There and Back Again

Chapter Six: Leaving Rivendell

"Are you certain that you wish to do this?" Elrond asked walking with Thalia, he had not been surprised that she had wished to leave with the dwarves that were returning to Erebor but he would still ask all the same. 

He held concerns for what might be waiting for Thalia and the twins when they arrived; there was no telling how the dwarves of the mountain would react to them after all these years. 

There was also the fact that the roads were not as safe as they once were, it would be a hard task enough traveling the roads without having to worry about being attacked by an orc pack or wargs. 

There was also no telling what would happen to her or the children, Thorin might not have married but there were dwarven families that would see their daughters take the throne if the chance should arise. 

It was not clear how accepting they might be to the idea of their Queen being of the race of man, they would likely challenge any such notion and attempt to place their one of their own on the throne. 

"I am," Thalia replied knowing that she had to do this, she had to see Thorin and he needed to know that he had two children; whatever happened after, she would deal with it then but she could not hide anymore. 

It had been such a long time since they had been parted and Thalia regretted believing Gandalf when he had told her that Thorin had died. 

There was no changing the past but she could change her future and the only way to start making things right was to make the trip; she could always come back if things did not work out. 

"You are welcome to stay here with the twins, they would be treated like royalty here," Elrond offered knowing that his people would care for them and ensure that they were treated with the respect that they deserved; there was no telling what would await them in Erebor. 

Thalia shook her head, she could not accept nor would she forgive herself if she did; the weight of her last mistake now weighed upon her heavily. 

"I have to do this... for them at least," Thalia said looking towards her children, they deserved to know who their father was and she could not deny them that chance.

Elrond nodded his head stiffly, he truly hoped that Thalia knew what she was doing and he could not help but fear that she might not get the welcoming that she desired when she reached Erebor. 

So much had changed in the last sixty years and while Gloin might have convinced her that she had been missed; there was just no telling what was going on inside of Thorin's mind right now. 

There was a war brewing and everyone was on edge, they could all feel it in the air and Elrond knew that even his own people were starting to leave Middle Earth; if Thalia was not careful then she might find herself trapped in a situation she could not escape. 

Thalia took a look at Elrond before she walked away from him and towards her children, she had no idea what lay ahead for them but she trusted that they would be okay. 

Samara looked up from what she was doing and beamed at her mother, she was so excited to go on this trip and she could not wait to see her father for the first time. 

"Mama... look," Samara called making Thalia smile, she looked so happy and she was a little relieved that her daughter was taking all of this so well. 

There was so much that was happening right now, Thalia had expected something to go wrong by now and she was dreading what could change all of this; she was a little nervous about what would come for them. 

Elrond watch Thalia as she walked away towards her children, she had changed in the years that she had been gone and it had been a surprising change.