Bard of Laketown

Chapter Nine

It is much warmer than it was yesterday, and the sun shines brightly on our faces. The air is still chilly, but it's no longer as noticeable as it was before. The farther we walk, the warmer it gets, and the snow begins to melt, leaving puddles of slushy water in our path.

We are both in high spirits today, which is due both to our long sleep and to the beautiful weather.

We stop in the early afternoon to eat and drink. The ground is soaking wet, making it impossible to sit down without getting completely wet.

"Why did you leave Mirkwood?" Bard asks me suddenly.

I sigh and look at my hands. "Well, I'm different from all the other elves."

He grins. "I've noticed."

"I despised all the rules, not being able to go off without the king's orders, not being allowed to live somewhere else if we so desired."

He nods. "I feel the same way about Lake-town."

"I guess our homes are more alike than one would think."

"It would appear so."

"One day, I ran off into the forest outside of the kingdom. It is a dark, shadowy place, especially when you are alone, but it's mysterious too, and I wanted to know more about it."

"Why not ask the king?"

"Although he is very wise, his desire for his people to remain safe has clouded all else. He does not want any visitors, nor does he want any of us leaving the forest."

"As it is with the Master."

"They'd get along marvellously."

I continue on, remembering every moment of that day.

"I spent a full day in the forest, running back to the kingdom just as the gate was closing. It remains open most of the day, but only to let out the guards going to fight off the spiders."

"Spiders?"

"Yes, massive things. Larger than you could imagine. Easily the same height as a dwarf."

"I thought you despise the dwarves."

I shrug my shoulders. "I have never had the opportunity to meet one. Surely they can not all be as bad as the ones of Erebor?"

"Are you certain you are a Mirkwood elf?"

I smile softly. "I tried to sneak unnoticed into my rooms, but one of the guards saw me. He ran to inform the king, who had me brought to the courtroom. For a long while he talked of the dangers of the forest, how there was evil lurking in the corners. He told me that if I were to go into the forest again, my position as a guard would be terminated."

I don't enjoy talking about this, and I fall silent.

Bard doesn't press me to continue, and I smile at him gratefully.