Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns all save for the characters not in his works.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
The orc attacked the guards first. It took one more before being stabbed, falling into the river on top of the dwarves. But the orcs kept coming. They ran out from the trees and jumped over the gate, taking out the unsuspecting elves with seeming ease. Until more elves appeared.
Nuil was pressed in between Bifur's barrel and Oin's, unable to help fend off the orcs that did attack the dwarves. The company, weaponless used their hands and if they were lucky, took the orcs weapons as they killed them.
"Kili!" Fili shouted over the fighting. Nuil turned her head to see Kili climbing out of his barrel and jump to the shore. What in Mahal's name was he doing?! He ducked as an orc swung a deadly looking mace at him, shoving the orc into the river as he climbed the steps to the top of the wall. Nuil felt her heart clench as he took on two more orcs, stumbling back down the steps.
She wrenched her arms out of Bifur's grip, ignoring his alarmed yell. She slipped under the surface of the water, fighting her way back the surface as another orc fell on the company from above. The orc slammed into her, taking her under once more. She struggled to free herself, slicing her bare forearm on the orcs jagged metal armor. To her surprise Nuil came to the surface, half drowned but alive and holding the orcs blade.
Dragging herself from the water, Nuil dashed over to where Kili was still fighting off the orcs and stabbed the orc in the stomach. Kili turned to her, not having seen her coming and gave her a wide eyed look. She thrust the blade into his hands.
"Hurry!" she shouted above the noise. Together they climbed the stairs, Kili slicing and stabbing any orcs that approached from the front and Nuil fending off any attacks from behind. They made it to the lever and Kili reached up to pull it down. Nuil looked up, her gaze landing on an orc with a bow drawn and arrow ready, aiming for Kili. The black shaft looked deadly, and Nuil knew that orc weapons were not known to be gentle in bringing death.
"Kili!" He turned as she called his name, only to be shoved to the ground as an arrow flew past where he had been standing. The arrow hit the wall and clattered on the stones. Kili gave her another shocked and surprised look. "Hurry and pull the lever," she said, grabbing the arrow and rising to her feet. Nuil used it to fend off the orcs running up the stairs. Kili reached up and pulled, grunting from the strain, until it came and the gates opened below.
"Aunnie!" Kili cried as the others began to pass through the gates.
"Go!" Nuil yelled at him, stabbing an orc in the thigh, and shoved him over. Nuil followed, splashing into the water as the last barrel went by. The current dragged her through the gates and down a sudden drop.
The current soon lost it's strength and the rapids were far behind them. The company floated in their barrels, eyes scanning the banks for any of the orcs that had followed them.
"Anything behind us?" Thorin called out, arms outstretched to keep his barrel on it's course downriver.
"Not that I can see," Balin replied looking back.
"I think we've outrun the orcs," Bofur said, glancing at his brother Bombur worriedly. His barrel sat low in the water and the larger dwarf looked a little green, despite his fighting earlier when his barrel had landed on the bank.
"Not for long," Thorin replied, "we have lost the current." He looked toward the shore, seeing a place where they could get out of the river. It sat at the bend in the river and rocks rose up from the river, providing a good place to survey the land. "Make for the shore!"
The company slowly paddled for the shore, Dwalin and Dori stumbling onto the bank and reaching for their brothers as they left their barrels. Bofur and Dwalin pulled Bombur from his barrel, the hefty dwarf stumbling to sit on a dry patch of the bank. Gloin helped Oin, pulling a soaked and shivering hobbit with them. Fili helped pull Kili from his barrel, both looking pale Bifur pulled himself from his barrel, dragging Nuil from the water and setting her on the rocks.
Nuil knew that if she ever had to travel by river like that again she would rather die. Although at first the water had been freezy, her time spent under water had made the experience one that she did not want to repeat. Her clothing dripped, she was thoroughly soaked, and the sudden change in weather did little to help. Nuil shivered as the wind tugged at her wet clothing. All her protective gear had been taken, her jerkin, bracers and cloak. She was left in a thin tunic and pants. And she did not had the resilience of a dwarf, making her more susceptible to the cold of the oncoming winter.
