ReForged

by jezzibee83

Reforged is about second chances, new life, and lost love. Journey through middle earth from the perspective of the Durin's. Given a second chance, the sons of Durin and our treasured Tauriel are sent back two years before the battle of five armies, only having the knowledge they died. Is it enough to change the future? Will they be able to save what was lost? Can life be reforged?

25. Chapter Twenty-Four

Authors Note: Alright. Forewarning…much of the lore in here is of my own making, not really cannon with the movie or book. I will explain more at the end of the chapter. Just…FYI. See ya in a bit :D

Chapter Twenty-Four

Dawn was lighting the sky when the small craft hit the shores. Chaos, crying, and yells filling the new day as they climbed from the boat to join the throng of Lake City residences searching for surviving friends and loved ones.

"We need to find Da." Sigrid stood looking all around her, Tilda's hand firmly in hers.

"We will go with you." Tauriel volunteered, Kili by her side staff in hand nodding in agreement. Oin went directly to help the injured as Naurfaer, Fili, and Bofur helped others still coming in onto shore, some in boats others from the icy water itself.

Weaving through masses of panic and fear, Tauriel, Kili, and the children searched each face. Once or twice they were stopped, usually by someone needing help they could provide. Tauriel even supplying quick medical aid for anyone within her reach on their path.

"You! Dwarf! You put this on us. This is your fault! Get him! Take him down!" Tauriel's eyes lifted from the old woman she was bandaging to one of the men advancing on Kili. She watched Kili pushing the two children behind him, his hand gripping his staff as he stood as tall as he could and despite the obvious height difference, stared down the man approaching him.

She tied off the bandage asking if the woman needed anything further and stood to cross the few feet between herself and her husband. Her hands going instantly to her twin blades at her back, unsheathing them in one, smooth, pull. Nobody threatened her Kili. Just as the man was stepping up to Kili, Tauriel stepped between them, her blades flashing menacingly in the light of the rising sun, her body tense as she turned her blazing green eyes on the man.

"I suggest you step away, unless you have a death wish, Alfred." It was the woman in the boat who had taken the two guards. She was passing out dry clothing to anyone in need.

"You let a woman fight your battles dwarf?" Kili's face darkened dangerously from behind Tauriel.

"Funny coming from someone who wet himself when he heard Bard was looking for him." The woman snickered.

"I would close your mouth woman." He threatened.

"You don't have any power over me, you worthless sack of meat." She stepped up close, her face inches from Alfred's.

"I am the masters deputy. In the absence of the master, I am in charge and I say we take that dwarf out!" Tauriel growled, her hands gripping her blades as she stepped forward.

"Over my dead body will I take orders from a sniveling rat like you." The woman spat back. "That can be arranged." Alfred threatened.

"You touch her, and I will make sure it is over your dead body." Tauriel snarled, weapons at the ready.

"I wouldn't go turning on your own Alfred. Not now." Tauriel relaxed her stance, lowering her blades to her sides as Bard grabbed Alfred from behind spinning him away from Tauriel and the woman. Bain stuck his foot our just in time for Alfred to trip and fall flat on the ground.

"DA!" Both children ran from around Kili, Bard opening his arms to engulf his children, holding them close."Thank you both for saving them. It is a debt I cannot repay." Kili and Tauriel nodded, Tauriel putting her blades away and grabbing Kili's hand in her own. She looked at the respected man of Lake Town who in reality saved all their lives.

"These people respect you. Looks like you may be the new master, Bard the dragon slayer." The man only sighed. "It is not what I want." He finally responded.

"What you want or not, these people need a leader they can trust, who has their best interests in mind. Seems to me, you are just the person and I can think of no better." Kili added. Bard looked down at the dwarf before him. "I will do what I can to help."

Kili gave him a small smile "Sometimes that is all it takes."

"What is going to happen, where will you go?" Bard turned to the red headed elf then looked around at the people.

"The town is gone. There is nothing to go back to there. Thorin promised us gold, we will collect on his promise and rebuild."

"What about the city of Dale? Is it not your birthright? Perhaps rebuilding should take place there." Kili suggested. Bard seemed to contemplate this for a moment.

"I cannot make that decision, but I will bring it up with the people."

"We will go now then and tell Thorin you will be coming. I do not know of the state of…" He stopped for a moment, looking from Bard to the mountain, Bard seeming to understand and thanked them before turning to tend to his children and the people around him.

"Kili, what gold?" Tauriel muttered as they made their way back to the others.

Kili refused to look at her, his eyes darkening and his lips set in a tight line. He was angry about something and whatever it was, his being radiated anger. "Kili?" She tried, but he kept walking, limping as he leaned against the staff.

"Kili, Tauriel. We need to go. What happened?" Fili was looking at his brother who just walked past him and began helping push a boat into the water. He turned to Tauriel who shrugged. "Bard mentioned gold, I asked about it." Fili nodded. "We will tell you about it on the way, we really need to leave though, it will already take us several days to get to Erebor."

"Tauriel!" Tauriel whipped around towards the voice, her hair flying behind her as she saw Legolas come towards their group.

"Legolas! You are unharmed?"

"Yes. I have news you may want to hear." Tauriel looked back at Fili then at Kili and the others getting the boat in the water. Fili seemed interested in the information so she nodded to her friend and he continued. "The orcs that attacked are unlike any orcs we have seen, they bare a mark. The mark of Gundabad."

"Gundabad?" Tauriel questioned as Kili and Naurfaer stepped to her side having caught the end of what Legolas had just revealed.

"Gundabad Mountain. A stronghold which has a long history of switching hands between dwarves and orcs" Naurfaer responded bitterly. "Last I heard it was cleansed. Do you know otherwise?"

"I know not. But I have my suspicions. I will ride to the mountain and see what I can find out."

"What does your father think of this plan?" Naurfaer asked, giving the elven prince an imploring look.

"My father only seems to care about white gems and closed borders. If he does not wish to see the problems of this world, then it falls to me to do so for him." Naurfaer looked impressed, nodding in agreement. "You may yet be well on your way to making a good king, young Legolas."

"I need to leave. If I find anything, I will try to get a message to you." He was turning from them when Tauriel called out "Be careful." He turned back to her, giving her a soft smile before speeding off into the distance towards his white mare at the edge of the forest. Tauriel hoped he would be okay, giving his shrinking form one last look before allowing herself to be pulled towards the boat which would take them over the lake towards the path to the ruins of Dale and Erebor.

It only took the four Dwarrow and two elves just under an hour to row the small boat to the shore abutting the road they needed. Kili called out happily as two horses met them as they climbed from the boat.

"Maryn. You clever girl!" He stroked her long nose as she pranced in place excitedly. Galaddal lowering his head for Tauriel to pat affectionately. "I told you they would be fine, did I not?" She smirked, Kili just shrugged hand still stroking Maryn's nose.

"Tha' will speed things up a bit. Lad, with tha' leg, ridin' would be best for yeh." Kili grumbled at Oin, but did not argue. He hated the thought he would be the one slowing their progress down. With Maryn, he at least could take rests as needed.

"It will likely take us several days to reach the mountain, even if everyone was in top condition. It would be wise for each one of us to take turns riding." Fili suggested, everyone agreeing. Tauriel smiled, knowing part of the reason Fili had even suggested it was for Kili. Kili hated the idea of being weak, even when she told him he was not weak, he was healing. Still, Kili would ignore her assurances and push himself, slowing the progress of his healing. It was a regular argument between her stubborn Dwarrow and really everyone else. Except Naurfaer. Naurfaer would shrug and say it was Kili's choice to be stubborn and stupid. If he wanted to give himself an infection and lose his leg, his body was his own to do so. Astonishingly, his response would trigger Kili to sit down and rest.

"I raised a daughter nearly as stubborn as him. I know a few tricks." Naurfaer would laugh in passing as Tauriel would gape at her now resting husband and the retreating Naurfaer.

"You coming, Amralime?" Tauriel was shaken from her musings, looking at the group staring at her, a few with concerned looks.

"You aren't seeing something little sister, are you?" Fili was looking at her with concern having come to stand at her side, Kili at some point had climbed up on Maryn was also giving her an apprehensive look.

"No, no. Nothing like what you think. I was just lost in a memory, that is all." She gave each a smile before climbing up behind Kili, allowing Galaddal to be free for anyone needing him. She wrapped her arms firmly around her husband, leaning into his weight, and waited patiently for everyone to continue on. Oin and Bofur opting to take first chance at riding and Fili and Naurfaer to lead the group on their long, but final, trek to the mountain ahead.

"Tell me everything that is going on. I need to know what we are walking into." The group had taken camp for the evening, everyone was sitting around the fire as Tauriel turned to her dwarrow companions.

"We only know what led up to our separation in Lake town. Thorin promised the master of the town gold enough to sway them in allowing the company to leave and continue the quest."

"Aye, an I believe tha' the people will be commin' soon enough to collect." Bofur handed out some bread, they really did not have much in the way of provision having left in the hurry that they did. Bofur was clever enough to stash some food away for their journey, should they make it through the dragon.

"As they should. They have lost enough, and in many ways by our hands. We woke the dragon, whether it was us physically or our company in general." Tauriel munched on the bread looking to the outline of the mountain looming ahead then back to Bofur who was nodding slowly in agreement. Oin seemed to have his own opinion.

"Tha' bein true lass, but they were livin' on borrowed time. Someone at some point would 'ave come for the mountain, and the wealth within'. We can no take all the blame, but true as fire, we are responsible and 'ave a debt to pay. Thorin will be true to 'is word."

There was a quiet, uncomfortable silence that overtook the company. Neither Fili or Kili seemed to believe Oin, and Tauriel's ability to read them so well confirmed her fears. Thorin was not himself. "Is it really so bad?" She whispered to Fili beside her. Fili looked at Kili who was staring darkly into the fire, then nodded. Tauriel reached over, tugging Kili's arm until his hand opened so she could slip hers into it, lacing their fingers.

"We will get him back." She turned to Fili "Together. We can get him back." They could not lose hope. Not yet. She promised Thorin in Rivendell they would help him, and help him they will. She lay her head on Kili's shoulder, smiling when he rested his own against hers, and staired into their small fire.

