Chapter 16

Wow it's been a while! Life has been kicking my but with school and family issues! So not sure why but I got the urge to write and it honestly may not even last that long! But here's to hoping it does! I happened to watch the Hobbit today and wanted to look into updating this thing!

Hope everyone enjoys even after a very long break!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any of its characters. I only own my OC and this story so let's keep it this way!

Skylar stared out into the mist hovering above the water as the barge moved slowly through the water. What Dwalin said to her before they boarded was swimming through her head still. She didn't show up here with any worries about a dwarf king having feelings for her or her possibly having the same feelings.

It felt like a burden almost. In the very back of her mind there was a voice telling her to just lay it all out with Thorin and hope it all works out. But she had a mission here, and a happily ever after didn't seem very possible for her. She looked over at Thorin who was standing near the front of the barge, staring out in the water as she had been. The last thing he needed was for a human who wasn't even from this world complicating his any more than she already had.

"Watch out!" Bofurs voice suddenly rang out through the silence as Bard steered the barge through the old ruins in the water.

Thorin turned to shoot a glare at Bard," What are you trying to do, drown us?"

Bard didn't look at him as he replied," I was born and bred on these waters Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here."

Skylar sighed as Dwalin muttered angrily about the bargeman only to be snipped at by Bilbo," Oh, Bard his name is Bard."

"How do you know?" Bofur asked the halfling.

"Uh, I asked him," Bilbo replied as if it were obvious.

The dwarves started talking amongst the self about payment for Bard and Skylar chipped in what she had before going back to her corner. Her mind was distant until the sun began to break through the mist and towering in the not so far distance was the mountain. Skylar stared in awe, of course it looked amazing in the films but here in person, real life; it was so much more.

She felt a light hand on her shoulder and turned to see Thorin looking up at the mountain beside her. He looked at her but there was no need to say anything. The sound of Bilbo clearing his throats could be heard just as a Bard was marching over to them," The money, quick, give it to me."

"We'll pay you when we get our provisions, but not before," Thorin replied firmly, subtly moving to stand mostly in front of Skylar.

Bard met Thorin's eyes," If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead."

Everyone turned to see Laketown coming into view and Skylar grasped Thorins wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze and nodding at him. Thorin kept his eyes on her for a moment before turning to look at Balin, giving him a nod.

Before Skylar knew it, they were all in barrels, sitting silently and waiting. As they came to a stop, Bilbo watched as Bard talked to a man and proceeded to spark anxiety in all the dwarves. Skylar closed her eyes as the dead fish were suddenly being poured into the barrels. It smelled about as bad as she was expecting but she knew it wouldn't last too long.

The conversation between Bard and Alfrid lasted longer than she hoped but finally that slimy worm let them go ahead. After what seemed like forever, they were finally dumped out of the barrels. They moved single file through Laketown, earning looks from all around them. She came up close behind Thorin," This doesn't feel right."

"I know," He said lowly, looking around warily as they walked. A boy came running up to Bard suddenly," Da! Our house, its being watched."

Bard looked around, brows drawn together before he pulled Thorin aside and they spoke rushed and quietly. When they were finished, Thorin turned the to company," Quickly, into the water."

There was slight hesitation in the group until Thorin went in first then everyone else followed. When Skylar came up for air Thorin grasped her arm," Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, lead the way," She said and they started moving through the water under the docks. When they got to Bards home, Skylar remembered how they got into his house and she swallowed thickly, hoping it would be over with quickly.

They waited there for a moment before Bards son opened the toilet and Dwalin rose out first, speaking angrily to the boy," If you speak of this to anyone, I'll rip your arms off."

After Dwalin, all the waterlogged dwarves followed quickly after him. Skylar was last, following after Thorin who pulled her out. She shivered a little, the lake was colder than it looked. Thorin squeezed her shoulder and they went upstairs. Skylar changed into some dry clothes that Bards oldest daughter and was thankful for the dry warmth. She laid her clothes out with the rest of the company's in front of the fire.

A blanket was handed to her and she found a spot to sit. She leaned back against the wall and listened as Balin started telling the story of Bards ancestor Girion who stood against the dragon. Although she was listening, she found herself drifting off to the sounds of a tale.

Skylar was awoken gently to the sound of Thorins voice," Skylar…Skylar wake up."

Her eyes opened and she sat up with a breath," I'm awake. What's going on?"

"We need to go. We've got a plan to break into the city armory, its dangerous and probably stupid. But we need weapons, good weapons, and that's the only place to get them. But we must go before the bargeman is back," He told her, helping her up to her feet.

"Okay, give me a couple minutes and I'll be ready," She replied and he nodded before she moved to where her clothes laid dry on the ground.

After a couple minutes she had changed back into her clothes and approached where the company was gathered. Thorin saw her approaching and spoke to the group," Alright, everyone's here, let's move."

As the company started moving towards the door, Bain stepped in front of the door," I can't let you leave. My father said so."

"Well we're leaving, so you best move out of our way lad," Dwalin growled out to the boy who swallowed thickly but didn't move.

Thorin pushed to the front and with the force of him and Dwalin they effectively moved Dain out of the doorway. They all filed out of the door into the dark and the now quiet Laketown. Skylar looked over in the direction of the mountain, which could be seen towering in the not so distant distance.

She clenched her jaw, it was getting complicated now. She knew how close they were getting to things that she didn't know how to handle yet. With her feelings and Thorin's apparent feelings, it made it harder for her to figure out how to change the events of the book and movies.

But she had to find it a way, it was her only mission and she hadn't failed yet. It just had to be right time and place. She just hoped she could pull it off.

Thanks for reading! Sorry again for the long wait, I'll try to update quicker next time!