A.N. Alas, my friends, we have reached the end of another story. I didn't think I'd feel sad, but I do as I write this. Kinda blows my mind how far this story has come. What had started out as an idea for maybe seven chapters turned into this big adventure. Still, as one door closes, another opens. Not only will I continue to update on "What Dreams May Come," I also have another story in the works. I just can't help myself. It's becoming an addiction. Do they have support groups for that?
ChelseaSW6: I'm so glad my stories, and those of others have been helping. We all need all the comfort we can get these days. While I'm not on Tik Tok, I know so many people who are, and I have been binging on "America's Next Top Model," so my brain has also been much younger. Lol. I hope you and your family are keeping safe and healthy! Thank you for commenting so diligently!
To everyone out there who has seen this story through, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. These stories come from my imagination, and my heart, and it means the world that they may mean something to someone else. I hope you are all staying safe out there, and are able to find some peace and comfort in this crazy world. Farewell for now, and I hope you will take the time to check out some of my other works. Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

In the coming days, Thorin hosted a feast for the successful return of all their people. At the feast, he announced his betrothal to the Lady Danica Braveheart. The people cheered, and excitedly prepared for the festivities. Folk from all over Middle Earth were invited to attend, and it was celebrated by many races for nearly a week. Bilbo came from the Shire, and some of the Mirkwood elves attended, along with the men of Dale. Di̒s' anger abated, and she became one of Danica's closest friends and confidents. She stood beside her sons and watched as, for the first time in history, a human woman was crowned Queen Under the Mountain. After, trade in the north flourished, and the region became strongly united in a way never seen before. Both the King and Queen Under the Mountain were beloved by their subjects, and feared by the enemy.

The queen bore a song not long after the wedding, and the kingdom rejoiced in having another heir. Thrain III became crowned prince, with the full blessing of Fili. He and Kili remained long enough to help stave off some of the orc raids, then traveled back to Ered Luin. They had received word that those who had stayed needed help stabilizing society. Fili was made Lord of the Blue Mountains, and, with the help of his brother, brought that kingdom to unprecedented glory. Dain returned to the Iron Hills, where he strengthened the east against Sauron's growing forces. Eventually, Balin began setting his sights on Moria. He began making plans for an expedition, and asked for Kili to be his heir if he were to recover that homeland.

It was this that weighed on Danica's mind as she looked out over the lush, peaceful valley. Thorin had commissioned a balcony be built for her outside of their quarters, knowing how she craved open air. While mostly hidden from view of others, she had a good view of the world, and there had been enough room within the side of the mountain that it was possibly the largest balcony built. The air had been balmy enough that she had brought the baby's bassinet out, so her newborn could enjoy the stars with her. This little girl was her youngest, and last. Dani had been born barely a year after her brother, and it had taken a toll on Danica's body. She wouldn't be able to have any more children. After having five, she felt sad, but not incredibly so. Three boys; Thrain, Frerin, and Dacin. Two girls; Fioren, and Dani. Both Di̒s and Thorin had been in with all of them, except Dani. They had both been visiting Fili and Kili, and had been on their way back when Danica had suddenly, and unexpectedly gone into labor.

Right away, she'd known something was wrong. There was far too much blood and pain. However, just as she had with Fioren, she'd had a vision as Dani was being born about all of them happy and healthy. Apparently, the Sight passed through only the females. Besides the times she was pregnant, and having her girls, she hadn't had any more visions. In Dani's vision, not only had she seen them all happy and healthy, she had also seen death and darkness in Moria. Over the past couple of months, she had kept it to herself, not wanting to extinguish everyone's hope and excitement. Unfortunately, she knew she had to at least tell Thorin. His overprotectiveness had gotten better recently. It had reached an all-time high when he'd returned to find her nearly dead, with their baby girl being taken care of by a wet nurse because she was too weak to do it herself.

"Danica?"

Speak of the king, himself. Smiling, Danica turned and held a hand out to him. He took it, joining her while looking down at their sleeping daughter. Unlike all their other children, she'd been born with her mother's lighter hair, and grey eyes.

"Are you alright out here?" he asked softly, trying not to wake her.

"Don't worry. I am feeling much better, and the healers said I can start taking very short walks. Di̒s took Dacin for the night, since he was being a little demon. She figured since she had raised two, she could handle one,"

Thorin chuckled. "That child is about ten of my nephews. Thank goodness Thrain and Frerin are good at entertaining him,"

"At least someone is," Danica sighed, but felt a rush of affection. Truth be told, his antics made her smile more often than not. Thus far, their only level-headed child was Thrain. He took so much after his father. Looking down at Dani, she wondered if she would be another. Even as a baby, she was sweet, quiet, and rarely fussed. So different from the other four.

Thorin tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. With pregnancy and childbirth, her hair had become thick and unmanageable, so she kept it in a braid more often than not.

"What is troubling you?" he asked gently. "You seemed ill at ease when I found you,"

"Remember when I was pregnant with Fioren, and was having those dreams? Then, the vision of Thrain as king while I was giving birth?"

He nodded. "You had some with Dani as well. Did you have a vision while you were giving birth to her?"

She looked down at their daughter, so small and perfect. "It must have been because I was weaker, and therefore more susceptible, but it was stronger, and I saw more. I saw all of us, happy and healthy in a few years. Each one of our children as beautiful as the next. But there was darkness as well. The same darkness we have seen slowly spreading for the past few years. It seeped throughout the north, and into the Misty Mountains,"

"Moria," Thorin sighed, understanding. "We have all been wary, given what has happened there in the past. Yet, I do not think Balin will be swayed, and now there are many who would go with him. Did you see their fates?"

"No. Just darkness," and it terrified her, but she knew he was right, and no one would listen to the vision of a woman who was delirious and near death. "Do you think Kili would heed me though? Stay in the Blue Mountains?"

Thorin looked out to the valley. "Fili has already told me that Kili does not wish to be Lord of any kingdom. He was already planning on visiting soon to personally give Balin his thanks, and refusal,"

Danica's shoulders dropped with relief. "Good. One less thing on my mind," head suddenly feeling light, she had Thorin carry Dani's bassinet back into their room, and laid back down. Once Dani was settled, he joined Danica in bed. As he had done so many nights before, he stroked her arm, and kissed down her neck, as if comforting himself with the presence of her pulse.

"There was one more thing I saw," Danica said, turning her head so she could look in his eyes. "We will never again be parted. Not even by death. When it is our time, when we are old and grey, we will be laying where we are now, and draw our last together,"

He looked back at her, just gazing into her eyes for a time. Then, he kissed her softly on the lips. "'Not even death,'" he repeated. "I believe we can work with that. And when we reach Mahal's door, if he will not allow you to enter, then I will not enter,"

Danica laughed. "Then we will wander together forever,"

"I do not believe that will be necessary. For all you have done for Mahal's children, he would surely allow you to rest with us,"

"So long as I am with you, I won't care,"

He gathered her into his arms, holding tight. "I love you. Thank you for this life you have given me,"

She kissed his jaw. "I love you too, but it is you who have given life to me. From the very beginning, before we met. One day, perhaps our girls will have some visions of it, and will see how much their mother and father were destined to be together,"

"We will tell them," he gave a small moan when she skimmed her fingers over his back. "When did the healers say you would be well again?"

She laughed. "If we take it easy, we can- "

Thorin's hands were careful, but his lips were not. "I have waited long enough, and feel I will die if I do not have you,"

"Well, we can't have you proving my vision wrong," Danica answered wryly. "Remember; not even death,"

"Not even death," and he continued to show her just how alive they still were.

P.S. Thank you all so much! I love you all, and am eternally grateful.