Alive - Fili Durin

29 || A warm welcome

Bard rushed back to his home after his startling discovery - Thorin Oakenshield, King under the mountain, was in his home. He saw his daughters setting the table but no dwarves were anywhere to be seen.

"Da! I tried to stop them." Bain spoke frantically.

"How long have they been gone?"

o o o o o o o o o o o o

 Night had fallen on Lake Town as the residents had settled into their homes while the guards continued to scout the docks. The company scurried and hid down the piers and through the markets to the location of the armory. They found themselves hunkered behind some crates and fishing nets as two guards strolled past.

"Shh. Keep it down." Dwalin growled as the huddle of dwarves nearly sent their hideout tumbling.

"As soon as we have the weapons, we'll make straight for the mountain." Thorin addressed them before turning to Nori who led the way. "Go, go, go."

Nori ran to the armory building that already had four of the dwarves by it. The dwarves sat on each other's shoulders to create a ladder that led up to the armory window. Nori climbed with ease and latched his hands on the window and pulled himself inside. Next, Thorin sent Bilbo to follow Nori up the dwarf-ladder. After Bilbo had made it in, he urged Leo to follow. One by one, a small portion of the company made their way into the armory as they began taking whatever they could carry.

They only had Leo carry a couple of swords while Kili's arms held many more as he obviously struggled. Thorin looked at his nephew with concern. "You alright?"

"I can manage. Let's just get out of here."

Kili made his way to the stairs to leave when he felt a little hand grab him. "Kili, you don't look alright. Let me help you I can carry something. You're too weak right now." She pleaded.

"I'm fine, anai." 

However, as soon as his hurt leg hit the step, he lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs along with the weapons that caused a loud banging. The company froze in their places as they heard the sudden shouting of guards getting closer.

The dwarves still outside could also hear the guards approaching. "Run!" Dori called to the dwarves lined along the pier. They did not make it far before spears were shoved at them.

The company inside the armory grabbed whatever weapon they could as the guards poured into the building. They let out small battle cries ready to defend themselves but were no match for the swords against their necks. Leo too had a sword against her neck while her axe was held firmly in her hand ready to attack. She lowered it. 

Thorin could see Kili down the stairs being held by a guard. His nephew's eyes showed nothing but remorse for giving up their position.

They had been caught.

o o o o o o o o o o o o

The previously asleep streets of Lake Town were awoken at the light of torches and the sound of shouting, angry dwarves. The prisoners were paraded through the town as the residents gathered to witness them being taken to the home of the Master of Lake Town.

Emerging from the grand doors of his home, the Master stormed out as he fixed his fur coat. The Master was quite...chilling looking. His long stringy red hair fell down his shoulders while the top of his head was nearly bare with only a few strands covering it. His red mustache and beard framed his thin lips and yellowed teeth.

"What is the meaning of this?"

His lead guard turned to the company in disgust. "We caught 'em stealing weapons, Sire." 

"Ah! Enemies of the state, huh?"

"A desperate bunch of mercenaries, if ever there was, Sire," Alfrid spoke from beside him.

"Hold your tongue!" Dwalin defended from the crowd as he stepped closer to the Master. "You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal. This is Thorin. Son of Thrain, son of Thror!"

Thorin stepped out beside Dwalin and placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him. The Master's eyebrows raised in recognition of the name. "We are the dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland." The townspeople began to talk among themselves. "I remember this town in the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the center of all trade in the north!" Thorin faced the people. "I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!" The crowd cheered.

"Death! That is what you'll bring upon us." Bard emerged from the crowd. "Dragonfire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, 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," Thorin growled in Bard's direction. "You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"

Bard turned to the people. "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?" He turned back to Thorin. "The blind ambition of a Mountain King, so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

Thorin and Bard began to square up before the Master spoke. "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," he pointed to Bard, "who failed to kill the beast. Hm!"

"It's true, Sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow, he shot. Each one missing its mark." Alfrid confirmed.

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

"I have the only right." He spat before turning back to 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 do you say?"

The Master hesitated as he looked over the people. "I say unto you...welcome!" The crowd erupted in cheers. "Welcome and rise! Welcome, King Under the Mountain!"