Authors Note: Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update, I was handled a bunch more responsibility at work so my life has been sucking the past couple weeks. This is a multi-perspective chapter, most chapters going forward will be like this. There is just too much going on that needs to be tied together as we approach the pivotal parts of the story that are coming up. I hope it won't be too confusing to follow and will flow well. Thanks for reading and please review!

-O-

Chapter 78 – On the road to Lake-town

Kili

He could hear Kain's voice calling out to him over the sounds of the river. Kili turned in the water logged barrel and kicked the lid hard. It sprung off and the cold river water quickly rushed in. The young dwarf prince struggled to pull himself out of the sinking barrel, in the process he had taken a few gulps of the murky river. A strong arm grabbed his jacket and yanked him clear as he coughed and wheezed. He looked up to see Fili's solemn face, his golden hair was sodden and tangled; his brother looked weary and battered. Kain grabbed his other arm and helped Fili pull him to the shore where he collapsed on the damp gravel. As he lay there panting he stared up at the brightening sky, the sun would be rising soon.

"Did we pass the checkpoint?" Kili asked as he pushed himself up into a sitting position and flinched in pain. Everything felt bruised, he felt like he had been in a week long tavern fight. He looked over at his brother and cousin, they were not fairing any better than he was.

"Aye… we barely slowed down before I heard them open some type of gate," muttered Kain as he brushed his dark wet hair from his face. "Not too long ago… maybe a quarter of an hour. My barrel hit some rocks and was filling quickly. I had to get out or I would have drown," he explained. "Fili heard my cries and escaped his barrel to help me. Your barrel was ahead of ours… we had to chase you a ways down the river before you heard me and kicked your lid off." Kili nodded and took a deep breath. So much for waiting an hour past the checkpoint, he thought. He reached into his pocket and felt for the letter that Tauriel had hastily given him before sealing him in the barrel. He glanced over at his brother, it was not the right time to bring up the letter. Kili looked away and wondered if there ever would be a good time. His brother was near a breaking point, he knew it wouldn't take much to push him over the edge.

"We should get moving…" Fili said as he slowly pulled himself to his feet. "It is almost daybreak… the elves are going to notice that we are missing. I want to put as much distance as we can between us and them." Kili nodded and hauled himself up on wobbly legs.

"What about the others?" Kain asked as he dusted the loose gravel from his pants. "They should only be a couple hours away from Esgaroth by now." Kili watched his brother's face darken. Kain noticed it to and quickly added. "I don't think we should follow them… we should go south-east." Kili gave his cousin a confused look. Where did that come from? he wondered… Kain never mentioned that before.

"South-east?" asked Fili with an edge to his voice. "Esgaroth is due east right down the river! It makes no sense to change course now when we are so close." The rage that burned in Fili's eyes alarmed him. He knew what his brother wanted to do in Esgaroth… he wanted to confront their uncle.

"Hear him out brother…" Kili said cautiously. After being in a cell with Kain for weeks he knew the dwarf rarely said anything unless it had some merit. He also knew that a confrontation between Thorin and his brother would not end well. Anything to prolong that would be a good thing. "Kain… why do you want to go south-east?"

"Well for one it will give the elves more than one trail to track," Kain pointed out. "Also the others should be on the trade route heading to Esgaroth. The last time I dreamed of Vivien they were about a week away. We could use their help…" Fili gave their cousin an indignant look.

"You don't know that they will be there… they could be in Esgaroth already or four days away," Fili argued. "We need to go to Esgaroth! Tauriel is bringing Eli there..."

"And your uncle will already be there... He would have gone straight to the Master. Look cousin, I am not willing to trade one prison cell for another," Kain stated as he gave Fili a level stare. "Thorin knows you are going to come for him the first chance you get after what he did to your wife. Do you honestly think he is going to let you just walk into Lake-town?"

"He does have a point brother… uncle is not a stupid man, he will not take any chances," Kili said as he glanced worriedly at Fili. "There is no way we can just walk in there alone… Kain's right, we are going to need help." Fili's face contorted in rage, with his fists clenched at his sides he reared on his brother and cousin.

