An Arranged Marriage (The Hobbit)

Chapter 24

I sat in the tent. The frosty air was beginning to spread and through the opening of the tent, I could see small snowflakes falling down.

Gandalf went outside to talk to Bard, but when he came back inside the tent he brought someone I didn't expect to see.

"Bilbo!" I said and walked over and hugged him.

"Hello, Amara, its good to see you again." He said.

"As you." I whispered.

"If I'm not mistaken this is the halfling who stole the keys to my dungeon from under the nose of my guard?" Thranduil asked and sat down looking at Bilbo.

"Actually-" I began to say before Bilbo cut me off.

"Yes, sorry about that." Bilbo said and gave me a look that told me clearly to stop talking.

Thranduil continued to glare at him and Bard had a small smile on his face.

"I came to give you this." Bilbo said and unwrapped a cloth.

I gasped.

It was huge and shined brighter than anything I had ever seen before. It was beautiful.

"The Heart of the Mountain." Thranduil said and stood up.

"The King's Jewel." I whispered.

Why was Bilbo bringing this to us?

"And worth a King's ransom." Bard said, walking over to us.

"How is this yours to give?" I asked Bilbo.

"I took it as my 14th share of the treasure." He said.

"Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty." Bard said.

"I'm not doing it for you." Bilbo said quickly.

I knew who he was doing it for. I smiled and looked back at him.

Thranduil and Bard looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

"I know that dwarves can be obstinate and pigheaded and difficult. They are suspicious and secretive with the worst manners you could imagine but they are also brave and kind and loyal to a fault." Bilbo said.

'Loyal to a fault.'

Those words kept running through my head. I looked down, Kili is loyal to me. I know somewhere deep inside he only said those words to me because I had angered him. I had made him so angry to where he said horrible things.

He loves me and I know I have feelings for him, but not like I do Legolas. I can see myself with Legolas. Getting married, living together, being a good wife and husband, and someday good parents. But with Kili, I cant see that. I cant see us getting married and everyone approving. I would outlive him by many years. I'm an elf. I am immortal. Even though I am half elven I couldn't pick the mortal life. I wouldn't be able to see my mother again. My father would have to leave and right now my family is the most important thing to me, even though they aren't here.

"I've grown very fond of them and I would save them if I can. Now, Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for its return I believe he will give you what you want. There will be no need for war." Bilbo said. I saw so much determination in his eyes, but what if Gandalf was right about the orcs marching here?

Even if we didn't want a war, we were going to get one either way.

"I think we should do it. "I said.

They looked at me.

"If we bargain this, maybe he will give us what is owed and we can leave here and we do not have to return. They can live in peace and so can we." I said.