My computer has been a bit mad at me. Please review
o0o
Tauriel looked up at the Jackdaw's flag as the crew and the dwarves prepared to sail. The flag was a sheet of black with a gleaming white skull surrounded by a strange triangular shape. Tauriel walked up onto the deck of the ship and looked around. The weapons that brought down Smaug lined the sides of the ship, they were large iron cylinders placed on small wooden carts. They were chained to the sides and all of them had several tools next to them that were lined up in an orderly fashion. Tauriel turned around and almost ran into a crew member who was carrying a barrel. He turned and saw her and instantly backed away. He walked off and mumbled something about shooting someone's head.
"Tauriel." A voice called.
Tauriel looked up towards the rear of the ship and saw Kenway standing at the wheel and Kili's head showing just above the railing as he called her. Tauriel began moving through the bustling crew towards the helm.
"Kenway, what is the meaning of the flag you fly?" She asked.
Kenway turned away from one of the crew. "It's the Black Flag lass. It tells the other ships we meet on the sea that we are pirates."
"Captain!" Adewale bellowed. "We are ready to sail." Adewale walked up onto the helm and stood next to Edward.
"Give me half sail!" Edward shouted. Instantly black sails dropped down and the Jackdaw glided off across the lake.
"Captain, we had to make and take supplies that are needed to move the cannons." Adewale informed.
"It will probably take several trips to bring in all the cannons." Edward replied.
"Dale is just over the hill. It is crumbling but there are buildings still standing." Fili cut in.
Bofur was on the deck, walking around. He stood by the mast looking at the helm. He moved to the side and bumped into a crate. He turned and looked at it and started to move away. He backed into a crew member.
"Move you!" He said as he passed.
Bofur moved back and almost bumped into another one. He gave up and jumped up onto the crate that sat next to the mast. He felt something brush his hat. He looked up and saw a hook hanging just above his head. He grabbed it and looked at it. Then a crew member walked by and discreetly tripped a lever on the box.
Bofur was all of the sudden launched upward with great speed.
"AHHHHHH!" He screamed. Then the hook came to a stop and flopped him up onto the platform. He laid there trying to process what just happened when Oin, Fili, Kili and most of the crew burst out laughing.
"Back to work!" Adewale barked.
"Bofur you need some help?" Fili said between snorts of laughter.
"Bofur!" Edward called.
"Y-yeah?" Bofur called back.
"There's another hook on the other side of the pole. Just grabbed onto it and jump off the platform."
"No, no, no, no, no" Bofur said.
"Ade." Edward said.
Adewale leapt over the railing with surprising deftness. He jumped up onto the crate and grabbed the hook as he tripped the lever. He shot up onto the platform and picked up a still shocked Bofur. He walked over to the other hook and grabbed and jumped off. Bofur let out another yell as they descended. Adewale dropped Bofur and walked back up to the helm. The dwarves were still laughing at the whole predicament when the Jackdaw neared the lake shore.
"Should we beach?" Adewale asked.
"Nay, load the guns onto the boats." Edward replied.
The dwarves, Tauriel and Edward were on the first boat that went ashore. Adewale and the crew followed after they unhooked the cannons that Edward needed. The little party beached and instantly made off towards the mountain. Oin had drawn a crude map for Adewale and the crew to use.
The company travelled for quite some time until the sun began to set. They all reached an overlook or Dale. They stood in shock of the scene before them. The city was destroyed, most of the gates had collapsed and the towers had been torn to pieces. The entire city laid beneath a layer of ash.
"My god." Edward said.
"Come on, let's get to the mountain." Kili urged.
They all turned and carried on towards the mountain. As the sun began to disappear the company reached the gate. It did not look good. The gate was a pile of stones and there was no sign of the rest of the company.
The dwarves broke into a run and were followed slowly by Edward and Tauriel.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Edward asked.
"What do you mean?" Tauriel asked as she looked at him quizzically.
