Here we are finally at the last two chapters, I cant believe it! I just wanna say thank you guys for following along with this story. I hope for you, like it has been for me, this has been a small distraction from everything going on!

By late morning the entire company had filled Benna's quarters. They had trickled in one by one each with a different excuse. Dori, Bilbo, and Ori had come with extra blankets. Gloin and Nori had come looking for Oin and Ori. Bombour had come with a large plate of tea and pastries which Bofur and Bifur were helping him carry. Their conversations were broken as a knock sounded on the door. Dain's head poked through the crack in the door, before he swung it open.

"Thought I might find you lot here." He said with a chuckle "Just wanted to see how the wee lass was!"

Benna smiled "I'm doing better. Definitely a lot better than two days ago."

"Oh aye. news of your resurrection is spreading through the mountain, the tale of the girl who died twice and saved the line of Durin in the process has certainly gotten the rumors started!"

Benna tilted her head slightly "Rumors?"

"What kind of rumours?" Thorin frowned.

"The word going through the mountain is that the lass here is the incarnation of Durin himself, come back to protect his kin!" Dain chuckled "Or that she is some sort of ancient spirit that was summoned to protect the mountain. Either way you have certainly become everyone's fixation." He turned to Thorin "They want her named, you cannot hide her forever."

Thorin shook his head "Not until she is further healed."

Benna shrugged "You can tell them my name Dain, it's fine."

The dwarf gave a loud bark of laughter. Benna looked at the company "I feel like I am missing something again."

Thorin nodded "They want you to become a named man. It is generally an honor given to those who have accomplished great deeds. It is an epithet."

Benna bobbed her head slowly "So like how you are Oakenshield?"

Thorin nodded again "But that is something we can discuss when you are well. We must focus on your recovery for now."

"Aye Thorin is right, the lass still has a long way to heal." Oin chimed in as Benna yawned. "Lets let her get some rest." He said shooing the company out the door. With a bit of reluctance the company began to take their leave one by one until only Thorin remained.

"Thorin?" Benna watched as he knelt beside her bed.

The dwarf king sighed before looking up at her "I find my self once more in your debt, you have not only again saved my life but the lives of my family as well. I am ashamed for what I have done, my actions towards you were dishonorable. Yet you still sacrificed your life for mine..." He shook his head "I have no right to ask it of you, but I will beg for your forgiveness."

Benna's face softened "You were not yourself Thorin, there is nothing to forgive. You should not let what has happened define you. What I said to Balin I meant it- you are going to make a great king."

Thorin looked up at her, a mixture of emotions crossing his face for a moment "You are truly unlike anyone I have come across in my long years Benna McCallium." He placed a hand on her shoulder "The Valar could not have found a better champion.". He slowly got to his feet. "You should rest, I do not think Oin will be able to keep your visitors at bay for too long." He chuckled before closing the door behind him.

…

"Please?"

"No."

Benna turned to Balin "Pleasee?"

The old dwarf shook his head. She turned back to Dwalin "Pleaseeeee."

"No."

Benna flopped back in the bed "It's been over two weeks and the most I've been allowed to do is walk to the sitting room and back."

"You are still healing Benna," Balin sighed "You must be patient."

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee." She groaned

"What is all this racket?" Kili asked as he pushed the door open, followed by Fili "It sounds like someone is strangling an olephent!"

Benna pouted as they sat down next to the bed "They wont let me go for a walk."

"Mahal that is it?"

"That's easy for you to say. You guys have things to do." Benna frowned "I'm going crazy locked away in this room!"

Dwalin pinched the bridge of his nose "Fine one quick outing then it is right back to bed. But you are using the crutch, the last thing we need is for your leg to open back up." Benna smiled triumphantly. "And take one of them with you." Dwalin pointed at the brothers.

A few moments later Benna flung open the door to her room. Fili looked up from where he was leaning against the wall. He smiled offering his arm "Are you ready my lady?"