"Forgive me for being on the outside of all this. But. Does someone care to explain what you are speaking of?" Tauriel kept forgetting Naurfaer had joined them after Thorin had left. She remained silent, unsure of what to say, how much to say, and how to word it without turning Thorin into a villain or lost a cause. Part of her was afraid Naurfaer would deem Thorin as unsavable and would then warn the same of her husband and brother. It is considered a family illness. She tightened her grip on Kili's hand and looked at Fili. She did not care what she had to do, she would never leave them. Ever.

"There is a sickness. In the line of Durin which goes back to Thror." She was saved from having to begin from Fili, who spoke quietly, eyes not leaving the fire. "They say it came on suddenly with Thror upon finding the Arkenstone. He was driven mad with lust for gold, jewels, gems, and power. Thrain, his son and our grandfather also went mad upon Thror's death. He disappeared after battle, presumed dead though uncle has mentioned reports of sightings, all so far have been false." Fili lifted his eyes to Naurfaer who was studying both Kili and Fili intently. Tauriel did not like that she could not read his look. She squeezed Kili's hand tightly. More for herself, but to also let him know she was there and not going anywhere. She felt the whisper of a kiss on her head but otherwise, he remained still.

"Aye. Some say it be a curse on the line." Oin sighed, looking at Kili and Fili apologetically, though neither moved or seemed bothered at the statement.

Tauriel placed her free hand over her stomach, wondering for the first time if Fili and Kili were safe from the curse, the sickness, or if it will one day wrack their minds as well. Her heart broke just imagining her rock, her Kili, the brave, kind, silly, dwarrow she fell in love with twice, fighting an illness none could see or treat. What about their children, would they too be subjected to such a fate?

"I am so sorry Amralime." As if sensing her fears and concerns, Kili looked down at his lap, his hand beginning to slip from hers.

"Don't Kili. Do not even think about apologizing. This is not your fault. I swear we will get through this, all of us, as a family." She tried to look into his eyes, but his head had turned from hers so she lifted her hand from her stomach and placed it on his opposite cheek, turning him towards her so their eyes could meet. "Kili, you, Fili, Dis, Thorin, none of you did anything to bring this on. It is an illness, and illnesses can be cured. We will find a way.'" He looked at her and nodded softly, allowing her fingers to tighten around his once again.

"You said this came on with Thror? Is there a history beyond that?" Naurfaer asked, turning the attention away from the royal trio.

"No. I do no remember there ever bein' word of illness beside Thror and 'is descendants." Oin, as the eldest member of their small group, was the only one who could answer. "I do not thin' I 'eard or read anythin' in the records of such a thin' either." He pondered.

"Now that, is interesting." Naurfaer sat back, his own mind turning. "Did you say it started when this, Arkenstone, was found?"

"Ya aven't 'eard of the Arkenstone?" Surprised, Bofur sat forward, staring at the elf. Most have at least heard tales of the famous jewel of the Dwarrows in Erebor, specifically the king. Even Elrond and Thranduil knew of the stone.

"Now that, I did not say." Naurfaer looked pensively at the fire. "I am afraid I know very little of this stone, having never seen it personally. Only that it was prized above all else to those of your race, the kings jewel, specifically for he that rules Erebor, high king of the dwarves in many ways and gives him the power to call upon the other dwarven kingdoms if my memory serves correctly. Not sure why its such a big deal if it is just a gem. Seems your lineage would be enough to do all that without some stone to prove it. Line of Durin, that is powerful on its own. No trinket needed." He pulled out one of his blades and began inspecting it, his hands seeming to need something to do.

Fili eyed the blade enviously. He still had one of Tauriel's daggers as she straight up refuses to take it back until he had other means of weaponry. Kili too had one of her longer twin blades she had passed him after the slight altercation with Alfred on the shores following the desolation of Smaug. She said she would not have either her husband or brother without means to fight or protecting themselves.

Seeing Fili's interest. Naurfaer passed him the blade, Fili turning it in his hands as he eyed the curved shape not much longer than Tauriel's knives she typically had strapped to her back. Naurfaer looked thoughtfully at the blade in Fili's hands "It seems coincidental that the madness seemed to appear around the same time the stone did."

Kili looked up at Naurfaer, who was still watching Fili inspect his blade. "Are you suggesting the stone has something to do with this? The madness that is?"

"Madness?" Naurfaer turned to the younger prince. "Is that what it shows itself as?"

"Madness is a type of sickness, is it no'?" Oin suggested. Naurfaer nodded in understanding then sat back against the stone behind him.

"I can't say. I have never laid eyes on it. Most likely it is nothing but a pretty gem." He smiled when Fili had turned the hilt towards his face, seeming to try and puzzle something out. "Is it missing an end piece?" Naurfaer put his hand out, silently requesting the blade to be passed back to him, before inspecting the blade itself.

"Sometimes, things are as they seem. A stone could just be what it is, polished and cut to shine and sparkle. A way to draw attention to the wielder and set them apart, to show off and make them feel ornamented and important, the envy of others. However, in my travels I have learned not to judge things on appearances. Sometimes it takes the right eye to see what others do not." He pulled a second blade seemingly out of nowhere, Fili's eyes lighting up at the impressive feat, then widen even more as Naurfaer turned the hilts towards each other and locked them together with a soft click. Turning the two blades into one impressive weapon which, Tauriel thought, looked as if it could be devastating in the right hands.

"Mahal, that is beautiful. Mithril?" Fili gushed, his hand reaching almost reverently on its own accord for the blade which Naurfaer happily passed to the practically drooling blonde prince, nodding at his assessment.

"Have you seen an object, which could ensnare the mind?" Kili asked, his voice almost hopeful. Naurfaer's eyes darkened in a way Tauriel had yet to see. He looked directly at the prince.

"I have seen a simple ring bring utter destruction to all who held it and even more so when it was with its creator. Some objects are not to be taken lightly."

"Surely, no one 'as the power to do tha' now. It be a lost art, tha' sort of thing. Like elven and dwarven magic. Los' to the ages it is." All eyes turned to the hatted Dwarrow then back to the elf who was unlocking the blades Fili had passed back, albeit reluctantly.

"Do not be fooled into thinking that such things are completely gone. Rare, yes. Gone. No." His cryptic words causing everyone to look down in consideration. Nobody said another word the remainder of the evening, and dawn had the company up and moving once again.

It took five days to make it to the outskirts of Dale and another day for them to reach the city itself. Each one, Naurfaer included, reverently eyeing the decimated city as they passed through the broken streets and crumbling buildings. If Bard truly had a mind to come here, Tauriel thought as she looked sadly at the melted stone, he would indeed have much work to do.

"There it is! I see the gate!" Fili called out, his excitement clear as they exited the city. Tauriel smiled at the celebrating Dwarrow around her. Naurfaer was looking in wonder at the mountain, and she could not contain her laugh as Kili kicked Maryn into a faster canter, Tauriel having to hold on tighter from her seat just behind him. Fili was calling out angerly as he and the others jogged to keep up. Galaddal following unridden behind the group.

Tauriel jumped down as they hit the massive and open entrance gate into the mountain. It seemed completely void of all life, and cold. The empty kind of cold. Nothing like Ered Luin's natural warm halls filled with dwarrow, smells of food, and the constant noise of daily living. This, however, felt as if she was entering a tomb. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the truthfulness of her assessment. Many died here, and she is sure many remain. She hoped she did not come upon evidence of that anytime soon. She had grabbed onto both Galaddal's and Maryn's reins, guiding the horses into the great open hall. Kili, Fili, and the others looking around at the destruction caused by the dragon. It did not bode well for their company, Tauriel lamented.

"Hello!" Kili called out, Fili looking into the dark halls for signs of life. Tauriel tied the horses loosely to one of the standing columns and stepped up beside Kili who had given up on his walking stick a few days ago. Leaving it behind, to Tauriel's utter annoyance, claiming he felt well enough to walk without it and besides, he was riding a horse anyway. He did not want to carry it about any longer. She had observed he was walking better, and he did have Maryn. So, she let it go. When you are married to a descendant of Durin, you must learn to pick your battles. Something she was really not good at yet.

"Bombur…Bifur!" Bofur called, his voice like Kili's before echoing through the mountain entrance. They looked at each other and began running through the destruction further into the mountain. Going up stairs still calling out for anyone in their company.

"WAIT!...STOP!"

Tauriel could not believe it. Bilbo! He was alive. The halfling all but ran to the company. "You must.." He began then his eyes went wide when he spotted her. "Tauriel! You are alive! How?" She smiled and pulled the hobbit in for a hug. She missed him. It pleased her to see he seemed well, if not a bit out of sorts. Pulling away, she watched as his eyes went towards the other elf.

"Forgive me, but who are you?" Naurfaer was about to answer but the hobbit interrupted him. "You know what. It does not matter. We need to leave. We all need to leave."

"But we only jus' got 'ere." Bofur argued, clearly surprised at the hobbits vehemence that they go, and now.

"I have tried talking to him, but he won't listen." Oin tried to get the hobbit to clarify what he was talking about, and they all stiffened when Bilbo rushed out "Thorin. Thorin. He has been down there for days. He refuses to eat. Refuses to sleep. There is something about this place. It's making him sick or ill or or or, I do not know. But we cannot stay. We are not safe here."

Fili, Kili, and Tauriel looked from one to another. "The others?" They asked. "They are fine, or, well, as fine as they could be."

Fili was turning away from Bilbo, eyeing the stairs before slowly walking past the group, picking up speed as he began to run down into the depths of the mountain.

"FILI!" Bilbo called, trying to stop him. The others hot on the hobbits trail as the group rushed after the blond prince.

"Kili look." Tauriel pointed out as they raced down the stairs, Kili only stumbling slightly. She pointed to a massive entranceway that seemed to shine with a golden glow. It must have been what caught Fili's attention. Kili looked worriedly at his wife but said nothing as they chased after their brother through the door into what seemed like an endless hall.

"Oh my." Tauriel mumbled in awe from her place behind the dwarrows. Fili and Kili seemed to be as lost for words as Bofur and Oin as they all gazed out on piles of gold, gems, and jewels without number. Tauriel could not even fathom a guess at how high it was stacked either as it looked as if the room was several stories deep. "This does not bode well." She looked up at Naurfaer who seemed to be looking off into the distance.

