Hey guys, I have a surprise! I'm posting two chapters tonight! Song used; "We Are Giants" by Lindsey Stirling feat. Dia Frampton
Chapter 30
"The Square"
Torshar lifted her head when she heard a couple of women talking about a prophecy, "Has the Lord of Silver Fountains returned?" her breath caught in her throat; that's Thorin!
The Lord of Silver Fountains,
The King of carven stone,
The King beneath the Mountain,
Shall come into his own,
And the bell shall ring in gladness,
At the Mountain King's return,
But shall fail in sadness,
And the lake will shine and burn…
Her heart clenched as the prophecy rang in her head and she stood, quickly going to the bars of her cell, "Get Bard! Please! I exercise my right to speak to someone!" she screamed, making a guard walk down the hall to her cell.
"What you yelling about?"
"I exercise my right to speak to a friend." She stated calmly.
The guard thought for a moment then nodded, "Who do you wish to speak to?"
"The bargeman, Bard. I want to talk to him now!"
"Alright, alright, don't get your knickers in a twist!" he shouted then went to fetch the bargeman.
As she waited, Torshar began to pace the floor and stare out her barred window at the setting sun. Her hope was slowly dwindling as the rays of sunlight grew darker. After what seemed like an eternity, the bargeman appeared at her cell door, "Torshar?"
Turning at the sound of her name, the versifier smiled hugely and ran to take his offered hands in hers, "Bard! I'm so glad you came!"
"Why are you in a cell?!" he asked concerned, earning a shake of her head in dismissal.
"It is of no concern right now, old friend. Please, tell me that a company of Dwarves and a Hobbit are in Esgaroth somewhere." She whispered.
Bard nodded, "They were guests in my home but they have disappeared. I believe they have gone to the armory for weapons." He whispered in return.
"Bard, you have to get out of here… I have to stop Thorin before he gets to the Mountain. Please, I need your help. Otherwise, we will all perish." Torshar stated solemnly.
The dark haired bowman looked into the Dwarven woman's tearful, pleading eyes and nodded, "Stay quiet…" when she nodded; he released his hold on her hands and looked around. One guard was posted down the hall and another was posted at the entrance; Braga, the head of the guard, was in a meeting with an inn wench across town. Quickly devising a plan, Bard backed away from the cell quickly as if in disgust, "I do not even know you! Guard! Guard!" he shouted and sent a slight wink to Torshar as the one in the hallway rushed over.
"Yes, sir, what seems to be the problem?!"
"This woman has been making vulgar comments to me to get her out and she will make it worth my while."
The guard turned to address the maiden only to be knocked unconscious by a blow to the back of the head by Bard's fist. As the body slumped to the floor, the bowman quickly became the pickpocket as he stooped down and rummaged through said pockets of the knocked out guard. Upon retrieving the keys, the dark haired man freed the versifier from her imprisonment.
"Now to sneak past the one at the front." He mentioned out loud, making Torshar smirk.
"Leave him to me."
Thorin and the company were dragged from the armory by Braga and the rest of the guard to the sounds of angry and confused villagers. They were only caught because of poor Kili's bum leg causing him to fall with arms full of weapons. Finally, they stopped before the Master's house as the man himself stepped out, "What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded.
"We caught 'em stealing weapons, sire." Braga simply atated.
"Ah, enemies of the state, eh?" the fat man questioned.
"A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire." Alfrid accused.
This made Dwalin's blood boil, "Hold your tongue! You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal." He stated as he stepped forward, "This is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"
The gathered crowd murmured as the prince stepped forth, "We are the Dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland…" the villagers continued to murmur to each other in disbelief as Thorin continued, "I remember this town in the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at 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 erupted forth as Torshar pushed through the crowd and ran into the arms of the warrior prince, catching him off guard, "Torshar…?! How… How did you get here?!" he questioned as his arms encircled her waist and back.
"I will tell you later, I promise…" she whispered as she pulled away to stare into his eyes.
"Death! That is what you will bring upon us! Dragon fire and ruin… If you awaken that beast, you will destroy us all." Bard stated as he too emerged from the gathered people, carrying worried whispers with him like voices on the wind.
Yet the Dwarf-lord would not sway as he gently moved the lady minstrel to his left arm, "You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this… If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the Mountain." Excitement ignited through the villagers, "You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" screams and shouts of joy erupted around them at the promise of the king-to-be.
But the joy quickly disintegrated when Alfrid spoke up, "Why should we take you at your word? We know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"
Silence answered for a few seconds them a strong female voice spoke, "I will." And the white-haired woman turned to face the deputy and master.
