As Bard walked through the ruined streets of Dale, making certain that everyone was being taken care of, he heard talk of an elf maiden with hair like the stars and eyes of emerald helping the wounded. He ran to see if he was correct and stared at Halien as she stood from a man she had just healed. She hadn't noticed him, but Frerin was starting to fuss and she took him from a woman who had been holding him. Bard watched as Halien took her son off to the side, into an empty room. He hurried to find her and when he did, his heart sank.
Halien stood in the middle of the room, singing a soft lullaby to her son. She rocked him gently in her arms and felt the tears spilling from her eyes as she looked at her son. He looked just like his father and that made her heart ache even more.
"Halien?" Bard asked, coming into the room.
She looked up and saw him standing in the doorway. "Hello, Bard…" she said, trying to hide her tears.
Bard saw them anyway and came to her side. "Halien, what's wrong? Why are you here?"
Halien looked down at her son, who had now fallen asleep, and then at Bard. "He turned us away…"
Bard looked at her. "Who? Thorin?"
Halien nodded. She couldn't bear to rely it vocally to him, so she put her hand on the side of his neck and placed her forehead against his and closed her eyes. She lowered her shield and let her memory of what happened in Erebor after they returned be seen by Bard.
Bard closed his eyes when the memory started to flow into his mind. He saw how Thorin looked when Halien first gazed upon him standing in a sea of gold. He saw how he looked tenderly and lovingly at his son, then his mood change. He watched as she spoke with Balin, heard him speak of dragon sickness, and felt Halien's worry and pain as she began to realize she might lose her husband to the same fate as his grandfather. He saw how Thorin reacted to seeing the Men of the Lake flooding into Dale, how he reacted to Halien questioning him and begging him to hold up his end of the bargain. He watched and listened as Thorin accused her of betrayal, accused her of no longer loving him. He heard Halien's faith in him, in his people, and saw her fighting to bring the man she knew back from the darkness that clouded his mind. He watched as she asked him if he loved her or the gold more and Thorin not give an answer. He watched as Halien took her son into her arms and began to leave, heard Thorin tell her if she went to the Bowman- to him- that she would no longer be welcome in Erebor.
Halien felt overwhelmed by the memory and she pulled away. She looked away from Bard as he stumbled back, having never experienced a memory share before. He looked at her, but his cheek felt wet and he knew it was because she was crying.
"Halien…"
"Bard, he would not tell me if he loved me. He would not even look at me." Halien said, looking at him. "He turned me away… I love him and he knows that, but yet he turned me away…"
Bard went to her and pulled her into his arms. She cried against his chest and held Frerin to her, careful not to hurt him. He slept through it all, through the conversation, through the crying, through everything. Bard held Halien for a long time as she cried silently into his chest. He stroked her hair and tried to calm her, having truly felt what she was going through all because of the memory share.
"What am I to do, Bard…?" Halien asked when she felt as if her tears were spent. "He turned me and our son away, would not even look me in the eye. He won't honor his promise, his word, and I feel like I am losing him. He is stronger than this, I am sure of it…"
Bard lifted her chin to where she could look at him. "You remain strong. Strong for your son, strong for yourself, strong for your companions, your husband. You are their queen, their ally. They look to you for guidance and strength as much as they do Thorin. I felt that much when you shared your memory. You trust that he can overcome this and when he does, he will be the man you fell in love with, the man you know."
Halien looked at him. "But what if I lose him? I cannot do this on my own; I cannot raise our son alone."
Bard kissed her forehead. "Halien, you are strong and you will never be alone. You are welcome to stay here in Dale with us- with me- and help us rebuild. If Thorin will not take you back, then you can make a home for yourself and for your son here."
Halien touched his cheek. "You would let me stay? Even though it is our fault that this all happened?"
Bard smiled. "Of course. You are not to blame for our misfortunes and I could not begin to tell you how grateful I am to you for keeping my children safe. You are welcome here in Dale any time that you wish."
"Thank you, Bard." Halien said, then looked down at her son. "Oh, my dear sweet boy, what are we to do?" she whispered to him as she kissed his forehead.
