Chapter Ten
SUMMARY: The Woodland Realm gets a visitor, which makes a certain young boy very happy.
Thanks to our faithful nursemaid, Esta, Thranduil and Bain have a chance to help each other, in unexpected ways.
Letters arrive this week from Dale, and Bard congratulates Tilda on her new "Job."
.
.
The Woodland Realm, 26th of January 2942, T.A.
Thranduil stuck his head in the door of his chambers, to find everyone sitting down for lunch.
"Good afternoon, children, how was school?"
"Pretty good." Sigrid said. "I've got to work more on maths, though. I'll do it this afternoon after our riding lesson."
Tilda grinned. "Oh, goodie! We get to ride the horses today!" She clapped her hands and asked Galion, "Can we get some carrots to take with us?"
Galion was pouring out the milk for the children. "I'll send for some. Have you learned to clean your saddles and bridles?"
Bain looked at Rhys and shrugged, "It's not so bad, really. Falarion says the same thing Thranduil always says; that taking care of our equipment can save our lives someday."
"I don't mind it, so much, either," Rhys added. "I like the smell of the oil and soap."
Thranduil gave the blonde boy a smug smile. "Well, I am afraid, Rhys, that you might miss your riding lesson today."
"Am I in trouble?" Rhys looked stricken.
"No, but I think you may want to do something else." Thranduil opened the door all the way, and entered the room, followed by Alun, Rhys's father, who had just arrived with the wagons.
"DA!"
Instantly, the boy was out of his chair and into his father's arms. Father and son held each other tight for many minutes, as the others looked on with a smile.
"I missed you so much," Rhys whispered into his Da's shirt. "I'm so glad you're here!"
"Aye, so am I. Had to come and see this Palace, and what all the fuss was about, yeah?" Alun smiled down at his son, and tousled his hair. The man was smiling, but his voice was hoarse. "I've missed you, son."
Rhys hugged him again. "I've missed you more, Da. I like it here, a lot, but I'd rather be with you."
"Oh, my boy…" Alun kissed the top of the boy's head.
Once father and son had gained their composure, Thranduil asked Galion to set another place for Alun, and Bain moved his place over, so they could sit together.
"Alun, Galion has set up rooms for you next to his apartment here in this wing. Rhys, I imagine you would like to stay with your father, while he is here?"
The boy grinned and nodded. "Aye, My Lord. But first, Da, I gotta show you my room! Did you see Esta?"
"No, not yet," Alun said, just as the dog in question came over and put head on the man's knee. He reached down to pet her, saying, "Hello there, Esta. Pleased to meet you!" As he scratched behind her ear, he turned back to his son, "So, you're learning to ride? I'd like to see that, Rhys."
"That's great! Then after, we can take you around and show you everything!"
Thranduil was enjoying the reunion. "It is perfectly permissible to observe their lesson, Alun. There is seating in the arena where they practice, and you'll be out of the way. I am hoping to stop in myself, if my meeting ends on time."
After a merry lunch, they departed for the barns, while Thranduil went, reluctantly, back to work. He did managed to stop in and observe the group, as Falarion had the children trot around the arena, coaching them on their posture, and technique. He was taken aback to see his Tithen Pen sit so fearlessly astride her grey mare. He had feared, at first, that she would be timid and skittish, as she was with so many things, but there she was, with a grin on her face, with the stirrups adjusted as high as they could go, to accommodate her short little legs. He shook his head and laughed.
He'd have that child astride an Elk, if it was the last thing he did.
That night, Esta came running into his room, whining, and barking. He shot out of bed and grabbed his robe, running as he fastened it, as he and Esta ran into Bain's room, at the same time the guard ran in from the hall entrance. The Elvenking found the boy thrashing and crying in his sleep, so he sat down on the bed and shook the boy slightly.
"Bain, Bain! Echuio! Wake up, now. You must wake up." He looked over his shoulder and saw Sigrid and Tilda in the doorway to Bain's room. Sigrid looked concerned, and Tilda had started to cry. Esta whined and went to Tilda and started licking her hand.
"Bain is just dreaming, and I will take care of him, so please do not worry. Sigrid, could you please look after your sister, and I will be in to see you when I am finished?"
"Can I help, Sire?" the guard asked.
