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Thranduil calmly walked to the town hall where he knew the Master resided. When he got inside he found the man lounging at his desk, a cup of brandy in his hand. Thranduil looked at the lavish apartment with disgust. "So this is what you spend our gold on. Pathetic."
The Master jumped and sat up in his chair. "Who are you? Guards!" He cried out.
"Don't bother mortal" Thranduil glared. He stalked towards the desk and towered over the sniveling man. "Do you not recognize me?"
"K-k-King Th-Thranduil?"
"Indeed, I have come to discuss the reasons behind your order to arrest a Bard the Bowman."
"Bard? But he's just a Bargeman."
"Who hasn't done anything worth arresting, I assure you."
"But Sire, he has always caused us problems. He means to overthrow me." The man cried. "He tries to sway the people away from me. I have done everything for these people and yet he means to take them away from me. All so he can be leader of this town."
"You are more pathetic than I realized." Thranduil hissed, "Only a fool would look at Bard and see anything but a noble man. You look down upon him because he is a descendant of Girion. He has every right to be leader of this town. You are lucky I don't kill you now and put him in your place."
The Master knelt on the floor before Thranduil. "I beg you my Lord, spare me!"
"As much as it would please me, you are somewhat useful." Thranduil watched as the man relaxed. "However, harm Bard or his children in any way and I will make your death long and excruciating."
The man nodded quickly.
Thranduil gave him another glare before walking out of the room.
When he returned to Bard's house, Bard sat at the table with everyone. "Thran, where have you been?" Bard asked.
"I paid the Master a little visit." Thranduil replied calmly.
"The Master?"
"Yes, he sent his people here to arrest you. Since you weren't here, they went after Sigrid. I decided to show him that such disrespect would not be tolerated."
"Thran, you shouldn't have done that." Bard sighed.
"Would you rather I let that disgusting mortal take your daughter?"
Bard's lips thinned.
"I thought not." He took a seat next to Legolas. "I didn't harm the Master, no matter how much I wanted to. I did warn him though, that if anything happened to you and your family that he would be severely punished."
Bard sighed. "I still don't approve, but at least you didn't hurt him. No matter how much he deserves it."
Thranduil smiled.
The two families spent the rest of their day inside, talking and getting to know one another.
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
It had been a month since Bard started courting Thranduil. They split their visits between Lake-town and The Greenwood. Bard found The Greenwood more enjoyable, not only because they had more time alone, but the forest started to feel like home for him.
This trip he was going back to The Greenwood, but this time he will be bringing his children. He was excited to see what their reaction would be, he hoped they liked it.
The children came into the front room and sat at the table. "Good morning children." Bard greeted. He placed their plates in front of them before sitting down himself.
"Good morning Da, you seem cheery this morning. Are you visiting with Thran again?" Sigrid asked.
"I am. I will be traveling to The Greenwood after breakfast."
"Oh, how I wish I could go with you Da. I want to see The Greenwood so much." Tilda whined.
Bard smiled, "I'm glad you feel that way. Because you all will be accompanying me."
"WHAT!" They exclaimed.
Bard laughed, "I'd best be getting dressed if we are to leave after breakfast."
The three quickly finished their meal and hurried to their rooms. A few minutes later, the three came back dressed in their finest clothes.
"I hope these are enough." Sigrid blushed as she brushed some dust off her skirt. The outfits his children wore weren't very expensive, but they were the only things that weren't stained or threadbare.
"I'm sure he will think you look beautiful in anything Sigrid." Bard assured his eldest with a kiss on her forehead.
"Can we go now Da? We are all ready." Tilda asked.
"Of course darling. Let me grab my coat and we can leave." Bard smiled. Once he put his coat on Tilda dragged him outside. Bain and Sigrid laughed at the antics of their sister, watching as she dragged Bard through the town.
"Morning Percy." Bard greeted when he and Tilda made it to his Barge. Sigrid and Bain not too far behind.
"Morning Bard, where are you off to this fine hour?" The gatekeeper asked.
"To The Greenwood. I think it's time for my children to see it." Bard said.
Percy nodded, "Exciting time I bet. Have fun!"
Bard nodded and untied his barge before maneuvering it out to sea.
"Oh, I can't believe we are finally going to see The Greenwood!" Tilda cheered. "Can you believe it Sigrid?"
"I'm trying" Sigrid smiled.
When the family finally arrived at the dock, Bard quickly tied the barge and herded his children. "This way, don't stray too far." He held Tilda's hand, keeping her form straying like he knew she would. Tauriel was waiting for them when they arrived at the forest's edge.
"Hello Bard" She smiled.
