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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
- 34
- 35
- 36
Author’s Note – I can’t believe this chapter was longer than the battle, but there is a lot to get done from here on out plot wise. I just hope all of you enjoy this chapter. Thank you to Tisha for beta reading, and a huge thanks go to all who have been following this so far.

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make any money from this story.

Chapter Thirty-five – Negotiations in Erebor

Adamanta and Ori had spent the next day and night in the sickroom. Occasionally, they dozed in their seats, waking intermittently to tend to the needs of the patients within the room. They both managed to get some form of comfort from aiding their loved ones and she looked up in concern when Balin entered the sick room, heading to Thorin’s side. The advisor hadn’t been to see the patients since he and Dwalin had entered after the battle to hear of the condition of the royals; he’d been locked in dealing with issues regarding Erebor as well as trying to handle the visiting lords.

The hobbit nearly cried in relief when the king opened his eyes since this was the first time he had done so since being brought here. She sent Ori for Oin, knowing he would want to examine his patient and ensure the concussion hadn’t caused any serious damage.

“Balin…battle?”

“It went well, Thorin,” he told his cousin, understanding that the king was having difficulty speaking due to the pain in his ribs. “The company only sustained minor injuries for the most part. Your nephews are in here with you. Oin will explain what’s happened with them when he gets here.”

“Look frazzled,” he managed, sipping the water that Adamanta had given him. Balin had to hold his head while he drank from the skin she held.

“I am,” he admitted. “Negotiations are going on, and the Master of Lake Town has managed to invite himself into the talks since the town burned as a result of the orc attack. The man is trying to insinuate that the destruction of the town is our fault and says we owe reparation for that. To make matters even more of a headache, Dain’s advisors are trying to push him into speaking for you, which doesn’t sit well with me or him.”

“Worried they might try to overthrow us,” Thorin asked, wincing in pain as he did so.

“Exactly,” he replied. “They refuse to acknowledge the elves, Tharkûn is about to lose his temper, and everyone is demanding that a representative from you be appointed since objections have been raised against Dain speaking for you. They refuse to listen to me even though I share the blood of the House of Durin; they are demanding for you to choose someone to represent Erebor.”

“Balin,” he managed to grit out. “Adamanta is a member of the Durin family and the only one not seriously injured. She speaks for me until I can do so.”

The hobbit stared at him, eyes wide. She hadn’t expected this and would rather remain here to tend to her husband and family. Truthfully, she didn’t feel that she was the best choice to represent Thorin during his convalescence.

“Thorin, I know nothing about this kind of thing. They won’t listen to me since I’m a hobbit and not a dwarf. Balin would be a better choice.”

“You wear the braid of the Durin family,” he gritted out before having to shorten his sentences again. “Be forceful, common sense, and you’ll do fine. Honor commitments made. Show you are the princess you are to be soon. Dwarves follow you because you are Durin. Bifur will be her guard; Kili chose so it stays.”

“I wouldn’t be a good choice because I was trying to calm things down earlier, and they might think I forced Thorin to choose me so I would have all the power,” Balin explained. “You’re the better choice, my dear.”

Oin, who had come into the room along with Ori, looked at the nervous hobbit. Both had heard the tail end of Thorin’s broken speech as well as the advisor’s explanation and approved of their king’s selection to represent him during the ongoing talks.

“You can do it, lass. Just speak for the family and mountain,” he told her. “Balin will help you when you need it, and I’ll make sure to keep a sharp eye on the lads here. If something happens, you’ll be informed right off.”

Adamanta nodded, looking to Thorin. She could tell she didn’t have a choice in this and hoped she wouldn’t mess up. With a sigh, the hobbit lass bowed to the inevitable and would do her best to ensure to keep Erebor safe and running.

“I’ll make sure you still have a mountain to come back to,” she promised. “Don’t push yourself and do what Oin tells you to. I’ll check on you when I can.”

The hobbit turned to Balin, remembering the conversations that had been held after leaving Mirkwood, and an idea popped into her head.

“Did Bard survive the fight?”

“I believe so,” he replied, watching her closely.

“Please have a messenger sent to find him and have him brought to the chambers where the discussion is being held,” she instructed, straightening her appearance and making sure her braids were neat before heading to the door.

Bifur was waiting just outside of the sickroom, and Balin addressed him. Kili had made the right choice in assigning the dwarf as Adamanta’s protector, and the advisor knew that Bifur would do everything he could to keep the lass safe.

