Lake Town:
After the exchange between myself and Bard, the dwarves relaxed slightly. Thorin and Dwalin stood to the side conversing in low voices, shooting me strange glances every now and then. Bard was busy loading the barrels onto his barge; while Balin was trying to arrange passage across the Lake.
"Do you know him well?" Bilbo asked as he sat on a rock next to me.
I looked down at the hobbit and smiled. "Yes, I've known him all of my life. He is in a similar trade to my father, so Bard was often coming to supper to discuss possible business opportunities that could be arranged under the nose of the Master".
"Are yer close with him?" Bofur asked in a low voice.
"He is a dear friend, my love, that is all" I squeezed Bofur's hand. "Like you, no one has ever had any claim on my heart before I met you". I leant my forehead against his and whispered "you are my sun and stars" so only he could hear it.
"Oh, come on" Dwalin growled in Balin's direction "enough with the niceties".
"What's your hurry?" Bard asked rolling another barrel into place.
"What's it to you?" Dwalin replied.
"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands" Bard shot back.
"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains" Balin said "journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills".
"Simple merchants, you say?" Bard replied, rolling another barrel onto the barge.
"We'll need food, supplies, weapons" Thorin said stepping forwards. "Can you help us?"
Bard looked the dwarves over and ran his fingers over the chips and gouges on one of the barrels. "I know where these barrels came from" he said giving me a concerned glance.
"What of it?" Thorin replied.
"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well" Bard replied. "No one enters Lake Town but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil".
"How has my father managed this past year, Bard?" I asked shivering slightly.
Bofur noticed and wrapped his vest around my shoulders.
"Not well, Anduin. It's been a hard year for us all" Bard said picking up the barge rope. "He will be glad to see you home, though your current company may not be granted the same by the Master".
The dwarves bristled and started muttering. Thorin mouthed something to Balin, who leant close to Bard.
"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen".
Bard gave a small laugh "aye, but for that you will need a smuggler".
"For which we'll pay double" Balin said, looking straight at Bard.
"Are you trying to bribe him?" I asked getting shakily to my feet.
"Are you well, Anduin?" Bard asked as I leaned heavily on Bofur's shoulder to stay upright.
"She's fine!" Bofur retorted, keeping in between Bard and myself.
"The colour of her face says otherwise" Bard replied stepping off his barge. "I need to talk to her" he said stopping in front of Bofur.
"Go ahead" Bofur grumbled.
"Alone if you don't mind" Bard said.
"It's alright, my love" I said soothingly "he's not going to hurt me, I'll be fine". I placed a kiss on Bofur's forehead and took Bard's offered hand. Once out of the dwarve's earshot, Bard turned to me with a concerned face.
"You are not well, what has happened?".
"It started when we got into trouble in the Misty Mountains" I said trying to think of how to tell Bard what had happened to me without revealing Thorin's identity. "We had been captured by goblins and fought our way out, only to have the corpse of the goblin king fall on top of us. I broke two ribs and our healer has done his best to patch me up".
"What about the business with the elves?" Bard asked in a quiet voice.
"Thranduil didn't approve of my presence and had me locked up along with the dwarves" I winced at the growing pain in my ribs. "We managed to escape in the barrels and now we wish to enter Lake Town to recover and prepare for the next leg of our journey".
"Why would you want to go to the Iron Hills?" Bard asked raising an eyebrow at me. "Those dwarves like Men even less than the dwarves in the West".
I clamped my mouth shut at that. I was not going to reveal anything more than I had to.
"You don't have leave to tell me the real reason you are with these dwarves, do you?" Bard asked shooting the dwarves a hostile stare.
"No, but don't hold that against them" I said. I could see Bofur pacing as he answered some question that Bombur had asked him.
"What is there between you and that dwarf?" Bard asked.
"I can't explain it, but while we were in Mirkwood our friendship grew into something more" I replied with a smile.
"I trust your reasons for travelling with these dwarves" Bard said holding his arm out.
Once back with the dwarves, Bard stepped onto his barge. "I trust Anduin's word that you are respectable, so I will take you across the lake".
