Another chapter for my loyal readers!

I know, the last couple chapters have been incredibly sad and I even hate myself for it :( It's a terrible time for the company. But I can promise you all this: this particular chapter does have a couple of nicer moments in the aftermath of Aelin's passing, so it should be a nice bit of a breather after the depressing, sorrowful last couple chapters.

Hopefully most of readers are still reading even after the tragedy. I hope you all like this one!

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The atmosphere of the Lonely Mountain was far different than how anyone expected it would be. Most of the company was trying their best to live on and be optimistic, but every so often, something about Aelin would be mentioned or different things reminded them of her and then a solemn feeling would overcome them. However, they knew there was much to be done and they couldn't dwell long on their sorrow. Much of the mountain needed repairing or, at least, needed plans to be made regarding the repairs, since it would be impossible to do everything themselves. Word had been sent by raven to Dis, Thorin's sister and Fili and Kili's mother, in the Blue Mountains, telling her that the Lonely Mountain had been won and that she and the other Dwarves of Erebor still residing in the Blue Mountains could begin their journey home.

A day after Aelin's funeral, Bilbo had left Erebor with Gandalf to return to the Shire. He wished that he could stay longer, but his yearning for home was just too great now that the quest had been completed. Also, after the funeral and witnessing so much death in the battle, it was a little overwhelming for him and he felt returning home was the best option for him. The company all saw him off and wished him a safe journey home. Bilbo told them that, if any of them were ever passing Bag-End, tea was at four and they were welcome anytime. Then he promised them on his way out that he would come back very soon. With that final promise, the company's burglar took his leave.

Soon thereafter, a month's time had gone by since Aelin's passing. Various things had been done in the Lonely Mountain in terms of rebuilding. The forges were once again rekindled and being put to use to forge weapons and melt stone enough to repair parts of the many halls of the mountain. A great, generous portion of Erebor's treasure had been given from Thorin to the people of Laketown, now known as the people of Dale. Bard had been named their King and gladly accepted the gold on behalf of his people so that they could begin rebuilding the ruined city. In that time, also, Thorin had made good on his promise to Thranduil and he returned the White Gems of Lasgalen to the Elvenking where they belonged. Thus, a new alliance was beginning to unfold once more between the kingdom of Erebor and the Woodland Realm.

However, despite the progress that was being made, there was still much struggling to be found within the halls of Erebor. The death of Aelin took a hard toll on the company, namely Thorin, Nori, Kili and Fili.

Thorin had not had a good night's rest in almost the entire month. Even though it had only been for a few nights on the journey, he had grown accustomed to having Aelin with him at night and now, without her, it didn't feel right. That and he still relived that horrible moment of Aelin jumping between him and Azog and then dying in his arms whenever he closed his eyes. Even though he put on the bravest face he could in front of his companions, whenever he was alone, he was still nothing but a broken Dwarf lost in his despair of losing his true love. He felt incomplete and empty inside, as if his heart no longer resided within him. Losing Aelin had caused him to lose much of himself and no matter how hard he tried to act like he was all right, there was nothing that would change that.

Nori was about the same. He tried to act like he was getting better, but in truth, he too was still suffering. He visited Aelin's grave often when he could and told her of the goings-on inside the mountain; how they were rebuilding, all of the little details here and there that he thought she would like to hear and, above all, he would tell her of the wellbeing of the other Dwarves, which were not always the greatest of reports. Nori had been working his hardest in the repairs to try and keep his mind off of Aelin, but in most cases, it proved useless. He missed his dear sister too much.

Fili and Kili, however, were not so skilled in hiding their sorrow. Their hearts were broken over losing Aelin, whom they had grown to admire and love like family. They had lost a motherly figure who had loved them, grown close to them, cared for them and protected them through the entire journey in their own mother's place. They did their best to help with the reconstruction of Erebor, but they had fallen so deep into a depression that it affected them in all that they did. Kili had stopped eating. Fili wouldn't sleep. They no longer joked around or laughed; neither of them had hardly shown even a semblance of a smile in the past month. Their lives had been so affected by Aelin's death that they were almost no longer their usual happy-go-lucky selves. It pained the others to see them in such a way, yet their attempts at comforting the young boys proved fruitless.

