The violent storm raged above the city of Dale in Esgroth as periodically the city was lit up by the sudden flashes of lightning above and the very ground would shake with each boom of thunder. With each flash, a small figure could be seen carrying another within his arms as he trudged through the thick mud that had formed by the torrential rainfall. He didn't seem to struggle in the slightest as he made his way down some vacant streets, heading for some destination that only he knows.

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You:

You slowly felt the darkness receding from your mind as you come back to awareness once again. You could feel water harshly dripping down onto your face that was pressed into something solid and rough feeling upon your cheek that was throbbing steadily in time with your heartbeat. You notice also, with each breath, pain speared through your already aching body which was being jarred by jolting movements, and... you were partially undressed under a warm cloak that smelled faintly of pipeweed and something earthy. You realize quickly that you are in someone's arms and panic begins to overtake you, briefly, until a gentle burred tone reaches beyond your fears and calming you in an instant.

"Easy lass. Yur safe now. Bofurs got yeh." opening your eyes and focusing on a face not even six inches from yours, you see familiar warm hazel eyes glancing down to meet yours briefly before focusing on the path in front of him. As he kept walking with you in his arms, you were able to take a moment to look at your rescuer, seeing his brown hair that looked like an absolute mess, maybe worse than when he came to the inn earlier. His clothes were completely soaked as were yours and he seemed to be speckled all over with the mud that he was having to stomp through, splashing it up with each step he took. Your eyes focused upon his face that peering intently on the sodden path he was making his way down upon. There were crinkle lines around his hazel eyes that were concentrating upon his surroundings and his full lips were drawn tight under the thick drooping mustache that was dripping water down off of it and onto your bared upper chest that was pressed tightly to him.

It became very apparent as the warmth of his body radiated into yours that this wasn't a dream you had conjured up,  he really was here holding you and he really did rescue you from Marduk and his cronies after all. You felt peace and a sense of safety as you laid your head down on his sopping wet shoulder, nuzzling into his neck that smelled like sweet pipeweed mixed with the same warm earthy tone that was on the cloak that enfolded your battered body realizing it was his own masculine scent that you were detecting as you tried to escape some of the rain that was pouring down onto the both of your faces. You could feel him breathe out a sigh of relief that you were not afraid of him and then he chuckled as he felt you wrapping your arms tighter around his neck while easing up under his hat for better protection from the rain.

 As he walked he murmured into your ear and his warm breath caressed your cheek "It will be over soon lass. I'm taken yeh teh a friend of mine. He will help us." You tilted your face up a bit more with curiosity rising up inside of you and rasped through a sore throat at him  "Who?"  his reply was swift and shocked you as "Bard" slipped out from those lips, and you couldn't stop screeching out  " The King!?" in panic. You knew he could feel your body stiffen as you became alarmed but his voice was soothing and tender as he spoke to you.

 "Aye. He's a friend of mine and teh yah... if yeh let him be." trepidation filled you at his words as the thought ~how could he want teh be. I'm nothing but a lowly tavern wench.~ but you decided to put your trust in this handsome dwarf, after all, he had saved you so he earned your trust so far. You kept calm and quiet as he carried you onward to the one place you never dreamed you would ever get to see and unsure if you wanted to see.

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Bofur:

Bofur felt the girl calm down in his arms and he sighed inwardly in relief that she was entrusting him on this. He kept plodding through the thick soupy mud, hoping he remembered the way to Bard's home and praying he would help them out of this mess they found themselves in. Finally, the king's domicile came into view and Bofur exhaled loudly in a relieving sigh, knowing the end of this trek was almost over and a place to finally get warm once more. Now he just needed to deal with the guards that were posted outside the large iron gates and get him and the young woman inside out of this downpour.

"Halt! What business do you have here?" the guard's voice was very brusque and sounded irritated which Bofur could not blame him, after all, he was having to stand out in this weather also and was already grumpy as rain dripped off his sodden mustache.

"I'm here teh see King Bard." Bofurs tone was full of confidence as he stood there peering up at the man before him. "Please tell him Master Bofur is here teh see him and it's urgent." the guard looked like he was going to object but the girl in the dwarf's arms gave him a pleading look from under Bofurs chin and a raspy soft whisper of  " please sir. "  made the guard groan out a curse as he poked his head inside a side door off from the front gate to speak to whoever was there before turning back around to them once more with a disgruntled look on his face. It seemed, to Bofur, the guard had a soft spot for damsels in distress.

