Halien Greenleaf was a young elf maiden who grew up in the Woodland Realm. She had been through much over the year she traveled with Thorin Oakenshield and the company. While she was in Laketown, she had given birth to her son early and through caring for him and the people of the Lake, she became well-loved amongst the Lakemen. She had left her son, Frerin- named for his uncle- with Bard's children Sigrid, Bane, and Tilda and went to join the battle, aiding her people- both elves and dwarves- as they turned the tides of war in their favor. She had tried to reach Raven Hill, where Thorin, Dwalin son of Fundin, and Thorin's nephews, Fili and Kili, were battling the pale Orc, Azog the Defiler. Fili was the first to fall, then in a rage at seeing his brother's broken lifeless body laying before him, Kili charged in blindly and attacked anything that moved. Tauriel, who had been Halien's mentor in the Woodland Realm, had come to Kili's aid but came almost too late. She fought to keep him from being stabbed in the stomach by the Defiler's son, Bolg, only to be thrown to the side and forced to watch as Kili was pierced with the bladed maul. Tauriel had seen something different in Kili, son of Dis, and had fallen in love with him much as Halien had fallen in love with Thorin Oakenshield, and her heart ached with a thousand blades piercing it as she wept over the lifeless body of the one man she had ever let herself love.

At the top of Raven Hill, where Thorin had been fighting the Defiler, Halien watched as Thorin defeated the Pale Orc. She rejoiced, but quickly ran to his side as he fell to the icy ground. She had tried to use her healing magik to save her husband, to heal the wound Azog dealt him, but it was too deep and she reached him too late. She held the dwarven king, her husband, in her arms as their companion Bilbo Baggins came to their side. They tried to keep him alive, but as he thanked Bilbo for helping him along their quest and told him how much he treasured the true friendship they had built, the King under the Mountain looked to his wife and told her he was sorry he would not live to see their son grow, to teach their son as his father taught him, to love him as he deserved. He asked her to take care of their son and to love him twice as much for the both of them. His last words to his elven wife and queen were how much he loved her. Halien called to her husband as she watched the life leaving his eyes and ignored the fountains of tears that rushed down her cheeks as she summoned every ounce of magik that she could muster and used the strongest spell she knew, one that she had barely mastered, to try and heal him. Stories tell of the brilliant white and blue light that erupted atop Raven Hill, the light of the aura radiating from Halien as she called upon her ancestors and Durin to heal Thorin Oakenshield, begging that he might live. The light glowed like the sun and the moon and the stars all at once and it was nothing any had ever seen before. But Halien's magik was just not strong enough to bring back the dead and her love alone could not save him. Halien had looked down upon her husband, her lover, her life and wept. None could console her, not even Bard the Bowman who had helped her through everything since they reached Laketown.

After some time, Thorin had been buried and his sword- the legendary Goblin Cleaver, Orcrist- was placed upon his tomb to warn against Orcs or Goblins. Halien spent weeks in Erebor, grieving the loss of her husband. She had lost the only person she had ever given everything to, the one person who had truly accepted her and never turned her away. Frerin had been cared for by some of the women in Dale, a few of them acting as a wet nurse while the lad's mother grieved. After nearly a month, Bard brought Frerin with him and went to Erebor and asked Dain Ironfoot, the current King under the Mountain- and cousin of Thorin and the only descendant of Durin old enough to take the throne of Erebor- if he could see Halien. Dain agreed, warning him that she had not slept or ate in almost as long as she had mourned. Bard went to the tomb of Thorin Oakenshield and found Halien, garbed in black with her star light hair and pale skin the only contrasts against her mourning clothes. He held her as she stared at the tomb of her king. Eventually, Halien looked at him and asked what she was to do. Without Thorin, she had told him, she felt like she was nothing. Bard looked at her and told her that Thorin was never going to come back, but a part of him lived within herself, her son, the dwarves who had accompanied her and Thorin on the quest to retake the mountain, Bilbo, and so many others who look to him as an example of what to fight for, to strive to be. Halien found wisdom in his words and looked behind her as her companions, each of the dwarves save Thorin and his nephews- her nephews- Fili and Kili, came into the chamber and smiled at her. They grieved for Thorin as well and they wanted her to be happy. They knew that she would never forget Thorin, nor would anyone else, and asked that she come back into the light, rejoin the world, and rebuild anew as she had promised.

