Thorin felt comfort in her touch and looked into her eyes. She was beautiful, caring, protective, strong, held family, kin, and honor in the highest regard, and she was great with the others. They had accepted her as one of their own and she seemed as though she was more dwarf than she was an elf.

"Can you really think that little of me, sire?" Halien asked.

"You need not call me that," Thorin said. "You have no allegiance to me as your king. Your father is the only king you should show that respect to."

He started to look away, but Halien stopped him with a hand at his cheek. She looked him in the eye and said, "My father cast me out, exiled me from my home and people. He is not, nor will he ever again be my king. Thorin Oakenshield, I vow here and now, that you are the only king I want to follow."

Hearing that made Thorin smile, but he was surprised when she kissed his cheek. Halien started to stand- unsure what more to say or do- but Thorin pulled her back down, grabbed her face with his hand, and kissed her, his beard tickling her face. She was startled, but she immersed herself in his kiss. They lost themselves in the moment and when they pulled away from the kiss, they looked at each other and smiled softly.

"I have been aching to do that for so long," Thorin said. "I apologize if that is not what you wanted. I must also apologize for how I spoke to you before the troll incident. I was frustrated with the wizard and I took that out on you. It was unfair and will not happen again."

"Thorin, it's alright. I understand." Halien replied. "I am happy, though. I never would have thought you would even consider looking at an elf, let alone kissing one. It makes me believe that you are able to look past what my father did, enough to allow yourself to be happy."

Thorin put a hand to her cheek. "I am happy. Halien, I remember how beautiful you were the first time I saw you. You are even more beautiful now."

Halien looked at him in surprise. "You remember that? I did not think you had even recognized me in the Blue Mountains, not until Dorin had said my name."

Thorin chuckled. "I remember you. How could I forget your mithril and obsidian-like hair? Though, now it is only mithril in appearance." he said with a chuckle.

"Again, is that the only part of me people remember, is my hair?" Halien asked, slightly disappointed. "This is why I wore a shawl for so long."

Thorin put a finger to her lips and continued. "I also remember how excited you were to be in Erebor, how beautiful you thought Dale and the halls of Erebor were. I remember you telling me that you had never before been outside of Mirkwood and was glad to have come to Erebor as an ambassador, leaving the forests of your homeland. I remember you climbing that pillar to get a better look at the halls and it is as clear to me now as if it had happened yesterday. I remember how the children loved you and clustered around you like you were their mother. They were as protective over you it seemed as you were of them."

"I had feared that my father's actions made you forget about me. You were so kind to me that day, showing me around the halls of your kingdom, but when my father..." Halien said, but she seemed sad.

Thorin placed his forehead against hers. "I could never forget such a gentle soul as yours. You are as kind as a hobbit but as fierce as a dragon and you fight for what you believe is right, you protect those closest to you, you take care of others before yourself. You are strong, courageous, and beautiful."

Halien squeezed his hand. "And you are righteous, strong, brave, protective, and you put the needs of your kin before your own. You are leading this company to try and take back the home that was ripped from your grasp. They follow you not because you are the King under the Mountain, but because they know that they can trust you and they are confident in who you are as a person and your skills as a leader and warrior. You are their king, and you are mine."

Thorin smirked. "I am your king, am I?"

"You will always be my king, Thorin, son of Thrain. You will be a great king and you will rule Erebor for many, many years."

At that, Thorin kissed her once more and pulled her closer. He felt great comfort in her touch, her soft skin warm against his callused skin. It was surprising how soft her skin was after sixty years of hard work that he knew she had done, trying to prove herself to be a better person and elf than her father. Halien felt the whiskers of his beard tickle her cheeks and lips, but it was comforting. When they pulled away from the kiss, Halien kissed the dwarven king's forehead.

"We should get back," she said softly. "The others will begin to worry."

Thorin nodded and stood, pulling her up with him. He still had to look up at her, the elf maiden standing only a foot taller than him. She was still a young elf by her kin's standards; she had lived only two hundred and sixteen years. Since she was still so young, she was small for an elf but just as beautiful and just as graceful as one. He smiled and they walked together. They talked over a few little things, like how Thorin liked Rivendell and how different it was to be in a place of constant peace after being on a dangerous and perilous road for so long. They laughed at a few things that were said, but before they knew it, they had arrived at the room Elrond had set aside for Halien.

"Thank you, Thorin," Halien said and kissed his cheek.

"For what?"

"Even now, when we are in a place more like my home than yours, you still show me the same kindness you did the day we met. You give me hope for the future, as you did before."

Thorin smiled. "I have merely given you what I can to make you welcome amongst the company." With that, he bade Halien goodnight and walked through the halls to the room set aside for him.

Halien changed out of her gown and set it aside on a chair, then slipped into a nightgown that was so soft and lightweight that it would seem as though one could freeze without additional covers. The fabric was enchanted, though, and its lightweight nature was deceiving for how warm it was to wear. She pulled back the covers of her bed and climbed into the soft bedding, pulling the thick covers over her. She sent a silent goodnight to her companions, wishing them a good night's sleep, then she closed her eyes and was fast asleep within minutes.