Faedra exit the boat, looking at the now destroyed town. People ran into the water, helping up the people who needed it. A man with black hair and pale skin screamed as he crawled out of the water. None payed him any attention, much to his dismay. He didn't look at all hurt so Faedra walked on with Tilda and Sigrid. They called out their parents' names, but found no one.
Faedra stopped and noticed Tara and Kili speaking, their foreheads pressed together. Tara looked Faedra's way and she nodded. She let Sigrid and Tilda know she was leaving and approached the boat Fili, Oin, and Bofur had pushed into the water.
She sat in the back with Tara while the dwarves rowed on. She didn't even take a glance back at the town as her mind was filled with thoughts of what were to happen in the mountain.
"Is that my bag?" Tara broke her from her thoughts.
Faedra looked down and just noticed the brown bag hanging around her shoulder. She had forgotten all about it until now.
"Oh right," Faedra said, handing it her, "I thought you might want it."
Tara smiled as she opened it.
"Thank you," she said, looking at her sister.
Faedra smiled back and looked ahead, going back to her thoughts. They reached land when the boat lurched forward a bit and they got out quickly.
"We have a long walk ahead of us," Fili said, taking charge like Thorin would have.
There were the sound of galloping and Faedra immediately stepped in front of Tara, her bow ready. A streak of black caught her eye and from behind the hill, Daeroch appeared. He had a few wild horses behind him, as he once was a wild horse himself.
"Daeroch!" Faedra said, running up to her horse.
She hugged him and they put their foreheads together.
"I have missed you, my friend," She spoke in elvish.
He shook his head in response, neighing quietly.
"Hop on," Faedra said, gesturing to the horses.
"How are we going to get on?" Tara asked, "They're half our size."
Faedra sighed and led them towards some rocks as she knew they would decline if she tried to give them a boost herself. After getting situated, they started the ride up the hill and towards the mountain. As soon as they saw the destruction at the front gate, they jumped off the horses and ran in.
"No wait!" Faedra said, but they had already left.
She dismounted Daeroch and ran after the dwarves and Tara. When she entered, Bilbo was talking to them, but Fili walked away down the steps. Biblo called after Fili, trying to get him to stop, but failing miserably. She followed the dwarves down the steps, scared to find what was down there. When she came into view, she was so full of shock that she had no words. She could tell that the sickness had already started growing in Thorin's mind, possessing him.
"Gold - Gold beyond measure," Thorin said softly, but it echoed through the cavern, "Beyond sorrow and grief. Behold - the great treasure hoard of Thror."
He suddenly flung something high into the air to where they were standing on a stairwell landing, and Fili caught it. It was a giant blood red jewel.
"Welcome, my sister's sons," Thorin said, putting his hand across his chest, then spreading them out, "To the kingdom of EREBOR."
Faedra put her hands on Fili and Kili's shoulders, turning them away.
"Go find the others," she whispered and they nodded quietly.
She had looked at Thorin sadly and walked back up the stone steps, not wanting to see the greed in his eyes any longer.
Autumn and Bard stumbled through the bustling town. The children had long but left them to go help the other towns people. Bain walked by their side as they looked for the girls. Autumn heard a Tilda and Sigrid calling for them and she led them to their voices. When they came into a clearing, Alfrid was raising his hand ready to strike Hilda. Bard quickly reached up and grabbed his arm, whispering in his ear. He spun him around and Bain tripped him, making Autumn smile.
"Da! Mum!" she heard Tilda call out.
When she looked up the small child was running towards them, arms open. Autumn stepped on top of Alfrid, making him groan in pain, and embraced both Sigrid, Tilda, and Amber in a tight hug.
"It's alright," Bard reassured.
"My baby," Autumn said happily, taking Amber into her arms.
She rocked her back and forth, smiling down at her. Bard had his hand on Autumn's shoulder and was letting Amber grasp his finger.
"It was Bard! He killed the dragon!" Percy announced, "I saw it with my own eyes. He brought the beast down. He shot him dead, with a black arrow."
"And Autumn saved all those orphan children," Ava said, "Jumped in the water with every one of them. I saw it myself."
The townspeople began cheering, patting the family on the shoulders. Suddenly Alfrid appeared, raising both Autumn and Bard's arms.
"ALL HAIL - TO THE DRAGONSLAYER AND THE RESCUER!" Alfrid called out, "ALL HAIL - KING BARD AND QUEEN AUTUMN!"
Bard and Autumn yanked their arms away from Alfrid's grasp, but he kept his raised.
"I have said it many times - This is a man of noble stock. A born leader!"
"Do not call us that!" Bard said, "I'm not the master of this town."
He turned in a circle, looking for the Master.
"WHERE IS HE?" Bard called out in a rage, "WHERE'S THE MASTER?"
"I still owe that man a nice painful beating for trying to marry me," Autumn said through gritted teeth.
Bard looked at her confused, "He tried to marry you?"
Autumn nodded and Hilda answered Bard's question, "Halfway down the Anduin, with all our coin, I don't doubt. You would know!"
She pointed at Alfrid, who looked scared.
"You helped him empty the treasury," Hilda said.
"No - I tried to stop him," Alfrid lied.
The people yelled at him angrily, calling him a traitor and a mongrel. Alfrid hid behind Bard and Autumn, hoping for some protection. Bard and Autumn however stood there, not helping at all.
"I pleaded," he tried again, "I pleaded. I said, 'Master - NO!'"
As the people continued to yell abuse at him, Alfrid looked terrified.
"Think of the children," he said.
Alfrid grabbed Tilda, holding her in front of him.
"Will nobody think of the children?!" Alfrid asked.
Tilda angrily stomped on his foot, making Autumn smile a bit.
"Come here Tilda," she said then whispered, "Good job."
Several men grabbed Alfrid, raising him up, preparing to hang him with a rope. He screamed with fear and Bard stepped in to stop the people.
"Enough! Let him go! Let him go!" Bard called out angrily.
The people quiet down and let Alfrid fall to the ground. Bard turned about, addressing them all.
"Look around you!" he said, "Have you not had your fill of death?"
Autumn approached Bard to stand by his side, Alfrid popped up but Autumn kicked him back down.
"Winter is upon us," Autumn announced, "We must look to our own, to the sick and the helpless. Those who can stand, should tend to the wounded. And those who have strength left - follow should Bard. We must salvage what we can."
"What then?" Hilda asked worryingly, "What do we do then?"
"We find shelter," Bard said.
The townspeople followed Autumn and Bard as they headed away. Amber let out a small cry and Autumn started to rock her, trying to shush her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked quietly.
She looked around and noticed Bard.
"Bard," she called out, "Can you help me."
He approached her and she showed him the strings of her leather corset that she wore over her shirt. He undid them and she lifted her shirt and pulled it over Amber so that she could eat.
"Are you alright?" she asked, "You look troubled."
"I'm just thinking is all," Bard reassured her.
She nodded and he stalked off to help the rest of the men and women. She looked up towards the mountain and sighed. She knew it was the only place where they could most likely seek refuge, but with the little food and water they had, she didn't know how much time they had left. As soon as Amber finished, she handed her to Sigrid and went to help the men. They would need to hurry if they were to beat the snow.