Author's Note: Hello! Many apologies for the delay! Still trying to figure out things on here. :D Chapter 1 is up! I had to make some adjustments because I realized that this chapter was the very first thing I wrote (4 years ago now :0) for this story, and it desperately needed revision in certain areas. Once again, this story is going to be pretty simple. I love what other Fanfiction writers have done with their stories, and seem to understand the world and language of Tolkien. I won't even attempt that kind of writing because I don't think I could even give Tolkien's incomparable work justice. Special thanks to Karen Wood for her very kind review! Please let me know what you think of this story so far! So without further ado, here's Chapter 1: First Impressions. Enjoy! :)

For several months, Tari traveled far across the lands and mountains of Middle-earth. She managed to make it through the Grey Mountains, and down along the outskirts of Mirkwood, and was merely miles away from Erebor. This last stretch of her journey began to weary Tari; her legs were beginning to ache after the many miles she had crossed before daybreak. She had grown accustomed to trekking mostly at night, and in many ways, it was easier and safer for her to travel under the cover of darkness. She reflected how Égon, her father, would sometimes return home at sunrise, and go straight to his bed and stay there until well past noon. It was a trait of the Rangers, she observed, who pledged their lives in protecting the borders in Middle-earth from the enemies who came from the Eastern lands. Undoubtedly, it was a hard life, even taking its toll on the health of the older rangers as they subjected themselves to the dangers of the wild for the sake of keeping their people and families safe.

Tari missed her father. He was always on her mind. She wondered what he would think of her now, living the life that he once had. She did indeed miss everything about him, and yet it occurred to her that it had been a long time since there was any kind of male figure in her life. The men of Bree barely had any ruler-like qualities, which made it harder for the town to thrive as a whole. With the exception of the few older women, Hiril and Morwen, Tari had no one close to her. Thankfully, she did have the peoples' blessing in setting out on her own, knowing that it was for their benefit, but again, she felt alone. This became a great burden to her, and the weight of it became heavier with every step she took.

As the sun began to shed more light along the wooded path she had taken, she stumbled upon a quiet river, and decided to take her rest there. Dropping her pack on the ground, she quickly grabbed handfuls of water, bringing them to her lips. The cold water was a welcome respite, as well as washing the dirt and grime from her face and hands. After she freshened herself and ate a little food, she laid out her blanket by the river, away from any enemy's eyes, and she laid herself down on the rough rock and fell asleep.

There is no telling how long Tari had been sleeping when an intruder came upon her, suddenly. As much as she wanted to rest, Tari wanted to live more. She laid there quietly, waiting for the right moment to intervene whatever her intruder's plans were for her. She heard what sounded like the creaking of a bow being pulled back, and at that moment, she slowly wound her fingers around her own bow. Just when she felt her intruder was going to shoot at her, she sat up on her knees, bow in hand, and shot her arrow at the mysterious intruder – only to have it split in two.

Bewildered by this attack, Tari looked up at her apparent foe and realized it was a tall, dark man with very striking features she had ever seen.

His piercing light brown eyes stared down at her, his bow still pointing at her. She finally raised her arms up in surrender, and said, "Please don't kill me, sir."

Carefully, the man lowered his bow, slightly, and asked, sternly, "What in all of Middle-earth are you doing out here? And all alone?"

"I've been traveling all night, and I needed a place to rest."

"You still haven't answered my questions; what are you doing out here and alone?" he commanded, this time with more genuine curiosity in his deep voice.

"I'm journeying to Laketown. I was told by the Guardian Elves of Mirkwood to find a man named Bard. They said he could take me there."

At that, the man lowered his bow, and he came down from the rock and offered his hand to Tari, lifting her to her feet.

"How you managed to get past the Mirkwood elves, without being locked up in their dungeons from trespassing their woods, is beyond me. Even I avoid making contact with them at all costs. But...they do like having their wine barrels replenished," motioning to his boat docked a little down the river.

Then it dawned on Tari – "Wait! You're Bard? THE Bard the Bargeman?!"

