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Chapter 24 – Prophecies of Old

A knock came and Anne watched as Dwalin pushed his head out of the water.

"If you speak of this to anyone I'll rip yer arms off!"

The girl snorted and watched as he climbed up and out of the hole above. She felt Thorin take her waist, gentler than she thought he could be, and carefully lift her up. Bain grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the toilet. She smiled at the boy, who blushed up to his ears, and then groaned when her wound started stinging due to the water. The girl waited and managed a chuckle as Bilbo was hoisted up and out of the water by the boy. Fili followed after him and smiled at Anne's drenched form. He took her hand and they went up the stairs together. The blonde leaned his damp head close to her ear.

"Somehow seeing you all bloody, mucky and soaked is extremely attractive!"

Anne felt her eyes widen and something inside twist as a blush crept onto her cheeks. They went into the barge-man's house and soon all were settled round the small living room.

"Will they bring us luck?"

The brunette chuckled and looked at the young girl. Tilda stood at about Anne's height and the older girl went up to her.

"Sadly we're not like that, but I hope that luck'll come your way sweetheart."

Tilda sighed and then smiled.

"Oh, I thought dwarves were lucky? Nevermind..."

Anne chuckled and then went over to where Fili was buried underneath a blanket. The blonde dwarf opened up his arms and Anne edged into them. They curled up on the floor, the prince's strong arms sheltering the girl from the chill that itched to claim their soaked bodies. Anne snuggled into Fili's chest and smiled against him. Most of the company were as close to the fire as they could as Bard started handing out clothes.

"They may not be the best, but they'll keep you warm."

Sigrid walked over to the couple and passed Anne some smaller clothes.

"These used to be Tilda's, but I think they'll do you."

Anne smiled.

"Thank you."

The young girl nodded and blushed when Fili bowed his head gratefully. Anne felt a small stab of jealousy, but it was soon put out when the dwarf started nuzzling her neck and rubbing her arms, trailing feathery kisses along the bare skin. He made sure that neither Balin nor Dwalin could see, he didn't want to get punched for the third time in this adventure.

"A dwarvish windlance!"

Bilbo walked over to where Thorin and Balin stared out of the window.

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

"He has...the last time anyone saw a weapon such as that, was when the dragon came."

Anne closed her eyes and tried to ignore the building pain in her wound. She could feel the poison running through her veins, edging closer and closer to becoming almost unbearable. Fili glanced down at her, his brow creased when he saw how pale she was.

"Anne? Are you ok?"

He touched her cheek and her eyes snapped open. The brown iris' were glassy and she blinked a couple of times before everything came into focus. She forced a smile.

"Yeah, sorry Fee, just tired."

Fili nodded, not truly convinced. He then kissed her gently and stood to talk to his uncle. Anne pushed herself to her feet and followed him.

"Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn."

"Durin's Day falls the morn after next. We must reach the mountain before then."

Anne hummed and nodded quietly.

"If we don't then this quest will have been for naught. Kili and Daisy would've fallen for nothing."

They all flinched as Fili reminded them of their losses. Anne was just about to speak when Bard returned with the weapons. The man dumped them, rather ungracefully, onto the table and undid the roll they were bound in. The company picked up an item and stared at it with horror reflected in their eyes.

"What is this?!"

"Pike hook, made from an old harpoon."

"And this?"

"A Crowbill, we call it, fashioned from a Smithy's hammer. It's heavy in hand I grant, but in defence of your life, it will serve you better than none."

Gloin scoffed and guffawed.

"We paid you for weapons! Iron forged swords and axes!"

"It's a joke!"

"Bofur?!"

Everyone started throwing the "weapons" back onto the table and began to protest. Anne winced as she rolled her eyes, the pain in her side was becoming mind-numbing.

"You'll not find any better outside the city armoury. That place is held under lock and key."

Thorin and Dwalin glanced at each other.

"Thorin, why not take this offer and go. I've made do with less and so have you. Heck Anne and Dwalin have made do with nothing!"

Anne nodded when Thorin glanced at her, she felt fresh blood seep from her wound. She looked round and spoke loudly.

