The Perfect Crime

by photogirl894

She is a thief and Nori, her best friend, has helped Aelin become a skilled one. After an encounter with Gandalf, she finds herself being asked to join the quest to Erebor with Nori and his brothers. The problem is: Aelin and the leader, Thorin, know and hate each other. They will have to put their hatred aside and unite...perhaps in more ways than they think. A Thorin/OC story!

32. Fit for a Queen

Here I am again with a new chapter!

I know the last one was heartbreaking and, to be honest, so is this one. I absolutely hate writing sad things, but I brought this upon myself.

Also, there is a song near the end and you can listen to it at the youtube link below. You all should know it and I'm just going to apologize right now...

watch?v=q8ir8rVl2Z4

I hope you all can still enjoy this. As best you can, anyway.

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It was quite some time before the company of Thorin Oakenshield decided to make their way back down from Ravenhill to the battle field, where the battle was drawing to a close and the Elves and Dwarves were searching amongst the dead. With lowered heads and broken hearts, they started their trek down the hill. Most of them had taken Dain's mountain goats, so they doubled up and rode back down.

The only one who rode alone was Thorin. He rode down with Aelin's body leaned against him, holding her tightly so as to keep her from falling off. . She was beginning to feel cold to the touch and it only made Thorin's heart ache even more. The world around him faded away and grew silent. He could feel nothing other than the coldness of Aelin's skin. Everything seemed surreal as he still felt the pain of his loss and struggled to believe it had really happened.

Before long, they made it back to the battle field and could see that medical tents had been set up off to the side, where the wounded were being treated. Numerous soldiers of both Dwarves and Elves were looking through the dead with sorrow in their eyes at the bodies before their feet. Some had already brought out carts or carriages to transport the bodies back to their homes to be buried or burned.

"Thorin, over here!" then called the voice of Dain from nearby.

The others looked to see him coming their direction and they parted so that Dain could clearly see Thorin. As he approached and saw the body in Thorin's arms, his face immediately fell.

"Oh, no...cousin, what happened?" Dain asked with worry as Thorin slowly walked toward him. The others knew they should give the two cousins time alone, so they dispersed and left.

Thorin halted in front of him and replied in a raspy voice, still looking down at her face, "Aelin saved my life. She threw herself between me and Azog and sacrificed herself."

A look of horror came over Dain's face as he looked down at Aelin. "Oh, gods…!" he gasped. "This is all my fault…!"

"Why would you think that?" Thorin inquired in reply.

Dain looked back at Thorin and his lips quivered nervously. Then he told him, "Thorin...I am so sorry. I...I let her go. I told her to go after you...even after you asked me to take care of her."

"You what…?" Thorin asked in disbelief. Then he shook his head and cried, his voice growing louder, "Dain, how could you do this? I left her in your care; you promised me that she would be kept safe! Why would you lie to me that way and let her run headfirst into danger?!"

Suddenly, he stopped as his eyes fell upon Aelin in his arms. Something compelled him to cease his yelling at Dain. He gazed down at the fair, paling face of the woman he carried; the woman who had practically given him hell since the start of the journey. The woman who continued to spend time with his nephews when he had, at first, forbidden her from doing so. The woman who charged headfirst into a group of trolls to save Bilbo when he had told her not to. The woman who refused to get into the tunnel during the Warg attack on the plains and, instead, saved his life and got herself injured in the process. The woman whom he had to practically throw into a tree himself to get her to safety when they were attacked by Azog's pack simply because she wouldn't go and l wanted him to go up first. The woman who crossed the enchanted river in Mirkwood without hesitation even before they had devised a plan. This time, she was the woman who had gone against his wishes one last time and followed after him into battle and had lost her life to protect him from his enemy.

Aelin was the hard-headed woman who defied Thorin constantly and never listened to him...and yet, he had still fallen in love with her despite all of that...and that was the reminder he needed.

Upon this reflection, Thorin's anger was once again replaced with sorrow as he slowly fell to his knees, clutching Aelin against him and letting a few tears fall in her hair. "It is not your fault, Dain," he told Dain in a choked voice. "Aelin was always headstrong...even if you had not let her go, she would have found a way to come after me all the same. She has never listened to me...and yet, that is what made her who she was. She was determined to do things her way if she believed it to be right and if it was to ensure the safety of others. Her coming to Ravenhill...was inevitable. I should not blame you for this...and I apologize."

