The months passed quickly. Thranduil and Bard were happy as were Tauriel and Kili. Tauriel had her first visit to the Blue Mountains where Queen Dis lived. She was accompanied by two Elves as per Thranduil's orders. Dis was distant at first, but as the visit went on, the female Dwarf warmed up to her.
Thorin still grumbled every time he saw the couple, but thanks to more of Thranduil's meddling, Bilbo was there to calm him.
Bard's life with his children got better. Thranduil or Legolas would often come to meet him when he retrieved the barrels. They would spend the afternoon together, mostly just talking.
Unfortunately, being happy was apparently forbidden in Laketown, or it was for Bard's family. Bard and his children were in the marketplace, looking for some food for the upcoming week. Bard was talking to Hilda when he heard Tilda scream. Bard turned to find Braga and his men arresting his children.
"What is the meaning of this?" Bard rushed over.
"You and your family are under arrest." Braga announced.
"On what charges?" Hilda exclaimed.
"Treason and schemes against the Master."
Men approached Bard, but he fought them off. He attacked the ones holding his children, "go back to the house. Pack everything and be ready to go."
Sigrid nodded and pulled the other two away.
"Bowman!" Braga shouted. Bard ran down another path hoping to lead the soldiers away from his children. He ran towards his barge so that he could pick up his children and then leave. However, luck was not on his side. A foot came out of nowhere and tripped Bard, causing him to crash into several boxes and nets. Bard groaned, rubbing his head and rolling onto his back. Alfrid stood above him with a smug smile on his face, "Sorry 'bout that Bard" He took a can and hit Bard over the head, knocking him out.
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
Sigrid pulled Bain and Tilda into the house, locking the door behind her. "We need to hurry. Pack everything that we need." She grabbed several bags and started filling them with clothes.
"What about Da?" Bain asked.
"He can take care of himself. He told us to come here and pack. We have to leave." Sigrid replied.
"Where will we go?" Tilda asked.
"The Greenwood of course. Where else?"
"The Greenwood?" Bain asked, "But Da and Thran aren't together yet. Are we even welcome there?"
"I don't see why not." Sigrid replied. "Now Bain hurry, we have to be ready for when Da gets back." Sigrid threw a sack at him.
"Your Da won't be coming back." The three turned to see Legolas hop through the open window.
"Legolas!" Tilda hurried over to embrace the elf.
"What do you mean by that?" Bain asked.
"He was captured by the soldiers of Laketown. We are here to take you to the Greenwood."
"We can't just leave Da." Bain said.
"Your father wants you to be safe. He will have less to worry about with you safe with us." Legolas answered. He helped Sigrid carry some of the sacks and opened the door where a few Elves stood. "Come, we must leave before soldiers catch us."
The three hurry outside and into the boats. "Goodbye Hilda, thanks for taking care of us!" Tilda waved at the gaping woman. "We'll come back and visit!"
Hilda smiled and waved as they left the town.
"Will we be getting Da?" Sigrid asked.
"No, you will be meeting him there. Someone else will retrieve him." Legolas said.
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
Bard woke up in a cell with two men standing guard outside. When a guard noticed he was awake, he called for Alfrid. The greasy man appeared and smiled at Bard. "Hello Bard"
"Alfrid" Bard growled. "Let me out of here."
"Afraid I can't do that. The Master has arrested you for treason."
"He has no proof!"
"He is the Master, he doesn't need proof. In just a few minutes, your head will be separated from your body as a warning to anyone else looking to undermine his Majesty."
"You can't do this!" Bard banged his fists against the bars.
Alfrid shrugged, "With you gone, maybe I can have that lovely daughter of yours."
"You stay away from my children." Bard hissed.
At that moment another guard appeared, "The Master is ready for him."
Alfrid nodded, "Now don't struggle. There isn't anything you can do."
The cell was open and Bard quietly went with the guards. His mind worked swiftly to come up with an escape plan, but nothing seemed feasible. He only hoped that his children got away.
