Part 3 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 3 picks up at the beginning of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.

The Company and Gatekeepers are divided. Some of the company remain in Laketown with the younger members of the Gatekeeper family. The parents and grandparents are still missing. The danger of the dragon, orcs, and greed were on everyone's minds. What would become of them? Erébor? The Wizard and Muggle world? Nothing was certain.

I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.


Chapter 5

It was many hours before the several hundred homeless people of Laketown arrived in Dale. The vacancy of the ruined city was earie, bleak, and tragic. The smell of smoke was pungent in the air, soot stained many of the buildings. A fresh layer of snow dusted the ground and the dead plants and trees. It was like the ancient city was crying out to be restored and justice be served.

People scattered all over for a dry place to sleep for the night. They were tired and scavenged to find food from the loads of stuff they were able to salvage from their burned homes. Fires were built to keep out of the cold, and injuries were tended too.

Nicole took it upon herself to delegate duties in her large family. She sent Jordan and Karah to follow Bard, and they began to use their magic to repair many of the occupied buildings, give water to those who needed it, and heal wounds to the best of their ability. These acts of kindness went a long way to bring hope back to these people. After so many years of struggle and hardship, they had forgotten what it felt like. Some even spoke of staying in Dale and not returning the Laketown. By the time night fell, many people were collapsing from exhaustion and welcoming the unconsciousness of sleep.

Bard returned to his family after assuring someone would be keeping watch over the city and the people recovered and slept. Considering Bard saved him from the noose, he had not trouble delegating the job to Alfrid and hoped he would handle the task like his life depended on it.

"Bard?" Nicole called to him from the house his family was staying in. It must have previously belonged to a large family, for there were enough beds for everyone. Nicole had used every magical cleaning spell she knew to deodorize the smell on the furniture and walls, dehumidified the air, and remove the dirt and dust that had settled over the years. There was a hot fire burning in the fireplace and his children had been fed rations from what was brought from Ruben and Priscilla's house. "Come and have something to eat."

He gratefully accepted the bread and bowl of hot stew. Settling down in a chair near the fire, he ate and watched the flames dance. "Someone pillaged my house. It's completely empty. I wonder if the guards did it after I was arrested."

Nicole was tucking a blanket tighter around her son and daughter who were snuggling together on a single bed. "No Bard, no one pillaged it. Karah and Jordan packed your house. Everything from the food to your books, bedding and knick-knacks. All of it is in one of their bags."

"But how? I saw everything they carried, there is no way…"

"I would think that by now, dear cousin, you would believe in magic." Nicole smiled at his astonishment. "So, Bard the Dragon Slayer, or should I say, King Bard, what is the plan now?"

"Please don't call me that. I'm not worthy of such a title and honor. I cannot lead…"

"Don't be absurd! You've been an advocate for your people for years, killed a dragon for them, literally led them out of the fire and ashes. And let's not forget that you are a descendant of Lord Girion of Dale. You have royal blood flowing through your veins. If you are not fit to rule, then no one here is."

Bard was not convicned he was ready to fulfill his ancestor's shoes. "The first thing we need to do retrieve the gold that Oakenshield promised us. I'm not sure we can even begin to rebuild Laketown in the winter. Or travel to other settlements to get supplies. We may have to wait until spring. We could go to the mountain and stay there, or…"

"Thorin is alive?" Nicole asked with solace in her voice.

Bard studied his cousin. He did not want to see her hurt anymore. He knew what it was like to lose a spouse. It was a pain like none other, a hole that may never be filled. He wanted her to be happy, she and her children deserved it. He just doubted Thorin Oakenshield was a wise choice to bring joy back to them. "When we arrived, the braziers at the main gate of Erébor were lit. Someone from the company is alive inside the mountain."

"Oh, thank the four founders!" Nicole sighed with a grateful smile.

"Four founders?"

"My school back in our world was called Hogwarts. And there were two witches and two wizard who founded it."

"I see." Bard continued to eat his meal and ponder the next course of action.

"Why don't we stay here? Once my parents and grandparents arrive, we could use magic and other resources to rebuild Dale."

"This place should be rebuilt. But our home is Laketown and their livelihood. It should come first, then Dale."

"Okay. Well, now is the time to rest. It's late and we will all need our strength in the morning. There is a clean bed near your children."

"Thank you. You've been a life saver."

