One more chapter and then we will be at the battle!!! I thought I'd freak you out even more haha ;)

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*Bard's POV*

I stood inside the main tent in our camp as I talked with Thranduil, Gandalf, Bilbo and some others when our conversation was cut short upon hearing the footsteps of a host approaching.

"Should they not give us the share tomorrow, we will have no choice but to -" I said but I stopped short when I heard the footsteps coming closer. It almost sounded like an army.

"It seems we should expect some company." Thranduil said as he heard it too.

And as if on cue, trumpets suddenly rang through the camp and called men and elves to arms. I rushed out of the tent to meet the company that had marched towards our camp. Hundreds of dwarves were coming towards us in a powerful pace, each one of them clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to their knees. They were carrying large packs, along with heavy weapons, mattocks along with broad swords and shields slung on their backs.

"I am Dain, son of Nain." Said the leader of the dwarven army. "We are hastening to our kinsmen in the Mountain, since we learn that the kingdom of old is renewed. But who are you that sit in the plain as foes before defended walls?"

I frowned at the dwarf, I knew he was just saying the polite version of what he wanted to say. What he was really saying simply meant, 'You have no business here. We are going on, so make way or we shall fight you.' But I was not about to let them pass, for I wanted to wait until we had received the gold and silver that Thorin had promised. And so the dwarves were held at bay until the morning had arrived and I sent out two messengers to Erebor's gate to see whether the dwarves had paid. But there was no silver or gold, and the messengers came hurrying back, telling us that arrows had come flying down at them instead. And now Dain and his men were advancing along the eastern bank while in the camp all was astir as if for battle.

"Fools!" I growled as I paced through the tent that we used for council. Gandalf was there, as were Thranduil and Legolas, Bilbo was also there but was following the discussion silently. "They do not understand war above ground, whatever they may know of battle in the mines. We have many archers and spearmen now hidden in the rocks upon their right flank. Dwarf-mail may be good, but they will soon be put to test. Let us set on them now from both sides, before they are fully rested and make an attack!"

"I would rather wait longer before I begin this war for gold." replied Thranduil calmly from my right side. "The dwarves cannot pass us or do anything that we cannot mark. Let us hope for something that will bring reconciliation still. Our advantage in numbers will be enough if in the end it must come to battle."

"The time for reconciliation has long passed." I argued, not fully convinced by the Elvenking's words. "We have given him more time than was possibly reasonable, and still Thorin refuses to hand out a part of the treasure. Even now that we have the Arkenstone to trade. What could possibly bring reconciliation now?"

"The Archer, the dark haired girl, is still up there with them." The Elvenking muttered and Gandalf cleared his throat quietly, nodding at the elf. I sighed, I was not sure if it was right to put all our hopes on my friend, Cassy, for after all she was merely one in a company of fifteen. I doubted that there was much she could do, that she hadn't already done.

"That is true." The wizard said. "Cassy has a keen mind, a strong will and a pure heart, she might yet be able to reason with Thorin."

"She has tried already." Bilbo suddenly spoke and I turned my head to look at the hobbit as he wrung his hands in his lap. "But Thorin is adamant in his ways. He would not listen to her."

Gandalf sighed deeply upon the hobbit's words, shaking his head in defeat. "Well then." He muttered. "Let's still hope that the dwarves will come to their senses before it is too late."

I was about to reply something when suddenly, loud cries could be heard within the camp and we quickly rushed out of the tent as bows twanged and arrows whistled. The dwarves had sprung silently forward to attack whilst we were debating, forcing a battle upon us that we had been trying to evade.

I frowned deeply as I watched Dain's men approach, swords and axes drawn. But my angry frown turned to one of confusion as a sudden darkness overcame the sky with a frightening swiftness. I looked up in confusion and watched with wide eyes as a black cloud hurried over the sky. Thunder rolled through the air as a wild wind picked up, and lighting lit the sky. I felt my muscles tense as I saw another blackness whirling forward. But it did not come with the wind; it came from the North like a vast cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings. It was only at second glance that I realized that it was not in fact birds but a mass of bats that darkened the sky.

