Chapter 11

The floor underneath us tilted suddenly and we were soon rolling away. I gasped as the floor disappeared and we fell. I threw my arms around Thorin as he braced his body against the barrel. We fell for a short moment and then water engulfed the barrel. I held my breath until we surfaced and the barrel righted itself. Realizing I was holding on to the dwarf, I immediately let go as he grinned suddenly at me. Thorin reached out and grabbed two of the other barrels when we floated to the surface. I looked at Balin to make sure he was okay and he sighed.

"I'm too old for this," he sighed to me and I smiled.

"I'm stuck in here with him, how do you think I feel?" I asked which made him laugh and Thorin cleared his throat loudly at me.

"Excuse me," he said in my ear so I glared at him.

"I'm only pointing out the obvious," I replied flatly and he smiled.

"You were the one who clung to me as we fell," he pointed out and I felt my cheeks turn beat red.

We waited a few minutes before Bilbo came sliding down the floor as it tilted and Nori quickly grabbed him when the hobbit surfaced. Everyone seemed more or less okay. I was not happy with this idea. Going down the river in barrels as a human might just be too much for me. I resisted the urge to glare at Thorin again and sighed.

"Well done, Master Baggins," Thorin smiled at him and then let go of the barrels he had so we could let the current take us.

"Oh...I hate you," I said sucking in a breath when I saw the rapids when we got out of the tunnel of rocks.

Thorin chuckled deeply and then braced himself against the barrel as we approached a waterfall. "Hold on!" he yelled.

I kept my body steady and glanced over as the elves ran out to come after us. As we washed down another rapid, I pressed back against Thorin and let him wrap an arm around my stomach to help steady us both. This would have been so much easier if I was in an animal form. I heard a horn blow as we rounded part of the river and I saw the bridge that the barrels would have to cross under. Elves guarded it, and I grunted in irritation.

"Close the gate!"

We didn't make it through, and the iron gate firmly shut on us, making everyone crash against one another. Thorin shook it slightly, angry that they had trapped us again. I glanced at the gate for a moment and glared slightly at it when suddenly snarls erupted from up on the bridge. I heard swords clash as Orcs suddenly stormed the bridge. They jumped down on those who weren't under the safety of the bridge in an attempt to kill the dwarves.

"Get under the bridge!" Thorin shouted.

Many of the dwarves managed to fit under it and into the safety it provided, but it wasn't going to last long. I heard an Orc shouting commands and for a moment, my body shuddered. Thorin looked at me briefly, but I was not paying attention. Several elves joined in the fight, taking the Orcs as the enemy for the moment. I looked over as Dwalin and Fili threw several Orcs into the water and took their weapons before Kili suddenly pushed himself from his barrel and jumped on to the bridge.

"You need to let me out of here," I said harshly hearing the fighting going on ahead.

"It's too dangerous," Thorin replied.

"Kili here!" Dwalin shouted.

"So! Kili is up there with nothing but one sword!" I pointed out angrily. "Thorin!"

He looked at me firmly, and then I heard Kili cry out and I briefly heard someone drop to the ground. I looked up at the stone knowing that he had fallen right above us. I didn't know what had happened, but I knew he was hurt. My heart pounded as I heard his gasp of pain above us and I tensed.

"Kili!" Fili screamed for his brother and I turned my head to see out of the gate.

Thorin gripped the side of his barrel. "Kili," he whispered.

"Thorin," I protested as he looked at me.

"Go," he rumbled.

I didn't waste any time, and quickly pushed my change into a bird. I flew out between the gate bars and over the bridge. I changed back to my human form and took a sword from an Orc and killed him with it. Spinning around, I saved Kili from another before an arrow shot through the next Orc as more elves arrived. I didn't waste time and went back to protecting Kili as he managed to push himself up and pulled the lever. The gate opened and slowly the dwarves trickled out and I looked at Thorin when he swung around to try and see us.

I watched Kili roll back into an empty barrel and then met the gaze of a one eyed Orc. I knew him all too well and I felt my blood go cold in my body. Bolg was the spawn of Azog himself, and had been one of the Orcs who had captured me many years ago. He glared at me, his one eye glittering with anger. The part of me that was still functioning wanted to smile seeing the scars on his head. I knew who put them there and who had rendered his eye useless.

