Our tiny craft, overburdened as it was, glided out into the canal with all the grace that we could manage. With Fili and Bofur steadily propelling us forward, and Tauriel to guide us, we made for the safety of open water. I perched at the aft of the craft, balanced precariously on the prow behind the rest of the occupants where I kept low to keep the craft as stable as possible. However, I could not help but tilt my head to the skies in attempts to catch a glimpse of the beast as it flew overhead. I was about as curious of the creature as I was terrified of it.
As we finally reached the end of the narrow channel between Bard's house and the next, we found that making progress out of the city would be slow going. Unsurprisingly, we were not the only ones to take to the water. A large array of boats and ships carrying panicked townsfolk jostled together, clogging the city's major arteries. Our vessel was more manoeuvrable and so we were able to make some headway past the larger barges, but not enough.
A fearsome noise struck out over the growing cries and shouts and clamour. The dragon's roar split the air, causing renewed terror, and in the time it took for the beast to let out a breath, the town was cut in two by a wall of flames. The heat was instant, a physical entity that singed our skin and forced shocked intakes of air, searing our lungs. Though coughs wracked our bodies, we carried on.
"We're not moving fast enough." Tauriel stressed, the only one seemingly unaffected by the dragon fire.
As Smaug unleashed his fury I quickly became less interested in seeing the dragon and more interested in never seeing it again. The sheer magnitude of his destructive abilities made me doubt we would be able to escape, and I felt the horror of our potential plight deep in my core. Yet in an odd detached way our small boat was quiet, seemingly relaxed, as we tried to strike the best course through the burning rubble and violent fire whirlwinds in a near businesslike fashion. There was no opportunity to give into fear. It would not help.
The light from the town going up in flames illuminated the waterways further, and in the better light I could make out where we were. I leaned forward and placed a hand on Bofur's shoulder to get his attention over the din, shouting "Turn left here!"
Our sharp turn brought us into shadow once more, an uninhibited side channel leading directly towards the main thoroughfare. No sooner had we turned off than I was forced forwards, instinctively avoiding another heat wave as a jet of flame raced down the canal we had just turned off of and sending a plume of instantly evaporated water up after us.
Everyone looked back at the carnage. After recovering, I glanced up at them, my face frozen with the grim reality that if I hadn't encouraged the change in course, we would all be dead. Bofur met my gaze, removing a hand from his pole to grab my shoulder briefly before he turned forward and pushed us on with renewed vigour.
Our momentum upon entering the main channel was suddenly diverted, and once again I found myself falling forwards, barely able to keep my balance as the entire boat listed to starboard and dipped dangerously low to the waterline. Once steady, I looked up to see the Master's barge, weighed low with the town's treasury, churning through the water before us.
"Move it! Move it! Move it!" He badgered incessantly. "Come on, faster!"
Those onboard seemed disinterested in our plight, or anyone else's, as our boat grinded against the side of their craft. In fact, the gold spilling over the side due to our collision was the only thing the Master seemed to care about (besides his own life). He continued to shout at us to back off, fretting over the treasure that was being lost to the depths of the lake.
Our boat was spun sideways by the momentum of their heavy barge until it was on a parallel course. As I drew to the side of their barge, a solid gold vase tipped over their gunwale and into my lap.
They wanted their gold back, did they? I would give it to them.
I stood up, the boat rocking slightly as I did so and causing Fili and Bofur to look back at me in surprise. Undeterred, I heaved the golden missile as hard as I could at the Master, though my movement caused the boat to tip even more, impeding my aim.
The vase struck Alfrid, hard, on the back of his head, causing him to topple over the edge where he spluttered and struggled, imploring the Master or the guards to help pull him back up. The Master ignored his pleas, pressing his barge onwards now that we were no longer impeding its course.
Alfrid desperately began to swim over to us, calling out for a paddle.
"Too bad we don't owe you a favour." I snapped, making no move to aid him as we drifted further out of his grasp.
"You'll regret this!" Alfrid shouted, but I shook my head and did not look back. Someone else could be burdened with him, our boat was full.
We sped across the channel and into another alley, passing beneath the shops and into the cool darkness below. We paused at the far edge of the city block, Tauriel holding us in place while she scouted about. As we emerged into the light once more, the entire city burned around us. Over the screams and the groans of burning timbers, a bell's toll rang out, growing louder as we approached, and drawing our attention towards it and the lone bowman atop the bell tower.
"DA!" Bain shouted, prompting his sisters to shout as well.
"Bard..." I gasped, moved by his lone stand against such an invincible foe. Arrow after arrow he fired, each one missing its mark, and at a word from Tauriel any small flicker of hope was quenched.
"They will not penetrate his hide... I fear nothing will."
