The Hobbit

They bore with them
     the green banner of the Elvenking and the blue banner of the Lake, and they advanced until they stood right before the wall
     at the Gate.
    Again Thorin hailed them in a loud voice: “Who are you that come armed for war to the gates of Thorin son of Thrain, King
     under the Mountain?” This time he was answered.
    A tall man stood forward, dark of hair and grim of face, and he cried: “Hail Thorin! Why do you fence yourself like a robber
     in his hold? We are not yet foes, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope. We came expecting to find none living
     here; yet now that we are met there is matter for a parley and a council.”
    “Who are you, and of what would you parley?”
    “I am Bard, and by my hand was the dragon slain and your treasure delivered. Is that not a matter that concerns you? Moreover
     I am by right descent the heir of Girion of Dale, and in your hoard is mingled much of the wealth of his halls and towns,
     which of old Smaug stole. Is not that a matter of which we may speak? Further in his last battle Smaug destroyed the dwellings
     of the men of Esgaroth, and I am yet the servant of their Master. I would speak for him and ask whether you have no thought
     for the sorrow and misery of his people. They aided you in your distress, and in recompense you have thus far brought ruin
     only, though doubtless undesigned.”
    Now these were fair words and true, if proudly and grimly spoken; and Bilbo thought that Thorin would at once admit what justice
     was in them. He did not, of course, expect that any one would remember that it was he who discovered all by himself the dragon’s
     weak spot; and that was just as well, for no one ever did. But also he did not reckon with the power that gold has upon which
     a dragon has long brooded, nor with dwarvish hearts. Long hours in the past days Thorin had spent in the treasury, and the
     lust of it was heavy on him. Though he had hunted chiefly for the Arkenstone, yet he had an eye for many another wonderful
     thing that was lying there, about which were wound old memories of the labours and the sorrows of his race.
    “You put your worst cause last and in the chief place,” Thorin answered. “To the treasure of my people no man has a claim, because Smaug who stole it from us also robbed him of life or home. The treasure was not his that
     his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lake-men
     we will fairly pay—in due time. But
nothing
will we give, not even a loaf’s worth, under threat of force. While an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as
     foes and thieves.
    “It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred, had you found the hoard unguarded
     and us slain.”
    “A just question,” replied Bard. “But you are not dead, and we are not robbers. Moreover the wealthy may have pity beyond
     right on the needy that befriended them when they were in want. And still my other claims remain unanswered.”
    “I will not parley, as I have said, with armed men at my gate. Nor at all with the people of the Elvenking, whom I remember
     with small kindness. In this debate they have no place. Begone now ere our arrows fly! And if you would speak with me again,
     first dismiss the elvish host to the woods where it belongs, and then return, laying down your arms before you approach the
     threshold.”
    “The Elvenking is my friend, and he has succoured the people of the Lake in their need, though they had no claim but friendship
     on him,” answered Bard. “We will give you time to repent your words. Gather your wisdom ere we return!” Then he departed and
     went back to the camp.
    Ere many hours were past, the banner-bearers returned, and trumpeters stood forth and blew a blast:
    “In the name of Esgaroth and the Forest,” one cried, “we speak unto Thorin Thrain’s son Oakenshield, calling himself the King
     under the Mountain, and we bid him consider well the claims that have been urged, or be declared our foe. At the least he
     shall deliver one twelfth portion of the treasure unto Bard, as the dragon-slayer, and as the heir of Girion. From that portion
     Bard will himself contribute to the aid of Esgaroth; but if Thorin would have the friendship and honour of the lands about,
     as his sires had of old, then he will give also somewhat of his own for the comfort of the men of the