"No, thank you. Please return to your duties." He said to the guard, who went back outside, gently closing the door behind him.
"Come now, Bain." He said softly, to the weeping boy. "All is well; please wake up. All is well; and you are very safe. Do you understand? You are safe."
Bain, finally seemed to gain awareness, and looked at Thranduil.
Thranduil asked him. "Do you know where you are, Ion nîn?" As he brushed sweat-soaked hair out of Bain's eyes.
"I'm in your Palace. In Legolas's bed." And the boy's lips trembled. "And you're taking care of us, because my Da…" The boy started to cry in earnest. Thranduil pulled Bain into his arms, and rubbed his back, soothing him with some words in Sindarin and Westron, letting him cry it out.
At last, Bain calmed down, then wiped his face. "I'm sorry. This is so stupid." He told the Elvenking, with tear-filled eyes.
Thranduil stroked his hair. "No, Bain, it is not stupid. You must never think that." He looked into the boy's face.
"Will you be all right for just a moment? I need to speak with your sisters, and I will get you something to wash your face, all right?"
Esta jumped on the bed, and nestled her head on the boy's thigh; ready to stand guard. At Bain's nod, Thranduil went into Sigrid and Tilda's room. The little one was sitting with Sigrid on her older sister's bed, sniffling.
"Come now, Tithen pen, it is all right. Bain had a bad dream, like you have sometimes." He sat down on the bed, while Tilda crawled into his lap, and hugged him very tight.
"He yelled and it scared me." She said in a very thin voice.
"I know, but, when you have bad dreams, are you glad I look after you?" He felt her nod into his shoulder. "Now, I must care for your brother."
"Was he scared too?"
"Yes, hênig, so I will speak with him to make him feel better. Can you go back to sleep?" He rubbed her back.
"I don't know, Ada." She was still shaking and sniffling.
"How about this? If your sister will let you lie down with her for a while, I can go to Bain, and when I am done, I will come back in and see you. Will you be all right until then?" He looked over Tilda's shoulder at Sigrid, who nodded her head.
"All right. I'll try. But if I'm not asleep, come and get me."
He kissed her hair. "I promise." He settled the girls down, made sure that Tilda had both Charlotte and Daisy, then left the door open a crack.
He went into the children's bathing chamber, and soaked one end of a small towel in water, then brought it back to Bain, so he could soothe his swollen face and wipe his eyes. When he was finished, Thranduil set it on the table beside the bed and smiled down at him. "Better?"
"Aye. Thanks." The boy sniffed a little.
"Can you tell me what you dreamed about, Bain?" Thrandiul asked, still rubbing his arm.
"About Laketown, and… Smaug." Bain's eyes filled. "I hate these dreams. They scare me to death."
"Of course, they do, Ion nîn. Very few people have faced a Dragon. Your Da has dreams, too."
"He told me that. When we were at Erebor, and I saw all those claw marks in the stone, it made me feel bad. Da told me I should try to talk to someone, if I have bad dreams."
"Your Da is a wise man."
The young boy was unaware of the conflict quickly rising in the Elvenking. This was a difficult subject; one that he was only beginning to speak about, with Galion. He looked down at Bain again, thoughtfully, and marshalled his courage.
"Do you wish to speak of it with me?" He asked Bain, who nodded.
"We were all in the boat, with Tauriel and the Dwarves, and I looked up and saw Da in the Bell Tower, trying to kill the Dragon. Then I remembered the Black Arrow Da told me to hide. I was the only one who knew where the Arrow was."
"Is this your dream, or did this really happen?"
"Both. I jumped out of the boat, got the arrow, and climbed up the tower, where Da had just shot the last Arrow he had. He saw me, and yelled at me for not leaving. But I had to help him! Otherwise he'd die!"
"You are right, Ion nîn; if you had not done this, he would have died. Can you tell me what happened next?"
"Well, the dragon hit the tower and I almost fell off. I was only holding on with one hand, and I couldn't let go of the Arrow. Da dragged me up again, and put me down, and grabbed Arrow from me, and the Dragon talked to him…."
Thranduil's eyes grew wide, his own distress momentarily forgotten, as he pictured his brave husband, and his equally brave son. "Smaug spoke to your Da? And this all actually happened?"
