taurielelfofmirkwood:

After listening to what he had said, nodding as a sign of acknowledgement, Tauriel stopped and slowly turned to her left, looking around, before running quietly and jumping into a low branch of a tree. There she crouched, her eyes studying the area around them with keen eyes, checking for danger - the woods were, after all, dangerous, and you could never be too careful. As Captain of the Guard, Tauriel knew that from experience.

She cast a glance down to Bard, “I live here, surely it would be, to say the least, disastrous if we were to not… adjust,” With one last look to check the way ahead was clear, she jumped down and stood next to Bard again. In his current hazy state, Tauriel doubted he would notice that her bow was at her side, with an arrow notched, “But that does not mean I find it pleasant,” Tauriel then frowned, as she had only just been able to make out his last words, and his deep breath worried her even more; so quick as anything, she was by his side and had an arm around his neck, supporting the poor Bowman, “Hush, you are not causing any trouble,” the she-elf comforted, because really, he wasn’t causing any trouble, “We’re nearly there.”

        <sub>“So you’re immune to the toxicity. That sounds pleasant,” he mused aloud. He must be coming off more daft than usual, at her last statement and if Bard wasn’t in the ludicrous state of his, he might have had the decency to acknowledge his attitude. “And a haven it shall be, is this where you are leading me?” Bard rubbed at his temples, his mind foggy but in the least, she was leading the way. 

“I’m trusting you here—” He stated flatly, though there wasn’t much standing behind it. He had no choice. He was probably farcical, and wondering now– would the bowman remember anything whence this spell was lifted? Hm. “You could be leading me to a dungeon and I’m following flatly, you hear?"</sub> 

taurielelfofmirkwood:

“None apart from a band of particularly troublesome dwarves. The same company that you shared your home with, I believe,” she frowned slightly, “It still amazes me quite how they managed to get out,” Tauriel trailed off, talking more to herself than to Bard.

His next words were sharp and clear for someone who had been exposed to the woods. She listened to him speak and then thought for a moment, looking him up and down, “Well, I dare say that your topics of conversation are somewhat odd, but your words are not unclear - if a little, awkward,” the she-elf found that Bard talking about dungeons and making feeble jokes amusing, “Perhaps the bowman is just shy,” she chuckled softly and raised an amused brow, “Come. You are fine, but might not be for much longer.” Tauriel turned her back and continued walking.

<sub>“You never know what a band of thirteen have hidden beneath their sleeves, or within their hair.” And surely, they had a lot of hair. "But they did not escape without casualty. Though the wound was not from your kind, so a dangerous trek it was in-deed,“ Bard mused aloud as they continued their path, his steps slow and a tad shaky from side to side. 

"Shy?” Exasperation seeped into the lines of his face at the untruth. “Not at all, and it is not my fault. It is the cloud under this–” He pointed upwards at the atmosphere. “How does it not affect you?” How peculiar, but it was not magic he was familiar to. This was outside of his element and territory, in more ways than one. “I will abide by your words, I do not want any more trouble than I could potentially already be causing, Tauriel.”  His words slurred slightly as he inhaled a large breath. His mind was becoming foggy, wasn’t it? Or was it brainwashing from the She-elf herself, and he was completely fine? Bard did not know anymore, so he only continued after her.</sub>

taurielelfofmirkwood:

She looked over her shoulder to check that Bard was following her and then dropped back to could walk next to him, and listen to him speak, “Just know that the dungeons of Mirkwood are no crumbling cells. The bars are elf made and you would be foolish to attempt escape without a key. The key being, of course, closely guarded,” she raised an eyebrow, frowning slightly to herself, “Most of the time…” she muttered, not quite sure why she was making conversation about Mirkwood’s dungeons, but she found a strange comfort in talking to the bowman.

The she-elf walked on, always wary of potential dangers while still listening to Bard making, dare she say, slightly awkward conversation. Tauriel thought that his jesting may be as a result of anxiety or fear and sighed softly; stopping when he finished talking.

She took a step forward and turned to face him, an understanding smile playing delicately on her lips, “Bard, your light hearted words do not match your aura. I do not want to hurt or fool you, I do not arrest you because you have children to take care of; and in truth… I-I just want to see you safe. I may be mistaken in my worries about your thoughts, but are you okay? I know this forest can take it’s toll on those unfamiliar with it…” she trailed off and averted her gaze.

        <sub>“So none have escaped from the trenches of Mirkwood’s pits before? That is a good record to have.” Bard’s neck stiffened at the idea of being locked up there with the warning, one he would not take lightly. Elves had more at the tip of their fingers than man could make, but with valued efforts, they could attempt at being equal. Attempt, he thought to himself.