She nodded as she settled the crutch under her arm "Lets hurry and go before he changes his mind!". The walk was painfully slow as Benna's stiff legs limped along the stone. Around them men and dwarves were bustling about, all in the same frenzied hurry to prepare the mountain for the winter. As they continued along Benna slowly became aware that people were stopping to glance at her as they passed.

"Why is everyone giving me funny looks?" She whispered to Fili.

He chuckled "You are the hero of Erebor, I suspect many people will be wanting to get a look at you."

Benna frowned "How do they know its me?"

Fili ran his fingers through her hair "Mithrim you do not exactly blend in."

She opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off as someone called her name.

"Benna!". The pair turned to see Bard walking over to them. He smiled broadly "It is good to see you awake. I am sorry I have not had time to come and see you. It has been a great deal of work getting the people of lake town settled."

"It is good to be up and moving." Benna smiled "I'm glad you will be staying here for the winter."

"Aye Thorin's aid has been a great help to us. Plus with the extra men around the restoration of the mountain has begun quicker than planned."

Fili nodded "The men of the lake have been a great help indeed."

Bard looked over as one of the men near by began to wave him over "I am sorry I cannot stay longer." He said with a weary sigh "It seems I am needed in every corner of this mountain lately."

Benna nodded "It is no trouble, I am sure we will see each other again soon!"

The pair watched as the bargeman disappeared back into the sea of people. "We should be getting back." Fili said gently taking Benna's elbow, steering her back down the hall. Benna pouted at him wanting to continue on. "That will not work." He shook his head "I would rather face your disappointment than Dwalin's ire."

He pushed open the door to Benna's room as she limped in after him.

"Here," She said handing him the crutch "Toss this by the door."

Fili looked at her skeptically "Will you not need it?"

Benna scoffed "Its like 20 steps from here to the bed, I'm not that much of an invalid!"

Fili said nothing but his eyes betrayed his doubts. "I'll show you!" She said taking deliberately large and dramatic steps to prove her point. She had only made it a few steps before the wave of exhaustion that had been building during their walk crashed over her. Benna's legs began to buckle mid step, her arms flailing for balance as she stumbled back.

Fili caught her under the arms, looking down at her with a smirk. "An impressive show indeed." He said scooping her into his arms.

"Hey I almost made it." Benna yawned tiredly as he set her down onto the bed.

"Do you need anything before I go?" Fili asked softly as he pulled the blanket over her.

"Some company would be nice. It feels weird being in this big room alone after so many months on the road."

He nodded, taking up the empty seat by the bed. Benna stared pensively at the ceiling for a moment.

"What has you so wrapped in thought?" Fili asked

She rolled over to face him "Its just.. Seeing Bard and the mountain so full of people it made me think of everything we went through to get here. It feels so strange to think the quest is over."

"We endured a great deal in order to reclaim this mountain." He nodded placing his hand over hers "You especially so. "

Benna smiled at him "I would gladly do it over again. This mountain, the company, you- it makes everything that has happened worth the trouble."

"I could not agree more Mithrim." Fili said kissing her gently on the forehead "Get some rest. I will be here when you wake."

…

Benna fidgeting nervously as she looked at the large hall doors in front of her.

"Are you sure you are ready?" Fili asked.

She nodded "You sound like Balin. He was up in arms about having the ceremony this soon, if he got his way I'd be in bed for another month!". Benna paused smoothing out the front of her dress one last time. "Are you still not going to tell me what name they picked?" She frowned.

Fili grinned "You will find out soon enough." Benna gave him a suspicious look. "What, do you not trust us?"

She shook her head "I know Kili helped pick the name so I'm a bit leery. For all I know I'm about to be named Benna the Barbaric!"

He laughed "I like the sound of that, I wonder if it is too late to change it." Benna gave him a light shove.

From inside the hall they could hear the voices dying down as Thorin's deep tone cut through the din.

Benna shifted her weight nervously "It's almost time."

Fili brushed the side of her cheek with his thumb "Everything will be fine."

She smiled, taking his hand in hers as the doors began to open in front of them "You know for once I think it will be."