Bain nodded. "He threatened Da and said he was going to kill me." Bain gave Thranduil a small, wry smile. "That was stupid. He thought he'd scare Da, but it just made him really mad! He started swearing – my Da swears a lot when he gets mad."
"I am aware of your father's colorful use of language." Thranduil smiled. "Please go on."
"Da jammed the two pieces of the bow into some holes where the railings used to be, and restrung it -"
"Just a moment. Are you telling me that your Da shot that Black Arrow with a broken bow?"
Bain, feeling a bit better, smiled. "Aye! That's why he needed me to stand in front of him and use my shoulder…"
"Your shoulder?"
Bain nodded. "I had to help him steady the Arrow, so he could aim it."
Thranduil's eyes widened in surprise. "What happened then, Bain?"
"The dragon came closer, and I got really scared. I turned around to see, but Da told me not to look. He said to only look at his face, so I did. Then Da saw the missing scale! I had to move a little bit here and there to get the angle right, but then he let it go, and it went right into its heart!"
Thranduil sat back, and ran his hand over his face. This was not something Bard had ever told him. Then again, he had never asked the Bowman exactly what happened that night. "You and your father showed much courage."
"I have a scar, wanna see?" Bain unbuttoned his pajama top and showed Thranduil the thin running across his chest.
"Ai!" Thranduil said when he saw it. "Does it hurt you?"
"Nuh-uh," Bain shook his head. "And I didn't feel brave at all; I was really scared. And Da must've been afraid, but he was furious, because that thing wanted to kill me."
"Few things anger a parent more, than when his children are threatened. Someday, Bain, when you have children of your own, you will see. A good parent does not tolerate this, and Bard is the best parent I have ever seen. He was very smart, too. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because your father used that anger and fear to his advantage. He used it to give him the courage and make him stronger. Many, many people do not do that, and they do foolish things. That is certainly something to think about, is it not?"
Bain considered this, blowing his nose again.
"Is that all that happened in your dream, Bain?"
"No. I dreamed that when I almost fell off the tower, I really fell, and I saw the Dragon kill my Da." Bain's face was stricken. "It felt so real…"
"Dreams like that always are. And they are difficult to wake from. I am sorry you are plagued with them. Your Da is right to tell you to speak about it. I did not know this, until I met him."
"You, too?" Bain's eyes seem disbelieving. "I mean, you're this great warrior and all…"
"I may be a great warrior, as you say, but I, too, have haunting dreams. I have for a very long time, and I thought like you did, Bain, and it was wrong of me."
"Really? I saw you for a little bit in the Battle, and you were fearless!"
"No, Bain. I was not without fear. In fact, may I tell you something that your sisters do not know? I have spoken of this with your father, but I think you, too, deserve to know."
Bain looked at him, and nodded his head, solemnly. "I promise I won't tell anybody. Not even Da, if you don't want me to."
"I believe you. You are your father's son, and a very good one, at that. What I want to tell you is this: I, too have—" Thranduil took a deep breath. "I, too, have faced down a dragon and killed it. You, Bain, your father, and me are the only persons alive on Middle Earth today, who know what it is like to face, and kill a Dragon."
Bain's mouth gaped, his eyes bugging out. "YOU!" he squealed loudly. After Thranduil shushed him, Bain whispered, "I mean, you? When?"
"A very, very long time ago, during a terrible War. I cannot speak of the details, I am sorry. I still struggle with the memories of it. I simply wish for you to know, you are not alone in things like this. When you spoke of how your Da's anger helped him protect you, it is that same anger that I felt, trying to protect and save my people."
Bain's eyes were still wide, still trying to let it sink in.
Thranduil stroked Bain's hair again. "I am sorry you had a nightmare. But I am very glad you trusted me enough to tell me about it." He smiled at the boy who was looking at him in a new light, with a face so like his husband. "I am also glad I could talk to you about my experience, as well. After thousands of years, I am learning to be brave, like you and your Da."
Bain reached out to hug the Elvenking, "I'm sorry for what you went through, but I'm glad you told me. I felt like no one would understand, except Da, and he's not here. I didn't feel like I couldn't say anything."
Thranduil rested his cheek on top of the boy's head. "You can always, always come and talk to me, if you need to. Even if you think I will not understand, I promise I will listen and try to help you. Never keep things bottled up, like a certain very grumpy Elvenking did." He smiled.