"He looks healthy." Bard noted as he looked at the babe. "He definitely looks like his father."
"Aye, but he has my eyes." Halien said with a smile.
"He has your ears, too." Bard said with a chuckle, then looked at Halien. "He will be fine, Halien. You are going to be a wonderful mother and he will grow to be a fine man, just like his father."
"I hope so." Halien said, looking at him.
One of the Men from Laketown came into the room and asked for Bard. "The food we managed to salvage is scarce and we need to find some soon. We won't last here long."
Bard nodded. "Make sure the women, children, and the wounded are taken care of first."
The Man nodded and left, leaving Bard alone with Halien again.
Bard sighed and looked at Halien. "He is right. We cannot last long here with as little food as we were able to save. The fire and the destruction of the city would have scared what fish there were we could have caught and there has been no game in these lands since the days of old."
"We will manage. I have a feeling something will happen very soon to change our fortunes." Halien said, coming to his side. "Trust me, Bard. We will be fine."
And somehow, Bard the Bowman, descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale, did trust her. Somehow he knew that she was right, but he feared for the safety of his people. He took her hand and led her to where his children were.
"Miss, you're alright!" Tilda said, running to Halien.
"Aye, Tilda, I am just fine. Are you, your brother and sister alright?"
Tilda nodded and Halien smiled when Sigrid and Bane came up to them. Sigrid and Bane hugged her, glad to see her in one piece.
"We were so worried, Halien." Sigrid said. "Is Frerin alright?"
Halien smiled down at her son and nodded. "Aye, he is fine now."
"He's so beautiful." she noted as she looked down at the babe.
"He's so little." Bane pointed out.
"All babes are, Bane." Bard said, smiling softly at his son. "You were that little once."
"Well, I like him. I think he's cute." Tilda said.
Halien smiled. "Would you like to hold him?"
Tilda looked from her father to Halien. "Is it OK?"
Halien nodded. "Aye, dear girl. He won't mind, I promise." She said, then handed Frerin over to Tilda and showed her how to hold him.
Frerin woke up just as Tilda took him into her arms and looked up at her with incredibly green eyes- just like his mother's. He reached up and touched a small curl that fell from Tilda's ear and he smiled.
Tilda giggled and smiled down at him.
"He likes you, Tilda." Halien said, rubbing her son's cheek. "He thinks you're his sister."
"How do you know that?" Bane asked.
Halien looked at him. "Frerin has inherited my ability to speak to others with his mind. He talks to me and tells me what he sees, asks me questions. He thinks you and your sisters are his siblings."
"I have a little brother?" Tilda asked, looking at Halien.
"If you wish to treat him as a brother, then yes. He will grow up around you, that I am certain of. He is bound to think of you as family anyways." Halien said, nodded. "I think he'd be grateful for that."
Tilda smiled and looked down at Frerin. "Hi, Frerin. I'm your big sister, Tilda."
Halien watched as Frerin touched Tilda's cheek as the girl leaned down to kiss his forehead. She smiled when she heard him tell Tilda that it was nice to meet her and he was glad she was his big sister.
Tilda was taken aback for a brief moment, then looked at Halien in surprise. "He talked! In my head!"
Halien laughed. "Aye, he tends to do that a lot."
"I want to hear him!" Bane said, eagerly.
"Be sure not to crowd him, alright?" Bard said.
Bane nodded and asked if he could hold Frerin next. Tilda nodded and with Halien's help, she handed the babe to Bane. Bane said hello and let Frerin take his finger.
"Hello, Frerin, I'm Bane, your big brother." Bane said, introducing himself to the babe.
Halien laughed at Bane's expression when Frerin replied to him in the same way he had with Tilda. Her smile faded a bit when someone came to get her to heal some more people.
"Sigrid, can I trust you to bring Frerin to me if he starts to fuss and gets hungry?" Halien asked, looking at the girl. "He'll probably tell you."
Sigrid nodded. "Aye, miss. We'll look after him while you tend to the wounded."
Halien thanked her and hugged her before she kissed her son's forehead. "Frerin, I need to go help a few more people. Your brother and sisters are going to look after you while I'm away. Be good for them."
