Different Sense

Different Sense: 39

Watching the group set off was hard. Lothiriel stood with her hands entwined together in front of herself.

“Tis a long hike.” Looking up she glanced at Bard, she really disliked not hearing his footsteps. He clearly had a way of being able to walk silently.

Lothiriel frowned at his sarcasm. “I've done longer, as I am sure they have too. We all got here, after all.” She looked at him.

“Yes, clearly.”

“Are you assuming I am lying?” Her eyes narrowed.

Bard laughed casually. “No! I am assuming nothing. Perhaps I am merely stating how surprised I am that you have all got here.”

“Hm,” Lothiriel nodded slowly. She was quickly losing interest in their conversation. The forms of her friends were slowly getting further and further away. There was a longing ache to run after them, but she couldn't. She was even surprised that Thorin actually saw her point to staying behind.

Right now she'd rather run after her friends than stand here with Bard. She still didn't like him. He was blunt, annoying, obnoxious and everything else. Lothiriel was trying not to let an old grudge which her father held towards man cloud her judgement. But it was becoming increasingly hard. Lothiriel did however, try and put this grudge aside, Bard was going to help them; or so he said.

“Hm,” Bard mimicked her.

“Are those the only words which you wished to speak, Bard of Lake Town? If so, then thank you, but I must leave; I have other matters to deal with.” She turned and walked quickly away.

The only problem was her little footsteps were about one stride from him. Bard easily caught up with her as she walked back through the streets. “Wait, I apologise I did not mean to offend you, my Lady.”

Lothiriel looked at him. “What did you wish to say?”

“There is something which is niggling in my mind; why are you so cold to the man who is willing to help you?”

“Willing? You are as far from willing as humanly possible!” Lothiriel laughed, Bard just looked at her indifferently. “It offends you clearly, so I shall answer your question.” She paused and put her hands behind her back. Looking up at the sky she sighed. “I think you are an arrogant-”

“I'm arrogant?” He asked highly amused.

“Can I finish? Yes, good. Right, you appear like an arrogant man, also perhaps a little foolish. And, if I am to be blunt; I do not like you, because I do not like your kind. Blame my father for this, but everything he has told me of man, has seemingly been right.” Lothiriel narrowed her eyes. “I think you are untrustworthy too.”

“That's a lie.”

“You do not speak your mind either.” Lothiriel pointed up at him. “I do not like the way you say snide comments and snigger at my friends while their backs are turned!”

“That's also a lie.”

“Then can you tell me the truth? I have just been as truthful as I can be, will you repay the favour?”

“I am a man of Lake Town, bound by the laws and rules which were put in place by the Town Master. He is the real man you should be cynical towards, for the words you have spoken about me truly fit him better. What am I again? Oh yeah, an arrogant fool.” Bard shrugged with a grin. “Perhaps I am, but I am not a liar who gives false promises, which you seem to think I do. I do not mean to mock you, my Lady. But I do find it slightly amusing how a dwarf, not a man, thinks he can merely walk in and declare to the dragon; 'be gone!' and it shall simply flap its wings and fly away. That is pure naivety.”

“That's not true!”

“No?” Bard raised an eyebrow. “No. So then he regards himself much higher in stature than an exiled King should.”

“Coming from a common man?”

“No. This is coming from a man who has lived in fear of the day that that monster is released from the mountain.” Bard's tone was hard and honest. “We have lived in relative peace for so many years. The dragon has not surfaced and has not bothered us. But now, now all of that is going to change because some King – without an army – and no real means to support himself, has decided to take back his kingdom. Fifteen outcasts, no army, and one angry dragon. Do you not see, my Lady? He brings the threat of war and devastation on our simple town! We cannot survive such destruction.” Bard shook his head loosely. “We are not soldiers, in this town, but fishermen. I am the only soldier amongst us. You see, unlike many others; I do not disagree with this quest or with Thorin Oakenshield. It was his home, he has all the rights in Middle-Earth to try and take it back. But do not think that it won't come free and without risk. That risk will come from the people who don't care for the Lonely Mountain, or for the gold within it. The only thing I disagree with, is his methods of going about such a mission. Do you understand?”

“I do. But what of the Town Master?”

“He's a coward, and all of the things you said previously. I must admit, he knows how to run this place without itself destructing. He is a man with a good heart, but...he can be quite hungry for power. Because of this trait, and if Erebor is taken back, his power shall dwindle.”

“You must realise, Thorin has no intention of touching Lake Town.”

“Ah,” Bard gave her a smile. “That does not mean that our Master will lend his hand so willingly though.”

Lothiriel stopped and looked at him. “But the Town Master gave his word.”

“And perhaps you are right to hold a grudge against some men.” Bard nodded and knelt to her level. “Will you still fight?” Lothiriel asked cautiously and worriedly.

Bard looked to the ground and then up at her. “I can only offer you this, my Lady; my word. On my word as a man of the Lake, if the time of war comes upon us I will fight until I cannot fight no more. You must realise, if a time of retreat falls over my town, and they shall run I will not think twice about joining them. But until both scenarios appear, and let us hope it doesn't, then Lothiriel Lady of the Boscage, I will fight, until I cannot fight no more. Is that enough?”

Her amber eyes looked over the man before her. She had never really had someone give their word to her before, it was a new concept. She gave a nod and put a hand on his shoulder. “I will hold you to your words, Bard of Lake Town.” She smiled and walked past him, she had to go prepare to meet Faelon and Eruheran.