"Is everyone alright?" Thorin asked, looking to them all. They grunted and made eye contact to show their varying states. Thorin frowned heavily, turning his attention to the mountain peak in the distance. "Hurry, we must continue on, the orcs may not be far behind."
"A moments rest!" Huffed Oin, squeezing water out of his beard and tunic. They all looked half drowned. Thorin glared at the hard of hearing dwarf.
"We can just go," said Bilbo looking at Erebor. "It's right there."
"A lake separates us from the Lonely Mountain," Dwalin said looking at the river, and we have no supplies.
"But-"
"Dwalin is right," Thorin murmured. "We should make for Laketown. Resupply, and get dry clothing." He looked at Bilbo. The hobbit had just sneezed. Nuil shivered, rubbing her her arms. That was something she would be perfectly happy doing. "Five minutes, and then we move out."
Ori gave a sigh of relief, quickly pulling off his boots to empty them. Thorin turned away from the mountain, his eyes scanning the trees carefully before he looked to her. His stern expression softened once he saw her. Nuil straightened as he approached. Thorin stepped down from the last boulder and took her by the arms while studying her face.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly as another shiver went down her spine.
Nuil smiled slightly. "Cold, but eager to get to Laketown."
He nodded. "Are you . . . sure you're alright?" He gave her a long look, and Nuil frowned. "Did they harm you?" Oh. He meant Mirkwood and the elves. Nuil pressed her lips together, looking towards Fili and Kili. The brothers were conversing softly, standing by one another, reaching out a hand to pat a shoulder or ruffle hair.
"Not really," Nuil said softly. "Thranduil did try to make a deal with me, however."
"He did what?" Thorin growled, his grip on her arms tightening. Balin and Dwalin looked over worriedly, as well as Dori and Bifur. Thorin glanced at them, and with a sigh repositioned himself to shield her from view. "What did Thranduil say to you?"
Nuil frowned at the ground, studying her boots. She would need new boots soon.
"Nuilweyil," Thorin murmured lifting her chin with his hand. Nuil held his gaze, her resolve crumbling under those deep blue eyes that she hadn't seen in . . . weeks. Without a word she pressed forward and embraced him. Nuil didn't often initiate hugs, the action somewhat odd, but she relished in the comfort. She found that she missed being surrounded by his arms and held. Missed the warmth and closeness. And now without his armor, she could feel the planes of his chest, and muscles in his back. This made her more aware that she too had less layers . . .
"He wanted information," she said finally, fighting a blush that had risen to her cheeks. "My freedom- in a sense- for information about your quest."
"In a sense?" he echoed in her ear. Nuil nodded, tightening her grip and in turn he did the same. This had to be the most intimate embrace they had shared in her memory.
"I would be placed in the cells near the rest of the company- near you," she said, and pulled away to look at his face. "Thranduil recognized my fondness towards you, and he sought to use it against me."
"That foul bast-"
"I knew he would not keep his word," she cut in quickly, knowing that she had much more to say, and did not want his to break off in a tangent. "He tried the same tactic when I was younger, and I fell for it."
"What do you mean?"
"After Smaug lay waste to Dale and Erebor-"
A loud thwanging sound filled the air, a sound that Nuil recognized as a bow, followed by a thudding. She broke out of Thorin's grip with a gasp. Thorin stepped in front of her, as the rest of the company jumped to their feet. Standing above them, bow drawn, was a man. He pointed an arrow at Kili, who had his arm raised, holding a rock.
"I'd put that down," the man said, "I will shoot you."
Kili scowled at the man and didn't move until Fili elbowed him. The rock fell with a clatter. Balin slowly stepped forward and the man pointed the arrow at him. Nuil stepped forward, but Thorin put his arm out and stopped her. The man missed none of this, eyes carefully watching them.
"Excuse me . . . you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken," Balin said offering a kind smile. He looked beyond the man and Nuil followed his gaze. "That barge over there, it wouldn't happen to be for hire?"
The man lowered his bow with narrowed eyes. "What makes you think I would help you?"
"Those boots have seen better days, as has that coat," Balin replied The man approached the barrels, pulling the first one towards the barge, Balin following him. "No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed? How many bairns?"
"A boy and two girls," the man said looking up at Balin, eying the other barrels thoughtfully.
