▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆, she followed the stream as fast as she could but that talk with Legolas had put more distance between her and the Dwarves than she had anticipated. She ran faster, noticing the current was beginning to slow down. They would've went to land. Voices sounded from the distance, familiar voices. She looked up, a smile spreading across her lips. She'd snuck past the Orc's, killing a few stragglers but for the most part she remained unseen. She climbed over a hill just in time to see a man with a bow pointing a spear at the Dwarves.

     Ellaria quickly pulled out her bow, notching an arrow and pulling it back, pointing it at the man. "I suggest you drop your weapon, my friend." Her voice was dangerously low, eyes narrowing as she silently dared the man to release another spear, having released two before she'd arrived. The Dwarves looked at her, smiles gracing their faces. The man turned to her, now pointing his weapon at her. "Hurt my friends, and I won't hesitate to murder you right where you stand."

     "An elf with a company of Dwarves. Unheard of." The man said.

     "Drop your weapon. I won't ask you again." She pulled the string tighter, the arrow begging to be released.

     Balin stopped them from killing each other. "Excuse me, um, you're from Lake Town, if I'm not mistaken." The man glanced at him, but kept his aim on the she-elf. "That barge over there. . . it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?"

     Slowly, he lowered his weapon and Ellaria pointed her arrow to the ground, carefully loosening her grip on the string. She carefully watched him as he made his way to his boat, beginning to load it with barrels full of fish. When she was sure that he wasn't going to hurt them, she replaced her arrow. "What makes you think I would help?" Bard asked, lifting another barrel onto the boat.

     "Those boots have seen better days." Balin claimed. "As has that coat. Uh, no doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?"

     Bard paused to look at the white haired dwarf. "A boy and two girls."

     Balin smiled. "And your wife, I imagine she's a beauty."

     He placed another barrel onto the boat, standing there for a moment. "Aye." Ellaria cocked her head, noticing the way his body language had completely shifted at the statement. "She was."

     Balin closed his eyes in realization. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to―︎"

     Dwalin groaned. "Oh, come on, come on. Enough of the niceties."

     Bard turned his head to look at him. "What's your hurry?"

     "What's it to you?"

     "I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands." Bard made his way towards them.

     Balin shook his head. "We are simple merchants from the blue mountains. . . journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills."

     Bard smiled, amused. He raised his brows. "Simple merchants, you say?"

     Thorin took a step forwards. "We need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?"

     Bard placed another barrel on the boat, looking down at them and tapping his hand lightly against one. "I know where these barrels came from."

     "What of it?"

     "I don't know what business you had with the elves, or why you have one travelling with you, but I don't think it ended well." Bard said, shaking his head. "No one enters Lake Town but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the woodland realm. He would send you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil."

     Thorin shared a look with Balin, silently nodding his head. Balin looked at Bard. "I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen."

      "Aye," Bard agreed. "But for that. . . you would need a smuggler."

     Balin walked up to him. "For which we would pay double."

     Ellaria stepped up to them. "There's an easy enough way to get them in without being seen." Bard looked at her and she nodded towards the barrels. "They won't be happy with it," she shot a look towards the Dwarves, "but it's the best way in unnoticed."

     "And what of yourself?" Bard asked.

     "I'm Princess Ellaria of Rivendell, I am friends with the Woodland Realm and if they ask I'm there on the behalf of Thranduil. I know of your trades and I assume they won't want to ask questions when I tell them that if they ever try and disrespect me, King Thranduil will cut off all trade and have nothing to do with the people of your city. Your precious master wouldn't want to lose all his prophet." Ellaria stared him down and watched as his lips twitched upwards.

     "You are rather convincing."

     "I was trained to be." Ellaria replied. "Now, shall you allow us passage or not?"

     Bard glanced at the Dwarves, pure amusement in his eyes. "I see why you keep her around." He held out a hand. "Welcome aboard." Ellaria nodded, glancing at the Dwarves and nodding to them. They all climbed on and they started across the lake.

