Chapter 3 - Losing faith

Lake Town burned that night and for three days until the flames were extinguished. Those who could, traveled to the shores of Esgaroth by boat. Myself included. It was morning and I was standing safely on shore, watching with impotence the smoke that rose from the houses far in the lake. All around me was the lament of people that lost it all in that fire, each camping with what little they had left. The view was heartbreaking. I could not avoid thinking this is how Thorin must have felt when he lost his home to that dragon that now lays dead nearby, by Bard's doing. I turned around to join my companions in their camping area.

Bard's youngest daughter Tilda was scared crying in the arms of her big sister Sigrid, who tried to comfort her. The dwarves were all gathered close to them, keeping the girls company. Everybody was covered with soot from fire smoke, but no physical harm came to them. Tauriel, the elf maid, sat by Kili, holding hands with him and making sure he was alright. I smirked slightly to know I was no longer the only non dwarf romantically involved with a Durin son and it gave me hope. However, my brief smile erased when I thought of Thorin. What became of him? Did he survive? Although my logic stated that those who left with Thorin probably were all dead, considering the dragon attacked Lake Town, a small part of me held hope. The human side of me became selfish for a moment...

"He promised he would return for me, he promised. And he keeps his word..." The more I thought of it, the bigger my pain was. I sought solitude from the rest to let out my tears.

A hand laid on my shoulder comfortingly. I turned around and saw Bard, bow in hand and drenched. There was worry in his eyes. His son Bain joined him closely, equally drenched and tired. Bard towered over me, for I was only 5'1 in height.
"Wyenne, where are the others? Have you seen my daughters?" He asked. I nodded, pointing behind me.
"Your daughters are fine. They are camping with us. Follow me." I said, leading the way to them.

Soon as the girls saw their father, they ran to him, embracing him tight and crying.
"Da! You are alive! You made it!" they said in unison.
The lovely family reunion made me smile, a sad smile as I longed to have news of my lover, whatever his fate was so I could either celebrate his return or accept his passing and move on. Uncertainty was killing me softly. How much longer until I could know for sure? My sorrowful thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a commotion before me...

"This is all their fault!"
"Those dwarves brought a curse to us!"
"Same thing happened to Dale!"
"Bard was right all along!"
"There they are!"
"Let's make them pay for our loss!"
"AYE!"

A riot was gathering around our lot, they began to tug at Bofur. That's when Tauriel rose from the ground to stop them.
"That's enough! No one is to blame, it was bound to happen according to the prophecy. They are as much in disgrace as the rest of us!" She signaled to me with her eyes, and I understood.

While Tauriel kept them entertained with powerful words, the rest of us moved away from the crowd. I tapped twice on Oin's shoulder, beckoning him to follow me. Kili became stubborn when least needed, "I'm not going anywhere without her!" He said.
"Kili, don't be such a fool, she is an elf. She will be fine! She is making time for us to leave, please take my word on this. Now come!" I insisted.
Fili understood my words, pulling his stubborn brother from the angry masses. All of us took advantage of the distraction to scurry away.

Once out of the growing turmoil, we ran looking around for a boat, for it was the only way to leave before it was too late. Right then, I heard a familiar voice screaming mine and the other dwarves names at the distance, it was Dwalin.

I smiled widely, "Over here!" I yelled, waving my hand. He met with all of us.
"Bless my beard Wyenne, you are all safe!" He said.
"Did you come alone?" asked Bofur out of breath from all the running.
"No, I came to keep Thorin company." said Dwalin.
"He is alive!" I said with a wide smile, "where is he?"
"At the other extreme, looking for you" responded Dwalin.
"Oh no, how long has he been gone?" I said.
"Not too long, we just arrived. Why?" said Dwalin
"Please get him before the angry masses do, they want us dead. They blame us for the burning of Lake Town. I will explain later"

Fili reached the rest of us, struggling with his limping brother, who insisted in returning for Tauriel...

"We have to get out of here, quick!" said Fili.
"Right, our boat is not far. All of you keep moving east. I'll bring Thorin!" said Dwalin before departing. We all did as told, moving east until we found the boat.
"Let go of me! TAURIEL?!" yelled Kili, struggling against his brother's grip.
"Kili, stop all this nonsense at once and forever!" said Fili to his irrational brother.
"We cannot leave her here! They will harm her!" said Kili deeply anguished.

I seized him by the arms, looking directly into his brown eyes, "Listen to me, boy; it is our heads they want, not hers! You will not be any good to her if you are dead. She knows we are headed to Erebor. I give you my word that she will find us. I promise you that."

I loosened my grip from his arms. Kili glared at me, clenching his teeth and pressing his lips as tears of anger rolled down his face. He wanted to tell me so many offensive words, but he refrained heavily. I could see the impotence tension building in his overall expression. Finally he lowered his head with resignation. At that moment, Dwalin returned with Thorin, both running hurriedly to the boat. My heart skipped for a moment as soon as my eyes saw him.

"To the boat! All of you! NOW!" yelled Thorin with authority.

We jumped into the boat, while Thorin and Dwalin pushed it into the lake with all the adrenaline rush that the approaching riot caused them. Once the boat was floating, they both jumped into the lake to get in. The water was chilling cold. All of us helped pull them into the boat. The escape was successful. After the worse had passed and we were safe, Thorin embraced me tight against his chest. I cried, corresponding his embrace.

"Bless my beard, Wyenne. I feared it would be too late..." He said.
"I thought I lost you! By the Valars, I am glad you are alive!" I responded.
"I promised you I would return, didn't I?" He said, holding me tight against him.
"That you did, thank you!" I responded.

He crushed his lips against mine in a deep kiss, thankful for my safety. Dwalin cleared his throat and the two of us composed. Kili's sight, on the other hand, was lost on shore where he last saw Tauriel.