<sub>He knew not whence they came from, those blundering yet threatening creatures. Orc’s. The fact that the numbers were rather alarming, and that they’d managed to show themselves, their pale hide against the light of day, that was a whole other story. Concern brewed within his stomach, but he had no right to make a move alone. Bain kept a watchful eye from the window of their home. Safety was no longer, but that did not hinder the townspeople from hiding behind the barrier of wooden walls. That in itself was more salvage than bare skin against bone. 

          The last that anyone had heard. Seen of this. Was all mythical, hearsay. The Battle of Dagorlad. Remember the Last Alliance? Remember what they hath accomplished— endless bodies along the Emyn Muil. Bard’s breath escaped him like a hiss, as the captain packed away necessary for his venture across the waters through the Woodland Realm. Here he would hopefully find friend, not foe. For surely, the orc’s came not the haven of the Elvenking’s land.</sub> 

_{But that was his optimism. Truth be told, Mirkwood was a fitting name for the woods now, and most Men did not dare to venture past. Men that included the Master of Lake-town. Always were the people that had to do the trades in courtesy of their Master. Trades, negotiations, peacekeeping alike. It was no surprise when Bard got called upon to seek out a new request, arrangement from the likes of the Lord of Mirkwood.} 

<sub>So on his merry way he went, towards the woods where surely, in no time at all, the Man caught the eye of an elf or two and he was taken, cautiously, into the heart of Mirkwood. It was entirely true, the leaves seemed to be molten with a dark ember of life; not dead, but not well. He said nothing in his journey past the gates, and it was a breath of fresh air once he felt safer within. “Lord Thranduil, I have come from Long Lake, and it is my Master that has appointed me in his stead to relay a message.

                       "Though I would think that turning a blind eye upon what is happening would be difficult, no matter the time or place,” Bard finished slowly, his eyes meeting that of the Elvenking’s.</sub>