Chapter 30 - First Partner: Tauriel

Gray and the dwarves moved all the way till they reached the river.

They stayed on the riverside to take some rest while thinking about how will they cross the river.

Gray was standing on the rock behind them, thinking about the battle with the orcs just now, at first, he didn't have a complete grasp over his new body and skills. But while fighting he was able to adapt slowly. This also made him realize the even if he copied the skills he needs to get familiar with them first.

"Mr. Gray, do you have an idea of how will we cross the river, and reach the lake-town" Thorin came to Gray said and asked, while looking at Gray's sharp ears, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Well...." Gray didn't know how to answer. He can let the dwarves ride the Barrels again, and by using his ability to control the metal, move them all the way to the lake-town, But alike this, he won't be able to hide them, and the people of the lake town will notice them. Even though he doesn't think the people in the lake town can stop him. but still, he doesn't want unnecessary troubles. And most importantly he doesn't know the road.

So he's waiting for Bard, like the original to appear and take them away.

Soon Gray felt something, without saying a word, he became invisible and moved silently.

The dwarves were cleaning their clothes, on the river, and didn't notice that there was a man standing on the rocks behind them.

Soon one of them found the existence of this man, and the others around also found him.

When the dwarves wanted to attack this man, he shot two arrows, at the first two who wanted to pick their weapons and fight.

"If you don't want arrow inside your head, you better not move" the Bowman said while looking at the dwarves.

But suddenly, he felt a cold sharp object under his neck, and a sound came from behind; "And you better to think twice before pointing your arrow at others"

Hearing this voice, the arrow man felt terrified, he didn't think someone could sneak behind him like this.

Even though he was scared by the sudden appearance of Gray, he calmly put his bow down and said; "I'm not here to fight, all I wanted is to know who are they"

Gray looked at Bard's reaction, and was surprised; "No wonder, he was able to kill a dragon". To stay calm under the threat of death. Not many can do the same.

After a little pause, Gray revealed himself and took his sword back. Then he smiled at Bard and said; "but this won't change the fact that you have pointed the arrow at my friends"

Yup, this bowman is Bard. The Dragonslayer.

When Bard saw Gray, he was surprised, he saw elves before and even their king have met, so he knows that the elves and the dwarves are not in a good relationship, He can even say that they hate each other. But Gray said the dwarves are his friends, so he was surprised.

"You should be from the Lake-town right? We need to cross the river how about you help us, we will pay for your help" Gray said, not wait for him to answer.

When Bard heard Gray wants him to help to cross the river. He wanted to refuse, after all, letting elf and dwarves enter the town, might bring him unnecessary troubles, the town master is trying to find fault to get rid of him. But after thinking about the town situation and his kids at home. He accepted, after all, he really needs money right now.

So after some thoughts, he agreed to what Gray said.

After that everything was smooth, Bard helped them to cross the river and soon they saw the mountain from the fog. When the mountain appeared all the dwarves looked at the mountain with mixed emotions. This is their home, the home that was taken from them.

Looking at their reaction Gray thought of the Glory base on the real world; "Sooner or later I'll get the base back" This base is the only thing that his father left for him. The fact that Zed wanted to kill him and take the base for himself, always been on Gray's mind, So he's determined to get the base back.

Soon they reached the Lake-town border. Bard knows that he can't let the dwarves enter the town like this, so he told them to enter the barrels, he even wanted Gray to enter with them.

But Gray didn't care about him and used the ring to become invisible, Seeing Gray disappears suddenly, Bard realized how he appeared behind him before.

Bard walked toward the fisherman's and greeted them. The dwarves saw Bard talking with the fisherman there, They suspected that Bard sold them. But Gray's sound appeared and told them not to worry and stay inside the barrels.

Everything went the same, Bard filled the barrels with fish to hide the dwarves when they enter the town. Gray looked at the barrels and smile again. The reason why he smiled weirdly when he saw the barrels inside the elves castle because he remembers this situation.

Soon they entered the town, they met the servent of this town master Alfrid, he threatened Bard and even wanted to throw the fish inside the barrels to the water. But Bard used words and scared him, so he stopped his acts, and threatened Bard again. Gray looked at all this. And didn't care much, such character he saw many in the real world.

After entering the town Bard took the dwarves to his house. Along the way, Gray saw many people eyeing Bard's house. And it looks like Bard aware of them, he acted as if he doesn't care. But Gray know that Bard should be very annoyed by those people, after all, who will be at ease, when his home and family are being watched all the time.

After entering Bard's house, Gray revealed himself again. When Bard's family saw Gray appears from nowhere, they were surprised, but Bard explained to them so they calmed down.

Soon, Bard brought them the weapons that the dwarves asked for, but what he brought was just some rusty farmer equipment. The dwarves were unsatisfied with what he brought. They want to enter the mountain, which means they might fight the dragon. With those scraps, how can they fight?.

But this is the best thing Bard could bring to them. All the good weapons in this town collocated by the master of this town.

"Do you know where he stores the weapons?" Gray asked.

When Bard heard Gray question, he remembered Gray can ability

"Follow me" Bard took Gray to the place where the weapons are stored.

"The weapons are inside if we..." Bard wanted to tell Gray how to enter but he found that Gray already disappeared from his side.

Gray didn't wait for Bard to say his plan and went inside by himself. Entring the weapon store was easy from him.

Soon Gray went out and a group of weapons was suspended around him.

"This.." Bard didn't know what to say anymore. Gray moved the sword and let them stay in the water under around him, so that no one noticed them.

Because it was already late at night, not many people were around. So he and Bard sneaked back.

Bard was more curious about Gray identity, normal we've should have such ability like Gray.

Soon reached back, but before Gray enters the house. He stopped and said; "I have something to do, I'll come back soon"

...

Gray walked away from Bard's house. Soon he came for a remote corner and said; "Come out Tauril, I know your here"

The moment Gray said those words Tauriel jumped from the roof beside Gray.

"Ms. Tauriel, we met again" Gray looked at her with a smile.

Tauriel looked at Gray silently. She had left the palace without her king's orders, came all the way here to tell Gray what she heard from the orc mouth, Thranduil's reaction was not normal when he heard about the dark one. So she thought that Gray may be in danger if she didn't tell him fast.

After greeting Gray she told him everything the orc said before.

When Gray heard what she said, he was lost in thoughts; "the Dark One? Isn't that Sauron? he's looking for me?" Gray knows that Sauron is the one who controls the orcs behind the scene, so naturally, he guessed whos the orc talking about.

After thinking about all of this. A smile appeared on Gray face. He's not the same Gray anymore. Sending army? Even if Sauron came himself. Gray won't run away.

The power of this world is somehow unbalanced, Many powerful creatures exist in this world, but almost all of them have some defects, like elves even though they have a very strong vitality, but simple poison may end their life. And almost everyone in this world uses weapons to fight, not many will fight with magic and the like. And that's also the reason why he doesn't fear anyone in this world. Will Gray fear someone who uses metal to fight against him?

After making up his mind. Gray's eyes focused on Tauriel and said; "What about you, have you made up your mind since you came here without Thranduil orders, you shouldn't be planing to go back, am I right?"

Since he made up his mind to fight, Gray looked at Tauriel and said. He wants to know if Tauriel will join him or not. If she agrees, then he will raise her strength directly, and like this, he will have a strong partner who can fight alongside.

After some silent, Tauriel looked at Gray with serious eyes saying; "I accept, but you have to show me the wider world you told me about"

Hearing her answer Gray smiled happily and said; "Don't worry, I promise you will not be disappointed"

....