Happy New Year my dear readers! Yeah, I know, I'm a bit late with that but whatever :D
We finally reach Laketown in this chapter and I'll tell you now that I have not gone exactly by the movie on this bit because it just seemed to fit better this way, though there is also some movie stuff in it. Well, you'll see :D
Angel of the Night Watchers: I'm glad you liked it! There will be some more DOS things as we go on because ugh, yes, it was awesome and I just really want to see where I can go with what PJ has given us :D Kili was absolutely amazing, I was really glad he got so much screen time!
Borys68: I'm really sorry for the spoilers I bring along with my story! But I had said that I would continue with a mix of book and second film as I go along and so I just hope it's not too much. And it's still different from the film, so there will still be surprises when you go and see it :D
bleeding-roses-16: Thank you so much! I hope you'll like how the story continues :D
Sam0728: Since I took the liberty of not including that particular scene in my story, Tarya won't get to meet part immediately. But she will growl at someone at some point during this chapter anyway :D
Akilah Swiftblade: I know! I felt so sorry for Kili the whole time, ugh, my poor baby! I must say I was really sceptical of the romance thingy between Kili and Tauriel at first but now I find it not so bad. She's a badass and he's just a cutie-patootie :D Although, the scene where she heals him was a bit over the top, with the whole glowing-thing and all xD
SelGoesRawr: Of course I'm evil, that's the most fun part for me :D No, but I'm really happy you liked the last chapter and about the kiss-conversation… well, let's just say I'm not as evil in the next chapter and might even let Kili and Tarya have a little moment to try and sort their shit out xD Aaaaand reading your favorite parts was very very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! The Dwalin scene for example was one of my favorites to write because I love that dwarf to pieces :D
kaia: Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I just hope that I won't spoiler you too much with the oncoming chapters until you get to see the movie!
Song-of-curlew: Weeew, and I did a little happy dance when I read your review! I'm glad you like the story and are even reading it from the beginning! Thanks for your fidelity :D
XxXLIFEafterDEATHXxX: Haha! I'm glad my story kept you busy between everyday life duties :D They reach Laketown in this chapter, though it's a bit different from the movie. But Bard is there anyway, he just comes in a bit later :D I hope you'll like it!
And thanks to DJ Sparkles, Hiding in the Shadow, Birdy21, DwarvenWarrior, jesskalynn4, ZabuzasGirl, 88XeqtionerAngel88, My Beautiful Ending, Dalonega Noquisi, peanut butter186, CalaisForever, penutt butter, madscientistproduction.01 and Quinn Michael Link for your lovely reviews! I enjoyed reading all of them! :D
Also thanks to the lovely people who followed and favorited. The numbers just keep growing and growing and I just… argh, gnugh, where do you all even come from? :D
Now go read the new chapter and leave me your thoughts when you're done because I would love to read them!
The current had started to slow down a while ago and the dwarves were now using this circumstance to get onto solid ground again before the river flowed into the Long Lake that waited before them. Kili's breathing was heavy as he steered his barrel towards the stony shore, his leg hurt awfully and the fighting against the orcs while being swept down a river had done nothing to preserve his energy, either. He was quite surprised that they had actually made it out of their escape alive if he was honest.
In addition to his physical pain, his thoughts were plagued with worry for Tarya. He hadn't seen her after she had told him to jump, not being able to spot her anywhere in or out of the water. He didn't know how good a swimmer Tarya was, and so he could only hope that she had made it to the shore after her reckless action.
Kili knew that Tarya had left the barrel because she'd known that he wouldn't have jumped with her still in it. There wouldn't have been enough space to land without hurting her and even though Kili was grateful, he was also angry with the Amarok for risking her life so carelessly. The young dwarf felt his heart twitch almost as painfully as his leg at the thought of what could have happened to her because of him.
As his barrel hit the shore, Kili scrambled out clumsily onto the rocky ground, groaning in pain as he moved his right leg where that blasted arrow had hit him. The young dwarf hobbled to a small boulder and slumped down on it, sparing a worried glance at his thigh where the head of the arrow was still buried within his flesh. The thing had broken off when he had jumped into the barrel. Kili clenched his teeth together tightly before he reached down and dug his fingers into the wound, groaning in pain as he tried to pull out the arrowhead. Bofur who was standing a few feet away shot him a concerned look and Kili quickly fell silent, forcing his voice to sound casual.
"It's nothing," he muttered to the hatted dwarf. "I'm fine."