“King Thorin wishes for you to continue protecting Lady Adamanta as her husband appointed you to the task and has yet to relieve you of that duty,” the advisor told him. “She is going to be Thorin’s voice until he can get out of bed and take on his duties. You must be very vigilant because there will be some dwarrow who will not approve of his choice.”

The wild haired dwarf bowed, falling in step behind her once the advisor sent Dori to find the human named Bard.

“I want a message sent to Nori,” she told Balin quietly as the trio moved through the hallways. “I need him to listen to all of the gossip as well as any discussions Lord Dain’s advisors might have and add any talk the former Master of Lake Town might have with others. I do not want to be ill-prepared should any of them make a move against the royal family.”

“Already done,” Nori commented, making her turn. “Dain’s advisors are hoping to usurp the crown from Thorin since he and his heirs are injured. Dain refuses to have anything to do with taking the throne from his cousin, but I worry that the advisors will try something anyway. The Master of Lake Town is a sneaky one but stupid so you should be able to outwit him.”

Adamanta didn’t pause as she issued orders, sounding very much like a royal princess as she did so. Her posture was straight and formal despite having to rely on the walking stick.

“I want guards posted to protect Uncle Thorin, Kili, and Fili. Ensure Ori is watched at all times whenever he leaves the sickroom,” she instructed. “Any food or drink given to the four of them must come from Bombur’s hands, and no one but Bombur should touch the utensils, ingredients, or finished product. I don’t care if he has to create a private kitchen somewhere and cook in secret.”

Blue eyes turned to the thief, knowing she needed him for now and hoped that Thorin would be able to either make the position permanent or give him something that would be equal to what she was giving him.

“Keep in mind, this is temporary until uncle or Fili is able to take over,” she said to them. “Nori, I am naming you spy master of Erebor. You report to me or to Balin, no one else until I am relieved of my position as Uncle Thorin’s representative. I expect up to date information, and I don’t care what it takes but I want to know what those advisors are doing when they’re not around others.”

“I will see to it, my lady,” he said bowing.

“Please let Dwalin know about the guard on Ori, the princes, and the king and make sure Bombur is warned about what needs to be done in case of possible poisoning,” she ordered. “Recruit the rest of the company if need be. Yavanna knows that they’ll be in the public’s eye as it is. Warn them to be on their guard.”

Nori bowed again, then hurried to deliver the messages before resuming his task of snooping for information.

Balin gave her a proud smile, nodding in approval. She was doing remarkably well, and he was glad Thorin had chosen her to represent him. His cousin had chosen wisely, and the older dwarf knew that her fierce loyalty to her family as well as her common sense would serve the kingdom well as she protected her uncle’s right to rule.

“Well done,” he told her. “You’re sounding very much like a member of the royal family of Erebor.”

“Let’s just hope I can continue with this,” Adamanta confessed. “I don’t anticipate any issues from the elves or Gandalf, but the other parties at this discussion worry me. I have never been schooled in diplomacy or any other skills needed to run a kingdom.”

“You have something better, my dear. You have a good sense of right and wrong as well as common sense. You’ll be just fine, and I’ll be with you. Just don’t let them intimidate you and remember who you are. Amongst the dwarves in that room, you outrank all of them except Dain.”

The hobbit winced when she heard the raised voices through the heavy wooden door and drew in a breath, nodding to Bifur who opened the doors. She and Balin went through the doors, followed by her personal guard.

There was a lot of profanity coming from both the human and the dwarven advisors. Her sharp eyes noted the look of frustration on Dain’s face, anger on Gandalf’s, and she headed towards the head of the table where the king would usually sit. Adamanta moved gracefully despite the injured foot, using the walking stick so she wouldn’t have to put too much weight on it.

“We do not have to agree to anything; the dwarves will not be held to any agreement that was made before the battle as we do not have any representative to confirm the king’s words.”

“Actually, gentlemen, you do now,” Balin interrupted, following the hobbit around the table.

“Who is this,” one of the advisors snapped, staring at the hobbit who was clad in such an expensive piece of armor.

“Lord Dain, may I present Lady Adamanta, soon to be princess of Erebor,” Balin introduced as Dain rose to his feet.

Adamanta dropped a small curtsy, offering her uninjured hand when he reached out for hers. She could see the kindness in his eyes and took courage from the bright smile the dwarf lord offered her.

