Finally, finally the river slowed down leaving the rapids far behind and allowing the group to paddle safely to shore. Percia had never been so grateful to get out of the water. Sure she had enjoyed various roller coasters in her life, but she could have done without that ride. From the looks of her companions they agreed.

"Anything behind us," Thorin asked, eyes looking back for a possible threat. He received negative answers but no one really expected this to remain true for long.

Percia managed to wriggle out of her barrel and help a few of the others out. Bilbo looked more like a drowned rat than a Hobbit, and from the corner of her eye she could see Kili sitting down heavily, his leg clearly bothering him.

She made her way over just as Fili reached his brother. Both of them tried to examine the wound, though Kili fought them a bit.

"On your feet," Thorin ordered the group, intent on continuing their journey.

"Kili's wounded," Fili immediately argued. "His leg needs binding."

"There's an Orc pack on our tail," Thorin snapped back. "We need to keep moving."

"To where," this time it was Balin who stepped voice trying for a reasonable tone.

Ignoring their continued discussion Percia pushed Fili aside and ripped Kili's pants a bit more to see the wound. It looked like he managed to get the shaft out, which was a bonus. Sadly it didn't look very good. Either there was some kind of poison on the arrow or it was extremely dirty as she could already see the beginnings of an infection.

Taking a moment to scoop up water from the river she let it spill over the wound ignoring Kili's curse. Focusing she pushed her power into the water to heal her friend. Only it didn't end the way she expected.

With a cry she fell back holding her now reddened hand. Kili and Fili both started in surprise. They all looked from her hurt hand to the still festering wound in Kili's leg. Whatever had been on the arrow would not allow for Percia's powers to affect it.

"Bind his leg," Thorin stated in irritation having missed the interaction between the three. "You have two minutes."

Fili looked ready to speak again, this time with the new information they had about the wound, only Kili stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. The two brothers stared at each other for a long moment before the blond finally relented.

Percia said nothing either, knowing it was up to Kili. Instead she moved to help with the bandages.

"How's your hand," Kili whispered, brown eyes slightly concerned.

"Better than your leg," she retorted grimly.

Before either brother could counter her they noticed Dwalin stand in front of Ori, a branch in his hands lifted in defense only to have an arrow lodge into it. Kili jumped up, stone in hand only to have that shot out of his grip.

"Do it again," a deep male voice warned ominously. "And you're dead."

The group looked to find a man standing on the rocks before them, bow at the ready. He had shoulder length dark curly hair, a long tan jacket and the typical tunic and pants, though all had seen better days.

The next thing Percia knew the group was watching the man place the empty barrels onto a ship, or barge she supposed. Personally it didn't look very reliable, though the workmanship wasn't horrible, it just needed better upkeep.

Finding a log nearby she plopped down on it, watching as Balin tried to bargain with the man for their passage. It was sort of amusing, however she could see why the old dwarf was an advisor, he certainly knew how to speak diplomatically.

Of course Dwalin, more the warrior got impatient. She felt for Balin, having a sibling like that. She wondered if Triton ever had similar issues…

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills," Balin managed to cut his brother off before he could make the situation worse.

Bard eyed them warily and not the least bit disbelieving. "Simple merchants, you say?" His gaze lingered a bit on Bilbo and herself, seeing their differences from the Dwarves.

"We'll need food, supplies and weapons," Thorin jumped in distracting the man from the others. "Can you help us?"

The man said nothing for a moment, but he did take a closer look at the barrels they had ridden down the river.

"I know where these barrels came from."

Thorin stiffened. "What of it?"

"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well," he stated matter-of-factly. It took a lot for Percia not to snort at the understatement. " No one enters Laketown but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons for risking the wrath of King Thranduil."

Sounds like a pleasant fellow. Why could they not catch a break? Thorin must have thought the same for her said something to Balin. Percia didn't catch it, or what the elder said to the boatman, but somehow he got them on the ship.

At one point in their journey the boat swerved dangerously, just after Bofur let out a cry of warning.

"What are you trying to do," Thorin demanded angrily of their 'captain'. "Drown us?"

"I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf," the man replied glibly. "If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here."

