A few years passed in peace. Unfortunately, it didn't last.
The Master, who managed to break out of his jail cell, set the town ablaze. Unfortunately for him, he also managed to set himself on fire, alerting the townspeople. Everyone managed to make it out alive, only a few were injured.
"Where will we live now?" A townsman asked.
"No one will take us in" A woman said. Thranduil was housing the townspeople in tents in his forest until they could find another home.
"You can go to Dale" Bard suggested.
"Dale? But it's in ruins" Percy said.
"Then rebuild it." Bard replied.
"The city is not as bad as you think." Tauriel said. "You should be able to rebuild before the next season ends."
"You may stay here for the time being. Lady Hilda, Bard, and I shall go to Erebor to create a treaty with the Dwarves." Thranduil said.
"A treaty?" Bard asked.
Thranduil nodded, "For help building and supplies. We are too far away to constantly ship our supplies. It would be easier for Erebor to help then us."
Bard nodded.
The three made the journey to Erebor easily. Balin greeted them at the large gate. "Welcome, I hope your journey was uneventful."
"Quite." Thranduil replied.
"Thank you for having us on such short notice." Bard said.
"Of course, come. Thorin is waiting for you." Balin led them through the stone kingdom. Bard looked around and admired the strong columns. It was so different to the Greenwood, beautiful in its own way. Bard still thought the Greenwood would be the most beautiful palace, but he supposed he was biased.
The group came to a large room with a table in the middle. Thorin, Bilbo, Dwalin, and a red-haired Dwarf sat around the table.
"Welcome" Bilbo greeted. He looked different than the last time Bard had seen him. He was wearing fine clothing and his curly hair had several beads woven into a braid at the side of his head.
"Greetings Master Baggins." Thranduil greeted, "and congratulations on your union."
Bilbo smiled brightly, a soft flush appearing on his cheeks. "Thank you Majesty"
Thorin's eyes narrowed as the group sat down at the other end of the table. Thranduil saw the look and smirked at the Dwarf.
"Now, since we have a new guest" Balin smiled at Hilda, "May I introduce their Majesties King Thorin and Consort Bilbo, Dwalin, and one of our treasurers Gloin." The red-haired Dwarf grunted a 'hello'.
"This is the Lady Hilda. She is the Mayor of Lake-town. They have come to make a deal with us." Balin explained.
"What kind of deal?" Thorin asked.
Hilda took a calming breathe before speaking. "Our town was recently destroyed by the old Mayor. We are now living in the Greenwood, but we know that it cannot last forever. We ask for your help to rebuild Dale, so that we can return to the home of our ancestors."
"You wish to rebuild Dale? Why not go to another kingdom?" Dwalin asked.
"We have known nothing but this area. We have no other place to go. What town would take us all?"
"If we help you, what will we receive in return?" Thorin asked.
"You will have a closer trade partner." Thranduil said. "If I remember correctly, Erebor and Dale were allies in trade. When Dale fell, Erebor lost most of its resources."
"The Elf is correct" Gloin said.
Thorin frowned, "How do we know that Dale will return to its former glory?"
"Lake-town already had a large trading market. It will just move further north." Thranduil said.
"And you are sure of that?" Dwalin asked.
"I am."
Thorin leaned back in his chair, "We can't help you."
Hilda and Bard were shocked. Bard noticed that Bilbo looked as shocked as they did.
"Why not?" Hilda asked.
"You said you were a mayor, am I correct?"
"I did" Hilda nodded.
"Then your successor is under no obligation to keep our deal. Within a short number of years, we could lose all of our trade. I will not risk it."
"Thorin please, you can't leave them homeless." Bilbo pleased.
"I will not gamble our future." Thorin replied.
"What if Dale had a King?" Bard asked. The room looked at him curiously.
"What do you mean?" Balin asked.
"Lake-town is under Thranduil's rule. He could make the deal and have Hilda or whoever the current mayor is as a representative."
"I don't deal with Elves." Thorin spat.
Thranduil almost rolled his eyes, instead he smirked.
"That may be true for Lake-town Laddie" Balin said, "but Dale had its own boundaries. If it is a part of any kingdom it would be Erebor."
Bard nodded, "Then what if it had a different King?"
"Like who?"
"Like me?"
"You?" Gloin asked.
Bard nodded, "I am a descendent of Girion, Lord of Dale."
"That could work" Balin stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"But what about the Greenwood?" Hilda asked. "You would be far away from your family."
