The Wanderer

Chapter Eleven

 The long night had been cold and cruel to everyone. I had barely sleep and what sleep I had were plagued with nightmares from my past and possible future. Despite the aching cold, I had sweated throughout the whole night.

After the eighth time waking up in a cold sweat, I decided to just get up for the day. My movements nearly woke Rieka from her slumber, but she fell quickly fell back asleep.

I tiptoed my way away from the sleeping figures of Tilda, Sigrid, Bain, and even Bard. The family all slept soundly, unbothered by my leave.

The sky was bleak and gray, reflecting my dull mood. Not many had awoken yet, and I couldn't blame them. The sun was barely on the verge of rising, so there was not much light.

My heightened eyesight allowed me to move through the darkened city easily. It was silent all around, only the soft snores of some of the townsfolk could be heard.

It made a person feel lonely, in this depressing atmosphere. The townsfolk knew there days would be numbered if they did not find help soon. I wanted to help, I truly did, but what could I do?

I walked to the great wall that surrounded the city, then climbed the stairs to get a better view of the area. The gates of Erebor laid directly in front of me. Braziers burned in front of the gate, signaling the survival of the dwarves and Bilbo.

I smiled, glad the company had survived. It must have been a long journey to reach their home, and I dearly hope they would mess up their chances now, especially by denying the laketowners their fair share. Dwarves could be greedy, but I trusted that Thorin, as the new king under the mountain, could overcome the challenge.

A commotion in the city below led me to look down at the townsfolk. Many of the people had woken up, Bard and his family included.

Bard was walking through the city, checking on his people. A man walked beside him and it seemed that they were deep in conversation.

I descended the steps to join Bard, excited to have something to keep my mind occupied.

Bard smiled when I came near, though I could see dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. It appeared that I wasn't the only one it hadn't slept well.

"Good morning, Farren," Bard called to me.

"Good morning, Bard. How are things?" I asked him."

"Not good, I'm afraid," Bard answered gravely. I fell into step next to the men as we made our way through the city.

"These children are starving. We need food. We won't last three days. Bard, we don't have enough," Bard's companion, who I believed Sigrid called Percy, said.

"Do what you can, Percy." Bard picked up a bucket full of water to carry to some survivors while Percy stayed behind to comfort others.

"It will be alright, don't worry," Percy mumbled to a worried woman.

"We need more water," the woman choked out. I put a gentle hand to her shoulder, than continued to follow Bard.

"The children, the wounded and the women come first," he announced to his fellow men. They nodded in agreement, then started distributing their goods around. One such man tried to give me some bread to eat, but I politely refused him.

"I am quite fine, thank you. I do not need any food." I smiled at the man, then ran after Bard, who was going to check on Alfrid.

"Morning, Alfrid. What news from the night watch?" Bard asked him. The man was sitting down, a sleepy look on his face. He stood up, still a bit drowsy, when we approached him.