Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)

A/N: I love you guys. Seriously. After only two weeks of working on this story, I have more than 100 reviews and followers. Thanks for reading this far, and I hope you continue to enjoy. 3

When we left the next morning, Tauriel was pensive. She had not spoken to me since the night before and I wondered what was going through her mind. No doubt I had given her a lot to think about, and whether she believed my story or not I couldn't say. I caught her glancing side-long at me every once and awhile, though.

I could see the glimpse of what I assumed to be Lake Town through the trees and I felt my chest constrict. I was dreading our arrival there, and wondered just how it was going to play out. I would die before I let anyone touch me in that manner, and I wasn't above strangling someone with a shoe lace if I had to.

I was deep in thought when the elves suddenly stilled. One of the males looked off into the distance and called something out to Tauriel. Suddenly, things became much more tense.

"What is it?" I asked quietly, narrowing my eyes.

"Spiders," She said softly. "Normally they do not travel this far North, but our attack on their nest must have stirred them up."

"Dammit," I muttered. I had never minded spiders at home, but that was back when they were small and fuzzy and vaguely cute in a horrifying sort of way. There was nothing cute about these monsters, though, and I was beginning to wonder if I had post-traumatic arachnophobia. I could practically feel my skin crawl as I imagined their hairy bodies skittering forward on their spiny legs

Tauriel spoke rapid-fire elvish to the other three, and they replied. They peeled off and Tauriel motioned for me to follow.

"We must make haste. The others will draw the spiders off while we make our way to Lake Town."

In an awkward movement, I picked up the bottom of my dress as far as I could, probably baring a lot more leg than was necessary. I began to walk quickly after Tauriel. In our haste, it did not take long to reach the edge of Mirkwood. Tauriel glanced back from where we came and hesitated.

"I can not, in good conscience pass you off to the Master as a… whore. I will lead you to town and there you shall make it known that you are a lost traveler, and I was merely your guide to the next settlement. Perhaps then you will go unmolested."

I swallowed hard.

"Are you sure, Tauriel? You'd be going against Thranduil's word."

"I am sure. It is not right for you to suffer so when you have done nothing wrong."

"Thank you."

She nodded once and we set off again. I envied her fluid movements, her graceful and easy way of traversing the rough terrain we were on. I tripped several times, and I was sure that my legs would be covered in scratches. When finally we were well out of range of the wood, we slowed. It wasn't long before the slow bustle of the town ahead made itself known.

Tauriel paused once more and, without a word, tugged the bow off of her back along with her quiver of arrows and passed them to me. Frowning, I took them from her.

"The bow is not mine to keep, particularly if it was truly a gift to you from the Lady of Lorien. Your quiver was left either in the forest, or is in the palace somewhere, so I offer you mine as a replacement."

"I don't know how to thank you, Tauriel." I said softly. "You are risking a lot."

"As are you, and for a world that was never your own. I thought much about what you said. I have spent many years of my life content with being nothing more than the Captain of the Guard, working tirelessly to protect my home, never once carrying for those outside our boarders. My thoughts strayed to all that has happened in my life and I can not help but think that, perhaps, if we looked to outside our borders now and again, we may have avoided the destruction of Eryn Galen. I only hope that it is not too late to turn the tides."

"I hope so, too, for all our sakes." I paused, and smiled wryly. "By the way… I am Talya. It has been a pleasure, Tauriel, and I hope our paths cross again."

"As do I. Now, off you go. Find somewhere to rest your head."

She turned to go, and now it was my turn to hesitate.

"Tauriel?"

She turned to look at me.

"I know you have already done a lot, but if you could…" I tugged my dog tags off of my neck and handed them out to her. "Please give these to Thorin… Just so he and the others know that I am alright."

She smiled and took them.

"You truly feel for him?"

"I do," I shrugged. "He is a jack ass. He is stubborn and prideful. He has one hell of a mouth on him… But he has a soft side, too. He doesn't laugh too often, preferring instead quiet mirth, but when he does laugh… It's hearty and so full of life. The moments I have seen him share with his nephews have touched me more than I can say…. The tenderness and love there is astounding. He does not give away his respect. You must deserve it. He does not give away his love. You must earn it. But once you have proven your worth… He will die for you without a second thought. What's more is that his people love him and would do the same. And that, more than anything else, speaks volumes."

"You speak so fondly of him. Does it pain you that he does not know of your affections, or that he is of a different race than you?"

"Yes and no. I mean… It hurts to know that the likelihood of him sharing in my affections is slim to none but…." I shrugged. "You can't help who you fall for. And loving someone… Even if it is unrequited… It's something that you shouldn't take lightly. Who knows if, and when, you will ever feel the same again. Taking a chance on love is never a mistake. Ignoring it or pretending it never existed… Now that is wrong."