…
It was cold on the water. My breath billowed out like smoke as I sat huddled between Bofur and Bombur, at the prow of Bard's barge. I checked to see which direction Thorin was looking before retrieving the medicine vial from my chest wrappings. I quickly dropped a bit on my tongue and breathed a sigh of relief as the pain melted away. A slight breeze picked up and I pulled Bofur's vest closer around me; it didn't stop all the cold but it helped. I glanced sideways at the dwarf and hoped he wasn't cold.
"Are you warm enough without your vest?" I asked.
"Aye" Bofur replied looking around at me. "Are yer still cold?"
"A little, but nothing I can't handle" I replied with a smile.
A shadow suddenly loomed up out of the fog in front of us, catching us all by surprise.
"Watch out!" Bofur called wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
Bard expertly guided us around the massive stone ruins without saying a word.
"What are you trying to do?" Thorin demanded "drown us?"
"I was born and bred on these waters master dwarf" Bard replied. "If I wanted to drown you, I would not to it here".
"Oh I've had enough of this lippy lakeman" Dwalin growled. "I say we throw him over the side and be done with him".
"Bard" Bilbo shot back "his name is Bard".
"I don't care what he calls himself" Dwalin grumbled "I don't like him".
"We do not have to like him" Balin said "we just have to pay him". "Come on now lads, turn out your pockets".
I turned around as the dwarves started offering their share to Balin. I felt around in my boots for the secret stash of coins I kept there. I was glad to see they were still there, so I handed a few coins to Bilbo.
"There's you share" I said in reply to the hobbit's questioning face.
"Um, thank you" Bilbo replied before handing the coins to Balin.
"There's, um, just a problem" Balin said after he'd finished counting the coins "we're ten coins short".
"Gloin, come on" Thorin said crossing his arms. "Give us what you have".
"Don't look to me" Gloin retorted holding his money bag close to his chest. "I have been bled dry by this venture! And what have I seen for my investment? Naught but misery and grief and-"
Gloin stopped talking as one by one the dwarves stood up and stared at something in the distance. Using an overhanging rope and Bofur's arm, I too stood up. The sight that greeted me sent a shiver up my spine. Through the thinning fog, the Lonely Mountain loomed large on the horizon.
"Bless my beard" Gloin mumbled "take it, all of it". He handed his money over half in a daze.
Bard walked quickly towards us. "The money, quick, give it to me".
"We'll pay you when we get our provisions" Thorin replied "not before".
"If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say" Bard said "there are guards ahead".
"How in Durin's name are supposed to avoid being caught?" Thorin demanded as Balin handed over the money.
"Get into the barrels and keep quiet" Bard replied as the barge glided towards the dock.
…
While Bard was talking with a friend, I sat at the prow of the barge and tried to relax. This was my hometown, I was known here, yet I felt as though unfriendly eyes were watching me. I put it down to the illegal activity I was involved in and focussed on making sure the dwarves and Bilbo stayed quiet.
"What's he doing?" Dwalin asked.
"Shh" I whispered "do you want to get caught?"
"He's talking to someone" Bilbo whispered in reply. "And he's...pointing right at us!"
"There's nothing to fear" I whispered, making sure to hide my face as I spoke.
"Now they're shaking hands" Bilbo whispered.
"What?" Thorin said.
"That villain!" Dwalin cursed under his breath "he's selling us out".
"I told you not to fear, he's not doing anything of the sort" I retorted. I smiled at what Bard was about to do.
Bard came back to the barge as gates were opened above the barrels. Fish slid down the chute and quickly covered the dwarves and Bilbo.
"They won't thank you for that" I whispered as Bard passed me on his way to the rudder.
"To bad for them" Bard replied with a sly smile on his face.
We moved away from the dock and toward the city gate. One of the dwarves groaned loudly.
"Quiet!" Bard ordered giving the barrel a kick. "We're approaching the toll gate".
I was conscious of the fact I was wearing a dwarven vest and hoped it wouldn't draw to much attention.
"Halt!" Percy the gatekeeper called. "Goods inspection. Papers please" the man looked down and smiled "oh it's you Bard, and miss Anduin as well".
"Morning Percy" Bard said handing his licence over.
"Good morning Percy" I said with a smile.
"Anything to declare?" Percy asked.
"Nothing, but that we are cold and tired, and ready for home" Bard replied.
"You and me both" Percy chuckled as he ducked into his office to stamp the papers. "Here we are. All in order" Percy said holding the papers out.
