Chapter 21

'Was it a lot?'

Her blue eyes are trained at the treacherous dark water as the dwarf approaches her. When he doesn't answer, she turns to face him.

'Our price for crossing this lake,' she clarifies. 'Was it a lot we had to pay him?'

'There are better ways I can think of to spend that amount of money,' Fíli replies as he stands next to her.

She nods in understanding. She might not know much about the worth of money, there was no need for it back at the orc pack. But Bilbo had tried to explain the basics to her once and what each coin was worth.

But she's never had the chance to use it in practice, not that she has any money to spend even if she had wanted to. Even her share of the price has been paid by Dwalin.

'What would you have used your money for then?'

With a smile, Fíli tells her he would have bought new weapons. He had to leave most of his old ones behind in the Woodland Realm, so he feels a little naked without them.

'What about you?'

The question takes her by surprise. Surely he must know she has no money to spend. So there is no reason for her to think of buying things. Everything she needs is provided by nature itself. Food, water. Even the furs of her prey can be used for making clothes.

'I know you have no money,' the fair-haired dwarf continues, noticing her puzzled look. 'But you'll have your share of the treasure beneath the mountain. Even without a contract, Thorin will definitely give you a share. There must be something you want?'

'Well, perhaps some new weapons as well? A nice sword or perhaps a dagger?'

At this, the dwarf chuckles, earning another puzzled look from the ferian.

'Really?' Fíli questions, his voice still containing his laughter. 'Weapons? No fine jewellery, nice dresses or other fancy stuff women like? But a sword, or a dagger. Perhaps you want a bow and arrow as well? Kíli is a master marksman. He can teach you.'

But she dismisses the proposal as quickly as he had mention it. Telling him she doesn't like long distance weapons. No ferian should ever defend themselves with such a weapon.

According to her, there is no honour in a long distance weapon. You don't face your opponent face to face. Instead you remain a safe distance like a coward and hope your arrow will hit its mark.

A real warrior will face his enemy face to face. To have a honourable fight till death, a battle you can look back on with pride.

Fíli nods, but before he can say something, someone squeezes themselves between the pair as the bald warrior now stands in between them. Facing Fíli for a moment, before staring towards the man they now know as Bard.

'It doesn't matter if he had promised us a safe crossing or not, I still don't trust him,' he states gruffly. 'Who will say he will keep his word?'

'You don't have to trust him,' Frêllian says, still surprised by his sudden intrusion. 'As long as we reach the other side of the lake with weapons.'

'Frey's right. We need weapons to fight Smaug, which means we need his help.'

Dwalin turns his head to Fíli. And eventhough Frêllian can't see his face, she is sure he is glaring at the younger dwarf, for Fíli suddenly looks uneasy. As Dwalin mutters something unintelligible under his breath, before turning his back completely towards Fíli. His eyes now on Frêllian with an unreadable look in them.

'Well, one thing is for sure,' he begins, crossing his arms. 'He'll be a death man, if he dares laying a finger on you.'

She can't help but notice Fíli, as he seems to be unnerved by Dwalin's words. But she doesn't notice the quick glance Dwalin throws over his shoulder.

What she does notice, is the rooftops of what she presumes to be Laketown in the distance. She wonders what the town will be like, for she has never been to any human settling. But by the looks of it, this town will give her a poor impression.

'Quickly now,' she hears Bard say. 'All but the ferian needs to hide within the barrels.'

'Why,' Thorin asks.

'The master of town might want to see the girl,' Bard explains irritatedly. 'But with this many dwarves, he might think you mean trouble. Which, personally, I think you are.'

'Oh come on,' Frêllian sighs as no one seems to bother to listen to the man. Well, with the exception of Bilbo of course. 'Just listen to the man. If he tries anything, anything at all, I'll rip his throat open.'

