Well my lovelies we are almost there .The Mountainis nearly in sight. Lot's of exciting things ahead. Dont give up o them now the best is yet to come.

Disclaimer I don't own any of The Hobbit character's. They belong to Tolkein I only own my O/Cs.

In no am I a professional writer. So for th grasmmerand spelling mistakes My deepest apoligies.

Respectfully Durinsdaughter2469

Chapter 31

Bard the Bowman

The boat moved silently through the water as the dwarves anticipated their first glimps of The Lonely Mountain . Balin and Thorin were at the railing watching the ice already forming on the water. It was cold for late September and Thorin pulled his arms tighter to himself holding in what warmpth he could. His countenance was somber as his thoughts were focused on Philicia. Balin came up beside him at that moment "Aye ,tis chilly upon the lake so early in the season." Balin said making an effort to lighten Thorins unhappy mood."Thorin she will be alright Thranduil would not dare harm her and risk your wrath." Balin patted him on the shoulder encouraging him to keep his hopes up. "Should she come to any harm I will personally remove his head from his immortal body." Thorin said anger and worry in his tone. He looked around the barge at the company as his thoughts now focused on the task ahead to reclaim the mountain and slay a dragon. "Watch out!" Bofur called out. The fog on the lake was thick for the late afternoon making visability practically non existant. Thorin looked up at that moment as a large rock stuck out of the water. "What are you trying to do drown us?" Thorin spat at the bardgeman."I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you I would not do it here." The man replied. "Oh I have had enough of this lippy lakeman. I say we throw him over the side and be done with him." Dwalin huffed his stare focused on the bardgeman. "Ohh, Bard ,his name is Bard." Bilbo cut in clearly annoyed with Dwalins comment. "How do you know?" Bofur asked. "Ah I asked him." Bilbo said . "I don't care what he calls himself he rubbes me the wrong way." Dwalin snorted his temper getting shorter by the minute. "We don't have to like him,we simply have to pay him. Come on now , lads turn out your pockets." Balin said staring the company down as they all stood up and flipped their pockets inside out handing the gold and silver coins the elves had not confiscated to Balin. "There's um, just a problem, we're ten coins short." Balin said. Thorin let out a sigh crossing his arms. "Come on Gloin,give us what you have." Thorin commanded.. "Don't, look at me. I have been bled dry by this venture! And what have I got to show for my investment? Not but misery and grief and-" Suddenly all the dwarves stood up there mouths falling open as the mist and clouds parted and The Lonely Mountain came into view on the horizon. Thorin so bad wished Philicia was there to share that monent with him . Balin guessing his kings thoughts said , "Not to worry laddie she will be there when we open the door and she will be by your side when you take that first step into Erebor."Balin gave a soft pat on thorins shoulder . "I know however that does not make me miss her any less right now". "Bless my beard. Take all of it." Gloin said handing the bag of of coins to Balin. Bilbo coughed as the company turned to see Bard coming towards us. "We will not reach the gates till morning I suggest you all get some sleep for the night." There were grumbles within the company as they hunkered down for the night . Bard passed out what blankets and food he had stored on the bargde and they ate in silence . "You should try and eat something Thorin." Balin suggested. He had not left Thorins side since they stepped abord the boat. "I am not hungry." He gruffly replied waving the offered food away. "I could not eat if I tried I highly doubt it would stay in my stomach." Thorin wrapped the offered blanket around his shoulders knowing it was going to be a very long night. Bard returned to the tiller as he carefully manuevered the long boat through the mirky water. Thorin was lost, the pain of having to leave the woman he had grown to love more than anything behind nagged at him constantly. He hung his head as silent tears formed in his eye's. I wonder what she is doing? Does she miss me or has the Elven King already poisoned her mind against me. Thorins thoughts were all scrambled up as his eyelids drooped and he finally took some much needed sleep.

