In their gold-washed armor the army of elves were an impressive sight, like something out of an old story. The soldiers marched in columns through the gates of Dale, led by pale-haired officers on horseback, Thranduil dressed in silver armor, at the head on his large stag.

Crowds of women, children, and the elderly crowded the main courtyard, all watching the elves march to war. Bard, leading a group of able-bodied men had joined them, their bedraggled forms standing out amid the polished elegance of the elves. They made up for it with abundant determination and lots of sharp weapons.

An alliance of elves and men bred out of necessity rather than true bonds of friendship. With Thranduil's shining personality involved, a grudging alliance is the best the humans could hope for.

One golden figure stood out among the grubby mass of humanity. Aelfric was clean and impeccable in the golden armor of his people, a sword strapped to his hip. He wore a grim expression as he watched the Elves of Mirkwood march off to war.

As a healer he was expected to remain behind to tend to any wounded that might come in. Aelfric's green eyes roved the crowds, searching.

I avoided meeting his gaze, feeling awkward over his confession last night. When morning dawned, I was no closer to figuring out the best approach to handle my would-be elven suitor. I vaguely recalled from my readings how serious elves took courtship. For them it could literally mean life or death.

What if I turned him down and he withered away?

Part of me hated him for putting me in this position but I respected his need to share his feelings especially since either one of us might die when the Orcs arrived. Of course, Aelfric's timing could be better.

When fleeing the madness of Erebor's halls the last thing I needed to deal with is a confession of love when I was still reeling of Thorin's abusive treatment of me. Purple bruises in the shape of broad fingers curled around my bicep.

I clutched the handle of the dagger strapped to my hip, borrowed from Tauriel. The she-elf had found a belt somewhere and helped me strap the weapon in place before she left with the rest of the army.

I slipped through the crowd before Aelfric noticed me watching him, not willing to be drawn into conversation before I was ready.

Men and their fragile egos.

Dashing for the steps leading to the old rampart I climbed them quickly and leaned against the wall. Erebor was too far away for me to see anything clearly, yet I felt compelled to witness the coming confrontation between Thorin and the approaching army.

Though I knew he was beyond reason, part of me still hoped, perhaps foolishly, he'd see the light before hell rained down on the mountains.

Biting my lip, I looked east, where the Orcs would come from. Unlike Thranduil and Bard, Legolas took Gandalf's warning seriously and had gone to scout ahead. At least someone in the elven party possessed a level-head.

Chainmail rattled as someone charged up the stairs. A young boy, maybe twelve at most. A shock of blond hair tumbled into his eyes from underneath his too-big helmet. Far too young to be dressed for battle. "My lady, the women and children are to go to the Great Hall. Lord Bard's orders."

"My place is here. There are things I have to do." I told him, propping my elbow on the wall.

The boy clearly wished to argue but clamped his mouth shut, years of obeying adults conditioned into his behavior. He seemed flummoxed I wouldn't comply.

"Sorry, kid. Sometimes the sheep just refuse to be herded. Not that I'm by any means a sheep." I arched a brow pointedly. "I'm sure there are others who can use your help more than me."

"Very well." He replied sullenly and ran back into the city to round up more people to corral in the Great Hall.

I shook my head, glad I decided to never have children. They required patience I simply did not have. Though, I didn't agree with Bard's decision to risk them in battle. It showed how desperate the situation truly was.

Turning back in Erebor's direction I silently prayed for Thorin's safety and a peaceful resolution between all three races. The Orcs were the true enemy. The sooner everyone realized it the better.

OoO

An arrow struck the stones, forcing Thranduil to pull back on the reins of his stag. Gandalf watched grimly from the rear of the army as Thorin slowly lowered his bow. "One more step and I'll put an arrow between your eyes."

In response to his threat the elves drew their bows and knocked arrows into place.

Smirking, Thranduil held up a fist and the elves lowered their weapons. A singular display of his power. He controlled the soldiers without uttering a single word.

"Tell me, where is my queen?" Thorin demanded.

Thranduil's smirk widened. "Your queen? The mortal woman made no such claim when she entered my camp last eve. How great your delusions are Thorin Son of Thrain, that a dwarf believes he is worthy of one of the Second-born."

Thorin gritted his teeth at the insult. "You are a low thief who masquerades as a king! Adelaide Monroe is mine!" He raised his bow again. "Return her to me and I won't slay you where you stand!"

Silence greeted his threat.

Thranduil motioned to Bard, and the Bowman rode alongside him, tossing the elf king an object wrapped in a scrap of soft leather.

He caught it without looking. "Payment of your debt has been offered and accepted."

"Debt?" Thorin scoffed. "What is this supposed debt I owe to you?"

Smug as a cat toying with a mouse, Thranduil unwrapped the object, revealing the Arkenstone. "I am willing to offer a trade. The Arkenstone for what was promised."

OoO

Legolas rode into the Old Market, dismounting in one swift motion. He patted the mare's flank and looked to Aelfric. "Mithrandir spoke true. I sense a growing evil amassing beneath the mountains."

"What shall we do, my prince?" The healer asked, apprehension twisting his middle into knots.

They were not prepared for an assault by an army of Orcs!

