The elves had set up a tent for Thranduil in a smaller square deeper within the ruins of Dale. It's material was the colour of rich yellow gold that gleamed in finery and high quality. It was a large structure. With a bed in one corner covered in thick furs. Tables laden with food and jugs littered the space. The elven king was seated on a wooden throne inside, one leg over the other just like Luin had first seen him. He was clothed in a silvery armour that complimented his gold hair. A long matching sword was resting against the arm of his throne. It's height was past Luin's waist, much to his chagrin. All of it beautiful in their skill and craftsmanship, as was befitting the elves.

Luin was seated in a much less ornate wooden chair on Thranduil's right. He watched as Bard and the king discussed the terms of their agreement, fingers idly combing and braiding his long black hair as he kicked a leg over the armrest. His posture lazy and rudely casual.

There was a flurry of commotion outside and the tent flap raised. A grey robed man pushed his way through. Luin dropped his half finished plait and ran to embrace the man in a hug. "Gandalf", he cried as the older wizard hugged him back. "Where have you been? Thorin's gone mad. I had to fight a dragon and deal with elves". The crushing feeling of safety and relief that Luin felt upon seeing Gandalf had him beaming. He could always rely and trust the older wizard.

"It's been a long story and we have other things to worry about first Luin", Gandalf said as they parted. He gave Luin a small relieved smile. "But I am glad you are safe dear one".

Gandalf then turned to address Bard and king Thranduil. His face soured and he looked at the two of them with disappointment. "What are you two doing? You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves. War is coming!" He stated loudly. Luin stepped back but turned to face the others. He was friends with Bard, and bared the king no ill will anymore, but he would always take Gandalf's side. "The cesspits of Dol Guldur have been emptied. You're all in mortal danger". Gandalf's words made Luin pale.

"What are you talking about?" Bard asked.

Thranduil rolled his eyes. The elf stood up and began pouring himself some wine into a goblet. "I see you know nothing of wizards", he remarked. "They're like winter thunder on a wild wind, rolling in from a distance, breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm is just a storm". Luin bit his lip in annoyance. Ignore the lack of a grudge against Thranduil he had earlier. This king of elves was seriously ruining his patience. He couldn't understand how Legolas, who had shown Luin kindness and respect, could have such a arrogant father.

"Not this time", Gandalf growled back, insulted but not rising to the taunt. "Armies of orcs are on the move. These are fighters who have been bred for war. Our enemy has summoned his full strength".

"Bard", Luin spoke up, eyes meeting the man's. "What Gandalf is saying is true. Orcs attacked us in Laketown. Ask your daughters and son. More of them will be coming, I can promise you that. And they will not spare the survivors of Laketown". Bard's gaze dropped as he thought. Luin could tell that the man believed him.

"Why show his hand now?" Thranduil objected as he took a swig of his goblet.

"Because we've forced him", Gandalf answered. "We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland". Gandalf began striding out of the tent. Luin and Bard followed him, Thranduil still clutching his goblet. "The company was never meant to reach the mountain. Agog the defiler was sent to stop them. His master seeks control of the mountain, not just for the treasure within. But for where it lies. It's strategic position". Gandalf stopped on a balcony over looking the stone gates of Erebor. The very stone gates Luin had stood above when had left the company. "This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the north. If that fell, kingdom shall rise again. Rivendale, Lorien, the shire, even Gondor itself shall fall".

"These orc armies you speak of", Thranduil asked. "Where are they?"

"Where ever they are", Luin spoke up. He watched the skies darken above them as the clouds gathered. "It shall not be long until they attack". As if triggered by his warning, a rumbling growl of thunder echoed off the mountain. Luin and Gandalf exchanged grim glances.

—

The four of them. An elven king, a new human king, and two wizards. Moved back to Thranduil's tent where the argument continued. Thranduil settled back in to his temporary throne as Gandalf paced before him. Luin had moved to a wooden armchair opposite Thranduil. It was a big chair and Luin had his legs bent over one of the arms, crossed at the ankles as he leaned back on the other arm. Bard was stood near one of the tent poles, watching silently.

Outside the murmuring of voices could be heard as the citizens of Laketown gathered around fires. Night had fallen and the tent was filled with burning lamps. A cold but silent wind blew around outside, fluttering the walls and making the material flap. Luin had a candle in his hand and was playing with the flame. He made it curl into small shapes, let it tickle his fingers and burn the edges of his sleeves. It did not harm him but it did make him giggle slightly.

