Authors Note: My GOD! I am SO SORRY! It took so long for me to get this out T_T I've just been busy with work lately and just completely unmotivated to write lately. I'm not even sure why. My creative writing classes got cancelled on me cause not enough people signed up and I was totally bummed out about that. But I'll try and update a little sooner than a month.
On another note, this chapter went in the completely opposite direction than I had planned on. Its just a filler, but still! Just a warning, it gets a little smutty ;P
ENJOY!

Darkness had descended upon Dale, and with the darkness came the solitude. Finding herself unable to sleep that night, emerald eyes slowly fluttered open before she gazed up at the ceiling of the house she was huddled inside with the children. She sat up, careful not to wake anyone as she glanced down at Tilda, who had been curled up against her.

She smiled softly, sliding out of the blankets before she pulled them up around the small girl, tucking her in before standing up. Sigrid slept on the other side of Tilda, Lucy and Bain sharing the blankets next to her. Standing there for a few moments, Sylwen felt herself torn. This was her family..this was her home. Her life.

And yet her past continued to plague her, the memories and feelings surfacing at the most inconvenient times. She couldn't put it to rest..no matter how hard she tried.

Turning finally, she slipped out of the archway that served as a door to the house, walking outside into the darkness. The ghost of a breeze blew through her ginger hair, causing her to shiver lightly. Her feet lead her along the pathway that overlooked the valley that laid between Dale and Erabor, slowing to a stop as she gazed upon the mountain.

It felt like it was too soon that she was seeing it again. Too soon he was gone. She hadn't even gotten a chance to speak with him, explain why she had run away. If she thought about it, it almost felt like everything had happened to fast.

Her forgotten memories returning, Smaug being shot down from the sky and returning to Dale. A shaky breath escaped her lips, watching as her breath clouded in front of her before disappearing into the air.

The sudden weight on her shoulders startled her out of her thoughts, tilting her head back as she was met with the warm chocolate gaze, feeling a mixture of worry and relaxation at once. She tore her gaze away again, snuggling into the coat as she smiled weakly. "Thank you.." She whispered.

Bard watched her as she avoided his gaze, feeling a tug at his chest before he sighed softly. "Sylwen.." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back against him as he let his forehead rest upon her shoulder.

Sylwen tensed slightly at his touch, but then relaxed shortly afterwards, lifting her hands as she rested them on his, leaning her head against his. "I know.." She whispered softly, feeling a heaviness resting upon her heart. He didn't need to speak to know what he was thinking.

The battle was tomorrow...the casualties were going to be countless. Her eyes lingered on Erabor for a few moments before she let her eyelids fall closed, pressing her lips together. "I need to tell you what happened.." She said softly, her voice wavering but she felt she needed to do it now before it was too late.

Bard shook his head, his grip tightening on her. "No you don't." He spoke softly, lifting his head as she turned around in his arms, looking down at her as he smiled softly.

"It matters not to me what happened. All that matters to me now, is that you're here, in my arms." He told her, pressing his lips against her forehead softly.

Sylwen felt the warmth spread throughout her body, shutting her eyes tightly as she gripped onto his shirt, her heart aching. She didn't deserve this..

"I loved him."

What felt like hours was only a matter of time before Bard spoke. "Do you hate me?" He asked, and she could hear the strain in his voice and she knew just how terrifying the thought alone could be.

"No!" She pulled back quickly, looking up at him, surprised to find a smile on his face. She blinked once, feeling confused before she pressed on. "No, I don't hate you. I don't blame you either.." She dropped her gaze to her feet, biting her lip. "You had to do it. I know that..there was no choice in the matter and if I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing." She explained, swallowing a lump in her throat.

"I could never hate you.." She choked out, the mere thought paining her. To hate him.. She shook her head. "No.. I love you." She whispered quietly, lifting her gaze to meet his once again.

Affirmation glimmered in her emerald eyes, and Bard could have sworn he saw the starlight reflecting in them. She was impossibly attractive at that very moment; Bard lifting a hand as he gently brushed it across her cheek. Despite the grime that clung to her and despite not being able to have a proper bath since they left Laketown, her skin was smooth and soft to the touch.

"And I love you." He told her, brushing his hand through her hair as he let his hand rest on the back of her neck, looking down at her. "That's all that matters." He told her, his other hand dropping to her waist as he pulled her closer to him, dipping down as he captured her lips in a soft kiss before she could speak.

Sylwen's heart leapt in her chest as she felt his lips against hers for the second time, feeling the tears burning behind her eyes but she fought it back, easing into the kiss as her mind battled her body. Her arms that were previously gripping his shirt, slid up around his neck, pressing back into him and only furthering to deepen the kiss.

Bard felt her move against him, his grip tightening on her as something alighted inside him, an old flame he had never dared to touch in years. She made no move to protest as he pressed her back against the stone ledge, his hand tangling in her hair as he finally broke the kiss for a momentary breather. Their gazes locked for the first time in what felt like days to Bard, the emotions bright in her green eyes.

"Bard..I.."

"No more words." He said softly, stopping her before she could continue as he chuckled softly, feeling a gentle tug from her. He gladly obliged, his lips connecting with hers once again.

