Happy Tuesday! Since next week is a holiday week, I will not post Ch.3 until the following week. However, I made this one a little longer to tie y'all over until then. :) Please leave me some reviews/comments, and if you have some ideas that might make my story stronger, please share! I'm always open for improvement! I hope y'all enjoy this chapter; I'm not trying to speed up the story exactly, but hopefully how it's constructed will make sense as the story progresses. So, hang tight! More to come! Enjoy Ch. 2: Reflections on the Lake! :)

Tari and Bard covered some distance on the river, eventually making their way into the great lake. The weather, too, had changed dramatically, prompting the two travelers to pull their cloaks tighter to their bodies. Tari, mesmerized by the falling snow flurries mixed with the floating mist on the water, became lost in her own thoughts. Their journey had been quiet for some time, and she did not dare open her mouth for anything. Bard could sense the uneasiness in her manner and, regretting his rudeness to her earlier, decided to break the silence between them.

Clearing his throat, he asked her, "Tell me, how old are you, Tari?"
With her reverie broken, she looked up at him, surprised. She answered, "I'm twenty-seven."
"A young woman out on her own? And I assume, unmarried?"
"Yes. What of it?"
"Nothing, I just find it very strange for a woman to be in such a position. Women usually have husbands and children by the time they're your age." He looked at her intently, his curiosity becoming more apparent.
"And yet, according to you, I'm 'unusual.'"
"Aye. That you are."

Tari did not reply, uncertain of saying more. She did not have to wait long when Bard asked her another question.
"You said you traveled from Bree? That is quite a long distance, and one that can be treacherous for those who do not venture out at all."
"I think you will find me capable of defending myself, sir. I was taught how to wield a blade, and I can use the bow and the arrow easily enough."
Bard chuckled, "Aye, I noticed you seemed to know how to handle one – that is, before I shot it out of your hands." A sly smirk forming on his handsome face, Tari noticed.

"You find that funny, Mr. Bard?" crossing her arms, and this time she looked at him intently.
"Forgive me; I could not help myself. I am just having a difficult time trying to understand what sort of person you are, really. First, I gather, you are some wandering traveler, a mistress of weaponry, and a tradeswoman, perhaps? Next thing you'll say that you're a scholar and can speak Elvish!"
"My apologies- if you think I am a woman of importance, I am not. I am merely more self-sufficient than most single women are at my age. However, I do take an interest in reading, the outside world and its people. Most of the folk from Bree think I have lost all my senses enough as it is, filling my head with knowledge, when I should have been married with children long ago. And even then, there has not been one man whom I would even consider as a potential spouse for myself. They are either far too old or already married to drink."
"You will find most men of said types in Laketown as well, I fear. But then, if good fortune is on your side, you may find your husband there after all," the last part he said in the attempt to be light-hearted.
"How was your wife able to find you, if it is not too inquisitive of me to ask?"
"I think, Miss Tari, we must lower our voices here on this part of the river. It is rumored that a party of orcs have been seen here as of late."

"Very well. I will not utter another word for the remainder of our trip, Mr. Bard."

Tari, sensing that the bargeman was not willing to share his personal life with her, ceased talking unless it was necessary. They remained in this awkward silence for some time when finally Bard couldn't take the tension any longer.
"So, you know how to use a bow?"
Tari nodded in agreement.
"Who taught you? One of your scholar friends, perhaps? Assuming that you've acquired a certain knowledge for trade and numbers from one."
Tari looked up at Bard's face as he pulled the oar back and forth in a mechanical fashion, as if he were a part of the boat itself. The questionable look on his face didn't breed contempt or annoyance but rather curiosity.
"No. My father. He taught me how to survive. He was a Ranger from the north; my mentor and protector. When my mother died after I was born, he could not leave me behind with someone he did not know or trust. So he raised me and taught me as much as he could with the little time we had together as a family."
"You mean he's-"
"He died, yes."
"Oh. I am-"
"I was 15," Tari continued, "and ever since then I have tried hard to attain the life he wanted me to have- the life that he fought and died for as a Ranger. Bree is the only home I have ever known, but the village is in trouble and we have no ruler to help us. That is why the people look to me for help; I am the only one whom they can trust, considering that I am just a young woman. That is why, Mr. Bard, I must meet with the Master of Laketown, so that both Laketown and Bree can form an alliance."

