A:N/ I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to updating, I've had a lot of homework. I swear teachers just know when you're trying to get something else done and then decide to torment you by throwing more things onto your plate.

So, until I can find the time to write the next chapter (and I promise I will), a little teaser.

On the Barge….

Bard expertly directed the barge through the lake. The dwarves were silent, thinking of their own things.

Finally, Fili spoke up. "Are nymphs all like that?" He said, staring over the water. There was no sign of Lorelei.

Bard laughed. "No, usually worse. I remember the first time I met a nymph besides Lorelei, and they got into such a fight, it was a wonder they didn't tear each other to shreds. I'm not quite sure what it was about, but the guy got a bite in the arm so deep it was a wonder her fangs didn't break off."

Thorin looked up from where he sat. "How can we trust her, then, if she plans on killing people in her spare time?"

"It is merely their nature. Most nymphs don't realize that other races don't come back to life, but Lorelei does. She is very loyal, especially to what she believes in, and if she had the chance, she would fight until she could no more. You are lucky to have a nymph on your side. Lorelei has good judgment, and nymphs have the flexibility of an elf and the strength of a dwarf if they choose."

Kili looked up from where he was and over the water to where his brother stared. "What's taking her so long?"

Bard's face hardened. "I don't know. Usually she'll be quick, she doesn't like being down there."

"I wish I could go after her." Fili muttered. Most of the company missed that, but Kili didn't. He looked at his brother, gazing wistfully over the water. As much as he would've liked to comfort him, distract him, whatever, Kili's mind was elsewhere. Ice cold pin pricks dashed up and down from the arrow wound to the rest of his body.

And that's when the creature surfaced. Pink and orange scales covered her body, her eyes were golden, hair did up elaborately with combs. Her fingernails were claws, her teeth were fangs. Bombur was the first to notice; he stared at the thing.

"What is it?" Thorin asked, and he turned around to see the…creature. It was beautiful and hideous all at once.

"Bard." She hissed. "Tell me, have you seen Lorelei?"

"What do you mean, Naida? She went there looking for Calypso and Josh and you."

"She came." The thing admitted. Her tail flicked lazily in the water. "And ran off, after sister Calypso mentioned a sore subject. She always does that, Bard, running off afterward, but it's not so much her disappearing."

"What is it then?"

"Josh followed after her, and we haven't seen him since."

Bard cursed, coming to the side of the boat. "Find her! You know what –"

But she was gone, having flipped into the lake again. The dwarves heard a screech, and the lake erupted into a bubbling mass. Tails flipped and twisted, voices shrieked, and then all was still.

"What happened last time?" Bofur asked.

"Remember the nymph she got into a fight with? The one I mentioned?"

They all nodded.

"He deserved worse."