Chapter 13:
Legolas wasn't sure exactly what he expected to see when he made it back to Laketown with Gandalf and Radagast. It was entirely possible that he had forgotten about the dragon Smaug and that accounted for the surprise he felt when he returned to the town and saw the blackened shells of houses that the lake men scurried about fixing.
The town was filled with rumours of the dragon's death and although Legolas found the tale hard to believe he couldn't deny it would make no sense for the beast to only partially destroy the town before returning to the mountain.
Gandalf, still weak from his meeting with Sauron, had not said much since being rescued by Radagast. Yet, Legolas could tell that he was deeply concerned about something and his meaningful glances towards the Lonely Mountain piqued Legolas' interest.
"If the beast is truly dead I suppose there is nothing stopping Thorin Oakenshield from reclaiming Erebor." Legolas said sullenly, kicking aside charred wood as he led his horse through the debris around the stables where he tied up his horse, muttering a quick goodbye in elvish under his breath.
"If he still lives." Gandalf said weakly, leaning heavily on Radagast as he directed the small party towards the centre of the town where he hoped to find some authority with reliable information. He also needed to find someone to warn of the impending army but the further they ventured into Laketown the more his hope died.
Smaug had not completely destroyed Laketown, that much was true. But there was talk of Thorin having left for the mountain and, as far as they could gather from the murmuring lake men, that was before Smaug's attack. The blackened houses did not do much for Gandalf's confidence as he tried to keep some form of hope alive that Smaug had not killed the company before setting out to destroy Laketown.
Wracked with guilt over his friends, Gandalf tried not to think of the fate that each member of the company may have met. He forced himself onwards, planting one foot in front of the other firmly and with purpose.
Upon reaching the main town square, outside the large villa of the Master of Laketown, Radagast became entranced by a pair of pugs who were intrigued about what exactly was in the strange sage's pockets.
Ignoring his companions childish giggling, Gandalf staggered forward with no support and stood, gazing up at the Masters house with barely concealed distaste and contempt. Gathering his strength, Gandalf was about to step forwards to knock on the great doors when they flew open and a young, handsome man strode out, followed by a small weasel-like fellow and a great big, fat, hideous man wearing clothing that could once have been very fine but had since been so stretched out of shape and stained even Legolas with his elf eyes could not tell what colour they may have been originally.
"Get back here bargeman." The weasel-like man snarled, stopping at the top of the stairs and glaring at the retreating back of the handsome man, Bard.
"Alfrid I've got things to do. There are people starving and homeless out there that I need to help, I don't have time for you right now."
"I don't believe you!" The fat man screeched, staggering forward with panic in his beady eyes. "Give me my money now!"
"The King under the Mountain gave me that money with the condition it was to go from my hands straight to those in need. You are not in need of anything but a wash." Bard said cruelly to Alfrid, stopping in his tracks and glaring at him. Bards expression seemed to be daring Alfrid to question him.
Giving a sly grin, Alfrid opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Gandalf.
"You've seen Thorin? Is he well?" His tone was filled with concern and hope and for a second and Bard did a double take, having not noticed the wizard standing next to him.
"He is alive, as for well…" Bard trailed off, unsure if this public setting was really the place to discuss Thorin's troubles concerning the Arkenstone.
"Is he hurt?" Gandalf's tone conveyed just how worried he was and Bard felt sorry for the stranger, who was clearly not well himself.
"I cannot tell you here, but if you are willing to come back to my house with me I will tell you all I know." Bard promised, feeling bad for the old man who seemed to be so desperate for news of Thorin.
"You are going nowhere until you give me what is mine." The Master snarled, limping down the steps and attempting to stride menacingly towards Bard, although it looked more like an injured mongrel dragging its broken back leg behind it.
"I've already told you…" Bard said, his tone respectful yet irritated.
"If Thorin specifically said the money was to go straight from Bard to the people I don't see how you have any right to interfere." Gandalf growled, rounding on the Master with his lip curled in distaste.
"And who are you to tell the Master of the Men of the Lake what is his and what is not?" The Master squeaked, looking indignant.
"I am Gandalf the Grey, a personal friend of the King under the Mountain and not your subject." Bard raised an eyebrow at Gandalf, shocked that this elderly man was truly the wizard of the stories he had heard since he was a child. Bard knew Gandalf as a particularly powerful wizard and was impressed that Thorin had such legendary friends.
The Master and Alfrid just gaped at him causing Bard a wave of satisfaction. A crowd had started to gather and Bard felt slightly uncomfortable and so turned to Gandalf to ask him to follow him but a blond elf stepped forward and started to speak to the Master.
