- I can handle this.
Kili says with a nod towards Thorin.
After that Fili came into the room and I decided to follow them to the weaponry, I had notice that Kili had begun to look even worst since he got hit by the arrow. But I'm the only one to see that apparently. When I asked Ori about it, he said he hadn't seen anything different with Kili.
Oh well. When we came to the weaponry, Kili's limping got worst and it took some time (and some help from me) for him to climb up to the window so he could get inside.
So, now when we are gathering the weapons we'll need for the journey, Kili has been chosen to carry all the weapons.
Thorin gives him one doubtful look before he places the sword onto the pile of weapons Kili is carrying. I'm also on carrying duty and when I walk down the stairs, I only manage to reach the bottom before Kili comes stumbling down and both of us crashes into this big mess of bodies and weapons.
- Aouch! Get off!
I say as I try to get Kili's hair away from my face.
When I finally get his hair away, I get met with the tip of a sword. I look up at Thorin and sees that the rest of them also has the tip of a sword pointed at them.
"This went well."
- Up with you!
One of the guards says sharply as he grabs my arm and roughly jerks me upwards.
- Aouch! Hey!
I say as I try to jerk my arm away from him.
But he has an iron grip around my arm. He looks at me with strict eyes. He doesn't say anything when he push me out from the weaponry.
While we walk through the town, we get a lot of attention from the towns people. They follow us with torches, and they talk with loud voice to one another. Wondering why the guards is pushing some Dwarves towards the Master's house.
"So, it's to him you are taking us."
After that we have walked some more, we reach the house of the Master.
- What is the meaning of this?!
The Master shouts as he takes on a jacket.
He is so fat, and grotesque and his mind is like an open book, no wait. It's more open than a book. Even if I don't want to, some of his thoughts crosses my mind.
"Urk! What the! What is wrong with you?!"
- We caught them stealing weapons, sire.
One of the guards says. The voice sounds very familiar.
"It's the guy that was after Bard that day we got here."
- Ah. Enemies of the state, then.
- This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire.
Alfred says in disgusted tone.
"Oh, no."
I close my eyes and sigh at the same time as Dwalin have had enough of the two disgusting person in front of us.
- Hold your tongue. You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal, this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!
He says as he gestures towards Thorin, who steps forwards with a small smile.
He stands still for some moments, and the murmuring from the group around us grows higher.
I smile and shake my head slowly at the reaction we're getting. Well, it is Thorin who have everyone's attention right now, but all of us is getting some of the attention.
- We're the Dwarves of Erebor!
Thorin says loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone start to whisper even louder in shock and recognition.
- We have come to reclaim our homeland.
Thorin looks around himself and walks around in a big circle. He looks at everyone in the crowd deep in their eyes with a small smile.
I roll my eyes and crosses my arms with I stand with spread legs. Like I'm some guard or something. Why I stand like this is something I don't know.
- I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the center of all trade in the North!
Thorin says and the crowd nods in agreement.
I also remember how the town looked before Smaug came.
My mother and I would come down here to trade some of our things with some of the silk. One of the things that I trade to myself was this beautiful book with the sigil of my own kin. It has two Eagles facing one another. Above one of them is a bow and arrow. The other one has a flower. Meaning that we have two sides, one fiercely side and one gentle. Why there is two Eagles is something I didn't asked mother nor father about. But I still have the book, I paint some minor things in it, but I mostly write in it. Just so I can look back and remember.
But it was also here that I meet Thorin for the first time. I was here with father looking for a present to mother when we meet them. Thorin treated father like an old friend and he was very kind to me. Two days later Thror wanted my race killed.
Oh, well. I did say that I could hear the Master's thoughts even if I didn't try to hear them, right? Well, I still can. And he have realized that he can use the chaos that we have created to his advantaged.
"You're a sick and disgusting creature. Much like the Great Goblin. Maybe you two are related. You both think that you can lead but you can't, and you just use those who lives around you so you can live a life in luxury. Wouldn't surprise me if you have more money than you need, and you are surely asking the towns people for more even if they don't have anything to give you."
