New chapter, yayay! :D

And I'm sorry for letting you think I killed Bofur, but I just had to do it :D But I love him too much to kill him off, you know that now xD

Akilah Swiftblade: *ducks* I know, I'm really sorry I did that to you… but i just couldn't resist. I'm a mean person :D I hope you're happy now that Bofur is resurrected xD

DGfleetfox: I didn't know the miniseries you mentioned but I googled it and I agree it's fitting very well :)

Hiding in the Shadow: I know, I'm a big old meanie. Sorry for that :D And don't worry too much for what I have planned for the rest of the story… or well, maybe worry a bit :P

Also thanks to JackieJr, ZabuzasGirl, AryaNimera, DJ Sparkles, Ithilya, Miriel Tolkien, ladymoonscar, Daybreak96, Veyrona, BlackBaccaraRose, jesskalynn4, heehee, Dean Winchester's Play Thing, Kuramalover86, Rae01, huntressofartemis101, Midnight Cold Dragon, Sam0728, iheartardis, kaia, Jayjay329, fanocheb, Guest, kittyrawrrawr and Dalonega Noquisi for your numerous and awesome reviews! I enjoyed reading them all!

And thanks for the follows and favorites!

Now here you go with the new chapter, I promise no one dies or gets resurrected this time xD

Tarya couldn't believe her own eyes as she looked at the figure standing before her. And she wasn't the only one. Slowly and disbelievingly, she pulled away from Kili's embrace that had loosened with his own surprise, her wide eyes never leaving the one that had interrupted their mourning.

There before them was standing none other than Bofur. And he was looking back at them with slightly raised eyebrows as if he didn't quite understand why they were all staring at him like they had seen a ghost. His hair and beard were hanging down wet from his head, dried blood stuck where a nasty gash ran down the left side of his face, and one of his sleeves was practically singed off, revealing a rather bad burn that spread almost over his whole left arm.

No one said anything as Tarya gripped the toymaker's hat firmer in her hands and slowly stood up, her legs trembling slightly underneath her. Bofur shot her a small smile as she carefully stepped closer to him and it was only when the Amarok was standing right before him that she regained her voice.

"Bofur?" she asked hesitantly, it being the first thing that came to her head as her mind had still not quite caught up with the fact that her friend was standing before her, alive and well.

"The one and only," the dwarf nodded and Tarya felt an uncomfortable lump build in her throat as she shortly pressed her lips together while Bofur just looked at her quietly.

"But how…? I – I have seen you vanish in the firestorm…" her voice was nothing more than a quiet murmur, trembling as the horrible scene repeated itself in her mind's eye. "It swallowed you and I couldn't… couldn't reach you."

Bofur put a hand on her shoulder, shooting her a kind smile, though the action seemed to pain him a little. "It takes more than a petty little dragon to kill me, lass." He shortly glanced down at his injured arm, grimacing a little. "Though he did get me alright, can't deny that."

Tarya couldn't help the disbelieving but happy smile that was starting to spread on her lips as she listened to Bofur talk. He was truly here, making jokes and talking as if the whole affair had not been so bad at all. The dwarf pointed at his head. "Landed in a little boat under the bridge and banged me head right on the edge. Nasty stuff. But one could argue it's still better than being a pile of ash."

He winked slightly after that and gave Tarya a content nod as if to conclude his story before he suddenly stumbled backwards as she practically threw herself at him and she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him as tightly as she could. It took Bofur a moment until he wrapped his good arm around the Amarok's waist and squeezed her gently, patting her back comfortingly as she cried into his shoulder. He slowly pushed her back a little after a while, smiling warmly at her as she sniffled and quickly wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"I thought you were dead," Tarya said, her words almost coming out as a relieved laugh as her emotions swirled around within her like a whirlwind while a few more tears escaped her eyes and tumbled down her cheeks.