"You're not grumpy. Well, you were kind of mean, but not anymore, you're not. I mean –" Bain pulled back and looked at him, awkwardly.
Thranduil chuckled quietly. "No, you are right, Bain. I was very grumpy. But then, some things happened to change that. Hard things, but I am glad they did. Then I met your father, who saw right through my bad temper, and didn't let it stop him. And now, we are married, and we are a family, are we not?"
"I'm glad you married Da. He's happy, and so are you. I miss him, though."
"Oh, Bain, I miss him, too. But we will keep very busy and the time will pass before we know it. Soon, we will all be together again. Do you feel like you could go back to sleep, now?"
"Aye. I feel a lot better. Thanks for coming, and talking to me." Bain settled down on the pillow.
"Of course, Ion nîn. I will always come to help you," Thranduil pulled his covers over him, and tucked him in.
"What does 'Ion nîn' mean?" Bain asked.
Thranduil stood, and smiled down at him. "It means 'My son.'"
Bain smiled, before he turned over to face the wall, closing his eyes. "I like that. Good night, Ada."
.
Thranduil's wide grin followed him out of Bain's bedroom door, into the girls' room, to make sure they were all right – they were both sound asleep. He very gently took Tilda and laid her down on her own bed, and covered her up, kissing her brow. He grinned when he tiptoed back over to Sigrid, making sure she was warm, and gave her a kiss on her hair.
He grinned all the way back to his own chambers, where he settled back into bed, and stared at his ceiling of stars, his hands, tucked behind his head.
Bain had called him Ada, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He had talked to the boy about the dragon he killed, and it hadn't crippled him.
And all this had happened while he was sitting on the bed he and Mírelen had once shared, and it hadn't upset him.
He couldn't wait to tell Galion and Bard.
.
.
LETTERS FROM DALE
To Thranduil from Bard:
Hello love,
So glad to get the box of letters and reports; we're all relieved to hear how well Rhys is doing!
As you can see, I've sent Alun to you and Rhys for a visit. He needs to see his boy, and I don't blame him. If it were me, I'd walk there, if I had to, if one of my kids had been hurt! See if Galion can put him in Hilda's spare room, and send him back with the next supply wagon.
I'm not surprised the kids wanted to put the boy in their apartment. Like Rhian, he needs to feel safe, and being with the children in a heavily guarded Royal wing will help. You were kind to do this, but that doesn't surprise me.
Now, back to some unpleasant business. With regards to Ina and Iola, I'm not sure what to do with them, when they come back. Frankly, I don't want them in Dale, as their mouths would do more harm than good, but I don't want to be that sort of King – one that discredits and banishes any who disagree with him. To my mind that is just being weak. From the letter they originally wrote, I see that their own father was abusive, and perhaps they have been denied the opportunity that Alun had given to his son. They are angry, unhappy ladies, yes, but remember how we spoke about how deep unhappiness can make someone behave like that?
Would you consider making sure that the Elves who tend to the ladies show them kindness and patience? I still think they need to cut off from the rest of the population, but since they are now separated, perhaps now would be the time for them to reflect on their lives, in solitude, then begin to see for themselves how one should act. There are no easy answers, but just as you had to be confronted before you found the impetus to change, perhaps this is their opportunity. If they choose not to take it, then we will deal with that.
Love, I can't tell you how proud I am that you've been able to speak with Galion about your ordeal during the War! I think it will help, and it won't always be so hard to do. I also think it's better to speak with someone who was actually there, doesn't it? Not that the subject will ever be easy, but you've made a start. Galion could be right about the what started this trouble, so this might be getting at the root of things.
As for that terrible night, when my dreams were so out of control I struck out at you, I still feel as if I'm the one who should be apologizing! I'd no idea I had done that, and I'm still horrified. Thranduil, don't feel bad. If you had been able to talk about it then, you would have. Didn't we have a bargain? You were going to work on letting go of the past and stop feeling so guilty? I'm keeping up my end of the deal, and working on my handwriting and spelling, so now it's your turn. Stop berating yourself and let it go. You learned something very important about yourself, and that's what counts.
