Shadow: I've had a few of you leave reviews on my first story and private message me about how happy you are that I've finally been posting the sequel. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside that you like it so much, and I hope I give you all what you're looking for! I only own Elva, Isil, and Aerin. All other characters and plot belong to Tolkien, New Line Cinemas, and Peter Jackson. Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Bard the Bowman

"Excuse me," Balin said slowly walking over, but pausing when the stranger trained his arrow on him. Elva growled louder and took a step towards him, causing him to switch his focus to her warily. "But, um, you're from Lake Town, if I'm not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?"

The stranger lowered his bow marginally, keeping half an eye on Elva. Balin glanced to her and motioned for her to back down. She flicked her ears at him, but sat on her haunches and allowed herself to relax slightly. Her ears remained pinned; however. The stranger finally lowered his bow. He frowned at the Dwarves before returning to his barge.

"What makes you think I would help you?" He asked, beginning to load the barrels.

"Those boats have seen better days." Balin stated. "As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?"

"A boy and two girls." The stranger admitted, Balin's easygoing nature putting him into slightly more ease than he had been at first.

"And your wife I imagine, she's a beauty." The old Dwarf nodded.

"Aye." The stranger agreed softly. "She was."

He glanced over at Balin with a sad, half smile. The Dwarf's face fell in shame.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't mean to…"

"Oh come on." Dwalin growled in frustration at the pleasantries. "Enough of the niceties."

Elva snorted and nipped at his leg. The Dwarf swiped at her muzzle in annoyance. She skitted back with a flick of her tail. She gave him a smug look as she sat down beside Bofur. He scratched her ear with a grin towards Dwalin.

"What's your hurry?" The bargeman asked.

"What's it to you?" Dwalin demanded.

"I would like to know who you are." The stranger explained. "What you are doing in these lands."

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains." Balin lied smoothly. "Journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills."

"Yes, completely believable." Elva snarked to Balin.

"You come up with something better on the spot." The old Dwarf snarked back.

The wolf woman grinned in his mind but did not reply.

"Simple merchants you say?" The stranger asked with a grin.

"We need food, supplies, weapons." Thorin stated, walking over. "Can you help us?"

"I know where these barrels came from." The bargeman said, feeling one of the arrow holes.

"What of it?" Thorin asked with a frown.

"I don't know what business you had with the Elves." The stranger replied. "But I don't think it ended well. No one enters Lake Town but by leave of the master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He would see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil."

"I'll wager there are ways to get to that town unseen." Balin persisted at Thorin's insistence.

"Aye." The stranger agreed. "But for that, you would need a smuggler."

"We will pay double." Balin offered.

That changed the bargeman's attitude toward that Dwarves. With the offer of money, he allowed them passage on his barge once the barrels had been loaded on.

"The animal cannot come." He stated when they boarded.

"She's not getting left behind." Bofur frowned.

"I have nowhere to hide it." The bowman argued.

Elva sighed before allowing herself to shift back into her human form. The bargeman nearly fell out of the boat in his shock. The wolf woman smiled in satisfaction at his reaction.

"If there is no room for a wolf." She tilted her head. "Then perhaps this form shall have to do?"

"How did you do that?" The stranger demanded. "What sort of sorcery did you use? I will have nothing to do with it!"

"You overreact far too much." Elva rolled her eyes. "First threatening dear little Ori, then myself, then the rest of my friends. You are lucky your aim was not swayed by even the smallest fraction, else I would have been forced to retaliate. Now, calm yourself; there is no dark sorcery involved. You would know of Wizards, yes?"

The bargeman nodded.

"I am of their kin." Elva continued. "And so long as you do not threaten my companions, I am no threat to you. Now, you have accepted our generous offer of passage for payment. Will you go back on that and leave your children with empty bellies?"

"Do not think I will not kill you if I feel I must." The stranger growled.

"Likewise." Elva smiled as she stepped onto the boat.

She settled down at the bow of the boat with the rest. The bargeman pushed off the dock and began steering them out onto the open lake. They pressed on for some time. A fog began to lay around them, causing the darkness to fall faster than usual. Elva did not let her eyes off of the man. Her trust of him was as tenuous as thread of spider's silk.

"Watch out!" Bofur called suddenly.

The wolf woman broke her vigil to turn and look behind her. They were coming upon a vast expanse of jagged stone pillars that would easily dash the boat to pieces. But the bargeman knew those waters as he knew his own hand. With deft strokes of the steering oar, he navigated his way through the danger with ease.

"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Thorin growled.

