[Legolas] In every grain of sand, is the story of the earth.

Chapter 7

Lifting the barrel up over my head, I placed it down beside me and cast my gaze to the dwarves I have been accompanying. It was obvious that they were not happy with the way they were smuggled in to the city although they didn't voice their displeasure as such, just a few moans here and there. I noticed Fili look in my direction, his eyes widening a little before a small laugh escaped his lips.

"Clever elf."

We were met at the dock by what I assumed to be Bard's son, it seemed that he was having some trouble with the law. After being informed guards were watching his house, he quickly came up with another plan to get the dwarves and Bilbo in to the safety of his home. After being told we would enter by climbing up through the toilet, I quickly pulled the hood of my cloak up over my head in order to conceal my elf ears before following Bard through the streets of Laketown as if I was just another citizen.

I keep a few meters behind Bard so as not to cause suspicion, I didn't want people following us and discovering the others. After seeing Bard enter his home, I made my way round the back and slipped in through an open window. Bard and his family were unaware of my presence until the youngest girl turned around and gasped upon seeing me. I allowed a smile to tug at my lips as I removed my hood, allowing her to see my features.

"Don't worry child. I mean you and your family no harm."

The others were quickly made aware of my presence and I noticed Bard place his hand on his daughter's shoulder reassuring her silently that everything was alright. It wasn't long after this that the dwarves started climbing up out of the toilet and made their way up the stairs in to Bards home.

"Father. Why are their dwarves coming out of our toilet?"

I had to stifle a smile at the look on Dwalin's face as he made his way up the stairs, his clothes dripping on the worn wooden floor as he walked. It wasn't long before a group of dripping dwarves and Bilbo stood in Bard's kitchen all looking a little worse for wear. Bard was kind enough to have provided a change of clothes for my companions and before long, tales of old began to circulate amongst the group after Thorin had spotted a wind-lance on a nearby watchtower.

Leaning against the wall, I cast my glance down upon the streets and canals of Laketown while the dwarves and the humans argued about whether or not the dragon was injured when it attacked the town previously. Allowing my mind to wonder, I couldn't help but think that for a human settlement, Laketown was actually quite beautiful. The setting sun reflected on the water, causing glittering patterns of light throughout the town and the mountain we journeyed to stood proudly in the distance framed by a layer of cloud. The sight stirred feelings of unrest within me however I tried to dismiss them instantly. The dwarves were so close to their home yet I was so far from mine and only getting further as I helped them on their journey.

Hearing one of the dwarves question the weapon's the bargeman had promised, I noticed Bard leave his home and come back a minute later with a soggy bundle in his arms. Placing it on the table, I watched as Bard produced an assortment of make shift weapons of crude craftsmanship. The dwarves began questioning them while arguing that they paid for real weapons, iron forged weapons. I knew Thorin would not be pleased with what was on offer however he did not voice his displeasure, the other dwarves did it for him.  

Once again, I slipped in to my own thoughts as I allowed the dwarves and the humans to argue amongst one another. It wasn't long before I heard Bard raise his voice at the dwarves, informing them that his house was being watched and that we would have to remain hidden inside until after nightfall. Moments later, he stepped out of the door, standing on the balcony outside. It was obvious he was troubled however I deemed it was not my place to approach him on the subject. After all, I had only known the bargeman for a few hours and I spent a large amount of that time hidden in a barrel. He was out there for some time before his son stepped out to check on him.

I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard Bard instruct his son to keep us here before rushing from his home and out in to the streets of Laketown. Raising an eyebrow, I turned my attention towards the dwarves whom I knew were growing restless. They could see the mountain in the distance, they wanted to leave now and return to it as quickly as possible. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Kili sat by the window, hands grasping his leg where he was wounded. I knew he was in pain but it was obvious he didn't want his uncle to become aware of how much he was suffering. It pained Fili to see his brother injured, it was obvious by the worried expression that would form on his features every time he looked at him.

As soon as night fell upon the town, we were out of Bard's home and out into the streets of Laketown before the young human could stop us like his father instructed. I smiled at him apologetically on my way out of the door, following behind the small party. Finding our way to the armoury, I watched as the dwarves broke in with relative ease and began filling their arms with the weapons they desired. My heart sank as I watched a dazed expression pass Kili's features before he fell down the stairs, dropping the many weapons he was carrying and causing a tremendous commotion that would have surely been heard from outside.

Knowing that guards would be fast to approach, I slipped from the building and in to the streets once again, my hood pulled up over my head to hide my elven features as I followed the dwarves as they were led through the streets by guards and presented in front of a peculiar looking man that seemed to be in charge. Thorin began talking about the riches and wealth they were previously accustomed to, getting the residents of Laketown riled up before Bard ran in proclaiming that their presence would bring death to the people of Laketown. It was obvious from the look on Bard's face that he believed in what he was saying, he feared for the town and his family. Bard was convinced that their presence would damn that town but the master of the men of the lake was too caught up in his greed to take notice.

We were set up in our own lodgings for the night where we filled our stomachs with the best Laketown had to offer thanks to the master of the lake. Knowing the journey tomorrow would be gruelling, the dwarves turned in for an early night giving me a chance to slip from the building and explore the town while it slept.

As I walked through the floating streets, I couldn't help but feel some form of peace from being so close to the water however the lake was by no means the ocean. Never the less, it was enough to bring a small smile to my lips as I enjoyed the tranquillity night had brought to the town. Taking seat on a bridge that connected one side of the town to the other, I became lost in my thoughts and remained there for much longer than I had planned.

When I eventually returned to the inn, I slipped in to the room as silently as I had left before looking around at the sleeping dwarves and the hobbit. A quick glance at Kili eased my worries as I saw him sleeping peacefully and with that, I lay down to get some rest of my own.