"Thorin hates elves." Edward pointed out.
The little party had reached a labyrinth of stairs and walkways. The dwarves had started calling out names of the company when Bilbo came running.
"Wait! Wait!" He said.
The dwarves were happy to see him but they were cut off from greetings.
"You have to leave right now." Bilbo whispered.
"But we only just got here." Bofur said in confusion.
"Shh, its Thorin he won't eat he won't sleep he's been down there for days. It's this place I think it's affecting him." Bilbo ranted. He then looked up and noticed Tauriel. "Oh no, no and no. You can't be here even if Thorin was in his right mind."
"Where is Thorin?" Edward interrupted.
"Gold. Gold beyond measure. Beyond grief." A voice echoed from beneath them. The dwarves were already looking over the edge down at a gleaming light. Edward recognized the voice and silently gestured for Tauriel to stay back.
Then Fili caught a flying object which turned out to be a massive ruby. Edward looked over the edge and saw the largest amount of gold that he had seen in his entire life.
"Welcome friends and my sister's sons. To the treasure hoard of Thror." Thorin said as his voice echoed throughout the halls.
"Bilbo where did you run off to." A voice asked from behind them. Balin walked into view and right into Tauriel.
Balin's eyes widened in surprise. "What is an elf doing here?!" He shouted.
"WHAT!" Thorin bellowed from below. He marched across the gold and up the stairs as Balin drew his sword.
"I mean you no harm." Tauriel said, trying to calm him.
Thorin reached the top and saw Tauriel.
He drew his sword and ran at the elf in an attempt to kill her. He swung his sword as Tauriel back up but when she did Balin swung, forcing her to draw her blades.
Kili ran at Thorin and grabbed his arm as he tried to swing again. Tauriel had swerved off Balin's blow and stood ready with her daggers as Balin held his sword up.
"What are you doing Kili!?" Thorin yelled as fury enflamed his eyes.
"Just listen uncle." Kili pleaded.
Thorin forced his arm away and shoved Kili back and he was caught by his brother.
"I will never have an elf in these halls!" Thorin exclaimed. He swung again but this time his sword met another blade. Thorin looked up right at Edward whose wrist blade had stopped the sword. Edward swerved the blade away and pushed Thorin back.
"How dare you?!" He yelled.
"I think it's time we both leave Tauriel." Edward said.
Balin still held his sword up towards the elf.
Instantly they both bolted in the same direction away from the dwarves.
The pair quickly vaulted up a stairway on route to the exit. Thorin and Balin quickly gave chase. Edward beckoned to Tauriel and he leapt down to a more direct walkway. Tauriel quickly followed. They landed with a roll and continued their sprint.
"You will not live to remember this Kenway!" Thorin shouted in fury. "Mark my words you will die!" His promise echoed throughout the halls of Erebor.
Edward quickly found the main gate. He and Tauriel vaulted the rubble and tore away from the great mountain.
"That went well." Edward said as they slowed to a walk.
"I should not have gone in." Tauriel replied.
"Of course, nobody listen to Kenway. There is no way he could be right." Edward stated, sarcasm dripping from his words.
"That is not what I meant." She replied.
"Not that it matters now. We are not going back in there if we wish to come back out." Edward said. They walked in silence for a few moments. A surprised look then came over Edward.
"Why the hell are you here?" He asked.
"What do you mean? We…"
"What I mean is why did you decide to tag along on this merry quest?" Edward rephrased.
"Captain!" Adewale came running up before Tauriel could answer.
"We'll talk later." Edward whispered. "What is it Ade
"The cannons and mortars are being placed all throughout the city." He said.
"Very good, but what required you to find me?" Edward inquired.
"Bard has requested your presence." Adewale said. The trio strolled into the gate of Dale and Edward quickly made his way towards a collection of men.
"You, where is Bard?" He asked a man.
"He is at the great hall." He replied.
Edward looked at him. "Do I look like I know where ever this hall is?"