Before Dain knelt the King Under the Mountain, who was, in that moment, nothing more than a broken Dwarf brought low, suffering heartbreak and despair of the greatest kind. Dain felt immense pity and sympathy for his cousin. He bent forward, placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder and got down onto his knees in front of him, looking at him as an equal.

"There is nothing to apologize for. Here...hand her to me," suggested Dain, holding out his arms.

In response, Thorin said nothing but gave him an unsure look.

Dain then urged him, "Thorin, I will not let you carry the body of your beloved any further. Her loss is already painful enough and I can tell you have used much of your strength. Let me do this for you. Give her to me and I will carry her."

Even though he was reluctant to let her go, Thorin knew that his strength had, indeed, been quite spent and Dain was right: it was already enough that he had lost her. Having to carry her down the hill was even too much for him, for he nearly had broken down again.

With a nod, Thorin carefully transferred Aelin's body over into Dain's arms, who took her up with ease.

"I will take her to the tents, where she will be kept separate from the remainder of the dead, as I am sure you will want to bury her here," Dain informed him.

"You have my gratitude, Dain," Thorin told him as they rose to their feet and started in the direction of the tents.

Dain could still see the grief in Thorin's face and his own heart seemed to ache, as well. "I am so sorry, Thorin," he apologized. "Even though I only knew her for but a moment, I could tell that Aelin was one of a kind and someone truly special. I promise you, her name shall be honored amongst us in the Iron Hills...as a sister-in-arms and the protector of our King."

"That...would mean the world to me. Thank you," said Thorin gratefully.

"She was strong in life," Dain went on. "She will find her way to the halls of Durin, where he and her forebears will welcome her home."

Thorin's throat tightened as he tried to keep himself from crying again. He knew Dain completely meant well by his words, but it still pained his heart to hear such things being said about Aelin.

Then Thorin said more to himself in a quiet, melancholy voice, "Her home was supposed to be here in Erebor…."

---

In the aftermath of the battle, the dead were gathered and ready to transport back to their homelands while the wounded were being tended to by various medics and apothecaries. Bilbo and Tauriel found out about Aelin when Dain had brought her to the medical tent. Bilbo had been heartbroken by this tragic news. Word of Aelin's death also eventually reached Thranduil and Bard later in the day. Thranduil was more in urgent need to go back to the Woodland Realm, but Bard returned to the mountain as soon as he heard to convey his condolences to the company. Thorin had returned inside the mountain, but Bard was received by Balin on his behalf.

"All she wanted was peaceful negotiations without bloodshed or war," Bard had commented. "It is a shame that her wishes were not fulfilled, even though we were all attacked unexpectedly by the Orcs and the battle couldn't have been helped. It breaks my heart that a soul so brave and strong was lost in the midst of this terrible event."

"Believe me...it breaks all of our hearts," Balin had told him in return. "However, she died in defense of the King...so her death was one of honor and I know she wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

"Please give my sincerest condolences to the King Under the Mountain for the loss of his Queen," said Bard. "I know she was never officially a Queen, but I have a feeling she was viewed that way by all of you. She behaved like one when she came to us the night before the battle and I wish to respect her as such."

Balin had grinned with gratitude and said to Bard, "I will and your respect for our companion means a great deal to us."

"There is one other thing," Bard then added. He reached inside his jacket and withdrew from inside it the Arkenstone. He held it out to Balin. "This is not mine to keep and I will no longer use this against Thorin. From what I have heard from others of your company, he seems to have come back to his senses. Therefore, I have a feeling that we now can come to a more civil arrangement."

"On behalf of King Thorin, I thank you for the return of the King's Jewel and I assure you that the share of the treasure that is owed you will be granted and brought to you as soon as possible."

Bard held up a hand and shook his head, "There is no need to rush. I know this is a difficult time and there is much for you to do, especially after Aelin's death. I am sure that funeral arrangements must be prepared right away."

"Aye...we appreciate your understanding."

"Of course. May your gods guide her home and bring all of you peace in this trying time."

---

A day had passed after the battle-which would later be called the Battle of the Five Armies-and the Iron Hill Dwarves had returned home and the Men of Laketown and gone back to Dale to have a day of mourning and perform funeral services for their fallen.

