Finally some Fluff! Not much, but it's still there.

Legolas and Aragorn made camp when the sun set. Legolas stood, looking out onto the lake while Aragorn unrolled his bedroll. "Where do you think your father would have gone?" Aragorn asked.

"I do not know. The only time he has left the kingdom is for war. I highly doubt he would seek any of those places as refuge." Legolas answered.

"Only a day has passed, he couldn't have gotten far." Aragorn said. "We should look at nearby towns he could have come across."

Legolas nodded, "I hope he is alright."

Aragorn smiled, "I don't think you have anything to worry about Legolas. Your father doesn't seem to be one who is taken down easily, even without his powers."

(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)

The small group managed to make it out of the forest without running into any spiders. They made camp just outside the tree line, Dwalin made his own small camp far away from Tauriel. Kili decided to set up near Tauriel, even when Fili joined Dwalin.

"You do not have to sleep here Dwarf. You should go join your Kin." Tauriel said as she added wood to the fire.

"Oh don't worry about them. They won't miss me." Kili assured.

Tauriel gave him an odd look.

"My name's Kili." Kili said after a short silence.

"Tauriel"

"So, Captain of the Guard huh? You must be quite the fighter."

"I am" She replied simply.

Another awkward silence passed, but Kili couldn't think of anything to say so he lied down on his bedroll and started humming quietly. He missed the small smile that graced Tauriel's face as she listened to his quiet song.

(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)

Night fell and Thranduil found he couldn't sleep. He snuck out and sat on the roof, looking out to his forest. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear Bard approach him until the man was sitting next to him.

"Are you missing home?" The man asked.

"I am"

"Why don't you return?"

"I cannot. They are better off without me."

"How can you know that?"

Thranduil didn't respond. He glanced down at his covered hands with disgust.

Bard looked down at the fisted hands and reached for them but the Elf flinched away. "Why do you keep your hands covered Thran?"

"Because they have hurt people I care about. I will not be responsible for harming them."

"Did you hurt someone? Is that why you left?"

"Almost, I ran before anything worse could happen."

They spent a few more hours in companionable silence, "You should get some sleep." Bard said as he stood up. He didn't offer a hand, which Thranduil was grateful for. He nodded and followed the man into the house.

Morning came and for once, Bard did not have to go to work. He woke up early like always and quietly made his way to the kitchen. He was surprised to see Thran awake and making something. "Good morning."

"I suppose it is." Thran replied.

"What are you making?" Bard asked as he peered into the pot.

"A simple stew." Thran said as he brought out five bowls and filled them. "You should wake the children, I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss breakfast."

Bard stared for a moment, shocked but did as instructed. When he came back with the children the table had been set and Thranduil was adding some bread to each of the plates.

"Thran, you didn't have to go to so much trouble." Bard smiled.

Thran gave him a curious look, "Trouble?"

"To prepare breakfast. You are a guest and already helping with the chores."

"I believe making breakfast falls under the category of chores does it not?" Thran smirked. "Besides, I was up, why not put myself to good use. If the meal is not up to your standards I assure you I will not cook again."

"No! You have to keep cooking" Tilda cried as she shoveled more of the stew into her mouth, moaning in appreciation. "It's so good!"

The others each took a spoonful and gasped, "Oh my, what is in this?" Sigrid asked.

"Mostly vegetables coupled with a few choice herbs and spices." Thran replied.

"No meat?" Bain asked.

Thran wrinkled his nose, "None whatsoever."

Bard remembered that Elves were mostly vegetarian. He didn't think he would be able to survive without meat, but it was a very good stew, even without the use of meat. He was also surprised on how natural this felt. He had barely known Thran a day and yet he had already made a place for himself in their family. This sense of domestication was off-putting for Bard, he decided to go to the market and try to clear his head.

"Do you need anything from the market Sigrid?" Bard asked.

Sigrid shook her head.

Bard nodded and set out. He knew that the Master's spies would be watching him extra today since he was not at work. He didn't mind, he wasn't doing anything incriminating.

The market was bustling with merchants and buyers from all around. Today there seemed to be a lot of clothing stalls, selling winter clothing and accessories. At one stall, a pair of gloves caught Bard's eye; they were black and made of fine leather lined with soft fabric. They were simple gloves, the only embellishment being a small embroidered pattern of swirls on the back of the hand in black thread.

"See something you like laddie?" Bard looked up to see an old man smiling at him from inside the stall. The man looked down at the gloves, "Ah, a fine pair of gloves these. A perfect gift" The man raised a suggestive eyebrow.

Bard shook his head, "No, I have no need of gloves. And even so, they are much too expensive."

"Are you sure laddie, you have that look in your eye."

Bard looked confused so the man pressed on, "A discount for you laddie. To give to whoever puts that look in your eye." The man placed the pair of gloves into Bard's hand.

"I couldn't, I'm sure there is someone else who needs this more than I and willing to pay you full price." Bard argued.

"I will have none of that. I have had these gloves for quite some time. It will be nice to know they were given to someone who will care for them."

Bard smiled, "Thank you Sir." He handed the man a few pieces of gold and left the stall. He didn't know why he bought the gloves, but he hoped they would be well received. He hadn't been so nervous since he started courting his late wife! Bard was even more confused now than he was at the start of the morning. He sighed and carefully placed the gloves inside his coat and walked home.

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