A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, follows and favs I really appreciate them. VanyV I can't reply to your reviews but I always appreciate them, so glad you're still enjoying the story. I try to reply to everyone but if I've missed your review then I apologise but please know I really do appreciate them. Thanks as always to DreamingGalaxies for looking over this for me.

Escape

Jenna's POV

Jenna lay awake, resting her head on Nori's chest. She had spent the night tossing and turning and was ready to give up on the idea of sleep entirely. How could anyone ever sleep in a place like this? It was like living in a nightmare. Not that she could have slept no matter where they were, she was worried about Thorin. He was out there somewhere. What had happened to him? Had the spiders caught him? What if he had been stuck in a web somewhere and Bilbo had not found him? There was little they could do regardless while they were stuck in this horrible place! Even if they got out now, how would they know where to even start looking? Was it already too late? What if…

"Try to sleep," Nori mumbled. "You'll need your strength for when Bilbo finds us a way out of here."

Jenna nodded, shifting closer to him. She knew what he was saying was true, but her head just couldn't shut off enough to allow her to sleep.

"What about Thorin?" she whispered.

Nori sighed and tightened his arms around her. "Thorin can take care of himself. I'm sure he's doing much better than we are."

"But anything could have happened to him, Nori! The spiders—"

"The spiders didn't have him. If they had, then Bilbo would have found him. He's out there somewhere. Probably trying to figure out a way to save our sorry asses."

Jenna nodded. "I know, you're right. I still can't sleep though. I really hate this place."

Moving to a seated position she pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. Nori sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. It was loose and untidy; he hadn't had time to fix it since the run in with the spiders.

"Your hair is a mess." She smiled, reaching out and brushing a stray piece of hair away from his face. "I don't think I've ever seen you look disheveled before."

Nori sighed and leaned into her touch. "Didn't exactly have time to comb it, did I? Hold on a second Mr. Spider I just want to fix my hair before you try to eat me if you wouldn't mind. Can't be meeting Mahal in a state like this."

Jenna laughed at that. "I wouldn't put it past you to have said that. It's odd seeing you like this; you're always so well put together. Whereas I'm sure I looked like a troll after just a few days in the wilds."

"You looked like a troll after an hour." Nori joked, earning himself a slap across the head. "Ok sorry, I was just kidding, no need for violence. Besides, you're far too pretty to be a troll."

Jenna's eyes widened as she looked over at Nori. "You think I'm pretty?"

Nori laughed. "Oh, now don't you go getting your knickers in a twist, even Bofur is too pretty to be a troll! I'm not coming on to you, I promise."

"You think Bofur's pretty?" she teased.

"Oh yes, very attractive," Nori mocked, "I think it's the hat."

"It's definitely the hat," Jenna laughed.

"Better off finding Bofur attractive," she added sullenly after a moment of silence. "You wouldn't want someone like me anyway. I'm broken."

"Who said you were broken?" Nori questioned.

Jenna sighed heavily. "Esme."

Nori moved so his back was against the wall beside her. "So that's what you two have been fighting about?"

"Kind of. There was other stuff," Jenna shrugged. "I may have told her she was foolish for marrying the first dwarf she met."

"Ah, I see, I imagine that didn't go down well." Nori put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "You aren't broken you know, not as broken as me anyway."

"I don't think you're broken," Jenna snuggled in closer to him. "I like you just the way you are."

Nori smiled at her. "I'm glad to hear that, there aren't too many people that do. I like you just the way you are too kid."

Yawning, she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were finally starting to close when they heard a familiar voice outside their cell door.

"Nori! Jenna! Are you there?"

Jenna let go of Nori as they stood and made their way to the door.

"We're here Bilbo, what is it? Have you found a way out?" Nori whispered.

Bilbo suddenly appeared from the shadows outside the cell. "No, I'm afraid not but I am still looking. That's not why I'm here though. I found Thorin!"

Relief washed over Jenna at Bilbo's words, and she stepped closer to the cell door to speak with him.

"Where is he? Is he alright?" she enquired excitedly.

"He's here, locked in a cell two levels down. He's quite alright, just wants you all to know that nobody is to say anything to the elves until we are sure there isn't another way out." Bilbo smiled tiredly.