“So Kili found his One,” he asked, placing a kiss to the back of her hand.

“He did,” Erebor’s advisor replied. “They married and have been travelling together. The reason for the survival of the princes as well as King Thorin lays with her and Prince Fili’s One.”

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Dain,” Adamanta began politely. “I must thank you for coming to our aid as you have. Without your assistance, the outcome of the battle might have been disastrous.”

“You are most welcome, my lady,” Dain answered her. “Have you news of my cousins?”

“Uncle Thorin woke a short while ago and heard Lord Balin’s report,” she replied. “Until Master Oin allows him to leave his bed, I have been appointed as the king’s official representative. I speak for him in all things.”

The advisors tried to protest but were met with a cold look from the hobbit. She was drawing from memories of the confrontations with her father’s family, remembering the expressions of her grandparents whenever they were issuing orders. So far, it seemed the expression worked on the trio and she hoped it would continue to do so.

“If you do not agree, then you are welcome to leave,” Adamanta told them. “The King Under the Mountain has made this decision, and it is not your place to agree or disagree with this. It is your duty to abide by the decision.”

She turned to the other guests, giving Elrond, Gandalf, and Thranduil a soft smile and curtsy.

“Welcome to Erebor, Lord Elrond and King Thranduil. As I said earlier to Lord Dain, we are grateful for your assistance during the battle. I also offer my appreciation for the aid you gave us during our quest to win the mountain back.

“Gandalf, it is so very good to see you,” she added, eyes soft with affection for her former guardian.

That was a bit of a needling towards Dain’s advisors, who kept their silence, and Adamanta turned her attention to the overweight human she had seen the day before when she had escorted the refugees to their chamber. He had been the one to object to the room.

“And you are?”

“I am Adner, Master of Lake Town,” he said, giving her a leering look that was supposed to be respectful but turned her stomach instead.

“I see,” she said, taking her seat. Fortunately for them, Dain’s advisors did not protest her location.

“Now gentlemen, I was unfortunate enough to hear the sound of a dispute as I entered this chamber. Lord Elrond, would you be so kind as to update me on what the discussions have been about thus far?”

“There was an objection raised to the presence of the refugees within the mountain,” he began. “As well as denial of any agreement King Thorin might have had regarding a treaty to be formed between Erebor and Mirkwood. The Master of Lake Town is demanding compensation for the burning of the town. There was also a refusal of any aid from my people.”

“Thank you,” she commented, resting her hands on the table. Her broken arm was throbbing as was her foot, but she did not dare to ask for something for it since she needed to remain clear headed. “I believe I can bring closure to some of the topics being discussed.”

Adamanta looked to Lord Elrond, voice respectful as she addressed the elf lord once again. If he had offered assistance, then they would accept it with gratitude because any and all help was vital to the survival of the mountain and the people who lived within Her. She knew the soil around Erebor would need more help than her knowledge of gardening could provide, and the elves were the best ones to provide that assistance.

“Imladris has offered aid to Erebor?”

“We have, my lady. I am told Princess Dis will be returning to Erebor along with the rest of the dwarves who once made the mountain their home. I am willing to have seeds and saplings ready to go with her caravan when she stops to rest,” the elf lord told her. “This way the farms can be rebuilt and crops planted so everyone will be fed.”

“Lord Elrond, would you be willing to send a few experts along with those supplies so that we can ensure the fields will be ready for plowing? At the moment, our farming knowledge is limited and there will be a lot of people to feed come harvest time. While I am decent at gardening, I know nothing about what is needed for farming and although hobbits use fire to help clear the land, soil burned by dragon fire is beyond my knowledge. I can sense the land is still alive, but it needs help in regaining its ability to grow things properly.”

“I would certainly be willing to do that, and I can have them write up instructions for what needs to be done before the snow falls onto the fields chosen for planting,” he said to the hobbit.

“Erebor will be willing to compensate you for the time and supplies, my lord,” Adamanta informed him. “We are grateful for the aid you gave us during our journey, and peaceful relations between the mountain and the Valley of Imladris would be beneficial to us both.”

“I agree, my lady,” he replied, eyes twinkling at the dealings of the hobbit. He could see Dain hiding his smirk while the trio of advisors he had brought with him seemed to be frothing at the mouth.

“King Thranduil, your gift was one that was desperately needed and was used well,” Adamanta told him, focusing her attention on the fair haired elf.

