Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Balin was gathering up everyone's money when the Lonely Mountain came into view. Everyone was staring in awe as Maranda sighed, eyes fixed on it. Bilbo was in a state of shock as Gloin forked over his money.

"That Mountain is heartless," mumbled Maranda.

"What?" Thorin said curiously.

"Look at it. It's glaring at me," she hissed.Thorin was lost. That mountain was his reason for living and his old home and she...she hated it? Thorin deflated slightly. "It's sick. It needs a doctor. Good thing you brought a healer," she beamed at him and he huffed.

"You always deny your words," he huffed.

"Give me the money," Bard said an instant after Maranda's look of indignation.

"We'll-"

"Do it," snapped Maranda. "Do anything he says without question or I'll tip you over the side into Long Lake," she said and climbed into a barrel. "Well?" she snapped and the Dwarves shuffled around as Bard directed them into barrels. She shot around a glare and sat in her barrel. "I hate this part," she mumbled. A few minutes later fish was dumped onto their heads and she sighed as she was forced to kiss a fish. She could hear Albert and Bard arguing and then they were through. Inside the barrel Maranda had time to think.

Clearly getting on Bard's bad side was not a good idea, and having the Master around was also really, very stupid. The people already adored Bard and if she just made a subtle coup d'etat...Well, who was going to blame her for putting Bard in charge two days earlier than he should have been? She heard the sound of wood hitting wood and braced herself against the sides. It was no good. With a shout she rolled right off the side of the boat into the canal. She fought the flow of fish forcing her down and gasped for air as she reached the top. Her wings started to drag her down. She thrust her hand skyward.

Yeah, so that only works in movies, dramatic catches and rescues, but it worked on the bridge. And it worked now. She was pulled up from the waters onto the barge, shivering and sputtering, by a livid Thorin Oakenshield. He was about ready to tear of Bard's head when Maranda cut in.

"That wood is slippery when wet. Have to be more careful next time I try and stand up," she chuckled ruefully as she shivered like a leaf. Bard paid the dock keeper and they started down the dock. Once they got to the market, Maranda stopped and smacked the side of her head.

"Oh I'm an idiot, hide!" she hissed as a guard came into sight. The Dwarves ducked out of sight as Bard stiffened and the guards ran after them. "Not that way," Maranda sighed and covered her face. "Why didn't I just invisible us when we got on the boat? Why?" she moaned and Bard glanced at her.

"You can do that?" She rolled her eyes. In a series of slips, trips, falls, mops and frying pans that would have put the Three Stooges to shame, the guards were on the ground and hidden behind crates and baskets the market people set out. Maranda sat on a little bench with two young girls, wrapped in a blanket and a shawl to cover her ears. Captain Braga strolled through the market growling at people and snarling.

"You. Bard," he hissed and Maranda curled closer against the two girls who were playing with dolls. With a soft crash, the potter woman knocked a plant onto a stirring guards head. Braga couldn't find anything and then-

"No," whined Maranda as Bard offered the lingerie to Braga. "No, don't do that it just adds fire to the flame," she mumbled. The guards marched off and she yanked the shawl from her head. "Thank you," she said to the old woman. She shook her head.

"Keep it, bearn. You have naught but wet cloth and some interesting parts to hide from pryin' eyes," she said and Marand tugged the shawl back onto her head.