Jenna smiled widely in return. "Thank you, Bilbo. I'm so glad that he's alright. Hopefully, I can sleep now."

Bilbo nodded. "Yes, do that, you'll need your strength if we're to stand a chance of escaping. Now I better get on with telling the others and looking for a way out of this place. I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Don't get caught!" Nori cautioned the hobbit.

The smaller male nodded again as he fumbled with something in his pocket. Then he gave them a small smile before he stepped back into the shadows and disappeared once more.

Nori shook his head disbelievingly. "I must admit, I never thought he would make a good burglar, but I was wrong. Gandalf was right when he said there's more to Mr. Baggins than meets the eye."

Jenna nodded; she wasn't sure when it had happened, but Bilbo had changed over the course of their journey. In fact, he wasn't a bit like the fussy, easily flustered hobbit Jenna had met in Rivendell. He really was starting to live up to his reputation as a burglar, but was he good enough to steal from a dragon? Jenna shuddered at the thought of what might happen if he wasn't.

"Are you cold?" Nori asked, stepping towards her.

Smiling up at him she slipped her arms around his waist. "No, I'm ok. Just thinking of something."

Nori's brow creased into a frown. "Something from your past?" he enquired, brushing her hair back away from her face as he spoke.

Jenna shook her head. "No, nothing like that. It's nothing I really want to think about right now. Hopefully, it's something that will never happen and I'm worrying myself unnecessarily."

Nori nodded as he pulled her back towards the bunk. "Right well if that's the case it's time my broken wife tried to get some sleep."

Jenna laughed, allowing him to pull her onto the bunk beside him. "Ok my broken husband, I'll try."

Esme's POV

Esme was thrilled to hear Bilbo's news. Thorin was alive! It was more than they could have hoped for.

"You mustn't say anything to the elf king!" Bilbo cautioned.

Esme readily agreed, the last thing she was going to do was tell that elf anything.

Bilbo reassured her he was doing everything he could to find them a way out and then made his way across the hall to the cell that held Bofur. As she sat on her bunk, she watched the two of them interact.

The hatted dwarf smiled widely at the hobbit's news but then a look of concern came over his face as he stepped closer to the bars of his cell.

"Are you alright Bilbo? Have you eaten? Slept? You look so pale," he whispered.

The small male shook his head. "Not yet. I will find food shortly and hopefully somewhere safe to rest. I can't exactly fall asleep in the middle of the corridor and regardless of what Gandalf says I am not a burglar. I don't like stealing, not even food. Though now that I'm trapped here, I don't suppose I have any other choice really."

"Here! Take this," Bofur said, passing an apple through his cell bars to Bilbo.

"I can't take your food Bofur, you'll need your strength…" Bilbo began to argue.

"You need it more than I do, the elves are keeping us well fed. You will have to get over your dislike of stealing food though. You're our only chance of getting out of here Bilbo. We need you to keep your strength up. All our hope rests on you." Bofur insisted, catching the hobbit's small hand in his.

Bilbo took the proffered apple and sighed. "No pressure then."

Bofur laughed lightly. "Sorry, didn't mean to make you feel under pressure. Eat that and then lie down where you are and try to sleep. I'll listen out and wake you if I hear anyone approaching."

Bilbo nodded and sank to the floor outside Bofur's cell. Esme felt guilty that she hadn't even considered how the hobbit was feeling until now. Looking at him now, slumped against Bofur's cell door, she could see why Bofur was concerned. Bilbo was far thinner than he was when they first met, the weeks of rations in Mirkwood had left his clothes hanging on him. His cheeks were sunken in, and large dark circles were visible under his eyes even from this distance. Thinking back to their time in the Shire she realised his smial had been large and luxurious compared to the other homes surrounding it. His pantry had been very well stocked and his furniture expertly crafted. Bilbo was clearly a well-to-do hobbit. Sleeping on the ground with an empty stomach was not something Bilbo had done before.

Esme felt bad for him. Life on the road must have been so hard for a hobbit. It wasn't like he exactly fit in well with their group either. So far Bilbo's journey was a lonely one. Now that she thought about it, the dwarves hadn't treated him very well at all, some were even openly hostile towards him at the start, her husband included. She had of course spoken to the hobbit on occasion and Jenna and the princes were polite to him if not overly friendly. Bofur was Bilbo's only real friend in the group. The miner had taken the hobbit under his wing and looked out for him from the very start.

