Bard the Bowman
| Biography: Bard the Bowman | |
|---|---|
| Birth - Death | Third Age Circa 2900 - 2977 |
| Race: | Man |
| Gender: | Male |
| Ancestor(s): | Bródda ⁞ Girion ⁞ Brandjarn ⁞ |
| Bard the Bowman | |
| Child(ren): | King Bain |
| Descendant(s): | ⁞ Brand ⁞ Bard II |
| Info: | Slayer of Smaug; Restorer and first King of Dale |
Bard the Bowman was a Man of Lake-town and the slayer of Smaug. A descendant of Girion, last Lord of Dale, Bard restored the kingship of Dale after generations of exile and became its first king in the renewed realm of the North.
Bard was the son of Bain of Lake-town and a descendant of the ancient lords of Dale, tracing his line back through Brandjarn to Girion and ultimately to Bródda, first Lord of Dale under the Dwarves of Erebor. After the destruction of Dale in 2770 of the Third Age, Bard's forefathers lived in exile in Lake-town. The royal lineage was concealed, and the last Black Arrow, once a symbol of alliance between Dale and Erebor, was preserved secretly within the family. Bard was raised as an archer in the service of Lake-town, unaware for much of his life that he would one day reclaim a fallen crown.
In 2941 of the Third Age, Smaug was roused from the Lonely Mountain and descended upon Lake-town in wrath. As the dragon set the town ablaze, Bard stood among the defenders. At the height of the assault, a thrush brought him knowledge of Smaug's weakness — a bare patch in the dragon's armour. With the final Black Arrow, preserved through the generations since Girion's fall, Bard took aim. The arrow struck true in the dragon's weak place, and Smaug fell, destroying much of Lake-town in his death-throes but ending the long Desolation of the North.
After the dragon's fall, Bard's descent from Girion was revealed. Many among the Men of the Lake and Dale recognized his lineage and acclaimed him rightful lord of the ruined city. In the aftermath of the Battle of Five Armies, Bard received a share of the treasure of Erebor. With it he rebuilt Dale upon its ancient site and was crowned King of Dale. Under his rule, trade and friendship between Dale, Erebor, and the Woodland Realm were restored, renewing the alliances first forged in the days of Bródda and Thrór.
Bard ruled wisely, strengthening Dale as a realm of Men in the North. The shame associated with Girion's defeat was transformed into honour through Bard's deed, and the house that had once hidden its name in exile now stood openly as kings. He was succeeded by his son, who thus became King Bain, and who continued the royal line. Through Bard's courage and kingship, the long exile of Dale ended, and the ancient line of its lords was firmly re-established.