I think while I look at the Master with eyes that could murder.
Meanwhile, Thorin has kept on talking to the audience and he has gotten their attention and he knows it. His mind has switch or something like that. He is talking and thinking like the King he was born to be.
- Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all.
Bard shouts as he walks forward through the crowd. The Master looks at him with ill-will eyes.
I move to the side so Bard won't step on my feet. He look at me for a quick second. Then he look at Thorin with strict eyes.
- You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this. If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain.
The crowd sheers in excitement, and I smile at my uncle. He has really taken his role as a leader and King. But I still has a nagging feeling about what this is escalating to. Something is working in the back of uncle's mind that is nothing good. But when I try to see what's happening, uncles mind throws me away.
"I don't like this. This is not Thorin. This is someone else."
- Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame.
The Master says as he look at Bard with pity eyes.
- Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor! Who failed to kill the beast.
While he speaks, he points at Bard accusingly and the crowd's upsets voices raises to a clamor.
Bard looks away and Thorin look at him in shock and anger.
"So, that's the reason for why I have been thinking that I recognized your face. Girion had the same face expression and hairstyle."
- … Arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark.
Alfred says as the crowds screaming reach even higher sounds. And they sounds even more angrier.
Bard looks helplessly around and lock eyes with me.
~ Don't! If you even mention what I am, the Master will either have me killed right here in front of the everyone, or he will use me for his disgusting desire. Please, Bard. Let the Master think that I'm a Dwarf.
Bard sighs, but turns around and walks over to Thorin.
"Come on, Bard. If you think that you can prevent us from going to that mountain now when we're so closed. You should save your breath instead. There is no way in Valanta that Thorin is going to stop now."
Thorin says something to Bard and then he turns around to speak to the Master.
- I speak to the Master of the Men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?
Everyone is quiet and is looking at the Master with anticipation.
The Master looks around and smiles. He then points at Thorin and with the smudge smile still on his face, he says.
- I say unto you...
He is quiet before he opens his arms and shouts with delight.
- Welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!
Everyone sheers and I smile in relief. But my smile disappears when I see Bard's worried and sad expression.
~ What is it that has gotten you so afraid over us leaving? Come on, Bard. Tell me, please.
While Thorin faces the audience and he and Bard have shared an angry glance, Bard turns around and look at me.
- Your King will become as mad as his grandfather. That's what the prophecy of the Line of Durin has said.
Bard whispers to me before he walks away.
"What?"
I look after him and then I look at Thorin with worried eyes.
"Maybe what I saw before will come true. If there is a prophecy about the Line of Durin, then there is no other way than what the prophecy have said it will go. Maybe we have started something much bigger than we can handle."
Later that evening, the Master has thrown a feast in honor of us.
But as the rest of the company is drinking ale (Bofur) and is having fun, I can't get the feeling of the fear Bard had when the Master took Thorin's side instead of his. Something with what Bard said makes it hard to relax and enjoy the feast.
- Come on Ratcha! Come and sit with us.
Dori calls from the table not so far away from me.
I smile at him but shake my head.
- Thank you for the offer Dori. But I'll think I pass.
Dori makes a sad face but says nothing more.
Some of the Men that is around the Master, have looked at me longer than what I like. Some even have been thinking very disturbing things they want to do with me.
"If one of them thinks something like that again, or even walks closer to me, I will walk out from this place and hopefully home to Bard."
I think annoyingly.
It doesn't take long before the next disgusting thought comes to my mind.
When I "look" I get even more angrier when the thought comes from no other than the Master himself.
I stand up and because of the loud noise that is flowing around in the room, no one takes notice of me when I quickly walk out from the feast.
I sigh in relief when the cold air hits me and when the door closes behind me, the quietness is something that I welcome with a happy smile.
"Now, where can Bard be living?"
After that I have been walking for some time, I still can't seem to find Bard's home.
Suddenly, someone grabs my arm and drags me behind some of the houses.
- If you fight, you won't see the light of tomorrow.
My capture whispers into my ear as a hand covers my mouth to silent my screams.