I promise I didn't abandon this fic! I was just being lazy and didn't exactly know what I wanted to do. Unfortunately, I did not go into detail about their journey, but I'm just so eager to get to Erebor and there are other things too. If there are any grammar mistakes, let me know. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this fic to their alerts and favorites! I do not own Tolkien's characters or Middle Earth. Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Six

The next morning, those who were traveling to Erebor got ready to leave. As Rowan saddled her horse, she checked that her weapons were in place and made sure Éodred's horse was packed. Vivian came out in a riding dress while Lærwen clung to her. Mirél came out with Éadlin to get the younger girl inside.

"She can stay until we leave," Vivian figured and placed Lærwen on her horse. Rowan gave her best friend a grin and then went back inside to gather more supplies for the journey. Legolas was inside, helping Thandien get ready for the journey while Éodred was being looked after by Éomer.

When Rowan entered her son's room, he was dressed for travel. She stood in the doorway as Éomer presented him with the sword that was made before he was born.

"It was named Val. Keep it close to you on the journey," Éomer advised his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. Rowan cleared her throat and Éodred turned red as he tried his best to lift the heavy sword.

"I wasn't standing here for too long. We're almost ready to depart," she reminded them. Éodred hurried out of the room, leaving his parents behind.

"I am not sure he is ready," Éomer admitted.

"I'll be able to keep an eye on him. Gimli and Legolas will be traveling with us as well," Rowan explained, trying to reassure her husband that Éodred should go to Erebor with them.

"I don't see why you can't take a company of my men," Éomer muttered and Rowan let out a breath.

"We'll be fine, I promise. You shouldn't worry so much. I helped defeat a dragon," Rowan explained with a smirk.

"I don't believe you killed the dragon on your own. You merely helped a few dwarves into the side of a mountain," Éomer replied.

"Nevertheless, we are more than capable of defending ourselves," Rowan assured him.

Legolas came out with Thandien shortly after helping arm his son with appropriate weapons for the journey. Like his father, Thandien had a bow and quiver of arrows, but he had a sword at his hip in the event he needed to fight in close combat. Upon noticing that Lærwen was being stubborn, Legolas removed his daughter from Vivian's side and walked into Meduseld to hand her off to Mirél. When Lærwen was with Mirél, Legolas returned to the horses.

"Are you ready for the journey?" Legolas asked his wife as he helped make sure her horse was ready.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Vivian replied.

"Where will we travel to tonight?" Thandien wondered as he stored his weapons in his saddle bag.

"We will rest in Fangorn for the night. Some Ents still reside there, but we will take turns keeping watch," Legolas explained.

When it came time to say goodbye, Legolas, Vivian, and Thandien stood before the youngest in their family. Lærwen clung to Mirél with tears in her eyes.

"We'll be back soon, I promise," Vivian assured her daughter and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Mirél will look after you," Legolas assured her and gave her an encouraging smile. Éadlin came over and grabbed Lærwen's hand in an attempt to distract her.

"Maybe I should stay behind," Vivian muttered, but Legolas shook his head.

"She is perfectly safe here in Rohan. Éadlin will play with her and Mirél will take care of them both," Legolas told Vivian, knowing that it would be a good idea to go. Thandien had given his sister a hug and was already on his horse, a brown stallion.

Éodred and Rowan stood before Éomer as they were about to leave.

"Stay safe on the road. Orcs still roam wild," Éomer advised, earning a nod from his wife.

"I hope to be back as soon as possible, but the journey is long," Rowan realized, placing a hand on Éodred's shoulder.

"I will take care of mother," Éodred promised.

"Have a safe journey. I love you both," Éomer said and pulled them both into a hug.

Soon, they were ready to depart. Legolas and Gimli took the lead with Thandien and Éodred in the middle and Rowan and Vivian at the back. Once they were through the gates of Edoras, the group spurred their horses forward. Gimli was doing well with his pony as they rode toward Fangorn. The ride went well and when they reached the outskirts of the forest, they stopped. Legolas took the lead into the forest and when they stopped, it was to make camp for the night.

The trees groaned in the distance, making Thandien and Éodred antsy. Legolas and Gimli watched them with amusement while Rowan and Vivian were sparring off to the side. It was Rowan's idea in order to pass the time. Vivian knew that she needed more practice with the sword and thought that sparring with Rowan would help.

Soon, Éodred and Thandien came toward them. They watched their mothers fight together and Éodred decided to go up against his mother. Vivian took a seat on the ground next to her son and husband, watching. Gimli sat near them and paid attention to their sparring as well. Éodred had skill and fought well, but Rowan was slightly better. By knocking the sword from her son's hand, Rowan decided the little match was over. She was tired. Gimli then decided to teach the boys a few tricks of his own.

While the boys were learning from Gimli and Legolas, Vivian and Rowan tended to the food that Gimli and Legolas started. Lembas bread was fine and dandy, but one grew tired of it quickly.

"Do you think this will be as long as our journey to Erebor?" Vivian wondered quietly.

"We're on horses and we only have one dwarf in our company, so I highly doubt it will. Besides, we don't have a pack of angry Orcs out for vengeance after us," Rowan explained.

"Don't jinx us! If we end up being chased by Orcs, I might be the one who ends you," Vivian threatened, earning a smirk from Rowan.

"As soon as we make it to Mirkwood, we'll be safe for certain." Vivian thought about that phrase.

"What about Lorien? It's the home of Lady Galadriel," Vivian argued.

