Dusk had arrived when Bofur finally popped into view on the horizon, running full speed from the direction of the lake. Ori and Nori were with him, along with a man Thorin didn't recognize. Thorin stiffened a bit. He didn't trust men any more than he trusted elves and he hoped this one was here with good intentions.
But when he looked closer, Thorin saw the man was dragging what looked like some kind of long wooden board. Bofur, Nori, and Ori all hauled bags full of supplies with them.
"His name is bard," Bofur explained, panting as he came to a halt in front of Thorin, "He's a bargeman and he's the only one we could find to help us. We got some bandages and supplies and he agreed to ferry us away from here."
Bard knelt down to inspect the two young dwarves and Thorin tensed a bit more as the man put his hand on each of his nephew's necks. He watched carefully, ready to get to spring into action if this man dare harm them.
"They are fading," Bard said, "I am only a bargeman not a healer. But I can help get you to a shelter. The accommodations will not be comfortable, but they will be safer that here."
Thorin exchanged suspicious glances with Balin and Dwalin. "What will we owe you for this service, Master Bargeman?" Dwalin asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
Bard raised a brow, "You will owe me the lives of these two young ones, Master Dwarf" he said simply, "Because I am the only one in that town who will be willing to come to your aid. You may trust me or you may wait for the orcs, it is your choice."
Thorin looked down at his nephews. Kili's pain wracked breathing tore at him and Fili's constant moaning and whimpering hinted at the pain he was in.
"Very well," Thorin conceded. He had no choice but to trust the bargeman.
Bard brought the board forward and set it on the ground, "You will need to get them on this. It will be easier to carry them without causing further injury."
Thorin nodded to the company and instantly multiple sets of Dwarfish hands slid under Fili and Kili's bodies. They both grunted a bit as Thorin and the entire company lifted them carefully and swiftly and brought them back down on top of the board. Then, Bard and the two elves, the tallest in the group, carried the board.
Thorin had to walk quickly to keep up with the long strides of the elves and the man. He didn't like his severely injured nephews being at the mercy of these folk. Dwalin and Balin walked nearby as well, the dwarves watching every move made. The procession followed Bard as they walked slowly down the hill to the lake.
Eventually, they came to the edge of the lake where Thorin had been about to cross earlier. There was a larger barge docked beside the small row boat.
"I suggest we take both boats with us," Bard called as he and the elves carried the makeshift stretcher, "I do not want the orcs to have easy access to Lake-town."
Thorin nodded, separating the company. He, Dwalin, and Balin climbed aboard Bard's larger vessel with Bard, Legolas, Tauriel and the board carrying Fili and Kili. Bilbo and Asphodel joined them as well. The others boarded the smaller row boat.
Bard and the elves lay the board down in the barge gently and as Thorin sat down against the rail, it was only then that he realized just how exhausted he was, both emotionally and physically. He had slept very little in captivity and had not eaten anything in many days. He knew the rest of the company was just as bad, but they said nothing. They were all just as worried about Fili and Kili as Thorin was. Many of the company of 13 dwarves were kin and they had all been friends prior to this journey, but they, along with the hobbit, had grown much closer. They had all become a family. And Fili and Kili were among the youngest in that family and their deaths would be an unbearable blow for all.
"Now that we are underway, it is a good time to tell me your purpose and your identity, Dwarf," Bard said, interrupting Thorin's silent thoughts.
Thorin looked at him. He tried to think up a cover story, knowing that the survivors of Dale would not be too excited about his return. But even as he opened his mouth to respond, Legolas stepped forward to respond,
"This is Thorin Oakenshield, surely you know of the king under the mountain," Legolas said, "We found them passing through our territory on their way to reclaim Erebor."
"Erebor!" Bard exclaimed, as Thorin and Dwalin both shot Legolas a venomous look. Of course they did not expect elves to keep their quest a secret.
"What of it?" Thorin growled angrily, "The mountain is in Dwarven lands and reclaiming it is our own prerogative."
"And what of the dragon?" Bard asked as he steered the barge slowly through the water, "Do you think we would permit you to awaken the beast so it can do to us what it did to the people of Dale!"
"We do not intend to allow Smaug to live," Thorin shot back, "We intend to take back what is ours, what was stolen from us."
"Well… we intended to," Balin said sadly, "But alas… we have missed the last night of Durin's day."
Thorin felt sad as he gazed up into the sky. Sure enough, the sun was quickly dying below the horizon, casting a shadow of the Lonely Mountain with the last light of its golden rays.
"Well we can't give up," Bilbo spoke up, surprising Thorin who glanced down at him. He sat on the ground with Asphodel who sat quietly, "We came all this way and we won't give up simply because of some passage."
Bard said nothing in response. Thorin watched him closely as he gazed out across the lake as he navigated. He seemed satisfied with questions for now.
Eventually, the lights of Lake-town came into view. A town made completely of wood, build atop wooden planks which spread out over the lake. Thorin felt hopeful as Bard steered the barge towards the town. But as they began to approach the city gates, at the very last moment, Bard suddenly turned the boat north and away from the town. Towards Erebor…