The morning sun hit everyone in the face as it shined it's ray's of warmpth upon the boat slowly moving toward the guard gates. Suddenly Bard turned around and came up to Thorin and Balin. "The money quick, give it to me!" Bard said. "We'll pay you when we get our provisions, but not before." Thorin growled at the Bardgeman "If you value your freedom you'll do as I say. There are guards up ahead." Bard warned them. They could see the rooftops of Laketown in the distance shining in the morning sun. "Are we almost there uncle?" Kili asked as he raised his arms above his head stretching the kinks out of his back. His leg was throbbing something aweful but he witheld that from Thorin not wanting to add even more to his heavy burdon. "Get into the barrels." Bard ordered. "I have a plan but you must do exactly as I say." He added. So without any further argument the dwarves and Bilbo climbed into the barrels. Bard brought the barge up to the gate and jumped off as he began speaking to one of the guards. "What's he doing?" Bofur asked. He's talking to somebody." Bombur answered. Bard pointed to the barrels and then shook the man's hand. Ori described the scene to Thorin."What"? Thorin snapped."That villian, he's selling us out." Dwalin said. Suddenly dead fish was dumped into the barrels over the company's heads hiding them from the guard's. Bard jumped back on the boat as it slowly started moving again. The dwarves and Bilbo were openly complaining about the stench and then Bard wispered to them."Shh be quiet we are approaching the toll gate." The bardge stopped as a squeaky voice was heard." Halt! Goods inspection. Papers please. Oh ,it's you Bard." The gatekeeper said. "Morning Percy. I am cold and tired and ready for home".Bard said handing him his papers. Percy went inside to stamp them them came back out with a frown on his face. "Here we are ,all in order." Percy said holding out the papers. "Not so fast ." Alfred sneered snatching the papers from Percy's hand."Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland realm,only there not empty ,are they ,Bard?" Alfred tossed the papers into the wind as guards from Laketown came up beside him. The dwarves were holding their breath waiting to be discovered any moment. "If I recall correctly, your licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman." Alfred picked up one of the fish and held it up to Bard exposing the eye of Bombur. The dwarf prayed to Mahal that he would not be caught. "That's none of your business "Bard said to the smirky man. "Wrong, It's the Masters business, which makes it my business". Alfred mouthed back. "Oh come on Alfred have a heart. People need to eat". Bard argued. "These fish are illegial." Alfred said tossing the fish into the water."Empty the barrels over the side ". That was it it was all over Thorin thought as he felt his barrel tip slightly. "Folk in this town are struggeling. Times are hard. Food is scarse" Bard said. "That's not my problem ." Alfred retorted. "And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back into the lake, when the rioting start's, will it be your problem then?' Bard asked. Bard and alfred stared at eachother for a minute then suddenly he raised his hand."Stop"he hollered at the guard's. They put the barrels back on the boat. 'Ever the peoples champion, eh, Bar? Protector of the common folk? You might have their favor now bardgeman, but it won't last." Alfred smirked. "Raise the gate" Percy hollered. The ate was raised and Bard began steering his boat through."The Master has his eye on you, you'd do well to remember. We know where you live." Alfred called to Bard as he passed through. 'It's a small town Alfred, everyone knows where everyone lives." Bard called back paddeling the boat up to the dock. They had made it to Laketown now all they had to do is remain undiscovered.