Bofur didn't look convinced and it was only a moment later that Fili came to his side as well, shooting him a concerned look before he inspected his brother's leg worriedly. Without saying anything, the blond dwarf swatted Kili's hands away from the injury and with one swift move pulled out the arrowhead, causing Kili to cry out in pain before he clenched his teeth together tightly, a low painful groan rising from his throat.
"Sorry," Fili mumbled next to him, shooting his brother an apologetic look. Kili just nodded, breathing heavily through gritted teeth.
"We've outdistanced the orcs," Dwalin said then from further away where he was standing next to Thorin. The dwarf-king merely looked up the riverbank with a deep frown.
"Not for long," he said before his gaze wandered over the company. "We move on."
It was Fili that stopped his uncle before he could start leading them down towards the lake the river had carried them to. "We can't move on right now," the young dwarf prince said, catching his uncle's attention as he turned to look at him. "Kili is wounded. His leg needs binding. And what… what about Tarya?"
Kili's gaze shot up at the mention of the Amarok while from the rest of the company murmurs and grumbles could be heard upon Fili's question, most of the dwarves only realizing now that they were one member short.
"Where is she?" Bilbo piped up worriedly, looking around searchingly before he turned to Kili, an angry expression suddenly coming to play on his usually friendly face. "She was with you! What happened?"
Kili's eyes widened slightly upon the hobbit's accusing voice and he struggled for a reply when Fili beat him to it.
"She left the barrel to make room for Kili," the blond dwarf answered, his voice quiet as he caught Bilbo's gaze. "And then she… she was swept away by the current."
"And you just let her do that?" Ori called in disbelief, although he shrank back slightly under the warning look Fili sent him.
"There was no way to stop her. The barrels were about to be swept off and Kili would have been left behind," Fili growled, feeling guilt rush over him as he remembered the small woman disappearing down the current. "She did it for him."
"Can she swim?" Bofur asked hesitantly as agitated murmurs broke out over the whole company once more.
"She can't be a very good swimmer," Bombur provided quietly from beside him with a sad look on his chubby face. "You know… considering how long she struggled to even just walk on two legs. And… well, the current was so strong and she's…"
"… petite," Bofur provided with a sigh as his brother trailed off and Bombur just nodded silently.
"The poor thing," Dori muttered dolefully. "She's probably drowned."
"Maybe she's made it to the shore?" Ori piped up hopefully beside his older brother, his gaze wandering over every member of the company as if hoping that someone would agree with him and just pull Tarya out from behind their backs, telling him that everything was fine.
"Even if she has," Dwalin rumbled slowly, his voice low and his face set in a dark mask as he glanced up the river. "There were orcs everywhere on the banks and she was completely unarmed."
"You mean, she's…" Bilbo stammered, his eyes wide with horror and sadness. "D-dead?"
Dwalin shot the hobbit a short hard look, not quite willing to accept this possibility yet, but before the bald warrior could answer, a loud voice echoed over the stony shore.
"Shut up!" Kili almost shouted from where he was sitting, straining to keep his voice in control as anger was dripping from it. "Shut up! All of you!"
The rest of the dwarves shot him surprised looks as the young dwarf struggled to his feet, wincing slightly as he put too much weight on his injured leg. He shook off Fili's helping hand as he glared at his companions.
"Tarya is not dead!" he exclaimed angrily, not even allowing himself to think about that possibility. "And I will not sit here and listen to you lot claim that she is. Even if she is unarmed, Tarya is still strong. She doesn't need a sword to defend herself and you all know that!"
"Lad…" Balin tried to speak but Kili cut him off with a dark look.
"No," he growled, even though he wasn't truly angry with his friends. He was angry with himself because once again, her life had been put in danger and he had not been there to help her. Kili couldn't fight the sudden desperation and guilt filling his voice as he continued and his gaze flicked to the ground with deeply furrowed brows as he saw Dwalin shoot him an almost pitiful look.
"She's alive, I know it! She'll find us, she'll… she can't…" He trailed off as he felt Fili put a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezing slightly as he pushed him back down to sit on the boulder. "She can't be dead," Kili muttered so quietly that only his brother right next to him could hear.
Thorin observed his youngest nephew intently before he waved for Oin to help Kili with his injury. The dwarf-king didn't comment on the discussion about Tarya, even though he had been the only one to see the large black wolf upon the riverbank and therefore was the only one who could have settled the company's worries.
