Author's Note: Hello Hobbit Fans! So I'm updating a bit early because well...my dad's on a trip for two weeks and I'm on Spring Break. I hope I didn't lose your guys interest. So, I updated early then expected to see how this chapter will do with the viewers. Thank you everyone who followed, favorite, vote and commented, and especially ithilwenoakenleaf for commenting so much! And thank you everyone who took their time and gave my story a chance!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit! All rights belong to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson! Anything you notice from the book or from the movie all belongs to those wonderful men who bought Middle Earth to life! Any grammar errors that you see that I have overlooked then I apologize in advance. I do hope that this chapter is easy to read even with the grammar errors! Enjoy reading everyone!

“Nana....”

“Hm...?” I questioned turning behind to look to Beriohtarion.

“What are we doing here Nana...?” Beriohtarion questioned, coming to stand beside me on one of the many piles of gold.

“Thorin had asked for us to join in the search for the Arkenstone.” I stated plainly.

“A stone that is probably not here...” Beriohtarion stated as Balamaethor and Thenidiel searched at the bottom of the pile we stood upon. “He is working everyone to exhaustion Nana...you must speak to Thorin.”

“I have already tried that Beriohtarion, it was not successful...” I mumbled quietly thinking back to the day.

A little after the stone gate was completed, Thorin had ordered for the company to return back to the treasure room and continue their search for the Arkenstone. I had stepped forward and told Thorin that the company needed their rest. Thorin and I got into a slight argument soon after, causing a tense scene in front of the company. He stated that it wasn't my place to call out orders and the company went straight to following his command. We parted on bad terms which upset me greatly.

“Thorin is slowly going mad...” Beriohtarion commented, kicking around pieces of gold beneath his feet. “What's so good about this blasted gold, I see nothing special about such shiny things....”

“Thorin is still in there, it is this mountain that is having its affect on him....” I mumbled.

"He made a scene in front of the company! He spoke to you as if you were a lowly elf maid!" Beriohtarion grumbled. "How can you be so sure that the Thorin we met in Rivendell is still in there!"

“Because I have seen in Beriohtarion...” I sighed, starting to get a bit irritated at having to repeat myself. “I have to find a way to bring him out of this...”

“And if there is no way?” Beriohtarion grumbled.

“There is a way.” I stated plainly, turning to walk way to search in a different pile of gold, ending our conversation.

(Bard's P.O.V)

Many were injured, many were starving, children were crying...there wasn't enough food to go around. These people looked to me to lead them and I think leading them to Dale was the smartest way to go. I went around the area of Dale and checked on the survivors of Lake-Town.

“The children are starving.” A man had called out as I passed. “We need food.”

“We won't last for three days.” I heard Percy say as I started taking some of the empty dishes toward him. “Bard, we don't have enough.”

“Do what you can Percy...” I mumbled, quickly maneuvering my way around and through a door, handing the dishes toward a woman to the left of me.

“We need more water.” A woman called out, causing me to stop and look around.

“The children, the wounded, and the woman come first.” I ordered going up toward the stairway where I knew Alfrid was. “Good morning, Alfrid. What news from the night watch?”

“All quiet, sire. Not much to report.” I heard him mumble, letting out a muffled yawn. “Nothing gets passed me.”

I walked toward the open courtyard, and stopped in my tracks. In shock and taken back by the scene in front of me.

“Except an army of elves...it would seem.” I stated.

In front of me stood a large army of elves clad in golden armor who stood at attention, bringing their feet together and their head held high. Their bows held vertically straight in their right hand while their left stayed on the quiver at their side.

I slowly walked down the steps and the moment I reached the bottom, the two columns of elves in the middle stepped aside and made a path for me to walk through.

I cautiously made my way through the army of elves, hearing the clanking of armor behind me, signaling that they were moving to close the gap after I had passed. I made my way around the group in the back and once I had passed through the other half of the army I saw Lord Thranduil riding a top his giant elk with many other elves behind riding horseback.

“My Lord Thranduil.” I greeted as soon as the elf Lord came close. “We did not look to see you here.”

Lord Thranduil turned his elk around and took a glance at me.

“I heard you needed aid.” Lord Thranduil stated, turning his elk around and looked further back behind his following army.

I followed his gaze and far behind I saw a wagon being pulled by more horses. As the wagon got closer I saw that there was food piled high.

I stepped closer and the people that were gathered in the court began to laugh happily at the sight. The survivors quickly pushed past me and made their way to the wagon. I was a bit in shock, but happy that we were saved. I turned and saw the men assisting in unloading the wagon with the elves. Throwing vegetables, unloading water bottles, and other types of food.

“You have saved us.” I smiled gratefully, looking toward Lord Thranduil. “I do not know how to thank you.”

“Your gratitude is misplaced.” Lord Thranduil stated, his head held high and his piercing gray eyes staring down at me. “I did not come on your behalf. I came to reclaim something of mine.”

While my people was occupied unloading the wagon of food, Lord Thranduil had motioned for the army behind me to start moving, the large group walking in rows of three, and they began their march to what looked to be toward the mountain.

