The world around you slowly became aware to you as you awoke from your slumber. The reason behind this had you wrapped in his arms and had moved your hair out of your face before slowly tracing the features of your face with his fingers. A slight shiver ran down your body at the contact, his fingertips kind of cold at first touch. You moved closer against Bard, chasing the warmth that his body gave you. His arm wrapped tighter around you in response, his hand cupping your face as he placed a sweet and chaste kiss on your forehead. You could feel his gaze on you as his lips moved away and he slowly caressed your cheek with his thumb. Something inside of you wanted to see the way he looked at you right now, but you did not feel like stopping this sweet moment or opening your eyes for that matter.
It was when he spoke, however, that your position was clearly revealed. "I love you," was all it took for a smile to bloom on your face. He chuckled at the sight, and you quickly moved to hide your face in the crook of his neck, embarrassed.
Notes: Invited to spend Halloween night (Samhain) with Bard, he didn't expect it would end with a declaration.
Warnings: Bard x fem!reader; reader gets along well with children; mention of burning; SFW.
It was Samhain day, if it weren't for Bard's invitation you would be in your house eating all the good things your salary allowed you to buy, which wasn't much. But luckily for you, you were now together with the children trying to cut the pumpkins to make lanterns, the task being more difficult than you imagined and making everyone laugh. You were too focused on trying to draw a smile on the pumpkin to notice Bard looking at you with a discreet smile on his face. The children adored you, and the feeling was reciprocal because even if they weren't your children you would die for them. You knew that life in Lake City wasn't easy, every day you woke up early to work and got home late at night, but even so you were kind to the children, never taking away their hopes of having a better life one day. And with each passing day, Bard's admiration for you grew.
- Okay, everyone finished? On three, everyone shows how it turned out... 1..2..3!
At the same time, the children who were sitting in a circle around you turned the pumpkins with you and the room was filled with laughter once again when they saw the result of the lanterns. Some had missing teeth, one eye bigger than the other and crooked smiles, it was a disaster and that's why they were perfect. When they managed to recover from the laughing fit, you turned to Bard, your cheeks still red from laughing so much.
- Can you get us some candles, Bard? We have to put up these lanterns to ward off the spirits before nightfall - you joked placing your pumpkin in front of your face, a crooked smile and cross-eyed eyes staring back at him.
- I think you outdid yourselves this year, this will be the most protected house in the city during the night of Samhain - he laughed - I'll be right back with the candles.
As promised, Bard didn't take long to return with the candles and handed one each and you a matchbox. You promptly placed the candle at the bottom of the pumpkin and lit the match to light the candle, teaching the children, but when you held the match at an angle in the small space to light the wick, the flame grew and burned the tip of your finger. The response was automatic, pulling your hand away and letting out an "Ouch!" before extinguishing the match. Hearing, Bard turned and walked over to you when he saw what had happened.
- Are you fine? Let me see - he carefully took your hand and checked the burn - Luckily it's nothing serious, wash it with water and bandage it, help her Sigrid, I'll turn on the flashlights - he smiled to calm you down.
When the lanterns were lit and placed in the windows and you had already wrapped your finger in a piece of cloth, you went with the girls to the kitchen to finish preparing the Samhain feast, with sweet breads, cakes and other treats. Bain wasn't there because he's a disaster in the kitchen. Taking advantage of the privacy of being alone with his father in the living room, Bain broached the subject.
- You like her, right?
- Who? - Bard asked, suddenly caught.
- Her, dad - the boy pointed discreetly to the kitchen - I noticed how you look at her.
- Y/n? No, the only woman I've ever loved was your mother and you know it - he sat back in his chair to get away from the subject.
- It's okay if you like her, dad. She's cool, Sigrid and Tilda like her too... And if she makes you happy you have to tell her soon, it's not like you're the only suitor.
- What? - Bard frowned.
But before his son could say anything else, Tilda entered the room to call them to dinner. You thanked, ate and laughed amid conversations, Bain's advice not leaving the archer's head throughout dinner. After they were done and everything was cleaned and put away, you helped Bard put the children to sleep by telling them stories. When they fell asleep and you turned out the candles in the room, the two of you left. The silence seemed thicker, which found you strange, the atmosphere between you didn't used to be like this. You absentmindedly looked out the window.
- The sky is beautiful today... You can see all the stars.
- Do you want to go out to see better?
- I’d love to - you smiled.
The wind outside was cold, the night was calm and silent, the clear dark sky filled with stars like thousands of fireflies, the sound of crickets in the distance. You sat on the steps of the house stairs and Bard sat next to you. He remained silent for a while, thinking about how to tell what was weighing on his mind. It was true that you were the only one in the city that Bard considered a true friend, that he felt comfortable around and could forget about his problems for a moment when you smiled. Deep down he knew he liked you, but he felt guilty about it, he shouldn't fall in love again, he had already gotten married and he had sworn to himself that he would never get married again after he lost his wife, he couldn't handle feeling the pain again. Besides, now he had children to raise, what woman would have a relationship with a man who is already the father of three children? But you didn't seem to care about any of that, you took care of the children and always helped him, they loved you and now he did too. The man called your name breaking you out of your trance.
