After some time, Halien had fed Frerin and he slept soundly in her arms. Bard had made it to the shore and was looking for her and his daughters.

"Halien! Sigrid! Tilda!" he called.

The girls heard their father calling and ran to meet him. Bofur held Frerin as Halien stood and she watched as the girls led their father to her. She smiled when she saw him and hugged him as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

'Thank the ancestors you're alive!' Bard thought to her.

'It's good to see you come back to us in one piece.' Halien replied.

They stood there for a moment, embracing each other, but then Bard pulled away when he heard the whimpering of an infant. He looked over as Bofur brought Frerin over to Halien.

"The wee lad wants his mother." He said as Halien took her son from him.

"You had the babe?" Bard asked. "You should not have been due for another few months at least!"

Halien nodded as she made certain that her son was completely covered, save his face. "He decided to come early. I went into labor right as we left your house to get into the boat. Really poor timing on his part, but he felt as if he was ready."

Bard looked at the babe and smiled. It had been years since he had seen an infant. Halien looked at him as Frerin reached out to him. Bard let the lad take his finger and they watched as he fell asleep again. Halien smiled and kissed her son's forehead. Bard looked at her and he saw how weary she was, but she looked healthy as the babe.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was a surprise to go into labor when I did, but Oin and Tauriel both say that he is healthy and that's what matters." Halien replied, then looked at the bowman. "Tauriel went to find us enough supplies to reach the mountain. We need to rejoin Thorin and the others. We will be leaving soon."

Bard looked at her. "Must you go now? You should rest a bit more."

Halien put a hand on his cheek and smiled. "I need to be with my husband and he needs to meet his son. I will be fine, and I promise I will take it easy once I reach the mountain."

Bard was about to say something, to protest, but one of his fellow Lakemen called him over. He looked from them to Halien and back, then sighed. "Just be careful?"

Halien nodded and hugged him. "I will. Bard, if there is nowhere else for you to seek shelter, head to Dale. Make sure the wounded are cared for as best as possible before you make the trek to the city. Just, be warned, it may not be what you expect to see and many will remember that day. Just be careful." She told him, then kissed his cheek. "Now go, Bard the Dragonslayer, your people need you."

Bard nodded and went to help out. Tauriel returned shortly, with just enough supplies to get them up to the mountain. She helped them ready a boat and spoke with Kili as he asked her to come and join them. Legolas appeared behind them and asked Tauriel to take leave of the dwarf.

Halien watched as Kili handed Tauriel the token his mother, Dis, had given him before the quest. He went to finish readying the boat and Halien walked past her brother to join them, but Legolas grabbed her arm and stopped her.

Halien, wait." He said, then saw the baby in her arms. "You had the child?"

Halien smiled. "Aye, brother. He came early, but yes. This is your nephew, Frerin."

Legolas looked at the baby and smiled, looking at his dark-haired little nephew. His smile widened when he saw that he had pointed ears, just like his mother. "He is so small," Legolas commented.

Halien laughed. "He was four months early, Legolas. But he is healthy and that is what matters."

Legolas looked at his sister. "Halien, why did you choose a dwarf?"

"The dwarves of Erebor fascinated me and I was treated with respect and loved by their people," Halien explained. "Back in the Greenwood, everyone scorned me and I was treated like an outcast because I was too different. But in Dale and Erebor, it was different. Perhaps it is because Thorin has been there for me more than my own people ever had been, but whatever the reason, I love Thorin Oakenshield with all my heart and I chose to spend my life with him."

Legolas smiled and embraced his sister. "You have changed, Halien. You have changed so much, for the better, I think, in the years you have been away. But even still, you are and always will be my little sister. I still do not like dwarves, but I do not hate them. I have you to thank for that. You have shown me a different side to them."

Halien sighed and smiled at her brother. "When this is over, you must visit sometime. Come see the mountain once we rebuild, come see Dale. Perhaps you can see what I saw in the days of old and understand better. But you and Tauriel have business to attend to, so I will take my leave. Be careful, brother, wherever you are going."

Legolas nodded and helped Halien into the boat. "Be careful, sister. You know there is a sickness that lies upon that treasure. I know you have faith in your husband, but do not be surprised if it has overtaken him."

Halien nodded and they shoved off from the shore to head to the western side of the lake. Halien sat with her son and watched as Legolas and Tauriel turned away. 'I love you, Legolas. Never forget that.' She called to her brother.

Legolas turned to look towards her for a moment. 'I love you too, little sister. Take care of your family. I will see you soon enough.'

As they made their way across the lake, Halien heard Bard calling for her. 'We're almost to the western shore. We'll be fine, Bard.'

'Be careful, Halien. I will see you again soon.'

Halien smiled and looked towards the mountain. "We're almost home, Frerin." She said to her son. "Soon you will meet your father and everyone else."