The Eyes of Emerald

Chapter 19

As the boat continued to move, Dawn felt more and more uncomfortable as the people's poverty looked worse and worse. From the crippled men barely able to walk to the sounds of starving infants crying out to the cold air. It seemed as though the world got even colder to her as they entered. Finally, Bard docked the boat, and kicked one of the barrels as a signal to the company to get out. Slowly the company emerged themselves from the fish making sounds of disgust to the fish. As Fili and Bilbo came out of the barrels, Dawn and Kili helped them get out of them, while they blocked out the somewhat strong odor. They then made their way to the alleyways. But out came a young boy, who seemed no younger than 15 in the years of men.

"Da!" the boy said. Bard looked at him with alarm. It was clear that this was Bards son. And most likely, they'd meet his two daughters later on. "Our house! It's being watched." Bard's eyes widened and he looked back to the dwarves.

"I have an idea."

So the plan began. Kili and Dawn began to follow Bard and his son, (whom later was introduced as Bain) around the town to their home. Although the two volunteered to be with the company, Bard stated that it would look suspicious if the two were not seen entering the house with them. They had arrived at their home and Bard opened the door for his son and his "guests", and then turned to two fishermen who appeared to be peacefully fishing in front. He then made a whistle to get their attention and threw down an apple. "You can tell the master that I'm done for the day." He then closed the door. As he entered, he was greeted by a little girl and an older girl who seemed around the same age as Bain, but not quite.

"Da, who's the pretty lady?" questioned the little girl. Dawn couldn't help but blush a bit.

"I am Dawn, and this is Kili," Dawn introduced. Kili then took the girls hand and bowed to her.

"At your service, my lady," he spoke as she continued to giggle. The oldest daughter then pulled her sister aside.

"I do apologize for my sister. She's not one to be soft-spoken. This is Tilda, and I am Sigrid."

"A pleasure to meet you, Sigrid and Tilda," spoke Dawn. Bard then turned to his son.

"Bain, get them in." Bain then went downstair, and slowly, one by one, came the company, soaking wet from the freezing water, since they hid in the toilet.

"Da, why are there dwarves coming out of our toilet?" asked Sigrid.

"Will they bring us luck?" added Tilda trying to restrain her giggling. Dawn smiled at the little girl, and then continued to help the company inside the home.

"As a fire was lit, the dwarves surrounded the flame as Sigrid tried to be a good hostess by giving blankets and some clothing to their new smuggled in guests. But Tilda took Dawn to her little room which she shared with her sister and began to look through her dresser.

"Tilda, I appreciate it, but I don't need anything," Dawn explained.

"No! I am giving you something to wear! Sigrid said she had some things you can use to modify," she said stubbornly. Dawn sighed and decided to go with what she wanted. Let her have a chance to play dress up. Tilda pulled out a green v-neck shirt from a drawer that looked like a long dress on Dawn. She then grabbed a corset from Sigrids dresser from when she was younger, which fit Dawn perfectly. Once she finished lacing it up, Tilda took a pair of scissors and began to shorten the shirt until it finally reached to ankles. And for the finishing touch, Tilda gave her a warm brown shaw to keep her warm.

"Thank you, Tilda," said Dawn with a smile as she saw herself in a broken mirror.

"Of course, now lets show Sigrid. She's going to be proud of me!" she said with a smile.

As the two returned to where the company was, Fili couldn't help but stare at Dawn. He made it official, she would look beautiful in anything. From elven gowns to a man's shirt. She quickly made her way towards Fili and Bilbo. Bilbo, in particular, was shaking like a rattlesnake's tail.

"He's not used to the cold water," said Fili. Tilda then came over with another blanket and Bilbo took it without question, and with his manners. "Thank you...very much." Dawn then rested her head on Fili's chest as his arm was wrapped around her. Although she was not wet like the rest of the company, she still felt cold, and Fili felt so warm. But the room fell silent as Thorin saw before his eyes something he had not seen in years. "A dwarvish wind-lance."

"You look like you've seen a ghost," commented Bilbo, as he took a large sip of tea provided by Sigrid.

"He has," stated Balin." The last time we saw such a weapon, a city was on fire." He then began to tell once more the tale of Smaug coming to Erebor, but now, it wasn't about the dwarves, but the  destruction of Dale, and how the Lord of Dale tried to kill the beast, but failed.
Clip Below for Balins Tale:

"If the aim of men were true that day, much would have been different," Thorin spoke. Dawn, as well as the rest of the company, fell silent, thinking about how they weren't the only ones who experienced a great loss the day the dragon came