"HALT!" Shouted Gandalf then, who suddenly appeared between the advancing dwarves and the ranks of men and elves awaiting them. "Halt! Dread has come upon you all!"

I turned my head hesitantly away from the advancing darkness, feeling my stomach twist as I looked at the wizard that had his arms lifted, light flashing from his staff like lighting. "Alas! It has come more swiftly than I guessed. The orcs of the North are coming! Azog and his son Bolg are leading them here, riding on wolves as goblins and wargs follow on their heels!"

Shock and confusion had fallen over us all upon Gandalf's words, and even the dwarves were now standing still, looking at the wizard. Even as he had been speaking, the darkness had grown even more, as if the sky was warning us of what was to come.

"Come!" Gandalf called. "There is yet time for council. Let Dain son of Nain come to us!"

I glanced at the familiar grim-looking dwarf that came forth, before I shot a lingering look up to the Lonely Mountain that loomed still and dark over them. What had we gotten ourselves into?

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*Cassy's POV*

I was standing by the bannister by myself when I saw it. I saw the darkness gather on the horizon, and I felt my stomach twist uneasily as the small hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I didn't know what it was that was approaching but I could sense that it was bringing nothing but dread. And so I quickly rushed down to alert the others, and soon we were all gathered on the platform together, looking out into the distance.

"What is that?" Fili asked quietly from where he was standing beside me, though he didn't receive an answer, for none of us knew. Only when the wind that was now whooshing wildly and strongly over the lands carried over a scent that was unmistakable to my elvish senses did I finally speak up.

"Orcs." I breathed, feeling my heart sink, as I couldn't tear my gaze away from the horizon. The others shot me disbelieving looks upon my statement. "Wargs and goblins, as well." I added.

"This is impossible." Growled Thorin as he looked at me and away from the darkness in the distance. I returned his gaze evenly.

"Why should it be impossible? We knew that orcs were following us ever since we left Goblin Town. They have almost killed us in Laketown before we saw them going on northwards. They must have gathered in the mountains and now they are coming down on us." I explained to him. It was the only logical explanation that I could think of.

Thorin looked at me silently for a moment before he released a deep breath. I took a step closer to him, looking at him intently. "There is still time to make council." I said, shooting a glance into the distant valley. "They are still at least a day's journey away, maybe less if they are riding on wargs."

Thorin was about to answer when trumpets sounded from down by the camps of men, and we all followed the dwarf-king's gaze as he turned his head, seeing a crowd of people hurrying up the narrow path to the mountain. I recognized Gandalf at the front and I looked down at the wizard nervously as the group stopped before the gate. Beside the wizard, I could see a very familiar dwarf and my close friend, Lord Dain. I couldn't help but smile upon seeing him.

"What is he doing with them?" Fili muttered as he looked down at Dain.

"Thorin!" Gandalf called up to us then and I glanced over at the dwarf-king who had his arms crossed before his chest, staring down coolly at the people before his gate. "Surely you have already become aware of the darkness that is gathering in the distance. Orcs and goblins are approaching the mountain fast! There is need for council!"

I looked over at Thorin, as he seemed to hesitate. His gaze was lingering on Thranduil and Bard who were standing near the wizard, but as he looked at Dain, his jaw clenched slightly. Lord Dain then shouted something to the dwarf-king that I recognized as Khuzdul.

"He says that the wizard speaks the truth and that war is upon us." Kili whispered into my ear uneasily and I nodded curtly, bringing my gaze back to Thorin who sighed deeply, though he still seemed to hesitate. I took a cautious step away from Fili and Kili who shot me worried looks as I stepped up to Thorin. The dwarf-king turned his head towards me upon noticing my approach and I swallowed tightly as I held his gaze.

"You have to make a choice now, Thorin." I muttered, looking the dwarf-king straight in the eyes as he returned my gaze. "The time is upon us where we must all decide whose side we're on. I for one know whom it is that we should be fighting, and it is not the people that stand before your gate. You either barricade yourself within the dark halls of your mountain, or you will defend it and your kinsmen as a true king should."