Inside the Lonely Mountain, preparations were being made for Aelin's funeral later that day, which was going to be a smaller, private service for just the company. Earlier that morning, Oin had taken to cleaning and preparing her body, taking great and careful care as only a physician could.

Thorin was seated on the throne of Erebor, his head rested against his fingertips. He had not slept at all through the night. Any time his eyes closed, all he could see was Aelin being stabbed by Azog above him; a nightmare he knew he would relive and would haunt him for the rest of his days.

Suddenly, he was startled when Dwalin entered into the hall and informed him, "Thorin...the Elvenking is here and wishes to speak with you."

"I have no desire to speak to him," Thorin answered, a light growl in his voice.

Dwalin then said right back, "With all due respect...I think you need to listen to what he has to say."

Thorin was completely perplexed by this unexpected response. Dwalin, of all people, was actually suggesting that Thorin speak to Thranduil? That did not seem right in the slightest. However, it had to be something drastic if it was enough to make Dwalin think that Thorin should hear the Elvenking out.

"Very well," he said, still a little wary. "Send him in."

With a bow of his head, Dwalin turned on his heel and left the hall. Shortly after, Thranduil entered and came up the ramp that led to the throne. He was clothed in dark red robes that flowed behind him and on his head was a silver, Elven headdress with a single stone in the center. In his hands, he carried what appeared to be an object wrapped in linen cloth. Oddly enough, there was no displeasure, malice or even irritation in his demeanor. He seemed solemn and almost content. This was unlike the Thranduil that Thorin had always known.

The Elvenking approached the throne and spoke, "I must admit: I am surprised that you chose to see me."

"What do you want?" Thorin asked of him.

Thranduil bowed his head, held up a hand and replied, "I come in peace, Thorin Oakenshield. There are things that I must say to you and I come also with a peace offering."

Thorin raised his eyebrows and questioned, "A peace offering? From you?"

"It is something I know you will want, I assure you," Thranduil responded. He then said, "Firstly, I offer my condolences for the loss of your female companion."

Despite his shock at the fact Thranduil was offering any sort of sympathy towards him, Thorin couldn't help but turn away at the mention of Aelin.

"Losing the one you love is a terrible tragedy," Thranduil went on. "I can sympathize with that as my own wife passed long ago."

Thorin said nothing in return, but he gave Thranduil a look that told him he didn't want to discuss any of that and to get on with his point.

Taking notice of this, Thranduil simply moved on and told him, "My second reason for being here is this." He held aloft the covered object in his hands. "This is the peace offering I bring you."

He unfolded the cloth to reveal its contents and Thorin's eyes went wide as he jolted up from his throne in shock.

Inside the cloth was a set of two glittering white knives with Dwarven runes inscripted in gold on the blades.

"Aelin's battle knives…!" he quietly gasped as he gradually descended the steps of his throne towards Thranduil.

"My captain of the guard brought these to me when you were brought to the Woodland Realm," the Elvenking explained. "She informed me that they belonged to the female Dwarf of your company. She came to Bard and I the night before the battle...and I will say, I was impressed with her sense of diplomacy and her will to negotiate on your behalf. She was quite persistent in her demands."

"And what were her demands?"

"If the deal for the Arkenstone in exchange for the promised gold for Laketown proved successful, then my forces and I would pull back and return to Mirkwood with no further conflict. In return, she was going to give me the jewels of mine that reside in your treasure horde."

Thorin was unsure of how to feel about the latter end of the deal, but that was something he knew he would deal with later.

"However, I do not come to trade these knives for the jewels."

"What?" Thorin asked, confused.

Thranduil closed his eyes and lowered his head in a humble manner. "In the midst of the battle, my eyes were opened. I had chosen to try and go to war over a handful of gems. Indeed, they belonged to my wife...but I grew to realize that she had left me something else that I should have known to value more than gold or jewels...and that is my son. Unfortunately, I have realized that too late as my son now feels he cannot return home based on actions of my own accord. I have grown to realize that life and love should be held higher in value above treasure or power." He lifted the knives a little higher to just above his abdomen. "I have come to return these to you as a gesture of goodwill and out of respect for Aelin. She proved strong and courageous from what I saw on the eve of the battle. She would not back down from what she believed was right and...in truth, I felt as though I was standing in the presence of a true Queen. These knives should rightfully be buried with her."

Thranduil then held out the knives to Thorin, who took them carefully from him. He still was so bewildered at what was happening, so he said nothing in return.

