So many of you enjoyed An Unexpected Fate. I had promised you that there was more to come, and here it is. This is the first of what I have, and I'd love to have some feedback. Thane's story is one I've enjoyed forming, and I have wonderful plans for him! Enjoy!

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Chapter 1

After the defeat of Sauron, and the mighty battle at the Black Gate, Middle Earth started to heal. Such war and devastation had taken its toll on many. Erebor and Dale had been one of many that had to rebuild and heal. It had taken quite some time before the valley between the mountain and the city had finally sprouted grass. Thanks to the hard labor of dwarves and men alike, green finally appeared four years after the terrible war. Thane had witnessed more than he'd care to admit during that dreadful time. The War of the Ring had threatened to destroy everything around him, including his family.

The strength of his parents during that time was something he'd always remember. His mother had always been such a kind and passionate woman. She brought joy to the mountain, alongside his father. The King and Queen were loved dearly by those in the mountain. He never thought he'd witness the side of her that his father had spoken about. During the Quest for Erebor all those years ago, Thorin had said she finally accepted the fact the power she held could change things around her. Thane always loved hearing those stories, but he had never wanted to see it. Until he had. His mother was a force unlike any he had ever seen, beside the evil that laid in the land.

He was proud to be the son of two such amazing people, and just like his mother, his thirst for adventure was finally taking him away from home. Arina had known she wasn't going to keep him in the mountain for long. Once Aragorn had become King of Gondor, things had been set in motion again. There was land to recover, and after Gandalf and Elrond had left the shores of Middle Earth, it had truly started. The four years had been a healing time. Cities were finally rebuilding themselves, and after six years, the land was slowly coming back to life. There was a happiness among everyone that no one could miss.

Once Thane had received word that Aragorn wished for a little help, he had all but jumped at the chance. Arina had no desire to leave the comfort of her home again, and she understood that this was his time. His adventure.

"Amad, are you all right?"

His mother had become distant over the last few days. Thorin had said she was suffering from nightmares again. Hearing his voice, Arina turned and Thane was able to see the exhaustion in her features. To a normal dwarf, she'd look as she always did, but those who knew her could see differently. Thorin was stuck in meetings today, and Akira had traveled down to Rohan to see Eomer. His sister and the King of Rohan were still courting, but he knew the wedding was right around the corner. Humming in his throat casually, Thane walked over to his mother, and gave her a hug. She was such a small creature, but definitely not fragile.

She returned his hug tightly, and a sigh left her lips. "I am fine," she spoke finally. "Just tired. When do you leave?"

"Tonight," Thane answered, when they parted.

She leaned against the stone, looking over the valley from where they stood. He joined her, and admired the sight. No longer would the valley be burned black from war. It could grow, and bring everything around them back to life. He tilted his head down so that he could see her out of the corner of his eye. She caught the gesture without even looking at him, and smiled.

"I'm sure you'll have the time of your life," she hummed. "Be sure to at least visit your sister."

"I'll try, but I'm sure she is too focused on love to care if I come to see her," he jested, and Arina laughed.

"I'm sure she is quite distracted," she sighed softly, a smile still on her face.

Thane grinned again at the thought, and spent the next hour with his mother as she made her usual rounds through the mountain. It irritated him that she was still suffering from those terrible dreams. After Sauron had briefly taken over her mind, she had slowly changed. It had disturbed her more than he and Thorin had thought. At least she was still trying to come back to herself. She still had not talked about it, and his father had told him not to push it. Thane wasn't about to try after the first time he had asked a few years ago.

Still, Arina handled herself as she usually did and that alone gave him hope. As they walked together, he chuckled when Ajax joined them for a while, having escaped Fili. The young prince had been running from his father ever since Fili had suggested he married.

"Hello, Aunt," Ajax smiled, dipping his head.

"Yes, you may hide," she teased, making him grin.

Thane laughed, enjoying the happiness that warmed him. They finally found themselves wandering down to the private room where they were going to be holding dinner. Fiona and Dis were already there, along with Kili. Dwalin as always was standing against the wall, his keen eyes on Arina as she entered the room. Fili came in shortly after that, and smacked his son over the head for running off.

"Oh please, Adad! I'm not doing it!" he snarled at his father, but his voice held no real anger.

Kili laughed from beside Dis, and for a moment the whole room lit up with laughter as the father and son faced off for a moment. As the years had passed, Fili and Kili only grew more into themselves yet still carried the same haughty personalities they had always had. Even after the loss of their wives, they had managed to come back. Thane sighed after Arina sat down, and he crossed his arms with a smile.

"Are you still trying to get Ajax to marry?"

