You had known Bard for years, known his children for their entire lives, after Laketown was destroyed, he searched and searched in earnest for you until he had to gather the survivors and take them to the shores of the lake to regroup, still reeling from the possibility of losing you.

You had managed to escape to the shores, the scattered townsfolk beaten and battered by the destructive force of Smaug. Amongst the grief and anguish lining the lake, you found Bard's girls, Sigrid and Tilda.

Together you searched for Bard, Tilda keeping a tight hold on your hand as the time wore on. You kept calm and steady, for the girl's sake. From up ahead you spotted Bard and Bain, Sigrid spotted them too.

"Da!" she cried, running to him, Tilda following, "Da, Da!" she squealed.

Reunited, Bard was almost beside himself at the revelation of having all three of his children alive. Once he'd checked each of them over thoroughly, he turned to see you standing closeby.

He rushed you into his arms, nearly squeezing the very breath from your lungs, pressed tightly against him, your chin on his shoulder.

"Don't ever leave me like that again," *he said, his voice hoarse, "I wouldn't survive it."