The trip was mainly uneventful, something that Legolas was very thankful for. He spent most of the trip teaching Kiliana about the different types of plants that couldn't be found in Rivendell. They continued training as usual, always keeping busy when they stopped. Occasionally Legolas told Kiliana stories of Mirkwood as they rode. Pretty soon they came across the city of Dale.

It was brighter than Legolas remembered. 21 years of rebuilding and prosperity had done the town good. The sun shown off of the town rooftops and the city was alive with trading and various other businesses. Kiliana strained in her seat to look everywhere at once. "Are we there yet?" she asked excitedly.

Legolas smiled. "Sit," he ordered. "This is the city of Dale. We'll stay here for the night and continue to the Lonely Mountain in the morning."

The city was so congested that the two elves had to dismount and lead their horses through the crowd. Kiliana was looking around too and trying to take in everything. "Stay close," Legolas warned. He eventually gave up looking for what he needed and resorted to asking for help. He stopped in front of one of the stalls and got the attention of the owner. "Excuse me, where can I find the home of Bard the Bowman?"

The man looked up at him in shock for a second. Dwarves were exceedingly common in Dale but not elves, not since the battle 21 years ago. He flushed as he realized that he was staring and cleared his throat. "You mean King Bard? He's in the large house up the way."

Legolas raised an eyebrow. King Bard? When did that happen? Legolas nodded. "Thank you."

Legolas led Kiliana through the crowd up to the large house that used to be the mayor's, but it seemed to have been remodeled since the fire. More than once he had to call Kiliana back to his side after she started to wander off to look at something. When they approached the house they found a stable connected to the side. Legolas indicated to it and they walked in. A man in his late 30s was already inside brushing down one of the horses. He stood up when they approached and his eyes widened at the sight of the two elves. He put the horse bristle down and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Is this the house of Bard the Bowman?" Legolas asked.

The man nodded and then he smiled. "Wait a minute, I remember you! You helped save us from the orcs during the war, with the female elf!" Legolas simply eyed him so the man continued. "I'm Bain, Bard's son." Legolas vaguely remembered Bard having children but Tauriel had been the one to spend any time with them so he just nodded. Bain suddenly laughed. "Where are my manners? Please, come in! My father should be in his study. You can leave your horses here."

After making sure that the horses were secure, Bain led Legolas and Kiliana into the house. Bain send curious glances Kiliana's way but the young elleth knew better than to give away any personal information when it wasn't necessary. Instead she ignored Bain and studied the house. It was large and very different from Rivendell. The entire house was wooden and not as open as the rooms in Rivendell.

Bain led the two to a closed door and knocked. There was a muffled answer and then Bain opened the door. "Father, there are two…people here to see you."

"Let them in," an older voice called. Bain opened the door and stepped back to let them in. An older man sat at a desk looked over paperwork. When he looked up his eyes widened. "You!"

Legolas's eyes widened as well. He knew that humans aged quickly but he still wasn't prepared to see the older man behind the desk. Bard now sported silver hair and his face and hands were wrinkled, but his eyes still twinkled as they did all those years ago. Legolas bowed slightly in respect, Kiliana quickly mimicking him. "Hello Bard," the elf greeted.

Bard stood up gingerly; age had definitely crippled him. "Welcome back my friend." Bard glanced at Kiliana curiously but continued. "What brings you back to Dale?"

"My companion and I are visiting the dwarves tomorrow and was hoping for some shelter tonight," Legolas explained.

Bard took the opportunity to study Kiliana further. Her red hair, no matter how dark, and pointed ears clearly pointed to the female elf who had helped Bard's family during the war, but despite Kiliana's brown eyes and the mention of the dwarves, it took a minute for Bard to make the connection. He smiled softly at her. "And what's your name little one?"

Kiliana looked briefly at Legolas and he nodded. She turned back to Bard. "Kiliana sir, but my family calls me Lia."

"Well Lia, you must be hungry," Bard said with a smile.

Kiliana nodded vigorously. "Yes sir!"

Bard turned to his son. "Bain, put some food out for our guests and then we'll find them some beds."

Bain grinned. "Yes Da."

About twenty minutes later the four sat around a table that was piled with food. It only took a slight nod from Legolas for Kiliana to start diving in. If Legolas was at all critical of her dining manners he didn't show it, even as he ate at a slower pace. Bard and Bain watched in fascination. Kiliana might've been raised by elves, but she ate like any dwarf that they had ever seen.

After a few minutes Bard looked at Legolas. "So where is your other companion, the female elf?"

Kiliana paused in her eating but didn't look up. Legolas hesitated before saying, "She died, not too long ago."

Bard lowered his head in respect. "My condolences," he said to both of them. "I owe her a lot."

"You knew her?" Kiliana asked looking up.

Bard nodded. "In a way. She and your…the dwarves, helped save my family."

Kiliana lowered her bread roll. "Really?"

Bard sat back in his chair and smiled. "Oh yes." As Kiliana and Legolas continued to eat Bard told the story of the Battle of Dale. Kiliana knew that her parents had been warriors but this was the first time she had heard stories of their battles from others. She soon fell asleep to the memories of the old man.