Finding my way Home

Barges and Bowmen

"Easy now," a baritone voice said as he tried to get her to lay back down. "Deep breaths," the voice continued.

Water was running down her face. " I can't breathe," she gasped once again, trying to push against the hands that held her down. She opened her eyes and gazed around. How could this be? The sun was shining, but it was the middle of the night when she slipped into the pond.

"Easy, your alright? Everything is fine," The voice said again, and she met the eyes of the voice that was talking to her.

"Who are you?" she blinks, her hair dripping and hanging in her face.

"The name is Bard, and you are?" He asked as he removed his arm from around her back.

"Melora," she whispered, taking in his clothing, which did not look like any she had seen; she then glanced around her. They seemed to be in the middle of a body of water. "Is this lake?" Before he could answer, she asked, "How am I on a lake, why am I? Am I asleep?"

"No, Milady, you are not asleep. I can assure you that you are awake. I was also going to ask you how you came to be here; you were floating on the lake when I found you." Bard told her.

"What?" She blinked again, "I was floating in the lake," she whispered.

"Yes," Bard told her in a no-nonsense tone. He gave her a once-over, examining her green flannel pajamas and pink footwear. Self-consciously, she moved some hair out of her face and placed it behind her ear. "You're an elf," He exclaimed

"What did you just call me?" she questioned, squinting at him.

"What is an elf doing in the middle of the lake? Are you from Mirkwood?" he asked, looking around to see if there were other elves.

"I don't even know where Mirkwood is," she told him. I live in Y/T/N. "

"Is that a small elven village somewhere near here?" Bard asks, not recognizing the name.

"Where is here?" She asks, "The last thing I remember was a glowing light in my community pond, and then you told me you found me floating in this lake."

"Laketown is the closest human settlement from here, my lady," Bard told her. "I am a bargeman. I came to collect the barrels from Mirkwood, and we often trade with them."

She glances around again, noticing the absence of sounds she is used to. There are no cars, no honking. The sound of Mr. Wilson's leaf blower is also absent. If she had been in her neighborhood and it was midday Saturday, Mr. Wilson would have been able to be heard. He also used his leaf blower from daylight till dusk on Saturdays. "I don't think I am in Kanas anymore," she whispered. She bit her lip when Bard continued to stare at her. "I am sorry, I think I am lost," she told him.

"I have never known an elf to get lost, but then again, I do not deal much with the elves except for the barrels," Bard told her but offered her a smile; after all, he was a gentleman. "I would be happy to point you on your way back to Mirkwood, but first, I must finish my duties. Perhaps we can find you some dry clothes as well. Is this a new Elvish fashion, maybe?" he questioned.

"It's my pajamas," she said sheepishly. I would appreciate something dry to wear, " she added.

Bard moved over to a crate on the barge and fished out a blanket. "This will have to do for now," he told her as he returned to steering the barge to a small inlet. As he walked away, she noticed he had a, was that a bow strapped to his back. Where was she? Damnit, fortune cookie, you were supposed to be a crock of shit like always. She was not ready for any adventure. She didn't even have a toothbrush and did not have life skills to assist her in any wilderness situation. Also, what did he mean by she was an elf? She most certainly did not resemble a toy maker. While trying to slow her racing heart from a panic attack, she failed to notice that Bard was making his way back to her. Bard looked down at her and noticed that she seemed to be breathing heavily, "Are you alright, Milady?" He questioned, bending down.