Bard smiled, "I would help you settle, rebuild Dale and then abdicate. Bain is getting old enough, with some training, I think he would be a good leader."
Thorin nodded, "Then we shall do that. Return to us with your son and we will write a contract."
The group nodded and followed Balin out of the room.
"Thank you Bard" Hilda smiled.
"Of course" Bard returned.
"And here I thought you hated the idea of being a King." Thranduil smirked once they were alone.
Bard sighed, "It was the only way to get the help they needed. It will only be for a few years."
Thranduil chuckled, "I highly doubt that."
On their journey back to the Greenwood, they passed through Dale to see the damage. "Tauriel was right. With the Dwarves' help, we should have Dale rebuilt by the end of next season." Bard said.
"It will be simple enough." Thranduil examined a few buildings. "We shall start drawing up plans when we arrive home."
Bard nodded.
They arrived at the Greenwood and went to the temporary settlement of the people of Laketown.
"So what did the Dwarf King say?" Percy asked.
"He will agree to help us if we make Bard our King." Hilda announced.
"King?"
Hilda nodded, "King Thorin doesn't trust that the next mayor will keep to the contract. With a King, there is a better chance of it continuing through to the next generation."
The people talked amongst themselves. "Do you agree Bard?" A man asked.
"I volunteered" Bard nodded.
"Then I think I speak for all of us when I say we accept" Percy smiled.
"All Hail the King!" Someone shouted. The crowd cheered and Bard laughed.
"I still have to talk to my son, but if he agrees then I will take up the crown of Dale." He turned to Thranduil, "If there is one."
"Not a crown, but there is an heirloom that you should have. I will speak with Thorin about retrieving it for you."
Bard nodded. "Then I guess I better find my children." He walked to the palace where he found his children in one of the small gardens.
"Da!" Tilda ran to embrace him.
"Hello Darling, have you been good while we've been gone?"
"Very good" She smiled. "We've been doing well in our lessons, Sigrid even got to go into the healing wing!"
Bard smiled at his eldest, "Very impressive"
Sigrid nodded, "It was very interesting. I won't ever be able to heal as well as the Elves, but I did learn a few things."
"That is wonderful Sigrid."
"How was the trip Da? Did King Thorin agree?" Bain asked.
"He did on one condition."
"What's that?" Sigrid asked.
"On the condition that I become King of Dale."
"What?" His children asked.
Bard nodded, "He didn't trust that the Mayor after Hilda would keep the contract. With a King, it is a little more stable. Easier to transition between a King and his heir than a Mayor and the next elected official."
"I guess that makes sense. So now you're King of Dale?"
"Lake-town has agreed. Now all I need is your opinion. Once I have finished my reign, it will fall to you Bain. Will you be willing to take on such a role?"
"I can Da." Bain nodded, "I won't let you down"
Bard smiled, "Of course you won't" He embraced his children, "I love you all"
"We love you too Da" Tilda smiled.
"So do they agree?" Thranduil asked. He and Bard were in Thranduil's study, looking over plans for Dale.
"Yes. Though they will miss living here all of the time." Bard smiled.
Thranduil smiled softly, "They will be missed. It has been many years since these halls have echoed with youthful laughter. I expect you all to visit and you still have to attend all Change of Season Festivals."
Bard chuckled and kissed the Elf deeply, "I wouldn't miss it for anything."
Thranduil smiled, "It will not be forever meleth nín. After some years you will be free to come home."
Bard raised a brow. "Some years? I only expect to be king for a few seasons at least."
Thranduil smirked and caressed Bard's cheek, "Oh how little you know Bard. You will be King of Dale for many years. A proper reign"
Bard frowned, "Proper reign? As in a lifetime?" He pulled back, "But what about us? I'll be dead before we do anything with our life!"
"Calm yourself meleth nín." Thranduil pulled Bard so that he could wrap his arms around the man. "What do you hear, right now?"
Bard listened for a moment, "Faint singing. The trees?"
"Yes. My power still runs through you. And that should mean that your life is not as short as it once was."
"How do you know?"
"Though you may not see it, Humans age every day. Elves have sharp eyes so we notice the difference. You, Dearest, have not aged since our union."
"Really?"
Thranduil nodded, he slid his hand up to card his fingers through Bard's hair, "I do not think you are immortal, but I do know that you will not die in the near future."
Bard smiled brightly, "This is fantastic news!" He pushed himself up and locked his lips with Thranduil's. "Thank you"
Thranduil hummed into the kiss, "Why don't you show me your gratitude?"
Bard smirked and pulled Thranduil out of the room.