Star-Crossed Bond ( Legolas X Reader )

VII. ( floo )

The next morning, Y/N walked down the stairs to the tavern, finding Bert already awake and cleaning up the mess from the previous night.

"Here, let me help," she offered, crossing the room to his side. As Bert spoke, dismissing Y/N's offer for help, his gaze caught sight of her hands. To his amazement, he noticed that all the cuts and bruises she had sustained from the previous night's altercation had miraculously healed, leaving no trace behind.

"Nah, it's okay, lass," he replied, a smile playing on his lips. "I got i-" he paused, his eyes widening. "Huh, would you look at that," he mumbled, surprise creeping into his voice.

Bert chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a hint of playfulness. "I always had a hunch that you were no ordinary girl, lass" he teased. She replied with a small laugh, shaking her head.

"All right, at least let me fetch those ale barrels," Y/N suggested. Bert nodded, gesturing towards the gold purse on the top of the bar. "The gold's on top of the bar, lass," he informed her while continuing to clean. She quickly grabbed the tiny purse filled with gold coins and stepped out of the tavern.

Y/N strolled her way towards the dock, her steps light and purposeful. The sun shone brightly above, casting its warm glow upon the lively harbor.

As she reached the dock, the smell of salt and sea mingled in the air, a gentle breeze whispering through her hair. The docks were bustling with activity, with sailors hauling crates and barrels onto ships, and merchants unloading goods from their ships onto carts.  

As Y/N walked over to the dock, a familiar face caught her eye. The man's face broke into a wide smile when he saw her.  "Y/N! You're early for the ale!" he exclaimed, his grin widening.

Y/N chuckled and greeted the man with a friendly tone. "How are you, John?".  "I'm doing well. Just the usual hustle and bustle down here," John replied. 

"You're staying this time,?" Y/N inquired. John nodded. "Yep, the captain said we'll be continuing our voyage in two days. Maybe tonight, we can stop by Bert's tavern." Y/N nodded 

"well then here you go," Y/N said, tossing the tiny coin purse to John. He caught it effortlessly. She then heaved the two barrels of ale onto her shoulders, her muscles straining only slightly.

John chuckled, used to her antics by now. "You need a hand, Y/N?" She shook her head, a mischievous smile on her face. "Nah, I'm good. See you at the tavern, John."

With that, she turned and strode back towards the tavern, effortlessly carrying the heavy barrels of ale on her shoulders.

She set down the barrels of ale in front of the tavern and carried them inside one by one, placing them in their proper place behind the bar.

Bert's voice called out from the back, "Did you come across John?" She finished carrying the last barrel and put it down, a smile on her face. "Yep, he said he would stop by the tavern later tonight.", "ahh alright," he said loudly from the back making Y/N chuckle. 

Time had passed swiftly. Y/N had been staying in the tavern with Bert for a couple of years now, gaining knowledge and understanding of this realm and its people.

As she looked around the familiar tavern, the place she now called home, her thoughts began to shift. She felt a strong sense of completion as if she had learned all she could.

Her eyes scanned the tavern one last time, taking in the familiar faces and the cozy interior. Bert was cleaning up behind the bar, a constant fixture in the place's daily operations. She'd grown fond of Bert during her stay, and she'd miss his company, but it was time to move on.  

She hovered near the bar, her bag resting over her shoulder. She looked over at Bert, his eyes fixed on her as he cleaned a glass. He sighed, his voice soft, "You're really leaving, eh?"

Y/N locked her gaze on a small painting on the wall showing her and Bert during their fishing trip last winter, both of them smiling victoriously with a huge catch from the stream. A pang of sadness tugged at her heart.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice quiet. "It's time."  

Bert exhaled, his eyes soft as he rummaged in the drawer behind the bar. He retrieved something and turned around to face her, a square locket in his palm. "I was actually gonna give this to you last month, but I forgot," he confessed, his voice gentle.

Y/N accepted the locket and opened it, revealing a tiny carving that showed the two of them with the big fish they caught last winter. Her lips curled into a smile at the sight.

"I know it ain't much," he said, a gruff note in his voice. "But I wanted you to have something to remember your time here." 

Y/N held the locket tight in her hands, a rush of emotions washing over her. She had grown fond of Bert, the surly tavernkeeper who had become like a father figure to her during her time at the tavern.

Her eyes locked on the carving within the locket. "I'll treasure this always. Thank you," she said softly.

Bert's rough exterior softened as he saw her reaction. He cleared his throat, his voice gruff yet touched. "You take care of yourself out there lass"

He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And if you ever find yourself back this way... remember you always got a place to stay here." 

She tucked the locket safely in her pocket and looked up at Bert. "I'll remember that, Bert," she said, her voice soft. "And I'll come visit, I promise."

Bert nodded, his face solemn but his eyes betraying a hint of sadness. "I'll hold you to it, lass." With that, Y/N took one last look around the familiar tavern, the place that had become like home to her for this brief period of her life. Then, with a final wave to Bert, she opened the door and stepped out into the unknown once again.

bye bye bert :(