"Gold. Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief." Tears filled Tauriel's eyes, tears of pain and deep sadness as she heard Thorin's voice echo through the gold laden hall. She may know that voice, but she did not recognize it and it broke her heart. She looked up to Naurfaer who was staring intently at the hobbit, not even giving the advancing dwarven king a momentary glance. She turned back to Thorin who had eyes only for the gold around him until he spotted the dwarrows at the entrance.

"Behold. The great treasure hoard of Thror." Tauriel watched as he threw something straight at them, Fili easily catching whatever it was as Thorin put his hand to his chest. Fili opened his hand to reveal a palm sized emerald, shining with the reflection of the gold filled hall.

"Welcome. My sister's sons to the kingdom of Erebor."

Thorin walked forward, stopping only when he was a small distance from the raised entrance they had entered through and Tauriel went to step forward, but stopped when a hand landed firmly on her shoulder. She turned to Naurfaer who was shaking his head at her, silently telling her to stop but she shook off his hand and stepped between Kili and Bofur, the movement catching Thorin's attention.

"What sorcery is this." He growled out, his entire demeaner darkening further.

"It is no sorcery, Thorin. Only me. Tauriel. Do not you see me?" She went to descend the stairs to get closer, but Kili grabbed her wrist tightly, keeping her firmly in place. She could feel his hand trembling, even as it held her wrist.

"Tauriel is dead." He snarled.

"I am not. I was saved by another and have been trying to get back to you and the company ever since. I only came across Kili and Fili in Lake Town not hours after you left. Truly, Thorin. It is me."

"No. I will not allow such DECEPTIONS to fill my mind." He lifted his eyes further, now seeing Naurfaer, and let out a roar of anger. "Elves! I will not have elves taint my halls! This is Thranduil's tricks! He seeks my gems. He seeks to take that which is MINE!" Thorin ran at the group, drawing his sword. The group had no choice but to either take up arms, or run. Since none wanted to hurt Thorin, they all turned and made for the way they came, running fast from the dwarven king who was quickly gaining on them.

"He is mad. You were not wrong!" Naurfaer called as they leapt up stairs. "I wish we were." Fili called back through heaving breaths. Kili caught Tauriel as she slipped on a stair, dizziness beginning to fill her as spots were forming in her vision. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as her lungs attempted to keep up with the gasps of oxygen she was trying to fill them with. Her body was rebelling, having had little food or water as they spent the last week trekking across plains, only adding to the stress on her body from fleeing a fire breathing dragon just before that. All combined with pregnancy, gave a potent mix for biological disaster, even for a more resilient elf. They were running through one of the massive halls at the top of the stairs when she finally gave up. She could not run much longer. Instead, she dropped Kili's hand and abruptly turned to face the oncoming Thorin Oakenshield.

"AMRALIME! NO!" Kili cried as he took out Tauriel's blade. Uncle or no, he would protect his wife and their unborn child. Fili skidded to a halt ahead when her heard Kili's cry, pulling the dagger he yelled to Bilbo "Go! Get help!...QUICKLY!" Not waiting for an answer, he turned to run back towards his brother and Tauriel. Naurfaer watched the scene for a moment, but to Bilbo's surprise, followed him closely as they ran towards the others in the company, both sliding around corners in their haste.

They flew through a final doorway after what felt like hours of running. "Help! We need help!" Bilbo called even before they cleared the frame.

"What is it laddie?" Gloin was leaning against the wall but pushed off as soon as the flustered hobbit came screeching to a halt in the large room.

"Thorin…it's Thorin." Bilbo tried to get out through great gasps of air, but the room fell into a flurry as the dwarves in the room set their eyes on Naurfaer.

"Oi! What's an elf doing 'ere?!" Nori called, stepping forward threateningly.

"I came with Fili, Kili, and Tauriel, but there is not time. Your king is nearly lost but I think I can help. Before I can, I need to know. Did Thorin exhibit any of these signs of this madness before getting near this mountain?" No one was answering and Naurfaer was getting frustrated.

"Lives are on the line, I need to know and NOW!"

"Wait. Did you say Tauriel? The lass is alive?" Eyes turned to Balin as he came to stand before the elf.

"Yes. But nor for much longer. Now.." He clenched his teeth staring at the white haired Dwarrow "Did. He. Have. Symptoms."

"No. None at all in Ered Luin. None until we got close to Erebor." Naurfaer nodded, releasing a breath, his mind making the final connection.

"Thorin is attacking his nephews and niece. He thinks them to be falsities and he will kill them. I can see it in his eyes. They need help." There was a shuffling of feet in the room at Bilbo's news.

"Where are they." Bilbo turned to Dwalin, who was clutching an axe in his hand. "The large hall. I will show you."

"No!" Naurfaer called out. "I need you here for a moment. Follow the stairs, you will hear them before you see them. Hurt no one, including Thorin if you can." The large dwarf nodded and ran from the room, Nori, Dori, Gloin, and Bifur hot on his trail.

"You said you can help lad. What can you do?" Looking directly at the Hobbit, Naurfaer answered the old dwarrow. "This may be a long-shot, but I believe his madness is stemming from that which you call the Arkenstone."

"The Arkenstone?" Naurfaer looked to the largest dwarf he had ever seen, roundest, he amended. "The Arkenstone is lost. Thorin has us searching day and night. We only stopped just before you came in here." The elf turned his eyes to the hobbit, ignoring the round dwarf and stepping forward straight up to the halfling, the others in the room looking confused at the action.

"Bilbo. I believe your intentions are true. But destroying it may be the only thing to bring him back and save lives."

"What. Destroy the Arkenstone? Mahal's forge and fire. Even if we had the stone, it is but a gem and nothing more. How would downing such a thing stave off madness in their line?" Valor these dwarves are frustrating. They have no time for this. He turned from Bilbo to address Balin.

"I can't guarantee that it will help anything. But I do believe it is the source." He turned back to Bilbo who was shifting from one bare foot to the next, before looking up into his eyes.

"You think it will help?"

"I pray it will." He responded. Bilbo nodded. A gasp range around the room as Bilbo pulled a brightly lit stone, previously hidden by layers of tunics and vests. "Bilbo, you had it this whole time laddie?" Bilbo blushed, looking down before nodding at Balin.

"I…I was afraid him having it would make him worse."

"Aye, and I think it would have. You did a good thing lad. We do not blame you."

Naurfaer ignored the old dwarf and the hobbit, his eyes going to the stone as he reached to take it into his hands.

"We are in more trouble than we think. Do you not know what this is?" Everyone in the room, including the young dwarf in the back who has been silent the entire time remained unmoving as he looked into the stone.

Naurfaer reached into his bag and pulled a nearly identical stone, only slightly larger and not glowing. Everyone looked on, looking from stone to stone. "This is the heart of a stone giant, or heartstone for short." Recognition filled their eyes. "The thunder giants? From the cliffs? From where Tauri…" Naurfaer nodded quickly to the young dwarf who spoke for the first time.

"Yes. The same. I pulled this out of a dead one just before pulling Tauriel from where she was nearly crushed. They normally look just like this. Clear. No light. They are priceless and when cut, form the clearest gems anyone has ever seen. This." He indicated to the Arkenstone "Is tainted." He finished darkly.

"Tainted. How?"

Naurfaer sighed. He turned his green eyes to Balin whose eyes had not left the stone. "The hearts are taken from dead giants, and dead giants only. They are clear because they no longer contain life. These stones only glow when they are removed from a giant who is still living. It kills the giant immediately but captures the fae, the living spirit if you will, within them." The elf looked at the other dwarrows, his heart heavy with the implications of what he was about to say.

"A glowing heart has powers. Deep magic only few can access. It is not good magic, it is a type of blood magic in many ways, dark and relentless. With the right skills and abilities, one could access the fae. Finding it in your mountain was no mere coincidence. It was placed here." Protest filled the room, but Balin was looking down, his eyes closed as he was shaking his head.

"With access to the magic. The stone can be triggered to link to a bloodline, turning them dark and clouding their minds, filling their thoughts with poison. They will be everything they normally are not, paranoid, angry, lustful, and dangerous. It is forbidden for all races, to take the heart of a living stone giant. Whomever did this, had one thing in mind. Destroy the bloodline and if my thoughts are on the right path, take this mountain. Did you not think it odd Thorin only grew mad the closer he got to the mountain? Or how it only was his line it affected and none other?"

"Great Mahal." Balin fell to the chair beside him, his legs giving out. "What can we do?" He gasped.

"We have to destroy it." They all nodded in agreement. "How?" Balin asked, standing.

"With this." Naurfaer pulled his blade from his side. "Mithril!" Balin stammered, looking at the blade with wide eyes. Naurfaer nodded. "It is the only thing strong enough to pierce the stone. I hope, in doing so, will release the fae and the magic within."

"You hope?" Naurfaer looked at Balin.

"Hope is all I can do. It has embedded itself deep into Thorin's mind. I cannot promise or guarantee he will be staved from the madness, or that he will survive."

There was a moment of silence, but finally Balin nodded. "Do it."

"Thorin! This is not you!" Tauriel was standing her ground, flanked by Fili and Kili who had Bofur and Oin on their side. Each clutching one of the makeshift weapons they had from Bard's house.

Thorin growled. Both of his hands on his large, dwarven, blade as he paced like a lion eyeing his pray.

"Uncle. Please. Don't do this." Fili tried, but to no avail. They barely had time to move when Thorin lunged forward, Fili and Kili lifting their blades as Tauriel quickly rolled away, pulling her weapon only when she realized there was no other way. They would be fighting the dwarven king. Her mind rebelled at the thought, she has come to love this dwarrow as her own father. A tear escaped her eyes, as she jumped into battle.

Even with five against one, Thorin was able to stay ahead of everyone. He took Bofur out first, swinging his sword so hard it broke the weapon in Bofur's hand in half, the hatted dwarrow jumping back just in time as the sword came down a second time directly where he once stood. Oin too was shoved so hard against a wall he was knocked clean out.

