The Navigator

The Master of the Lake

Vistial woke up to someone shaking her shoulders.

"Vistial. Vistial, wake up." Vistial's eyes peel and meet Bard's eyes. Worry was reflecting in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" She asks, thinking the worst.

"Your friends...they're gone."

"What?!" Vistial sits up in a hurry, scanning the room. Sure enough, the Company was gone.

"You didn't know?" Bard asks.

"No, I didn't!" Vistial replies. "Why didn't they bother to wake me?"

"I don't know, but we need to find them." Bard says. Vistial grabs her things and follows Bard out of the house.

"It's really quiet." Vistial comments. "Where is everyone?"

"The town square. I think your friends have been discovered. Come on." Bard leads the way to the town square. The Company was standing in the middle of the townspeople. Thorin was in the middle of giving a speech to the townspeople when Bard interrupted.

"Death!" Bard interjects. "That is what you will bring upon us! Dragon fire and ruin. If you waken that, it will destroy us all."

"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this: If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth 10 times over!" Thorin shouts, causing the crowd to cheer. Kili spots Vistial and motions for her to come stand by him. She shakes her head, hoping he'll understand.

"All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?! And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a Mountain King, so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!" Bard shouts. The crowd grows silent.

"Now, now! We must not, any of us be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!" The Master says, pointing at Bard.

"It's true, sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow, he shot. Each one missing its mark." Alfrid sneers, grinning at Bard. Vistial steps in front of the man, glaring at Alfrid.

"Shut your trap, slime-ball." She growls.

"And who is this?" The Master asks, examining the girl.

"I am Vistial, navigator of Middle Earth." Vistial replies. Hushed whispers flicker throughout the crowd.

"She is the navigator for me and my Company." Thorin explains, looking at Vistial. She looks away, standing closer to Bard.

"You have no right. No right to enter that mountain." Bard mutters to Thorin.

"I have the only right." Thorin growls. He turns toward the Master. "I speak to the Master of the Men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?"

"I say unto you..."The Master smiles. "Welcome! Welcome! And thrice, welcome, King Under theMountain!"