"Does that not hurt?" Bard asked, watching as Luin poked the flame with his finger.

"Fire does not harm me", Luin replied blandly. "You saw first hand that it doesn't".

"It's hard to believe", Bard shrugged. "Even seeing it with my own eyes, it's still unnatural. Everything burns".

"I don't", Luin muttered. He lifted the tiny flame from the wick and rolled it along his knuckles like a ball, black eyes watching it with a deeply unreadable expression. "But I do drown".

His last words were lost as Gandalf stopped pacing and turned to Thranduil angrily. "Since when did my counsel count for nothing?" He grumbled. His voice rose and he waved his hands. "What do you think I'm trying to do?"

Thranduil regarded him coldly. "I think you're trying to save your dwarvish friends and I admire your loyalty to them but it does not dissuade me from my course". The elf rose and stalked around Gandalf, voice hardening. "You started this mithrandir. You will forgive me if I finish it".

Thranduil turned and swept out of the tent. "Are the archers in position?" He called to his men. Luin sat up and extinguished the flame. He swung his legs around as he got quickly to his feet, staring after the elven king.

"Yes my lord", one of the elves replied.

"Give the order", Thranduil stated. "If anything moves on that mountain, Kill it. The dwarves are out of time". Luin shivered at the cold steel in his voice, watching as Thranduil left in a swirl of long robes. Gandalf hurried over to Bard, who had stepped out of the tent to talk to his men.

"You, bowman", Gandalf grabbed him by the arm. "Do you agree with this? Is gold so important to you that you will pay for it with blood of dwarves?"

"It will not come to that", Bard reassured. "This is a fight they cannot win".

"That won't stop them!" A third voice called. Luin turned, lips pulling up into a wide grin as Bilbo walked up to them. "The dwarves won't surrender. They won't. They will fight to the death to defend their own".

"Bilbo Baggins", Gandalf breathed in relief.

"Bilbo!" Luin called. He bent down and pulled the hobbit into a hug. "It's good to see you".

"Luin!" Bilbo grinned back. "I'm sorry about Thorin. I need to talk to king Thranduil".

They gathered back in the tent as Thranduil returned and settled back into his chair. He regarded Bilbo with a impassive stare. "If I'm not mistaken", he spoke in a patronising voice. "This is the half-ling that snuck into my city and stole the keys from my guards while they were under a sleeping spell". He eyed the hobbit and Luin with a unamused glare.

Bilbo shuffled awkwardly, looking slightly guilty. "Yes. Sorry about that". Luin, who was stood at Bilbo's side, smiled unashamed.

"I came to give you this", Bilbo said. He stepped up to one of the tables where Thranduil had been planning and attack on the mountain. He placed a cloth ball on top of the maps and began unfolding it. Luin stepped closer to get a better look, gasping as the Arkenstone was revealed. It was oval shaped and around the size of two formed fists. It seemed to glow with a inner light, swirling like a galaxy stars in the night sky. Luin could feel the energy pulsating from it. The light of stars in tune with his magic.

Thranduil rose, enchanted by it as he drew closer. "The heart of the mountain, the king's jewel", he breathed. Around them, Gandalf and Bard also circled the stone.

"Also with a kings ransom", Bard added. He turned to Bilbo, wife eyed. "How is it yours to give?"

"I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure", Bilbo stated matter of fact. Luin snorted a laugh at the simple answer.

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

"I'm not doing this for you. I know that dwarves can be obstinate, and pig headed and difficult. They're suspicious, secretive, and with the worst manners you can possibly imagine. But they're also brave and kind. And loyal to a fault", Bilbo sighed, glancing at the Arkenstone as if it was a burden. "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 this stone, I believe that he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for bloodshed". He breathed heavily as he finished. Looking up at Thranduil and Bard with honest eyes.

Gandalf, Luin and Bilbo waited as the two kings exchanged looks. Breaths shallow as they awaited their decisions.

"The halfling is right", Bard spoke up. "With the Arkenstone, there will be no need to storm the mountain. It would save both many lives and prevent a war". He gestured at the stone but kept his eyes on the elven king.

Thranduil regarded them all with a assessing gaze as both Bard's and Bilbo's words sank in. "Very well", he conceded stonily. "We shall try it your way. Tomorrow we will ride out and barter with Thorin for what we are owed. But if it does not work, we shall storm the mountain", he warned.