"Elina!" (Y/n) called out, before pushing a crust of bread into her mouth and pulling on her heavy coat.

"Elina!?" She called out again, as she hurried from the little kitchen to equally small main room. Shaking her head as she saw the old woman that she had been calling for, already sat in her chair next to the fire. A small smile tugging at the pale haired female's lips, as she looked up from her sewing.

Elina.......(Y/n) was sure that the elder woman had been this age, all her life. From the first moment she could remember, the healer had always had the same white hair that she sported now; the same wrinkles and creases that graced her kind features, at this moment. (Y/n) had always known that Elina was not her mother; that her father had died the winter before she was born, and her mother, the day that she had come into the world. Yet even though they were not blood, she loved Elina as if she had been born from her. The two looking after one another, as they tried their best to survive the conditions and poverty of Lake-town; to survive the freezing winters, and in her case, making it through another day without punching Alfrid Lickspittle, when he did his best to creep up on her. (Y/n) not sure what else she had to do or say, to show the little black clad worm that she was not interested in him.

"Where are you off to.........?" Elina enquired, as (Y/n) picked up her bow and quiver of arrows, The younger woman swallowing the last of the bread, before turning back to look at her.

"I told you. I'm off to meet Bard. He said he could use some help on his barge today; he's going up to retrieve some empty barrels from Mirkwood. And I hoped that while we were out, I might be able to go hunting. A rabbit or two will mean we have something to go with the last of the vegetables." (Y/n) explained, as she reached for the scarf that Elina had knitted for her, two winters ago: wrapping it around her head and neck.

Bard, hmmmm? You like that man, don't you......?" Elina asked. A soft chuckle leaving her lips, as the young woman quickly turned on her heels. A bright blush flooding her face.

"I.......I.....well........." (Y/n) spluttered in reply. Elina becoming more amused at the rare sight, of her child blushing.

Normally (Y/n) would never do this. She had grown to be strong, in both body and mind. She had grown to not only be stubborn and able to speak her mind; but to also be kind and caring to all those that were weaker than her. To all those that were lost or broken. Over the years, (Y/n) had studied anything and everything, learning not just healing skills from Elina, but how to fight with a sword and hunt with bow and arrow; those that had taken their time to teach her, surprised just how quickly she had taken to everything. The healer never telling anyone else in the town of men, that her ward was the child of the dwarven prophecy. That (Y/n) not only had the mark of the dragon; but the blood of the beast that had slumbered under the Lonely Mountain, for years, in her veins. So, to see her blush like this, well, Elina couldn't help but be amused. Though it did only happen when a certain bargeman was mentioned.

"Of course I like him. What's not to like. Bard is a good man. He is kind and a wonderful father to Sigrid, Bain and Tilda. That, and he's the only one with enough guts in this town to face up to the master and that odious little insect, Alfrid............"

"But it isn't just admiration for a good man is it, my child? I sense there is more.........." Elina interrupted. (Y/n)'s shoulders falling as she let out a heavy sigh.

Elina had always been able to know what she was thinking and feeling. To know when she had been up to mischief; so (Y/n) knew that there was little point in denying what her heart truly felt.

"No, it is more than admiration that I have for Bard. I........I love him; but I know that I will never be able to tell him. For despite how many years his wife has been gone, I know that he still loves her. That he will never love another; though if he did, I doubt it would be me. No, I can never tell him, because I know that it would change everything. That he would probably never be able to look at me again. So, I will do my best to forget about such silly notions, and I will continue as I always have done.......I will be his friend." (Y/n) explained. A small sad smile gracing her beautiful features, before she leant over and kissed Elina on the forehead.

"Now.........." She continued, as she headed to the door. Doing her best to sound brighter.

"You stay by the fire; and if Alfrid comes calling, telling him to go throw himself into the lake, from me. I'll be back when Bard has his barrels." The door being thrown open and (Y/n) heading out into the cold of the morning.

                                                         >>-------------------------------<<

Bard stamped his feet and pulled his worn coat a little tighter around himself, as he stood on the dock next to his barge. Normally he would go out on his own; normally he would be alone when he ventured out to do what he needed to do to earn a few coins, hoping it would be enough so that he could at least make sure the children were fed. But today, today he would have his first mate with him. Bard finding himself smiling as he thought about his friend; about the beautiful woman who should be with him any moment. (Y/n).

When his wife had first passed away, Bard had been lost; not sure how he would cope with three children. How he could face the world without her by his side. But as time had passed, he had realised that he wasn't alone, that his friend had always been there for him. That (Y/n) had done more for him and his children than he could ever thank her for. And with that realisation, there had come another........that his heart had begun to love again. That he could see a future, a good future where she would become a real part of his family. Though broaching the subject; actually coming out and telling her how he truly felt.........that seemed to be far harder than he hoped it would be. Yet perhaps while they were out today............

"BARD!" A voice called out. Bard turning to see (Y/n) running along the rickety walkways above the water.

"You're late." He chuckled, as she got to him. The bargeman jumping into his vessel, before turning to help her. Bard fighting the blush that made his way onto his cheeks, as she dropped down in front of him. His hands staying on her waist for a moment more, before finally releasing her.

"I am not late, thank you; I am right on time. It is not my fault you got here early. Now, lets go and get these barrels." (Y/n) replied, as she released the mooring rope and took her usual seat. Bard just shaking his head, before pushing off and heading out into the lake.