"And your wife, I imagine, she's a beauty?" Balin pressed. That seemed to make the man hesitate, his features hardening slightly, a fleeting look of sorrow crossing his eyes.
"Aye, she was."
Balin drew in a breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"Oh, for the love of Mahal! Enough with the niceties!" Dwalin growled. The man narrowed his eyes at Dwalin, stepping forward and closer to a damaged barrel.
"What's your hurry?"
"What's it to you?" Dwalin snapped.
"Dwalin!" Nuil hissed, pushing past Thorin. He reached out and grabbed her arm, but she gave Dwalin a fierce glare, trying to convey to the dour dwarf that he wasn't helping. The man, when she looked up, was staring at her.
"I don't know what your business is in these parts," he said slowly, tearing his gaze from Nuil to wander over the dwarves, "but I know where these barrels come from and it makes me wonder what a group of dwarves is doing, with the barrels from King Thranduil's halls."
"What of it?" Thorin demanded, his grip on her arm tightening.
"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Lake-town but by lead of the master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland realm. He would see you in irons before risking the wrath of king Thranduil," the man said. It seemed almost like a warning, but Nuil was not sure. The minds of men were puzzling and deceptive. The man loaded the barrels while Balin looked at Thorin.
Thorin nodded his head towards the man, giving Balin a meaningful look. The man tossed his rope to Balin preparing to leave.
"I'll wager that there is a way to enter the town unseen," he said hopefully.
"Aye. But for that you would need a smuggler," the man said.
Balin rushed forward. "For which we would pay double."
"What is your purpose with a group of dwarves, and a hobbit?" the bargeman said some time later, seemingly to himself. Nuil knew the question was directed at her, sitting on a bench in front of the man. The dwarves were huddled down at the front, muttering about gold and silver and counting. She shifted under the fur blanket he had given her.
"It certainly isn't to entertain them," she replied tightly.
He huffed. "I did not imply-"
"Sir, you did. My purpose?" She looked at him accusingly, and he had the decency to look sorry. "You may not have worded quite so, but the implication was clear."
He cleared his throat. "Their leader- he is your husband?"
Nuil froze. Her gaze instantly sought out Thorin, standing with his arms crossed and frowning at Gloin heavily. What should she say? Would Thorin disapprove if she said yes? It certainly would make things easier when they reached the town, should they be caught.
The man mistook her silence. "I do not mean to pry, but you are close."
"Aye. He is," she breathed in, "my husband."
"Might I inquire as to what you are called, lady?"
"Nuil, and you?"
"I am called Bard," he replied. She nodded. Somehow he had gone from insulting her, to being almost companionable. It was odd, but she did not fight it. The cold still stung her skin and she was growing impatient for dry clothes and a warm meal. She would not fight with their smuggler and probably their host.
Suddenly the dwarves grew silent and they stood. The fog broke and the Lonely Mountain came into their view. Gloin suddenly emptied his pockets. Nuil was busy staring at the mountain, and did not notice that Bard had moved until Thorin's angry voice filled the air.
"We will pay you when we get our provisions, but not before," Thorin told Bard, glaring at the man.
Bard gave them a stern look. "If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead."
If they weren't so in need of aid Nuil would not have put up with the indignity of reaching Bard's house through his toilet. Although she had been spared from hiding in the barrels with the fish, thank Mahal. But now she climbed the stairs to the inside of his home, shivering violently and casting a scathing glare towards the man.
She had hidden beneath a bench, the fur draped over her. Nuil was glad that Bard was good with his words and convincing that slim bag, Alfrid. The dark haired man had nearly dumped the company into the canal, his leering grin sliding towards Bard as they had argued. Nuil had instantly been disgusted by the man.
One of Bard's daughters handed her a blanket, which she took gratefully, heading towards the fire like a moth to a flame. Draping it around her shoulders she held her hands out towards the flames. It didn't take long for the rest of the company to join her. Bilbo looked a little pale, perhaps even ill, rubbing his nose when he didn't think anyone was watching.
Bard approached them, holding spare clothing, and passed them out to the dwarves. "They may not be the best fit, but they'll keep you warm," he explained. He gave Nuil a wool coat and tunic. Much to her dismay he gave her a skirt as well. Nuil suspected that they might be the elder daughters, from when she was slightly younger. Despite this she took them gratefully.