Though they do obey, they don't do it wholeheartedly. And not a moment too soon, for the dock is starting to get in sight. Bard makes some small talk to the man at the dock and soon the barrels are filled with fish, much to the humour of Frêllian. She'll make sure to tease them about it for quite some time.

'What's the deal with the girl?'

At this Frêllian growls in anger, but Bard is quick to explain. Telling him he met a lone ferian who wishes to speak the master of town.

At this the man looks at Frêllian in curiosity, amazed to seen a real ferian. But then he nods and Bard continues the way.

The next stop is the toll gate, as she hears Bard call it after kicking the barrel Dwalin is in. Once there Bard has to hand the gatekeeper his papers. Then the gatekeeper notices Frêllian as she stands on board of the barge still. But before hr can even ask about her, another man steps out.

'Not so fast,' he speaks as he takes the papers from the gatekeeper. Reading them out loud while doing so. 'Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only, they're not empty, are they Bard?'

Deciding she doesn't like this man at all, even within these few second, Frêllian moves over to the men. A glare on her face as she looks at the newest arrival. Her arms crossed as she steps up next to Bard.

'Of course they aren't,' she tells him. 'They are a gift. My gift to be precise.'

'And who might you be then,' the man sneers. 'A lost girl? A dwarf?'

'A ferian, Alfrid,' Bard corrects him as Frêllian growls dangerously. 'Queen of her people.'

'Ha,' the man named Alfrid laughs. 'A ferian you say! And you believe such nonsense? How foolish.'

Having had enough of the man, Frêllian quickly transforms, her growl now turning into a snarl, showing her sharp teeth as she moves her head closer to Alfrid.

'Yes, a ferian,' she says. Her voice making the men uneasy as a feral sound mixes with her voice. 'And you would do well to let us continue our way. All I wish for, is to speak your master. I do not wish for a fight, too much bloodshed and a waste of my time.'

After that being said, Bard is dismissed and the ferian follows him back on board. Fear still radiating from his body as he poles the barge through the canals of Laketown.

After Bard has effectively smuggled everyone inside the small town and into his home, he turns to the ferian in anger.

'You could have warned me about you turning,' he exclaims as his children gather around in interests. 'I was not prepares to face such beast to stand beside me.'

'Who do you call a beast, human?'

Before either one can say another thing, Bilbo quickly move in, telling Frêllian she is indeed a fearful beast in her wolfform. Luckily for him, Bilbo can say things like that and get away with it, but this man clearly can't.

'Wow, you really turn into a wolf,' a young girl asks, moving over to the ferian and hobbit. 'You really are beautiful. I imagine you are just as beautiful as a wolf.'

Startled by the sudden child, Frêllian takes a small step backwards, stuttering out a thanks. But the girl is not done with her questions yet, asking Frêllian is she can turn at will. And what colour her fur is. Or better yet, show them what her wolffrom looks like - which Bard is quick to prohibit.

Sensing her unease with the sudden attention of the human child, Bilbo tries to get her attention away from his friend. Which works, only to have the girl marvel over him instead.

She wonders about his feet - 'They sure look funny. Warm, but funny!' - or his appearance. For she has noticed he is not a dwarf.

'Tilda, leave mister Baggings alone.'

At first the girl looks like she is about to protest. But with a warning look from her father, she obeys.

'That was, er, interesting.'

He pauses, looking at the female next to him. The weak smile on his face turning into a confused frown. It seems Frêllian hasn't heard him. Instead her gaze is still on Tilda, a small smile on her face and a soft look in her eyes.

A rare sight to behold indeed, which makes him wonder what exactly is going on inside her head. A moment ago Frêllian had seemed intimidated by all the attention Tilda had given her. And now it looks like she had actually enjoyed it.

Or perhaps it is something else entirely?

It's is if she has felt his eyes on her, for she turns her head towards him. Her expression not changing.

'A curious little thing, is she not?'

'Y-Yes, she is,' he stutters, embarrassed to have been caught staring.