Fili, Kili, and Tauriel circled Thorin. Continuously trying to call to their uncle, trying to get him back. But he only swung harder, never tiring. "It's the illness! It is somehow affecting his abilities and making him stronger!" Fili yelled out to the others just as Thorin managed to knock Tauriel's blade from her hand as she tried to push him away. Fili made the mistake of looking away from the raging dwarf who stumbled where he stood and righted himself glaring darkly at them then to looked to the stone ground.

"FILI WATCH OUT!" Tauriel screamed, but it was too late. Thorin had picked up Oin's discarded weapon and threw it, hitting Fili hard in the chest and shoving the blond heir against a column where a stone was knocked loose and fell onto him, knocking him unconscious.

"FILI! What have you DONE?!" Kili roared lunging straight for the dwarven king. "Kili! Thorin NO!" Tauriel cried. Thorin must have anticipated his nephews actions as he grabbed the younger prince, shoving him hard to the ground, knocking the wind from Kili, his shock causing him to drop his blade where it skidded across the floor out of his reach. Thorin rose, lifted his foot, and rammed it hard, directly into Kili's still healing wound. Kili screaming out as red-hot pain ripped through his leg, rendering the prince incapacitated as he cried. Tauriel's eyes widened in horror, then narrowed. 'Enough' she thought. "ENOUGH!" She called, running and sliding down to grab the discarded blade Kili had just dropped and running at Thorin, full speed.

Seeing her, he stepped off Kili who was not unconscious, though the pain rendered him unable to move. His eyes turning to her as his lips formed her name. She turned back to Thorin as he stalked over to her. "Thorin. Don't do this. This is not you."

"You are one of Thranduil's aren't you. Here for the gems. You are going to pay for taking on that face. You may have fooled my week nephews, but I know what you are, elf."

"What is that?" She asked.

"Dead." He bellowed as he leapt forward, swinging hard. Tauriel took the defensive, only lifting her blades to protect herself, otherwise stepping away as much as possible.

"THORIN STOP!" Tauriel's heart gave a relieved tug as Dwalin and several other of their company came running in. Unfortunately, in her moment of distraction she had given Thorin the upper-hand. Thorin swung his sword, the blade grazing the outside of her hand causing her to drop one of her blades as she let out a startled hiss, then using the same momentum he swung again hard, knocking her second blade from her hand where it fell feet away. He quickly twisted, grabbing her arm and slammed her hard into the wall, her head hitting the stone with a sickening crack before she crumpled to the floor in a heap, her breath leaving her lungs as spots began once again to form in her vision. She could make out Kili's form still on the ground, his hand raised as if he was reaching out to her, his mouth forming her name as he struggled to slowly drag himself to her.

Thorin stepped over her, his form blocking Kili and she dragged her eyes up to his stark, blue eyes. Normally blazing like a forge with love for his family and his people, now empty and filled with hate. She tried to push herself back, but something sharp was digging into her hip causing her to cry out. Then her eyes went wide. With more energy than she had, she pushed herself off her hip, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the small picture-frame they had given her for her birthday. She quickly opened it and thrust it up for Thorin to see.

"Burushkruka igbulul e. Abad. Zabiraskhjami Thorin. Zabiraskhjami, A'dad. Abad"

(I am sorry. I am here. Please Thorin. Please, my father. I am here.")

Thorin looked from the elf on the floor to the picture in her shaking hand. His eyebrows falling over his eyes in confusion. He knew that frame. He made it. Kili drew the pictures, and Fili carved the inscription. They had given it to Tauriel for her birthday not long before she died. She never allowed it to stray from her. He remembered seeing her constantly pulling it from her pocket to look at it as they camped. He knew she had it the day she died. IF that were true…his eyes widened at the realization. What is happening to him…the illness…it had to be…he had failed.

"Place the stone on the table…quickly." Bilbo did as Naurfaer instructed, laying the glowing stone down before stepping away.

"If this doesn't work. It will be all our heads should Thorin find out." Bombur nodded in understanding to Balin, as did Ori. "It is better to try than to do nothing at all." Ori whispered. The others nodding in agreement as the watched Naurfaer step back and raise his blade. He gave one last look to Balin who nodded before he slammed the sharp mithril blade hard onto the Arkenstone, fracturing it but not quite breaking it.

"You need to hit it again laddie! You almost have it!" Naurfaer gave Baling a quick nod and stepped back again. 'Please work' he thought as he brought the blade down one last time, shattering the stone. The light inside seemed to intensify before fizzling out and going completely dark.

Thorin slowly reached his hand out to the picture. As he was about to grasp it, a searing pain ripped through his head and he pulled his hands back, his sword clattering to the ground as he fell hard to the floor, clutching his head, yelling out in pain. "THORIN!" Dwalin ran up to the king, crouching down to his level.

Tauriel ignored the two dwarves in front of her for a moment, her focus on another as she began crawl to Kili on her hands and knees pulling her husband into her lap. "Kili, my Kili. Please. Look at me meleth nin." Kili turned pained eyes to Tauriel, lifting his shaking hand to her, she grabbed it and brought it the remaining distance, pressing it to her cheek. She turned her head and kissed his palm as she let tears slide down her face. "Am..Am…Amralime. Are you…are you alright?"

Tauriel nodded laying her forehead against his. "I am okay." She began but stopped. "We are okay." She amended after looking into herself to feel the strong presence of their unborn child. He nodded then turned his eyes to the blond prince. "Fili?" Tauriel helped Kili to sitting position and looked to her brother who seemed to be stirring. She stood on wobbling legs, using pillars as supports, she made her way to Fili. "Fili!"

"Mahal. I will be feeling that tomorrow." Groaning, Fili allowed Tauriel to help him to a standing position. Kili too had pulled himself to his feet and, using the same method as Tauriel and favoring his good leg, limped over. The young prince falling to the ground as he reached them, Tauriel instinctively reached out, trying to catch him which only ended with both of them falling to the ground with a grimace.

"Amralime. I am so sorry." Tauriel placed her lips on his, stopping him from any more apologies. "Thorin!" They broke apart to look towards the dwarven king who was looking around more confused than ever before his eyes zeroed in on Fili, Kili, and Tauriel. He stood, pushing aside Dwalin who reached to help him and walked over to the three. Fili instantly stepping in front of Kili and Tauriel.

"Uncle." He growled in warning. Thorin stopping short as he looked at his battered nephew, blood pouring from a cut in his forehead and trickling out one of his ears. He looked down at Kili's grey pallor, the dark circles under his eyes standing out, and a growing spot of blood on his trousers indicated where his wound was re-opened. Then he looked to Tauriel, clutching Kilis's tunic so tightly her knuckles were white. She had a large bruise forming on her face, her ear had blood falling from it, and the wound in her hand bled generously, coating her sleeve and dripping to the floor.

"What have I done?" Tauriel could hear the brake in his voice and she lightened the pressure on Kilis tunic. "Thorin?" Her voice was quiet, but it held a whisper of a plea.

"Tauriel?" He asked. She nodded, a sob leaving her lips. Thorin was back.

"I am so, so, sorry. How…how can I even ask forgiveness." He cried falling to his knees. Tauriel released Kili and on her knees, moved to Thorin, not hesitating to throw her arms around him, pulling him tightly to her as he began to weep. Tauriel buried her face in Thorin's shoulder and whispered "There is nothing to forgive. We are alright. You did it. You beat it." Tauriel could feel arms wrapping around her on either side. Lifting her head, she could see a mass of blonde hair, Fili, and felt Kili press his head into hers from the other side. The small family taking their first steps to heal wrapped around each other.

No one noticed another elf skidding into the room with the remaining dwarven company and their hobbit.

"Did it work?" Balin cried, his eyes scanning the room the minute he came through the door. Dwalin turned to his brother. "Did what work?"

"Thorin. Is Thorin alright?!" Balin tried again, rushing forward to try and get a view. He stopped when the sons of Durin came into his field of vision. "Well, by my beard. He was right. HAHA! HE WAS RIGHT!" The other Dwarrows looked over at the old dwarf laughing loudly, large tears filling his eyes.

Tauriel jumped slightly when a third set of arms joined their family embrace. Before she could even say another word she felt Thorin stiffen before grumbling "Does someone care to explain why there is another elf hugging me?" There was a rumble of laughter from both Fili and Kili which turned into laud guffaws as Naurfaer only tightened his hold.

"The family is together again. I can't help but feel a sense of completion." They all pulled away, still laughing. All except Thorin who was staring at the strange elf, feeling completely lost. "Family?"

"That is all on you, little sister." Fili chuckled. Thorin turned to her, lifting an eyebrow. "Tauriel?"

She sighed deeply. She was hoping not to spring this on him until he had some rest and maybe a day to re-adjust. He had spent the last several weeks under some sort of illness or sickness and though he seemed himself, she wanted to make sure it was a permanent frame of mind before telling him there may be another elf in the family. "Thorin, this is Naurfaer, who seems to be my mother's father." Thorin's eyes widened at the elf, Tauriel turned to the red-headed male and continuing "Naurfaer, may I introduce Thorin. King under the mountain, patriarch of our family, and most beloved uncle and..." she paused, turning to look at Thorin directly in the eyes "grandfather."

"grandfather?" Thorin whipped his head back to stare at Tauriel, one eyebrow arched skeptically at the title. Then it hit him, hard. His eyebrows lowered and his voice broke "Tell me…" he begged "tell me I did not attack and nearly kill my niece who is with child?"

"You were not yourself, and both I and this little one are perfectly fine." Thorin huffed out a mirth filled laugh. "Perfectly?" Tauriel sighed. "We are alive, and the child is strong. I cannot ask for more. Do not grieve yourself when there is nothing to grieve." Thorin opened his eyes and looked at her, he turned to Kili who was watching his uncle carefully.

"I know you are sorry uncle, but Tauriel is right. We may be a little bruised up and worst for ware, Fili will more than likely have a headache, and there will be more than a few stitches between all of us, but we will recover with some rest and time. Do not waste effort on dwelling on dark thoughts when there is so much more to be happy for."