The voice had everyone turning their heads as Thorin walked into the room. His casual stride and masked expression had everyone arching their brow or remaining silent. Fili grinned at his uncle however, and nodded his head fiercely.

"If he's anything like you, which I can see he is, it'll be impossible. And when he does marry, it will definitely not be someone you thought it'd be," Thorin mused, his eyes sparkling.

The room snorted with laughter and Fili grunted. His father patted Thane on the shoulder as he walked by, and he watched as the King went to his Queen. One day, he hoped he could find someone to share in the kind of love Arina and Thorin had. She leaned back as Thorin laid his hands on the table in front of her, so she was against his chest. The King pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, before standing up fully again. His mother didn't shift her position, and from where he stood, Thane saw her body relax and her expression ease.

"She is still having a rough go," Dwalin muttered, from beside him.

"Aye," Thane sighed sadly.

"It's a shame you are leavin, but I think she'll do just fine. She'll beat herself up if she told you no. You reminder her too much of herself," he chuckled.

"I will keep in touch," Thane rumbled. "She has all of you anyway."

"Aye, she does. She'll be just fine."

Dinner was thrown in his honor, and it was absolutely embarrassing. Luckily for Thane, he had stories on just about everyone in the room, including the King. They spent the evening drinking, laughing, and telling stories. They retold old ones, mostly about the trouble everyone had usually got in. At one point, Thorin had retold the story of when he had found Arina, Fili, and Kili up a tree and surrounded boars. Fili had laughed so hard that ale had come out of his nose, and that had sent the table into an even bigger uproar.

In retaliation, Fili had urged Arina to tell the story of a time when she had got back at Thorin. It had been back in the Blue Mountains, and they had suffered a major disagreement. She had rearranged his room, moving everything to a new spot and changing all the drawers around. Of course, she had recruited the brothers into helping her. On top of that, she had also burned all of his favorite tobacco in the fire place. It had sent Thorin into such an uproar, that the whole mountain almost suffered from it.

Thane had never heard that story, so the laughter that erupted from the table had everyone in tears. His father had stared as his cup during the story, glaring at it as Arina had told it. His father had attempted to keep his posture, but his expression gave it all away. That alone was fuel enough to keep laughing. Even Arina was laughing, which warmed his heart. It had been one of her favorite times she had got back at him for something.

As dinner finally came to an end late in the night, Thane found himself hugging everyone. He was very aware that he was hugging them all good bye. No one really reacted to that, but he knew that they knew. When he approached his father, he looked at the King Under the Mountain. Thorin turned his head toward his son and gave him one of his rare smiles.

"Keep yourself out of trouble," he rumbled. "And should you need anything, just send a message."

"Thank you Adad," Thane rumbled, looking fondly at his father.

Thorin reached forward, and Thane met him in a fierce hug. His father always reserved his love and affection for his family, but he was still a great King. He loved his people very much, and it easily was shown over the years. When he parted from his father, Arina slipped in and hugged him.

"Be safe," she murmured.

"And you," he rumbled back, affection in his voice.

"Your father is right. Should you need anything, let us know," she answered. "I'm sure however, that King Ellessar will take good care of you."

"Maybe I'll run into Gimli," Thane mused. "He's been gone since the fall of Sauron. I'd like to see him."

"I'm sure he's somewhere with Legolas," she chuckled.

"I love you Amad," he rumbled softly, and squeezed her a little tighter.

"And I you, dear boy," she whispered.

She pulled back from him and gave him a smile. Once he was satisfied that he had seen everyone, he waited until they were all retired for the night before he slipped away. He wanted to make it to Gondor by morning, so he transformed into a hawk and started his journey. His heart pounded in joy as he lifted into the air. The sky was clear as he soared over Mirkwood and the destroyed Dol Goldur. Thane didn't get to see much on his journey through the night, and he pushed his transformation into a dragon to make better time. He wanted to be there by morning, and now he would.

As the sun slowly began to rise, the sky lightened and gave him a look at the mountains he passed. On the other side was the valley before the mighty city of Minas Tirith. Six long years had passed since he had been to this place. It looked even more beautiful now that it was rebuilt. All the damage that had been done during the war was gone, and the small village by the river was also being rebuilt. Thane narrowed his eyes to see the men slowly getting to work on it. Lifting higher into the sky, the Prince of Erebor roared his arrival.

As he surged upwards, he dove toward the ground and landed by the new white oak that was planted. By the time he touched the ground, he was human. Over the years he had perfected his ability to turn human in the middle of something. It had been hard, but he had no been alone. A few guards came out to greet him, and he nodded to them.

"Prince Thane," one nodded. "You have been expected. Follow me, I believe you are just in time for breakfast."