"Thorin" Fili said concerned, "We have company"
We turned and saw a tall dark haired man armed with a bow and arrow aimed at Kili standing on a boulder.
"Anyone moves and he is dead."
He was from Lake Town and his name was Bard. After a few grumbles and some not so polite comments from Thorin and Dwalin he agreed to take or more likely smuggle us to Lake Town thanks to Balin. Kili needed to rest and we all needed some much needed food and sleep.
I sat at the corner of the barge a headache blooming in my temples and a cold set in my bones. Thorin and Dwalin were busy whispering to each other, Kili was sitting leaning against his brother, his face pale and shivering. I couldn't come to terms with the fact that I had seen this but could nothing to prevent it. I hope the weed helps or else Kili would be in big trouble.
I was sitting with a frown when I felt Thorin come stand near me, a look of concern on his face and something else I couldn't put my finger on. I look up at him and manage a weak smile. The barge seemed slower than a snail though we could see houses stretched on the horizon.
"Everyone we need more coins." Balin said softly, "We are a little short." I searched the inner pockets of my jacket and came up with a pouch. I took the pouch without opening to check how much I had and put in in front of Balin. "You don't need to do it lass, we can manage." He said to me.
"Why? Am I not a part of this company?" I say looking at him with mock anger. "Besides I don't need any of it." We were still four coins short. Thorin was talking to Dwalin but his attention set on me and Balin. I wince as I sit close to Balin, Thorin crossed the deck and crouched in front of me, "Are you al right?" he asks
"I'm fine Thorin." I reply. He shifts and sits next to me
"What's on your mind?" he asks in a low voice
"A lot." I sigh.
"You almost got yourself killed today." He growled.
" I was trying to save Kili" I say looking at him.
He doesn't answer but I know that this conversation is not over yet. His shoulders suddenly tense and he gets up looking at something ahead of us. I follow his gaze and gasp, in the distance shrouded with mist stands a lonely peak, 'The Lonely Mountain'. I stare at it my heart suddenly heavy, the others go completely silent. Gloin takes a pouch and passes it to Balin, "Take it, take all of it." he says without taking his eyes off the mountain. I look at Thorin, his face unreadable but he slides his hand into mine holding firmly. He looks so majestic, a true King returning to reclaim his home. "It would end with Erebor having a Queen" his words ring in mind. Something invisible squeezes my chest.
"We are almost there." the heavy silence is broken by Bard "Get into the Barrels."
Thorin gives my hand a squeeze as if he knows what's going through my mind. We get into the barrels again as the barge glides through the gates. I hear people talking but none of us can make out what's being said until loads of slimy smelly fish land on our heads covering us completely.
"Dump the barrels" someone orders and I freeze. I hear Bard arguing with someone. "Never mind" come the orders again and I relax. We were almost caught.
The barge moves again for a while when Bard says, "Come on, follow me and do not draw attention to yourselves."
He flips a coin to a man "You didn't see anything." he says as he walks along and the man nods looking at thirteen dwarves, a woman and a hobbit wide eyed.
The man's gaze lands on me a little longer when I feel Thorin's arm around my waist shooting daggers with his eyes at the man. We move along the alleys of Lake Town, Thorin's grip on my waist never leaving. We came to the heart of the town which was a market when a boy came running to Bard, "Da the house is being watched"
"The Master has his eyes on my house all the time." Bard informs us, "There is only one way inside without being seen. Can you people swim?" he asks turning to us.
I groan. The icy water was making me teeth chatter but that was not the worst.
"Da why are there dwarves coming out of our toilet." I smile as I walk to the door.
"Are they going to bring us luck?" she continues. My smile widens.
Bard provides us with towels and blankets to dry ourselves up, there is a fire going too.
"Sigrid, take the lady to your room and give her some dry clothes." Sigrid nods at him.
He brings his son's clothes for the dwarves. "Wear these until yours dry." He says handing them out.
Sigrid takes me to her room and closes the door behind me smiling. "I only have dresses I'm afraid" she says eyeing my clothes.
"Oh..." I say panicking a little, I've never worn a dress in my life.
"Don't worry, you'll look lovely in one." she can't contain her excitement.
"I've never worn one." I tell her.
"All the more reason to try then!" she exclaims giving me a wide smile. "I have a perfect one for you." she says as she climbs into the over flowing closet and comes out with a sleeveless lilac floral dress, it has a slightly low neck and is pleated at the waist. I look at the dress, I would hardly be able to fit my bust into it.
"Try it on" she encourages. "It was my mom's"
Sigrid gave me an admiring look when I came out of the bathroom. "You look lovely." She said clapping her hands excitedly and jumping. I smiled at her.
I was feeling very self-conscious as I had never worn such clothes. I wanted to cover myself with my cloak but unfortunately it was wet. I let out a deep breath as I open the door and come to the living room. Thorin was saying something to Balin but as his eyes fell on me he stopped, eyes on me his mouth open. They all stood there quiet and their mouths hanging. "Stop it!" I exclaim.
"You look beautiful Maur." Thorin said unable to take his eyes off me.
"Stop staring at me like that all of you or I'll go back to the room." I say looking at each of them.
"Sorry" they say looking away but Thorin just could not look away.
I came and stood beside him, "Stop it Oakenshield." I whisper and he lands a kiss on my cheek.
"I can't." He whispers.
Bard comes into the room, Dwalin looks at him, "What about the weapons?" Thank God for the change of subject.
Bard goes out again. Thorin moves a little his expression seems like he's seen a ghost, his eyes are glued to something outside. Bard enters again with the weapons. They weren't really weapons but tools used on boats for fishing. We all stared at them in disbelief before Dwalin breaks the silence, "What is this" he says throwing a harpoon on the table, "We asked for weapons, axes, swords forged of iron."
All the weapons of Lake Town were taken to the armoury and kept under lock and key he informed us, you can't leave until nightfall. Thorin gave him an unfriendly look. I knew what the dwarves were thinking, they were goin to the armoury. I wasn't sure it was a good idea but I kept my opinion to myself and waited....