Bofur tried to contain his own trembles as he could feel the girl shivering in his arms from the wind that was blowing as they waited outside the gates there in the chilly rain for an answer from those within. Looking down at the girl momentarily he gave her a comforting smile as they waited there under the guard's watchful eyes. It wasn't long before they received their answer, in the form of King Bard himself, who was running up to the gate with a waterproof cloak thrown over to protect himself from this weather. Seeing Bard coming toward them, Bofur felt like a weight was lifted from his chest at the sight of his friend coming to his call with concern written on his face as he drew closer to the trembling pair.

"Bofur.. what's wrong? "Bard could see the dwarf was under some kind of emotional strain by the look in his eyes and the grimace he wore that wasn't his normal look. As soon as he reached him he realized Bofur was holding someone small in his arms that was too big to be a child and upon closer inspection, he realized it was a woman. Looking into Bofur's eyes, he saw a deadly calm there, that did not bode well for whomever it was directed at. Judging by a large bruise that could be seen upon the woman's upper arm, he knew there was a story there, that maybe should be heard in private and not here, outside in this storm in front of witnesses.

 ~There is something seriously wrong. I need to find out~ he thought, but out loud he spoke to them. "Come inside and let's get you both someplace that's dry and warm."  quickly Bard directed Bofur towards a beacon of light that promised safety and warmth for them, out of the coldness of this rain, and maybe then he could find answers to the many questions that he had about tonight.

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You:

You sat there upon a stool with water dripping from your soaked clothes onto the stone floor while Bard's healer was examining you and your various injuries. Her wrinkled hands were gentle but firm as they examined each bruise and small cut upon your trembling form as your eyes never left Bofurs own gaze, who was standing off to the side near the door talking to King Bard. You could see the fury, barely hidden, behind Bofurs eyes as he recounted what had transpired earlier this evening, seeing as Bard's eyes become cold as he listened to the dwarf's words. Finally, Bofur couldn't hold back the growl he was trying to contain and his voice suddenly rose in volume, being heard by your ears as he walked over to where you sat upon your hard stool.

"It was that scoundrel from earlier. The one who yeh stopped in hassling her and had kicked out of the inn." Bard's eyes were livid with anger as he turned to look at you. You felt fear enter your heart at the sight of the fury you could see simmering in those dark brown depths. The only thing that kept you on that stool was Bofurs hand, which he had placed upon your shoulder when he had walked over to you, thus giving you the courage to stay there.

"How is she?" he barely kept the bite out of his voice as he spoke to the healer, knowing she didn't deserve his anger that was simmering under the surface, waiting to lash out at the low life that had dared to commit this atrocity within his city that he had fought so hard in building up since the vile dragon had uprooted his entire town several years ago. He and his people had all struggled and fought to make this city into a decent place for families to settle down once more and now some undesirables were tarnishing his beloved city.

"She will be fine. She's bruised badly with a few cuts here and there, her throat will probably be sore for a bit,  but she will be fine Sire. A few day's rest is all she needs." Bards lips thinned as he curtly spoke to the elderly woman, kindly bidding her leave them and go retire to her rooms for the night. Bard turned his eyes and attention back to you, noticing you shrink a little bit away. He tried to soften his demeanor and voice, truly not wanting to frighten you more than you already were, but you knew he was wanting some answers on what you knew.

"Now.. lady. Can you tell me anything at all about these men? What they looked like? What they were wearing? Anything at all? I know it would be too much to hope for you to know who your attackers were?" his sigh was heavy and filled with no hope of that boon.

"Actually Sire.." you croaked out through a throat that felt raw from screaming. You saw him hold up his hand, gently smiling, as he carefully knelt before you and gently took your hands into his warm large ones in a comforting gesture in hopes to soothe your trembling that was apparent to everyone's eyes as he stopped your words.

"Bard. Please lady ..call me Bard. That's what my friends call me and yes I would like to be a friend to you also. Anyone Bofur calls a friend, I would too if you will let me?" his voice was gentle and kind as it brought tears to your already sore eyes. You could see the panic suddenly forming in his brown eyes as he stammered out at you ."Oh please.. don't cry. I can't stand making a woman cry because of something I said." you couldn't help the small watery laugh from leaving you at the thought of your King being unable to handle any womanly tears.  After a moment you were able to get yourself under control and able to speak once more through your aching throat with a small smile on your face.

"I will if yeh can call meh (Y/N) for I'm not much of a lady." you saw him smile and nod his head as you continued on. "Bard, I do know these men...." you saw his eyes light up with surprise and hope as you turned to peer up into Bofurs eyes, not taking them off of his face, for you needed the courage to say what needed to be said. "It was Marduk and his two closest friends. I don't know their names but I know his." you saw  Bard nearly fall over in shock as your words registered finally at what you said and then he began to curse under his breath as he swiftly turned away from you.

