The next morning dawned with the promise of winter, the lawns of the Shire white with frost. Kaylea sipped at her Dorsai coffee, watching the sunrise. She heard the door open, Thorin had been out looking for a bird to take a message to the ravens.

"This is quite a peaceful spot," Kaylea said, gazing out the window as Thorin slid onto the bench beside the kitchen table. The sun's first rays were just hitting the greenery outside, raising wisps of steam. Beyond the fence was a view of the lake and the inn beyond, at this hour there were only a few villagers moving about.

Thorin nodded, sipping at his coffee. "Except for being surrounded by Hobbits."

Kaylea smiled at him. "Any luck?"

"I found a kestrel out hunting. He seemed to understand."

Just then Tivan appeared, he paused in the doorway, gaping at Kaylea's transformation. He knew the songs that spoke of her great beauty, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality. The grace of the Elves, the nobility of the Men of ancient Numeror, like some goddess of the hunt stepped down to earth. Her hair shone like spun gold in the morning sun, adorned with Dwarven beads and braids.

"You are staring," Thorin told him with a smile. "Would you like some coffee?"

"No, thank you. I prefer tea," Tivan shook off the shock and put the kettle on, nodded at Kaylea. "Please excuse me, though I'm quite sure you are used to it…," he hesitated. "Do I call you 'your majesty'?"

"'My lady' will do," Kaylea said quickly, before Thorin could speak. Though she had been Queen of Erebor for a time, as a lifelong soldier the title had never sat well with her. She watched Tivan move around the kitchen, arranging cups and scones on a tray, thinking he was certainly one of the most attractive Dwarves she had ever seen. He didn't have Thorin's simmering sexuality or crushing charisma, but he was undeniably handsome. He had fine features and lighter bones than most Dwarves, and moved with the easy grace of a stage performer. He didn't look in Thorin's direction, but it was evident from his body language that he was very conscious of being watched. While the kettle was heating he disappeared down the hallway.

"You are going very easy on him," Kaylea commented, poking her husband in the side.

"Perhaps I am getting generous in my old age," Thorin smiled and shook his head. "It has been a very long time since I saw my daughter this happy." He gave her a sideways glance. "But if he breaks her heart there is no place he can hide."

The kettle whistled just as a shadow passed over the window. Thorin and Kaylea looked at each other, and the window darkened again. In seconds they were both out the door searching the sky; a very large bird could be seen circling high above.

"What is it?" Tivan asked. He had followed them outside and was following their gaze.

"I don't know yet," Thorin told him. "In the woods outside Hobbiton there is a footpath just on the other side of the stream that leads to the top of the hill. There is a clearing there, around a group of boulders."

Tivan nodded. "I saw the path."

"Get the Queen and Nain and meet us there." Thorin and Kaylea immediately hopped the fence and headed for the edge of town. As they made their way through the warren of lanes the few Hobbits they encountered hurried inside at the sight of the wolves trotting ahead of them. It took them near half an hour to reach the meadow on the hill. Perched on the boulders was Khrusos, and standing next to him was Lord Elrohir. The eagle hopped down and blinked solemnly at Thorin.

"Greetings, my friend," Thorin said, bowing low. "I am surprised to see you again!"

"Indeed, I did not think we would meet again, but when I got word Lord Elrohir needed to find you quickly, I offered my help. And it was easier to simply bring him along than to try to memorize his message," the eagle replied.

The Elf lord skipped lightly down the rocks to embrace each of them warmly. "I am glad to see you, my friends!" He scrutinized them closely. "You are looking very well, I believe life in the north suits you."

"And you look exactly the same as the first time I met you," Thorin replied with a grin. "What is going on?"

Elrohir took a deep breath. "Events threaten to overtake us. Vidar's army has left the Grey Mountains, but instead of continuing east to the Iron Hills, they suddenly turned south and have laid siege to Erebor."

Thorin's face was dark. "And where is the army of Erebor?"

"With the army of the Iron Hills, marching back to the Lonely Mountain," the Elf lord replied. "But I understand there is much dissention in the ranks, Thror is not sure who they will support when they get there."

"No doubt Vidar's agents have been busy," Kaylea mused. "All this time we thought he had his eye on the Iron Hills, but he was really after a richer prize. And the other armies?"

"The Dwarves of Angmar march to support Erebor, the Lord of Dale is mobilizing his Men, my forces with those of Lorien will be crossing the Anduin as we speak," Elrohir said. "In two days time there will be a second battle for the Lonely Mountain."

"Erebor can withstand a siege for years," Thorin frowned. "Vidar must know this, why abandon his strategy for the Iron Hills? It makes no sense."

"Hubris," Kaylea said with a smile. "He thinks he cannot fail."

"He will discover that he is very wrong," Thorin replied. He turned at the sound of approaching footfalls to see his daughter, with Nain, Tivan and Cray coming across the clearing toward them. They were all staring in amazement, at the tall Elf lord, at the great eagle, at Thorin and Kaylea, who seemed to be more a part of the world that contained such marvels than they were of the tiny world of the Shire.