Percia hid her snort of amusement. She could instantly tell the man was a sailor, likely due to her affinity with water. She could also feel the water underneath them, the man easily navigating the currents proving his claim. Of course the Dwarves didn't appreciate his snark, if Dwalin's muttered threats meant anything.

"Ohh, Bard. His name is Bard," Bilbo informed them, exasperation practically dripping off him.

"How do you know," Bofur asked.

"Uh, I asked him." Percia chuckled silently at the Hobbit's sass. She was glad to see he had grown more comfortable around the Dwarves. When she had first joined their little quest he had been very unsure of himself and his place. Now he gave as good as he got in the verbal spats.

Ignoring the rest of the conversation she knelt by the side of the barge that was lowest to the water, allowing her hand to skim the cold surface. Pieces of ice drifted by indicating the on-coming winter would likely be long and cold. Not that the temperature affected her any, at least not where water was concerned. The liquid swarmed around her appendage, welcoming in its feel. Even after so many months in this world she was surprised how well the water reacted to her. She remembered her struggle to get the water to obey her in the Sea of Monsters, but here once she acclimated, all bodies of water seemed to answer her call whether conscious or not. It provided a sense of peace she desperately needed.

Something rippled over the water bringing with it a feeling of foreboding. The same feeling she experienced in her dream. Blue-green eyes scanned the dreary fog trying hard to see the shoreline, but unable to. Something unnatural waited there, something that wanted her. Dread filled her at the thought, which seemed strange. Had she not already fought such monsters, and some far greater than this beast Urchin supposedly sent for her? Yet for some reason, this seemed worse.

"The money, quick," Bard demanded his voice urgent and low dragging her from her thoughts. "Give it to me."

"We'll pay you when we get our provisions," Thorin argued imperiously. "But not before."

"If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say," the man shot back darkly, his eyes moving towards their destination. "There are guards ahead."

Sure enough they could see the town, built on stilts and docks floating in the distance, the entrance blocked by a large wooden gate. It took some prodding from Balin but Thorin finally agreed and gave the man his coins.

In short order Percia found herself back in the cramped barrel listening as Bilbo called out Bard's movements to the rest of them. As usual Dwalin seemed to be the first to declare villainy on the part of their 'captain'. Despite what Bilbo had described, Percia didn't think the man would betray them. Something about him reminded her of Chiron; loyal and honest, a man good to his word. Granted she had been mistaken before.

Thankfully this time she wasn't, though she really could have done without the dead fish sharing her barrel. A child of the Sea she may be. Fond of the smell of dead fish, or large amounts of fish, she was not. Clearly the others agreed given their grumblings.

"Quiet!" A sharp thud to one of the barrels sounded. "We're approaching the toll gate."

She felt the barge slow to a stop, bumping against the gate.

"Halt! Goods inspection. Papers, please," a man called out. "Oh, it's you Bard."

"Morning Percy," their smuggler greeted kindly.

Percy? Good name.

"Anything to declare?"

"Nothing but that I am cold and tired and ready for home," Bard returned cordially.

"You and me both," the other man shared, his voice softer as if he had stepped away from the boat. "Here we are. All in order…"

"Not so fast." A new voice interrupted the proceedings, this one far oilier and just generally unpleasant. Kind of reminded her of Octavian actually. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm," he continued in a self-important voice. Maybe Octavian had a doppelganger in this world? "Only, they're not empty, are they Bard?" She could hear him stepping closer to the barge. "If I recall correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman."

"That's none of your business." She had to hand it to the man; he stayed cool under pressure.

"Wrong. It's the Master's business, which makes it my business." The two argued back and forth almost resulting in their discovery as some men 'Alfred' had brought with him tried to empty the barrels into the lake. Thankfully Bard was not only calm under pressure but intelligent as well. It seemed there were some rather shady things occurring in Lake Town, especially with its Master. Thankfully the ploy worked, though the little slug had to get a parting shot in. "The Master has his eye on you; you'd do well to remember. We know where you live."

"It's a small town, Alfred," Bard remarked almost casually. "Everyone knows where everyone lives."

Percia bit back a snort as she imagined the look that statement received; however, part of her worried. If this was that small of a town, how could they remain hidden, when their smuggler was being watched?

XOXOXO