We drifted on in silence for a moment, watching the bargeman's plight. By the time we noticed what was happening in our immediate vicinity, it was too late to stop Bain from abandoning the craft and racing off to help his father. I turned and shouted for him, reaching out to try and grab him as he swung away on a wooden cargo crane. Bofur's hands grasped my belt and steadied me, drawing me back as Tauriel once again spoke wisdom.
"We cannot go back."
I struggled against Bofur for a moment - against the futility of our situation - but quickly realized there was nothing I could do, and sadly sank back to my perch.
We made good time from that point on, and as we turned once more to avoid a blocked passage, I instantly realized where I was. The entire row of houses alongside us was on fire, including my own.
Let it burn, I thought, surprising myself with my lack of attachment and emotion over my childhood home and its possessions. The only thing I truly valued in my life now was already sitting in the boat with me.
We then passed through a section of city already crumbling away to ash and we all looked dead ahead, keeping our eyes off of the charred remains and lives lost, save for those precious moments when we could see the bell tower - when Sigrid, Tilda and I would look with foolish hope for signs of Bard's victory. Though she might not admit it, I saw Tauriel looking too.
We were well beyond the city limits when the dragon clawed its way up into the sky, a pirouetting blaze of red amidst the cool white starlight.
Then Smaug fell from that sky forever.
And the bell tower fell with it.
Sigrid pulled her sister close and wept quietly, and so with heavy hearts we joined the ships no longer looking for survivors. The city still burned, blazing at our backs long into the night as we crossed the Long Lake, and as we neared the Eastern shore, the rising sun rose to greet us.
As we approached the shoreline I watched the collecting townsfolk with growing unease as they yelled and screamed and cried over their losses, dragging bodies and valuables alike from the cold water.
As soon as our boat scraped bottom, Bard's daughters scrambled out and added to the chaotic fray as they cried out for their father. Tauriel and I quickly hopped out after them, soaking our boots as we waded to the rocky beach after the girls before we lost sight of them.
"What will you do now?" Tauriel asked me under her breath as we caught up to where Sigrid and Tilda were looking around and shouting for Bard.
"I'm not sure." I answered honestly, glancing wistfully back at the boat. Bofur and Fili had debarked and were pulling it to shore.
"What will you do?" I asked, looking back to her to see that she too was gazing in the direction of the dwarves.
Her eyes met mine and she smiled sadly. "I am not sure either."
I grinned back in sympathetic reassurance. How unusually alike our situations were becoming despite our extreme differences. A human woman of no name or background, and an ageless immortal elven captain; yet both with hearts belonging to dwarf men, and both unsure how quite to proceed.
"Oi! You!" A familiar but angry voice rang out and I saw a dark figure stomping towards us. Alfrid's face was twisted in rage, his hair hung in dank wet strands across his forehead, his thick coat still dripping from his time in the cold lake.
I smiled despite myself but began backing up nonetheless.
"Don't you run away, I have a bone to pick with you!" he snarled, shoving Tilda roughly out of the way and knocking her to the ground. Tauriel dropped to help her up, shooting a glare at Alfrid as he passed.
I continued to step back, keeping my features pleasant.
"There is nothing to discuss, Alfrid." I said politely, my hands up in a shrug. "It was every man for himself, you know that. I have nothing to apologize for."
"Is that so?" he sneered, coming to a stop in front of me. "As I seem to remember, I told you that you'd regret your actions earlier, now is time to pay up."
"What, are you going to arrest me?" I questioned heatedly. "You're not in charge now you realize."
"That is where you are wrong." he rebuked, still glowering. "In the absence of the Master, the power cedes to his deputy, which in this instance, is my good self!"
I laughed mockingly. "Yeah right, I will be dead before I answer to the likes of you." I spat.
He lunged forward and roughly grabbed hold of my wrist. I tried to yank away but he held me firm and twisted my arm enough to make me gasp in pain. I stomped on his foot, causing him to curse, but his grip was strong.
"Maybe that can be arranged." he said. I tried to flinch away as he suddenly lifted his free hand as if to hit me, but suddenly a set of fingers curled around his wrist and held his arm in place.
"You let that hand fall, lad, and I may just break your fingers." Bofur uttered in a deadly quiet voice close behind Alfrid's shoulder. "Let her go."
Alfrid scowled but released his hold on me. Bofur relinquished after a moment though he continued to stare at Alfrid with some mixture of disgust and loathing.
"I wouldn't go turning on your own, Alfrid, not now." A new voice said from nearby behind us.
I smiled in relief as I turned to see Bard and Bain approaching. At that moment Tilda and Sigrid broke through the crowd and ran into their father's arms. Bofur took my hand and led me away from the circle of people, giving the family some space to reunite.
