Ariana's POV

Once we were sure we had lost anyone following us. We paddled to shore. I went to examine Kili's leg with Fili. "I'm fine, it's nothing" he tells us.

"On your feet" Thorin tells us all.

"Kili's wounded, his leg needs binding" Fili tells him.

"It shouldn't take me long" I assure Thorin.

"Bind his leg, quickly. You have two minutes" he tells us. We start to tend his leg. Cleaning it before wrapping it in a clean cloth. Suddenly Dwalin jumps in front of Ori with a branch. An arrow hits it. I draw my sword as we all turn to face a man with a bow.

"Move and you're dead" he tells us. The dwarves lower their makeshift weapons while I sheath my sword.

"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 asks the man. Who lowers his bow sheathing his arrow. He climbs onto his boat putting the empty barrels onto it as we follow him.

"What makes you think I will help you?" he asks.

"Why wouldn't you?" I ask him curious.

"Those boots have seen better days. As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?" Balin asks him.

"He means children" I clarify.

"A boy and two girls" the man answers.

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

"Aye, she was" the man says.

"We are sorry for your lose" I tell him honestly.

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

"Dwalin, show some sympathy" I scold him.

"What's your hurry?" the man asks us.

"What's it to you?" Dwalin asks him. I sigh in defeat. Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves.

"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands" the man states.

"My adoptive brother and I are traveling, we wanted to see Middle Earth" I tell him placing a hand on Bilbo's shoulder.

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

"Simple merchants, you say?" the man asks not convinced.

"We'll need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?" Thorin asks him. Bard looks at the barrels and examines the various dents and nicks they received during the fight with the orcs.

"I know where these barrels came from" he tells us.

"What of it?" Thorin asks him defensively.

"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Lake town 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" he tells us. He boards his barge and tosses a rope to Balin.

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

"Aye. But for that, you will need a smuggler" the man tells him.

"For that, we'd pay double" Balin tells him. Bard looks at him suspiciously. But agrees o smuggle us into Lake Town. We all board the boat and he sets off.

"Thank you for giving us transport mister" I say as Bilbo and I go talk to him.

"We are very grateful, though the dwarves don't show it" Bilbo adds.

"That is fine, I am Bard. What are your names?" he asks us curious.

"I am Ariana" I tell him smiling.

"Bilbo Baggins" Bilbo adds. I then point to each dwarf telling Bard their names. Bilbo then leaves to go talk to the dwarves.

"How were you adopted into a hobbit family? How did you end up traveling with dwarves?" Bard asks me curious.

"I was a child when I was left on the Baggins doorstep. They longed for a daughter and adopted me when no one came for me. Bilbo and I were always adventuress. The dwarves passed through the Shire on their journey and we hosted them for a night. They offered to let us join them and we couldn't refuse" I explain.

"You are very brave to go on such a long journey" he states.

"I can handle myself, so can Bilbo" I tell him. Suddenly, large stone formations appear out of the fog. Bard expertly poles the barge between the rock formations, which turn out to be ancient ruins.

"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Thorin asks Bard annoyed.

"I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here" Bard tells him.

"Sorry, they aren't very trusting at first. It didn't help that you threatened us with a bow and arrow" I tell him sheepishly.

"It's fine, I know a bit about dwarves" he states.

"I'm gonna go talk with my brother" I tell him and go over to Bilbo.

"We do not have to like him, we simply have to pay him. Come on now, lads, turn out your pockets" Balin tells us. I take out a pouch and hand it to him.

"That should cover Bilbo and I" I tell him. He nods his head and the others hand over their money pouches. Balin counts the money.

"There's, um, just a problem: we're ten coins short" he tells us.

"Gloin. Come on. Give us what you have" Thorin tells him.

"Don't look to me. I have been bled dry by this venture! And what have I seen for my investment? Naught but misery and grief and..." Gloin starts to rant. Gloin stops talking when he realizes that all the others have slowly stood up and are looking at something in the distance. I turn to see the fog thin and Erebor appear on the horizon. "Bless my beard. Take it. Take all of it" he says handing a sack to Balin.

Bilbo coughs and gestures his head toward Bard, who is approaching our end of the barge. "The money, quick, give it to me" he tells us.

"We'll pay you when we get our provisions, but not before" Thorin tells him.

"If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead" he tells us.

"Trust him" I tell them. Balin hands him the money. He tells us to get into the barrels.

A/N

Picture above of Bard and picture on the external link of his barge.