The road to Erebor was dotted with men, elves, and dwarves watching as the grim processional slowly made its way past. The company trudged their way forward, eyes fixed on the small stretcher head of them, Thorin Fili Kili and Dwalin each holding one end on their shoulders as they silently carried Benna into Erebor.
...
Benna lay on a large stone slab. She was dressed more regally now in a deep purple dress and long black surcoat, the dark colors standing out starkly against her pale features. Her hands were placed carefully around the hilt of her sword, pressed against her chest. Fili watched as Dori made some final adjustments to her dress, Fidgeting with the small silver circlet in his hand. He felt a hand on his shoulder as Thorin came to stand alongside him. Thorin nodded to him as Dori finished his work. Slowly they stepped towards the dais. Fili reached out brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Carefully he placed the circlet on Benna's head, settling her hair around it.
"Her braid is fraying." Thorin observed quietly. He looked at his nephew "You should redo it before she is..." He stopped, unable to bring himself to finish the sentence.
Fili looked at the braid, taking it in his fingers.
He shook his head. "I cant." He rasped dropping the braid before quickly leaving the hall.
...
The room was silent save for the shuffling of feet, as the host of men, elves, and dwarves made their way into the chamber. Thranduil looked down mournfully at Benna as he made his way past the stone dais. A few of his people had left flowers along the slab, he in turn placed a small branch of red leaves next to her as he passed, whispering an elvish blessing. Bard passed next, placing two small lengths of ribbon that his daughters had sent with him beside Benna's head. It seemed wrong he thought, the girl he had met in lake town had been so full of energy and life, now still and unmoving.
Dain looked down at Benna. "You have saved this mountain." He whispered, his eyes drifting as the company shuffled reluctantly towards the stone slab, gathering around as they looked down at their friend.
"She was a good lass." Gloin said sadly.
"Aye one of the best." Bofur agreed clutching his hat to his chest.
Beside him Ori tucked his head into Nori's shoulder as he began to cry again. Bifur tentatively stepped forward, placing a small carved bear beside her. 'Thank you.' He slowly signed.
Gandalf looked down mournfully as he patted Benna's hand "I am truly sorry my dear girl."
Thorin's heart ached as he looked at her face, the dark bruise on it a reminder how little he had deserved her sacrifice. He cleared his throat turning to the assembly gathered nearby.
"Benna McCallium was a stranger to these lands, but despite this she risked her life to help us reclaim this mountain. She gave her life so that the line of Durin would endure, That this mountain and its people would prosper. She came as a stranger but she will be remembered as one of our own."
The assembly cried out around them, their voices echoing around the hall "Hail to the victorious dead!"
...
The company had gathered outside the hall, they sat and drank well into the evening as they remembered their friend. "Then she hit that elf on the head so hard it clean knocked him off his feet!" Bilbo chuckled lightly, taking a long sip from his glass. The company around him laughed with sad smiles on their faces. Fili pushed back from the table as he set his cup down, walking through the entry way back into the great hall.
Kili moved to follow him, but Thorin placed a hand on his shoulder as he shook his head "He needs to do this alone."
Fili knelt on the step of the Dias, looking at Benna. His fingers brushed her cheek as he slowly reached for her braid, undoing the clasp. With painstaking care he redid the braid, tucking it back into place. Gently he took one of her hands from the sword, taking it in his as he leaned his head beside her on the stone slab.
"How do I go on when I am haunted by what could have been?" Fili asked her quietly "My heart feels as though it is too heavy to keep on beating."
He buried his head in the crook of his arm, the other clutching at her hand as the tears flowed once more. After a while he brought her hand to his lips, before resting it against his forehead. Benna's finger twitched. Fili looked up at her sharply. She lay pale and still. He sighed, shaking his head as he moved to place the hand back on her sword. The fingers twitched again.
He drew a sharp breath in as he leaned over her "Benna?"
He waited, watching her with bated breath as a long moment passed. Her hand weakly gripped his. Fili's eyes widened, his mouth opening and closing as no words came out.
"O...O….Oin." He said not taking his eyes off of Benna. "Oin get in here!" He called louder.
There was the sound of footsteps on the stone as Oin hurried into the hall followed closely by the company.
"What's wrong lad?" The old healer asked, looking him over.
"Benna..." Fili gasped "She.. she grabbed my hand!"
Oin gave him a pained look before glancing at Thorin. "Fili it has been a long few days, you need to get some rest. Benna is dead lad. I checked her pulse myself, multiple times. She's gone laddie."
Fili glared at him, letting go of Benna's hand as he rounded on the healer "I know what I felt!"
Thorin stepped to him, putting a heavy hand on his shoulder "Fili please, get some rest."
Fili was about to argue when a soft groan sounded from behind him. The company turned their heads at the sound. They watched rooted in place as Benna's eyes twitched for a moment before cracking open.
Dwalin was the first to recover rushing over to the dais. "Benna?" He whispered in disbelief. Benna's eyes opened a bit further.
"Dwalin?" She rasped.
"Benna... lass are you alive?" Oin choked out.
Benna blinked as she stared up at the ceiling "Oh man I hope so because if not the after life hurts like a real bitch.". Dwalin helped her slowly sit up as she leaned heavily in his grip.
Fili and Kili rushed over to her, the former taking her hands in his. "Is this real?" He breathed, looking her over.
Benna smiled tiredly at him, she paused as she looked around the room "Not that I'm not happy to see all of you, but where am I?"
"Y..you are in one of the great halls in Erebor." Balin supplied looking at her in awe "We finished your memorial earlier this evening."
Benna's eyebrows rose. "How...how is this possible?"
Thorin turned to Dori and Nori "Go find Gandalf." The brothers nodded, sprinting out of the hall.