"I also wish to apologize," then said Thranduil then said, which really caught Thorin off guard. "I was wrong to punish Aelin for the sins of her father. I was wrong to have treated you and your people as harshly as I have. I have not been the King I should have been. I was always concerned with only the wellbeing of my own kingdom when I should have also been concerned with the needs of the neighboring kingdoms, as well, who needed my aid."

Thorin was speechless. Was he in a dream at the moment or had Thranduil actually apologized for the things he had done? This was almost unfathomable after everything that had happened between them. "I...I do not know what to say," he spoke in astonishment.

"You need not say anything," replied Thranduil. "I do not expect any of this to earn your trust right away. I have many years of wrongdoing to make up for. I simply wanted to come and present a gesture of kindness in the wake of all that has happened." He then glanced down at Aelin's knives briefly and then looked back to Thorin. "Where will you bury her?" he then inquired.

"In the Royal Tombs," Thorin answered.

"A funeral fit for a Queen," Thranduil commented.

"Aelin may not have officially been a Queen, but she was to me and to our company. I intended to make her my wife one day soon after we reclaimed Erebor. She will be honored the same as other Queens before her."

"As well, she should be. Even I recognized her worthiness of such a title and surely, others have done so likewise."

Thorin glanced up at Thranduil. "I thank you for returning these to me," he said, gesturing to the knives. "These were Aelin's greatest treasures. They were all she had left of her uncle who raised her."

"Then I am glad I found them again and brought them back," said Thranduil.

"In return...I shall return the white gems to you, as they are rightfully yours."

Thranduil was taken aback by Thorin's words. He hadn't expected such a reaction so quickly. Yet a content expression crossed his face as he responded, "You have my thanks for this. I will be glad to return the jewels home...and good luck with the service. I know I have no right to do this, but may I offer you some advice...as someone who has already endured a loss like yours?"

"I am listening," said Thorin.

Then Thranduil went on to tell him, "You may be a King and are expected to appear strong in front of your people...but you must not neglect your own heart and emotions. In regards to tragedy, you are no different from anyone else. You suffer the same as them; your heart has broken the same as theirs. If you feel your emotions becoming too great, then do not hold back. It is not a sign of weakness to show your sorrow over an immense loss such as this. Your friends will understand and think no less of you."

His words were more heartfelt than Thorin had anticipated. However, he thought over the things Thranduil had said and his simple reply was, "Thank you...I will remember."

---

The hour of the funeral came too soon for the company. They all gathered near the entrance to the Royal Tombs, which was a vast cavern below the mountain where the Kings and Queens of Erebor past were buried. Dwalin, Bofur, Dori and Gloin all offered to carry the stretcher down into the cavern, upon which laid Aelin's body.

She had been cleaned of any dirt and grime on her snow-white face, her hands had been cleansed of her blood, her armor had been removed and her shirt had been changed for a fresh one; Oin had even had her hair washed and brushed so it looked clean and neat. Around her neck, resting upon her chest, was her mother's pendant. On her abdomen, underneath her folded hands where Thorin had carefully placed them, sat her mithril knives. Even in death, she still was beautiful and had the appearance of a maiden warrior.

When those carrying her were ready, Gandalf led the march down into the cavern with Thorin beside him. Right behind the two of them walked Fili, Kili and Nori. Then it was the four carrying Aelin and then the rest of the company followed behind them.

Down they walked into the cold cavern, which was lit by torches or braziers all throughout. In the center of the cavern was a broad dais and in the the middle of that was a closed stone tomb for them to place their dead upon and then inside at the conclusion of the service.

As they company got to the dais and Aelin was placed upon the table, they all gathered around in solemn silence. Some of them were already shedding tears while others were trying their best to hold their own at bay.

Then Gandalf spoke in a calm voice, "We are all gathered here today to mourn our dear, departed friend, Aelin, whose life was given in defense of the King and, more importantly, the Dwarf that she loved more than life. Her sacrifice is one never to be forgotten by those of us here. She was a loyal friend, a dedicated companion, a fierce warrior and an honorable woman. Before she is to be sealed away in her tomb and her spirit released to dwell in the halls of her forebears, if anyone here has anything they would like to say, now would be the time."