Thorin studied his nephews from afar, watching as Fili assisted Oin in binding his brother's leg. The dwarf-king didn't quite know what to think of Kili's outburst, though it was a clear sign that Tarya had become very close to him. Too close, Thorin realized as he observed his youngest nephew thoughtfully.
The dwarf-king saw Kili's mouth move as he mumbled something in his brother's direction, though he only managed to catch the elder's reply from this distance.
"I know…" Fili muttered. "I'm sure she's fine, Kee. As you said, she's strong."
Kili just sighed deeply and flinched slightly as his brother fastened the makeshift bandage around his thigh, his gaze wandering worriedly over the riverbank when he suddenly saw a large black form emerge from the bushes further up the shore.
Kili felt his heart miss a beat before it began fluttering within his chest excitedly as the gaze of the familiar black wolf fell on the company. Tarya came running towards them, her large paws carrying her over the small rocks swiftly and as the rest of the dwarves noticed her, relieved sighs and mumbles could be heard around the company before the wolf reached them.
"Tarya!" Kili felt a relieved smile tug on his lips as she rushed towards him and he laughed happily when she affectionately pressed her head against his chest once she'd reached his side. He lifted his arms and gently rubbed over the wolf's neck, leaning his head down over hers as she snuggled against him. "I swear to Mahal, next time you do something as reckless, I will have your head," he whispered into her fur and heard her grumble slightly in reply before she pulled back and panted happily at him, even slightly wagging her tail.
"You transformed," Fili muttered from beside them, looking at Tarya with raised eyebrows. He was still amazed by the fact that she could change form so easily. The wolf gave a sort of nod and Fili smiled warmly as Tarya left Kili's embrace to give him an affectionate nudge against his arm with her snout. Fili chuckled, reaching one hand out and stroking it over her back. It was the first time that Fili pet her and he was quite surprised at how silky her dark fur felt beneath his fingers. It was still a bit damp from the river, which gave the blond dwarf an idea of how fast she must have run to catch up with them so quickly. And upon noticing the dark, already slightly dried blood around her muzzle, he realized that she must have encountered quite a few orcs along the way.
"I'm glad to see you, too, namadîth," he muttered with a small smile as she rumbled friendly and saw Kili shoot him a surprised look out of the corner of his eyes, as well as Oin who was still standing next to them.
"You call her namadîth?" Kili asked and Fili just nodded silently, sending him a pointed look. Both brothers looked at Tarya as she tilted her head in confusion, her golden eyes looking at them questioningly. Fili slightly cleared his throat.
"It means 'little sister'," he admitted to the wolf that just looked at him for a moment, before she started panting again, almost looking as if she was smiling at him before she shortly pressed her head against the blond dwarf's arm. Fili just chuckled in reply before she suddenly turned her attention to the wound on Kili's leg. The brunet dwarf watched her as she inclined her head towards his thigh, her snout gently grazing his binding. Tarya gave an almost pitiful whine and Kili quickly reached out to run a calming hand over the back of her neck.
"'Tis but a scratch," he said, trying to convince not only her but himself that the pain that had started to spread in his leg would pass as soon as he properly rested. Tarya looked up and Kili could see that she wasn't convinced, worry evident in her golden eyes. He was sure that if she had been in her human form, she would have given him an earful.
"I'm fine," Kili assured and in reply the wolf just huffed slightly before she sat down beside him and the brunet dwarf resolved to run his fingers through her dense fur. They sat there for a moment as Oin went back to stand by his brother, watching the rest of the company as they rested for a moment, some of the older ones rubbing their sore limbs while others were wringing out their wet clothes. Kili felt exhausted but he was happy that they had made it, happy that Tarya had found her way back to them even if it was in her wolf form. Kili didn't mind her transformation at all. It didn't change anything about his feelings for her, he realized, for even though she was a wolf again now, she was still as much Tarya as she was when she was human.
Tarya kept sitting beside Kili for a while, feeling her nerves calm slightly with him near. She shot him a lingering sideways look as he stroked his hand over her neck, shortly wondering if he would be as physical with her if she were in her human form. She snuffled quietly, her gaze flicking down to his bandaged thigh. Kili was saying that he was fine, but Tarya knew better. And she knew that Kili knew it, as well, he was just too stubborn to admit that he was hurting. But Tarya could see that his face slightly contorted in pain every time he moved his leg too much and his skin was slightly paler than usual. And Tarya had an idea why. She had smelled it on his wound when she'd touched his bindings, her nose filling with a sickening scent. Kili had not been shot with an ordinary arrow, that much was clear to her, and he would need proper treatment as soon as possible.
