The Hobbit: Unexpected Allies
Chapter 14 of my Hobbit story, enjoy.
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Wolfgirl2013: Thanks and yeah, but of course, they are not out of danger yet.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: The Hobbit belongs to JRR Tolkien.
Chapter 14
Sigrid fought not to tremble as she helped Tilda off the boat. They had made it to the shore at the other side of the lake, away from the devastated town. The horrific memories of the incident were still etched firmly in her mind.
'So much death and destruction, the flames, the burning.' She thought to herself sadly. 'Da…Bain, did they, are they…?'
She heard Tilda's shaky gasp and looked up, horror seized her in its icy grip and she too gasped. The dragon was gone; there was no sign of it, but the eerie silence confirmed what so many hoped, it was dead.
Sigrid bit her lip at that. 'Da; he did it, he killed the dragon, he must have found Bain, got the Black Arrow.'
But Lake-Town was a complete ruin now; only a few sticks poking up from the lake showed where it once stood. Many of the survivors were standing around, some attempting to gather the supplies they had brought with them, others mourning the bodies of the dead that had been gathered; others mourned for those missing and therefore presumed dead. Tilda suddenly collapsed to her knees and let out a cry. Sigrid was immediately at her side, hugging her tightly.
"Da…Bain, they, they're…" She choked out.
Sigrid bowed her head and did her best to stay strong for her sister, but she feared she was right.
Sigrid looked up at that moment and bit her lip as she saw the Dwarves and Tauriel had gathered around them. Tauriel smiled softly as she knelt down.
"It will be alright, I'm sure of it." She said reassuringly.
Sigrid nodded slowly, Tilda lifted her head, sniffling.
Bofur then spoke up. "I know it looks bad, but you never know, they might have survived."
Oin nodded in agreement. "He's right, there is a chance of that; they're both resourceful and if anyone has a chance at surviving, it would them."
Sigrid wanted to believe it, she truly did. Tilda looked the same, Kili and Fili both nodded in agreement to their fellow Dwarves' statements. Sigrid noted the way Fili observed her, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't.
It was then two other people came by, their faces stricken with sadness as they carried another victim. While they had some burns, this one wasn't as badly burned as the others. His features were still recognizable and Sigrid felt as if her stomach just dropped.
"No…" She whispered before screaming. "NO!"
She rushed over, eyes wide in disbelief, but it was; her tears fell uncontrollably as she wailed, falling to her knees, the body before her, was Philip. Her shoulder shook uncontrollably as Philip's body was taken away to be laid with the others.
She couldn't believe it. 'Philip, no, not him, why…Oh Philip…'
It was just too much, she seemed to have lost just about everything that day; she had no way of knowing if her father and brother were still alive, the boy she loved was dead, her home destroyed. When Tilda hugged her, Sigrid returned the hug and held on tight, afraid of potentially losing the last important thing in her life.
In the midst of all the sorrow and activity, people trying to ensure there was enough food and other important supplies to go around, rationing what was needed, Alfrid and Andreia made it to shore too. They were both soaked, gasping for breath; Andreia's waterlogged dress was badly ripped and torn in several places; her hair was stringy and bedraggled.
Her once proud appearance was now ruined and she wasn't happy, Alfrid was furious too at how the Master had betrayed him. None the less, the moment they saw the blankets and food laid out they made a direct route for it. Without a care for the hard work being done, they began taking blankets and food for themselves, this action however did not go unnoticed.
"Alfrid Lickspittle, what do you think you are doing!?" A Lake-Town woman berated him before rounding on Andreia. "And you, for someone who claims to be a noble lady, you lack manners don't you!"
Andreia growled. "Shut up woman, you don't deserve such…!"
She was cut off when the woman yanked the blanket and food out of her hands and suddenly realized they were surrounded by townsfolk. Unfortunately, Alfrid did not see the danger in this.
"Honestly, what is wrong with you lot, you should be giving me the respect I deserve, without the Master I am in charge and…"
Andreia glowered; annoyed at the man's stupidity. "Alfrid…Shut. Up."
"What, it's time these fools learned to respect authority." He shot back.
That was the sentence which set the townsfolk in a rage and they began attacking the duo. Suddenly however, a figure got between the townsfolk and their victims, preventing any further attacks.
Before any complaint could be made the figure spoke, shouting over the crowd.
"Enough, stop this now!" He yelled. "Enough blood has been spilled, no more!"
Everyone froze for the figure that stood before them was none other than Bard. Sigrid and Tilda gasped and rushed to him, both embracing him.
"Da!" They cried out simultaneously.
The townsfolk seemed to calm down, while Andreia bit her lip, witnessing this scene, Alfrid glared but said nothing else. It was then Sigrid and Tilda let out another cry of relief, for standing there, next to Bard, was Bain. Both girls hugged their brother and Sigrid immediately began to fuss over him, especially in regards to his injury. Andreia inhaled sharply when she saw Kaitlin, alive and well, standing at Bain's side, grinning.
Much like Andreia, Kaitlin was soaked and bedraggled, so too were Bard and Bain, but Andreia expected that of them. Kaitlin however showed no indication of improving her appearance any time soon, much to Andreia's frustration. Kaitlin's dress also wasn't as badly damaged, although a large strip from the skirt was noticeably missing. The length of fabric tied around Bain's leg looking suspiciously similar to it.
Yet, in spite of the mess she was in, Kaitlin looked happy.
'But that isn't possible; how can she be like this, after all we've lost.' Andreia thought angrily.
She would have to get things sorted now, before they got out of hand and Kaitlin once again became too wilful.
In the aftermath of the reunion, while the family were all happy to be back together, things grew tense. Bard knew that now, following his slaying of the Dragon, the people of Lake-Town looked to him as their new leader. The way they addressed him now, it was as if his lost heritage, the Kingdom of Dale, was already his again.
He knew now that he had to decide what to do next, for all these people. Meanwhile, Sigrid had returned to kneeling next to Philip's body, mourning the loss of her loved one. Bain was taken to where the medical supplies had been recovered so his wound could be properly treated.
Bard sighed, there was still so much more to do.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.