Now, after they had treated him so badly, Bilbo found himself relied upon to rescue them all. She wouldn't like to be the one trying to come up with an escape plan, especially from this place. It was a fortress, built to keep enemies out and prisoners in. If she were in Bilbo's position, she wasn't sure she'd even bother to help them anyway.

Sighing deeply, she lay back on her bunk and stared at the ceiling. It was hard to think positively in a place like this. Bilbo was only one person, their cells were locked, and they were surrounded by elves. How were they ever going to get out of here? How long would it take for Thorin to give in to Thranduil's demands and admit what they were trying to do? Knowing Thorin's stubbornness it would take an eternity and they'd all die here. Would she ever see Dwalin again? A tear spilled down her cheek at that thought and she brushed it away angrily. This adventure wasn't turning out to be anything like she had expected. She found herself wishing more and more that she had remained in the Shire. What use was it coming on this adventure? She was never going to find her mother, not locked in here at any rate. Her friendship with Jenna was falling apart. She was never going to get to see her father now and knowing her luck she was going to die here without ever seeing her beloved husband again.

Tears were flowing down her cheeks now as she thought about the miserable ending their journey seemed to have come to. Sniffling, she wiped them away angrily.

"Don't cry. There's still hope. We'll get out of this place," Bofur whispered from his cell, "If anyone can find a way out of here it's Bilbo."

Pulling herself up to a seated position she looked over at the miner and the now sleeping hobbit. "I wish I could be as hopeful as you Bofur but it's hard being stuck in this place."

The miner nodded, smiling sadly at her. "I know, but we must put our trust in Bilbo. He saved us from the spiders, and he'll save us again."

Esme forced a small smile. "I guess you're right. It's not like tears are going to solve anything, is it?"

"Oh, I don't know, can you cry enough tears that we can be washed out of here?" Bofur grinned.

"That's it!" Bilbo exclaimed as he sat up, suddenly wide awake. "That's how I can get you all out of here!"

Bofur raised an eyebrow at the hobbit. Esme didn't blame him. Clearly, Bilbo had gone quite mad altogether if he thought he could wash them out of here with tears.

"Whatever are you on about Bilbo?" Bofur enquired.

"There's a cellar! I discovered it when I was searching for Thorin. It has an exit to the river, that's how they get rid of the empty food barrels. I can get you out that way!" Bilbo declared excitedly.

Bofur grinned widely. "What did I tell you, Esme!? He's going to get us out!"

"I hate to be the bearer of unwelcome news and all that, but we're still locked in these cells. How are you going to get us out?" Esme asked the hobbit.

Bilbo smiled at her as he stood up to leave. "Well, I'm going to need the keys. So, I guess I'm going to have to be a burglar after all."

Thorin's POV

Thorin sighed heavily as he sat on his bunk, his head resting against the hard stone wall. He felt as if he'd been stuck in this prison for an eternity already. Every day that passed was a day closer to Durin's day. If they didn't get out of here soon, they wouldn't make it to the mountain on time and this quest would have been for nothing. He was beginning to consider telling Thranduil the truth when he heard Bilbo's voice from outside in the corridor.

"Thorin! Come out and join your friends!"

With that, the door to his cell swung open to reveal Bilbo and the rest of the company standing just outside.

Thorin jumped up in surprise. "Bilbo! How on earth did you manage to get the keys?"

"No time for that now," the smaller male insisted. "We need to get out of here before they catch us, follow me quickly."

The hobbit led them down a dark winding staircase. At the bottom, a small corridor led to a large wooden door that stood slightly ajar. The light from the room within flooded out to meet them. As they entered, they found themselves in a large cellar with no other doors or windows. Thorin frowned angrily.

"What is the meaning of this!?" he snapped. "This is a cellar! You're meant to be leading us out not further in!"

"Shush!" Bilbo cautioned as he pointed to the corner of the room where two elves sat slumped over a table.

"What did you do to them?" Dori asked horrified.

