Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my ocs

Chapter Ten

Are You Coming?

Sitting in the room full of pain as Kili made gooey eyes at another elf. Maybe even Fili as well. She is more elegant, beautiful, a better fighter than I will ever be. There was a knock on the door as someone came in. Legolas entered as he carried something with him. "Ada would like you to join our celebration as a member of our kin. Here are some fresh clothes you may change into. I will be back in but a moment." Just sitting there not moving. He sighed placing the clothes on the bed then left.

Getting up off the floor looking at the bed. The clothes weren't that extravagant as the ones from Rivendell. But they were better than the ripped ones I had on. Quickly changing into the pair of black trousers, a light green tunic. Slipping my boots back on when the door opened. Turning around expecting Legolas only to see that it was Bilbo. "Bilbo what are you doing here?" Asking hugging my true and only friend.

"I have come to get you out. Let's go the others are waiting for us." Taking my hand to lead me. Not moving causing him to look at me confused. "What is the matter? We have to go now."

"I am sorry Bilbo but you have to go without me. I don't think I am wanted anymore."

"What are you talking about? We don't have time." He shouted stomping his foot but quieted down realizing what he was doing.

"Bilbo it's over between Fili, Kili and I. They found someone else, better than I will ever be." Whispering to him, his face lifted up to mine. Sad eyes looked into my hurt orbs. His hand tightened on mine.

"Have they said anything to you about it?" He asked. Shaking my head as he chuckled. "Then you do not know for sure if they have said feelings for someone else. Now let us go and finish our quest. If not for the others but for your father." I had forgotten that my father was an honorary dwarf that helped Thorin and his family in need. I will not give up on the friendship that my father had with them no matter the state of my heart.

"You are right. Let's go." Quickly pulling my hair back in a ponytail instead of a braid as I followed Bilbo to the others. Making it down to the cellar where they kept the wine. "What are we doing here?" Hissing at him as I kept my eyes on the sleeping guards. Then 13 heads popped out of the barrels as they all smiled seeing that I was there.

"Lass you are alright, thank Mahal." Bofur started to shout when Bilbo and I shhed him.

"Where have you been?" Fili questioned making me look at him then at his brother. I could feel the anger rise in my chest shaking my head turning to Bilbo.

"Now is not the time for this. Bilbo how do we get out of here?" Whispering urgently when voices could be heard.

"Hold your breath." He went over to a lever.

"Hold my breath?" Bofur asked making me smile at his question realizing what Bilbo was going to do.

"Wait what about Ali?" Fili asked. Smiling looking back at Bilbo.

"Don't worry." The barrels started to roll down into the waters below. Jumping in after the barrels were all in the water. Swimming over to Ori's barrel clinging to the side until Bilbo came down. Making a big splashy entrance.

"Well done Master Baggins." Thorin praised him. Moving towards the exit until he yelled. "Hold on!" Then we were swept into the rapids. Clinging on as tight as I could when a horn was heard over the water.

A bridge came into view, there were elves standing upon it. One pulled a lever closing the gates so we were trapped. They took a stance to fight when a black arrow embedded itself into one of them. "Orcs!" Yelling letting go of Ori's barrel. Swimming to the dead elf's body looking for his sword, not finding it, it must have fallen to the bottom of the river. Swimming to the bottom finding it and headed for shore to fight off the orcs to get to the lever.

Getting out of the water fighting with any orc that came to kill me. That is when I saw Kili getting out of the barrel heading for the lever. Almost losing my head from one of the orcs as I watched Kili. Shaking my head continuing to fight until I heard Fili yell his brother's name.

Turning around seeing an arrow sticking out of his leg. Feeling my heart drop into my stomach. Rushing to his side fighting off the orcs. An orc was on its way to slay him before I could even reach him. But that is when Tauriel shot it with her arrow. Rushing to Kili's side I helped him up

"Get in the barrel I've got the lever!" Shouting to him. Shaking his head grabbing my hand.

"We do it together!" He shouted. Nodding we pulled the lever to let the others go he jumped into his barrel leaving me behind.

"Ali!" Fili shouted as the current took them down river. Securing the sword, Diving into the river. Catching up to a barrel clinging on as I coughed up the water I had swallowed in the meantime. Feeling myself slipping off the barrel when a hand grabbed mine.

Looking up seeing Fili holding onto me I smiled but it wasn't for long. The current slowed way down which wasn't good since the orcs were after us. "Anything behind us?" Thorin shouted to all that hadn't been drowned.

"Not that I can see!" Balin shouted back to the front.

"I think we have out run the orcs," Bofur said popping out of his barrel.

"Not for long. We have lost the current. Make for the shore." Thorin demanded. Letting go of the barrel swimming to the shore. Lugging my drained body out of the ice water, flinging myself to the dry land.

Coughing once again trying to get the water out of my lungs. Feeling a hand on my back looking up to see that it was Bilbo. "You alright?"

"I'm alive for now," was my only reply. Sitting up seeing Kili fall to the rocks in pain. Quickly getting up going over to him. "Let me look at it." He just looked at me shaking his head. Bofur came over to see if he could help.