The guards led him out to the courtyard where a large group of people had gathered. The Master stood on a stage dressed in very gaudy and moldy robes. He was wearing so much gold Bard was surprised the man could stand.
The guards led him to stand in front of the stage. Alfrid took his place to the Master's left.
"Bard Bowman. You have been tried with treason."
"How can I be tried if I never had a trial?" Bard asked.
"Silence, we don't listen to guilty people here." The Master replied. "As I was saying. You have been arrested for treason and attempting to undermine my authority."
Bard rolled his eyes.
"Do you deny it?"
"I do, but it doesn't look like my opinion counts in the matter." Bard glared at the two standing above him.
"You have been sentenced to death. Your head will be used as a warning to any who think they can take away my power."
Bard struggled against the men holding him, "You can't do this!"
"Of course I can, I am the Master. Who can stop me?"
"I can" Bard whirled around as best he could to see Thranduil enter the square on his elk.
"Thran!"
Thranduil gracefully dismounted and walked over to Bard. Before anyone could react, the Elf-King tossed the closest guard five feet backward. The other guard fled with one glare from the King. Now that Bard was free, his elk came to stand beside him. Thranduil manhandled Bard onto the creature despite Bard's protests. "Stay" Thranduil said.
Thranduil turned to the Master and Alfrid. "I believe I told you what would happen if Bard and his family were ever hurt."
"But, but he has committed treason." The Master cowered.
"Oh really? And why do you accuse him of such nonsense?"
"He is gone for days at a time." Alfrid replied. "He has tricked you into believing him to be perfect. He's not your Majesty. Don't let that piece of filth fool you."
"The only filth I see here are the two of you." Thran unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the Master.
"Thran" Bard shouted.
Thranduil didn't turn his head, but his eyes met the Bargeman's. "Don't do this Thran. He's not worth it."
"He has disrespected you Bard, and therefore has disrespected me. I promised him punishment if I ever found him hurting you."
"I know, but you shouldn't do this. There is a better way to deal with this."
The Master tried to speak out but Thranduil's sword pressed harder against his throat, "I would keep my mouth shut if I were you."
"Thran, please." Bard said.
Thranduil sighed, "Fine" He replied.
"Thank you My Lord" The Master said as the Elvenking sheathed his sword.
Thranduil rolled his eyes and punched the Master, knocking the man out. Alfrid tried to run but Thranduil knocked him out as well. He turned to the crowd of people, "The Master is no longer in charge. My Elves shall stay here and evenly distribute the gold that he has taken from you." Several Elves appeared by their King's side and started removing the gold from the Master's body. "Laketown is officially a part of my kingdom. There will be an election for the new Mayor, but I will make sure they are up to standard."
"Bard, you can be our new leader." Hilda said, breaking through the crowd.
Bard smiled, "I'm afraid I cannot Hilda."
"Why not?" Percy asked.
"Bard is my intended, he will soon be King of the Greenwood, alongside me." Thranduil answered.
The crowd muttered amongst themselves, looking between Thranduil and Bard with awe-struck looks.
Hilda smiled, "I'm glad you finally found happiness Bard."
"Thank you Hilda. This won't be the last time you see me. We'll come back and visit." Bard said.
"You better" She laughed.
"Return to your lives" Thranduil commanded as he mounted his Elk. He sat behind Bard and kissed him on the cheek in greeting. "It will take time for my Elves to sort through the gold. During that time, start an election for your new leader. I will return in three days, I hope you are all more competent than your past leaders."
"What are we to do with the Master and Alfrid your Majesty?" Percy asked.
"Deal with them as you see fit." He replied. He turned his elk and left the courtyard.
"Thank you for saving me." Bard said.
Thranduil kissed Bard's cheek, "Always"
I don't know if Dis lives in the Blue Mountains, but I couldn't find where else she lived so I just went with it.
The Master is out of commission, but this isn't the last you have heard of him ;)
Review please!