The black wolf huffed quietly, lifting herself up from the floor before she slowly walked away from the two brothers towards the river where Ori was sitting, emptying his boots from excessive water. The dwarf sent her a happy smile when she came to stand next to him, dunking her snout into the cold water to finally get rid of the orc blood around her mouth. Tarya didn't mind the taste of blood, for she was used to it due to her long years of hunting prey. But the blood of orcs was very different from that of animals, dark and thick and with a foul taste.
"You know, I'm…" Ori murmured next to her as she pulled her now clean muzzle out of the river, shaking her head slightly to get rid of excessive water. "I'm really glad that you… uh, weren't – you know… k-killed."
Tarya turned her head to glance at the dwarf who was looking out over the river, refusing to meet her gaze. The Amarok couldn't help but smile at his clumsy statement. She slowly took a step towards him, ducking her head and comfortingly nudging his hand with her snout. Tarya saw Ori's cheeks turn slightly pink as he smiled shyly at her and she gave him a soft rumble from deep within her chest, trying to tell him that she was fine.
"We need to move on," Thorin suddenly said from behind them then and Tarya quickly turned around to see him standing amongst the group, glancing over his tired companions with a deep frown. "We only have two more days to reach the mountain and the orcs are still on our heels. It will only be a matter of time until they find us here if we linger any longer."
"We have to find a way to cross the lake if we want to reach Erebor in time of Durin's Day," Balin agreed from beside the dwarf-king. "Go to Laketown, restore our weapons and then make for the mountain."
Thorin just nodded in reply before Nori spoke up from where he was sitting on the floor a few feet away.
"What about Tarya, then?" the dwarf asked, looking at the Amarok. It was only then that she noticed his dishevelled state. His reddish brown hair that was usually done up in an intricate three point star hairstyle had completely fallen apart during their barrel escape, his long hair now hanging down loosely over his shoulders, only a few intricate braids left of the original style. "We can't just go strutting into Laketown with a giant wolf amongst us, can we?"
Tarya shifted uncomfortably as the dwarves' gazes fell on her. She shortly looked up at Thorin as he nodded slightly. Did they expect her to transform? Now?
"She has transformed before," Gloin said from beside Nori before his gaze met Tarya's. "By Mahal, she was still a lass just about an hour ago. Surely she can do it again?"
"No!"
Tarya's gaze shot up upon Kili's sudden outcry and she watched as his eyes shortly lingered on her before he looked at his companions, his gaze finally coming to rest on his uncle. Thorin just returned the look with one eyebrow rising in question at his nephew.
"She… she can't. She would be completely – well, she… I mean, she doesn't transform with… uh, with clothes," the young dwarf stammered and if Tarya hadn't been in her wolf form, she would have blushed furiously right about that moment as Kili's gaze fell back on her, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, well," Gloin coughed, quickly averting his gaze from her as if she were actually standing naked before them and as she turned her head, she could see that Ori's cheeks had flushed a bright red. Tarya grumbled slightly, returning her gaze to Thorin as he spoke.
"Very well," the dwarf-king muttered, his gaze coming to rest on her. "We will just have to find you some clothes in Laketown, then, so you can transform back. Until then, you behave."
Tarya grumbled indignantly upon that statement. Did he mean to tell her that she normally misbehaved? Thorin just raised an eyebrow at her and she realized that he meant her usual way of communicating her feelings by growls and grumbles. He had a point there, she had to admit, and so she just tilted her head slightly at him, twitching with her right ear. Thorin nodded at her, apparently understanding that she was agreeing to act well behaved for the time being.
Tarya trotted up to Kili's side again as the company started moving down the lake and she silently walked beside him as they made their way along the shore.
It took them less time than expected until they could see a long wooden bridge that reached far out into the lake in the distance. Tarya's eyes widened slightly as finally Laketown came into view as an outline on the water and her gaze stayed transfixed on the strange large town built on tremendous wooden pillars in the middle of the Long Lake. Tarya had never seen a town like this one and her golden eyes wandered curiously over the high roofs of the town as the sun vanished behind them. A long day was drawing to a close and yet there was no time to rest and Tarya concentrated her gaze back on the road as the company came to a halt in front of the long wooden bridge that connected Laketown with the shore.
