Disclaimer: I only own Sylwen and Lucy~

Thank you to all my lovely reviewers and followers! Always brings a smile to my face to hear your thoughts on this. Hope you enjoy~!

PS: I found a video on youtube, it isn't mine but it was the video that inspired me to write this. The lyrics just fit so well into the story. I'll link it in my profile (Or you can go onto youtube and search the keywords Demons Bard and it should be the first video by TatyanaOracle. But the link will be in my profile for sure. I definitely encourage you guys to check it out

"You hold it like this." Bard explained, lifting his own bow up as he held it in a manner to which she could copy easily.

Sylwen watched him intently, her gaze examining his form, feeling slightly flustered from the obvious staring before she turned her attention back to her own bow, attempting to mimic his example.

The pair had been at their current activity for awhile now. When they arrived at dock, the barrels from Mirkwood that he was expecting hadn't arrived yet, so they decided to work on Sylwen's archery practice in the meantime.

Bard could tell that she was a natural at handling the bow, her form was perfect but she seemed a little distracted as she struggled, unable to concentrate properly. Chuckling lightly to himself, he leaned his bow against a nearby tree before walking over to where she was standing.

"Let me show you." He offered, stepping behind her as he slid his arms under her own, lifting them so they were at the right angle. His hands cupped hers, in an attempt to stop her trembling.
His chest was pressed against her back, leaving barely any space between the two.

Sylwen's breath hitched in her throat as she felt Bard step behind her, goosebumps arising beneath her clothes as he pressed himself against her, holding her hands as he tried to direct her properly. But her mind had long forgotten about the lesson.

Sylwen found herself becoming increasingly aware of his breath ghosting across her neck, the way his body wrapped around her own, the entire concept could be considered almost intimate.

Time seemed to slow, Sylwen's voice caught in her throat as she felt Bard drop his arms from her own finally, instead resting his hands on her waist. A slight tug caught her off guard as she turned around without a word, letting her arms drop to her side as she looked up at him. Her bow lost to the grass beneath them.

The look in his eyes almost startled her as the heat returned to her cheeks in a rush. She couldn't even begin to describe the look in his eyes, but in that moment, the emotions that were portrayed through his dark gaze, she felt that she hadn't been the only one with these feelings towards him.

Bard stared down at the woman before him, unable to tear his gaze away from her. He wasn't sure what had come over him in that moment, his hands holding her tightly. His body almost seemed to act on its own accord, though he offered no resistance as he took the initiative, his hand sliding up before it rested against her neck, his gaze dropping to her lips.

Sylwen didn't dare move, her heartbeat loud in her ears as she watched the distance between them diminish by the second. Allowing herself to fall into the moment, her eyes fell closed as her hands grasped at the edge of his coat.

Just as she felt the promise of kiss against her lips, she suddenly felt Bard pull away sharply, startling her as her eyes snapped open. Rejection stung at her, a lump forming in her throat as she tore her gaze from him.

"S-Sorry." She quickly murmured, embarrassed as she tried to take a step away from him, but his grip held fast on her, not allowing her to move.

"Shh.." Bard murmured, pulling her against him tightly, his eyes peeling on the bush ahead of him.

The faint sound of splashing came from the direction of the river, and he could make out several different voices as well, causing his eyebrows to furrow slightly.

"Stay here." He told her, looking down at her as he saw the confusion written across her face. He smiled softly, giving her a light squeeze before letting her go. He grabbed his bow and arrows, having one at the ready before quietly making his way through the bush towards the river.

Sylwen stood silently as he disappeared into the trees, lifting a finger to her lips. So..it wasn't rejection then. Her heart leapt again, biting back a smile that threatened to spread across her face.

Bard carefully stepped out onto the rock, finding much to his surprise, a pack of dwarves sitting on the shore. Along with the barrels he was supposed to pick up today.

Stepping to the edge of the rock, he held his bow low as he watched the group, gaining their attention.

