The Dwarves Treasure

Duron had never lived through a faster week in all his days. If he didn’t have memories of a week full of Míreth’s delightful antics, he would swear someone had hit him over the head at the beginning of the week and he hadn’t awoken until week’s end. Duron knew the Elves waited outside the Lonely Mountain. He knew Dain planned to call him to present Míreth, and he knew the Elves prepared to take his treasure away from him forever.

“Pa—pa?” Her delicate fingers brushed his damp cheeks.

A Dwarf crying! Is all Arda at an end? Duron mustered up a smile and pulled Míreth onto his lap. As he thought of the days events he stroked her shiny black hair and sang to her.

Her lilting soprano joined his deep bass, causing him to start for a moment.

Far down in the caverns
Where light doth not dwell
I seek a fair treasure
That I ne’er would sell

Its hue is not golden
Its light not pale blue
Its shine is not silver
But fairer and true

Can you guess my treasure?
From which I’ll ne’er part
A treasure most glorious
For it is your heart

Duron felt the tiny hand on his face again.

“Pa—pa, avo nallo.”

Her own tears chased one another down her cheeks. How can I be so selfish! He mentally shook himself. She has lost her family, and here I am weeping for my own selfish reasons. This time the smile he forced his unwilling features to make had purpose behind it, and it did not falter. He wiped her tears in return for her favor.

“No more tears then, Míreth. I promised you a last visit to the treasury and you shall have it.” He picked up the Elf child, smiling through her tears and headed for the treasury.

Glóin joined him halfway down the corridor.

“I must say, Duron, I’m sorry to see her go.”

Duron inclined his head in agreement afraid of saying anything resulting in more tears.

“Where are you headed now?”

“The treasury. I promised Míreth a last visit.”

“I’m really sorry, Duron. I know how you must feel.”

“Do you?”

“Well, perhaps not, but…let me know if there is any way I can help.”

“I will, my friend.” Duron continued down to the treasury and Glóin headed up to meet the group from Mirkwood.

The quiet atmosphere of the treasury room calmed Duron a bit. He put Míreth down and went to a nook where he kept a few of his own personal treasures. From the amalgamation he extracted a finely made sapphire pendant with mithril setting and chain. His father had made it for an Elf princess, but her untimely death had rendered it useless as anything but a family heirloom. For a brief moment Duron struggled with his love for Míreth and his loyalty to his family’s treasures.

“Pa—pa!” Míreth said, holding up her arms.

Those words sealed it. He looked down at Míreth who had put a bracelet obviously meant for a troll on her head like a crown. She had also decked herself with rings, attempting to escape her fingers and bracelets she kept pushing up past her elbows. Their laughter echoed around the room.

“Come here, my princess.” He sat her on top of a bag of gold coins. “I have a jewel for you.”

He removed the conglomeration of metal and stone noting her wide sapphire eyes.

I will never forget you, lass.

When all the jewelry had at last been returned to its proper place, Duron held out the pendant for Míreth to see. Warmth poured through him. She put one hand on each of his bristly cheeks and planted a kiss on his nose.

Can I give her up without a fight? Can I possibly just let her go?

Half-baked plans of spiriting Míreth off to the Misty Mountains or carrying her away to some other hiding place raced through his mind jumbling into each other. Images of defying the Elves and fighting to the death for Míreth’s sake popped into his head. One by one he pushed them from his mind reminding himself Míreth’s well-being held precedence over all.

He lifted the mithril chain over her head. The sapphire hung down to her belly and she picked it up to gaze at it.

“Now you’re a beautiful princess with your own jewel.”

“Pa—pa, th—thank yo—u.”

How will my heart endure this?

#

Tunnon greeted King Dain in the customary manner. He remembered the King well from the War of the Five Armies; however, something seemed to be different about him. Tunnon recalled the cool assurance of King Dain during their previous encounters. Why does he appear so anxious?

“King Thranduil sends his greetings and thanks you.”

“It was nothing…my pleasure…to be expected.”

Tunnon stared.

“May we see the item now?”

“Item?”

Tunnon wondered at the expression on the Dwarf King’s face. He was no expert at understanding Dwarf behavior, but what appeared to be a look of confusion gradually melted until it became a look of triumph shining on Duron’s face.

“Oh yes…yes of course! Kept it in a safe place. Right this way.”

Tunnon followed the King and his advisors in a cloud of his own confusion. I have missed something important.

“Here it is.”

Tunnon looked at a suit of armor, Elven made. He knew King Thranduil had several like it in his treasury, but he forced a smile and pretended to give the mail a closer look.


“Thank you…for returning this…valuable…armor.” Tunnon muttered.

“What about the-” One of Dain’s counselors started, but Dain interrupted.

“—sword!” Tunnon noted the glare Dain sent in the direction of the counselor. Perhaps this is the reason for his distress? He does not wish to return this sword.

“We appreciate your kindness, but it is not necessary as we…”

“Yes, of course it’s necessary! Wait here and I shall return shortly.” Motioning to his counsel, Dain practically ran out of the room leaving Tunnon staring after him wondering at the notions of Dwarves.

#

Dain grumbled to himself as he marched down the hall to the treasury. I’ll have to consider a replacement for Oren.

“Sire, shouldn’t you tell them about the…”

“No! How do we know she belongs to them? They didn’t ask for her. She may belong to Elrond’s Elves or those of the Grey Havens.”

“But surely Thranduil knows where she belongs and will be able to return her there?”

Dain turned in fury upon the cringing Oren.

“Who is King of this mountain?”

“You are, Sire.”

“Then I’ll thank you to allow me to make the decisions in my own kingdom! I don’t want to hear another word about it. She stays until I say otherwise, and any who dispute this decision can bring the matter to me!”

“Yes, Sire!”

Dain continued back down the hall and resumed his muttering. He quashed a bit of conscience, insisting Oren may be right. A mental image of Duron’s face as he looked out at the assembly of Elves sufficed to strengthen his resolve. Besides, they didn’t even mention the child. She’s none of theirs I’m sure. I’ll just make a point of mentioning her to Elrond’s people next time I see them. Now, where did I put that sword?

Avo nallon—Don’t cry
ellith—female Elf






A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. Thank you Neume for sticking with me and betaing this. [/b]