The tension in the air between them hung high. For a moment, Validhreniel remained silent. Thorin pondered on repeating the question, in a different tone, but her response came quickly.

"In all honesty, Thorin, I tried to return." she answered quietly. Her voice was filled with sorrow and guilt. "When I departed from the encampment, I journeyed toward the Iron Hills, as you asked of me."

"Then why did you never arrive?"

Validhreniel took a deep breath before answering slowly. "I found it was not safe for me to travel in my condition at the time."

Silence once again lapsed in their conversation. Validhreniel held Thorin's gaze, literally watching the information settle in his mind. And with it, all hopes of a civil and unheard conversation disappeared.

"Why did you not tell me?" Thorin demanded. His voice echoed throughout the terrace. "Why did you not tell me you were with child?"

"If you believe for one moment that I deliberately withheld that from you, you are so very wrong Thorin." Validhreniel's voice matched Thorin's in volume and rage.

"Why did you not tell me?"

"Because you left for Moria." she replied. "The morning you were to depart for the mines I tried to tell you! I tried to tell you that Fili and Kili would not be the sole bearers of Durin's line, that our own child would bear that as well. I tried to tell you, but you left before I had a chance."

Her words flooded Thorin's thoughts. She'd known before he departed for battle. Meaning she had been with child when she departed into the mountains mere weeks prior to the battle. She had not only withheld the knowledge from him for centuries, but had also withheld it in a time of need.

"You knew going into the pass." he stated. His voice was low and dangerous.

Validhreniel replied with great caution, knowing her husbands dangerous temper. "No. At that time I did know. During my captivity, it became clear to me."

"And what became of you?"

"I could not travel the great distance to the Iron Hills. During my travels, I fell ill. In passing, the elves of Lorien gave be aid and protection. They delivered me safely to Rivendell where regained my health and strength." Validhreniel replied. "It was here, in Rivendell, where i delivered our children."

"Children?"

Validhreniel gave a small nod. "A son, Durin. And a daughter, Saebrylla."

Thorin was silent. In the time since her disappearance, Thorin had never imagined such a revelation. They had spoken but once of a family of their own. Never had he imagined this to be the reason of her disappearance. A son and a daughter. Children he had fathered but never met. Never taught, never to protect, nor had any knowledge of their existence.

"You could have sent word." Thorin stated.

"I did." she answered quietly. "Every letter was sent back unopened. The carriers were never permitted to enter the encampments. Elves were not welcome."

"I would never have treated my children as such."

"You cannot give me a guarantee of that, Thorin." Validhreniel replied. "You treated me with the same contempt before my departure through the pass, you certainly would have treated our children the same. It may not have been a harsh as my treatment, but it would be the same prejudice nonetheless. And I was not about to subject our children to such an unfair treatment from their father."

"You had no right keeping them from me!"

"You're right. It was not a choice to make on my own accord." she replied. "It was not my sole choice to keep our family separate, and raise our children without their father. With each day hat passed I foolishly hoped that we would be reunited one day. But the promise fell empty, just as your promise of rescue did."

Thorin's blood turned to ice. His heart plummeted in his chest as her angry words stung him deeply. His eyes fell to her scared lips, down her concealed arm. The arm that bore most of her scars, now hidden from outside eyes.

Her hard gaze softened at the painful memories of capture. "'A days delay, and I will personally drag you from the mountain'. Were those not the words you told me? Those words were all that kept me alive. They were all that kept me going those seventeen days. Every night I prayed for rescue. Prayed you would come for me as you promised. And every day was met with disappointment.

"My choice to remain here may not have been the right choice. I may have separated our family, kept us apart for decades, cheated them from knowing their father, and you from knowing your children, I made it to protect them from you. I have paid for that choice every day since that day, but I refuse to allow you to harm our children with your prejudice. you may despise Elves with a fiery hatred, Thorin, but I will not let you thrust such hatred upon our children, whom I love deeply. No matter what the cost, I will protect them from you." she concluded.

Silence followed her words. There were no voices around them, only the faint sound of music and birds in the air. They stared at each other, both spent from their fight. both crushed by the guilt they had chosen for the passed decades. Both ashamed of their selfishness they had chosen.

A small choking sound ended the heated silence. Both dwarves turned toward the sound. Bilbo stood on the steps, overlooking the terrace. He shifted uncomfortably. He had arrived mere moments ago during the height of the argument and had not had the opportunity to secretly retreat, thus leaving him and an awkward position.

"What is it Master Baggins?" Thorin demanded gruffly.

"Ah...um..." Bilbo stuttered. He gestured up the stairs. "Gandalf sent me to uh...br-bring you up for dinner."

"Tell Gandalf we're coming." Validhreniel replied. She began her accent up the stairs. "I believe Lord Thorin and I have discussed all that was needed."

"Oh um...yes. Very...very good my lady." Bilbo bowed nervously.

Validhreniel gave Bilbo a small smile and bowed in return. "Master Baggins." Her eyed flashed down to Thorin. Bilbo was not lost of the remorseful look in her eyes and she departed.

Thorin journeyed up the stairs several paces behind Validhreniel. "Come, Master Baggins, we shan't keep our hosts waiting any longer."

Bilbo followed behind Thorin, feeling a tad uncomfortable with the situation. Yet he couldn't help but feel a bit more...curious as well.


so for those who read my prequel to this, does this excuse suit you? i'll update as soon as I can. I can't believe I got two chapters in one day. progress!