'I think it is refreshing to see something this small, this fragile, to be curious off me,' Frêllian admits as she turns her head back to the three human siblings. 'Though I must admit, I was cut of guard by her curiousity.'

With a smile of his own, Bilbo tells her he finds it refreshing to see Frêllian like this. Though he can see she has her guard up, she has a certain calmness around her.

She nods, before her attention is turned towards Thorin as the dwarf calls out her name. Excusing herself, she walks over to the dark-haired dwarf. Curious to know what he wants.

Bilbo continues watching her from his spot. A smile spreading across his face as the ferian says something, a smug look on her face as she does so. Which results in a glare from Thorin of course. They may get along now adays, but that doesn't mean Frêllian has stopped testing her limits around the dwarf.

'It's good to see her like this, isn't it?'

A startled shriek escapes his throat as he turns to face Fíli. Though the dwarf prince isn't looking at Bilbo. Instead his blue gaze is on Frêllian, a strange look in his eyes.

'Y-yeah, I guess so.'

He glances over to Frêllian for a moment, only to look back to Fíli. Bilbo knows Frêllian has some sort of interest in the golden haired dwarf. Though it being fascinated by the warrior, a small crush or something else, he is not sure off.

But up until now he had thought the two young princes had only been fascinated by the fact Frêllian is a ferian. But it seems Fíli's interest might run deeper than he had anticipated at first. Though it seems he isn't aware of it yet.

Yet it worries Bilbo. Deep inside he knows he and Frêllian will never have a chance of being together. Already having given up on that. But still he holds onto that tiny spark of hope, where she'll return home with him after all this is over. To have everything back to normal.

'How was she back at the Shire?' Once again Fíli invades Bilbo's train of thoughts. 'Was she like this as well?'

'Well,' he starts, thinking back. 'In the beginning, she was very feral. Even more so than what she was at the beginning of this journey. Growling at every sound and even a sudden move from me would set her off. Truth to be told, I was afraid of her. And not to mention the night terrors she had.'

He smiles at this, though an uncertain one. The beginning of their friendship is not one of his most fond memories.

'But soon she started to change,' he continues. 'Although it took a while for her to reveal her true form. But her manners got better and she seemed to be more at ease around me. She'd even let me pet her - don't look at me like that! I didn't know anything about ferien!'

Fíli chuckles softly. Telling him he can't blame him, for he himself had wanted nothing else but to pet her thick fur.

'She's come a long way then,' he concludes, when Bilbo doesn't continue. 'From scared, feral animal, to a elegant young lady.'

Bilbo nods in agreement. Yes she has. He has even noticed her to have dropped her guard at times. Something she'd never done back home.

A heavy hand falls on his shoulder, as Fíli speaks.

'She is lucky to have you as her friend.'

With that said, the dwarf turns around.

At this Bilbo looks down in sadness. A friend. He's lucky to have Frêllian as his friend. The first true one he has ever had. She has made him feel special, feel loved by someone - other than his parents that is!

But is she lucky to have him as her friend? He has held her down. Taken away her freedom stopped her from her initially search for her father. True eventually faith has brought father and daughter together, but still Bilbo can't help but wonder if she had found him sooner if she hadn't stumbled upon Bilbo.

And the worst part? Secretly Bilbo still wishes he had never met the dwarves. That they had kept living their peaceful life together. Laughing and having fun. Enjoying the warmth of his hearth during the colder days. What friend wishes for such selfish things?

A bad one.

And then there are his feelings. Would they have budded the same way as they have now? Would he have fallen for her anyway? Or would he continued seeing her as only a good friend?

All thes question keep repeating in his head, even as Bard his eldest daughter Sigrid serves dinner.

The next morning Bard has arranged a meeting with the master of Laketown for Frêllian. Which had caused Thorin to grumble, for he is the heir to the throne of Erebor, not Frêllian.

'No, I am not,' Frêllian had said smugly, her grin meaning only on thing, to challenge Thorin. 'But like I said yesterday, I already am a queen and you're just a prince right now. Which places me higher in the hierarchy.'