After introductions were made Elrohir quickly explained what was happening on the other side of the Misty Mountains. Freya listened gravely, then smiled at him when he spoke of the Elves already on the march to the Lonely Mountain.

"You told me you would answer my call, but it appears you did not wait for one," she told him.

Elrohir smiled. "If you prefer, I can I call my people back."

Freya laughed. "We are glad to have your aid, my lord," Nain said. "However, I am concerned about the possible dissent in our army, we must be certain of their loyalty."

"They need their king to rally around," Thorin told him. Nain shifted his feet, looked at his mother. Thorin turned to his daughter, who drew herself up, her face determined. She had cast aside the traveling miner and was once again the Queen of the Iron Hills.

"We will both return to the Iron Hills, but I will be assuming the throne," she said.

Elrohir looked at Nain in surprise. "You will cede the throne to your mother?"

"I am resolved," the prince told him. "I have long been absent from my kingdom. I am not the one to unite my people. Once I wanted the throne, but now I do not wish to give up my private life." Elrohir looked at him curiously, but said nothing.

Thorin regarded his daughter gravely. "You are ready to do this? It is not an easy path you have chosen."

"You will be there to advise me," Freya replied confidently. "And my son, as my right hand."

Kaylea saw Thorin visibly slump, she put a hand on his shoulder as he stepped forward and took Freya's hands in his. The Queen looked from Kaylea to her father in alarm. "Are you not coming with us?"

"This you must do on your own," Thorin took a deep breath. "My part is this is finished."

"Your appearance would certainly make a quick end to the conflict," Nain said earnestly. "Are you certain you will not return to the throne?"

"It is my son's throne to defend now," Thorin said. "It is no longer my life."

Kaylea could see Freya's disappointment, she was visibly fighting back tears. Having just been reunited with her father, it was hard to hear he planned to return to his anonymous life in the north. "Will you not reconsider?" She asked him softly.

"I am a different person now," Thorin told her. "For me, joy is no longer in titles, or wealth, or enduring legacies, it is to be free of those things." He put a hand on his daughter's cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "This is your time, yours and your brother's, and the line of Durin could not be in more capable hands. Make me proud."

After a long moment, Freya turned away from her father. Tivan took her hand, offering a handkerchief to dry her eyes. Kaylea put her arm around Thorin, knowing how hard this parting was going to be for him. She was actually surprised he had refused to go, they had talked about it but she wasn't sure he would really go through with it, especially now with the threat to Erebor. As if sensing her sadness, Thorin's wolf went to Freya, nudging her hand with her nose. Freya smiled, petting Skadi in response, she had not met this wolf before and she had forgotten how human their eyes were. Skadi sniffed at her clothes curiously, then looked a Thorin. He frowned at her, then looked up sharply at his daughter.

"What is it?" Freya asked. "What does she smell?" She looked down into the wolf's yellow eyes and suddenly she was remembering Nain as a baby, rocking him in her arms. Why think of that all of a sudden? She looked back at Skadi, remembering that Kaylea once told her they could put pictures in your mind. Why that picture? Her eyes went wide in realization. "No. It is not possible!"

"Apparently it is," Kaylea said, with a grin. "The noses of wolves are sharp, they can smell even slight changes in your body."

"What changes?" Tivan asked, feeling like he was missing some part of the conversation. Do wolves talk? "What is going on?"

"It appears there is some happy news today, to go along with the bad," Elrohir laughed. "You are to be a father."

Even Thorin smiled at the bard's shocked face. "But that's not possible!" Tivan exclaimed. "Our women don't conceive after their hundredth year!"

"Our women also don't spend time in Rivendell," Thorin told him. "The magic of the Elves lies heavy on that valley. It feels as if the normal rules of Middle Earth are suspended there."

"Yes indeed, I still have no idea how long we were there," Tivan nodded. He took Freya's hands in his, smiling widely at her. "But this! This I never expected! I hope it makes you as happy as it does me, my queen."

Freya smiled back at him, but he could see her joy was tempered by doubt. "Happy news, yes. But it could not have come at a worse time. And I worry I may not be able to carry this child to term, none have ever done it at my age."

"You appear far younger than your years, your majesty," Elrohir said. "You are healthy and strong, do not despair! We have skill and medicines that can ease your pregnancy, I can send my healers to attend to you."

Freya inclined her head, and smiled at Tivan. "You give me hope, my lord."

"Well, this has been a day of revelations," Nain said dryly. "But before we begin celebrating, we need to decide what we are going to do about this news. I assume we will leave for Erebor at once?"

"Yes, we must go now," Freya said. "I wish we could be there in time to ride into Erebor with Lord Elrohir's forces, that would be a dramatic entrance!"

Thorin chuckled softly. "I think we can arrange a more dramatic entrance than that," he looked over at Khrusos, preening his breast feathers unconcernedly.

