Disclaimer: Only own Sylwen and Lucy

Authors Note: I've been on a writing binge for the past couple days it seems. Ever since I got all these lovely reviews rolling into my hotmail throughout the day. I never imagined this story would get this far. And on top of that, I've already gotten Chapter 10 finished ahead of time. But I'll wait a few days to post it. Then Chapter 11 is when we start getting into the movie plot line! Super excited for that.

ENJOY!

"I've got to make another trip across lake in two days." Bard said as he bagged the two rabbits, placing it by the wooden seat. "Barrels from Mirkwood should be coming down stream." He said, looking over at Sylwen as she made herself comfortable for the trip home.

The young elf nodded, smiling softly as she looked out at the waters. "So its usually just barrels your picking up?" She asked, glancing back as she watched him set his bow and arrows on the floor of the boat, her gaze lingering for a few moments before he covered it up with a blanket.

"Mostly yes." Bard replied, pulling the rope from the dock, pushing the boat from the land as it began to float into the water. "There's a small post a ways off from there, that I can stop for trade. Its off course so I only stop there if I need." He told her, taking a hold of the bow as he maneuvered the barge through the waters.

Sylwen watched as the shore began to grow smaller and smaller, until the fog that began to settle on the lake obstructed her view of it. Leaning back a bit, she cupped her hands in front of her as she blew into them, warming them from the chilled air.

A sight caught her attention though as she peered through the fog, her gaze settling on a mountain that sat in the distance, the fog almost too thick to see through, but her gaze has zeroed in on the mountain, staring at it quietly. Something stirred in the back of her mind as she gazed at the mountain, the shine of gold against stone walls, the quiet clinking sound they made as they cascaded down like waterfalls. A warmth that could cut through any chilled night..

"What is that?" She asked as she pointed in the direction of the mountain, catching Bards attention.

Bard's gaze followed to where she was pointing, his gaze setting upon the mountain in the distance. "The Lonely Mountain." He told her, lips pressing together slightly as he didn't go into any more detail than that.

"Lonely Mountain.." The worlds rolled off her tongue, her gaze still fixated on the mountain. Something at the back of her mind nagged her to remember, almost taunting her to dare to put together the puzzle pieces. The further they moved into the lake, the more fog began to settle, the view of the mountain beginning to fade away.

"Sylwen?" A hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts, glancing up at Bard who stood over her with a concerned look on his face.

Bard had begun to notice little things about her as he spent more time with her. He'd notice the moments when she'd fall silent, spacing out completely. It was then he knew she was remembering something, but each time he'd ask she'd never elaborate. But as she began to fall into her trance again, asking about the mountain, he felt an uneasy sensation wash over him. Especially with knowing what laid inside the mountain.

Sylwen smiled softly. "It was a faint image." She told him, looking at his hand on her shoulder as she lifted her own to place it on his, but paused as she instead played with a strand of hair. "It didn't make much sense." She wiggled her nose slightly. "But it doesn't matter." She said finally, tilting her head back as she looked up at him, smiling softly. "Perhaps I was meant to forget those memories. And even not, I'm okay with it. Because I can make new ones. With you, and Lucy. Sigrid, Bain and Tilda." She told him, feeling as if a weight was lifted off her chest as she spoke.

Bard listened as she spoke, feeling the emotion wash over him from her words. Any concerns he had previously had were swept away with her words, before he chuckled softly. "I suppose that means you'll be staying?" He asked, squeezing her shoulder slightly as he watched the guilt sweep over her face.

"I'm glad." He told her before she could speak, lifting his hand as he brushed it against her cheek slightly, watching her lean into his touch. But before any more could happen, he realized the town was coming into view, and along with it stood the guard waiting at the gate.

He stood up quickly, grabbing Sylwen's arm as he pulled her to her feet. "Stay beside me." He told her sternly, returning to the stern of the boat as he approached the gate.

"Whats this about?" Bard asked as he slowed the boat to a stop, his gaze set on Braga and his men, wearily as he kept Sylwen at his side.