"It is right behind you." The man said with a smirk.
Edward glared at him and turned around. He saw Bard talking to a man.
"Bard." Edward said as he walked up to him.
"Kenway I've been looking for you." Bard said as he turned to him and the man left.
"I was just told that you came running out of the mountain. Care to explain?" Bard asked.
"Thorin has gone mad. He went crazy on us. You never know how scary a dwarf can be until you're on the receiving end." Edward explained.
"So they survived." Bard said with surprise.
"Sire! Sire!" Alfrid piped up from the wall.
"You recruited that weasel?" Edward asked.
"More of self-appointed." Bard replied.
They walked up to the overlook.
"The braziers are li-"Alfrid stopped as soon as he saw Edward.
"Yes, we know they live." Edward said as he crossed his arms.
"Alfrid take the night watch tonight." Bard said. Alfrid opened his mouth to complain but Edward glared at him causing him to shut it.
"I guess we must wait and see what will become of us." Bard grimly stated.
o0o
Edward had gone back to watch the mountain gate that night but he noticed that the dwarves were busy with repairs on the gate. He turned back and proceeded back to Dale. When he entered the city he was met by Tauriel.
"The people are starving." She said.
"There is nothing I can do." Edward replied.
"I plan to leave for Mirkwood in the morning." She said.
"Are you crazy?! You have been banished and that princess doesn't seem to be the forgiving type." Edward exclaimed.
"He may see reason." Tauriel replied.
"Reason to shoot you." Edward countered.
"Thranduil is prideful but not heartless." Tauriel said.
"He is a king. What do you expect? He won't care. Remember what he said to you that day?" Edward asked.
"I have to try." She said. She turned and walked away.
"Stop! Right now." Edward said. Tauriel halted and turned around.
"You have no idea how any of this works do you?" He asked rhetorically.
"I have lived over six hundred years." Tauriel replied.
"In a god-awful forest of giant spiders and an even bigger prick of a king. Not much true sense of how the world works rolling around in that head of yours." Edward ranted.
"And you think that you have that knowledge?" Tauriel retorted.
"Who is the one of a slightly more criminal stature here?" Edward stated more than asked. "Six hundred years of serving that king and killing spiders has made all of you soft. Gandalf told of how elves were great warriors. I have fought hundred gun galleons with three-hundred man crews. I have seen the shore of Africa and the islands of the Caribbean. Yet you can only tell me of a lot of stupid trees."
Tauriel looked at him. "Your point, if I may ask?"
"The point is, you don't shoot someone then ask for their help, because they are either dead or enraged. This guy has been injured, he is out for blood. Your blood." Edward responded with finality.
"Enough has been spilled already. I don't want to watch these people suffer." Tauriel pleaded.
"I may have done some questionable things here and back in Havana but don't think for a moment I don't care. If you are any good with that bow. Hunt." Edward responded.
"Smaug made this land desolate after his destruction of Dale and Erebor." Tauriel stated.
"Gandalf told me the dragon hadn't been seen in sixty years. Something is around." Edward reasoned.
"Fine." Tauriel conceded.
"If you do anything but that, so help me I will shoot you out of the cannons." Edward threatened.
"You have a most generous personality." Tauriel responded.
They parted ways and Tauriel strode out of Dale.
'Why can I never remember to ask her that?' Edward thought. She was a mystery, she was very different from the rest of the elves. She came after him in revenge and is now somewhat his friend. She healed Kili even if…
Kili. That's the reason. He was struck by the arrow, Tauriel noticed.
A wicked smile spread on Edwards face. He didn't become a privateer for no reason. He did it for his love.
o0o
That morning Edward had gotten up and was working with the crew on the cannon emplacements when Bard called him.
"Edward!" Bard called.
Edward left the men and walked down the walkway.
"Bard what is…" Edward rounded the corner. "It." A battalion of elves stood in front of him and Thranduil was behind them astride an elk beside Tauriel, who was being held by two elves. The elves brought up their bows with an arrow drawn.