"Are you positive about this (Y/N)?" you could hear the hint of a plea in his gruff tone that maybe he misheard the name of who had attacked you. You lowered your head as you instantly dashed his hopes by your ~ yes...I am.~ which was followed by another string of curses as he became agitated and started pacing in front of Bofur and you, his worry and fear very evident within your King.

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Bofur:

Bofur watched his friend pacing back and forth in front of him, not really understanding what was going on here but knowing whatever it was it wasn't good news for any one of you three. Bofur watched Bard walking around and muttering to himself until finally, worry began to eat at him and his patience ran out like water in a bucket with holes in the bottom of it.

"Bard?" his tone was questioning but there was no response so he tried again. "Bard!" it was Bofurs agitated growl that broke through his low rumblings to look at him with eyebrows drawn in tightly together in his anxiety. Seeing that look upon Bards face brought a cold chill to Bofur as he knew then that this was worse than he realized earlier and he spoke into that deep silence."Who is this man? And why are yeh both looking so gloomy all a sudden?" Bard looked down as he answered him with tension in his shoulders as he filled in his friend in how deep he had gotten them into, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Marduk is not just anyone. He is the son of one of the most influential men in town..the Head Chancellors only son." Bard lifted his head and walked swiftly over to Bofur to grab his shoulders in a strong grip as his eyes bored into the dwarfs..pleading..begging him that he didn't hear Bofur correctly earlier."Please..please, my friend. Are you sure you didn't just knock him unconscious? That maybe you didn't really kill him?" Bofur watched Bard's hopes dashing into the ground as he shook his head in denial and replied ~ No, my friend. it was a solid hit. He won't be ever getting up from that.~ Bards head hung low in despair, knowing he will not be able to protect them from what was coming for them. "I'm so, so sorry my friend. I didn't recognize who he was, so I didn't make the connection between him and the Chancellor." his voice sounded mournful with unshed tears forming in his eyes causing fear to grow in Bofur at the sight of those haunted eyes. "I...I can't protect you. The Chancellor is going to be out for your head..both of your heads." A look of disbelief coming into Bofurs eyes as the girl hung her head to silently cry at this new turn of events. "He's too powerful and high up. If I try to stand in the way then he will cause a riot. Neither of you is high ranking and Bofur, while you're not under my rule..she is technically, but she's not but a..." at that moment Bard saw a contemplative hard look come into Bofurs eyes and he paused speaking at the sight of Bofurs devious smirk that meant he had something up his sleeve and Bard felt a ray of hope that Bofur may have a solution to this mess that came to rest on Bard's doorstep tonight.

"Aye. I'm not under your rule, but I am under the King under the mountain, Thorins." his tone was sly, and hope flared in Bard as he caught on to what Bofur was planning as he gave Bofur a look of ~ you sure this will work?~ and hearing the dwarf's chuckle strengthened that spark of hope inside of him. "He will help us the best he can and if he can't, then I'll take her away for a while maybe far, far away where nobody can find us till it's safe again." Bofur looked down at the girl who was peering up at him in shock at hearing his words then her head began shaking in denial as his words finally sunk in.

"Yeh...yeh can't." she stammered, incredulity clear at what he was suggesting on doing."Yeh canna leave yur family..yur friends behind...especially over someone like meh." Bofur saw her eyes becoming upset, which he promptly ruined as he reached out to stroke her cheek with his knuckle and softly chuckling as a look of stunned surprise came across her young face. There was a blush that stole across her cheeks as her voice went soft and her eyes filled with worry. "I canna let yeh do this Bofur. I canna let yeh abandon yur life fur me." he could see in her eyes that she was worried for him and it made him, even more, want to protect her any way he had to even though she tried to reason with him once more." Please? Not fur meh. I'm not worth it. Oh Bofur, why would yeh do this fur meh?" she saw his eyes become hard as he closed down and she knew then her pleas would fall on deaf ears and she huffed out in defeat at the stubbornness of dwarves when they set their mind to something.

"I can and will, because lass, yeh are worth it. Yeh just don't see it..yet." his tone was gentle yet held a touch of finality in it. "Will yeh please trust in meh? I promise you it will be fine." her shoulders drooped as she sighed out ~alright~ not seeing his smile at the way she made it sound, like a child begrudgingly giving in to a parent's demands. Bofur looked up at Bard, noticing him smiling also but then the seriousness of the situation enveloped the room once more and it was Bard who broke that silence with reason.

