11
Chapter Fifty-Nine
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SUMMARY: The children come back to Dale! The wagons roll into the courtyard before the Great Hall to unload their precious cargo, and enjoy the Welcome Feast.
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City of Dale, 25th of May 2944 T.A.
"Let's go!" Quickly, Bard stood up and grabbed his cane, and the three of them went out to the steps in time to hear the cheers go up.
Thranduil helped Bard over to the chair they had set up and made him sit down. "No, Meleth; you may not go down the steps. Please, stay here, and I will send the children over to you."
"After you get your mitts on them, of course," Bard smirked up at him, as he shielded his eyes from the sun.
"You have guessed my nefarious plan: I want to steal them all for myself." Thranduil grinned.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"They made excellent time, do you not think?"
"I do," Bard took his meaning, "let's hope they didn't have any trouble."
Their musings were forgotten when the first wagons made its way through the streets of Dale and came into the courtyard. Thranduil couldn't stand still anymore, and raced to the bottom of the step with Ben and the other fathers and began to wave at the children, who were kneeling against the side and smiling at everyone. Tilda was looking through the crowd, and didn't see Bard, but her eyes lit up when she recognized Thranduil who was overjoyed to see them, and grinning from ear-to-ear.
"Ada!" She screamed. His little daughter was beaming as she waved frantically. "Ada! Ada!"
The moment the wagon stopped, and the brakes were set, Thranduil raced to the back and lowered the tailgate and caught his Tithen Pen, as she jumped out and landed in his arms with glee. Esta was close behind, and barked happily up at them.
"Oh, hênig, my little love," He kissed her hair and held her tight. "How I have missed you."
"I missed you, too," she said. "I hated it when you were gone." Her arms tightened around his neck. "I was scared when you and Da got sick…"
"Shhh, now, Tithen Pen; I am here, and all is well." He pulled his head back and brushed her hair away from her face. "Do not think about it anymore, because your Da and I are fine and we are so glad your are here." He smiled and rubbed their noses together.
"Hi, Sea Monsters!" Percy was at Thranduil's side helping Sigrid down, and wrapped her in his arms. "How's my girl?"
"Very happy to be home, Uncle Percy." Sigrid hugged him again and grinned up at him. "Auntie Hil is in one of the other wagons with some of the elderly."
"Of course she is." Percy laughed, and kissed her forehead. "I'll go see if she needs some help."
After greeting Sigrid with a hug and a kiss to her hair, Thranduil reached out his free hand to help Bain down, but a red-haired blur came flying down the steps to do it for him.
"Sigrid! Bain! Tilda!"
"TAURIEL!" Bain shouted as he jumped down and hugged his sister.
"Ai! How you have grown, Gwador! Look at you!" She smiled and looked him up and down. "You will be as tall as me very soon!" She grabbed him again and hugged him tight. "I have missed all of you!"
Sigrid squealed with delight as she hurried over to Tauriel with her arms out. "I missed you, big sister!" and soon she was enveloped in Tauriel's arms, with joyous smiles. "I can't believe we're finally here!"
"You have grown, too!" Tauriel laughed. "How lovely you look!"
"What about me? I've missed my big sister, too!" Tilda leaned from her Ada's arms to embrace her. "Mae g'ovannen, Tauriel!"
"And 'Well met' to you! You said that perfectly!"
"I've been practicing! And I can say, "Êl síla erin lû e-govaned 'wîn! That means "A star shines on the hour of our meeting!"
"So, it does, Gwathel nîn!" Tauriel kissed her cheek again. "That means, 'my sister.' And you have grown new front teeth! What a nice new smile you have!" She laughed and kissed the little girl again on both cheeks. "It is a joy to see you!"
"Where's Da?" Bain asked.
"He is up there, under the archways, Ionneg," Thranduil told them, "we do not want him to stand too long." He pointed to Bard who stood up from his chair and leaning on his cane and Ermon was standing beside him to stop him from going down the steps.
"DA! DA!" All three of them screamed at the top of their lungs.
Tilda wiggled herself down to the ground, and they raced up the steps to him. Thranduil smiled at the sight of his husband, as the force of his children's greeting knocked him back down in the chair and they were all hugging him at once. The look on Bard's face when he held his children was utterly beautiful, filled with love and pride, and not a few tears of joy. Bard was an immensely sentimental man, who wore his heart on his sleeve, and that was one of the things Thranduil loved so much about him.