One day, Kili couldn't find Fili and had wondered where he had gone off to. Eventually, he found Dwalin and asked if he had seen Fili. Dwalin remembered seeing Fili earlier that day and he was going to go talk to Balin, so Dwalin said he would check back there. Balin was in the storeroom by the forges, mixing up a bunch of different potions and concoctions. He told Dwalin that Fili had come by briefly and then had left. Dwalin continued his search inside and, when it produced no luck, he decided he would go take a look outside on the grounds. Perhaps the boy had gone out for some fresh air.

Eventually, he found Fili sitting on a rock just outside the gate. Although, just as Dwalin was about to call out to him, something about the boy's behavior stood out to him and he watched just for a minute. Fili seemed to be trembling and he looked very downtrodden, which was nothing new. He had looked that way since Aelin's funeral...but then he did something rather strange.

He saw Fili pull from inside his jacket a small vial of blackish-blue liquid and Dwalin's eyes widened in astonishment, as he recalled a conversation he had with Balin only a couple of days previous about what was in those vials.

Dwalin was helping Balin in the storeroom with sorting through different jars and vials of things that were still stored in there or ones that Balin was mixing himself. He wanted things to be a little more organized and was having Dwalin help get things onto higher shelves for the time being. Most of them were being put on similar shelves, but when Dwalin got to a container of vials full of dark blue liquid, Balin immediately stopped him from putting it on the other shelves.

"We cannot put those near all of the other potions," Balin told him.

"Why? What are they?" asked Dwalin.

"Those blue vials are full of poison."

"Poison…!" Dwalin gasped to himself.

It was what Fili did next that Dwalin could not have anticipated.

Fili took a deep breath and very quickly removed the cork from the bottle and, to Dwalin's horror, started pouring it into his mouth.

Immediately, Dwalin leapt forward, yelling, "Fili, no!" He thrust out his hand and knocked the vial out of Fili's hand, spilling a good portion of it on the ground. Fili did not seem to react; he simply watched the bottle fly to the ground and didn't move.

"Fili, what are you doing?" Dwalin demanded both in anger and worry. "How did you get one of those vials?"

Fili didn't fight and simply answered with a sunken expression, "I snuck one from Balin's storeroom."

To Dwalin, that explained why he had gone to Balin earlier that day. However, he was still in shock after seeing him trying to consume the poison. "Do you know what that was?" he asked.

The young Dwarf nodded his head.

"What were you trying to do, Fili? Kill yourself?!" Dwalin bellowed.

"Yes, I was!" Fili shouted back.

This took Dwalin aback and he was at a loss for words. Fili was actually trying to commit suicide...but why? Dwalin shook his head. "You foolish lad! What were you thinking?" he asked in a loud voice.

"I can't do it, Dwalin," Fili answered in a melancholy tone. Then he explained, his voice growing in volume with frustration and heartache, "All my life, I've been told I have to be strong and I know I had to be for Kili's sake. I know that was my duty as an older brother. But I can only be strong for so long! I've kept my emotions bottled in for years and now, it's too much for me. I've lost my father...I nearly lost Thorin...and now I've lost Aelin, whom I was very close to and she was to be my aunt. I can't bear losing anymore family and I just can't do it anymore!"

"I understand you're hurting, lad; we all are…," said Dwalin, "...but did you even stop to think what killing yourself would have done to the rest of us?" By this point, after hearing everything Fili had to say, Dwalin had a few things of his own to say that the young Dwarf needed to hear. He continued, "Imagine what it would have done to poor Kili! He has lost a father and an aunt, same as you! What do you think it would've done to him to lose his older brother and best friend, as well?"

He paused briefly as he let his words sink in for Fili, who had turned his face away.

