I have returned! MWAHAHAHA! I'm just kidding, anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 29
"Lake-Town"
"Tell me, Torshar, why do you seek to aid these Dwarves in their suicide mission to slay the dragon?" Tauriel asked as the trees began to thin out around them. The minstrel was taken aback by the sudden question from her silent companion and seemed to be at a loss for words.
This made the She-Elf smirk slightly, "Does it have to do with a certain member of your company?"
Regaining her voice, the versifier turned to face the archer, "That is none of your concern!"
"So it does! Is it the archer…?" the redhead asked with a tinge of concern in her voice.
"NO! Absolutely not! Kili is like my own nephew!"
"Then who?"
'Geez this Elf is nosey…' Torshar thought to herself as she contemplated her answer only to have Tauriel beat her to it, "Thorin Oakenshield…"
Before she could offer any answer, the pair came to a small rocky spot on the river on the outskirts of the lake that led to Esgaroth. The Dwarf looked around for any sign of her friends and family but only came across a small puddle of blood, "Oh no…" she kneeled beside it, "Kili…"
Tauriel stood on a higher rock and gazed towards the opening/mouth of the river where it joins the lake, "The Bargeman must have taken them to Lake Town…"
"That is correct and you will go no further, Tauriel." A voice stated causing the women to turn and find Calyr stepping from the shadows of the trees, "Torshar, a boat is waiting to take you into town."
"Wait, what about her?" the She-Dwarf asked, looking over her shoulder at the redhead.
Calyr smirked, "I'm sure Legolas will be happy to see her, once he catches up."
Tauriel's eyes widened slightly, "No… Torshar please let me go with you! I must know that Kili is alright!"
The versifier hesitated but slowly nodded her head, "But you will do as I say. The people know me and I do not need you ruining my reputation." With a nod from the other woman, Calyr pulled the boat onto the shore then helped the two females step in.
"The Dwarves are waiting at the bargeman's home. I recommend that Tauriel keep to the shadows… At least until Thorin is away."
"Calyr, what did you stay behind?" Torshar asked, making the Elf stop.
"Thorin asked me to stay because he wanted someone to be here to tell you the plan. Kili is… Not doing well…" the healer stated.
Now, worry began to course through her body faster, the very thought of anything happening to the young archer made her skin crawl, "Let's move, Tauriel, we don't have much time." She stated then nodded to Calyr who pushed the boat into the water.
The walls of Dol Gul Dur creaked and crumbled with each vibrating step the Dwarf took. He wondered to himself how the Orcs had not been crushed by the deteriorating structure by now. His thoughts were quickly silenced when a sinister voice spoke on the wind, "Why have you come, Harar?"
At first the once elder was taken aback by the language that addressed him but he quickly recovered when a tall pale Orc stepped into the light of the fading sun, "I have to speak with the Master."
"What business have you to consult with him?" the Orc asked.
"That's no concern of yours, Azog!"
"I would watch your tongue, Harar of Valtek." The pale Orc threatened as he raised a blade to the again Dwarf's throat, "Talk like that can get you killed. Besides, shouldn't you be rotting away in a prison?"
Scoffing, Harar removed the blade and continued to walk saying, "I will only speak to the Master." Making Azog growl in irritation.
With the sun setting low, Torshar ordered Tauriel to hide in an empty barrel as they approached Lake Town's main gate. Looking around, the versifier made mental notes of changes to the demeanor of the town, homes were in need of repair, the people were dressed in rags, no children laughed or played; it was a discerning sight to behold.
"Oi, Torshar, is that you?!" the gatekeeper asked in excitement as he approached with a lit lantern.
Plastering a smile on her face, the minstrel answered, "Yes, Percy it is I! How have you been, you old goat?!" she laughed, causing him to do the same.
"Oh, we're ok! But may I ask what you are doing here?"
"Did Bard not tell you? I'm here to perform!"
"No, I just saw Bard an hour ago and he didn't say anything…" Percy mentioned, not noticing the figures approaching behind him.
"What's this then?! Allowing people in without the proper authorization again, Percy?" the hunched over figure in black asked sarcastically as he stepped from the shadows.
Torshar was quick to answer, "Do not blame him, sir! I have arrived unannounced, my name is Torshar. Please forgive me but who are you?"
Appearing flabbergast the man responded with a slight twitch of his unibrow, "I am Alfrid, deputy mayor of this town."
Bowing respectfully. the versifier stated, "You are not the deputy I saw the last time I was here… Is there a new master?"
"He has been in charge for the past twelve winters." Percy interjected.
"Perhaps, Mr. Alfrid, you may permit me an audience with the Master, just to clear up this misunderstanding…" she stated/pleaded, hoping he would take the bait.
