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

The merchant - Part 6 - Bard x Reader

"Father.........." A cheery voice called out, as Bard pushed open the door of a small, yet comfortable looking home. A young female rushing into his arms, causing the Master to chuckle.

"Hello, Tilda. Where are your brother and sister? I have brought a guest for dinner.........." Bard said. The young girl pulling away from her father and looking to the woman that still stood in the doorway.

"Sigrid is in the kitchen, and Bain............"

"Are you the one that made the shot on the thief, the other day........?" Another voice enquired. A young man making his way down the stairs. Bard chuckling again, as he turned to look at his guest, who seemed a little uncomfortable with the attention.

"Forgive me, (Y/n). I should introduce you. This is my youngest, Tilda." The Master said, gesturing to the young female that still held onto his arm.

"This is my son. Bain. And as you heard, Sigrid, my oldest daughter is in the kitchen........." He continued, before shrugging off his coat. Tilda taking it and placing it on a hook in the wall.

"Tilda, Bain, this is (Y/n). And yes, she is the one that made the shot." Tilda pulling her father over to a comfortable, yet slightly threadbare chair that sat near the fire, as he spoke.

"I heard someone say that they have only known elves to make shots like that......." Bain continued, as he made his way over to where (Y/n), who was still stood in the open doorway. The young man seeming to study her for a moment.

"We have met Mirkwood elves. You don't look like them.........."

"That is because I am not. I am no Silvan elf........." (Y/n) replied, more harshly than she had meant to, as the boy continued to look at her.

What she was telling him, was true; she was no Silvan elf. Her father had once told her that her mother was some well born Ñoldor elf; and given that, given that she had lost her heart to a simple mortal man, and then given birth to a half-breed, (Y/n) had thought the shame had been the thing to send her mother sailing to the Undying Lands. That she could no longer face the disgrace that she had brought upon her eleven kin, nor the child that she had brought into the world. Not that (Y/n) cared either way. Her mother meant nothing to her, her father the only one that she had loved; and that was why she saw herself as little more than a woman of Gondor.

"Bain.......no more questions." Bard called out.

"I have invited (Y/n) to have dinner with us. Not to be interrogated." The Master continued, as he looked between his son and the woman that he had asked to train what little army Dale could lay claim to.

"Please (Y/n), come in. There is no need to stand in the doorway. I promise we don't bite........." Bard told her cheerily, trying to make light of the moment. Again, sensing that unusual merchant was not comfortable with the attention that his children were giving her. (Y/n) nodding before stepping over the hearth; Bain closing the door behind her.

"Father.........dinner is.........." An older girl coming into the room, rubbing her hands on a flour covered apron that sat atop her dark grey dress, said. Stopping as she saw (Y/n).

"Ah, Sigrid. I would like you to meet (Y/n). She is the one that will be helping Iwar train the soldiers. I asked her to join us for dinner..........."

"Oh........." The older girl replied, spying the visitor just like her brother had.

"Yes. We should have enough. Dinner should be ready in a few moments. So, if you would like to wash up. Oh, and we don't wear hats at the table, Miss (Y/n)........."

"Then I am afraid that I will have to refuse your kind offer of an evening meal, for I will not remove my hat for anyone, Miss Sigrid. Not for a Master, a lord, nor a king. Not even for a young woman who I am sure is simply trying to continue the good manners that she was taught by a beloved mother ........" Bard sitting up straighter in his chair, as (Y/n) spoke.

"I thank you for your invitation; but I must be going. Kaspier will be missing me, I am sure. He and I always eat together.........." The half-elven continued; bowing respectfully before she made her way to the door of the house.

"(Y/n) wait........." Bard called out, as he quickly got to his feet.

"My daughter meant no offence............."

"And none has been taken, I assure you. But as I said, I remove my hat for no one. And as I would be sitting at Miss Sigrid's table, I would not want to go against her wishes; so, it is easier if I just go back to the stables." (Y/n) explained as she turned back to look at him.

"Good evening, Master Bard; to you and your fine family.........." The peredhel bowing once more, before moving back to the door.

"Wait........." Sigrid this time called out, causing (Y/n) to stop.

"I do not mind if you wear your hat. My father invited you to dinner, you are our guest; and if it makes you feel more comfortable to wear your hat, then please.......wear it............"

                                                          >>-----------------------------------<<

(Y/n) sat at the dining table, the Master sat across from her, with his youngest child next to him; while the boy sat to her right, and the older girl to her left. She had to confess that Sigrid was a good cook; it appearing that her mother had imparted some knowledge to her, before she passed. Though given that she had probably had to grow up very quickly after the death, so that she could look after her father and siblings, the majority of what she knew, must have come from just having to do.

It had been the first thing that she had learnt about Bard during her time at the market; that he had lost his wife some time ago, leaving him to look after his three young children. And that before the dragon had left the Mountain, life had been hard for the family. Yet it would appear that Bard had done well in raising his children. And despite the earlier questions, and the issue with her headwear, all of them had proved to be quite polite. Though Tilda still seemed to be quite intrigued about what she was. Her eyes having been on her since they sat down.

"And if I may suggest, Master. If you wish to make your men feel like a single fighting force, it may be best to enquire with the dwarves in the Mountain as to making new, matching armour for them. New armour would also instill in them a sense of pride. The armour that they have at the moment would do at a pinch; but it is mismatched and not the best. A well-dressed force can have a wonderful intimidating factor when the enemy faces you. I am sure that you will have seen that when you dealt with the army of the elvenking." (Y/n) continued, as she finished off her meal. The peredhel sure that she had given the poor Master another pile of paperwork to deal with, given all that they had spoken about that evening.

"Well........" (Y/n) getting up from her seat.

"I thank you Miss Sigrid for the lovely meal, and all of you for making me feel so welcome in your home. It has been many a moon since I have shared such an evening with others. But as I am sure that I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow, I believe I should rest......I bid you all a very good night........." Bard getting to his feet, to join her. Wanting to tell her that she could stay longer. That there was a spare room in their little home, that she could claim as her own, if she wished; it having to be better than sleeping in the back of her wagon, or in the hay. Yet despite his heart screaming for him to speak; his head told him that it was best to wait. That he should take some time to get to know mysterious beauty and the secrets she seemed to hold close, before he said such things. It seeming obvious that it had been a very long while since she had been around people for any amount of time. Bard escorting her to the door and opening it.

"Perhaps we could go and speak to the King under the Mountain together, tomorrow, about the armour. I am sure that you will know better than I, what we need......" He said, not just needing an excuse to escape the papers that sat on the desk; but a trip to the Mountain, would give him a chance to ask her more of the questions, he had for her. (Y/n) nodding and smiling at him. A smile that he found made his heart beat quicken.

"If that is what you wish.........."