"I will go and bring the water for milady's bath, but I don't want you looking at those dratted walls. Promise me you'll behave?" Thorin said it lightly, but he was truly worried Naya might retreat again.

"I'll be fine. I didn't really like it there, you know. All the animals are at the front. Once I got further in, there was nothing much but trees and water."

Before Thorin could say anything else, his worries were eased by a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw Bofur and Bifur. "Ah, perfect timing. I want to get bath water for Naya. Come in and stay with her for a bit."

The two dwarves entered. Bofur said, "Gandalf told us she's up and about and feelin' better. We're not interuptin' anything are we?"

"Come and see for yourself. Naya, Bofur and Bifur are here to see you, alright?"

"Send them back, Thorin, I'm fine. Hungry, but fine," her voice came from the bedroom.

"I'll be back with food!" Thorin walked out.

Bofur led the way through the suite, Bifur trailing behind.

"Good to see ya up and around, Naya. You had us a tad bit worried!"

"I see the hat survived the battle along with your skin," Naya grinned. Bofur had always been a favorite.

"Aye, I took it off before things got ugly. I wouldn't want anything to happen to it!" He gave her a little smirk. "We," he motioned to Bifur and himself, "have a gift and a favor to ask. Which would you like to know about first?"

"The favor."

"Bifur's axe is buggin' him. He wants to know if you've recovered enough to adjust it again."

Naya motioned the dwarf over to the bed. "Lean down and let me see." She put her hands around the axe. "Yes, I remember you coming in the other day. I can fix it, but can you wait until tomorrow? I really need to eat something first." Bifur nodded his head and stepped back. "I wait."

Bofur reached his hand in his pocket. "And the gift." He opened his hand and showed Naya a little black and white kitten. "Now that the dragon is gone, it seems that there were other holdouts from the early years. A momma cat paraded her litter through the hall this morning. She seemed to be tryin' to shed a few of the little buggers, and I thought you might like this one!"

Naya put out her hands and picked up the tiny creature. "Oh, how cute! But is it old enough to be on its own?"

"I think so. Like I said, momma seemed to be tryin' to lose 'em. Probably had just about enough of nursin' em. He hasn't fussed since I picked him up, so I think it's okay."

The little kitten was mostly black with a white chest, four white paws and a white stripe down his nose. Naya put him on the bed and he stretched and yawned. "I wonder if Thorin likes cats," she muttered.

"Not a clue," said Bofur, "but I'll take him back if ye want."

"Not a chance. Thorin will just have to learn to like them if he doesn't already." Just then, they heard the sound of water being poured in the bathing room. "Why don't you two disappear? It might be best for him to not know where this little guy came from for now." She winked.

Bofur and Bifur nodded back and retreated from her room. Thorin came in as the door closed behind them. "I thought they were going to stay."

"When we heard the water, I told them to go. You're my handmaiden, not them. I don't need an audience," she laughed. "Did you bring food?"

He pulled a tray out from behind his back. "A few appetizers to get you started. The kitchen is sending up a full meal in about an hour."

Naya reached out for the cheese and bread. "I really am ravenous. Sleeping can be hard work." The food disappeared in moments. Standing, she walked towards the bath. "Are you going to update me on everything….and scrub my back?"

"Of course, isn't that what handmaidens do?" He followed her, not noticing the new addition asleep on the bed.

Naya stood in front of the steaming tub. "Can you step in by yourself?" Thorin came up behind her and lifted her nightgown over her head. He couldn't help but admire her smooth white skin.

"A hand to hold for balance would be nice." She took the offered hand and stepped over the edge. "Ahh, perfect temperature, maid."

"I try my best. Duck your head and I'll wash your hair." Naya sank under the water and came up again, her hair streaming with water. Thorin reached into the basket of items that had been brought with the water. Pouring soap on her hair, he began to massage it gently. "Now, you wanted to hear the news. The orcs are in full retreat. Not many will survive to return to their lairs. Bard and his men did a stellar job on the battlefield and will soon be returning to what's left of Esgaroth. He intends to come back and start rebuilding Dale as its new King. Dain will be joining us for lunch. He is also anxious to return to the Iron Hills. Some of his folk may stay, and he will see if any others wish to join us. What else can I tell you?'

Naya was enjoying the shampoo so much she hesitated to ask. "Thranduil? Legolas?"

