Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 14

The company easily pushed past Bain as he tried convincing them to stay. Upon realizing Bard left the home completely was even easier then they anticipated in the first place. Moving through the town unseen proved to be tricky, yet not as difficult as before seeing as how the sun began to set and people were making their way home. Fíli and Kíli scouted ahead before finding the armory to guide them towards the large building. There were guards at every chained door, but what they failed to realize was that there was another way in. An open window of sorts which stood on the second level. They possessed no rope to climb with, but one should never doubt the handiness of Dwarfs, for they already came up with a solution to the problem, scanning their surroundings once more.

"We must be swift," the prince stated, only wishing to take a handful with him inside. As the others waited to take their stolen goods when passed out. "Do not make a sound."

However, before Thorin could call out the order a small hand wrapped around his upper arm, grabbing his attention.

"Now we both know I can't reach that," the young woman stated.

Of course he did. The prince was only hoping he may be wrong. Even with their plan Bilbo would only just reach the ledge, and Poppy stood shorter. Still, Thorin wished to bring her inside because she had an eye for craft and blades like one of his kin, which would benefit them greatly.

"You know what you need," she said. "Just make sure they are sharp."

True. She was a blacksmith without any tools. A sad sight for anyone with craft such as hers. They had forgotten to search through Bard's home for something of use, but knowing the Half-breed she would refuse to take it. What Beorn gave her still lay in Mirkwood when they were captured.

"Can you see anything?" Bilbo asked.

"Shh! Keep it down!" Dwalin hissed.

Snapping back to the matter at hand, the prince turned away from Poppy.

"As soon as we have the weapons we make straight for the mountain," Thorin declared. "Go, go, go."

Those in the front of the line rushed forward into formation. They stacked on top of each other in a crouched manner before creating a step ladder for Nori, Thorin, Kíli, Bofur, and Bilbo to enter through an open window and disappear in the shadows. Those left behind were left to press their back against the wood in hopes of not being seen as the silence hung around them.

"How are you holding up, lass?" Dwalin muttered under his breath.

It caused Poppy's head to lift, giving him a clear view of the scarred eye. Thorin wasn't the only one angered by the sight of the young woman's skin to be marked by the Defiler. Wounds were for warriors and though they began to consider Poppy as a fighter she was still a woman and they had been unable to protect her. That wasn't to say they weren't grateful she saved their leader, but at the cost of nearly losing an eye hit them hard. The blacksmith could have even died. And though Dwalin didn't particularly care for the Skin-changer, whatever he offered her indeed aided the healing process along at a quicker rate so she no longer had to worry about slowing them down. Even when he assured the Half-breed was not.

"Good, all things considered," the blacksmith said.

He smirked at the answer. She was definitely a fighter.

A loud crash sounded inside that made all of them flinch in alarm and instantly on edge. And as the quiet night came once more they waited only to hear shouts moments later from the guards. They had been found.