The mid summer sun was barely rising upon the horizon, when the large caravan of travelers returning to Erebor slowly made their way through the Mirkwood Forest...their elvish guards leading the way safely through these treacherous woods. The creaking of wheels and stomping of hooves punctuated the eerie silence, setting many nerves on edge. One of the group rolled his wagon a bit closer to one of the elvens riders and he cleared his throat to get the mans attention...his lilting brogue low in a whisper.

"Hey." Bofur spoke..keeping his eyes on the path before him...hearing the elf grunt in his direction, giving him encouragement to continue. "I ...uhh..heard yeh talking last night about me boy." the elf's eyes flew over to look at the brown haired hatted dwarf in surprise...a bit of wariness in his eyes he made a sound in his throat. "So ..yeh think me boy, Griegur, could be yer sister's son? I wouldna be surprised. We didn't know the lady's name but she gave us this boy teh raise and care fer a little over a year ago. She said she wanted teh go back teh her family and this child wouldna be accepted, so we took him in as ours." Bofur knew he was making out the way the child came to be in his family sound better than the truth of it..he didn't want to make an enemy of the man by speaking ill of a loved one. "It was all in the best interest fer the child..we do love him very much." the elf rode a bit closer to Bofur and peered closer at the little dark haired boy sitting on the bench seat next to Bofur's wife, Tia...bright blue eyes peered back at him inquisitively ..jolting the elf at how much the child looked just like his sister, Korelia, his voice was thick as he spoke.

"He looks like her. Why would she think he wouldn't be accepted? And why dwarves?" his voice was musical, almost like a chirping of a bird...Bofur gave an abashed smile to the elven man. He thought about his words before he spoke...trying to word his answer in such a way that would be acceptable... but he was unable to figure out how. His eyes took in the long dark brown hair...the tall lithe frame covered in dark green woven cloth with oak brown leathers over laying it. As Bofur kept trying to figure out what to say to the man, Tia came to his rescue and spoke.

"How much did your sister tell you about what she did for a living?" she queried ...hoping he had some general idea...when he answered about her working in a tavern as a serving girl, she knew how she could tell him. "Well, Korelia was working as a serving lady in a tavern near Ered Luin. One evening a passing dwarf and her shared a night together before he moved on...unaware at the time he left her with child. Neither of us could find him, so for the safety of the child she left him with us. He is half dwarf and she figured he would be more accepted with the dwarves and I don't care about his being of two races...after all he is a child and they truly are such a blessings. " she saw the guard nod his head and she gave him a soft smile as she saw him mulling over what she said, in his mind.

"That explains why dwarves and it makes sense why she couldn't bring him here...to many individuals would be against him just because of some Del Naug (elvish- disgusting dwarf)...." suddenly he paused and glanced nervously over at the dwarves next to him as they raised their eyebrows at him...both not knowing what he said but understanding it wasn't a polite word. "...uhhmm...not meaning you all of course...just him." Bofur looked him in the eyes, trying to not laugh at watching the elf back peddling with his words...turning red in the face.

"Of course not. We understand what yeh meant. He got yer sister with child and left her all alone. We got it...Mr...?" Bofurs tone didn't seem mocking , but understanding, which eased the elf's embarrassment.

"Corudor...Corudor Shadowlight at your service Master Dwarf. And you are...?" he bowed over his horse as he gestured towards them.

"I'm Bofur Broadbeam, this is me wife Tia and our children Tali, Ravi, Kennan, and Griegur...at yurs." Corudor bowed his head a bit at the introductions...suddenly there was a snapping of limbs that could be heard coming closer...alerting all the guards to the impending danger coming for them. With bows ready and dwarven steel in hand they all waited for the appearance of doom to arrive.