The Master laughed, "I do not know how you got out of that cell but you are under arrest for jail breaking. Guards! Seize her!"
Torshar was quickly ripped from Thorin's grasp by two guards and held between them, "Now, I ask again, who else here can vouch for your character, Master Dwarf?"
Thorin looked from a saddened Torshar up to Alfrid in anger, prepared to say something until another voice called out, "Me! I'll vouch for him. I have travelled far with these Dwarves through great dangers and if Thorin Oakenshield… Gives his word then he will keep it." The voice was that of the Hobbit who had been silent like most of the company had been and caused Thorin to look at him, smile slightly, and nod his head in gratitude and respect.
"All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?! Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?! And for what purpose?" the bargeman asked as he face the prince, "The vengeful spitefulness of a power hungry man. So driven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"
The Master quickly interjected, "Now, now! We must not, any of us, be quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, who failed to kill the beast!: shock coursed through the company.
"It's true, sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot. Each one missing its mark." Alfrid stated, making the crowd murmur as Bard approached Thorin.
"You have no right! No right to enter that mountain."
The warrior whispered, "I have the only right." He then turned to face the master again, "I speak to the Mater of the Men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you… Share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?"
Pondering for a few moments, the Master responded, "I say unto to you… Welcome!" the crowd began to cheer, "Welcome! And thrice welcome, King Under the Mountain!"
Later that night, a party was thrown in the Dwarf company's honor, Lady Torshar was released of all charges and reunited with her friends. Music filled the air as food was served from the fish that Bard had brought in, dancing filled the square, laughter filtered through the chilly air, and smiles were upon everyone's faces. For a moment, the world seemed less dark.
The women kept Torshar to themselves most of the night, talking about the places she had been, the people she encountered, and her fashion sense. Though it was trivial to her, the versifier answered their questions and was courteous until a certain Dwarf approached, "Ladies, might I steal Torshar for a dance or two?" he asked with a smile; making some of the younger lasses swoon.
Torshar couldn't help but smile and take his offered hand, allowing him to pull her towards the dance floor as a new song began. Getting into position, Torshar smiled wider and whispered, "Thank you for saving me."
Thorin laughed, "You appeared to need rescuing." Then the music flourished to life and the dance began. Bilbo, Fili, Kili, Dwalin, and Ori all stood together with drinks as they watched their king and his love dance with nothing but joy on their faces.
After the dance, the Master stood up, "Lady Torshar, will you honor us with a song?" the gathered party goers began to clap and whistle, making the moon maiden blush.
"I suppose one song, for old time's sake." She giggled then went over to the minstrels to tell them what song to play.
"Do you feel like you're second hand?
Do you feel you're afraid to stand alone?
Cut away every safety net,
Live your life so you won't regret the road,
Feels like you're standing here so small,
Just a space between the stars,
Don't be afraid to risk it all,
Cause we are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are,
Raise your flag; let your voice be heard,
Put your heart into every word you say,
All your failures' a cornerstone,
Build a house with the things you've thrown away,
Just a space between the stars,
Don't be afraid to risk it all,
Cause we are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are," as the instrumental began, the lady songtress stepped away slightly and the children ran up and circled her while dancing, making her smile.
"Feels like you're standing there so small,
Just the space between the stars,
Don't be afraid to risk it all,
Cause we are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are,
We are giants, (X3)
We are, we are." The children laughed as the music ended and the audience applauded. A little girl pulled on Torshar's skirt, making the versifier stoop down to her level.
"I made this for you, Lady Torshar." She stated as she held up a crown of flowers.
"Oh, Sarah, it's beautiful! Thank you!" Sarah giggled as the young woman bowed her head and she placed the crown on her shimmering hair.
"You look like a moon fairy." She complimented as her mother came over to retrieve her, "I have to go now but I will see you again!"
As the versifier stood again, the minstrels began to play another song and Thorin approached, "Another dance, my lady?" he smiled.
"I would be honored, sir." She giggled as she was pulled into a warm embrace and lead in another dance.
"It is as if nothing exists but them, the music, and this dance." Ori mentioned to no one in particular.
"As if the Mountain has already been reclaimed and the dragon is dead." Fili continued.
"As if the world is already bright once more." Dwalin finished.
Bilbo smiled at their comments even though in the back of his mind there was a fear that this happiness would not last. He looked at the smiling Dwarf couple among Men and couldn't help but worry that the trials ahead would separate them forever.