"Yes, but the elves have traveled to the Undying Lands. There could be Orcs hiding there," Rowan reasoned.

"Oh, I doubt it," Vivian replied.

When the group ate, they soon went to bed after. It had been a long day of riding and in the shade of the forest, they rested peacefully.

X_X_X

The next morning, they set out early for the woods of Lorien. It took them a while to reach it and it was nearly dark when they stopped. It would take a while to reach Lady Galadriel's old domain. Both Celeborn and Galadriel had sailed for Valinor, but Legolas mentioned a few elves had stayed behind in the absence of the great lady.

Instead of riding through the woods, the group walked their horses. Rowan walked at the back with Gimli as he attempted to guide his horse. With a smile, Rowan took Gimli's horse and the dwarf walked behind with his axe at the ready.

Legolas suddenly halted ahead and a few elves came out of their hiding places with bows trained on the travelers.

"What business do you have in the Lady of Light's domain?" the elf demanded of Legolas.

"I am Legolas of the Woodland Realm and I travel with my family and friends. We travel to my home," Legolas explained.

"We have no intention of disrupting the peace here," Vivian assured them with a sincere smile. The elf in charge looked at the group and then allowed them to pass.

Once they were settled in a good place, Rowan and Éodred took care of the horses while the group set up camp. As they sat down, Vivian started humming something. It almost lulled the boys to sleep, but they took care of the horses and were given lambas bread to eat. By the time everyone settled for the night, they sat in silence. Gimli was the first to fall asleep and snored most of the night. As hard as it was to sleep with the dwarf's snoring, everyone else eventually fell asleep as well.

X_X_X

Rowan woke everyone the next morning and once out of Lorien, they followed the river until Legolas decided it was safe to cross the River Anduin. The horses were reluctant to swim across at first, but they were soon on the opposite side of the shore. Gimli didn't want to swim across, but there was no other way. Legolas and Thandien kept him afloat as they got across and soon the entire group was on the other side. The horses shook the water off and Rowan checked to make sure their supplies were dry before they continued through Mirkwood.

The spiders were gone, but there were still traces of the darkness that resided over the woodland realm. Even in the darkness, they continued on. Legolas knew the way to his father's palace and soon, Vivian pointed out that they should stop for the night. They spent two nights in Mirkwood before actually reaching Thranduil's palace.

A troupe of Thranduil's guards met the group at the palace gates. All of them greeted Legolas, Vivian, and Thandien warmly. They eyed Gimli cautiously, but greeted Rowan and Éodred with curt nods.

"This is an unexpected visit, my prince," one of the guards began, "Your father is in his private rooms. Woud you like me to inform him of your arival?"

"Yes," Legolas agreed and he waited while the guard informed Thranduil. The other guards had stable hands to tend to their horses.

When they were shown into the throne room, Thranduil stood near his throne with a smile. As soon as he noticed Thandien, his smile widened.

"What brings you home?" Thranduil asked his son.

"We are traveling to Erebor," Legolas replied.

"For what purpose?" Thranduil was curious.

"You do recall Cerwyn and Helena who helped the dwarves escape your dungeons?" Rowan asked and Thranduil's eyebrows knit together.

"I should have known," he stated, "I assume you travel there to pay homage to the deceased line of Durin."

"And discuss alliances with Thorin Stonehelm," Rowan added with a polite smile.

"We also thought to stay here for a few days, if that was alright," Vivian spoke up, placing a hand on Thandien's shoulder.

"Of course you may stay. Who might this boy be?" Thranduil asked with his gaze set on Éodred.

"My son, Éodred," Rowan replied and Thranduil nodded.

"He shares your looks, Lady Rowan," Thranduil noted and then turned to his son, "I would assume you are weary from travel. I will have a meal prepared and then you may rest."

Gimli grumbled about not eating meat while in Mirkwood as he was led to his room to 'freshen up' and while Vivian, Legolas, and Thandien spoke with Thranduil, Rowan and Éodred were shown to their rooms.

"I wish father was with us," Éodred muttered and Rowan patted his shoulder.

"If he wasn't a king, all of us would be traveling, but be thankful he is king or you would not have such fine things as you do," Rowan teased him, earning a smile from her son.

"Is it true there will be no meat at dinner tonight as Master Gimli said?" Éodred wondered, hoping for at least a leg of mutton or some semblance of meat.

"Unfortunately, the elves do not eat meat. You will have meat in Erebor, that I can assure you," Rowan mentioned and Éodred smiled.

"Will you put forth an alliance between the dwarves and Rohan like you told King Thranduil?" Éodred was eager to see how his mother negotiated.

"We will see. It depends upon Thorin Stonehelm and if he is willing to talk with me about alliances," Rowan explained.

"Master Gimli will argue for you, mother," Éodred encouraged and an elf maiden stopped at Éodred's room. Rowan's was next door if he should need anything.

After speaking with Thranduil, Vivian smiled at Thandien as she walked with him. Thranduil was happy to see his grandson, but wished Lærwen was with them. Legolas explained how long the journey was and discussed how risky it would be for a small girl. He was still with his father, discussing things.

"Lærwen will be fine, mother," Thandien assured Vivian.

"I know that," Vivian replied, "but it doesn't mean I can't miss her."

Ok, so Val means 'power' is elvish. What did you think? I thought Thranduil would be happy to see his grandson like every other grandparent out there. I will try my best to fight against this bout of writer's block and get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Until next time!