The Eyes of Emerald

Chapter 18

The company was now boarded on a boat from a man, who agreed to smuggle them in for a high price, which everyone was willing to pitch in for. The voyage was foggy for the most part, and many were skeptical on where the bargeman was leading them, terror struck them as a large boulder approached them.

"Watch out!" Bofur yelled. But the man seemed to avoid it perfectly, as well as the others that were close by.

"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Thorn snapped.

"I was born and bred on these waters, master dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here."

Fili and Dawn sat together on the side of the boat with Bilbo. Bilbo looked at the girl, and noticed that her vile chain was no longer on her. "Where's your vile?"

"I gave it to Nendes." Bilbo's eyes widened. He remembered when he encountered her when he went to rescue the company. Fili crossed his arms and frowned, only remembering her as someone who embarrassed him.

"Why did you give it to her?" Fili questioned.

"I know it hasn't been long that I've known her, but I trust her. I know she'll either use it or give it to someone who will use it for good."

"Oh, I've had enough of this lips lakeman. I say we throw him over the side and be done with it." Dwaine whispered to break silence.

"Oh, Bard, his name is Bard," Bilbo finally said.

"How do you know?" Before asked with curiosity.

"Ah, I asked him," he replied. Dawn couldn't help but giggle at the comment.

"I don't care what he calls himself. I don't like him."

"We do not have to like him," Balin said as he was counting the money. "We simply have to pay him. Come on, lads. Turn out your pockets." Although half were not willing to pay up, they began to pay up.

"How do we know he won't betray us?" Dwalin asked Thorin.

"We don't," he simply replied.

"There's, um, just a wee problem. We're ten coins short." Thorn crossed his arms, not even having to think. "Gloin." The dwarf looked up, trying to look dumbfounded. "Come on. Give us what you have." Gloin however began to make a prepared protest on how he had nothing. But slowly, fewer people were paying attention as they saw what was ahead of them. From the smoke, was the Lonely Mountain. Dawn and Fili embraced at the tear worthy sight.

"Bless my beard...take it. Take all of it." Groin finally coughed off what he had, and now they were prepared to pay. Bilbo cleared his throat to signal that Bard was coming.

"The money, quick. Give it to me."

"We will pay when we get our provisions, but not before."

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

Slowly the boat approached one of the guarded gates. While most of the company was ordered to hide inside the barrels, Bard told Dawn and Kili to stay where they were, as there weren't any more barrels to hide in.

"You are to act distraught and tired," he said pointing to Dawn. He then turned to Kili. "As for you, you are to act as sick and weak as possible. Like you have a disease of some sort." Kili nodded. It was clear that this role would be easy since the arrow shot slowly made him feel worse and worse. As they approached the guards, the two began their ruse. While Kili began to grunt in pain, Dawn began to tend to him ferociously and breathe heavily as if she was just sobbing. And she quickly grabbed Kili's hand as if she a rope that kept him from falling into death.

"Bard, you have company!" stated a guard.

"I found them near the dock. The lass said they were running from some wild wargs, and took a large bite out of the lad there," Bard said as he pointed to the two. "I'm just taking them back to my home and get him fixed up. Then they'll continue their journey to the Iron Hills."

"Alright. As long as you have the money to pay for them. Anything else?" asked the guard.

"Actually yes. Do you have any fish? These barrels will be great for them. It'll fit large amounts of them in." The guard nodded as he signaled several fisherman to the barrels. And out from a long shute came loads of fresh herring. Dawn couldn't help but cringe at the soiund of them flopping around on top of those inside the barrels. As all the barrels were now fully filled, the guards returned to their work, and Bard began to move the boat once more.

"I must say, you are very convincing. But perhaps a bit more," Bard commented. Slowly the dwarves began to grown in their fist covered hiding spots. Eventually, Bard kicked one hard enough to shake the barrel.

"Quiet! We're approaching the gate." Dawn and Kili looked ahead to see the town on the lake. It looked like the most beautiful piece of unwanted structures all froating on a large lake covered by mist. As they got closer to the gate, Kili and Dawn continued with their acting.

"Goods inspection! Papers please!" shouted a seemingly polite inspector. He then gave a bright smile at the sight of Bard. "Oh, it's you Bard."

"Morning, Percy," Bard greeted as he handed the inspector his pass.

"Wait a minute. Who are these two?" Percy asked pointing at Kili and Dawn.

"I found them and I'm letting them stay with me."

"Whatever you're going to do is your business. But you'll have to pay for their entry." Bard then handed him some extra money in a little leather pouch.

"Ah, yes. Now, anything to declare?" Percy asked.

"Nothing. But I am cold and tired, and ready for home."

"You and me both," Percy sighed in agreement. So far so good. But before Percy could hand Bard his pass, a rather unsightly man with a dark unibrow and pale skin grabbed the pass from his hand. "Not so fast." The man then inspected the pass.

"Consignment of empty barrels, from the Woodland Realm!" he read with sarcastic awe. "Only, they're not empty...are they Bard? If I recall correctly, you're licenced as a bargeman." The man then picked up one of the herring, revealing Bomburs eye, barely visible. "Not a fisherman."

"That none of your business."

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

"Oh come now, Alfrid. Have a heart. People need to eat!" Bard said with irritation.

"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side. And those two over there! This is the worst attempt of smuggling I've ever seen! Take them off the boat. I'll deal with them!" Two guards then came and grabbed Kili and Dawn by the arms. The two watched in horror as the barrels were beginning to be emptied, and most likely than not

"I already paid for their travel here! They mean no harm!"

"Whatever they're doing is no good if you have to pay for them!" Still the soldiers continued to empty the barrels.

"Folk in this town are struggling. Times are hard, food is scarce." Bard said continuing to defend his case.

"That's not my problem."

"And when the people hear the master is dumping fish back into the lake...when the rioting starts...will it be your problem then?" Alfrid paused, clearly struck by Bard's threat. Finally he raided his hand.

"Stop.Ever the people's champion, eh, Bard? Protector of the common folk. You might have their favor now bargeman But it won't last" The guards let go of the two, and continuing their role playing, Kili protectively embraced Dawn and escorted her back to the boat with Bard.

"Raise the gate!" stated Percy.

"The master has his eye on you. You'd do well to remember. We know where you live!" yelled Alfrid.

It's a small town Alfrid. Everyone knows where everyone lives."