Bard was silent for a few moments.

"I know you must have a low opinion of me for my uncharacteristic life that is not normal for a young woman. But like you, I too have had my share of troubles."

Bard looked at Tari for a minute longer before having to take his eyes away from the maiden and focused his attention to what lay beyond the river.

Tari took it as a sign of indifference from the bargeman, and made up her mind not to share any more of her personal life with a stranger, especially with a man of this type.
This frustrated Tari because her instincts had been telling her to trust Bard the Bargeman, and yet his behavior towards her lacked real warmth and friendliness.

Unbeknownst to Tari, Bard's feelings about her had changed. He saw in her a woman, who was also struggling to survive in the world. This was something that he knew all too well. His efforts in helping his own small family, including the people of Laketown, was a challenge he faced daily. The Master was not a man to be trusted and was greatly responsible for the decline and poverty of Laketown. As these thoughts played over in his mind, the silhouettes of the city became visible in the cold, thick mist that enveloped them.

Tari wrapped her cloak tightly around her, as the dampness of the air chilled her to the bone. Her dark hair blew in the breeze catching the light snowflakes that fell upon her head. Bard noticed her then, his keen eyesight that could see through anything. He mentally remarked how lovely Tari was. Her hair fell in long dark waves, her perceptive green eyes were as green as the trees of Mirkwood, her fair pale skin was as white as the flower of simbelmynë from the South; she did not look like a commoner of Bree, but rather a noblewoman of Gondor. And she seemed completely unaware of her beauty, and a probability that no one had told her as much, save for her late father. Upon reflection, she did seem familiar to him but he could not place where he would have met Tari.

As they approached the outskirts of Laketown, Bard said, "We will be docking soon, you best get ready to go ashore."
Tari took the tone of his voice as one that was ready to rid of her company and quickly. Tari's heart sank as she regarded this as not a great start to her journey.

As she was about to step out of the boat, Tari handed Bard a small bag that jingled with coins. "Here. There is your payment. Now you can finally be rid of me and my chatter!" However, Bard grabbed her by the arm.

"Tari, this is my last warning: keep away from the Master. I do not wish you ill, and you must understand that the Master is not to be trusted."

Tari removed herself from his grasp and said, "You still don't believe I can protect myself, do you? You think that because I have accomplishments, it is not enough for me to know how to take care of myself. Do you really think I am that weak and stupid? I've tried to be kind, Mr. Bard, but I can't bear to think that in such a short time you have such a low opinion of me."

She quickly hopped out of the boat, and started to walk away from him, quickly. "Tari, wait!" Bard called after her. No matter how fast she tried to walk away from him, Bard sped up to her and grabbed her from behind. Pulling her out of sight from his Laketown neighbors, he gently made her face him. "Tari, please listen to me," said Bard in a kind whisper.

"You are mistaken, you know. What you said back there, it is not true. I do not have a low opinion of you. I admire your determination and loyalty to your people. Those are rare qualities to be found, even in rulers and masters. Forgive me if I was curt with you, my lady. One does not easily make friends in these parts, and I fear I must protect any woman who must subject herself to the Master's presence, especially the very clever and beautiful ones."

Tari startled by this unexpected proclamation from Bard, she took a step back. She wanted to listen to him but she, too, was stubborn. She had made a promise to her father and her people, and she could not turn back now. Not after the long way she had come and the many dangers she faced.

"Very well. I will not meet with the Master...tonight. In fact, I am rather wearied and cold from the journey. Is there a place I might stay at for night?"

Bard looked at her for a moment and as if he mentally debated this question with himself, he finally said, "I think you will stay with me."

Hmm? What will happen next? Stay tuned to find out in two weeks! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Cheers :)