"He's not getting away with this!" Fili snapped, his face flushed red as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I am not going to let him get away with this… he will pay for what he has done! We're going to Esgaroth and when we get there I will finish this," his brother seethed, he was trembling slightly as his self-control waned. "Uncle is a dead man the next time I lay my eyes upon him!" Kili stared at his brother in shock, he had never seen Fili behave like this.

"Do you hear yourself brother?" Kili asked in alarm. "Have you lost all reason? What do you think you are going to do? Walk into Lake-town and challenge Uncle to a duel? You'll never get within ten paces of Thorin before a guard or Dwalin stops you. Kain is right… if we go there now it is very likely will be thrown in the dungeons."

"We need help Fili… a day or two delay is all it will be," Kain said in a reassuring tone. "With the others we'll stand a chance." Fili turned away from them, his fists clenched and unclenched in anger. After a few minutes his brother's shoulders slumped in defeat. He felt pity for Fili, he knew how horrible this was for him. There was no way that he was telling him about the letter now. If there was bad news in it like he expected, it would be impossible to stop him from charging into Lake-town.

"Kili… I can't…" Fili started but the words died on his lips. Kili nodded in understanding and grasped his brother's shoulder.

"I know brother…" he said sympathetically. "We have to be smart about this… Uncle will pay, sooner rather than later. I promise you Fili… you will have your vengeance," Kili said with commitment. Fili nodded wordlessly, he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. He was in awe of his brother at that moment, Kili knew that if the roles were reversed that he would not be as strong as Fili. If it had been Laurwyn he knew that no one would be able to stop him from tracking down their uncle and gutting him. This is why Kili knew his brother was meant to be the king, no matter what he always listened and made the best decision.

"Let's go…" Fili said finally as he glanced over at them. His eyes still harbored some of the rage from earlier but they were tempered by a hard determination. He turned abruptly and started walking towards the south-east. Kili exchanged a brief look with Kain and mouthed a silent 'thank you' before they started to follow him. He didn't know how much more his brother could take, he worried that next time they may not be able to convince him to change course. The dwarf prince rested his hand on his pocket and sighed. The very letter that he carried may be what breaks his brother, there was no way he was going to show it to Fili. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to know for himself. The look in Tauriel's eyes when she handed him the letter haunted him. It wasn't good news that was for sure and right now his brother didn't need more to deal with. Finding the others was the best idea they've had in a long while. His mother was traveling with them, he would give her the letter when they arrived. If anyone could help Fili with this it was Mother… she would know what to do.

ooOoo

Balin

There it was in the far distance to the north… the Lonely Mountain. It had been decades since his aged eyes had beheld the solemn mist covered mountain. So many memories stirred in the old dwarf's mind, so much joy and so much pain. It was still raw after all of these years… he had hoped time would have taken the edge off but he was not so lucky. Balin glanced over at the hobbit who was eyeing the mountain warily.

"There she is laddy…" Balin said with a sigh. "The journey is nearing its end." Bilbo gave him a tense smile and nodded. The old dwarf sighed, the hobbit has not said a word to him the entire walk. He regretted his words from earlier but Bilbo just didn't understand the ways of the dwarves. Thorin was their king and they were loyal to him without question. Every one of them would fight to the death to protect their king. A hobbit wouldn't understand that, their people didn't have a king.

"Almost there brother!" Dwalin exclaimed as he slapped him on the back before rushing forward to join Thorin. Balin grunted, his eyes glanced away from the mountain towards the shoddy grey and brown buildings looming in the distance. Esgaroth… they had finally made it. It hadn't changed much since the last time he's seen it, it was still a shithole. He never understood how men could live in such squalor. Most of the buildings were dilapidated shacks hardly suitable to live in. Balin shook his head and followed wearily along behind the others. His tired old bones feeling the burden of the months on the road and the violent barrel ride down the river.

