I'd watched over the Thorin as he sent out their letters to their allies, always stressing the urgency that needed to come across. Thorin had his earphones in the entire time. I was amazed my how well it kept his temper. Over the time since he'd begun using it he'd calmed considerably. He was even beginning to keep his anger without the music. Fili had taken a picture of the first letter Thorin had constructed and used it as a key to make more so letters could be sent with messengers immediately. Kili had wanted to join but the job was being well handled so, instead of being a distraction, he'd pulled out his cards and begun a game of Solitaire.

Once Thorin had all of the letters sent of he stretched and sent Kili and I on our way. Kili had found a full sized bow for me to use, he'd handed it and the arrows to me and I'd grabbed them hesitantly. I'd only shot a bow and arrow a few times in my high school gym class. This bow (and man! Those arrows!) were so different from what I'd previously used that I wasn't sure how this one worked.

Kili had handed me an arm brace for the training. He helped me into the right form and handed me an arrow. I knocked the arrow and aimed at the large sized target in the distance. Kili pushed my limbs to where they were supposed to be again.

"Just be aware of yourself. Once you get that down you can worry more about what you're shooting at." Easier said that done Kili. His hand stayed on my elbow, which had a predisposition to drop to an unhelpful angle. I loosed my fist arrow and hit the target low, barely clinging to the bottom edge.

"Hmm. Guess it's not like a pistol." I grabbed another arrow and aimed high. The arrow shot from my hand and planted itself near the center of the target. We both stood in silence as the arrow wobbled in place. Kili hadn't known that in my world I'd had plenty of practice shooting guns. My aim was very well off. As long as Kili was correcting my form, and I focused on the power and angle needed for the bow, I would do pretty well at this. Hopefully with enough practice I'd be able to defend myself with this weapon. Kili was still standing in shock as he handed me another arrow, thinking it may have been a fluke. He helped me into position. Another arrow flew toward the target hitting near center again. I grinned as Kili exclaimed in disbelief.

"You stay and practice," He said, turning and walking out of the training area. I tried and tried to keep up the correct stance. Kili would have to keep working with me on that. My fingers were already sore and my arm was tired. Kili had finally come back with a small trail of others. Thorin was right behind him with Fili in tow. Legolas had tagged along as well, which made me nervous. Thorin pushed past Kili.

"Show me," He ordered lightly. This was making me way too nervous. I wasn't one for performing, matter of fact, I was on the verge of severe stage fright. Kili had walked back over as my form had, once again, faltered. I whispered to him urgently.

"I don't think I can shoot in front of everyone, I'm way too nervous." I stood shaking. He noticed my hesitancy and glanced back to the group standing a small way off. He turned back to me, still grasping my elbow.

"What if they watched out of sight?" I glanced at his hopeful face. He was proud of me and wanted Thorin to know my strengths. I wanted them to know what I could to as well. I nodded to Kili, hoping that as long as they were out of view I'd be able to focus. Kili nodded and went back to the others to tell them what was happening. As they turned their backs on me and began disappearing the shaking in my arms lessened and knew I'd be able to at least shoot something. Kili came back, corrected me once again and handed me the next arrow. I tried to clear my head just remembering being on the range, and how everyone there was just practicing and having a good time. I loosed the arrow. It caught on the last arrow I'd shot and flew off, Close to the target but a weak shot. My fingers were almost done. I knew I needed to throw at least a couple good ones in for Kili's pride. The second I shot hit home, the third just below and then I had to stop, shaking the pain out of my hand. Kili grabbed my hand to look and tskd.

"Well, I suppose we're done for now. Let's take care of your hand." I'd almost forgotten the others had been watching until they appeared from behind the trees. They walked up as we made our way out. Thorin snatched my hand as well taking in the damage my "soft" hand had taken then motioned for us to go fix it up. As we walked away I glanced back to see the three of them staring ahead with crossed arms silently pondering the porcupine target.

My fingers were pretty well blistered but once they were taken care of and wrapped I felt much better. We'd all gathered that evening for a meal sent to us from the Master of Laketown. It was fairly lavish and we all sat and enjoyed the bounty in front of us. We'd invited the Bard and his family as well; their eyes sparkled at the sight of the well-prepared meal. I smiled at their eagerness. Bard had thanked us graciously when they arrived and sat among us enjoying the feast. He'd not told his family of the things that had been discussed with him and the things that would unfold. His family only knew us as a friend and that was alright for now.

Once the food was mostly gone Bofur pulled out a small guitar looking thing and began singing random songs about our journey so far.

"Whyyyyyy a lass one day, took us away!

On a ship that rolled on land!

Gave a beating to the solemn fewww!

That dared to chase our band!"

The group erupted into laughter and pats on the back. Before Bofur was at it again.

"We met a bear, got the hell out of there!

Ran into a forest full of spite.

Made some tall new friends and the story eeends,

Running over spiders with delight!"

The group must have been thoroughly drunk because once the laughter erupted the second time it was unstoppable. Cackles filled the air and dwarves were nearly rolling out of their seats. A few, incoherent songs later Bofur pointed to me, "This one's for you lass!"

"Met a sorry lass, arms thinner than grass,

Just as light as a feather on the wind!

Gave the lass a sword and she got bored!

But with the bow we had her pinned!"

Uproarious laughter again filled the room, this time with the dwarves patting me on the back. I couldn't help but feel a bit shy with the attention. They had moved on in no time though so I was free of the spotlight.

The Bardsman's stress seemed to fade as the jolly dwarves sung and laughed and his children began fading to sleep with full stomachs. The night pulled on and Bard stood to leave. His three children were asleep and he looked hesitant to wake them from their happy dreams. I made my way over to him, "I can carry one of them for you," I offered. He smiled crookedly, almost sadly.

"Thank you." He attached the oldest to his back in a piggyback style. I was amazed the kid stayed attached while still in deep sleep. The second oldest he held in his arms. I picked up his little girl gently though I doubted anything would wake her. She clung soundlessly to my neck as I followed Bard out of the lodge. I nodded to Thorin, letting him know I was heading out. His eyes followed me out the door.

Bard's house was halfway across the town, which wasn't too far considering the smallness of it. The moon was high in the sky, lighting our way. The lake water sloshed slightly below us. The stairs to his house creaked slightly as we made our way up. He pulled the door open with his boot and headed in. I followed closely behind laying the little girl in her bed. He stood watching over them for a moment.

"I can't thank the company enough for the hospitality you've shown me," he whispered. I smiled.

"Well, I think of this more as us thanking you for the things to come. Honestly, I don't know how we could thank you enough." His grin faltered slightly at the reminder of what was to come. I frowned at myself for bringing up the heavy topic. I sighed and headed for the door. Bard followed behind me.

"I will walk you back," he stated. I raised my eyebrow.

"You're going to leave them home alone?" I asked in slight worry.

"They are alone most of the day while I am out. The town is safe. We take care of one another," He assured. That's strange, if the town was so safe why was he walking me back. I decided it was just one of those gentlemanly things and went along with it.

The dwarves had settled down considerably when I'd returned. A few had passed out at the table. Thorin was still awake, lounging in a rugged armchair. As soon as I was through the door Thorin stood up and trudged to his room. I smiled at the action. I made my way upstairs ready to rest after a fairly eventful day.