Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).

Chapter 51

When she was six years old Magdalen fell into the duck pond outside of her house. Magdalen could still imagine those few moments as she fell into the water. She remembered the depths of darkness blanketing her. And how her childish voice was muffled by the water that filled her mouth. The striking fear of death looming over her six-year-old mind froze her body. In those seconds before her grandfather pulled her from the frigid waters, of what was to be her death, chaos reigned. Though now as she floated weightlessly in the water she didn't feel the chaos or the existential dread of death that had gripped her adolescent state of mind.

The gentle push and pull of the water wrapped around her body. Her mind felt at ease as it ever had as she blinked looking on into the void. Again from the darkness, a voice called her.

"Magdalen!" This time louder than the last.

A heavenly light burst in the water above her. Magdalen watched as the light rapidly approached her, and before she knew it the light consumed her body. Magdalen never felt the water drain around her, she never felt the weightless of her body leave her and slip into the comforts of a bed. Her hand stretched feeling the soft fur of a blanket underneath her fingertips. A rush of blood thumped in her head as air filled her lungs. Eyes popping open to be met with a blinding light, she gasped for air. Curling her hands around the blanket as she was brought to the reality around her. Her back straight as her eyes adjusted to the world around her.

Magdalen blinked as she was met with the familiar sight of stone walls. Eyes scanning over the healer's room, she had found herself in one too many times, Magdalen jumped when she saw the slumped figure sitting next to her.

A warm feeling of home burst in her chest, she was home and she was alive. Her head fell back onto her pillow, she sudden movement alerted the figure as black hair jumped into the air. Magdalen sat up as she was met with the wide eyes of Kili. They stared at one another in surprise, though it melted as Kili jumped at Magdalen wrapping her in a painful hug.

"Maggie, I've missed you so much."

Magdalen slipped into Kili's embrace, patting his back gently. She let out a low chuckle, pressed her cheek onto his shoulder.

"I've missed you too, Kee." She whispered.

Kili pulled back from Magdalen suddenly, looking like a wild animal as he stared down at her.

"I have to go tell everyone you're awake!" Was all he said before racing out the door.

Magdalen stared at where Kili had been only seconds before. Magdalen was left to her thoughts for a few minutes, she gritted her teeth as she shifted. Her hand brushed over the bandage wrapped around her midsection. Slowly as her consciousness fully came back to her she became aware of how much her body ached.

She heard the pounding of feet before she saw them. The thundering of footsteps approaching her door, which swung open only moments later. In pour six dwarves and one very small hobbit. Poppy was the first to reach her, cradling Magdalen in another bone-crushing hug.

"Magdalen!" Cried Poppy as she wept into her hair.

Next came Bofur whose arms encircled both his wife's and Magdalen's body.

"We were so worried about you, Maggie. The children will be so relieved to know that you are awake." Bofur said.

Magdalen smiled in the tight hug, feeling safe in the arms of her family once again.

"I never thought I would see you again," Magdalen confessed into Poppy's clothed shoulder.

Which only made the Ur family hold Magdalen tighter. Behind them a voice cleared, making the two relinquish their hold on her. Dis, red and blotchy face, came to sit by Magdalen brushing a hair out of her face. Tears shone in the princess's eyes as she beheld Magdalen as if she hadn't seen her in years. A shaky hand reached out to Magdalen's face, her thumb brushing over the curve of Magdalen's cheek. No words would be spoken between the two women, they were not needed. Dis knocked her head against Magdalen's. When their moment passed Dis got up from the bed and looked to the four other dwarves in the room.

Dwalin was not as fast as his friends in his approach to Magdalen. Dwalin kneeled beside Magdalen, pressing a tender kiss on her hair. Like Dis, Dwalin knocked his forehead against Magdalen. His lips were pressed into a hard line, Magdalen believed she never since Dwalin's face so soft. He didn't speak a word to her as he backed away from her making way for his king.

Thorin approached her next, his once stoney face that had hated her so, smiled down at her with familiarity. His large hand reached out encapsulating her hand. He bowed his hand pushing his head against her hand in respect.

"Magdalen Rose Kathan of clan Ur, for the loyalty, and duty you have shown to Erebor. I name you a Champion of Erebor, you will be regarded as a hero in my halls for what you have done for the kingdom." His voice commanded the room his eyes never straying from Magdalen.

Magdalen pulled Thorin's hand, tugging the enormous king into a tight hug.

"Thank you." She whispered to him.

"You are welcome, Gehyith." He answered.

Thorin slipped from her grasp, straightening his tunic Thorin stood up. Magdalen's eyes immediately met Fili's as he stood at the edge of the room alongside of Kili. Just at the sight of him her heart leaped, she wanted to speak to him. But before she could do that, there were things she needed to take care room held a heavy silence as all eyes stared at Magdalen still in awe that she was awake.

"What happened to Amrus, Thorin?"

Thorin bowed his head.

"Tersa and Hamrus have been stirpped of their titles and have been exiled. Their exile has been made known to all dwarven clans."

Magdalen nodded slowly not meeting Thorin's eyes.

"And what of Amrus?"