"You would take the riches owed to your people for yourself while they starve in the streets? Where were you when the dragon came to destroy the town may I ask? Protecting your people or hiding within your home?" Legolas' tone was harsh and unforgiving and Alfrid glanced nervously to his master, aware that if they didn't handle this situation quickly it would turn into a very public scene.
But it was too late as the crowd started talking loudly and boos and calls began to echo round the square.
"They're peasants, starving homeless is what they do." The Master said bluntly, eying up Bard with a greedy expression. "My money, if you please bargeman."
"I don't have it anymore. I spent it on food and building supplies for the people." Bard said dismissively, tired of the conversation and wishing nothing more than going home to his children.
The crowd began to call out loudly, enraged by the Masters answer. Alfrid crept to his master's side and started whispering frantically in his ear but he paid no notice, still trying to process what Bard had said.
"All gone? Why you disgusting little sneak, I'll have you hanged for this mark my word bargeman!"
But Bard's retort was lost in the shouts of the crowd and the Master's eyes widened as the call for an election was taking up by the masses of people crowding around his large house.
"An election? Rubbish, I won't stand for it." The Master declared, surveying the people with distaste.
"We don't want you!" Called out a voice from the crowd.
"We want Bard!"
"Bard! Bard! Bard!"
"Bard the bowman!"
The voices began to get louder and louder until Bard's name was being sung by the whole crowd in unison.
The man himself was stood blushing next to the wizard, feeling uncomfortable with the attention he was receiving.
Gandalf raised a hand and the crowd was silenced instantly. Smirking at the Master, the wizard stood up to his full height and squared his shoulders, seemingly growing so tall that even the Master had to look up to look at his face.
"The people have spoken. Bard will be the new leader of Laketown. As the destroyer of the dragon Smaug and the descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale, he is more than worthy. You, on the other hand, are a corrupt and scheming politician who should never have been given a position of power in the first place. You and your servant will leave this town and never return, these people deserve better than leaders such as you." Gandalf sneered at the Master, who opened his mouth to let out some sarcastic, pompous comeback.
"Listen to me." Bard called out, climbing to the top of the stairs where he had a good view of the crowd. "The Master may be corrupt, but I do not wish to take his place. I will serve him loyally and help the people as much as I can, but it is not my future to be the Master of Laketown."
"Really?" The Master squawked, shocked at Bard's words.
Bard said nothing, he merely walked back down the steps and motioned for Gandalf and his companions to follow him. The crowd soon dispersed and the Master and Alfrid went back inside the Masters house to discuss tactics to win back the peoples favour, should the bargeman change his mind.
Back at Bard's house Gandalf, Legolas and Radagast sat at the table, watched closely by the children who had never seen elves or wizards before, and listened to Bard's tale.
"So they are all well?" Gandalf asked incredulously, his eyes shining with hope.
"Aye, when I went to the mountain to ask Thorin for the money to help repair the town and feed the people they all seemed well. Except for Fili that is."
"Fili?" Gandalf asked anxiously, his face appeared to show that all his worst fears had come true, one of the company was hurt and he had failed to be there to help protect them.
"Aye, I assume he was still suffering from the effects of saving Tauriel from the lake." Bard said, taking a swig of his steaming drink. "He was alive but asleep and looked pale. But I think with the elf there he will be alright, she did a good enough job healing Kili."
Legolas frowned slightly at the mention of his friend and tried to quell the anxiety inside him over Tauriel. Now that he had heard of her bravery against the beast, Legolas was no longer bitter about her not following him. He seemed to understand that healing the dwarf was something she felt she had to do, although he did not approve in the slightest.
"And Tauriel? Is she well?"
"Aye, she was with Kili when I last saw her. They probably looked after each other after their illnesses." Bard said no more, glancing out of the window and drinking from his cup.
"We must get to the mountain." Gandalf said, glancing at his companions to gage their reactions. Radagast was busy laughing with Tilda as his friends the birds flew round her head whilst Legolas sat brooding moodily and showed no signs of having even heard the wizard's suggestion.
"I'll go with you. Perhaps together we can convince Thorin to act. But I do doubt it. I'll go hire a boat, but I may be a while as I must speak to the captain of the guard about rousing the army. Now that I have heard your tale I can confirm the army's approach and that may spur him on to action. You are welcome to stay and rest."
Bard nodded at Bain, who got up, ready to follow his father. But instead Bard just placed a hand on Bain's shoulder and muttered a message into his ear.
"Keep an eye on him, alright?" He gestured towards Radagast and Bain nodded, looking nervously at the odd little man.
Bard left the house and Gandalf reclined in his chair, drifting off into a well needed sleep. Legolas, however, was not so relaxed and instead paced the room, stopping to look out of the window up at the mountain every so often. He was anxious to be gone, to reach the mountain and Tauriel. He did not trust the black haired archer who had stared at her so and the thought of them alone together for so long made his stomach churn.