The Half-Blood Prince Epilogue

The Eagles saw fit to carry the Company all through the night and well into the next day. Putting as much distance into a head start from Azog and his pack as possible before setting them down.

Finally the Eagles came to rest at the top of the highest peak in a rocky valley. There being barely enough room to fit everyone in the Company safely. Each Eagle unloaded its burden and they were off, circling the Company once and releasing shrieks as they left.

In an instant everyone surrounded Thorin's prone form.

Oakenshield is not responding.

Gandalf muttered an incantation to wake him up. Seconds afterwards Thorin opened his eyes, much to everyone's relief.

Inhaling deeply, Thorin said "The Halfling?"

"It's all right," reassured Gandalf, nodding. "Bilbo is here. He's quite safe."

The other Dwarves created an opening so Thorin could see him. Thorin staggers to his feet with the help of his nephews.

"You! What were you doing," demanded Thorin, gruff and berating as he walked over to Bilbo. "You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us?"

All wait with bated breath to see what Thorin is going to do.

Thorin's transformation is remarkable.

Embracing Bilbo in a brotherly manner, voice laced with infinite appreciation, gratitude, and remorse, Thorin said "I have never been so long in all my life."

Laughter and cheers broke out.

"But I am sorry I doubted you," said Thorin, contrite.

Shaking his head, Bilbo said "No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior. Not even a burglar."

Thorin then notices Agathon standing with Stardust off to the side behind everyone else, keeping out of the way.

Slowly Thorin approaches him.

What surprises those watching are that he's not moving with any aggression. No, instead there's shame in his steps. He stopped a few feet in front of a stoic Agathon. None one dares to move a muscle fearful of triggering something by accident.

Even more sincere than with Bilbo, Thorin rectified "I owe you an even bigger apology. From the moment I first saw you I refused to see anything other than the Defilers blood running through your veins. But I see now how wrong I was to believe such folly. You've proven yourself this day. You are nothing like him. Couldn't be further from the truth. You are a noble and honorable warrior, Agathon. And I am proud to have you with us on this quest."

By the end of it Thorin held out an inviting hand to shake with him.

Agathon exhaled looking to Gandalf. Is this actually happening?

Gandalf's smile is answer enough along with the accepting expressions on the faces of the Bilbo and the rest of the Dwarves.

Agathon and Thorin exchange a firm, binding, and a unifying handshake.

After all that Thorin and Agathon have now reconciled.

Around Agathon's shoulder Thorin spots it first.

The Lonely Mountain.

A small speck standing over the horizon.

"Is that what I think it is," murmured Bilbo.

"Erebor. The Lonely Mountain. The last of the Great Dwarf Kingdoms of Middle Earth," elaborated Gandalf.

"Our home," concurred Thorin, grinning.

"A raven," exclaimed Oin, excitedly, catching the sound of a bird chirping. "The birds are returning to the Mountain."

"That, my dear Oin, is a thrush," corrected Gandalf.

"Bur we'll take it as a sign," said Thorin. "A good omen."

"You're right. I do believe the worst is behind us," agreed Bilbo.

If only that were true.

The Company is exhausted to the bone after the ordeal they've gone through the day before. With such a big head start the Company can take a couple of hours to rest, sleep, and eat. They really go need to conserve their strength. So they climbed down from the peak marching for a while longer before coming to a stop.

That night it took a long time for Agathon to get to sleep.

There's a lot on his mind. Agathon is glad that the Dwarves have accepted him into their number, but that's not the only thing. The fact that he didn't get to fight Azog won't leave him alone. He'd finally come face to face with the monster and failed to kill him as eh vowed many decades before. Agathon is fully aware that he'll probably get another chance, but still…

Also, the fact that there's a high probability of him encountering his mother's side of the family in the near future. She warned him ahead of time of the reception he'll receive once they reach Mirkwood. Back in Rivendell Agathon never was on the receiving end of any discriminatory treatment. All of the Elves there treat him as an equal having all had a hand in raising him. He's proven himself to them ten times over.

It'll be a different story there.

Outside of Rivendell he didn't really belong anymore. Although he's not thinking about changing his mind it's still not a good line of thinking to carry. It left him a little down in the dumps.

.

I have often dreamed of a far off place

Where a great, warm welcome will be waiting for me

Where the crowds will cheer when they see my face

And a voice keeps saying

This is where I'm meant to be

I will find my way

I can go the distance

I'll be there someday

If I can be strong

I know every mile will be worth my while

I would go almost anywhere to feel like I belong

.

Agathon looked up at the full moon. At the same time he imagines his mothers face gazing lovingly back at him from it.

Agathon found a note hidden deep inside one of his packs. He easily recognized his mother's handwriting as soon as he opened it, reading the message scrawled onto the parchment.

There is more in you.

Agathon smiled at his mother's encouragement even from so far away, the image before it faded from his sight.

.

I am on my way

I can go the distance

I'll be there someday

If I can be strong

I know every mile will be worth my while

I would go almost anywhere I find where I belong

.

One leg of the journey is over and another part is about to begin.

Sure is going to make things more interesting.

Authors Note:

The song you see here is Go The Distance from the Disney movie Hercules.

Finally after so long this section of Agathon's tall tale into the trilogy is done. Right after the 3rd Anniversary, too. Perfect timing in my opinion.

Keep your eyes open for you may see the sequel up and running sooner than you think.