Hey guys, I know it's been almost a month since I last updated, but things have been pretty hectic, as well as me struggling to try to get this chapter out. But thankfully, it's here! I am so sorry for the wait, but hope this was worth waiting for!

Also, a side note, I want people's opinions on plumbing and toilets in Middle Earth, especially Erebor. I've been trying for so long to find out ANYTHING that can help me out, but so far, nothing except for a hole in the ground. So, that's what I've done for now. If anyone has got anything better I could do, please let me know. xx

Review responses;

PastSelf – I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and I did take your suggestion and added a little something with Aiden and Bifur in here. It isn't much, but I hope it will satisfy you for the moment. I will be sure to put in more interactions with Aiden and the rest of the company, especially Bifur. They've got the rest of their lives now :D!

KitWolfren – Haha! I hope it didn't! But when I wrote that chapter, I couldn't not put it in! I love Aiden too, he's just the sweetest boy! I'm glad you're enjoying this!

FlowerChild23 – Why yes, yes it was!

Priya24626 – Here's a definite Thorin and Sophia moment for you I hope you enjoy!

Outofthisworldgal – Nope, I did too!

I'm glad Dain accepteed Sophia as well as he did. And as for the seer abilities, the Company will soon find out about those.

Memo - They will!

Chapter 36

Once the treaty contracts are written up and signed – and Thranduil having his gems returned - we all leave the council room and go to the entrance, Aiden skipping along beside Thorin and I. Once we arrive, Bard goes to leave and head back to Dale to prepare his people for evacuation to the mountain when he stops and turns to Thorin.

"Before I forget, I believe this belongs to you."

Reaching into his pocket, he once again pulls the Arkenstone out and holds it out for Thorin. I can feel the temperature suddenly drop as all of us stop and stare at Thorin, who stares at the stone, waiting to see what he will do. I hold my breath, praying with every fibre in my being that he will not suddenly revert back to what he was. I realise however, as I look to him, I have no reason to feel this way. As when I look into his eyes, all I see is shame, regret and disgust.

He then surprises me by turning to me. "Take it."

I blink. "I beg your pardon?"

"I will not risk becoming what I was once again. I do not need The Arkenstone, I already have the greatest jewel I could ever need in you, Mizimelûh." he cups my face, smiling before looking down to Aiden. "Two in fact."

Aiden smiles up at the dwarf as he wraps his arms around his waist, causing Thorin to grin as he easily lifts the boy in his arms, causing him to giggle. He looks back to me.

"Take it and hide it away with Balin. Make sure I cannot find it again."

"But Thorin, you need it to unite the seven Kingdoms." Dain points out.

Thorin turns to Dain. "If the seven Kingdoms would rather answer to a jewel and riches rather than take the friendship we have given to our neighbours, then they don't deserve our time and effort. I will not allow our Kingdom to be governed by wealth and greed. Erebor will be a Kingdom of love, life and laughter that treasures friendships and kin above all else."

Gandalf smiles at Thorin, a twinkle of pride in his eyes. "As it should."

After giving me a nod of reassurance, I reach out and take the Arkenstone from Bard. As I look over it, I can see why Thror had name it the King's Jewel, just the colours alone and how it shines in the sunlight is beautiful.

The rest of the day goes by in a buzz of activity. After Balin and I had put the Arkenstone away, we went straight back to the main hall and got to work. I left with Bard to Dale to help out with moving his people to the mountain, which took the best part of the day to achieve as it was slow going, with getting everything packed up and prepared. The journey back was just as slow since we also carried the injured. I was grateful for the help of the elves and the dwarves Dain sent along as it all went quicker than it would have without them.

By the time night rolled around, all the injured were settled in the Gallery of the Kings, all of the critical wounds cleaned, stitched and bandaged up and resting. Those that had minor scraped and were still able to stand, joined the rest of us out on the fields as we prepared a mass cremation for the dead – of the men and dwarves at least, Thranduil had taken his people back to Mirkwood to bury their fallen within the trees – The dead orcs and goblins had been placed unceremoniously into a pile far away from Erebor and Dale and burned without much care, the trolls having to be burned where they fell, due to no one being able to move them. The dwarves and men were placed on wooden pyres and led by Thorin, they were laid to rest, along with those that had fallen over a hundred years ago, finally able to be at peace as the flames roared high, the smoke carrying the fallen spirits to the halls of their forefathers.

