Chapter 49

Like Mother Like Son

Jupiter's POV

I was looking forward to seeing my old friends again. Since Thorin was born, traveling hadn't been much of an option. They'd come to visit once but it had been five years. We woke up early and Thorin slept most of the way through the forest. When he woke up he insisted on riding with Thranduil. Thranduil even let Thorin wear his crown for a little while. When we reached the edge of the forest Thranduil put Thorin back with me.

"Please be safe. Especially you, Thorin. Listen to your mother and father."

Thorin looked sad but he nodded.

"Come visit soon. Promise?" Thorin asked.

Thranduil smiled.

"I promise I will come visit soon."

I loved it when Thranduil smiled. Legolas had the same smile, a bright and happy smile that was contagious. My son was one of the few people who could put a smile on Thrnduil's face. After we left, we searched for the safest way to cross the river before heading south for Lothlorien.

"Are you nervous?"

I smirked and looked at my husband.

"Maybe a little. Lothlorien was my first real home, where I found people who loved me and cared for me as their own daughter. I feel guilty for being away for so long."

Legolas took my hand.

"You know as well as I do that they will understand. The roads between Lorie and Imladris have become dangerous. And with Thorin being so young we were both thinking of his safety. They know that."

I smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Thank you."

"Are we almost there?"

"No son, we still have a few days to go."

He started to pout and Legolas smiled.

"How about I teach you how to make a rabbit trap? When we camp tonight does that sound good?"

He got very excited and nodded.

"Maman I'll catch dinner for us tonight!" he said happily.

"I'm sure you will. Make sure you listen to everything ada says."

He started talking about how he was going to catch the most rabbits so I could make stew. I was always happy that Thorin wasn't a picky eater. The only thing he didn't like was leeks. I smiled and stroked my son's hair.

"Shall I put leeks in the stew?"

He made a disgusted face and I laughed.

"It was a joke."

"And what if Ada wants leeks in the stew?"

I looked at Legolas.

"I'm sure I can make up for it when we get to Lothlorien."

I winked and he chuckled.

"No leeks!"

"Alright no leeks."

We made camp in a small cave near the river. Legolas took Thorin to make the traps. I started a fire and made a bed for Thorin. When they came back Legolas had a deer with him.

"Ada says that we can have stew for breakfast."

"It takes time to catch a rabbit. So tonight we'll have venison."

Thorin sat down next to me and I hugged him.

"Now you have to remember, even if you don't catch any rabbits, now you know how to make the trap. And if you keep at it, soon you'll be able to catch bigger animals. But always remember, never take more than you need. The balance of nature must be respected, and you must respect the animal."

"But don't we kill the animal?"

I looked at Legolas. He was skinning the deer and trying not to laugh.

"The deer feed on the grass, they grow big and strong, and we eat the deer. Nature created the deer so that we could survive. Us and the other meat eaters. Everything has a place. If we were to kill all the deer, the balance of nature would be disrupted. Soon the other meat eaters wouldn't have anything to eat. So you must only kill when you need to. One deer is more than enough for the three of us. Now if you had two more siblings, we might need more than one deer. Do you understand?"

When I looked down he was fast asleep. Legolas was still trying not laugh.

"Hey at least I tried."

"I think hes still too young to understand. Maybe wait until hes older."

I put Thorin in his bed and covered him.

"I'll put some venison in his stew tomorrow morning."

"If it makes it any better, I understood you and it was very wise."

I smiled and helped him with the deer.

"I'm just trying to be a good mother. Instill good values in our son. Something the people who raised me never did."

He stopped what he was doing and took my hands in his.

"You are a good mother. Please tell me you don't think you'll ever be like those... people."

I sighed.

"Sometimes I worry about it. I had a dream once, Thorin came to me. Before our Thorin was born. I told him that I was worried about becoming like them. He said, 'don't you dare finish that sentence'. He said he knew that I could never hurt my son, and that he was more worried about someone else hurting him and what I'd do about it. Tauriel basically told me to shut my mouth and that I would be a great mother."

Legolas pulled me closer.

"And they were right. I wish you would have come to me. You know that you can don't you?"

"Of course. And I'm sorry I didn't."

"No need to apologize. But please, come to me next time."

"I promise."

He kissed my forehead and we finished with the deer.

Legolas' POV

I woke up the the smell of rabbit stew. I sat up and saw Jupiter cooking. When Thorin saw me awake he ran over with a smile.

"Ada! I caught two whole rabbits!"

I picked him up and smiled.

"You'll be a great hunter. Now, lets eat and get on our way. We should be in Lothlorien tomorrow. And you'll meet Celeborn and Galadriel."

"Who are they?"

"They're your mother's parents. Well, not by blood, but they took her in and loved her like their own child."

Jupiter smiled at me.

"Who wants stew?"

Thorin jumped out of my arms and ran to his mother. I took a moment to just watch them. Jupiter seemed to be even more beautiful than the day before. All I ever wanted was to see her happy. When she'd first come to middle-earth I knew she wasn't truly happy. She'd never known loving parents, she had no family. She was always so willing to help people. Now she was always smiling. We had Thorin. She had parents and siblings. She finally had the life she deserved.

Jupiter's POV

Haldir was there to escort us when we reached the borders of the forest.

"Welcome home, Mellon nin."

I got off my horse and hugged him tightly.

"You know that this sort of expression..."

"Just shut up and enjoy it for once."

I could almost feel the smirk. When I stepped back I looked at Legolas.

"Haldir, I want you to meet my son."

Legolas brought him over.

"Thorin this is your uncle Haldir. He was one of the first friends I made here."

Thorin bowed his head and Haldir actually smiled.

"A well mannered young man. I would expect nothing less from your mother. It's good to finally meet you."

"Ada is uncle Haldir the one maman says is 'uptight'?"

MY eyes widened in horror and I slowly looked at Haldir. I was relieved when he smiled.

"She might be right, but I could tell you stories about your mother."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"Watch it Haldir."

He smirked.

"Well, we should get going. Perhaps we will make it to Caras Galadhon before nightfall."

I picked up Thorin and put him on my horse before mounting it behind him. Haldir looked at me.

"He is just like you."

I smiled proudly.