"Thank you, for back there." I said when we were out of the din.
Bofur frowned and turned to look at me. "Do human men make a habit of striking their women?" he asked in a clipped voice, clearly still somewhat agitated.
I regarded him, trying not to bristle over his accusatory tone as I felt he was condemning my entire race without taking into consideration men like Bard and my father, good men that would never lift a finger to their wives and who rightly deserved respect.
"No. I'm sure many don't." I replied evenly.
"But that's not the first time you've been threatened like that." he stated, his scowl deepening. "You've even recoiled from me."
It was my turn to frown. "I don't mean to." I mumbled repentantly. "But surely some dwarf men run their household with a heavy hand as well…"
"No. We don't." Bofur insisted, shaking his head but maintaining eye contact. "We cherish our women."
I didn't know how to respond so instead cast my eyes to the ground. I wasn't sure I even believed him. He couldn't possibly know what occured behind the closed doors of every dwarven couple, and it wasn't as if human men made a show putting women in their place - it was often discreet. I swallowed hard as my memories travelled back unbidden to when I had been subject to abusive treatment from men at the tavern. It had almost begun to feel normal - and that was about the time I knew I had to leave or else my life would have taken a darker turn.
"Well," I said quietly as I glanced back up at Bofur, "that will be a nice change."
Bofur sighed, his eyes sombre.
"Oh, lighten up." I urged, kicking his boot. "If I hadn't been roughened up a bit, I might not appreciate how good you are to me." I jested, leaning down and placing a quick kiss on his lips.
He gaped at me a moment then pulled me back into a walk.
"You shouldn't joke about that." he added, shooting me a sidelong glance.
"And why not? It's not as if you'll beat me if I do." I continued with a teasing grin, nudging him with my elbow.
"Stop that!" Bofur retorted, but he let go of my hand and instead put his arm around my middle and pulled me against him.
We came to a stop in front of the boat. Fili and Óin were beginning to push it back down the rocky shore and into the water.
"We're leaving." Bofur then said, turning to face me.
I clenched my jaw but nodded in acceptance. I couldn't expect him to linger here when he did not yet know the fate of his brother. Their haste towards the mountain was understandable.
"When will I see you again?" I inquired, trying to keep my voice light.
Bofur frowned, looking at me in confusion. "You don't want to come with us?"
I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it again as I took a moment to catch up with the conversation. "Oh. I didn't think-" I stammered. "I can come?"
Bofur smiled and took my hands. "We weren't about to just leave you here."
I noticed Bofur suddenly focus on something behind me and I turned to see Kili approaching Tauriel, perhaps about to have a similar conversation.
Bofur then nodded towards Legolas, who was purposefully stalking towards them through the throng of people.
"The lad could probably do with a diversion." Bofur said quickly. I smiled, understanding his jist, and skipped over to cut off Legolas before he could interrupt what was bound to be a delicate exchange between Kili and the elf maiden he fancied.
I came to a jerking halt directly in front of the tall, blonde warrior, causing him to stop short and look down at me with narrowed eyes.
"I never got to say thank you," I began, slightly out of breath, "for saving me, back at the house."
He nodded curtly then moved to step around me, but I sidestepped to cut him off once more.
"So thank you. That was very... gallant of you." I continued awkwardly. "Did you track the others? The orcs I mean?"
He stared at me with his unsettlingly blue eyes as if I were mad. "I have no desire to discuss my actions with you, dwarf-friend."
"Oh." I huffed, squaring my shoulders. "Because I am a friend of dwarves?" I asked challengingly. "Or because I'm a human? Or maybe because I'm a woman."
Legolas scowled slightly and again attempted to get around me, but I continued to block his path somewhat obnoxiously.
"Either way, that's a tad narrow-minded, do you not think?" I remarked, trying to keep his attention by any means necessary. "Unless it is simply because you do not know me, then perhaps I can understand your hesitation, but-"
He sighed then placed the back of his hand on my upper arm and physically moved me aside in order to pass. In one final attempt at distracting him, I yelled something unintelligible after he pushed me and, when he spared me one final glance, I pretended to swoon and fell as convincingly as I could to the ground. My drastic efforts were not at all heeded, however, as either he simply knew I was pretending or he was terribly ungentlemanly by nature - in which case I could fully understand why Tauriel might prefer Kiki's company to his own. I cracked my one eye open and saw him swiftly carry on and come to a stop just behind Tauriel, causing her to visibly stiffin.
"Nice try, love, but your acting skills could use some work."
I looked up to see Bofur holding a hand out for me. I grinned and let him pull me up.
"Well, I tried." I said with a shrug as I brushed off my clothing. "It's hard to come up with anything to say to…" I thought for a moment, trying to come up with a fitting descriptor for Legolas' character, but Bofur finished for me.
