The Hobbit Imagines

4. Bard x Reader

Hey guys! This was requested by InsanitySevenfold67 This one was really fun to write so I really hope you enjoy :D

Little over two months ago, you had travelled to Lake Town, at the behest of your king, Thranduil, who had made a last minute decision to partake in the Battle of the Five Armies, as it was known. He was well aware of the fatalities and devastation this would bring upon his kingdom and so instructed a party of the best healers to travel ahead of the other groups and prepare to work tirelessly... And you were among them.

*Flashback*

Despite having a strong stomach for the stench of blood, no amount of experience as a healer could have prepared you for the carnage of the field which you faced upon your arrival. Countless limbs laid unattached to bodies and the grass was stained with the innards of ill-starred soldiers. Fraught with despair, you tore your eyes from the battle. Your entire company stood, speechless, staring into the abyss of blood and anguish.

Time passed agonisingly slowly, the soldier from all armies fought with passion and determination but finally the battle was won. As soon as the signal was received, your team moved onto the field and began to collect their injured friends. You, however, were drawn to the sight of a small group, huddling in the far corner of the field. You could see that they were human, but there were very few of them. They wept and held each other close. No one seemed to be going to help them. Something tugged at your heart- seeing those broken people cling to each other made you wonder who would heal them? Scanning the field, you took in the different shapes and colours which lay half-lifeless or crawling, reaching for help. And you watched your fellow healers brush past them carelessly, in search for other elves. Their cries echoed in your mind and reverberated in your chest. A single tear slipped down your cheek which you did not bother to wipe away. One too many times had you been told that you felt things too strongly- that your heart made you weak. You did not feel weak as you marched away from your group and towards the humans that cowered in the distance. A voice stopped you mid-stride "And where do you think you are going?" Thranduil raised an eyebrow as you turned back to him. Bowing courteously, you sighed "Your majesty, these people are in need of aid. If I could help them, I would have a burden freed from my soul." With a mocking tone, he smiled "We can't help them, they will die soon enough anyway." You frowned "What do you mean?" Thranduil shrugged nonchalantly as he said "They town is burnt to a crisp. They will starve long before they die of real wounds." His relaxed expression infuriated you- after all he had seen today: the deaths of fellow elves, the slaughtering and mindless killing, he was still forsaking mortality for inferiority. "Have you learned nothing? We are hopeless if we are led by a king so inadvertently heartless! They have no one, your grace!" The king stared at you with dark eyes. Your voice softened "Except... If you will allow it... They will have me. I can heal, I can help them." Thranduil tutted and shook his head "There are plenty of elves that need healing. So I will not allow you to go and play doctor with the silly, little humans." He turned and danced away proudly. You looked down, restraining yourself from unleashing your pent up rage. And you smiled slightly as you said "Then I must apologise, your grace." Thranduil looked back at you as you continued "Because my previous statement was incorrect. I will help them, even if you don't allow it." And with that, you bowed again and strutted down the hill.

As you approached them they glared warningly, but you held your hands up in a display of peace. "I am Y/N. If I may, I would like to help you." They watched you, their eyes almost angry. Slowly, one stepped forward and spoke. "Why would you want to help us? You fought against us." The man growled, his fists were balled and he gave of an air of offense. "Please, I mean no harm. The events which have happened now are deplorable, the consequences are irreversible, but I had no part in the fighting. And I do not affiliate myself with those who did. There are far too few of you left to manage these fatalities and wounds by yourselves, but with my abilities, you would be much better off. Please, let me help you." They shared a wary glance, before they nodded apprehensively. With a gentle smile, you let them lead you to their home in the ashes.