A figure suddenly stepped out of the shadows behind Percy. "Not so fast" Alfrid said snatching the papers from Percy's hand.
My stomach twisted as the Master's assistant read the papers carefully. If anyone was going to see through our deception, it was this slimy man.
"Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm" Alfrid read aloud. "Only they're not empty are they Bard?" Alfrid sneered at Bard before glancing at the barrels. "If I recall correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman" Alfrid picked up a fish and held up to Bard's face.
"That's none of your business" Bard replied curtly.
"Wrong, it's the Master's business, which makes it my business" Alfrid replied.
"Oh come on, Alfrid, have a heart" Bard said "people need to eat!"
"These fish are illegal" Alfrid replied tossing the fish into the water. "Empty the barrels over the side".
As soldiers moved towards the barrels I stood up and carefully made my way over to Bard. "Are you really that heartless Alfrid?" I asked incredulously.
"Folk in this town are struggling" Bard said as the soldiers started tipping the fish into the water. "Times are hard, food is scarce".
"That's not my problem" Alfrid sneered ignoring me completely.
"And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back in the lake" Bard said in a deadly calm voice. "When the rioting starts, will it be your problem then?"
Alfrid and Bard stared each other down for a few seconds before Alfrid raised his hand. "Stop" he ordered.
The soldiers righted the barrels and stomped off the barge.
"Ever the people's champion, eh, Bard?" Alfrid said condescendingly. "Protector of the common folk? You might have their favour now, bargeman, but it won't last". Alfrid turned away and started off along the dock.
"Raise the gate!" Percy called.
"The Master has his eye on you" Alfrid yelled as we went past "you'd do well to remember. We know where you live".
"It's a small town Alfrid" Bard replied "everyone knows where everyone lives".
We traversed along the main canal for a little while before Bard pulled into a familiar dock. Looking around he kicked over a barrel and Nori fell out, spluttering.
"Are you okay?" I asked in a low voice as Bard knocked over a few more barrels.
"I've been better" Nori replied getting to his feet.
"Get your hands off me!" Dwalin growled as he emerged from his fishy barrel.
Soon all the dwarves and Bilbo were free of their barrels and Bard walked over to the dock keeper. He handed over a few coins "you didn't see them, they were never here". Bard looked back to the fish covering his barge "the fish you can have for nothing".
I cautiously helped dwarves to their feet and pulled a fish off the axe in Bifur's forehead.
"Follow me" Bard said heading off along the walkway.
We soon reached the part of Lake Town I was most familiar with. I lived across the canal from Bard so I wasn't surprised to see my father's fishing boat heading up one of the narrow canals in front of us. A patter of feet alerted us all to a boy running up to us. It was Bain, Bard's son.
"Da! Our house, it's being watched" Bain said breathlessly.
"Come with me" Bard said to the dwarves before looking at me. "Anduin, go on home and tell your father to meet me at the usual place in ten minutes".
"Okay" I nodded. I squeezed Bofur's hand and with a tight smile, headed off along the walkway towards my house.
As I approached my house I smelt the most amazing thing in the world. My mother was making her special stew and the scent was wafting out of the open window. I went up the steps and tapped my feet before opening the door.
"Aunty Anduin!" a voice called out before a small body latched onto my waist.
I looked down at my nephew and smiled "hello Kanin".
"Anduin?" my brother emerged from the kitchen with a surprised smile on his face. "You're home at last!"
"Yes, it's wonderful to see you Kordyn. Where is Father?" I asked hugging my tallest sibling.
"I'm here, my child, is something wrong?" my father asked as he emerged from his office.
"Bard wishes for you to meet him at the usual place in ten minutes" I said before hugging him.
"Does he now, well I'd best be off" my father placed a kiss on my head. "It's good to see you my child, go and see your mother". With a smile he walked out the door.
I entered the kitchen and sighed in relief at the warmth of the room. My sisters were sitting at the table preparing vegetables, and my mother was at the fireplace stirring a large pot. "Something smells good" I said.
"Anduin!" Frigi cried dropping the carrot she was peeling.
"You've been gone for ages!" Adra said wiping her hands on her apron before embracing me.
"It's only been a year" I replied easing my second eldest sister off me.