I stand by one of the pyres alone, watching as everyone mingled, talking and laughing along with another as they ate and drank the ale, wine and food that was provided by Thranduil, as well as Dain's men, luckily having the forethought of having those carrying the supplies to hang back from the battlefield.

I just smile as the dwarves and men interact with one another as though that morning they weren't ready to go to war with each other. It just goes to show that these two races – three if counting the elves – can actually work together when facing a common enemy. If only the leaders on Earth would think the same as these four leaders, then Earth would be a peaceful place to live.

Strong arms suddenly wrap around me from behind, but instead of making me jump, I just smile as I place my hands on Thorin's as he places a kiss on my good shoulder before placing his chin on it.

"Why are you over here all alone, amrâlimê?" he asks.

"Just thinking."

He gives a thoughtful hum. "That is never a good thing for you."

A painful grunt follows his chuckle as I elbow him in the gut. I just smile as I lean back into his chest.

"I was just thinking about how the battle has actually done some good in bringing our two races together."

I feel him smile into my head as he kisses the top of it, while we stand and watch the others.

"If I know anything about war, it is how it can bring people together just as much as tear them apart."

"Luckily, war has only brought us together, in more ways than you were hoping for I imagine."

He chuckles. "That it has. I never thought I would be on good enough terms with Thranduil to offer a truce. But, like you said, I would rather keep the peace and not have Aiden growing up in a world full of hate and war."

I smile as I lean back further into Thorin. We stay in silence for a few moments before he speaks up again.

"What you said about you being a seer, that is not true, is it? If you were a seer, I am sure you would have mentioned it before today."

I pause for a moment, wondering what to tell him. I could tell him the truth right now, but I don't want to put a damper on the night, neither do I want to explain fully without the rest of the company being there.

I shake my head. "You are right, it isn't true. But I will not explain tonight. It's too good of a night to be talking about such things. I will explain to everyone tomorrow, I promise."

I feel him nod into my shoulder after a moment of hesitation. I know that he is not the most patient person in the world, but I know he won't speak any further about it tonight.

"Where is Aiden?" I ask as I turn to him.

He smiles as he nods behind us. Turning, I smile as I see him sitting in Bifur's lap, Aiden talking away with the toy maker. As I look closer, I notice that the axe in Bifur's head has finally gone. I watch them both in confusion for a moment, wondering when that happened, that's when I realise that the incident was in a deleted scene of the movie where he, Bofur and Bombur were against a large Orc.

We then join the others and enjoy the night. I can't help smile as I see Thorin looking relaxed for once since we first met. He seems more peaceful, and I guess that with Azog now being dead, along with Smaug, and with him having his home once again, it would make the hardest person feel at ease.

When I see Aiden begin to yawn and rub his eyes – while trying to hide how tired he is – I stand.

"Aiden, say goodnight, it's time for bed."

"Aww! I don't wanna go to bed!" He moans, while snuggling further back into Kili, who had taken the lad from Bifur a while ago.

"No arguing. Bed." I say firmly, while giving a stern look.

Once he sees this, he knows not to disobey, so after saying goodnight to everyone before Thorin takes him into his arms as he leads us through the halls to our quarters. As we walk through the halls, Aiden is talking away to us about how he helped Bombur and Bofur after the conference. I just smile as I listen to him while watching the walls change from rough and broken to suddenly smooth and untouched. It seemed we had walked straight into a new world.

"This is the Royal Quarters," Thorin begins as he sees my confusion. "It seems the dragons touch failed to reach so far. Luckily, many of the living quarters have been fairly untouched also, which should make living more bearable while we start on renovations."

I smile as we walk on, soon coming to a stop at a large wooden door with geometric patterns carved into it, the gold doorknob also had a pattern carved into it, one I recognise as the House of Durin, which is similar to the mark I now bear on my shoulder, except the crown is missing on my shoulder.

"These were the quarters of my father, where my siblings and I spent most of our childhood. I hope these will be acceptable for you until we are married and move into the King's chambers."

I just smile. "Thorin, you could put us in the smallest room possible and I wouldn't care. As long as I have you and Aiden, as well as a nice, soft mattress to sleep on, it doesn't matter to me."