Nicole smiled at him. "We are family. And family looks out for each other."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Bard, we don't have enough food and water to last us three days." Percy reported after breakfast the next morning. He had done his best to wash away the soot and grim from his face and hands. It helped him feel better being just a little bit cleaner; like his was more in control of their situation.

"Do what you can, Percy." Bard answered, knowing it was not much of one. "The children, the wounded, and the women come first."

The night before, Bard fell asleep instantly. Exhaustion took over and he practically passed out. The warmth of the fire and the mild comfort of the bed lulled him into a blissful coma. When he awoke, he carefully got out of bed as to not to disturb anyone. The first person he met was his late wife's cousin, Jordan. He never really spent any time with her, since the only way he could communicate with her was when she wrote on a board with a special pen. She only nodded to him and went back to gazing at the mountain. He wondered if she was also pining after one of the dwarves.

Once he made it outside, he found Percy desperately trying to count their supplies. The news of their current stock was depressing. Time was wasting and they needed to meet with Thorin, or whomever was inside that mountain. They could have everyone start preparing for their possible move to Erébor while Bard negotiated. He decided he would pick who would come with him and who would stay behind and keep things organized here. But first, there was one person he wanted to check on.

"Morning, Alfrid. How was the night watch?" Bard asked remarkably hopeful.

"I'm awake!" Alfrid rubbed the sleep from his eyes and yawned. "I stayed awake all night."

Bard looked at him skeptically and repeated, "how was the night watch?"

"Nothing went unnoticed, nor out of the ordinary." Both men walked to the main door and pushed it open.

"Except for the heavily armed battalion of elves right outside the door." Bard rested his hands on his hips before glaring at Alfrid.

The morning sunshine gleamed on the golden armor of the elf army. They waited at parade rest until addressed by the host outside the main gate. As soon as Bard came through the door, they came to attention, clicking their heals in one loud unified snap! He descended the stairs to look for someone in charge and the elves turned to create a path for him, closing again as he passed. The rest of his people started to emerge from the main hall, oooh'ing and aah'ing over the gracefully and almost angelic beings.

King Thranduil road into the courtyard riding a great elk with large antlers that would make any hunter mad with desire. He was the most elegant and majestic of all the elves, his long cape, warrior's crown, and gleaming silver armor indicated his position and authority.

Bard could not believe his eyes that he was standing in the presence of the real elf king, though he did his best to remain calm and collected. "My lord, Thranduil! We did not expect to see you."

"My son informed me that you needed aid." The elf kings deep voice and his expression were completely indifferent, uncongenial, to the blessings he brought to the humans.

Another elf directed a team of horses pulling a large cart of supplies. It was one of many carts full of food, blankets, clothing, and many other necessities. The humans could not contain their joy. They began unloading and sharing the goods, hope over flowing them. They were going to survive!

Bard's relief overflowed. "You have saved us! Thank you!"

Thranduil's face did not alter, "your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come just to help you. I came to reclaim something of mine. Conveniently, I was also able to personally escort Ladies Priscilla and Alicia Paisley."

Priscilla and Alicia road in another cart full of goods. When they caught sight of Bard, they accepted help from another elf down from the cart and rushed his way. They saw what happened to Laketown and were desperate to see for themselves that their family was okay.

Decades ago, Priscilla married Ruben and became the matriarch of the family, and the first witch. Priscilla's wisdom and cleverness would rival Rowena Ravenclaw, therefore explaining how she came to be one of the house's proudest head girl. Her silver blonde hair came down just past her shoulders was pinned up to keep it out of her face. Her kind grey eyes were frame with black horned glasses. Her robes were black with her family plaid secured around her shoulders with a paisley teardrop-shaped brooch. She was of average height, with age slowly shrinking her, making her appear frail; though, those who knew her were aware of that common misconception.

Alicia was engulfed in a heavy navy cloak with fuxfur trim, hiding her strawberry blonde hair. She graduated from Hogwarts a year before her husband, Jeremy. She was in Slytherin and determined to use her ambition to save her family's business. She had no time for love, until Jeremy graduated from Hufflepuff and started coming around the shop. His flattery eventually scored him one date, with the promise that after, he leaves her alone. However, he somehow managed to win her love and affection that very night and have been together ever since.

"Oh, Bard! Thank Merlin you're here!" Priscilla hugged him tight. She considered him like a son and loved his children as her grandchildren. "Where are the children?"

"Inside with…" Bard began to explain until he was cut off.