"Nothing," the hobbit insisted quietly. "They've just had too much to drink. That one's the captain of the guard, I managed to get the keys off her belt when she passed out. The other one is Galion; he runs these cellars. There's a feast on in the halls above but he's given orders to the younger elves to clear these barrels later. They could return at any minute. You all need to get into the barrels quickly!"

The dwarves instantly started complaining.

"What kind of plan is this!?" Balin questioned disbelievingly.

"This is madness!" Dwalin insisted.

"We'll get caught!" Nori exclaimed. "If we don't, we'll drown in these bloody things!"

Thorin was inclined to agree with the others until Bilbo snapped back at them. "Very well, come along then and I'll put you back in your lovely cells while I try to find another way out. Though I don't suppose I'll manage to get the keys again, even if I feel inclined to do so."

Jenna gripped Thorin's arm tightly. Turning to face her, Thorin found himself taken aback by the fear in her eyes.

"I can't Thorin! I can't go back into that cell. Please, listen to Bilbo. It's our only chance of getting out of here!" she begged.

Thorin found himself nodding. He didn't have the heart to make her go back to the cells when she was obviously terrified to do so. Also, she was right, it may be the only chance they had of getting out of here. While he did think Bilbo's plan was foolish, it was the only plan they had right now.

"Everyone, get into the barrels," he demanded. "Mr. Baggins, this had better work."

"It will." Bilbo insisted as he ushered them over to the large casks standing by what Thorin could now see was a large trap door in the floor.

The hobbit did his best to pack them in tightly with straw before he closed the lids and not a moment too soon. Thorin could suddenly hear the muffled sounds of elves in the cellar.

"Where's Galion?" questioned one voice. "I didn't see him at the tables tonight. He should be here to show us what to do."

"Ah, here he is," another elf chimed in. "With a jug of the King's wine in his hand. He's been having a feast all to himself with his friend the captain."

The elves sounded merry. Hopefully, they were drunk enough that they wouldn't notice the extra weight in the barrels.

"Well wake him then! I want to get back to the feast above, I'm not waiting all night," demanded another voice, nearer to the barrels this time.

"What about the captain?" asked the first voice.

"Leave her!" the voice closest to the barrels insisted. "Looks like she's drunk more than her share already anyway."

Soon Thorin could hear the sleep-addled voice of Galion in the chamber as he barked orders at the younger elves.

"Get those barrels into the stream and then be off with you all," he grumbled.

"Can't we have a drink of whatever you two have been having first!?" one of the elves laughed in response.

"No, you can't! You're late as it is! It's no wonder I fell asleep waiting for you!" Galion replied.

"No wonder," the elf standing closest to the barrels laughed, "When the explanation sits beside you in your cup! Come on then lads, let's get to it."

Suddenly Thorin felt his barrel tip slightly. "Save us, Galion! How much have you had to drink? These barrels are never empty! You've stacked some full casks here if there's anything in weight."

"There's nothing in the feeling of weight in an idle toss-pot's arms!" Galion snapped at the younger elf. "These are the barrels to go, now get on with it!"

"Alright but on your head be it, if the King's best wine gets sent back up the river for the lakemen to enjoy," the elf replied.

Thorin let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. Bilbo's plan was going to work. They were going to get out of here and float the whole way to Laketown. Thorin's relief was short-lived, however. As he heard his barrel splash into the water, he realised too late that there was a major flaw in their plan. Bilbo wasn't in a barrel! He couldn't escape with them and if he didn't escape then who would get them out of these things!?

Dwalin's POV

Dwalin was floating along happily in his barrel when he realised Bilbo had overlooked how he himself would escape. What were they to do now? Had they escaped the elven fortress only to die imprisoned in these barrels? He tried pressing his lid open, but it was of no use, it was tightly sealed. All he could do was hope that Bilbo managed to get out of the Elven fortress, or they would have to rely on the men of Laketown opening the barrels quickly when they reached their destination.

Dwalin's thoughts strayed to Esme. How was she coping with this barrel ride through the rapids? He was one of the largest and strongest dwarves in the company but even at that, he wasn't finding the journey easy. Bilbo had tried to pack them in tightly with straw, but Dwalin found himself tossed around in the barrel like a rag doll regardless. He was sure he would bruise and couldn't even begin to imagine what state his wife would be in by the time they arrived at Laketown. Esme was far more delicate than he would have expected from a half-dwarf and far too small not to be tumbling around inside these things. If anything happened to her, he was going to kill the hobbit.