"Shifter," he hissed, coming forward.

"Arina!" Fili yelled. "Arina, run!"

I snapped myself back into the present went to run off. I didn't think the monster would remember me, but I was obviously wrong. I killed several more Orcs as I jumped up onto higher ground as Bolg suddenly ran forward and swung his sword so hard that it knocked mine from my hands. I gasped loudly and stumbled back from the attack when he sneered and went to reach forward. I felt the back of my knees connect with the stone wall. He grinned when he grabbed my throat and I gasped.

"Arina!" Fili yelled again.

His voice snapped me to the task at hand, and suddenly I glared and kicked Bolg hard in the stomach making him sputter and throw me. Just as I fell I saw Legolas go to attack him. That was when I realized I was falling into the water, and held my breath when I hit the surface. Pushing myself up, I gasped as I crashed into some rocks and focused on staying above the water. The waterfall was not fun to be going down without a barrel. In my panic, I couldn't change into anything. Lifting my gaze I saw Fili holding on to some rocks nearby and he was reaching for me. I threw myself forward, and found his hands grabbing me by the shoulders. I clung to him as we were washed down river and I took in an unsteady breath.

"Thank you," I gasped.

"Are you okay?" he demanded.

"A little stunned," I admitted as we rushed down the river. "I think that's why I'm human..."

"Hang on tight, then!"

I watched as Thorin saved Balin from an Orc that was coming down a tree that had fallen over the river. They traded weapons, so I freed Fili's hands by latching on to the side of the barrel. He swung a sword once Dwalin threw him one and cut the legs off another Orc who jumped at us. I tried hard not to laugh as Legolas suddenly jumped down and used the dwarves as steps. It was incredibly rude, but he was protecting us so I had to give it to him. Fili's barrel spun around again and we came up next to Thorin's as we finally began to lose our enemies.

"Arina!" Thorin shouted as he came up from a rapid.

Fili looked at me and reached down to take a hold of my hands. With his help he lifted me up and I managed to get back to the barrel with Thorin. I sighed, and felt my body sag a little from exhaustion. He shifted to support me so that I wouldn't crumple to the bottom of the barrel.

"Are you ok?" Thorin demanded.

"Yes," I said breathlessly as we were thrown around a little more as we picked up more speed down the river.

We lost the majority of our enemies, and I was wet and annoyed by the events that had just happened. When the current began to slow ten miles later, Thorin turned around so that he could check on everyone and make sure they were all right. They were all water logged and pushing their hair out of their faces. I saw Bofur had managed to keep his hat, and I didn't know how he did with all that had happened. Dwalin looked ready to kill everyone around him when the current slowed to almost nothing.

"Anything behind us?" Thorin asked.

"Not that I can see," Balin said after he turned around.

Bofur spit water from his mouth as he stood up and I hung slightly over the barrel in exhaustion. Who knew that holding on for dear life could make one so tired. Thorin's hand grabbed on to the wood next to me as he leaned in to see me. I glanced at him with a sour expression, but I couldn't hold onto it when he was only concerned if I was all right or not.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yes," I snapped shortly. "I'm cold...and wet..."

"All of us are," Thorin said gently.

"I think we've out run the Orcs!" Bofur exclaimed.

"Not for long," Thorin rumbled.

"Hell, we lost the current!" Dwalin snapped.

"Paddle toward shore, we have to keep moving," Thorin ordered.

Once we managed to get to the shore the barrel fell to its side and Thorin lost his balance and landed on me. My cheeks went red as he pushed himself up to stare at me and his smile had me glaring at him. He chuckled softly as I squirmed to get out of the barrel and away from him. I scrambled out and Thorin followed shortly after, while I laid flat on my back on the rocks to catch my breath as everyone helped each other. Thorin shoved his hair from his face as he helped Balin out of his barrel and I saw Bilbo pull Ori onto the rocky bank of the river. I shivered a little as I got up to my feet and turned as Kili staggered to his knee in a snarl of pain. Bofur hurried over to him with Fili and I joined them as well.

"I'm fine, it's nothing" he said through gritted teeth when I looked at the wound and Bofur shook his head.

"On your feet," Thorin ordered.

