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

Mark of the dragon - Part 4 - Bard x Dwarves x Reader

For FriendlyTravelerXx

Bard and (Y/n) looked at one another as the noise that they had heard, turned out to be the sound of voices that were get louder........voices........there shouldn't be any voices out there. It was only Bard that made his way across the lake to collect the barrels that came down from the elven realm; and it was not like the immortals to step foot out of Mirkwood. Both Bard and (Y/n) sure that the elves would see it as being beneath them. That they would not wish to sully themselves with the inferior dirt that lay beyond the borders of the forest realm. So who it might be........Bard gesturing to (Y/n) as to how they would deal with the owners of the voices; the pair having known one another long enough that they did not have to speak. (Y/n) simply nodding, and letting the bargeman, take the lead.

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The barrel ride down the river, had not, for one moment, been anything that you would call, fun. The dwarves having both elves and orcs on their tails, as they did their best to escape the elven kingdom of Thranduil. But at least they had all made it out alive; a little worse for wear, half drowned, and Kili had got an arrow to the leg; but they were together. Fili quickly binding his brother's wound so that they could move on before the orc followed after them. No one noticing the two tall dark forms that came up behind them with arrows notched in their bows, until a rather dishevelled Ori looked up from emptying the water from his boot; the rest of the Company following suit, with Dwalin coming to stand in front of the younger dwarf with a stick in his hands, determined to protect Ori as best he could. Yet as he went to move forward, one of the figures shot an arrow into his stick, while the second removed the rock that Kili was about to throw, with their own arrow. The dark-haired prince, as well as the others, looking on in disbelief as the bows were notched again, and a voice sounded out.

"Do it again, and you're dead.........." It warned. The Company looking at the bow wielding figures for a moment, until Balin noticed something.

"Excuse me, but um, you're both from Lake-town if I am not mistaken........: The elder dwarf said, as he took a few steps forward. Stopping and holding up his hands, as both loaded bows were aimed at him.

"That barge over there.......wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance........?" Balin continued, watching as the two people looked at one another for a moment, before dropping their bows. The taller one speaking quietly to the other, before they both slung their weapons back over their shoulder and made their way to the waiting barge. The dwarves muttering to one another as they finally got a glimpse of the men. The one that had been speaking, was tall and dark, with a neatly cropped beard and longer hair, while the other, slightly shorter one; that the dwarves were sure was a younger man, had a long, thick scarf, wrapped around his head, face and neck. Balin just shrugging to the others, before following after the pair.

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"What makes you think we will help you........?" Bard asked the dwarves, as (Y/n) and he moved the barrels onto the deck of the barge.

"Both pairs of your boots have seen better days. As have your coats......." The pale haired dwarf said. Bard and (Y/n) looking at one another, before moving onto the next barrel.

"No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed.......how many bairns.....?" The dwarf continued, (Y/n) watching as Bard stopped for a moment.

"A boy and two girls........" Bard answered, before grabbing the next barrel.

"And your wife........I imagine she is a beauty........."

"Aye, she was.........." Bard replied. (Y/n) moving to his side and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Her friend just giving her a slight smile in return.

"And er.......you lad........." The old dwarf turning his attention to (Y/n); obviously doing his best to change the subject.

"Surely you have a lass of ya own. Maybe even a bairn...............?" The old dwarf stopping, as what they all thought was another man held up their hand, before removing the scarf from around her head and face. A mutter going around the group, as it because clear that she was anything but a lad.

"No lass, and no bairns. So, please, master dwarf, save your words for him. It's his barge, I just work with him........." (Y/n) explained, gesturing to Bard. Watching as the rest of the dwarves muttered until........

"Oh, come on, come on. Enough of the niceties.........." One of the dwarves from before grumbled, as (Y/n) grabbed another barrel, and rolled it onto the barge.

"What's ya hurry.........?"

"What's it ta you...........?" (Y/n) grabbing her bow and notching an arrow, quicker than she was sure that she had ever done before. Not liking how this dwarf was talking to Bard.

"I would watch what you say dwarf. Or the next words out of your mouth may be your last........" The draw of the bowstring growing deeper, as the dwarf surged forward, only to find himself stopped by his friend. Bard whispering into her ear that it was fine, before he pushed down her weapon.

"I would like to know who you are. What you are doing in these lands......." Bard explained, as he climbed back onto the small dock, and made his way over to the pale haired dwarf.

"We are simple merchants, from the Blue Mountains; journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills........."

"Simple merchants you say.........?" Bard looking over to (Y/n) and smiling at her. Neither convinced by his words.

"We need food.....supplies......weapons. Can you help us.......?" Another dwarf enquired as he suddenly moved forward. (Y/n) hissing as her arm began to burn, as if it were on fire. Bard taking hold of her.

"Are........are you alright........?" His question going unanswered, as (Y/n) continued to grip her arm and stare at the new dwarf.

"(Y/n)..........?"

"What......oh, yes. I...........I am fine. I just.......you take care of this lot. I need to........I'll be back in a moment........" (Y/n) assured him. Giving him a small smile, before she jumped off the barge and made her way passed the dwarves. Looking to the one that had spoken, before she walked to where she knew there was a quiet, shielded spot. The young woman pulling off her coat and then her shirt. Hissing as she looked at the birthmark on her arm that seemed to be the cause of all the trouble. Pushing her entire arm into the cold water, and breathing a sigh of relief, as the burning sensation began to die away.

She couldn't understand it. Why had that happened. Why when that dwarf in particular, had spoken. She had asked Elina many times when she was younger about the mark that she had been born with; the mark that resembled a little red dragon. The old woman only telling her that it meant that she was special; that she had a destiny, and one day she would find out what it was. But until then, she was to keep it covered and not speak of it to anyone. (Y/n) often laughing about it now, as she looked at her life; doubting that a little birthmark could bring with it some great purpose. Sure, that Elina had just been trying to be nice; had been trying to make a little girl feel special. Yet as she pulled her arm from the water and looked down at the mark that was still throbbing, she had to admit that she was beginning to think there might just be something to what Elina had said. (Y/n) quickly pulling back on her shirt and coat, as she heard Bard call out her name. Grabbing for her bow and quiver, before making her way back to the barge.