"I am with Kili on this uncle. The dragon is gone, Tauriel is alive, we have our mountain, and," Fili pointed towards Kili and Tauriel "those two have already begun rebuilding our line. Should not have been surprised at that last one. You see how they always are."

Kili reached around to punch his brother in the arm, Fili grimacing at the contact to his still sore body but allowed the grimace to turn to a chuckle at his uncles mortified face.

"Did I hear correctly? Is our Tauri with child?" Gloin stepped forward, his eyes wide peering at the small group still on the ground. Tauriel nodded happily and the hall was filled with excited yells and exclamations of joy. Ori and a few others coming to help the injured sons of Durin to their feet, Fili grabbing Kili's arm and draping it around his shoulder to help keep his brother upright, Thorin jumping to his feet to grab him from the other side as Kili was surrounded by the dwarrows in the company, all slapping him on the back and congratulations him on a job well done.

"Males." Tauriel grumbled from her place still on the ground, Naurfaer just stood, chuckling at the scene, which earned him an eye roll from the female elf. She was about to pull herself up when a large hand reached down to help her. She followed the arm up to the stern face of Dwalin. She accepted the hand, allowing him to help her to her feet before Dwalin stepped back and just stood silently, eyes traveling from one elf to the next.

"I want to apologize. I was blinded by my hate, too blind to see that yeh would never intentionally harm anyone in this party, and too blind to see how much yeh mean to the group, especially them…" He indicated to Fili, Kili, and Thorin. Tauriel had just noticed the silence which had overcome the room as Kili stood with narrowed eyes at Dwalin, having shaken off Fili and Thorin who were torn between watching what was unfolding before them and stepping in to keep Kili upright. She turned back to Dwalin as he continued "I cannot promise I will be easy to get along with, but if yeh have it in your heart, I would like to prove to yeh I am more than I have shown yeh." He kneeled before Tauriel, lifting his axe to her "Lady Tauriel. I offer my axe, my strength, and my skills to protect yeh, as I do my king and princes."

Tauriel looked to Balin, unsure what to do he nodded and silently mouthed 'just accept'. She looked back at the still kneeling dwarf "Only if you accept my blades in protection in return. I don't need any other dwarrows putting me up on a shelf and coddling me. It will be a two-way promise. My blades for your axe." Dwalin looked at her, smiling broadly, which took her aback as she had never seen the surly dwarf light up as he did, then, he began to laugh, loudly as he jumped to his feet. "Aya lass. I will take tha' deal." He turned back to Kili "Good luck with this one lad. She's a firey lass. I like her spirit."

Kili gave the dwarf one last dark look before a soft smile spread across his tired face. "I will not have her any other way." Any further discussion and celebrating was immediately stopped by Oin who, though looked a bit tired, seemed to be mostly undamaged from the earlier brawl.

"Alright. I think that will be enough fer tonight laddie's…and lass" he added in with a look at Tauriel "I need to have a look at the injured so if those of yeh who 'ave been at the mountain can direct me to a place to work, I'd appreciate it."

"Aye, Oin. Thank you. Everyone else" Thorin called "we will need two people at the gate for watch, the rest of you need to get some rest. Bombur, how are we on food? Do you think you can put something together for a quick meal?"

"Course. Be ready within the hour." Bombur was first to leave, heading back the way he came, followed by Bilbo, Bifur and then Bofur who finally had the chance to look around. Her last view of the hatted dwarf as he went around the corner had him with his arm around both his brothers. All families were back together, now to tend to her own. She turned to the three dwarrow who made up the majority of her family, Kili looked as if he was about to fall over and truth be told, neither Thorn or Fili looked any better. Although, of all of them, her precious husband seemed to be the one giving the most grief. She rolled her eyes and cleared the remaining distance between them in just a few short steps.

"Oin, I can manage. Its not as bad as it looks. Tell them Fi!"

"Oh no, brother, leave me out of this." Tauriel sighed, when it came to looking after himself and getting treatment, Kili was the most stubborn dwarrow she has ever had the chance to meet.

"Really Oin, it isn't as bad as it seems. I can walk. You can look at it after dinner…or tomorrow morning."

"Yer gonna have to speak up boy! My trumpet hasn't got a filter fer stupid." Thorin was rubbing his temple, Fili was holding in a laugh, and Kili looked as if he was going to strangle someone. Ah, her beloved family back together. She looked at Naurfaer who was watching the proceedings with an amused smirk on his face. Guess it is up to her then.

"Meleth nin. You are barely able to stand. I am worried about that leg." She walked up to Kili, softly placing her hand on the side of his face. "Please, let me and the others look after you. That leg needs stitching, and tonight."

She heard Oin huff from beside her and she turned her green eyes just in time to see him roll his eyes skyward before leveling her with a glare. What did she do? She whipped her head back to Kili when he chuckled. "Am I missing something?" She asked, confusion clear in her voice.

"I swear, Mahal chooses teh test me with the pair of yeh." He grumbled. Still confused, Tauriel looked around at Fili and Kili then to Naurfaer who was arching his eyebrow at her. She was missing something, clearly, but still had no idea what it was. Taking pity on his wife's state, Kili lowered his hand to grab the wrist not resting on his cheek, turning the back of her hand to her eyes. The back of her hand still dripping with blood. She looked at the deep cut spanning from her thumb to her pinky. A cut clearly in need of stitching. "Oh." Was all she said.

"'Oh' is right lassie. Great makers anvil, I pray that wee one is born with even an ounce of self-preservation, as it's parents seem teh 'ave NONE! Goin into battle, you expectin' and you practically dead not a sennight ago. Do yeh both 'ave a death wish?" Not waiting for an answer, Oin turned on his heals after Gloin told him he had a room ready and the group all followed suit. Thorin and Fili on either side of Kili to make sure he did not fall off one of the unrailed stairs and plummet to the bottom. She took the time to look around as they made their way to where Oin and Tauriel, if Oin let her that is, can help tend to the others.

"It truly is something to behold." She heard herself mutter. "I have never seen the like, and I have been to many, many places and visited even more great halls. Erebor will always be a glorious sight to behold." She turned and smiled at Naurfaer beside her. The other dwarrows walking with them all preening at the elves high praise of their mountain.

"Wait until you both see the Arkenstone." Thorin proudly proclaimed. "It is the crowning gem of this entire mountain, and treasure." Balin looked between Thorin and Naurfaer who was watching the dwarven king carefully. Before anyone could say a word, Gloin opened a large door to an open room with tables lining the walls and several lanterns lit. It must have been where everyone rested as there were blankets and bedding on many of the tables and benches.

"We have no had time to look for chambers, so this has been where we 'ave been stayin'."

"Gloin, perhaps while dinner is being prepared, you and Dwalin can go in search of some more adequate sleeping chambers, preferably close by." Neither really wanting to be part of the conversation about to happen, both easily agreed to Thorin's demands and left for their task. Nori, Ori, and Dori all went to guard the door leaving Oin with two elves, Balin, and three sons of Durin. Medical supplies were scarce at the moment, but there were a few the boys had salvaged and placed in a box for Oin and Tauriel. Oin went straight to work, ordering Tauriel and Kili to sit at a table after a quick look at Fili and dismissing him immediately, saying nothing was wrong with him that a good night's sleep and a few days rest would not cure.

Silence filled the large room as Oin worked on Tauriel, giving her hand several stitches which she sat through without a sound. Oin also checked her bleeding ear but said it would clear up on its own much like Fili's. He dismissed Tauriel and then turned to Kili who had his trouser leg rolled up to reveal the still healing wound. Although it looked red and angry it really was not as bad as Oin and Tauriel had thought, the wound not even needing stitches. He was given a clean bandage and told to watch it and rest it for the next several days. Oin then left the room, joining Bombur, Bilbo, Bofur, and Bifur in the kitchen. The room falling into silence.

"I do not really know what to say, except thank you. To all of you. I have not been myself." Thorin broke through the quiet, standing and turning his back to the group. "It feels strange, to feel so…clear. It is as if I can breathe for the first time." He turned back to everyone. "I cannot thank you enough. But I am a bit, confused, as to what happened and how it seems to be gone. I am not a little concerned, it may come back."

Nobody moved, each unsure how to proceed and explain to Thorin that his precious Arkenstone, the thing they set out to get, was no more. "It won't" Balin sighed, pushing past Naurfaer who was still watching the king carefully. In truth, he was surprised on how quickly it worked and unsure of what repercussions, if any, there would be. More than likely, he would suffer none, but that stone was powerful. He was going to signal Balin to proceed with caution but was too late when the older Dwarf squared his shoulders.

"Thorin, it was the Arkenstone." Well, Naurfaer thought rolling his eyes, that is the perfect way to test if the madness was gone. There was a pregnant pause, Fili and Kili eyeing their uncle as if simply mentioning the stone would trigger an relapse in his mind. Tauriel grabbed Kili's hand and reached out with her stitched hand to rest it in Fili's tense shoulder who was standing at her side opposite Kili. Both seemed to relax, if only just slightly.

"The Arkenstone? What do you mean it was the Arkenstone.? The king was stepping towards the old dwarrow, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Kili, Fili, and Tauriel, watched apprehensively. None knew exactly how Thorin would react to the news.

"Perhaps, tonight is not…" Tauriel tried, but Thorin raised his hand to silence her, turning back to Balin.

"Tell me, Balin. Where is the Arkenstone?" He growled. The old dwarf shifted from foot to foot before looking down, as if he was ashamed by the choice he made despite not having any other options. The look not lost on the king, who seemed to still be teetering on the edge of madness once again. Kili rose to his feet, though putting most his weight on his good leg. Fili slipped from under Tauriel's grasp to stand beside his brother. 'Here we go again' Fili grumbled the statement only heard by the elves with delicate hearing. Tauriel fingering her blade at her hip and Naurfaer folded his arms across his chest. "Balin?" Thorin tried again, voice low and accusing.

"I destroyed it." All eyes turned to Naurfaer as he leaned casually against a table, though Tauriel could see the hilt of his blade out for easy access. He may look at ease, but to anyone who spent any time around elves, especially warriors, his demeaner screamed battle ready.