"You both need to leave out..tonight..now even." at that moment the storm made itself known as thunder shook the walls, reminding them all that it was still present and ready to wash over them if they dared to venture out into its wet clutches. Bard glanced down at the girl remembering what the healer said about her injuries and he growled under his breath at the reminder. "(Y/N)..I...I hate to ask this but do you think you can travel in your condition? I know the healer did say you need...." he was cut off by her voice that suddenly had a harsh tone within but it spoke of renewed strength he didn't know she still had in her after all she had endured so far.

"Aye. I will make it. Don't yeh worry about that. I'm stronger than I look. I can and will do it..fur him." her head lifted to look at Bofur as a fire of determination flared within her eyes and Bofur smiled down with pride at her ardent response to Bard's words that hinted at her being frail but Bofur knew she was anything but frail. Seeing them both staring at each other Bard's doubts left him and he began to think that maybe this insane idea they had concocted just might work after all.

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The neighing of a pony could be heard through the tumultuous storm as the cold winds blew the freezing rain, that was falling down in sheets upon the weary, battered travelers moving along the road below it. One of the travelers was slogging through the mud on foot while his companion was perched upon the back of the beleaguered pony that carried its rider unwaveringly through this storm towards some destination that only the man beside him knew of.

"It's alright boy. We're almost there..a nice warm place teh sleep is waitin fur yah ahead." Bofurs tone was soothing to the steadfast whickering mount as he gently patted the poor beast's neck. He glanced up to the pony's passenger who was clinging to the saddle she was sitting upon, clutching the saddle horn tightly. Her knuckles were white from the grip she had upon it,her eyes were wide from fright or pain that he knew she was in. Either way, Bofur reached out his hand to place over hers and felt they were cold like ice compared to his warm ones. He could vaguely hear her whimper and he sought to ease her pain by giving her hope with his words. "Were almost there (Y/N). You just gotta hang on a wee bit longer fur Bofur, okay. Hey, if yeh look straight ahead, yeh can see the lanterns glowing at the front gates. Heck lass... if yeh wait fur lightning teh flash, yeh can see the front gates themselves." His beautiful lilting voice rose up to her ears and brought a feeling of comfort and safety to her. Bofur felt one of her hands under his move to grasp his to squeeze softly which brought a smile to his face that she couldn't see in the darkness as she sat upon the pony Bard had lent them to travel speedily on this night without bringing any more harm to her.

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You:

You looked up in the direction Bofur had indicated and waited for the promised flash. Peering into that inky blackness you shook with cold as you waited patiently, when suddenly there it was, a burst of light that almost blinded you by its brilliance...almost, but in that brief moment, you saw those very gates illuminated. At the sight of them, you felt apprehension stealing over you at what the light had revealed as a word was torn from your throat.

"Erebor" the lonely mountain and King Thorin's realm, causing a shiver to course its way along your back. Bofur could feel it but believed it to be the cold of the rain that was causing it by the way he began to stroke your hand that was held in his with a thumb in a calming gesture which you allowed him to believe that. Finally, the gates were before you and the sheer size of them took your breath away at the enormity of those stone portals before you. The massive stone doors with their intricate carvings upon them that you couldn't make out the details on but you knew they had to be impressive to behold in the daylight. The lanterns that hung on either side of the doors that were sheltered from the wind and rain to be a beacon of light for any Darrow caught out in this weather. All of it was astounding to behold and it was guarded by two impressively thick, burly dwarves whose eyes were fierce to look upon. If it wasn't for Bofur holding onto the reigns you would have turned the pony around, racing away from these intimidating warriors and towards the hills to get away from that formidable monolith before you.

You saw Bofur hail the two guards before you both, his jovial smile softening their gazes as they began to laugh and tease him about the lateness of the hour. You just sat there on the pony shrinking into the cloak Bard had given you to try and shield you from this chilly tempest, and attempting to not whimper in pain from the injuries on your body. Eventually, but not too soon enough to you, they allowed the pair of you to enter into the mountain and as you crossed over the threshold into the mountain, you could feel a wave of relief flowing over you that the both of you had made it this far without incident. ~ One hurdle down...another one to go...Thorin, King Under the Mountain~ the very dwarf who had the power to either save you or doom you to a harsh fate. Either way, you were at the Erebor king's mercy now, to do as he pleased and that left a heavy feeling in your stomach.

You looked down at Bofur from atop the pony, seeing his radiant smile directed your way and as you went to return it you realized he was going fuzzy to your eyes. Your body started to feel like lead as darkness began to consume you and you not seeing the look of fear upon Bofurs face as you fell off the pony and into his strong arms, once more.