August 17th, 2021 50k readers! You guys are awesome ❤️ 🥳
I feel like celebrating 🥰
The reason for late update: I got stuck!
After lots of thinking... Well, this is what we came up with (my mom, husband and I)
You guys rule!
~*~*~*~

Recap-

"Eat, you all deserve it." He told us.

We were stunned. "Eat, you all deserve it." He said. Why would he say that?

Did we hesitate? Not one bit. Thorin had been working us to the bone. So, we of course ate when given the chance. Took brakes when given the chance... etc.

Now, all of us were confused. A nice mad king? What were we to make of that?

We ate, talked, and bedded down for the night. Once again Legolas watched over us.

~*~*~*~

*Apostrophe marks in italics ' are thoughts

Example: 'what has he done!?'

* Italics without apostrophes put emphasis on certain word(s)

Example: "You! What are you doing here!?"

* Asterisk symbol * in bold is a translation for any of Tolkien's languages.

Example: "Adad." *Father.*

"Darkness must pass
A new day will come
And when the sun shines
It will shine out the clearer."
- J.R.R Tolkien
~*~*~*~*~

We awoke, one by one. Legolas alerted us to Dwarven footsteps approaching. The company stood, ready for anything. Much like in Rivendell.
'What will Adad do now?' I wondered.
Mom was at the front of the group, ready to act if needed.
Adad came in the room, not completely his old self but not completely mad either. It was an inner battle.
"Come, we have a wall to build. To the front gate, now." He ordered.
"Why a wall?" I asked.
"People from Lake Town have come to Dale, Theia." Adad informed.
"We promised them a share of the treasure." Fili reminded him.
Adad gave Kili a cold glance.
"Move out!" He yelled.

Once at the Front Gate, stones and statues were being used to make a wall. We literally were trapped within the mountain now.
"I want this fortress made safe by sunup." Adad ordered us all.
"This mountain was hard won. I will not see it taken again."
"The people of Lake Town have nothing." Kili spoke, dropping a wheel barrow. "They came to us in need. They have lost everything."
"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough of their hardship. Those who have lived through dragon fire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for. More stone!" Adad spoke.
By now, I was getting disgusted.
Was the new Arkenstone even working?
"Bring more stone to the gate!" Adad yelled, tossing rocks.

Days passed, and Adad's mood shifted back and forth. He was having a battle within. Though seemingly getting better overtime.
He was ordering us around less. Asking the company instead. Calling us by our names. Even Legolas. We didn't fear for our lives...as much.

Morning had come and looking out the small hole that was left... Was an army of Woodland Elves. Only Legolas knew.

A later in the day, we were on a balcony overlooking the landscape and the Elven Warriors from Mirkwood. Mid-day a white horse approached Erebor.

Adad and the Company, including Legolas looked onward. "Bard, of Lake Town." Legolas stated.
Thorin looked to Legolas sharply, and nodded his head in thanks.

"Hail, Thorin, son of Thrain. We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard yelled.

"Why do you come to the gates of the King Under the Mountain armed for war?" Adad questioned.

"Why does the King Under the Mountain fence himself in like a robber in his hold?" Bard asked in return.

"Perhaps it is because we are expecting to be robbed."

"We, you say?" Bard asked.

"There is a Queen Under the Mountain, too. Did you not know?" Adad spoke.

"My Lord, and Lady, we have not come to rob you but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard spoke.

Adad nodded his head.

He descended down the stairs, towards the hole to talk to Bard.

Mom and I followed.

'This could end badly.' I thought.

"Thorin, please listen to him." Mom asked.

Adad walked onward.

"Mom's right, Bard helped us. He saved my life." I spoke.

Reaching the hole in the gate, Bard was on the other side.

"I am listening, Bard of Lake Town." Adad spoke.

"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."

Adad looked to mom, a memory of meeting her going through his mind. He was trying to survive, she helped him.

Looking back to Bard he spoke "Aye, I will honor my pledge. You will get enough gold and supplies to rebuild Dale. I will have my daughter give it to you."

I looked to my father, now questioning the power of the new Arkenstone. 'Had it done it's purpose?' I wondered.

The three of us went back to the balcony, mom questioned why he offered me to take the gold and supplies to Dale.

"Because, Legolas can protect her if need be." Adad answered.
We were both speechless.

"I am sorry for what I have done, Legolas." Adad apologized.

He inclined his head, accepting the apology. "It was the sickness." Legolas spoke.

"Please protect my daughter if need be." Adad spoke.

"With my life." Legolas replied.

"Thank you, Legolas." Mom said, putting a hand on his arm.

Adad soon returned with some gold, and Dwalin, Fili, Kili, and Bofur carrying supplies for the people of Lake Town to rebuild.

"We will bundle these up the best we can and lower them down ropes. You will follow." Adad spoke.

I nodded. "Thank you, for doing this."

Legolas and I were about to be lowered down ropes when I saw mom get a far-away look in her eyes.

Amara POV

A voice. One I hadn't heard in ages, since Theia was a baby entered my mind.

You must prepare for battle, child. An army approaches. It will be a battle between five if you do not make allies with the fishermen and Mirkwood elves. A legion of orcs approaches upon the mountain as I speak. Call upon Dáin Ironfoot. Do not worry about Mithrandir.

As soon as The Lady of Light entered my mind, it disappeared.

I acted immediately. Going straight to Thorin, telling him of the message. He sent a Raven to Dáin, his cousin and pondered on making allies with Thranduil.

Who knows what would happen?

~*~*~*~*~*~
I know I've been saying this a lot but thank you for sticking with this story.
I really feel blessed with this many reads.
Can you guys tell me what you like most about it? ❤️
-Ash, Lithôniel, Element-Of-Dreams