the Stowaway (Hobbit fan-fic)

Chapter 15

Bard soon stops the barge. He looked around briefly before knocking over a barrel, spilling the fish onto the ground. He continued to knock over the barrels until Dwalin popped his head out.

"Get your hands off me," he growled.

The other dwarves emerge from their barrels. I sigh and moved around to help those willing to receive my help. I knew Dwalin and Thorin wouldn't take my hand if I offered, so I skipped them. I helped Bilbo, Ori, Balin, Nori, Oin, Bofur, and Fili out of their barrels. With the help of Fili and Ori, we managed to get Kili out as well.

"You didn't see them," Bard was telling a man on the dock, handing him a coin. "They were never here. The fish you can have for nothing." He began to walk away. "Stay close."

The dwarves moved quickly to follow them. I stayed near the back to ensure no one got lost in the crowd. Bard paused for a minute before continuing, telling the company to follow him.

"What is this place?" I heard Bilbo ask.

"This, Master Baggins," Thorin said, "is the world of Men."

"Keep your heads down," Bard instructed. "Keep moving. Quickly now."

"Halt!"

I spun around and saw a guard pointing at our group. Bard looked up and I saw a spark of panic in his eye.

"Come on," Thorin whispered. "Move!"

He led the dwarves into the crowded stands.

"In the name of the Master of Laketown," the guard said, "I said halt!"

I shared a quick look with Bard before we took off after the company. We found them quickly, following the sound of shouting. We froze though when we saw the dwarves fighting with the guards, knocking them out and quickly hiding them. People around us began to move closer to see what was going on, but dispersed as a head guard walked down the street.

"What's going on here?" I heard him ask. "Stay where you are. Nobody leaves."

I glanced at Bard as the guards came closer. The dwarves were staying silent and hidden from their view. Bard moved away from us and walk up to the guard.

"Braga," he said, as though he was slightly surprised to see the guard.

"Sorry?" The guard studied Bard. "What are you up to, Bard?"

"Me?"

One of the guards started to groan. I watched as a woman working at one of the stands knocked a potted plant off the table and onto the guard's face, silencing him and covering the noise. I bit my lip so I wouldn't laugh.

Braga grumbled and pushed passed Bard to try and see what he was hiding. When he rounded the corner, stand workers had already hid the fallen guards from view. I was struggling to keep control of my laughter. It seemed as though everyone hated the Master and his guards.

"Braga." My attention went back to Bard, who was holding up a lacey top. "Your wife would look lovely in this."

"What do you know of my wife?" the guard asked.

"I know her as well as any man in this town," Bard replied with a shrug.

Braga ripped the top from Bard's grasp and stormed passed him. The bargeman sighed in relief as the guards continued on their way. I let out my laugh, causing Bard and several others to look at me.

"I was not expecting any of that," I chuckled. "And it just kept getting better."

Bard gave me a small smile. The dwarves stood up and continued to follow Bard. We walked a while longer before I heard footsteps running towards us.