"Nice of you to join us Captain." Thranduil mocked.
"To what do I owe this displeasure my liege?" Edward shot back
"The displeasure is all mine. Bind him." Several elves marched forward at their king's command. Edward drew his pistols and stopped them in their tracks.
"That's right, your king can tell you all you need to know about these wonders." Edward said as he waved them back with his weapons.
"If it must come to that, you leave me no choice. Bring them." Thranduil called. A small troop of elves then came into view with two people.
Tauriel and Adewale, in chains.
"Ade!" Edward shouted.
"Drop your weapons captain." Thranduil said, drawing a curved sword. He placed it upon Tauriel's neck. "Or they die."
"Don't Kenway!" Tauriel shouted. Thranduil silenced her with a bash from his hilt. Adewale looked to Kenway and winked with a smile.
Edward looked to the rooftops of the houses, his crew were positioned among the houses. Most of them held musket rifles and were aiming down into the courtyard. Several others held elven captives, bound and gagged.
Edward had yet to lower his pistols. Thranduil, still unaware of what was happening, began to slide his repositioned sword. He began to draw blood from his once trusted captain. Edward carefully made his adjustments.
"Now!" Edward shouted as he shot the blade from Thranduil's hand. Bard backed away hurriedly. Thranduil's elk shrieked as its leg was hit by the shrapnel of the colliding metal. The pirates on the rooftops then rose from their positions. Edward leapt over the squad of elves positioned against him he landed behind them with a roll.
Edward transitioned to his feet as Adewale and Tauriel fought off their guards and he leapt and tackled the elven king from his panicking mount. Edward brought him up, a pistol to his head.
"How is that shoulder?" Edward asked as he tightened his grip to stress the kings healing shoulder. Thranduil barely made a sound.
"Drop your weapons or he dies. You kill me, they will finish all of you off." Edward declared.
The elves slowly lowered their swords and bows to the ground. Bard was standing off to the side, speechless.
"So if you would be so kind as to let us be, that would be wonderful."
"I have come to reclaim something of mine." Thranduil said. "The white gems of Lasgalen were taken by the dwarves years before."
"How unfortunate, since you didn't want to ask, I am afraid you will return empty handed." Edward replied. Thranduil said nothing.
"Will you comply?" Edward asked.
"Let us have a civilized discussion." Bard intervened.
"Why do you care?" Thranduil replied.
"Hey, who's holding the gun to your head? Shut it." Edward snapped.
"Fine." Thranduil said.
"Come to the great hall. Don't kill each other please." Bard ordered.
Edward tentatively released Thranduil. The king stood straight up and marched to the great hall without a look to Kenway.
o0o
The three leaders sat down at a table in the great hall. Silence filled the room as Edward and Thranduil exchanged deadly stares.
"Alright, Lord Thranduil, my people were in trouble, attacked by Smaug. Our town was burned to the ground leaving us homeless and penniless. Captain Kenway not only slew the dragon but also provided us with relief supplies. He has our gratitude. Why this conflict." Bard questioned.
"Elrosan, Orodam, Anciel, Fornime, Halrodan, Celebornan. Six of my warriors. Fallen by the blade of Captain Kenway." Thranduil recited.
"How can this be resolved?" Bard asked.
"Kenway's execution." Thranduil replied.
"That is out of the question. We must come to an agreement. Captain Kenway has the support of Esgaroth and Erebor." Bard stated.
"Both of which are reduced to rubble by Smaug." Thranduil pointed out.
"Lord Thranduil I will see no more blood spilled over these lands the dragon took enough from us. Let us work with what we have. If you wish to help, fine but if not, leave." Bard said with finality.
Thranduil's features softened somewhat. He reclined a little back into his chair.
"I will make peace on a few terms." He conceded.
"Name them." Edward said with a hint of relief.
"I must receive the White Gems of Lasgalen, if you do not procure them then I will take them.
