Ali fell out of the barrel with Thorin, letting him balance her against his chest while she regained her land legs. None of the dwarves even cast a second glance at her as they stumbled onto the shore. That meant that not one of them noticed that time had stopped. She was still reeling over this fact as Thorin stepped away to check on the men.
How does one come to grasp the concept that they can just pause everything, and only they know it? But if she could do it, then other must be able to as well. Ali wondered if someone else stopped time if she would be affected. Savory buttery biscuits, what she needed was an owner's manual for this. Or perhaps she needed to find Galadriel. No, she needed both, definitely both.
Ali rubbed her face to wake herself up from her deep thoughts and looked at the company.
The men were tired, wet, and aggravated. Kili had been shot in the leg. Yet even still there was no time to rest, there never seemed to be time. Ali watched as the men formed a plan. Thorin ran his palm across his forehead and shook his head at something that Dwalin was saying. She knew that she wasn't the only one who had problems.
Ali gritted her teeth. These men didn't deserve the problems that they were facing, the scorn the elves had shown, none of it.
Turning abruptly Ali reeled back in shock. A man stood holding a drawn bow and arrow pointing it directly at Ori. Where in this mighty green forest could a person sit for three seconds without being threatened? Instinctively Ali stepped between the two, but was just as quickly blocked by Dwalin who was wielding a club. Unable to see, Ali turned to grab Ori, holding onto his arm as much for him as for her own sake. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a rock fly out of Kili's hand.
The dwarves don't have any weapons! The realization hit her harder than that arrow on the rock. If she had been thinking straight she would have tried to grab the elves' swords while they were passed out!
"Do it again, and you're dead." The man growled, still holding a notched arrow at them.
"What is wrong with you?!" Ali snapped at the man, skirting around Dwalin's arm before he could pull her back. "Put that bow away right now!" Ali held up her skirts as she hopped from rock to rock, advancing up to the man.
"I will not," the man growled.
"Fine then, point it at me. I'm the only threat here. I'm the only one who has approached you in a threatening manner."
"Ali," Thorin warned, stepping in front of her and holding her waist.
"Since when is it common place to point your weapon at any one?" Ali chastised, trying to fight her way to be seen around Thorin.
"Excuse me, but, uh, you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken? That barge wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?" Balin slowly approached the man, arms still above his head.
As if that were some Middle-Earthen code, the man lowered his bow and wandered back to his boat, breaking the tension ever so slightly. Apparently the men needed to talk, Ali stumbled over the stones to Kili. His leg was causing quite a bit of a limp and he shoved his brother off from helping him. Ali ducked under his arm and ignored the scowl that he threw her, but leaned ever so slightly onto her shoulder.
"What makes you think I will help you?" The man began loading the barrels onto his little boat.
"Those boots have seen better days. As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many?" Balin continued, sounding very much like he was trying to sell something.
"A boy and two girls."
"And your wife, I'd imagine she's a beauty."
"Aye. She was."
Thorin had made his way to Ali's side, touching her back lightly to let her know that he was there. This guy was certainly glad to answer all these personal questions right after holding them at arrow point, Ali wanted to mumble to Thorin, but held her tongue.
"Oh, come on, come on, enough with the niceties." Dwalin grumbled.
"What's your hurry?" The man turned back to the dwarves, no longer loading the barrels.
"What's it to you?" Dwalin challenged.
Oh god, men trying to negotiate in this world was just as bad as men trying to negotiate back home. Ali wanted more than anything to groan, there were freaking orcs behind them. Why didn't they just tell him that they had stumbled upon the barrels while running from the orcs and used them to quickly get down the river? It was basically true anyways. It didn't matter really, as he eventually agreed to allow them passage.
"What's the matter Thorin?" Balin sat down next to him, looking out over the lake.
"She's so reckless, she could have been hurt," Thorin turned the small beads around in his fingers, watching the silver glint in the light. They were among the few things that the elves hadn't taken. He continued to stare at them, feeling nerves settling in his stomach. Before they reached the mountain he planned to give one to Ali, he just prayed she would accept it.
"Aye, that she could. She's quite a bit more daring then the little lass from the hobbit's home." Balin chuckled.