Halien agreed, seeing that her time grieving was over and she needed to once more be a part of the world. She went to seek out the king, Dain, and told him that she was grateful he let her mourn as he did and asked that while her son is the rightful heir to the throne of the Mountain, Frerin be treated with the same respect his father would have received. Dain promised the elf that when Frerin was of age, he may take up a position as a noble in the halls of Erebor and act as an advisor to him. Halien was pleased with that and listened as Dain offered to let her keep the title of Queen Regent, allowing her to still hold sway over what goes on with Erebor until another queen rises, at which point she may remain a Lady of Erebor. Halien smiled and thanked him, grateful that she could still help Erebor and be the voice of reason her husband could not.

Halien Greenleaf left Erebor that day and returned with her son and Bard to Dale, bidding her companions farewell until the next time they met. A few years had gone by and Dale was rebuilt and once more functioning as the center of trade. Merchants returned to sell their wares and the people of the Lake had taken up permanent residence within the city. Bard had been named King of Dale, taking his position as the ruler of the city due to his bravery, commitment to his people, and his relation to Girion, the last king, and his assumed role as the Master of the Lake. Now, Halien lives in the keep with Bard and his family, raising her son with their help.

"Lady Halien, good morning to you!" merchants would say as the elf maiden walked through the streets of Dale with her son's hand in hers and Sigrid and Tilda next to her.

"Good morning to you." she would reply. She smiled as the merchants also greeted Sigrid and Tilda, the princesses of Dale.

"Halien, look!" Tilda said, pointing to a stall of elven wares.

Halien smiled and picked up Frerin as they went over to the stall. "Niransa, good to see you." she said, greeting the elf.

The elf smiled, greeting her. "It is good to see you as well, milady." She smiled and handed her a letter. "I'm glad that I managed to catch you. Your brother sent this letter for you and your father asked that I bring it to you next time I came to Dale."

Halien took the letter from Niransa and read through it. She smiled as she read her brother's handwriting. He was doing alright in the north and wished her well and the same for Frerin. She smiled and thanked Niransa.

"It was my pleasure, milady. Your father offers his best wishes to you and your family." Niransa replied.

"Halien, can I try this on?" Tilda asked, bringing the gown she picked up in front of her.

Halien smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, Tilda." she replied and watched as the young princess of Dale ran behind one of the stall divider walls to change. "Sigrid, why don't you try on the one you are holding, too?" Sigrid nodded and went to join Tilda. After a few minutes, they came out and Halien felt tears in her eyes. "Oh, you both look beautiful..."

Tilda smiled and looked up at her. "Really?"

Halien nodded and Frerin looked up at her. "Naneth, big sisters are pretty!" the boy said with glee.

"Aye, my dear boy, they are." Halien said, picking up her now four year old son.

Tilda spun around and Sigrid smiled.

Tilda smiled at her older sister. "The dress is pretty."

Niransa smiled. "Take it as a gift, your Highnesses. It is always nice to see my work appreciated."

Sigrid and Tilda thanked the elven woman and they packed their previous gowns in the baskets they carried before bidding Niransa a good day and going on their way.

Halien and the children wandered for a bit longer, making a full circle through the marketplace before heading back towards the Keep. As they got closer and closer, though, Frerin insisted on being set down to walk on his own.

"Very well, but you hold onto my hand, alright?" Halien said, setting him down.

Frerin nodded and they continued to walk. The streets were starting to get very busy as the sun rose to its highest point in the sky and Halien was having a hard time keeping Frerin from getting into people's way. At one point, Frerin had let go of her hand and started to run towards the Keep.

"Frerin!" Halien called and she and the girls chased after him, trying to weave in between the throng of people crowding the streets. When they finally caught up to him, Halien sighed in relief.

"Ada, Ada!" Frerin said as Bard picked him up just in front of the Keep's main doors.

"Now, then, lad. Where is your mother?" Bard said, looking at the boy endearingly.

"Naneth is there!" Frerin said, pointing to Halien as she joined them.

"Well, then if this beautiful lady is your mother, why did you run off?" Bard asked him, looking at Halien as he said it.

"I felt Ada nearby!" Frerin said, hugging Bard.

"Well, you still should never run off like that. You could get hurt." Bard said, holding the boy closer to him.

Halien rubbed her son's back and sighed. "He's getting a bit too bold for his age."

Bard smiled and pulled her in for a hug. "He'll only get more bold as each day passes."
"That's what I fear." Halien said, smiling.