"That is all? You would go to war over a handful of gems?" Bard asked.
"I'd do it." Edward said.
"The heirlooms of my people are not easily forgotten." Thranduil said.
"Let me speak with Thorin." Bard said.
"You would try to reason with a dwarf?" Thranduil asked.
"Let me talk to him. My people also have a claim on that mountain." Bard said.
"Fine." Thranduil consented.
"I'll go with you." Edward said.
"That is settled." Bard said. He turned back to the elven king. "Any other terms?"
"Tauriel is to be taken into my custody." Edward was on his feet within seconds. His chair went screeching back.
"Never." He said with a deadly steel in his voice.
"Kenway." Bard scolded. "Take what you can get."
"She is not to be harmed." Edward demanded.
"Why?" Thranduil said with a cynical smile. "Love?"
"Not mine, but someone else will have my head should any harm come to her. Give me your word." Edward demanded.
"Fine, no harm shall come to her."
o0o
Edward had worked out the details of arrangements with Bard and Thranduil. After the negotiating finished. Tauriel was placed in the cells and work went on for the repairs of Dale. Edward and Bard put things in order and then made with haste to the mountain.
Edward and Bard rode together towards the imperious fortress. The dark green dwarven giants standing guard. Their carved stone axes ready for battle.
'They certainly have pride' Edward thought.
"Hail Thorin." Bard called as they noticed the dwarves on the battlements. The horses came to a stop as Thorin answered.
"What do you want?" Thorin said.
"Thorin, Thranduil is ready to attack this mountain and you cannot hope to defend it alone." Edward said.
"We wish that you would only give us our promised share and the elven gems." Bard informed.
"I will not treat with you while an armed host is on my doorstep." Thorin countered.
"That army is going to kill you all and take the gems and gold by force." Edward said.
"We will defend this mountain to the last dwarf." Thorin said.
"I wouldn't say that even with my crew of forty at my back thirteen dwarves and a hobbit are no match for an army of elves." Edward pointed out.
"You have not yet seen the strength of dwarves." Thorin haughtily declared.
"And you have not seen the strength of elves and men." Bard retorted.
"You will get nothing! Let the arrows fly!" Thorin yelled.
"Aye, why don't we start now?" Edward said as he pointed a pistol at Thorin. All the others ducked as Thorin drew a bow on Edward.
"I had started to trust you. Now you associate with elves and…" Thorin was cut off by Edward.
"Fighting elves."
"AND a company of ragged men." Thorin said angrily. A pistols shot caused everyone to jump. But a raven fell dead next to Edward's horse.
"How dare you!?" Gloin shouted.
"Bard, we're done." Edward turned his horse around and started back to Dale. Bard didn't argue and followed.
"Nothing." Edward said as he passed Thranduil at the gate.
"Fine, we attack at dawn. Will you join us?" Thranduil asked.
"I'm more likely to shoot you first." Edward said.
"Why do you fight for the dwarves?" Thranduil asked.
"Because they have more honor than you." Edward shot back.
o0o
Tauriel sat in her cell, pondering the recent events.
'Why did I do that? I had the trust of Thranduil and the responsibility of the entire kingdom and I threw it away.'
Her mind was a flurry of thoughts as she sat in her dimly lit cell. She was thinking that she faced humiliation and possibly death once this was over.
She was knocked out of her thoughts when all remaining light was taken away by a tall figure.
"What does the King want know." She asked boldly, thing it was a guard.
"He is just a Captain, and he wants you to be out of this cell." Adewale's voice answered.
Tauriel looked up at him as a crew member walked up next to him with a torch and a key ring.
"We best hurry sir." The crew member said, handing him the keys.
Adewale unlocked the cell and said: "They have locked your weapons in the locker to the right, down the hall."
"Thank you." Tauriel said as Adewale gave her another key.
"Kenway says that you should go back to the Jackdaw and wait unless you have another place to go." The crew member said.