I fell silent, and we looked at each other for a moment before Tauriel tucked my dog tags into her shirt.

"Goodbye, Talya." She said softly.

"Goodbye, Tauriel." I watched her turn and bound away. My eyes followed after her until I she disappeared from my view.

I placed my bow and quiver over my shoulder, drawing a measure of comfort from the familiar items. I reached up and touched the small pouch that I had tucked into my bodice, gently manipulating the beads within. Then I tugged my dress up in one hand and began to walk towards town.

People stared openly at me in both curiosity and suspicion as I passed. As I looked around at the many dilapidated buildings, and took in the ratty clothes and haggard faces of the town folk, I felt guilty walking among them with such an obviously expensive dress and cloak, my cheeks rounded and my stomach not pinched with hunger.

As I neared what must have been the town center, I paused to speak to an elderly man, asking him as politely as I could where the Master was. He pointed a crooked and gnarled finger towards a large building just up the street, but did not speak a word. I thanked him and set off. Upon glancing behind me, I realized that I had gathered quite the following.

The word of a stranger in town must have traveled quickly because there at the steps was a large man whose stomach was too well rounded, his clothes too fine for the obvious poverty and hunger that the townsfolk suffered from. I frowned, but pushed aside my already growing distaste for the man. Next to him, a greasy ferret-like man stood, watching me with interest as I approached, his eyes traveling down to my cleavage.

"Good sir," I called out. "Are you the Master of this town?"

The portly man with his badly combed-over hair and twisted mustache looked me over and I lost all respect for him when he started at my legs, which were bared only enough so that I could walk without tripping, and up to linger on my breasts, then finally my face. I promised myself I would thank Tauriel again when I saw her again for not turning me over to this greedy and oafish man.

"I am indeed. And who are you, if I may be so bold as to ask."

"I am Lady Talya Conner. My people were traveling north when we were set upon by a band of Orcs. I became separated from my kin and wandered for many days, lost. An outpost of elves from Mirkwood came across me and promised to lead me to the nearest town so that I may begin to search for my kin. I am sure they would be glad to see I had found a safe haven. If it is not too much bother, all that I ask is a place to rest my head. I would gladly do whatever work was asked of me to make up for my presence."

I saw the wheels in the Master's head turning as he took in my clothes. If he made the assumption I hoped he would, then he would be hoping for a reward for returning a wayward daughter to her kin. As a sly smile crawled across his face, I realized that he was also thinking of ways I could 'work'.

"I am sure something could be arranged," He said, a little too casually.

"There is no need," Came a voice from behind me. I turned with my brows narrowed. A tall, handsome dark haired man stepped out of the crowd. For a moment, I wanted to laugh hysterically and kiss him. For the first time, I felt as though the Valar were really looking out for me.

"I have extra space in my home, and I could use a woman's touch around the house, and with my children. I would not want such a busy man as yourself to be put out by having to entertain a guest." Bard said, crossing his arms lightly over his chest. The Master stuttered a moment, and I could tell he was about to argue.

"Oh, kind sir, I would be so very thankful," I turned and bowed my head to the Master and offered what I hoped was a charming smile. "I would hate so very much to impose on such an important figure as yourself, kind Master."

"Oh. Of course. Uh. Bard… I expect you to take good care of our guest. And Lady Conner… Perhaps in a few days' time… You would allow me to entertain you for dinner?"

"I would be honored." I said with another bow of my head.

Bard watched the exchange with a bored expression before motioning for me to follow him. I bid my farewell to the Master and turned around to follow the brisk pace that Bard had set. Once we were a good distance away, I let out a long breath. Kissing that much ass was physically painful.

"Thank you, Sir…" I paused, waiting for him to introduce himself.

"Bard," He said simply. "And it is no problem. I would hate to see someone such as yourself stuck under the Master's thumb. No doubt he had a good idea in what way you could make use of yourself."

The obvious disdain he held for the great oaf was fairly amusing, and I tried not to smirk.

"This is my home here." He said, pausing outside a small two story home that seemed in better shape than most. He opened the door and stepped in, flopping the bag he had been carrying over his shoulder onto a chair. Very suddenly, three children came rushing into the room. An older boy who was the spitting image of his father, a girl who had to have been about the same age, give or take a year, who must have looked more like her mother, and a much younger girl who also took after her father in looks.

"Who is this, da?" The boy asked bluntly, his voice suspicious. The older girl looked me over appraisingly while the youngest hid behind her, peering out at me when she thought I wasn't looking.

"Lady Talya, this my brood. Bain, my eldest, Sigrid here, and little Tilda." I smiled at each of them in turn with the older two only watching me passively. Tilda offered me a tentative smile of her own.