- There's something I need to tell you.
- You can talk, Bard.
- I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for the children, for our friendship, it's good to have someone to trust.
- I think I was the one who should be saying that, inviting me to spend the night with you and the children, helping me when I needed it most, I'm happy that you consider me so much - you smiled.
- I don't know how to say this, but - he adjusted his posture, nervously - the children like you so much and so do I that I would like to know if you don't want to... stay with us forever? - you blinked your eyes at him.
- Like what...?
- I would love for you to be my wife, Y/n - he found the courage to say - I understand if you don't want to, if you think it's too much responsibility because of the children or - you silenced him by sealing your lips with a kiss that surprised him , but he soon reciprocated, the desire warming you both on that cold night.
- You don't know how many times I dreamed about this - you smiled at him.
Bard also smiled, after all, since you met, your smile always made him feel better.
Anonymous said: May I request a Drabble request with Bard please? I would like 3. You can’t just sit there all day.”4. “I’m too sober for this.”7. “Well, that’s tragic.”8. “You’re seriously like a man-child.” 83. “Enough with the sass!” Thank you ^_^
Sit on the edge of the pier staring into the water you were starting to get bored when you agreed to help Bard collect the barrels from the Elves you thought you would actually go and see them, not sit at the bottom of the river and wait for them to float by.
Looking over your shoulder at Bard you studied him, as he sat on the floor leaning against the post the barge was tied too, watching his foot slowly tapping against the ground, standing you let out a huff "Bard, I'm bored!" you whined like a child as you watched the bargeman open his eyes "Well, that’s tragic" his gruff voice answered you "you can’t just sit there all day, I thought we would be in Mirkwood not at the bottom" you whined again causing Bard to laugh out loud at your whining "you didn't have to come along (y/n), I told you we would have a lot of times on our hands" Bard spoke as you stamped your feet and walked down to the lakeside muttering "I’m too sober for this" making Bard shake his head at you.
Throwing rocks into the water you were mumbling to yourself, feeling a pair of strong arms wrapping around your body you were about to turn when your feet left the ground and you were thrown into the river, returning to the surface for air you gasped and glared at a laughing Bard "You’re seriously like a man-child" you hissed out swimming back to the shore, "Enough with the sass (y/n), and help me with the barrels" Bard spoke collecting the first one.
Pairing: Bard/OFC!Tallie
Words: 2,094
Based on this imagine and this imagine from @imaginexhobbit.
A/N: This is a mess. I’m sorry. And a little late. Forgive me.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Masterlist
The Orcs came out of nowhere. She was not sure how they knew what house to attack, but they did. And it was all of her worst fears put into one moment. Sigrid and Tilda were screaming and Bain was trying his best to help his father. And Bard… Bard was using a dull candlestick to do the job that most warriors needed a sharp blade for.
"Bard!" she called. The weapon was tossed towards her, and she caught it, just in enough time to stab the Orc's arm, and let Bard kill it with a swing of a fishing hook.
And suddenly the door was kicked open, knocking an orc aside. Elves. The she-elf and the prince. Tallie only remembered seeing them when the band of elves had sent them straight to the depths of the elven kingdom.
A piercing scream drew her attention and she saw Sigurd being grabbed by an Orc. The blade left her hand and the Orc was knocked back in seconds. Sigurd stared at Talie in astonishment, before quickly gathering Bain and TIlda, and moving them in a more secure corner.
Once she was sure there were no more dwarves, Tauriel gave a quick nod and then was swift as she approached Kili. Bard, on the other hand, cared nothing for the dwarf. Instead, he made his way to his children.
"Are you alright?" he demanded.
"Fine, Da. You never told us that Tallie had a good arm in knife throwing."
Bard simply gave her one look. And it was all she needed. After he had come home the night before, telling her that the Master was going to make sure the dwarves made it to the mountain, they had discussed what would happen if the dragon woke, without the children overhearing. She knew what he had planned. And it involved her taking the children out of the city as quickly as she could.
"Come with me," Tallie instructed Tilda and Sigrid. "To the boat."
"But what about Da?"
"Listen to Tallie. She will keep you safe. Bain go with her. And do not stray-"
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to finish this." Tilda and Sigurd surged forward, hugging him tightly, and Bard gave them a kiss each on the forehead. And then Bain. And when he released his only son, he glanced to Tallie, embracing her. "Keep them safe," he requested quietly. "Care for them."
"I have always treated them as my own," she reutnred. "Care for yourself. Return to them. And don't do anything foolish."
He commented quietly, releasing her, “Even when taken half way across Middle Earth, you somehow manage to look as though you've never left."
"Well, I should hope I look better. I've finally managed a way to wield a weapon, though you still give me looks of disapproval."
"No longer," he promised. "Keep after yourself."
"Strike it true," she returned.
The she-elf had worked her magic to save Kili, but it didn’t matter much if you burned alive. The mountain rumbling was enough to get the entire house to move into action.
