Lacy

~~~

The bonds are bright and pulsing when I open my eyes to them again. The blue one connecting Tauriel and I thrums brightly. It makes me smile when I see it get thicker. She's coming for me. Alex and Kili's once wonderful braid is dull and dark. It's strained with pain.

Jacob's bond to Sam and Bilbo from his heart is red as well as the one connecting Sam as Bilbo. They are now a triad if they choose to accept.

As I scan across a bright purple strand catches my eye. It's new and protruding from Allies heart. Her blue one has taken a darker hue also. So the screaming in the dungeon with the ruins must have triggered a new bond. Someone has got to tell her.

I open my mouth to call her over but Thorin suddenly jumps up.

"We're going to break into that armory get our weapons and leave this place. We don't have time to wait," he announces.

"Good things come to those who wait," Allie objects.

"Yes but people who wait miss things!" Thorin snaps. Allie glares and crosses her arms. She's obviously sick of his shit. Why she doesn't speak out more surprises me. Without Grace her strengths of will seems to dissipate.

"But what about Kili and Alex they seem to be getting worse," Fili argues gesturing to the unconscious and practically limp bodies in the corner. Kili is clutching Alex's hand. Her face is wrapped up but keeps bleeding through and her leg is in the same shape. The blood out of her leg is now black. She's been poisoned.

"We cannot miss Durins day," Thorin states firmly.

"We do need weapons," Sam whispers. She's missing her battle axe and Emily her trident.

"Then let's just fucking go!" Allie growls. The dwarves pull themselves together while I sneak back to Sam, Bilbo, and Jacob.

"You're bond is very strong. It's red by the way. Also this idea isn't a good one and what the hell were we thinking leaving our homes?" I ask.

"I wanted to escape prissy elves who insult my diet, manners, looks, and weapon choice," Sam replies.

"I needed to keep and eye on Allie and my house was getting a bit stuffy," Bilbo admits.

"I didn't purposely leave I fell into her arms and went with the flow," Jacob responds.

"Wait what did you say about our bond?" they all question at of me after realizing what I said.

"It's a triad and its red," I say. "Quite pretty." Then I just grin and waltz away. I try not to meddle too much.

"Wait you can't leave!" Bain objects stepping in front of Thorin.

"Move," Thorin orders shoving past Bain. The rest of the company follows except for the non dwarves and Kili.

"I'm sorry Bain but technically Thorin is out leader and we gotta follow him," Kili apologizes. He still has strength left to walk. Alex mumbles and her hand moves to touch her face. Kili inhales sharply and exhales loudly when her hand falls.

"We have to go. Bye Bain," Allie mumbles and pats his hand. Kili shoulders Alex's weight and Sam helps. The rest of us leave the house regretfully.

~~~

Emily

~~~~

The dwarves create a stepping ladder with their bodies allowing Thorin, Kili, Dwalin, Allie, Bilbo, Jacob, Sam, Lacy, Fili, and I to climb up and into the armory.

"Shh. Keep it down," Dwalin hisses to the group of us.

"As soon as we have the weapons, we'll make straight for the mountain," Thorin whispers. Then he looks at Allie. "Go, go, go." Allie rolls her eyes and flies through the window skipping the dwarf stepping stairs. "Next." Jacob and Sam gallantly leap up the dwarves and into the window. Bilbo and I scramble up the dwarves and through the window. The rest of the thieving group gets up and Thorin starts grabbing armfuls of weapons. Sam grabs a mace and frowns at its smallness. Allie grabs a sword and I do too. I'd rather have my trident and she her katana. But we must settle for this.

Thorin starts piling weapons in Kili's arm making me flinch for him.

"Watch what you make him carry," Allie scolds and Thorin brushes her off. Kili groans and shifts.

"You alright?" Thorin asks.

"I can manage. Let's just get out of here," Kili replies flinching. Kili turns to walk down the stairs and trips dropping all the weapons in a huge crash and sending him flopping down.

"No!" I hiss and run down the steps next to him. I know the noise has alerted the guards.

"Run!" someone outside yells just as guards burst through the armory doors. Kili and I are grabbed with swords

jutting against our necks. I grit my teeth in frustration but hold back my fire. Killing the guards will not help right now. Thorin looks at Kili and I his expression softening when it lands on his nephew and nods to everyone. The rest of the weapons hit the ground. Allie smacks Thorin over the head and literally growls.

"Idiot." The guard releases me and shoves me into Filis arms. Kili gets to be the insurance.

"Let's go ingrats," the guard snarls and scowls, dragging Kili out. The rest of us follow in surrender.

That could have gone a lot better.

~~~

Sam

~~~

We are brought into the town square to see their supposed leader minutes later. Thorin looks really angry, this is a waste of time after all. Bilbo grips my hand for support and I offer my other one to Jacob. He's part of my responsibility now. Jacob takes it gratefully.

"What is the meaning of this?" their leader demands storming out of his large house half dressed. He's fat and ugly matching his soul most likely.

"We caught 'em stealing weapons, Sire," the first guard explains. The whole town has gathered to watch so they cheer when they deem it appropriate.

"Ah! Enemies of the state, huh?" the master asks with a stink eye.

"A desperate bunch of mercenaries, if ever there was, Sire," the rat, Alfrid from earlier, adds.

"Hold your tongue!" Dwalin snaps suddenly and steps out from the crowd.

"Oh shit this can't end well," Allie sighs and hangs her head.

"You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal. This is Thorin. Son of Thrain, son of Thror!" Dwalin shouts loudly pointing at Thorin sending whispers through the crowd. Allie hits herself in the face and Thorin preens. Thorin stalks out next to Dwalin trying not to look smug.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland," Thorim proclaims calmly.

"Just shut up please," Emily begs.

The audience begins to whisper again.

"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 exclaims and I just shake my head. Bribery and bragging on ourselves isn't the way to go. Thorin turns to face the townspeople with a determined face. "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 town cheers loudly and claps wildly.

"We should not make promises we can't keep," I comment to Jacob and Bilbo. They nod in agreement with me.

"Death! That is what you'll bring upon us," Bard screams silencing everybody. The bowman bursts through the crowd and stands menacingly before Bard.

"Hey everybody man ego showdown in the town square," Allie squeaks sarcastically and rolls her eyes.

"Dragonfire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all." Thorin looks contemplative for a moment before raising an eyebrow.

"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this; if we succeed all will share in the wealth of the mountain," Thorin vows raising his arms to push the point farther. "You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" All the people screech and cheer jumping up and down. The idea of a wealthy life excites them. Bard looks desperate now and I can understand that. Waking Smaug risks so many lives especially those of his town.

"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?" Bard turns to Thorin glaring coldly. "The blind ambition of a Mountain King, so driven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

"Is all this arguing really worth it?" Jacob whispers to me and I shake my head.

"It's a show of dominance," Bilbo huffs.

"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, who failed to kill the beast. Hm!" the master exclaims triumphantly.

"It's true, Sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow, he shot. Each one missing its mark," Alfrid continues haughtily. Bard ignores them and looks at Thorin pleading.

"You have no right. No right to enter that mountain."

"I have the only right," Thorin counters and Bard backs away. He looks hopeless. Thorin however turns to the master and waltzes towards him. "l 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?" The master hesitates for a second. "What say you?"

"I say unto you..."