A Ruby's Shine (Thorin Oakenshield X OC)

104. The True Threat

I picked up a load of wood from the arms on a teenager, who smiled at me. It was nice to see smiles on the faces of the children once more. Much has changed in a short day. With the approaching snow clouds and Thranduil being delayed on leaving for Mirkwood once more, Bard somehow convinced him to help them in retrieving the gold of Dale from Erebor without causing a war. I still don't know how Bard pulled that off but didn't question it, the now Lord of Dale seems better at negotiating than I am.

With that deal in place, elves and men are training together. Or, rather, elves are teaching men how to fight. I wasn't happy with it because I wanted to prevent war, but if it helps the people of Dale protect themselves then I can't be bothered by that. Luckily Bard was more okay with playing the long game rather than running headfirst into battle, he doesn't want a war anymore than I do. If I wasn't trying to plan with Bard and Thranduil on what was the best course of action, I was helping the people of Dale set up fires, cooking, and helping the people of Dale turn old charred weapons in this city into actually useful things.

I carried the pile of wood inside the house, which the elves generously helped patch up the holes. My opinion of Thranduil is taking quite the turn for how irritating and proud he is, he still does not break a promise and is an honorable elf, if he actually tries to be. It's still awkward to me, having not just men but elves trust my judgement....

It's a bit freaky. If Elladan and Elrohir were here their jaws would be on the floor in shock. I miss two two, maybe one day I will see them again. I still was unsure of what course of action to take with Thorin as he is. Thranduil also reported signs of the Ironhill's dwarves riding for Erebor, which just made me have a headache for an entire day. I knew threats would make Thorin call on aid... I just did not expect it so soon.

I placed down the wood and sighed, shaking my head before moving off to my tent.

Yes, Bard and I were given our own tents, though I tried to deny mine, elves are quite persistent. I stopped trying to deny having my own tent because it gives the the perfect space to hide one extremely expensive magical jewel. Of course my tent is small and nothing like Thranduil's, of course, but it is nice. I opened the flap and stepped in, walking around my sleeping arrangement on the floor.

It's harder for me to sleep these days, I grew so used to the sound of the dwarves snores over the months that not hearing them... well.... it's a little odd to me. Fairfin croaked from his place on a lantern, making me smile up at the now clean raven. I moved around the tent to a corner flap that covers the ground well and pulled up a heavy rock I placed over the hole I dug, carefully pulling out the Arkenstone. I sighed as I sat on the floor, glancing at the closed tent flap before carefully unfolding the cloth over the stone.

I studied the stone once more, wondering what it could possibly be. I tried to avoid contact with the stone to my skin, because the sudden shock of magic is not unpleasant but still uncomfortable in a way. This stone holds so much magic, so why hasn't it been used by anything other than the dragon? I also questioned if Thranduil knew it was in my possession. I know Thranduil's line hold more magic than most elves so he could very well sense the presence of the stone, I am unsure.

I bit my lip as I lightly touched the jewel's surface, hissing and pulling my hand back as my hand was shocked by an instant rush of magic. I shook my head just because of the shock of it before wrapping the stone tightly in the cloth once more, tying it off as I sighed, slumping my head back as I tried to think of what is right, rolling the ring Thorin gave me as I promise around and around the chain of my necklace.

A promise I doubt now will ever be fulfilled.

"Let me through! Make way! Make way!" I heard a voice call out, as well as the thundering hooves of a horse. I looked up with wide eyes, that cannot be Gandalf, could it? I stood quickly, stuffing the stone into my pocket as I raced out of the tent flap, Fairfin flying behind me. Several elves and men looked at me weirdly as I raced for the courtyard around men and elves training as I jumped over a pile of firewood and into the courtyard, grinning brilliantly as I saw the wizard himself pulling his horse to a stop, staring around at the people training as I ran up out of the building.