"I'm fine. It's nothing." He lied trying to pass off the pain. But I knew him better. I gently placed my hand on the leg that was wounded. It was bleeding pretty bad. Fili came over to check on him.

"On your feet." Thorin demanded looking around making sure that the orcs were still far off.

"Kili's hurt." Fili said concerned. "His leg needs binding."

"There's an orc pack on our tail. We keep moving."

"To where?" Balin asked.

"To the mountain." Bilbo chimed in. "We're so close." This wasn't the same hobbit that was worried about not having his hanky with him.

Ignoring the chatter as I concentrated on Kili's wound. I could see the head of the arrow looking at him he nodded. Using the sword prying loose the retched metal from the wound. Moving away so Fili could bind his leg. Going over to the water to wash the blood off my hands. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw a man with a bow sneaking up on Ori. Dwalin noticed as well standing up to defend him. The man shot his bow at him embedding the arrow into the branch Dwalin held.

Kili moved to throw a rock but was shot out of his hand by another arrow. "Do it again and you're dead." Turning around to face me with my sword in hand. Pointing his arrow right at me. "Drop it." Letting it fall as it clattered to the rock. He eyed me up and down with a confused expression upon his face.

"Excuse me but um...you're from Lake Town if I am not mistaking." Balin walked up to him carefully not to anger him. He pointed the bow at the older dwarf. "That barge over there it wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?" Watching him lower his weapon then put it away moving over to the barrels to load them.

"What makes you think I would help you?" he questioned not missing a step in his movements.

"Those boots have seen better days. As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many?" Balin asked trying to make conversation.

"A boy and two girls." He continued to load the barge.

"And your wife I imagine is a beauty." He stopped looking at the scenery after Balin said that.

"Aye she was." He looked back to us making my heart sink for his loss. Looking back at Kili who was in pain but wouldn't admit it. Fili standing by him as he looked at him.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean too..." Balin was cut off by his brother.

"Come on come on enough of the niceties."

The bargeman looked up, "what's your hurry?"

"What's it to you?" Dwalin barked.

"I would like to know who you are. And what you are doing in these lands?" he questioned.

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains. Journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills." Balin merely said. But his eyes looked to me.

"Simple merchants you say? What about her?" He pointed to me. "Odd for a human let alone a woman to be traveling with dwarves."

"She is family to us." Balin stated proudly.

"We need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?" Thorin asked stepping towards the barge. The bargeman looked at the barrels touching the parts were damaged.

"I know where these barrels came from."

"What of it?" Thorin stated.

"I don't know what business you had with the elves. But I don't think it ended well." He waited a few moments then started again. "No one enters Lake Town but by leave of the master. All his wealth comes from trade with the woodland realm." He untied the barge. "He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil." Throwing the rope at Balin as he caught it.

"I will wager that there are ways to get into town unseen." Balin suggested.

"Aye. But for that you will need a smuggler."

"For which we will pay double." And that my friends is how we got on the barge to Lake Town. Money talks wonders to those who need it most.

Sitting away from the others shivering as it had grown quite cold. The air damp as fog crept in making visibility limited. "Why are you not with them?" The bargeman asked.

"It's complicated sir," Whispering through chattering teeth. He chuckled making me look at him.

"Please just call me Bard. Pray tell what is your name?" He asked. Standing up letting my hair down to keep me a bit warmer.

"My name is Alison but I go by Ali." Rubbing my hands up and down to get some warmth when Bofur yelled.

"Watch out!" He merely moved the rudder gliding effortlessly through the water missing the remains of something.

"What are you trying to do? Drown us?" Thorin snapped at him.

"I was born and bred on these waters master dwarf. If I wanted to drown you I would not do it here." He exclaimed making the others grumble. Shaking my head, I turned to look out over the water.

As they squabbled over things ignoring them as my mind went over and over the conversation between Kili and her. Deciding that this will be where my help ends. That I shall go back to Rivendell. I have done enough for them, bled, cried, loved, lost, I do not need any more. I am ready to go home.

"The money quick give it to me. " Bard moved towards the others holding out his hands.

"We will pay you when we get our provisions but not before," Thorin explained to him.

"If you value your freedom you'll do as I say." He looked up, "there are guards ahead." Then the fog cleared up revealing a rundown shabby town. He looked to me as the others got into the barrels. "Cover yourself with this." Handing me a torn sail that needed mending.

"Why?" I questioned.

"There are not enough barrels to hide you. I need you to be a cast away can you do that?" Asking as I nodded messing up my hair finding a bit of dirt on the barge covering my face with them. "Good, good that'd work."

Stopping at a dock as he got off and went over to someone. Then I couldn't help but snicker as fish were being dumped into the barrels. Bard came back and we were off towards the town. They were gagging with the smell and whining when Bard kicked one of the barrels. "Quiet." He hissed. "We are approaching the toll gate." I was a bit worried as I huddled deeper into the sail.

