Hermione lay underneath the fishnets. Peeking through, seeing their boat arrive to a dock. Bard came into view, as did the guard.
"What do you claim?"
"A few barrels of fish, and some fishnets" Bard had remained calm. Glancing at the surrounding docks. The guard examined the visible inventory.
"Fine go ahead"
Bard gripped his oar, ready to depart.
"Hold on' a minute!" A man with horrid features came into view. Covered in fur, and jewels, with a nasty attitude. "You ain't permitted or a Fisher! What are these!?"
"Supplies, needed for those hungry, Alfrid"
"Oh is that so!?" The scrawny man bit his lower lip. Furious at the Bowman who stood unfazed. Like he had won already. "Dump it ova!"
The guards one by one poured each barrel. Fellow villagers looked on in disdain. All had been starving due to the food shortage. Now to see good game leave their sights?
"What will you do? When riots breakout!? When others turn restless! Who will the master blame! His rivers turn to fire!?" The weasel like man eyes turned fearful. The very thought turned his stomach. Who would he be responsible? "You"
"Stop!" Guards doing as commanded. Pulling the barrels back aboard, with what little fish inside. Furrowing his brow, a growl escaping.
"When will you stop being such a crusader! Bard!"
Leaving the Bowman with his inventory. Pushing away rowing down the stream. Keeping careful watch on the boats. Coming to a small market, a vendor seeing Bard.
"Bard? What you got there?"
"Fish, you can have them" Bard removed the nets. Revealing Hermione, pushing over the barrels to free the dwarves plus Bilbo.
"Are those dwarves?"
The company ran through the markets and bridges. Bard stopped, holding Thori back.
"See that lake house at the end?" Thori peered at the home. On the bottom was a outhouse. Nodding as he understood the plan. "I'll see you there"
"Men" the company gently dived into freezing waters. Swimming to their meeting point.
"Miss Granger, come" Bard grabbed hold her hand. Not before Thorin tugged on the other. Worry dwelling on his eyes. "She'll be fine"
"Thorin" her careful voice calming the Dwarf.
"Weary, Lady Granger" he advised soon diving into the water. The duo rushed through the streets of Lake Town. Trying to stay away from the Master's spies. Hermione covered her head, unsure if such would help. Bard knew where each watcher was. Taking routes to avoid wandering eyes.
Hermione overwhelmed by the stench of fish and dirty water. Reminiscent of her time in potions. The unbearable odor, that could just burn you nose off. The two marched up the steps to Bards abode. Well kept, fish nets, hooks decorating the outside. Door flung open, a young man with short curly hair stood awaiting.
"Father, Guardsmen came by" anxiety rattling his voice. A trickle of sweat heading south of his brow.
"What did they want?"
"They check our home, what's going on?" Bard couldn't give his son a straight answer. Heading without a word more. Hermione lowered her hood. Revealing the beauty hidden. The son could only blush as she passed by.
"Father what's happening!?" His eldest daughter inquired. The youngest sitting close to a table. Hermione rushing to the outhouse as Dwalins head bursted through. Hermione offered her hand, engulfed by the dwarfs.
"Many thanks Lady Granger" groaning pushing his way out. The three children watch in astoundment. The young witch assisted each and everyone. Bilbo being the last of the company. All stunk of rotten fish and unspeakables. Bard handed out long rags to help with drying.
Hermione ruffled the towel over Bilbo's head. She couldn't help, but chuckle. It was like helping a child at the pool. Bain, son of Bard couldn't break his attention.
"Now that I've assisted please leave" Bard couldn't bear such burden. These dwarves and company would attract much attention.
"Not yet, we were offered weapons" Balin reminded the Bowman. Frustrated, but true to his word he hurried to what he kept away.
"Biscuit?" The eldest of the daughter's offered Hermione and Bilbo.
"Oh don't mind if I do thank you" Bilbo hungry especially from their near death defying escape.
"Thank you" Hermione took a bite. It was tough, but cared nonetheless.
"May I ask miss...?"
"Granger, Hermione Granger"
"Strange name, where are you from?"
"I'm from Rohan"
"Oh I see" sitting to her side. Hermione felt back at Hogwarts. The small talks, and laughter. "I've never been out of Lake Town, what's it like?"
"It does have it's charm, though I do miss the warmth" she chuckled as did Bards daughter.
The daughter glanced to her brother. He had stayed distant, content to gazing at the young woman. Shaking her head, she decided to ask a question.
"Do you have anyone waiting for you?"
Hermione hadn't thought about such in her time in Middle Earth. There was Krum, but it didn't last. She remembered her two friends, Ron and Harry yet didn't have such feelings. Though she did have one in mind. He sat across from her, talking with Balin. The strong features, and subtle way he showed his feelings. Thorin.
"Yes, and no"
"What do you mean by that?"
Before she could answer, Bard threw a sack upon the table. Uncovering, polls, hammers, and broken chains. The Dwarves were in disbelief, seeing this as trickery.
"We asked for weapons! Steel made!"
"The master keeps all the weapons"
"Then we'll go to him!"
"Enough" Balin shouted to see the disrespect. Especially a man who risk much to bring them in. "Thorin we've worked with less, this is no different"
Thorin pondered their choices. The safety of his company or the safety of this family. Despite nearing liberation of the Erebor Mountain. Ruffling his beard, deciding on their course.
"Where is this armory?"
Balin hung his head disappointed by his kin. Leaving the eldest continued to apologise. Kili wanted to leave yet the wound on his leg forbade it. Trying to lift himself up, only to quickly fall. Hermione and Bilbo held him from hitting the floor.
"Argh!!" Hermione could see the leg turning black. She wasn't adept at healing, but knew a bit. Not anything in Middle Earth. Thorin looked on in worry of his nephew.
"It's infected" she answered, the unspoken question. "I may be able to slow it, but without proper treatment... "
Trailing off unsure if such outcome would be necessary. Looking to Thorin for guidance. Kili with fire in his heart tried once more.
"Let me go, Lady Granger!"
"No! If you go you'll never make it" sternly holding her ground. Kili lay back down.
"He can stay" Bard spoke.
"Lad I don't want to impose, especially the disrespect we've showed you and your kin"the eldest retorted
"No need, we will make sure nothing ill comes to pass"
"There must be more than weapons your master keeps!" Thorin rushed out, his company trailing behind. A dwarf surely on a fiery path.
Bofur couldn't leave his friend behind. Choosing to stay with Hermione.
"Thorin, are you certain to leave Kili?" Dwalin raced up to the head. Comrade shaking with worry. He had promised his sister that her sons would return.
"Of course no, but we either break into the armory"
"Or?"
"Or nothing! He either lives or dies! And he will not die here!!"
On the outskirts of Lake Town stood Legolas, and Tauriel had tracked the Dwarves. Along with the orcs chasing them.
"We must find these filth" Legolas spoke quietly.