Galion told me about your surprise little desk in his office, and I love it! Sigrid and Bain have always been more physically active than Tilda was at that stage, so make sure she spends some time running around for the exercise. I completely approve of your Chief Aide sending our Little Bean to nap with her Auntie Hil. If that's what it takes to get that lady to slow down some, I'm all for it.
And, you sneak, you appear to have won the argument about the kids petting the Elk. My warning about losing your own fingers if they lose theirs, still stands…
I can imagine your Royal Wing is quite noisy and active these day, what with four children, several adults and a new baby! Speaking of babies, can you let me know how Rhian and the boy are coming along? Please give me an update. How is Daeron doing? He had quite to ordeal, too. The kids say he's working with them again, but I want to be sure he's all right. I hope he and Rhian continue to be friends. I can't say if there is something more there; if there is, I honestly don't have a problem with it. Being loved by an Elf is something I highly recommend…
Thanks for a blow-by-blow description of how things went in court. I wish I could have seen you in action! I've yet to see you on that high throne of yours, in all your glory. Maybe when the Castle's finished I'll let you make me one of those things, ha ha. Or better yet, next time I'm there, you and I can go up there and….
Don't mind me. I'm just a King who misses his husband and his children. Really, really misses his husband. There are some things a giant, snoring, farting dog can't make up for, if you know what I mean.
You have no idea how much I am missing you. And I am missing the children just as much. I still feel "more" inside my heart, since marrying you, and that's all I will say, but you know what I mean. I'm working very hard, both to get my city done, and also because I can't stand still for a minute without feeling your absence. I've never been separated from my kids, and I feel the same loneliness when I think of you. Which is all the time…
When we see each other again, I don't think I'm going to let go of the children for days on end, and I won't let you go for nights on end…
All right, enough whining. Just let me know how Sigrid's birthday went. I hated missing it. I hate missing anything you all are doing.
I need to get back to work. I can't stand being idle – it makes the time drag, and just makes this horrible winter seem longer. Please, I know we have separate Kingdoms, but let's not ever be separated so long again?
Gi Melin, Thranduil. Always.
Your Bard
P.S. I'm still waiting for my drawing of you, although the ones Tilda makes are pretty accurate…
P.P.S. I miss the Elf Thing… Work some of your magic to make the time go faster, will you? I need to see you!
To Glélindë from Feren:
Melethril nín, Glélindë,
I can easily picture you caring for our girls, and for their grandfather. Gruffudd is an interesting man. I have enjoyed my talks with him, and have learned much about the race of Men in general. He has lived much in his very short life, and has a wisdom I had not known existed in these people. For all his hardships, he has a keen sense of humor. He misses his wife, daughter and son-in-law very much, and he told me many things about them.
I am glad you told me about little Alis's question about her parents. It speaks to the same concern I have, and I agree with your solution. Gruffudd has been wonderful in sharing so many stories about his family, and I would like to see these stories written down, at some point, because Alis and Dafina deserve to know all about their birth parents. This might help them to know how much we love them, and it will help them to know themselves better. Every child deserves to know where she comes from.
I feel our separation keenly this winter, Meleth nîn. I have always loved you, and we have lived our lives this way since before we were married, but now that we have a family, I can hardly stand the separation. Human children grow so fast, and I hate the idea of missing a day of it! I pray this winter goes swiftly. I think, after we have established a home here in Dale, we will keep our home in the Woodland Realm, as well, so you all can move with me. I do not want us to be separated again. I want to see you, and our little curly-haired treasures every moment I can.
What is your daily life like, with our girls? Please write me every detail, so I can picture their beautiful mother taking care of our new family.
Please look after yourself, Lindë and be gentle with yourself as you learn the skills and joys of being a mother. Do not hesitate to ask Lady Hilda for help if you feel overwhelmed.
Smile for me, and think of me, always, Meleth nîn.
Feren
P.S. As neither of our children can read, I have drawn some pictures for them, of the Hall, and the houses being built and the things we are doing. I have never been any sort of artist, but I hope the girls enjoy them.
From Bard to Galion:
Greetings to you, Lord Galion,
I would pay good money to see our little one working away at her desk in your office! Just don't let her Ada spoil her too much, or he will face Hilda's wrath, and you'll all have to cover your ears!
So… "Uncle Galion," eh? I am perfectly fine with it. I told Tauriel, and she grinned from ear to ear, upon hearing this. You are an important part of our family, and she tells me she and Legolas love you dearly, so trust me, the more the merrier!
