#middleearthfanfic

[beaulahmae]

And Winter Came... (part II from the Two Thrones series) excerpt from CH 17

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12026709

by Organization for Transformative Works

And Winter Came...  A Barduil Fic, set in Middle Earth  summary:

It's the first winter after the Battle of Five Armies, and Bard and the rest of the Men of Dale are working hard to build as much as they can, with the help of the Elves and the Dwarves. Life in the Great Hall is busy, and everyone misses their loved ones, but Percy does his best to keep everyone's spirits up, with games, tournaments, and pranks - usually at Bard's expense.

Thranduil is looking after the women and children of the Woodland Realm, including Sigrid, Bain, and Tilda, with Galion's and Hilda's help. Their time is used wisely, with education, and training and school. Hilda is doing her best to place the Orphans of Dale into proper, loving homes.

Everyone is busy, but it doesn't stop them from wishing they were all together again... When will Spring finally come?

Notes:

This is a second part of my "Two Thrones" series, which picks up the same night where "What Makes a King" left off.

Letters are sent back and forth as the wagons with supplies from the Woodland Realm come about once a week, plus we get to check in and see how everyone is faring over their long separation...

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CHAPTER 17 (excerpt)

The Woodland Realm, 17th of February, 2942, T.A.

Bard and Thranduil had another busy day ahead, but their schedule looked to be a pleasant one.  They helped see the children, Hilda and Galion off, then went to give Tilda her breakfast.

They were going to look after their daughter in the morning, then Tilda would receive care from her Auntie Hil and Uncle Galion in the afternoon, while Bard had meetings.

“Come on, love; let’s work your hands.  Squeeze the ball for us.  One…Two…Three…” and all the way to ten.

“Can Ada count?” she asked, putting it in the other hand.

“Sure can, love.  Let me get him.”  he got up, and called to his husband, who had been sitting at the dining room table. “You’re up, Ada.  The Princess awaits your presence.”

“I am coming,” he said, and soon he appeared in the doorway to the nursery.  “I must wash and dress, first.”  Once done, he smiled and asked, “Shall I count in Westron, or Sindarin, hênig?”

She smiled.  “Sindarin.”

The Elvenking bowed formally to the Princess. “Your wish is my command,” and he sat on the bed.  “Let us begin, shall we?  Mîn… Tâd… Nêl… Canad… Leben… Eneg… Odog… Tolodh… Neder…”

“Pae!” Tilda squealed.  She smiled up at Bard, amazed at herself.

Bard’s heart gave a little lurch.  “Is that Ten in Elvish?”

“Uh huh!”

“Very good!”  Both fathers rewarded her by blowing raspberries into her neck as she giggled and squirmed.

“You’re smarter than I am, Beanie.  Tauriel’s been trying to teach me those numbers for weeks, and I still can’t get them right.” He rolled his eyes.  I think she’s going to have to start beating them into my noggin with a stick!”

Tilda looked at him.  “Tauriel?”

Bard took a deep breath.  This is normal…  this is normal.

“Tauriel is Thranduil’s daughter and she lives in Dale, love.  She’s very tall, like Ada.  She’s an Elf, too, but she doesn’t have light hair.  She’s got long red hair, and wears a green uniform…”

Tilda sat back and looked at him, then Esta crawled up and pushed her head under her hand.

“I think someone wants you to pet her.” He smiled down at her.  “Go on, love.”

Once Tilda was petting the dog, Thranduil whispered, “Describe her again,” very softly.

So, he said it all again.

Tilda thought for a moment, then her face showed recognition.  “Her room is across from me.”

“That is correct, Tithen Pen.  She lives in your Da’s Castle in Dale, and her room is right across from yours and Sigrid’s.”

The little girl said.  “My new sister.”

“She is, and she loves you very much.”  Thranduil smiled down at her.

Tilda looked up at her Ada.  “Where is…” she got stuck.

“Tauriel?”

She shook her head.

“Uncle Galion?”

Again, no.

“Beanie, if you can’t remember somebody’s name, try to picture them in your mind, and tell us what you see,” Bard suggested.

“He has hair like that.” She pointed to Thranduil’s hair.

“Oh!  You mean Legolas, don’t you?”

“Uh huh.”  She nodded. “Legolas.”

“Ah, well.  Legolas is Ada’s son, and you're right.  He does have hair like him.”

“He’s a Elf. Ada’s a Elf, too."

“Yes, hênig.” Thranduil smiled.  “That is very good.”

“And so is…Tauriel.”

“That is also right.  They are my own children, just like you, Sigrid and Bain are your father’s children, and together we make a family, do we not?”

The little girl considered that, as she stroked Esta’s head.  “A big family.  We have a dog.”

Bard laughed.  “Well, we have two dogs, and even a cat.  I have a big dog back in Dale, that Ada gave me, and he gave Tauriel a grey tabby cat named Farien.”

“That’s a lot, Da.”

“Lucky I have a big Castle, then.”

“Where is Legolas?”

To Thranduil’s credit, he didn’t react, but gave their girl a reassuring smile.  “Oh, Legolas has gone on a long trip.  There were important things he needed to take care of.”

“Oh.  Da?”

“What, love?”

“I remembered, right?”

“You sure did.  You remembered Tauriel and Legolas, and you remembered some Sindarin numbers, which is more than I can do.  Guess you’re a lot smarter than me, yeah?”  Bard gave her a hug, and kissed her hair.

“I am glad you did so well, Tithen Pen, but now it is time to do your morning exercises to get your legs and arms strong again.”  Thranduil got up, and shooed Esta down to the floor, and folded her covers back.  “Let us begin, shall we?  I want you to get strong, as soon as possible, so you can ride a horse, and even maybe one of my Elk!  Would you like that?”

“Aye!”  Tilda said.

Bard rolled his eyes.  “Of course, you’d remember that, with no trouble” he said wryly.

“Pay no attention to your Da, Tithen Pen,” Thranduil said happily. “He is afraid of my Elk, but you are smarter than that. He is convinced they will eat you up, but Da is being very silly.”

Tilda’s face lit up.  “I fed them.”

“And you still have all your fingers.  Wiggle them for Da, so he can stop whining…   Very good. Can you wiggle them some more?”

Tilda smiled at Thranduil and wiggled her fingers, as Bard winked at his Elf.  Its a good excuse to work on her coordination, even if it was at his own expense.