Hey guys! A little bit later this time, which I do apologise for, this chapter needed to be perfect before I could put it up for you all to read. I hope you all enjoy it. I also want to add, for those of you that are still reading True Love Conquers All and Two Worlds One Family, I don't know when the next chapter for those will be up yet as I have yet to get them typed up. I'm hoping soon, especially with True Love Conquers All, as I have some things to work through with that one. I appreciate your patience with those, I really do and I thank you for staying by me.

Just quickly before I go on, most of you know that I am continuing this on and writing up their future in Middle Earth, I just want to say that if any of you have any suggestions on what you might want to see happen, I will take note and we will see what will be put in.

Review responses;

priya24626 – Thank you, I'm glad you think so. And you're very welcome, I'm looking forward to wrtiing up Sophia and Aiden's future with Thorin and the company.

animefreak112097 – Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy xx

Outofthisworldgal – Yep. Everyone is alive, beaten and bruised, but alive and will eventually heal.

Memo – Me neither! So am I!

FlowerChild23 – It really was, wasn't it?

Chapter 35

After a long walk across the lands, which are now thankfully clear of live orcs, we finally reach the entrance of the mountain where we meet up with the rest of the company. I'm relieved to find that everyone is still alive and standing and that by saving Thorin, Fili and Kili, no one else has to die in their place.

"Thorin! Thank Mahal, you're alive!" Balin exclaims as he walks over with the others.

Thorin smiles as he and his cousin embrace. "We all are, thanks to Sophia."

I immediately blush as everyone's attention is brought onto me, all of them wanting to know what happened. Dain walks over before explanations can be made.

"Cousin! You're alive!" he and Thorin embrace before Dain pulls away. "What of Azog?"

"Dead." Thorin simply replies.

Dain nods. "Good, that's good."

Before anyone else can say anything, there's a scream from inside the mountain.

"MOMMY!"

"AIDEN!" I cry out before bolting inside the mountain, the others following.

Running towards the room I left Aiden in, I rush in to see my boy cowering in a small ball in the corner with a few of Dain's men trying to reach out for him.

"Aiden!"

At my call, Aiden's head immediately snaps up and my heart breaks at the fear in his eyes and the tears running from them.

"Mommy!" He cries as he gets up, pushing past the dwarves and straight into my open arms.

I lift him into my arms as I stand and hold him close, ignoring the pull of my stitches as I run a hand over his head while leaving the room.

"Shh. It's okay, my love. I'm here, mommy's here. Everything's going to be alright now."

I continue to soothe him as I stand with the company, allowing Thorin to wrap his arms around us both, also adding his own comfort as he rubs Aiden's back. Looking up at the sound of a throat clearing, I notice Dain standing by and watching us.

"Is there something you want to tell me there, Thorin? I noticed a certain braid on her earlier."

I feel Thorin standing tall, a proud expression on his face. "This is my intended, Sophia and her son, Aiden."

Dain's eyes go wide. "Intended? So I was right to call her Queen? I wasn't just imagining things?"

Thorin gives a slight chuckle. "No, you were not imagining things. I intend to have her as my Queen, but not just yet. Give her time to get settled first."

Nodding, Dain looks between us and those in the company who are smiling away, especially Fili and Kili who stand on either side of us.

"How did this all come about?"

It's my turn to give a little chuckle. "That, My Lord Dain, is a long story, and best saved for less hectic times. I fear there is far too much to do at the moment."

He nods. "I believe you're right there, lass." he then turns to Thorin. "What's the plan, Thorin?"

Thorin then goes on to delegate tasks out to everyone;

Oin to gather volunteers and take any injured to the Gallery of the King's for treatment.

Bombur and Bofur to lead a group down to the kitchens for cleaning then cooking.

Gloin, Bifur and Nori to make a start on a gate for the entrance.

And finally for Dori, Ori and Bilbo to make a start on clearing out some apartments.

Fili, Kili, Balin and Dwalin are to join Thorin, Gandalf, Dain and myself in the council meeting with Bard and Thranduil, a situation Dain isn't too fond off, but he wisely keeps quiet.

Half an hour later sees us all in the council chamber, the twelve of us – including Legolas and Tauriel – sitting around an oval table. Aiden, not wanting to be separated from me again, is sitting on the ground behind me swapping from playing with the toys Bifur made him to drawing on some spare paper Ori had found in the library.

Thorin begins speaking as he face Bard and Thranduil. "I thank you both for coming and taking time away from your people for this meeting. I hope there weren't too many casualties."

Bard sighs. "There were too many deaths than I think anyone would rather have, but the injured of both our people are being tended to as we speak."

