Chapter 4: Interrupted Meetings

Fili sighed quietly as he sat at the large table listening to Thranduil and Thorin making snide remarks to each other while Bard tried to mediate. Balin had long given up such a task, as neither King seemed able to act their ages.

Over the last seven years the kingdoms of Erebor and Dale had been rebuilt, with people coming from all over to settle. Bard had taken over the lordship, despite his initial protests. Thorin ruled Erebor in the same fashion he had back at Ered Luin, refusing to allow those of the old counsel to walk back in expecting power when they did nothing to earn it. Instead he gave most of the Company those positions, as well as those loyal few advisors who had stayed with Durin's folk through thick and thin. The laws and way of life reflected the very sensible style of living they had adopted in their time of exile from their grand home. Personally Fili preferred it. He would revolt if he was made to wear his 'finery' all the time.

Thankfully he had married as soon as Reyna had arrived at the mountain, and Kili was still enamored with his Elf. This helped to save them from the other dwarf lords throwing their eligible daughters at them, now that they had wealth again. As if he would marry someone after his title and position. Reyna loved Fili the dwarf, whether he had gold in his pockets or nothing but dirt, and that was perfect for him.

Slowly but surely the two ruined kingdoms had recovered and started to thrive even. Much to Thorin's ire a lot of this was thanks to the Elves of Mirkwood. Thranduil had stepped up, actually offering aid and not demanding anything in return. Tauriel mentioned it was likely due to the influence of his sons, but she did not say more.

Soon new treaties were worked between the kingdoms and they held a yearly meeting between all of the rulers, their heirs and advisors. This year it was being held in Mirkwood. Kili had gotten out of it, since Tauriel had determined it best not to return to the woodland realm despite Thranduil rescinding her banishment.

Speaking of those banished. His mother had finally come to Erebor with the last of their Kin, after making a stop in Hobbiton on the request of Kili and him. Their burglar had not responded to any of the missives the Company had sent over the years, not that they really blamed him. Thorin had eventually rescinded his banishment, but the Hobbit had not acknowledged this information or any of their attempts to contact him. If not for the continuing work to restore and run the kingdom the princes would have gone to check on the Hobbit themselves. The others had considered it as well, though something always came up needing their attention. Thankfully their mother had the opportunity.

Only she did not tell them much upon her arrival. She had only relayed that their burglar was alive and well, quite polite, he had not received the multiple letters they sent, and no she didn't tell him about the recanting of banishment as they should grow backbones and apologize to the Hobbit in person. She then loudly announced she considered Bilbo Baggins a good friend and any who harmed him would face her wrath. The look she leveled at Thorin when saying this spoke volumes.

Going to the others who had gone with their mother offered no insights as they had all agreed to not mention what was discussed with the Hobbit or why he had not received their letters. Not even Gimli, who had never been able to keep a secret from them before, would break the strange code of silence. Clearly their Hobbit had won them over as much as he had won the Company over during their journey.

Suddenly the doors to the counsel room slammed open bouncing slightly off the walls. Everyone jumped to their feet startled, only to see Legolas, Thranduil's youngest son, stomping past the table towards the bookcase on the far wall. No one said anything as they stared at the Prince, too stunned by his appearance.

"Strider," Thranduil spoke finally his voice a mixture of shock and confusion. Fili turned to see there was a man standing in the doorway, trying very hard not to laugh. He wore the garb of the Rangers of the North. "Why is my son blue?"

That was a very good question. For Legolas was indeed a very vibrant shade of blue from the top of his once blond hair likely down to his feet, if the blue skin of his face and hands indicated anything. Mahal, even his clothes were a shade of blue.

"I am afraid he angered the wrong woman, King Thranduil," the ranger replied dryly, a highly amused grin stretching his lips. "He was warned. Repeatedly."

Fili could feel his own mirth rising, and several in the room were trying hard to stifle laughs, though he noted the Crown Prince Argalad did no such thing. Even now his shoulders were shaking with merriment. Slowly the others returned to their seats, though several kept glancing at the young Elf searching through the books with determination.

