There and Back Again

Chapter Eleven: The Final Leg

"We're getting closer," Flói called staring at the ever-growing sight of the city of Dale, they had long since left the cover of the forest and were now riding towards their destination without much trouble. 

The small group did not hold out much hope that they would not attract attention as they climbed the mountain on horseback but there was little that they could do about it now since they were visible for all below to see. 

Thalia eyed the city, the last time that she had seen it the place had been in ruins; now it looked like an entirely different place and she could only hope that a familiar face greeted them. 

 "Are we nearly there?" Theo asked as his pony rode beside his mother's, his eyes squinting at the sight before them and he hoped they would reach there before night-fall. 

The idea of sleeping on the ground again was not very appealing, Theo was hopeful that he would get to sleep in a bed sooner rather than later; he missed his bed back home and all his toys that he had to play with. 

This was nothing like the times that they had gone camping with their Uncle Percy, at least they had nice food and the tent to sleep in when they were away with him. 

Here they had none of that and no matter how comfortable their mother tried to make them, Theo could still feel the lumps and bumps of the ground under his sleeping stuff. 

"Ay laddie... we're getting close to it," Flói called back from his position at the front of their group, he was relieved to see the familiar sights of home and he was hopeful they would make it there in good time. 

The idea of sleeping on the side of a mountain did not appeal to anyone especially considering the fact that the weather had gotten rather wet the night before. 

They were sitting ducks as it was and with the chance that they were still being chased by the orcs, they could not risk lingering for too long in the open. 

Theo seemed to perk up at the idea that they were growing closer to their destination, this lead thoughts to turn to the reason they had made such a journey to begin with. 

To the twins, the mere idea of a father had been something that they had never considered and their mother had never spoken of him; now they had the chance to meet him and for that spot to be filled in their lives.

"Mama... will we be seeing papa?" Theo asked curiously, his blue eyes shining with curiosity at the idea of finally being able to meet the father that they had never known; it had been a long journey to get them to this point. 

They had heard stories told by the dwarves and Theo had heard people say that he looked like his father, a father he could never have pictured before and he longed to understand why people said so. 

Thalia was silent for a moment as she considered his question, she did not miss the fact that Flói peeked back waiting to see what she would say to her son. 

Samara had even stopped her pony completely, her eyes locked on her mother wanting to see what she would say; surely if they had come all this way to see him then their father could not turn them away. 

The words did not come easily for Thalia, she was completely unsure what would happen when they reached Erebor and she could only hope that this had not been for nothing. 

 However, before she had a chance to reply there was the sound of a horn that caused the entire group to come to a complete stop and stare behind them. 

"Tell me that isn't what I think it is," Thalia whispered her eyes locked on the orc pack that was quickly approaching them, her heart sank knowing that this was not what they needed right now.