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

Mark of the dragon - Part 5 - Bard x Company x Reader

The barge slowly made its way through the lake. Lumps of ice thudding against the hull, as Bard steered his boat, back towards town through the mist. He had explained to her that the dwarves had offered him enough coin that he could not refuse giving them passage; though when he told her that he was going to smuggle them into Lake-town, she couldn't help but think that he had lost his mind; especially given that neither of them had believed the elder dwarves tale, that he and his companions were merchants, and that she knew Bard had seen the cuts into the wood of the barrels. (Y/n) having seen enough mark from arrows to know that the woodland elves had not given the dwarves free and safe passage through their kingdom. Yet what was she to say; if the dwarves had offered Bard coin, of course he was going to take it. He had the children to think of; it had been enough for Bard to lose his wife, but if he were to lose one of the children too, if they should fall sick and he could not afford medicine........no, she didn't want to think about that.

"Are you alright..........?" Bard asked quietly, the bargeman noticing that the dwarves were muttering to one another and looking between the two. That, and he had seen that she was still rubbing her arm.

"What........oh, yes. I am fine, Bard. I must have strained something when I threatened to shoot that mouthy dwarf......" (Y/n) replied, giving her friend a reassuring smile. A smile that did not convince Bard; the bargeman sure that she was not telling him something, and he couldn't help but worry, as he saw her look over, once again, to the dwarf that had asked about food, supplies and weapons, back at the dock.

He had always known that there was something different about his friend; something that neither (Y/n) nor Elina would talk to anyone about. It not just what she could do with a bow, how she could notch an arrow and shoot with such speed and accuracy that he was sure that it would put the elves to shame; it was everything. And with her claiming she was injured, when he had never known her be injured before; with her acting so strange around the dwarves, his concern for the woman he cared about so deeply, was only growing.

"So, how are you going to get thirteen dwarves and a hobbit into Lake-town without being noticed......." (Y/n) asked, as she moved her eyes from their passengers to the man next to her. Shaking her head, as she saw a little twinkle in Bard's eye.

"You are up to something, Bard. I know that look. You usually get it when you do something to annoy the Master or that worm, Alfrid........" A shudder racing down her spine as she thought about the toadying sycophant.

Alfrid had been pestering (Y/n) for years. Coming to her and Elina's home in hope of seeing her. Bringing with him little gifts; and even though she had always done her best to avoid him, it was inevitable that eventually she would bump into him. Alfrid always taking full advantage of the situation when it arose.

"I have an idea, but I don't think our passengers will like it. But if they want to get into town without being seen........and........."

"And what, Bard...........?" Bard giving her an uncomfortable smile.

"Bard...........?"

"Alfrid.........."

"Oh, no, no, no, anything but Alfrid.........."

"We are not guaranteed to meet him, (Y/n); but if we do, I know that there is no better distraction than you........." He explained. (Y/n) rolling her eyes at him, before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Fine, but me distracting Alfrid, will cost you two of those coins the dwarves are going to give you.........."

"Deal..........."

"I should have asked for more.........." Bard chuckling quietly at her. Already having had the intention of giving her more than two coins, anyway.

"Yes.......you should.........."

"Um, excuse me..........." A voice interrupted. (Y/n) and Bard looking down to the pale haired dwarf that had come to stand in front of them.

"We........we were just wondering if ya would know of someone......a child perhaps, that had been born with a........well, a mark..........?" The dwarf enquired. (Y/n) doing her best not to touch the aching birthmark on her arm as she and Bard looked at one another.

"A mark......? What kind of mark......?" Bard asked. His brows furrowing in confusion, as the dwarf looked slightly uncomfortable.

"The King beneath the mountains. The King of carven stone. The lord of silver fountains shall come into his own. His crown shall be upholden, his harp shall be restrung; his halls shall echo golden, to songs of yore re-sung. A child born of mortal men, will aid he of carven stone. And the mark of the red dragon will come into its own. No use of steel will win the day, nor reclaim their ancient home. But blood and love will seal its fate, and hail the king's return.............."

"What was that, lass.........?" The dwarf asked, as he took a step forward. (Y/n) not having realised that the old poem that Elina had taught her when she was a child, had slipped from a lips, until it was too late.

"Nothing. It was just something I was taught as a child. A poem, a silly rhyme, that is all. It means nothing........" (Y/n) retorted. Cursing herself, as she grabbed her arm.

"WATCH OUT!" A shout came. (Y/n) happy for the distraction as Bard steered expertly around the sunken ruins.

"What are you trying to do, drown us..........?"

"(Y/n) and I were born on these waters, Master dwarf. If we wanted to drown you, we would not do it here.........." Bard retorted. (Y/n) doing her best to cover the fact that her arm was burning again.

"Lass........" The old dwarf asked, as he stepped forward. Obviously having noticed her discomfort.

"What is it.............?"

"It is nothing, Master dwarf. I just wish your grumpy friend over there would keep his mouth closed........." (Y/n) told him. The dwarf just giving her an odd look, before bowing slightly and making his way back to join his friends