They only made it a few blocks before dragonfire suddenly appeared, igniting a few buildings. And Bain… Tallie did not know what Bain saw, but suddenly he was leaping out of the boat, and towards a dock where he kept running.
"Bain!" Tallie called. Oh, no. She grabbed Sigrid, who seemed intent on going after him, and screamed, "Get back here. Bain!" But he would not listen. And it would be certain death to follow.
"We've got to keep going," the she-elf stated.
Tallie nodded. "He'll be alright," Tallie promised the two girls, her voice shaking. Bard would never forgive her for Bain disappearing in the inferno. "He always has been fine. This will be no different. We'll meet him on the shores."
Tilda believed her, but Sigrid did not. And Tallie wasn’t sure if that was a comfort or not. But the boat moved on. Sudden fire reigning from the sky came dangerously close to the boat, so close that Tallie could feel the searing heat against her cheek, and moved towards the girls, to protect them.
“Tallie!” Sigrid cried.
“I’m alright,” Tallie insisted. “Are you?”
The two girls, terrified and wide-eyed nodded. The she-elf pushed to row the boat even faster, the chaos of the evacuation meaning that the water was too crowded.
It took until nearly the entire city was engulfed in flames to make it to the open water, where Tallie held Tilda close as they watched the dragon overtop the city. She watched the dragon make its turns, rain its fire. Kill those that she had known all her life.
She did not think of her father until they had almost reached shore, and when she did, her heart jerked to her throat. “Father,” Tallie gasped. She felt sick to her stomach for not thinking of him sooner - for not wondering over his safety. “I’m sure he’s fine,” Sigrid began. “Your house was always at the outskirts, I’m sure he was one of the first out.”
But despite the young girl doing her best to calm her, Tallie’s eyes felt like sand had been kicked into them. Her grip on Tilda tightened. “You’re right,” Tallie said quietly, though she didn’t believe the girl. It was something she had said to them, something she would promise them without knowing if it was true or not.
There was nothing she could do for her father from where she sat. By the time anyone made it to the town, it would be too late. By the time they reached the shore, it would be too late to know if he made it out or not. She was helpless. There was nothing for her to do, save for sit and hope with all her might that things turned out for the better.
The dragon gave a sudden awkward turn in the sky, before it fell to the earth. Sigrid surged to her feet, causing the boat to rock dangerously, but the elf was able to right it before it could tip.
“Da!” There were others that had lost people. Others that didn’t know if their loved ones were alive or dead. Two children that didn’t know if their father and brother were even alive. Would even be able to escape.
The shore was chaos. It was nearly sunlight out, and all those that were wounded came to light. People with burns, with twisted limbs and cuts. People in need of tending. As soon as they were out of the boat, it seemed an understanding went around - the wounded came first.
“Tilda, I’ll need you to find something to collect some water in. Sigrid, a few rags, if you can,” Tallie ordered. She glanced to the dwarves. “Help with them as you can.” The group split up, and Tallie glanced to the elf, who was looking amongst the people, as if trying to spot someone. She did not have a good history with elves, but they had come when the creatures had caught up to them - and Tallie supposed that meant something. “Will you be able to help heal them, or are you returning back to your people?”
She glanced to you, towering over you and giving you a considering look. “I will help as I can.”
“I never caught your name,” Tallie admitted.
“Tauriel,” the she-elf spoke. “And you are Tallie. The small ones mention it enough.” Tallie nodded. “I will help those that I can with limited resources.” And she was gone, into the crowd and towards those with the most severe of burns.
Tallie’s face stung as she moved, her hands gripping her skirts and pulling her towards the group of people that were trying to tie a sling for someone’s dislocated shoulder. “Let me,” Tallie said quietly, stopping them from doing it wrong and possibly causing more damage. “We need to put it in place first, alright? It’s going to hurt.” It was a man that was a little younger than Tallie herself. They nodded, and Tallie made short work of it.
“Tallie?” a voice said in confusion. Tallie glanced up to see one of the many that had kept support for her father and not the Master. One of her friends. “My God, we thought you were dead-”
“It’s… it’s a long story. I only got back to Lake Town last night,” Tallie admitted. “I’ve heard what everyone’s been doing and I’m so thankful-”
“Oh, nonsense. You’d have done the same for any of us.” Tallie supposed that was true. She had done what she could in the past. Her eyes darted to the rest of the injured. “Perhaps you should have that looked at, if you haven’t already.”
Tallie glanced to the villager in confusion. “What?”
“The burn… on your face,” they said slowly. “You have not noticed?”
“No,” Tallie admitted. She raised a hand up slightly, gingerly touching the cheek that was being given the attention. It stung bitterly. She jerked her hand away. “Is it horrible looking?”
“Very raw,” they admitted. Tallie nodded.
“I’ll tend to it later.” She gave a small smile, before she started to move towards another group of people, helping them set a broken leg and get some splintered wood to make a sling.
It was not until she was lost in helping others with wounds that she could feel someone watching her. It made her hair prickle on her neck, and her fingers clench in her skirts. She turned, glancing out of the corner of her eye just enough to see Bard. Tallie rose to her full height, which was not very tall, and let out a relieved sigh. He was soaking wet, and looked exhausted, but well enough.
