<b>Pegawen paused as all eyes turned to her. Did they expect her to tell the tale of the great Thorin? Where should she begin? <br/>
<br/>
Before she could gather her thoughts, Allassiel spoke up. “Of all the dwarves you wish us to regale, it would be the most selfish of them. Thorin was nothing more than a pain in my king's --”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Now, Allassiel. We do know how Thranduil felt about Thorin.” Allasea shook her head, continuing before Allassiel could protest. “The lure of gold was great for him, but it was an avarice of his whole family back to Durin. Yet, in the end he did prove himself.” She turned to Pegawen and nodded. “Go on child, tell the tale, for your memory is keener than most.”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen swallowed. “There's much to be told about Thorin Oakenshield. It would take days, I think to speak of him fully. One bard once said that he would be remembered for centuries, and this much is true.”</b><br/><br/><b>As everyone settled back to listen, she closed her eyes, recalling old texts she'd read. “Not much do we know about Thorin's early years. He was born to Prince Thrain II and lived his earliest years there. But a great dragon – Smaug – claimed it for himself and the dwarves were forced to abandon their home. Little is known between that point and later, except that the dwarves traveled in exile.” She paused, an expression of consternation on her face. “I must admit that the elves did not take much notice of the lives of elves at this point. We hadn't since King Durin VI released the balrog in Khazad Dum.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>But that is a tale for another time. This one is about Thorin, King of Durin's Folk, King Under the Mountain. In 2941 of the Third Age, a small group of dwarves was discovered in the Mirkwood and brought to King Thranduil as his guests. Things did not go well, as Thorin would not speak on why he was traveling through elven lands and Thranduil had little patience for dwarves. Some say that the dwarves saw themselves out in a most unique manner --”</b><br/><br/>“<b>You mean they snuck out in barrels.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Yes.” She caught sight of Flagdon's expression and shrugged. “I did say it was unique. From there we know they made their way towards Esgaroth, know to most simply as Lake-town. It wasn't hard to determine what Thorin's goal was by now – he meant to retake the Lonely Mountains from Smaug. Or, so we thought.”</b><br/><br/><b>She took a drink of water, sorting out the story in her head. “Thorin's small company did not come alone, though. He was followed upon every step by foes – particularly a vile and cunning orc named Bolg and his army of goblins and wargs – who sought to continue the war begun by his sire Azog. And yet, the dwarves would face a much more pressing enemy first. For Smaug was made aware of their presence. He rose to attack them, destroy Lake-town for aiding his enemies of old.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>It was a fierce battle, as naught could penetrate the thick scales of a dragon as old as this. But one brave man named Bard, with an iron arrow and one shot, managed what no one had been able to do. His aim as true as any elf of Mirkwood, he pierced the weakest spot over Smaug's heart sending him plummeting into the lake of Lake-town for all time.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>And where was Thorin?” Flagdon asked, brow furrowed. “I've heard little about him in this battle.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Patience, master dwarf. I'm getting to that. All in its time. While Smaug was attacking Lake-town, Thorin and his company had snuck into the Lonely Mountain where the dragon kept all of the gold stolen from the dwarves and various others over the long years. We learned later, from their hobbit companion Bilbo --”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Bilbo Baggins?!” Merry shouted, even as Pippen sat up from his bedroll. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Yes, dear ones. That Bilbo. And maybe I shall tell more tales of him later, but this one is about Thorin now. Where was I? Ah, after the destruction of Lake-town, the humans humbly requested a share of the gold to help rebuild. But avarice filled Thorin's heart and he refused. Bilbo, quite wise, came to Bard and Thranduil and presented them with a gift. It was simply know as the Arkenstone, and it was prized by Thorin above all the treasures in the Lonely Mountain.”</b><br/><br/><b>She looked down at her hands, knowing what had happened next would not sit favorably with Thorin. “To say Thorin was not happy would be … Thorin was furious, denouncing Bilbo as a traitor and declaring war on the men and elves if Arkenstone was not returned to him. I imagine it would have come to that too, had not Bolg and his armies shown up when they did. Facing a much greater foe than their own petty arguments over wealth, Thorin, Bard, and Thranduil were forced to band together to defend themselves. In what would later be know as the Battle of the Five Armies, they worked side by side against an almost endless wave of goblins, wargs, and trolls. I've only heard brief tales of the battle itself.”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel motioned for her to continue. “It was a war, just as any, and I daresay it does not need to be told in great detail.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>No. I imagine not. But Thorin's part .. he led the dwarves - his own, and the armies of his cousin, Dain Ironfoot – as well as the others into battle, proving himself a fierce warrior and defeating Bolg himself. He was however, mortally wounded in the battle. After his death, the Arkenstone was returned, buried with him for eternity, and King Dain kept the dwarves' promise to the men of Lake-town, giving them 1/14th of the gold in the Lonely Mountain.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>To this day, Thorin Oakenshield is remembered as a mighty warrior and King. Perhaps, another time, I shall tell of King Dain, who was also a great warrior.” She sat back, closing her eyes.</b>