Big thanks to thatgirl2002 and LydiaTyrundil for following/favouriting.

Nice Egan – Was worried it would become too OC but glad you liked it. Fili deserves more screen time for me. No it wasn't…just another horrible orc.

Reader-anonymous-writer – No. As far as Fira knows the curse can only be lifted by her king and he'll only do that if she kills the others. However there are going to be one or two twists coming up regarding that.

Celebrisilweth – Glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to change it a bit so it wasn't just a retell of the movie scene.

Rachetg – You'll have to find out!

A Helping Hand

Everyone stared at the shadowed figure in stunned silence. It was only when the bow was lowered by a few inches did Balin choose to step up,

"Excuse me," he raised his hands as the man swung the bow at his face. Balin gave an anxious smile,

"You're from Laketown, I presume?"

"Aye," the man stepped forward and the company saw a tall figure with shoulder length black hair and a small moustache. Balin gently lowered his hands and indicated towards the boat that was tied to one of the rocks,

"That barge over there. It wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?"

Fira watched the stranger who simply grabbed one of the empty barrels and hauled it towards the barge. Slipping her hand into Kili's she stuck close to his side as the company moved towards the man. As he loaded the rest of the barrels he wiped his hands on his coat.

"What makes you think I will help you?"

Balin looked the man over, "Those boots have seen better days," he said nicely enough, "As has that coat,"

The man looked down at himself as he carried on loading the ruined barrels. The rest of the company gave Balin encouraging nods and glances. Sighing the old dwarf took another step closer to the man,

"No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed?" He grinned "How many bairns?"

"A boy and two girls," the man gave a sympathetic smile to Balin who had a feeling he might be getting somewhere with this stranger,

"And your wife…I imagine she's a beauty,"

His smile fell as the man's shoulder sank and his own small smile froze on his face,

"Aye…she was," he said quietly. Balin shook his head,

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

Behind him Dwalin and Thorin shared a look. Shaking his head Dwalin glared at his older brother,

"Come on, come on! Enough of the niceties," he growled. Thorin gave a small nod as the man turned round and eyed the company carefully,

"What's your hurry?" he said with a raised eyebrow. Clenching his fist Dwalin took a step towards him,

"What's it to you?" he said fiercely. Balin sighed at the dwarfs tone but the man simply loaded the last barrel onto his barge,

"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands,"

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains," Balin said placidly before anyone else could speak, "We are journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills,"

The man took another look at the barrels before facing the still soaking wet dwarves,

"Simple merchants you say?"

Fira could tell he didn't believe them. Stepping forward, Thorin eyed the man closely,

"We need food, supplies, and weapons," he added, "Can you help us?"

The man looked him over carefully before grabbing a thick length of rope, "I know where these barrels came from," he said. The dwarves looked at each other uneasily,

"What of it?" Thorin growled. The man gave him a smile,

"Whatever business you had with the elves, it can't have ended well," he traced one of the arrow marks in the nearest barrel, "No one enters Laketown without leave of the Master. Half of his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He would see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil,"

Thorin looked over at Balin and gave him another nod. Shaking his head Balin tried one last attempt as the man stepped onto his barge,

"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen,"

"Aye," the man grinned, "But for that, you need a smuggler,"

"For which we would pay," Balin was at his side in an instant, "Double," he added firmly.

Fira bit her lip, she had very little gold left. But the others were nodding eagerly and she could see the look on the man's face. Throwing his rope on the deck he ran a hand through his hair before nodding to the dwarves. Smiling Fira waited as one by one the others got onto the barge. Kili helped Fili and she could see the pain on the blonde's face. The man offered her his hand.

"Thank you..?"

"Bard."

Fira sat down next to Kili who gave her a small smile. Fira smiled back, trying to ignore the fact the only thing between her and the lake was a thin layer of wood.

"We won't…sink will we?"

Kili shook his head seriously, "No my love. And if we did I'd make sure you got to shore safely."

Nodding Fira glanced at the rest of the company. Opposite them Mithiel was sitting next to Fili; trying to examine his leg. She had her work cut out. Fili kept moving it away and insisting he was fine.