"You did WHAT!" Thorin roared. "Uncle!" both Fili and Kili yelled, moving towards the dwarf who was growing more irate by the second. They were stopped when Thorin sent them a warning look, both looking between the king and the male elf. Naurfaer did not seemed to be bothered and glared back at the normally intimidating dwarven king.

"I have said it once, and I will say it again." He looked between the inhabitants in the room. "Bringing an elf into Erebor would only bring RUIN! They can NEVER be trusted. It is their nature to deceive and be harbingers of disaster. Without that stone, our entire quest is for not!"

Tauriel's hear sank. Her mind ringing with his accusation 'never trust an elf'. For the first time in over a year, Tauriel felt like an elf. The coldness seeping into her as if Thorin had said it directly to her face, the words piercing her heart like a dagger of ice. "Never trust an elf?" She quietly repeated, Kili whipping his head to her, eyes widening before slowly turning the darkening orbs to his uncle, leveling the king with a look screaming fury. Thorin seemed to lower his eyebrows at the sudden silent attack, thinking on his words before realizing what he had said and for just a moment, all his anger melted from him.

"The child I carry will be part elf. Kili's child. An innocent child. Will you hold it against him? Will you tell a child whenever he has made a mistake or was harmed that it was his elfish blood to blame, that he brought it upon himself because of something he had no control or choice in? That it is his nature? I wish I could be sorry, Thorin, that I will never be the dwarrowdam I am sure you wanted for your nephew, but I cannot apologize for something which was not in my control. I will only ask that you please forgive me for my nature, as according to you, will only bring ruin." Tauriel looked at Thorin before pulling her hand from Kili's and storming from the room. Kili did not wait a single moment, he growled darkly at Thorin, then without a word, turned and limped after Tauriel.

"I did not mean.." Thorin started but stopped when Fili made for the door, pausing as he turned disappointed eyes on his uncle "This cannot be blamed on sickness uncle, this is you and only you. Of all the times you told Kili to watch what he says, maybe you should consider the advice yourself." Not waiting for a response, Fili too, left the room leaving Thorin at a loss in the middle of the large chamber with Naurfaer shaking his head and Balin falling hard onto a bench, sighing loudly.

Thorin went to follow his family but was stopped by a cold hard truth. "Funny, how both our races are taught to hate the other. Yet, after thousands of years of animosity and pride, one young dwarrow prince and an elf raised in Mirkwood without a family found a completion in each other I, in all my time in this world, have never before seen. Proving that all our preconceived prejudices are nothing more than self-created beliefs which we have chosen not to rise above." Thorin's blue eyes turned to the elf, still leaning against the table, face set in stone, but his green eyes were blazing. Green eyes much like that of Tauriel's.

"It was a choice Thorin, and one I made. This is on my shoulders, as should be the punishment." Balin was no fool, or coward. He knew when he made the decision to destroy the stone, there would likely be repercussions. That gem was the king's gem, and he was giving himself a death sentence the minute he agreed. The old dwarf looked tiredly and resolutely at his king. Seeing the clearness in his blue eyes, he could not see it in himself to regret the decision. Thorin was back. He may not be the happiest of dwarrows, but it was the Thorin Balin had known his entire life, staring back at him.

"Balin. I never, in my life, have known you to make a decision rashly. Please tell me, old friend. Tell me what moved you to make such a decision as you did." Thorin was trying to understand. He knew he needed to fix all that he, himself, had done, but before he could go after his family, he needed to know. He needed to understand, and it seems this elf and Balin have the answers. Balin glanced at Naurfaer for a moment, before launching into all that Naurfaer had told him.

"That stone was not here by accident Thorin. It was placed here. Planted. Whomever did it, found a way into this mountain under the nose of Thror, and seeded this mountain with a means to bring it down. Not by massacre or war, but through an illness, a madness, which would bring the high king of all the dwarrow clans to their knees." Thorin looked at Balin as if HE was the mad one.

"It is a gem Balin, how can a gem do such a thing as cause dragon sickness." Before Balin could answer, Thorin could see the elf, Naurfaer, push off from the table he sat against and walk towards the dwarven king. He reached into his bag and pulled out "The Arkenstone? But how!" But the elf only shook his head in negative, puzzling the dwarf even more.

"Close, but not quite there." Naurfaer passed Thorin the clear stone. "This, is a heartstone. They are pulled from dead stone giants looking exactly like this. The Arkenstone, your stone, shone with a bright light only because the giant it was pulled from was still living." Naurfaer eyed the stone in Thorin's hands, then continued to tell Thorin exactly what he had told Balin. The magical properties of a living heartstone, the curse, and how it all related to the sickness in their family.

Thorin sat hard, placing the clear gem on the table beside him as he tried to take in all Naurfaer was telling him. If he was correct, not only was his fathers and grandfather's madness preventable, so were many of the factors that played in them losing the mountain. Including their little, war if you will, with Thranduil. Afterall, it was Thror's madness and greed which had him refusing to give over the white gems to the elven king, causing Thranduil to turn his back on them when Smaug came. Thorin let his eyes fall to the floor. Smaug. That too could be affiliated with that cursed gem. Thror's need for wealth, his great piles of gold and jewels are one of the things which drew that fire drake to the mountain in the first place. Has everything he has believed been a claim to the sickness brought by that stone? He peered at the gem in his hands, one which had no call to him. It was beautiful, yes, but it was only a gem. Nothing more.

"Everything. Everything we have gone through. All the suffering. All because of a stone." His voice was ringing with regret, pain, and anger. "Who. Who would do such a thing?" Naurfaer sat on the floor across from Thorin, leaning lazily back on his arms, thinking.

"That I do not have an answer to. Not many would have access to the ability to not only remove a heartstone from a living giant, but to also link it to your family and place it in the mountain, unseen. Whoever had done this could be long gone." He looked up to Thorin and Balin "Or, they could be laying low, waiting and biding their time. Whoever had done this was patient. They knew it would not be a quick win. They could still very much be out there." He paused, as if her was considering something before sighing "I will look into it. I have many connections. I will see what I can find out."

Thorin looked at the elf. "Would you take this information to your king as well?" Naurfaer looked back calmly, but cocked his head in the smallest indication of a questioning look before asking "King? What king?"

"Thranduil. Or is there another elven king you have claims to?"

Naurfaer sprung forward, sitting straight up and leaned in just inches from Thorin's face, causing the dwarven king to instantly lean back. "That pompous, self-loving, pretty-boy, know-it-all hermit is no king of mine!" He sat back with a huff, folding his arms across his chest. Thorin just stared at the elf, momentarily lost for words before he began laughing, loudly.

"I like you!" Thorin got out when he could stop laughing. "Not even Tauriel will say such about the elven king. I believe she still has some semblance of loyalty or perhaps respect for the elf. He did help raise her, so I cannot fault her in that." Naurfaer smiled widely. "I still want to know, what is in it for you, though. Why are you helping us? What is your price? Gold? Jewels? Weapons?" The elf raised an eyebrow before resuming his lazy, relaxed position leaning back against his arms on the floor. His feet crossed at the ankles as he contemplated the dwarven king's words. Balin silently watching the entire time. This was going better than he thought. Maybe there was hope for an amicable end.

"Is this not what family does?" The elf finally said, causing Thorin to choke back a laugh. "Family?!" Then he remembered. Tauriel had said that Naurfaer was Tauriel's mothers, father. Which meant that Naurfaer was related to Tauriel, and by marriage, Tauriel was related to Thorin. She meant so much more to Thorin than that though. He grimaced at the mess he made, the mess which caused the elf who was more than a niece, more than an elf he so coldly related her to. She was the closest thing to a daughter he would ever have. Much like his nephews were more sons to him, Thorin having been there for both their births, nursing Kili to life as an infant, and raising them alongside his sister. His children who meant more to him than any stone or mountain. A truth he only now is realizing as he looked to the door they all disappeared from what felt like seconds ago.

As if reading his thoughts Naurfaer smiled. "She loves you. They all do." Thorin sighed deeply. At the moment, in his opinion, he did not deserve that love. "Ay, and a fine impression of love I have been haven't I." Naurfaer just shrugged at the Dwarven king.

"I am nothing but a stranger to her. Just another elf. But I hope in time I could find a place with her if she will allow it." Naurfaer looked around the room before nodding at all he saw "Maybe a place here too. Been awhile since I have had somewhere to call home. Besides, of all the people I have seen and places I have been, not one of them have been with the dwarrows. Far time I took the chance to see if dwarves are all that I have heard and if the last few weeks with you lot are anything to go by, I will quite enjoy it." Thorin gave him a withering look but did not say more. If this elf wanted nothing more than just a place to stay, then why not. Especially if he can give him information on who planted the Arkenstone. Who wants this mountain so bad they would use madness as a means of procuring it.

The Arkenstone. Thorin dropped his head into his hands and rubbed his temples. "What is it?" Thorin turned to Balin. "The Arkenstone. The only way for them to unite is through the belief that he that yields the Arkenstone has claim on the mountain. Without that stone, none will come." Both Dwarrows turned when Naurfaer huffed out an indignant laugh.

"That is ridiculous. Forgive me. But Did your grandfather not rule before the Arkenstone was even found. Did the Dwarrow Lords not give fealty to this mountain and it's king? You speak as if the stone had the right to rule! Rally them, show them YOU rule not some gem." He waived his hand in the air as if banishing the absurd notion, but Thorin only sighed.

"You do not understand. Yes. As a direct descendant of Durin, I and my nephews have claim to Erebor and as high king of the Dwarrow people. If Tauriel is carrying a male, he too will have claim to the thrown."

"Even if he is half elf?" Naurfaer interrupted. Thorin glared back at him. "I was wrong to say as I did. Yes. Even with the blood of an elf, her and Kili's child has full rights and claims as an heir to Erebor and I will kill any who suggest otherwise." Naurfaer looked impressed, giving the king a smile and signaling for him to continue. "The stone is a symbol of our heritage and our ruling. It may be just a gem, but it unites the people. I fear there will be some backlash when they find out the Arkenstone is gone." Thorin sat back. He was tired and worn. His muscles ached, his head hurt, and he felt every day as old as he was, though he had yet another two hundred years left in his life, he certainly did not feel it. Watching his family leave also weighed heavily on his chest. He needed to make amends or her would not find rest.