"Kili is wounded. His leg needs binding," Fili said as he knelt beside his brother.

"There's an Orc pack behind us. We keep moving," Thorin said firmly.

"To where?" Balin demanded, coming over slowly.

"To the mountain, we're so close," Bilbo shivered joining them.

"A lake lies between us and that mountain, we have no way to cross it," Balin pointed out bluntly.

"Then we go around?" Bilbo asked and I glanced at Thorin for a second.

"The Orcs will run us down sure as daylight. We've no weapons to defend ourselves," Dwalin shook his head crossing his arms.

Thorin looked down for a moment as he thought. "Bind his leg...you have two minutes," he said softly.

While Fili began to, everyone started to squeeze the water from their clothes and dump it from their boots. I felt eyes on us the moment the others felt it and I looked up to see a man pointing a bow at Ori. Dwalin suddenly jumped in front of him with a stick ready to defend his friend. The man released the arrow and it dug deep into the wood, and then spun as Kili lifted a rock to throw and he shot it right out of his hand. I jumped, and so did Kili as he stood in shock at the obvious talent.

"Do it again, and you're dead," the man said.

No one moved at the bowman's threat, and Thorin let out a heavy breath in exhaustion. Bilbo blinked more water out of his eyes from where he stood beside him. Everyone was wet and cold. I was sure that they were hungry and tired as well. Balin leaned for a good look and then moved forward slowly. Crossing my arms, I shivered and looked down at my feet. Fili tensed a little beside me as he glared at the bowman and then looked over at me when I shivered. He leaned in slightly, so I pressed my shoulder against his.

"Excuse me, but um...you're from Lake-town, if I'm not mistaken?" Balin asked, holding his hands up. "That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?"

"And what makes you think I would help you?" the man asked and lowered his bow, obviously not sensing that we were any threat to him.

He walked toward his barge, so everyone quickly followed him. Fili quickly helped his brother to his feet as we walked over and I shivered again as a slight breeze picked up. Balin moved forward, in hopes of changing the man's mind. I moved over toward Fili and Kili as they stood and crossed my arms tightly. Balin had the most charm out of the group, and had the best chance at getting this man to help us.

"Those boots have seen better days, as has that coat," Balin said as the bowman started to put the barrels back in the barge. "No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?"

"A boy and two girls," he smiled slightly as he thought of his children.

"And your wife, I imagine she's a beauty?"

"Aye," the man nodded. "She was."

We all sighed quietly and Balin puffed out a little and apologized to him, because he had no idea. I glanced at Kili as he stood there beside me, and then looked behind us but still saw nothing. I couldn't hear anything either which was nice, but I wasn't sure how far the Orcs were behind us. Dwalin snorted from behind us and crossed his arms, obviously annoyed.

"Oh come on, enough with the niceties," Dwalin said flatly.

"What's your hurry?" the man asked.

"What's it to you?" he demanded and I glared at him. The dwarf just had to ruin it for us.

"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands," the man replied.

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains, journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills," Balin covered quickly and looking at him with an easy smile on his face.

"Simple merchants you say?"

Thorin stepped forward, then with a slightly hopeful look. "We need food, supplies, and weapons. Can you help us?" he asked quietly.

"I know where these barrels came from," the man said, suddenly looking at the marks from the journey down.

Some of the wood had been splintered from the Orc attack, and Thorin shifted a little, but kept a plain look on his face.

"What of it?" he challenged.

"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Lake-town but by lead 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."

Balin gave Thorin an exasperated look when he turned to look at the dwarf prince and Thorin ushered him to keep trying. I crossed my arms and shook my head slightly as Balin suddenly walked forward. I tried really hard not to snort at the title the man gave Thranduil. He wasn't king of anything.

"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen," he said.

"Aye. But for that, you would need a smuggler," the man smiled and then jumped when he looked up and Balin was right in his face.

"For which we would pay double," he said making the man look at him with interest.

The bargeman agreed to help us after that, unable to resist the money. He nodded and everyone slowly began to get on to the barge. Fili helped his brother on and then looked at me in amusement when I glared at the boat in front of me. I was so sick of water and wood and anything to do with it that I was sorely tempted to stay behind. That was just me being grouchy. Fili snorted again, and then laughed making me glare at him this time.