Their journey in the barrels seemed to last for an eternity before Dwalin finally felt them come to a stop. He cursed their luck as he heard muffled voices surrounding them.

"Gather the barrels and tie them up, we'll row them to Laketown in the morning," a voice called out.

"Some of these are never empty!" answered another voice. "They float too low. Had they arrived in the morning, I'd have opened them and had a look inside."

A voice nearer to Dwalin answered this time. "No time for that now, we have to get back to the others, besides it's not like old Galion to make a mistake. No doubt these casks have been made of a heavier wood than the others. Get them tied up and let's get back quickly."

Soon Dwalin found himself tossed around in his barrel as it smacked against the others. He cursed the hobbit once again for not finding a more comfortable escape route, though he supposed he wouldn't have come up with a much better plan.

When his barrel finally stilled and the voices drifted off into the distance, Dwalin was relieved to hear a light knocking followed by the hobbit's whispered voice. Bilbo had made it out.

"Are you all alright in there?" he asked.

"Alive!" Gloin growled angrily from inside of his barrel. "Though you won't be when I get my hands on you! Who would ever think…"

"We're fine Bilbo!" Jenna's voice cut Gloin off mid-sentence. "No doubt we'll all be more appreciative when we get out of these barrels and are on dry land again."

"I am sorry, but it was the only way out," Bilbo apologised as he sneezed loudly.

"Are you alright laddie?" Oin enquired from inside his barrel.

"Oh, yes, thank you Oin, I seem to have picked up a bit of a cold, that's all," replied Bilbo. "I didn't think about how I was going to pack myself into a barrel, so I've been clinging onto the side of one instead. The water is rather cold."

Dwalin could hear the hobbit begin to sneeze again. To his delight, he suddenly heard his wife's voice ring out from her barrel. She didn't sound like she was in too bad a state so far.

"You should get out of the water for the night Bilbo, try to find somewhere warm."

"Yes, of course, you're probably right," the hobbit replied. "Sit tight, I'll be back first thing in the morning."

Dwalin rolled his eyes. Sit tight? As if they had any other choice! The fact that the hobbit was free to stretch his legs and find something to eat while they remained cooped up starving in their barrels irritated him immensely.

By the time morning rolled around, Dwalin's legs were so stiff he wasn't sure whether he'd be able to walk again once he was freed. Soon though, he heard footsteps and voices approaching, and in no time at all, they were on the move again. Bilbo had not spoken to them that morning and Dwalin wondered if he had managed to get back to them on time. All he could do, for now, was hope.

After what seemed an eternity but was no more than a day's journey, Dwalin finally heard voices in the distance calling out to the men who were steering the raft. They had finally arrived in Laketown. Whether or not their hobbit had made it with them he would have to wait to see.

"You're late!" a voice called out. "Pull the raft up onto the shore. We'll see to the barrels in the morning. There's a feast in the great hall, come join us!"

Voices filled the air as the Lakemen chatted to each other while they worked. Soon, however, the voices faded away and the dwarves found themselves left in silence. Dwalin was just beginning to worry about Bilbo when he felt his barrel roll to the side. Someone had cut his barrel loose from the raft. Suddenly the lid of his barrel popped open, and Bilbo stood smiling down at him and offering him his hand. The hobbit had pulled it off!

"Well done lad," Dwalin smiled as he clambered out of his barrel. "You did it!"

Bilbo smiled nervously at him. "I just hope the others are in as good a condition as you, Mr. Dwalin."

With that, they got to work freeing the others. Thorin was the first helped from his barrel and he wasn't at all happy. He was wet, bruised, and bedraggled. He could hardly stand after being in the barrel for so long and he immediately lay on the shore grumbling at the hobbit.

"Well, are you alive or are you dead?" Bilbo snapped. "You wanted me to get you out of those dungeons and I have done so in the only way I knew how! Now if you wish to continue with this journey then you better get up and help us free the others while there is still a chance!"

