A Gift of Honour

"Prince Legolas."

"Thorin Oakenshield. My greetings. Lord Elrond told me you were here. Alive. I saw you fall to Azog. To be told you are alive is pleasing, but I needed to see this with my own eyes." It was clear to see that Legolas was distressed, wether from seeing Thorin fall or from being told he was alive, didn't matter. Thorin knew that Legolas had thrown Orcrist to save Thorin's life even while his own was still at risk.

"Please, Prince Legolas, call me Thorin. I owe you my thanks for sending Orcrist where I needed it, just when I needed it. I have something for you. Please come in." He turned from the door, his back itching, but he owed Legolas the honour of showing he was trusted. He strode back to the pack he had just been digging through and pulled out another bundle, this he brought to where Legolas stood inside the door, near a group of arm chairs. He gestured for Legolas to sit, before handing the cloth wrapped bundle to him.

Legolas sat, gingerly. For the first time Thorin saw the elf uncertain of himself. Legolas looked, for lack of a better word, nervous. Had he never received a gift from someone, or had he never received one from someone who wasn't an elf? He looked from Thorin to the gift and back to Thorin again, before starting to remove the fabric. It was obvious he had no idea what was inside the bundle that had been handed to him and that unsettled him.

The awe and wonder on his face when he saw the matching pair of daggers was gratifying to Thorin, he was pleased he had asked Daín to find them. He'd seen the daggers as he'd been searching for the blasted Arkenstöne and when he was waiting to hear from Balin if Beorn would welcome them, he'd sent a raven to ask Daín to locate the daggers and forward them to him, knowing that they would suit the elf-prince well. Like Orcrist, Sting and Gandalf's Glamdring, the daggers were made in Gondolin, this was according to Thranduil who was pleased that Thorin had chosen something appropriate to thank Legolas. How they came to be in the dragon's hoard, no one knew.

"These..? These are for…me?" When Thorin nodded, Legolas continued. "These are beautiful blades, Thorin. I do not read Quenyan, but I can see the etchings on each one. I will ask Lord Elrond what they say. Thank you, Thorin. I will wear them with honour. How did you come by them?"

"Their names are Váre and Tíre, Protect and Guard." Said Thorin pointing to the respective blade. "They were in the Dragon's Hoard. How they came to be there I do not know. I do know that they were not in our treasury when the Mountain fell to Smaug. Either an elf attempted to gain entry to the hoard or, more likely, the dragon had another hoard elsewhere and somehow brought them to Erebor. Your father was the one who translated the names for me, when I showed them to him, asking if you would like them."

"They truly are remarkable pieces. They are the same design as Orcrist. Would you not keep them for yourself?" Legolas seemed dubious that the blades were his to keep.

"Nay, lad. They are yours. And yes, quite possibly they are the blades of Orcrist's original set, but who knows, they may be just made to emulate the sword itself. Only their make can say." Thorin grinned at him.

"Thorin? How is it that you are here? Should you not be in your Halls, Under The Mountain?" The blonde elf asked hesitantly.

"That is a story I owe Elrond. One I would prefer to tell only the once. Join us for dinner I will gladly tell it."

"Of course. I would be pleased to." The elf stood and the two males left the room. Thorin waited until they had passed a number of building before asking, "Legolas, do you know where the dining area is? I seem to have left the map Lindir gave me, in my room." He wasn't going to admit he had no sense of direction.

"Of course, Thorin. It is this way." The young elf indicated with a graceful wave of his hand.

Within a few minutes Thorin and Legolas joined the rest of the Company, Lindir, Elladan, Elrohir and their host Elrond. They enjoyed a fine meal with many dishes, while Thorin told of how he, Fíli and Kíli had been found to be alive, their treatment and recovery. The princes added details Thorin missed or wasn't aware of. The table was also told of their journey west and the reason for it. As well as what they planned to do once they reached The Shire. Balin informed the elves that their Company would only be staying the one night, while Thorin made the request that Elrond store some of the trunks for them, as they weren't sure how they would secure all the trunks in Bag End. Elrond assured the dwarrow that their trunks would be safe in Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir offered to accompany them as far as Bree, if they went any further they would not be back in time for Bilbo and Gandalf's arrival, they wanted to see the expression on Gandalf's face when told Thorin is alive.

Elrond was not at all surprised that Bilbo was central to Thorin's future, he had seen the strings of Vairë, the weaver of destinies, binding the two together. He was also unsurprised to hear that Thorin and the other dwarrow believed that Master Baggins would not be accepted by dwarrow nation to rule as Consort to the King Under the Mountain or that Tauriel would not be either. When Lindir questioned why Fíli had forgone the throne in support of his kin, it was Legolas that commented that kin and loved ones should come before a throne of wood or stone. The journey from his father's Hall to Rivendell was good for the young prince, giving him time to understand how he really felt about many things.

Before the meal was cleared from the table, conversation flowed as freely as the wine and ale. Lindir unwound enough to chat amiably with Balin and Gloín. Tauriel, Kíli, and Legolas compared fletching, goose versus swan. Thorin and Elrond commiserated regarding the pranksters, Elladan and Elrohir for Elrond and Thorin suffered from Fíli and Kíli. Elladan and Elrohir themselves kept the rest of the table entertained for the night.

The morning would come and they would face what it brought.