HERE WE ARE! THEY'RE ABOUT TO ENTER LAKETOWN. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW LONG THAT CHAPTER WAS GETTING, SO I HAD TO CUT IT OFF AT SOME POINT. SORRY ABOUT THAT. ANY IDEAS ON MITHRA'S ACTRESS?

GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!

~THE LUPINE SOJOURNER.

(A)

"I don't care what he calls himself. I don't like him." Dwalin grumbles. I sigh.

"Please, Dwalin. He-"

"Don't, lassie." Dwalin snaps. I shut my mouth, glaring at him.

"We do not have to like him." Balin notes, somehow still keeping count of the coins in the pile. "We simply have to pay him." He then sighs, rubbing his temples worriedly. I know what that means and add in my fifty pieces. He then seems a little more relaxed. "Come on, lads." He instructs. "Turn out your pockets." They do and more coins join the pile. Distantly, I hear Dwalin mumbling something and Thorin replying, but a sudden clattering of coins prevents me from hearing. Balin counts the coins again and groans.

"We have...a wee problem." He notes. "We're ten coins short."

"I've given everything I got." I mumble. "Sorry." Thorin sighs, crossing his arms.

"Gloin." He orders. "Come on. Give us what you have."

"Don't look to me." Gloin grumbles. Balin gives him a 'really?' look. "I have been bled dry by this venture. What have I seen for my investment?" He complains. "Naught but misery and grief and..." He trails off. I roll my eyes and in doing so, glimpse the Lonely Mountain in the not-so-distant distance. Great Manwe above, it's really there! "Bless my beard." Gloin mumbles. "Take it. Take all of it." Gloin's spare wallet is suddenly in front of Balin's face as we all stand to appreciate the view.

Manwe, is the quest worth this view alone.

=#=#=#=#=

(M)

The Lonely Mountain. Looming so close, we could make it to the base before sunrise, if we kept this pace up. The lake reaches up to within an hour's trek from the base. If we were to leave early enough, we could get up to the door within the day. Which is good, because Durin's day is the day after tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken. We'd had the delay in Thranduil's palace, and now...we were nearly out of time.

"We're nearly to Laketown." Bard orders, distracting me from my thoughts. He then stalks forward. "The money, quick." He snaps at Balin. "Give it to me."

"Steady on." Aili protests. "Why in the-"

"We'll pay you when we get our provisions and not before." Thorin cuts in. Bard hisses under his breath.

"If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead." Bard growls. I freeze, wondering how exactly the Dwarves were going to be smuggled in. I could stand in plain sight on the barge, but the Dwarves? Nope. I trusted Bard, though, and let him decide what to do.

Up ahead, sure enough, there is the bare sightings of Laketown through the mist. Bard, however, pulls to the side, ordering the Dwarves to hide in the barrels, pocketing the money and coming in to a different port. He disembarks and heads right for a local fisherman that brings in netfulls of fish almost daily, but hardly ever gives it all to Laketown, preferring to get paid for them by the Woodland Realm. I suddenly realize what Bard is doing and find it disgusting, yet ingenious.

Fish. He's smuggling the Dwarves in with fish. They're gonna love this. I can hear them, mumbling and grumbling in the barrels, but don't care enough to comment or really even notice what was said.

=#=#=#=#=

(A)

Bilbo and I's barrels are right next to each other's and they also conveniently placed holes facing Bard, who talks hurriedly with a man who doesn't seem to take too kindly to Bard's words.

"What's he doing?" Some one asks.

"He's talking to someone." Bilbo and I reply together as Bard replies and they seem to reach an agreement before Bard gestures to us. Part of his plan, I hope, that will not get us discovered.

"Now he's pointing right at us." I mumble and can feel the dread and fear sink into Dwarves around us.

"Now they're shaking hands." Bilbo squeaks. Everyone then becomes incredulous.

"The villain." I hear Dwalin grumble. "He's selling us out."

"No, he isn't. There are guards here, too. If he were turning us in, he would have gone straight to-Mahal!" I hiss. "Someone's coming!" We all duck and pray no one sees us, each holding our breath. Then, after a bit of clanging followed by dead silence, there is fish.

Slimey, smelly, horribly slippery fish, everywhere. I manage to leave a space for me to breath, using the hole for ventilation, but it doesn't help. I try breathing through my mouth and plugging my nose, but that doesn't help either. I was let to simply suffer in silence. No one dared talk.

"We're approaching the tollgate." Bard growls as the boat takes a turn. I gulp, but don't move.

"Halt!" A man cries. I tense. Not good. "Goods inspection!"

"Oh, no." I mumble softly.

"Papers, please!" The man calls. "Oh, it's you, Bard."

