Bloodstained (Thorin x OC)

The Bargeman

"Excuse me, but you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken?" Balin asked, his hands held up as a sign of peace. "That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?"

"No." The man looked down over the company, and then his eyes fell on Agarwaen, who was still bloody and bruised. "You, elf, did they do this to you?" He asked.

"We would never--" Dwalin was cut off by Balin, who knew that it would take Agarwaen's words to convince the man.

"I can get you away from them if you're in any danger, miss."

"O-oh, no, they didn't hurt me. They're my travelling companions." She felt uneasy under his gaze, mostly due to her current appearance.

"Come here." He motioned for her to come closer. She looked to the group warily, before cautiously stepping forward. Thorin stopped her, and looked to the man.

"Put down your bow first, and any other blade you carry." The dwarf ordered. The man had a slightly confused look on his face, but did as he was told. Thorin then let Agarwaen step forward, knowing that the bargeman thought they'd taken her prisoner and were abusing her. This was a matter of which the dwarves could not speak for her.

"I am no fool." The man said quietly once she was near. "A beaten up elf woman travelling with a party of dwarves speaks for itself. I will not let them harm you, should you decide to come with me."

"I did not lie when I told you they were my travelling companions. I have been their guide across the north for months now. I promise you they have not laid a finger upon me. They are my friends." The man searched her face for any sign of lies. When he could find none, he spoke again, still not convinced.

"I find that hard to believe."

"Yet I speak the complete truth." He eyed her, and then the dwarves.

"My boat is not for hire, I'm sorry." He walked away and began loading the empty barrels into his barge. Agarwaen returned to the group.

"What did he say to you?" Thorin asked.

"That his boat is not for hire." She sighed.

"Then we must convince him."

"Chances are, he'll listen to you." Balin looked to the elf.

"Maybe. But you're the diplomatic one." She replied.

"As true as that is, you're a bloodied shivering elven lass in need of help."

"If he agreed to help me, it would probably be me alone. That doesn't exactly work."

"We have to try."

"Fine. I expect you to take over once I start the conversation." She tightened her arms around her chest, and tried to close up the hole in her thin tunic as much as she could. She was about to walk away toward the bargeman, when Thorin stopped her once more, this time however, he pulled his dark blue overshirt over his head and handed it to her, leaving him in just a plain brown tunic.

"Cover yourself up. I don't want you walking around like that with strangers about." She felt herself begin to redden at the situation.

"Thank you." She muttered as she took his still wet shirt and put it on. It was a little baggy in terms of width, and a little short, but it hid her body much better than her tunic did. She continued on, and didn't notice both Balin and Dwalin look at Thorin with raised eyebrows. Not only were Thorin's clothes made specifically for dwarven nobility, but now Thorin, their leader and king was significantly underdressed, even for someone who'd just escaped a prison.