Elves and Dwarves (part 2)

Laketown

"Do it again, and you're dead." The man threatened

Balin, who was standing near the edge of the group, spotted a barge floating in the river behind Bard. He talked to Bard, approaching him slowly with his hands held in the air.

"Excuse me, but, uh, you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?" Balin asked

Bard lowered his bow and walked towards his boat.

He climbed aboard his barge as the dwarves approached him.

"What makes you think I will help you?" He asked

"Those boots have seen better days." Balin said simply

Bard began loading the dwarves' empty barrels into his barge.

"As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?" Balin asked

"A boy and two girls." He replied

"And your wife, I'd imagine she's a beauty."

"Aye. She was." Beard said sadly

Balin's smile faded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" he began

He was interrupted by Dwalin whispering loudly to Thorin.

"Oh, come on, come on, enough with the niceties."

"What's your hurry?" Bard asked

"What's it to you?" Dwalin growled

"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands." Bard said

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills." Balin lied

"Simple merchants, you say?" Bard asked

"We'll need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?" Thorin asked

"And herbs!" Bofur added as he sent a pointed look at Kili an Draco.

Bard looked at Kili and Draco before he turned to look at the barrels and examined the various dents and nicks they received during the fight with the orcs.

"I know where these barrels came from." Bard said

"What of it?" Thorin asked

"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Laketown but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil." Bard said

Bard boarded his barge and tossed a rope to Balin. Thorin mouthed to Balin.

"Offer him more."

"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen."

"Aye. But for that, you will need a smuggler." Bard said

"For which we will pay double." Balin said

Bard looked at him suspiciously.

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The orcs ran beside the river in pursuit of the dwarves, who the current had carried far ahead of the orcs.

"Sha mogi obguryash!" Bolg commanded

[Don't let them go away!]

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In the woodland realm, Thranduil had retaken his throne with the help of Lord Elrond and Lómëanor had been sentenced to a lifetime in the dungeons. Legolas and Tauriel had brought their captured orc to Thranduil's throneroom. As Legolas stood with his knife pressed to the orc's neck, Thranduil paced around it.