Tauriel merely nodded and then took off at a quick pace out the door and down the hall. She found the locker and opened it to get her weapons. After she strapped them on she crept through the cells and quietly ascended the main stairs, passing unconscious elves. She reached the exit and slipped out. As soon as she came out she was grabbed by a man who blocked her mouth and pulled her away. She elbowed him in the gut but he simply spoke.
"Calm down lass." Edward said as he let go.
"You have just said something." Tauriel replied.
"I wanted it to be quick. Now what do you plan to do?" Edward asked.
"I want to see how this unfolds and how I can help." She answered.
"Well Thrud, Thran, Thru." Edward tried to say.
"Thranduil." Tauriel helped.
"Yes, he will try to find you and you won't be hard to see in this state." Edward said.
"What do you suggest?" Tauriel said.
"This." Edward unhooked the large coat he was wearing and gave it to her.
"I will get you to the area provided for me and my crew so that the elves don't snoop." He explained as Tauriel donned the large coat and put up the hood.
They walked through Dale as the city slept. They were trying to avoid attention when a voice boomed out.
"Edward my boy!" Gandalf said with glee.
Edward immediately froze. He faced Gandalf who was walking towards him and quickly waved. He turned back to Tauriel and said. "Keep going on this road and go right at the end and follow the road to the houses. Give them this." Edward handed her a small note.
Tauriel nodded and simply walked off so as not to arouse Gandalf suspicions.
"Who was that?" Gandalf asked.
"He needed to see one of my crew." Edward explained.
"Your crew hmm." Gandalf said as a rather annoyed look crossed his face. "Except for that Adewale they are all rather unsavory folk."
"So far I'd rather deal with all of them drunk than Thorin." Edward said, changing the subject.
"Thorin is apparently going that way. He will surrender I'm sure." Gandalf replied.
"No he won't." A voice said. They turned around and saw Bilbo walking up to them. "The dwarves will fight to the death to defend their home."
"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf said in surprise.
"I see Thranduil hasn't killed you yet Edward." Bilbo said.
"Oh?" Gandalf said, facing Edward.
"I may have killed a few…"
"Six." Bilbo said.
"Of his elves." Edward said, shooting an angry glare at Bilbo.
"I need to speak with Bard and Thranduil." Bilbo said before Gandalf could say anything.
o0o
"If I am not mistaken this is the Halfling who stole the keys to my dungeon from under the nose of my guards." Thranduil said after Bilbo, Gandalf and Edward walked in.
"Yes." Bilbo muttered through his teeth as he looked away from Thranduil's steely gaze. "Sorry about that." Bilbo walked forward and reached into his coat. "I came to give you this." Bilbo placed a jewel that shined with pure brilliance.
"The Kings Jewel." Thranduil stated.
"And worth a King's ransom." Bard said as he looked at the jewel. "How is this yours to give?" He said as all eyes in the tent stared at him.
"I took it as my fourteenth share." Bilbo said.
Gandalf smiled at the hobbits confidence and genius.
"Look, I know dwarves can be rude and stubborn and pigheaded, with the worst manners you could possibly imagine. But they are also brave and kind and loyal to a fold." Bilbo said. "But I want to help them and this is how I want to do it."
"Thorin is not going to take this lightly." Edward stated. "With his madness he will probably remember how important that jewel is to him. He may just try to start killing as many as he can to get it back."
"But it may also be the best choice we have out of all out options." Bard replied.
"We will gather before the mountain in offer of a trade then." Thranduil said.
"I will not help you." Edward said.
"Neither would I ask, need, or want it." Thranduil retorted.
"Sire, Tauriel has escaped!" A guard said as he rushed in.
"Kenway!" Thranduil hissed.
"I've been here with all of you." Edward said defensively.
"Guard, organize a search for her. Kill on sight." Thranduil ordered.
o0o
This chapter was kind of fun. I hope you guys want more for this story. Please review.