A Pivotal Moment Chap 13 (KilixReaderxLegolas)

“Watch out!” Bufor said, pointing out over the water at the giant clusters of rock in front of them. Bard flicked his eyes to the sky and expertly steered the barge safely between them. Fog covered the lake and thin ice formed in patches on the surface of the water. The cold wind felt like knives against Y/n’s skin. The ends of her damp hair were encrusted in ice. Her stomach growled.

“What are you trying to do, drown us?” Thorin grunted. Y/n frowned at his tone.

“I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here,” Bard winked at Y/n, who smiled. He didn’t want her to worry.

Thorin began to retort but Balin placed a hand on his shoulder.

“We don’t have to like him we simply have to pay him,” Balin muttered. “Come on now, lads, empty your pockets.”

The dwarves grumbled and huffed as they took out their coin purses full of gold.

“Where are we going?” Y/n asked, not concerning herself with the dwarves’ conversation. She hugged her knees to her chest and peered over at the man.

“To my home, Lake Town,” Bard replied.

“Lake town,” Y/n mulled the name over. “So that’s why we’re on a boat.”

He smiled.

“I’ll have to smuggle them in,” He gestured to the dwarves, who were now counting their precious coins. “But I can pass you off as my cousin.”

“Smuggle? Why?” Y/n asked.

“You have had trouble with the elves of Mirkwood, have you not?”

Y/n nodded her head.

“The Master of Lake Town has an alliance with King Thranduil and would turn you over in an instant. ”

She frowned, “Oh.”

Bard looked at her, “But I’m not going to let that happen.”

“Thank you.”

“That dress is elven correct?”

Y/n nodded.

Bard stepped away from the rudder and took off his trench coat. “The Lake Town guards should not see that.” He held out his coat for her to take.

“What are you doing?” Kili said. He rose to his feet.

Bard raised an eyebrow at the dwarf. “That dress is Elven. I thought you wanted me to smuggle you in, not announce your presence.”

“She can have my coat then,” Kili said.

“You want to give her your coat?” Bard questioned. It took all of his will not to laugh. “Your coat that’s wet, cold, and much too short?”

Kili fumed. Y/n glanced between the two men. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Bard said.

“Fine,” Kili said. He sat back down next to Y/n.

“Here,” Bard said.

“Thank you!” Y/n smiled. She stood up and slipped it on. The girl hooked every button with shivering fingers. The coat swamped her, hiding everything but her neck, feet, and hands. The material scratched her soft skin but it shielded her from the wind’s harsh assault. Y/n hid her sword under the coat, pinning the weapon to her torso with her arm.

“Take off your shoes and put them in the pockets,” Bard advised as he returned to his place at the rudder.

Y/n nodded and tucked her shoes out of sight before sitting down on the rim of the ship. She sat and watched as Bard collected his money and instructed the Dwarves back into the empty barrels. Bard docked his barge just outside of the town. Y/n craned her neck to see Bard talking with a man on the dock. He pointed back to his boat then shook the man’s hand. Y/n laughed lightly as the two men poured bucket after bucket of fresh caught fish on top of the company. Squeals of discontent echoed from the barrels. She playfully kicked Kili’s barrel. The barrel grunted and said something most likely unkind.

As the barge began to slide through the water once more, Y/n swung her feet back and forth and rubbed her hands together in an effort to keep warm.

“Quiet,” Bard commanded in the common tongue. “We’re approaching the tollgate.” He turned to Y/n. “Stay quiet, let me do the talking. If fate is with us they won’t speak English, but if they do: you’re my cousin visiting from Bree.”

She nodded.

“Halt! Goods inspection. Papers, please. Oh, it’s you, Bard.”

Bard brought the barge up along side the gatekeeper’s office and walked to meet him, documentation in hand.
“Evening, Percy.”

“Anything to declare?” Percy asked.

“Nothing, but that I am cold and tired, and ready for home.” Bard handed the gatekeeper his papers.

“You and me both.”

Bard turned and gestured for Y/n to come up. “Oh Percy, meet Y/n of Bree, my cousin. She’s staying with us for a while, looking after the children.” Y/n walked up and Bard put his arm around her.

“Hello Y/n,” Percy said shaking her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. It’ll be good for you to have some help.”

Y/n smiled and returned his handshake.  

“That it will,” Bard said.

“Here we are. All in order.” Percy held out the papers for Bard to take but a man stepped from the shadows and grabbed them before
Bard had the chance.

“Not so fast.”

“Alfred,” Bard greeted him cordially albeit unhappily.

Alfred studied the papers before him. “Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only, they’re not empty, are they, Bard?”

“People are hungry Alfred,” Bard said. “Times are harsh.”

The slimy little man was about to respond when his eyes fell upon Y/n.

“Who is this?” He asked.

“This is Y/n my cousin. She’s visiting.”

“I see…” Alfred kissed the back of Y/n’s hand, leaving a wet mark.

Y/n forced a smile onto her face though she felt nauseous.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” He said.

Y/n glanced up at Bard, “She doesn’t speak much of the common tongue.”

“He says it’s nice to meet you,” Bard said in English. “Say something back and keep smiling, he is a dangerous man.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Y/n said looking at Alfred. Bard repeated her sentiment.

“Your cousin is lady of virtue, no doubt,” He smirked. “Her hair is wet, why is that?”

“She had a bit of a tumble overboard. Not everyone in my family is blessed with sea legs.”

Alfred chuckled,  “Adorable.”

“What is he saying?” Y/n looked up at Bard.

“Keep talking, ask more questions.”

“He doesn’t understand me right? Why am I asking questions?”

“What is she saying?” Alfred said. The feeling of exclusion was not to his liking.

“She’s asking when we may depart? She’s cold and tired and more than a little hungry.”

“Oh! By all means, be on your way,” Alfred stepped back and waved them on. “Tell Y/n, that I hope to see her again very soon,” He winked as Bard turned away from him with his arm firmly around Y/n. Bard walked back to the rudder and Y/n stood beside him. She could feel Alfred’s eyes on her as they sailed past. She tried not to look at him.

“Are we good?” Y/n asked.

“We will be. You did very well,” He chuckled. “It’s amazing what a pretty girl and a little bit of charm can do. We’ll go to my cottage.
There I’ll give your companions the supplies they seek.”

“Alright… thank you.”

“Of course.”

Y/n wiped the back of her hand on her jacket.