"Halt! Goods inspection!" A man yelled coming out of one of the buildings. "Papers please." The man walked up to us as Bard pulled in the barge. "Oh it's you Bard."

"Morning Percy." Bard said as we stopped.

"Anything to declare?" The older man asked.

"Nothing but I am cold and tired and ready for home." Bard handed him the papers.

"And what is this?" Percy asked pointing to me.

"Her? I found her washed up on the shore of the river. She doesn't say anything. Thought I could bring her here." Bard said. They spoke for a few minutes then Percy gave back the papers.

"Not. So. Fast." A man dressed all in black with one very furry eyebrow intervened taking the papers. "Assignment of empty barrels from the woodland realm. Only they're not empty. Are they Bard." Coming over to the barge looking at the barrels then at me. "And what is this?"

"Found her washed up on the river shore. She can't speak nor hear. Taking pity on the poor thing. I brought her here." Bard responded. Looking down acting as if I heard nothing.

"Well if I recall correctly you're licensed as a bargeman not a fisherman." He picked up a fish holding it to Bard's face. "Nor bringing in lost persons." Pointing the fish at me.

"That is none of your business." Bard responded bitterly.

"No it's the master's business which makes it my business."

"Oh come on Alfred have a heart. People need to eat. She is lost, alone and impaired. She needs food, shelter, a place where she can live. She would have died out there on her own." Bard started to shout.

"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side. And she will be coming with me." He threw the fish into the water, grabbed my arm pulling me with him. Trying to fight him off but his grip grew tighter bruising my wrist as I continued to struggle.

"Folks in this town are struggling. Times are hard. Food is scarce." Bard responded to the weasel.

"That's not my problem." Alfred replied like this was nothing. Still fighting with me.

"And when the people hear the master is dumping fish back into the lake. When the rioting starts. Will it be your problem then?" He questioned as Alfred tried to keep me in his grasp.

"Stop. You're the people's champion aye Bard. Protector of the common folk. You might have their favor now bargeman but it won't last." He threatened turning around trying to leave with me still fighting.

"Leave the girl. What is an invalid girl good for the master?" Bard shouted making him stop again. Alfred let me go as I ran into the chest of my savor.

"Keep your whore, but she will never find work here in this town mark me bargemen." With that he continued to walk away.

"You alright?" Bard whispered so only I could hear. Nodding as we got back onto the barge as the gate rose. Sitting down we started to move again.

"The master has his eyes on you. You do hope to remember. We know where you live." Alfred shouted to Bard.

"It's a small town Alfred. Everyone knows where everyone lives." He stated the obvious. Passing through the town, we stopped as Bard kicked over one of the barrels with Nori in it. The fish spilt out along with him, Feeling bad for him. "Follow me." As the others climbed out of the barrels stinking of fish.

Bard led us through the village quick as he could. Then a boy came running over to us. "Da… our house is being watched." The boy told him. Bard told the others how to get in. I was to follow Bard and his son Bain into their home.

Walking into the house as Bard said something to the two men in the boat in front of his house. He walked in and closed the door. "Da where have you been?" A little girl asked hugging her father. "And who is this pretty lady?"

"Father there you are. I was worried." Another girl older than the other girl asked hugging her father then turned to me. "Who are you?"

"My name is Ali your father is helping us." Bowing my head.

"Us?" The younger girl asked looking at her father.

"Bain get them in." Bard instructed. Bain ran down the stairs then Dwalin came up the stairs angry.

"Da why are there dwarves climbing out of our toilet?" the oldest girl asked.

"Will they bring us luck?" the youngest asked. I couldn't help but laugh. As everyone was out and sitting in front of the fire getting changed.

Bard brought over a set of women's clothing for me. "These were my wife's. You are about the same size."

"Thank you very much." Taking them and going to change. When I came back out Bard looked up and stared making me feel weird. "Do I look weird?" I whispered.

"No you look a lot like our mum." The oldest Sigrid said. She looked away then went to get some tea for the dwarves to warm them up. Going over sitting in front of the fire rubbing my sore wrist when Fili came over to me.

"How's Kili?" Asking not looking up.

"His wound is getting worse. I am worried about him," he whispered. Then taking my hand in his. "Did that Alfred do this to you?" Nodding feeling his hand ghost over the purple bruise forming

"Yeah. I am worried about him Fili." I whispered. Then his hand touched my head where Kili's braid used to be.

"What happened to Kili's braid?" he asked.

"I took it out. I think Kili has found new interest in that girl back in Mirkwood." Looking into the fire feeling the anger surge through me. "If you do to then I understand." Hearing him chuckle making me look at him.

"It wont last. We love you that I am sure of." We looked back at him as his skin paled.

"Well whatever happens I love the both of you. But who am I kidding I am a no one. I think it is time for me to go home." Trying to keep myself from sobbing into his chest.

"Don't say that. Just give it some time." Fili took my hand again squeezing it. "Even if he does like her which he doesn't I love you isn't that enough?"

Going to respond when, "Fili, Kili a word." Thorin called. Standing up kissing my forehead then went to his uncle.

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