Chapter Text
A proud man as Thorin Durin was, he wouldn’t often ask help for his business from outsiders. Well, Gandalf wasn’t actually an outsider; he just didn’t happen to live in that big house like all the other friends of Durin’s family. Gandalf had known Thorin since the latter had been a little boy. He had been Thorin’s late-grandfather’s friend, had seen how his now also late-father grew up and now he was currently watching over and occasionally helping Thorin with his business, even though Thorin was over his thirties now.
Gandalf hadn’t visited Durin’s household lately; he only came when Thorin told him to come by, and Thorin would never invite him just for a cup of coffee. Oh no, he always wanted Gandalf to get him some information! You see, the business Thorin was rolling was the kind where you really needed to know who you were playing with, who you could trust and who your enemies were. Gandalf knew almost everybody, and if there was someone he didn’t know, he would at least know someone who did.
So, Gandalf could only guess what kind of information the young man might want this time as he approached the big house of Durin’s. He rang the doorbell and waited. Oh how he would have liked to have his own key to use! As an old man he’d already had enough of waiting, but after once having kept a key from Thorin for his father’s personal belongings drawer Thorin was reluctant to give any keys to the old man.
What seemed like forever to Gandalf, the door finally opened. Balin stood there in welcome and knew to apologize to Gandalf for taking his time. Gandalf’s suspicions awoke; Balin was Thorin’s most trusted friend and relative-he would only send him to meet Gandalf alone if there were something serious going on.
“Thorin, Gandalf is here!” Balin knocked the door of Thorin’s office and opened it for Gandalf.
Thorin sat behind his desk and nodded his greeting to the older man. Gandalf sat down on the large sofa in front so that they were eye-to-eye. He didn’t have to ask what Thorin was after this time, because as soon as Balin closed the door and they were left alone Thorin started to speak.
“I need you to find me someone.”
“Alright, what are their names?”
“I actually hoped that you would tell me that.”
Gandalf raised an eyebrow to Thorin and gestured for him to continue. Thorin sighed, stood up, and started pacing irritably along his large office.
“You know that I have gotten closer to finally defeating my worst enemy...” Thorin started and frowned. “After all these years I have only now been able to locate Smaug’s hideout..! That bastard has been cowering away in his private mansion right behind the mountains! The best way to defeat him and get back what belongs to me is a surprise attack, but it won’t be easy.”
“Of course it won’t, yet it seems to me like you already have some sort of plan.”
“Yeah, almost… But I need more information about him. I need to find his ultimate weakness, need to know who his allies are, whose information I could trust and-“
“To put it short, you need to know every single detail about him so you could destroy him once and for all,” Gandalf interrupted with a smile.
“Yes.” Thorin’s frown grew deeper as he glanced the old man on the couch.
“ I hope you don’t expect me to find you someone who knows all these things about Smaug. He knows the underworld better than anyone, much better than you, your men and me together! He wouldn’t be so stupid that he would confide in one person! I would need to find you hundreds of criminals, every single one knowing only a small detail of Smaug’s life, and by asking help of so many Mafioso would not guarantee that they would keep their mouth shut, you couldn’t possibly watch over so many people. And you would be broke if you try to pay them all silent. Smaug would soon hear that you know his whereabouts and it would take years to find him again!”
“Do you think that I’m so stupid?! Of course I know that! But I’m not asking you to find me hundreds of criminals, just one! One of the finest burglars there is; he who would get me all the needed information and help me to rob back what is mine!”
“If you need a burglar, then let Nori do the job! He’s well known of his skills of robbery,” Gandalf suggested, but Thorin shook his head.
“That’s the problem, everybody knows him..! Besides, Nori is known well by many after all the times he’s been caught, and I need someone who knows the underworld like his own pockets but whom the underworld doesn’t know at all! Someone who can move like a shadow and could spy on other Mafiosos for me. I can’t afford to pay hundreds of criminals, but I can afford one man.”
“Please, you’re asking to do the impossible!” Gandalf stood up and spread his arms. “Where do you think I’ll be able to find you a professional burglar who is unknown to the whole underworld?!”
“I thought that nothing was impossible for the ‘wizard’,” Thorin smiled as he referred to the nickname that Gandalf had gained over the years.
Gandalf huffed and thought that he would try to speak some sense to the young mafia boss.
“Thorin, I know that you bear many a grudge against Smaug, that’s understandable! But think about it; is it worth risking all you have done over the years just to fulfill your dangerous need for revenge?! I know that he fooled your grandfather and drove your whole family to the poorhouse, but look what you have done since! You have earned every penny back by working hard! I can’t say whether all of that money has been gained in a legal way, after all you’re working with hard boiled criminals, but you found the way to climb back to the top! If something in your plan goes wrong, Smaug could destroy your family this time once and for all. Is it really worth the risk?”
“It’s not just senseless revenge! He has something that belonged to my grandfather!”
“What do you mea-” Gandalf stopped as he remembered what had been always so important to his late friend.
“You don’t mean the arkenstone, do you?”
Thorin nodded and Gandalf rolled his eyes. This can’t be true! That stupid stone was the reason for his friend’s enormous greed. It would destroyed him!
“Smaug stole it from my grandfather. It meant everything to that man and I must get it back.”
“Thorin...”
“Enough! I have made up my mind, and everyone else under this roof is also willing to do their very best to give that scum what he deserves!”
Gandalf knew that he couldn’t win against Thorin in this matter. The boy was as stubborn as his grandfather. If only he could make Thorin see that what he had now was much more important and valuable than some cold old stone.
“When do you need me to find that invisible spy-burglar for you?” Gandalf rubbed his forehead wearily.
“As soon as possible. Please Gandalf, if everything goes as planned I promise that this is the last thing I will ever ask of you.”
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, old friend. I’m counting on you,” Thorin said as Gandalf made his way out of the office.