Alive enough. And Bain was beside him, looking much the same. She surged forward, pulling the two of them into a hug. “Oh, you idiot boys!” Tallie chided, giving Bain most of her glare. “Don’t you ever try to save the day again, do you understand?”
“No, ma’am,” Bain admitted.
“Are either of you hurt?” Tallie pressed. She looked Bain over before glancing to Bard. Bard was almost confused looking. “Well?”
“You’re hurt,” he murmured.
“So I’ve been told. It’s not too horrible.” Tallie shrugged off his concern.
“Let me tend to it,” Bard insisted. “I’ve learned enough from you over the years.” Tallie agreed with a quiet nod, and some hesitation. But Bain’s answering grin to his father’s suggestion made Tallie give in. “Let’s find some bandages for that.”
He guided Tallie to a log and began tearing at the white cloth of his shirt. “You’ll ruin your shirt,” Tallie started, but Bard didn’t seem to mind. Once he did that, he started to gently pull hair away from Tallie’s face.
She winced, and he retracted his hands. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s alright.” She clenched her hands between her legs and closed her eyes, doing her best to ignore the pain of his actions. And then it seemed he was done, because she could feel his fingers covered by the cloth gently start to dab away ash and dirt from the wound. He finished after a few minutes and when he pulled away from Tallie, her eyes opened.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Bard had a pinkness in his cheeks that Tallie knew couldn’t have been from any fire. “It was no problem.” He cleared his throat, his eyes darting to where a group of people were getting into boats to go back to the city to find any survivors, and to where another group were getting ready for a journey. “Where are people going?”
“A few mentioned Dale. To take refuge in the ruins until we can regroup and figure out what to do,” Tallie admitted. “Have you seen Sigrid and Tilda? We separated once we reached shore to get supplies-”
“I’ll go find them,” Bain said, and he was already running off. Tallie waited until he was gone before she spoke.
“I’m sorry. I tried to get him back to the boat-”
“It’s alright. He’s stubborn.”
“Like his father,” Tallie agreed.
“Well, I suppose.” Bard chuckled. “No, he proved to be quite useful. I needed his help-”
“The dragon… you slayed it?” Bard gave a nod. Tallie swallowed. “Good.”
“Your father?” Bard asked.
Tallie swallowed back tears as she glanced away, towards the crowd. “I haven’t seen him so far. But... I’m still holding out hope that maybe someone helped him out when I couldn’t.”
Bard’s comforting hand on her shoulder followed the sunrise.
Pairing: None, but story overall contains many to come.
Words: 882
Disclaimer: This story takes liberties with history. While all acts presented are real events unless stated otherwise, I have taken liberties with how it happened, the people involved (obviously), and story lines. This is most accurately defined as historical fiction, and is an all human alternate universe. There be no dragons here.
A/N: Happy 4th, America! And a massive thank you for 600 followers! We’ve done it!
December 16, 1773
The fog that settled on Boston’s harbor made the bowman’s visibility poor. The cloak he wore further helped him hide in the night. But the winter air was bitter, and even over the water, it felt numbing. Tightening his fingers on the oars gripped in his hands, he pushed the small row boat closer to the ship.
His grip was firm, thanks to the gloves his eldest daughter had knitted for him as the snow began to fall. Thick and woolen, exposing the tips of his fingers, but with a meticulously stitched leather palm, so that his grip would not falter. It was important for bargemen to have a secure grip, especially when balancing on their boats and hauling heavy materials onto larger ships or docks.
The men huddled in the boat ranged from fellow bargemen and traders to farmers, businessmen, and even those in the governor’s employ. Yet, there was one thing these men, and all of those in the rowboats trailing Bard, had in common. They were members of the Sons of Liberty, and with that came the civic duty to ensure that the people’s voices were heard. To make sure that the taxation had equal and meaningful representation in Parliament. And that every man, woman, and child had the rights and respect given to them by the governing body.
Despite lists of grievances, protests, and political stunts before, the unrest grew.
But those previous words meant nothing now. They would mean nothing once the morning came and the world would see that the colonies would take no more.
Bard stalled the boat alongside the trading ship, that had sailed more waters than Bard had ever dreamed of. The men eased the rowboat to the ladder, and then began to haul themselves aboard the ship, a rope quickly dropping down for Bard to secure the rowboat to to ensure that there would be no stranding of men.
He did not want Sigrid to even notice that he was gone for longer than an evening stroll.
Stepping off of the boat, and onto the ship, Bard took in the view of the city. Despite the fog, he could still see some glow. From the harbor, and on the deck of the ship, he could see almost everything. From the forests that were like a clouded blackness on the horizon, to the city, with the gas lamps giving off a yellow orange glow that made Bard, briefly, try to locate the home he and his three children tended to.
He could find nothing in the section he thought it was located. But his musings were interrupted by a sharp clap on the shoulder. Startled, Bard glanced over and saw the governor’s youngest son giving a fond look towards the city. “Take a good look, man,” Elrohir said with a tilt of his head. “By morning, everything’s going to change.”