"I wish she wasn't." Thorin grumbled. It was hard enough as it was to keep her this safe, what would he be able to do if she started jumping in front of arrows?
"Oh but you don't," Balin smiled down at the little beads, "if she were any other way then she wouldn't be your one."
The boat ride was frigid. Sure the air was pretty nippy, the waters were un-doubtablely cold, but it was Thorin that really worried her. Back on the shore there had been a fine line that Ali had crossed apparently, and continued to stay across as she stood near Bard as he steered. She was sure that walking up to an armed man and demanding that he pointed his weapon at her was a line. It didn't matter right now, because right now she was formulating a plan.
Problems left to face; dragon, orcs, elves, Kili being injured, sneaking around Laketown, figuring out how to pause time, and Thorin. She could talk to Thorin and solve that one in no time. Ali tried to dig deep. First she needed to pause time.
Stop! Ali shouted in her mind, trying to put her whole heart into it. Nothing. It wasn't a word. No it was definitely a feeling. What was she feeling when she had done it before. Stressed, scared, nervous. Even before this, when she would see the shadows of the people that were apparently across the veil, it was during those sorts of times. Ali knew she couldn't walk around all the time feeling stressed and scared. There was another way. Happy! What if it was just like a high emotional time?
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts…she couldn't think back to anything happy enough back home. Finally her eyes fell to Thorin, while he was sulking away right now, he was her answer. When he said her laugh was his symphony, her smile lit his morning, that was it, she was the happiest a girl could be. Then she wished time would just stop for her.
The splashing along the hull quieted, Dwalin's angry mumbling ceased, and nobody moved. This was the key. Ali watched as Thorin looked at something small held in his fingers and sadness began to wash over her. She had another problem that she hadn't quite thought of. If she felt this strongly towards Thorin, then how would he take it if she was killed by the pale orc?
Time moved again, lurching forward like nothing had happened. There always seemed to be more problems than answers here.
This thought kept her busy while they poured fish into the dwarf filled barrels while she stood near the back. This thought continued while they pulled up to the gate. Frankly she had forgotten all about the problem at hand.
Luckily Ali was short and standing behind the wheel in dark clothing, so far not a single person had taken notice of her. In fact, why wasn't she in one of the barrels!?
"Not so fast." Ali's heart jumped out of her chest when she heard those words. Peering towards the gate she saw the grossest man imaginable yanking the papers from an old gate keeper. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only, they're not empty, are they Bard? If I recall correctly you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman." When he grabbed one of the fish Ali's heart jumped.
"That's none of your business." Bard sounded like he was holding back his temper, Ali wished he wouldn't.
"Wrong. It's the Master's business, which makes it my business." The gross man sneered. They called the man in charge Master? That was sort of S&M.
"Oh, come on Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat!" Bard protested.
"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side." Alfrid tossed the fish into the water and Ali's heart raced. The dwarves were in the barrels, she had to do something, but she froze.
"You heard him. Into the canal. Come on, get a move on." Ali watched wide eyed as the soldiers began tipping the barrels. What could she do?! Her mind was racing faster than her heart and she wasn't coming up with anything to say.
"Folk in this town are struggling. Times are hard. Food is scarce." Bard said calmly. How could he be so calm when they would find dwarves any second?! Dwarf was probably not easy to pass off as a new species of fish!
"That's not my problem." Alfrid gave him a too bad, so sad look that only well fed people could have.
"And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back in the lake, when the rioting starts, will it be your problem then? Plus you missed my guest." Bard stared down at Alfrid, both of them watching the confusion on his face.
"And who would that be?" Alfrid spat rudely.
"A guest from King Thranduil's palace," Bard stepped to the side and inclined his head to Ali. She wasn't sure what he was doing but she went with it for now.
Stepping out from behind the upper deck Ali did her elf walk. Careful to keep her body facing forward she barely turned her head to look over at Alfrid, who looked at her immediately. The key was to move as little as possible, like Galadriel, every turn counted.
"You're not an elf," Alfrid eyed her suspiciously, doubt dripping on his words.
"I see your eyes are better than your manners," Ali cast a small look down to his clothes and crinkled her nose. "Release the barrels at once."
The soldiers yanked their hands back, the barrels rocking back into the boat, much to Ali's surprise.
