Falling For You

Chapter Ten

They had out for hours, in fact it was well past nightfall when they returned to the kingdom, many were bitten by spiders and were sent to the healers while Arcturus reported back to Thranduil. Young Aduial was standing by his throne, playing with flowers that Aurae had left for her. Arcturus had introduced Aduial to Aurae not long ago and they instantly bonded.

"Arcturus, I know the spiders are getting bolder. I will not let you leave these borders yet. I cannot risk it." Thranduil only nodded and dismissed Arcturus, who bowed in respect and left, only to be followed by Aduial quite eagerly.

"Arty! Are we going to train?" The young Dúnedain asked, running up to Arcturus who turned around and smiled at her.

"Yes, shall we go?" Aduial eagerly nodded and the two of them walked to the training room.

Aduial always had trouble with the bow still, it wasn't her preferred weapon but she was so determined to actually learn how to do archery that she wanted extra lessons. Of course, Arcturus didn't mind giving her more lessons, it meant more time with her, protecting her from any harm that came her way.

The two of them entered the training area and Aduial immediately ran to the archery corner and grabbed her training bow and some arrows.

Arcturus had grabbed an apple from the fruit basket the elves usually had there and spoke out instructions and tips to the young Dúnedain. After an hour, Aduial threw the bow down in defeat. She hadn't even been able to hit the target at all and on top of that she was hungry.

Arcturus threw her some bread and laughed as Aduial's caught it in her mouth.

"Hannon Le." (Thank you) Aduial muttered and happily chewed on the bread. Arcturus only nodded in response, he wasn't expecting the Dúnedain to speak in elvish, but he knew not to question her. She was full of surprises.

Arcturus hasn't returned to Dale or Erebor since the war had ended. He missed Sigrid, Tilda and Bain but he couldn't bring himself to return there. Not yet, at least.

Maybe in the future, he'll visit. But for the moment, there's a tree that Arcturus can sit in where he can just see Dale and The Lonely Mountain from.

Aduial loved hearing stories from surviving elves that went to the war for Erebor, she often asked Arcturus for his story because Aduial knew he went with them but Arcturus would always change the subject. The grief was far too near for him. He just couldn't stand to relive those hours, even if it was just in his mind.

Aduial didn't mind that she never got an answer from him, she could tell it bothered her elven friend whenever she even brought up the mountain or town.

There were also some days where Aduial just felt like crying, so she cuddled up to Arcturus in her chambers and cried. She just cried, cried for Tauriel, cried for Legolas. Or just cried from bottled up feelings inside.

Aduial was close to Tauriel as she had met her through her adopted brother, Legolas. She would always be by Legolas or Tauriel's side and often never left them but now that she had neither of them, she felt lost and lonely. She found some comfort in Arcturus in a way that only Arcturus could understand and help.

The two of them stayed by each other's side, they comforted each other in times of need and even times where they just wanted to be by someone's side and have someone by their side.

"Arcturus! I found this rock, it's in the shape of a heart and it reminded me of you." Aduial came running up to her beloved friend, holding the said rock in her outstretched hand. Arcturus turned around from his report to the king and gently took the rock from the smiling eight year old.

"Thank you, Ads. I'll cherish it forever." Arcturus held the rock to his heart, which made Aduial's smile widen even more, if it was possible. Arcturus couldn't help but smile back, he loved this child, she was his little sister now and he'd do anything in his power to get her what she needs and wants.

Thranduil sat on his throne, watching the two interact with a slight smile on his face. They were both healing. They were healing together.

The thought made Thranduil think of Legolas. He missed his son dearly and he knew Aduial missed him too. Seeing his adopted daughter interact so positively with his Head Guard brought a smile to his face knowing she'd found her forever friend.

"Thrandy, can I go for a walk with Arty?" Aduial asked with pleading eyes. Arcturus looked over at the king with a confused glance. He hadn't finished his report from the patrol that he'd just returned from.

"Of course, Aduial. Arcturus, you are dismissed. I've heard enough of your report to see that your patrol went well. Thank you." Thranduil nodded in Arcturus's direction. The young elf bowed in respect and then followed little Aduial out of the Throne Room.

"Hey Arty? Why don't you ever speak of the great battle between us and the dwarves in Erebor?" Aduial asked as they sat down under a tree just outside the gates. Arcturus had his dagger in hand in case a spider attacked.

"It's just a heartbreaking memory to think about so I tend to avoid speaking of the matter." Arcturus explained as he braided Aduial's light brown hair with vines. Aduial closed her eyes, thinking of her memories with Tauriel and Legolas training with her and compared them to her training sessions with Arcturus.

"I think it's good to think back to the past, you can learn a lot. And you can think back to happy memories with your loved ones and smile!" Aduial smiled, slightly turning to Arcturus. The elf smiled and brushed a strand of Aduial's hair behind her ear before booping her nose.

"Wise words for such a young woman." Arcturus chuckled as Aduial grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it at him.

The two spent the rest of the day together, just messing around, making jokes and more.