War. They were inciting a war tonight. Bard had already fought in one war, and had raised two children during it. But his youngest, Tilda, had never known anything other than peace.
He had always wanted to keep it that way. But with the taxes only going higher, and their wages staying the same, he was struggling to ensure there was food on the table. And if this meant a better life for her in the long run, it was worth it.
Bard had to think of their futures. Sigrid, moving on from fifteen and almost a woman. Bain, a boy of thirteen growing up too soon. And Tilda, just turning on ten and as wild as she was in her earlier years.
This wasn’t any way to live.
Bard took one last glance at the city, sleeping and silent. The fog clung to the water, mostly, but especially around the ships. And did well to block out the noise of the men opening the cargo hold and using the levy system to haul the crates of tea to the main deck.
“Alright, men, let’s put our muscles to good use, then,” Elrohir called. “Haul it overboard!”
A man, boy really, holding a torch waved it, giving a signal to the other men on the other two ships in the harbor. And then Bard was moving, his hands helping pull the ropes, lift the crates, and haul them to the rail before they dropped off the side.
Box after box followed, splashing into the harbor, soaking it like a giant, black, frozen kettle of water. Brewing not only tea that the Sons of Liberty would happily ship back to the King of greed.
It was brewing a war.
Bard watched the crates bob alongside the ship, the air causing them to float as the water slowly seeped into the seams, and once the last crate was hauled over the side, there was a moment of silence. Complete and utter silence, to revel in the aftermath.
As Bard stood, feeling the winter’s bite cut across his cheeks, he could not help but feel a smile begin. And then the cheers broke out.
They had done it, and not only that, but Bard was certain that if they tasted the water now, it would taste of nothing but the bitter victory of impending wars.
Pairing: Young!Bard/Fem!Reader
Based on this request by Anon.
“Game’s over you son of a bitch! Tell me where she is!”
A/N: Angst. Kidnapping. Angry confrontation. Name calling. (See what I did there with the title? Giggles)
Bard had been standing in the rain for three hours now, knowing with each minute he was closer to catching a cold. But by the first hour, he had started to worry. The second, he felt a touch of anxiety that perhaps something horrible had happened. The third, he couldn’t stop pacing back and forth on the dock that connected the section of town you lived in, to his own section.
You were never this late, and if you had something come up, you always sent a note with one of the children that worked at your seamstress shop. Bard stared up at the sky, pausing in his pacing, to see that the rain was not relenting, and the sky was growing darker.
He made the decision then. He navigated the boardwalks with effortless ease, every turn one that he had done a thousands times over, until he found himself at your shop. The door was open, signalling it was still open for business, though he knew that it always closed much earlier - the time that you two had agreed to meet.
It was when he first felt the anxiety growing at him, clawing at his chest that something was very wrong. And when he stepped through the shop, he saw that it was completely vacant. The candle was still burning on a table over where you had been doing embroidery for a dress someone had ordered.
The embroidery loom was on the ground, with the needle and thread still attached. And the chair, as he got closer, was kicked over. A struggle. Bard called your name, more frantic and hoarse each time, and looked around for any more clues. And then he was rushing out of the shop, onto the dock. Every other shop was closed, the candles long burned out and the doors locked to bar anyone from entry.
Looking up and down the dock, Bard couldn’t see anyone. Until a much too happy Alfrid turned the corner. Perhaps he was much too happy because of Bard’s frantic feelings growing. He looked like he did every day, but it especially bothered Bard in this moment. How could he be so calm? How could he be this close to your house, and not notice anything wrong?
Before Alfrid knew what was happening, Bard seized him by the collar, throwing him against the side of the shop. “What have you done to her?” Alfrid’s look of genuine fear did nothing to make Bard feel any better, which he was sure it would have any other time.
“What are you talking about?” Alfrid snapped. “Get off of me.”
“Game’s over, you son of a bitch. Tell me where she is!” Alfrid raised his eyebrows.
“I haven’t any idea what you’re talking about! Beside’s that’s no way to speak to-”
Bard shoved him against the damp boards again, silencing him. He was seeing read, like fire that was supposed to come from the mountain, hazing his vision. “Don’t play games,” Bard warned. “What have you don’t to Y/N? I’ve seen you following her, following the pair of us. Where is she?”
“Did she not show up?” Alfrid asked innocently, his smirk curling his lips in a way that made Bard’s stomach turn painfully. “How awful. It must be such a pity that she doesn’t love you-”
Bard growled, tightening his grip on the wool coat lapels. “I will not hesitate to throw you in the water and let you drown, you rat. Tell me what you’ve done to her.”
“I haven’t seen her,” Alfrid admitted smugly. “In fact, I came by earlier to offer my congratulations, but she wasn’t here. Thought I’d come by again-”
“How long ago did you come by?” Bard demanded.