Dwalin went on to say, "Then did you even think of how your death would have affected Thorin? He loved Aelin with all of his heart and he is already struggling the worst out of all of us with her death. Imagine what losing his oldest nephew, whom he loves like a son, so soon after losing his one love would have done to him! And what about your dear mother? What would it do to her to come back to Erebor to find her eldest son had killed himself? She would be devastated! It would break her heart and destroy her! Dis is a wonderful woman. Would you really do that to your own mother? Most importantly...think of Aelin." This, he knew, would get Fili the most. His voice grew louder with emotion as he told Fili, "Aelin did not risk her life to save you for you to just throw your life away like this! We nearly saw you die before our eyes, but she put herself in harm's way for you to ensure that you survived! What would she think if she risked her life for you to just take your own life yourself? Her sacrifice would have been in vain and I know you would not dishonor her that way! This is not what she would have wanted for you, Fili!"

Once again, he paused as he noticed Fili had tears falling down his cheeks. Taking pity on the poor lad, Dwalin calmed his tone down and said in conclusion, "She would have wanted you to continue living your life the way you would have even if she were still here. Moreover, Fili...she would have wanted you to live."

By now, Fili had broken down and covered his face with his hands, quietly crying. Dwalin's words had struck him right in the heart, realizing that he had indeed not thought of what his death would do to Kili, Thorin and his mother and how Aelin would think of him in the afterlife. He felt incredibly guilty inside for being so selfish.

He then whimpered, "I miss her, Dwalin…."

Dwalin felt so sorry for the boy. He had never seen Fili be so emotional, but he understood why. He approached Fili, laid a hand on his shoulder and replied, "I know, lad...I miss her, too."

Fili's hands then lowered from his face...but his expression was puzzled. Just then, he started coughing and a hand came up to his chest. Then immediately, his coughs turned to choking and his hand moved up from his chest to his mouth. Both Fili and Dwalin started to panic.

"Dwalin…," Fili groaned through his choking...and then he suddenly collapsed.

"Fili? Fili!" cried Dwalin as he caught Fili midfall, the boy's body going limp in his arms. He was spasming uncontrollably and his eyes were rolling back into his head. "No, no, stay with me, lad!" said Dwalin, grasping the back of his head and lightly tapping his cheek. He wasn't responding. "Open your eyes, Fili! Fili! FILI!

Fili laid motionless.

"The poison...some of it must have still gotten into his body…!" Dwalin realized, his mind now reeling frantically.

He then screamed out, "Help! Help! Someone help! Can anybody hear me? Help!"

Very soon, Bofur and Gloin, who had been near the gate opening at that moment, heard Dwalin's cries and came storming out of the mountain. Both of them stopped and their eyes widened with shock as they saw Dwalin knelt down on the ground with Fili in his grasp.

"Durin's beard! What's happened?" asked Gloin.

"Is Fili all right?" added Bofur in alarm.

Dwalin was really starting to panic now. "He tried to take some poison and, even though I stopped him, some of it still got into his body! He just collapsed!"

"What was he doing taking poison?" questioned Bofur in astonishment.

"There's no time for that!" hastily answered Dwalin, picking Fili up. "We need to get him help and fast!"

"Take him to one of the healing rooms! I will fetch Oin and Thorin straight away!" said Gloin, who was already partway back into the mountain to get his brother.

Dwalin and Bofur rushed Fili to one of the healing rooms as fast as their feet could carry them. They burst in through the door, got him over to an empty bed and Bofur cried out, "I'll get something to raise his head!" He grabbed a pillow from a nearby bed and put it underneath Fili's limp head.

Almost right away, Oin came into the room with Thorin right on his heels. The minute he came into the room and saw his nephew on the bed, he rushed to his side immediately. Oin went to Fili's other side and started examining him.

"Fili!" Thorin gasped, placing a hand on Fili's forehead. Then he turned, wide-eyed, to Dwalin. "How did this happen? Who did this to him? Dwalin, tell me!"