"You've clearly been up to something, dearest" my mother said turning towards me and taking in my appearance. "That vest is not made by men" she said pointing at the garment.
"It was loaned to me" I replied sitting down at the table. The pain in my ribs was becoming a dull ache, and I dreaded to think what Oin was going to say if he found out I was using elvish medicine instead of his asking for his help.
"You met a dwarf?!" Frigi and Adra asked in unison.
"More than one" I replied accepting the bowl of stew mother passed to me. "Father will tell you more when he gets home".
"What do you mean?" Mother asked as I all but inhaled the stew.
"I can't say yet but-" my reply was cut off by Father returning.
"Anduin, go and let them in" he said closing the window that opened over the canal.
"What's going on?" Mother asked waving her ladle at my father.
"You'll see" he replied heading to the clothes chest.
As Father started pulling out coats, I went down the steps to the toilet. I rapped on the wall and stood back. Oin came through first, spluttering. I held my hand out and did my best to help the old dwarf without straining myself.
"Thank you lass, there's only three others coming" Oin said squeezing water from his beard. "The others are with the bargeman".
"Just head up the stairs and dry clothes will be waiting" I said with a smile.
"Right y'ar, lass" Oin nodded and started up the stairs.
Bifur was next and he was adamant he didn't need my help. He grumbled and made strange noises as he fell to the floor.
"Up the stairs" I said standing clear as the dwarf staggered to his feet.
"Give a dwarf a hand would you lass" Bombur's voice called.
I looked into the toilet and saw the rotund dwarf was wedged tight. "Hold on to this" I said lowering an old rope down. I pulled on my end and it was clear Bombur was being pushed from underneath as a few seconds later he was sitting on the floor doing his best to ring out his enormous beard. Once Bombur was heading up the stairs I turned to find a woolly hat emerging from the toilet. I smiled as I helped Bofur out and onto the floor. I wrapped my arms around him and placed a light kiss on his nose.
"Is that a good idea?" Bofur asked kissing my nose in return. "I've just crawled out of yer toilet".
"Don't worry about it" I replied tugging on one of Bofur's braids "come on my love, there are dry clothes and a hot meal waiting for you". I lead the way upstairs and found the other dwarves already comfortable by the fire, nursing tea and stew.
"Anduin, dearest, would you care to introduce us" my mother said handing Bofur a set of clothes.
"Oin, son of Groin, at your service" the old dwarf said with a bow.
"Bombur and Bofur, sons of Balur, at your service".
"And who is this fellow?" Mother asked pointing at Bifur.
"He's our cousin, Bifur, son of Baldur" Bofur replied.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Tywyn" Mother replied. She indicated the rest of my family. "My husband Sarren; my other daughters, Adra and Frigi; my son, Kordyn, and my grandson, Kanin".
"Pleased to meet you" my family chorused.
"Now, my good man" Oin said after the niceties had been taken care of. "What of the weapons we paid the bargeman for?"
"Here you are" Father said placing a damp package on the table.
Inside was a motley pile of items. I couldn't see how they could be called weapons, but I could see how useful they would be in a fight, so I picked up a large hammer and showed it to Bofur. "This is similar to your mattock isn't it?"
"We paid fer weapons" Bofur growled at my father. "Iron forged swords and axes, not this! It's a joke".
"Hush" I said squeezing Bofur's hand.
"It's the best I could do on short notice. All iron forged weapons are under lock and key in the city armoury" Father replied, unshaken by the venomous look Bofur was giving him. "If you wish to raid the armoury you will have to wait until nightfall".
"Are you alright lass? You look a little pale" Oin said coming over to me.
"I'm fine" I replied as he placed his hand on my forehead.
"You have a slight fever, you need to rest" Oin said matter-of-factly. "Bofur, my lad, give me a hand" he said placing my left arm over his shoulder. "I'm a qualified healer, she's in safe hands" Oin said as my mother stepped forwards in concern.
"Which way is yer room?" Bofur asked as the dwarves all but carried me out of the kitchen.
"Last door down that way" I said indicating the passage in front of us.
…
"Why didn't yer say you weren't feeling well?" Bofur asked in a low voice once Oin had left. Bofur had volunteered to keep an eye on me while Oin kept an eye on Bifur and Bombur.