"You don't order these men, I do, I said to empty the barrels," Alfrid's lip twitched when he snapped at the soldiers and they hesitated.
"Your manners continue to astound me Alfrid," Ali pursed her lips and shook her head ever so slightly. "You have yet to introduce yourself to the Kings council."
Alfrid's eyes widened and his mouth opened but no sound came out.
"I'm appalled at what Bard has said. Your people starve, yet you discard food as if it were abundant." Ali motioned lazily to the barrels. "My Lord wished me to visit Laketown to see the people we trade with, he will not be happy when he hears of this."
Alfrid's mouth open and closed several more times before his brow furrowed. "King Thranduil isn't known for socializing with humans. How do I know you're not lying?"
Ali laughed lightly, "Do not think me as so simple."
"Answer the question," Alfrid tipped his head to the side, his tongue flashing out to lick his lips. Hands down the grossest human ever.
"You are trying my patience," Ali turned her face away, heart speeding up again. How could she prove it?
"It's a valid question," Alfrid tipped his head a bit farther. "But I'm guessing you can't answer, can you?"
"Do not question me," Ali gave him her calmest angry look possible, praying he wouldn't press her.
"You're a liar," Alfrid sneered, knowing he had caught her.
Then he froze, the water stopped, and Ali let out a heavy sigh. The dwarves were hidden. She could do a little something with this, hopefully without them seeing. Scrambling around the barrels Ali made her clumsy way up onto the docks, almost slipping into the water. Is this what happened to everyone in the movies that just magically appeared somewhere? Batman would be a whole different movie if there were no shadows.
Ali fixed her hair as she stepped up behind Alfrid, the pressure beginning to fill her skull. Hopefully this looked as cool as she imagined.
The second time started back she spoke, not giving the men time to react. "I would watch that tongue," Ali spoke softly behind his back. Quickly Alfrid jumped and spun, his eyes wide. "I do not like being called a liar." Behind her, Ali could hear Bard mutter a surprised curse and inhale sharply.
Time paused again and Ali spun around, she needed a knife. She reluctantly flicked open Alfrid's jacket, he felt as grimy as he looked. Sure enough though, there was a small dagger.
The pressure returned faster this time as Ali put the tip of the blade to his lip, and let time resume. This time she paused and let him realize his position.
"If you slander my persons again, I'll cut your tongue from your head and force you to consume it, am I clear?" Ali did her best not to smile, but when one looked as scared as Alfrid did, it was difficult.
He managed a squeak in response, Ali lowered the dagger, flipping it gently she offered it back to him. "I'm glad you understand," Ali didn't bother to stop time. Instead she lifted her skirts ever so slightly and began lowering herself back into the boat.
"M-my Lady, were are you going?" Alfrid held his fingers to his lips as Bard hesitantly offered Ali his hand. She hoped that he was thinking back to what happened on the shore and was regretting his actions. Or at least thankful she didn't break out these cool moves on him.
"With Bard of course," Ali motioned to the gates.
"I can take you to the Master's house instead. He would be more accommodating than this bargeman." Alfrid bowed slightly and offered his hand to her.
Ali just looked at him then back to the gates, definitely unimpressed. "Alfrid, so far you have tried to dump food into the waters, called me a liar, and insulted me with your smell. None of which Bard has done. No I will be staying with Bard, I will visit the Master when I see fit."
"But the Master will not be pleased that you didn't visit him right away!" Alfrid protested, grabbing onto the side of the barge.
"Well Alfrid, that's not my problem," Ali couldn't help the smirk that played on her lips, while Alfrid realized she was using his own words against him. Why should she have to fight every smirk? Every once in a while it felt nice to look down on someone and smirk a little.
As the gates opened Bard began to move the barge forward. It wasn't the smoothest conversation ever, but she was feeling pretty good. In fact she was pretty sure that she was now in the same category as a superhero. She could stop time. That was pretty nifty.
Would it be bad if I said that I didn't know what was going to happen until I was actually writing it?
Perhaps, but that's fun for me cause everyonce in a while I get to sit back and say
"Wow, I didn't see that coming" or "OMG when is there going to be more Thorin and Ali"
Geez don't worry self, it will be here in just a chapter :)
Please review! I read every single one of them and I absolutely adore every one! Bad or good :)
Muah!