Bain was bending down to meet Thangon with a huge grin of astonishment, while the girls stared at down at the dog with wide, curious eyes, as the big dog wagged his tail and woofed at them. Then his tail wagged even faster, as he and Esta took their measure of each other.
"Tauriel? Gwinïg nîn?"
The wagon's last passenger disembarked and called softly to Thranduil's eldest daughter, with a voice full of paternal love.
She had been watching the scene up on the dais with a happy smile, with her arm around Thranduil's waist, but when Tauriel turned to see who called her name, she gasped, and put her hand to her mouth.
"Gwannas lû and, Gwinïg." Galion smiled, as he opened his arms.
Tauriel froze for a moment, then her face crumbled as ran into her beloved Uncle's arms. "Galion muil," she whispered, over and over. "Aníran ni cenad chin… Galion muil…"
Galion held her to him for many minutes, in tears himself. "And I have missed you, my curious, wonderful child." He kissed her hair and hugged her tighter. "I am overjoyed to see you again."
The Elvenking left them to their reunion, and looked around the courtyard and observed happy faces all around him. He saw Ben hugging Rhian and fussing over baby Darryn, who was a grumpy from all the noise and shouting. The first wagon pulled away to make room for the second set of passengers and the shouts went up again, much to poor Darryn's consternation, and his little face frowned and he began to cry.
And there was Alun hugging Rhys and tousling his blonde hair. Thranduil made his way over to them and bowed formally. "Lord Alun, Treasure-Keeper of Dale, I hereby relinquish custody of your son." He shook Alun's hand and smiled at the boy. "Welcome home, Rhys."
"I will gladly take him off your hands, King Thranduil. Thanks again, for looking after him."
"My absolute pleasure." He smiled down at Rhys and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "You must not be a stranger, adan neth. I wish you and your father much joy in your new life, but you must come to see us often."
"Thank you, My Lord. Anyway, me and Bain will still be friends, so…" he shrugged, then his brown eyes grew serious. "I'm glad you and Lord Bard are well again."
"I thank you," he replied. "Now, tell your father to take you into the Great Hall where a Welcome Feast is waiting."
"Oh, good! I'm starved!" the boy exclaimed and steered his father up the steps.
"Aran Thranduil!"
The Elvenking turned around and saw Feren approaching. "We had a bit of trouble three-quarters of the way through, My Lord. Daeron and some others went to head off a pack of Orcs and Wargs. We ran the horses until we hit the plain, to keep the children out of danger."
"We need to find Dáin," The Elvenking quickly located Dwarf King, standing with Bard and the children. Tilda was grinning up at him and showing off the little diamond necklace he had given her when she was sick, then she wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. Thranduil saw her mouth the words, "Thank You," and it was amusing to see the tough, rugged Dwarf King fall under the little girl's spell, as he cleared his throat several times, before he could say, "Yer welcome, lassie."
Thranduil caught his eye and gave him subtle signal towards a quiet spot to speak, so Dáin excused himself and came over. After Feren gave both Kings a detailed account of what he witnessed, Thranduil decided to send out two units of Elves to try to find them and bring them home.
"Put fresh horses on this wagon and send it back for any injured. In fact, send four more wagons with it, and fetch all the Dwarves who guarded the road; I am sure they would much rather ride all that way in a wagon, than on the back of a horse."
"Yer right abo' tha'" Dáin agreed.
He looked apologetically at his Commander. "I know you have just arrived, but I want you to lead this rescue, if indeed it is one. Daeron is with them, but take Ermon's assistant, just in case another Healer is needed. I will alert Ermon and Elénaril to be ready to receive them in the Healing Hall, and," he turned to Dáin, "do you wish to send for Óin, to treat the Dwarves?"
"I'll send a messenger ri' off," Dáin agreed. "Let's jus' 'ope it's just a few cuts 'n scrapes."
"As do I."
"I'll see to it right away, My Lord." Feren nodded, then went back to work.
Thranduil sighed and looked at Dáin. "Say nothing to Bard, for now. I would like him to have a few minutes to enjoy his children, before I give him the news."