Thanks for arranging the legal papers so efficiently for me. I did receive the original the "poison pen" letter from those two ladies, and I've also written him my thoughts as to their treatment.
I still believe, at this point, they need to be separated from the rest of the population of Dale. All of my people have been traumatized, and do not need the negativity. We all need to recover, and I suppose those ladies do, too. Let us hope their solitary confinement, as I wrote to your King, causes them to reflect.
I am pleased to hear of no reports of sickness amongst my people. I know that this time of year it's common for them to have colds and coughs. I know that for us, no one has ever found a cure for these things, we just have to wait it out, but perhaps Elves can help. Please ask Elénaril to speak with Hannah, the Midwife about this. Forewarned is forearmed, that's my motto.
Again, thanks for being such a good help to my husband, a good Uncle to my children, and for being part of our family.
Regards,
Bard, King of Dale.
To Sigrid from Bard:
Hello, My Girl,
Percy loves the socks you made him, and yes, I'm sending you two that need repaired. Anything you can send me to keep warm is much appreciated. I might be married now, but I still need my best girl to look after my fingers and toes, yeah?
Your Ada told me how beautiful Queen Mírelen was, but I'm anxious to see it for myself. He's right about your remembering your Mam. You should never think that we want any of you to forget about your mother. We need to keep her memories alive, so that they can live on in you, and all your future deeds. My own Da, was very important to me, and he still is. When I become officially crowned, I want to dedicate my reign to him and all he taught me. He too, was a descendant of Girion, and this Kingdom belongs just as much to him as to the rest of us.
So glad to hear Rhian is doing well. She will need a lot of time, and even more patience, to heal the hurts she has. Your visits there are good for her; just remember to follow Hannah's lead and do what she suggests. It makes sense that she wants you to be cheerful and normal around Rhian. From what I've found out about her life, it's probably the only taste of this she's ever had.
I can't wait to see you again. All of you. I'm sorry you were upset and lonesome for me, and please know I miss you all just as much. You're right to keep busy – it's the only thing that keeps me sane and tires me out so I can sleep. Just focus on the new city we're trying to build and what our life will be like. Focus on your schoolwork and learning as much as you can in the Healing Halls. I can't tell you how proud I am of you.
I love you,
Your Da
To Bain from Bard:
Hello, son,
So finally, the boys don't outnumber the girls! I'm happy that Rhys is with you kids. So is his Da. Alun was overjoyed when I told him, and you must write me all about their visit.
Enjoy your sword and archery practice, boys, but don't neglect your studies, all right? And do me a favor? Watch your little sister around the Elk. She seems to like them, and, of course the Elvenking can refuse her nothing, but make sure she's safe, all right?
Look after each other, and if you keep at it, perhaps you might even beat Thranduil at Stratagem!
I feel terrible about missing your sister's birthday, and I hope you all made a fuss over her and helped her have a good day. Yours is next, but thankfully, it's late enough in the year that we'll all be together. I'm sure by now you've learned that Elves don't celebrate the day of birth, they have "begetting days." It's very different than how we do things, but I expect all of you to respect the differences between our cultures, even if you don't always understand them.
You will be a King, someday, Bain. I promise, I'm not going to be the kind of Da that will constantly rub your nose in it, but there are times when I can't avoid it. As a Crown Prince, I need to you set the example in your attitude, so the other boys and girls know how to act.
I heard that history is your favorite subject. Mine is too. I'm learning about our Kingdom the same as you, and it's fascinating, isn't it?
Love you son,
Your Da
To Tilda from Bard:
To Lady Tilda, The assistant to the Chief Aide of the Woodland Realm:
Hello Beanie!
I hear your Uncle Galion can't run the Kingdom without you now! Keep things running smoothly for your Ada. Galion also tells me you help make sure Auntie Hil gets naps when she needs them. Good for you. If you need to lie down with her to make sure she gets her rest, then you just do that. We love, Auntie Hil, don't we?
I'm so proud of your writing. You're working very hard, and I can see the improvement. Learning to spell can be hard, and it's frustrating, but you must work hard at it. You'll get the hang of it, before you know it. Now that you have lots of books to read, that will help, love.
