Chapter 20
Bard's House
We docked at a dock and Bard started to knock the barrels over and dwarves spilled out. Dwalin pokes his head out of fish as Bard approaches his barrel.
"Get your hands off me." Dwalin said. Fili stood up and I ran into his arms, seeing him angry.
"Calm down." I said.
"He lays a hand on you, I will personally feed him to the dragon." Fili said, burying his face in my hair. I clung to his tunic.
"He won't. Calm down." I said, touching his face. He calmed at my touch. I saw Bard approach the dock keeper and slips him a coin.
"You didn't see them, they were never here. The fish you can have for nothing. Follow me." Bard says to us. We follow Bard down the dock. I held Fili's hand as we walked. I saw Bain come running towards us.
"Da! Our house, it's being watched." Bain said. Bard looks at all of us and I could tell he was thinking of a plan.
"You will have to swim. There is a pipe that goes to the toilet. Astra will have to come with me because they know she's here." Bard said. I kissed Fili's check and he went to join the others in the water. I hugged Bain.
"You've grown since I last saw you." I said as we walked.
"It's good to see you Astra. Tilda and Sigrid will be happy to see you." Bain said. We came towards the house. I noticed two men fishing. I raise an eyebrow at Bard.
"Go in the house and have Sigrid get you a dress or something." Bard said. I nod. I head in after Bain and Bard follows shortly after us.
"Da! Where have you been?" Tilda asked running over with Sigrid right behind her.
"Father! There you are. I was worried. ASTRA!" Sigrid said. We hugged.
"Get her some clean clothes and here's something to eat. Bain. Get them in." Bard said. I followed Sigrid into her room.
"What do you want to wear?" Sigrid asked.
"Dress for now. I'll change back into these when they are clean." I said. Sigrid pulled out a Royal blue dress. I grin. "I love that one."
"You can have it if you would like. It doesn't fit." Sigrid said. I undressed and Sigrid helped me into the dress and zip up the back. I head out with Sigrid. I saw Fili talking with Kili. I caught Kili's eye and he grinned. He elbowed Fili, who quickly looked and smiled when he saw me. I slid through the shivering dwarves. Fili was wrapped in a blanket along with the rest of the Company. He wrapped his arms around me.
"You look beautiful in the Durin colors." Fili whispered.
"Thanks love." I said. Fili leaned down and we kissed.
"A Dwarvish Wind-lance." Thorin said. Fili and I pulled apart and looked at Thorin who stood by the window. I saw the Wind-lance from the distance.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Bilbo said.
"He has. The last time we saw such a weapon, a city was on fire. It was the day the dragon came." Balin said. Thorin looked away sadly as I watched my old friend as I stood in Fili's arms. "The day that Smaug destroyed Dale. Girion, the Lord of the city, rallied his bowman to fire upon the beast. But a dragon's hide is tough, tougher than the strongest armor. Only a black arrow, fired from a wind-lance, could have pierced the dragon's hide, and few of those arrows were ever made. His store was running low when Girion made his last stand."
"Had the aim of Men been true that day, much would have been different." Thorin said. I lay my head on Fili's chest as he tightened his grip on me, gently.
"You speak as if you were there." Bard said.
"All dwarves know the tale." Thorin said.
"Then you would know that Girion hit the dragon. He loosened a scale under the left-wing. One more shot and he would have killed the beast." Bain said. Dwalin laughs.
"That's a fairy story, lad. Nothing more." Dwalin said. I sighed softly.
"You alright?" Fili asked.
"Just tired." I said.
"You took our money. Where are the weapons?" Thorin asked.
"Wait here." Bard said, then he leaves the room. Thorin, Kili, and Balin came over to Fili and I.
"Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn." Thorin said.
"Durin's Day falls morn after next. We must reach the mountain before then." Balin said.
"And if we do not? If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?" Kili asked.
"Then this quest has been for nothing." Fili said. I knew Fili was right. I just hoped we could find the door on time. Bard came in with a parcel and opened it on the table. I watched from the side as the dwarves looked at them in shock and pick them up.
"What is this?" Thorin asked.
"Pike-hook. Made from an old harpoon." Bard said.
"And this?" Kili asked.
"A crowbill, we call it, fashioned from a smithy's hammer. It's heavy in hand, I grant but in defense of your life, these will serve you better than none." Bard said. I saw a look pass between Thorin and Dwalin.
"We paid for weapons. Iron-forged swords and axes!" Gloin said.
"It's a joke." Bofur said. The dwarves throw the weapons back on the table.
"You won't find better outside the city armory. All iron-forged weapons are held there under lock and key." Bard said. Another look was passed between Dwalin and Thorin. I groan lightly, having a feeling I knew what they were thinking.
"Thoirn." Balin said. I saw Bard look up as in recognizing the name. I swore in elvish. Thorin's name was known among the people of Laketown. "Why not take what's been offered and go? I've made do with less, so have you. You got your sword and Fili has his, thanks to Astra. I say we leave now."
"You're not going anywhere." Bard said.
"What did you say!?" Dwalin asked.
"There's spies watching this house and probably every dock and wharf in the town. You must wait till nightfall." Bard said. We begin to sit down. I stood off to the side. I saw Kili leaning against a pole and slowly slides down it to sit on the couch. I could tell he was in pain. I sigh as I lean against the wall with arms cross. Fili stood whispering with Nori.
"We're going now." Thorin said.
"Where?" I ask.
"To get the weapons." Dwalin said.
"But." I began.
"No arguing. We're going." Thorin said. I sighed and followed the dwarves out. Bain tried to stop us but Dwalin pushed him aside. I shot him an apologizing look as we head out into the night.
AN: New chapter up. I'll update soon. :)