PART ELEVEN
BARD'S POV
All of the blood rushes out of Areya's face, leaving it deathly pale. Her breathing is choppy and irregular. "Areya, something's wrong. Why can't you tell me?" I try to keep my voice steady, but she's worrying me.
She smiles weakly. "I told you, nothing is
wrong. I'm just a little tired."
I can tell she's lying, but I decide not to press her any further. Yet.
The horn blasts again, and this time I hear the accompanying march of footsteps, a whole pack of orcs, coming towards us. I take Areya's hand and we run through the trees. Splashes of slushy, dirt-coloured snow fly up into our faces and soak our boots. I curse myself for not bringing horses. I don't have nearly enough money for one, but I'm sure one of the traders would have made a good bargain with me.
I fleetingly think of my children, back at home. I just wish there was some way to know if they were alright. Are they cold? Probably. Hungry? As always. I feel that cold stone of guilt press into my chest. If only I was a better father. Everyone in Lake-town is poor, but my family is poor and despised. Because of that dragon.
AREYA'S POV
We keep running, the wind stinging my eyes and making them blurry. The orcs are coming closer, their heavy footsteps and ugly growls almost upon us. I risk a look over my shoulder, and see them, the same disgusting pack of filth that killed my horse and almost took my life as well.
Their menacing eyes have seen us already, and slow, hideous smirks spread across their faces. They raise their long, curved blades to me, and I whimper quietly. Bard squeezes my hand, and I turn back around. "There's no way we'll escape this alive," I say, out of breath, my voice shaky.
Bard's eyes are sad as he looks at me. "Areya, we have to keep fighting, no matter what. If I die, don't look back. Keep running, try and get back to Mirkwood."
I choke. "You're not going to die, do you hear me? I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Even as I say it, I feel my shoulder throbbing. The fact that it's my left shoulder makes the circumstance a bit better, as my strength is on my right side.
I meet Bard's eyes, and we turn at the same time to face our enemy.
A/N: TWO UPDATES TODAY ALREADY!!! YAY! I'M GOING TO POST A BIT MORE BUT I HAVE TO GO DO SCHOOL RIGHT NOW!! HOPE YOU ENJOY!! -Natasha
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Bard of Laketown
FanfictionAreya, a young Elf, has escaped Mirkwood, only to find that outside of the kingdom, the world is frightening and different. When she is brought to Laketown by a mysterious man by the name of Bard, she wonders if leaving Mirkwood was the right choice...