"Ion nin?" Thranduil now turned his attention to his son. He had not seen such fire in his child's eyes since the battle, though he did note a change for the better a few years prior. Still Legolas had not shown such passion since Tauriel broke his heart, and Thranduil was hesitant to stifle it. But his son was blue. "What are you searching for?"

"The trappers' book," he murmured distractedly.

"You really shouldn't," Strider spoke up addressing the prince. "Honestly, you started the whole game. Perpetuating it is only going to make it worse."

The Elf spun on one foot pointing sharply at the man. "I will not lose to her! I am going to show that annoying mortal who is the better prankster! I don't care if her father is a god! I'm an Elf and a Prince of the Woodland Realm! She is not getting away with this!"

Once finished with his declaration he turned back to the shelves beginning his search again. Many of the Elves stared at him in shock, though some were giving his father looks, as if remembering something. The Dwarves and Men were also startled, more from seeing an Elf act anything less than completely composed. Many remember seeing the Prince in battle, and never had he acted with such emotion. It was quite a difference.

Bard muffled a laugh at the show. It reminded him of young boys teasing the girls they liked. Only they didn't like it when said girls retaliated. Clearly the prince had feelings for this woman, though the way he was going about it was all wrong. That is, if the prince even realized his feelings.

Wait. Mortal whose father is a god? No, it couldn't be her. Gandalf said she went home after the Battle. Then again the Wizard didn't exactly say her world… "The woman he is speaking of," he asked the ranger, trying hard not to squirm under the sharp heavy gaze of the young man. Something about him spoke of power and regal bearing, much like Thranduil and Thorin. Instinctually he knew this would not be a man to make an enemy of. Mentally shaking it off, he continued. "It wouldn't be Percia, would it?"

"Indeed, Master…"

"Bard, at your service."

"Strider, at yours," the man returned bowing slightly. "And yes. These past few years since he has learned of her residency in the west the two have continued to 'fight' and annoy one another. One would think an Elf Prince would learn his lesson after their last encounter involving a rather stagnant mud pool, but alas it does not appear so."

"That didn't count," Legolas snapped irritably though did not turn from his search.

"That's not possible," Fili interrupted his voice raspy with disbelief. "Percia returned to her world after the Battle. Gandalf said she finished her quest."

The ranger turned knowing eyes on the Dwarf Prince and Fili tried hard not to flinch. There was something very judging in those blue eyes. "She did finish her quest, as Gandalf said. However, she was unable to return home due to circumstances that are not mine to explain."

"Then where did she go?" This time the question came from Thorin. Fili glanced at his uncle slightly, seeing the pained regret etched in his eyes.

All of them had thought the strange girl from another world had left to return to hers. They knew she had been in the Battle. Mahal, she had literally saved Fili and Kili's lives, even Thorin's. She'd also healed countless others. Many in all three kingdoms owed her their lives that day. None had seen her leave, but Gandalf had verified she had left alive and well.

It seemed there was another member of their Company they had wronged in their quest to claim Erebor.

"She's with Bilbo isn't she," Balin stated quietly, looking older than he had in some time. The older Dwarf had regretted not being able to see Percia after Lake Town or Bilbo after he had been banished. Both had lost so much for them, and had not received the thanks they deserved.

"Aye," the ranger agreed. "Currently they are visiting Master Beorn, who would not appreciate any shenanigans on his property."

"Please," Legolas snorted dismissively. "Who do you think helped her with the dye?"

"But it is such a lovely color on you," Argalad informed him slyly, grinning as his baby brother threw a scowl in his direction.

Thranduil watched thoughtfully as Legolas and Argalad traded quips, the meeting practically forgotten. He remembered the young mortal with the strange powers. In fact many of his people had survived because of her. The Woodland Realm owed her a great deal, just as all three kingdoms did. Yet she had disappeared after healing all those she could from the Battle, and he had thought any ability to thank her for her actions beyond his reach, as he did not have the power to traverse entire worlds. Now he found that she had lost her chance to return to her home, her family. At least she had taken up with the Hobbit, who also deserved their thanks and appreciation.