Thorin grunted, more for show than from any real anger. "Once again, Naya the Oracle was right. Worth their weight in gold. They held off the orcs on their side of the field and pushed hard to the center. They suffered many casualties." As much as he disliked elves, he hated to see an ally slaughtered. "And before you ask, yes, they are being rewarded handsomely. Even now, Balin is in the treasury, literally weighing out Thranduil's weight in gold! As for the others, I have personally selected some jewels that I think they will find attractive. We will never be friends, but I think the worst of our animosity can be put aside." He pulled her head back and kissed her. "Does that meet with your approval?"

"Oh, Thorin, you know it does. I'm glad everything seems to have worked itself out. What of the rest of the company?"

"As I said, Balin is content in the treasury assessing the wealth. Fili and Kili are healing. When you are a little stronger, maybe you can do something to speed them along. Ori, Nori and Dori are fine, although Dori took a good crack on the head right at the end. Nori is helping in the treasury."

"You put NORI in with all that gold? You know he's a bit of a thief, don't you?"

"All the easier to keep an eye on him, my dear. He mostly thieves to get attention. I have an idea that having a task to perform will make him more honest. And Balin knows to an ounce how much gold there should be. He's almost as good as Smaug in that respect." Thorin smiled at her response.

"Bifur and Bofur you just talked to. Who does that leave? Bombur is awaiting the celebratory feast you mentioned. And, ah, Dwalin. Dwalin is busy making sure that your friend Willa has everything she needs." Thorin kissed her again. "Duck." When she resurfaced, he used another pitcher of water to finish rinsing her hair.

"Did you say that Dwalin and Willa….?" Naya had not seen that coming.

"Well, I can't be sure, but I see him around her all the time. I know he is envious of what we have, he told me so. I suppose it's possible he has decided that this is an opportunity he might not want to skip. Which reminds me that Gloin is the last update on the dwarves. He is doing well, and is going to head off to the Ered Luin soon to retrieve his family and bring them here. Have I forgotten anyone?" Thorin picked up a bar of soap and moved to her side.

"Bilbo?"

"Bilbo, of course. Once again, I am in his debt." He picked up her arm and began to run the soap over it. "Bilbo doesn't talk about it, but your father found Sting embedded in the head of a great white Warg. Azog was the only orc on a white Warg. When I asked him about it, Bilbo admitted he had been near all day and when Azog tried to impale me once again, he drove Sting into the beast's eye. That is why, in the end, I had such an easy time killing Azog. It threw him completely off balance and opened up his neck for Orcrist." Thorin grinned at the memory of the blade slicing so easily through the hated neck. "I'm sending him home with his weight in gold also!"

Naya luxuriated in the soap that her beloved was applying so assiduously to all her various parts. "You really have changed, haven't you? A week ago I would have had to beat you over the head to give up a single coin. Now you are giving it away by the pound!"

"I have finally realized that gold is more than a possession. It is a tool to use to reward others for service. Even with all the assistance from elves, dwarves and men, it was a close call, Naya. Without your father, brothers, and the eagles at the end, we might have failed.

"That is another part I am almost clueless about. Do tell." She lifted a foot for his attention.

He kissed her toes. "I only know this secondhand. At the very last, the eagles dropped your family onto the field. Let's just say it was akin to dropping the cat amongst the pigeons. Beorn took out Bolg even as he was about to remove my head."

Naya gasped. "What?"

"Bolg was the one who stabbed me. He was going to finish the job when your father intervened." Thorin took her hands and held them tightly. "Don't worry, I'm completely healed. We need to put all of this behind us." Thorin picked up a towel. "Are you ready to get out? The water's getting cold."

"I do believe you have bathed all the most interesting places." She stood up, and he wrapped her in the towel. As she stepped out of the tub, he picked her up in his arms and carried her back to the bed. He laid her down and began to dry her hair. Naya began to unlace his shirt. "You got all wet. I don't want you to get a cold!" She ran her hands under the shirt and over his shoulders. Suddenly, she stopped. Her eyes filled with tears at the roughness of the scar from his most recent wound. The one she hadn't been able to heal properly. "I just wasn't good enough, no matter how hard I tried."

Thorin sat up and took her hands in his. "I want you to stop saying that. You did so much that day. The lives that you saved made a huge difference."

"But you have that terrible scar. I can fix it when I'm stronger."

