The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings one shots and Imagines Book II

The merchant - Part 4 - Bard x Reader

"I........I beg your pardon.........?" (Y/n) asked in disbelief, as she looked at the Master.

"You want me........me to train your men? What makes you think that I can qualified to train soldiers.......? I am a merchant.........."

"You may be a merchant now, but I do not think you always were. No one could make a shot like you did, and not have some training. And I think that despite what you may say, your quiver is that of an archer of the Gondorian army. A quiver that no self-respecting archer would want to lose.......or sell." Bard replied, as he gestured to the chair, that was on the other side of the table, to him. (Y/n) hesitating for a moment, before taking the seat.

He of course was right; no archer would surrender their quiver, just as you wouldn't your bow. It was something that became a part of you, after years of training; it always feeling as though something was missing when it was not thrown over her back. Just like how her arm felt bare when the bracer, that was currently covered by her long sleeve, was not there. And of course she had had training; she had been the only half-elf in the Gondorian army. Raised by her father to be a warrior. A warrior that had trained many of those that still served the city, for long after she left. Yet it had been a long time since she had trained either archers or foot soldiers, a very long time. A long time since she had served a lord, steward or king. Though it was obvious that the Master was desperate; for what ruler in their right mind would ask a stranger to teach their soldiers; never mind a strange woman. And because of that, she found herself wanting to listen to what this Bard had to say.

"I am not a soldier. Never was. I was a bargeman, that would sail the lake, and collect empty wine barrels from Mirkwood, so that they could be taken and refilled. I used my bow, to help feed my family. I don't know how to train soldiers, and whatever ones there were in Lake- town.........well, there are only a few left, now. Those you saw, really all we have. I have seen a battle; faced an enemy with little more than fishermen that had lost everything, and if that comes again, I want us to be ready this time; I do not want to have to depend on either the elves of Mirkwood, or the dwarves of the Mountain, for aid. I want to know that the people of Dale will be protected, if any enemy comes for us in the future. But I cannot do that without help. I need someone who really knows what it is to command men. To recruit and inspire them..........."

"And what makes you think that that person is me? What makes you think that they will listen to someone that not only doesn't come from this place, from Lake-town; but is also a woman.........?" (Y/n) asked, as she leant back in her chair.

"Iwar.........." The Master simply replied.

"You impressed him. And if you impressed him, then that means that you are the right person. And if Iwar follows you, the rest will follow." Bard continued. (Y/n) having to wonder if that was how the old captain showed that he was impressed by someone, she would hate to think what he might have done, if he hadn't been.

His plea was a sound one. (Y/n) knew of the battle that had occurred in and around the city of men, and the home of the Durins. Knew of the fight between men, elves, dwarves and orcs; and if the forces of darkness ever came to call again, there was no hope for the city, if they only had a small contingent of properly trained men to fight. Yet she had given up being a soldier when her father had passed away. She had left Gondor; left that old life behind. And she liked her time on the road. She liked the quiet; she liked it just being her and Kaspier. She liked seeing the world and exploring everything that Middle-Earth had to offer. So why should she give all that up, to stay in Dale and train men? A place and people that she had no connection to. And she still had a wagon load of goods to sell, to make back her coin. That, and she had no place to call home in the city of men; no place to house Kaspier; there seeming to be more reasons for her to say no to the Master's proposal, than to agree. Yet the more that she looked at him; the more that the light from the candles in the room caught in his eyes, the more that she got this strange feeling. A feeling that she should help. That it was the right thing for her to stay and do all she could.

"There are two days left of the market. I want to be able to sell my wares for those next two days. And......and after that........."

"After that........?" Bard interrupted, (Y/n) looking up at him.

"After that, I will stay for as long as is needed for me to recruit, and train enough men, so that they in turn can train more in the future. You will never have a huge army, Master Bard; but I assure you that by the time I have finished with them, they will be some of the best in Middle-Earth." (Y/n) continued, as she got up from the chair.

"Now, where is my horse and wagon...............?"