Bard allowed them onto his barge and it wasn't long till nightfall came. The air was full of mist and it was cold.
"Watch out!" Bofur shouted and Bard steered the barge around a large rock.
"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Thorin asked gruffly.
"I was born and bred on these waters Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here"
"Oh I've had enough of this lippy Lakeman" Dwalin said. "I say we throw him over the side and be done with it"
"His name is Bard" Bilbo said.
"I don't care what he calls himself, I don't like him" Dwalin said.
"We do not have to like him; we simply have to pay him. Come on now lads turn out your pockets" Balin said.
Solaris had been silent since they got onto the barge but now she stepped forward and placed a small handful of orange jewels onto the box where the coins were. She also placed a silver chain.
"My Lady, that is far too much!" Balin said.
"I think we'd better pay him all we have, don't you" she said.
They observed that her jacket now had threads and tiny holes where she had cut the jewels from it. She went back over to her quiet spot and sat down. One of the dwarves started to complain about something but soon stopped as the mountain became clear through the miss.
"The money, quick give it to me" Bard said jumping forward.
"We will pay you when we get our provisions but not before" Thorin said.
"If you value your freedom you'll do as I say" Bard said. "There are guards ahead"
Bard threw a long cloak at Solaris. "But this on and pull up the hood, you I can get away with in plain sight. The dwarves need to get into the barrels"
"Not again" Gloin said.
"Do it" Thorin said and they all disappeared one by one.
"Stay here" Bard told Solaris and he left the barge docked while he went and spoke to another man. She could hear the dwarves muttering and she kicked the closet barrel to her to get them to shut up. She watched as a large funnel was hovered over the barrels and tones of fish were poured into them. Jumping back onto the barge Bard smiled at Solaris. "Finally some piece" he said going to the steering. "Now, tell me how you came to be travelling with dwarves"
Solaris told him as little as she could about what they were doing but she was truthful as to why she was with them and about how she was helping them on their quest.
"I take it that the old dwarf is not your guardian?" he asked and Solaris shook her head.
"My Father is Lord Elrond of Rivendell" she said and he studied her.
"But these dwarves mean much to you?"
"Yes they do" she nodded.
"That tall one certainly has feelings for you" he said and Solaris frowned at him. As far as she could remember Thorin had not so much as spoken to her since they'd been in Bard's company and she couldn't remember much when she'd been trying to break them out. She remembered being hit in the back by a spell and Thorin putting his arms through the bars to try and protect her but that was about it. "I can tell because of the way he looks at you" Bard continued "I used to look at my wife the same way"
Solaris didn't say anything but drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders.
"We are approaching the toll gate" Bard said "Stay quiet My Lady and I'll do the talking"
"Halt, goods inspection. Papers please!" a voice called out. "Oh its you Bard"
"Good morning Percy" Bard greeted.
"Anything to declare?"
"Nothing, but I am cold and tired and ready for home" Bard said jumping onto the dock and handing over a piece of paper.
"You and me both" the man said taking he paper into an office. "There we are, all in order"
"Not so fast" another man with dark hair said taking the paper. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only, they're not empty are they Bard? If I recall correctly you're licensed as a bargeman. Not, a fisherman" he said picking up a fish.
"That's none of your business" Bard said.
"Wrong, it's the Master's business which makes it my business"
"Oh come on Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat" Bard said.
"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side" Alfrid said.
"You heard him, into the canal"
Solaris stepped back as men came onto the barge. "Here Alfrid, he's got a stowaway" one of the men said looking at Solaris.
"Well well" Alfrid said jumping onto the barge and sauntering over to Solaris. "Who's this Bard?"
"An Elf I found on the boarders of Mirkwood, she was in need, so I helped her"
"In more ways than one I bet" Alfred said looking at Solaris with hungry eyes. "I will need to take her to search her" Alfrid said.
"You will not be taking her anywhere" Bard said stepping in-between the two. "I have already searched her and she carries nothing"
Alfrid studied his face. "She is under my protection" Bard said. "Folk in this town are struggling, times are hard, food is scarce" Bard said looking at the other men as they picked up a barrel between them.
"That's not my problem" Alfrid said.
"And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back in the lake, when the rioting starts, will it be your problem then?"
"Stop" Alfrid said lifting his hand. "Ever the people's champion, eh bard? Protector of the common folk. You might have their favour now bargeman but it won't last. As for you" he said turning to Solaris "This isn't the last you've seen of me"
Solaris gave him a steely glare and didn't move till the gate was opened and the barge was moving again.
"That was a close one" she whispered to Bard "Thank you"
"I will not have him threatening young girls" Bards said "Even though you are probably older than me"
"That I am" she smiled.
"The Master has his eye on you, you'd do well to remember. We know where you live" Alfrid said to Bard as they floated past.
"It's a small town Alfrid, everyone knows where everyone lives"
Once they were through the gate and in a quiet area of town Bard and Solaris tipped the barrels over.
"Get your hands of me" Dwalin said as Bard was about to push his barrel over. He then walked over to the only man on the dock and paid him some sliver coins. "You didn't see them, they were never here. The fish you can have for nothing. Follow me" Bard said leading them along a walkway.
"How is your leg?" Solaris asked Kili.
"Its fine" he said but she could hear the pain in his voice.
"Da!" a young voice called and a boy who looked like a younger version of Bard came running forwards. "Our house is being watched"
Bard, the boy and Solaris made their way to the front of Bard's house. Bard whistled and threw something down to two men on the boat. "You can tell the Master I'm done for the day" he said closing the door.
"Da, where have you been?" a little girl said running over and wrapping her arms around Bard.
"Father, there you are. I was worried" an older girl said coming forward. He handed the girl a bag which she took from him.
"Bain, get them in" he told the boy who disappeared down some stairs. "Girls this is Solaris" Bard said. Solaris nodded to the two girls "Thank you for your hospitality" she said and the girls nodded slowly.
"Da, why are there Dwarves coming out of our toilet?" the oldest girl asked and Solaris bit her lip as the dwarves came one by one up the stairs soaking wet. "Have a nice wash" she asked Dwalin.
"Do not speak" he warned her.
"Sigrid, take Lady Solaris and find her some clothes. Bain, get something for the dwarves" Bard said.
Anything 'The Hobbit' or 'The Lord of the Rings' related belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and Tauriel belongs to Peter Jackson.