Thorin shifted uncomfortably. "Amrus was put to public trial for all crimes, including crimes previous put on your grandfather. It was decided that along with being stripped of all of his titles, his bread would be shaved. They are in the cells right now, beginning watched twenty-four-seven. But I thought it would be fitting if you choose their destiny."

Magdalen stared ahead her hand curling around her blanket. Her muscles ached as she moved the blanket from her leg, Thorin and Dwalin move to either side of her helping her to stand. Taking a moment to balance herself Magdalen stood straight. Her eyes once again meeting Fili's.

"Take me to him."

Thorin nodded beside her, moving Magdalen closer to the door. In reaching distant of Fili, Magdalen stopped her hand lightly tapping Fili's.

"We will speak after this."

On the arm of Thorin, Magdalen climbed down the steps that led deeper into the bowels of the mountain. Behind them marched a small army of Magdalen's friends. Fili and Kili closely following Thorin and Magdalen's movements, ready to swoop in if Magdalen needed so. Dwalin, behind the brothers, held his axe tightly in his fist, ready to strike enemies at any moment.

As they rounded the steps they were met with the disorienting image of the Tall elf king, and Tauriel standing over the small cells. Thranduil upon seeing Magdalen, dropped into a bow his hand placed over his heart.

"Gi suilon Mellon." Thranduil greeted them.

"What are you doing here, elf?" Thorin questioned.

Magdalen glared at the dwarf, "He helped me get back to the mountain, perhaps we shouldn't be so harsh with the elf." She spoke to him quietly.

Thorin's icy eyes met Magdalen, in them was a gleaming light of pride Magdalen had never gotten from Thorin. He looked back to Fil, before nodding in agreement with Magdalen.

"Forgive, King Thranduil. Habits often die hard."

Thranduil hummed. "I heard that Lady Magdalen was awake and wanted council with the dwarf. I wish to offer my service, if she needs it."

Mimicking his action Magdalen placed a hand over her heart bowing to the elven king. Thorin didn't push the subject any further, simply nodding at the elves in his presence continuing their journey to Amrus's cell. Thranduil and Tauirel trailing behind them.

Four guards stood on either side of a lone cell on the lowest level of the mountain. The cold air pricked at Magdalen's skin as they neared the iron bars which held Amrus. Thorin nodded to one of the guards, who turned to bang on the bars calling into the darkness.

"You have a visitor, Amrus." Barked the guard.

From the low light that slipped into the edge of the cell appeared the face of Amrus. His cheekbones had become hollow in the short time he had spent in the cell. His skin was pale and two dark bags hung under his eyes. Magdalen stared down at the bruised and broken face of Amrus. She watched a cruel smile sit on his lips.

"I heard you survived, seems that you were just of much as a pain as your grandfather." Amrus said bemused.

Amrus let out a chuckle at a joke that was unknown to them. Magdalen slipped from Thorin's arm taking a step closer to the cell. Her hand reaching out to wrap around the bar to stabilize her shaking legs. Bringing her face close to Amrus's.

"Your fate is in my hands, I wouldn't speak to me as such." She said.

Amrus narrowed his eyes at her.

"And do you say to his death, Lady Magdalen. Call for his death and I will give it to you." Thorin spoke behind her.

Magdalen's eyes never left Amru's.

"He isn't worthy of death." She whispered.

She lowered herself to Amrus's level, her hand curling around one of the cool bars that held him.

"You deserve to rot in a cell for the rest of your days. To be haunted by the memories of what you did, and the lives you've destroyed. Your life isn't mine to take, but know that when you do go to Mahal's halls he will not be merciful." Magdalen spat pushing up from the ground.

Her eyes never leaving Amrus.

"If I may," A voice came from behind her. "I would like to offer the deepest, darkest cell in my dungeon, to keep him there for the rest of his miserable days far away from you." Magdalen looked to Thranduil, and then to Thorin.

"Would that be okay with you, King Thorin." She spoke.

Thorin, ever suspicious, stared at the elf. "Why would you do that?"

The cool eyes of Thranduil marched over the dwarves, finally settling on Magdalen. He bowed his head, his icy hair hanging around his sharp face.

"For the future queen, anything. Lady Magdalen will always have the support of Mirkwood." Placing long jewel kissed fingers over his heart Thranduil bowed to Magdalen.

"Dwalin, prepare a team to help a company the prisoner," Thorin commanded.

Amrus grabbed the bars screaming khuzdul slurs at Magdalen. The guard slammed his stick against the bars yelling at Amrus to shut his mouth.

Magdalen, not fearing Amrus any longer, didn't look back at the man again. Instead, she linked arms with Fili, marching away from the scene that was left. Kili following closely behind.

Magdalen refused to go back to the healer's wings, she stated that she wanted nothing more than to curl up in her own bed. Fili, of course, obliged. They walked back to her apartment in silence, Magdalen's hand tightening around Fili's bicep as they walked. Inside her apartment Kili paced the length of her apartment, asking her if she needed anything. Even though Magdalen insisted that she needed nothing, Kili still moved about her apartment making sure she was comfortable as she sat. Kili continued to talk to himself as he walked. Magdalen sat on her couch her eyes looking longingly Fili.

