Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Thirty: Awkward Family Reunion

"Bella?" Bard finally broke the silence that had filled the area. The last time he saw his older half sister, before she disappeared was just shortly after his youngest daughter, Tilda was born.

"Hello, brother. Its been a long time." Bella stated through her exhaustion. Bard looked at her neither happy nor sad to see her again. This was all to familiar to him and was not the first time she had been gone for years before he would see her again. But every time she mysteriously returned, this was by far the worst he had ever seen her and he couldn't help but wander how her face ended up covered in scars.

The young woman felt her brother's concerned eyes on her and she could no longer take it and was force to look away and found Thorin's glaring look, that was looking at her rather skeptical like; as oppose to the rest of her companions shocked expressions. Bella finally looked at the ground. It was the only thing she could look at that wouldn't be judging her, silently. Bard finally lowered his bow and climbed down the rocks and walked up to his sister and hugged her. Despite her years of absence, he loved his sister very much. " Bell, where have you been? I thought something terrible had happen to you."

"Its a long story." Bella said weakly. " Brother we need to talk." The two of them wandered away from the others to speak. Bella ended up having to sit down on a rock, before her form got to shaky that she would collapse. It wasn't until now that Bard finally noticed just how thin she was and he began to wonder just what these dwarves had gotten her into. Thorin stood by Balin and Dwalin, watching Bella who appeared to be arguing with this bowman.

"Bell what are you doing with these dwarves?" Bard hissed at her.

"I told you Bard. I can't tell you." Bella pressed.

"Why not? You expect me to just help them? Bella let's just go. You don't look well." He challenged next.

"Well you might as well get on you're barge and leave, because I'm not leaving my friends stranded here alone." Bella growled lowly.

"Excuse me." Balin interrupted, causing them both to stop talking and turn to look at the approaching dwarf. "You're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?" Bard turned to look at his sister for a brief second and then back at the white-bearded dwarf.

"What makes you think I would help you?" Bard questioned, while beginning to load the barrels onto his barge.

"Those boots have seen better days, as has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?" Balin asked. Bard turned to his sister, wondering if she had spoken about him or his children to these dwarves. Bella shook her head, already knowing exactly what he was asking her.

"A boy and two girls," he informed, giving a slight smirk as he continued to untie the ropes from the dock.

"And your wife, I imagine, she's just a beauty." Bella couldn't help but smile to herself. Balin was such a charmer, unlike his fellow kin who rather solve things by fighting. But Bella's grin quickly fell when she saw the angst on her brother's face.

"Aye, she was." Bard sighed lowly.

"Bard...what happened to Ingrid?" The half-breed asked. This was all news to her. The last time she had seen her brother's wife, she was alive. Bard just looked at her with pain in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" Balin attempted to apologize to the man for bringing up a painful time for him.

"Oh come on, come on, enough with the niceties." Dwalin hissed, getting impatient. If Bella had the strength, she could tackle the dwarf to the ground right now. Would it kill him to be just a little sensitive, when the time called for it?

"What's your hurry?" Bard suddenly challenged. His demeanor no longer calm.

"What's it to you?" Dwalin snapped back.

"I would like to know who you are, and what you are doing in these lands." He demanded.

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

"Simple merchants you say?" The bowman challenged, clearly not believing this tale the dwarf was telling for one second.

"We need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?" Thorin asked as he came forward.

"I know where these barrels came from." The bowman said suddenly as he traced the damaged areas of the barrels. Thorin tensed a little but continued to glare at this man.

"What of it?" He challenged and the man smirked at the dwarf's sudden defense on the matter.

"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Laketown 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." The man stated, watching their reactions to this. " Bella let's go."

"I told you: I wasn't going anywhere without my friends." Bella pressed, having to blink a few times to make sure she was still awake. Her adrenaline was running out on her.

Seeing they were losing their chance of getting a spot on the barge, Thorin mouthed to Balin to offer this man more. "I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen."

A grin formed on the bowman's face, hearing this. He couldn't figure out why they were so desperate to get on his barge. "Aye. But for that, you will need a smuggler." He informed them.

"For which we will pay double." The elder dwarf offered.

Bard thought about this for a long time. He could use the money. Not only to help his own family but to help the starving people of Laketown as well. The bowman gave a nod and the dwarves one by one began climbing on.

Bella slowly stood up and took small steps towards the barge. She was just about to climb on when Thorin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from the barge to speak with her alone. " Bella you could have told us you were also half Man's blood?" Thorin pressed in a low voice.

"I didn't see the importance of it." Bella muttered, attempting to join the others on the barge, but Thorin still had a hold of her arm.

"Bella, I thought by now you would know you could trust us. Trust me, at least. I think after everything I deserve that." The dwarf king stated sternly.

The half breed's gaze turn to the side to see Bilbo, the last one, climb onto her brother's barge. "I trust no one but myself." Thorin clasped her shoulders so she had no choice but to look him in the eyes.

"Bella...you don't have to keep being the lone wolf. You're not alone anymore. Know that you can trust me. I mean it." The two of them just stared into each others eyes. It took Bella a second before realizing just how close Thorin was to her and not only that, she could feel her own heart starting to pound.

"Is their a problem here?" Bard interrupted, causing them both to take a step back from each other.

"None at all." Thorin pressed, glaring slightly at the man. Thorin stepped aside for Bella to go by and climb onto the barge. She didn't get more then one step on the boat when she collapsed backwards into Thorin. " Bella...?" The half-breed was panting heavily now, while Thorin supported her.

"What happened to her?" Bard demanded.

"Thranduil, was starving her," Thorin pressed.

"Because of you," Bard accused.

"Bard." Bella hissed.

"She needs food and rest." Thorin informed, helping her onto the boat when he was stopped.

"I'll take her." The bowman insisted, taking his sister out of Thorin's hold and walked her over to the back of the barge. He gave her what water he had left and gave her an apple from his satchel. Bella closed her eyes shortly after that and the boat started to move across the water.