So, I really have to apologize for the late update. I had a really busy past few weeks, getting my wisdom teeth pulled, then going on vacation over the fourth. After I got home I started to get a sore throat, and now I have a double ear infection along with a really high fever, so yeah, not exactly what I was shooting for, but here it is! Hope you enjoy!

Also, to all of you who favorited and followed my story, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I really appreciate it.

Without further ado, Chapter 24:

Arms straining against the fabric of her sleeves, she braced herself against the heavy boulder. Sweat trickled down her brow, getting in her eyes and making them sting. Her shirt clung to her back, the warm breeze making it worse. She could taste the salty bitterness on her lips when she licked them, her face was flushed. Flexing her toes in her boots, she waited for the call to be given to release the stone. She had received more scrapes and bruises helping rebuild Dale and Erebor than she had ever acquired in the training fields at home.

"Let 'er roll!" came the cry from a burly dwarf everyone called Heil.

She waited for the others to move, knowing that her long legs would be able to leap out of the way quicker than their own could if the stone started rolling to fast. The weight of the hug chunk of rock was heavy on her slender shoulders, she could feel the muscles straining, her tenders taunt. Glancing to both sides she saw that everyone was clear, and leaping away, jumped up onto one of the piles of stone nearest her. With a crunching and a clattering noise, the boulder bounced down the hill, causing a small landslide of rubble to shower down to the pile at the base of the hill. It landed in a pile of rock at the bottom, clattering with the other stones that had been dislodged from the hill.

Wiping the beads of sweat from her brow with the back of her dirty hand, she left streaks of dirt across her face. Her gaze traveled over the valley, from the grey stone of the mountain, to the brown earth around the mountain which had started to turn green after many years of scalded grey from the dragon. The dung from the beast had proved to be a great fertilizer, helping the plants grow. Spring had come, and with it a renewed hope. The fields between the Dale and mountain were clear of all the dead, enemy and ally alike. Ploughs had been fashioned from anything available, some donated by the elves, others were found and bought from among the villages of men that dwelt along the forest edges. The soil had been ripe for tilling, turning over the blood soaked soil to reveal a new, rich black dirt that would benefit the people for years to come. The smell of wet, green earth wafted on the breeze, which blew up from the south was fresh and warm. Dotted around the mountain were small pine trees and others of the fir tree family, gifted to the people by the elves of Mirkwood. The birds and small beasts had begun to return to the plains and mountain slops in full force. At one point in her patrol of the mountain slopes she had come across a herd of wild goats grazing on the newly sprouted grass on one of the ledges of the mountain. Among the many adults there were numerous kids, leaping and jumping about with youthful energy. Life was slowly returning to the mountain, trickling in like a stream.

It was not only the animals that made their way to the mountain as winter broke. Dwarves from the Iron Hills, the blue and grey mountains, and those scattered among the villages of men came in droves. With each new group that arrived at the mountains gates, they were able to create another troop of workmen to work on the mountain, or rebuilding the houses and halls of Dale. The levels within the mountain that consisted of living spaces had been almost untouched by the wrath of smaug, leaving them only to be cleaned of the immense amount of dust that had accumulated there. The dwarves were willing to help, jumping at the chance to serve their people by restoring their home.

Taking a swig from a waterskin at her feet, she splashed some on her face. In the process she got the front of her shirt wet, making it stick to her skin. Looking to the east she noticed dark clouds on the horizon; but these were not the dark ominous clouds before a violent storm, these were the heavy clouds that spoke of rain to water the ground beneath their feet. Though it was only spring, she could sense that the summer would be a very warm, and very muggy one. Ever week it seemed to rain, washing away the death and despair that war always left in it's wake.

If only it would wake those that still slept under its gentle pattering. Much like Sleeping Beauty, or Snow White, Mariam had fallen into a deep, death like sleep. The dwarves, to honor her, had carved for her a stone bed to rest upon. Into the stone they had carved stars, inlaying them with white jewels, twisted vines, with carved stones for leaves, and roses alone the bottom of the stone. A soft pallet was made to lay across it, made of the finest cloth, a silken pillow with tassels to lay her head on. Thennil had dressed her in one of the gowns that Thranduil had sent for her to wear, adjusting them to fit her niece. The gown itself was of the smoothest silk, in a blue so close to the color of the sky that it could have been a piece captured from the heavens, cascading down like a waterfall. A silver belt was dropped around her waist, and a mithril necklace with a emerald pendent, a gift from Thorin, rested on her breast.

