There and Back Again

Chapter Thirteen: Long Awaited Reunion

Thalia could not help but feel rather out of place in the dress that she had given; amendments had quickly been made so that it would fit her perfectly and she would look the part. 

The light green and silver dress had belonged to Bain's wife who had only been happy to help Thalia out, Audra was a good match for Bain and seemed to keep him grounded while she ran her household smoothly. 

Having spent the last couple of days with Audra, Thalia was certain that no matter what happened that she had made a lifelong friend; the woman was on the quiet side and she had no doubts that earning her friendship was no easy task. 

Thalia ran her hands down the material, enjoying the feeling as she spared a glance down to make sure that she still looked as she had done when she had left Bain's home that morning. 

Thorin had been a King in exile when they had first met, things had been vastly different and it had not mattered then how she looked only that they somehow managed to survive everything that was thrown at them. 

Waiting in the entrance to the mountain, Thalia could not help but be impressed by how much things had changed; she constantly had to remind herself that sixty years had passed instead of just six like it had with her. 

The sound of someone clearing their throat made Thalia jump a little surprised, she turned around surprised that someone had come for her so quickly; she had expected to have to wait a little longer. 

It had not been long since she had arrived at the entrance to Erebor and had been left there by one of Bain's guards; she had arrived early for her appointment knowing that this appointment would be just a small blip in Thorin's hectic schedule as King. 

"Balin," Thalia breathed at the sight of the old dwarf, she suddenly felt a little lost at what to say to him; she was rather relieved that he was smiling at her right now. 

It seemed to ease the nervous that had built up as she prepared for the meeting that morning; she had almost decided not to come to the meeting and instead hide out in Dale for a while. 

Snow covered most of the landscape around them and Thalia doubted that she would be able to make the trip back to Rivendell would not be plausible for another few months if this went wrong.

"I never thought I would see the day," Balin mused with a shake of his head, he had never thought that they would see her again; there had been much anger and loss after the battle that he cursed not having the chance to speak with her afterwards. 

 The company had all been devastated when they had heard that she had taken off because of a lie that the wizard had told her; they wished that one of them could have been there when she had woken up to stop this mess. 

No one understood why Gandalf had done what he had, his lie had ruined everything and it had broken two hearts without considering the consequences. 

Now they had to pick up the pieces and Balin doubted that this was just a flying visit, while Gloin's letters had not said much Balin feared what might have brought her here. 

"Neither did I," Thalia replied feeling a bit guilty for taking off like she had, she had been blinded in sudden grief that she had not been able to save Thorin and Gandalf had given her the out that she thought that she had needed. 

It had been a mistake that Thalia had always regretted before she had returned, she had wished for nothing more than to be able to have attended Thorin's funeral but there had been no way back for her on her own side. 

When it had come out that she had been lied to all those years ago, Thalia was not sure what she had felt more relief at that he was not dead or the guilt that he had been deprived of knowing about the twins.