"Morning, Percy." Bard greets cordially.

"Anything to declare?" Percy asks. Bard sighs.

"Nothing, but that I am cold and tired, and ready for home." Bard replies, coming forward to give a slip of paper to this Percy guy.

"You and me both." Percy replies, walking a short distance away. He then takes a second to look the paper over. I hear a stamp and then Percy stepping closer. "There we are. All in order." Then, before Bard can be on his way, there is another set of footsteps and I hear someone snatch the paper.

"Not. So. Fast." This new voice, hissy and slithering into my ear, growls. "'Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm'." He reads. "Only...they're not empty..." The man's voice is one of exasperation, as if annoyed at stating the obvious. "are they, bard?" I have to seriously restrain myself from leaping out of this barrel and strangling this miserable man. "If I remember correctly, you're licensed as a bargemen. Not a fisherman."

=#=#=#=#=

(M)

I have to say...the fish disguise is working brilliantly.

That is, until Alfrid nearly ruins it by sticking his nose where it does not belong and is not welcome. As usual. I wait by the prow with sweating palms, but a calm outward demeanor. I have learned to 'fake it til you make it' technique very well over the years. Bard has, as well, apparently. Either that, or he truly doesn't care about the Dwarves now that his pay is in his pocket. Either way, his stoic-ness is something to admire. "If I remember correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman. Not a fisherman." He notes, picking up a fish. I pale when I realize that Bombur's eye is in plain view now.

"That's none of your business." Bard growls.

"Wrong." Alfrid replies smugly. "It's the Master's business, which makes it my business." I scoff. Which draws his attention to me. "Oh. It's you, Earthstrider." He notes, with far too much glee in his voice. I cringe.

"Alfrid." I greet icily.

"Wandered back here, did yah?" He asks in what I assume was supposed to be a silky voice, but it was just as horrible as normal, if not more so. I take a step forward in defiance. He would not get a reaction from me...other than sass.

"No. I am just an illusion of the mist." I snap. He cackles, before turning to Bard again as he speaks up to get Alfrid's attention back to him.

"Oh, come on, Alfrid. Have a heart. People need to eat."

"These fish," Alfrid growls, stalking toward the dock, slamming the fish he held back into the water, "are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side." I pale, but refrain from reacting and giving the whole thing up.

"You heard him. In the canal." The captain I just now notice orders and moves forward with his men. I pale. If they dump them...the quest will be over. There's no way we'll get out and to Erebor in time if we're imprisoned here.

"Come on. Get a move on!" Alfrid encourages, then had the audacity to smile at me. I raise a finger to show him what I thought of it.

"Folk in this town are struggling." Bard calls. "Times are hard." He then pales a little as two barrels are lifted and positioned close to the edge. I will soon find out which Dwarves they hold, I fear. "Food is scarce." This time, I swear there is a note of desperation in his voice. But maybe that's just me. The barrels start to tilt. The guards seem reluctant to throw away good fish, but have to follow orders. This only adds to the tense atmosphere, however.

"That's not my problem." Alfrid notes, unfazed.

=#=#=#=#=

(A)

I brace myself as my barrel is put on the edge and tilted. Fish splash into the water and if Bard can't get the guards to stop...we're done for. The whole quest will be over. Again. Even if we don't tumble into the water, we'll still be exposed as soon as the guards look in the barrels. We'd have no chance to fight back. We're literally (buried in) fish in a barrel here.

"And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back in the lake...when the rioting starts...will it be your problem then?" Bard growls. I honestly can't tell if he is worried about us being discovered anymore. I can hear his rage, the desire to look after his people, clear in his voice. I admire that. I've lived with a similar man-er, Dwarf-my whole life. Thank Mahal and Manwe above that it works. I barely contain an exhale of a breath I don't recall holding as Alfrid orders the guards to stop. I credit him with the quick wit he displays, playing fear of the people against this cowardly slimeball.

"Ever the people's champion, eh, Bard?" Alfrid spits. "Protector of the Common folk? You might have their favor now, bargemen, but it won't last." Alfrid warns.

"That the best you got, Lickspittle?" Mia calls. I raise a brow, unable to tell if that was his last name or just a title Mia has given him. "You know as well as I that the people love Bard and they always will." She adds. Don't push it, Mia. I groan internally.

"Raise the gate!" Percy orders. Seconds later, after much clanging, we're on the move again.

"The Master has his eye of you." Alfrid growls. "Both of you. You may have the freedom to come and go, Earthstrider, but you would do well to remember, Bard: We know where you live."

"Is that supposed to intimidate me?" Mia snarks back cockily.