The unibrow creep smirked showing his rotting teeth and gestured for Percy to open the gate, "Come right in and I will escort you personally." He stated as the gate rose into the air. Torshar curtsied gratefully as they turned and walked away. She then quickly picked up the barrel Tauriel was hiding in and tossed it overboard; whispering, "Find Bard's and stick to the shadows." Then she turned to face Percy and handed him five gold coins which he took with a gracious nod.
Slowly, the boat edged into the town; not one person raising their head to see who its captain was. Alfrid and two guards stood beside the water and helped pull her to the dock. The versifier stepped out of the boat as guards tied it off and Alfrid offered her his arm in escort. Cringing internally, the versifier took the offered appendage and matched his stride as he guided her to the home of the Master.
Calyr knelt beside the river washing his face when a firm but gentle hand touched his shoulder, causing him to smile. He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder but was blindsided by a pair of warm, smooth lips crashing against his own. Gasping in surprise, the healer lost some of his balance, causing hi, to teeter, his only saving grace was the pair of arms that circled around his shoulders to keep him steady.
Slowly pulling back, caramel eyes met soft blue and a smile spread across the healer's face, "Legolas…" he whispered breathlessly.
"Calyr…" the prince responded and pulled the other man in close for a hug, which the brunette returned.
"Did Tauriel go with Torshar?" the blond asked.
"Just as planned." He answered, with a smile.
"So you're the Lady Torshar the people have spoken about?" a red haired fat, overly dressed man stated matter-of-factly .
"Yes, sir. And I take it that you are the new Master of Esgaroth?" she questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, now state your business here!"
"I came to sing for the town."
"You except me to believe that you came all this way, just to sing?" the Master laughed.
"It's the truth, sir!" she argued, hoping to convince the fat man to allow her access to the town. No such luck, instead he had the versifier arrested and thrown into prison, "You can't do this! I have done nothing wrong!"
"They may not be the best fit but they'll keep you warm" Bard stated as his daughters, sixteen year old Sigrid and eleven year old Tilda, handed out blankets and other dry clothes to the soaking wet Dwarves. Most of the men gathered near the fire but Thorin stood near a partially open window, gazing out at the town; trying to figure a way to get to the Mountain when his eyes fell upon a giant arrow catapult atop the mayor's home.
His breath caught in his throat as Bilbo approached his side with two mugs of hot tea, "You look like you've seen a ghost…" he stated as he handed a mug to the prince who took it gratefully and turned back to the window.
"He has…" Balin interjected as he walked over, "The last time we saw such a weapon, a city was on fire. It was the day the dragon came… The day that Smaug destroyed Dale. Girion, the Lord of the City, rallied his bowmen to fire upon the beast. But a dragon's hide is tough. Tougher than the strongest armor. Only a Black Arrow fired from a Dwarvish windlance could have pierced the dragon's hide. And few of those arrows were ever made. The store was running low when Girion made his last stand…"
"Had the aim of Men been true that day… Much would be different." Thorin stated after a few seconds of silence.
Bard stepped up in curiosity, "You speak as if you were there."
The prince was quick to cover, "All Dwarves know the tale."
"Then you would know that Girion hit the dragon. He loosened a scale under the left wing. One more shot and he would have killed the beast." The bowman's son, Bain, stated with great coniction.
Dwalin chuckled, "That's a fairy story, lad. Nothing more."
Now the Dwarf prince was tired of waiting as he stepped up to the bargeman, "You took our money. Where are the weapons?"
Bard hesitated for a moment then said, "Wait, here." Before disappearing downstairs.
Once their host vanished the Dwarves got together, "Tomorrow begins the last days of Autumn." Thorin stated.
"Durin's Day falls the morn after next. We must reach the Mountain before then." Balin explained.
Kili spoke the uneasy question that plagued all of their minds, "And if we do not? If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?"
Fili answered, "Then this quest has been for nothing."
Seconds later, Bard reappeared with a bundle and unwrapped it to reveal hand made weapons but not swords of iron like his guests had been expecting. The group groveled about the weapons to which the bowman responded, "You won't find better outside the city armory. All iron-forged weapons are held there under lock and key."
Balin was quick to step up, "Thorin…" this made Bard stop and listen, "Why not take his offer and go? I've made do with less. And so have you. I say we leave now."
"You're not going anywhere!" the dark haired host stated.
"What did you say?" Dwalin asked threateningly.
"There are spies watching this house and probably every dock and wharf in the town! You must wait till nightfall." He explained then walked outside as the Dwarves sat down. He paced his front stoop for a bit, thinking as to where he heard that name, "Thorin…" suddenly, as if being stung by a bee in the dark haired man stood straight and turned to gaze at the Lonely Mountain as it poked out through the fog.
Turning around he came face-to-face with Bain, "Don't let them leave." He ordered then ran down his steps.