"What if it was not gone." Thorin turned his piercing blue eyes onto the elf who was watching him with a smirk.

"I thought you said you destroyed the Arkenstone?" The elf nodded back at the king. "Oh, I did. Long gone that. However, that does not mean we are without means to create one." He indicated to the clear object on the table. The heartstone. Thorin looked from the elf to the stone then his eyes widened. "You can make this resemble the Arkenstone? Fully?" Naurfaer raised his hand, silently asking for the heartstone to be passed to him which Thorin easily complied. Naurfaer tested the weight of the stone, pacing it back and forth between his hands.

"If I could give it a glowing property which would mimic that of a living stone, do you think your people would know the difference?" Thorin looked at the stone, if he was honest with himself, had that stone been glowing he would not be able to tell the difference. It may be just a little larger than the original Arkenstone, but not enough to draw the attention of even the most detailed dwarrow. "I believe it would."

"WAIT! Will it…that is….would it be…safe?" Naurfaer drew his eyebrows together at the dwarven king before realizing what he had been asking. He smiled and nodded. "Fear not, Thorin Oakenshield, it will only be the Arkenstone in looks. This will never be a living stone therefore it can never harness such a darkness, such a scourge as its predecessor. You have nothing to fear from this. A pretty glowing gem is all it will be, nothing more."

"Is that something you can do lad? Give it the glow the Arkenstone once had?" Balin rose to his feet stepping over and peering down at the elf, hope in his old eyes.

Naurfaer looked between the two Dwarrows, then back at the stone. He did not respond, instead crossed his legs, held the stone in both hands, and whispered something neither dwarf could understand. Even Balin, with all his knowledge, cold make out a word or dialect of any known tongue he has come across. The room seemed to fill with some sort of static energy. Thorin and Balin watched in amazement when a small glow began to grow brighter, coming from the stone itself, before it dimmed slightly settling on the warm glow Thorin always associated with the kings gem. He had done it. It was perfect.

Naurfaer passed the glowing gem to Thorin who excitedly proclaimed "You did it. I do not know nor care how, but this, this will do."

There was a shuffle at the door before Bilbo came in, giving a frightened yelp as his eyes fell on the stone. "It's back! Oh my….I…Thorin…." he turned nervous eyes to Naurfaer who was watching the hobbit with a concerned eye.

"Bilbo, calm yourself lad. It is not as you fear." Thorin sighed as Balin tried to reassure the panicking halfling. He really had a lot of cleaning up to do. "It's not?…I don't understand." Thorin tossed the stone to the halfling who caught it, before it cold tumble to the ground. "What do you think master burglar, of our Arkenstone? Is it as you remember when you snatched it from the grips of that wyrm and hid it away?"

Bilbo looked nervously from the stone to the dwarven king who did not look angry. More amused if Bilbo could guess. He was not sure which would frighten him more. Had Thorin's madness come back? Looking at the elf on the floor who looked much to at ease and Balin who was smiling softly, must mean Thorin was himself. But how? He looked at the Arkenstone in his hands. "Did it repair itself?"

Taking pity on the hobbit, Thorin smiled. "Fear not, Bilbo, the true Arkenstone is gone as is madness with it. That is what will take its place. Naurfaer here can give you more details should you feel the need. I must be getting to my family." Thorin stood. "See that the Arkenstone gets placed somewhere safe, will you Balin?" The older elf nodded, taking the stone from Bilbo.

"Oh, dinner is ready. Bombur sent me in here to inform you all, and Dwalin and Gloin were able to find several chambers Dwalin said were once barracks. They have four beds to each room and he found five. More than enough." Thorin smiled, patting the hobbit on the back as he passed. "Well done Mr. Baggins. Shall we then?" All agreed and left the room.

Kili had limped out of the room in chase of his beloved wife. How his uncle could say such things, he wished would have him at a loss, but knowing his uncle as long as he has it really did not surprise him. Anger him and disappoint him, yes, but surprise him, no. "Damned leg" he cursed. He did not even leave seconds after Tauriel but she, with her slightly longer legs and ability to move at a much more rapid pace than Kili meant she had disappeared without a trace by the time Kili had reached the door.

Kili could hear Fili's heavy steps as his brother sidled up beside him. "Ki, Oin said to take it easy. I do not believe chasing Tauriel was what he had in mind." Kili glared at his brother and kept going. Kili even flat out refused to allow Fili to help him which caused his elder brother to roll his eyes and mutter something along the lines of understanding why Oin was so frustrated with the young prince.

They walked together, listening for signs of life and luckily did not have to go far when they came across a large archway with wide doors thrown open and the smells of food wafting into the halls. Both Dwarrows stomachs growled, but both refused to give in until they located their missing elf. It appears Mahal was on their side though, as a long mass of red hair could be seen flitting back and forth in the serving area. The dwarrows around her giving mixed looks of amusement and concern as she stormed around them in a frenzy. Kili let out a sigh of relief and stepped through the door.

"Amralime." One word was all it took to stop the elf in her tracks and turn blazing green eyes onto the dark-haired prince. "Kili! You must sit!" She quickly cleared the distance between them and guided him carefully to a seat at one of the long tables before turning and walking quickly into the main preparation area. Kili looked around the large room. It must have been one of the many large kitchens Thorin and Balin told them of which run throughout Erebor. Apparently there were many of them, including one massive kitchen near a food hall they have yet to find. This was a large kitchen, but certainly not massive.

Apart from the preparation and cooking areas, there were two long tables with benches on either side. He felt Fili slide in beside him. He turned his eyes back to the preparation area just in time to see Tauriel walking back towards him, a plate of bread and some cheese in one hand and a mug in another. "Please tell me that is an ale. Because I could really use one right now." Tauriel only shook her head at her dwarf. "Water. Sorry Meleth Nin, we do not have such things yet. In time, Bombur said." She slid into the vacant seat across from them, pushing the bread towards her husband before sitting quietly.

"Tauriel." Kili started but she just shook her head and pointed to the food. "Eat." She ordered before going silent once more. Kili moved his plate so it was between himself and Fili and the two shared in the small snack.

"Bombur said dinner will be ready soon." She droned. Fili lifted his eyebrow at her bored tone. "Tauri. Are you alright? What Thorin said…you should not listen. He was being an ogre." Tauriel looked down at her hands on the table, one bandaged up from the stitches Oin had given her. She let out a deep breath. "I came in here because I wanted to be of some help. I thought hiding in the shadows and pitying myself would be least useful with so few hands to be of service. Although, Bombur only let me aid with the preparation, he thought it would be best I do not participate in the cooking of the food itself." Her voice flattened in frustration.

Kili nodded, his mouth full of bread but choked when Fili boldly added in "For the best. We just got the mountain, wouldn't do to have the place burn to the ground." Tauriel leveled her brother with a glare which slowly turned into a look of deep sadness. "I suppose I do bring ruin." She whispered. Kili dropped the bread he was chewing and rose from his seat, Tauriel about to chastise him before he gingerly sat beside her and went to pull her into his arms which was awkward to do from a bench. So instead, he used his arms and good leg to push the bench back enough to pull Tauriel comfortably into his lap where she went without a fight. Tucking her head into his shoulder.

"Now listen here, and listen good. You of all beings do not create ruin. You gave us a chance at life again. A chance which gave us back our homeland. You showed a settlement of dwarrow that they could overcome prejudices and long held grudges to accept an elf as their own. You taught a hard-hearted king that he could warm his heart and learn to let others in, to trust them." She lifted her head, pulling back as she looked into Kili's brown eyes. "Is the gift we created ruin my love?" Tauriel looked appalled, "Of course not Kili. Never."

Kili smiled, pressing his hand to her neck, pulling her head until their foreheads rested against each other's. "Then never think you create or bring ruin, as the opposite is true."

"He is right Tauri. You complete this family, and Thorin believes it too. To be honest, I don't even think he sees you as an elf. I think his mind has fully accepted you as a dwarrowdam whether you look the part or not. His words were said in the moment, in anger, and in no way directed at you." Tauriel cast her eyes downward for a moment before lifting them again and nodding her head. To be honest, she did not know how she felt. Her emotions felt as if they were all over the place and she was both exhausted and hungry. Combine that with the annoying burning sensation coming from the stitches in her hand and the fact she would love nothing more than a bath, she was one unhappy elf.

That, however was about to change as Bombur slipped a steaming bowl before her. "Lasses first." He beamed, then winked at Kili and Fili and went back to the kitchen. Tauriel stared at the meal placed before her then at the two princes. "Well don't wait for permission, eat before it gets cold!" She narrowed her eyes at Fili before sliding off Kili's lap and pulling the bowl closer to her. She was starving and it smelled heavenly. Two more bowls appeared for Fili and Kili just as she was about to take her first bite and she felt slightly relieved she was not going to eat by herself. The three tucked in without another word.

Tauriel turned slightly so she could sit back against Kili's side. She was full and content at the moment as she listened to the idle chatting around her. One by one, the dwarves had joined the table with food, Bofur slipping in just after coming back from bringing the warm meal to the few watching the gate for the night. She could feel herself slipping out of consciences but opened her eyes when Bilbo stepped up to them.

"I do not mean to disturb you, but you look as if you are fighting a losing battle to stay awake. I was just about to go get Thorin and Balin for dinner, but Dwalin has informed me they have found some sleeping quarters. Perhaps I can give you direction on my way out?"

"Thank you, Mr. Boggins. That would be most satisfactory." The hobbit chuckled at Kili. He was glad to see the young prince back to himself. He had missed the playfulness and joy that seemed to always surround the dark archer which disappeared entirely, and most understandably, when Tauriel was presumed dead. Another wonder and gift to have back is the companies beloved elf. Not only alive, but expecting another life. Maybe there is a happy ending for this adventure after all.

The group left the kitchen slowly making their way to a set of stairs. "Go up those steps into the large hall. The rooms line either side. Gloin requested I tell you to select the double doors near the back. It is a slightly larger room with a fireplace already lit and ready for you." He turned to head the direction where Thorin, Balin, and Naurfaer were presumably still talking but stopped short.

