Chapter 13

Dwarf-Friend

When I woke up I was lying in bed. I heard voices outside and then an angry bang. I sat straight up and opened the door a bit. I saw Bard and Haldir talking and Bard looked pissed off.

"I have seen the way he has mistreated her. He never went this far. I am glad you brought her here."

I walked outside and they looked at me.

"Jupiter, good you are awake. I was worried when your friend here brought you in the way you were."

I smiled and hugged him.

"It's good to see you Bard. I've missed you."

"And we have all missed you. Your friend told me what happened. I am appalled by it. Until the prince comes to get you I wish for you to stay here with us. Your friends are welcome as well."

I smiled at him.

"Thank you. I'm sorry to impose like this, but I couldn't stay there."

"You are not imposing." he assured me.

I nodded and looked outside.

"Actually, I think I'd like to uh, visit Thorin's grave."

He looked at me sadly.

"I understand. The king has often asked if I had heard anything from you."

I smiled a bit. I wondered how Fili and Kili were doing. Estelwen insisted on coming with me so the two of us rode for the mountain. Dale had definitely changed since last I'd been there. More than half the city had been repaired. The guards blocked us as we approached.

"I'm here to see the king. My name is Jupiter Bellerose."

Their eyes widened and they bowed.

"Lady Jupiter! Welcome!"

I smiled and so did Estelwen. A guard led us inside and straight to Fili.

"Jupiter! Is that you!?"

I smiled and nodded.

He came rushing down with a smile on his face. He hugged me tightly and I laughed.

"Well that's one of the best greetings I've ever had."

He laughed and led me away.

"And who is your lovely friend?"

I smiled Estelwen blushed and bowed.

"I am Estelwen my lord. I am an elf of Lothlorien, and according to Jupe, I am a Taurus."

Fili seemed confused about that last part so I explained it to him.

"I see! How very interesting. Well I am certain Kili wants to see you, and Tauriel."

I smiled and nodded eagerly. I was led to the housing part of the mountain and Fili knocked on the door.

"Yes?"

Fili opened the door and I saw Kili and Tauriel. They smiled when they saw me.

"Jupe!"

Kili hugged me and Tauriel smiled.

"It's good to see you again my friend. How've you been?"

"Wonderful! That advice you gave me so long ago, you were right. Tauriel is the love of my life."

I smiled at them both. I was happy for them.

"I came to visit Thorin's tomb." I said.

They both looked at me and nodded. I told them I wanted to go alone so they just told me where to go. I came to the tomb and sighed. I touched the cold stone and sighed.

"Hello Thorin, it's been a while. I've been meaning to come visit you for some time but…I think I was afraid. I didn't know you that well or for that long, and we didn't get off to a good start. But for the time I did know you, I had fun. We fought together and I felt like I was needed for once in my life. When you came out and talked to Kili, you showed me what it meant to make things right. I know you're up there in the stars now, always watching us. I miss you, I wish I could've talked with you more and gotten to know you better. I hope one day we meet again. Until then, farewell your majesty."

I pat the stone with a small smile and took a deep breath.

"I'll come again soon." I promised.

When I turned around Fili was standing there. He had a familiar sword in his hand.

"Thorin really did like you. He said you were brave and good hearted. He would have wanted you to have this."

He held out the sword and my eyes widened.

"I couldn't possible take that from you."

"It is a gift. You are a friend to the dwarves despite that you are an elf. You fought beside us when our need was dire. Please, accept it."

I slowly went forward and took the sword. It was Thorin's sword.

"Thank you. I'll use it well and take good care of it. I'm honored to be a friend to the dwarves."

He smiled at me and we left the tomb.

Legolas' POV

I refused to speak to my father. I loved him, but Jupiter was a woman I could see myself spending the rest of my life with. I did not understand why he was so cruel to her. She risked her life to bring him my mother's gems and yet he still treated her poorly.

I did what I needed to do and then left for Dale.

"Legolas."

I stopped but I did not turn.

"Please apologize to her for me. I was wrong."

I turned and looked at him.

"No. You must apologize to her yourself. If I do it for you, it will not be a true apology. Good bye adar."

I left before he could say another word. I missed Jupiter terribly, so I rode as fast as I can. When I stopped to rest that night I felt a sword at my neck.

"You need more training." came a soft voice.

I smiled and pushed the sword away. There she was. As beautiful as always.

"Jupiter."

I took her in my arms and she held me tightly.

"I've missed you so much." she said.

"And I missed you."

We separated and she smiled at me.

"Have you been alright?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Of course. Bard has always treated me like family and the dwarves have always welcomed me. Actually, the king gave me this."

She held up the sword and my eyes widened.

"Orchrist."

"It was Thorin's I guess. Fili said he would've wanted me to have it. I'm a friend to the dwarves and I'm always welcome in Erebor."

I smiled and her and touched her cheek.

"I am happy for you. I am happy to see that elves and dwarves can still get along."

She laughed.

"Well I wasn't exactly raised as an elf."

"True, very true."

We fell silent and I laid back on the grass.

Jupiter's POV

Legolas lay back and I took a deep breath. The fresh night air made me smile and I closed my eyes.

"My father wants to apologize to you."

I looked at him but his eyes remained closed.

"He asked me to do it for him, but I said he had to do it himself."

I looked at the ground and slowly nodded.

"I forgive him."

His eyes flew up and he sat up a bit.

"What did you say?"

I moved closer and put my hand on the side of his face.

"Listen to me, holding a grudge is unhealthy. That's what my grandmother always said. I think I understand your father better than you think. You lost your mother and he lost the love of his life. It seems to have destroyed most of his heart. When I lost my grandmother I was just like him."

He put his hand on my arm.

"How did you get past it? You are nothing like my father now."

I moved my hand down to his chest and sighed.

"Sometimes I can hear her. She whispers to me, helps me and guides me. Then I came here, and for once in my life I had friends. And then…then I….I have you, I think."

He smiled at me.

"Of course you have me. And you always will."

I smiled happily and he pulled me to him. I closed my eyes and held onto him. I loved being held in his arms.

"I will always be here." he said softly.

"I'll count on it. If you can keep up with me."

He chuckled.

"I do enjoy a challenge."

I smiled and snuggled close to him.