Hey, everybody. I'm at last back with another chapter.

Before we begin, let's take a moment to remember a dreadful loss. Since my last update, we lost the amazing Chadwick Boseman. We will never forget the man who brought us not only T'Challa, but also so many other great characters throughout his career. Farewell, friend. Wakanda Forever!

Let's get to it.


Chapter 18- Change in Fortune

Steve and T'Challa duck down as a guard walks along the walkway a few yards away. The two men watch him intently as they wait for him to move away. Once the guard is out of earshot, they slowly stand back up.

"Where are they?" Steve wonders out loud. T'Challa just shrugs.

Steve and T'Challa had snuck out of Bard's house some time earlier and made their way towards the docks. They had managed to find a pair of boats big enough to carry the entire company across the lake towards the Mountain. They had decided together not to take the boats of any of Lake-Town's citizens. Therefore, they had headed to where the boats used by Lake-Town's soldiers and other officials, which they felt much less guilt about taking.

"I didn't think it would be taking them this long. It didn't sound like the armory is that far," Steve says.

"Perhaps they are taking extra time to avoid the guards. Also, keep in mind that Kili still has not fully recovered from his wound he sustained from that Orc's arrow," T'Challa says, his eyes still glancing from side to side to make sure no guards spot them.

The two are quiet for a few moments before Steve asks, "I'm wondering if we should have gone with them to the armory."

"Perhaps. But if we had gone, it may have raised the chance of them being spotted," T'Challa says.

"Maybe," Steve muses. He pauses, then says, "Yeah, I think that the dwarves have had enough of being captured." He and T'Challa both chuckle.

The two stand there for several more moments. Then, they hear a commotion in the distance. The two men look in the direction they hear the noise, and see a column of people walking in the direction of the Master's house. Most of the people in the column are soldiers, carrying either weapons or torches. They watch the column carefully for several more moments before they notice that the soldiers are escorting prisoners. A split second later, they recognize that the prisoners are about half the height of the soldiers.

Steve sighs and rolls his eyes. "Well. Guess I spoke too soon," he says. He and T'Challa then walk away from the boards to follow the column of people to see what's going to happen, and if they're going to have to rescue the Dwarves. Again.


The Company had reached the armory and gotten inside with pretty much no problem. However, it turned out Kili was in fact still struggling with his wound, and had lost his balance while carrying an armful of weapons. The falling weapons had been clearly heard throughout the armory, and the soldiers manning the armory, under their captain, Braga, had very quickly apprehended them.

Braga was aware of the rumors spreading through the town about the Dwarves and the feeling of hope spreading among the townsfolk because of said rumors. Therefore, he decided to take them straight to the Master's house. However, he had not been able to keep them from being spotted, and a number of townsfolk had joined the procession. However, braga still hoped that he might be able to paint the Dwarves in a bad light to keep the rumors from gaining ground.

As the column reaches the stairs leading up to the Master's house, the doors open and the Master comes walking out, his assistant Alfrid following close behind. The Master is a rather disgusting man despite his attempts to look lordly, and his greed towers higher than any building in town.

"What is the meaning of this?" the Master demands, rather displeased at having been woken up to deal with whatever is going on.

"We caught 'em stealing weapons sire," Braga says, gesturing to the Company.

Feeling a little proud that his soldiers are still competent, the Master smugly says, "Ah. Enemies of the state, eh?"

"A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire," Alfrid says, as ever providing his support for his master's statements.

"Hold your tongue," Dwalin snarls as he stares defiantly up at the Master and Alfrid. Being one of the most hot tempered of the Company, he is very quick to defend his king.

The Master raises an eyebrow, taken slightly aback by Dwalin's response. Dwalin takes a step forward, still glaring at the Master, before he says, "You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal." He then turns and gestures at Thorin as he says, "This is Thorin. Son of Thrain, son of Thror."

Muttering quickly begins to spread among the crowd, those names familiar to pretty much everyone there, as well as the stories of the riches of Erebor. Now introduced to everyone, Thorin steps forward and declares, "We are the Dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland."

The Master and Alfrid both lok shocked at this declaration. Taking advantage of the silence, Thorin turns to look at the gathered crowd as he says, "I remember this town in the great days. Fleets of boats aly at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the centre of all trade in the North!"

Mutters again go through the crowd. Thorin, knowing he has stoked the fire of sympathy, continues, "I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the Dwarves and send wealth and rich flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"

People in the crowd begin to cheer and clap as hope at Thorin's words spreads through them. Thorin looks at the Master, who is feeling conflicted at the promise of wealth and the hope rising in Lake-Town's populace.