"I didn't want anyone to worry, and I didn't want Thorin to think human women are weak" I said as I sat propped up against my pillow.
"Would yer allow me to comb your hair?" Bofur asked after a moment, sitting down on the bed next to me.
I blushed and handed him my comb. Bofur's hands gently untangled the knot I'd put my hair into, and slowly started running the comb through. The feel of his large hands passing through my hair and touching my head sent a shiver up my spine.
"Would yer mind if I lay next to yer?" Bofur asked in a husky voice as he laid the comb down.
"As long as you take your boots off first" I replied in a quiet voice.
A small thump signalled the boots were off, and Bofur was climbing onto the bed next to me.
"You know it's polite to remove your hat when inside" I said with a smile as I plucked Bofur's hat of his head and placed it on mine.
"I thought yer said no hats inside?" Bofur chuckled.
"Only men have to abide by the rule, women can wear hats if they want to" I said before kissing the top of Bofur's head.
We laid quietly for a moment before Bofur's arm snaked it's way across my waist.
"Menu tessu, moon of my life" Bofur whispered before moving to kiss my cheek.
I turned to reply and our mouths met. Neither of us were very good, and it was more sloppy than anything. We broke apart and Bofur's eyes were shining in the dim light. He licked his lips and kissed me again, this time running his fingers through my hair. My heart started beating double as Bofur's fingers stroked my neck. He suddenly broke the kiss and sat up.
"Before this gets to much further, there's something yer need to know" Bofur said huskily. "When a dwarf beds a woman it signifies betrothal".
"It does?" I asked a little shakily.
"Aye, and I don't want to do anything that binding unless yer willing" Bofur replied stroking my face.
"As quick as this relationship had developed, believe me my love, I am most willing" I replied in a low voice.
Bofur froze, his hand halting its movement on my face. "Are yer sure?" he asked.
"Yes, my love, I am sure" I kissed his hand and tugged him down on top of me.
Bofur slowly removed my vest and started tugging at the ties on my shirt. He whispered sweet things in my ear as my chest was slowly exposed. I felt my face heat up as Bofur then started undoing my chest wrapping. The vial of medicine dropped onto the bed and with a shaky hand, I placed in a crevice in the wall. While Bofur was busy with the fabric strips, I reached up and tugged on his scarf. It fell to the floor and was joined by Bofur's belt. His over shirt took a little bit longer to remove, but it too soon fell to the floor. Bofur leant down and kissed me again before shrugging out of the top half of his all-in-ones. My eyes widened for a moment to see how toned he really was. He was nothing like his brother. With hooded eyes, Bofur slowly climbed off my bed and dropped his trousers. I swallowed hard and fumbled with the button on my trousers. Bofur helped get them off and I realised we were both in just our underwear. My face grew even hotter as Bofur slowly stepped out of his and climbed back onto my bed.
"Yer the most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth" he whispered as he kissed me again. This time kissing down my neck as well.
I couldn't speak, all I could do was whimper as Bofur left a trail of kisses down my chest. He stopped at my belly button. Bofur raised his eyes and with a broad smile removed my last item of clothing.
"By the gods, I've never felt like this before" I whispered as Bofur started kissing the inside of my thighs. "Oh!" I breathed as Bofur placed his mouth on my most private place.
I brought my hands down and tangled my fingers in what was left of his braids. This was a new experience, and it was good. I bit my lip trying to keep quiet, but a few moans escaped. This only spurred my lover on. He kissed a line back up to my chest and gently placed his fingers between my legs. This felt even better when Bofur combined it with caressing my breast and kissing my neck. I felt something deep inside of me quicken and I knew something was going to happen. Bofur moved his fingers a little quicker and I arched my back at the growing pressure.
"Oh! My love!" I pulled Bofur's face to mine and kissed him feverishly as his fingers picked up speed. A few seconds later the pressure inside me grew to be too much. I buried my face in Bofur's hair as I reached my limit. "Oh god! Oh! Mmm! Oh my love!"
Bofur kissed me hard and positioned himself between my legs. "Are yer ready?" he asked in a low voice.
I nodded and Bofur slowly pushed in. I bit my lip so hard to keep quiet, that I tasted blood. Bofur shuddered and wrapped an arm around me.