Frerin cooed and touched his mother's cheek, promising her he would be good. Halien left with Bard to go attend to the wounded, leaving her son with the Bowman's children.
"The children love your son, Halien." Bard noted as the went back to their makeshift infirmary.
"I'm glad they do so well with him. Frerin needs to grow up with people he can depend on. If he cannot have that in Erebor, I'm glad that you and your family have given him the chance to experience that." Halien said, smiling at him.
Bard stopped her for a second. "Halien, I meant what I said earlier. You are welcome to make a home here in Dale. Once we rebuild, I want you and Frerin to come and stay with us in the Keep."
"In the Keep?" Halien asked, then looked at him puzzled. "Does this mean that you are going to accept your lineage and take your role as King of Dale?"
Bard rubbed his neck. "I do not know, Halien. The Master of the Lake is dead and everyone looks to me for guidance."
Halien smiled. "Bard, you're Girion's descendant. You have taken care of the people of Laketown for years. You looked out for them, stood up to the Master for them. You already are their leader. Perhaps it is time you take your place as their king. Bring honor back to your ancestors, let these people see that you are strong and will look after them no matter what. If they ask you to be their king, you need to consider it."
Bard sighed. "Alfrid already has spread the word that I should be king, and many people have already asked me to lead them."
"Then become their king, Bard. Become the leader you were always meant to be. Rebuild Dale and its people and they will never turn you aside." Halien said. "The people here love you, Bard. They'll accept you as there king either way. You defeated the dragon, saved them from his fire, and led them here to safety. You give them hope."
"I do not know how to be a king." Bard said, looking away.
Halien reached up and turned his cheek to where he could look at her. "Bard, it's something you already know how to do. You lead your people, do what is right- what you feel is right- for your people and your kingdom, you make the tough decisions. You already have done that and more and the people love you for all that you have done. Take things in small strides and you will be a great king."
Bard looked at her and put a hand over hers. "Will you help me? I cannot do this alone."
Halien nodded. "I will Bard. You have my word."
Bard smiled and rested his forehead against hers. "Thank you."
The day progressed as Halien went back to the infirmary and Bard went to help with the supplies and shelter. Day turned into night and night turned quickly into day. At first light, when everyone was beginning to wake, Bard went to go check on Alfrid- who had been on watch. What he found was not to his pleasure. As Bard greeted the unexpected guests, Halien checked on the wounded and was pleased that many of them were almost fully recovered thanks to her magik. She made her rounds, then fed Frerin. As she finished feeding her son, Bard called to her with his thoughts and asked her to come to the town square.
Halien went to find Bard, after leaving Frerin with Sigrid and Tilda, and she found many of the elves she had grown up with standing in full armor along the buildings. She looked for the town square and when she found Bard, he was in a large tent, with her father.
"You asked for me, Bard?" Halien said, stepping into the tent.
Bard turned to look at her and nodded. "Aye, our guests have brought us food, but there is an important matter we need to discuss."
Halien nodded and came to stand beside him, stopping short as her father turned around.
"Hello, Halien." Thranduil said, greeting his daughter.
"Ada." Halien said.
"You are doing well?" the elven king asked as he took a seat.
"Aye. Thank you for your concern." Halien responded.
Bard got the impression that they were not on the best of terms.
"I hear that you had your child." Thranduil said, looking at her.
Halien nodded. "Aye, his name is Frerin, after his uncle."
"And where is the babe?" Thranduil asked, sitting in his chair.
"I left him with Bard's daughters, where I know he will be safe. I was not sure what Bard needed, so I wanted to make sure that I could help freely wherever I was needed."
"A wise decision, though I would like to see my grandson soon." Thranduil said, looking at her. "If that is alright?"
Halien looked at her father, surprised. "Of course, Ada. I would never keep him from you, not even after what has happened in our past. He is your grandson and he needs to know his family."
Thranduil was pleased with that answer and took a sip of wine.
"You said we had something important to discuss?" Halien said, looking up at Bard.
The Bowman nodded and began to explain the situation and he watched as Halien's face fell. "Halien, we have no other choice. You alone cannot guarantee that Thranduil gets what he wants, even as Queen of Erebor. That decision lays with Thorin."
