Chapter Text
Bard paused as he moved to load another barrel onto his barge. His new job might have been monotonous (until now) but it brought in more money than being a bowman had done, or being a fisherman would do…and he’d rather die than join the so called guard.
Slowly, he reached for his bow and nocked an arrow, before swinging around, pulling the bowstring taut. But the sight before him was…unexpected.
A she-elf with hair the colour of fire was stood on the dock, an eyebrow raised.
“M-My lady,” Bard stammered, mentally kicking himself, “I’m sorry I didn’t expect-”
“I’m not a lady.” The elf interrupted him, “I am a Captain of one of King Thranduil’s guards. I was told there was a new bargeman, so I came to see for myself…I did not expect him to be armed though.”
Bard looked at his bow, before realisation crashed over him and he fumbled to put it away.
“Neither did I expect him to be so young.”
Bard turned back to the dock, his own eyebrow raised.
“The fact that you show your emotions so easily gives it away.”
The man ducked his head and gritted his teeth.
“I have a family to provide for,” He admitted, “Or I will do.”
Bard couldn’t truly bring himself to regret what had happened. Freya was a lovely lass and he was overjoyed to be married to her…if only it had been when they were older and not teens who were – in essence – forced together by the prospect of a babe.
The she-elf blinked, her mouth wobbled and then sealed shut.
“Well…it was pleasant meeting you but I should be leaving.” And then she left, before Bard could even string a sentence together.