The burly looking one turned round with a stick in his hand as he raised it, Bard meeting his movements as he swiftly lifted his bow, firing an arrow as it lodged itself into the wood. Another younger one lifted a large rock, getting ready to throw it at him as he quickly slid another arrow out of his quiver, shooting the rock out of his hand.
He readied another arrow, watching the group carefully as he didn't let his guard down. "Do it again. And you're dead." He warned them.

The dwarves fell silent, lingering for a few moments before the white haired dwarf finally spoke up. "Excuse me, but um..you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken." He inquired, taking a step forward, stopping when the arrow was aimed at him.

Bard kept his bow taught, staying alert. "That barge over there.." The dwarf continued, Bard's gaze shifting towards where his barge was docked. "It wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?"

Bard lowered his bow slightly, hearing the bush rustle behind him as he turned around, watching as Sylwen emerged slowly.

She was surprised, to say the least. She had been waiting as Bard had told her, but when she heard the ruckus at the river, she grew worried, venturing out of the bush. But as she was met with a group of dwarves, she turned her gaze to Bard. "I heard a noise and I got worried.." She said softly, nearing him hesitantly.

Bard's expression softened slightly, returning his arrow to his quiver before taking a step back from the edge of the rock. "Its alright." He told her, glancing back at the dwarves.

Thorin stood back as he watched the scene before him, his jaw tensing slightly as he caught sight of the elf. After just barely escaping them, he wasn't too keen on seeing another too soon. He couldn't be certain if she was a scout from Mirkwood, but he wouldn't take any chances.

"I don't believe shes from Mirkwood." Bilbo's hushed whisper came from behind the dwarven prince. Thorin looked at the Hobbit.

"What?"

Bilbo watched the elven woman quietly, listening to the dwarves exchange quiet whispers. "I didn't see her at all when I was there. And if she were, she'd already be trying to stop us." He pointed out.

Thorin's lips formed into a thin line, gaze shifting back to the elf. Bilbo had not let them down before, so he decided to take Bilbo's word on it, but he refused to let his guard drop around her. Or the bargeman.

Sylwen rubbed her hands, trying to circulate the warmth into them as she stood near the boat, Bard working to roll the barrels onto the barge while the group of dwarves stood off to the side, seeking passage across the lake.

"What makes you think I would help you?" Bard grunted as he rolled another barrel onto the barge, standing up again as he let out a breath, looking back at the white haired dwarf.

"Those boots have seen better days." He observed, trying to talk their way onto the bargeman's good side, after their introduction. "As has that coat." He added in.

Bard listened to them talk, keeping Sylwen's advice in mind. "It was self defense. We should help them across the lake if they need to get there. And you need the money Bard. After buying my bow.."
He shook his head slightly. She was so selfless, but that was one of her endearing qualities.

"No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed." The dwarf continued, chuckling lightly. "How many beards?"

Bard stepped up to another barrel, hesitating for a moment. "A boy and two girls." He replied finally, rolling the barrel onto the barge.

"And you're wife, I imagine. Is just a beauty." He pressed, but quickly realized he hit a sore spot; it seemed, between both of them.

Sylwen had been quietly standing while Bard loaded the barge, mildly listening to the conversation while she watched the lake. But as the topic of Bard's wife came up, she felt herself tense, guilt washing over her at the mention.

Bard's wife.

Her heart clenched in her chest, feeling the tension rising as she dared to glance back, waiting for his answer.

Bard slowly rose at the mention, pressing his lips together as he paused for a moment, his mind drifting back to his late wife. "Aye," The pause was so brief that it wouldn't be shown on the surface, but beneath the waters churned and memories drifted a float of the woman that had taken a vital piece of him. "She was." The briefest of pause gone as a reminder of what was also out of his grasp now. He turned around as he caught Sylwen's gaze, to which she quickly looked back out at the lake, avoiding his gaze.

Their eyes met only long enough to convey the feelings that struggled between him, her eyes left his far too quickly. There was no denying the building feelings between herself and Bard, but right now he was a man stuck between the past and the woman he had vowed to love, and the future where hope was daring to shine on those misty cold waters.