"I know, Bard, but..." Halien said, looking at him with tears in her eyes. 'I do not know if we can get through to him and not risk war...'
Bard came to her and pulled her into his arms. "I'm going to speak with him, maybe talk some sense into him. I hope I can break through to him, but I may need your help." He looked down at her. "Will you come with me? He may have cast you aside, but he is still your husband and only you know him well enough to have a chance to break through."
"Thorin does not want me to return to the mountain. Bard, what if I can't even get through to him? They do not have anything more than the wall of Erebor to keep them alive and they do not have enough supplies to survive much longer. They stand no chance." Halien said, the tears slipping from her eyes.
Bard pulled her into his arms and held her. "I know, Halien."
"And that is why, my daughter, you are going to speak with him. I trust that you have not forgotten what it means to be an ambassador?" Thranduil said, looking at his daughter.
"No, Ada, I have not." Halien said, looking at her father. Then looking up at Bard, she asked, "When are you going to leave?"
"As soon as you are ready." Bard said.
"Before you leave, Halien, there is something I need to show you." Thranduil said, standing. "Follow me if you please."
Halien looked at him and then at Bard. 'Will you come with me?'
Bard nodded and followed Halien and Thranduil out of the tent to where the grand elk steed the elven king rode was stationed. As they approached the stables, Bard could see the elk and the horses. Beside him, Halien perked up and ran to one of the horses as it was led out of the stables.
"Torwen!" she called, running to her mare.
The mare's ears perked up and she ran to meet her rider.
"Torwen, girl, you're OK!" Halien said, throwing her arms around the mare's neck. "Oh, I missed you so much!"
The mare wrapped her head over the elf's shoulder, then danced around her in joy when she let go of her neck.
"It's good to see you, Torwen, I was so worried!" Halien said, laughing.
Bard watched as Halien mounted onto her horse, rubbing the mare's neck, her shoulders, her sides. He smiled as she laid down on the mare and hugged her.
"Bard, this is my mare, my companion, Torwen." Halien said, looking at him. "We got separated when Orcs attacked us near Rivendell on the other side of the Misty Moutains. She took care of the ponies that accompanied us on our quest. I had not thought to see her again, not until this was over. She has been through many things with me."
Bard bowed to the mare, seeing how much she clearly meant to Halien. The mare trotted forward and nudged him. Halien laughed and smiled at Bard.
"She likes you." she said, then looked at her father. "Thank you, Ada, for bringing her here. I was so worried after she disappeared with our ponies. I knew she was going to be fine, but you know what she means to me."
"She came to us shortly after you and your companions... left... the realm. She remembered her way it would seem." Thranduil said.
"She remembered her way home." Halien said, smiling at her father. "Truly, Ada, this means the world to me." She slid off of Torwen's back and went to embrace her father. She threw her arms around him and said, "No matter what has happened between us in the past, I have never stopped loving you. You are my father, my son's grandfather. I want you in my life, Ada. I want to start over."
Thranduil was taken aback and looked at Bard. Bard nodded, seeing that Thranduil was silently asking him if he should hug her back. Thranduil wrapped his arms around his daughter and rested his cheek on the top of her head. 'As do I, my dear girl.'
Halien smiled and stepped back. "Thank you, Ada." she said, then looked to Bard. "Should we get going, then Bard?"
Bard nodded and asked for a saddle to be brought for Torwen. When she was saddled and ready to go, Bard brought his horse around and mounted into the saddle. When they were ready, Bard and Halien set out towards Erebor.
"Balin, Halien and Bard are coming this way." Bilbo said, coming to the dwarf. "Should we tell Thorin?"
Balin looked up at him and sighed. "I don't know, Bilbo."
"I'll go speak with him." Dwalin offered. "Perhaps I can talk some sense into the lad."
Balin nodded and went to the wall, looking out over the plains as Bard and Halien approached.
'Balin, we need to speak with Thorin.' Halien sent to him.
'Dwalin is going to get him now, lass. Though I must warn you, he has not gotten better since you left.' Balin replied.