After a long sigh, Thorin pulled himself up and began to help them free the others. They rescued Balin and Dori next, but neither were happy at all. They lay on the shore and refused to help even when Thorin glared at them. Fili and Kili seemed to have fared better than the rest of the company and came out smiling. They quickly helped free the others. Most of the company emerged from the barrels well. Nori's barrel had leaked, however, and they found him half drowned. They had to pull him out and carry him to the shore where he lay trying to catch his breath. Jenna was quite battered and bruised but she seemed far more worried about the thief than her own injuries. She knelt beside him brushing his hair back from his face, a look of concern etched on her face and Dwalin wondered briefly if Dori had been right about those two.

Esme was in one of the last casks. As soon as they opened her barrel, she scrambled out and promptly vomited all over Fili's boots, much to the young prince's disgust.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Fili," she whimpered. "My barrel smelt like apples, between that and the tossing and turning I felt awful, my poor stomach! I don't think I could ever eat an apple again after that."

"That's alright," Fili assured, smiling at her. "I may never get the smell of vomit out of my boots, but I'll forgive you."

"Well, here we are!" said Thorin. "And I suppose we all owe Mr. Baggins our thanks and gratitude. Though I do still wish he could have organised a safer, more comfortable journey. I'm sure we will all feel more grateful when we have recovered. In the meantime, what next?"

"Laketown, I suppose," proffered Bilbo. "Not much choice other than that. Nori is half dead as it is and the rest of us won't be much better if we don't get food and dry clothes soon."

Thorin nodded solemnly. Dwalin wasn't exactly sure when Thorin had come to rely on Bilbo for guidance, but it seemed that's exactly what was happening.

"Fili, Kili, and Bilbo," Thorin barked, "Come with me. The rest of you stay here until you're sent for."

Thorin's POV

Laketown was a dilapidated, dingy, old town built upon the lake. The lakemen had built their dreary, crumbling buildings upon tall piles of wood in the water. The only way into town was over a great bridge at the head of which stood a large guard house. Inside, the guards had lit a small fire in the centre of the room, and they could hear them chatting amicably as they approached. It was not surprising that the guards didn't hear them coming as it had been a long time since there was any real need. The people of Laketown were obviously on friendly terms with the Mirkwood elves and no other folk lived this close to the mountain. The lives of men were short. Nobody had seen the dragon in 60 years and for those who lived in this town now, Smaug was little more than a children's fairy-tale.

Thorin walked straight up to the guard house and stepped in through the door, the guards inside jumping up in astonishment.

"Who are you and what do you want?" they shouted as they grasped for their weapons.

"Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror King under the mountain!" Thorin declared haughtily though he was sure he looked far from regal after his journey here. "I have come back and wish to speak to the Master of your town."

The guards stared at him incredulously for a moment before one of them stepped forward.

"If you come in peace, lay down your arms," he demanded.

"We have none," Thorin replied solemnly. "We have no need for weapons, we are simply returning at last to our home as was foretold. Take us to your Master!"

"The Master is at the feast," the guard continued as he eyed Thorin warily.

"Then all the more reason to take us to him!" Kili insisted, stepping forward to stand beside Thorin. "We've had a tough time of it on our journey here. We're famished and we have ill companions. Now make haste and take us to your Master."

"Very well," the guard replied begrudgingly. "Follow me."

They fell into step with the guard as he marched them through the town to a large wooden building. It was in far better condition than the other buildings in the town. A warm light flowed from the windows, and they could hear voices inside as they approached. As they passed through the doors, Thorin stepped forward, not giving the guard a chance to speak.

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror King under the mountain. I have returned to reclaim our homeland!" he stated proudly.

The people in the hall leaped to their feet in excitement at his words. They had grown up on tales and songs of the mountain dwarves and the prosperity that would return when they once again reclaimed their lost kingdom. The Master of the town sat in a large chair in the centre of the room eyeing him suspiciously. He was a fat, smarmy-looking man with squinting eyes. Thorin disliked him immediately, though he was careful not to show his true feelings.

"I have come to speak to the Master of Laketown. We need help, our friends are ill, and we need medicine, food, and shelter before we journey on towards the mountain. For which kindness we will pay greatly once we reclaim our homeland. Tell me, Master, will you share in the vast riches of Erebor when we restore our kingdom?" Thorin asked proudly.