"Tauriel" He greeted. "These are my children. Sigrid, Bain, and Tilda"
"Hello Miss Sigrid, Miss Tilda, and Sir Bain." Tauriel bowed.
"Hello" Sigrid and Bain awkwardly bowed while Tilda gave a shy wave from behind Bard.
Tauriel smiled at the children before turning back to Bard, "His Majesty is currently with company, but he has instructed me to take you to a room where he will see you when he is done."
"Company?" Bard asked as they walked.
"Yes, King Thorin is here."
Bard stiffened, "Any reason?"
Tauriel smiled, "He means to make an arrangement of sorts." A blush blossomed on her cheeks, "It would seem that the Prince Kili wants to court me."
Bard quickly relaxed and smirked at the Elf, "Well, I must say it's about time. I guess Thorin couldn't get through to him huh?"
Tauriel chuckled, "It appears so."
"What's going on Da?" Tilda asked.
"A company of Dwarves are in The Greenwood currently. If we are lucky, you may even get to meet some of them."
"Really?" She squealed, "Oh, now I'm even more excited. How far until we get there Miss Tauriel?"
"Not long now Miss Tilda." Tauriel smiled.
True to her word, a large gate appeared through the trees. The children stared in awe at the large doors. "Just wait until you see inside." Bard chuckled.
The guards opened the gates, allowing the small group to enter. Immediately, the children gasped and stared in wonder at the view before them.
"It's beautiful." Sigrid smiled.
"Thank you Miss Sigrid, I think so too." Tauriel replied.
"Come on Da, we have to see Thran!" Tilda pulled Bard forward.
"Not so fast Tilda, these walkways aren't safe to run on. Besides, Thran is busy remember?"
Tilda pouted, but slowed down her walking.
"You will see his Majesty soon Miss Tilda, but for now you can all wait for him in his study." Tauriel said. She led them up a winding path. The group followed her, looking around at the beautiful structures.
Tilda managed to release her hand from her father's before sneaking off. She wandered around for a few minutes before she saw a platform in the distance, several people stood on it with another sitting on a throne high above them. She immediately recognized the sliver blonde hair and quickly made her way over.
"Thran!" She shouted as she reached the platform. She ignored the Dwarves surrounding her, eyes only for the King above her.
"Tilda? What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Da brought us. He said you were busy so we were going to wait in another room, but I wanted to see you." She smiled. She turned to see the other people in the room staring at her in shock, she blushed and tried to make herself smaller. "I wanted to show you my new dress. Do you like it?"
Thranduil smiled, "Of course my dear, you look beautiful."
Tilda smiled shyly.
"Why don't you come up here? We are almost done, and then we can go find your Father."
Tilda beamed and ran up the stairs to the throne. Once there Thranduil picked her up and deposited her on his lap.
"Now" He turned back to the Dwarves in front of him, "Where were we?"
It took a few moments for the Dwarves to shake off their surprise. "We were discussing Kili courting Tauriel." Balin replied.
"Ah yes, of course. Since Tauriel's parents are not here to oversee the courting, the task falls to me. While I know he is an honorable warrior, is he really worthy of one of my Elves?"
Thorin growled, "He is worth more than any Elf I can assure you."
"That is your opinion Thorin. He is the one who wants to court one of mine, I need to make sure he is worthy of her." Thranduil glared at the Dwarf King.
Before Thorin could say anything Kili stepped forward, "I will do anything you ask of me Lord Thranduil. I will prove my worth to you."
Thranduil turned a smug smirk towards Thorin, "If only you were as smart as your nephew."
Thorin growled, but Balin stopped him from saying anything. "Do you have something in mind for proving himself?" The old Dwarf asked.
Thranduil cocked his head, "Not at this moment, no."
"How 'bout an archery course?" Tilda asked.
Everyone turned to her and she blushed.
Thranduil smiled down at her, bringing the girl closer to him, "That sounds like a wonderful idea Tilda."
Kili's face lost a bit of its color at the thought of an Elven archery course.
"The course will be set up tonight. The test will be tomorrow. If you succeed you may begin courting Tauriel, but if you fail, you will return home and never think about it again." He turned to the now pale Dwarf, "Do you agree to these terms?"
Kili swallowed thickly, "I do my Lord."
Thranduil nodded, "You are dismissed. Galion will show you to your rooms."
An Elf appeared and led the group off to the left. When they were gone, Thranduil shifted Tilda in his arms and carried her down to the platform. "Why don't we go find your Father? I'm sure he's worried about you."
Tilda giggled and settled herself comfortably in the Elvenking's arms, playing with his hair as he walked through his kingdom.
So cute!
Review please!