As they walked back together, they talked over a few little things- like how Thorin liked Rivendell and how different it was to be in a place of constant peace after being on a dangerous and perilous road for so long. They laughed at a few things that were said, but before they knew it, they had arrived at the room Elrond had set aside for Halien.
"Thank you, Thorin," Halien said and kissed his cheek.
"For what?"
"Even now, when we are in a place more like my home than yours, you still show me the same kindness you did the day we met. You give me hope for the future, just as you did before."
Thorin smiled. "I have merely given you what I can to make you welcome amongst the company." With that, he bade Halien goodnight and walked through the halls to the room set aside for him.
Halien changed out of her gown and set it aside on a chair, then slipped into a nightgown that was so soft and lightweight that it would seem as though one could freeze without additional covers. She could feel that the fabric was enchanted, though, and its lightweight nature was deceiving for how warm it was to wear. She pulled back the covers of her bed and climbed into the soft bedding, pulling the thick covers over her. She sent a silent goodnight to her companions, wishing them a good night's sleep, then she closed her eyes and was fast asleep within minutes.
The next morning, Halien dressed in her ranger clothes, wishing to save the gown for dinner only, then made her way to the stables to hello to the horses housed within the large stable, then promised to be back with treats for them later. She left the stables, missing Torwen, and decided to explore Rivendell a bit, learning about its structure and finding its secrets. She overheard Elrond speaking with Galeon about the kitchen becoming worn, and their food and wine stores becoming depleted. She smiled a bit when she saw the look they each had on their faces as they watched the naked dwarves play another game of chicken in one of their fountains.
Halien spent most of the day exploring the buildings, finding hiding places and other secret things. When the night had fallen, she and the others enjoyed another dinner and song before they went to bed. Halien again undressed, laying the gown on the chair and slipping into the nightgown. She got into bed, falling asleep quickly, but it did not last long.
What had started as a peaceful dream quickly turned dark as Halien went from running through the woods of Greenwood to the burning halls of Erebor. She watched a scene of her companions as they fought the dragon, Smaug, and she cried out when she watched them burn to ash in the dragon's flame. She tried to use her elemental magik to control the dragon's fire, trying to redirect it as she had in the past when her mother fell and keep it from hurting her kith. But, the flames were too powerful and she was powerless to stop her comrades from falling to the wrath of the dragon.
One by one they fell, some burned to a crisp by the flame, others with gaping wounds in their chests and backs. She ran to try and save Thorin and Bilbo, who had somehow avoided the initial blaze. Before she could reach them, though, Smaug threw another ball of fire at them and she cried out as Bilbo was engulfed in the flames. She managed to pull Thorin out of the way, but with the sweep of the dragon's tail, he was sent flying into the stone walls. Thorin hit the stone and crumpled to the floor, his body broken.
Halien screamed and ran to him, gently pulling him into her lap as she summoned every ounce of her healing magik. She poured it into Thorin's body, trying to heal him as best as she could, but it wasn't working. She threw up a wall of stone to try and shield them from the next burst of dragon's fire that came their way, but she still could not heal Thorin. She called out his name and tried to wake him up, but he was already gone, reunited with his ancestors and his family. She cried out his name, tears staining her ashen face, and as she realized that all was lost, Smaug came around the stone wall and smirked. Halien held the dwarven king to her and closed her eyes as the final breath of fire raged around her, searing her flesh. A white flash passed before her and she woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.
Looking around, Halien realized it was just a dream, but that did not satisfy her. She opened the door to her room and ran out through the door and down the hall to Thorin's room. The door was closed, but it was unlocked, and she quickly opened the door to find Thorin standing at the window, his arms crossed and unharmed.
Thorin spun around to see what was going on, the door opening startling him.
Halien panted, having run faster in a short distance than she ever had, her hair hanging in a mess around her face. "Thank Durin that you are safe..!" she said and rushed to him, pulling him into her arms.
"Halien, what is it?" he asked her, his hands on her hips.
Halien gazed down at him, seeing his concern through her tears. She shook her head and could not contain the tears, falling to her knees. Thorin knelt with her, holding her hands in his.
"What happened, Halien? Tell me," he begged her.
"I had a dream, Thorin," she started to say, "I dreamed of Greenwood and how I used to run free through the woods, but it shifted to a large chamber in Erebor. We were fighting the dragon and everything we tried to bring him down failed. I watched as the others burned to ash in the dragon's fire or were struck down by his claws. Only you and Bilbo remained, but Bilbo was the next to fall because I could not reach him in time. I somehow managed to pull you out of the way as more fire came and I thought you'd be safe, if only for a moment, but then the dragon hit you with his tail, and you were thrown into the wall. You fell to the floor, your body broken, and nothing I could do brought you back. I lost you, Thorin... then Smaug came to claim me and I woke up when a white flash appeared before me."
Thorin pulled her into his arms, trying to comfort her.
"I was so afraid, Thorin. It felt so real." Halien said as he stroked her hair. "I had to be certain it was only a dream and that you were safe."
Thorin hugged her. "I am safe, Halien. And no dragon will ever take me," he said, trying to comfort her, and stood up.
Halien let him help her up. "I am sorry to have disturbed you, sire, I just had to be certain that you were alright."
Thorin reached up and brushed aside a tear before he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I will always be safe when you are with me."
Halien smiled at that, but she could still feel the fear from her dream. She stood and started to leave, turning towards the door. "I should not bother you any longer," she said, tears in her eyes again at the thought of being alone. "I shall return to my room."
Thorin stood aside, not sure what to say or do, and let her pass. He didn't know what else to do, but he reached out for her arm and stopped her. "Halien, don't leave. I don't want you to be alone right now. You can sleep here with me."
Halien looked at him. "Are you sure?"
Thorin nodded. "Aye, you are still shaken and I want to make sure that you are OK."
Halien smiled gratefully. "Thank you, little king."
Thorin grasped her hand gently and pulled her towards the bed. He pulled the covers aside and let Halien lay down before pulling the covers over her.
"Will you stay here with me?" she asked, sitting up on her elbow.
Thorin smiled and nodded, sliding under the covers with her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in closer.
'Thank you, Thorin.' she said as she started to drift back to sleep, her head resting against the dwarf king's chest.
Thorin kissed her hair and breathed in her scent of cherry blossoms and peaches. 'My pleasure.' he replied, then closed his eyes. Before he knew it, Thorin Oakenshield was fast asleep with Halien Greenleaf passed out against his chest.
