I should not have. It is the responsibility of the oldest children to aid their younger siblings, and I did nothing of the kind. Because of my inactions, many of your people perished and their blood falls on both my hands and your grandfather’s.”
Now that was something Thorin did not expect to hear, and he straightened in his seat to stare at the elf. Thranduil looked up, and the dwarf could read the exhaustion and sorrow in the otherworldly looking eyes.
“I freely admit it,” the blond stated. “I have a long and difficult journey ahead of me to make the changes necessary to free my home from this illness and earn the forgiveness of those I have wronged as well as the Vala I have offended.
“Thorin, you and yours have not admitted to the truth of your errand but you need not confess it. I know all too well how strong the pull of home is for anyone, and your home has been lost for many years. That loss has affected another community, and they will need our aid in order to shake off the shackles that they have lived under.”
Both were silent for several long moments before Thranduil continued.
“Though I have the numbers needed to go against Smaug, my warriors are spread throughout my land in order to destroy the creatures that have come with the darkness. To recall them would take a considerable amount of time and I was informed earlier that there are now orcs roaming my woods.”
“We have had a run in with them as well,” Thorin replied. “One particular orc is intent on destroying my family, and I will not allow that to happen.”
“I understand,” the elf told him. “I have my warriors thinning their numbers out as we speak. My son alerted them to my orders recently, and I know how much my people enjoy hunting orcs.”
“As do mine,” the dwarf admitted, bringing a look of grim satisfaction to the other king’s face.
“As I said, I mean to earn forgiveness and know it will be a slow process. I may not be able to supply you with warriors, but there are other things I can do in order to assist you. You will be resupplied before you leave my realm, and I will give you a guide who can lead you through the forest and towards Dale. You’ll be able to avoid Lake Town this way, which I advise you to do.”
“You have issues with the men there,” the king in exile asked, a bit surprised by the recommendation.
“Just one man in particular, a pathetic representation of the human species who calls himself the Master of Lake Town. The people starve while he continues to tax them in order to fulfil his own greed. There is a particular human my son has spoken with, and Legolas informs me that he is an honorable man and good father. The human, known as Bard, is the descendent of Girion.
“Thorin Oakenshield, if you succeed in reclaiming your home, I ask that you aid this man in the rebuilding of Dale and help the people escape the hold of this so-called Master.”
“Before Mahal, you have my word,” Thorin answered. “Our wrongs have affected those people, and I would see things put right.”
“We shall work together to achieve that goal then,” Thranduil said to him. “I have one last gift to give, but it will be one that is meant for one particular individual. I am told you have an archer in your company?”
“My sister-son is very talented with a bow,” the dwarf replied.
“I would speak with him before you leave,” the elf informed the other. “At this moment, we will be releasing your company and installing them into guest rooms to allow your niece time to recover her strength. Once you deem the company ready, I will have a guide chosen and ready to lead you to your destination.”
“Thank you,” he told him, surprising himself with his words. In truth, Thorin knew Thranduil was being generous and he respected that.
“All recognition for this goes to your niece,” the elven king replied. “She has a sharp tongue and knows just what to say in order to have the scales fall from your eyes.”
“Adamanta has done the same for us, and we call her our voice of common sense and reason just because of that talent she has,” he replied.
“She is that,” Thranduil commented. “I know that renewing the old treaties is not the way to go. There are too many scars to even think of doing such a thing, but I believe new treaties will be the best way to allow our people a chance to heal together.”
“I would be agreeable to that,” the dwarf answered. “I have only one stipulation.”
“I believe I know what it is, and I hold the same stipulation,” the older male told him. “Please, share the stipulation.”
“I would have Kili and Adamanta mediate any treaties as well as be the main ambassador to handle any issues between our people. You and I have too much bad blood between us to ensure a long lasting peace, and we can handle diplomatic events that require our presence there. My sister-son and his wife are better equipped for this.”
“That was my thought as well,” he replied. “I know the perfect ambassador to use for when the time is right. Now, one of my guards will escort you to your room and your people should be there soon. I have had all of your belongings placed there so you can reclaim them.”
Thorin gave him a nod, following the guard out after Thranduil called the elf in to give him orders. He was amazed at the change in the elven king and hoped this meant that Thranduil would follow through on his words.
Author’s End Note – We now see what the effect is that Adamanta’s words had on the elvish king. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you thought of it. ~ Laran
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A Hobbit's Rescue