"Father, is it time?"

Thranduil, great elven king of the Woodland Folk, looked down at his daughter. "Yes, it is time."

She spun around in joy and laughed, happy to finally be able to set foot outside of her woodland home of Greenwood again. Thranduil's daughter, Halien, had been designated as the ambassador of the elven folk and had gone on many a trip to Laketown, Dale, and Erebor, where much of their trade came from. Seeing his daughter so excited made the elven king smile, something that was very rare since his wife had died. Thranduil looked up as his son came into the room.

"All the preparations are ready, Father. You and Halien are ready to set out for Erebor."

"Thank you, Legolas." Halien said as her father simply bowed his head silently. She hugged her older brother and ran off to fetch her mare, Torwen.

Legolas and Thranduil followed closely behind her, happy to finally see her in such a good mood. Lately, she had been a bit gloomy as the realization that she may never be able to leave Greenwood again finally began to sit in her mind. News of her journey to Erebor with her father was like music to her ears. The thought of seeing Erebor once more sang in her mind and heart as they ached to be within the great halls of the Mountain King.

It was the year 2770 of the Third Age and Halien traveled with her father to Erebor, having begged him to let her go with him see the wonders of the city once again. The trades with the Men and dwarves had been slow lately, so Halien rarely got to go out the towns anymore.

Through the vast woods of Greenwood and through the Rhovanian plains, the young elf maiden and her father traveled to the greatest dwarven stronghold. They made their way around Dale and to the gates of Erebor where they were greeted by a group of dwarves. The dwarves led them into the throne room and introduced them to the king.

When her father, the Elven King Thranduil, met with King Thror, the young elf maiden saw his authority, but she also saw his greed. Thror was beginning to grow weary and mad from the greed festering in his heart. She stood next to her father when they bowed before the king, as well as his son and grandson.

"Thank you for seeing us, Thror, King under the Mountain." Thranduil told him. "You remember, my daughter, Halien?"

Halien bowed again to the king and smiled when his weathered face beamed with joy as she said, "It is wonderful to be back in your magnificent and wondrous halls. Dale is just as exciting; the markets are well known throughout Middle Earth and your people are so happy. You continue to prove that you truly are a great king."

Thror was pleased to hear her say this and beckoned her forward. Halien smiled and ran to embrace the king, having grown very close to the king and his family.

"It is so wonderful to see you again, Halien, my dear. We have missed you so." Thror said in a gruff voice as he hugged the elven princess.

"It is great to see you too, old friend." Halien said, beaming at him.

Thrain nodded when she looked up and smiled at him, then turned to bow her head respectfully to Thorin, Thrain's son and Thror's grandson.

"Halien, will you excuse us? There are things the king and I must discuss." Thranduil said.

"Of course, Father." Halien replied, and then bowed to Thror, Thrain, and Thorin, before she turned and left.

Halien went to the outer wall of the fortress that protected Erebor and stared out over the lands towards Dale and smiled.

"It's so beautiful…" Halien said to herself. Being out like this, in the open lands, was just as thrilling as the first time she had set foot out into Greenwood alone. She was still so used to the lush green woods of Greenwood, being able to run through the ever changing paths and ancient trees, free as a bird. A small breeze blew through the halls and a sweet, yet musky scent reached her nose. Her hair billowed around her face, her clothes moving slowly in the breeze.

Thorin came out behind her, saw her gaping at the view- dressed in a light blue tunic dress and soft leather pants with a pair of black boots that reached up to her knees- and chuckled. "You act as though you have never set foot in Erebor before."

Halien turned and looked at him. "I have missed this land very much. It has become like a second home to me, but with the trades slowed and my duty as ambassador not needed as much, it has been hard to come back. It is nice to see the beauty of your kingdom once more."

Thorin smiled. "It's not as beautiful as you. You are not like the other elves we have seen here." He pointed to her hair. "Your hair is like mithril and obsidian, your eyes like emeralds. I am still in awe of your elven beauty each time I see you."

Halien blushed and bowed to the young heir. "You flatter me, sire."

"I simply do my best. Such flattery is necessary with someone of your grace and beauty. Now, would you care to see the rest of Erebor?" Thorin asked her.

Halien smiled and nodded. "Lead on, my prince."

Thorin laughed. "Then, come. Look upon the grandeur of Erebor once more."

Halien nodded and followed him back into the halls of Erebor. She was pleased to get to see the hospitality of dwarves first hand as Thorin took her through endless halls and rooms, showing her the mines, the forges, where they sorted through metals and gems, the armory, everything that he thought would be interesting to her.