CH. 14 Bard's Kingly Qualities

[Desi Baggins]

What were some things Bard did that showed he would make a good King? Also did he do anything that would contradict that?

[Stormrider]

Bard is a descendant from a long line of Girion Lord of Dale. He may be grim voiced and grim faced, but he has sense enough to realize that the Dwarves disturbance of Smaug could cause much trouble for Laketown and its people.

At the beginning of Chapter 14, the people have noticed that there are lights flickering around the Lonely Mountain, but they think the new King under the Mountain is already forging gold. Bard is not fooled and realizes it is the dragon who has been disturbed rather than Thorin forging gold.

Kingly qualities for Bard include his foresight in realizing danger is at hand and warning the Master trouble is coming. Bard does not wait for the Master to react, but he gives commands for the protection and defense of Laketown on his own: cut the bridges, to arms, drench the roofs with water. His quick reaction gave the town time to get ready before Smaug arrived. Once the dragon arrived in full fury, Bard encouraged the archers on and urged the Master to order the archers to fight (I imagine some may have been quaking inside under the dragons flames).

Bard is actually from a kingly line of the men from Dale (Girion's line). He already has the bloodlines to be a king. Because of his lineage, Bard was able to understand the language of the old thrush which enabled him to defeat Smaug with his black arrow. He was not concerned about being a king even though the people began calling, "Bard, the Dragon-Shooter of the line of Girion. King Bard!" His first thought was to set up camps for the care of the sick and wounded, obtaining food for them, and beginning the steps for re-building. Bard began to govern and protect the people but he did it in the Master's name.

Eventually Bard thought about going back North to Dale so he could begin re-building it. He realized the Dwarves may very well be dead and he thought about the treasure that was available in the Lonely Mountain. Bard kept his thoughts to himself while helping the people of Laketown but had hopes that there would be enough in the Lonely Mountain to help re-build Dale (and possibly all those in the area that had suffered from the dragon).