Nodding at this, Thorin continues to speak. "I've asked you both here today so that we may work up an alliance between all four of our Kingdoms."

"You're telling me I have to make nice with that pointy eared fairy, after everything he did?"

Before Thranduil has a chance to retort and turn this into a full blown argument between the two leaders, I decide to speak up, causing everyone to turn to me in surprise at the stern tone in my voice, as if I'm speaking to a naughty child.

"For the sake of peace, yes. You may not like the elven race, Lord Dain, and you may feel the same for dwarves, King Thranduil, but today has proven that for that sake of peace, to take down the enemy, both races are smart enough to put their animosity of each other aside and work together, as they should. Friendships and alliances must be made if we're to live the life of peace and harmony I know all of us are desperately searching for. If we don't have that, how do we expect to fight off the enemy for good?"

There's silence for a moment as everyone take in the words I spoke, Thorin looking at me with pride on his face, which causes me to blush slightly. Gandalf is the one to speak, a happy twinkle in his eye.

"Sophia is right. Listening to others and helping one another is the way to move forward. Isn't that the reason the mountain was lost in the first place?"

I feel Thorin stiffen for a moment before relaxing as he lets out a sigh and nods. "Yes, you're right, both of you. Times are changing and if we have to gauge our future on the events of today, as well as those on the journey, we will need as many allies as we can to make it through the darkness. I won't make the same mistakes my grandfather made."

The others nod at this and this time, I'm looking at Thorin in with pride, relief filling me at knowing that he has truly fought past the sickness that drove Thror mad. This is the Thorin I fell in love with, this Thorin is the reason I chose for Aiden and I to stay in Middle Earth. During the past few days, I wondered if I had made a mistake in making the choice, but now. . .I have no regrets. Turning to the others, I make one more plea, probably something I shouldn't mention at this time, but we will see how it goes.

"We may be able to find some peace now, but if we don't come together and at least try to act as if we're on good terms with one another, then the oncoming darkness will spread and engulf all of us before we can even think about regretting not forming this alliance."

Gandalf and Thranduil perk up at this, knowing I'm not talking about just orcs.

"You know something?" Thranduil asks.

I nod, causing those of the company to look at me in surprise. "I do. I also know that you doubted Gandalf just yesterday Thranduil, after coming to you about the orcs, I ask you do not doubt me this time."

As I say this, Bard also looks to me in surprise; he, Thranduil and Gandalf being the only ones to know of this.

"How do you know this?" he asks.

"Call me a witch, a seer or whatever you will, But I know that things have been set into motion, more will follow in the coming years. I know of Sauron, of what he intended to do, what he intends to do in the future." I then nod to Gandalf. "You know he meant to stop Thorin from reaching here, from retaking Erebor back, his intentions to wipe out the line of Durin and claim Erebor for his own. What he didn't count on was me."

"What do you mean, lass?" Balin asks.

I take a deep breath, afraid to answer at first but knowing I have to. "With my being here, events have been changed, or at least one event has. . .there are three people sitting at this table that shouldn't be."

It takes a moment for it to sink in, but across from me, I see Fili is the first to understand as his eyes go wide.

"It was us. . .wasn't it? Thorin, Kili and I were supposed to have died, but you saved us."

I nod. "Yes. After you left into battle, I had a vision of sorts and saw your deaths, that's how I knew I needed to get to you as fast as I possibly could."

There, that wasn't an exact lie, but they don't need to know that, at least not yet.

"And we're glad you did, Soph!" Kili exclaims, a thankful grin on his face.

I smile as I turn the conversation back to the task at hand. "Sauron will not let this victory last for very long. He may lie low for now, but eventually, he will rise again and attempt to finish what he began."

"As long as he does not have the one ring, we have nothing to be worried about." Thorin points out.

Dwalin scoffs from where he's standing behind Thorin. "That ring was lost thousands of years ago."

I stay quiet at this, knowing exactly that is not true. All this time of being around Bilbo, actually seeing the ring for myself in Mirkwood and I didn't realise. Damn my amnesia.

"Sophia? Is it lost?" Gandalf asks after noticing I've gone unusually quiet.

Everyone's gaze instantly turns to me and I immediately freeze up. I have already said more than I meant to today, should I open up and say that not only do I know it's no longer lost, but that I know who has it? Thorin reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze of comfort and reassurance. It's him that gives me the confidence to speak.

"No, it is not lost. It has been found."

This causes a tense silence to go through the group.

"Do you know who has it now?" Legolas asks.

After another moment's pause, I nod. "I do. But, I can't say who has it. I have already changed enough as it is."