"No, you will not. I will keep that scar as a reminder of all that I have learned from you. If ever I should turn back into the greedy bastard I was before, I will only have to look at that scar to remember all that I might have lost." He gathered her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. "After we eat, there is something I have to show you. Maybe then you will start to understand how much you mean to me and everyone in Erebor."

"What, what could you possibly show me?"

"Just wait a little longer. Come, it sounds like they are bringing the food. Willa sent a dress for you to wear." Thorin picked up a pretty blue gown from off of a chair and held it out. Naya stood and let him help her into it.

"I really think I might become quite fond of clothes, Thorin. Much more variety than what I can do for myself. Warmer, too!"

When they were both dressed, they walked into the sitting room to find Bombur arranging the food on the table. "Bombur, that smells most delicious. Good to see you made it through without a scratch." Naya leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thorin said you are still waiting for your feast. Why the delay? It has been days since the fighting stopped!"

"Why, we couldn't celebrate without you, Naya. We've been waiting until you can join us!" Bombur looked sideways at Thorin looking for guidance.

"We will have it tomorrow, most likely, Naya. Bombur needs time to prepare everything." Thorin didn't want to get into the 'Why wait for me question right now.'

Dain stuck his head in the door. "Is it lunch time, Thorin?"

"Come in, come in. We were just sitting down. Naya, Dain is joining us, if that's alright?"

Naya had only met Dain briefly when he first arrived. He was much shorter than Thorin but broader and heavier. His beard was remarkable for its length and bushiness. He looked like he could toss a bull with one hand.

"Of course, it's alright. Dain, good of you to come. I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for all of you and your kin's help. We would have been routed without it." Naya put out her hands in greeting.

Dain slowly took the offered hands. He still didn't quite know what to make of Thorin's wife. On the one hand, she was not a dwarf, but on the other, she had certainly proved her worth in the recent battle. "I must return the thanks, my lady. I would have lost many fine warriors without your help."

"I-I tried my best. I wish I could have done more." She still was not really aware of all she had accomplished.

"Sit, Naya, you need to eat before you faint." Thorin deftly changed the subject.

A few minutes after they began to eat, Naya felt a thump on her leg and little claws working their way up her arm. "What in Mahal's name is that?" asked Thorin.

Naya's kitten had awakened and smelled lunch. He stood now on her arm poking his nose at the food on her plate. "Bofur gave me a present earlier. Thorin, Dain, meet Niggle! I hope you like cats, Thorin." She smiled at him. "He's my new best friend."

Thorin stared at the new addition. "I have to say, I have never been around cats much. They are always in the background for mice and such, but not as pets."

"I love cats. I left a few behind with my father, but not anyone special. Not like this little guy." She gave a small piece of roast to Niggle and put him on the floor.

"Niggle. Where did you hear that name?" Dain asked.

"It's hard to explain. After I did such a poor job on Thorin, Fili and Kili (Thorin rolled his eyes. It was getting old.), I retreated into the forest." She waved at the walls. "After I couldn't get back out, I sat by a pond throwing rocks in the water. One that I picked up had 'Niggle' carved into it. It has an interesting sound, and I just decided it will suit my kitten. I also think it might be the name of the artist, but that's just a theory."

"You are probably right about the name. If I am remembering it correctly, an artist of that name visited the Iron Hills when I was a young boy. I, too, thought his name was interesting." Dain said.

"An artist named Niggle? That's wonderful to hear. Do you know what kind of work he did?" Her eyes were bright with this piece of information.

"Not really, no. I was only a little boy. I just remember the name because it was so different." Dain was sorry he couldn't tell her anything else, it seemed to make her so happy.

"That's alright. Just having confirmation that there was an artist named Niggle is enough for now." Naya returned to feeding the kitten.

They finished lunch and Thorin stood. "Dain, could you stay with Naya for a few more minutes? There's something I want to check on." He bent and kissed his wife. "I'll be right back."

"What's that all about, do you know?" Naya asked as soon as Thorin had left.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon," Dain said mysteriously.

Thorin returned and took Naya's hand. "I want you to come with me. There is something I want to show you." He led her out of the room and down towards the Great Hall. "All day you have been telling me how little you did and how you should have tried harder. I wanted to show you that for once, you are wrong, and I am right. You made a huge difference that we will never forget."

Naya walked out into a hall bedecked with banners and decorations for the banquet that would be held the next day, but the amazing thing was the number of people filling the huge room to bursting. There was not an inch to spare. Some of those in attendance were sitting on the tables and standing on chairs. At the very front of the room, Fili and Kili were sitting somewhat uncomfortably in chairs. When Naya walked in they all started to shout and applaud. Thorin waved his arms for quiet.