Bilbo had done much to try and stop a war and though unsuccessful thanks to the orcs, he at least kept the original adverse parties from coming to blows. Thranduil had named him Elf Friend, to be treated with the highest honor should any of his people meet him. Now that he knew Percia had remained he would do the same for her. Though from the way his son was acting, she might become more than a 'friend' for his people.

Thranduil knew well that though he shared his mother's look, Legolas held many of his own personality traits. Most of them were thankfully not the bad traits, which he could admit to himself he did indeed have. But he definitely inherited his inability to properly identify his emotions. This 'adversity' with the girl mirrored his own actions when he first met his wonderful wife all those years ago. It took decades of petty fighting and bickering for them both to realize they were in love. From the looks of it, many of his advisors remembered those days. No, this apple did not fall far from the tree.

He had once told Tauriel he would not allow his son to court a lowly Sylvan elf. In truth he would have let his son court anyone if the feelings were genuine. But he knew what his son felt for Tauriel had not been the kind of love he thought it was. She was a true friend, a sister in all but blood, but she was not meant for his son as a mate. Now he wished she had been. For though he respected Percia, she was mortal and it never ended well for an Elf to love a mortal.

Thorin grit his teeth as he sat back in his chair, the weight of this new knowledge bearing down on him. So much had been lost for the quest to return Erebor to his people. Lives, homes, friendships had been sundered. Some had been repairable, others not so much. The worst was his own actions in the rift between him and his Burglar. He had tried to apologize through letters, which proved fruitless especially given his sister's announcement upon her arrival. Dis refused to share more information, though she had told him privately that he owed Bilbo more than he could ever imagine for what the Hobbit sacrificed for their kin.

He had had some comfort that Percia had returned to her home, her family after the battle. Though her reasons for joining the quest had been her own, she had been a member of the Company. Her actions had saved many along the way. He had no doubt Smaug would have killed more of the people of Lake Town if not for her intervention. The amount of lives she saved in the Battle alone had many wondering if she was in fact a goddess come to earth. All three kingdoms owed her greatly. But he owed her the most, for she had not only saved his life, but the lives of his precious nephews, whom would have died due to his foolishness. That action alone was priceless in his eyes. Though he had been unable to thank her like he should, at least she had returned to her own kin.

Only she hadn't. And he could not help but place the blame on himself, regardless of the circumstances.

What other sins did he have to answer for?

"Ha!"

The triumphant laugh of Prince Legolas had the group turning to him again. He tucked the book under his arm and started to walk out a very satisfied smirk in place.

"This is not going to end well," Strider informed his friend sagely.

"For her," the prince responded. "Come, we need to find a spider."

Silence followed the pair as they swept from the room and the doors closed once more.

"Should we be preparing for a funeral," Fili asked quietly. "Because if he gets the kind of spider I think he means, Percia's gonna kill him."

Many chuckled at the proclamation.

"I don't know," Bard murmured slyly, eying the elven king. "I get the feeling there might be wedding bells in the future. If a certain Prince ever realizes what he's actually feeling."

"You're joking!"

"On the contrary," one of Thranduil's advisors spoke up, a small curl to his lips showing his amusement. "His majesty's courtship with his wife occurred in a very similar fashion. Lord Bard may not be too far off the mark."

The Dwarves and Men turned to the Elf king only to receive a raised brow in response, daring them to say anything. His son, Prince Argalad, just snickered quietly beside him remembering all the stories he heard growing up.

Thorin snorted loudly. "I bet your wife had to hit you over the head with a tree branch to make you see sense."

Argalad choked on a laugh, and several of the elves refused to make eye contact with anyone, while Thranduil just glared at the King Under the Mountain.

"Unlike some, I am not nearly so blind to my emotions," he snapped back.

And they were back to snipping and snarling at each other. Fili sighed as he relaxed back into his seat. Clearly there was something their mother forgot to mention. Though this would explain the extreme lecture she gave Kili about his treatment of females and having casual relations. Even he could admit Kili deserved it. He really had been too immature in the way he handled the end of their relations, not even discussing it with Percia. But that was up to him to fix. Fili just needed to apologize and thank the girl who had saved his life. Maybe he and Reyna should take a small trip…