"Sigrid, show Nuil to the back rooms," Bard told his daughter. Sigrid, his eldest daughter, nodded leading Nuil towards the back of the house. The back of the house was split into two rooms, and the one that Sigrid left her in obviously was the girls room.
"If you need anything, just call," Sigrid said.
Nuil nodded, watching Sigrid shut the door before dropping the blanket from her shoulders and stripping off her wet clothing. Pulling on the new tunic she tucked it into the skirt and pulled the coat on eagerly. Cinching it tightly, Nuil straightened the wrinkles. The coat fell to just above her knees, but it was warm, if a little big. Grabbing her wet clothes she left the room and joined the others in the main room.
The dwarves were grumbling unhappily, Bard looking flustered as they stood around a table. Nuil could see crude looking weapons and could only guess at what had caused the complaining. They were better than nothing, but dwarves prefered real weapons of iron and strength.
"You won't find better outside the city armory," Bard told them tightly. "All iron forged weapons are held there under lock and key."
Balin leaned in to speak with Thorin his words lost to her ears until he faced the rest of the company. "I say we leave now."
Bard straightened. "You're not going anywhere." Nuil tensed, reaching Fili's side with a frown.
"What did you say?" Dwalin asked dangerously.
"There are spies watching this house in probably every dock and wharf in town. We must wait till nightfall," Bard told them, his eyes on Thorin, as he neared the front door. The company reluctantly sat down as Bard turned to his son. "Don't let them leave." With that he went outside and shut the door with a snap. His son, Bain, slowly sat on a chair near the door, eying them warily.
Nuil approached the hearth, laying her tunic and pants out to dry, hopefully before they left too. She turned and faced the company, approaching Thorin. He stood by a window, staring out at something from across the beaten down buildings and canals. It was the tallest building in Laketown, at the very top it sat. Nuil remembered vaguely what the weapon was, her time in Dale spent in the markets and not in the towers that guarded the city.
"A Dwarvish Wind Lance?" she asked softly. Thorin looked at her, tilting his head in acknowledgement. He reached for her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. Nuil relished the heat of his touch, leaning into his side as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He pressed his lips to her forehead and Nuil shut her eyes with a sigh.
"We have much to talk about," he murmured.
"Aye," Nuil replied. "I am glad to be freed from Mirkwood."
"We did not finish our conversation from before," he added, rubbing her arm softly.
"No we did not," she agreed.
"Is there . . ." he paused, seeming to struggle with the words, "have there been dreams, you've had, with a Valar in them?"
Nuil pulled away slightly to look up at him. " . . . Irmo?" He looked down at her, his face blank save for the look in his eyes. Oh. "What happened?"
Thorin opened his mouth to respond, his brow furrowed in a look of worry, but Dwalin's voice drew his attention.
"We should go to the armory and get weapons there," Dwalin said to Thorin, oblivious of their conversation. "That bargeman is a liar, we paid him for weapons-"
"Aye," Thorin said quickly, releasing Nuil from his hold and facing the tattooed dwarf. "It is late enough as it is, and we have overstayed here long enough. Get everyone together, we're leaving." Dwalin nodded, looking less tense and more pleased than he had all day. Thorin looked at Nuil and sighed. He reached out and caressed her cheek. "We will talk later."
Nuil nodded. Hopefully they would get the chance before leaving Laketown. But Nuil had the sinking feeling that they wouldn't.
So I didn't get to the explaining of Mirkwood, mainly because this chapter was getting really long and I need to get some sleep before tomorrow. It might be a while before I post another chapter, classes start tomorrow and I've got some things that have come up.
Yes, Kili did NOT get shot in the escape, mainly because I didn't want him to and it didn't fit with where I'm taking the story. Plus I hated that part and all the pain he was in later etc. etc. I don't know how Tauriel and Legolas will fit into that later, but I'll figure that out. At this point I only know where Thorin and Nuil are going.
Thank you to my reviewers and readers! I love reading your feedback. I'll try to make the next chapter good. Especially now since we're nearing the end. :'(
Well, wish me luck in classes, I'm really nervous.
~filimeala