Author's Note: I own nothing.

22 A Short Rest

As it turned out they had a full week before Durin's day. The would need to head out soon though, the longer they were in Lake Town the more danger they put the people in. It wouldn't take the Orcs long to discover where they had gone. As they spoke in hushed voices Bella glanced up at Thorin. He was staring out of the window a look of mixed horror and amazement on his face. She stepped over to him gently reaching out to take his hand he jumped and glanced at her apologetically.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Bella said, Balin glanced over Thorin's shoulder pain flashing through his eyes as he shook his head.

"In a way he has lass." Balin said pointing out the window. Bella glanced up and saw a contraption that looked like a gigantic crossbow on top of a tower. "That is a dwarvish windlance, one of the few weapons made to kill dragons." The whole story came out after that, a city aflame, the Lord of Dale, Girion and the failure of men that day. Bain seemed incensed by the implication.

"If you know the story so well you'd know that Girion did hit the dragon, he loosened a scale under the left wing. One more hit and he would have slain the beast." The child insisted. Bard though was frowning.

"That's a fairy story lad." Dwalin said with a dark look on his face. At Thorin's insistence Bard retrieved the promised weapons, though they were not all the Company had hoped for. They were makeshift at best, leaving only Bella and Dwalin properly armed, Bella with Sting and Dwalin with the elven dagger that he'd pulled from Bella's pack. Evidently the Master of Lake Town kept all the iron forged weapons in the armory under lock and key.

"Thorin we've made do with worse we should take what's offered and leave now. We have a ways to go yet." Balin insisted. Bard shook his head.

"You can't leave yet, the house is being watched. You'll have to wait for nightfall." He said and Thorin rolled his eyes as Bard headed out of the house. He did not return and the dwarves muttered to each other in Khuzdul. Bella stepped over to Kili where he sat on the bench at the table. He was sweating but put on a brave face as she sat next to him.

"How's your leg?"

"I'll be fine." He croaked. Bella frowned.

"You don't sound fine." Bella said about to insist that he show her his injury when Thorin stepped over to them.

"We need to go now. We'll take the back alleys." He said helping Kili to his feet, eying his nephew with concern but Kili nodded with a strained smile.

"But Da." Bain tried to insist.

"I'm sorry we can't stay. You've been quite kind but we need to head back out on our journey." As Bella spoke the dwarves slipped down the stairs and out into the lake itself. Thorin stepped up behind Bella and muttered in her ear.

"We're heading for the armory, should be next to the Master's house if it's like any other city of Men. Meet us there." He said in barely a whisper. She nodded, curtsying to Bain and his sisters and following Thorin into the basement. She slipped on her ring and vanished sneaking back up the stairs and following Bain out of the house as he ran to find his father. She slipped away from the boy heading for the grandest house in town. It was what she'd assumed would be the Master's home. She was right as several of the dwarves pulled themselves out of the canal as the sun began to sink. Their attempt to steal weapons did not go well, caught by the men of the Lake. But Thorin proved himself more than just a fighter as he spoke to the crowd, painting a picture of Dale and Esgaroth rebuilt. It charmed the Master of Lake Town that was sure.

"Welcome! Welcome and trice welcome!" He called and a bustle of activity broke out. Lake Town was a rush of noise. The Company was escorted to a large house, next to the Master. His greasy haired servant who had nearly had their barrels thrown into the river, Alfrid, was bowing and scraping. Bella caught a glimpse of Bard who looked worried. She frowned, it was true their venture was dangerous but they did not plan to wake the dragon. Actually, she frowned to herself, she wasn't sure what their plan was She'd been so concerned with her Tuning she had yet to ask what she was meant to be burgling. At the moment though Alfrid was promising a party in the next day. Bella though was more concerned with Kili who was not looking well.

"If you would like to assist us, you can find whatever medicinal herbs that can be found, Oin will provide you with a list." She said and Alfrid blinked only now seeming to have noticed her. He smiled, and Bella could practically already hear the contention though he had not yet spoken to her. Thorin stepped up behind her.

"You heard her, do as she says." He said and Alfrid bowed backing out of the house as he did.

"Of course, great King Under the Mountain. I'll have supper sent up as well, our finest fare!" He called out as Thorin closed the door in his face. Bella turned to Thorin.

"I do not like that man." She stated and he huffed out a laugh.

"I do not much care for him either, but we will not have to deal with them long." He said gently cupping Bella's cheek with his slightly rough hand. Gloin stuck his head around the corner.

"Thorin we have a problem." He called. They broke apart, Bella blushing lightly as they did. Thorin followed Gloin out of the room and Bella took a deep breath before following on as well. Fili and Ori had taken Kili to the first room they'd found and torn a hole in his pant leg to get at the wound which did not look well. The veins around the injury were chorded black. Kili was sweating profusely, though he appeared to have lost consciousness.

"Great Mahal, is that what I think it is?" Thorin asked his voice going shaky. Oin nodded.

"Morgul wound yes. I need Kingsfoil, I can try and stave off the infection but I know of no cure. None that we could access anyway." Oin said his voice serious Fili was shaking as he gripped his younger brother's hand.

"What do we need that we don't have?" Bella asked. She had no idea how one would go about treating this kind of poison for that was the only word she had for it.

"Elven magic. It's the only thing I've heard of that could heal this type of wound. And unless Hobbits know elven magic we can keep him comfortable." Fili hung his head and Bella shook her head.

"I may not know Elven magic but I may know something you don't. We were followed to Lake Town." All the heads of those still awake snapped up to look at her. "One of the elves from the woodland realm but I didn't see her enter the town."

"One of Thranduil's people will not help us." Thorin snapped.

"Maybe not you. I'll be back." She swept from the room and Thorin charged after her but by the time he reached the door it was closing behind her. She'd vanished entirely by the time he made it outside.