"We all did," Fili spoke from behind them and both Bofur and Tarya turned their heads to look at their companions who all stood there, staring at them with different expressions on their faces. Though the most common ones were undoubtedly disbelief and happiness. A broad smile broke across Fili's face and Tarya could watch the same happen with Kili and Oin before they came over and one after another hugged Bofur heartily. It took a few moments until they had all more or less adapted to the situation and Oin was already looking at Bofur's arm with a concerned expression on his face when Tarya stepped closer again. The others shot her questioning looks as she stepped up right before Bofur, though their expressions quickly turned to smiles as Tarya lifted her arms and put the hat that she had been holding until now on Bofur's head, where it belonged. The dwarf grinned happily at her as he tugged the damp fur hat into the right position and Tarya couldn't help a small snicker as a few drops fell from the brim right onto his nose.

They had done it. Smaug was dead and they had all miraculously come out of the dragon's attack alive, Tarya thought, her face breaking into a smile as she stepped away from Bofur as Oin examined him and closer to Kili. The brunet dwarf returned her smile and wrapped his arms around her immediately when she arrived next to him and Tarya just let herself snuggle into his embrace as she brought her arms around his middle. She shortly closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his shoulder as he hugged her a bit tighter to him. His breath brushed hot against her skin in the cold air when he pressed a small kiss to her forehead before he buried his face in her hair. Tarya sighed quietly.

Their moment was cut short though as suddenly loud voices rang over to them and Tarya slightly lifted her head from Kili's shoulder, though the dwarf didn't let go of her yet, as they all looked over at where the voices were coming from.

A good distance away stood the people of Laketown, gathered in mournful crowds on the shores, shivering in the cold wind just like them. Tarya could hear them complaining loudly, some of their anger even directed towards the Master who – Tarya only realized now – was standing on the edge of the crowd. The Amarok frowned slightly and pulled out of Kili's embrace as Sigrid and Bain came to stand next to them, looking in the direction of the Master and his ever-loyal advisor as well.

"He was one of the first to flee the town," Sigrid said, anger clear in her voice. "He might have a good head for business – especially his own. But he is useless when something serious happens! He just left the town and his people behind even as some were still willing to defend it."

Tarya just nodded quietly upon her words before she shot her companions short looks, and motioned her head tiredly towards the crowd. The others just nodded in reply and Bard went ahead, his children following quickly. Fili, Kili, Oin, Bofur and Tarya followed them in a little group, too tired to talk while Arkin calmly trotted along next to them. It didn't take long after they had stepped out of the shadows and amongst the crowd that someone noticed them and immediately cries rang out as the people recognized Bard.

"Bard is not lost!" Someone called and immediately the people gathered around him and his children, praising his courage, naming him the dragon-slayer and singing his praises. "King Bard!" they called over the shore and Tarya could only watch with raised eyebrows, though not unhappy as she and the others kept rather in the background. But her mood quickly sank as another voice rang over the crowd and she recognized the Master stepping towards Bard. Tarya searched for his ever-loyal advisor for a moment, realizing that he was not here.

"Now, now!" the Master called, waving his hands slightly to silence the crowd. "Girion was lord of Dale, not king of Esgaroth! In Laketown we have always elected masters from among the old and wise, and have not endured the rule of mere fighting men. Let 'King Bard' go back to his own kingdom – Dale is now freed by his valour, and nothing hinders his return. And any that wish can go with him, if they prefer the cold stones under the shadow of the Mountain to the green shores of the lake. The wise will stay here and hope to rebuild our town, and enjoy again in time its peace and riches."

Tarya slightly raised her eyebrows and exchanged a few short looks with her friends as new shouts erupted from the crowd.

"We will have King Bard!" the people replied to the Master and Tarya could see his face grow grim as he shortly glanced at the Bowman. "We have had enough of the old men and the money-counters! Up the Bowman and down with the moneybags!"

Finally the people were starting to realize what kind of man their Master was, Tarya thought, feeling a small smile grow on her face as she watched the Master's indignant expression. It was then that his gaze suddenly found her in the crowd and his expression changed as he looked at her and her friends. Tarya felt the hairs on her neck stand on end at the way he looked at them.

