The Dragon's Curse

A Promise

Song - Sleepsong by Secret Garden - Listen to it when at the right point in the story. It's so calming.

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Artemis stirred in her sleep early in the morning as she saw Oin beside her checking her pulse and placing a cold cloth on her forehead. Her weak groans fell upon his deaf ears as she was able to open her eyes for a brief moment to see Fili, Kili, Balin and Thorin are standing away from the others chatting, with Bard nowhere to be seen.

"Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn." Thorin's deep voice echoed over towards her as her body shivered before her eyes closed once again.

"Durin's day falls the day after next. We must reach the mountain before then" Balin's voice was softer as she relied on her dragon hearing to remain hearing of the rest of the conversation, however her tired body fell back into a deep slumber before she awoke once again to see the darkness outside the windows.

Her eyes fully awake, her body still weakened from the water as she was able to sit up to jump slightly when Bard slammed the door open looking around the room wildly for the dwarves. It was then that Artemis noticed that the dwarves were missing.

"Da! I tried to stop them---" Bain tried only to be interrupted.

"How long have they been gone?" He questioned.

"Bard?" Artemis called out as they shared eye contact. Slowly lifting herself she felt her body stretch as she placed her feet on the floor, in full human height.

"Artemis! What are you doing?" Bard smiled before dashing over towards her to assist her from tripping.

"What does it look like?" She chuckled as she got used to the idea of being back on her feet. The night dress had shrunk as she had grown; it was obviously way too small for her now as she turned towards her dear friend with serious eyes.

"I left something in your care long ago. It's time I asked for it back" Her voice spoke emotionlessly as Bard shook his head and took a step back as he knew what it would mean.

"No....Artemis you can't...."

"My time is up. Please Bard" Artemis whispered as he sighed and left into the next room. Bain fetched her, her sword and handed it towards her as she smiled weakly and pulled it out of its sheath admiring the red blade before putting it away as Bard entered with the clothing and boots in his hands. His face was grim as she nodded taking it from him only to look out the window with a gasp as the town bell rung out loudly.

Meanwhile in the town square a crowd begins to grow as the company are forced in the square outside the Master's house as the soldiers push them forwards.

"Get off me!" Dwalin growls angrily as most of them don't struggle, Thorin didn't his mind was otherwise occupied. His mind trailed back to Artemis still lying in the bed back in Bard's house. He felt guilty for leaving her behind, however he knew that she would get proper care and medical attention if she remained out of harm's way. He knew however that Kili's leg would be a problem if they were to make it before nightfall tomorrow as he already decided that Kili would have to stay behind. Alfrid is watching from the door disappears to return with the Master of Lake Town as the company all stand in a group as he storms out unhappy that someone had disrupted his beauty sleep.

"What is the meaning of this?" He snapped out annoyed but the late hour.

"Caught them stealing weapons sire." The Guard reported as he narrowed his eyes down at the dwarves.

"Ahh enemies of the State eh?" He scoffed down to the dwarves thinking little of them.

"Desperate bunch of mercenaries if there ever was sire" Alfrid agreed, letting his poisonous words feed into the masters head.