"-to such a wanker? I don't doubt it."
I stifled a laugh, but then saw Tauriel begin to follow Legolas away from the beach. I frowned, grabbing hold of Bofur's arm as we rejoined Kili, who was now standing alone. I looked to him somewhat sadly, guessing that Tauriel would not be joining our little party. He patted me on the shoulder in thanks for what little time I had managed to provide, and then we all meandered back to the boat. Óin was already settled at the bow, while Fili was thigh-deep in the water holding the boat steady as he waited.
As the dwarves began paddling us away I saw that Tauriel had returned to the water's edge and was watching us depart. I felt a twinge of regret, I should have at least said goodbye to her. Some part of me had truly expected her to be sitting here with us. I knew her eyes were only on Kili, but still I raised my hand slightly in a small wave. She bowed her head slightly then turned, disappearing in the masses and leaving our lives without a backward glance.
We set our course to the mouth of the River Running, and after crossing the lake we headed upriver a ways but found that our progress was insubstantial with our set of inadequate and improvised paddles against the strong current.
We decided to pull into shore to make camp at dusk, but we had no food and very few supplies, so it wasn't exactly camping - more like waiting in extreme discomfort for the sun to rise. The landscape was becoming increasingly barren and so the cold wind easily cut through us, but thankfully Óin was able to display his skill and, after an hour or so trying, he managed to light a fire which we gratefully huddled around.
We paddled for a good portion of the next day but when we saw a set of rapids approaching we decided to just bank our small boat and continue on foot.
Our going was slow. Though Kili would push himself as fast as we set the pace and would never admit to needing a break, it was obvious that he was in some pain. So Bofur and I took the lead, walking much slower than usual for Kili's sake and making excuses for excessive stops despite Kili's complaints that we would not make it to Erebor before winter if we kept it up.
He must have been exhausted, however, as when we stopped for the evening he lay down, using Fili's leg as a pillow, and fell asleep almost immediately despite the cold temperature and being on the hard ground.
"Try to get some sleep too, love, you look tired." Bofur insisted quietly, brushing my hair from my face.
I nodded and followed Kili suit, gratefully resting my head on Bofur's lap while he agreed to take first watch. I had lost too much sleep and found that my body was now desperate to catch up, regardless of how uncomfortable I was.
I remember being slightly shuffled what must have been a few hours later as Óin took over watch and Bofur moved to lie down after placing his coat under my head. After then, my dreams became vivid, and dark.
I awoke already sitting up, a strangled cry escaping my throat before I could stop it, my face wet with tears I didn't know I had shed. Bofur's arms were around me in an instant, and I desperately grabbed hold of him.
"... a bad dream, is all." I began to register his soothing words as his hand lightly rubbed my back, but the half forgotten images that had haunted me in sleep started pouring back to the forefront of my thoughts.
"Where's Kili?" I asked, almost in a panic. I released Bofur and stared around the dark camp, my fear becoming tangible as I recalled him in my dreams, blank eyes staring up at me as his life's blood pooled from beneath him.
"I'm here." I heard him call nearby.
I sighed in relief and crawled towards his shadowed figure, coming to rest in front of him, then reached out a hand and placed it on his chest to reassure myself it was not soaked with blood.
"You're alright?" I asked, trying to calm down.
"I'm fine." He replied with a smile, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. "-Besides being startled out of sleep like that. My heart is still pounding."
"Aye, you gave us all quite the fright, miss, screaming out like that." Óin added as got up and put the last of our small wood pile onto the embers.
"Sorry... I don't remember screaming." I mumbled, sitting back on my heels.
"What did you dream of?" Fili asked quietly after a moment, peering at me anxiously.
I shook my head slightly and got to my feet. "It was nothing. I was overtired." I replied lightly, feeling the fear of the nightmare begin to ebb away now that I was fully awake.
I walked back over to Bofur and sat down beside him.
"I'll keep watch until morning." I said to the group, not wishing to close my eyes anymore that night despite the exhaustion my body still felt.
I nudged Bofur with my shoulder when he made no move to lie back down.
"Please, sleep." I urged him quietly. "I will wake you if I hear anything at all."
He studied me and placed a warm hand on my cheek.
"I'm fine." I insisted with a small smile.
"If you start to feel tired-" he began.
"I will wake you, I promise." I finished, nodding obediently.
Bofur grinned at me then settled back into sleep and before long I was listening to the snoring of four dwarves around me as I kept warm next to the fire.
As I watched the horizon ever so slowly grow brighter I began growing anxious, wishing for dawn to finally arrive so we could carry on.
Erebor awaited. Our journey's end.