Fili, breaking their intense eye contact, stepped into his brother's path. Placing a hand on his brother's chest.

"Kili, I think Magdalen is fine. I will see to anything she needs." Kili's face crested at his brother's words.

Kili looked past Fili to where Magdalen sat.

"Fee, she shouldn't be stressed. She just woke up, perhaps I should go get-"

"Leave us, brother!" He snapped.

Kili shut his mouth, he looked back at Magdalen to make sure she was okay with being left alone with him. Magdalen glared Fili's harsh tone before meeting Kili's eyes.

"Kili, I need to speak with Fili… alone." She smiled gently, reaching out to squeeze Kili's hand.

"I'm sure Tauriel would be happy to see you." Magdalen mentioned slyly.

Kili's face reddened at her words. Raising her hand Kili pressing a kiss into it, before letting go. He moves passed Fili stopping to tell him.

"Don't hurt her." He warned

Fili glared at him as he left. The door closed behind him leaving him with Magdalen.

Magdalen pushed herself off the couch, Fili surged forward ready to stable her if need be. Fili opened his mouth, but Magdalen held up her hand stopping him.

"There are a few things I need to get off my chest."

Fili nodded taking a step away from Magdalen. He looked toward the floor, ready for her chastation.

"Fili, when I came to Erebor I hated it here. There wasn't a day that didn't go by when I thought of leaving. I wanted to go back to a home that was no longer there. When I was taken away from Erebor all I could think of was getting back here." She paused, taking a step toward Fili.

She placed a hand on his jaw, her fingers brushing through his beard. "Coming home to my family… coming back to you."

Fili pressed his lips together, his face nuzzling into the palm of her hand. His lips burning her pam. His hands reached up brushing through the wilds of her hair.. Their foreheads connected. The air between them mingled and danced, as they relished in the feeling of each other's company.

"There was a part of me that still thought that one day I would just wake up from all this, and my life would go back to what it was before. But I don't want that anymore. That place isn't my home. You're my home, Fili."

Fili sucked in a shaky breath, his head gently tapping hers. Through wet lashes Magdalen studied the man before her. Fili placed his hands on either side of her face.

"And you are mine, Dushin-Mizim."

She held onto his wrist, tears flowed freely between the pair.

"I love you." She whispered

"And I, you."

They sat for hours together, holding each other savor their moments together. Whispering silent prayers to Aule for their second chance.

"Will you marry me?" His eyes shined up at Magdalen.

Magdalen grinned her knees sinking down to Fili's level, her hand covering his. She reached out pressing a quick kiss to his she broke the kiss, Fili smiling at her.

"No," Magdalen answered.

Fili's smile dropped, his face creased in dread. Magdalen held his face making his eyes met her.

"Fili, I have almost died, twice, this past year. I was just kidnapped because I love you. I'm not saying I don't want to marry you. Because I do."

Her hands curled around the lip of Fili's jacket.

"Because, I really, really, do. But not right now. I just want us to be us, for a little while. I need a little time to recover from last year."

Tears fell from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Fili. I love you, but I need time." Her body gave in to the weight of her emotions as she crumbled into Fili, sobbing into his clothes.

Above her Fili gently brushed over the top of Magdalen's hair, pushing her face into his. Pressing sweet butterfly kisses over her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and eyelids. Magdalen recognized the runes he traces into her skin.

"Dushin-Mizim, I would wait lifetimes for you." Fili reassured her. "I will wait until you're ready, and if you are never ready then I will just stand by your side for the rest of my days."

His words made her heart glow. Jumping up Magdalen wrapped her arms around Fili's neck bringing him into a bone-crushing hug.

"I love you," Magdalen mumbled to Fili.

"And I, you." He answered.

"Would it be okay if I put a court braid in your hair?"

Magdalen laughed through her tears nodding to Fili.

A few nights past, and in true dwarven form, the Durin's held a celebration in honor of Magdalen and Deamra's return, and for the announcement of the courtship of Magdalen and Fili. The night was long, filled with ale, fine elven wine, and laughter. Surrounded by her friends and family Magdalen felt content. She had fought her way into this life and shaped from stone in the mountain her new life.

You see the paths we are set on in life are rarely simple straight. Instead, they are long and winding, with obstacles that are meant to break our spirit. These paths aren't meant to be walked alone, it is with the people we have met along the way we make it through. Surrounded by her new family, Magdalen rested her head on Fili's shoulder. She smiled feeling complete and truly wanted for the first time in a long time. Fili pressed a kiss into Magdalen's hair, whispering sweet nothings into her hair.

This wouldn't be the last of their adventures. Their lives were never perfect. Not even in a world filled with magical beasts, elves, and powerful rings are all things perfect. But that was what made their love endured for the rest of their days.

Fili and Magdalen had each other and that was well enough.

The end.

Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. Not going to lie your guys reviews and endless love was what made me keep writing this story. I think I have a few more stories left in me, so this will not be the last of you hear from me. I hope you guys liked the ending, though there has been pain along the way I believe everyone has gotten their happy endings.

And now dear reader I bid you a very fond farewell.