The rest of morning was spent making preparations to leave. Cray had many contracts to fulfill, so decided to stay behind to pack up their belongings, and he wanted to find a replacement blacksmith for Hobbiton before he left. Thorin and Kaylea had plenty of time to meet their ship to the north, so they spent the time repairing the doorframe Thorin had broken. It was late in the afternoon when they all returned to the hill. They did not have long to wait before Khrusos appeared from the east, with two other eagles. Kaylea stood with the horses, watching as Thorin walked forward with his daughter, Tivan trailing behind them. Nain and Cray hung back, holding hands.

"I look forward to hearing about the great victory you will win," he told her. "Thror knows how to contact me, you must let him know when the baby is born."

Freya blinked at him, opening her mouth to chide him for letting her brother know he was alive while keeping it from her, but stopped herself. "I wish you would come with us," she said at last, her eyes welling with tears.

Thorin stepped forward and hugged her close. It was a long moment before he spoke. "Believe me when I say this is as hard for me as it is for you. But this is how it must be. Go now, and show the Seven Kingdoms the power of a woman on the throne." He turned to Tivan. "Take care of her, Master Bard. She is more precious to me than all the gold in Middle Earth."

Tivan knelt down on one knee, bowing his head. "Your majesty, I have loved your daughter from the moment I first saw her. She is my muse, the sun in my sky, the reason I look forward to every day. I will cherish and care for her as long as there is breath in my body. This I swear."

Thorin smiled at him, motioning for him to stand. "I will hold you to that." Taking his daughter's hand he led them over to where the eagles were waiting. Nain and Cray had been standing apart, embracing each other and talking in low tones. Nain gave his partner a final kiss goodbye and came to join the others, his face streaked with tears. Thorin watched as they settled themselves as best they could on the backs of the eagles.

"Khrusos, my friend, when this is done please consider your debt repaid," Thorin told the bird. "May you fly free with the wind under your wings for many more years!"

"I will," the eagle replied. "Now we must go! We have many miles to cover this night." The birds launched themselves into the air, and flew into the east.

Thorin and Cray stood together watching the birds disappear. "Thank you, your majesty, for not judging your grandson too harshly," Cray said at last. "We are very happy together, it means a lot to Nain to know you do not see any wrong in it."

"Once, I would have," Thorin replied. "But I have learned that true love is a rare thing, and it should always be celebrated." He smiled at his fellow smith. "And you really do not need to call me 'your majesty'. I am no longer a king."

Cray laughed. "You will always be the greatest of the Dwarf kings! And I will always be at your service," he bowed deeply and headed back toward Hobbiton.

Thorin watched him go for a moment before walking to where his wife was waiting. They hugged each other for a long time, neither moving until at last Thorin leaned back, wiping his eyes. "That was the hardest thing I have ever done," he told her. "Your Dorsai training was a lark by comparison."

"I admit, I did not think you would do it," Kaylea smiled at him. "I am so proud of you, my king."

Thorin pressed his forehead to hers. "Would you have come with me, my love?"

"Of course, my king. You know how much I love a good fight," Kaylea smiled at him. "Now, let us ride to meet our ship."

And so it came to pass, armies once again faced each other in the vale before Erebor. Queen Freya and Prince Nain arrived on the backs of eagles to land before the assembled host. The army of the Elves had just appeared on the field, their fine armor shining in the morning sun. The Dwarves of the Iron Hills rejoiced and all the doubts so carefully sewn by Vidar disappeared, like so much dust in the wind. When battle was joined, the Queen lead her men on the field beside her brother. At first the battle was hard-fought and it looked as though Vidar might prevail. Then the gates of the city opened and the might of Erebor came forth, led by Prince Thorin, son of Thror, just as the Dwarves from Angmar arrived from the north. The soldiers of Vidar's army were caught between them and Lord Narn himself cut the pretender down. Before any more blood could be shed Queen Freya came before the armies and pledged that any who wanted to make a new home in the Iron Hills were welcome. At this, many of Vidar's soldiers threw down their weapons. Though they had been persuaded by Vidar's speeches, with their leader gone and fighting their own kin, their hearts were not in it.

Queen Freya ruled many long years, over the greatest prosperity the Iron Hills had ever known, with her handsome consort by her side and her son as chief counselor. Her daughter Enya became Queen after her, and her daughter after that. Never again would they accept a King in the Iron Hills. Less than a year after taking the throne she gave birth to a baby girl, at the unheard of age of one hundred and twenty-three. The girl grew into a great beauty, celebrated throughout all the Seven Kingdoms as the fairest of her race. Taking after her father, she became famous performing on the stage, enchanting all with her ethereal voice as far away as Gondor and Belfalas, and even, it was said, in the secret land of Lothlorien.

By living openly with his partner, Prince Nain began a sea-change in Dwarven society that resulted in a new definition of what was considered normal, a change that many felt had been long overdue.

But that is another story.