"He...he did this to himself, Thorin," Dwalin told him.

Puzzled, Thorin asked, "What do you mean?"

"The lad, he...he tried to take his own life with poison," answered Dwalin.

Now, Thorin was even more shocked. "He what?" He looked back at Fili's now paling face. "Why would he do this?"

"He finally snapped, Thorin. Losing Aelin wrought a great change in his heart. He told me he couldn't handle losing anymore family and he felt he couldn't stay strong any longer."

Thorin was so astonished to hear such things. Then he ran his hand over his nephew's head. "Fili...what is this I hear? Why would you think in such a way? Why would you do this to yourself?" Then he looked to Oin. "Is he all right? Can you help him?"

Oin answered, "He is still breathing, but it is shallow. The poison is still spreading. I must act quickly if I am to save him."

"Do what you must, Oin," Thorin ordered him.

Suddenly, there was a crash behind them and Kili came bursting through the doors, a horror-stricken expression on his face.

"Where is he? Where is my brother?!" he demanded breathily. Immediately, he spotted Fili and darted for the bed. Thorin stepped aside and Kili flew right past him. He grabbed Fili by the shoulders. "Fili! Please tell me it's not true! Please tell me what Gloin told me is all a lie."

"Kili…," said Dwalin. When Kili looked at him, all Dwalin had to do was shake his head solemnly. Kili's eyes welled with tears and he turned back to Fili, lightly shaking him. "Don't you leave me, brother. Don't you dare leave me!" he cried. "I need you more than anything right now. And Mother is coming home soon. You have to be here to see her. Please, Fili, don't die on me. You can't!"

The others had come into the room and were standing in the doorway in shock. Balin went up behind Kili and gently took hold of his shoulders. "Come away, lad. Let us leave Oin to tend to Fili. We will only be in his way."

Kili resisted, exclaiming, "No! I won't leave him!"

"Kili, we must leave. Come on," Thorin told him briskly. Reluctantly, Kili grimaced and then left the room hurriedly. The rest of them followed after him.

Thorin looked back at Oin expectantly, waiting for something from him.

"I will do everything I can, Thorin. I promise you," said Oin.

"Save him, Oin," Thorin told him and then he left the room.

Two days had passed since Fili had attempted to take his own life.

On the day of the incident, the others waited for news from Oin and, an hour later, the Dwarven physician emerged from the room, looking grim. He informed the company that Fili was, indeed, still alive. However, the amount of poison he had consumed, while it was not enough to kill him, it was enough to do some considerable damage to the inside of his body. A lot of his organs were damaged or shutting down. His mind had also been lightly affected. Oin had force fed some medicinal potions down Fili's throat, but they all seemed to have no effect. There had been no response from Fili during his entire examination.

Essentially, Oin's analysis was that, because of the damage from the poison, Fili was now in a comatose state and whether or not he would awake...was all up to him now.

After two days, the company was beginning to grow anxious. There still had been no sign from Fili that he was going to wake up anytime soon. Thorin, Kili and Dwalin had hardly left his side in those two days. They couldn't risk Fili walking up and them not being there. Oin continued to check in on him at least every hour for both days. Sadly, there was no progress with Fili's condition.

However, on the morning of the second day, Oin came back to the healing room to check on Fili and found that his complexion was paler than it had been the evening before. When he felt Fili's head, the skin was growing cold.

"Oh, no…!" he gasped.

Beside Fili's bed, Thorin, Kili and Dwalin were all sleeping in chairs, yet they were roused from their sleep when they heard Oin speak. Upon seeing Oin's panicked face, they knew something was amiss.

"What is wrong, Oin?" Thorin asked with concern as he and the other two rose from their chairs.

"Fili's skin is more pale and cold," Oin informed him. Then he put his ear to Fili's chest for a brief moment and came back up. "His heartbeat is there, but so very faint. I fear...I fear that Fili may be dying."