Sylwen could feel the sudden change in their moods, the kiss feeling more heated this time around as it all but took her breath away, her heartbeat picking up even more so as she became vividly aware of the decreasing space between them, her back against the wall.

She barely had a moment to notice him break the kiss yet again, opening her mouth to protest but what came out instead was an airy gasp as she felt his lips brush against the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine as he grip tightened on him involuntarily.

"Bard!" She squeaked out, feeling the heat rushing to her cheeks as she tangled her fingers in his hair, shutting her eyes tightly as she couldn't focus on anything but the soft kisses that he trailed across her skin.

Bard's hands dropped to her waist, feeling his own heartbeat pick up slightly, trailing butterfly kisses across her neck as he listened to the quiet sounds that Sylwen struggled but failed to keep back, daring to even go as far as to nip lightly, pleasantly surprised to hear a faint moan passed her lips.

Valar save him.

Bard was testing the waters, unsure just how far Sylwen would let him go before she pushed back. But as he felt her nails rake his scalp lightly, egging him to continue, he did just that.

He slid his hands under her, lifting her onto the ledge as he stepped between her legs, his hands sliding under his jacket that rested on her shoulders, gripping her waist tightly as she responded positively to him, despite the quiet squeak of surprise.

A small chuckle escaped his lips, lifting his head once more as he caught her in another heated kiss.

Sylwen's heart rammed loudly in her ears, her skin burning at his touch as she pressed herself closer to him, the sensations that wreaked havoc on her body was all new to her, though she was well aware of where this could and might just lead to, she didn't want to stop it.

Only him.

She felt his hands grip her waist, a thumb pressing past her shirt and brushed against her skin, causing her to arch her back slightly, pulling back from the kiss as she breathed heavily, arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Bard felt her skin beneath his fingertip, hearing her breath in his ear before he leaned his forehead against her shoulder, pulling his hands back as he wrapped them around her waist, hugging her tightly.

This wasn't the time for something like that..as much as he struggled to stop himself; He wanted more..

"We can't.." He said softly, listening to her breathing until it slowly began to return to normal, pulling back finally as he looked down at her, her cheeks still flushed a pretty pink and her gaze still half lidded. There were no words to explain just how beautiful she looked..

Sylwen clung tightly to him as he slowed his actions to a stop, swallowing hard as she tried to even her breathing out. Which was alot more of a struggle than one would think. She knew he was right though..

As much as she hated to admit it, she got caught up in the moment. As did he. She didn't regret it though, and she felt like she wouldn't regret it had they fallen through with it. "I know.." She said finally, looking up at him as she smiled softly, leaning up as she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

Bard returned the kiss before standing up, letting her slide to her feet as he patted down her disheveled hair. "We should get some sleep..it's going to be a long day tomorrow." He told her, taking her hand in his as he squeezed it tightly. "I need you to take care of the children." He told her as they began back to the house they were staying in.

Sylwen, as much as she wanted to have joined them in the battle, knew she'd only slow them down. It had been decades since she used a bow and arrow, let alone a sword. "I'd die before any harm came to them." She swore.

Bard couldn't help but laugh, leaning down as he kissed her head softly. "I don't think you need to take such drastic measures Syl." He told her, entering the house as they both settled down beside the kids, pulling her into his arms. "Goodnight.."

A small smile tugged at Sylwen's lips as she relaxed in his embrace, letting her eyes fall closed. "Goodnight Bard.." She murmured softly.

Despite everything though, her sleep was plagued with nightmares that she just couldn't shake, the feeling following her until the break of dawn.

She still couldn't put her past to rest, and the day of the battle was upon them, making her even more uneasy than she already was. And if matters weren't bad as is, Thranduil had called upon not only Bard but herself as well.

Examining herself, Sylwen patted down the new clothes that Thranduil had been so kind as to bestow upon them. She was thankful to the king, feeling much warmer than the water logged clothes she had been wearing up until then. Stepping out of the tent that she had changed in, Bard was waiting outside for her, dressed in the new clothes he was given.

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, stepping up to him. "Dashing as always." She joked lightly, trying to lighten the mood. Thankfully it worked as a smile crossed his lips.

Bard could sense the change in Sylwen after last night, the light in her eyes beginning to return and with it she was beginning to act like her old self. He was relieved, to say the least. His gaze traveled down her body, examining her attire. He had overheard her protests against the elven-like clothing that had been produced to her originally, a small smile tugging at his lips at the thought. Even though she was half elven originally, she was all but mortal now...for him. She stood by her beliefs and refused to go back to anything that was elvish. She wanted to live as a human. And for that he couldn't express just how much he loved her.

Sylwen adorned a dark brown coat that reached mid thigh, tighter black pants and the same mukluks that he had bought her when she first arrived in his care. He couldn't help but laugh softly, leaning down as he gave her a chaste kiss. "Lets go...Thranduil is waiting for us." He told her.

Sylwen pressed her lips together, sliding her hand into his as she felt him squeeze gently reassuringly, nodding once before they made for the tent that homed the King of the Woodland realm.