A/N: Sorry this is a day late. I spent "Black Friday" having adventures in the mountains with my boys. I hope all my US readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving (I'm still stuffed). Thank you for all the new follows and reviews since last week. This chapter has a bunch of "filler" in the second half but I plan on them being in Lake-Town a week (longer than in the movie, not quite as long as in the book) so I needed something to put in those time gaps. I hope it works. They will be moving on in the next chapter. Please let me know what you think!

Tibblets: Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy!

Just4Me: I feel he would be very protective of her and, in the beginning at least, it would come out in a caring way.

As always, the good and great belongs to Tolkien and PJ.

Rhae stretched and reluctantly opened her eyes. The visions from her dreams slowly faded until she was only left with a vague feeling of unease. She wasn't sure how long she'd slept but despite the dreams she felt almost normal. A little food and she'd be right as rain again. It seemed like it was almost dawn if the pale light in the sky outside her window was any indication. Rolling to her other side she reached out for Thorin - only to find he wasn't beside her. She sat up quickly, her senses suddenly very alert. The house seemed entirely too quiet to be sheltering thirteen dwarves and a hobbit. Throwing the blankets off she bolted out of the room and ran down the stairs, coming face to face with an angry Bard and a remorseful looking Bain.

"Where are they?" Rhae demanded.

"I'm not sure," the boy told her.

"I thought you would know where your dwarves had gone off to," Bard accused with a frown.

"Do I look like I know where they are?" She turned to the boy. "When did they leave? How long have they been gone?" She was furious. How could the company have left her here? How could Thorin do this to her? Yes, he was eager to get to the mountain but to leave her behind in this place? Bard saw the fire in her eyes and for a moment pitied the dwarf when he finally reappeared.

"They haven't been gone long. Maybe an hour. The tall dark haired one, he told me to tell you that they would be back for you." Bain looked at her almost fearfully. Rhae had to take several deep breaths to calm her anger. It was not the boy's fault her husband and his companions were so hard-headed. She began pacing back and forth, trying to figure out where they might have gone that would allow them to come back for her. They hadn't left for the mountain, they wouldn't be able to come back for her if that had been the case. That fact calmed her somewhat. Her eyes fell on the empty kitchen table. A look between Thorin and Dwalin that she had passed off hours earlier flashed before her eyes. She whipped around to face the two males watching her warily.

"Bard, did the dwarves take your weapons?"

"No, they made it quite clear what I offered was not up to their specifications. I returned them to their hiding place."

"Curse you, Thorin! You clod-headed dwarf!" she called out in frustration, slamming her fists into the table. Grabbing her cloak she flung it over her shoulders and yanked the door open.

"Stryker, where are you going?" Bard yelled after her.

"After my addle brained husband. They've gone to the armory."

Flipping her hood over her head she hurried along the docks, hoping she remembered where the armory was located. It had been many years since she was here. All the while she was cursing Thorin and his bull headedness. To go rushing off to the armory? What was he thinking? The sound of yelling caused her to pause and change course. If there was a commotion this early in the morning then she had no doubt her dwarves were sure to be in the middle of it. She soon found herself on the edge of a large crowd of people gathered in front of the Master's house. Little greasy Alfrid was on the steps next to an equally greasy fat man with stringy ginger colored hair. That was the Master of Lake-Town? Alfrid was shouting down at someone below him. Rhae elbowed her way through the crowd until there was no one in front of her. There were a few that wanted to argue as she pushed her way past but were quickly silenced when they caught sight of the dark hooded figure. The dwarves were surrounded by guards, facing the irate Master and his little minion.

"This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire."

"Hold your tongue!" Dwalin bellowed, taking a few strides towards the steps. "You do not know to whom you speak! This is no common criminal! This is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!" The pride in the warrior's voice was unmistakable. He'd been waiting quite sometime to announce his king and friend. There were murmurs of amazement from the crowd as said dwarf stepped forward, his dark hair glowing a bit in the flicker of torch light.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor." There were whispers of shock and recognition. Rhae could see the people nearby craning their necks to try and see the dwarf. "We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the center of all trade in the North!" His deep voice rolled over those gathered, powerful and mesmerizing. His presence, even in borrowed clothes that were too large, was regal and commanded attention. For a moment Rhae could see him as the king he should be, crowned before a throne of stone. Many in the crowd were nodding. "I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!" The crowd cheered at his words. She could see the hope in the eyes of those nearby and it caused a disgust of the Master to build in her; he had obviously kept these people under his thumb and in poverty for quite some time.

"Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast it will destroy us all." Bard's voice cut through the cheers and he emerged behind Thorin. Rhae turned and frowned at him as she heard a few anxious whispers from the crowd. How quickly the weak minded are swayed, she thought.

"You can listen to this naysayer but I promise you this: if we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" Thorin's deep voice betrayed no worry, he sounded as calm and sure as ever. Again, there were cheers and Rhae saw the avaricious smile on the Master's face. She had known all it would take was the promise of money.

"Why should we take you at your word?" Alfrid interrupted the celebrating. Again, Rhae wished she had her bow. All she needed was one shot and the nasty little fellow would never bother anyone else. "We don't know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"

"I will." Everyone started at the sound of a slightly threatening female voice. The dwarves looked up to see a familiar black hooded figure step from the crowd. Those around Rhae slunk back a bit as she moved to stand between the dwarves and the men on the steps. She was once again completely concealed beneath her black Ranger cloak. Bilbo had to shake his head a bit in wonder at how she could present such a menacing presence.

"And you are?" the Master inquired.

"I am Stryker, Ranger of the North." Her low voice carried easily over all gathered. There were a few noticeable gasps. Those closest to the ominous figure took a few more steps back. Even this far east they had heard of the Rangers and what they were capable of. "If Thorin Oakenshield gives his word then he will keep it."

"Why should we believe you?" Rhae smirked at the slight tremor in the little minion's voice.

"I have traveled long and far and through great danger with these dwarves, as their guide, protection," she took her place next to Thorin and flipped the hood from her face, "and as their queen." There were a few murmurs of surprise but most of the crowd just stared. The Master stared at the pair in front of him as well. It was clear that he didn't know what to think about the situation before his door. The look in the woman's eyes made him slightly uncomfortable as well. The crowd got over its surprise quick enough and began to chant and cheer again. The prospect of money, any money, coming to the town was enough for them. Many had heard the prophecies and songs of old. Some began to sing and it wasn't long before almost all who stood in front of the Master's house joined in:

The King beneath the mountains,

The King of carven stone,

The lord of silver fountains

Shall come into his own!

His crown shall be upholden,

His harp shall be restrung,

His halls shall echo golden

To songs of yore re-sung.

The woods shall wave on mountains

And grass beneath the sun;

His wealth shall flow in fountains

And the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness,

The lakes shall shine and burn,

All sorrow fail and sadness

At the Mountain-king's return!

Thorin stood and listened to them with a small smile on his face while Rhae kept her eyes on the Master. She didn't trust him though she suspected his greed would sway him in their favor. She had seen his kind all too frequently in her travels.

Bard wasn't giving up though. "All of you! Listen to me! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?" His words quieted some of the crowd. "Have you forgotten those that died in the firestorm? And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain-king so driven by greed he could not see beyond his own desire!" The man and dwarf glared at each other.

"Thorin is not Thror," Rhae's voice again rose over the den of the crowd. "He has known exile and hardship, he has worked hard to help his people survive, and now he has returned to reclaim the mountain for them. Who of you would not fight for your own home?"

"And risk the wrath of a dragon?" Bard fired back at her. Rhae stood her ground under his angry gaze. If he thought she was going to back down he was quite mistaken. She could understand his fears but she would see the dwarves back in that mountain.

"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame." The Master spoke up. "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!" The man pointed accusingly at Bard and Thorin looked up at him in shock and some bitterness. Bain's knowledge of the hit Girion had made on the beast now made sense to Rhae. She saw Bard's shoulders slump slightly as he pressed his lips together in a thin line.

"It's true, sire. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark," Alfrid sneered, clearly thrilled to heap trouble and embarrassment on the bargeman's head. Rhae promised herself that one day she was going to kill him.

