If you've seen Barbie in a Swan Lake, I took the plot from there..you'll see. Other than that, the story kind of moves away from the movie into something else. I hope you enjoy it!
There once was a young man named Bard. He and his family lived in the city of Dale. Dale was small, sitting peacefully on the edge of a large forest. It was a poor place ruled by a greedy man who called himself the Master. Bard worked as a Blacksmith with his father and little brother while his mother and sisters worked as seamstresses. They barely made enough money to live due to the heavy taxes the citizens were forced to pay. The only wealthy people were the Master's soldiers and his right hand man, Alfrid.
"Morning Girion" Alfrid greeted. The man was quite the eyesore. His hair was thin and greasy, his skin was sallow and dirty, and his clothes – while expensive – were ill-fitted and looked as though they hadn't been washed in years. His smile was yellow and his eyebrows connected to form one line across his grimy face.
"Alfrid, what can I do for you?" Girion was a tall, imposing man. He was handsome with a thick, greying beard and long hair. Despite his life's hardships, he was kind and loyal to his family. He didn't like the Master nor any of his henchman, especially Alfrid.
"Is Bard here? I would love to see him." Alfrid looked around with a sick smile.
Girion clenched the hammer in his hand. This was why he despised Alfrid. He has been after his son since Bard had come of age and even though Alfrid would never have a chance, the deputy continued to return. Unfortunately, Girion could not stop the man's advances. He had tried once and received twenty lashes for his insolence. So the best he could do was teach his son how to defend himself…and to keep him working in the back of the shop where he can't be seen.
"He's busy Alfrid, there are a lot of orders that need to be finished." Girion replied.
Alfrid frowned, "You can't keep him hidden forever Blacksmith. I am the best thing that boy will ever get in his life. I'm rich and the Master's second in command, I am above all of you mongrels."
"The only thing you are above Alfrid is the dirt you walk on." Girion replied evenly. "You may be rich but money isn't everything."
Alfrid sneered, "I will have your son Bowman. Just you wait and see." He stalked off.
Girion growled lowly and slammed the hammer down on the sword he was working on. Bain approached him with a glance at Alfrid's retreating back. "He's still coming for Bard?"
"Yes he is."
Bain shook his head and returned to his work.
When the boys returned home from work, the girls were already there preparing dinner. "Hello darlings" Their mother, Helen greeted each of them with a kiss. She was a petite woman with kind blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. "How was work?"
"Fine, until Alfrid showed up again." Bain said.
Sigrid turned her nose up in disgust, "Is that slug still coming around? Hasn't he given up yet?"
"Sigrid" Helen scolded.
"He is" Bard sighed. "Obviously, my last altercation with him wasn't enough."
Tilda giggled, "Does that mean we can see him go flying again?"
"Tilda, that is not very ladylike." Helen reprimanded. She frowned at Bard, "Alfrid is a very respectable man; can't you give him a chance?"
Bard snorted, "There is nothing respectable about him Mum. He's one of the Master's henchmen, that's reason enough not to like him."
"Plus he looks as if he hasn't showered in ten years." Sigrid muttered.
Helen sent her a stern look before turning back to her eldest, "He is a wealthy man, something hard to come by in this town. He will be able to take care of you."
"That man, if you can call him that, can't take care of anyone." Bard argued. "I don't care if he has money, I will not marry him."
"Bard please, I only want you to have a comfortable future." Helen replied.
"No Mum. I don't need someone to take care of me. I will make my own future."
Before Helen could argue more, Girion squeezed her hand, "I agree with Bard Dear. He needs to make his own life. He can do it."
Bard smiled at his father while his mother looked distraught.
The next day Bard was delivering their finished jobs to people. He was on his last delivery when Alfrid found him.
"Hello Bard" The man smiled.
"Alfrid" Bard greeted. He didn't look at the man as he walked through the streets.
"Aren't you looking handsome today? Soot is a very good look on you."
Bard rolled his eyes and continued to ignore him. He came to his last delivery and knocked on the door. An elderly woman came out and smiled, "Bard Bowman, how nice to see you."
Bard smiled, "Hello Mrs. Shields, here is your cooking pan." He handed her the package.
"Oh thank you young man." She took the package and handed him a few coins. "Say hello to your family for me won't you?"
"Of course Ma'am, have a nice day."
"You too dear"
Bard nodded and walked back down the street. Alfrid still followed him, but he paid the other man little attention. He was halfway home when a hand grabbed him and pushed him into the nearby wall. "What are you doing?"
"Getting your attention" Alfrid hissed. He pressed himself closer to Bard. Bard chocked as Alfrid's body odor reached his nose. "Now, how about you and I go back to my room and get to know each other better?" The man leered, his hand traveling up Bard's leg.
Bard kneed him in the groin causing the other man to double over, "Not in your life" He hissed and ran back home.
Luckily for Bard, Sigrid was the only one home. He ran through the door and up to his room, slamming the door and fell face down onto his bed. A minute later, Sigrid cautiously entered and sat down next to him. "Bard?"
"Alfrid cornered me while making deliveries. He…" Bard swallowed, "He touched me"
Sigrid gasped and pulled her brother into her arms. "Please tell me nothing happened."
"No, I kicked him off." He let out a shaky breath. "I hate him"
Sigrid nodded, "You should tell Da"
Bard shook his head, "He will only get another twenty lashings. I won't be responsible for that." He leaned back and gave her a stern look, "You will tell no one of this Sigrid. Promise me."
Sigrid frowned, "If you insist. But if this happens again, you have to tell someone. What if next time you can't get away?"
Bard sighed and curled closer to her, "I can only hope I will be prepared."
Sigrid ran her hands through his hair, "If only I was the eldest."
"Don't say that Sig, I wouldn't wish this on anyone." Bard scolded.
"Still, this isn't fair. That piece of dirt has no right touching you."
Bard smiled sadly, "If only life was fair."
They stayed curled against each other until their family came back. They continued their day as if nothing had happened. Bard made sure that he stayed close to his father for the rest of the week, just in case Alfrid decided to come back.
Review please!