“Wait! Please wait!” I yelled out, running to catch up to Lord Thranduil. When I had found him I stopped beside him, watching the army continue on forward. “You would go to war over a handful of gems?”

“The heirlooms of my people are not lightly forsaken.” Lord Thranduil stated plainly.

“We are allies in this.” I stated looking up to the elf Lord. “My people also have a claim upon the riches in that mountain. Let me speak with Thorin.”

Lord Thranduil turned his gaze back to me.

“You would try to reason with the dwarf?” Lord Thranduil questioned.

“To avoid war?” I asked, nodding slightly. “Yes.”

Lord Thranduil called out an order that instantly halted his moving army. He pulled on the reigns of his elk and turned to me.

“And if he will not listen?” Lord Thranduil questioned, raising a brow at me.

“Then there is someone in there that will be able to change his mind.” I stated, catching Lord Thranduil's interest.

“And who might that be?” Lord Thranduil asked.

“An elf and her kin was traveling with the company since the beginning.” I answered. “According to her niece, she is his beloved. He will listen to her.”

'Hopefully...' I thought looking up to Lord Thranduil.

Lord Thranduil looked a bit in shock when I had mentioned the word beloved, but he had quickly recovered and in it's place was a scowl.

“I know of the elf you speak of, I knew she was traveling with the merry band of dwarves...though I did not know she was attached to the dwarf.” Lord Thranduil grumbled out angrily. “My treacherous captain...”

“Bellethiel will be able to reason with Thorin if he will not listen.” I said, ignoring the last part of his sentence.

(Bellethiel's P.O.V)

I was sitting in front of the finished gate of Erebor, watching as the company sat around relaxing after a hard nights work.

“Not bad for a nights work.” Gloin commented, smiling proudly.

Thorin suddenly appeared, quickly making his way toward the gates.

“Bellethiel.” He called out as soon as he passed me. “Come on.” He ordered everyone as he started making his way up the stone steps they had created.

“What's happening now?” Thenidiel questioned, sighing a bit.

I quickly followed with my kin close behind. We were still a ways back, but I could see the company staring straight out at Dale unmoving.

When I had finally reached the top level, I finally understood why the company was staring out into Dale nervously. In front of us, on all ledges of Dale standing guard was a large army of elves. I looked on and saw many familiar faces of those that I had trained and I gritted my teeth nervously.

“Nana...” Balamaethor mumbled sternly.

“This is bad...” Beriohtarion growled out.

The sound of hooves hitting the ground, getting louder and closer caught my ears. I looked down to the path and saw someone on a white horse making their way toward us. On closer inspection, I saw that it was Bard and sighed in relief...happy that he had survived when Smaug had attacked Lake-Town.

“It's Bard!” Thenidiel called out smiling.

Beriohtarion and Balamaethor smiled to each other as I looked on nervously at what news he could bring.

“Hail, Thorin, son of Thráin.” Bard called out, his horse stopping at the bridge in front of the gate. “We are glad to find you alive beyond hope.”

“Why do you come to the gates of the King Under the Mountain armed for war?” Thorin questioned down to Bard.

“Why does the King Under the Mountain fence himself in like a robber in his hold?” Bard jested back.

“Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed.” Thorin growled out.

“My Lord...” Bard called out. “we have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?”

I watched as Thorin nodded slowly before motioning for Bard to meet him at the bottom of the gate.

All of us had followed Thorin down the makeshift stairway and Thorin stood at one of the small holes that was apart of the built gate.

“I am listening.” Thorin stated.

“On behalf of the people of Lake-Town, I ask that you honor your pledge. A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives.” I heard Bard plead to Thorin.

“I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door.” Thorin stated with a smirk.

“That armed host will attack this mountain if we do not come to terms.” Bard stated.

“And your threats do not sway me.” Thorin stated plainly, glancing away from the hole.

“What of your conscience?” Bard questioned. “Does it not tell you our cause is just?”

I heard the rustling of clothing before a long sigh.

“My people offered you help. And in return, you brought upon them only ruin and death.” Bard defended.

“When did the men of Lake-Town come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?” Thorin growled out.

“A bargain was struck!” Bard argued back.

“A bargain?” Thorin questioned. “What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food, to ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade?” Thorin asked before lowering his head. “Tell me, Bard the Dragon Slayer...why should I honor such terms?”

“Because you gave us your word.” Bard stated. “Does that mean nothing?”

I watched as Thorin turned away from the hole, his back against the wall as I saw a slight flicker in his eyes. A frown was set on his face as he turned to look at all of us, before taking a side glance to the hole.

“Begone! Ere our arrows fly!” Thorin yelled out threateningly as I heard Bard grunt and hit the stone wall.

I looked down in shame as I heard Bard's footsteps shuffle away, until I heard him stop.

“I wish to speak with Bellethiel...” I heard his voice faintly from the other side of the wall.

I looked up in surprise, before hesitantly making my way toward the hole. I stopped besides Thorin and glanced down at him, a look of anger crossing his features before I decided to ignore him and speak.

“I am here Bard...” I called out, leaning down to peak through the hole.