Bard stepped closer to Thorin. "You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!"

"I have the only right." He turned back to the Master. "I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of my people?"

The fat man put on a nice show of considering the dwarf's words for several seconds but Rhae knew that he had long since made up his mind. She knew exactly what he wanted, gold and to be rid of the commotion at his door and one simple decision would take care of both.

"I say unto you: Welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King Under the Mountain!"

The crowd erupted into ecstatic cheering. Bard alone stood silently, still staring at the dwarf king. Their standoff lasted another moment until the bargeman finally turned to leave. The look of satisfaction on Thorin's face made Rhae frown slightly but she decided it wasn't worth the trouble to say anything. Yes, he had every right to try and reclaim his home but he didn't need to look quite so smug about his verbal victory over Bard. She looked over her shoulder as they followed the Master inside and caught the man's eye as he watched them go up the steps. There was anger there but also sadness. She knew he feared for his family.

After a lengthy discussion with the Master, Thorin and his company were given an inn all to themselves and it was decided they would stay a week to rest and the town would supply them for the final trek to the mountain. That would leave them a week to travel and locate the hidden door. Rhae sincerely hoped Gandalf would be waiting for them. She honestly had no idea how they would defeat Smaug even with the wizard; she didn't want to consider doing it without him. He hadn't told her when inviting her to join this quest that he wouldn't be here for large chunks of it. She shrugged her shoulders irritably under her cloak; she'd worry about all that once she had a warm meal in her belly and a full night's sleep. As they followed a couple of the Master's guards Rhae could feel the eyes of the townspeople on them, could hear their excited whispers as the company passed by. She found it slightly sad that they had such hope in a mission that was anything but assured of succeeding. The inn they were shown to was old but snug, the man and his wife that owned it looking up in surprise as the guards showed them in. A fire was roaring in the large fireplace when they entered and Bilbo collapsed in a chair nearby, his nose red.

"Are you okay, Bilbo?" Rhae asked concerned.

"Just a dratted cold from all that water nonsense. Hobbits aren't overly fond of swimming," he sniffed. She felt sorry for the poor fellow and called Oin over to check on him. He wanted to argue but she swatted at his hands.

"We must have a healthy burglar," she whispered with a smile. He merely grimaced and let Oin do his work. Rhae returned to Thorin's side as rooms were doled out. Balin and Dwalin had one, Fíli and Kíli another, the Ur family in a third room, Dori and his two brothers took the fourth, Gloin and Oin a fifth, leaving the sixth for their king and queen.

"And our hobbit?" she asked.

"I'm perfectly fine here by the fire," Bilbo called in a small voice.

"He can come in with us if he wants," Fíli offered as she followed her dwarf up the stairs. All the rooms were off a small, narrow hall, the wooden walls darkened with age. Thorin held open the door at the farthest end for her.

"The Master has said he will provide us all with clothes and weapons," he told her as she surveyed the room they were given. Rhae turned with a raised eyebrow.

"And you trust him?"

"Not particularly but what choice do we have?"

She sighed. "None I suppose."

He knew she was angry about something, he could see it in the set of her shoulders and the way she kept her back to him. All he could do was wait until she felt like speaking and hope she wouldn't heap too much fire on his head.

"Why did you leave me at Bard's last night?"

"I thought it would be better if someone stayed behind in case -"

"In case you screwed up." She could almost see the frown on his face at her words. "I could have been in and out with plenty of weapons in no time at all with no one in the town any the wiser." He knew she was probably right but he hadn't wanted to put her at risk again.

"You were exhausted."

"As were the rest of you."

"We are much more accustomed to going -"

"Bollocks!" she snapped and his mouth popped closed at her curse. "You know good and well I can go several days with no sleep. I did it quite a bit at the start of this journey." She finally turned to face him. Anger was clear but he was also surprised to see hurt there as well. He took a step towards her but she held up a hand. "I promised that I would always stay by your side but how can I when you disappear without a word? We've had this discussion before. Do you now doubt my abilities, Thorin?"

"Not in the least."