The Master hesitated, no doubt thinking they were simply vagabond dwarves that were trying to steal from them. In the end, he had little to do with the decision as the crowds gathered in the hall began to cheer for the return of the mountain king.

"Welcome," the Master finally answered, "to Laketown, Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror King under the mountain. You shall find all the help you desire here and in return we will trust in your generosity once your kingdom is restored."

Jenna's POV

Every part of Jenna's body hurt. As Thorin and Dwalin pried open the lid of her barrel, she heaved a great sigh of relief. She needed to stretch her legs; they had been cramped up in that barrel for way too long. Her relief did not last long, however. As Dwalin and Thorin helped her scramble out of her barrel the first thing she noticed was Nori. He was lying on the shore, soaked through to the skin, his eyes closed and his breathing heavy. She raced towards him immediately, dropping to her knees beside him.

"Nori?" she whispered as she brushed his hair back from his face. "Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

Nori cracked an eye open and tried his best to smile at her. "I'm doing fine, kid. Don't be fussing, that's Dori's job. Just let me lay here a minute."

Jenna smiled down at him, relieved to hear his voice.

"Well, you look awful," she insisted as she brushed her hand along his cheek.

"You don't look spectacular yourself you know," Nori joked and she swatted his shoulder playfully.

"I'll have you know I always look spectacular." She huffed indignantly.

That elicited a small laugh from the thief, but he made no move to get up. She watched for a moment as he continued to breathe heavily before lying down beside him and resting her head gently on his shoulder. Sighing as she wrapped her arm around his waist, she whispered, "I've got you."

Nori's hand came up to catch hers and he squeezed it gently.

As Thorin marched off with Kili, Fili, and Bilbo she hoped that he would return quickly with help for them. What they would do if the Lakemen refused to help them she had no idea and she hoped that she wouldn't have to find out.

Esme's POV

Esme had never felt more embarrassed. She could not believe she had thrown up all over Fili's boots. She sat on a large rock on the shore with her head in her hands, willing her stomach to settle and her embarrassment to clear.

"Are you alright my love?" Dwalin asked gently as he took a seat beside her pulling her close.

"I will be in a moment," she smiled up at him. "I missed you."

Her husband smiled back at her as he leaned in for a kiss. "I've missed you too."

Esme nodded, settling herself with her head resting on his chest. "I know."

"How is your stomach?" he questioned.

"Improving a bit. Hopefully, it will be better when I get food into it. I could eat anything in the world right now, apart from an apple." She laughed.

Dwalin tightened his grip on her slightly. "Is hunger all that is bothering you?" he questioned.

Sighing heavily, she pulled back to look at him. "Not really. I didn't have time to think too much about it when we were in Mirkwood and the barrels but now that we've reached Laketown all I can think about is my father. I'm nervous about meeting him."

Dwalin nodded as he took his wife's hands in his own. "You shouldn't be. I never met your father, but I know of him. He fought in King Thror's army, with my father. He's a good dwarf, my love."

Esme nodded as she held his hands tightly. "It's not that, it's my mother. I've spent my life hoping to find her again, to figure out what happened to her. Now I'm about to meet someone who can help me unravel the puzzle a bit and I'm terrified of what he might tell me. Everyone thinks she was such a horrible person but that isn't my memory of her. I'm not sure who my mother even was anymore."

Her husband frowned at her admission. "She was your mother and I have no doubt that she loved you dearly and you her. After that, what do other people's opinions of her matter?"

"Maybe they don't," she agreed. "I'm just nervous I won't like the truth when I hear it."

Dwalin pulled her closer again, placing a kiss on her brow as he whispered. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

She nodded, just as they heard footsteps on the bridge making their way towards the shoreline. Within minutes they found themselves surrounded by guards who helped them to their feet and led them into town to the cheers of the gathering crowds.

As the guards led them into a great wooden hall the people outside broke into song.

The King beneath the mountains,

The King of carven stone,

The Lord of silver fountains

Shall come into his own.

His crown shall be upholden,

His harp shall be restrung,

His halls shall echo golden

To songs of yore re-sung.

The woods shall wave on mountains

And grass beneath the sun.

His wealth shall flow in fountains

And the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness,

The lakes shall shine and burn,

All sorrow fail and sadness

At the Mountain-King's return!

TBC