"What is all this ruckus?" A booming voice called as Dain entered the hall. "Why are the lads tearing out of here like there's a dragon at their heels?" He stopped as he saw Benna sitting up on the slab. "Hammer and stone." He breathed "Is she alive?". Thorin nodded slowly. "H..how?" Dain stammered.
"We are not sure" Thorin shook his head.
"Are you alright Beanie?" Kili asked as a flash of pain crossed Benna's face. She nodded, giving him a thin smile.
"Do not lie to us Benna." Dwalin frowned "How do you feel?"
Benna looked up at him and sighed "Like every bone in my body has been broken and replaced with lead. I feel like I haven't slept in weeks. I'm cold." He looked down at her worriedly. "It beats the alternative though." She said, giving a weak laugh.
Everyone turned as Gandalf flew into the room followed by Thranduil. "It is true!" He gasped as they brushed past the company.
Benna looked up at them "Gandalf what is happening? How am I alive?"
The wizard took her left wrist flipping it over looking over the still blank skin frowning. Thranduil took a sharp breath, reaching down for her other wrist. He pulled her bracelet close to his face examining it.
"A moonstone of Lothlórien. It has been broken." He whispered looking at the now cracked stone. Gently he pulled the sleeve of her dress up, turning her arm over. There was a small pale white rune on her wrist.
"What is that?" Benna asked, running her fingers over it.
"It appears the stone's power has been transferred to you." Thranduil said "You must have been highly favored by the lady of light to have been gifted such a powerful relic."
Benna stared at the mark dumbfounded "She… she said it would bring me light in the darkest time."
"And so it has."
Benna stared at the mark, then at the bracelet "But how did she know?"
Gandalf's eyes held a knowing glint "The Lady of the Light sees many things."
Benna frowned opening her mouth to press the wizard for more, but stopped as she yawned deeply. She blinked slowly, her body beginning to feel heavy again as the chill of the hall began creeping up on her.
"We should get her someplace warmer." Dwalin said as he felt he shiver.
Gandalf nodded "I think that would be wise. We can reconvene in the morning."
...
Balin blinked as the sun streamed through the tattered curtains. He sat up from the chair he had slept in, looking around the chambers. He smiled as he saw his brother asleep in a chair, his head resting on Benna's bed. Balin walked over to the bed. Dwalin's hand was around Benna's wrist, two large fingers resting on the inside of it. Dwalin grumbled hearing Balin's foot steps, blinking awake.
"Did you sleep there all night?". Dwalin nodded. "You were checking her pulse?" Balin asked tentatively.
He looked at Benna "I just wanted to make sure she was still…. Ya know?"
Balin smiled knowingly "I'll admit to checking on her breathing once or twice."
Benna stirred in the bed, her eyes blinking open lazily. She looked at the brothers. "Morning." She mumbled rubbing her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Dwalin asked "Any pain?".Benna nodded.
"I'll go and find Oin. See if he can mix something up for you." Balin said, patting her hand before walking to the door.
Benna looked at him "Some breakfast too maybe? I can't remember the last time I ate."
"Of course." Balin smiled, pulling the handle to the door. There was a thud as the door opened sending Kili and Fili sprawling onto the floor. They looked around groggily. "Did you lads sleep out there?" Balin asked. The brothers looked at him sheepishly and nodded.
"We wanted to see Benna when she woke up." Fili said, as Kili yawned beside him.
"I'm awake." Benna's soft voice called from behind Balin "You can come in."
Balin ushered the brothers in before leaving, shutting the door behind him. "Benna!" Kili said excitedly as he bounded over to the bed.
"Get off of there!" Dwalin growled as Kili flopped down on the bed by Benna's feet.
"He's fine," Benna shook her head "there's plenty of room."
Fili pulled a chair along side the bed. "Did you sleep well?" He asked brushing down the stray hairs sticking up from her head.
"Like the dead." Benna grinned.
"That's not funny." Dwalin grunted crossing his arms.
"It's a little funny." She pouted.
Kili stretched his limbs before rolling onto his side to look at her. She was surprised at the serious look on his face "You died Benna. You died for us. Mahal we were a day away from entombing you! What you did is not laughing matter." He said rubbing the mark on his arm.
Benna's eyes widened as she saw it, "Let me see that!". She made to jump towards Kili's arm, groaning in pain as she flopped back down on the bed.
"Easy Benna.'' Dwalin said, pulling the blanket back over her.
"Here." Fili said rolling up his sleeve, extending his arm to her "We each have one.". Benna took his arm running her fingers over the faded mark.
"We are like a little club now." Kili grinned, back to his cheery mood.
The door to the chambers were pushed open as Balin and Oin entered, Thorin trailing behind them. Balin placed a small tray of food on the bedside table before moving to put the kettle over the fire. "Balin said you were having some pain?" Oin asked opening his bag "What else?"
"I feel weak, cold, stiff, tired." Benna rattled off.
Oin nodded "It is to be expected. You were dead for over two days after all. Your recovery will be a tedious one."
Benna frowned. "Oh good I do love tedium." She scoffed as the healer examined her.
"Everything seems normal… Well as normal as things can be in this situation. Get some food in you and I'll give you something for the pain."
Fili handed her the plate as she carefully selected a roll from it. Kili grabbed one as well. "Hey!" Benna cried
"You're going to have to get used to sharing if we are going to be brother and sister one day."
Benna turned to Thorin. "Can you hand me that?" She asked, pointing to a small pillow by the chair. He nodded, passing it to her. She curled her fingers around the edge before throwing it full force at Kili, knocking him off the edge of the bed. Benna gritted her teeth as her arm began to ache "Worth it."