If this is to End in Fire: Hobbit Fan Fiction Skin-changer

Chapter 14- The Only Way Out was the Only Way In

Long Lake was covered in a thick, cold mist, so that little could be seen in the air bar the cold, white water droplets.

Lupine’s arms were on the edge of the boat, facing out into her invisible surroundings. She hated to be on the water again and a dread had sunk into her with the coming of the mist. Outlines of the mountain could be seen in shadow and with it came the reality of her task. The water below her was black and icy and as she looked down, a thin, snake-like shape flicked in the depths. She drew away from the side and turned to the dwarves as they grumbled and cursed.

“Oh, I've had enough of this lippy lake-man. I say we throw him over the side and be done with him.” retorted Dwalin angrily.

“Oh, Bard. His name's Bard.” said Bilbo, feeling sorry for this man, who had to bear the brunt of thirteen impatient dwarves.

“I don't care what he calls himself, I don't like him.”

“We do not have to like him, we simply have to pay him.” said Balin.

The man turned quickly and whispered harshly to the company,

“There are guards ahead. Get in the barrels.”

The dwarves groaned for they were sick of the cramped spaces, but they did reluctantly what they were told for they had little choice.

As they heaved and grumbled, Bard ushered Lupine over.

“There are just fourteen barrels so you will stay with me. I know you are not of the race of men, but if you keep your eyes down and mouth shut, I will get you through.”

The skin-changer nodded and watched as the mist gave way to the sounds of voices and clunking and the rippling of water. The curtain of mist gave way to the outline of a town. Wooden planks formed walkways on the water and ropes and pillars bonded the houses together.

As they drew alongside a platform, Bard hopped from his ship to speak to a man, who stood a few strides away. Lupine withdrew her eyes to the deck of the barge, knowing these would be her give away in this town of men. Then she heard Bard stride over and hundreds of fish were slopped into the barrels of the dwarves. Lupine noticed the little curls of the hobbit’s hair in the barrel beside her and felt a little sorry for him as the slimy, white scales buried him in darkness.

Then Bard return to his rudder and manoeuvred the barge away and into the town. The skin-changer felt the cold shadows of the tall buildings as they collected haphazardly on constructed landings either side of her. She saw the gate as it drew closer and heard the shout of,

“Halt! Goods inspection. Papers please! Anythings to declare?”

“Nothing. But that I am cold and tired, and ready for home.”

“Yous and me both.” replied the gateman when suddenly, he noticed Lupine, peeping out from under her hair towards them. His face grew quizzical and he lifted his mouth to speak before another voice interrupted him.

“Not so fast.” said a short, bent-backed man as he trotted over to Bard and the gateman, “You haven’t declared who this being is.” He pointed a stout finger at Lupine and she withdrew her eyes, hands clasped in front of her and standing inconspicuously at the barge’s edge. The man watched her nastily and something like recognition sparked in his mind.

“She is my niece and she has come from the West.” replied Bard, “She has lost recently both mother and father and I am bound to her as kin. She is coming to live with my family.”

“What is her name and why doesn’t she speak?” snivelled the short man.

“That's none of your business.” retorted Bard.