Braga stepped forth. "I should be asking you the same question, bargeman." He said, his gaze hard as he looked at the woman at his side. "Who's your friend?" He asked, putting his foot onto the edge of the boat, making it rock slightly. "I was told that you left with her, and yet we have no records of her checking into town." He said grimly. "Wonder why that is."

Bard stood his ground, his lips set in a thin line as he watched Braga carefully, judging his actions. "I didn't have a chance to check her in when I brought her." He said, stepping in front of Sylwen. "She was dying. There's more important things than to check in when someone is dying." He said sternly, not budging from his spot.

Braga took another step onto the boat. "No exceptions, bargeman." He said, unlatching the irons from his waist. "So we'll be taking her into custody. Anyone who passes these gates without first checking in is illegal."

Bard just about bristled at the threat, clenching his fist slightly. "She's not going anywhere." He said defiantly, never moving from his spot in front of Sylwen. He felt her small hand on his back, relaxing slightly at her touch but he refused to move.

"Then you will go in her place." Braga said, standing on the edge of the boat as he waited.

Bard stood there, his jaw set tightly before he turned around, putting his hands on either side of Sylwen's cheeks, this thumbs brushing her skin gently. "Go straight home and lock the door." He told her.

"No I won't leave without you." She said, shaking her head slightly as her hands grasped his arms.

"You must. I promise I will get this figured out. Just wait for me." He told her, giving her a reassuring smile before he stepped away from her.

Sylwen stood helplessly as Bard moved the boat into dock, stepping off as Braga arrested him, casting one last glance at him before he was dragged off.

"I'm sorry.." Sylwen was quiet as she sat in front of the fire, her hands clasped around a warm mug. She had returned home safely, and locked the door as Bard had told her. It was well past dark now, Tilda and Bain had already fallen asleep, while Sigrid waited up with her, hoping Bard would come home. "This is my fault."

Sigrid looked over at Sylwen as she sat beside her, she had been quiet most of the night after Sylwen had arrived home and explained what happened. She wasn't sure anything she could have said would have made her feel any better.
"Don't blame yourself." She told her, lifting a hand as she rubbed her back gently. She could see in her eyes that she cared about her father, and she had noticed the way her father looked at Sylwen as well. She couldn't pretend not to see it anymore. "Father's always been this way. He always puts us before himself, and now you as well. He'd rather take the burden than put it on someone else." She told her, before leaning over as she hugged her.

Sylwen's eyes widened slightly as she sat there, a bit shocked by the action. Sigrid hadn't shown much sign of acceptance towards her since she arrived, and though she didn't blame her. In a way, she was stepping into play where her mother should have been. But as the eldest girl hugged her, she felt the tension lift from the room. "Thank you.." She said softly, turning as she wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

There was a sudden knock at the door, startling the two girls as Sylwen stood up. "Wait here." She said, walking to the door as she peered out the window. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she saw Bard standing outside the door, looking tired and weary. Hastily unlocking the door, she swung it open before launching herself outside, throwing her arms around his neck as she hugged him tightly. "Thank Eru.." She whispered, feeling the tears pricking at her eyes as she held onto him.

Bard was surprised as Sylwen threw herself at him, though a tired smile crossed his lips as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her hair. "Lucy had taken it upon herself to check you into town not long after your arrival. So she had the papers, they couldn't do anything." He breathed out, letting his fingers tangle in her hair slightly.

Sigrid stood there for a few moments, watching the scene before she smiled softly. Perhaps things would turn out better than expected after all..

Lucy quietly snuck into her bedroom via the window, hearing Alfrid in the living room cussing and cursing about Bard. Snickering to herself, she shook her head slightly before climbing onto her bed. She had learnt over the years to always been a step ahead of her father. Especially when it came to Bard and his family.

Authors Note: I want to thank you all for reviewing, following and all that lovely stuff. It really is thanks to you guys that give me the will to continue writing this story. It makes me happy to write it as happy as you guys are to read it.
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R&R