"Then why did you -"

"Am I not allowed to be worried about my wife?" Rhae froze at the passion in his words. The truth was clear on his face, in those burning blue orbs. "I was worried. You were so pale, so weak. I've never seen you struggle to walk as you did yesterday." The fire had gone down in her eyes and he felt it was safe to approach, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I felt getting the weapons would be quick and we could give you time to rest before starting for the mountain. Believe me when I say it was no reflection on my belief in your capabilities."

Rhae took a deep breath, letting Thorin's words sink in. She had overreacted. Again. She said he should trust in her but she kept doubting him.

"I am sorry for jumping to conclusions, Thorin. I woke to find you gone and thought you had left me behind."

"And I am sorry for not speaking with you first. We would never leave you behind, Rhae. I thought we would slip in and out quietly, come back for you, and then head to the mountain."

She looked at him incredulously. "You thought thirteen dwarves could be quiet?"

He grinned sheepishly. "Well, as you said, I was exhausted." She smiled at him.

"Promise me that you'll talk to me before you do something like that again."

"Do you promise to listen?" It was her turn to grin a bit sheepishly.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." He just laughed and hugged her close.

"We have been given access to the armory and training ground." She simply nodded, content to be in his arms.

"I'll feel better when I have a sword at my hip again. I miss the feel of my bow in my hand."

He ran his hands up and down her back and she almost purred in happiness. "It was probably better that you haven't had one since our arrival. I saw the way you were watching that little man with the Master." He laughed softly. "Killing the rat wouldn't have helped our negotiations."

"Perhaps not but it would have made me feel so good," she said, looking up at him and he shook his head at the devious gleam in her eyes. Sometimes it was easy to forget that his wife was a Ranger and a seasoned warrior.

"I will have the company in the training ground everyday. We have been idle too long. Will you join us?"

"Of course. I have rarely gone a day without some kind of sparring session. I probably couldn't hit the side of a barn at this point."

Thorin snorted. "I highly doubt that, amrâlimê. You could probably put many soldiers to shame even now."

"I thank you for your confidence in my skills, husband," she replied with a smile. A knock on the door halted their conversation. Balin was on the other side and handed something to Thorin.

"These were just brought by, laddie, and the guards have said they will take us to the armory whenever we care to go. The innkeeper's wife is preparing a meal for us and it will be ready shortly."

"Thank you. See that the rest of the company is ready to go once they've filled their bellies." He turned around and Rhae could see that he held a stack of clothing in his hands. Pawing through it she found what had been sent for her and Thorin laughed at the sigh she uttered.

"Another blasted dress! How am I to fight in a skirt?"

"Perhaps they don't expect you to take part in any fighting." Angry words were on the tip of her tongue until she saw the teasing sparkle in his eye.

"They're in for a surprise," she finally said with a snort, tossing the donated items to the side. "I'll ask the innkeeper if she knows where I can get some real clothes." She sat on the bed and watched as he changed. They were only a slightly better fit and she suddenly longed to see him in his dark blue tunic, brigandine, and fur lined traveling coat again. Nothing else would suit him as well.

The company was waiting downstairs as ordered, already at the table shoveling the quickly prepared food into their mouths; they hadn't had a true meal since leaving Beorn's. Thorin made a place for her and Rhae sat, gratefully reaching for the sausages and eggs. There was joking and laughing around the table and she was reminded of how things had been before they'd crossed the Misty Mountains. In some ways she missed that. Rhae told them to go on without her, she'd be along as soon as she had appropriate clothes. Before they left Thorin told one of the guards to bring her to the armory when she was ready.

"Are you not going with them?" the innkeeper asked, noticing the woman standing in the room once the dwarves had cleared out.

"I am but I need some clothes first."

"Weren't some sent from the Master?"

"They were not satisfactory. I was wondering if your wife might be of some assistance?"

"Of course. One moment." The man disappeared through a doorway, returning a moment later with the lady she'd seen earlier.

"How can I help you, my lady?"

"Just Stryker, if you please. Would you know where I could get some breeches and tunic? Maybe a leather jerkin and bracers? I cannot fight in a skirt."

"Fight, my lady?"

"Yes. I will be by my husband's side." She seemed to hesitate a moment and then nodded, telling her to wait a moment before she disappeared back through the same doorway.

