Author's note: Taking place before the events of DoS. Then it goes with the story of the movies. Maybe something will be left and other things will be added. ;) Feel free to review or send me messages. :) Thanks for reading.

She was looking at the mountain. This big and lonely mountain. Dust was around the top of it in that cold night. Snowflakes were dancing in the air. It was calm in the town. Of course it was, it was late and the people were sleeping. Trying to find some rest from another hard day in Laketown. Laketown wasn't a rich town, the people were poor, and they have not that much to eat. Nevertheless the master of the town was always wearing the newest and most beautiful robes. It was just a matter of time when all these people are starting to riot against him.

"You look melancholy. I hope that fish wasn't that bad after all…" Bard came out of the house and was standing next to her on the wooden balcony. Marie went outside after the dinner she had gotten invited to by his children. With a slight laughter she replies, "No, no, that food was delicious. And Sigrid is a very good cook."

Bard was leaning onto the wooden handrail, telescoping his fingers. His eyes were gazing over her profile. It has been a long time since the man felt something for a woman. Not since the death of his wife.

But Marie… they knew each other for a long time now. She was different. Different than all the other women in Laketown. Kindhearted, always helping others before she helps herself, warm laughter and she had a clever mind. She was also some kind of a mother for his children. They were looking up at her. And with all of her knowledge of history, she was also a great teacher. Such a beautiful flower in such a gritty atmosphere in that town.

A shiver ran down Marie's spine since a cold wind was about to hit the town. She was pulling her leather robe more around herself. "The weather is about to get much worse. I think I am going now. You had a long day and you sure have a long day ahead. So thank you for that good dinner. Tell that Sigrid too, please. Good night, Bard."

Bard was lifting himself up and smiled at the young blonde woman. He pushes one strand of hair behind her ear as she was standing in front of him. "Marie, you came right here after your work was done in the archive. It would take yourself some hours to make your home warm with a fire." She was shivering beneath his touch and was closing her eyes as he was cupping her one cheek in his hand. His hand was raw and she could feel the calluses. But that doesn't matter. "And here it is already warm. I can't allow you to go home and to be freezing til the next morning." She heard him saying.

Bard couldn't help but smile when she was closing her eyes by his touch. Everyone knew that they were feeling something for each other but they two were the last to admit it to themselves. But now, in the calm of the night, he couldn't wait any longer. Leaning down, Bard was meeting her lips. Soft and gently as if adding any more pressure would cause Marie to crumble beneath his fingertips.

With a happy sigh, Marie was returning the motions. Since a long time the young woman had developed feelings for that handsome and unapproachable bargeman. He broke the kiss and his lips trembled lightly against hers as a shaky exhale left them. Opening her eyes, Marie looked up at the taller man. The blonde could feel the heat rise into her cheeks and she laughs a little bit, turning her head to the side.

Placing his finger under her chin, he moved her face so she had to look at him. "You are perfect." The heat of her cheeks moved up and she could feel her ears getting hot. But that only made her even more beautiful to him. Bard was leaning in into another sweet kiss, placing one hand of his on the back of her head, pulling her even closer. This time a bit more passionate and deep. A surprised whimper escaped Marie's lips, her hands gripping his coat for support.

His tongue was slowly parting her lips, sliding into her warm mouth. Backing Marie up against the wall of his house, Bard's kiss got more possessive and his other hand was wandering up on Marie's side into her hair. Tilting her head to the side, Marie pulls on Bard's coat to bring him closer to her and into the kiss.

All the longing and desire was laying in that kiss. They both waited too long before they finally gave in into their feelings. None of them felt the cold and the snowflakes on their faces anymore. The need to breath was great and Marie pulls away with a gasp. A smile formed on Bards face when he saw the red cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes and the swollen lips of the woman in his arms.

One arm securely wrapped around Marie's waist, he opens the door and lead her inside into the warm house.

Finally they both found the courage to show affection and Bard knew that a new life had begun for both of them.

Hopefully a happy one… but Bard has never been so wrong…