Alfrid seemed to think about the answer for much longer than necessary, his eyes darting to the rain-slick sky with forced thought. And then he glanced down to Bard with a shrug. “Dunno. Coulda been a few hours, coulda been a few minutes.” Bard growled in frustration, letting the rat go, and huffed in anger as he glanced up and down the boardwalk. Surely someone had seen something.
Surely someone had seen anything. “Maybe she just doesn’t love you like you had thought. She was always a wild one. Never know who’s been in her be-” The punch to his face silenced Alfrid immediately, and Bard shook out his hand, the pain only masking his panic temporarily. “Ow, what the bloody hell was that for?”
“Get out of here, you rat.”
“And just how are you planning on finding her? No one’s seen her.”
Bard glared at Alfrid, daring him to say more. “Because I’ll find her.” Leaving the man with a bleeding nose and pain in his jaw, Bard pulled his coat closer, his hands digging into his pocket, in an effort to stay warm in the wet and cool weather. In his pocket, his hands came upon a pouch that he had been worrying over for the last three days.
Inside contained the ring that he was planning on offering you. He would find you, even if it meant searching every home in Laketown for you.
Words: 1,397
Pairing: Bard/Wife!Reader
Based on this imagine from imaginexhobbit
You had first noticed it missing three days ago, while untangling the fishing nets for the local fisherman. At first, you thought perhaps it was in the pile of freshly folded ones.
It wasn’t.
Then you decided perhaps you had taken it off when you were scrubbing dishes, but had forgotten to put it back on. It was nowhere near the sink, or on any of the counters, or underneath. Not even inside some cupboards. It wasn’t in any drawers. You couldn’t see a single thing resembling a small gold ring in the laundry either.
You had lost it.
It had taken Bard nearly four years to save up for that ring. Four years of waiting before you married, because Bard insisted that he wanted to do it properly, though you hadn’t cared less if you had a ring or not. He would be furious. Not just furious, livid. So, you wouldn’t tell him. Not until you were absolutely certain it was gone.
You hadn’t heard Bard come home, but you jumped as you heard his voice say, almost amused, “What are you doing?” How could he be amused? You were on the verge of tears every time your search was unsuccessful.
“Oh! Bard, I - I didn’t know you were there. Cleaning. Just a bit of dusting under the couch, you know. I never quite remember in the day.” When you glanced to Bard, he didn’t look convinced. A secretive smile hid on his lips, and you wondered what that was for.
“Would you like some help?”
“No, no. I’m already finished.” Hurriedly standing, you fisted your hands into the fabric of your skirt, to hide the ringless finger. You gave Bard a worried smile. “Really. You’ve had such a long day, why don’t you lay down before the children get home from their lessons?”
Bard hummed, instead stepping closer to you, pulling you close to him and holding you there tightly. “And why do you look so upset, my love?”
“Just startled,” you warmly assured him. “Nothing to worry yourself over. It will give you wrinkles, you know.”
“Me? You worry over something as trivial as dust, you’ll wrinkle far quicker than I.” You nearly groaned. You wanted to tell him, but you still had an inkling it was in the kid’s room. Maybe one of them decided to play with it. “Will you join me?”
“After I finish tidying the children’s room.”
“I’m sure they can tidy it themselves. They’re old enough.”
“It’ll be more painless if I do it,” you murmured. Bard merely nodded, giving you a light kiss, before he released you. “It’ll just be a few moments.”
“And then I wish to put you out of your misery.” You flushed at Bard’s words and his quick wink that accompanied them, your eyes darting to the bedroom door he was moving towards. Once you were sure it was shut, you practically ran to the kid’s room, looking under things and inside of boxes. You found the sewing pins you were looking for the other week, but other than that, nothing valuable or precious.
You shut your eyes. You had done it. You had searched the entire house and there was nothing to be found. Every last inch. You had to tell Bard. It was lost for certain.
You stood in your children’s bedroom, and wrung your hands in your skirt. Bard had never been angry before. Not even with the children, despite the shenanigans they got up to. He was never anything but loving and kind, which was exactly the reason you were so happy with him. Why you loved him so much.
You opened the bedroom door quietly, spying him sitting at the edge of the bed, removing his boots and shrugging off his jacket. His daily ritual after a day on the water.
“Is their room as spotless as you insisted on it to be?”
You gave a faint smile, and Bard glanced up at your lack of a response, seeing the end of it as you wrung your hands again. You consciously flattened them against your back. “I… I need to tell you something.”
Bard raised an eyebrow. “Are you pregnant?”
“No!” you cried in surprise, and then you glared at him. “No, do I look pregnant?”
He cleared his throat. “No. But the last time you said that, that was what followed. And then Tilda was born.”
“It didn’t happen that quickly, but I suppose,” you began anxiously, moving towards the bed and sitting beside him. She took a small breath and Bard raised an eyebrow, but didn’t look worried either. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. One minute, it was there, and the next, it was gone. And I’ve been looking everywhere for days. I even checked the market and the boat, but I can’t find it-”
“Find what?” Bard asked. “Whatever it is we’ll replace it if it means that much.”