“I am pleased to hear that, my lady,” the elven king replied. “I hope to address my compliments to Prince Kili for ensuring the gift was utilized properly.”

“It was an amazing shot,” she replied, proud of her husband’s accomplishment. “I am well aware that King Thorin wishes for a new treaty to be formed between the mountain and your kingdom. As per the agreement between you and him, I will be handling the negotiations for it. Prince Kili will join us once he is cleared by his healer,” she told him.

“Wait a moment, halfling,” the gaudily dressed advisor sneered. “Mirkwood betrayed Erebor, and we will not deal with traitors.”

“You will address me properly,” she told him, using nearly perfect Khuzdul. “I am the wife of Prince Kili and will be treated with respect. I can easily have you ejected from these proceedings. Am I understood?”

The advisor didn’t answer, staring at her with hate in his eyes, and she rose to her feet, uninjured hand going to Biter. The lass kept her weight on the heel of the foot that bore the injury, not wanting to have to endure another round of sutures being applied.

“Am I understood,” she growled, doing a fairly decent impression of Thorin in a cranky mood. In the corner of her eye, she could see Dain laughing into his hand.

“I would answer her, Mali,” the Lord of the Iron Hills ordered. “She left quite a pile of corpses on the battlefield, and I would not stop her if she took offense to your actions and language.”

“You are understood, my lady,” Mali ground out.

Adamanta nodded and began to sit back down. She turned pale when the room tilted on its axis, nearly falling over and would have done just that had Thranduil, who had been sitting close to her seat, not caught her.

“My lady,” he asked, helping her to regain her seat.

“My apologies,” she said, willing the room to settle down. “I must have moved too quickly.”

The elven king frowned, concentrating on her for a moment before addressing Elrond in swift Sindarin. Adamanta caught the question and looked to the men around the table. She needed to address this issue before moving forward on the negotiations.

“I need a few moments,” she told them. “Would you be so kind as to wait outside?”

Dain rose to his feet, giving her a small bow. He knew something wasn’t quite right with the hobbit and was willing to give his cousin by marriage the time she needed to pull herself back together.

“We will wait outside, my lady,” he told her, then ordered his advisors out. The lord was intent on ensuring that the dwarves with him understood their places and was going to use the short break to do just that.

Bifur escorted the Master of Lake Town out when it looked like the man would protest. He waited at the doors, ensuring no one tried to intrude on his charge while she spoke to the two elf lords. Balin waited beside him, giving the other dwarf a look that spoke of his concern for the lady.

Once alone, Adamanta turned her gaze to the two elves and wizard with a look that was both hopeful and frightened.

“Did I hear you correctly, King Thranduil?”

“I believe you did,” he answered, nodding at the question which had been spoken in flawless Sindarin. “I would like Lord Elrond to confirm this.”

“May I have your permission,” the dark haired elf asked, moving closer after the hobbit nodded her permission.

He rested his hand over her forehead, using his powers to scan the seated woman before backing away. There was a small smile curving his lips when he spoke to her, confirming what the other elf had discovered.

“Thranduil’s diagnosis is correct,” he replied, glad to be able to confirm this happy news. “You’re several months along. Did you not know?”

“I did not,” Adamanta replied, knowing when this had happened. Despite the events around it, her heart felt light with the knowledge. “I have never been regular when it came to female issues so I had no reason to even think that I might be.”

“No nausea, increase in appetite, or fatigue,” the lord asked.

“Fatigue was a recent thing that we attributed to the illness I fell under while in Mirkwood,” she informed him. “How far along?”

“Three months,” Elrond replied, giving Gandalf a look when the man chuckled.

“Right,” she commented, feeling both happy and at a loss. “May I count on all three of you for your discretion until I can make the announcement to my family?”

“Of course,” Thranduil answered, and the wizard just nodded, still chuckling with pleasure at the news. Elrond quickly agreed as well, following up with another question.

“Shall we bring them back in?”

“If we must,” she said, making a face for a moment and causing the two elves and Istar to laugh.

Elrond went to the door, knowing there were a few more things that needed to be taken care of. He wasn’t looking forward to some of it and knew Lady Adamanta wasn’t either.

Author’s End Note – Seems that the family has a surprise coming to them. I bet you guys weren’t expecting it either, hmm? Let me know what you think. ~ Laran
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A Hobbit's Rescue