The Merging of Destinies (Legolas Romance) *New Version, Same Author*

16: Reunions and Dragon sickness

Fili, Kili, Oin, Bofur and Val all made their way to a small room where Bilbo told them that's where the others would be.

On her way there, Val marvelled at the size of Erebor.

I'm definitely going to get lost, she thought with certainty.

Once they had found the room, shouts of joy and relief could be heard.

'Balin!'

'Bofur!'

'Kili!'

'Bifur!'

'Bombur!'

'You're alive!'

Everyone embraced one another and Val made her way over to Balin, 'It's good to see you.'

The two of them hugged.

'And you lassie.' He indicated to Kili, 'It's good to seem alive and well.'

Val looked over to Kili and saw him talking with Bombur, 'Yes.'

Balin went to walk away but Val had a sudden thought, 'Balin?'

'Yes?'

'As I consider you to be the wisest of the group, can I ask you something?'

Balin laughed, 'I'm flattered you think I'm the wisest but yes, you can ask.'

'If you had the power to make someone happy in the long run, regardless of the pain they might feel in the moment, would you do it?' Asked Val, who played with her sleeve.

Balin studied her, 'Would the pain be worth it?'

'Yes.' Said Val at once, 'Though that person might not be able to see it straight away.'

Silence stretched between them as Balin thought.

'I think,' He said after a while. 'That you shouldn't deceive anyone, not even for their own eventual happiness.'

Val gave him a pained smile and looked down, unable to reply. She knew he was right but still stood by her decision.

'Why? May I ask?'

The she elf looked at him and shook her head, 'It doesn't matter.'

Balin touched her arm, 'Come on. There's some food if you're hungry.'

'I'll be there in a minute.'

The dwarf nodded and walked off with many of the dwarves following him.

'Are you alright?' Asked a concerned Kili, who noted Val's stiffness and pained face.

'I'm fine. Just thinking about how much of a selfish bitch I am.'

'Hey.' Comforted Kili softly, 'What's happened?'

Val hated how kind Kili was being to her. If he only knew what she had done.

'I might have recently destroyed someone's happiness.' Said Val.

'Would you do it again?'

Val let out a sigh, 'Yes. And I'm not upset that I did it but it's the person's reaction that I'm afraid of when they find out.'

Kili tried to understand, 'Who is this person?'

Val looked at him with regret and found she couldn't say anything.

'Kili, come on! There won't be any food left.' Shouted Fili from the doorway.

Kili gave Val a curious look before walking past his brother. Fili looked at the she elf suspiciously but left the room.