"I am the last one to undervalue Bard the Bowman!" the Master spoke loudly, silencing the crowd once more and Tarya heard the dwarves huff quietly around her.

"He's the one that would have let him burn in a prison cell," Bofur growled lowly behind Tarya's right shoulder and the Amarok's face hardened as she listened to the Master's next words.

"He has tonight earned an eminent place in the roll of the benefactors of our town; and he is no doubt worthy of many imperishable songs," the Master spoke and Kili drew his brows together as his voice suddenly got a different tone as he spoke loud and clear. "But why, O people? Why do I get all your blame? For what fault am I to be deposed?"

The Master's gaze found their little group again and Kili could feel Tarya stiffen beside him as he continued. "Who aroused the dragon from his slumber, I might ask? Who obtained of us rich gifts and ample help, and led us to believe that old songs could come true? Who played on our soft hearts and our pleasant fancies? What sort of gold have they sent down the river to reward us of our generosity? Dragon-fire and ruin! Let us not forget that it is them," he spoke, pointing an accusing finger towards the four dwarfs and one Amarok who were standing amongst them, "who are –"

"Shut your mouth!"

Kili flinched slightly as Tarya's loud voice rang over the crowd, effectively silencing the murmurs of the people and interrupting the Master in his rabble-rousing. Kili watched warily as the Amarok took a step forward and towards the Master, her hands clenched to fists and trembling slightly, and Kili knew that she was trying to control her temper.

"Rich gifts and ample help, you say? Where was your help when one of us was dying from an orc wound? Where were you when Bard the Bowman – the person you now praise so highly – was thrown into the cells by your guards upon your command? He would have burned with Laketown had it not been for us! We stayed and we fought for your people and your town while you abandoned it with the first opportunity you got!"

Kili shortly glanced at his brother who just crossed his arms over his chest as he let his gaze wander over the crowd that had erupted in agitated quiet murmurs again, apparently having no intention to interfere. Kili however felt quite uneasy with Tarya having a go like this at the Master, though she was right with what she said, of course. But she was angry, and she never quite thought things through when she was angry. She usually tended to act rash and rather recklessly.

The Master seemed taken aback by her accusations for a moment, aware that her words – that were true at that – left him appearing in a rather bad light. But he quickly set his face in a grim expression, glaring at the dark-haired woman. Kili unconsciously made a step forward closer to Tarya as the Master advanced her slowly.

"Accusations and ingratitude, that is all you have to offer us!" The old man pointed his finger at Tarya who just narrowed her eyes at him warningly, though he didn't seem to notice that sign. Kili did. "Who are you to question me, girl? To throw these awful accusations my way? Did your friend not heal? And as for Bard – I had enough reason to have him put in prison for his traitorous and rebellious ways against the town. I am sure everyone here remembers that! But he has proven himself tonight, and I am very pleased that he has!"

Tarya growled lowly at the Master's treacherous words as the man took another step towards her and Kili saw her fists clench tightly as she apparently tried to fight her anger against the man. "But what does a lowly skin-changer know of those things? You know nothing, girl!"

It was then that another growl erupted from Tarya's throat, deeper this time and less human. The Master took a surprised step back as she took one forward, and the crowd gasped around them as everyone saw her eyes gleam with golden fire. Kili sighed quietly in defeat.

"I know greed," the Amarok growled, her voice getting louder with every word she said. "I know selfishness. And I see both of it in you. You lack all honour! You do not care for your town, nor for other people, not even your own, and you certainly don't care for Bard. The only thing you care for is wealth! We played on your soft hearts and pleasant fancies? You could have stopped our company from going to the mountain at any time, from waking the dragon. You knew the risks and could have said no to all of our claims! But you were so bent on the treasure of the dwarves that you were more than willing to take the risk!"