     Ellaria stood in the front, using her elf eyes to see through the fog and call out any oncoming obstruction she saw. She turned her head to look at the Dwarves, noticing they were all sitting around trying to gather money to pay the man. "Do not worry." Ellaria told them, grabbing their attention. "I've already paid him."

     "We do not need―︎"

     Ellaria cut Thorin off. "Call it a friendly gesture. I do not expect you to pay me back, nor do I want you to. You may not like me, Thorin. But you are stuck with me. I'd hope by now you would consider us friends." She glanced at the dark haired dwarf before continuing to look in front of her.

     Balin looked at Thorin, sending him a look. Thorin clenched his jaw before sighing, taking a stand beside her. "Thank you, Princess."

     "Please, just call me Ellaria." She softly chuckled. "I get called Princess enough at home. I don't need to hear it when I am away." She turned her head a small smile pulled on her lips as she pointed in the distance. The Dwarves all stood, staring at the mountain.

     "Bless my beard."

     Bard approached them. "If you value your freedom, do as I say. There are guards ahead."

     Quickly, the Dwarves all climbed in the barrels with the help of Ellaria and Bard. Bard looked at her as they grew closer to the dock. "Your story better be convincing."

     "It will be." Ellaria assured.

     They pulled to the dock and Ellaria stayed on the boat as Bard talked to one of the guards. She quickly took a step away when fish started to come down and fill up the barrels. She pressed her lips together to hold back her smile. Bard came back over and started maneuvering the boat through the water once more. Inside the barrels, the Dwarves let out groans and Bard lightly kicked one of them. "Quiet! We're approaching the toll gate."

     "Halt! Goods inspection! Papers please!" A man with white hair walked out, holding a lantern. "Oh, it's you, Bard."

     "Morning, Percy." Bard called, the boat coming to a slow stop.

     "Anything to declare?" Percy asked, approaching.

     "Nothing, but that I am cold and tired. . . and ready for home." He stepped off the boat, handing Percy a slip of paper.

     Percy took the paper. "You and me both." He stepped inside before coming back out. "There we are. All in order." As he went to hand Bard his papers, a man with greasy black hair appeared and snatched it from Percy's hand.

     "Not so fast." He looked down at the paper and began reading it. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland realm. Only. . . they're not empty. . . are they Bard?" He tossed the paper behind him. "If I recall correctly,  you're licensed as a bargeman. Not. . . a fisherman." He picked up one of the fish.

     Bard shook his head. "That's none of your business."

     He smiled. "Wrong. It's the masters business, which makes it my business."

     "Oh, come on, Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat."

     "These fish are illegal!" Alfrid claimed. He tossed the fish into the lake. "Empty the barrels over the side." He paused, his eyes finally spotting Ellaria. He smiled at her, his teeth black and covered with a layer of filth. "And who might the lovely lady be?"

     Ellaria stepped off the boat, coming to a stance beside Bard. She kept her chin held high and her eyes sharp and dangerous. "A spokesman for the King of the Woodland Realm. And quite frankly I have to say if the King saw what you were doing, he'd not be happy at all. Starving your people just because you feel it's right? And when the riot's start in the street because you are not feeding them the food that has been given, what will you do then? King Thranduil will not want to associate with a town whom it's own people is rebelling against. I'll have my exit now and inform the King of this immediately."

     Alfrid clenched his jaw before holding up a hand. "Stop." His eyes narrowed into a glare as he forced himself to look at Bard. "Ever the people's champion, eh, Bard? Protector of the common folk. You might have their favor now, bargeman, but it won't last."

     Ellaria smiled coldly. "And you have theirs? I suggest you let us pass through. You will not like what's to come if you don't."

     Alfrid swallowed nervously before walking away. Percy called out, "Raise the gate!" Bard and Ellaria stepped back on the boat and passed through the gate.

     As they were passing through Alfrid made a reappearance. "The master has an eye on you. You'd do well to remember: we know where you live."

     "It's a small town, Alfrid." Bard called. "Everyone knows where everyone lives." As they rode past him, Ellaria glanced at Bard, her lip quirking upwards. "Compelling," he said.

