Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 8

Bard burst into the inn, eyes searching wildly for his children. He'd seen the signs of fighting from out on the lake and had been frantic since then.

"Da!" Tilda slammed into him and Bard hugged her close. Sigrid and Bain stood and he felt utterly relieved to find that other than looking tired they appeared unharmed.

"Are you alright?" He asked and Sigrid nodded.

"We were safely in the cellar Da. Only Kili was hurt during the attack." She gently detached her younger sister from their father so that he could sit down.

"Will he be alright?" Bard wasn't sure which dwarf that was but he didn't wish death on any of them.

"Kili will recover with time Master Bard." Hari smiled and set a tray of food down. "Now eat, a night on the lake cannot have been restful."

"Thank you."

Hari left the small family and re-joined the planning dwarves. He leant back in his chair and closed his eyes as he listened, something was tugging at the edge of his senses, some sort of danger but he couldn't work it out. "Sorry, did you say something Dori?" He opened his eyes.

"I asked if you know where the secret door is Hari?"

"Only what the map says, I have only been inside the mountain once and that was before even Thror was born. I suspect much has changed since then."

"Indeed." Thorin agreed. "The door must be how my Father and Grandfather escaped the dragon though as they were not with the rest of us that day.

"Agreed." Hari sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I fear we may be running out of time. I feel a threat in the air and yet it remains hidden from me. And the Orc that shot Kili, did you see him?"

"No."

"It was Bolg, son of Azog. Which raises the question, why does the son hunt us and no longer the father? I am afraid those approaching the Hill of Sorcery may have more enemies there than anticipated."

"Will you be taking your leave then?"

"No, I promised Gandalf I would face the dragon at your side. Things would have to be dire indeed for me to go back on that."

Thorin was relieved. While he would face the beast either way it would be safer with a wizard on their side. And despite looking very young, Thorin had more faith in the Red Wizards abilities than the Grey's.

Fili gripped his brothers hand as Kili shifted and moaned. "It's okay little brother." He whispered and was rewarded with brown eyes slowly opening. "Morning sleepy head." He tried to tease but it fell a bit flat. Kili blinked at him and then tried to move only to cry out in pain and gasp for air. "Easy, just breath. The poison might be gone but you still have a lovely hole through your shoulder." That got a confused blink.

"Poison?" Kili asked croakily and Fili grabbed the glass of water that Tauriel had left beside the bead, helping Kili drink.

"Orcs attacked last night, remember? You took a poisoned arrow and it didn't look too good but the elves and Hari managed to get rid of it and fix you up.

"Tauriel's here…thought she was a dream."

Fili chuckled. "I bet. What will Uncle say to you being sweet on an elf of all beings?"

"Don't tell Fee, please."

"Shh, I'm just teasing Kee. Go back to sleep."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"You are staying then?"

Tauriel didn't turn to face her Prince as he spoke. Once she had thought she loved him but now he was family even if the King did think there was more between them. Even if there was Thranduil would never allow it. And now she was leaving his side for a dwarf, what must he think. "Yes." She whispered and then he was at her side.

"The King will not like it but you are only obeying my orders and he may not leanr of it for a time."

"Legolas?"

"I intend to follow the orcs and see what they are planning. They have not turned towards the mountain to ambush the dwarves so I am unsure where they are going."

"Be careful."

"You too." He touched her shoulder and then he was gone. She was worried about him going alone but Kili still needed her, the others would have to press on to the mountain soon.

Tilda was trying to be brave as she said goodbye to those who were leaving. Thorin knelt before her and smiled. He pressed something hard into her hand and then he was gone, joining the others in the boats. Bofur picked her up and spun her around. "Don't go." She pleaded and he smiled.

"We have to but we'll be back, you'll see so chin up." He ruffled her hair and then he too was gone.

Only Kili, Fili and Dori were remaining in the town. Oin had wanted to stay with the boy but with the elf at his side the old dwarves skills might be needed by the rest of the company and so he had agreed to go. Thorin had originally wanted Dwalin to stay with his nephews as protection but Dwalin was his guard. Dori wasn't a warrior but he was incredibly strong and might be able to talk them out of a fight if it came to that. Most of the town lined the docks to wave goodbye as they sailed up the river and ever closer to the mountain.

Hari sat in the back of the first boat and stared at the lone peak. He knew the dragon was within, he could feel its dozing mind and was careful not to wake the creature. Smaug was a dangerous opponent, possibly the last dragon he was very old and cunning. Bilbo would not have an easy time stealing from him, even with the Ring. That evil bit of gold may even call out to the dragon and wake it. Too many events were coming to a head at the same time and it worried him. He glanced back at Lake Town before it vanished from sight, if the dragon woke would the town survive?

TBC…