In The End-The Hobbit

Chapter 28 : Home

I let out a soft laugh, Thranduil also chuckles "That's going to take some getting used to" Thranduil says.

"Used too?" I question.

"Yes..." Thranduil starts, his voice wondering for a moment "I've come over to offer that you come back to Mirkwood. I know it's not much, to begin with, but I promise over time, I make it up-"

"-Go back? To Mirkwood?" I ask, completely cutting him off "I'm sure if I-"

"Just, listen," Thranduil says, taking my hands in his, catching me off guard "I want to make things right. I'm going to start, by giving the crown, back to the rightful Queen of Mirkwood" Thranduil says, looking me dead in the eye.

"Why would you give up the throne?" I ask with shock still overwhelming me.

"You deserve this, E-Ivy. I don't."

I look out in the distance, my breath short as I think about what Thranduil has just offered me.

"You don't have to answer straight away. I understand it could be a tough decision" Thranduil adds, patting my hand.

The thought of being able to walk the halls of Mirkwood once again brings a smile to my face. My heart aches for it, having dreamt of returning time and time again, my heart yearning for it...but Queen? I've been so distant from that part of myself for so long, I'm not sure I could ever go back down that path. I was so different back then, as I am now, both completely two different people. Elora and Ivy, two completely different souls with the same desire. I simply live in Mirkwood with her people...till the day she dies.

Unable to give that up, psychically and mentally unable, I say "I want to come back to Mirkwood...but...I could never imagine ruling over it. Maybe a long time ago, but now...now I'm just Ivy. Not a Queen, not even close to what Elora could've been" I say in a small voice "so...yes. I'll come home, but only if you remain as King."

Thranduil's eyebrows frown together "After everything I've done...are you sure that's what you want?" Thranduil questions.

"Yes," I answer strongly, taking his hands in my mine now "I've never thought you as a bad king, only a stubborn selfish ass," I say, earning a small chuckle from Thranduil "besides, I really want to get to know this new Thranduil. To see what places, he goes and what achievements he gains. If he can apologise to me, I think we'll get along just fine."

Thranduil smiles "Well, I suppose I could get to know this Ivy as my Captain of the Guard?" Thranduil suggests.

I nod "Perhaps you could. But I wouldn't bet on it if I were you!"

"We'll see about that! You could find I'm quite convincing."

"Ow, now I'm intrigued!"

***

Bilbo stands at the gate of Erebor with the dwarves to say, Farwell. I stand off the side to let them say their goodbyes "If any of you are ever passing Bag End, tea is at four, there's plenty of it. You are welcome anytime. Don't bother knocking" Bilbo adds. The dwarves chuckle. Bilbo waves, a tear or two in his eyes, beginning to walk towards Gandalf, who has a pony and a horse waiting for them.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" I speak up.

Bilbo turns around and smiles, waving his finger at me, mentally cursing himself making me giggle and grin "Goodbye, Ivy" Bilbo says pulling me into a hug "I hope to see you soon. Know you're welcome anytime."

"I know, thank you" I smile before whispering "Goodbye, Bilbo" Bilbo walks back over to Gandalf and mounts his pony. They both begin to ride off in the direction of the Shire. I hope that Bilbo had the adventure he had always been searching for, and I hope I lived up to his adventure buddy expectations too. I laugh lightly at that thought, knowing I won't be able to say away from Bilbo for too long, having grown closer to him than ever before.

I turn back to face the dwarves "It was nice meeting all of you" I say feeling a few tears in my eyes. They all smile and nod.

"Where will you go?" Balin asks, stepping out from the group of now 10...

"Home," I say with a smile "I'm going back to Mirkwood, I'm finally going home."

"We wish you the best of luck," Dwalin says, his face softened as he tries to hold back tears "perhaps you could drop by and answer those questions I have someday."

I smile "I'll put it in my schedule" a tear escapes my eye. I'm going to miss these bubbling idiots.

"Thank You," I say walking over, giving each one of them a hug, every one of them wishing me good luck individually. I thank every one of them, giving them each a tight squeeze.

I approach the elves that wait for me by Dale, riding the chestnut horse Thranduil had given me. Thranduil smiles to me as though surprised and proud I ended up coming as I said I would. I smile back to him, knowing that it's going to be a long road for us to work back to the way things had once been so long ago. I am eager to try though, try to work out who I am when I have a home and learn how much everything changed.

Legolas, appearing next to his father, gives me a questionable look "What are you doing?" He asks.

"Going home," I say with a smile "what are you doing?"

Legolas is about to ask another question but Thranduil cuts him off with a loud chuckle "Ivy, is coming back to Mirkwood with us" he says "permeant."

I'm half expecting a snarky remark from Legolas or a grumble of annoyance. Instead, I surprised to find a wide smile spread across his face "Well, that's great!" He cheers, causing both Thranduil and I to erupt in laughter.

"If I knew you were this friendly all along, I wouldn't have been so sassy" I state.

"Don't be fooled. He's far different at home" Thranduil whispers to me with a wink, causing me to giggle.

I turn back to get one last look at Erebor, the Mountain seems so lonely now, but I know it's all but that. Many stories will be told, and songs will be sung about the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. I have been on many adventures, but this journey has taught me much and for that, I will remember the faces and names attached to it forever. I will never forget those who died and those who I have met. At least now, with those memories in mind, I can look to the future with some hope.