One Sword To Rule Them All

Arthas and Gandalf reached the throne room(Its something of a Throne Hall but ignore that.) of Erebor where Thorin was discussing some matters with several Dwarfs. Thorin noticed them approach and dismissed the Dwarfs around him.

Arthas and Gandalf got close to the throne. Arthas said with a humorous tone while slightly bowing, "Thorin son of Thráin, from the line of Durin. I greet you, King under the mountain.".

Thorin put on a friendly smile as he stood up and approached Arthas, putting both his hands on the latter's shoulders. "Hero of Erebor, I dare not accept your bow!"

They both broke out in a burst of friendly laughter, Gandalf soon joining them. Thorin looked like a proper king, he had not just the outfit and throne but also the charisma and confidence. Greed was gone, replaced with honor.

Arthas looked around the place, "Not bad at all!". He noticed the Arkenstone on top of the Throne and smiled. "You finally got it huh..."

Thorin looked at the stone and smiled also, "Indeed, it wouldn't have been possible without your help. I wished to meet you and discuss something...".

Arthas nodded and looked at Thorin solemnly, "I am all yours.". Gandalf stood by the side, deciding to not interfere in their talk, only listen.

Thorin began walking and the two followed, "I was wondering, who are you really?! Are you going to become King of men? What is your plan for the future?". Arthas frowned for a moment and then smiled, "I... I don't wish to lie to my friends but I can't tell you who I really am for many reasons. You need not worry as the reasons are personal. I will answer the other two by tomorrow morning.".

Thorin nodded in understanding. Arthas asked, "Why do you ask?".

Thorin stopped walking and looked below, at the bridges and many dwarfs visible going around in under the mountain, he sighed. "The war is over and I thought of inviting you to stay for a while... I owe you a great deal! I wish to give you 1/15th of the gold and another 1/15th to help the men that call you king."

Arthas shrugged his shoulders, "I don't care for gold or wealth, what I care though is you showing us around this place.". Thorin shook his head with amus.e.m.e.nt, "I did not expect that. Follow me...".

They walked within the place, Thorin acting as their guide. Arthas looked at the structures, sometimes with shock and sometimes with awe. However, he completely lost it when he saw a sea of Gold. He gasped in disbelief, 'The movie didn't do this justice, I see no end!',

Gandalf and Thorin looked at his dumbfounded expression and opened jaws then chuckled.

However, Arthas stopped when he saw a certain set of gems. "Thorin, Can you give me these gems."

Before Thorin could respond, Gandalf said, "These are the Gems of Lasgalen. Thranduil wants them so badly he would go to war for them. Do you still want them?!".

Arthas smiled confidently, "I am counting on that! I have my plans, old man.". Gandalf sighed as Thorin nodded. "Consider them a gift! I am rather happy you took these off my hand."

Arthas thanked them as he took a box and put the gems inside. Soon after the tour ended and they were back in the throne room. "I still need matters to attend to, I will meet with you in the morning to discuss the important things," Thorin said. Arthas and Gandalf left the lonely mountain.

"What do you plan to do with those gems?"

Arthas didn't look at Gandalf as he mounted his horse and answered calmly, "What else? I am gonna negotiate with Thranduil. After seeing Rivendell, Lorien, and Erebor... I decided to make a magnificent Kingdom for men. I will have the gold and with the gems, the help of Thranduil. Both will probably acknowledge my kingdom happily.".

Gandalf asked with surprise, "Are you sure? There will be lots of work and headaches, Problems, and responsibilities.". Arthas took off, "I still need to think what kind of Kingdom to make, at least, it's better than lazing around for a few decades.". His voice faded as he left.

Gandalf shook his head with exasperation, 'Why did he say a few decades? does he mean the rest of his life? Young men these days...'.(For those of you who don't know there is a 60-year time difference between the Hobbit and LotR. He meant those 60 years!)

Arthas lay on a boulder in a secluded place quite away from the ruins of Dale; He looked at the stars. Moonlight and starlight the only things that shined on him. He stretched his hand and opened his palm as he looked at the stars and moon as if they were in the palm of his hand.

"I can make a kingdom, almost all the conditions are right. I will recreate Lordaeron and make it the greatest kingdom in the middle-earth, I have 60 years; Then I will use my power and kingdom to suppress Mordor and Sauron in the war of the ring. Many innocents will survive that way... I need to find a way to train a bunch of paladins too. I also need to see if I am immortal, I feel immortal and Frostmourn should make me but I still need to make sure that I don't age. And there is another matter as well; If I want to make a city like Stormwind I need a lot of manpower that does not exist now! I can use modern Earth knowledge to speed things up..." he murmured.

Hours passed and finally, the first rays of Dawn fell on his face, He was broken out of his thoughts. He ate a little bread he had carried with him with water and mounted his horse to go and meet the kings properly. 'My Choice is made! I will be King of Lordaeron and use the resources there not just to help the world and the people but also to research magic and portals to other worlds... If the possibility exists. 60 years is a long time, many things can be done...'