| REWRITING |
A shapeshifter walks alongside Thorin Oakenshield on his perilous quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. As they traverse the rugged terrain, unexpected challenges arise, testing their resolve and camaraderie. With the shapeshifter's un...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
For most of this, you'll be in your human form.
⚔︎
Bard's barge is anchored at a wharf just beyond the outskirts of the city. Bard swiftly disembarks and initiates a hushed conversation with a man standing at the dock. Meanwhile, you and your dwarf companions are stealthily concealed within the confines of the barrels scattered across the barge. Dwalin whispers to Bilbo in a concerned tone, "What's he up to?" In response, Bilbo cautiously peers through a small opening in the side of his barrel, attempting to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Despite the palpable tension, you maintain your composure, confident that Bard has no intention of harming you. After all, the consequences of such a betrayal would be severe, considering the formidable creature you're all hiding from.
Bilbo whispers back in a slightly trembling voice, "He's engaging in a discussion with someone. And now, he's... he's pointing directly at us!" Your heart skips a beat as you realize Bard is indeed gesturing toward the very barrels you're all hidden in. However, you manage to keep your cool, aware that any sudden movement could give you away. You sense the collective anxiety of the dwarves growing as their whispers become more agitated.
Suddenly, there's a disturbance from above, and a cascade of dead fish floods into your barrels, causing you and your companions to splutter in shock. The stench is overwhelming, but you fight the urge to protest out loud. Dwalin can't hold in his distress and groans audibly, "Oh no, what is happening?"
Bard, seemingly unfazed by the sudden intrusion, starts to pole the barge toward the city's gate. The barrels, now brimming with a mix of fish and your hidden forms, are arranged neatly on the deck. The tension is palpable as you all remain as quiet as possible, listening intently to the exchange unfolding outside.
As the barge approaches the toll gate, a new voice pierces the air. It belongs to the gatekeeper, who calls out to Bard with a familiar tone, "Halt! Goods inspection, please. Ah, good day to you, Bard." The gatekeeper, an older man named Percy, sounds quite friendly and seems to be in a good mood. Bard pulls the barge alongside the dock, where Percy's office is situated, and the two exchange pleasantries.
Percy asks Bard if he has anything to declare, to which Bard responds casually, "Only that I'm chilled to the bone and eager to be back in the warmth of my home." This elicits a chuckle from the gatekeeper, who nods in understanding before stamping the papers. "You and me both," he says with a knowing smile, handing the papers back to Bard.
But the moment of relief is short-lived, as a shadowy figure emerges from the alleyway. Alfrid, a man with a sly and cunning demeanor, snatches the papers from Percy before Bard can retrieve them. His voice is as smooth as honey, yet laced with a hint of malevolence, as he addresses Bard. "Hold on just a second," he says, eyeing the barrels with suspicion. "I see here that this is a consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm, but it appears they're not quite as empty as the papers suggest."