He wondered how hospitable the people of Lake-town were going to be to their ragged group of dwarves. Relations had been mended with the dwarves of Iron Hills, Dain had worked out several trade agreements with their Master. That didn't mean that they wanted eleven dwarves and a hobbit invading their town. He frowned… eleven, there should be fourteen. Thorin should have waited for his kin. What had happened to him that he would so easily abandon family? Something had happened with Eliana, he had suspicions but dared not mention them; especially to Bilbo. With her memory taken by the black water, she would not remember Fili… would Thorin be so depraved that he would use that to his benefit? Balin felt his stomach twist and nausea overtake him at the thought. His eyes sought out their king as he walked purposefully towards the gates of Esgaroth. The Thorin he knew, the dwarf who had fought at his side through many battles would never take advantage of or force himself on a woman. But what if it wasn't forced? What if he lied? Bilbo said that Thorin pretended to be her husband to get the elf king to leave her alone. Would Thorin be deceitful enough to trick Eliana into believing that they were truly married? He found himself growing angry as they approached the gates. Pieces started to fit together in his mind, he remembered how upset Fili had been before the elf captain removed them from the cell. Thorin's breakdown and sudden rebound after he heard that Eliana was alive spoke louder than any words ever could. He needed to talk to Dwalin, if his suspicions were right their worst fears were about to come true.

"Halt! State your business in Lake-town!" the guard's booming voice rang out from the watchtower above them. Balin squinted and looked up at the armed men, he hoped that they would not give them any trouble. Thorin stepped to the front of their group with his head held high as he addressed the guards.

"I am Thorin, grandson of Thror, King under the Mountain!" he said boldly as he stared haughtily at the men. "I have come back to reclaim what is mine," he said confidently as he gestured towards the mountain to the north. "Take me to your Master for I have much to discuss with him." The guards stared dumbly at him for a moment before they started to whisper amongst themselves. Their eyes widened as the realization of who Thorin was became clear to them.

"Open the gates!" one of the guards yelled. Balin let out a sigh of relief when the wooden gates started to slowly open. At least they were getting inside, he thought. The other dwarves shared his relief, they murmured excitedly to each other about getting a hot meal and some ale. He gave a few of them a hard stare until they quieted down… they were not in the clear yet. The gate was fully open when a man in better armor than the rest stepped out to meet them.

"I am Captain Hadrek," he said with a bow. "I will escort you to the Master." Thorin merely nodded at him and gestured for the rest of the dwarves and Bilbo to follow. Balin tried to catch up with his brother as they followed Thorin and the captain down the winding muddy streets of Lake-town. They reached the market-place, it was full of people who were busy with their daily tasks. Many stopped what they were doing and stood there watching as the troop of dwarves and a hobbit were led towards a great hall that rose above the other structures at the far side of the market-place. Balin finally reached Dwalin's side as they arrived at the stairs to the hall.

"Dwalin… we need to talk," he whispered urgently to the taller dwarf. His brother gave him an odd look then shook his head.

"Later…" he said dismissively as they climbed the stairs. Balin sighed in frustration but before he could say anything he was shoved to the side as the other dwarves started to rush up the stairs. The doors to the great hall swung open and the smell of freshly cooked food permeated the air. Balin was carried away in sea of dwarf bodies into the hall as they frantically raced towards the source of the smell. They entered the cooridor and were led down a short hallway to a large room. The dwarves pushed each other as they rushed along behind Thorin, even Bilbo had thrown caution to the wind at the smell of food. The old dwarf cursed under his breath, they were all damn fools he thought angrily. There was no way to predict how this Master was going to react to their presence in his town. For all they knew they could soon be escorted to cells and they wouldn't be as nice as the ones the elves had kept them in. Once they were all in the room the captain led them towards a large table that was full of overflowing platters of food. A large man sat at the center, his long greasy blond hair hung down to his shoulder framing his red puffy face. He was dressed in fine clothing that barely covered his protruding belly, the buttons were straining with every breath he took. On either side of him were a few men, they appeared to be off lesser rank; their clothes were ordinary and simple. They had stopped their eating and stared in surprise at the troop of dwarves. The captain stepped forward and bowed, he began to speak when Thorin stepped in front of him.