"We must do what we can to fortify the city. As things stand, the people of Lake-town are in a vulnerable position." Legolas said.

"There is not much to be done. Few areas of Dale are defensible."

"Then we must make them so." Legolas said fiercely. "Lord Aelfric, do you have any of that flammable powder among your supplies?"

Aelfric's lips compressed in a tight line. "I will see to it right away. Be sure to escort the mortals to a safe location." He pivoted on his heel. "I will have Lady Adelaide assist me."

Dashing through the streets, Aelfric spotted Adelaide on the wall acting as sentry. He sped up the steps to reach her. "My lady, I require your help." He said without preamble.

Her beautiful doe-like eyes widened for an instant but then she tilted her chin upward. "What can I do?"

OoO

"Thieves!" Kili yelled. "How came you by the heirloom of our house?"

"How is this possible?" Fili murmured.

Thorin was equally confused. He glanced among the elves and humans, knowing none of them had entered the Halls of Erebor. The wall prevented entry to any would-be interloper or thief.

So, how?

"Will you agree to the trade? The stone for what was promised?" Bard beseeched; his expression urgent.

Thranduil was equally expectant for Thorin's answer.

Thorin's attention fixated on the Arkenstone. Beautiful and shimmering with power. It was his. His right. The mantle of his rule in the hands of filthy elves and humans! Rage roared to the surface.

"I gave it to them." A familiar voice spoke behind him.

Thorin closed his eyes in despair. Betrayed. He was betrayed! Breath ragged, he rounded on Bilbo who strode closer.

The Hobbit chuckled nervously. "I'm willing to let it stand against my claim."

"You're claim?" Thorin spat, seizing the Hobbit by the collar of his shirt. He slammed him against the wall. "Wretched thief! You snuck through my halls like a rat, taking what is not yours!"

"No!" Fili roared in protest, trying to pull him off Bilbo.

Thorin wrapped his hand around the Hobbit's throat, tipping him closer to the edge. The fall would kill him. And why should he not wring the life from Bilbo after what he did?

"Enough!" Gandalf roared, wading through the elves. "Return my burglar to me, unharmed!"

Thorin snarled at the wizard and shoved Bilbo away.

He scrambled for the rope Kili through over the edge.

"No longer will I have dealings with wizards or Shire rats!" Thorin roared as Bilbo reached the ground and rushed over to Gandalf's side.

Traitors! He was surrounded by traitors and thieves! The Arkenstone! He must have it! It was everything! It was all!

"Will you have peace or will you have war?" Bard tried reasoning with him again.

Beam of pale sunlight gilded the distant hill. The fur of his cloak ruffled in the wind as Thorin spotted the host arriving from the east. "I will have war!"

"So be it." Thranduil said flatly, noticing the army of dwarves entering the valley. He signaled the elves got into position to face off with Dain.

Gandalf cursed under his breath. "Wretched fools!"

OoO

Aelfric finished drawing a line of what looked like gunpowder along the wall. He drew me out of range, holding my elbow gently. "Can you summon your magic?"

"I don't know how to use my power, but I can try." I told him.

He offered me a glittering smile that sent up a cloud of butterflies in my belly. "I have faith in you, my lady."

I swallowed. Well, when he put it that way....

Closing my eyes, I searched for that warm feeling, strange and familiar at the same time. A column of white fire appeared in the dark. I reached for it.

Tingling warmth spread through my fingertips. I opened my eyes and pointed at the line of gunpowder, igniting it.

Aelfric pulled me behind the shelter of a pile of stone just before an explosion rocked the air. The ground shook and walls crumbled, stirring up a boiling cloud of dust and smoke.

Doubling over I coughed. "How many more of these do we have to do?" I wheezed.

Aelfric dusted the falling ash off my shoulders. "Four more."

The plan was to use the terrain against the Orcs. In order to do so, Aelfric and Legolas decided to alter the city landscape to rout the enemy and control the flow of numbers. It was a brilliant plan, reminding me of how the Ancient Greeks fought their battles.

Legolas had taken control of the city, doing his best to fortify it. The humans obeyed eagerly, glad to have someone in charge who knew what they were doing.

Aelfric squeezed my arm. "Come, we must finish our task."

Nodding I followed. It took two hours to light the charges and create a debris field good enough to use to our advantage.

We congregated at the Great Hall with Legolas. A faint amused smile tugged at the prince's mouth when we arrived covered head-to-toe in dust. "Is it done?"

"Yes." Aelfric replied.

"Good."

OoO

"I'll tear his pretty head off!" Dain roared, brandishing his war hammer.

Gandalf harrumphed. "There is no need for war between Elves, Men, and Dwarves!" He gestured sharply at the dwarf lord.

"Clearly he's mad, like his cousin!" Thranduil jibed, making the situation worse.

"Enough! There must be a better approach than this-"

The earth trembled beneath their feet, cutting the wizard off. Gandalf spun toward the mountains, eyes watering.

A massive worm erupted from the rock, spraying clods of dirt into the air.

"Were-worms." He swore, leaning on his staff.

The sight of Orcs marching from the mountain wiped Thranduil's smile off his face.

Everyone tensed, raising weapons.

The Battle of Five Armies had begun!