Quirked brow, he padded on after the flowing auburn hair. The path would have been easier with a guide, honestly. But these were not his lands, and Bard knew that much. Her quick halt had him startled in his stance, wavering as he quieted, waiting on her.

Hm. Tauriel worries of his children? He thought he was the only one who cared. A genuine smile appeared and he bowed his head lightly at her words. “I do not know, Tauriel. These woods are not something I am acquainted with, and delusion is not often something one can peg down whilst in the delusion. But tell me this, do I seem peculiar? I would trust your judgement.” Perhaps his face sallow, or stance wavering. It felt a long time he had been in these woods, and it was taking hold of his body, and mind little by little. How had the Elves enchanted the wood realm so?</sub>

taurielelfofmirkwood:

“I shall not take you to my kin, for they would surely imprison you and I see no reason for that to happen - but I must know why you are in Mirkwood,” Tauriel didn’t have anything against Bard, and he had given no reason not to trust him, but she was intensely curious about his reasons for being in her realm. For she was not entirely sure whether they be good or not.

“Actually I think it’s better that you came alone; or I would certainly have had to arrest you,” a slight smirk appeared on her lips as she turned away from him and made her way through the forest, “I’ll take you to somewhere no-one will find you, are you coming?” Tauriel beckoned him with a wave of her hand.

          <sub>“I thank you for that thought alone, miss.” Bard did not turn back, allowing her to lead him where the she-elf thought fit. He was her prisoner now. And even if not, that was how it felt. “Arrest me? And then what happens after one gets arrested in Mirkwood? On another thought, I would much rather not know nor experience it.”

“Yes, of course. I hear it is dangerous to get lost in these woods, but it all looks the same to me. I suppose that is where I was at fault. Good thing it is you found me then, isn’t it?” How he found it plausible to jest at a time like this, the bowman would never figure. But it suited the otherwise ill silence that settled in between them, and the jostle of the creatures that crittered about in the leaves.</sub>

taurielelfofmirkwood:

Tauriel saw his face and immediately lowered her aim, however not yet putting away her weapon completely. She did not wish to harm the man that had helped the dwarfs, but if the King found out he would not be happy. A small frown had appeared on her brow but it quickly disappeared when she looked up and met his gaze, “Bard?” she said with slight disbelief, “Why are you here? I cannot say that I am not pleased to see you… even though that may sound strange…” She trailed off and chuckled slightly at herself, slinging the bow back over her shoulder.

Her sharp eyes began to work again, as she quickly looked around the forest, “It is not safe here, we should go,” still looking around, she walked past Bard, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder - meeting his gaze once more, “Come. We must go.”

             <sub>"But where are you taking me? You ease me with a light arm, but your comrades and king may see differently, if it is to them that you are bringing me to.“ The bridge of trust was not built fully among the pair, but the building blocks that were slowly made– could easily be knocked down if Bard found himself being held prisoner, no matter the realm he ventured on. Whether it be his home-town, or otherwise.

        Ah his faith was waning. But once a savior of his children, he vested confidence in Tauriel, giving her the benefit of the doubt.  "I suppose it was not the most intelligent, coming here where it is not my place without companionship. Better me, than with fourteen others fumbling behind me."</sub> 

taurielelfofmirkwood:

Tauriel was standing on a branch, high up in a tree in Mirkwood. Her eyes darted around, scouting the area - it was King’s orders to check the certain parts of the forest daily for trespassers or orc parties that might cause trouble.

Sharp eyes moved to her right, seeing something move in the distance a few trees away from the one she was standing on. Tauriel ran silently along the length of the branch, bow and arrow at the ready. She jumped down with ease and pointed the arrow in the direction of the movement, “Show yourself or I will shoot.” 

       _{“But I am of no harm,” he replied before showing himself visibly in the light, eyes meeting the elf’s. He would not be so foolish to wage a battle against an elf’s marksmanship; man could only do so much in comparison. To have trespassed into the Mirkwood’s territory, the bowman knew of the dangers that could be presented, but to be noticed so quickly. That was a personal record at worst. 
       "You do not recall who I am—“ Bard began, eyes narrowing as he followed the point of the bow to her arm. "But I am the owner of the home that held the dwarves for guests whilst in Esgaroth. You may recall, that is where the orcs and the entire band of you all managed to bring what little I had of a home to shambles.” He began trailing off now, the casual spin of the conversation a callous approach, but he hoped for it’s aloof effectiveness.}