Chapter 55
It is morning in Laketown; the people crowd along the sides of the main channel as a boat is loaded with supplies for the dwarves to take to the mountain. Bilbo asked, "You do know we're one short; where's Bofur?"
Thorin said, "If he's not here, we leave him behind."
Balin said, "We have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays."
They march along the pier and the dwarves begin to board the boat. They are fully decked out in armor and regal clothing. Thorin stops Kili before he can get in the boat. "Not you. We must travel with speed, you will slow us down."
Kili smiles, thinking Thorin is joking. "What are you talking about? I'm coming with you."
Thorin said, "No."
Fili, already in the boat, turns and looks at Thorin and Kili. Kili said, "I'm going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin."
Thorin said, "Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed."
Thorin lays his hand on Kili's shoulder and smiles at him, but Kili looks shocked and betrayed. Thorin turns to board the boat. Kili turns away. Oin gets out of the boat. "I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded."
Fili said, "Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!"
On the shore, Oin is examining Kili, but Kili is trying to pull away from him. Thorin said, "Fili."
Fili said, "I will carry him, if I must!"
Thorin said, "One day you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin." Fili looks at Kili, then steps out of the boat. Thorin tries to stop him. "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company."
Fili said, "I belong with my brother." Fili pulls away from Thorin and goes to join Kili and Oin.
Thorin said to St. Anel, "Remain behind St. Anel. Watch over Kili until he gets better."
"What about the dragon? I can try and charm him in distraction." said St. Anel.
"I don't rely on 'try' and I can't risk a wizard's wrath. Stay behind." said Thorin. Defeated St. Anel nodded.
The musicians of Laketown play their instruments as the Master climbs up to a raised platform. He waves, and the people cheer and clap. Further away in a house in the town, a sleeping Bofur is woken up by the sound of the music. He is asleep under a table, and as he jolts upright, he smacks his head on the bottom of the table. Bofur asked, "By my beard, is that the time? Oh, ugh." Bofur scrambles up unsteadily and runs out the door, grabbing a glass of drink on his way.
The Master is addressing the people. Bofur runs as fast as he can toward the crowd. "...Bring good fortune to all!"
The Master smiles and waves to the dwarves in the boat as they pull into the canal and begin to paddle away. Kili looks on miserably from the dock. The dwarves in the boat smile, wave, and bow at the cheering people. Dori yelled, "Goodbye!"
Bofur pushes his way through the townspeople and reaches the water, only to find the boat of dwarves far off down the canal. He turns and finds Kili, Fili, St. Anel and Oin. "Ah! So you missed the boat as well?"
Suddenly, Kili moans in pain and begins to fall over, but Fili catches him. "Kili? Kili!"
Oin tries to examine him. St. Anel said, "He's needs help."
Bard opens his door to find Bofur, Fili, Kili, St. Anel and Oin on his doorstep. "No. I'm done with dwarves. Go away."
He tries to slam the door shut, but Bofur stops it with his foot. "No, no, no! No one will help us; Kili's sick. He's very sick."
St. Anel said, "We need your help please. The arrow he was hit it must have been poison." Bard sees Kili being supported by Oin and Fili; he looks extremely sick. Bard hesitates.
Meanwhile, Bilbo and the rest of the Company are in their boat, heading across the lake toward the Lonely Mountain. As the other dwarves row, Thorin stands at the bow of the boat, facing ahead. They are all decked out in regal clothes and armor from Laketown. They climb the foothills of the mountain. At one point, Thorin, recognizing the landscape, runs atop an embankment overlooking a valley. As the other dwarves join him, they look at the other end of the valley and see the ruins of Dale. Bilbo asked, "What is this place?"
Balin answered, "It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. The desolation of Smaug."
Thorin said, "The sun will soon reach midday; let's find the hidden door into the mountain before it sets. This way!"
Bilbo askd "Wait...is this the overlook? Gandalf said to meet him here. On no account were we-"
Thorin interrupts him abruptly. "Do you see him? We have no time to wait upon the wizard. We're on our own." Thorin turns and walks away. "Come." The other dwarves follow him; Bilbo looks back at the city, conflicted.