"Death!"

This lone cry quickly silences everyone. Everyone turns in the direction of the voice and see Bard, who had come rushing to the Master's house when he realized the Dwarves had been captured. Everyone in his path parts to allow Bard to approach the Dwarves as he says, "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all."

Thorin reacts quickly, turning his attention back to the crowd as he says, "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!"

The crowd begins to cheer, and the Dwarves smile as they realize that their king is quickly winning their sympathy. However, Alfrid is still unconvinced, and still wondering if this is part of Bard's plan to gain power.

"Why should we take you at your word, eh? We know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?" Alfrid asks.

Everyone goes silent. None of them have even seen a dwarf before, let alone Thorin Oakenshield himself.

"I can!"

Everyone quickly turns towards the sound of the voice, and the Dwarves feel relief as Dori says, "Mister Steve! Mister T'Challa!"

Steve and T'Challa stride through the crowd. The two had hidden at the back of the crowd and just watched what had been happening. Now, hearing this question of Alfrid's, the two decided to step forward.

"We have travelled far with these Dwarves, and can vouch for each of them," T'Challa declares.

"Who are you, stranger? Why should we trust you?" Alfrid demands.

T'Challa stands there for a second, then throws back his hood as his suit materializes around him, but his mask remains down, allowing his face to be seen. As his cloak flows behind him, almost like a cape, T'Challa declares with a loud and proud voice, "I AM T'CHALLA! THE BLACK PANTHER! AN AVENGER! KING OF WAKANDA! AND AS SURELY AS I AM KING OF WAKANDA, I DECLARE THAT THORIN IS KING UNDER THE MOUNTAIN!"

Everyone goes silent as they stare at T'Challa. T'Challa can see the fear on the faces of the Master and Alfrid, as can Steve. Seeking to put everyone at ease, Steve steps forward, casting off his cloak to reveal his uniform as he declares, "And we declare that if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word, then that is what he will do."

Everyone begins to stare in awe at these two men. It is clear that these two men are powerful men. They begin to wonder if these men, along with the dwarves, could help free Lake Town from its oppressive elite.

This feeling does not go unnoticed by Bard. Feeling very afraid of what could happen should the dragon be awoken, he begins to shout, "All of you! Listen to me! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?" Some of the oldest townsfolk, who were alive when Smaug arrived, nod in response.

Bard now looks at Thorin as he shouts, "And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain king so driven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

Bard and Thorin glare at each other as the crowd mutters in response. Steve looks at the two, feeling torn. He feels a sense of loyalty to Thorin, having been part of the Company, and feeling a desire to both the Dwarves and kill Smaug to remove the threat he poses. However, he also sees Bard's point, and knows the risk should the Company fail to kill Smaug quickly or should the dragon suspect Lake Town aiding the Company.

However, as Steve is considering this, the Master has regained himself and refocused on the situation. The Master recognizes the, to him, priceless opportunity to begin to turn public opinion against the man he considers his biggest enemy.

"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget, that it was Giron, Lord of Dale, your ancestor" pointing a finger at Bard, "who failed to kill the beast," the Master declares.

"It's true, sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark," Alfrid chimes in.

The people begin to mutter as they all look towards Bard. Many of them feel that their predicament is in part Girion's fault, and now it seems that that family waits to leave them in their current state. Both Steve and T'Challa feel tempted to speak up in his defense, but are unsure of how to do so without incensing one of the various parties here.

Despite his hurt and frustration that the people seem to be turning against him, Bard is determined to speak what he believes to be right. He steps up right in front of Thorin and says in a lower voice, "You have no right. No right to enter that mountain."

"I have the only right," Thorin says in a low voice. He then turns away from Bard and faces the Master as he says in an iron tone, "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? What say you?"

The crowd is quiet at they stare at the Master. The Master, taking a moment to savor his victory as the people finally turn to him as a leader, raises his finger and points it at Thorin as he says, "I say unto you...welcome! Welcome! And thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!"

The crowd erupts into cheers, feeling that their fortunes are finally about to change. Both Steve and T'Challa look at each other, feeling glad that they do have the support of Lake Town, but knowing that the Master is not as sincere as he seems, and also feeling bad about having driven a wedge between him and Bard. As they watch Bard, he looks at them, shares a harsh look with them, then turns and walks away.


And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you guys liked this one.

Next chapter will be a good one. It should be up relatively soon, although I've got finals coming up, so I'll probably have to spend a lot of time studying. Until it is up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!