If there was anything Balin had wished he could take back, it'd be the words he just spoke. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean too.." Regret laced his voice, not only for resurfacing old memories, but as old as he may be, he didn't miss the look in the elven woman's soft gaze.

There was a groan from group, Dwalin turning around with a grunt. "Oh come on, come on! Enough with the niceties." He grumbled, his patience seemingly wearing thin.

Bard let out a breath of air, focusing on the task at hand instead, knowing it would do no good for him to think back to the past. He had learnt that the hard way years ago.
"What's your hurry?"

"What's it to you?" The dwarf grunted back in his direction.

"I would like to know who you are." Bard replied, stepping off the boat. "And what you are doing in these lands." He added in, leaning on a barrel as he waited for their answer.

It was the white haired dwarf that retook the conversation as he smiled politely. "We are simple merchants from the blue mountains. Journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills." He finished off with what only Bard could imagine was the most innocent look the dwarf could muster.

He wasn't convinced though. "Simple merchants you say?" He raised an eyebrow as he rolled the barrel onto the boat.

Another stepped forth this time, catching his attention.

"We need food. Supplies." There was a pause, as Bard watched him. "Weapons. Can you help us?"

Bard stood up, his gaze drifting over the group for a moment as he sighed. His gaze dropped to the barrels, mulling over his thoughts. "I know where these barrels came from." He spoke, fingers running over the splinters of wood that had been split off.

"What of it?" The same dwarf spoke up again, though there was a hint of defensiveness in his voice.

Shaking his head, Bard walked forward. "I don't know what business you had with the elves. But I don't think it ended well." He fired at him, as he could see the animosity in the dwarfs eyes.

"No one enters Laketown but by leave of the master." He told them, bending down as he picked up the rope. "All his wealth comes from trade with the woodland realm." He strung the rope around before tossing it onto the stone dock.

Sylwen approached the edge of the boat, once she had gathered her thoughts as she watched the two dwarves exchange looks and unvoiced words. She stayed silent though as Bard picked up his bow and arrows, slipping past him as she seated herself near the back of the boat.

"Sylwen." Bard turned to her, catching her attention as he held out his hand. "I need to hide those." He nodded to her bow and arrow.

"Oh right." She quickly stood up, clearing her throat as she slid them off her shoulder before handing them to him. Their gazes locked once again, but as she was about to pull back, something stopped her. He was looking at her. And though the guilt still stung at her slightly, she couldn't bring herself to stop. If only because she knew Bard made the same choice to move forward as well..

"I'll wager there's ways to enter that town unseen." The voice broke through, as Bard turned around, stepping around the barrels. "Aye. But for that you'd need a smuggler." He said, bending down as he placed their bows and arrows down, covering them with the blanket.

"For which we will pay double." The voice was closer, startling Bard as he looked up to find him at the edge of the boat, determination shining behind his wrinkles. Bard slowly stood up, letting out a breath of air before he glanced back at Sylwen, who had already given him his answer.

"Fine. Get on."

Authors Note: And here ya have it! Finally getting into the movie plot line. This chapter was definitely one of the longer ones. I suspect now that I'm getting into the movie part of the story the chapters are going to be longer. I just couldn't find a good spot to cut off so I just rolled with it until the end. Still went fairly alright anyway.
I apologize for the lack of Lucy in the past few chapters, I've been trying to focus on Bard and Sylwen since Lucy was just meant as a side character. She'll most likely make an appearance once the group return to Lake Town. On that note, who's excited for the last movie! I'm sad it'll be the last one.
In all honesty I was never really into the Tolkien fandom up until last year. I didn't dislike but I never gave much thought to it either. Until my friend dragged me to DoS and I fell completely in love with the story and its characters. Thus this story xD I'm so glad you guys like it, I'm always trying to write to the best of my abilities, worrying you guys might not like the new chapter. But you never fail me!

So look forward to the next chapter and dont forget to R&F *hands cookies to everyone*