"He's just like his mother." Bard said, kissing her forehead. "He'll be just fine."

Halien leaned into his and kissed her son's cheek as he turned back to his mother. "Be more careful, Frerin. I was worried."

"Sorry, Naneth..." the boy said, then reached out to his mother, smiling as she took him into her arms.

"Good day at the market?" Bard asked as they went inside the Keep.

Halien nodded. "Aye, we saw many things today, didn't we, Frerin?"

Frerin nodded. "Big sisters got new dresses. They're so pretty!"

Bard laughed and looked behind him at his daughters. "You do indeed look beautiful, Sigrid, Tilda. Those are elven gowns, are they not?"

Tilda nodded. "Yes, Da. We went to Niransa's stall and she gave these gowns to us as gifts."

Bard looked at Halien. "Niransa is a kind elf. She is your old friend from the Woodland Realm, isn't she?"

Halien nodded. "Aye. My father asked her to bring me a letter from my brother. His time in the north with the Dunedain is going well. He has been training a young man named Aragorn and the lad shows great promise for the future."

"Good to hear that he is doing well." Bard said, smiling. "And your father is doing well too, I assume?"

Halien nodded. "He sends his best wishes."
Bard stopped as they reached Halien's room. "Girls, go on ahead. I will join you in a moment."

Tilda and Sigrid nodded and hugged Halien before going to find their brother. Halien smiled as they thanked her for taking them to the market. As they disappeared down the hall, Halien looked down at Frerin who was beginning to get very sleepy and was nearly passed out in her arms. As his head rested against her shoulder, his eyes half closed, Halien kissed his head and looked at Bard.

"I should get him to bed. It's been an exciting morning for him." she said.

"Of course." Bard said, then opened the door to her room for her as she carried him inside.

The king of Dale watched as Halien laid her son down on his bed, pulling the covers over his shoulders. He smiled as she kissed his head and stood, turning back to Bard.

"He fell asleep quickly." Halien noted, glancing back at her son. "He'll be out for a few hours."

"He looks so peaceful." Bard said, pulling Halien to his side.

Halien smiled. "He's getting so big. It's hard to believe he's already four years old."

Bard looked down at Halien and noticed tears brimming her eyes. "It's nearing the day Thorin died, isn't it?"

Halien looked up at him and nodded. "Tomorrow will be four years since he died."

Bard wiped away the tear that escaped and cupped her chin, lifting her face to look at him. "It's been four years since he fell, but I understand how hard it is for you. I still mourn my wife and it has been over ten years. I look at Frerin and I can see Thorin in him more and more every day. I told you once before, Halien. Thorin may be gone, but he still remains with you in your heart and in your son."

Halien touched his cheek and put her head against his. "It's been hard, trying to raise him alone. But I must thank you for all the help you, Bane, and the girls have given me. Frerin will be a good man when he's older, if not adventurous. Something he seems to have picked up from you."

Bard chuckled. "Well, four years around me will do that to anyone. Just look at my children."

Halien smiled. "Aye, but they're good people. You raised them well."

Bard looked at her, searching her eyes. "Halien, you've helped make them better people, too. They look up to you, see you as their mother now. They know you can never replace their mother, but they appreciate that you have treated them as if they were your own. They see you as their mother as much as Frerin sees them as his siblings."

"He sees you as his father, too, you know." Halien said.

Bard nodded. "I know. That's what 'ada' means- father- right? In the elven language?"

The elf nodded. "Yes. Frerin has a remarkable grasp on the Common Tongue, ancient Dwarvish, and Elven. But, I'm serious, Bard. You've been a father to my son and I appreciate it. It means the world to us."

Bard smiled and kissed her forehead. "You protected my family and kept them safe. I'm just trying to return the favor."

"You sure that's all it is?" Halien wondered aloud, then blushed when Bard gave her a sly look.

Just before Bard could say anything, one of the servants came to the doorway of Halien's room and gave them both a message.

"My lord, your children are in the library, but you have business that you need to attend in the council chambers. Lady Halien, you are needed in the training grounds. You have been requested to teach a lesson before the day is done. I will bring your son to the library when he wakes, but until then I will sit with him." she said.

Bard nodded, sighing. "Thank you, Grace."

Halien looked at Bard. "You best go, then, Bard. I will join you and the children for dinner when I am done with the lesson."

Bard nodded. "Very well, I will see you tonight."

Halien watched as he left, then ushered Grace inside. "I will need your assistance in getting out of this gown."

