Revan certainly attracted attention as she walked to the steps of the Mayoral Manor in Esgaroth. Bard had been hard at work for the past few hours spreading the rumours of a major announcement, and Revan hoped she didn't disappoint. Her robes and leather armor rustled as she took the first step up to the doorway. The area wasn't as large as she would've liked, but it would do. She made it halfway up the stairs before she turned around. Already, there was a sizeable gathering in the area, but she could wait.

Scarcely five minutes had passed before the area before her was packed with people, clamoring, whispering, wondering.

She raised a hand to silence the throng of people. It took a few moments, but eventually, the crowd settled down to tolerable levels. "People of Esgaroth," she began, pitching her voice to carry above the crowd. She could see some were unsettled or confused that a girl was speaking to them, but it didn't matter. "I come bearing news. Smaug the dragon, terror of the East, Kingslayer and Mountain-Dweller is dead, killed a fortnight ago by the Dwarves of Erebor."

The crowd exploded into a flurry of noise, cheers, questions, shouts, all silenced by Bard. She continued. "With the help of an Elf of the Woodland Realm and a Dúnadan, Thorin Oakenshield and his company slew the beast and retook the mountain. I come bearing a message to the master of Lake-Town, and to the people therein," she said, turning around on the steps to look at miserable Alfrid and the Master of Lake-Town, who had been drawn outside by the commotion.

"Yes? And what does the so-called King under the Mountain want?" Alfrit sneered.

"Hold your tongue, Lickspittle before something rips it out of your mouth," Revan replied dourly. "Master of Lake-Town," she said, "King Oakenshield wishes to foster goodwill with the realms of men. He grants to Bard," she said, turning back to the people, "friend and ally to Erebor, the City-State of Dale, and the land thereabouts. He also invites any resident of Esgaroth to help rebuild and work the land under the guidance and leadership of Bard," she said, gesturing to the bargeman. "He would see Dale rise again!"

Her proclamation was met with cheers. Chattering among themselves, the crowd's excitement built, until the Master had to say his piece. "Little girl, what authority does a Dwarf have over the city of Dale, hmmmm?" he said, stepping down towards her. "What authority does a masked girl have in Lake-Town? It seems to me, like the business of men should be handled by men," he sneered, leering down at her.

In a flash, her purple sword was out, tip under his chin. "It would not be wise to go against the will of the King under the Mountain," she said, softly. "Whether or not you consent, Thorin will see Bard as king of Dale."

Unimpressed, Alfrid stepped in. "And what if Bard has a tragic accident before then?"

"People who live in wooden houses shouldn't throw matches," she said. "Thorin will embargo any trade with Esgaroth until a descendant of Girion is on the throne. Furthermore, should anything… untoward, happen to Bard, you will incur the full wrath of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and the Elves of the Woodland Realm," she hissed, sheathing her sword.

"I see," said the Master, over Alfrid's spluttering. "Then nothing untoward shall happen to him," he agreed. To the people, he said, "Esgaroth recognizes the Sovereignty of the kingdoms of Dale and Erebor, and recognizes the Ambassador from Erebor." Speaking directly to Revan, he said, "Would you like a room in the Manor? We have plenty of food-" he said, before being stopped by Revan's upraised hand.

"No, thank you. I'll stay with Bard. His family is more… hospitable." she replied. She stepped down the stairs back towards Bard, the crowd parting around her. She nodded respectfully to everyone, finally meeting Bard at the edge of the crowd. "Let's go," she said simply, and headed back in the direction of his home.

Pouring tea, Bard said, "I told you this could be done without violence."

She shooed his words away with a gesture, saying, " I'm glad. I hope all the respectable people of Esgaroth find their way to Dale in the coming months."

"I do have one question though," he said. "Why me?"

She shrugged, blowing on her tea to cool it. "You're a good, honest, hardworking man. The people love you. Had the Master of Lake-Town been an electable position, you would've filled it long ago."

"I see," he said. "You know I haven't the first idea on how to run a city?"

"You'll figure it out," she said, taking a sip of the tea. "I'm a seer. I've seen a beautiful future where you guide the Kingdom of Dale to peace and prosperity. Mind you, that future is not so different from our own."

"Different? How so?" he asked, brows knitting.

"Esgaroth burned, first. The Dragon escaped Erebor, and laid waste to the city on the lake. When you shot him down with the Black Arrow, he fell on the boat holding the Master and all of Esgaroth's riches. The refugees fled to Dale, where you took control. That reminds me," she said, turning gloomy. "You need to get as many people into the mountain and the Greenwood as possible."

"Why?" he asked, shocked and startled.

"An army of Moria and Gundabad Orcs is coming to take the Mountain. They will lay waste to anything in their path."

"Then we have not a moment to lose!" he cried, leaping to his feet.

"In the morning. There is no reason to alarm the citizens in the middle of the night. The battle is days off, and there will be plenty of time."

He sunk back down in his chair. "Are you sure?"

"Certain. In my vision, there was time enough not only for all the refugees to make their way to Dale, but to reinforce and partially rebuild the city before the armies came." She snorted. "There was even time for negotiations between yourself, Thranduil, Thorin, and Gandalf over reparations for the destruction of Esgaroth."

"I see," he said. "And will you be here to help guide them?"

She shook her head. "I am needed back at the mountain as soon as possible. For that matter, Gandalf should be arriving at the mountain soon, and I will need to explain everything to him."

They talked long through the night, neither able to sleep with the thought of battle looming over their heads. In the morning, she donned her cloak and helm, said her farewells to Bard and his children, and made her way to the dock that would take her back to the nearside of the lake. She didn't realize it until she was standing in the prow, looking over the fog of the lake to the Mountain glowing in the dawn's light, but she truly felt like she was, of sorts, coming home.