"Oh come on," he laughed, offering his hand.

Thorin got on beside me and cast me a look. "Don't tell me you are afraid of boats, Arina," he said with a slight smirk.

"At least your nephew knows how to be a gentleman," I said sourly accepting Fili's help.

Thorin gave me an irritated look as he walked off and Fili chuckled at that. Soon we were all on the boat and making our way across the lake. It was colder out, and my fingers were going a little numb. It was the joys of living so close to the mountain. Fall and winter were one cold season, instead of two separate seasons getting one ready for the cold. This was going to put me in the worst mood ever. I shivered a little, and stole a glance back at the man who was steering the barge. He seemed harmless enough.

"Look out!" Bofur suddenly gasped as rock formations appeared from the fog.

The man easily avoided them and Thorin turned his head to look at the man. "What are you trying to do drown us?" he demanded.

"I was born and bred on these waters master dwarf," he replied. "If I wanted to drown you, I wouldn't do it here."

I tried not to smile as Thorin turned away from him and crossed his arms. Walking over to him, I decided to get him back for what he did to me when we had been stuck in the barrels. He glanced at me as I joined his side and I thrust my cold hands under the side of his shirt and to his warm skin below. His whole body went rigid, and he tried not to flinch from the shocking cold. I smiled at him as his sharp blue eyes glared in my direction.

"Woman," he snarled under his breath.

"I'm cold," I complained as he grunted. "It's payback."

"You...are more trouble than you are worth," he glared at me, his lips twitching.

"You don't mean that," I huffed as I faked offense.

Thorin snorted at me and shifted so my hands moved to his back and he flinched this time. I couldn't help the soft giggle that left my lips and I pressed my head against his back for a moment as his skin warmed my fingers. I was freezing, and he was warmer than I was. How dwarves managed to stay warm in this kind of weather was beyond me, but I took it. Thorin backed up slightly, so I could lean against the side of the boat and still press against his back to warm up. It was a comforting gesture, and soon the grouchiness left me.

"You guys are tougher than me," I huffed after a moment. "You are male, and therefore always warm."

"I feel like you are stabbing me. This is a heavy price to pay for the barrels," he muttered and I smiled at him.

"You'll live," I teased. "And no, you deserve much worse!"

Thorin gave a glare at my comment, so I just kept the smile on my face. When I could feel my fingers again, I transformed into a crow, not caring that the man had seen me. When Thorin looked over at the man, he gave nothing away about what he saw. We passed through several more rock formations coming out of the water and Dwalin complained some more about not liking him. I pecked at him when I got close enough and the dwarf shooed me off. I clicked my beak together several times and hopped away in laughter.

"Oh, Bard, his name is Bard," Bilbo said grumpily, shivering in the cold.

"How do you know?" Dwalin glared.

"Uh...I asked him," the hobbit shot back.

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

"We don't have to like him, we simply have to pay him," Balin said matter of fact.

We had a little time, so I flew over to them as Balin collected the money from the others. I landed on Thorin's shoulder, careful not to dig my nails into his skin. His arms were crossed and he was shivering just a little from the cold. I fluffed my feathers slightly, and moved a bit closer to his face as the wind blew across the lake. The gesture had his expression softening slightly.

"Better then your cold fingers," he arched his brow at me and I fluffed my feathers some more.

"Oh dear," Balin said slowly.

"What?" Thorin asked, coming around to look at the money.

"We are ten coins short," Balin sighed.

Looking over at Gloin, Thorin gave him a hard look as the others followed him. "Come on Gloin. Give us what you have."

Gloin gave everyone a fuss until they looked up and past him. I lifted my head to see the mountain coming in to view and then cackled a little as Gloin threw his purse at Balin that was full of silver. Looking at Thorin again, I tugged at his braid gently as he looked at his home. It had been 90 years since he had laid eyes on The Lonely Mountain, and I could only imagine what was going through his head. He wanted to return to his home so badly. I just hoped that he knew it wasn't going to be the place he remembered. The dragon had done some damage during his stay in the city.

"We're almost there," he said softly and then looked over as the bargeman hurried forward. "Go, Arina. Meet us where we have to go."