"Anything behind us?" Thorin yells
"Not that I can see!" Balin replies.
I see land and paddle towards it, I need out of this barrel!
"I think we've out run the Orcs!" Bofur shouts.
"Not for long" Thorin replies "We've lost the current"
"Bombur's half drowned!" Dwalin yells.
I look over at the large Dwarf and see that the barrel he is in is completely submerged.
"Make for the shore!" Thorin shouts. I'm already there.
I struggle out of the barrel but the stupid sleeve of this stupid dress is caught in one of the splinters. I pull it and the delicate material rips to the elbow. I stare at it for a moment then grin and repeat the process with the other sleeve. I hear Kili gasp in pain.
I turn to see him collapse to the ground. I run over as he pats his wound timidly with a piece of cloth.
"Move your hand" I tell him.
"I'm fine" He snaps.
"Shut up and move your hand before I move it for you" I snap back.
He moves his hand. I inspect the wound and I don't like what I'm seeing "It looks infected"
"On your feet!" Thorin shouts.
"Kili's wounded, his leg needs binding" Fili says to his Uncle.
"There's an Orc pack on our trail! We keep moving" Thorin replies and I look at him surprised. Maybe he's just worried about us getting caught?
Andy drops to my side and has the cast offs of my sleeves in his hand "Here, use this"
"To where?" I hear Balin ask as I clean Kili's wound. The Dwarf nearly breaks Andy's wrist when he grabs on to it.
"The Mountain. We're so close" Bilbo says.
"A lake lies between us and that mountain. We have no way to cross it" Balin says.
"So, we go around" Bilbo says.
"The Orc's will run us down as sure as daylight, we've no weapons to defend ourselves" Dwalin states
"Bind his leg, quickly! You have two minutes" Thorin says to me impatiently.
I'm already halfway through binding it and I turn to the Dwarf "Thorin"
He look at me "Shut up! It'll take as long as it takes and you'll just wait" I snap.
He looks shocked, then angry. I turn my back to him and tighten the material around Kili's leg. He hisses in pain "Sorry" I mutter as I tie the material together.
I hear a whoosh and wood splintering. I jump at look over my shoulder. An arrow whizzes past my ear and collides with something behind me. I gasp and step back, tripping over my skirt as I go. Andy catches me before I hit the rocks. I look up at the man on the rocks above us and glare. What a dick!
He has his bow and arrow pointed in our direction "Do it again and you're dead"
"Excuse me, but you're from Lake Town if I'm not mistaken. That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?" Balin asks
I stand straight and snap "That guy nearly took my bloody ear off!"
The guy looks at me and his bow lowers "I've got good aim, if I wanted to take your ear off I would have"
I smile sarcastically "Well, in that case all is forgiven, dick"
"My Lady!" Balin snaps.
I shrug and the guy puts away his weapon with a smirk "You've got a crude mouth for a Lady" The guy says moving over to the barrels
"I ain't no Lady" I reply.
The guy starts taking barrels to the barge and loading them on. Andy punches my arm as the Dwarves follow the bargeman.
"Oi! What?" I snap.
"Why must you insult the only person that can get us out of here?" Andy asks
I pick up my skirt and follow the Dwarves and Bilbo "Because he was being a Dick! I called it!"
The guy hears me and looks over "What makes you think I would help you?" He asks "The young Lady over there doesn't seem to want to be near me"
I roll my eyes "Big baby." I mutter and Andy hits me again.
"Hey!" I snap at him.
"Those boots have seen better days, as has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?" Balin asks kindly, probably trying to patch up what I said.
"A boy and two girls" He replies. I look at him, seems a bit young to have so many kids.
"And your wife, I imagine she's a beauty" Balin says
"Aye, she was" the guy says.
I feel instantly guilty for my attitude… but he did nearly impale me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean too…" Balin says guiltily.
"Oh come on, come on. Enough of the niceties" Dwalin interrupts impatiently.
"What's you hurry?" The guy asks
"What's it to you?" Dwalin asks
"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands" The guy asks
"We are simple merchants from the blue mountain journeying to see our kind in the iron hills" Balin replies.
The guy looks at me and smirks "Simple merchants you say?"
Thorin steps forward "We need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?"
The guy looks at him then touches one of the beat up barrels "I know where these barrels come from"
"What of it?" Thorin asks impatiently
"I don't know what business you had with the Elves but I don't think it ended well." The guy says "No one enters Lake Town but by leave 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"
The guy throws the rope tying his barge to the dock at Balin. "Offer him more" I hear Thorin say.
"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen" Balin says
"Aye, but for that, you would need a smuggler" The guy says
"For which we would pay double" Balin says
The guy looks suddenly interested. Andy steps forward "If you're hesitant because of my aunt then just ignore her. She's a bitch to everyone"
My jaw drops but Thorin beats me to slapping the boy over the head "Show some respect, boy"
I lift my skirt and approach the guy "He's right though. Just take us would you? I'll even say please"
The guy laughs "Get on"
I smile and Dwarves all climb onto the boat, the guy and I continue to look at each other. He holds out his hand "Bard" He says
"Excuse me?" I say
"My name, it's Bard" He says with a smirk.
I take his hand and he helps me onto the barge "Guinevere Halliwell."