Truth to be told, Frêllian never did care for her ancestry. Alpha, beta, omega. She is a proud ferian and that is all that matters. True, her lineage has kept her alive while growing up under the reign of Azog. But other than that, she has never felt above others - with the exception of filth such as orcs.

But where other cultures need a coronation to determen the next king - believing no queen can rule a kingdom, ferien don't need one. An alpha is a rank you get by birthright. The firstborn of the alpha will become the next alpha, no matter their sex.

If an alpha dies without having an heir to fill the open position, the beta will become the next alpha. For the beta is chosen by the alpha as their second in command, thus deemed a worthy leader by the current leader.

In case of the alpha supreme, there can only be one and that line has never been broken. Frêllian is the direct descendant of a proud line of firstborn. And with the death of her mother, Frêllian had become the next alpha supreme even before she had known about such titles.

But as she stands in front of the old, fragile looking doors, she wishes she had never been the next in line. Wishing to have had an older sibling.

But alas, she has none. Thus resulting in her having to negotiate with this so called master of town. A man with no real title, but the one he has claimed himself. And from what Bard has told her, he isn't the most friendliest of men.

As the door opens, the young ferian unwillingly holds her breath. Anxious for what is to come. Repeating over and over again the diplomatic tactics Thorin had told her about yesterday.

Oh, if only Thorin had been king already! Then the dwarf could have done this himself. He has learned all about diplomatics, something he has taught his nephews as well. How is she supposed to negotiate with this man, with the quick lesson she had yesterday?

As she tries to find back her courage, Frêllian takes one step, and another. And another. Untill she reaches the center of the room.

'I greet you, master of Esgaroth,' she begins, doing a small curtsey. 'And I thank you for allowing to see me on this small notice.'

Lifting her head up to the man, she is less than impressed. Sitting before her, is a large man, his beady eyes on her as she straightens her back. His clothes making him appear even larger than he already is and a half empty plate is set on the table before him. Gravy dripping from his chin as he takes a bit of whatever he is eating.

'Ah, yes,' he speaks with an unpleasant smile. 'You must be the ferian I have heard about. I must say, word travels fast in towns like these.'

He gestures for her to sit down as well as a maid brings in another plate.

'I suppose you have not had lunch yet?' She shakes her head, not wanting to appear impolite. Even if she doesn't feel like eating. 'Good. I hope you like pigeon.'

She thanks him politely as the plate is set before her. There is a moment of silence as the man continues eating. Not only his looks reminding her of a pig, but his table manners as well. Bilbo would have had a fit upon seeing this man eat.

'I heard you were the queen of your people?' Again she nods. Not knowing what to say as she takes another bit of her food. 'But you are still so young.'

'I can assure you, my lord, I am much older than I appear,' she tells him. 'For I am eighty years old.'

This seems to have sparked some interest as his beady eyes once again land on her. Scanning her face, then lowering his gaze.

'You are indeed looking well for an eighty year old woman,' he states, emphasising woman. 'And your king? Surely he does not allow you to roam around on your own.'

'There is no king, sir. Nor is there any need for a king Nor protection.'

'How curious.'

He stops for a moment. His eyes trailing over to the side of the room. Following his gaze, she notices he is looking at the man she had met the day before. Alfrid.

'Though I must admit, I am not alone,' she quickly adds.

This conversation is starting to make her feel uneasy. The interest this man has in her, might not be all that friendly. For it has spiked after the mentioning of her being without a king.

'Ah, so you have brought along your soldiers then, hm? Are you planning to take over this small town?'

'My soldiers?'

She nearly laughs at this. Yes, there are a handful of warriors within the company. But not nearly enough to take over this town. Besides, what use would Laketown be to her?

'I travel with my father and uncle and a handful of family friends,' she continues. 'Most of them not even skilled enough to wield a sword.'

'Then why did you come here?'

