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 Mountains. 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 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.