Bard had returned and looked at me.

“I wish to speak with you on this side of the gate.” Bard stated plainly.

“Bard...” I voiced out sighing sadly.

“Please Bellethiel...if something doesn't happen here, that army will be at your doorstep tomorrow.” Bard pleaded with me.

I sighed before nodding my head, I stood my full length and made my way up to the top of the gate where the look out was.

“Where do you think you're going?” Thorin voiced out angrily.

“I am going to speak with Bard as he requested.” I stated plainly.

A hand taking a hold of my wrist prevented me from going any further, and I turned around to come face to face with an angry dwarf.

“You will not go down there!” Thorin growled out.

“I am going to go down there Thorin and speak with Bard.” I growled back, glaring down at Thorin.

“You will do as I say Bellethiel, you will not go down there!” Thorin yelled angrily up at me.

I gritted my teeth, yanked my wrist out of his grasp, took a step forward to close the gap between us and bent low from my waist so that I was face to face with Thorin.

“You listen to me Thorin Oakenshield.” I growled out evenly, almost threateningly. “In any other predicament I would listen to your every command, but do you know what I saw when I looked out into the distance....looked out into Dale? I did not see an army, no, I saw the familiar faces of warriors that I had trained! You do not know what you are dealing with if you want to go to war with them, but I know how strong they are!”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe before taking a step away, looking down at Thorin.

“If I can stop the army from knocking at your front door by talking to Bard then I will do it against your command.” I stated calmly, turning to head back up to the lookout.

Once at the top, I took a leap off and landed gracefully on the bridge, startling Bard's horse.

“Bard.” I called out as he turned to look at me.

“Bellethiel.” Bard smiled slightly. “I am happy to see that you had survived.”

“The same goes for you Bard.” I nodded. “Though I wish that this was on better terms, the children?”

“They are well, according to Bain...when I had left and was arrested by the Master of Lake-Town a female elf with fiery red hair appeared and asked for my family and if I was home. When they had told her no she stayed with the children. She said it was by your command that she stay and watch over my family.” Bard informed.

“I had sent for Tauriel to look after your family and to make sure you would survive if the dragon were to attack.” I nodded my head, walking closer to Bard. “I am happy that your family is well.”

“Bellethiel...you must speak to Thorin.” Bard begged.

“I have tried many a times to speak to him, whether it be for him and the company to get some rest, or to lend some help to the survivors in Dale he will not listen.” I informed. “He is too far gone, but there is hope that I can snap him out of his madness.”

“That army will come to the gates, a war will start between men and elves and dwarves.” Bard stated. “And for what? The treasure in that mountain? We don't ask for the whole horde!”

“I understand that Bard, but Thorin sees the treasure as his...that it is his family's birthright along with the mountain. He and the rest of the company will defend it first before giving up anything in that mountain.” I reasoned.

“So we will go to war.” Bard stated squinting his eyes back up to the mountain.

“Tell Thranduil...that we may not be on good terms. We may even go so far as to say we dislike each other, but I was once his Captain and he knows that when I give my word I keep it. If that amounts to anything, tell him to come tomorrow and see what Thorin's answer is.” I stated sighing. “Resist bringing his army, and I will try my best to get Thorin to see reason, come to his senses.”

“You have given me no reason to distrust you Bellethiel, I will inform Lord Thranduil to not bring an army to your doors.” Bard nodded, holding out his hands to me.

I reached out and shook his hand.

“If things don't go well Bellethiel...you will have war on your hands and anything after...it will be out of my control.” Bard nodded.

“Let us hope that it does not come to that.” I said nodding to him. “Good luck Bard.”

“I wish you the best of luck Bellethiel.” Bard said nodding toward the mountain. “I think you would need it the most.”

I watched as Bard mounted his horse and pulled on it's reigns, and rode off back towards Dale.

(Balamaethor's P.O.V)

We made it back up to the lookout just in time to see Nana jump down and disappear over the gate.

“Were'd she go?” Thorin questioned angrily.

“Over the gate.” My brother stated, standing beside me.

All of us stood at the edge of the lookout and watched as our Nana talked to Bard. My brother, my sister and I could hear the conversation between the two while the company looked on in anticipation.

“Why couldn't she just listen...” Fili mumbled.

“Do you still not understand?” I growled out looking to the company angrily. “Do you know what you're asking for?”

I looked toward Fili then back to the rest of the company.

“You all have seen her spar with us back in Esgaroth. That is how she was when she was a Captain back in Greenwood the Great. All those elves you see before us, she has trained! Me and my brother had fought along side them! They may not be as good as our Nana, but you're asking to fight an army of elves with her fighting skills! It would be like fighting thousands of Bellethiel at once!” I growled out.

“Balamaethor.” My brother stated sternly, placing a hand upon my shoulder.

“What is she saying?” Thorin growled out.

“She's telling Bard to tell Thranduil to not bring the army.” Beriohtarion stated.

We watched as she shook Bard's hand firmly, and saw Bard ride off back to Dale. I looked to Nana as she sighed, her shoulders low as she pinched the bridge of her nose.