"I say we leave now."

"You're not going anywhere!"

"What did you say?!"

Bard looked round the dwarves.

"There're spies watching everywhere. You must wait until the cover of night."

Anne lowered herself onto a bench, hissing as it caused her body to protest and scream in agony. Balin spotted this and went over to her.

"Anne...what's wrong?"

"Nothing Balin, I'm fine."

"Lass if yer hurting please..."

"I said I'm fine!"

Bard left the house and Thorin looked round the group.

"We need to get into the armoury!"

"Thorin no. We should just take these and get out tonight!"

"Balin, my friend, we need ACTUAL weapons if we're going against Smaug."

Bilbo opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. Thorin looked around and the company nodded and murmured.

"Right let's go!"

Bain approached them.

"Da say that you needed to wait. You cannot leave until it's night."

Dwalin growled and the boy jumped.

"Out of the way laddie."

Reluctantly Bain was shoved from their path. They all brushed out of the house and slipped into a quiet street. Anne leaned against the wall and started breathing raggedly.

"Love you're hurting!"

Fili put a hand on her back and she doubled over.

"Just the wound playing up a bit, I'm fine."

"Anne...please...if you're in pain tell me...I want to help."

He cupped her cheeks and she looked into his worried eyes. Tears filled her own and they missed the rest move onto the armoury. Anne broke into a sob.

"It hurts...so bad..."

Fili pulled her into his arms and let her sob into him. He rubbed her hair and shooshed her quietly.

"Shhh shh shh, it's ok...you'll be fine."

Anne sniffled and buried her face in the shirt he was wearing. Fili then helped her walk the rest of the way of the street, his hand firmly around her waist. It was then they heard a cat wail, a crash from the armoury, then a loud dwarvish swear, and looked around to see guards running towards them. Fili tightened his hold on the girl as the guards glared at them. The rest of the company were hustled out of the armoury and the couple were shoved back into the group. Towns-folk started emerging and a commotion roused up as they were pushed towards the largest building in Laketown. A greasy man, with horrid slicked back hair emerged from the building.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Caught 'em stealing weapons sire."

"Ah enemies of the state ay?"

"A bunch of mercenaries if ever there was sire!"

Dwalin huffed and walked forward.

"Hold yer tongue. You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal. THIS is Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror!"

Thorin stepped up and placed a hand on Dwalin's arm. Anne leaned heavily on Fili. The blonde looked at her, worry in his eyes.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor. And we've come to reclaim our homeland."

The Master looked around as people began to whisper. Thorin watched the people.

"I remember this town in the days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbour burdened with silks and precious treasures. This was no foresaken town on a lake. This was the centre of all the trade of the North."

People nodded and spoke louder.

"I would see those days return! I would relight the great forges of Erebor and send wealth flowing from the halls of the mountain."

"Death, that is what you bring upon us."

Bard emerged from the crowd. He glanced to the weak girl and Fili as he passed.

"Dragon fire and ruin! If you awaken that beast, it'll destroy us all."

"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this...if we succeed ALL will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"

People begun to cheer loudly and Balin nodded proudly.

"All of you! Listen to me, you must listen, have you forgotten what happened to Dale?!"

Everyone quietened.

"Have you forgotten those who died in the fire storm?! And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain king So riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

The crowd nodded and Thorin glared at the man. The Master edged forward.

"Now, now let's not be hasty to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, your ancestor, that failed to slay the beast HMMM?"

People nodded and Bard's glare hardened. Anne didn't hear what else was said as her head began to pound. Fili was the only thing supporting her. She opened her eyes when she heard Bard's voice.

"You have no right. No right to enter that mountain!"

Thorin looked up at him.

"I have the only right."

The dwarf looked round the large amount of people. Then he turned 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?"

The Master's beady eyes scanned the dwarves, rested on Anne for a moment, then to the crowd.

"What say you?"

"I say unto you...WELCOME! Welcome King Under the Mountain!"

People cheered and hugged. Thorin looked down at Bard and Anne felt herself pity the heir of the throne of Dale.

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