"It's a small town, Alfrid." Bard adds. "Everyone knows where everyone lives." I nearly burst out laughing at the sarcastic wit in that answer. Bard now has a higher position in my mind.

=#=#=#=#=

(M)

"The nerve of that man!" I growl, fists shaking at my sides with the desire to punch something. Preferably Alfrid.

"Don't let him rile you. It's what he wants. If he gets a reaction, it'll only make things worse." Bard replies.

"I'd like to give him my honest reaction. He wouldn't survive, though." Bard chuckles.

"I've missed you. You're fiery spirit has lost none of it's intensity." I growl aloud in frustration. First Alfrid shows up and exists, then Bard dares to laugh at me?!

"Oh, it's only gotten worse." I bark. Then sigh, forcing myself to take deep breaths. Bard is not the enemy here. Alfrid and the Master are. "Sorry. It's just...that little monster gets me so mad! I just want to...to...to strangle him!" I reply, miming ringing the life from Alfrid's skinny, cowardly neck. Bard sighs.

"As does the townsfolk, but retribution would be swift and terrible if any dare."

"I can run."

"They'd track you down."

"Not if I run far enough away in a decent time. They'd likely give up once I get to land."

"Who knows?" Bard replies, turning into the port he stows his barge in when not using it. He then kicks a barrel over and Nori pops out. He then releases Aili. By then, they all get the hint that they can leave their barrels and come bursting out, anxious to free themselves of their confinement. Dwalin comes out just as Bard prepares to knock his barrel over.

"Get your hands off me." He growls. Bard frowns, hands up placatingly.

"Thank Manwe!" Aili cries, shaking herself and picking the scales off her clothes. "Thought we'd never get out." She grumbles. I laugh.

"At least you're out now." I point out. Aili frowns.

"...I suppose."

"You didn't see them. They were never here." Bard instructs the owner of the port, handing him a short stack of coin. "The fish you can have for nothing." He adds. We then disembark and await Bard's instructions. "Stay close." He orders, striding swiftly to the end of the lane, glancing stealthily around the corner. "Follow me." Bard instructs, taking off down the next road.

"What is this place?" Bilbo asks, pausing for the first time to gaze around at this new environment in wonder. I scoff. If he thinks this is impressive...he needs to get out more.

"This, Mr. Baggins, is the World of Men." Thorin growls. Apparently, he doesn't care for any race but Dwarves. Elves hold a special hatred to him, but...he doesn't appear too find of Men, either. Go figure. Aili pulls the halfling along as he wants to keep sightseeing distractedly.

"Keep your heads down and keep moving." Bard warns as we pass under him. "Quickly now." He urges.

"Focus, Bilbo." She warns. "We need to stick-" Before she can finish, a guard spots us.

"Halt!" He calls. "Oi!" He calls when we don't obey.

"Come on. Move!" Thorin barks, as if we needed to be told.

"In the name of the Master of Laketown, I said halt!" The guard repeats. I take off with the others (Bard giving us a 'what on earth are you doing?' look as we pass him by) into a marketplace and find that guards have the place encircled. Cursing, I dodge one, kicking him into a pillar and duck under a booth to come up and punch another's lights out.

=#=#=#=#=

(A)

Great.

Hammer and stone! Why couldn't we have just kept moving peacefully to Bard's home?!

Tripping one guard, he crashes into another coming up behind me and I roll to avoid being crushed beneath the pair of them. I then grab a rope and haul it across an opening, Fili and Kili keeping it taut at the other end. This sends a guard crashing to the floor. Soon enough, we've knocked all the guards senseless. And drawn a crowd, apparently. Which disperses once more guards show up. I gulp and help drag a body under a pile of sheets. All around me, the others are preparing to fend off the other guards.

"What's going on here?" A head guard (judging by the glimpse of a different uniform and sense of superiority about him I spot) asks. "Search the area. No one leaves." He adds when no one replies. Bard slips around the marketplace and appears to be surprised by the guards' presence.

"Braga." He greets.

"You." Braga replies. I swallow thickly. This could go very badly. "What are you up to, Bard?" He asks.

"Me?" Bard asks. I frown. Compared to his handling of Alfrid earlier, this is poor faking indeed. "Nothing. I'm looking for nothing." I nearly groan aloud. That will only raise suspicion. Kili, Fili and I discovered that when we were ten, stealing cookies before supper. Granted, even master spies get flustered and freeze up, but...is this keeps up, we'll be spotted for sure. Shockingly, just as the head guard pushes past Bard with a sarcastic 'Yeah', the people of Laketown help us by sneakily positioning their goods in order to hide the unconscious guards. One woman even 'accidentally' knocks a potted plant off the end of the counter to re-knock-out a stirring guard.