"He's being an idiot," Fira whispered, "I know he's your brother but…"

Kili nodded, "You're right. But he doesn't want to look weak in front of Thorin. For Fili this quest is about proving to Thorin he is a worthy heir. He thinks this will put doubts in Thorin's mind."

Fira shook her head, "Rubbish! When you're injured of course you'll feel pain. We're only mortal after all."

Kili stroked her knuckles, "I know love. But Fili believes Thorin won't see it that way."

Nodding Fira leant her head on Kili's shoulder and drew her knees to her chest. She could feel a chill setting in from her damp clothes and her spell in the cold river. Kili was trying his best but he was equally wet.

"Excuse me?"

At Kili's voice Fira looked up to see Bard moving towards them. The man frowned at the pair and Kili pointed to her.

"She's frozen. Have you any blankets? A spare coat? Anything!"

Bard shook his head before shrugging his own coat off and handing it to Kili. Fira shook her head.

"No I'm fine."

Bard raised an eyebrow, "You would rather freeze? You'd rather become ill?"

Fira had no answer and Kili wrapped the huge coat around her body; pulling it over her knees to keep her as warm as possible. He smiled at Bard and the man gave a small bow before walking away. Fira shuffled so she was practically on Kili's lap. He held her close.

"You can sleep for a bit if you want," he whispered, "I have a feeling it'll be a while before we reach…wherever we're going."

Nodding Fira shut her eyes as Kili tightened his grip on her. She smiled; allowing the gentle motion of the barge to rock her to sleep.

Fira wasn't surprised when she woke to the sound of voices. Forcing her eyes open she could see the company were all muttering angrily at each other. Kili gave her an encouraging nudge and as she sat up Fira could see huge chunks of ice protruding from the water. Biting her lip she tried not to think about what would happen if they were to hit one.

"Watch out!" Bofur cried.

The dwarves gasped as huge rock formations sprung out of the icy waters. Fira watched as Bard steered the barge with ease. However, the rest of the dwarves were glaring the him,

"What are you trying to do?" Thorin shouted, "Drown us?"

"I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf," Bard said calmly, "If I wanted to drown you. I wouldn't do it here,"

The dwarves turned to each other nervously and Dwalin shook his head,

"I've had enough of this lippy lakeman," he hissed, "I say we throw him over the side and be done with it,"

"Bard," Bilbo said, a hint of annoyance lacing his voice, "His names' Bard,"

"How do you know?" Bofur asked. Bilbo sighed,

"Because I asked him,"

"I don't care what his name is," Dwalin said, "I don't like him,"

"We don't have to like him," Balin said gently, "We just have to pay him,"

The dwarves all looked at the small piles of coins that were being put down on the deck. Balin steadily counted them up,

"Come on lads, empty your pockets,"

Fira bit her lip as she brought out the few coins she had left. Chucking them in the pile along with the others her hand moved to her coat pocket. She hadn't worn Kili's hair clasp since Rivendell for fear she would lose it.

"We have a problem," Balin said, "We're ten coins short,"

Everyone turned to Gloin, who stared at them in outrage,

"Come on Gloin," Thorin said softly, "Give us what you have,"

"Don't look at me!" he shouted in defence, "I have been bled dry by this venture. And what have I seen for my investment. Naught but misery and grief!"

Flashing Kili an apologetic smile Fira brought out the clasp.

"Take this. It should cover the rest."

The dwarves looked down at it and Fira turned to Kili.

"I'm sorry but if it's the only way to get us closer to the Mountain..."

"No."

Fira looked up at Dwalin. The older dwarf picked up the clasp and placed it back in her hands.

"No, keep it Fira. We won't have you give up something so precious. Not for anything."

Fira wanted to say it was just a hair clasp. But as Kili closed her fingers around it she knew it was more than that. It was a sign of how much he cared about her. A memory of their first kiss. Sliding it back into it's pocket she kissed Kili's knuckles. He opened his mouth when Thorin gasped behind them. Fira watched in confusion as the others all got to their feet. Fira held Kili's hand as she too saw the looming shape of the Lonely Mountain.

"That's…that's it!" She whispered. Kili beamed at her.

"Our new home."