"OH! There is also a washroom. There is only one, but it is, according to Dwalin, in mostly working order and thanks to the forge fires being re-lit, even has warm water." Thank Valinor, Tauriel thought to herself, or she thought she had only thought it until Kili and Fili both chuckled at her, but soon began to laugh harder when she blushed from her neck up to her ears. She folded her arms and grumbled at the laughing princes only causing another round of laughter as Fili mentioned she spent too much time around Thorin, she was adopting his mannerisms.

The three finally made their way up the flight of stairs to the hallway Bilbo had indicated and opened the set of doors at the end. The room was cast in light from the warm fireplace. There were four decent sized bets, a few end tables, a broken cabinet, a chair missing a leg, and a pile of blankets set on one of the beds. "Well, I have seen worse." Fili observed as he grabbed a blanket and plopped on one of the vacant beds, causing a cloud of dust to lift from the worn mattress. Tauriel looked around and grabbed a second blanket, and sat down, much more gracefully, on another bed which creaked at her weight, but held for the moment.

Kili eyed the bed she sat on. "Perhaps, Amralime, we should pick a different bed. That one looks as if it would give under your weight alone, let alone ours combined." He limped to the bed on Fili's other side and gave it a few good hits, getting the dust off before lowering his himself down. The bed remained silent, causing the dwarrow to smile and lay back. He smiled even wider as he felt the other side of the bed dip as Tauriel joined him, the mattress giving a small groan but otherwise remained sturdy and silent.

"Would you like to use the washroom before you sleep Amralime?" Kili turned to his wife, watching her nod her head and lift herself back up. "Fili, we will be back soon. We are going to wash up." The blonde prince just waived them out, his arm flung across his eyes and the blanket he grabbed partially covering him, but mostly pooled on the floor. Tauriel rolled her eyes, lifted the blanket and covered Fili, kissing his forehead before she joined her husband at the door and left to the washroom.

Tauriel and Kili were only gone for a half hour, feeling a bit more themselves after being cleaned up. Kili was not being stubborn for once and draping his arm across her, allowing her to help take some of his weight as they walked back to their room. They both stopped short when they opened the door to see Thorin poking at the fire but going still when his eyes turned to the pair. He placed the poker back and just stood, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Please, come in. I wish to speak to you. To both of you." Tauriel stepped into the room as Kili closed the door softly. They both looked to Fili who seemed to be completely out. Tauriel gave the sleeping dwarrow a soft smile, linked her hands with Kili's, then proceeded to pull him further into the room to their bed where they settled, sitting side by side.

Thorin hesitated for a moment but made up his mind and moved to sit on the bed across from them, the one closest to the door. "I do not deserve either of your forgiveness for my actions or my words. But I hope, in time, you will give me a chance to set things right." He moved his blue eyes from Tauriel to Kili. "First and foremost, Tauriel my words were wrong, and in no way meant or directed at you or… or the blessing from Mahal you carry. You, the both of you, Fili, Dis, and the little one, are everything to me. Please forgive me for taking so long to figure that out. I never should have dragged all of you on this…this foolish quest. We nearly lost everything for a pile of stone and a glowing rock."

"Don't say that uncle. This mountain means so much to you and our family. It is our birthright. If asked to join again, we would do so without hesitation. Because of this quest, my children will grow not with stories of Erebor, but with experiences." Thorin smiled at Kili. Always the optimist, always so loyal and true, his beloved nephew.

"Are you truly back?" Thorin looked back at Tauriel and nodded slowly. He has not felt the fog which was engulfing his mind even in the slightest after the cursed stone was destroyed. "Thorin, I was telling the truth, I know how you see me, but an elf I will always be. I cannot change what I am. I just…I do not wish for it to be a strain on the family. I was happy in Ered Luin. I will be content to make a home there if my being here causes you pain or discomfort."

"NO!" Thorin rushed out, but fell silent when he saw Fili shifting in bed, rising and rubbing his eyes. "Fili! I did not mean to wake you. Please, rest." Fili just sat back against the head of the bed and watched to group. Obviously waiting to go back to sleep until everyone else did, lest he be woken again. Turning back to Tauriel, Thorin softly repeated himself "No." He rose from the bed stepping forward to his children, for they were his children in his heart, and after a moment of hesitation and a silent request for permission, rested his forehead tenderly on Tauriel's. "My most beloved daughter. I would not be complete without each of you, Fili, Kili, and Dis here with me. What is a kingdom without a legacy to leave it to? Do not feel like you do not belong here. Your place is with the family, home is where we can all be together. Dis tried to tell me this before we left, and I did not listen. Stubborn fool that I am. We have Erebor, so let us all make a home here, together. If, if you can find it in your heart to forgive an old, thickheaded, dwarf."

Tauriel sat completely still for a moment, then, slowly lifted her arms to wrap around Thorin's neck and pulled him close in a tender hug, nodding into his shoulder. "Of course. You are my famil. I wish only for all of us to be together." Thorin tightened his hold on her for a moment, taking comfort in not only her forgiveness, but her presence. For weeks he thought her to be dead and gone, but here she was. His heart felt nearly complete, all he was missing was his dear sister. Thorin sat back and pulled Kili into an equally tight embrace. He was the first to hold this young dwarrow, the one to nurse him to life, and raise him like his own. He was so proud of the dwarrow he had become, the prince he was.

A set of footsteps alerted him as Fili came up to the group and Thorin turned to his heir. "Fili. I should not have left you to care for your brother in his greatest time of need. I abandoned you, and our family. Yet, you remained strong, sturdy, and unmovable in your convictions and your love for this family and this journey. I could not ask for a better nephew, son, or heir. You will make a fine king one day, you will lead with the greatest of honor and the purest of hearts." He pulled Fili close as well, Fili wrapping his arms around his uncle murmuring "I hope that is not for a very, very long time." Thorin smiled and released his nephew.

"One more thing." He looked back at Kili and Tauriel. "Tauriel, your and Kili's child, if it is a boy, will have all the rights and privileges of a crowned prince of Erebor. He will have a claim to the throne should Fili not have any boys of his own. Elvish blood or no. You carry a crowned prince or princess of Erebor." Kili pulled Tauriel close as tears fell from her eyes. She gave him a water smile before responding "Prince."

Kili whipped his head to her, Thorin's eyes widened, and Fili clasped his hand hard on Kili's shoulder. "Amralime. Are you sure? You can tell?" Tauriel nodded looking between the three males.

"I have told you, as an elf I am much more connected to my body then most races. It is how I knew I was pregnant so quickly." She looked at Kili, a broad smile on her face "I am also connected to our child. Not in a way I could hear his thoughts directly, but I can feel his spirit and it is very strong. He is very strong." She said simply.

"A boy." Kili smiled. In truth, he could care either way. Thorin allowed a smile to linger on his face, wholeheartedly proclaiming "I could not be prouder Kili and Tauriel. Congratulations."

Tauriel could not stop smiling as the room felt like home with Thorin back to himself, Kili's arm tightly wrapped around her, and Fili beaming as they all talked about her unborn child, her little prince.

"Uncle, what about the Arkenstone. Don't we need it to unite the seven clans?" Thorin lifted himself from the bed and shook off his overcoat and slipped off his boots. He was exhausted and ready for some sleep. Fili had gone back to his bed and Tauriel and Kili were slipping under the cover of theirs, both turning to give their attention to the dwarven king.

"Aye. But it is already taken care of." At their confused looks, Thorin launched into explanation of everything that transpired in the room after they had left. He fell hard onto the bed when he was finished, exhausted in mind and body.

"Amazing." Kili muttered in wonder. His hand tight around Tauriel's waste pulling her close to him. "Uncle, what of Bard and the people of Lake City?" Thorin sighed. Bofur and Oin had spoken to him about that for the few minuets he was in the kitchen for dinner before he realized his family was not among the others and set off to the rooms to find them.

"Yes, we will have to make plans for the people and what they may need as soon as possible." He muttered, too tired for another long discussion he continued "Though not tonight. We should all get some sleep. We can discuss this more in the morning." Thorin pulled the blanket around him a clear end to any further discussion for the remainder of the evening. Tauriel was just closing her eyes when she opened them quickly, asking "Naurfaer! Did he leave?" She could see Thorin shake his head.

"Last I saw" he yawned "He was with Bifur and Bofur. Something about drinking contest" His voice broke off as he fell to sleep.

Tauriel smiled. Bofur would make sure Naurfaer did not get into too much trouble, then again, the pair might just make more. She twisted in Kili's arms to tuck her head under his chin and wrap her arms firmly around his chest. Kili slipped one of his hands into her hair, running his fingers lazily through the strands. Both hummed in contentment. The room was warm, they were surrounded by the people they loved, and all seemed to be falling into place. Tauriel listened to Kili's breath begin to even out as he fell asleep. His hand slowing to a stop, still tangled in her long red tresses. Everything seemed perfect. Yet, as Tauriel fell asleep, she could not stop the tiny spark of worry burning in her heart. There was more to come. This was not the end of their story. Something was coming. Something dark. She pushed if from her mind, however, and let herself be engulfed by Kili's warmth, his arm tightening further around her, as if sensing her need for his strength. She smiled. Whatever came their way, they would be ready and face it together, as a family.

Authors Note: Okay, as promised. Explanation. First the Arkenstone. According to the beautiful internet, the Arkenstone is indeed just a glowing gem, nothing more. No magical properties whatsoever. So…all made up by me, I just fused it with the dragon sickness. Also, I only really had Thorin sick, which is more movie cannon, though I know in the book all except Fili, Kili, and Bombur showed signs of the sickness. I thought it would be an interesting touch to have the Arkenstone be the source. I don't really know how far back the sickness went in the line of Durin or if it was just Thorin's immediate family, but I had Thror the first to be affected by it. If I didn't stupidly slice my finger open on a cheese knife today, I would google it, but my finger hurts and typing is not fun. So there's that. Lets see…anything else I am missing…probably but I think this explanation will do for now. Some good news though. I am actually like, two chapters ahead of this one…they just need proofing and tweaking. Other than those, I am just two chapters from finishing this story, so four more for you all. I cannot believe that. Anyway. My finger hurts so I am calling it quits. See you next chapter. :)