     Ellaria placed her hands in front of her, glancing around and keeping herself aware of her surroundings. "I told you I would be."

     When they got a safe distance away, Ellaria and Bard began to put the barrels on their sides, the fish and Dwarves sprawling out of them before the other Dwarves popped out on their own. When Bard spotted a witness, he walked forwards and quietly paid the man off. "Follow me." Bard said, leading the way.

     They went through a few alley's before coming to a stop when a young boy ran up to them. "Da! Our house, it's being watched."

     Bard looked around before telling the Dwarves what to do, letting Ellaria walk with him, softly communicating with her as to imply they were conversing about trade. The young boy entered the home first, Ellaria following after him as Bard stopped to toss some food at the two men on a boat that were right in front of his house. When he walked in, he was instantly greeted by two young girls. "Da! Where have you been?" One of them ran forwards, hugging her father.

     "Father!" The other girl smiled, clearly she was the oldest. "There you are! I was worried!" She jumped up to give him a hug as well.

     He handed his oldest his bag before looking out the window and addressing his son. "Bain, get them in." Bain ran downstairs to the toilet where the Dwarves would climb through.

     The oldest daughter leaned over the railing as the Dwarves began to walk up the stairs. "Da, why are there Dwarves climbing out of our toilet?"

     The youngest asked, "Will they bring us luck?"

     They were all given clothes and a blanket with Ellaria starting a fire in the fireplace. "They may not be the best fit, but they'll keep you warm." Ellaria helped get them all a warm cup of tea, glancing towards Thorin who was standing by the window, staring at something outside. Bilbo walked up to him followed by Balin. Ellaria thought it best not to ask, noticing the shadow of pain that crossed Thorin's face.

     She tuned in when Bard walked towards the three. "You speak as if you were there."

     Thorin turned to him. "All Dwarves know the tale."

     Bain walked over to them. "Then you would know that Girion hit the dragon. He loosened a scale under the left wing. One more shot and he would have killed the beast."

     Dwalin chuckled from behind the boy. "That's a fair story, lad. Nothin' more."

     Thorin stepped forward. "You took our money. Where are the weapons?"

     "Wait here." Bard replied before walking away.

     Thorin crossed his arms. "Tomorrow begins that last days of autumn."

     Balin added, "Durin's Day falls the morn after next. We must reach the mountain before then."

     "And if we do not?" Kili asked, his face sickly pale from the poison running through him from the arrow he'd been shot with. "If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?"

     "Then this quest has been for nothing," Fili finished.

     Footsteps approached and they all turned to see Bard reappear with weapons wrapped in black tarp in his hands. He placed it on the table before opening it. The disbelief echoed through all of the Dwarves and Thorin picked up one of the weapons. "What is this?"

     "Pike hook." Bard answered. "Made from an old harpoon."

      Kili picked up another, a wide square head on it. "And this?"

     "A crowbill, we call it. Fashioned from a smithy's hammer. It's heavy in hand, I grant, but, in defense of your life, these will serve you better than none."

     "We paid you for weapons." Gloin snarled. "Iron-forged swords and axes!"

     "It's a joke!" Bofur cried, tossing his weapon onto the table. The other Dwarves followed suit and Ellaria just leaned against the wall, taking a sip of her tea.

     "You won't find better outside the city armory." Bard argued. "All iron-forged weapons are held there under lock and key."

     Noticing the look Thoirn and Dwalin had exchanged, Balin quickly spoke up. "Thorin, why not take what's on offer and go? I've made do with less. So have you." They stared at each other for a long moment before Balin addressed the rest of them. "I say we leave now."

     "You're not going anywhere." Bard dismissed.

     Dwalin's face grew dangerous. "What did you say?"

     Bard looked at him. "There are spies watching this house and probably every dock and wharf in the town. You must wait till nightfall." He walked out of the home.

     "He's not wrong." Ellaria hummed, taking another sip of her drink. The Dwarves looked at her. "The man only wants to keep his family safe. You can understand that, can't you Thorin?" She cocked her head slightly as she stared at him. He clenched his jaw before nodding with a grunt.