Bard of Laketown

Chapter Three

We passed through the rest of the town in silence until we came to a large house near the outskirts. "Is that the Master's house?" I asked.

Bard nodded shortly. "For an elf, you ask quite a number of questions."

"The king always said it was a fault."

"You knew the king?"

"A bit. I worked as one of his guards."

"So you know how to fight, then."

"Most elves do."

"Good. Do you have weapons with you?"

I pulled a long knife from each boot, and arrows from the quiver on my back.

"No bow?"

"I lost it on the way here."

"Unfortunate."

"I have practice with throwing knives. The arrows will just be stand-ins."

The boat glided silently through the water. We reached the edge of the town and an old man held up a hand. "Who goes there?" he said softly.

"It is only Bard."

The old man came closer. "Who is that with you?"

"A runaway from Mirkwood."

The man's eyebrows shot up and he blinked rapidly. "Aye, that wasn't very smart of you, girl."

"I know."

The old man glanced back toward the large house and then leaned in. "Go through, but if they find out you've smuggled someone in, much less out, I'm afraid I won't be able to answer for you."

Bard nodded. "Thank you."

The old man walked back to his post and Bard started rowing again.

"Who was that?"

"Only the gatekeeper."

"He doesn't seem like the rest."

"He was alive before the Master ruled over us. He doesn't agree with him, so he is not well-liked either."

"Your children," I said. "They are wise, aren't they?"

"No, just scarred."

"They have seen more at their age than many who are older have."

"Yes."

I studied his face. His hair went down a little past his shoulders, dark and tangled. He had a moustache and beard too, which interested me. None of the elves had hair on their face. His eyes were focused on the lake, dark and serious. He wasn't as old as I first thought, maybe in his early thirties.

He noticed me staring and narrowed his eyes. "What are you looking at?"

"You."

"I know that, but why?"

"Because. You don't look like the elves."

"I'm sorry I'm not pretty enough for you."

"It's not a bad different."

"You know my name, but I don't know yours," he said, abruptly changing the subject.

"Areya."

"Areya. I've never heard a name like that." It sounded strange when it came from his mouth.

"And I've never heard a name like Bard before. All the elves have beautiful, soft sounding names like mine."

"My name is not pleasant, then?"

"What? N-no, that's not what I meant.. I just-" I realized there was a small smile on his lips, and blushed. "Is this amusing to you?"

"Yes."

I put my head in my hands. My fingers were red from the cold. I couldn't even imagine how cold Bard was right now, with no coat at all.

I took off his coat and handed it to him.

"Put it back on. I'm used to the cold."

"You're cold. Wear it for a while. I'll be fine."

BARD'S POV

I took the coat from her and put it on, immediately feeling slightly warmer. This Elf was strange, for sure, but she interested me. I needed to get home soon, though. I couldn't shake the feeling that my children were not safe without me there. Something was going to happen to them if I didn't hurry back.