Grace nodded and helped Halien changed out of her gown. As the gown slid down her body to the floor, Grace noticed the scars along her back. Halien sensed that she was staring at them and smiled sadly.

"They are battle scars, dear girl. Don't be embarrassed." Halien said, laughing a bit when Grace blushed and looked away. She went over to her dresser and pulled out a tunic and a pair of pants. As she slipped into them, Grace set the gown on a hanger and hung it in the large wardrobe.

"Milady, may I ask what battles you have seen?" the girl asked.

"Well, you know that I was part of the Battle of Five Armies, four years ago." Halien said, smoothing out the creases in the fabrics. "I was there when Erebor was taken and Dale fell- some of the scars are from that day- and I was also in a few skirmishes with Orcs and goblins along my travels, as well as bandits. I have seen more battles that I would have liked to, but such is life."

Grace nodded. "Do they hurt?"

"No, but they are a reminder that I am lucky to be alive and well. They are a reminder of my skill in battle, my ability to survive." Halien said. "They're part of who I am."

Grace smiled. "That's a nice thought, milady."

Halien turned, dressed in soft brown leather pants, a light blue tunic with white embroidery, and soft brown hard leather boots. "It's one thing that keeps me going."

Grace bowed and took a seat next to Frerin's bed. "You best hurry, milady. They are waiting for you in the training yard."

"Thanks you, Grace. Look after him well." Halien replied, then left to go meet the soldiers.

A few hours later, Halien finished with her training session and went to go back to her room to change. As she passed through the halls, Bane came around a corner and called to her as he ran to meet her.

"There you are. Da wanted to see you in the library." Bane said, panting as he spoke.

"Tell him I will be right there, Bane. I just need to change first."

"Da needs you to come right away. It's Frerin."

Halien felt her chest tighten and she followed the prince of Dale to the library. When she entered, she saw Frerin dancing in the center of the library as snow fell from the ceiling.

"There you are, Halien!" Bard said, hurrying over. "I can't get him to stop making it snow. He got really excited about something and then started doing this."

Halien looked around and started to laugh. "It's alright. I'll calm him down."

Bard stepped back as Halien began to move her hands and draw the snow into her. She heated her hands a bit and made the snow turn into steam, then she she used the breeze from the window to draw the steam outside. As she did this, Bard watched how she moved- almost as if she was dancing- and he noticed that Frerin stopped to watch his mother remove the snow from the library.

"Naneth!" Frerin said and jumped into his mother's arms when she was finished.

"Frerin, you made it snow." Halien said hugging her son. "I'm so proud of you, but what brought on your excitement?"

Frerin touched his mother's cheek and used the same memory share technique she knew to show her the dream he had. It was of Thorin, calling to his son and wishing him a happy birthday and telling him that he loved him. He told Frerin that he was proud of him and who he was growing into as a person and told him to let his mother know that he loves her and it was OK to move on. Halien didn't realize the tears falling down her cheeks until Bard came to her side and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Halien, are you alright?" Bard asked, looking at her concerned.

Halien nodded and kissed her son's forehead. "His dream... He met Thorin..."

"Thorin? What do you mean?" Bard asked, confused.

"When we die, some believe that we return to the place of our ancestors. Dwarves return to the stone of their mountains, elves return to the forests of their ancestors or to the stars we revere. I think Thorin's spirit-his soul- returned to the stone of the Lonely Mountain. He's still looking out for us."

Bard smiled and pulled her into his arms. "I told you he'd be with you still."

Halien breathed in his scent of sandalwood and spices, comforted by it. "You did indeed."

Bard looked at his children and they nodded. He took Frerin from Halien and handed him to Sigrid. Halien looked at him confused, then she felt as if her heart skipped a beat when Bard took her hands in his.

"Halien, I-" he started to say, but someone came into the library, panting.

"Lady Halien, King Dain Ironfoot of Erebor has requested your aid. His wife is sick and he fears for her life." the messenger said.

Halien nodded and looked at Bard.

He nodded. "I know, you need to go. We can speak later."

Halien sighed. "I'm sorry, Bard." she turned to join the messenger, but she turned back to him and kissed him.

Bard was taken aback, not expecting her to kiss him at all.

Halien lingered on the kiss for a moment, then pulled away. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

Bard watched as she took off with the messenger. 'Be careful, Halien, remember the reports of wargs. Come back safely.' he thought to her.

'I will.' she thought back.