Hello! Great responses from the last chapter. Thank you guys!
A lot of you have requested family fluff. There is fluff in this chapter, but not necessarily family fluff. :/ Sorry! I know it's been lacking. But there wasn't much time for family fluff in the battle and then her family has been unconscious, so... I'm sorry.
MonkeyGirl13: I think I would be annoyed too, but honestly, they needed her out of the way and resting. If she was awake, you know she would be fighting to be with her family. She would just injure herself and hinder Oin and them.
Bro: I'm glad you loved the one shots! And I think I am in your five day limit. Hopefully. Also, great idea about the prank war! I love that idea. :)
Warning!: Read this all the way through. Do not give up! I need you to trust me on this and hold on all the way through this chapter. :)
Her family was dead. Yes, her mother was alive, but by the time Dis had gotten to Erebor, Brynn had already slipped too far. The first days she had spent crying. Crying every minute, so hard that a rash broke out on her hands. She refused to see anyone. After awhile, she left her room. She haunted the hallways, speaking to a choice few.
Brynn pulled herself together for the coronation. Many thought it would be a better idea for Dain, or even Dis to be crowned in her stead, but there many rules and regulations that would be too hard to get around. And considering the way Brynn had gotten up after such a big loss, it didn't seem like such a bad idea to have her on the throne. But after Brynn was crowned, she once again fell into the abyss of her depression. No one could break through it.
Despite it all, Queen Brynn ruled her kingdom with grace. She was kind but stern. Charitable but unmoving in negotiations. She was wise and just. She was who her uncle and brothers would've expected her to be.
And yet, after each day, when the gates finally closed, she retired to her bedroom. She kept everyone out. She didn't speak to anyone expect when it was about her kingdom.
She spent her free time sitting on her bed or at her desk, staring at paintings Ori had made her of Fili, Kili, and Thorin. The gift had been handed to her in silence, making her cry. She had kept them safe and near at all times since she got them. If she pressed the paintings to her chest, shut her eyes, and really concentrated, she could imagine they were all living and well, sitting beside her and laughing like nothing had happened. But she always came out of her dream, always came back to the dark reality.
In this way she died. It was a peaceful death. She had laid on her bed, her precious paintings in her arms. It didn't feel like dying. She simply fell asleep. When she "woke", it was in what she assumed could only be the House of Mahal. It was a beautiful place to be. Her old and frail body had been replaced by what she had looked like in her younger years. Her heart felt light again. All her burdens has been stripped off, but she wouldn't be truly happy until her greatest wish had been granted. And it was - it was granted very soon. A minute after she arrived in the afterlife, she saw a sight that made her cry tears of joy. Fili, Kili, and Thorin. They ran to her, embraced her. They all looked well, like she remembered them. Finally they tore away from each other, and Brynn was led to a room where there were many familiar faces. The entire Company, including (surprisingly) Bilbo. Her mother and father were there, her grandparents and aunts and uncles too. Finally, Brynn could be happy again...
Brynn awoke with a start. She jerked upright. Panic rose in her heart. She didn't want to live like that. She didn't want to lose her family. Looking to the side, she saw a nurse pulling a sheet up over Kili.
"No!" Brynn screamed, her voice rough.
She attempted to jump off her bed but fell from the pain in her bad leg.
Balin ran into the room.
"What is going on?" He shouted.
"I was just changing the bandage on Prince Kili!" The nurse exclaimed.
Balin knelt beside Brynn and helped her back onto her bed.
"They're not dead?" Brynn asked in a whisper.
Balin tucked some hair behind Brynns ear. "No, lass. What gave you that impression?"
"The nurse... She was putting a sheet over Kili."
"Well, you wouldn't want him to be cold, would you?"
Brynn shook her head. "Fili and Uncle Thorin?"
"They're alive as well. But I won't lie to you, Brynn. They're in bad shape."
"Can I sit with them?"
"Your head got hit very hard. Oin says you need more rest."
Brynn sent him a pleading look. "But Balin-"
"No buts. You're right beside them. If anything happens, you'll be the first to know."
"Alright."
Brynn lay back down, but didn't close her eyes. She kept her gaze at a level where she could see all her family across the room.
The next day she was allowed to sit beside the beds.
Ooooooooooooo
Brynn sat by her uncles still form. Oin had told her that even in his comatose state, he might be able to hear her, deep in a dream. He said it might even help him. She figured that was just words to comfort, but she felt awkward sitting in silence. So she waited for the nurses to leave.
"I don't know what to do, uncle. Fili and Kili are not doing well. The nurses say they probably won't make it. They don't mean for me to hear. They talk behind my back, but they are careless and loud. Uncle, I can't imagine living without Fili and Kili. Or you. Why can't you just wake up? I can't be the only one to make it. Mama would have a fit." Brynn choked.
She grabbed Thorins bandaged hand, laying her head on it. After a few seconds, Brynn felt a finger brush her cheek. She jerked her head up, hoping it hadn't been her imagination. Thorins eyes were cracked open.
"There is that beautiful face." He said.
"Uncle, you're awake!"
"Barely."
"Yes, but that means you're getting better."
"No, Brynn." Thorin shut her down. "I can feel death pulling at me."
