In the meantime they had reached the borders to the kingdom of Erebor. The dwarves were overwhelmed and started rushing towards the gates. Gaia could see Dis running into the arms of her sons. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched the family reunion and she turned away. Gaia was standing on non-ereborian territory, for Thorin had not lifted her banishment. She would not cross the border into the lands of her love without his approval. Gaia was about to walk away as she was grabbed from behind. Her instincts kicked in and she started fighting. But the grip on her was like an iron fist around her arms.

'Gaia, stop...' it was Thorins voice whispering into her ear from behind and Gaia stopped struggling instantly. Breathing heavily she turned around and looked right into the blue eyes of the king. 'Why are you leaving?'

'You banished me, don't you remember?' Gaia tried to free herself from Thorins grip, but the dwarf was stronger than her.

'I was not myself. You know that.' Thorin frowned at her. 'Look at me! I am free from the goldsickness and I have you to thank for it. It was your love that cured me, your love that protected me from Bolg. I am alive because of you. I have never thanked you properly.'

Gaia was about to say something, but Thorin held up his hands. 'I have lived with the knowledge that I would never see you again, but I did not know why. Dwalin told me what I did to hurt you so deeply. I am sorry, Gaia. I did not realise that I was not only punishing myself, but also hurting you. Bilbo and I...no, listen to me!' he grabbed Gaias wrists to keep her from running. 'Bilbo and I share only friendship. Nothing more. You have to believe me.'

Gaia shook her head. She was about to turn away as she felt her feet leave the ground. 'Thorin?! What on earth! Let me down!'

The female ranger kicked and screamed as the dwarf king threw her over his shoulders and walked towards Erebors gate.

'You insufferable dwarf! Let me down!' Gaia fought, but Thorin only tightened his grip on her. He walked past Madril and the other rangers who only stared at them in surprise. Two rangers tried to rush to Gaias aide, but Madril held them back with a smirk. In the past weeks he had noticed the looks between Gaia and Thorin and he had guessed that it was the dwarf who was responsible for Gaias behaviour in the last year. He had talked to the brothers Ri and the oldest, Dori, had told him that Gaia had helped them to reclaim their home. The brothers had been devastated that Gaia would not talk to them, but they had been sure that only the hurt feelings of the woman had caused this rift between them. Madril had listened to Doris story and nodded in understanding. At least he knew the reason for his friends odd behaviour. Now everything would turn to the better. He hoped.

'Fili, Kili.' Thorin passed by his sister and his sister sons with a struggling Gaia still on his shoulders.

'That looks like Gaias behind.' Gaia heard Kili say and growled angrily. But then she heard a loud smack and Kilis yelp and Gaia grinned.

'Thank you, Dis!' she yelled.

'You are welcome, my dear!' Dis yelled back and Gaia could hear her grin.

Gaia saw the dark shadow of the mountain surround her and closed her eyes. She had no good memory of that mountain and she did not want to return to this dreadful place. As Thorin finally let her down she stood before his chambers.

'I cannot stay here...' Gaia started, but her protest was - once again- silenced by Thorins lips on hers. Her resistance started to crumble, but Gaia was not ready to give in.

'Please, just listen to me.' Thorin released her lips and looked at her pleadingly. 'Forgive me. Please. I was a fool for doing this to you. I am so sorry. I could not understand that you had forgiven me. What I did to you was unforgivable and cruel. And still you stayed loyal to me. I could not understand.'

'I loved you.' Gaia whispered.

Thorin winced at Gaias use of the past. He swallowed hard and let go of her arms. 'I see.'

'And I still love you.' Gaia sighed. 'But I cannot go on as if nothing happened. My feelings for you made me reject all my friends. My fellow rangers as well as Dori, Nori, Ori, Bofur, Dwalin...and Bilbo. I behaved terribly. I cannot forgive myself for...'

Suddenly Gaia could not breathe anymore. She could not forgive herself and this stopped her from being herself. She was hurting people who meant most to her. She did the same Thorin had done. With a chocked sob she leaned against the door.

'We are both idiots.' she whispered. 'Such great idiots.'

'By Durins beard, it took ya long enough!' Dwalin barged into their private moment with his hands in the air. 'Are ya done being stupid now? Good!'

Gaia looked at her reflection in the mirror in horror. 'You got to be joking!'

'You look wonderful, dear!' Dis exclaimed and rubbed her hands. Tonight, Erebor would celebrate the arrival of the first dwarves from the Blue Mountains. Dis had arranged that a wonderful gown was brought for Gaia from Dale and had forced the female ranger into it.

'I look like...like a...' Gaia stammered in shock.