Dáin touched his finger to the side of his nose. "Aye."
Two more wagons were coming into the courtyard as the others were pulling away, so he left them to it, and saw that the chairs on the dais were gone. Bard must have taken the children in to get something to eat, so he walked up the steps to join them. Before he reached the table where is family was sitting, he saw Ben and Rhian, along with Alun and Rhys. The young girl had a nappy over her shoulder, nursing Darryn discreetly, as she and Ben chatted.
"Welcome home, Rhian." He smiled at her. "I am told of the excitement on the road here. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I'm just worried about Daeron and the others."
"Did you witness anything?"
"No, My Lord. We were stopped for a short break, then they hurried us back on the wagons, so the Elves could put the children to sleep. The horses ran for quite a way to get us away from there."
"Was Tilda distressed at all?" He asked her worriedly.
"She was, but Dior put her to sleep first thing, and Esta kept close. Sigrid and the boys stayed awake, but they behaved very well, for Galion and me." Her brow furrowed with worry, and she said in a low voice,
Thranduil waited patiently as she switched sides so Darryn could continue to nurse, as Rhian's brow furrowed with worry. "I'm worried about them all, My Lord!"
He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, as he held the baby's hand. "Daeron and the rest of my Guardians are the most talented soldiers of my Realm, so you need not worry. If anyone can take care of himself, he can."
Ben leaned in and added his agreement to this. "Remember, love: this is what these lads do for a living. Daeron and the others train for years and years, love. He knows what he's doing."
"You're right," she sighed. "Hannah always says to think positive, so I'll just believe they'll all come back safe and sound, until I learn otherwise." She smiled sadly at Thranduil.
"That is how the families of my military cope. If you still feel ill at ease, speak to Glélindë about it. She will tell you the same thing."
"I'll do that, My Lord; thank you."
Ben kissed his daughter's temple and got up. "Now, let me get you something to eat, then I'll take you our house. Your room is all fixed up with the crib and…"
The Elvenking left them to it, and took a moment or two to take in the sights and sounds of everyone around him and send up a prayer of thanksgiving.
The Great Hall was a happy, noisy place once more. All the passengers had been unloaded to an enthusiastic welcome. At every table, reunited friends and families were eating together; husbands had arms around their wives, and fathers had children in their laps, as they talked of their new homes and the life they were going to have.
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This new city, this new Dale would be center of the North, and rightly so. These wonderful people had much to teach Elves and any other race of Free Peoples how to love and depend upon one another, and how to see and judge a person by character and actions, rather than appearance and personal inclinations. They were openly affectionate with one another, especially their children; they were fiercely loyal, and their biggest desire was for justice and a fair chance to build a life for themselves and their families.
Thranduil looked around at the smiling families and spotted Seren, Llewellyn and their three children, and recalled when the small red-haired baby, Liliwen was born in his Halls. Her bright hair had grown longer now, and he saw Llewellyn stroking his fingers through it proudly. At the next table, he spied Gruffudd and Glélindë fussing over little Alis and Dafina, so he went over to speak with them.
"Hello, children!" He greeted the girls with a smile. "Did you enjoy your ride?"
Alis smiled shyly and buried her face in her grandfather's chest.
"Aye!" Dafina said. "We woded in a wagon and sang songs, and I tookted my nap, so I don't have to take one when I get home!"
"You did?" He raised his eyebrows. "That is fortunate, because I am sure you are anxious to see your house, are you not?"
"Uh huh!" Dafina nodded her head, then frowned. "Nana says Ada had to go hewp somebody."
"I am afraid so, child." Thranduil gave her a compassionate look. "But he will be back soon."
"But I wanna see him now!" The little girl skewered him with a dirty look. "I dident see him in the wagon, 'acause he was up fwont, and you made him yeave again!" She said frowning. "That's not berry nice!"
Her bright blue eyes began to water, and her lips began to tremble, so Thranduil quickly grabbed a cookie from the platter and handed it to her as a peace offering.
"I am sorry about that, Dafina, but your Ada had to go get the Dwarves that helped you on your trip. It was nice of them to help, was it not?"
"Well, they hewped so Nana could takted me to go potty," she mused, and took a bite.