“Oh, but it means the world,” you insisted, and you turned towards Bard with tears in your eyes, grabbing his hands tightly. He looked almost alarmed. “I lost my wedding ring. And I’ve looked everywhere for it, Bard. And I can’t find it. And I know how much you worked for it, and I’m sorry, but I’ll make up for it and I’ll work at the tavern or-”
“Y/N,” Bard said, and you blinked just enough that your eyes were cleared for a second. And he looked like he was laughing.
“This isn’t funny!” you insisted. “I really did lose it and-”
“No, you didn’t,” Bard said quietly. You were about ready to cry, and here he was insisting that you were lying? But before you could say anything, Bard tugged you towards him, and kissed you gently. When you pulled away, an angry glare aimed at him, he pressed a clenched fist into your hand. “I found this three days ago on the railing by the front door.” When he opened his hand, your heart clenched at the golden ring that was in it.
“You’ve had it all this time?” He gave a single nod. “I’ve been panicking and you have been watching me this whole time?” you snapped.
“I was waiting for you to tell me,” Bard admitted, and his expression was only a little remorseful. He was mostly amused. Oh, how you were certain he’d be doing his own things for the next month. “It took you much longer than I thought.”
You sighed, falling back on the bed, your hand gripping the ring tightly. “I took the ring off to hand the nets to dry off the balcony, and … Oh, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry-”
Bard fell back onto the bed beside you, and you flipped the ring in your fingers before you slid it back on. “You’re not an idiot. I just happened to find it before you noticed it was gone.”
“But I should have noticed it was gone.”
Bard rolled his eyes, his hand finding yours and rubbing the metal against your knuckle. “That’s what I’m here for.” But you gasped as Bard suddenly tugged you so that you were lying atop him, his eyes blazing as he stared at you, mischievous.
“The children will be home soon,” you breathed, one hand against his chest, the other pressing into the mattress by his head. Bard pulled you closer, capturing the moment with a loving kiss. But the unmistakable sound of the front door opening as the children arrived ruined the moment. Bard pulled away, pressing his forehead to your own as he held you even tighter against him, causing you to feel the moment much more than the kiss showed you. You smirked.
“Mmm, then perhaps I’ll put you out of your misery later tonight.”
“I would very much like that, my love.” But you pushed off of him, straightening your dress out, before peaking your head out of your bedroom door. “Oh! Wonderful! I was just beginning to wonder if you’d gotten lost.”
“Is Da home yet?” Bain asked, setting down his bag. You chewed on your lip lightly, to hide the smile, and nodded, gesturing to the bedroom you had stepped out of. “He’s having a bit of a lie down. A long day to Mirkwood and back. Come, tell me about your lessons.”
Words: 1,695
Pairing: Bard/Elf!Wife!Reader
Based on this imagine by imaginexhobbit
The sickness had taken hold on your small family much quicker than you thought it would. It gave you little time to prepare. Bard was the first hit, being the one that frequented the town as he worked his barge duties for various employers. And once he fell ill, Sigrid who had been helping tend to him with you, fell ill second. And she passed it to Tilda, who had been sharing a room with her. And last to fall ill was Bain.
But little Tilda was much too weak, and as she slept with her burning fever, you knew it would not be long.
Your darling children, fifteen, twelve, and eight respective to Sigrid, Bain, and Tilda were too young to be taken from this world. And Bard… It pained you to leave his side, but you checked up on him whenever the children were fairing well. And would lay close, whispering to him that the children were fine whenever he asked. And then you would lull him into a sleep, before you would do the same to the children.
Sleep helped all ailments.
None of the children had taken much after you. They all had Bard’s dark hair, and with Bain, the build of a fisherman hauling in heavy loads a day. Sigrid had your face the most, but Tilda was the perfect blend of your smooth, exotic features, and Bard’s rough ones. You did not want any of them to leave this world.
But Bard was awake, doing much better, perhaps nearing the end of his illness. And you were sitting up in bed with him, as it helped him breathe. You fed him warm mouthfuls of soup, just enough to keep his belly full, and knew that you had to tell him what you had kept hidden since you met him – a chance day in the forest near Mirkwood, nearly sixteen years ago. You had fallen in love immediately, and it had been so hard that you married within the month. And not a single regret was given.
Yet he had thought you to be a traveler that had gotten lost in the sick forest, not anything more. And you had done nothing to tell him the truth. But you had to now, if you were to do anything to help.
“There is something that I have kept hidden from you, my love,” you spoke gently, and you waited until he swallowed before you continued, the spoon resting in the now empty bowl, on your lap.
“That the children are sick?” Bard asked hoarsely. “I had my suspicions when you would be gone for hours. Though, you are only exposing yourself-”
“I know I will not get sick,” she said quietly. “I am just worried about you and the children. Yes, they are sick as well.”
“Then you should tend to them, and leave me. I feel better already.” He attempted a smile, but it lacked it’s shine. “I always do when you are near.”
But before you could say another word, coughs suddenly wracked his body, and his fair condition turned for the worst as you spotted speckles of blood in the phlegm he coughed up. A horrible sign. He tried to hide them from you, rubbing his hand on the dark cloth shirt he wore, but your eyes did not miss it.