'Like a woman! It was about time.' Dis grinned. Gaia looked beautiful. The dwarf princess had chosen a dark blue dress which flowed around Gaias body perfectly. Gaias hair fell down her shoulders and around her waist in long brown streaks. Giving her no time to think about anything else, Dis took her hand and rushed to the great hall. She practically pushed the ranger through the door before entering herself. Gaia froze on the spot at the sight of the many dwarves and men from Dale. She saw lord Bard and his children and also Madril and his rangers. Dis was already gone and Gaia made her way through the great hall to join her friends. Madril looked at her with a suprised expression.

'You look...' Madril was searching for words.

'Like a woman? Thank you.' Gaia frowned at him as Madril grinned at her and nodded.

'You look beautiful. If the dwarf does not take you back I will...' Madril grinned brightly as Gaia gapped at him in shock.

'Gaia!' Fili and Kili rushed towards her and threw their arms around her. 'We missed you so much! We nearly did not recognise you!'

Gaia found herself trapped between two Durins and fought for air. As Thorins nephews released her she had to fight her supressed emotions. She had not been aware of how much she had missed them.

'I am glad to see you, too. Your mother is so proud of you both...I would not mention Tauriel for some time though, Kili.' Gaia smirked.

Speaking of Tauriel, Gaia had seen some elves in the great hall and she had to thank the female elf for healing her wounds after the battle.

'Tauriel is over there. With him.' Kili groaned and pointed to a corner. Tauriel stood there, clad in a silver silken gown and was standing at Legolas side. Gaia smiled at Kilis obvious jealousy and moved her hand to his shoulder.

'Don't be jealous, Kili.' Gaia stated quietly. 'It will only destroy your love.'

'Look, who is talking.' Madril smirked at his friend and earned a playful slap on his arm. Gaia excused herself and walked over to Tauriel. Legolas smiled and excused himself to give the two women some privacy and walked over to a pouting Kili. After an awkward moment the two dwarven princes, the elf prince and the ranger went to grab a pint of ale and joined the celebration.

Thorin looked around at the gathering of his family, friends and guests in the great hall and searched for Gaias familiar face. He saw his nephews, the dearves of his company, Dis and Bilbo, but he did not find Gaia. The king of Erebor sighed and told himself that she would not come as his gaze fell on a beautiful woman standing beside Tauriel. Thorin nearly let go of his goblet as he saw Gaia in the dress in the color of Durin. He knew that the dress had been Dis doing before he heard her chuckling at his side.

'Go over to her, before someone else realises what a rare jewel she is.' Dis told her brother. Thorin took a deep breath and walked over to Gaia and Tauriel with slow steps. Tauriel saw him first and bowed deeply.

'King Thorin.' Tauriel greeted him formaly.

'Captain.' Thorin bowed his head before the elf. He would never grant Thranduil such an honor, but Tauriel had saved his life and the lives of his nephews, together with Gaia. The ranger looked at him with big eyes before she also bowed silently. Thorin took Gaias hand and kissed it softly, causing Tauriel to smile.

'Please excuse me.' Tauriels smile grew wider as she walked back to grant them some privacy.

'You look beautiful, Gaia.' Thorin whispered and made Gaia blush. Even after all this time his gaze made her nervous.

'You look handsome.' Gaia winced mentally at her clumsy answer and her gaze drifted to Thorins crown. The king guessed what had caught Gaias attention and felt remorse that his coronation had been held without her at his side. 'You have everything you ever wanted. Your home, your crown...' Gaia stated quietly. 'I am so happy for you.'

'There is still one thing missing.' Thorin held up his hand as the music started. 'Please dance with me.'

'You are the king of Erebor. You should dance with the princesses and ladies in this room.' Gaia stated sadly.

'Yes, I am the king of Erebor.' Thorin smiled warmly. 'And I chose to dance with the woman I love.'

Gaia bit her lip as she heard these words out of Thorins mouth. Tears filled her eyes and she had to fight back a sob. She felt as if caught in a dream as she took Thorins hand and walked to the dancefloor at Thorins side. Thorins company, Dis and Bilbo watched as the king and future queen of Erebor swirled over the dancefloor and the Maker sighed heavily in relief. Bringing these two together was harder than he had expected. The woman was as stubborn as any dwarf, he could have spared himself the trouble and could have chosen a dwarf for Thorin Oakenshield from the start. But the love between the dwarf and the ranger warmed the Makers heart and he happily leaned back and took a look at their future. A wonderful future full of happiness and peace. Azog would never endanger the line of Durin ever again, for he had fallen into the paws of the last skin changer in Middle Earth, who had sworn to have his revenge for the death of his entire kin by the hands of the pale orc. Azogs orcs were more scathered than ever before and the dark shadow over Middle Earth retreated to Dol Guldur. It would take decades for the darkness to fall over Middle Earth again, but then Thorin and Gaia, as well as Erebor would be ready to face it again.

The End.

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