"But, what if he was to find the ring before we have the chance to act?" Dain asks.

I shake my head at this. "He doesn't. The ring stays safe for the next few decades. We have time, I will know when we should act, and if we are going to take down Sauron, then all our Kingdoms need to be in unity with one another. I refuse to stand back and allow Aiden to grow up in a world full of darkness, as I'm sure you agree with your own children, Bard."

Bard nods, watching with a small smile as I pull Aiden onto my lap, who ran over when his name was mentioned.

"Are we all in agreement? We will unite our Kingdom's and become allies?" Thorin asks the other three leaders.

Bard is the first to speak. "As you know, my ancestor Girion, had good relations with this Kingdom many years ago, I would wish to see that once again with you, Thorin."

Thorin nods, a smile on his face. "As do I. I also wish to extend my apologies to you for my words and deeds at the gate a few days ago. I would not listen to reason, even when those closest to me tried to help me see. As part of our treaty agreement, I offer your people temporary accommodation within the mountain until winter has passed. I would not wish to see you and your people struggle through the cold months. When winter is over and it is warm enough to return, I will send some dwarves and supplies to help you rebuild Dale to it's former glory. We can start on rebuilding Esgaroth once Dale is finished."

Bard looks to Thorin ins surprise, obviously never been expecting such an offer from someone who had days ago wanted nothing to do with the race of men.

Pulling himself together, he nods as he smiles. "I do forgive you, Thorin. I am honoured to accept, and in return offer the service of my people. We have healers, cooks, cleaners, tailors and builders. We will help you all we can to begin restoring Erebor to it's former glory."

Thorin was equally taken aback by Bard's own kind offer. It would certainly be useful to have extra hands around the mountain.

Bowing his head to the bowman as he speaks, "I in turn thank you for your offer; extra hands around here would be much appreciated."

He then turns to the Elven King, " King Thranduil, for many years our two Kingdom's have had an alliance and friendship with one another before Smaug came, I would like to see those days return again. I would wish to put the past behind us and to move on looking to the future, if you are willing to see this come to fruition."

As Thorin speaks, I have to do my best to withhold a grin at the words 'put the past behind us', especially since I'm reminded of a famous pair. Aiden however, has no such worries about keeping a smile back and speaks for the first time since entering the room.

"Hakuna Matata!"

I let out a snort of laughter as the others look to him with faces of utter confusion. I lower my head to hide my laughter and red face from them.

"What did you say?" Kili asks, a look of confused amusement on his face.

"Hakuna Matata! It means no worries!" Aiden replies, looking as proud as a peacock.

As Thorin looks to me with a raised eyebrow, I manage to recover from my giggling so I can elaborate.

"Ha-Ku-Na Ma-ta-ta. It's a saying where I'm from. It means to put the past behind you."

Recognition immediately lights up on the faces of those in the room, with a few giving chuckles of their own and Thorin fondly ruffling Aiden's hair. Thranduil even looks amused at this, also having a fond expression as he looks to Aiden.

"A very true and relevant saying, Master Aiden, and one I am inclined to agree on you with." he then turns to Thorin. "I also would like to see our two Kingdom's joined in unity, especially if Lady Sophia is indeed correct on the events of the future."

Thorin nods happily. "We may never become close friends, but allies is more than enough. . .more than I deserve if I am honest, from either of you." I reach over and take Thorin's hand at this, giving it a squeeze and smile at him as he looks over. He smiles back as he squeezes my own hand and looks back to Thranduil. "However, I would like to begin our tentative friendship by finally giving you the gems you once commissioned from us, as well as my deepest sorrow and regrets from withholding them from you."

As I look to Thranduil, knowing now how much those gems mean to him, I see a flicker of emotion pass over his face before he reverts to his normal emotionless expression. "I thank you, Thorin, son of Thrain. In return, I will have your belongings sent back to you upon my return to Mirkwood."

Thorin gives a bow of thanks and appreciation and turns to Dain, but before he can say anything, Dain speaks over him.

"You do not have to worry about me cousin, you already know you can rely on us."

Thorin grins at his cousin before looking over at everyone.

"So, are we all in an agreement? We can have treaty contracts written up and signed?"

Bard and Thranduil immediately agree and Balin begins writing up the contracts, with the three leaders involved looking them over, making some amendments if needed and before long are signed. And so begins the treaty between Erebor, Dale and Mirkwood.

Well, there we have it. Treaties are being made and everyone is finally working together. Let's hope it stays like that. If you liked this chapter, please leave me a review and stay tuned for the next one xx