Kili shot from where he stood to Fili's beside. "No! You take those words back, Oin!" he shouted.

Thorin felt as though the room was closing in on him at hearing the words, "Fili may be dying". He stepped forward and said with worry, "That cannot be true. Surely, there must be more you can do."

"Normally, yes, but...we have very limited resources here right now and I have tried everything we have," Oin explained. "I'm afraid I've done all I can."

Kili was shaking his head frantically. "No...no…," he moaned.

Oin's face fell. "All we can do now is wait. Fili's body seems to be shutting down. Either he will die or perhaps he will pull through. It will all depend on whatever strength he has left...or whatever Durin wills his fate to be."

In the corner, Thorin's fists clenched tightly. "Not if I have anything left to say about it," he thought to himself with determination. He then suddenly turned on his heel and stormed from the room.

"Thorin!" he heard Dwalin call out.

"Thorin, wait! You can't leave!" then cried Kili, but Thorin was already halfway down the hall.

There was only one thought in his mind and that was to get somewhere where he would be alone. He knew just the place. Within the past month, Fili and Kili had showed them their secluded spot near the very top of the mountain where they had shared drinks with Aelin one night after they came to Erebor. This was the spot he wanted to get to, without stopping at all as he passed a couple of his companions on his way up.

Minutes passed and Thorin never ceased his pace all the way up to the high balcony. As he stepped out onto the balcony, into the morning sunlight, he threw his arms out to the sides and lifted his gaze to the sky.

"Is this what you wanted, Mahal?" he shouted to the air. "Was your end goal for me only for me to suffer endlessly and lose all that I love? Is that all that is meant for me? You have already taken everything from me, but I will not let you take Fili! Hear me now: I will not let you take him!" He leapt forward and slammed his fists into the stone banister. "You cannot take my sister-son! Haven't you already taken enough from me?!"

That last question, he screamed in pure anguish before pushing himself away from the banister and dropping on all fours to the ground.

"Please...Mahal...or Durin...or any gods that can hear my voice...I beg of you...hear my prayer...and spare Fili's life," he begged, his voice quivering in despair. "I cannot afford to lose anyone else, especially not of my own blood. I care for that boy as if he were my own. He is young and still has so much to live for. You cannot take him now. I've lost too much already…."

He fell back onto his knees and pressed the heel of his hands into his forehead. "First, it was my mother...then my grandfather...my brother...my father...and then Aelin...haven't I already suffered enough?" Tears started descending down his face. "Aelin was the one chance I had to finally have true happiness..and now I am lost without her. I am no longer a whole of myself. She took what was left of me with her to the grave." He raised his eyes to the sky once more. "Why did she have to die? Why did you have to diminish the light of a most beautiful soul that this world has ever known? In taking her away from us, you took away the light in both my nephews' eyes. You took a dear sister from Nori and his brothers. More than all of that, you took all of my joy and every hope I had for a better future. I can endure no more pain and loss. I am already a broken Dwarf after the loss I have endured...I will completely lose myself if I lose Fili now. Please...I beg with all that I have, even if I may not have anything left to give...spare my sister-son. If not for my sake, but for Kili's sake...for my sister's sake...and the sake of the company. Please…."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence...but then the wind began to pick up more and flowed through Thorin's raven hair. The air current spun around him, causing him to get to his feet, turn back around and face the horizon before him. There in the sky was forming a cloud of effervescent, golden light. As it took form, it descended from the white clouds until it hovered in the air some feet above Thorin. Suddenly, the form of a stout, regal Dwarf appeared within the golden cloud. Everything about him was pure white: his hair, his long, braided beard and the robes which he wore. His aura was ethereal and otherworldly and Thorin found himself stilled in place as he stared upwards in wonder.

The Dwarf raised a hand and proclaimed in a deep, booming voice, "I am Durin the Deathless, the Father of all Dwarves...and you, Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror; my heir as King of Durin's folk...I have heard your prayer."