A few guards were sat there around a fire, drinking and laughing as the dwarves stopped before them. Thorin stood at the front and Tarya was right behind him with Fili and Kili. Bilbo stood to the dwarf-king's side as he approached the guards that looked up in alarm at the sudden arrival of the foreigners.
"Who are you and what do you want?" The captain of the guards called out, drawing his sword from its sheath and pointing it at the company. Tarya couldn't supress the small growl that left her throat at the gesture, feeling Kili put a calming hand on her back to keep her from drawing the guard's attention to her.
"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain!" Tarya heard Thorin say in a loud voice in front of her and as she looked at him, she shortly thought that he really looked it despite his dishevelled hair and his dirty clothes. Thorin stood tall before the Lake-Men, proud and dignified under their scrutinizing gazes. "I wish to see the Master of your town."
The captain's eyes widened slightly before his gaze wandered from Thorin over the company of dwarves and Tarya saw his eyebrows draw together sceptically as his gaze fell on her. "And who are these?" he asked, pointing vaguely at the whole company before he returned his gaze to Thorin.
"They are my Company," Thorin replied willingly. "These are my sister-sons, Fili and Kili of the race of Durin. And Master Baggins who has travelled with us out of the West."
The captain of the guard remained sceptical and Tarya saw his gaze returning to her. She tried to look as harmless as possible, even wagging her tail slightly to make a less intimidating impression.
"What of the wolf?" the guard asked, pointing his sword at her. Tarya felt her fur stand on end at the action but refrained from growling at the man. Thorin hesitated a moment, sending a short look at her over his shoulder before he slightly cleared his throat.
"That is Tarya," he said. "She travels with us and means no harm, I assure you."
The guard still didn't look convinced and Tarya huffed quietly as he turned to look at the dwarf-king again. "If you come in peace lay down your arms," the captain ordered grimly.
"We have none," said Thorin in reply, sounding a bit more irritated than before. Maybe she was not the only one who had to refrain herself from growling, Tarya thought. "We have no need of weapons, nor could we fight against so many. Take us to your master!"
"He is at feast," the guard said incompliantly, causing Fili's patience to suddenly snap.
"Then all the more reason for taking us to him," the blond dwarf burst in impatiently and Tarya shot him a short look as he took a step forward, coming to stand beside his uncle. "We are worn and famished after our long road and we have sick comrades. My brother has been wounded and needs healing as fast as possible. Now make haste and let's have no more words, or your master will have something to say to you if you left us to our fate before the town gates when we were looking for help."
"Follow me then," the captain of the guard said after a moment of hesitation before he turned to lead the company over the long wooden bridge towards the town. Tarya felt Kili absently stroke one hand over her head as she trotted along beside him and she worriedly looked up at him when she felt how cold his skin was.
Six guards led them into and through Laketown and they passed a few Lake-men and -women as they trailed along wooden quays and wooden houses until they reached the market place. Tarya's eyes widened slightly as she noticed that there were many people already gathered there.
"Word spreads fast in this town, it seems," she heard Dwalin mutter behind her as he walked over to stand beside Thorin when the guards motioned them to wait there. Bright lights shone from a large house they had come to stand before and Tarya watched as the captain of the guard quickly walked up to the doors and entered the hall, apparently to alert the Master of the town to their presence.
Tarya looked around, hearing the people murmur and whisper amongst them as they gathered around the company.
"Can it truly be?" she heard someone whisper.
"The tales of old…"
"The king of silver fountains!"
"Great treasures of Erebor!"
"… the prophecy…"
Tarya shortly wondered what prophecy the townsmen were whispering and murmuring about when the captain of the guard reappeared, followed by a large man with thin, greasy grey hair and another smaller one with equally greasy black hair, a small moustache and a round hat on his head.
Tarya didn't like either of them, she decided as she observed both men carefully.
"What is this?" the Master called out irritated as he let his gaze wander over the commotion in the market place. "What is the meaning of this?"
"They were gadding on the town's borders, sire," one of the guards that stood near the Company said and many of the dwarfs shot him angry looks. He made it sound as if they were criminals wandering about.
"Ah!" The Master grumbled. "Intruders, eh? Enemies of the state, perhaps?"
Kili frowned slightly at that statement, exchanging a short look with Fili who was standing beside him and looking just as confused as him.