This causes him to smile and chuckle as he opens the door and allows me to step through first. I stop and stare as I look around. I can tell that Dori had made sure the Royal chambers were cleaned up first as the room didn't look as if it had been abandoned for a hundred and seventy years.

The stone floor is spotless and free of dust, the rug looks as though it has been thoroughly beaten as it lays in front of the roaring fire in the fireplace. The armchairs and couch, that are placed in front of the fireplace, while looking as though they could do with being reupholstered, still look fairly comfortable to sit on. Reupholstering can come at a later date, there's too much to focus on right now than to worry about reupholstering furniture.

To the left, across from the living area, is a long mahogany dining table and eight matching chairs. Behind that is a smaller room that holds the kitchen. Looking at the stove, I do worry about using it. Being used to electrical stoves, I am worried about having to use a medieval style stove. . .maybe I could ask Bombur to show me how to use it.

"Mommy! Come look!" I suddenly hear Aiden call out.

Walking out of the kitchen, I don't see him or Thorin in the main room, but hear their voices coming from the stone stairs that are carved into the stone wall. Climbing up them, I find myself in along hall with five doors, three down one side and two on the other. Remembering Thorin talking about his family, I realise each door will lead into the bedrooms of the three then children; Thorin, Frerin and Dis, one leading to the bedroom of Thrain and his wife and the last one to the main bathroom. One of the doors is open, a small light escaping into the hall.

Going to the door that is open, I smile as I see Aiden whizzing from one side of the room to the other, looking at everything, Thorin standing aside grinning at the boy. As I look around the room, I see a single bed placed in the middle of the far wall, a wooden chest at the bottom of it. A bedside table is to the left of it and a wardrobe in the right back corner. In the bottom right corner, next to the small, grated fireplace, is a desk, which are full of books and papers. Across from the desk stands a bookcase.

Thorin smiles as I walk over, wrapping an arm around my waist. "This was my room when I was a child. I told Aiden he can use it until we move into the King's chambers."

I smile and nod before turning to Aiden, who is now looking at the bookcase.

"I do worry that he is too hyped up to go to sleep." I say quietly to Thorin, causing him to chuckle as I turn to Aiden. "Alright, let's get you in bed now."

Aiden spins round to look at me with wide eyes and a pout on his face. "But, I don't wanna go to bed!"

I roll my eyes as I walk over and take his hand. "I know you don't, but it's time for bed. Now come on."

He follows without arguing, though I can hear him grumbling under his breath. Reaching the bed, I take off his coat and outer tunic, leaving him in a thin shirt and his pants. He climbs onto the bed and crawls under the covers, allowing me to cover him with the blanket before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Are you warm enough?" I ask as I tuck the blanket around him.

He nods, a yawn escaping him. "Yes, mommy. Can you sing to me?"

I smile. "Of course I can, my love."

After Thorin and I kiss him goodnight, I proceed to sing Hushabye Mountain to him, which soon sends him off to sleep. I smile as I reach out and brush some hair from his face and kiss his forehead before leaving with Thorin, leaving the door open ajar.

"He is precious." Thorin says softly from behind me.

I smile as I turn to him. "That he is."

Taking my hand into his, Thorin leans down and places a soft, gently kiss upon my lips. I smile as I kiss him back before we pull away.

"I do not know what your customs are for sharing a bed before marriage. But, for dwarves, we do not usually do so until marriage. However, after the battle, I do not think anyone would begrudge us to seek comfort with one another."

"Well, where I am from, it is not uncommon for couples to share a bed together. Depending on who you spoke to, it was frowned upon. But other than that, it's not uncommon at all."

He smiles at me as he moves a strand of hair from my eyes. "Shall we retire to bed then, My Lady?"

I smile back. "Let's, My King."

He leads me to another door where once it's opened, I stare for a moment at how grand it is. A large four poster bed is, like Aiden's, in the middle of the back wall with drapes hanging on each corner. To the left of the bed is a desk and to the right a fireplace at one end and at the other, a dressing table, full of all types of jewels and jewellery, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and a few broaches. There's also a silver, jewel inlaid hairbrush with coarse hair for bristles.

"Those were my mothers." Thorin says as he walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "When she passed, father did not want to throw them away, so he kept them. I know she would want you to have them now."