"I was born and bred on these waters, master Dwarf." The man replied simply. "If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here."

"Oh I've had enough of this lippy lakeman." Dwalin huffed. "I say we throw him over the side and be done with him."

"Ugh, Bard." Bilbo snapped. "His name's Bard."

"How do you know?" Bofur questioned.

"Uh, I asked him." The Hobbit replied snarkily.

"I don't care what he calls himself." Dwalin growled. "I don't like him."

"You may not like him, master Dwalin." Elva stated irritably. "But he is our best chance of getting to Laketown in one piece."

"Exactly." Balin agreed. "We don't have to like him, we simply have to pay him. Come on now lads, turn out your pockets."

Elva stood and made her way to the side of the boat. She pressed her hands to the side and leaned over. Gloin was resistant to giving over the remnants of his money to Bard. Suddenly a sight through the mist caused Elva to catch her breath. The rest of the Dwarves began to see it one by one as well. Looming out over the water, just barely visible through the fog were the peaks of the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo cleared his throat, signaling Bard's approach.

"The money, quick," Bard urged, jumping down from the helm. "Give it to me."

"We will pay you when we get our provisions." Thorin replied. "Not before."

"If you value your freedom, you will do as I say." Bard growled before glancing up. "There are guards ahead."

"What do you suggest we do?" Elva questioned him.

"Quickly, get into the barrels." Bard answered.

"There is a problem with this plan." The wolf woman frowned. "There are fifteen of us."

"Yes, and?" Bard pressed.

"There are only fourteen barrels." She explained.

"You can hide in the barrel with me." Bofur stated.

"There is not enough room for two." Elva shook her head. "We would be discovered if we attempted it. You all get into the barrels, I will think of something."

The Dwarves began clambering into the barrels once more. Elva stood beside Bard contemplatively.

"There is not enough room for me in the barrels…" She mumbled to herself. "But I do not have to be in a barrel."

"What are you…" Bard was silenced when a light surrounded Elva.

"Now it is time for you to do as I say." The wolf woman said to his mind.

"How are you doing that?" Bard demanded, stepping away from her.

"One of my abilities, do not dwell on it." Elva growled.

"What is your plan?" The bowman questioned warily.

"My plan is for you to trust me." She answered.

The wolf woman padded up to sit at the helm of the ship. Bard watched her with a frown but returned to the oar to continue steering them right. He docked the boat momentarily. Elva watched him from her place by the oar with sharp eyes. She entered his mind to know what he was doing. Bard paid off a man to fill the barrels with fish. The wolf woman nodded approvingly. The fish would hide the Dwarves. Though they were not happy with the predicament. Soon the barrels were full of fish, and they were on their way to the heart of Laketown.

"Quiet." Bard kicked one of the barrels. "We're approaching the toll gate." Then he turned to Elva. "I hope this plan of yours works… whatever it is."

The wolf woman glanced up at him, but said nothing. Her plan would only work if Bard could keep his nerves under control. A few minutes later they came upon Laketown. Bard navigated the watery passage ways through the entrance of the town. Elva padded down to the barrels and laid down between them. There she would wait. And if she were discovered for any reason, then she would set her plan into motion.

"Halt!" Called out a voice. "Goods inspection, papers please! Oh, it's you Bard."

"Morning Percy." Bard replied.

"Anything to declare?" Percy asked.

"Nothing." Bard shook his head handing his papers over to the man. "Other than I am cold and tired, and ready for home."

"You and me both." Percy agreed as he stamped the paper. "There we are, all in order."

"Not. So. Fast." A new man suddenly appeared, grabbing the paper away from the one called Percy. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland realm. Only, they're not empty, are they Bard? If I recall correctly you're licensed as a bargeman. Not a fisherman."

"That's none of your business." Bard glared at him.

"No, it's the master's business." The man replied. "Which makes it my business."

"Come on Alfrid, have a heart." Bard sighed. "People need to eat."

"These fish are illegal." Alfrid growled. "Empty the barrels over the side."

"You heard him, into the canal." A soldier ordered.

They began tipping over a few of the barrels. Just then Elva jumped up from the middle of the barrels with a loud bark.

"What is that?" Alfrid demanded.

The button that makes the lines which separates sections is missing... that is unfortunate. Oh well, we finally meet master Bard, Bowman, Bargeman, Father, a man of many names. Luke Evans played him with perfection! I am very excited because one of my favourite Instagrams just followed me back! I'm bouncing! And, thank you all for your reviews, follows, and favourites, until next time,

Namárië