"That is very important." He looked up and winked at 'Lindë and Gruffudd, who were trying their best not to laugh. "Because they were so nice to you, we do not want them to walk all that way back, do we?"
The little tot considered this for a minute as she chewed. "Nuh-uh," she shook her curls. "Their yegs would get tiwed, and thew feet would hurt a yot!"
"We would never want that. You are smart little girl."
Dafina seemed to be satisfied with that and leaned against her mother's chest and concentrated on her cookie.
Glélindë smiled down at her. "Thank you, My Lord. She has been quite put out about her A-d-a l-e-a-v-i-n-g."
Thranduil chuckled, remembered the days he and Mírelen had to spell out words in front of Legolas. "I can see Hilda's confidence in you and Feren were well-founded. The girls are happy, and you are wonderful parents."
"De vilui, Aran nîn."
"I wish you well in your new home," he said to Gruffudd and Glélindë, as he got up, "Goodbye for now, Alis," he tickled her tummy, and she giggled. "Thank you for speaking with me, Dafina," he told the three-year-old. "I am happy you approve of being nice to the Dwarves."
"You're wewcome!"
Thranduil went back to sit with Bard and the children, with a feeling of joy and satisfaction at a job well done by everyone. The Long Winter (as it would be called in all the history books) was over, Dale was looking much like it used to, and its inhabitants were healthier than most of them had ever been. Never would Thranduil regret giving so much to these folk; it was a worthy investment for everyone in the North.
"Did you save some food for me?" He sat down next to Bard with a grin.
"Help yourself, but you'd better hurry," Percy said, as he held up the platter with fruit and cheese to him, "the way Bain's shoveling it in, there won't be any left for long."
"I was hungry, Uncle Percy!" Bain protested. "You said I'm growing fast."
"Don't think I don't see you sneaking food to Thangon under the table," Hilda scolded. "My lands, look at the size of him! I never knew a dog could get that big!"
"I like him," Bain patted the dog's head. From the look on the Thangon's face, the feeling appeared to be mutual.
"Where's Esta?" Tilda asked, looking around.
Sigrid bent down to look under the table. "Lying next to Thangon. She knows better than to beg," she gave her Da a pointed look.
"You can't be mad at me! I didn't have anybody else to spoil all winter, and I was lonely."
"Well, now that we're back together again," Hilda said, "No dogs at the table after this; I'm putting foot down. You can play with them any other time of day, but I'm not budging on that one."
Bard noticed Thranduil's beaming face and met his eyes. "What are you smiling at?"
"We're together again, and it makes me happy." He grabbed a roll from the platter in front of him. "We only had a few weeks as a family before this, and now that we are together again, it is as if no time as passed at all!" he marveled. "Why should I not smile?"
"I know, love," Bard leaned into him and smiled.
Thranduil grinned ate a bite of ham. "Have you been to your rooms yet, children?"
"Not yet," Tilda said, from Bard's lap. "We were hungry, and I wanted to be with Da."
Thranduil lifted his left arm and put it around Sigrid's shoulders. "Are you happy to be home?"
"Very." The girl put her head on her Ada's shoulder. "Dale looks wonderful! I hardly recognize it; it's so clean and bright. I can't wait to walk around some tomorrow."
"It is a remarkable accomplishment, is it not?"
"It really is." She smiled up at him. "Ada?'
"Yes, Iellig?"
She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for saving Da," she whispered. "I'm glad we didn't lose you, either."
He squeezed her shoulders and kissed her hair. "I would do anything for your Da, and for you, as well; I hope you know this."
"I'll never forget it; not as long as I live." She promised, as tears threatened to fill her eyes. "We wouldn't even be alive if it weren't for you. And now Da is happy and we're this huge family…"
"No tears," he booped her nose. "This is a time to be happy and to celebrate,"
From the other side of the Elvenking, Bard interjected. "It's also a time for speeches." He handed Tilda over to her Ada, grabbed his cane, then went to the center aisle and raised his hands for attention. Once they were quiet, he began:
"People of Dale, I know you're all anxious to get to your homes, but I'd like to say a few words. I promise not to take up too much of your time, but I wish to make one of my first formal declarations as King of the New Dale:
"From this day forward, I hereby decree as King, that every occasion, be it a Feast, a Festival, or simply holding Court, must always begin with a moment of reverent silence. We must never forget those who perished in Laketown, and we must always honor the courage of those who gave their lives in the Battle of the Five Armies. They sacrificed their lives, so that we might be here today. As Dale moves forward, let us be mindful all who perished so that we could be here, and we could be free.
