Recap -

He was going to find her, and Theia. Legolas was sure that Tauriel was on her way to finding Kili.

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*Apostrophe marks in italics ' are thoughts
Example: 'here's a chapter for you guys!'

* Italics without apostrophes put emphasis on certain word(s)
Example: footsteps could be heard.

* Asterisk symbol * in bold is a translation for any of Tolkien's languages.
Example: "Adad." *Father/Dad.*
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With The Dwarves
(Theia POV)

We had long ago bargained with the man from Lake Town, Bard. And now we were sailing to the said town through some ruins. Some trusted him, others not. Mom, Bilbo and I were the ones who trusted him the most.
"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Adad asked.
I sighed, leaning against the barge for support.
"I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you... I would not do it here." Bard replied.
"Oh, I've had enough of this lippy Lakeman. I say we throw him over the side and be done with it." Dwalin muttered.
"Give him a chance, Dwalin." I spoke.
"Bard, his name's Bard." Bilbo informed.
"How do you know?" Bofur questioned.
"Uh, I asked him."
"I don't care what he calls himself. I don't like him." Dwalin told Bilbo.
"Why are you so suspicious, Dwalin?" I asked.
"Why aren't you?" He turned, asking me in return.
"Enough, you two." Mom intervened.
"We do not have to like him, we simply have to pay him." Balin calmly spoke.
"Come now, turn out your pockets."
We all gave what we could...except Gloin.
"How do we know he won't betray us?" Dwalin whispered to Adad.
"We don't."
"Have a little faith, Thorin." Mom spoke.
"There's um, just a wee problem. We're ten coins short."
Gloin, had his arms crossed.
"Gloin, come on. Give us what you have." Adad ordered.
"Don't look to me. I have been bled dry by this venture. What have I seen for my investment? Naught but misery and grief and..." Gloin rambled.
We looked into the fog, to see The Lonely Mountain. Our home.
"...Bless my beard. Take it. Take all of it." He spoke, passing his coin sack to Balin.
Bilbo coughed alerting us to Bard's presence.

"The money, quick." He ordered.
"Beg your pardon?" Mom asked, stepping forward.
"We will pay you when we get our provisions but not before." Adad spoke.
"If you value your freedom you will do as I say. There are guards ahead." Bard looked worried.
Everyone looked to mom.
"He's telling the truth." She informed.
"Into the barrels." Adad ordered.
Once again, I was in the barrel with Kili.
Whispering could be heard from the Dwarves and Bilbo.
Clanking was heard, and fish were dumped on us.
I barely held in a groan of disgust.
Others were complaining.
"Quiet, we're approaching the tollgate." Bard informed.

It seemed like ages before we reached the tollgate.
"Halt! Goods inspection!" A voice rang out.
"Papers, please."
"Oh, it's you, Bard."
"Morning, Percy."
"Anything to declare?"
"Nothing, but that I am cold and tired and ready for home."
"You and me both."
"Here we are... All in order." Percy said, stamping the paper.
"Not. So fast." Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only they're not empty are they, Bard?" A new, unfriendly voice asked.
"If I recall correctly you're licensed as a bargeman. Not a fishermen."
"That's none of your business." Bard stated.
"Wrong. It's the Master's business, which makes it my business." The unfriendly voice stated.
"Oh, come on, Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat."
"These fish are illegal." Alfrid stated.
"Empty the barrels over the side." He ordered.

And suddenly, a scraping next to us was heard.
My heart sped up.
Were we going to be discovered?
"Folk in this town are struggling. Times are hard. Food is scarce." Bard argued.
"That's not my problem." Alfrid stated.
"And when the people hear the Master is dumping fish back in the lake, when the rioting starts will it be your problem then?" Bard asked.
"Stop." Alfrid ordered, grudgingly.
"Ever the people's champion, eh Bard? Protector of the common folk. You might have their favor now, bargeman. But it won't last."
"Raise the gate!" The man named Percy yelled.
"The Master has his eye on you. You'd do well to remember: We know where you live." Alfrid threatened.
"It's a small town, Alfrid. Everyone knows where everyone lives."

Suddenly barrels stared tipping over, making it very obvious that we had made it to our destination.