Balin was the first to speak. He said in a voice wavering ever so slightly, "Aelin was a cherished member of our company who was taken from us far too soon. She was truly loved by us all. Her loyalty to all of us was unparalleled and her bravery was unmatched. She came from a past full of darkness and despair and yet, she was always so full of spirit. Our lives have all been changed by her life intertwining with ours and we will never be the same. Her presence amongst us will be forever missed." He approached the table and placed a hand over hers. "Durin guide you home, lass."

As Balin rejoined the others, Ori then raised a hand shyly and said, "I would like to say something. Aelin was like an older sister to me, even though we were not related by blood. She always looked out for me and believed in me during times when I didn't believe in myself." He fidgeted with the scarf around his neck and he tried to keep himself from crying. "I know I'm not the bravest or the strongest Dwarf, but she made me believe that I was both brave and strong. I always looked up to her…and I'm going to miss her so much." By this time, his voice cracked and he began crying into his gloved hands. Dori beside him put an arm around his shoulders to help ease his sorrow.

"Aelin was unlike any woman I've ever known," then said Bofur. "She was fierce, clever and witty. She was also kind, loyal and compassionate. She would be the most cunning warrior you would ever see and also the most caring woman you'd ever know. Many times, she continued to amaze me with just how complex of a person she was. There will never be another woman in this world like her."

While keeping his arm around his brother, Dori then spoke up, "When Nori brought Aelin into our home those many years ago, I had my doubts about her, since she was once a thief. However, she truly did change her ways and I am grateful she became a part of our family and moreover, a part of the company. She was exactly what this group needed to make it complete...and now, there will forever be an open wound in our company that can never be mended. Rest in peace, dear Aelin."

Bilbo then approached Aelin's body, reached up and grabbed her icy hand. "Aelin...you were one of the bravest people I've ever known. You were willing to defend me without hesitation multiple times. It was never just with me; you defended the company time and time again and, in the end, you died defending Thorin. It's the only way I ever imagined you would go: giving your life for someone else you cared for. Even so...I wish you were still here. I had hoped one day you would visit Bag-End again and I would show you the rest of the Shire. I hope that you can still see it from wherever you go after this life. Be at peace, my friend." Bilbo then stepped back from the body and returned next to Bofur, who wrapped an arm around him as tears came to his eyes.

"The lass was a true warrior," spoke Dwalin. "She earned my respect and that is not an easy accomplishment. I know she and I started off in a bad place, but she proved her worth in my eyes and earned her place in this company. She will always be one of us. Not even death will change that." Dwalin was not one to say many words, so he simply cleared his throat and nodded his head when he was finished, signalling that was all he wanted to say.

On the opposite side of the tomb, there was a cry and Kili suddenly leapt forward and threw himself into the side of the tomb, his sobs now breaking forth from within him, with Fili coming up behind him. In his grief, he cried out, "Aelin, why did you have to go? Why did you have to leave us? You were supposed to stay here with the company, with Thorin and with Fili and me! You were supposed to meet our mother and become our aunt one day, officially being part of our family!" His voice calmed a little as Fili held onto him, but the emotions remained strong. "We've been through so much...and there was so much more we were meant to do after we took back the mountain. I just...I still can't believe you're really gone. I already miss you so much and I don't know what I'm going to do without you...I just...I just don't know." Covering his eyes, Kili flipped back around and moved away from both Fili and the tomb, walking into Balin's open arms and burying his head in the older Dwarf's shoulder, muffling his sobs.

Since Fili was still by Aelin's body, he turned back and looked down at her. "I can echo every word my brother said," he said, keeping his calm as best he could. "There is so much we wanted to do with you, Aelin, and now, we will never get the chance. Without you, there will be a hole in mine and Kili's lives that will be immensely hard for anyone to ever fill again. There's no one in the world like you. You...you saved my life...and Kili's life...so many times...even up to the last. We literally would not be alive were it not for you and we will forever owe you our lives. Over the course of our journey, you became so important to me and meant the world to me. Apart from my brother, you...you...you were…." Then finally, he couldn't hold it in anymore and he burst out in sorrow, "You were my best friend!" Poor Fili then brought his hands to his face and fell to his knees beside the tomb, giving in to his grief and openly crying for the first time in forever. Dwalin then knelt beside him and took Fili into his arms to comfort him as best he could.

For what seemed like a long time, the company remained silent as all of them were now in tears and some were openly weeping. No one dared say another word for the time being and instead, felt that time was needed for everyone's grief to unravel as much as possible.