Philicia had been awaken at dawn by a soft knock on her door. "It's open." She called. Tauriel walked in her room with a bundle of clothing in her hand. "What do you know of the dwarf called Kili"? She asked her voice breaking. "Kili is an amazing person he likes to joke around but when he gives his heart it's forever. Dwarves only love once in their lifetime and he thinks the world of you." Tauriel turned her tear streaked eye's to Philicia." Yes,I suppose so but what would a prince of the Durin line see in a lowely sylvan elf like me." She let the tears fall freely . "Tauriel Kili is an amazing dwarf and It shouldn't matter weather someone is an elf ,a dwarf a human or even a hobbit. What should matter is what your heart tells you. You know when we were in Rivendell I had a good talk with Lady Galaderial." Tauriel quickly wiped her eye's and looked at Philicia."And , what did she have to tell you?" Tauriel knew Galaderial was one of the oldest elves in all Arda and was capable of great magic. "She told me I was brought here because of the great love I have for Thorin Oakenshield. Me , a human girl and I have captured the heart of a King, A Dwarven King can you imagine that!" Tauriel said no more and then handed the clothes to Philicia. "You will need them for traveling." In the pile of clothes were a pair of breeches a long sleeved shirt and an outer tunic as well as a pair of brown boots and a thick traveling cloak. "Thank you Tauriel , I will accept the cloak however I would prefer to wear my own clothes from my bag I have several items to choose from." "Very well then I will let you get changed. be ready to leave within the hour." Philicia thanked Tauriel and then bent down and grabbed her black bag and tossed it on the bed. She chose a pair of dark skinny jeans and a tee shirt with a sweater to go with it for extra warmpth. "Dress in layers Philicia" she said aloud. After getting her shampoo and conditioner and body wash she took a quick bath braiding her hair to keep it out of her face. She applied a bit of light make up spritced herself with perfume put her diamond stud earrings in her ears and waited for the elf to return for her. It had been two days since Thorin and the dwarves had escaped and she had not seen him but once in the last three weeks. Her heart ached with longing to wrap him within her arms and pour her love out on him. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Philicia pulled it open and instead of Tauriel it was Legolas. "Lady Philicia I am here to escort you to Laketown"The Elven Prince said. "I thought Tauriel was coming for me?" Philicia asked. "She has already left we will catch up to her soon tho, come we must make haste." The prince practically drug her out the door. "Can you ride a horse Lady Philicia"? Legolas asked her."I have ridden before, how hard can it be." She said as they made their way out of the wooden fortress. At the gate there were two horses saddled and ready to go. Provisions had been packed and were tied behind the saddles. A space had been left for Philicias bag and Legolas tied it behind the saddle," Please make sure that doesn't fall off . I have thing's in there you can't get here." Legolas checked the bag and pulled the tie down straps tighter for extra security and then they were off. They had been riding for about an hour when Philicia finally broke the silence." There is going to be a battle once Thorin retakes the mountain you know." Philicia mouthed eying the Elven Prince. "There will never be a King Under theMountain anymore"Legolas shot back. "Don't be so sure of that. Look I know things are not so peachy between the elves and the dwarves right now but the time will come when all must work together for the greater good." Legolas thought about her words before answering back "You speak as if you know what will happen once they awaken the dragon?" " Maybe I do . She said to him. "So you are gifted with foreknowledge." Legolas smirked at the human woman . "Something like that." Philicia said smiling at the prince. "Come we must not tarry to long Taurie is not that far ahead of us." They kicked their horses and took off at a gallop along the trail. They came to the waters edge and it was a blood bath. There was blood stained on the rocks and Legolas knew the lake was just over the next line of trees. Legolas took Philicias bag down and hoisted it upon his back. "Come Lady Philicia this way." She followed him till they came to the waters edge. There in the rocks was Tauried she turned and aimed her bow at Legolas and they exchanged a few words in. "You cannot hunt thirty orcs on your own Tauriel." Legolas told her. "But I'm not on my own."She smiled at him. Legolas turned to Philicia ." I will see that you have safe passiage across the lake and then I must return to to my fathers kingdom." Legolas said a few words in elvash to Tauriel and then he went ahead to find someone to take her across the lake. "Tauriel you have to come to Laketown as soon as possible Kili has been poisoned by a morgal shaft and you must help him." Philicia pleaded with the captain of the guard. "I will come as quickly as I can let us just hope I will be in time." Tauriels voice broke."You will be." Philicia said. Just then Legolas returned. "I have found you passiage across the lake you must cover yourself with this cloak tho. I would not want any harm to befall the beloved of Thorin Oakenshield." Legolas placed the heavy cloak over her shoulders and then all three of them walked to the waters edge. There was a kindly old man with what looked like his grandson with him. "Welcome Lady My name is Larson and this is my grandson Sam. Have no worries we will see you safely to the home of your family." Philicia looked at Legolas then to Tauriel hugging them both she stepped onto the boat."We should reach Laketown by this evening if we make hast now Lady Philicia." The man told her as he pushed off. So for the next six hours Philicia watched the water. slept and made small talk with the the man and his grandson. Toward the evening the roof tops of Laketown came into view In the distance. Philicia saw The Lonely Mountain. "Erebor"she wispered her heart lurching in her insides. "Aye it once was a mighty Dwarven Kingdom till the dragon came now it is only despair and ruin." Legolas said sadly. Do you think the dwarves will ever return?" She fished around for information. "Aye ,there is Durin's prophecy but that is only a legend." He answered. "About ?" Philicia asked. "Well the prophecy is the one day the Lord Of Silver Fountain will return." Philicia wanted so bad to tell them she already knew but she kept her thoughts to herself. "They approached the guards and Larson pulled his boat up to the dock. "Evening Larson, Sam "anything to declair?" Percy asked."Aye, just a weary traveler kind sir's." He said. "And who is this person?" Just then Philicia came up to them "I am, kind sir's." She softly spoke. "And what may I ask is your business in Laketown?" I am on my way to see my family and I was thrown from my horse and ended up in Mirkwood until I was healed and then they arranged passiage across the lake with these two gentelmen" Percy and Alfred believed Philicias story and allowed them to pass.