The next morning, Halien dressed in her ranger clothes, wishing to save the gown for dinner only, then made her way to the stables to hello to the horses housed within the large stable, then promised to be back with treats for them later. She left the stables, missing Torwen, and decided to explore Rivendell a bit, learning about its structure and finding its secrets. She overheard Elrond speaking with another elf about the kitchen becoming worn, their food and wine stores becoming depleted. She smiled a bit when she saw the look they each had on their faces as they watched the naked dwarves play another game of chicken in one of their fountains.

Halien spent most of the day exploring the buildings, finding hiding places and other secret things. When the night had fallen, she and the others enjoyed another dinner and song before they went to bed. Halien again undressed, laying the gown on the chair and slipping into the nightgown. She got into bed, falling asleep quickly, but it did not last long.

Halien's peaceful dream quickly turned dark as she went from running through the woods of Greenwood to the burning halls of Erebor. She watched a scene of her companions as they fought the dragon, Smaug, and she cried out when she watched them burn to ash in the dragon's flame. She tried to use her elemental magik to control the dragon's fire, trying to redirect it as she had in the past when her mother fell and keep it from hurting her kith. But, the flames were too powerful and she was powerless to stop her comrades from falling to the wrath of the dragon. One by one they fell, some burned to a crisp by the flame, others with gaping wounds in their chests and backs. She ran to try and save Thorin and Bilbo, who had somehow avoided the initial blaze. Before she could reach them, though, Smaug threw another ball of fire at them and she cried out as Bilbo was engulfed in the flames. She managed to pull Thorin out of the way, but only to lose him to a sweep of the dragon's tail sending him flying into the stone walls. Thorin hit the stone and crumpled to the floor, his body broken. Halien screamed and ran to him, gently pulling him into her lap as she summoned every ounce of her healing magik. She poured it into Thorin's body, trying to heal him as best as she could, but it wasn't working. She threw up a wall of stone to try and shield them from the next burst of dragon's fire that came their way, but she still could not heal Thorin. She called out his name and tried to wake him up, but he was already gone, reunited with his ancestors and his family. She cried out his name, tears staining her ashen face, and as she realized that all was lost, Smaug came around the stone wall and smirked. Halien held the dwarven king to her and closed her eyes as the final breath of fire raged around her, searing her flesh. A white flash passed before her and she woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.

Looking around, Halien realized it was just a dream, but that did not satisfy her. She opened the door to her room and ran out through the door and down the hall to Thorin's room. The door was closed, but it was unlocked, and she quickly opened the door to find Thorin standing at the window, his arms crossed and unharmed. Thorin spun around to see what was going on, the door opening startling him.

Halien panted, having run faster in a short distance than she ever had, her hair hanging in a mess around her face. "Thank Durin that you are safe." She said and rushed to him, pulling him into her arms.

"Halien, what is it?" he asked her, his hands on her hips.

Halien gazed down at him, seeing his concern through her tears. She shook her head and could not contain the tears, falling to her knees. Thorin knelt with her, holding her hands in his.

"What happened, Halien? Tell me," he begged her.

"I had a dream, Thorin." she started to say. "I dreamed of Greenwood, how I used to run free through the woods, but it shifted to a large chamber in Erebor. We were fighting the dragon, but whatever we did to bring him down failed. I watched as the others burned to ash in the dragon's fire or were gashed open by his claws. Only you and Bilbo remained, but Bilbo was the next to fall. I could not reach him in time, but I managed to pull you out of the way as more fire came. I thought you'd be safe, if only for a moment, but then the dragon hit you with his tail, and you were thrown into the wall. You fell to the floor, your body broken, and nothing I could do brought you back. I held you, called out to you, tried to bring you back, but I failed. I lost you, Thorin. You had faded and rejoined your father and grandfather in the next life. Then Smaug came to claim me and I woke up when a white flash appeared before me."

Thorin pulled her into his arms, trying to comfort her.

"I was so afraid, Thorin. It felt so real." Halien said as he stroked her hair. "I had to be certain it was only a dream and that you were safe."

