I don't mind not going the Skald, but I'd still like to play the Guardian if you'd allow it. Mainly it's just a barbarian with a champion reaction instead of a rage power. If that's not ok, I will likely change the character to be either a full champion or full fighter to fill the same kind of "defender" role, but I'd certainly prefer to stick with the barbarian defender.
Other than that, I do also have this archetype that I've been meaning to playtest more, which could just be applied to the champion/fighter alternate idea I have if this is more to your tastes? (https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/zqVR2-d3qf0d) It would likely lead me to playing a "Face" who is a frontline character with ties to the Fey Wild.
Edit: Actually, if you're not ok with the Guardian, I think I might just go with a monk build. Just figured I'd through that out there as well.