"You know how to handle a sword? They're not toys."

She gave the man a withering look. "I am a Ranger, Master Innkeep. I've had a blade in my hand since I was eight years old...sixty-nine years ago." He choked on the sip of ale he had just taken and Rhae thought for a moment he was going to spit it across the room in his surprise.

"You barely look old enough to be courting! You can't be that old! Why, I'm only...well, fifty something."

"And I will live at least another hundred, Valar willing."

"How is that possible?"

"I am a Dunedain." He raised an eyebrow but said no more. His wife returned and handed some clothing to Rhae.

"I believe these are along the lines of what you're looking for."

"Thank you ..." she trailed off, not knowing the woman's name.

"Maud and that there's my husband Eldon." Rhae gave a quick bow of her head then hurried back up the stairs, eager to change and rejoin the company. She almost cried in happiness as she slipped into the dark gray leggings and rusty red tunic, leather jerkin, and bracers. They were all a bit big but she wasn't one to worry about things like that. She was just happy to be dressed comfortably and sensibly again. She all but shoved the poor guard out the door, so eager was she to get to the armory. The company was not there, having already chosen their new weapons and moved on. The sergeant in charge seemed only mildly surprised to see a human female come through his door, giving her a slight bow.

"The King Under the Mountain said his wife would be along shortly and I was to equip you with whatever you needed. I suppose you are she?"

"Aye. Let me see what you have, sir." It didn't take her long to find what she wanted. Rhae felt much more like herself when she finally stepped onto the small training ground, a couple daggers once more on her belt, a sword at her hip, quiver over her shoulder, and bow back in hand. There was a small crowd on the other side of the fence watching the dwarves as they worked and she frowned slightly. This wasn't a show they were putting on for the enjoyment of the townspeople. She was about to say something when she spotted two familiar faces at the front of the small group. Sigrid and Tilda seemed fascinated by the dwarves. Rhae thought for a moment and then smiled to herself. Perhaps it wasn't such a big deal; the people of Lake-Town seemed to have little to get excited about and who was she to judge them? She liked watching the dwarves spar, too. A laugh almost escaped her lips. Well, if it was a show they wanted, then she would be happy to oblige. She nocked an arrow and let her eyes rove lazily over the company, looking for her target. It presented itself and she took her shot.

There was a gasp from the onlookers and even the dwarves spun around at Bofur's cry of surprise. He had sat down on a bale of hay, needing a quick breather from the fight Nori was giving him, when his hat had been sent flying. It was impaled on an arrow which was now stuck in the side of the building directly over his head.

"The lot of you have gotten soft." All heads turned to see a grinning Rhae step from the armory door, another arrow nocked and ready. There was audible amazement from the gathered townspeople but the dwarves could only shake their heads and laugh. They should have known to expect something like this from their Ranger. She moved towards them with a smile though they continued to watch her a bit warily.

"Nice of you to finally join us," Fíli quipped from where he had taken a seat on a wooden crate. Before he'd barely gotten the words out of his mouth another arrow whizzed through the air and landed with a thud between his legs, barely missing the crotch of his trousers. He looked up at her, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"Anything else on your mind?" she teased. He shook his head quickly, struggling to remove the arrow from the wood.

"Did I not tell you that you'd have no problem besting any solider even now?" Thorin said, coming to her side.

"I thought it was worth it to see if you were correct in your assumptions."

"Come, lassie. Let's see if your skill with a blade is still as sharp as your skill with a bow," Nori dared.

Tossing her bow and quiver to the side she pulled her sword out, twirling it easily in hand. "With pleasure."

The sweat on her brow and the soreness in her body all felt good. It had been too long since she'd been able to swing a blade. As she'd sparred with various members of the company the crowd of spectators had grown. Apparently a female with a sword in hand was even more of a spectacle than a group of dwarves. Once she'd become focused on her movements the sounds of the crowd had faded and it was almost a surprise to see them there when the company decided they were done for the day. Seeing that Bard's two girls were still watching she decided she would have a word with them.

