Inflamed (Harry Potter & The Hobbit/LOTR Crossover) (LegolasxOC)

22- Bard's House

We sailed through Laketown for approximately fifteen minutes more. I desperately wanted to see more of the town, but would have to wait. After Bard docked the boat, he started knocking over the barrels, the Dwarves and fish and Hobbit falling out. The fish around me shifted when my head surfacing. When Bard peered in and saw me, he gave me a hand.

I hopped out of my fishy barrel, grimacing. I was sure that I smelled disgusting now. My poor Elvish clothes. They're going to need a good wash. Shivering, I wrapped my arms around myself, watching as Bard went to help out another barrel-rider. Dwalin popped out, brushing Bard's hand away rudely. "Get your hands off me." he snapped.

Everyone else climbed out, looking as greasy and slimy from the fish as I probably did. I peered over at the water below. It was sure looking good then though, screw hypothermia. Bard saw me eyeing the water and said, "I wouldn't risk it, miss. We'll get you cleaned up shortly." I nodded, relieved. We walked across the dock, the keeper of the dock watching us in awe.

Bard slyly passed him a coin, murmuring, "You didn't see them, they were never here. The fish you can have for nothing." The bargeman led us on and through Laketown. "Follow me." he stated uneasily. During our walk, a young boy found us and ran up to Bard. "Da! Our house, it's being watched." The boy exclaimed in a hushed voice.

A small smile crept up my face at the sight of Bard's son. Bard looked to Thorin and started to create a plan. When it was done and made, the Dwarves did not look too happy. They were going to enter the house through the toilet while Bard and his son would act as if everything was normal. That did not sound promising for the Company. Fíli had suggested that I Disapparate into the house, which caused a bit of confusion. Quickly, I explained that I was a Wizard, causing Bard and Bain, his son, to shoot alarmed looks at me.

However, as tempting as it sounded, I said no. "I'd probably scare your daughters pretty badly." I admitted, shuffling uncomfortably. When everything was set, we started off. We followed Bard's instructions and found ourselves in the freezing cold water again. My teeth were chattering and I tried to quiet them as best as I could. Looks like I'm getting hypothermia after all.

Overall, it was the worst fifteen minutes of my life. At least, I was cleaned up though. The lakewater disposed of the fishy smell. And I would take lakewater over fish any day. Finally, there were three knocks on the wall above us and Dwalin poked his head out of the seat. "If you speak of this to anyone, I'll rip your arms off." he threatened.

"Dwalin! He's just a boy!" I scolded in a whisper. He glowered at me and raised the seat, slapping the boy's hand away when he tried to help. "Get off." I rolled my eyes and made a silly face at Dwalin's back. Bain caught my expression and bit back a smile. "Up there." He instructed, pointing the way to the house. When it was my turn, Bain reached down and pulled me up, water sloshing everywhere. "Thank you. Sorry about my friends and for the mess..."

He smiled this time then asked, "If you don't mind me asking...what is a Wizard doing with Dwarves and a Hobbit?" I chuckled, ringing my sopping wet hair out and making room for Nori to climb out next. "Maybe I'll tell you later. It really isn't the time to talk about this now." I suggested, shivering as I ventured out of the bathroom and into the cold wind.

A girl maybe a few years younger than me stood on the balcony, looking down at the Dwarves, Hobbit, and me as we marched into the house. "Da...why are there Dwarves climbing out of our toilet?" A girl, even younger than the other, asked hopefully, "Will they bring us luck?" I smiled at them as I made my way to the door. "Hello, girls. I'm Paige. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The girls each smiled and curtseyed to me. The younger one looked at my clothes and asked, "Why are you wearing boy clothes?" The older daughter's expression turned to one of horror as she scolded, "Tilda! You don't ask such rude questions! I'm sorry–" I chuckled and cut off the elder daughter. "Hey, no worries she's just curious. No harm done. To answer your question, Miss Tilda, I'm wearing 'boy' clothes because they're quite comfy and wearing a dress or skirt is very impractical when one is traveling."