When everyone appeared to be a little calmer than before, Gandalf asked them, "Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?"

The rest of the company remained silent with their eyes averted and heads hung low.

Taking that as a "no", Gandalf then looked to Nori and Thorin beside him. "Nori? Thorin?" he then asked, urging them to go forward and speak their piece.

Thorin then told Nori in a low voice, "You are her brother...you should speak first."

Nori did not protest and proceeded to walk up to the side of the tomb. There were tears falling down his cheek and into his beard. "Oh, Aelin…," he sighed sadly, "...how did it all come to this? I promised you that I wouldn't die and you promised me the same. This wasn't how things were supposed to end." He closed his eyes and pursed his lips together as he fought to keep his composure. He took a deep breath and continued, "We were a team, Aelin. It's always been you and me against the world. I know we didn't grow up together, but nonetheless, I feel like I've known you my whole life. If there is one thing I owe to our father, it would be that he revealed your existence to me, which led me to find you. I never felt as though something was missing from my life until I found you and brought you home. I never knew that I needed a sister to make my life have more purpose. Now...I don't know what I'm going to do. I never thought I would have a life without you...perhaps that was naive of me to think, but I, at least, thought we would have more time together. Nothing is going to be the same without you, sister. I wish that Mahal had not taken you from us; from me so soon. You had so much more to do in life. I think you would have made a magnificent Queen Under the Mountain and I would have been the first to bow before you at your coronation. You had the compassion, ferocity, cunning and integrity fit for a Queen. To other Dwarves, you may be viewed as a Queen and to those in the company, you may be viewed as a trusted companion...but to me…you will always be my sister and closest friend. I will miss you...and I love you dearly."

By the time he finished, both of Nori's cheeks were completely wet with endless tears. He stepped forward, put a hand on Aelin's brow, bent over and placed a firm yet reverent kiss on her forehead. "Farewell, Aelin, my sweet sister. May Durin guide you home," he said, his voice cracking. After that, he turned away and decided to go to his two brothers, who rubbed his shoulders consolingly as he approached.

Finally, it was Thorin's time to say his final words and he solemnly stepped forward beside the tomb, glancing down silently at the face of his beloved. A few members of the company began to shed tears again as they just all got the feeling that they knew how emotional this was going to be.

Thorin reached forward and lightly traced the scar on Aelin's right cheek; the one that he himself had marked her with long ago. He spoke hoarsely, "How is it...that I managed to ruin everything in your life? Because of me, you got this scar on your face. Because of me, you developed a fear of darkness; one that haunted you for decades and has left scars to remind you. Then you lost your own life...because of me."

Many of the company desperately wanted to tell Thorin that it was not his fault, but no one dared interrupt him.

He continued, his voice shaking, "I am so sorry...that I led you into such peril. How you still managed to love me after all I had done, I shall never understand. I treated you with such cruelty when we first met and with even more contempt when you joined this quest. You matched me with the same level of disdain for me, which caused us to be against one another for some time. I was horrible to you and caused you so much pain that you endured for some time...how did you manage to fall in love with me in the midst of all of that and why would you choose to give up your life for someone like me?" He turned his head away for a moment. Then he looked back at her, he said, "Aelin...you...are the only woman I have ever loved...and I know my heart will forever belong to you. I was never worthy of your endless compassion. You changed my life so much. You believed in me in times where I doubted myself. You protected me in moments where I might have felt I didn't need it. You fought for me when I was lost and you saved me from myself. Most of all...you loved me when I didn't love myself...which taught me how to love in return and I had never felt so strongly for someone before. I truly believe that if love could have saved you...then you would have lived forever."

It was then Thorin moved his hand from Aelin's face and then proceeded to remove his silver ring from his hand. "This was the ring that you had tried to steal from me the night we first met. Even though you were unable to do so, you still stole something of far greater value from me later in time. As I told you once before...you committed the perfect crime...and you stole my heart from me, like the clever thief you once were. I choose to bury this treasure of mine with you so that all may come full circle. Where once this ring caused our paths to cross, so shall it be here when our paths have departed." After that, Thorin carefully slipped the ring into one of her hands, closing her fingers tightly around it. He kept his hand around hers for a moment, clutching it firmly as he he said, "You saved my life...and your sacrifice shall never leave my mind...however...I do not think my life was even worth saving if you are no longer a part of it. I cannot imagine my life without you and now...it is a reality I do not want, but I must face. I pray that Mahal will give me the strength to endure without you." Finally, his tears broke through and fell from his eyes onto Aelin's hand which he held. He lifted her hand up to his lips, pressing the cold skin against them. "I love you, Aelin...please…come back to me…."