"We had no idea you could fight as well as the dwarves," Tilda told her, awe in her eyes as she looked up at the woman.

"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not," Rhae replied with a laugh.

"You were truly a sight to behold, Lady Stryker."

"Thank you, Sigrid. I am glad I can still keep up with the dwarves. Their stamina and strength far surpasses my own." She could tell there was something more the older girl wished to say; she was eyeing the bow Rhae still held in her hand. "Is there something on your mind?" she finally asked. The girl started a bit but then met her eyes a bit sheepishly.

"I - we - were wondering, if it's not too much trouble that is, if you...if you might be able to show us how to use a bow?" That was not what Rhae had expected and she had to school her face not to belay her complete surprise; she didn't want to scare the girls off.

"What brought this on?"

"Da taught Bain how to defend himself. I'd like to be able to do the same if the need arose." Rhae saw the spark of fire and determination in Sigrid's eyes. She thought about it for several moments. There was truth in what the girl said, she should be able to defend herself, and there were dark times coming, of that Rhae was entirely certain.

She finally nodded. "I will help you if that's what you want. However," she held up a hand at the joy that came over their faces. "It must be alright with your father. If he gives his blessing then be here around lunchtime tomorrow. The dwarves will take a break to eat and I can work with you both then."

"Don't you need to eat?" Tilda wondered worriedly.

Rhae reached out and rustled the girl's hair. "I'll be perfectly fine, little one. Now get home. It's getting late and your father will worry."

The girls were there well before the company stopped for their midday meal and Rhae could only smile at their eagerness. As the dwarves finally headed back to the inn to eat Thorin realized his Ranger was not moving to come with them. She wasn't in the armory but the sound of voices drew him back to the training ground. He was surprised to see her talking with the bargeman's two girls.

"It is time to eat. Are you coming?" The three females turned to face him as he approached and he couldn't help but notice the slight flash of fear on the face of the younger one. Was he that terrifying to a little girl?

"No, you go without me. I had Maud pack a little something to bring with me this morning. Sigrid and Tilda asked if I would be willing to teach them how to use a bow and I agreed." Well that explained the look on the girl's face; she probably thought he would forbid them from learning.

"I don't want you tiring yourself unnecessarily."

Rhae tried not to glare at him and was moderately successful. "I will be perfectly fine as you well know." He shrugged slightly. He certainly had no issue with her teaching the girls, they just didn't look like they'd be strong enough to accomplish much. This wasn't something he cared to argue with her over though. He placed a light kiss on her forehead.

"Very well. I will see you in a couple hours, marlûna."

"Check on Bilbo please. The poor thing has caught a nasty cold," she called after him. He just rolled his eyes as he stepped back into the armory. Drat the Halfling. He would be useless to them if he wasn't recovered before they left for the mountain. Before he had taken many steps he heard a much deeper voice join the females and he turned back to check on them. Staying in the shadows of the doorway he was able to see that the bargeman had appeared out of nowhere. He didn't seem entirely pleased as he talked with his daughters. Then he turned to Rhae, his expression a bit more gentle, and something tightened in Thorin's chest. The dark haired man towered over her in a way that he himself would never be able to do. She seemed almost tiny next to the bargeman. An overwhelming sense of possessiveness came over him and he wanted nothing more than to march out there with his sword drawn, whisking Rhae away from that man's presence. It was a struggle in self control but he managed to refrain from acting on his inclinations; she would have been furious at him.

Later that evening as they laid in bed he asked about it, tightening his arms around her.

"The bargeman looked less than pleased to see his daughters with you this afternoon."

She chuckled slightly. "It seems the girls did not do as I asked yesterday and neglected to mention to their father where they would be or what they would be doing. He was understandably worried when he finally found them."

"I saw them leaving when we returned this afternoon so I assume he allowed them to stay?" She nodded, stretching out against him with her head on his shoulder. Exhaustion was finally settling in.

"Aye. He had no true objection to them trying to learn."

"Will they learn anything before we have to leave?"

Her voice was slightly slurred when she answered, sleep trying to overtake her. "Not much but perhaps Bard will continue to help them after we're gone." He asked something else but she didn't hear him.

Revised/Edited March 2016