daughterofforgottenkings:

Amera ran a tongue slowly over her lower lip, thinking of her days spent amidst the Bree-folk. The cities of men were always tangled and unsteady in comparison to the homes of the dwarves and first-born, for save Gondor and Rohan, few had true kings. They were free, her kin, free to serve whom they would and seek our their own fortunes, but with that freedom came a certain cost. It seemed to her now that Bard was more than aware of that burden.

“I have always thought provocation to reflect one is doing something right,” She quietly offered, giving a small shrug, “The folk who hired those men are not your friends nor have they the courage to speak their minds freely beneath the sun. Instead, they cling to the shadows and hire others to do their business.” Amera smiled faintly, certainly hoping not to offend, “If anything, perhaps such is a sign that you are doing good for your people, my lord, to anger cowards." 

_{The King of Dale observed his - rather unanticipated - nighttime guest in silence, for a time. She spoke words of great insight, ones Bard could never find insulting, though a shadow of concern did settle in his heart. He had known his would not be an easy task, and there would be challenges to face. He would be a fool not to expect as much. Even so, it was disheartening to know there were those who wished him ill, when all he ever attempted to do was to increase and uphold the prosperity and well-being of his people. All his people.}

_{"Perhaps,” he acknowledged quietly. “And I would pay the cost with my life, if I thought it the right thing to do. But this kingdom is so young, still. We have barely begun. It would be so easy to have it crumble beneath our feet and return to its ruined state. I would not have it so. Why this displeases some, I simply cannot fathom.”}