There was a heavy silence hanging over the group as myself and Thorin looked at each other, and it was after another moment's hesitation that Thorin slightly inclined his head at me and I watched as he turned to look at his companions.

"Open the gate." He ordered darkly and quickly the dwarves complied. They rushed down the stairs and to the front gate, Dwalin, Bifur, Bombur, Caspian and Gloin making to open it. I lingered behind, coming to stand next to Bofur as Fili and Kili joined Thorin at the front, flanking him to both sides. And then the massive doors slowly started to open with an almost deafening creak as stone rasped over stone. I took a deep breath as the light of the sun filtered through the opening gap between the doors and I could see the familiar tall form of the grey wizard standing out against the light, casting a long shadow on the ground.

"I was starting to doubt that this door would ever open again." Bofur whispered in my ear making me nod in agreement. I hadn't thought that Thorin would open the gate to men and elves freely, but the danger of an imminent war finally seemed to be enough for him to come back to some sense.

"You are suggesting that I participate in a council of war with the very people that stole from me." Thorin stated, looking up at Gandalf grimly. Dain muttered something into his beard, sounding very displeased with the notion as well. The wizard just tilted his head slightly in reply.

"I am suggesting that you lay your differences aside for the time being, for matters of greater importance have arisen. Matters that cannot be ignored and that need a collaboration in order to be dealt with."

"You are speaking of a war." Thorin concluded and Gandalf nodded in reply.

"It is inevitable now, I'm afraid." The wizard said and I pressed my lips together as I listened to his words. "Azog and his son Bolg are leading an army of orcs and goblins towards your mountain. If we do not fight them, they will overrun us and win dominion over the North."

I watched expectantly as Thorin stayed silent for a moment, his gaze wandering over the people that stood before him as he thought. It was a few moments until he finally spoke, his voice deep and serious.

"So it shall be." The dwarf-king said. "No matter whom I consider foe among you, the orcs are the enemies of us all. I shall forget our quarrels for the moment and will agree to council with you. Dwarves will fight alongside men and elves, though you should not think for even one moment that this is more than a temporary truce between us."

Gandalf nodded, as did Bard, Thranduil and Dain. I released a deep breath of relief.

"Very well." Gandalf said. "Let us make haste and form a plan, for time is running against us."

Dain was the first one to step inside the mountain, the others following slowly as Gandalf led the way inside. The dwarf-lord embraced Thorin in a short but tight hug as a smile played beneath his bushy beard. I watched with a smile as he greeted his cousin before his gaze fell on Fili and Kili who were still standing beside their uncle.

"It is good to see the line of Durin healthy and strong in their rightful home again, though I wish we would have met under more pleasant circumstances." Dain spoke, patting the two dwarf brothers on the shoulders heartily. Fili inclined his head in thanks as Kili just smiled silently. Dain let his gaze wander over the company that stood behind the three royal dwarfs then, nodding in appreciation. "To reclaim Erebor with no more than a company of sixteen... A great feat indeed, cousin!" Dain smiled before his gaze finally landed on me and his smile turned into a large grin.

"It's good to see that you haven't gotten yourself killed yet, my dear friend. What would I do without the Head of my guards and my personal bodyguard, aye?" He said happily as he walked towards me and pulled him into a tight hug which I returned happily.

"It's good to see you too, my friend." I laughed as he released me.

"Will you join the war meeting as the head of my guards, Cassy?" He asked me.

"Of course, Dain." I said with a nod as he patted my shoulder heartily before he followed Gandalf into the hall where we would have the meeting.

I glanced at the company and saw the surprised looks on their faces. "You're the head of Dain's guards?" Asked Thorin.

"I told you Dain thought highly of me." I told him before I walked over to Kili and Fili and took either of their hands and pulled them into the council room with me.

"We weren't invited to attend the meeting, Cassy." Fili said to me.

"You're the heirs of Durin, you don't need an invitation. And besides I'm inviting you." I smiled at them.

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