* '¨ G I F T  OF  S I L V E R R I N G S *' ¨

In Dale, Bard, and the Lake, people begin collecting and distributing the various weapons and armor stored there. You're helping those who need it. In Erebor, the dwarves do the same, suiting up for battle. As Bilbo walks by, Thorin calls out to him, holding something. "Master Baggins, come here!" throin calls. Bilbo comes up and sees that Thorin is holding a tunic of white mail. throin smiles and holds it up, a gesture that means 'ake it on" the Hobbit begins removing his jacket. "his vest is made of silver steel - "mithril" it was called by my forebears." throin says as Bilbo slides into it. "o blade can pierce it." the king under the mountain ends. Bilbo looks at himself, then up at throiin. "look absurd. I'm not a warrior; I'm Hobbit." he protests, but Thorin only smiles.

"t is a gift—a token of our friendship. True friends are hard to come by," he says. Although he had started off smiling at Bilbo, he looks toward the other dwarves and frowns, then grabs Bilbo by the shoulder and pulls him away from where the other dwarves ccan'thear him. "have been blind. Now I begin to see. I am betrayed!" he hisses. Bilbo frowns. "betrayed?" he asks. "e Arkenstone." "hroiin explains, and Bilbo gets an understanding look on his face than one of distaste. Throwing has gone mad if he thought his kin would betray him. Thorin whispers to Bilbo. "O" e of them has taken it." "heroin snarls, and bilbo sighs, irritated. "O" e of them is false." "horn ads.

"T" orin...the quest is fulfilled. YoYou'veon the mountain. Is that not enough?" "ilbo tires, but he can't get through Thorin, who mumbles. to himself or Bilbo, it's not clear. "B" trayed by my kin." "ilbo tires again, this time getting throins attention. "N" eh...You...You made a promise...to the people of Laketown. Is-Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor? Our honor, Thorin. I was also there; I gave my word." "e says. Suddenly a familiar voice sounds. It's you. "o" eansheild, yoyou'veunk so low. Your kin would never betray you, you imbecile!" "ou hissed, your tongue sharp and words harsh. The dwarves looked around but couldn't find you; neither could Thorin or Bilbo.

A laugh startled everyone. "o" you stupid dwarves. I am in Dale, helping the people you gave your word to support in return. The people who have just been paid with dragon fire and death. Be glad that I'I'mot there me and kill you all." "he voice silenced, and it was quiet between Thorin and Bilbo. The other dwarves whispered amongst themselves, guilt tearing them inside.

Legolas and Tauriel leave their horses and scramble up a rocky outcrop. They crouch behind some rocks at the top and see a fortress ahead. "Gundabad. What lies beyond?" tauriel asks Legolas. "An old enemy - The ancient kingdom of Angmar. This fortress was once its stronghold. It is where they kept their great armories, forged their weapons of war." he answers, his voice tinged with discussion. A light flickers in a window of the fortress then disappears. "A light! I saw movement." tauriel exclaims, and Legolas also turns to the fort, looking after the light his friend saw. "We wait for the cover of night. It is a fell place, Tauriel. In another age, our people waged war on those lands." Legolas says, then pauses; he looks pained. 

Tauriel looks at him. "My mother died there. My father does not speak of it. There is no grave, no memory, nothing." he says and looks away. 

In dale with you, the people of lake town are preparing for war, sharpening swords, and collecting supplies. They jump out of the way as Gandalf gallops into town on his horse. "Let me through!" he yells. "Make way!" Gandalf dismounts in the central courtyard and looks surprised to see men drilling with swords and companies of elves marching by. Alfrid comes up to him, upset. "No, No, NO! Oi! You - pointy hat!" he calls, and Gandalf turns to look at him. "Yes, you. We don't want any tramps, beggars, or vagabonds around here. We got enough trouble without the likes of you. Off you go! On your horse." you suddenly appear, walking up to the two men, and you smile as you meet eyes with Gandalf. 

"I would keep my mouth shut if I were you, Alfird. You know very well that I can easily kill you. Now Gandalf, why have you come?" you snarl to alfird then turns to your old friend. he smiles and says softly, "Who's in charge here?" as you are bout to answer, Bard appears and says, "Who is asking?"

Later in Thranduil's tent, Gandalf is talking with Thranduil. you and bard are also there, standing ackwwardeldy as the two discuss. "You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves. War is coming! The cesspits of Dol Guldur have been emptied. You're ALL in mortal danger!" Gandalf booms and you pale. Do you hate orcs more than anything but so many? That's death for anyone. But your paleness disappears as Thranduil says something that makes your eyes glint with anger. Bard notices this and looks concerned at you. But then he turns to Gandalf and says, "What are you talking about?" you growl low as Thranduil says, "I can see you know nothing of wizards. They are like winter thunder on a wild wind rolling in from a distance, breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm is just a storm." 

you then speak up, making all look at you. "Not this time. Orcs are on the move. And these are fighters; they've been bred for war. Our enemy has summoned his full strength." you hiss at the end, eyes showing years of torture, anger, and hatred. Thranduil is calm, but even he is scared of what runs in your veins. "Why show his hand now?" he says calmly, and Gandalf takes the word, seeing your anger is yet to be tamed. "Because we forced him! We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland. The dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor; Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the mountain. Not just for the treasure within, but for where it lies, its strategic position." as he talks, you all have left the tent and walked outside to a spot from where you can see the gates of Erebor.

Your eyes scan the gates, trying to see any life. but you know they're there and alive. "This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the north. If that fell kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lothlorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall!" Gandalf end, bringing you out of your thoughts, and you turn back to him. "These orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir - Where are they?" Thranduil asks, but the gray wizard is unable to answer. 

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Short, but I liked it. 

-Saph