"And what of it?" said Bard, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing, it's just I never expected to find you! Or rather, literally bump into you during my journey," relief evident in her voice.
"And pray where is your journey taking you?"
"To the Master of Laketown, as a matter of fact."
At that, Bard dropped the smirk from his face and turned away from Tari, heading back to his boat. Realizing he was leaving her, Tari picked up her pack and blanket and ran after him. "Wait! Let me come with you, please!" cried Tari.

"Why in all of Middle-earth do you wish to travel there, alone, unaccompanied, while the roads, woods, fields, and mountains are swarming with orcs no less?" said Bard, as he made it to his boat and climbed in. "I'm still having a hard time believing you made it this far!" clearly exasperated at that fact.
"Please, I am on an important mission. I have come to do business with the Master, business of trade. My village of Bree is very interested in expanding their connections with other cities of men, as well as with other peoples in Middle-earth. We seek to have connections among the many glorious realms in Middle-earth. By having a trade relationship with another city of men, it could bring all people together, and bring us protection." She had prepared this speech for some time, hoping it would convince even Bard the Bargeman to take her to Laketown. But even her small speech didn't seem to impress him. In fact, he looked more amused, which unsettled her.

"The Master of Laketown is the very last person I would suggest that anyone should see or do business with, especially to young maidens. Why did your village send a female to do a man's job? Don't tell me you're the leader of your village?!" he gasped, bracing himself that that might be true.
"Oh no! I come for the good of my people." She faltered here, "I…I have no family, but I do come on their behalf. Since we have no official ruler, the Breelanders look to me as their advocate, and I will not fail them, nor will I break my promise of finding a ruler to protect them."

Bard had to admit that he found her intention admirable, but the mission itself, pointless. "The Master is a crooked and corrupted leech of a man. He would rather take what you have for his own purposes, than help the likes of you and your people," Bard said, without missing a beat.

"Well, perhaps he'll listen to reason," Tari said, with genuine sincerity.
"Reason?! Are you mad, maid?" no longer hiding the feeling of skepticism in his voice.
"I have a name! If only you'd kindly ask what it is," cried Tari.
Realizing that they that had gotten this far in conversation, and he had not bothered asking her name: "Then, pray tell what is your name, my lady?"
"Tari, daughter of Égon."
"Tari," repeated Bard, finding the name different yet pretty when spoken.
There was a slight pause, and Tari broke the silence by saying, "Yes…well. Now would you be so kind as to take me to Laketown?"
"What is in it for me? I do expect to be recompensed for having to take you there," said Bard.
"Of course!" said Tari, kindly. "Forty silver pieces is all I have, but I had hoped to use some of it for my journey. I can give you ten."
"Twenty."
"Twelve."
"Eighteen."
"Fourteen, and that's all I'll offer."
"Make it fifteen then, since I am the one that's agreeing - with reluctance - to take you there."
"All right. Fifteen. Judging by your great need for money, I assume you have need for a lot of drink?" said Tari, not meaning to be that presumptuous, but she could not help herself. She honestly did not know what to make of Bard the Bargeman – if he was a potential threat, a harmless lake dweller, or a man with shady intentions.

She then added, "But then, you don't strike me as a drinker. So it must be that you have a family to feed. Tell me, how many children do you and your wife have?"
Bard looked at her, surprised that she could tell that he was a family man. "If you must know, I have three - two girls and a boy," he replied.
Tari's curiosity got the best of her and she quickly asked him, "And your wife must be very fair?"
Not expecting this, Bard hesitated in responding: "She was…yes. Would you please step into the boat, it'll be dark soon."
"Forgive me! Yes, of course. I suppose it would be best to arrive there before nightfall."
"Aye, the less chatter from you, the better," clearly wanting to end that topic of discussion.
Startled by his sharp comment and regretting her callous words, Tari climbed into the boat quickly and sat down.

"My apologies, sir," she said quietly.

Tari may have been traveling for many months, but her real adventure was just beginning, and with the enigmatic Bard the Bargeman.

*I hope y'all enjoyed it! I'm trying to create a tension between these characters, which I will develop more as the story progresses. Once again, it's a pretty simple story, and I wanted to go straight into them meeting each other. Chapter 2 will be up some time next week! Cheers for now :)