"Mahal be praised!" he whispered before he started to move. Slowly at first, but he soon picked up speed.
I tried to match his movements and claimed his mouth in another kiss. I ran my fingers over his chest, committing every muscle to memory. I ran my fingers through the thick coating of hair and back up to his neck. Bofur's free hand held onto the blankets with a death grip and soon his movements had reached their end. With one final thrust, I felt Bofur release inside of me.
"Blessed sweet Mahal!" he moaned as he kissed me over and over.
"What are you doing?" a small voice asked from the door.
Bofur and I whipped our heads around to find my nephew standing just beyond the door. Bofur quickly pulled the blankets up to preserve what modesty we still had.
"Why are you spying, Kanin?" I asked a little breathlessly.
"Mister Oin asked me to come and check on you" Kanin said.
"Have yer not heard of knocking?" Bofur grumbled.
"Hush my love, he didn't mean to be disruptive" I kissed Bofur's cheek and turned to my nephew. "Kanin, what do you think we were doing?"
The boy had the sense to come fully into the room and close the door before answering. "That's like what Pa' does with Ma' when they think I've gone to sleep".
"That's right" I replied.
Kanin mulled that over until he understood what I meant. "So you're my Uncle?" he asked looking at Bofur.
"Aye" Bofur replied. "Now be a good lad and disappear, Anduin and I need to dress".
"Okay" Kanin replied heading for the door.
"One thing Kanin" I said "this is a secret between the three of us, you understand? Tell no one".
After the boy had left, Bofur and I dressed as quickly as we could. I made sure the vial of medicine was safely back in my chest wrapping before laying down to relieve the pressure on my ribs. Bofur sat down in a chair next to the bed and rested his head on the back of it. In a few minutes we were dozing.
…
A loud noise from outside woke me suddenly. I blinked and realised night had fallen, and that Bofur was no longer in my room. I got to my feet and went in search of my family. I found them in the kitchen.
"Where are the dwarves?" I asked.
"They tried to raid the armoury and got caught" Father said shrugging on his coat. "Come on" he said holding out my coat as well.
I followed my father out the door and through town, until we reached the Master's mansion. There was a large, jeering crowd who'd made a circle around Bilbo and the dwarves.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Master demanded striding out of his door, pulling on his coat.
"We caught them stealing weapons, sire" Braga said stepping towards the Master.
"Ah, enemies of the state then" the Master said with an unwholesome glint in his eye.
"A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire" Alfrid added.
"Hold your tongue" Dwalin growled. "You do no know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal; this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"
Thorin stepped forwards and glared up at the Master. "We are the dwarves of Erebor" he said "we have come to reclaim our homeland". Ignoring the whispers around him Thorin walked towards the Master. "I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbour, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the centre of all trade in the North". Thorin looked around at the crowd. "I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"
The crowd cheered only to be silenced by one voice yelling out.
"Death!" Bard said stepping past me to stand in front of Thorin. "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast it will destroy us all".
"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this" Thorin said glaring up at Bard. "If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten time over!"
The crowd cheered and applauded.
"Why should we take you at your word?" Alfrid asked. "We know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"
"Me!" Bilbo called. "I'll vouch for him. I have travelled far with these dwarves, through great danger, and if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word then he will keep it!".
"I also vouch for him" I said stepping forwards. "You all know my character, so I need not explain why I place my trust in these dwarves. They are more trustworthy than some in this town!" I spat the last words at Alfrid.
"Why should I listen to you?" Alfrid sneered. "Do you think I don't know that you helped smuggle the dwarves in? As for your character, who else but a loose woman would wear trousers like a man?"
"Get down here and say that again!" Bofur growled standing in front of me.
"Aye!" several other dwarves also looked murderous.
"All of you! Listen to me! You must listen!" Bard yelled as though he hadn't heard Alfrid's slanderous remarks about me. "Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?! Have you forgotten those who died in the fire-storm?!"
"No!" some of the crowd yelled in reply.
"And for what purpose?" Bard said turning to face Thorin. "The blind ambition of a mountain king, so riven by greed he could not see beyond his own desire!"
"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame" the Master said. "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!"
"It's true, sire" Alfrid agreed. "We all know the story; arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark".
Bard looked around at the crowd, all yelling angrily at him, before striding back to stand in front of Thorin. "You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!"
