"Tell me more of your land." Thorin stood on the edge as I sat on it. "Tell me more of yourself really."

I smiled. "I don't like when people lie, and most people back home did. Something like honor and truth was dying in my land. Our world leaders would lie, family members spoke badly of each other behind each other's back, and it felt like everyone was a spy."

"A spy?"

"Yeah, people would gossip." I looked out at the water. "People were very two faced, saying one thing to you and then saying the opposite to someone else."

Thorin nodded. "Sounds a lot like here in a way. You can only trust your kin, and sometimes one cannot do that either."

I blinked. "What do you mean? I've seen more truth and honor here than in my world."

Thorin looked from me to Caleniel. "There was a great battle and a great war. My people had to fight a dragon while running from my home. The Elven King turned his back on my kin, and he turned his back again when an army of Orcs attacked my people." He looked at the water. "Contrary to what you believe, there is much dishonor and lies in this land. He had said that my kin was a friend of his, but he never truly honored it. And I expect his people do the same."

I looked down a the water. "I can understand why you don't like Elves. They're all stuck up and rude, and they hold up their chins too high. They also seem quite suspicious."

Thorin let out a small laugh. "They also deserve to... never mind."

I let out a small laugh, imagining what he was going to say.

Thorin looked down at me. "Have you spoken to the Elf?"

I looked at Caleniel. "No. Only once on this boat ride while I was tending to Kili's wound. She simply said that she wanted to help me find my way back home, but I don't believe her."

She's broken and sensetive. I could tell when we were locked up.

"However, I'm sure she favors the company, and she means us no betrayal." I took a deep breath and looked at the water. "I'm sure there's another reason she wants to follow me."

"Just you," Thorin asked.

"Yeah. Apparently she has no real reason to be here with dwarves." I shrugged. "Had it not been for me, she would not have come along, so she said."

Thorin's brows furrowed, but he said nothing. He slowly turned to Caleniel and seemed to be lost in thought. I looked at Kili who was handing his money to Balin. He smiled at me, and he winced as he placed his back against the boat.

I frowned, but he smiled again, trying to assure me that he was fine without using any words.

"Such a quiet group you all are. Do you hate each other," the stranger asked from the bow. All of our brows crashed as we stared at him. "I only meant your conversations are separate and quite private from each other."

Thorin walked toward Dwalin. I stood up and stood beside Thorin.

"Something doesn't feel right," Thorin whispered.

"Like what," I whispered back.

"Watch out!" Bofur got down.

The stranger moved the boat out of the giant rock's path.

Thorin glared at the stranger. "What are you trying to do? Drown us?"

"I was pratically born on these waters, Master Dwarf," the stranger replied. "If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here."

Thorin continued glaring at the man. Bilbo walked towards our group with crossed arms.

I placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder. "Let it go. He doesn't trust us, that's all."

Thorin looked at me.

"He does have every right to." I stared into Thorin's eyes. "He just met us, and we out number him. With your glaring, why would he trust us?"

"Oh, I don't trust him. We don't even know his name. I say we throw him over this thing and be done with him." Dwalin glared at the stranger.

Bilbo rolled his eyes. "No. Bard, his name's Bard."

"How do you know," Bofur asked.

"Uhm, because I asked him." Bilbo smiled.

"I don't care what he calls himself," Dwalin continued. "I don't like him."

"You don't have to like him," Balin chimed. "You simply have to pay him."

"How do we know he won't betray us," Dwalin whispered.

"We don't," Thorin replied as he walked past me.

"We're ten coins short," Balin said.

Thorin crossed his arms. Thorin and I looked at the big, red haired dwarf sitting in the corner of the group, frowning. Thorin said, "Gloin, come on. Pay up."

Gloin's brows crashed as he looked down. "Don't look at me. I have been sucked bone dry on this adventure. What have I seen for my investment?"

I noticed Thorin was looking at the distance in astonishment, and my eyes widened as I noticed what he saw. The other dwarves noticed and began to stand up, taking in the view.

Gloin kept on talking. "Nothing, but misery and grief." He saw what we were looking at and gasped lightly. "Bless mi beard. Take it. Take it all." He gave Balin his whole bag of coins.

Bilbo cleared his throat and jerked his head toward the direction of Bard walking toward us. I looked at Bard with Caleniel at his side.

"The money, quickly give it to me," Bard said.

All of our brows crashed as we stared at him. I let out a small laugh. "Do you take us for fools?"

Bard made a face. "What?"

"Not until we get off of this boat," Dwalin said.

"If you value your freedom you will do as I say." Bard looked up from Thorin. "There are guards ahead."

"And if there is not?" I looked from the path ahead to Bard. "I cannot see past this mist."

"I know the inspections of my home, young miss," Bard said. "Either you risk all of our lives, or you take my word and we all keep our freedom."

I lowered my eyes. "You have children you say?" Thorin looked at me inquistively.

"Yes. A boy and two girls."

I turned to Thorin. He stared at me for a moment and nodded at Balin. He looked at Bard but spoke to Balin. "Give him the money."

Balin nodded and collected all the coins, handing them to Bard.

Bard quickly put the money away in one of his pockets. "Get into the barrels. You must not be seen." He froze as he ment to turn away, and he looked at Caleniel. "How well is your relation with the king?"