I thank you kindly for the picture of Ada. I keep asking him to draw one of himself, but I think I like yours better.
I know you love to see the Elk, Little Bean, but please be careful. Do you still visit the dogs at the barracks and the horses? I hear there are lots of cats in the Palace, too. Can you draw me some pictures of those?
I love you and miss my baby girl, but you keep up with your schoolwork, and make sure that you get plenty of time to run around and play, all right?
Love you every minute of the day,
Your Da
To Hilda from Bard:
Dear Hil,
So glad to hear you're feeling better. You just make sure to lie down in the afternoons if you need to. Our Little Bean is smart as a whip for putting herself in charge of your naps. Sounds like you both benefit from it.
Valar, Hil, our oldest is sixteen already! I can hardly stand not being there to see her big day, but I can imagine she looked beautiful at the party. Tell me all about it! She's such a smart, sharp young lady, but she is still a girl. How many years did she feel like she had to take her Mam's place? Now that our lives are different, I want her to have a chance to be young, without the responsibilities that she had forced on her. She deserves that. Now, as to your crazy husband. He's hearty and hale, and no longer making a fool of me. Thangon is my favorite weapon! Just toss him an Elvish biscuit and send to lie down on Percy's bed, and, Bob's your Uncle, no more problem. Ha ha. Don't worry. He'll come up with some dastardly way to get me back for smelling up his room, I have no doubt.
I will say this, but if you tell Percy, I'll deny it: we all need the laughter, and I love your husband for helping the chase away the gloom. We miss you people and it cheers us all up mightily.
Keep an eye on everyone for me, and know that none of this would be possible without you!
Love,
Bard
P.S. Oh! Have you spoken to Daeron and Elénaril about making sure they're ready for colds and whatnot? Remember, Elves don't have illnesses like we do, and I want to make sure everyone is ready.
To Sigrid, Bain and Tilda from Percy:
Hello kids,
Glad to get your letter about your friend, Rhys. The boy's Da has been frantic, and I'm sure at the moment he is enjoying their surprise reunion.
The homes have been going up pretty fast, we have several crews of Elves, Dwarves and Men working together and some are finished, even! We've got a long way to go, and the snowstorm didn't help, but we'll do what we can.
In the meantime, we all have been playing games and singing songs and having a good time. I can't play tricks on your Da anymore. He got really mean and made his dog stink up my room! So I guess I'll have to behave.
We all miss you, Sea Monsters, but you take care of each other and keep busy until we can see you again.
Love,
Uncle Percy
To Thranduil from Tauriel:
Suilad, Ada,
Sigrid told me about the picture I drew, and I am sorry it made you sad. I confess, I do not remember drawing it. I must have been small. You were always so sad, and I wanted to you feel happy, I remember that. Please do not dwell on the past, because I know you think that you hurt me a great deal because of your sadness. You did not.
I have been keeping active, training with Bard vigorously, and when I am off-duty, I enjoy helping to build the houses. You would be amused to learn that pounding nails for hours and hours works out a great deal of anxiety!
I have taken Bard's suggestion, and spent more time with the Dwarves, particularly Dwalin and Balin, who were with Kili and his brother since their childhood. At first, it was difficult to speak of him, but I have noticed that Dwarves have a wonderful way of celebrating the lives of their kin, however brief. After a time, I found I myself enjoying all these stories of Kili, especially the misdeeds of he and Fili's youth!
Farien enjoys her time on the hearth, all curled up before the fire, purring. She stays here most of the time while I am out with Bard, as he builds with the rest of the crews.
I am impressed at how we all are working together, now. There was a bit of a problem, last week with couple of young Dwarves, who didn't want to listen to Gloin or work with the Elves. Apparently, he sent word to Erebor about it, because the next day, King Dáin himself came and sorted it.
He took them home with him, after stating those two will be emptying chamber pots for everyone in Erebor for the next month, until they can, and I quote, "get their bloody shite together." I do not know how Bard kept a straight face! After they all left, the entire Hall started laughing, and I admit, I joined them.
The next day, two other Dwarves came, from the Original Company, Bombur and Nori, and things were back to normal.
Feren and I continue to work with Bard and he improves. That is all I will say, but I know you are pleased to hear this.