The platform was placed at the northern part of the Hall of the Kings, the jewels glittering. The golden floor shown in the torchlight, reflecting the many pillars and lights that hung from the ceiling far above. Everyday many of those from among the company would come to sit and visit her sleeping form. They would tell of the progress of the mountain, how fast Dale was coming along, the groups of dwarves flooding into the mountain, and how much they all missed her. Fili would chatter on and on about how their mother would be arriving any day; Kili would tell her all about Tauriel, and how much he loved her. Ori would recount how far he had sorted through all the books, dusting them, and alphabetizing them on the shelves that seemed to go on and on down the long room. Bomber came to her from the kitchens, sometimes bringing dishes that she had liked on the journey to the mountain, hoping the smell would wake her from her slumbers. But, there was one dwarf who never visited her anymore, only watching from the end of the hall, gazing on her sleeping form protectively.

Thorn didn't dare get any closer to her, knowing that he was the reason that she lay there, unmoving. In his minds eye he could still see her leaning over him, golden hair turned to a muddy blond, clotted with dirt and blood, much of it not her own. Tears had been streaming down her face, making tracks in the dirty that had accumulated there, dropping one by one onto his own dirty face. Her emerald green eyes had flashed a golden yellow as she spoke words from deep in her heart, in a language that he did not understand, but it had sounded ancient to his dying ears. Then the hand that rested upon his gapping chest had begun to glow, the tendrils worming their way along his body, seeping into his very soul it seemed, knitting his wounds together as her song had grown, eyes becoming glazed, the golden overtaking the green. Then when it seemed like it would all vanish before his eyes, the golden light had exploded around him, ripping out from her like a stone thrown into a pond, her song ceasing in that moment as she slumped against his chest. He had felt the light leave her, vanish in that single moment.

No, it was guilt that kept him from visiting her. Instead, it was his best friend that sat by her side through the early morning hours before the sun shown over the horizon. Dwalin watched over her, telling her of all the things that her love did each day. He had never been one to go into detailed accounts of the happenings around him, but for her he did. Describing each and every thing that Thorin did in all of his meetings and work, telling her how even Thorin's nephews couldn't rouse him from his grief. But she refused to wake, if she ever would.

"Kili, get up!"

"Hmmm?"

"Get up! Amad is going to be here today!"

"Leave me alone," mumbled the young dwarf prince, pulling to covers up closer.

Fili sighed, rolling his eyes. Kee had always been a lay-a-bed in the mornings. Snagging a tunic from his drawer, he began to pull it over his head, making his way to his brother's room across the hall, grabbing his belt in the process. Shuffling into the tunic, he buckled the belt on, pulling on the lever, he let the light flood down from above. His uncle had told him that when his grandfather had first come to the mountain, he Grandmother had been so used to the sunlight waking her up that he had installed mirrors in small shafts that would reflect the light from the outside world into the many bedrooms of the royal wing. Kili groaned, pulling the blankets up over his head, scooting down further into the warm bed.

"We have to check over her rooms, you know how she is if something is out of place or not clean she goes a little crazy," he poked his brother in the shoulder.

"She's not supposed to be arriving around noon or later, why do we have to get up so early?" mumbled the dwarf from beneath his many covers.

"I'd rather her be happy with how it looks that have her tear apart the maids who cleaned it," Fili stated, ripping back the covers from his brother's figure.

Kili drew his knees sharply up to his chest, glaring bleary eyed at his brother,"Five more minutes."

"Get up-Fili tossed a green tunic at his brother, hitting him the face-I'm not going to be responsible for Amad being displeased."

Kili sat up in his bed, watching his brother adjust his tunic in the mirror, a wicked idea coming into his mind. Creeping up to the end of his bed, he launched himself at his brother, knocking them both to the floor. Laughing, they went rolling over and over. Soon fists were flying, and legs went every which way, laughter erupted from the knotted two. Kili landed on top, slamming his brother into he floor, a devilish look in his eye. Fill just smirked, and raised and eyebrow before flipping them over so he sat atop his brother's much smaller chest.