"I have the only right" Thorin replied before turning to the Master. "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 fell silent as we all waited for the Master's answer.
"I say unto you..." he paused, "welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!"
The crowd cheered and started to hug each other.
…
At the feast later that night, I kept my eyes on Alfrid and Bofur. I was sure Bofur would make Alfrid pay for the names he called me and though I was grateful, I didn't want Bofur to get in over his short head. What Alfrid lacked in muscle, he made up for power. In the blink of an eye, he could have soldiers step in and bring Bofur down. I didn't want to see that happen so I was keeping them as far apart as I could. We would be leaving the next morning so I was planning what I was going to tell my family. I wanted to spend some more time with them, but Durin's day was nearly upon us and I was honour bound to fulfil my part in the quest.
After enjoying the feast for a little while I located Balin and made my way over to him. "Balin, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Of course lass, what's on your mind?" the old dwarf asked.
"Nothing, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to spend the rest of the night with my family and I'll meet you at the dock in the morning" I said looking around for Bofur. "Oh, could you do one thing for me? Could you make sure Bofur doesn't try and attack Alfrid?"
"I can't promise anything lass, but I'll do my best" Balin smiled and patted my arm. "See you tomorrow".
I smiled back and headed out onto the street, and made for home
…
The dock was crowded with people as we prepared to leave. Various supplies were being loaded onto a boat and I was doing a fair job of helping.
"You do know we're one short" Bilbo said to Thorin as he handed the dwarf a bag "where's Bofur?"
I snapped my head up and did a quick head count. Bofur was indeed missing. I hoped he was passed out underneath a table, and not in any serious danger.
"If he's not here, we leave him behind" Thorin said as he handed the bag to me. His gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he turned away.
"We have to" Balin agreed "if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays".
I took my place next to Bombur, in the boat, and waited for the others to board. Kili made his way over only to be stopped by Thorin's hand on his chest.
"Not you" he said "we must travel at speed, you will slow us down".
"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you" Kili replied with a half-smile.
"No" Thorin said with a shake of his head.
"I'm going to be there when that door is opened" Kili said fiercely. "When we look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin".
"Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed" Thorin said.
This exchange had not gone unnoticed by Fili and Oin.
"I'll stay with the lad" Oin said. "My duties lie with the wounded". He made his way over to Kili and tried to examine him.
"Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain" Fili said. "Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!"
"Fili" Thorin sighed.
"I will carry him if I must!" Fili shot back.
"One day you will be king, and you will understand" Thorin replied. "I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin".
Thorin turned away and Fili's face grew determined. He stepped off the boat and made his way past Thorin.
"Fili, don't be a fool" Thorin said holding his hand against Fili's chest. "You belong with the company".
Fili stared his uncle down. "I belong with my brother!" he said before shaking off Thorin's hand and striding over to his brother.
The musicians started playing as the Master climbed up to a raised platform. He called out a myriad of well wishes and hoped we'd have a fortuitous journey. He waved as we pulled away from the dock and as we made our way down the canal I could have sworn I heard Bofur yelling for us to wait. I looked around and couldn't see him so I put it down the musicians instruments.
We set off across the lake and I couldn't help but wonder, if Smaug was alive or dead. I hoped it was the latter, because that would mean my family were safe. If not...it didn't even bear thinking about. I pulled my cloak around my shoulders and leant against Bombur, and tried to calm the turbulent thoughts of my afternoon spent in Bofur's arms.
As the mountain grew steadily bigger, my thoughts turned to the realisation that Thorin's quest was almost at its end.
My part in this journey was coming to a close. Then I remembered what Bofur had said about us sleeping together. With a jolt a remembered we were betrothed, and I wondered what effect that would have on my claim to one fifteenth of the treasure. With thoughts of a similar line swirling through my head I dozed off on Bombur's shoulder.
My dreams were filled with gold and a cheeky faced dwarf with a woolly hat.
-x-
A/N: FINALLY! I was working on this chapter for about six hours today, trying to finish it. Two more chapters to go. I would love to know what y'all think, so feel free to let me know your thoughts. Good, bad or otherwise.
Until next time.
Gaubdukhima gagin yakulib Mahal!
(may we meet again with the grace of Mahal!)