Chapter 32: King Bard

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Two weeks passed since Jara, Neria, and I arrived in Mirkwood. During our time here, I began learning Sindarin, the language of the elves, and helping Legolas and the elven guard of Mirkwood fight off the giant spiders that crawled onto our borders. I spend much more time with Uncle Thranduil, Legolas, and my father. And I felt happy, but I couldn't help but feel as though something was missing. 

And my mind would linger onto Bard and his family. I still couldn't get them out of my head. Deep down, I love Bard, but I was afraid to admit it. Especially since I didn't know whether he felt the same for me or not. Currently, Neria, Jara, and I were walking through the hallways of Mirkwood. We were all dressed in elegant elven dresses with circlets around our heads. 

"Miona, when are we going to Erebor? I wish to see Fili again." Neria mentioned. 

I hesitated. "I'm not sure...I still have to tell my father and my uncle that we plan to leave."  

"So you weren't planning on staying here in Mirkwood then..."

My stomach dropped upon hearing that familiar voice. I turned around to see my father. He looked somewhat wounded from my words. I quickly spoke up, determined to fix this mess I made. 

"Ada, please allow me to explain-" I began.

However, he cut me off. "No, there's no need to explain. I understand perfectly well." 

I furrowed my brows. "You do?" 

"Of course. I know you mean well." Father said. "But there is a man, one you love, isn't there?" 

"H-how did you know?" I asked, taken back. 

"Because you have the same look in your eyes I had when I met your mother." Father explained. "And fortunate for you, your uncle and I are going to Dale to negotiate with King Bard of Dale and with King Thorin of Erebor." 

King Bard? He's King of Dale? I couldn't believe it. I couldn't help but smile. 

"When do we leave?" I inquired.

•••  

The very next morning, father, Uncle Thranduil, Neria, Jara, and I set out to Dale along with a couple of elf guards. Once we reached Dale, I didn't recognize the place. The entire city was rebuilt, looking magnificent and tall. The people of Dale looked at us in awe as we made our way through the town on horses. And there was a castle in the middle of the city. As soon as we walked into the Great Hall, a man announced our arrival. "Presenting King Thranduil, Lord Mallosson, and Princess Nídhdess of Mirkwood and Countess of Serenno, Lady Neria of Iridonia, and Lady Jara of Mandalore."

There in the Great Hall, I saw Bard sitting on the throne. Off to the side stood Thorin, Fili, Kili, and Balin, who were all baffled to see Neria and me. As soon as Bard saw me, his eyes lit up. Upon seeing Bard, I fell in love with him all over again. After negotiations, Bard and I walked through the gardens alone. 

"I'm happy to see you again. I thought I'd never see you again." Bard mentioned. 

"I'm glad to see you again. And I didn't think I'd see you again either. The war back home seemed to not have an end." I commented.  

I then saw Bard's gaze linger. I followed his gaze to see he was looking at the necklace. Bard looked back at me with a look of awe. "You kept the necklace?" 

"Of course I kept it. After all, you gave it to me as a gift." I reminded him. "Besides this helped me get through all the hard times I went through back home. Thinking of you and your children helped me get through any battle or obstacles."

"Is one of those battles what caused this scar?" Bard pointed out. 

I let out a sigh. "...Yes, and that battle was very difficult...emotionally speaking." 

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