"I win, now get your clothes on, then I'll do your braids. Bomber's got breakfast already served downstairs, after that we clean Amad's room."

"Got it!" cried the tussle headed prince, squirming out from underneath Fili's muscly thighs.

Letting his brother up, the golden headed prince slipped through the door that adjoined their rooms, fixing his clothes and combing through his hair. Kili pulled himself off the floor and drug himself over to his wardrobe, picking through the tunics and trousers he selected his a red tunic along with a pair of black trousers. Pulling off his clothes, he tossed them in a pile in the corner of the room, then grabbing his tunic he pulled it over his head. After finishing with his clothes, he combed through his hair, grumbling at the many knots that had formed while he slept. Fill joined him before the fire, plopping down on a stool as his brother sat on the floor in front of him.

"Just the norm?" the blonde asked.

"Yeah, maybe add Amad's braid in along the sides," Kili replied, tugging at his boots.

"As you wish."

Trampsing down the stairs together, the two paused outside the dinning room door adjusting their tunics and making sure that all was where it belonged. They slipped in through the door, settling into their chairs. Platters filled with food lay scattered over the table: sausages, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, slices of sizzling fried ham, golden toast stacked miles high, glazed scones fresh from Bomber's oven, oatmeal loaded with fruit, fried fritters from apple to peach, and more greeted their noses. Mouths watering they piled their plates high, snagging the many meats out from under their companions noses. Around them sat their companions, eating their own mountains of food, shoveling it in their mouths and chewing as fast as they could with one hand while with the other they reached for more. Silverware was used at the eaters disgression.

Across the table their Uncle was surrounded by Balin and his other councilors, already working on the long list of things to do that day. He nodded his head at them, giving them a tired smile. He was an extremely busy dwarf, establishing treatise with the Men of Dale, and those to the south in Rohan and Gondor for trading purposes, he had tried to navigate a truce between himself and Thranduil. That had not gone as successfully as he had wanted, even with returning the White Jewels of Lasgalen. He had lightened his schedule up a bit for a few days to spend with his sister.

He had gone through her old rooms, ones that were next to his two nephews, and had them cleaned up. He had tried to redecorate, but ended up dragging Thennil into it, or rather she forced herself upon him and ended up kicking him out. She had gone through the rooms, adding a new tapestry here, more lamps along the walls, a plush rug before the fire, an ornate woven carpet from the deep south in the sitting room along with many other items that needed to be replaced or updated. Many of the stuffed chairs she had to re-upulster because the original fabric had been eaten away by moths and other fabric loving insects. She had gone around and made the room more age appropriate seeing as the princess had been a young child before the mountain had been taken by the dragon.

"Come on Fee," Kili elbowed his brother, pushing his seat back and rising.

Shoving the last bit of a scone in his mouth and pocketing a handful of biscuits he followed after his brother. They had almost mad wit out the door when Thennil strode in, long hair swinging like a pendulum. Two braids hung down from the left side of her head, one with the family bead of the Durin's house, and one with a bead of her own that signified who she was. Her worn clothes had been replaced by a silver tunic of light weight fabric with the crest of Durin embroidered along the collar, hem and cuffs, tighter black trousers clung to her legs, followed by sturdy dwarves made boots that she would cherish for a long time.

She seemed to sense that the two young Durin's were up to something, noticing the mischievous look in their eyes. Her hands snapped out and grabbed their ears as the two separated to get around her, dragging them back to the table with a strong grip. Raising her eyebrow she plopped them back in their seats.

"And where did you think you were going?" she asked, scooping the oatmeal into a bowl and adding cream from a jug on the table.

"Just to check over Amad's room, make sure that everything is ready for her," Kili pipped up helpfully, grabbing a piece of toast and slapping jelly onto it.

Fili groaned internally, glaring across the table at his brother, so much for the pranks that they had planned.

"I don't think so, the lasses and I have cleaned it from top to bottom. You are not going to mess up all of our hard work by pulling a prank," she stated, giving them both a reproving look.

"We were-

They were cut off by one of her father's looks that she had inherited, a single eyebrow raised, radiating with disapproval.