"Good folk of Dale, of Erebor, and the Woodland Realm: Please, stand with me, as we bow our heads and remember all those who have gone before us, with love and respect!"
Thranduil and Dáin went to stand on either side of Bard amidst the scraping and scuffling of chairs, as Man, Elf and Dwarf stood to pay homage. Hats were quickly removed out of respect, children were shushed to a whisper, and many stood with hands over their hearts, weeping silent tears.
When the moment had passed, Bard lifted his head, thanked everyone and encouraged them to take their seats again, as he continued:
"I don't want to let this occasion pass without taking a moment to thank everyone who has worked so hard to give us this new city. There still work to be done, but what we've accomplished in such a short time was only because of your willingness to all work together. I want to thank King Dáin and his Dwarves, for their building materials, along with their excellent craftsmanship, but mostly for their friendship. The King Under the Mountain worked tirelessly to keep the North going, when I was hurt, and all seemed to be in despair. He was prepared, if the need arose, to preserve the Kingdoms of Dale and the Woodland Realm for our sons, Prince Bain and Prince Legolas. For that, we will be forever in his debt!"
Bard and Thranduil bowed low to the King Under the Mountain, as the Great Hall exploded with cheers and applause. When it settled down, Bard continued his speech:
"Seven months ago, we were little more than refugees – homeless, starving, cold, and many were injured and sick. No one knew how or what would happen to us, but praise the Stars and all the Valar, the King of the Woodland Realm arrived in the ruins that day, with wagon after wagon full of food, blankets, tents, clothing and medicine. King Thranduil saved our lives, and since that day, he has kept our men, women and children, safe, warm and fed. He has placed Dale under his protection, and with Erebor's help, and he has provided us with a chance at a life we have all dreamed of, but never thought possible, had we remained under the tyranny of the Master of Laketown!"
At this, the crowd cheered and clapped, as Bard and Dáin gave the Elvenking a formal salute, as is the custom of the Elves. Thranduil graciously smiled and saluted everyone in the Hall.
"I am proud and grateful to be your King, and with such worthy subjects as yourselves, Dale will be something extraordinary. Thank you, good people, for sharing my vision and my hopes for a better future, for Dale, as well as this entire region. Together, we will set the example for the rest of Middle Earth to follow; a unique and special place to learn from and celebrate our differing cultures, and beliefs. Dale will be a place that values life above all, and I pray these values will be remain integral part of us, because these will make us a strong, invincible force against oppression, against tyranny, against deliberate cruelty, against every evil. Together, we will never know defeat!
"TO DALE, AND THE NORTHERN KINGDOMS!"
Everyone stood up and gave all three Kings - and themselves - a standing ovation, which lasted for many minutes.
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King Bard's words on that day were recorded and printed in history books that would be distributed all over Middle Earth (rumor has it that Bilbo Baggins of the Shire owned a copy). Long after Bard had passed the Crown to Prince Bain, who then passed his crown to Prince Brand, long after their victory in the War of the Ring, the schoolchildren of Dale would continue recite this speech at recitals and remembrance services, for hundreds of years.
Long years after Bard and Thranduil departed Middle Earth forever, a bronze statue would be made and erected in the courtyard of the Castle, and portions of The Speech Of Freedom (as it was called) were cast on a plaque and hung below the figures of Kings Bard, Thranduil, and Dáin, the Founders of the North.
In the Throne Room originally built by Garon the Founder, carefully preserved behind glass, another famous relic of Dale would be kept for all to see: The Scroll of Dale, bearing the signatures of every Man, Elf and Dwarf present in the Courtyard on the the 18th of May, 2942 T.A.
That date was forever celebrated every year with a feast, for that was the official beginning of the Northern Kingdoms.
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ELVEN TRANSLATIONS:
Aníran ni cenad chin…– I have missed you. (Lit. "I have desired to see you.")
De vilui, Aran nîn – You are kind, My King
Galion Muil – Dear Galion
Gwannas lû and, Gwinïg – It has been too long, Little Fingers