An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Heading for Mirkwood

Thalia ignored the grins that came from most of the company as she stepped out of Beorn's house the next morning; her hair had been braided by Thorin who had taken extra care into putting the beads into her hair. 

Thorin smirked at the sight of Thalia, he was pleased that she had agreed to court him since it gave him time to win her heart and hopefully one day she would make a wonderful Queen for his people. 

"I can't believe that it is Afterlithe already," Ori said making Thalia nod her head, in the three months since she had arrived in Middle Earth. 

Thalia had learnt how to work out the link between time of this world and her one; she wasn't even surprised that it was now early July. 

Thalia had opted to wear her grey lace patterned top and slim jeans paired with black trainers; they would be riding to Mirkwood on ponies supplied by Beorn and then travelling on foot. 

"Thank you for allowing us to stay," Thorin said nodding at the shape-charger, he knew that he could have easily turned them out and he hadn't. 

Beorn stared at the dwarf king for a moment, his eyes swiftly moving over to Thalia as she stroked the horse that he had given; he had never seen his horses or ponies react to anyone like they had her. 

"I did not do it for you," Beorn said making Thorin nod his head as he turned to look at Thalia; the dwarf king knew that the shape-changer had a soft spot for the blonde demigod and he wasn't sure why.

"Look after her Thorin Oakenshield, the demigod witch is special," Beorn said looking down at the dwarf knowing that Thalia's future was connected to Thorin's in a powerful way. 

The shape-changer wasn't sure what it was but there was something important about their coupling and he knew that it would happen soon.

***

"Three months," Dwalin mused riding next to Thorin, his eyes looking at the dwarf surprised that that was all it had taken for him to grow attached to Thalia. 

Balin nodded his head in agreement, they had been traveling for three months now and it surprised them all how fast it had flown by; it seemed only a couple of weeks ago that they had left the Shire behind. 

"You did explain to her what this courting would mean?" Dwalin asked looking back at Thalia who was talking with Bilbo; the blonde would one day be Queen even if she didn't know it right now. 

Thorin raised an eyebrow at his friend knowing that he had a point, he was courting Thalia with the hope that they would marry and she would be the mother of his children. 

"I already did," Balin said as he looked at his brother; Balin knew that Thalia needed to be fully informed before she agreed to anything and he had sat her down privately and talked her through what to expect. 

Thalia had been curious about their cultures, she had asked questions that had Balin feeling at ease that the future of his people were in safe hands. 

"She spoke with you?" Thorin asked looking at his friend surprised, he didn't know how he felt about knowing that she had spoken to Balin about all of this and not to him. 

Balin nodded his head as he glanced back at Thalia, they had agreed not to tell Thorin completely that she already knew he was asking him to court her own certain things. 

"She was curious about your odd behaviour," Balin said simply as they continued their ride, it wouldn't take them long to arrive at Mirkwood. 

Thorin frowned knowing that it must have been confusing for her, she didn't know anything of his culture and it was something that she was going to have to learn about.

"It'll be a great way to celebrate reclaiming Erebor, we haven't had a Durin wedding since Dís wed," Balin mused knowing that Thorin wouldn't wait long before he would ask Thalia for her hand in marriage. 

Dwalin chuckled and nodded his head, it was going to take time to rebuild Erebor and they didn't know how bad the damage was yet; but everyone would look forward to Thorin's wedding to Thalia. 

A rumble of thunder made the company fall silent and look up wondered where it had come from, it was a beautiful sunny day and there was no signs of a storm brewing. 

"Seriously?" Thalia snapped annoyed glaring up at the sky, she was a little annoyed that it had rained during her and Thorin's first kiss. 

Gandalf looked at Thalia curious about why she was annoyed, he still didn't know anything really about her and Thalia wasn't opening up to him. 

"Thalia?" Bilbo asked curiously as he wondered what had made Thalia snap like that, he looked up trying to see if maybe a bird had pooped on her or something. 

Thorin stopped his pony to wait for his partner, it was still weird for him to think that she was his; it would take a while to sink in but she had agreed to court him and that was all that mattered right now. 

"It's my father," Thalia muttered wondering what he was complaining about, she was happy and she didn't even know him that well; she didn't think she ever really would no matter how long she knew that he was her biological father. 

The company all looked at her before staring up at the sky wondering what she meant by that, they wonder how her father was causing that.

"He's the Greek God of the oceans, seas, destruction, earthquakes, horses, hurricanes and storms," Thalia said trying to explain how her father was causing the thunder to the dwarves. 

Thalia ignored the look on Gandalf's face knowing that she had little interest in what the wizard thought of her or her father. 

"Is that why you're good with horses?" Ori asked curiously looking at Thalia in awe of all of her father's domain and what he was capable of; he was clearly not someone to mess with. 

Thalia paused for a moment in thought as she realised that he was probably right, horses and ponies had always been drawn to her. 

"It might be," Thalia said as Thorin started moving again now that she was beside him, he was curious about how much her father would know about them even if they couldn't see him. 

They rode in silence for a few minutes as the rest of the company chattered happily around them, it was a peaceful time and they were at ease for once. 

"Can he see us?" Thorin asked carefully, his blue eyes moving to glance up at the sky knowing that he didn't want to anger a God; it was the last thing that he needed to worry about. 

Thalia chewed on her lip for a moment, she wasn't quite sure how to answer that question; especially since she didn't know herself. 

"I think so," Thalia said with a shrug, she didn't know much about her father and he was a complete mystery to her; the blonde had a lot of questions that still need answering.

Thorin nodded his head, he knew that she had only found out a month ago that Poseidon was her real father and that Nathan Hunter wasn't. 

"There it is... Mirkwood," Dori said as he pointed out the approaching wood to the rest of the company, a smile on his face knowing that they were another step closer to reaching their lost home.