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Chapter 5

The company was relieved to find their wizard standing beside Thorin as they were ushered into the Throne Room. Hari looked more imposing and powerful than they had ever seen him before though he did smile slightly when he spotted them. Thranduil was sitting on his Throne looking very unhappy, not that any of the dwarves cared as long as they were being freed.

Legolas approached the wizard and inclined his head, as a Prince it would look bad to actually bow to his old friend. He had known Hari since he was a child when the Istari had once been a regular visit to the Greenwood. He had been a marvellous story teller for the elflings' and had been the young princes' first informal sword instructor. Legolas had never known his mother and his father had always been distant so it had been easy for him to latch onto the wizard as a type of uncle. He had been very sad and lonely when the visits had become rarer and rarer until they stopped all together. But know Hari was back and in the company of thirteen dwarves. Change was in the air, but would it be for the good of the kingdom or not?

Minutes later more elves appeared with the Companies belongings as well as extra supplies to get them through the forest. The dwarves accept them warily, watching the elves closely and Hari sighed. He really wished both species would grow up and get over it. Then again it was easy to hold grudges when you were long lived and elves were all but immortal while dwarves lived for a few centuries. Hari inclined his head towards the elven king. "Peace and safety to your kingdom." He said, words backed by magic. He knew it wouldn't be enough to fix the forests problems but it would help protect the elven kingdom and they needed it, especially with the 'Necromancer' so close.

"I will personally lead you and your companions to Lake Town." Legolas stated. "The spiders are becoming bolder and the old paths are not always safe. I can lead you via the ones we frequent now."

"That would be appreciated my friend." Hari agreed, looking the group over, the hobbit was missing again but the dwarves did not seem concerned unlike last time which meant they most likely knew where he was. Hari sighed and focused all his senses, searching for some sign of him and was surprised when his ring heated slightly, registering the presence of his soul within the room but apparently he was invisible to all other magical senses. How could that be? Something very strange was going on with young Mr Baggins. He shot a glare at Thorin when the dwarf looked like he was about to say something against being escorted. They were on a tight schedule after all and the more time that could be saved the better. Hari glanced at Thranduil but the king seemed content to simply sit on his throne and glare. Hari bit back the urge to chuckle, if he didn't know better he would say he was sulking. He had never recovered from the death of his wife in childbirth, despite the best efforts of Elrond and Galadriel to save her. It had been left to Hari to bathe and wrap the newborn prince, something he hadn't done for millennia before, not since the birth of his last godchild. Thranduil had become colder and colder since then, caring little for the world outside of his forest. Despite that Legolas had thrived and been a wonderful child, Hari had worried he would try to emulate his father but the arrival of a young Tauriel had made that highly unlikely. Many believed the two to harbour romantic feelings for each other and Legolas had even admitted he loved her but Hari knew that it was not that sort of love between them. So seeing the way Kili stared at her was rather amusing.

Hari shook off his memories and gathered the Company together while Legolas called orders out to one of his guards. Soon the group was walking across the bridge and into the forest with Legolas and Tauriel accompanying them. Shortly after that Bilbo slipped into place beside Fili and Kili as if he had always been there, causing both elves to start but they said nothing when Hari shook his head. With the elves guiding them they managed the remainder of the journey quite easily and arrived at the massive lake a week ahead of schedule. Legolas quickly went about uncovering the hidden boats his people used when they wished to cross the lake and they soon had their gear stored in them. They would only take two boats, the group crossing in turns as the boats needed to be returned to their hiding places and there were only two elves to row them , Bilbo, Nori and Dori were the last across the river and it was obvious the poor Hobbit was terrified of the crossing. "It's alright Bilbo, I won't let you drown. I am an excellent swimmer, as is Legolas so if anything happened we would easily be able to help you."

Legolas laughed softly. "Do not fret Master Baggins, these boats are well built and the water calm. There has never been an accident yet." Sure enough they were soon moored beside the walkways of Laketown where the rest of the Company awaited them.

Hari easily leapt from the boat and then Legolas practically lifted Bilbo up to him while Dwalin and Bifur helped the two dwarves from the other boat. "Be wary my friend, the Council is moving to deal with Dol Guldur soon. And I fear other forces are also on the move. The armies of Mirkwood may need to march soon." Hari whispered and Legolas nodded slowly.

There had not been war for his people since he had come of age. He did not know if he was ready to command his people in war, he was not yet two thousand years old, one of the youngest elves within his father's kingdom. Actually only Tauriel was younger. Fighting a war was very different to fighting small bands of orcs and spiders within their lands. "I will see that we are prepared." The young prince promised before the two boats vanished into the mist.

Hari straightened up and turned to look at the once mighty city, reduced now to a rotting town. He could still see some of the massive posts used in the grand city. He supposed the people were lucky Esgaroth hadn't been annihilated by Smaug like Dale had been. Everywhere he looked where the clear signs of poverty and ill health. He straightened his robes and gripped his staff firmly as he moved to join Thorin and Balin at the front of the group. He spotted the approaching guards and eyed them coolly.

"Who are you?" Braga demanded, eyeing the group warily. Dwarves hadn't been seen in these parts in over a century so why now?

"I am Harissairon the Red Wizard, these are my travelling companions. We are in need of shelter and boats."

The title of wizard made Braga wary of the younger looking man, if that were true then crossing him would not be wise. Whispers said they had been delivered by elven boats so they had been at least allowed to pass through the elven realm which was good, the Master would not risk crossing the elven king. "Lodgings can be found in the inn, all else will need to be discussed with the Master." He finally stated and the wizard nodded. Braga sent one of his men ahead to inform the Master of the groups' arrival. Hopefully the man was in a good mood today and had not had any dealings the Bard or else things could end up going rather badly for all involved.

TBC...