"She is our guest for the next few days. Now run along, off to your chores. I must speak with our guest." His tone was light, almost tender, when he spoke to his children and it was obvious that he loved them very much. His demeanor changed entirely, however, when he turned back to face me.

"Now who are you really?"

"Pardon?" I asked, stunned.

"The Master may be blind, but I am not. Your story made little sense and, no offense intended, but you are no true lady. You do not carry yourself as one, and your build speaks of one who has done far too much riding and walking. And if your forearms are of an indication, you have also wielded a sword along with that fancy bow you carry."

I was floored. Even with my dress covering most of my body, he had managed to quickly pin point more about me than I would have ever given him credit for.

"Sir…" I started.

"Bard." His voice was flat and I sighed.

"Fine. Look. You're right; I am not a lady anything. My friends mostly just call me Talya. I am a fighter, much more than anything else. And while I exaggerated, I did not lie about being separated from my friends and kin."

He eyed me warily.

"All I ask is that I am given a place to stay. I can hunt the lands around her for small game. I can help around the house. Please."

He let out a long sigh.

"Alright. But do not make me regret this." He shook his head. "I do not want any more harm to come to this family."

The words alone told me just how much this family had suffered in the past and I prayed that I would not cause any more damage.

The next few days were awkward. Bard was civil, but he was gone much of the time, bringing home what money and food he could to support his family. Bain, more often than not, was with him, learning his father's trade the best he could. If he didn't have to speak to me directly, he acted though I did not exist. Sigrid was, too, was civil and, though obviously curious about my presence, she often regarded me a little coldly, and I wondered why. Tilda was the only one who was even remotely friendly though painfully shy.

I spent my time cleaning up the small home the best I could but was surprised to find that it hardly needed it. Sigrid kept the house quite neat and orderly and though I often offered my assistance, I usually felt more like I was in the way. After the third time in one day of Sigrid sighing in frustration at either Tilda or myself being in the way, I decided to take the small girl off into another part of the house, promising to tell her a story.

"….And so, the thief cut off her hair to save his true love from being used by the evil witch. Now that the princess' hair was cut, it returned back to its normal color and the magic from it was lost. The evil witch, now no longer under the magic enchantment, aged and crumbled into dust."

"But what happened to the thief?" Tilda asked sweetly, very much concerned.

"Well, something magic, of course. As the princess cried over her sweet thief, glowing tears appeared in her eyes, and where they touched the body of her love, magic swirled. It healed the thief, and before long, he opened his eyes, once more whole and healthy."

"Did they wed?" A voice asked from behind me. It was Sigrid. I smiled at her warmly and patted a seat across from Tilda and I. She hesitated, but crossed in front of us and sat down.

"Well, first the princess had to be reunited with her parents. They travelled for days until they finally reached the palace. The princess waited on a balcony while her parents were told of her arrival. When they finally saw her, both her mother and father knew her at once. They all embraced happily. Once her parents found out how much the thief had given up to rescue their beloved daughter, they hugged him, too, and gave their consent to be married.

"Once the kingdom found out that their lost princess had returned… There was a huge party. And I mean huge. Food and dances and funny looking hats. Everyone was happy, though none happier than the thief, who had finally found love."

"…And they lived happily ever after?" Tilda asked softly.

"Of course. That's how all the best stories end." She smiled brightly, and just then the door opened and closed, for Bard and Bain had returned home. She stood up and bounded towards her father, eager to greet him and tell him, no doubt, of princesses with magical hair and handsome thieves. Sigrid looked at me sadly.

"But not everyone lives happily ever after." She said, her voice very small.

"No. But stories aren't real life. Most of the time… You have to find what makes you happy and work for it. It isn't easy, but nothing worth doing ever is."

She had nothing to say to that, instead she stood up and, looking pensive, followed after her sister. I, too, stood and watched as the father and his children came into the room. After greeting them all and sending them upstairs to wash before dinner, he looked at me.

"Tilda said that you were telling her fairy tales." Bard said, crossing his arms and watching me carefully. With the way he stood, and the frown on his face, I thought maybe that I had done something wrong.

"Yeah… I was just trying to keep her occupied while Sigrid was busy… I'm sorry if I said something I shouldn't have. It isn't my place to…"

"No, no. If I made it sound as though you did wrong, I apologize. The girls have not had anyone tell them such stories since… Since their mother passed. It is something that I have never been good at, and there is precious little time for such things now." He gave me a tired smile and leaned against the door frame.

"I love kids. I had a very small family growing up and I've wanted kids ever since I could remember. If something as simple as telling them a fairy tale makes them smile, then I am glad to do it."

He nodded then and we waited in silence for the children to come back down the stairs.