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

The merchant - Part 7 - Bard x Reader

As always, I cannot have the sons of Durin, die. So, Thorin is King under the Mountain, as he should have been.

(Y/n) pulled her hat further down over her ears, as she and Kaspier rode next to the Master, making their way ever closer to the front of the Mountain. Even though she had heard that the relations between Erebor and Mirkwood had slightly improved since the Battle of the Five Armies; old hatreds and notions were difficult to change, especially between stubborn dwarves and elves; the peredhel sure that it would take far longer for the two races to get back to the sort of civility there had been, before the dragon had claimed the dwarven kingdom. So, she was not about to let the children of Mahal, suspect that she was anything but a daughter of men; doubting that the fact that she was half elf, would help with the negotiations for new armour, for Dale's army. (Y/n) not hearing as Bard said her name. Her thoughts going back to the other evening.

The night before, she had struggled to sleep. The interaction between her and the family of the Master, making her think. Making her mind go back to times when she and her father would eat together; when she would laugh and talk with her comrades in the army, who had become like a family to her. Images of their faces, of their smiles and their silly jokes filling her thoughts. A tear having come to her eye, as she remembered that all those that she had cared for and loved, had died long ago. It many centuries since she had known what it was to be wanted by another soul; known what it was to be a part of a family and cared for by those around you. So, she envied the Master for his life; envied his children for still having their father. Envied the love that she had sensed in the home.........

"(Y/n)............?" The half-elven this time hearing the Master, as he said her name. Turning to see a concerned look on his face.

"Are........are you alright..........?" Bard continued, as he manoeuvred his horse next to hers. Fighting the urge to reach out and take her hand.

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He had hated watching her leave his home, the night before. Hated that he had not told her that she could stay. The Master finding it hard to sleep, as he thought back to the evening's events. As he thought about sitting across the table from the beautiful woman, while they ate. Recalled how having her there, had felt right; had seemed to make things, complete. His children, particularly Tilda, appearing to be fascinated by their guest. Bard doing his best not to smile as he had caught his youngest daughter constantly looking at the woman in front of her. Bard knowing that her curiosity was getting the best of her; until she couldn't keep the questions in, any longer.......

"Why won't you take off your hat...........?"

"Tilda, hush. Don't be so rude.........." Sigrid scolded her sister. The older girl not wanting to go over that again, given what had happened earlier.

"It is quite alright, Miss Sigrid.........." (Y/n) countered, giving Sigrid a respectful smile, before turning her attention to the younger girl.

"Tell me, Miss Tilda, do you have a doll......?" Tilda nodding at the question.

"Emilie......."

"And does having Emilie with you, make you feel safe........?" Tilda once again nodding at the question.

"Well, I suppose that my hat is a little like Emilie, for me. Wearing my hat, makes me feel safe........." (Y/n) explained. Another small smile coming to her lips, as the little girl mused for a moment; before nodding at the comparison. Those at the table turning their attention back to their food, as Tilda went back to thinking.

"So........you have hair........?" The surprise of the sudden question almost making (Y/n) laugh, and Bard choke on the latest mouthful of his dinner.

"Yes, I have hair........."

"What colour...........?" (Y/n) sitting back in her seat. The peredhel having a feeling that if she didn't give the inquisitive child some information, these questions would be coming for the rest of the night.

"You are a curious creature, Miss Tilda. Perhaps if I tell you something about myself, it will ease some of that inquisitiveness. And maybe some of your father's also...........I was born in Gondor, under the shadow of the White Tower of Minas Tirith. My father was a captain in the army; and my mother........well, she left this world not long after I was born, and I know very little of her. I was raised by my remaining parent and the men of his company. A company that I joined as soon as I was allowed to become one of them. Over the years, I rose through the ranks until I, myself, achieved the status of captain and was given the command of a cohort of archers. I remained in the service of the White City, until my father passed on. After that..........I no longer felt the need to remain. My men were well trained, considered some of the best outside the lands of the elves; so, I decided to leave and travel. I fell into the occupation of a merchant, and that is why I am here...........and as for the colour of my hair........." (Y/n) explained, moving so that she could lean over the table a little.

"Perhaps one day you will be lucky enough to find out............"

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"What.......? Oh, yes, I am fine, thank you Master........" She eventually replied, another one of her small smiles pulling at her lips, before she turned her attention from the former bargeman to the edifice of the Mountain.

"It is quite a sight to behold, is it not...........? Beautiful.........." Bard continued. His eyes focused on his companion, rather than the Mountain.

"It is. I always felt small when I looked up the White Tower; but looking to the Mountain........well, now I just feel tiny..........And yes......it is beautiful......" (Y/n) replied. Bard quickly turning his attention from her, as she looked to him.

"Well, perhaps now is the time to tell me what to expect when I meet this, King Thorin. I prefer to be prepared when I have to deal with dwarves." She continued. Bard nodding, before he moved his horse back into a comfortable walk; (Y/n) and Kaspier joining them. The Master telling her all about his dealings with the King under the Mountain, before, and since the death of the dragon, and the war.