Sunlight filtered in through the grimy windows of the wooden house, a cool breeze blowing through the cracks, the Bargemen releasing a quiet groan as he rolled over in his bed, not particularly enjoying the sun burning against his eyelids, nor the cold air so early in the morning. After a few moments he sat up, a small yawn passing his lips as he ran a hand through his greying hair, tugging at the knots.

Hearing voices and bustling coming from the kitchen, Bard began to question if it was actually as early as he first guessed. A voice spoke up in the kitchen, catching his attention as he didnt recognize it. Suspicion surging through him, he pulled on his wool shirt over the thin cotton one, before walking out from his bedroom, his eyes spotting a familiar black haired girl at his table.

"Da you're awake!" Tilda greeted happily, jumping up from her seat as she ran over to him, throwing her tiny arms around his waist in greeting.

Bard smiled softly. "Good morning darling." He greeted, bending down a bit as he hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. Standing up again, he turned his attention to Lucy, who sat at the table. "I wasn't expecting a visitor so early in the morn." He said, walking over as he watched her, a bit leery of having a guest in his home, especially with the unconscious girl still in the room behind them.
"Any sign yet?" He inquired, looking over at his eldest child.

Sigrid shook her head as she stirred the porridge cooking on the stove. "Nothing yet." She replied, looking over at her father. She had changed the hotpot this morning when she woke up, the girl finally having the color back to her face, but still hadnt shown any signs of waking just yet.

Bain sat at the table, hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea as they waited for the breakfast, hungry but happy. Lucy coming over was unannounced and unexpected but he didn't exactly have any complaints. He was a bit glad she did actually. It had been awhile since he had seen her, and though being Alfrid's daughter, she held no resemblance to him other than her sleek black hair. Though he never said it aloud, he was sure at least Sigrid had already caught onto his teen crush on the girl. She had tried speaking to him about it before, but he had just gotten embarrassed and avoided the topic altogether.

Sigrid had already filled Lucy in on exactly what her father had told them the previous night about the girl. After all, walking into a friend's house and finding an unconscious girl inside would rise more than a few questions.

"So.." Lucy began as she leaned her chin in her hand, looking over at Bard who stopped what he was doing. "Why do you have an unconscious girl in your home, Bargemen?" The sarcasm flowing through her voice thickly.

Lucy knew Bard was not overly fond of her father, though honestly she held no bitterness about it against him. She didn't exactly like her father either. But he was her father, and the only thing she had that was remotely close to a family, and a place to permanently go. She accepted the hand she was dealt in life and made it work as best she could for herself.
Lucy's mother had died when she was only 6, she had been lost to a sickness that plauged the city. Among others that had been taken with the plauge. Including Bard's wife. That had been 9 years ago, and since then Lucy had to learn how to raise herself. Her father hadnt looked at her for years, barely acknowledging her presence. And when he finally did, it was with those cold eyes that she had grown to hate.

Bard knew that jab was coming his way; Lucy always made a habit to push his buttons about anything she could pick up. Clearing his throat slightly, ushering Tilda back to her seat at the table. "I found her out in the lake yesterday." He explained to her as he did to his children the previous night, though a feeling of uneasiness washed over him as he walked over across the room, checking up on the girl. The color had returned to her cheeks, and her breathing had evened out to light intakes. She almost seemed like she was sleeping, so why hadnt she woken up yet? Bard stood up once more, walking over to the fire as he tossed another log into it to keep it alive and roaring. "She would have been dead if I hadn't have found her when I did." He stared into the fire for a few moments, before turning to look at Lucy once again, who was staring at him blankly, causing him to stop and think.

Why was he trying to explain himself like he had done some dirty act toward the woman? Well...all except for changing her shirt in the boat, but it wasn't as if he had seen anything he shouldn't have. Plus he had to otherwise she would have frozen. Bard cleared his throat once again, returning to the kitchen area as he grabbed some bowls out of the cupboard for the porridge, trying to distract himself from the amused look the young girl was sending his way.

Lucy merely raised an eyebrow in mild amusement. "Do you always go around fishing pretty girls out of strange bodies of water?" She asked curiously, her lips curling upwards in a half smile when he didnt respond. She grabbed the mug in front of her, breathing in the rich caffeinated drink. It warmed the inside of her nose, making her feel more awake then she already was. She had yet to return home from the previous night, knowing the argument that would be awaiting her arrival. Only growing even more in the hours of her absence; that she was sure of.

"Is it alright if I stay here a little longer?" She spoke up finally, looking up at Bard sheepishly. "I locked Alfrid out of the house last night," She explained, laughing slightly at the memory. "I can only imagine how angry he is with me."

Lucy never once had given him the title as her father out loud, though she knew that's what he was, as unfortunate as it could have been. In some ways, she thought maybe she could've been grateful he chose to keep her rather than just throw her to the side. She barely remembered her mother, after years of focusing on taking care of herself, the memories of her mother had began to blur into nothingness. Alfrid was only blood, not her parent. If anything he was simply a mild nuisance she was forced to live under the same roof with. She took care of herself. Though, on occasion he did try, though she refused to see it as such.

