The Edge Of the Wild (Hobbit fanfic)

Chapter 22: We Need a Smuggler

Gandalfs POV

"Oh, it's you! Why am I here, Gandalf?" He stared at me in surprise and confusion.

"Trust me, Rhadagast. I would not have called you here without good reason. This is not a nice place to meet." I pushed past him and walked towards the darkness. Rhadagast followed me in pursuit.

"No. It is not.These are dark spells, Gandalf. Old and full of hate. Who's buried here?" He ran in front of me and stood angrily in front of me.

"If he had a name, it's long since been lost. He would have been known only...as a servant of evil. 1 of a number. 1 of 9."

"Why now, Gandalf? I don't understand."

"The Ringwraiths...have been summoned to Dol Guldur."

"But it cannot be the Necromancer. A human sorcerer could not summon such evil."

"Who said it was human?"

Ulaalsias POV

"Excuse me...but you're from Lake-town, if I'm not mistaken. That barge over there...it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?" Balin crept towards the tall man.

"What makes you think I would help you?" He held his bow and arrow up, pointing it straight at Balin.

"Those boots have seen better days. As has that coat. No doubt you have
some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?" He looked down at the shabby brown boots and a jacket that had many holes. The man lowered his bow a little but his eyes kept darting between everyone.

"A boy and two girls."

"And your wife, I imagine she's a beauty." He sighed and shook his head sadly.

"Aye. She was."

Balins face turned to sadness and regret. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

"Oh, come on, come on. Enough of the niceties." Dwalin growled pushing Balin out of the way and strode towards the man.

"What's your hurry?"The mysterious man turned round and and walked towards a long, wooden raft that blended in perfectly with the murky water.

"What's it to you?" Dwalin shouted back at him.

"I would like to know who you are...and what you are doing in these lands."
Balin pushed Dwalin back again walking straight towards the man.

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains...journeying to see our kin...in the Iron Hills."

"Simple merchants, you say?"

"We need food...supplies, weapons. Can you help us?"

"I know where these...barrels came from."

"What of it?" I questioned.

"I don't know what business you had
with the Elves...but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Lake-town...but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade
with the Woodland Realm.
He would see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil." He grabbed a thick brown rope and started to pull at it.

"I'll wager there are...ways to enter that town unseen."

"But for that...you would need a smuggler.

"For which we would pay double."

A little Later

I walked up beside the brooding man, his face emotionless.

"Excuse me sir...but if I may ask...what is your name?" He turned his head towards me, his eyes murky and mysterious like the water.

"Bard...my name is Bard..." he sighed and focused back on the water. I stared at him in wonder. He sighed and turned back round to me.

"What about you? What is your name?" I shifted uncomfortably beside him.

"Ulaalsia...well I think it is anyway...I'm not so sure now..." He looked up at me and frowned.

"Why is that?" I sighed deeply.

"It's a very long story..."

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Hey y'all! How are all of you wonderful readers feeling?
I must apologise for not updating recently as I have had a bit of a writers block going on. But I appreciate all of you being so very patience.
I have many wonderful things planned for you amazing people which includes
-more Thorlisa (again credit to RiseOfTheNerds for coming up with the ship name)
-some Kiliel
-and new characters!
So I hope to update much more regularly now and I will post chapters as often as I can

Until I write again

I bid ye all a fond fairwell 🌟