Leader (Bard x reader) platonic
Prompt: “eat, you need your strength”
Warnings: ruins of dale, wounded, the passing of his wife
A/n: This takes place after Lake-town is destroyed and before the elves arrive in Dale
You watched as Bard explained that shelter for the night was what everyone needed and to follow him. You had always known he had what it takes to be a leader; though he always disagreed with you.
You had known Bard your whole life, much like the rest of the town since it was a small place. His wife, him, and yourself had all been friends growing up. After her passing, you stepped up to help look after the kids while he was away working, though as they got older you had stepped down some in the role. You still checked on them from time to time, but thought best to not be involved all the time.
He led all of you through the rocky terrain towards Dale. It was the only place that would have even a little of shelter for everyone. You were mid-way of the crowd, carrying some of the few supplies that had washed to the shore in the destruction of Lake-town. The walk was long, many struggled but were determined to make it to where Bard was leading them.
Everyone stopped when Dale came into sight. No one had been there or even looked fully at it before, just knew from the tales pasted down of it. Even it had dealt with dragon fire and was in ruin, but still some buildings stood through all the years.
As everyone continued on to the broken gates, you could all sense it. The hunting feeling of what had been. There was a chill in the air, both because of atmosphere of the ruins and because winter was slowly closing in.
“Find a building with enough room for the wounded.” Bard told all of you. “Any medical supples goes with them. Food supplies in another building along with anything else we have.” He finished explaining.
Everyone worked to find a well standing building for the wounded and to find places the they could rest for the night. No one dared to spread out to far from one another, unsure how safe the ruins were or of any wild life that may have lived within the walls.
Less than a quarter of the supplies were food, which meant small portions of food. Bard had told them to prioritize the wounded, women, and children first for the food. Since you had been helping serve out the food you were one of the last to get any, which meant an even smaller portion than the others. Still as you looked at it, you knew Bard probably hadn’t eaten as well, so you grab another plate and scraped half of what food you had onto it.
You walked in the direction you had seen Bard going last, finding him on a bridge of sorts that looked towards Erebor.
“Do you think they will help us?” You asked walking up beside him.
“They promised us a share, I hope they hold to it.” He answered looking over to you as you nodded and then down to your hands, both holding plates.
“This is yours.” You told him holding out the plate closest to him.
“I cannot take your food, (Y/n).” He objected.
“I know you haven’t had any yet, plus I don’t need all of it.” You insisted shoving the plate into his hands before he could argue back. He looked at the plate still in your hand to the one you had gave him. He could tell with what little you kept on your that wasn’t enough to ease anyones hunger. “Eat, you need your strength.” You told him as you took a bite of your own. “They see you as a leader now, you need to be ready to lead them and you can’t do that if you’re not strong enough.” You added.
He sighed, giving in at your statement. You were right, he had to be ready for anything even more now with everyone following behind him.
“Thank you, (Y/n).” He spoke after taking a bite of the food.
“I know you. You’d neglect yourself to make sure others are taken care of. That’s why I promised to take care of you.” You stated talking of the promise you had made to his wife and your other best friend. You could feel his eyes on you, probably a look of thankfulness and sorrow, but you didn’t turn to face him; you couldn’t.
“You have done a lot for me and the family, (Y/n). More than I could ever thank you for…” He said, that last part carrying more sorrow than what he wanted.
“There is no need to thank me. I did only what a friend should do. Even now, I’m doing my part to help you. We both know you will no longer be Bard the bargeman or Bard the troublemaker,” you let out a small laugh calling him that once again, “but you will more than likely be master or king.” You explained to him. “You will be the leader I always told you; you will be.” You restated finally looking back his way.
“Then I hope you will continue to help me, (Y/n).” He replied. “You are the best at thinking on your feet, so I hope whatever happens next you will agree to be by my side.” He added in a hopeful tone.
“Helping you out of trouble was probably easier than this will be, but i don’t plan to break my promise in any means; so if you want me to be your right hand then I shall.” You answered him with a slight nod. “But let’s worry on getting through the night and bracing for tomorrow.” You proposed as you took the empty plate from his hand and began to head towards the steps.
“Agreed, so make sure you try to get some rest. I made Alfred have the night watch.” He told you with a sly smile.
“I don’t think that will work in our favor, but he does deserve to be put to actual work for once.” You replied with a smile on your face before disappearing down the steps.
You would be right, as elven soldiers would make it into Dale without Alfred noticing, thus proving more to Bard it would be the right choice to have you help make decisions in the future. For now you were going to help him and Thranduil in getting the King under the mountain to agree to his promise.
Thank y'all for reading! Hope y'all enjoyed it!
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