Bard wished she wouldn't word it in such a way, as he hadnt ever thought of looking at another woman since his wife passed away nine years ago. Most men would have moved on after three and gotten themselves another wife, but Bard couldnt quite let himself do that. Getting a look from his eldest, he avoided the topic of the girl and what Lucy had said.

A small smile twitched as his lips as an airy chuckle passed his lips, he could only imagine the fit Alfrid must have had last night after being locked out. He was surprised he hadnt heard from him yet this morning since Lucy was almost always at his house in her free time.

"I don't mind." He replied finally, shaking his head lightly. He could only imagine Alfrid eventually making his way here to find his daughter though. Lucy had a tendency to take cover here whenever her and her father would have a dispute of some sort.

There was a thick knock at the door suddenly, starting him a bit. "Speak of the devil" He mused, a little surprised at the time.

"That must be the doctor." Sigrid piped up, turning the stove off as she hurried to the door, catching Bard's attention as he watched her rush to the door.
"Doctor?"
"I sent for him when I woke." Sigrid explained as she opened the door.
Bard smiled softly, some days she was far too much like her mother..

The doctor stepped in, greeting the family as Sigrid explained the situation.

"It's a miracle she's still alive." The grey haired man said as he went to the bed the girl was currently residing in, pulling back the blankets. He checked her over, making sure she didn't have any frostbite. Again, he was a bit surprised that she had no sign of it. "She's in a hypothermia induced coma." He explained, sitting back as he began to rummage through his bag of herbal medicine.

Bard stood up straight, looking at the girl as his eyes grew concerned. She had no frostbite yet she was in a coma? "How do you bring her out of it?" He asked, walking over near the bed.

Lucy watched quietly from the table, watching the concern wash over Bard in waves. He probably didnt even realize it himself. A smile tugged at her lips, taking a sip of her drink as she continued to observe the scene as it played out.

"I believe I've got something in here." The doctor replied, pulling out a few herbs as he turned around. "Boil me some water can you?" He asked Sigrid, who nodded, rushing to the stove as requested. Bard paused for a moment, shifting his position slightly, feeling a little unnerved. "How can I pay you for this?" He asked, knowing they were poor as it was and he was sure the treatment he was giving the girl would cost a fortune.

The doctor merely chuckled at his question. "You can't put a price on saving a life." He told him, waving his hand slightly to signal that it was alright. He knew Bard, and he knew that he was one of the few good men around here. He wouldnt feel right charging him. He looked back at the female in the bed. Perhaps if she survived and stuck around here, maybe she could fill the hole he knew the Bargeman harboured.
He couldn't help but smile a bit at the thought. Even at his age he was still a little meddlesome.

Bard smiled a bit, obviously relieved. "Thank you.." He breathed, glad that there was still some good spirited folks left in town still. Sigrid brought the doctor the hot water once it had boiled, stepping back to let him do his job.
The household fell silent as the doctor went to work, mixing the herbs in the bowl until the liquid had turned a dark green.

"Sit her up." He ordered Bard as he set the bowl on the table beside him. Bard nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed as he slid his arm under her back, gently lifting her into a sitting position, leaning her for against his side as he held her there.

The doctor scooped a spoonful of the steaming liquid, tipping it into her parted lips. Bard sat there quietly, watching as the cup was soon empty and the medicine was down her throat. All was silent as he watched the girl quietly for a few moments.

"Hopefully, she should wake up in a few hours." The doctor informed Bard, who nodded. "Otherwise I'm surprised how well she looks. My job is done" He told him and Bard nodded, laying her down once again and covering her up.

"Thank you again." Bard thanked him, only recieving a nod in response. Gathering his things, the doctor bid the family a farewell and left the house.

"Is she going to be alright?" Tilda asked, watching her father from the table, the first to speak up once the doctor had left.

Bard glanced back at the girl, his gaze lingering for a few moments before nodding. "She should be." He answered, returning to the table finally as he sat down, noticing Lucy had been staring at him as he looked at her with a questioning look.

Lucy only giggled, shaking her head lightly as she put down her mug, stretching slightly. "Nothing." She smiled, looking back at him. He definately didnt realize it yet..

Authors Note: Second chapter is up! Woo we're on a roll. Ill be editing chapter 3 in the next couple days. Followed by 4 and 5. From there on updates might be slower since Ill need to start writing out full chapters. But things are going smoothly :D I write most of my ideas in a little notebook while Im at work. I got rough drafts for most of the important scenes up to the point where Bard meets the Dwarves at the river. Depending on how long it takes me to catch up to the end of DOS, the story will be on Hiatus until the last movies comes out in December. Since Ive never read the book, I havent a clue what happens xD Im throwing my own ideas in and will be following the movie plot where Bard's included with the Dwarves.
Sometimes I feel like I write too much in the AN xD Too excited to be writing properly again after all this time with writers block can do that to you!
R & R!