"But-

"No. I have two brothers just like you who I wouldn't trust father than I could throw them," she took a bit of her oatmeal.

"Awww, Thennil!" cried Kili, plopping a sausage into his mouth,"We weren't gonna do anything bad, Amad would expect something."

"Exactly, she'll expect that you've rigged up one of those pranks that you have pulled on many of the council members over the last few months."

The two blushed furiously.

"Oh, you thought that I didn't put two and two together? I knew it was you the whole time."

"We-

"But-

"They were really annoying!"

"So? Your mother doesn't need anymore stress than she has already gone through, it would be a relief for her to just be able to relax after all that has happened, she nearly lost the both of you!"

The two sighed, slumping in their seats. So much for that plan.

"I suppose we'll have to think of something else to do, Kee," Fili told his younger brother, twiddling his thumbs.

A light popped on in Kili's brain, and his eyes lit up. Turning to his brother he have him a look.

"Don't you even dare think about it," Thennil's voice broke through their mutterings.

"Curse your hearing, Thennil," growled Kili,"We'll never be able to create another prank again."

She chuckled,"I'm sure that you will figure something out."

Kili smirked, hiding it behind his hand. Using his boot he tapped his brother's foot with his own, starting off a conversation similar to that of morse code. Back and forth the two went, conversing beneath the table where Thennil wouldn't see. More thumping and tapping occurred beneath the wooden table, answering and planning the doom of their friend. Soon they had fully communicated their plan as best they could through their secret language, and after a final tap, they sat waiting for Thennil to release them.

Looking up from her nearly cleared plate, she leaned back,"So, after I get the both of you dressed properly, then I'll set you loose."

"What?!" their jaws dropped in horror.

"We look fine!"

The other eyebrow joined it's brother, and she crossed her arms.

"She would expect you to still dress similar to a traveler? Below your station? I think not. You are the Prince's of Erebor, it's time that you look the part."

They groaned, slouching even further back into their chairs, much like a two year old would. She rolled her eyes and stood.

"It's not like I'm going to torture you."

Kili feigned being hit with a whip, then having his fingernails pulled out, screwing up his face in mock pain behind her back. When she turned back to look at them he instantly pulled his innocent act, crossing his arms behind his back while Fili tried not to burst out laughing. Rising fro her chair, she piled her plate atop the many that were already stacked all over the table. Turning to them, she waited there, tapping her booted foot on the stone floor, hands on her hips. She raised her eyebrow again, as if to say 'Well?' After what seemed like a century the two reluctantly left their seats, following her down the hall to their bedroom in the royal wing. Passing by a corridor, she caught the scent of fresh blossoms wafting up on a breeze.

She had worked log and hard in that courtyard, spending hours among the many dwarves she had enlisted to help her carve out the beds for the plants that she had growing in a small garden on one of the ledges of the mountain. They had hauled the dirt up from the fields around Erebor, mixing it with fertilizer, and poured it into the many beds that she had dug. In a few places she had them dig deep and long trenches where she planted small trees that would blossom year round and bring forth different kinds of fruits. As she had planted all the flowers, bushes, ferns, and herbs in the many pits, she had whispered spells of life into the air around them to keep them alive continually, In one spot, off to the side hidden behind many tall flowers and ferns she had created a small maze out of hedges. In this maze, she had made a small alcove, hidden from the eyes of the beholder if they didn't look close, and there she had planted a single white and gold lily, one that had only grown within her grandmother's garden's in Lothlorien, which she and her mother had been given responsibility of as the years had gone by. Over that plant she had whispered words of old, ones that had hardly ever been uttered aloud, binding her life to the plant, a flow from her inner few hovering around her as she watered and tended to it.

Taking a deep inhale she continued down the halls. They did not pause in the doorway or at the magnificent stonework that greeted them, no the two prince's were dragged into their rooms. Thennil went through their entire wardrobes, finding something she liked, and tossing it on the bed. Minutes passed as she dug through each of their closets finding what she felt would suit. By the time she had found a suitable tunic and over-tunic for each of the dwarves along with trousers that were clean she had come tot the conclusion that the two princes had no sense of fashion, or even what colors went well together. Why she even bothered to help them at times amazed her.