Now is the time to try and persuade him to help her out. To help out Thorin and the other dwarfs to reclaim their home. Thorin had said Erebor is at the centre of middle earth. And perfect location for trade throughout middle earth.

'Truth to be told, I need your help,' she answers truthfully. 'We have run into trouble in which we have lost all of our provisions. Provisions we need for our quest.'

She watches as the man strokes his hand through his beard. Taking in all she has told him thus far. But will it be enough?

'What kind of quest?'

'A quest to return what once was ours.'

'And what do you need?'

'Food and weapons are of the essence. Without those, we will surely fail.'

She really needs to be careful now. Testing the waters, before jumping in. If she tells him right away about them wanting to reclaim Erebor, he might not want to help them.

'A noble quest indeed. And if I help you out, what will I get in return?'

'Wealth,' she answers right away. 'Help from my people to make Esgaroth as striving as it once was. You might remember the tales of your town better than I do, but I heard this used to be the center of trade. All kinds of people came here to get the best of the best.'

He seems to ponder over this for a moment. Hopefully her offer is enough. But alas, after a few moments he declines. Stating her offer does sound tempting, but he needs more.

Your offer will help this town and its people,' he tells he, a bored look on his face. 'But what do you have to offer for me? What will I gain from your offer?'

'I-Im afraid I dont understand.'

'A title, my dear,' he all but exclaims in frustration. 'A title! I am a simple master of this town, but without royal blood, that is all I will ever be.'

The look he gives her, sends shivers down her spine. The look in his eyes reminding her of predator eyes that have found its prey. And it seems she is his prey. She now understand what he wants, the highest title one can get in any hierarchy.

He wants to become king!

'I'm afraid I can't help you with that.' She can't disguise the slight tremble in her voice as she speaks. 'That title can only be claimed by blood.'

'Or marriage,' he adds with a smirk. 'And as you just told me, you don't have a king. Which means you can give me the title I so desire.'

A low growl erupts from deep within her throat, as Frêllian stands up. Thorin will probably skin her alive for ruining their plan, but she will not sell herself for the dwarf. Never!

'I will do no such thing!'

Her growl grows deeper, her blue eyes turning golden as she glares at the man. Her voice having dropped to a dangerous tone as she speaks.

With her enhanced senses, she can smell his fear even from where she is sitting. Even that slimy man across the room reeks of fear. And they righteously do, for even one with little knowledge of frellian will notice the change.

Still the man bravely tries to stand his ground, telling her that they don't have a deal if she denies. That they will give her nothing.

'We shall see,' is all Frêllian threatens, her voice enough to send shivers down anybody's spine.

Then she turns around with a final snarl. Leaving the room and building in a quick but determent pace. She will have some explaining to do, but she doesn't care. All she cares about right now is to get away from that creep as far as possible!

A/N

There you go. From not uploading in a very long time, to another chapter within a couple of days! Well I guess I just had to make it up to you, my dear readers. So I just had to write another chapter as quick as possible. And to tell you the truth, I actually like this one! It may not be my best one, but after such a long time, and still searching for my muse, this one turned out okay.

And while we are at it, this chapter has over 4000 words! And according to the program I use, that means it will take approximately 8:55 hours to read all 21 chapters. So to all who have made it this far, thank you for sticking along. To use your precious time to read this fan fiction. So I truly hope you are enjoying it thus far and you don't think you'v wasted your time.

As for this chapter, I liked having Dwalin playing the role of a protective father. With his not so little girl back, he has eyes in his back to see who's interacting with her and what their intentions could be. For he will not allow anybody to take away his little girl!

As for the master of town. I know he is depicted way different in the book, then he is in the movies. So I went for the self-centered man we see in the movie. I hope I made it clear enough that he has no interest in Frêllian, only the title. If not, I apologize.

Anyway, I'v taken up enough of your time. Feel free to let me know your thoughts, while I try to write done yet another chapter.