"'Tis but a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire," the short man with the greasy black hair said from where he was standing beside the Master of the town, shooting condescending glances over the dwarves. "Although not the fittest ones, I'd say. Some of them look quite sickly."
Kili felt the man's gaze rest heavily on him and he unconsciously pushed himself up to stand a bit taller, though he could feel his whole right leg throbbing with pain.
"I'd say so, Alfrid," the Master muttered in reply.
"I wager they won't put up too much of a struggle, sire," the black-haired man continued, grinning slightly at Kili who just returned the gaze with a deep scowl, barely refraining himself from responding to the provocation. "They should be put in cells for trespassing our borders."
It was already too late when Kili noticed Tarya's fur standing on end beneath his fingertips and before he could stop her, she had taken a few steps forward, positioning herself defensively in front of him. Kili heard alarmed gasps from all around him as the large black wolf fixated her gaze on the Master's advisor, fangs bared as a loud dangerous snarl erupted from deep within her chest.
Alfrid stumbled a step back almost out of reflex, his eyes widening as he became aware of the wolf's presence. The guards immediately drew their swords all around them, alarmed to the wolf's aggressive behaviour.
"Kili!" The young dwarf's head swivelled around upon the sharp whisper to see Thorin shooting him a pointed look and Kili immediately took a step towards his wolfish friend.
"Tarya!" he muttered quietly, sure that she heard him as one of her ears moved in his direction, though she didn't leave the man in front of her out of her sight. He repeated her name once more, looking around nervously between her and the guard's swords, and finally, she turned her head to look at him. Kili slightly raised one hand in a calming manner. "Step back."
The wolf's growl became a bit lower but she didn't budge, her gaze flicking back to the man with the greasy black hair who was watching the scene with wide eyes.
"No!" Kili emphasized, catching a short glance from Alfrid over Tarya's head. This was not going well. The man had completely stiffened in his place, as had the Master of the town beside him, and didn't dare to make a move. Kili understood that, for it really looked like Tarya would tear him apart as soon as he would move a muscle.
"Tarya," Kili whispered urgently, trying to get through to her. She was just trying to defend him, or rather the whole company, he knew, but she had to stop or else the guards would not hesitate to slay her. He could see her stance relax slightly as she slowly took a step backwards. Kili nodded in relief. "It's all right. Come back here."
As the black wolf finally turned away from the two men in front of them and returned to Kili's side, sitting down with an indignant huff that only the brunet dwarf could hear, agitation grew once more over the market place.
"You said the wolf was tame!" One of the guards barked towards Thorin, his sword still pointing at Tarya who now just sat still amongst the chaos.
"I never said she was tame," Thorin replied in a slight huff, not sure whether he was more annoyed by Tarya or the Lake-men. "I said that she means no harm and I stand by that. Tarya is loyal, however, and she doesn't take insults lightly."
"Insults!" the black-haired man called out indignantly over the market place, catching the people's attention. "They bring an abhorrent beast into our town and claim have the right to be insulted! Traitors they are!"
"Hold your tongue!" Dwalin suddenly called over Alfrid's rabble-rousing, his voice booming over the market place loudly and effectively silencing him.
"You do not know to whom you speak!" the bald dwarf growled, stepping forward and reaching one arm out to point behind him where Thorin was standing. Even the Master himself was now looking at him in a mixture of confusion and curiosity, wondering whether what the captain of the guard had told him was actually true. "This is no common criminal! This is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"
The Master's eyes grew wide as Thorin emerged from the group of dwarves, putting one hand on Dwalin's shoulder to silence his friend. "We are the dwarves of Erebor," the dwarf-king spoke slowly but loud enough for everyone in the market place to hear. "We have come to reclaim our homeland!"
Thorin took a few steps forward until he was standing right before the steps to the Master's hall, looking up at him sternly. "We are no criminals, nor are we enemies of your town," Thorin spoke as he turned to look around the market place. "I remember this town from the great days of old. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the centre of all trade in the North!"
Agreeing murmurs erupted from the people around them and Kili looked around as his uncle spoke, seeing men and women nodding fiercely at Thorin's words, listening to his rumbling voice with fascination. "I would see those days return. I'd relight the forges of the dwarves and send riches once more flowing from the halls of Erebor!"
"Death!" Another voice suddenly echoed loudly over the place and everyone quickly turned their heads to see a tall man with dark hair make his way through the crowd, his gaze sternly set on the dwarf-king as he stepped up to him. "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragonfire and ruin!"