Halien pulled Torwen to a gentle halt as they neared the door that Thorin had instructed be fortified with the large stone debris that surrounded the keep's entrance. She looked up at the wall, seeing the worried faces of her friends, her kin, as they stared down at her and Bard, waiting.
'Bofur, where is Bilbo?' Halien called.
Bofur motioned for Bilbo to come over and Halien looked at the hobbit when he reached Bofur's side.
'Bilbo, do you still have it?' she asked.
Bilbo nodded, knowing that she was speaking of the Arkenstone. 'It's safe with me, Halien, don't you worry.'
'Do not let Thorin know you have it. I can sense him slipping further and further from us... He may begin to suspect that you- all of you- are betraying him, plotting against him. You seem to be the only one who can hold onto what's left of the Thorin we all know and if he finds out you have kept the Arkenstone from him, I fear he will do something horrible. Please, just be safe around him.'
Bilbo nodded and stepped aside as Thorin joined the others at the wall.
"What is it that the Dragonslayer and my traitorous wife want with me?" Thorin asked, glaring down smugly as he saw Halien next to Bard. "Why have you come to the mountain armed to the teeth for war?"
"Bard, I do not know if I can do this..." Halien said, ignoring the comment Thorin made.
Bard reached over and touched her hand. "Don't worry, I will handle this."
Halien nodded and looked up at her husband, barely recognizing him as the dragon sickness continued to strengthen its hold over him.
"We wish to discuss terms. Thranduil has brought his army to Dale and will attack the mountain if our arrangement is not met. He asks for what is rightfully his within the mountain- the jewels of starlight- and I only ask that you give Dale the aid and share of the mountain's wealth you promised us." Bard started, but stopped as Thorin scoffed.
"I will not part with a single gold coin." he said, smirking.
Halien couldn't believe her ears. "Thorin, we made a promise to the people of the Lake. You fought the dragon, but failed to kill it and it came to destroy Laketown. You promised them wealth and aid in rebuilding Dale. Bard killed the dragon, got his people out of the ruins of Laketown and led them to Dale. All he asks is for what we- what you- promised him and his people."
"And what would you know of it?" Thorin retorted, glaring at her. "You betray me, take away my son, and gallivant away with this Man and you expect me to listen to anything you say?"
Halien ignored the pain in her chest as the man she loved again spat on everything they had together. Bard looked over at her, not sure what to say to her or to Thorin.
"I have not betrayed you, Thorin. Bard and I have done nothing but try to start a new life for the people of the Lake, something you and I both promised to do when this was over. I am keeping my part of the promise by healing his people, caring for our son- who I only took away because I feared you would do something that we would all regret- and doing what I can to try to fix what you have done. I am your wife, your queen. I love you with all my heart and you know that. I know somewhere, deep down passed that sickness rising within you that you know I would never do anything to betray you. What I have done, what I am doing is all I can do to protect you and our son, to ensure that our people and the people of Dale are safe and can start again. Why can't you see that?"
Thorin remained silent and Halien started to feel him coming back, if only for an inkling of a moment. She tried to take that chance to connect to his mind, push her way through the darkness of the dragon sickness and find the Thorin she knew, the Thorin she loved. She pushed through the corridors opening and leading a path through the darkness swirling in his mind and she found him- the Thorin that was locked away by this sickness.
'Thorin, can you hear me?' she called.
Thorin went silent and put a hand to his forehead, stumbling back for a moment. He looked down at Halien and the dwarves and Bilbo saw a glimpse of the old Thorin- the one they knew. 'Halien? By the ancestors, love, I am so sorry...'
Bard looked from Thorin to Halien and saw that Halien was smiling in a brief moment of relief as tears welled in her eyes.
'Oh, little king, I have missed you!' she called back.
'I've been lost, in this strange dark place...' he said, looking at her.
'It's the dragon sickness, little king. It's managed to snake its way into your mind, even through all your efforts to resist its allure.'
Thorin sighed and looked around at their companions. 'Can you connect all of us? I need to apologize...'
Halien nodded. She pushed the perimeter of the connection outwards and felt each of the dwarves and Bilbo join the connection. 'I know this is strange, everyone, but Thorin has a message.'