René's young voice carried as far as her little legs ran from the main door. "Nanna! Grandma!"

Alicia bent to her knees and picked up her granddaughter and spun her around. "Thank goodness you are alright!"

"Nanna, guess what? Uncle Bard killed the dragon. He used the Black Arrow and shot it down!"

"He did!" Alicia's eyes went wide. Her shock was not faked just for the sake of the child. She had heard of what the terrible drake had done to Dale and Erébor. It was a great relief that it was finally gone. And she was so proud of Bard for his heroism and bravery.

"We must hear everything!" Priscilla insisted. "Where is everyone else? What about Karah and Jordan?"

"They're here too! Look!" René pointed back to the door.

Nicole came out with Gage on her hip, followed by Bain, Sigrid, Karah, Tilda, and Jordan. Karah and Alicia could not hold back their emotions at seeing each other. The tears washed away the worry and fear. It's unnatural for a parent to lose a child. These many weeks without having her daughter safe and accounted for was ripping Alicia apart. She kissed Karah's cheeks then grabbed Jordan in a mother-bear hug. There was no way she would let her niece be left out, welcoming her as her own daughter.

King Thranduil still remained seated on his elk while he watched the whole scene. He locked eyes with Jordan and Karah, who were quietly and reluctantly giving him their thanks. He could not help himself with he spoke, "I'm glad to see you are well, Ladies Karah and Jordan. You left so suddenly and when I heard the news of Laketown, I worried for you."

And just like that, Alicia went from grateful mother, to scolding her foolish child in a split second. "Why didn't you just stay in Mirkwood? King Thranduil sent us word you were safe inside his palace. And when we got there, you were already gone! We have been worried sick about you!"

Karah attempted to smooth things over. "I'm sorry, mum. It was complicated and we couldn't stay."

"You were welcomed to stay as long as you liked." Thranduil was all for getting them in trouble after all the commotion they caused. "I am most curious to how you helped my prisoners escape the dungeons?"

Jordan glared at him and signed, We didn't do anything.

"Yeah, it was Bilbo." Karah blurted out and immediately covered her mouth.

Bard's surprise by the smallest member of the company was not exactly subtle. "The halfling broke the dwarves out his dungeons?"

Nice going! Jordan smacked Karah's shoulder.

Priscilla was also eager to know the details. "Who did you have in your dungeons, your majesty?"

"A company of dwarves up to no good." Thranduil answered dryly.

You don't know what you're talking about. Jordan's hands spat at him.

"Yeah, you locked them up without cause." Karah added She had forgotten that the elf king did not understand anything Jordan signed and was only getting answers from her.

"My cause was prevention. Laketown has been burned to ash from the dragon they woke. Tell me, ladies, who benefited from their escape?" Thranduil scowled down to them.

Jordan reared up for a fight when her grandmother placed a calm hand on her shoulder. "Let us go inside. There is obviously much more to tell."

"The young ladies can inform you. I have unfinished business to attend with these dwarves."

"And what would that be?" Nicole asked with unease.

"Not that it's anyone's concern but mine, but now that I have the upper hand, I supposed sharing my motive will not hinder my success. I will be getting the necklace made of the white gems of Lasgalen. It was meant to be a gift and I will no longer forsake it. I paid for it decades ago and I will see it in my possession, one way or another."

"Would one of those ways be by force?" Priscilla kept her voice diplomatic, knowing there was more to the story.

"If that is what is required." He turned and started speaking in Sindarian, commanding his subjects to finish unloading the goods for the humans and prepare to march to the mountain.

Bard understood where the king was going with his plan. "Please wait! My people also have a claim on the wealth inside Erébor. Thorin promised us a share to rebuild our lives. Let me speak with him before fighting commences."

Thranduil smirked at him. "Reasoning with a dwarf? Speaking with Oakenshield will get you nowhere."

Bard was persistent. "It could avoid unnecessary war amongst us. Please wait and let me try."

The people of Laketown and the Gatekeepers were all for this option. They were tired, hungry, in need of shelter, clothing, and warmth. They had no trouble believing Thorin, who promised them a better life, would give them what they were owed. They could trust him. Except, the Thorin they knew was being smothered and poisoned by the cursed gold. Dragon Sickness was overpowering him with a greater lust for the precious metals and gems than dwarves already had. Glimpses of Thorin Oakenshield could be seen briefly until the curse consumed him again. Soon, it will be too late and it will devour him completely.