Thorin hugged her. "I am safe, Halien. And no dragon will ever take me," he said, trying to comfort her and stood up.

Halien let him help her up. "I am sorry to have disturbed you, sire. I was just so fearful for you that I had to be certain that you were alright."

Thorin reached up and brushed aside a tear before he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I will always be safe when you are with me."

Halien smiled at that, but she could still feel the fear from her dream. She stood and started to leave, turning towards the door. "I do not think I can sleep, not after this, but I should not bother you any longer," she said, tears in her eyes again at the thought of being alone. "I shall return to my room."

Thorin stood aside, not sure what to say or do, and let her pass. He didn't know what else to do, but he reached out for her arm and stopped her. "Halien, don't leave. I don't want you to be alone right now. You can sleep here with me."

Halien looked at him. "Are you sure?"

Thorin nodded. "Aye, you are still shaken and I want to make sure that you are OK."

Halien smiled gratefully. "Thank you, little king."

Thorin grasped her hand gently and pulled her towards the bed. He pulled the covers aside and let Halien lay down before pulling the covers over her.

"Will you stay here with me?" she asked, sitting up on her elbow.

Thorin smiled and nodded, sliding under the covers with her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in closer.

'Thank you, Thorin.' she said as she started to drift back to sleep, her head resting against the dwarf king's chest.

Thorin kissed her hair and breathed in her scent of cherry blossoms and peaches. 'My pleasure.' he replied, then closed his eyes. Before he knew it, Thorin Oakenshield was fast asleep with Halien Greenleaf passed out against his chest.

After some time, in the wee hours before dusk, Thorin began to toss and turn. He was having another nightmare of the Battle of Azanulbizar. Around him, hundreds of dwarves fought thousands of Orcs. Death was around him, much of his kin falling to the Pale Orc. He watched again as his grandfather's head was thrown to his feet. He remembered the fear and anger he felt, but he stood against Azog the Defiler and fought him back, wielding only a sword and an oaken branch. He watched as he and his kin charged the Orc ranks, but as the battle ensued, he felt a sudden pain that woke him up, his chest heaving. He looked around, gathering his surroundings. It was only a dream and he was thankful for that. Looking to his side, Thorin smiled when he saw Halien next to him. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then slid out of bed and went to the window. He leaned against the frame and looked at the moon, the very moon that had revealed the moon runes that would lead them to the hidden door into the Lonely Mountain. He tried to shake the memory of that battle, and after he gathered his thoughts, he went back to bed and tried to sleep some more.

The next morning, Thorin woke up to the sunlight shining in through the window and a knock at the door. Balin opened the door, asking if he was awake. When Thorin sat up, Balin bid him a good morning.

"What is it, Balin?" Thorin asked.

"Well, we were beginning to get worried when we didn't see you for breakfast. Halien wasn't there either, though I think she may still be in bed."

Thorin got out of bed and walked over to the wash bin to splash some cold water onto his face. "She is," he said, looking at the elf maiden still slumbering in his bed.

Balin looked at him and sighed. "Thorin," he said in a hushed tone. "Are you certain about the lass? You're from different worlds, even if she has become more dwarf than an elf at this point."

Thorin looked at him and nodded. "Balin, she is everything I could hope for in a woman. She is strong, brave, an experienced warrior, and a skilled healer. She cares for this company like no one else. She is beautiful, a great hunter, highly intelligent and wise- perhaps as intelligent and wise as you- and, she has an amazing voice. Her gifts make her special and set her apart from all others. She has given up everything to aid us in this quest."

"Do you love her?" Balin asked.

Thorin nodded, looking over at her. "Aye, I love her."

"Well, at least you have looked past her elven nature and the actions her father took. I can see how much you care for each other, but I had to be certain." Balin said.

Thorin put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Thank you, Balin."

Balin smiled and left the room, mentioning that he would think of something to tell the others. He also said that the elf maiden out in the hall had some extra breakfast waiting for him. Thorin went to the door, taking the tray from the elf who waited patiently. He thanked her and brought the tray over to the bed. He sat on the bed and ate breakfast, looking out the window at the beautiful day. He hoped that Halien was alright after what happened the night before.