"No, you can't. You can't leave me alone."
Thorins eyes widened a bit more in panic. "Fili and Kili... Are they-"
"They're alive. But they're hanging on by a thread."
"Then you shall be queen. You'll make a good leader." Thorin said in a vain attempt to lift his nieces spirits. "Brynn, caught of Dis, Queen under the Mountain. Has a nice ring to it."
"I've never wanted a title." Brynn said, tears filling her eyes.
"I know, love." Thorin paused. "It's strange... I look into your eyes and I'm reminded of your brothers. You've got Kilis shape and Filis colour." Thorin murmured.
"And your fire behind them." Brynn added with a sad smile. They sat in silence for awhile. "You have to fight this."
"I will. For you. And I'm sure your brothers will as well."
Before Brynn could answer, a messenger walked in.
"M'lady, someone has requested to see your family."
"We aren't able, obviously."
"Brynn, find out who it is before you refuse." Thorin said.
Brynn sighed. She was going to have to get used to the life of a princess. "Who wants to see us?"
"The man. Bard."
"Bard?"
"Yes, m'lady. He said it was important."
"Tell him do go to my quarters and I'll meet him there."
The messenger left and Brynn turned back to Thorin. "I'm going to speak with Bard."
Thorin smiled. "So I heard. I'm glad. I wish I could do so as well."
"I know what you would say. And I will say it on behalf of our Company. Don't you dare die while I'm gone." Brynn ordered, then left.
She hurried down the halls as fast as her sore, beaten body would allow. Everyone she passed quickly stepped out of her path, afraid of the rebuke they would get if they got in her way.
Brynn almost got lost. She wasn't used to these halls. She didn't want to explore until she could do so with her brothers.
Finally she reached her room. She had made it there before Bard. She didn't know how. She limped inside, fighting to catch her breath, her ribs aching. Her recent injuries had taken more out of her than she wanted to admit. Just as she was about to close the door, Bard called to her.
"Lady dwarf!"
Brynn opened the door. Bard stopped at the entrance and bowed quickly. Brynn returned the gesture.
Bard walked in and sat in a rocking chair so he was slightly closer to Brynns height, but getting there in a respectful way. He knew dwarves didn't see themselves as small, but everyone else abnormally tall, and they didn't appreciate others making a fuss over how short they were.
"How are your children?" Brynn asked, staring at the floor. She knew it wasn't polite, but she couldn't work up the courage to look Bard in the eye.
"They are doing well. Tilda was cut by an Orc in the battle but she will be fine. A dwarf named Balin took care of her. He said it would be an honour to serve those who had helped you and your brothers so much."
"He is kind. You do not need to worry. Tilda was well taken care of."
"I believe you." Bard shifted in his seat. "I had a purpose in asking to speak with you. I was hoping to talk to all of your family, but I know that is impossible at the moment. Hopefully they will be able to hear this from you. I wanted to say... I wish with all my heart that I could change what I've done. If I had not sided with Thranduil, if I had not forced a war, things would be much different. I understand you might be angry-"
"No." Brynn jumped in, throwing politeness out the window. "I speak for my people. For my uncle, my brothers, and me. None of this is your fault. Your people were suffering and we turned you away, just like the elves did to my people. We - out of everyone - should have opened our doors to you. We've made terrible mistakes in the last few days. Mistakes that have cost many lives. Your people already lost so many and we added to the count." Brynn paused, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "And I am so sorry. I'm so sorry for what we've done. Every minute the guilt grows. I sit by my family and wonder how much suffering could have been avoided if we had focused on defending ourselves against the real enemy instead of those who could've been our allies if we had just let go of past grievances. I am so sorry, Bard."
Bard felt his heart break for the young princess who had suffered so much. Through all the time he had seen her - at his home, with her family, with her company, in battle - he had seen her heart. She poured it out. She cared. He had never thought the dwarves would feel guilty, but now he saw the extent of their pain. His fatherly instincts took over and he dropped to his knees before Brynn, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Brynn let her walls fall down, and weeped. Her tears soon soaked Bards shirt. All her emotions poured out onto the near stranger. Finally she pulled away.
Bard brushed away the hair that had stuck to Brynns face with her tears. He kept his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm so sorry." Brynn coughed again.
"You mustn't dwell on the past."
"I don't know how to live with this. So many died."
"None of those deaths were your fault. Stay strong, daughter of Durin, and know that you have friends in my family and I."
"Thank you." Brynn wiped her face and pulled herself together, feeling embarrassed. She half laughed. "Well, hasn't our friendship changed. Partners, enemies, friends, enemies, allies... Friends."
"I would say that is an interesting progression with a good finish. I like friends."
"Me too. I should be getting back to my family... I don't like to leave them."
"I should get to mine as well. They've been asking about you and your brothers."
"Tell them I will visit when I can. If my hopes come true, my brothers will join me."
"I will pass the message on."
Bard led the way to the door.
"Farewell, Brynn." He said.
"Farewell."
And with that, the two leaders parted ways.
There we go! Another chapter done. I must say I loved Bard in this movie. He was very well done. I just had to give him some more "page" time. I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Three chapters and I'll update! :) As always, I'd love for you to give me what you'd like to see in the next couple of chapters.