"What is all this Thorin? Why are they all here?" Naya asked with a frown.

Thorin turned her to face the crowd. "My dear, darling Naya. All the people in this room (and I think some were not able to fit) are the ones you personally helped on the day of battle. The day you think you didn't do enough, and that you should have tried harder. If you had tried any harder, I would have had to carve out another mountain to make room for them. Not to mention all the ones that could be helped by others because you took care of the difficult cases. Now will you believe me when I say you made a difference?"

"All of these? I didn't heal all of these did I? There are too many. No one person could do that." Naya stared at all the faces around the room.

"Yes, you did. Every last one. According to Willa, you worked nonstop all day long until you collapsed. Please believe me when I say you did your part."

Finally, Naya started to accept what he had been saying all along. "I had no idea. It didn't seem like this many. And I know I didn't finish properly with the last three." She smiled now at him and his nephews. She walked over to where Fili and Kili sat. "No, don't get up. I can tell you're still in pain. Come to me tomorrow, and I will finish where I left off. I'm almost recovered enough now."

They both nodded at her words. "Thank you, Naya, we'll be there."

The room slowly began to empty, but not before many of the attendees stopped by to express their gratitude. Some of the faces rang a bell, especially if they had had bad injuries. Others were strangers. Finally, they had all moved on. "Thank you, Thorin. A picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say." She put her arm through his. "What's next?"

"There is one more group for you to meet." Once again he pulled her to her feet and led her out of the hall.

"Not more survivors? I thought they were all here!"

"No, not survivors, saviors." Thorin had brought her to an anteroom for the great hall. This room was large, which it needed to be to accommodate its occupants. Naya gazed in astonishment. Inside the room were gathered her father and many of her brothers.

"Naya!" Beorn boomed. "At last. We have been waiting for days. It's about time. Come here, my girl and give me a hug." Naya ran to her father and was enveloped in a (pardon the phrase) bear hug.

"Poppa! I thought you might have already left. No one has mentioned you!" Naya melted into her father's arms. She had believed she would never see him again, and yet miracles do happen.

"We probably should have, but I couldn't leave without making sure you recovered. You were spent the last time I saw you. I feared for your life." Beorn hugged her fiercely. "You always give too much of yourself. You must learn control."

Naya laughed. "Since I survived that battle and healed all those people, I don't think I will ever be faced with a harder trial, do you?"

"Probably not. But even so, you need to be aware that you have limitations." Beorn took a deep breath. "I am very proud of your accomplishments, Naya. Not just here, but on your journey. Thorin told me all that you did for the company. You truly merit the title of Queen."

"Oh, Poppa, I just did what needed to be done. Anyone would have done the same." This was a father she had never seen before. She wasn't used to it.

Beorn picked her up and put her on the table so he could look at her face to face. "Naya, I have never said this, and I should have done it earlier and more often. I love you. I always have and I always will no matter what. I wish I could have been a better father. I'm sorry."

Naya stared at him. All the years she had longed to hear these words. All the tears of loneliness she had shed. All the times she had tried to get his attention. Finally rewarded at last. "Thank you, Poppa. That means so much to me." It sounded stilted and too little, but it was all she could manage through her tears.

Beorn hugged her again. "Don't cry. You know your brothers hate it when you cry. Come here, boys, and talk to your sister."

Naya's brothers had been standing back from the pair. There were at least ten by Naya's count. Her new favorites, Heth and Andler came over. "Congratulations, Naya," said Heth. "You actually grew up into a not so bad person." He grinned at her.

"Thanks, Heth. It's about time you recognized my superiority!" she teased back. "And Andler. Good to see you. Thank you both for saving Fili and Kili. I-I don't know what I would have done if they had died."

Heth said, "Naya, it was the least we could do. After all the mean things we did to you growing up, helping you was our way of saying we are sorry. Let's start over, okay? Be friends? I speak for myself and all the brothers."

She put out her hands."Friends. I realized when you gave me the seeds that you wanted to help. They were much appreciated in Mirkwood. I know how hard it must have been to gather so many."

"I thought it was an obvious way to show you how we felt, in case we never met again. I am glad they were useful." The other brothers began to gather around. For the next few hours, Naya got reacquainted with a family she had thought lost years ago. It was a happy way to spend the day.