Chapter 23
The Master and the Inn
We slipped through the docks of Laketown. Stacia was in between Thorin and me. We hid behind a building as guards passed us.
"Shh! Keep it down." Dwalin said.
"As soon as we have the weapons, we make straight for the mountain. Stacia. Stay with Fili." Thorin said. Stacia nodded as the dwarves that were staying outside made a pyramid. "Go, go, go!" Nori ran up and climbed the dwarves, going through the window. "Next." I ran and climbed them and slid through the window, landing on my feet. Bilbo, Kili, Dwalin, and Thorin join us. I grabbed swords and grabbed them. Thorin puts weapons in Kili's hands.
"You alright?" I ask, seeing Kili favoring his injured leg.
"I can manage. Let's just get out of here." Kili said. He headed for the steps. I heard weapons being dropped and saw Kili fall down the stairs. I heard yelling. I grab a sword and felt a blade of a sword press against my neck as my friends had weapons pressed against their necks as well. I gulped as I looked at the soldiers that stood in front of us. We were lead outside to see soldiers with our friends. Stacia slipped passed them and ran into my arms. I picked her up and held her close. We were all lead to the Master's house. Townspeople were around us as we were pushed. Snow was starting to fall. I saw a man peak through the door and it close.
"Get off me!" Dwalin said, shoving the soldier's hand off his shoulder. The Master came out, putting on his coat, followed by Alfrid.
"What is the meaning of this?" Master asked.
"We caught 'em stealing weapons, sire." The Captain said.
"Ah, Enemies of the state, then." Master said.
"This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there are sire." Alfrid said.
"Hold your tongue. You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal; this is Thorin, Son of Thrain, Son of Thor." Dwalin said. Thorin stepped forward as I stood next to Anna, holding Stacia. He held his head high and stood proud.
"We are the dwarves of Erebor." Thorin said. There were whispers of shock and recognition from the crowd as Thorin spoke. "We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay in harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the center of all trade in the North. I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!" Cheers rang through the crowd. Bard comes pushing forward as some of the dwarves step aside to let him through. Thorin turns to look at Bard.
"Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all." Bard said. There were whispers as Thorin glares at Bard.
"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this, if we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" Thorin said. Shouts of excitement ran through the crowd. I saw the Master smiling and nodding. I share a glance with Anna. We both knew.
"All of you! Listen to me! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm? And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain-king so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!" Bard said. Thorin and Bard stared at each other angrily. The crowd got louder. The master steps forward.
"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor who failed to kill the beast." The Master said, pointing at Bard. Thorin looks at Bard in shock.
"It's true sire. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark." Alfrid said. Bard steps up to Thorin.
"You have no right, no right to enter that mountain." Bard said.
"I have the only right." Thorin said. Thorin turned and steped onto the steps going up to the mansion. "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?" Thorin looks at the Master waiting for his answer. "What say you?" The Master smiles and points his finger at Thorin.
"I say unto you welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King Under the Mountain." The Master said. Thorin turned around, standing like a King as the crowd cheered. I saw the glance shared between Thorin and Bard.
We were lead to the inn. Anna stopped me.
"What's the plan?" Anna asked.
"I want to go with Thorin." I said.
"Then I will stay with Fili when he stays behind. Stacia should go with you. She'll be safer." Anna said. I nod.
"Sounds good." I said. I head up to Thorin's and my room while the dwarves celebrated after putting Stacia down for sleep in the next room. I sat on the bed, brushing out my hair, leaving the courting braid alone. I heard the door open and look up to see Thorin coming into the room.
"You didn't want to celebrate?" Thorin asked.
"Not a fan of parties and drinking." I said. Thorin nodded and pulled me against him.
"I missed you at my side." Thorin said.
"Sorry. Just tired." I said. Thorin kissed me and we spent a good hour making passionate love. We laid curled up underneath the blanket. Thorin trailed his fingers down my back.
"I want you to stay here with Stacia." Thorin said.
"I'm coming with and so is Stacia. We want to be at your side when you take the Mountain." I said. Thorin sighed, but nodded.
"I Knew I wouldn't be able to argue with you. Alright." Thorin said. We kissed and I fell asleep with my head on Thorin's chest.
AN: There you go. Next chapters will be going back and forth between Anna and Mariah. Hope you enjoyed.