Kili watched the man silently, feeling Tarya shift slightly beside him as she moved, seemingly to get a better look at him. The young dwarf shortly looked down at her but the wolf's gaze was set on the dark-haired man as he continued.
"If you waken that beast, it will destroy us all."
Thorin just shot the stranger a hard look before he turned to the townsfolk again, raising his voice over the quiet disturbed murmurs once more. "You can listen to this naysayer," he exclaimed. "But I promise you this. If we succeed, all will share in the worth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"
Balin smiled proudly at Thorin's words as cheers erupted over the crowd but the stranger called over the cries of joy once more, his voice loud and powerful. "Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?"
Kili frowned slightly upon his words as he thought about it. The Lake-Man was not completely wrong, he knew. He'd heard the tales of Erebor's fall, of the destruction of Dale ever since he had been little, and truly, he understood the man's fear. But he also knew that they could not leave Erebor to the dragon any longer, not now that they had come so far and were so close to reaching their goal.
"And for what?" the Lake-Man called, returning his gaze to Thorin. "The blind ambition of a mountain-king, so riven by greed, he cannot see beyond his own desire!"
Something in Tarya stirred at the man's words and her gaze flicked to Thorin who was sending his opponent a hard glare as the dwarves growled and grumbled around her, offended by the blunt statement. Tarya had never truly thought about what effect the riches beneath Erebor might have on the dwarves, or on Thorin himself. She had heard before that dwarves were supposed to be greedy and selfish, rough and arrogant, but she couldn't agree with that. The Amarok had come to know her companions very well during the last months and she knew that they were good and honest people.
She had heard some stories during their travels, though, and she remembered them now. Stories about the fall of Erebor and about Thorin's grandfather who had been a victim of his own greed, riven by what her companions had called the dragon sickness. The gold had changed him, they had said, and Tarya couldn't help but wonder whether Thorin would be affected as well. Whether the prospect of reaching the riches of the mountain was making him forget what was at stake if they woke the dragon.
"Now, now!" The Master suddenly spoke over the angry outcries of the dwarves, ripping Tarya out of her trail of thoughts as he moved his hands up to calm the noise of the crowd.
"We should not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, my dear Bard," he called, pointing his finger at the tall man before him, "who failed to kill the beast!"
Tarya sat still as the townsmen erupted in agreeing murmurs and cries around her at the Master's mocking words. She kept her gaze fixed on the tall man, she now knew was called Bard. The Amarok couldn't quite shake his words from her mind, thinking about what the dwarves – and she for that matter – were willing to risk in order to enter the Lonely Mountain. They didn't know in what state Smaug was and neither did they know what would happen if they woke him.
"It's true, sire," the Master's advisor spoke, drawing the Amarok's attention back to him. "We all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot. Each one missing its mark."
She couldn't help the small growl leaving her throat as she witnessed how condescending the Master and his advisor spoke to Bard. The Master had said not to lay blame and yet he openly blamed Bard for something that his ancestor had done – or rather failed to do. Her growl shortly caught Bard's attention. His gaze fell on her and his brows drew together as she looked at him from beside Kili before his eyes widened ever so slightly.
Tarya suddenly felt a strange sympathy for Bard. She would have liked to see the Master and his little advisor during the attack of a fire-breathing dragon, seeing whether they could have done better than the Lord of Dale. Truly, the Amarok just felt the urge to knock the smug expressions off their bigmouthed, hypocritical faces.
Her gaze shot back to Bard as he stepped up to Thorin, murmuring to him through the loud voices of the crowd. Tarya perked her ears up to hear what was being said.
"You have no right to enter that mountain," Bard spoke, voice urgent and low as he looked down at the dwarf-king. Tarya's eyes flicked to Thorin once more when he answered, a sudden strange feeling filling her stomach.
"I have the only right," Thorin almost breathed in reply before he turned to the Master of Laketown, his voice rising again. "I speak to the Master of the Men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people?"
Tarya slowly stood up as she saw a sudden smile creeping up on the Master's lips, wondering once more what this prophecy entailed. She was about to step forward when she felt a strong hand on her neck as Kili held her back. "Don't," he whispered above her and Tarya grumbled quietly, quite unhappy with being treated like a tame dog.
"What do you say?" Thorin asked expectantly and Tarya watched Bard's eyes close in defeat upon the Master's next words.
"I say unto you… welcome!"