The crowd eventually parted slowly. The few who remained were thirteen dwarfs, a Hobbit, and Bard. All eagerly watching, but knowing they had been sheltering false hope.
Thorin turned and patted Balin's shoulder. "We have our home back." "At the loss of an innocent life! Will you not grieve?" Balin asked. "I will not grieve for some measly Dragon skin-changer." Thorin growled in reply.
"Her name was Toria. And she was braver than any of you throughout this entire journey!" Bilbo retorted in anger. Thorin stared at the hobbit in absolute rage, but a glint of shame shone for a moment in his eyes.
"It doesn't matter now. We have accomplished our goal and gotten Erebor back, thanks to the girl." Dwalin interrupted, stepping in between feuding group.
Kili, who didn't listen to anything they'd been listening, was watching with cat's eyes at the arising bubbles in the water. "Uh, Fili? Oh boy." Kili stepped back carefully, staring at the lizard rising out of the lake.
He pulled back his bow, aiming for the dragon's heart. "Kili! no, wait!" Bifur stumbled over the other dwarfs, reaching out to Kili. His strain was in vain, Kili had released the arrow, turning his head in confusion.
The dragon threw it's head back in agony as the arrow penetrated it's 'impenetrable' scales.
Toria fell to the ground and Bilbo gasped. Bard leapt over to the now partially scaled girl. Toria coughed and blood welled up from her mouth, spattering the wood dock.
"We have to get her to my house. There is medicine there." Bard grumbled quickly, lifting Toria up and carrying her through the maze of boats and fishermen.
He set her on the table and set his ear against her chest. "Can you help her?" Bilbo asked. Kili stood stunned, looking down at the woman he had shot. He looked down at his hands in fear and defiance.
"I might be able to help, but we need to stop the bleeding." Bard replied, hovering his hands, trying to work out which direction to take the arrow from.
Toria blinked, Bilbo was standing right next to her, smoothing her hair out of her eyes whispering calmingly to her. "You're going to just fine, he's going to fix you, then you'll get to go home." He muttered.
"Home." Toria sighed shakily. Bilbo nodded and smiled. "Hold her down, tell her to brace herself." Bard warned, grabbing the arrow, closest to the opening. Fili, Kili, Dwalin, Bifur, and Balin grabbed hold of her arms and legs, keeping sure she didn't move.
Bard pulled up and the bloodied arrow came out, Toria jolted up in pain and screamed. More blood spilled from her wound, as well as her mouth. "Hurry! Get me that clothe!" Bard barked.
He cleaned the wound as quickly as possible and bandaged it securely.
Balin looked down at Toria, standing next to her and Bilbo. "You did good. You really saved a lot of souls out there." He said. Toria smiled faintly, glancing up at her newly found friends. A single tear rolled down from her eye and rolled down her pale, blood stained cheek. Bard stepped away and washed the blood off his hands.
"Hey, wait. She's still bleeding!" Kili objected. Bard looked up, shaking his head. "There's nothing I can do for her now, lad. All we can do is pray for her to join her kin, and say your goodbyes." He sighed.
Most of the dwarfs just silently prayed or patted her hand in farewell. Only a few muttered something to her. "You saved this town and got us our home back. I am sorry I did not trust you." Thorin admitted shamefully. Bilbo patted her hand, but did not lift it. He sat down in a chair, next to her and held her hand.
Bilbo rested his forehead on the rim of the table in grief. Thorin motioned for the dwarfs to move out of the crowded room. They went and sat on the outside wall.
Bard held his hand over Toria's eyes and closed them. "I am sorry." He whispered, turning to Bilbo, a very unresponsive Bilbo.
"We must return home. Thank you for your help, Bilbo." Thorin nodded his head to the Hobbit. The dwarfs left in silence, except for Kili. He limped over and sat with Bilbo.
"Kili, let's go." Fili grumbled. "I'll meet you there. I can get another boat." Kili explained. HIs brother nodded and slipped away with the others.
Bilbo and Kili sat and stared at the girl in front of them. She had killed her mentor, gotten shot while returning from doing so, and died a brave warrior. "It's disrespect to leave someone who died of battle wounds with their eyes open." Kili growled, glancing up at Bard.
Bard shifted his gaze in confusion and checked to see what Kili was talking about. "But, I did close her eyes." Bard corrected before seeing Toria's eyes open, filled with tears. A smile was spread across her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The End...?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/n
If you guys say so, I will make a second one. :P oh right ominousness. 'ahem.'
Will Bilbo want to go home? Will Kili shoot more majestic beasts? Did Toria live!? All these questions will be answered either if you ask or if you want a sequel. Had fun writing this story, it was a fun journey to have with you guys.
Toodles.