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It had been several hours since the arrival of the horde of spiders that had been defeated and the large caravan was able to be far enough away from any others coming to check on their web mates. The elves and dwarves had fought side by side together to push back this eight legged menace...sounds of bows releasing their sharp shafts and the whistling of sharp blades rang around the area as all fought. Tia ordered Griegur to get into the back of the wagon so him and Kennan could watch over their sisters while she wielded a large frying pan to bash any stray pincers coming her way, that threatened her family. They were finally far enough away where everyone could breath easier...wiping the sweat from their brows as they smiled in camaraderie at one another as some high fived. A few elves eyed Dis with admiration as she stood off to the side with an axe dripping with blood in each hand. During the fight she wielded both axes with a deft efficiency that astounded any who watched her...proving that she above all others was of the noble line of Durin. They were in awe as she hacked and bashed her way through the oncoming swarm of the vermin incursion upon the travelers. As she stood there , breath heavy , she smiled as she saw a few elves bend at the waist in deference towards her which she returned back with a deep bowing of her head...knowing that a solid bridge was forming , out of mutual respect, between the dwarven and elven nation in that moment.

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Because of the encounter with the spiders, it took the party almost a day and half of nonstop traveling to cross the width of Mirkwood until finally  they reached the Elven Kings Halls where they were able to rest. King Thranduil himself walked down the steps to greet the assembling party...a pretense of a smile gracing his lips as he held out a hand of invitation to Dis, who adopted the same smile as she took it.

"Welcome weary wanderers. We are joyous that you have made it to my majestic halls, safe and sound." his voice tried to sound welcoming but the dwarves knew it was forced by the tic in his eye whenever he saw Bofur , who had escaped his dungeon many months ago, standing before him...smirking.

"Thank you...King Thranduil for your gracious hospitality that you are offering to me and my kin. We are appreciative that you have so courteously opened up your halls to us road weary travelers." Dis stopped her mouth before finishing what was in her heart and ruining this tenuous peace between them. She yearned to say " unlike the last time when we had come this way over 150 years ago." both knew from the others eyes..but for appearances and trying to keep the peace. Neither brought it up how on the day Smaug had swept in and took Erebor from the dwarves, that Thranduil had turned his back on them in their greatest hour of need. As his army stood on that overlook watching as the fiery beast ransacked Erebor and seeing Thorin waving to him in hopes of assistance of some form...he turned his stag mount away, leaving the dwarves to the mercy of the chaotic elements. His sharp elvish eyes caught the image of a stunned Thorin who realized that no help in any form was coming their way...no supplies, no medical aid...nothing from what they had assumed was their allies. The realization of sickness and starvation being what awaited  them in their future...and all for what, a elvish kings childish tantrum because he was refused some jewels of starlight.

None of this was spoken between the Princess Under the Mountain and the Woodland King, but both knew it deep inside as they did the dance of courtly words and gestures with each other. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting both Thranduil and Dis came to an end and everyone was able to rest near several bonfires that had been provided for them. Dis let out a soft sigh as she saw the elvish king returning to leave and go back to his entertainment inside...away from these hairy visitors he barely tolerated, when suddenly his eyes lit  upon an unusual pair he had thought he would ever see in his life...a Battlewolf rider and he caught himself before he stumbled in surprise. Thranduil had not seen one in almost 100 years...since the last time he had made a trip to Rivendell for the meeting of the Elven Court that consisted of Lord Elrond, King Thranduil of Mirkwood, and The Lorian King and Queen Celeborn and Galadrial. It was at that time that he saw the Battlewolf Guard escorting the Lorian Elf Court to Rivendell for their centennial gathering. This impressive guard had 6 giant wolves strapped with special made armor upon them and eerily silent dwarven riders on their backs...a chilly calm evident in their demeanor .

Thranduil paused as he stared into those icy blue eyes, a shiver raced along his spine at how those chilling eyes of both wolf and rider tracking him as he tried to casually stroll out of sight. Don't let it ever be said that Thranduil ever feared a dwarf in his presence, but those closest to him knew the truth..he feared these dwarves that must be part demon..for only a demon could tame wargs and wolves successfully crossing them into these monsters. The moment he knew he was out of sight of those sharp eyes, he sped up his pace to almost a run..only barely from slamming the doors to his rooms behind him. When he slept  that night it was with bone chilling howls and eyes of frost chasing him through the darkness of his dreams that would leave him in a cold sweat whenever he awoke in the morning.