"Bless my beard," Gloin muttered as he drew out a purse, "Here take it. Take it all,"

Bilbo cleared his throat and the company turned to see Bard standing by them,

"Give me the money. Quickly,"

Thorin shook his head. They were so close now. He wasn't going to be cheated by this stranger,

"We will pay you when we get our provision. But not before,"

To his surprise, Bard ignored the hostility in Thorins voice, "If you value your freedom you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead,"

The company turned to Thorin, who nodded,

"Do as he says,"

As Bard shoved the money in his pocket he patted one of the barrels,

"Everyone in!" he said quietly but with an air of command in his voice. Grumbling the dwarves clambered into the barrels. They weren't on their sides this time and so a lot harder to get in this time. Several of the dwarves had to be helped in and Bilbo was so small that Bard simply picked him up under the arms and lifted him into the barrel. Fira watched however as Bard held an arm out to stop Mithiel. She saw Fili clench his fists and Bard sighed.

"We're a barrel short and she's too tall to share. Besides, I can sneak her in easily enough. Say she was a survivor of an orc attack."

Fira knew Fili wasn't happy about this. But she knew they had no time to argue. Sliding into Kili's barrel she curled up against him – trying to ignore the fact she had no space to breathe. Bard nodded.

"Whatever you do," he said, "Don't make a sound,"

The company nodded before ducking into their barrels as Bard steered the barge towards the town. The dwarves held their breath as he stopped at a small bridge outside the city.

"What's he doing?" Fira could hear Dwalin's angry whispers. Inside her own barrel she looked through the small hole in the side of it. Fira watched as Bard walked over to another man and began talking to him,

"He's talking to someone," she hissed, "He's pointing right at us!"

"What!" Thorin hissed – not so quietly. Fira swallowed and Kili took her hand.

"That villain! He's selling us out!" Dwalin growled as footsteps drew closer to the barrels. Crouching in their barrels the dwarves prepared themselves to fight when – in each barrel – a small load of dead fish was thrown in over the dwarves. Fira gagged on the smell and buried her face into Kili's chest.

"Quiet!" Bard barked as the dwarves began cursing, "We're approaching the toll gate,"

Mithiel wrapped Bard's coat around her and ran her fingers through her hair. They covered her ears and she lowered her head she no one would see her face. Every so often her eyes strayed to the barrels. She remembered which one Fili was in and she wished he was sitting right by her. Bard drew the barge to a halt before the gates and smiled at the man who was stepping out his small office to see him,

"Halt! Good inspection," an old man said before seeing Bard and grinning, "Oh it's you Bard,"

"Morning Percy," Bard said with his own smile. Percy gave a nod of his head,

"Anything to declare,"

"Nothing except I am cold and tired and ready to go home," Bard said truthfully. Percy smiled.

"You and me both," he passed back the papers, "All in order,"

Mithiel froze as his eyes landed on her. Bard gave a small shrug.

"Found her by the waters edge; surrounded by bodies of her family."

Percy flashed Mithiel a sympathetic smile.

"I'll be seeing you later then Bard."

Bards smile fell however as another figure stepped into view. Dressed in black with a face like a rats the other man held up a hand,

"Not so fast," he sneered before looking at the barge, "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm… Only, they aren't empty are they Bard?"

Bard resisted the urge to say something in retort. The man narrowed his eyes,

"If I recall, you are licensed as a bargeman and not a fisherman,"

"That's none of your business," Bard said before he could stop himself. The man shook his head,

"Wrong. It's the Master's business. Which makes it my business,"

Bard rolled his eyes, "Come on Alfred, have a heart. People need to eat,"

"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side." Alfred said as two men stepped past him and onto the barge. As they grabbed one of the barrels Mithiel tried to think of what to do. One of them was already being tipped and as the fish fell into the sea she saw Bard's face light up with an idea.

"Folk in this town are struggling," he said in a pleading voice, "Times are hard,"

Alfred shrugged, "Not my problem,"

"And when people hear the Master is dumping fish back into the lake. When the rioting starts," Mithiel could see Bard was enjoying the look on Alfred's face,

"Will it be your problem then?"

A slow minute of silence fell before Alfred held up a hand, "Stop!"