They all looked at their king, waiting.
'I am sorry, for anything that I have said and done. This darkness clouding my mind, addling my thoughts, I can't fight it for very long before it takes its hold again. I need you to keep me grounded. I cannot lose any of you. Please forgive me.' Thorin said.
The company smiled in a brief moment of relief, but then their faces fell when they felt Thorin slipping away again. The connection broke off and only Halien and Thorin remained connected for a few moments longer.
'Thorin, please fight this!' Halien begged.
Thorin looked helplessly at her. 'I love you, Halien. You are my greatest treasure. If I cannot overcome this, please take our son and start a new life. I cannot bear the thought of hurting you or Frerin. Please, if something happens, I need you to leave Erebor and take our son with you. Stay in Dale, help Bard rebuild.'
Halien shook her head as the darkness pressed against the dimming light of the Thorin she loved. 'Thorin, no, please just keep fighting!'
'I love you, Halien. I love our son. I could not have hoped for a greater life than the one you have given me. If it comes down to you leaving Erebor behind, give Reva to Balin for safe keeping. If I overcome this sickness, I will come for you and our son. I will find you. But if I can't, then you must move on.'
Bard watched as the tears slid down Halien's cheeks and heard her whisper Thorin's name just as the connection was severed and the sickness took hold again.
"Halien?"
The elf maiden turned Torwen around and urged her forward, heading back to Dale. Bard watched as she disappeared into the ruins, only turning back when Thorin summoned him to the broken gate to discuss the terms set before them.
Halien urged Torwen forward, riding hard back to Dale. When they reached the stables, she dismounted from the saddle and handed the reins to one of the stable hands that came with them from Laketown. She told Torwen not to worry and hurried to find Frerin. She needed to hold her son, the only thing that was left of the man she loved.
As she hurried through the ruined streets, trying to locate Sigrid and Tilda, Halien passed by her father's tent. Thranduil was standing just inside of the tent, looking over a map of the plains, when he looked up and saw Halien hurry passed. He could tell she was distraught. Since he saw her a few days earlier for the first time in decades, Thranduil was beginning to wonder if he should have been or could have been a better father to Halien and Legolas. Since their mother died, Thranduil tried to keep his emotions hidden away and ended up becoming a ruthless, cold ruler that showed no compassion for anyone and only did what was in the best interest of his people and his lands. Anything beyond that, he did not care. But seeing Halien and how happy she had become, how emotional- both good and bad- she was around him made him wonder if he could have done things differently. He took a sip of his wine and sighed. He wasn't ready to admit that what she had with Thorin was real, that it wasn't some farce. He couldn't, especially now that Tauriel was showing the same kind of affection towards Kili. He continued to look over the map and waited for Bard to return.
Halien hurried through the streets and finally found Sigrid and Tilda. Bane had gone off to help bring some supplies around, so it was just the girls looking after Frerin. Halien wiped her face and dried her eyes, trying not to show that she had been crying and she smiled at the girls in greeting. When they asked how things went, Halien told them they went as expected and that their father would return shortly.
Sigrid handed her Frerin when she asked to take him and told her he was beginning to get hungry. Halien thanked the girls for watching him and went to find a secluded spot to feed her son. Not long after, Bard came by to check on them and hugged his daughters before asking where Halien was.
"She went to feed Frerin." Sigrid said, pointing in the direction Halien went. "I think she went to the overlook near where the library used to be."
"Thank you, Sigrid."
"Da, Halien was crying. She tried to hide it, but we saw she was crying. Is she OK?" Tilda asked, looking up at her father.
"I do not know. Thorin is very sick and I think it's just really hard for Halien to deal with right now." Bard said. "I'll go check on her for you, though, if you're worried."
Tilda smiled. "We like Halien. We want her to be happy."
Bard kissed her forehead. "I'll make sure she knows that." he said with a smile. "Now I want you to find Bane and get some rest. I'll explain what's going to happen tomorrow later and we'll make the necessary preparations."
Sigrid and Tilda nodded and went to find their brother. Bard's smile faded as he looked off towards the library ruins and sighed. 'I hope she's alright.'