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The morning sun rose over the Elven Kings Halls as everyone packed up their belongings to begin the journey through the last bit of Mirkwood Forest...guides to escort them along this last leg of their wanderings. Standing up upon a raised platform was Thranduil...looking decidedly uncomfortable and exhausted...his eyes glancing on occasion towards the grouping that held the Battlewolf and her rider. Tia was holding her 6 month old daughter Tali on her shoulder, burping up air bubbles after her feeding shortly ago...her green eyes noticed the looks he was giving Laicee and Mischa and she became curious, so leaning over to the woman to her right she asked her friend.

"Laicee? Why does the king look at you as if your about to attack him?" she heard a low throaty chuckle coming from her friend and her curiosity grew.

"Because he does think that." she saw Tia raise an eyebrow and she decided to elaborate for the woman. "See it all started back a 100 years ago in Rivendell during a centennial gathering of the elvish nobles..or so i've been told by my mentor Battlewolf Rider Scarlet who was there at that time. Lady Galadrial hand selected 6 from her Battlewolf Guard to escort her and her husband Celeborn to Rivendell from Caras Galadhon of Lothlorian...my mentor was one of those chosen few. She was a very unique woman..just like your son Griegur..exactly like him...both being half dwarf and half elf. Just like him ,she was abandoned very young to fend for herself out in the wilds...Thank the Valar she was found by the Marchwarden Haldir and brought to Caras Galadhon, the chief city of Lothlorien...home to Lady Galadrial. It was there she met her wolf companion, Natasha, and was trained as a Battlewolf Rider. So , you can imagine her surprise and joy that she was chosen..the youngest rider there..to accompany the royal family to Rivendell as their protection from any adversaries that may attack." Laicee could see the avid interest within Tias eyes and she continued.

"Well, it was during this assignment that Thranduil encountered Scarlet and Natasha in Rivendell. The Battlewolf Guard were released from duty to wander around Imladris...soaking up the beauty of their surroundings and to relax till it was time to leave. So, she was walking around the valley when she saw a very drunk Thranduil harassing a sylvan elf maid and drunkenly calling her Marendis, his wife that had died many years ago...well Scarlet intervened. She tried to talk to him logically, but he was so drunk that he wouldn't listen. Thats when he made the fatal mistake of becoming physical with her as he tried to push her away from him...that's when Natasha made her presence known as she growled...right..behind..him...her hot breath right..on ...his neck." Laicee punctuated each word as she spoke ..then she began to chuckle which made Tia snicker at the image the woman painted. It wasn't hard to imagine Thranduil going white in fear..on the edge of losing his bladder as he sobered up real fast. "Well he turned around and was nose to nose with sharp teeth...Natasha only gave a warning, but it was enough. Since that moment there has been no love lost between the Battlewolf Riders and the Woodland King. He went to Lady Galadrial to complain, but to no avail..it was explained to him about where he royally screwed up and if he didn't want a repeat then maybe he should be cautious about touching another rider. The Lady warned all riders and wolves to stay away from Northern Mirkwood and so we do...until now." suddenly Tia got a contemplative look in her eyes as an idea came to her.

"What about when Bofur and you two came to Ered Luin? Didn't you have to pass through here?" her green eyes caught the smirk on her lips as those blue eyes twinkled in mirth.

"Nope...we went around to the north...we were fortunate that we didn't encounter orcs...now goblins, yeah we came across a group, but it was handled swiftly." just then, both women noticed Bofur coming over to them and they knew it was time to go...he leaned over and kissed Tias cheek as he plucked Tali off her shoulder so he could load her into the wagon.

"Hey hulwule'kardunah (sweetheart) ..its time." slowly  he directed the women towards the departing line and helped Tia quickly up into their wagon...with a click of the reigns they left the woodland realm behind them...a joyous feeling settling upon them all at how close they were to their destination.

~2 days...2 more days and they would be home~