King Dáin's family, along with others from the Iron Hills will be joining them at Erebor in the spring. I've heard that Lady Dís might come for a visit, eventually. She is now ruler of the Blue Mountains, so she will be unable to stay permanently, but she wants to see where her brother and her sons are buried. Bard is looking forward to meeting her, and to thank her for her sons' bravery. I must tell you, Ada – I am nervous at the idea of meeting her. What if she hates me, because I am not a Dwarf?
Maybe that is silly. I have never been in this position before, and I do not know what to do. I hope I see you to talk with you about this before she comes, but if not, what do you think? I do not know what to say to her. I need your help and advice Ada. This is confusing. Bard keeps telling me that I have nothing to be nervous about, but I would feel better hearing it from you and Galion.
I must go close for now. The caravan is about to return to you, and I need to make sure I write to everyone. Please hug the children for me.
Mil,
Tauriel
To Sigrid, Bain and Tilda from Tauriel:
Suilad, children of Dale,
Thank you for the diary. I have enjoyed reading through my thoughts as a young elleth. My spelling was terrible! Mostly what I wrote was very silly things about my favorite horse, my favorite dress, and my friends. Nothing important to anyone else, but it is nice to remember these things.
I miss you all, and hope you are keeping up your studies. And please do not worry. Your Uncle Percy would not dare to play jokes on me – I am much too quick, and he knows I can make him really suffer!
I am sorry to hear about your troubles with Ina and Iola, but I am very glad to hear that your friend, Rhys is staying with you now, and is safe. Please tell him I am happy for him.
And Miss Tilda, your writing is improving! Your letters and very straight and neat, and I can see you are working very hard and spelling things correctly. And Tithen Pen, you did nothing wrong in giving Ada my picture, and we both are very glad you did.
My cat, Farien, is happy here, and especially loves the bed I made her by my fireplace. She's very busy keeping the Castle free of mice, and she likes to keep me company the rest of the day.
Please be good to each other, and never stop looking after Ada and Galion.
Love,
Tauriel
To Hilda from Percy:
Greetings to my wife,
Well, my feet are toasty warm, thanks to you and our Sigrid, I thank you kindly. She's quite good at it the socks now, isn't she? I wish I still had the first pair she made for me, remember? She was so proud of them and it was hard not to laugh – one was way too small, and the other was huge and full of holes, but you'd have thought she was handing me a chest full of gold, she was that proud of herself. I told her they were my favorite pair, and they still are, even if they are now ashes.
I'm proud of you for helping our kids stand up to the bullying from those two ladies. I read their letter and it sounds to me like those two ladies didn't have such a great time from Rhys's great-grandfather. Everything I heard about that man – Ioan, was his name – said he was as nasty as they came. The whole thing makes me angry, but there's no point in dwelling on it.
I'm glad you're there and can keep checking on the little ones of Dale. I agree with you about Tilda. I don't think of her as a spy for Thranduil, as much as a way for the little ones to be heard. Glad to hear its working out with that big family.
Listen, love. Bard just asked me to finish up. The caravan wants to make their way to you as long as there's a break in the weather.
Love,
Your Percy
To Galion from Tauriel:
Suilad Galion,
So, I hear you have an assistant in the afternoons! I can picture little Tilda sitting beside you, working away, and it reminds me of all the times I spent there with you. I can also see Tilda napping in the chair you always like to have there. I cannot wait to see you again.
I have visited Erebor overnight again, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I don't go there as often as I would like, because I must look after Bard, but he had been kind to allow me to visit my friends. Bard spends his mornings in meetings, but in the afternoons, he goes out to the different building crews. He likes to work with them, and not just stand and watch, and I respect this about him.
As much as I miss the Palace, Galion, and I always will, I feel happy to be here. It is terrible to be separated from you and the children, of course, but this place is beginning to feel like home. I like Bard very much; we've spent many evenings talking over a game of Draughts and I can see why Ada fell in love with him. They are perfect for each other.
Of course, our family would never be complete without you. You give yourself little credit, but you truly have been the glue that has held us all together, and we all know this. I can't wait to see you again, dearer than Uncle.
Mil, Tauriel
ELVEN TRANSLATIONS:
Melethril nín, Glélindë, - To my love, Glélindë
Suilad, Ada, - Greetings, Dad
Mellon nîn – My friend.