"I am Thorin, grandson of Thror, King under the Mountain! I have returned!" he cried in a loud voice that echoed throughout the chamber. "I am here to speak to the Master of the Men of the Lake!" The men stared in astonishment at him for a moment before murmuring quietly to each other. The fat blond man lifted his goblet of wine and took a long drink, he sat it down slowly and began to speak.

"Well Thorin grandson of Thror what is your business in my town," he said with indifference and also with a bit of disdain. Balin began to worry, obviously these men were not impressed with Thorin's declaration. He glanced over at his king and was surprised to see that he seemed to be unfazed by the Master's attitude.

"I bring an opportunity to the Men of the Lake," he stated calmly. Thorin reached into his pocket and pulled out the iron key to Erebor, he held it up for all to see. "I offer a very lucrative deal to the people of Lake-town..." Thorin started to say but was cut off by the laughter of the dark-haired man to the Master's right.

"With what? A rusty old key?" the man scoffed. The Master glared at the man causing him to shrink back in his seat.

"Quiet Alfrid!" he hissed angrily. "My apologies… please continue, you mentioned a lucrative deal?" the Master said as he leaned forward. Thorin smirked and stepped closer to the table.

"As I was saying… I am here to offer you and your people a very generous proposition," he said as he held out the key again. Balin frowned, he wondered what Thorin was up to. "This is the key to Erebor and its riches," the dwarf king stated boldly. "I have come here to reclaim my birthright… I am here to reclaim the gold that lies beneath the mountain." Excited whispers erupted from the men seated at the table, the Master remained quiet as he intently stared at Thorin. "In order to secure that gold, we must reach the mountain by Durin's Day. I am willing to part with a sizable amount of gold as payment to the great people of Lake-town for their assistance." Balin could practically see the Master salivating at Thorin's words. The old dwarf shook his head, they had no idea what was waiting for them in that mountain. For all they knew the vaults were empty after all of these years. The Master quickly stood, his chair scraped along the floor and nearly toppled at his sudden movement.

"Welcome Thorin, King under the Mountain!" he said in a loud boisterous voice. "Come! Come my friend and join me at my table!" the Master said as he shoved the man called Alfrid from his chair. "Bring King Thorin a new plate and goblet," he ordered. "And have the servants bring more chairs and tables for our guests." Alfrid glared at the dwarves as he grabbed his plate and goblet then stomped from the room. Thorin took his seat next to the Master as servants scurried into the room and began to setup more tables and chairs for the dwarves. Balin quickly shuffled to Dwalin's side and took him by the arm, he pulled him away from the others.

"What is it Balin?" Dwalin asked in an exasperated tone as he pulled his arm free. "What is so important?"

"It's about Thorin…" he started. Dwalin waved him off.

"He seems fine… recovered from his head injury," his brother said dismissively. He started to turn to leave when Balin grabbed his arm and forcefully pulled him back.

"There was no head injury… I lied," the old dwarf admitted quietly. "His mind was broken Dwalin, when the elves brought him back he was… not himself." His brother gave him a hard look and pulled him farther away from the others.

"What are you talking about? What happened to him?" Dwalin asked in a low harsh voice. Balin sighed, he was having a hard time knowing where to begin so he just started telling him everything that had happen since the elves brought Thorin to the cell. Dwalin listened intently as he told him the things Thorin had said about Eliana and how despondent he was. They both glanced over at the table where their king and the Master sat talking like they were old friends.

"Before the barrel ride down the river I told him that Eliana still lived, after that he started to come out of it," the old dwarf explained. "Something happened with her, I fear Fili's accusations about his uncle were correct." Dwalin rubbed his brow and cursed under his breath.

"Do you know what this means?" the warrior growled. Balin nodded sadly. Fili would kill his uncle if he ever got the chance. It would be justified, no one could dispute that…but poor Eliana would be ridiculed and humiliated by the nobility. They wouldn't care about her memory loss… they would just see her as a whore that stepped out on her husband for his uncle. The scandal would divide the kingdoms, Dain could easily seize power. Balin glared at Thorin as he laughed and drank wine with the Master of Lake-town. His obsession with Eliana has brought ruin to the line of Durin.