Silence hung over the crowd as Tarya's words sunk in and everyone was just staring at her. It was a few moments before the Master narrowed his eyes at her, taking a step closer. "What are you?" he asked lowly, ignoring her words completely as his gaze rested heavily on her, though it wandered over the rest of them when Tarya didn't answer. And then the Master's eyes suddenly widened as he became aware of the large grey wolf that stood beside the dwarves, quiet and powerful, and it was then that he finally realized what he had before his eyes. His gaze flicked back to Tarya, a new light now suddenly shining within them.

"Amaroks," he whispered in shock and amazement. And when the man's hand twitched slightly in Tarya's direction as if to grab her arm, Kili decided that he'd had enough.

"You lay a hand on her and it will be the last time you have hands," he growled dangerously, stepping up to the greasy-haired man and the Amarok, half shielding her with his shoulder as the Master took a small step back. Kili held his gaze darkly and clenched his fists in quiet rage as he raised his eyebrows almost challengingly.

"Offering threats now, dwarf, are we?" the Master spoke, his voice reminding Kili oddly of a snake's hiss, though he took another step back as the brunet slightly moved towards him. The Master raised his voice again then, regarding Kili with a dark look. "Hostile race they are, undoubtedly. Vicious, even. Maybe your friends even stirred the dragon up against us deliberately!"

Kili's jaw twitched at the man's words as he clenched his teeth together angrily. How dare he throw insults like that at them? Glaring at the Master, he refrained from actually reacting to his words, knowing that whatever he said or did would be turned around against him by this man. But nevertheless, Kili would have enjoyed nothing more than burying his fist in the Master's ugly, sneering face.

"Enough!" another voice called over the crowd and Bard stepped up to them, sending both Kili and Tarya a calming look. The dwarf merely huffed, shortly glancing at the Amarok who was standing next to him, her shoulder slightly brushing against his arm as she looked at the Lakeman. "It is no use to waste words and wrath. This is no time for angry words or making new foes. There is much work to do. We need to take care of the sick and the wounded, and build camps. There will be enough time to think of everything else later."

And upon his words, the people slowly started to disperse and the Master followed reluctantly, though not without sending both Tarya and Kili a dark look that wandered over the rest of the small company before he turned and went away with a scowl. Bard watched him go before he turned around to them.

"I will call for aid from the Woodland Realm. We will need all the help we can get to care for everyone." He hesitated a moment, sending them all short glances. "After a while I may rethink the Master's words and go north to Dale with any that will follow me. There lies treasure in that mountain – maybe unguarded now – and part of that belonged to the people of Dale. We could use it to rebuild the city and let its golden bells ring again."

For a moment they all stayed silent, processing Bard's words. It was Fili that finally spoke up, looking at the tall man seriously but in understanding.

"I understand that you need to take care of your people and that you wish to rebuild Dale. It's a noble goal. But we cannot stay here with you," Bard nodded slightly at the blonde's words as Fili continued. "We need to go and find our companions. There might still be hope for them. And if not…" Fili didn't want to finish that thought. Bard just nodded again.

"You might want to have a good night's sleep before you go," he said just as the first ray of a morning sun rose over the lake and they all turned towards it, blinking against the light. "Well… or a good morning's sleep."

Fili exchanged glances with all his companions, silently searching for their opinions before he turned back to Bard, shaking his head. "No, the sooner we leave the better."

"Very well," Bard replied with a sigh. "But we can give you at least some healing supplies so you can take care of your friend's injuries."

Bofur nodded gratefully, as did the rest of them and they waited together as Bard went to retrieve the items. Once they were standing alone by the shore, the sun rising on the horizon, Kili sighed deeply. It seemed strange that after a night of horrors like they had lived, another day could rise with the sun beaming as friendly as it ever had. Looking out over the lake, he could see Smaug's corpse deep down beneath the water surface and a little shudder ran down his spine before his gaze wandered to where Erebor was looming over the lands in the distance. He wondered what had become of Thorin and the others, his family and friends. Kili couldn't stand the thought of them being dead, but deep inside he knew that the chance they hadn't perished first in the dragon's fire before he had come down on Esgaroth was very slim.