Mithiel watched as the barrel was put back with the others. She was also aware of Alfred gaze on her face.

"Who have we here then?"

"She was the only survivor of an orc attack."

"And you thought you'd give her a home did you?"

Mithiel didn't dare breathe as Alfred knelt beside her and ran a finger down her face.

"As you know anyone seeking refuge must go to the Master."

He grabbed her arm and out of instinct Mithiel pushed him away. Cursing Alfred raised a hand when Bard stepped in.

"She's frightened. Her family were cut down before her eyes. Let me take her home, give her some food and then I'll bring her to the Master. You have my word."

"Ever the peoples champion, eh Bard? Protector of the common folk? You might have their favour now bargeman but it won't last,"

Bard ignored him as Percy called for the gate to be raised. As he pushed his barge through Alfred called out one last time,

"The Master has his eye on you; you'd do well to remember that. We know where you live,"

"It's a small town Alfred," Bard said cheerfully, "Everyone knows where everyone lives,"

Ignoring the people he passed, Bard steered his barge through the flow of rivers that went through Laketown. Raising her head Mithiel looked around at the state of most of the buildings – and most of the people. Bard hadn't been lying to Alfred; times really were hard. As Bard brought the barge to a stop he ignored the confused face of an old man as he began kicking some of the barrels over. As the fish fell to the floor the dwarves coughed and spluttered,

"Take your hands off me," Dwalin growled as he climbed out of his barrel. Gloin and Oin did likewise whilst Kili helped to pull Fili out of his barrel which had been kicked on its side. Mithiel could see the pain on Fili's face, but the second his eyes landed on her it vanished.

"Are you alright?" He licked his lips, "I saw that man grab at you."

"I'm fine," Mithiel smiled at him, "Honestly."

He muttered something under his breath. Mithiel couldn't be sure but it sounded like he was saying "thank you".

She shook her head. She needed to stop falling for this dwarf before she was in too deep to go back.

Fira glanced down at herself. She had brushed as much fish off as possible but the smell was still there. She licked her lips and then regretted it instantly; the taste of fish now coating her tongue. Kili looked at her worriedly and Fira shook her head.

"I'm fine…" she paused as the nausea worsened.

"Actually…"

Turning round she threw up over the side of the small pier. Kili pulled her hair away from her face and she gave her mouth a shuddery wipe. Spitting out of the last of the sick she turned and gave the others a small shrug.

"Sorry about that."

Kili held her close as Bard handed the watching man several coins,

"You never saw them. They were never here," he whispered, "The fish the can have for nothing,"

"Da!"

The company stopped as a young boy ran up to Bard. From his height and build to be around thirteen. He stared at the dwarves before looking at Bard,

"Our house. It's being watched!"

"Remind me again," Gloin said, "Whose idea this was?"

The company were all huddled underneath Bards house. Or, to be more exact, his toilet. Bard and his son – Bain – had agreed to go home as if nothing was happening whilst the dwarves were to wait underneath his house where they would sneak up through Bards toilet. Mithiel had been able to go with the two men as she had been seen by plenty of people already. When the plan had been suggested none of the dwarves had been happy about the idea. Dwalin had even threatened to rip Bards arms off if he couldn't find another idea. However, Thorin and Balin had agreed it was the only way.

"It was Bilbo's if I recall," Kili said. Fira rolled her eyes.

"Did anyone have another plan? No so stop complaining."

As the toilet door opened above them Dwalin climbed up first,

"If you speak of this to anyone..." he growled. Bain held out a hand to help but he waved the boy away and turned round to help Bilbo climb out. A young girl – a few years older than Bain – was watching the whole scene,

"Da? Why are there dwarves climbing out of our toilet?" a younger girl appeared by her side and she grinned at the company,

"Will they bring us luck?" she asked as Bard hugged her. Fira rolled her eyes as Kili grabbed her by the waist and boosted her up to the waiting arms of Thorin. Once she was set on her feet Fira hugged herself; following the dwarves up the stairs and into Bards house.

So bit filler-ish but they're in Laketown now so things will start heating up again. For those wondering; Sol hasn't gone away, I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to bring him back. Let me know what you all think xxx