I turn to him, shock and sorrow clear on my face. "Oh Thorin, I couldn't do that."

He gives me a small reassuring smile. "I insist. After all this time of them not being used, and now there being someone who can, I am sure she would love you to have them."

"What about your sister? Would she not want them?"

"She does not care so much for jewels, having grown up without the finer things she would have had Smaug not come. But, if you would like to give her some, then do so. But for now, take them. It would make me happy."

I look to him and smile as I place a comforting hand on his cheek. "I will, thank you."

He smiles as he turns his face to kiss my palm.

Pulling back, I continue to look around the room and see the wardrobe I missed before, along with a second door. Walking through the door, I find a small private bathroom with a toilet, which is nothing more than a box with a hole in it, a bath and a sink. Not having any proper plumbing is going to be hard to get used to.

Walking back into the bedroom, I smile as I a fire has been lit and Thorin is already laid in bed, with his back against the headboard. I walk around to the other side and taking off my layers until I am just in a shirt and leggings before taking off my boots and getting into the bed beside him. Thorin settles himself further into the bed, wrapping his left arm around my body and pulling me into him. Laying my head on his shoulder, I take his free hand in my own as he runs the other up and down my arm.

Wincing slightly at the gash in my left arm I had forgotten about until now, I squirm a little to get comfortable. He looks down to me, moving back a little.

"Are you alright?" he asks worriedly.

I nod as I finally find a position where I'm not resting on it. "I'm fine. Just getting comfortable."

He nods as he settles down again, holding me closer, but being wary of my arm.

"This is nice. Long have I wished to find peace. Who knew I would find it in a woman of another world?"

I giggle at this. "Believe me, I did not for once imagine I would ever find love and peace again, to find it with you. . .that is something I never imagined at all."

I feel his vibrating with his chuckle. "Here I was thinking I had grown too old for such a thing as romance, yet you come and prove me wrong."

I smile up at him. "There's a saying my grandmother used to tell me; "You're only as old as you feel." If you feel old and frail, then no doubt you will be sitting in a rocking chair while I'm feeding you mush. However, if you feel as young as your Fili and Kili, then nothing can stop you from doing anything in life."

He smiles at me as he kisses my head. "I quite like that saying. And right now, you make me feel like a lovesick teenager, which is a feeling I hope will never die."

Closing my eyes, I cuddle into his side. "It won't. It can only get stronger."

I smile as I feel him gently squeeze me before I let the darkness of sleep take me.

"Mommy?"

I instantly feel myself wake up at the sound of my sons voice sniffling behind me. Opening my eyes, I turn over and see him standing beside the bed the bed and through the little light there is left from the fire, I see tear tracks running down his face.

"Aiden? What's wrong?" I ask as I sit up.

He sniffles as he puts his hands on my knees. "I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you and ada?"

I give him a smile and instead of answering verbally, I pick him up and set him between Thorin and I. Feeling the new weight in the bed, Thorin turns over and wraps an arm around him.

"Are you alright, men inùdoy?"

I smile at him calling Aiden 'my son' as I lay down beside Aiden as he snuggles into Thorin's chest.

"Bad dream."

I see Throin place a kiss on his brow as he holds the boy close. "Sleep now, Aiden. I will keep all your bad dreams away."

I'm smiling, my heart bursting with love as I watch this precious moment. Soon enough, Aiden's breathing evens out and his gentle snores fill the air.

"I was afraid this might happen." I say quietly as I gently rub my hand up and down Aiden's back. "When he was old enough to leave the crib, he would always sleep with me at night."

Thorin smiles in my direction. "Do not worry. He can lay with us as long as he feels is necessary."

I smile back as I settle down, wrapping my arm around the two of them as Thorin's arm also comes around me. I close my eyes once again and that night I dream of what our future could be. It is a future I am excited to see. . .a future I have dreamed off. Love, family and happiness.

Well, there we have it, a nice sweet chapter. I hope you all enjoyed that and hope you are eager for the next chapter, which I will get up as soon as I possibly can. Thank for you your patience, for now, leave you reviews on this chapter and I'll see you all soon xx

Translations;

Mizimelûh – Jewel of all jewels

Amrâlimê – My love

Ada – dad/daddy

Men inùdoy – My son