Tarya silently grabbed Kili's hand as she noticed him staring thoughtfully at the mountain's peek and she squeezed comfortingly as his fingers intertwined with hers and he slowly brought his gaze to her.

"Do you think they're alive?" the brunet asked quietly into the small group, earning a few grim looks and sighs.

"They have to be," Fili muttered, his gaze set on the floor as he spoke, before he brought it up to look at his brother. Kili nodded and Tarya did the same. She certainly hoped that her friends were still alive. And as long as she didn't have proof, she wouldn't believe otherwise.

It was a while until Bard came back, one bag in each hand. Tarya shortly caught his gaze and he shot her a small smile as he came to a halt next to them. "I have put together some food and supplies for you. It's not much but it should last until you reach the mountain."

"Thank you," Kili said as he took one of the bags while Fili took the other. There was a rather awkward silence hanging over them for a moment before Bard spoke again, his voice serious and quiet.

"Thank you," he said. "For everything you have done. For my children and myself."

The dwarves just nodded, accepting his gratitude and quickly saying their goodbyes. They would see Bard again, no doubt, but now they had their own things to take care of. Tarya had no doubt that Bard would take good care of the people of Laketown and she stepped towards him as the others had already moved a few feet away. Bard looked down at her questioningly as she came to a halt before him.

"If ever you or your family need help," Tarya spoke lowly, looking the man in the eyes. "I will be forever at your service."

"Is this an Amarok offering her friendship to a simple fisherman of the lake?" Bard asked, though Tarya could see the hints of a smile twitching in the corners of his mouth.

"You are more than just a fisherman, Bard," Tarya said, raising her eyebrows at the man.

"And you are more than just an Amarok, Tarya," Bard replied, the smile now coming to play openly on his lips as he looked down at her. Tarya smiled back. "I would be honoured to call you my friend."

The Amarok inclined her head at him, shooting him a broad smile before she moved away to join her friends. She hesitated shortly before she arrived next to them, catching sight of Arkin who was sitting a few metres away, looking at her out of dark golden eyes. Tarya shortly glanced at the others, catching Kili's gaze as he slightly raised his eyebrows at her.

"One minute," she muttered and Kili nodded at her before she turned and walked up to the large grey wolf that was her father. Arkin grumbled lightly when she stopped before him. Tarya shortly held his gaze, studying the expression in his dark eyes carefully. "You are not coming with us, are you?"

'No,' Arkin rumbled in reply, holding her gaze as she nodded. Tarya couldn't quite help the slight disappointment that she felt. She had come to quite like her own father and it seemed a pity to part again now. 'The dwarves are your people, Tarya, not mine. I will re-join king Thranduil when he arrives here.'

"I understand," Tarya said, though she still didn't like the elven king. But she now understood the kind of friendship Arkin had built with him, for she had built a similar one with Bard. Arkin made small sound that sounded a bit like a chuckle.

'Don't tell me you're going to miss me,' the wolf rumbled and Tarya could hear the affectionate grin in her father's voice. 'You have enough dwarves to keep you company. That Kili certainly is quite devoted.'

Tarya rolled her eyes slightly, though she couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her lips. Arkin shortly leaned his head forward and brushed his nose against her hand.

'I wish you good luck,' he spoke and Tarya returned his gesture, shortly brushing her hand over the wolf's head before she took a step back. She shot her father a last smile.

"Until next we meet," Tarya smiled and Arkin made a small noise in reply, saying goodbye as she turned around and quickly caught up with her friends. Kili took her hand as she arrived next to them while the others shot her questioning looks.

"You ready, lass?" Oin asked, stepping away from Bofur whose arm had been taken care of while Tarya had said her goodbyes. The Amarok nodded, turning her gaze to the mountain as she squeezed Kili's hand slightly.

"Let's go," she said, earning nods from her companions before they set out, starting their long way towards Erebor.