Caleniel paused. "Not very well."

"Has news of it reached Lake Town?"

Caleniel shook her head. "... Of what importance is that?"

Bard looked ahead. "You may be useful and not have to hide."

                                                         ~~~~~~~

I hid in a barrel with the others as Caleniel held her arrow at the ready on her bow by her side, and Bard walked to the guards.

I sighed, not knowing what was going on. "Does anyone know what's going on?"

"I have a hole in his direction," Bilbo said.

I moved closer to the edge of my barrel. "Can you see through it?"

"Shhh. What's he doing," Dwalin asked quietly.

"Talking to someone," Bilbo replied in a whisper. "He's pointing straight at us!"

My breath stilled. My stomach tightened as I waited for someone to stand over my barrel and pull me out. The moment was over and Bilbo spoke again.

"They're shaking hands," Bilbo said.

"What," Thorin chimed.

"He's selling us out," Dwalin said.

"Why?" My eyes were wide as I waited for the worst again.

"No," Ori said.

A shadow cast over me, and I froze, slowly looking up. I frowned as cold fish began hitting my head, landing in the barrel around me. I began to pant and shiver as the cold fish surrounded me, and I closed my eyes, pretending it was anything but fish with sticky skin. I felt the boat begin to move and decided not to ask a question for fear of getting raw fish in my mouth. Bard and Caleniel seemed to have a conversation because I could faintly hear their voices. It was not long before the boat's pace slowed.

I heard Dwalin begin to speak, and Bard kicked his barrel. "Quiet! We're approaching the toll gate."

"Are you sure this plan will work," I heard Caleniel ask.

"If you are as good an actress as your king is selfish, we will make arrive at the destination with ease," Bard replied. "I just hope the trade is the only news the master hears from Mirkwood."

I shivered as I continued to sit in my little ball of warmth in between the fish. I felt the boat stop and I dared not to move. I felt afraid even to breathe.

"Halt," A man yelled. "Goods inspection. Papers please. Oh, it's you, Bard. Have you anything to declare?"

"Nothing. All good and signed and ready for home."

"Aren't we all, sir?" The man let out a laugh. "What of the Elf?"

"King Thranduil has requested I take her to the master regarding the fish," Bard said.

"They were filled with wine," Caleniel laughed lightly. "However, six of these barrels had lost the original contents. So they have been replaced."

"I see," I heard the man say before a moment of silence. "Here we are."

"Not so fast," another man said. My breath stilled as I heard his creepy voice.

"Signed for empty barrels," the creepy man continued. "There are fifteen barrels, only... they're not empty, are they, Bard? If I recall correctly, you're liscenced as a bargeman, not a fisherman."

"That's none of your business," Bard replied.

"And his blessing," Caleniel spoke. "These fish and barrels are gifts to him and the master of this town for saving my life."

"Speak when spoken to, wench," the creepy man said. "And the master never saved your life."

My brows furrowed.

"She is of the woodland relm," Bard said sternly. "Her business here does not lie with you. It's not your business."

The creepy man continued. "No, Bard. It's the master's business, which makes it my business. Same with these fish since their gifts to the master."

"Oh, come on, have a heart Alfrid," Bard replied. "What are the people in this town going to eat?" He sounded angry.

"These fish are illegal, and that Woodland Elf should go back home and bring us that overpriced wine. A peasant she could be with her looks. I bet that green armor is fake." There was a splash sound. "Empty the barrels out to the side."

"Yes, sir."

I heard small clinks of armor come close to me.

"The people of this town are struggling," Bard said. "Times are hard. Food is scarce."

"It's not our problem."

"And if the people heard you dumped the fish back in the lake? When the rioting starts? Will it be your problem then?"

 I heard multiple splashes.

"Ssstop," the creepy man said. The creepy man mumbled something I couldn't hear well. "Raise the gate!"

"The master knows about you," The creepy man raise his voice. "You will remember we know where you live."

"It's a small town Alfrid," Bard replied loudly. "Everyone knows where everyone lives." The boat continued in motion.

"That Woodland Elf better be who she says she is," Alfird yelled. "The master will hear of this!"

"Of course he will," Bard said annoyed.

I dared not to move. Anyone could have been around. We might not have any cover to hide that we were inside if I stuck my head out. I decided to remain quiet in my little barrel and small ball of warmth. I assured myself that Bard would tell us when to come out when it was the perfect time. 

"I'm sorry about that." I heard Bard say. "You may have to see the master of this town."

"It's no real bother. I already know what to say, and I don't plan on letting him have not one of these to eat," Caleniel said.

"I'm glad you'll enjoy speaking with that pitiful old grouch."

Caleniel laughed quietly. "I think I've dealt with worse once before, and I have been with a company who has hated me from the second they saw me. If I could survive them, I can survive the master. Besides, I may be able to convince him to give me some supplies my company might need."

"Like what?"

Caleniel was silent for a moment. "Well, I'm not quite sure. This is my first time being in the company of Dwarves, especially Dwarves who are merchants."

"Why are you with this company?"

"They planned to travel through Mirkwood, and I wanted to assure them safe passage. However, my king did not want to allow it. Therefore, I helped them, and here we are now."

"Why would he not allow it?"

"Elves and Dwarves do not get along as well as others in Middle Earth."