“Rest,” you spoke instead, your heart heavy with the choice you made in that second. It had to be done. Or they would all die. You took his hands, and gave them a light squeeze. He swallowed, before giving you a warm smile, just like the day you had met. And it brought tears to your eyes. The last you would ever see it. “I love you, Bard. I love you so much.”
“I’ll be fine,” Bard whispered. “Just under the weather. But once this passes, we’ll spend hours together in this room, I promise.” You desperately tried to blink the tears away, but it just made them worse. He blurred before your eyes. “I love you, Y/N. But do not act like this is final.”
But you had so much to tell him still, but you just leaned forward, kissing him lightly, lingering there, relishing him for as much time as you could. “Gi melen. Gellon ned i gelir i chent gin ned i ledig.” The words were whispered against his lips, and when you pulled away, you saw a hint of confusion on his face. But you spoke the words that sent him in a deep sleep. And a sob left you at his limp form, breathing deeply.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered. “I’m sorry, but I must do this. Or you will all die.”
You wrote a letter for him to explain all you could not say to his face.
My love and my family,
I am sorry to have left you in such a way, but it is something that I do not regret. My only regret is that I could not stay here longer. That I could not watch you grow into beautiful and intelligent adults, or a gray and frail old man. But I leave this world with one last gift – the only consequence to my departure.
You see, I was born far, far away from here, in a land called Valinor, nearly eight thousand years ago. I was one of the last of my people to migrate to this land, Middle Earth. And I resided in Mirkwood, where I learned all there was to know, watched empires rise and fall, and watched kings be born and kings perish in war. I was not like my other kin, in that I did not have just the powers of healing, but also the gift of eternal life. I could make any mortal man an immortal one. I had the powers of granting an elven life. It was a gift to be used lightly, as it put a heavy drain on my body, and I would fall into a deep sleep for weeks.
I know that you, my love, have always wondered why I never seemed to sleep. The answer is that I did not. Elves go into a deep meditative state to replenish their energy, but never sleep. So when I slept after granting the first human their eternal life – some near four thousand years ago, her life put me into a deep, unnatural sleep. One my kin did not think I would survive.
It was then that Lord Elrond, a Lord of Rivendell, gifted with foresight, saw that I would wake and meet my love in the outskirts of Mirkwood forest. That we would have an extremely happy life together, and that we would want for nothing but each other. I am sorry that I could not tell you the truth, but I feared that I would be the cause of a riff in our life. I see, now, that it was foolish. There is no one who loves me more than you, Bard, and no one that I love more than you and our family.
And that is why I must do this. Lord Elrond said that meeting you would be my end, Bard, but I cared not. I thought, once I saw you get off of your boat in the Kingdom of Mirkwood, that I would be able to turn away, to protect my fate. But I couldn’t. Not when I could see how happy we would be together. Not when I could see how happy you could make me, and how happy I hoped to make you. I wanted to give you the world, I always have, and this… this will do just that.
The King of Mirkwood, and the Prince, are cousins of mine. And people that you can trust. You have always been kin, though you never knew. Elven royalty.. I enclose in this a letter I wish for you to give him. One that will ensure that, should you choose, you can journey west to see me once more in the Undying Lands. But I do not want that day to come anytime soon. I want each and every one of you to experience a full life, to see all you wish to see, and to love all you can love.
He will grant you the passage, I know so. And he will tell you just as I am now – I am alright. I am quite happy with this decision. I got to see you all smile, and grow, and love and laugh. And it was all I ever wanted from you. You are immortal now, but you can still die by blade or anything that can kill any other man. Your immunity to diseases is what has kept you alive – what will ensure you do not get sick again. I could not bear for you to suffer.
I love you.
Forgive me.
You folded the letter and placed it, and the supplement for your elven cousin, gently atop Bard’s chest on the bed, and then you slowly began to lift each child, bringing them onto the bed with him, so that you could do this all at once. Otherwise, you would never finish.
You wet the kingsfoil, and your hand clutched Sigrid and Tilda’s in one, their hands held tightly together, and Bain and Bard’s in the other. The wetness of the kingsfoil made your grip slimey, but you held fast and then began to chant.
“Menno o nin na hon
I eliad annen annin
hon leitho o ngurth.”
It was like a moonlight sonata, caressing them and the words magical. They seemed to carry their own music the more you chanted, your heart going into every word. You felt the energy drain you, filling the four figures bunched together, and you closed your eyes, seeing their shining faces, merry, rosy, full of the light that you were giving up. And you repeated your chant once more, the light fading. And you opened your eyes, your breath held in your chest. And when Bard’s eyes shot open, you exhaled one last time in a sigh of relief, before the world grew as dark as a starless night.
Gi melen. Gellon ned i gelir i chent gin ned i ledig. - I love you. I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh. (Or as I’m interpreting it, “I only want to see you happy once more.”) ( x )
Menno o nin na hon, I eliad annen annin, hon leitho o ngurth. - May the blessing that was given to me, be sent from me to him, may he be released from death. ( x )