"Hey, Braga." Bard calls before Braga gets too curious. Braga turns to find Bard holding up a piece of white linen lingerie, a tiny smirk on his face. "Your wife would look lovely in this." He muses. I have to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. Although I can't see Braga's face, with his back to me, I'd be willing to bet it is priceless.

"What do you know of my wife?" Braga snaps. Bard shrugs nonchalantly.

"I know her as well as any man in this town." He replies. I blush and grimace. That was a low blow...but effective, I hate to admit. Braga slams the lingerie back into the container and storms off, the other guards following. Bard sighs, grimacing a little as though what he'd said was distasteful. He's right and it's nice to see that on his face. He motions us to him and we let him lead us onward to his home. However, as we round a corner, a young boy, hardly taller than us and looking about fifteen or so years old comes running up to Bard.

"Da." He calls. "Our house, it's being watched." There's an underlying 'what's going on?' to the question, and Bard groans.

I have a feeling I'm not gonna like how he gets us to his house.

Nope. I don't. Not at all. It is a crafty, devious plan, to be sure, but...

Did we have to enter through the toilet?! This smell will haunt me forever and forget getting it out of these clothes. Disgusting...ly sneaky. I have to wait for others to go first, treading water and trying not to look too closely at what's around me.

"If you speak of this to anyone, I'll rip your arms off." I hear Dwalin growl as he lifts the toilet lid. I smile, despite the situation. Classic Dwalin.

"Da..." A young woman's voice calls as we all get out of the toilet and head up stairs into the house. "Why are there Dwarves coming out of our toilet?"

"Trust me, we didn't want to." I reply, wringing my hair out. Mithra laughs.

"That's what you get for not getting around more." I glare at her and she rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Life in the Blue Mountains was awesome for you. Got it." There's something...oh. Gandalf said she used to live near our village. And her mother died there. Mahal.

"Will they bring us luck, aunty Mithra?" An approximately eight-year-old asks.

"Afraid not, Tilda. We're not staying long." Mithra replies. The little girl frowns. "But...soon we'll be back." Mia ammends upon seeing the look on Tilda's face.

=#=#=#=#=

(M)

Honestly, I feel bad for the Dwarves, but...I have to admit...Bard's a born smuggler. Downright natural at it, really. With no need to hide the fact that I am visiting, I am able to stay clean and dry, walking calmly down the boardwalks and into Bard's house, where Bard whistles to get two men's attention in a canoe (the pair are obviously spies).

"Tell the Master I'm done for the day." Bard snarks, tossing something down but I can't make out what it is. Upon opening the door, Tilda is quick to hug her father.

"Da! Where have you been!" She chirps happily before releasing him. Only for Sigrid to fill the void.

"Father! There you are! I was worried!" Sigrid remarks.

"I would have been on time, if I didn't pick someone up." Bard replies, nodding toward me as he hands his eldest daughter the satchel with dinner ingredients in it. Tilda then noticed me, who is the next target of her enthusiastic, warm hugs.

"Aunty Mia!" She cries.

"Hello, Tilda." I greet, smiling and ruffling her hair. "How are you?"

"Better now you're here!" She replies and I lean over to side-hug Sigrid, who has her father's satchel over her shoulder.

"Aww." I reply. "Didn't know you cared." I tease as Bard tells Bain to signal the Dwarves.

"Of course we do." Sigrid remarks, beginning to make a meal. "It's always lovely having you here."

"Yeah, the bedtime stories are better." Tilda adds. I laugh at the comment and Bard's mock-hurt, yet slightly amused, face. Before I can reply, I hear Dwarves stomping up the stairs and the girls go to investigate.

"Da?" Sigrid asks, eyes not leaving the sight of the unhappy troupe tramping up the stairs. "Why are there Dwarves coming up of our toilet?"

"Trust me, we didn't want to." Aili replies sourly, ringing her hair out.

"That what you get for not getting out more." I reply, laughing. Aili merely glares at me. I sigh. So much for making a bad situation better with a little humor. "Yeah, yeah. Life in the Blue Mountains was great for you." I growl. I don't know what made me do it, but now it's out there. I can't take it back. "I get it." I add as an afterthought as I take a moment to catch my breath and collect my thoughts. The memory of my mother, clinging to my hand before going limp, flashes in front of my eyes and I swallow.

"Will they bring us luck, aunty Mia?" Tilda asks and I can't help but smile.

"Afraid not, Tilda. We're not staying long." I hate to tell her, but I don't want her to get the wrong idea, either. "But...soon, we'll be back." I ammend. As long as we kill Smaug, that is. I add internally. Oh, Manwe help us.