Then, in front of everyone, Thorin too fell to his knees, still clutching Aelin's hand., gave in to his grief and openly wept. The company remained silent and let Thorin have his moment. They knew that, of everyone in that room, he was the one suffering the most from Aelin's death. In that moment, they didn't care that he was a King. To them, he was simply a Dwarf who had lost his greatest love and was experiencing pain and heartbreak unlike anything else known in the world. There was total silence from everyone; the only thing that could be heard were Thorin's cries echoing in the cavern.

As Thorin took his time to grieve, Gandalf moved up beside the tomb. He extended a hand out in front of him with his palm facing downward, hovering above Aelin's form. In a calm voice, he began speaking words in a tongue no one in the room understood. As he spoke, his hand moved from Aelin's head, down her body and to the tips of her boots. Then he flourished his hand back to his staff in his other hand, took hold of it and then struck the ground. The moment the staff hit the floor, the stone in Gandalf's staff filled with illuminating white light. A few seconds later, a golden, sparkling mist began to rise from Aelin's still form, rising up above her into the air. The company all lifted their eyes in both sorrow and wonder at the marvel they beheld. Thorin had stood up from the ground and moved back to see what was happening. The mist glittered in reflection of the fire light as it rose ever higher in the cavern until it was mere feet from the ceiling and then dissipated into thin air.

"Aelin's spirit has been released from its mortal dwelling," Gandalf declared. "She will find her way to her heavenly home where the gods await her."

In that moment, Bofur came up to the tomb along with Dwalin, who suddenly had a viol with him; an instrument he hadn't played in some many years. He brought the bow and the strings and started to play a lovely, melodic tune. Then Bofur began to sing in tandem with him.

I saw the light fade from the sky.
On the wind I heard a sigh.
As the snowflakes cover my fallen brothers,
I will say this last goodbye.

Night is now falling,
So ends this day.
The road is now calling
And I must away

Over hill and under tree,
Through lands where never light has shone,
By silver streams that run down to the sea.
Under cloud, beneath the stars,
Over snow one winter's morn,
I turn at last to paths that lead home.
And though where the road then takes me,
I cannot tell.
We came all this way,
But now comes the day
To bid you farewell.

Many places I have been,
Many sorrows I have seen,
But I don't regret
Nor will I forget
All who took the road with me.

Night is now falling,
So ends this day.
The road is now calling
And I must away.

Over hill and under tree,
Through lands where never light has shone,
By silver streams that run down to the sea.
To these memories I will hold.
With your blessing I will go
To turn at last to paths that lead home.
And though where the road then takes me,
I cannot tell.
We came all this way,
But now comes the day
To bid you farewell.

I bid you all a very fond farewell.

The song drew to a close, even though Bofur had barely managed to get through it completely, due to him getting understandably emotional through it. Everyone else was touched by Bofur and Dwalin's tribute to Aelin.

As they retook their places amongst the company, then Gandalf glanced sadly around at everyone and told them, "It is time."

Right then, Dwalin, Gloin, Bofur and Dori took hold of the stretcher with Aelin upon it and lifted it up. Bombur and Bifur then went to both ends of the tomb and removed the cover beneath her, setting it carefully aside. Then, reverently, the four Dwarves lowered her down into the tomb. They stepped back and then, this time, Dwalin and Dori took up the cover and placed it again in its place on top, the loud thud of stone on stone echoing through the vast cavern. It was then everyone noticed Aelin's name carved in runes on the cover of the tomb. With one last look behind them, the company sorrowfully made their way back up the stairs into the mountain, shedding the last of their tears for the time being.

There, in the Royal Tombs of Erebor, Aelin was at last laid to rest.

.

Seriously...I just hate myself for this...you know how hard it was to write all of this and not burst into tears?

Aelin has now been laid to rest in the Royal Tombs...now how will the company cope without her, mainly Nori, Fili, Kili and Thorin? Do you think they will be okay (to an extent) or do you think it will be a struggle? In the next chapter, we will find out and see what things unfold after losing Aelin.

Review or PM me!

Love you all!