"What do we do?" he asked his brother quietly. He was at a loss… eventually Fili would get here, he had no doubts the elf Tauriel would free him and the others.

"I'll talk to the captain… and see if they will help us," Dwalin muttered as he turned, his eyes were searching for the captain. He took a step to leave when Balin grabbed his arm again.

"Wait!" he whispered urgently. "How can he help us? What are you thinking brother?"

"The captain can detain them… it will help us keep them apart until we leave for Erebor," the warrior explained. "I don't like it any better than you brother… they are kin and deserve better," he said after he saw Balin's reaction. "But we can't let this get out of control…"

"Maybe we should," Balin said defiantly. "Maybe we should support Fili for the crown," he said angrily to a shocked Dwalin. "Do we really want a king whose mind is twisted and has no honor?"

"Quiet your tongue brother!" Dwalin said sharply. "Thorin is our king! We will support him as we always have. There is no proof that he did anything with that elf," he spat. "You will not utter another word about this to anyone."

"I will not speak a word of this to anyone but I don't do it for you… I do it to preserve Eliana's reputation," Balin said heatedly. "But listen to my words brother… no harm comes to Fili by your hand or Thorin's. If it does I will denounce him to every dwarven kingdom, I will scream it from the top of the Mountain if I have to!" Balin raised his finger and pointed at his brother. "You will not have them locked in a cell! If they come here then you send them to me, I will talk to Fili… he will listen to me."

"And if he doesn't?" Dwalin sneered.

"He will," Balin said firmly. "The boy is not without reason… he will do what is best for his wife and for the kingdoms." He could tell that his brother did not believe it, if it was anyone but Fili he would have his own doubts. "He will," he stated to try and reassure his brother.

"I don't like this," he said with a shake of his head. "If he doesn't listen then what? What are you going to do if he wants vengeance?"

"He won't," Balin insisted. "I've known Fili his entire life… I know he will listen to me. He is not his uncle, he will do the right thing." Dwalin's eyes narrowed.

"Watch your tone brother… you do not want your loyalty called into question here," his brother warned. Balin gritted his teeth to stop himself from saying anything more. He knew Dwalin would never understand, he would stay loyal to Thorin until his death. If it was true and Thorin had dishonor Eliana there was no way that he could support him anymore. Just his questionable behavior and decision making on this quest had Balin doubting Thorin's ability to be king; this new turn of events had decided it for him. If there was a choice… if Fili contested Thorin taking the crown then Balin knew that he would side with Fili. The lad would make a fine king, there was no question about that.

"Dwalin! Balin!" Thorin called to them. "Come join us at the table…" Balin sighed and started to turn when Dwalin grabbed his arm.

"We will finish this discussion later," he hissed under his breath, he pulled his hand away from Balin's arm and turned to face Thorin. "Do they have enough ale for my brother and me?" he asked loudly with a smirk on his face.

"We have plenty of ale!" the Master said with a laugh. The dwarves began to cheer at the news, Bilbo started to do a slight dance; his big furry feet were stomping up and down. "And we just got a fresh shipment of elven wine! The best from Thranduil's Halls!" All of the dwarves and the hobbit grew very quiet, the Master looked around in concern. "You don't like wine?" he asked hesitantly.

"We'll pass on the wine," Thorin said with a tight smile. "Ale will suit us just fine…" The Master merely shrugged and ordered the servants to bring more ale. Balin followed his brother to the table and took a seat a few chairs down from Thorin. For a brief moment his eyes met Thorin's, Balin felt nothing but disgust for the dwarf he had call friend for well over a century and a half. A foaming cup of ale was slammed down in front of him by Dwalin.

"Drink up brother," he said before leaving to sit at Thorin's side. Balin glanced around at the other dwarves, they were well into their second cup of ale and were happily talking amongst themselves. Even Bilbo seemed to be enjoying himself as he sat next to Bofur stuffing pieces of biscuit into his mouth. The old dwarf sighed and grabbed his mug of ale, he took a long drink of the bitter liquid then leaned back in his chair. He couldn't bring himself to partake in the festivities around him as the dwarves and Lake-town men celebrated their new alliance. Too much had happened and there was too much yet to unfold… his thoughts were dark and foreboding as he sat there watching the others. Balin was no longer worried about Erebor or the fire drake that may be still slumbering beneath the mountain. No, his thoughts were occupied by a young blond prince whose actions could send the dwarven kingdoms spiraling into chaos and war.

ooOoo

In Thranduil's Halls

The elven king paced back and forth in the throne room, his long shimmering robes trailed behind him whipping back and forth. No one spoke, most kept their eyes cast down at the floor; no one dared to look directly at the king. Thranduil's wrath had no bounds, his rage had already claimed a few victims this day; two servants and a guard paid a high price for angering their king. The doors to the throne room swung open and Prince Legolas walked in accompanied by several guards. His face was grim as he approached his father.

"Have you found them?" the king asked abruptly as he turned towards his son. His face was a stony mask but his eyes burned with an unbridled fury. Legolas bowed swiftly then shook his head.

"We have not father," he said respectfully in a quiet voice. "The barrels were used in the escape… We have several parties searching the river and the area beyond the checkpoint."

"And Tauriel?" he growled, it was obvious to anyone that dared to look at him that his composure was hanging by a thread. Legolas shook his head.

"No… we have not found her. All of her personal effects are untouched in her quarters and the healers are still unable to wake Dathon," he reported.

"I want her found and brought to me in chains!" Thranduil bellowed, his self-control finally slipping. "It was her… there was no one else that could have gotten them out." The king spun and briskly stepped towards his son. "If I find that you had anything to do with this, the fact that you are my son will not spare you," Thranduil hissed as he leaned forward. His eyes bore into Legolas' as he looked for any sign of guilt or fear. The elf prince stared impassively at the king as he held his head high.

"As I told you earlier father, I had nothing to do with this and I am appalled and disappointed that Tauriel may have been involved," he said calmly but firmly. "If Tauriel was behind this then she deserves whatever fate you deem necessary." Thranduil glared at his son for a moment before he turned without a word and stomped to his throne. He spun around at sat heavily into his chair, his anger an annoyance apparent as he barked at the servant to bring him a goblet of wine. Before the skittish servant had time to pour the wine, the door to the chamber opened abruptly. A group of soldiers entered the hall led by the guard Locien.

"Have you found them?" Thranduil asked as he sat up in his throne. Locien stepped forward and bowed deeply before the king.

"My lord…" he began respectfully. "These men are from the southern patrol… they are not part of the search parties that are seeking the dwarves. They bring urgent news…" Thranduil cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"I am not interested in any news that does not involve the dwarves or that treacherous wench Tauriel," he said dismissively as he grabbed the goblet of wine from the servant. Legolas glowered at his father, he stepped toward Locien and the soldiers.

"What is the news?" he asked them. One of the soldiers hesitantly stepped forward, he looked nervous as he glanced up at the king and then back to the prince.

"There is an army my lord…" he said hesitantly. There were several gasps from others in the room at the mention of an army.

"An army?" Thranduil exclaimed as he quickly stood. "Whose army?" he asked in apprehension. Murmurs of alarm echoed throughout the chamber.

"An elven army my lord," the soldier said quickly. "Bearing the banners of Imladris and Lothlórien… one of our scouts approached them and was given this," he said as he reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out a scroll. "They are about two days march from here…" he said as he handed it to Legolas with a bow then quickly stepped back to the other soldiers. The prince broke the wax seal on the scroll and began to read.

"What does it say?" snapped Thranduil impatiently as he started to rapidly descend the stairs.

"It's from Lord Celeborn…" Legolas said as he slowly lowered the scroll, his face was pale and his eyes were wide. "He is coming for his niece…"

ooOoo