Thorin found himself at a complete loss for words. For a moment, he was sure he was dreaming, but the more he blinked, the more he realized that this was real. The heavenly visage of Durin was now before him. On instinct, he fell to his knees and bowed his head in respect.

"Arise, my son," Durin said to him calmly. As Thorin timidly returned to his feet, Durin continued, commenting, "It has been many a year since we have heard your voice call to the heavens, Thorin."

Now, Thorin felt almost embarrassed by what Durin had said. However, he maintained his honesty and replied, "I am not really one for praying."

"And yet, in your darkest hour, your first thought was to turn to assistance from the gods," Durin pointed out.

Thorin turned his eyes away. "There was nothing else that could be done...I felt I had no choice."

"You prayed on behalf of the life of your sister-son, Fili. Tell me, Thorin...why is the life of this young boy more important than the lives of others whose time has come?"

"Because it is not Fili's time," Thorin spoke with both anger and conviction. "I know it is not. He is young and has much to live for. Kili still needs his older brother's guidance and friendship. His mother will need her eldest son when she returns to Erebor. More importantly...seeing as the woman I planned to spend my life with no longer lives...I have no heirs of my own and Fili is the only heir I have for the throne one day, if the line of Kings is to remain your direct descendants. He is still needed here by many...and my heart cannot take anymore death, especially those of my family. I feel as though I have failed him. I was not there for him enough when he needed me and, in turn, he felt he had to take his life to end his misery. I beg of you...please spare him."

Durin's glowing, watchful eyes pierced right through Thorin's very soul as he continued to gaze down contemplatively down upon him. Thorin felt a tightness in chest as he waited in great anticipation for what Durin would say next.

Then a small smile crossed the face of the heavenly being. "Your heart is in the right place, Thorin Oakenshield. Fili is of your blood; you love him as your own, seeing as his father was called home so early on in his life. He is dearly loved by his mother, his brother, his friends and those he considers family. It would be a shame to take such an adored young lad away. Upon my oath…your sister-son shall live."

Hearing these words, Thorin thought he would be overjoyed...but he was not. Something did not seem right. "No...this must be some kind of trick," he commented with suspicion. "There is no possible way that it could be that easy."

"I must admit...I am, indeed, a sentimental deity, especially in regards to those of my direct lineage. I hated when the rest of your family were called home, but Lord Mahal said it was necessary. Their deaths were to help strengthen your resolve; your will to take up the quest to reclaim Erebor for your people. However, he has allowed me to plead on the behalf of Fili, but only if your desire to have his life spared was enough. That and there was another in my halls that has pleaded for his life."

Curious, Thorin asked, "Was it his father?"

A light, jolly chuckle rumbled from Durin's chest. "You would think...but alas, it was not. Another came to me on Fili's behalf and, in turn, pleaded with Mahal." As Thorin opened his mouth to speak again, Durin held up a hand and continued, "I am not at liberty to divulge the identity of this person; only that they made a plea that appealed to the Creator and he has decided to have mercy on you, Thorin Oakenshield. In hearing your prayer, we have seen how far you seem to have fallen; how despair has overrun your life more than it ever has before."

"You are just now seeing that?" Thorin asked, frustrated. "I cannot even recall a time where I was not suffering in some way. I suffer endlessly, yet I hide it behind the mask of a strong leader so that I may not withhold the morality of my companions. I have lost so much. Even though Erebor is ours again, I feel as though I have gained nothing. I have a kingdom with no people as of yet. I have no army. I have no alliances. I have almost no family...and I have no Queen to rule at my side." He withheld his tears as best as could as then spoke, "Of all people, why did Aelin have to die? More than I, she deserved a chance at happiness in life. Her life was miserable akin to mine until she found the company. She belonged here with us; with me...and yet you took her away before she ever had a chance to truly have a home and a life that she deserved."

"Aelin's death was one of honor and, in truth, her sacrifice was more influential than you may know. She averted a future that had a very strong possibility of coming to pass."

"What future was that?"

"There was a future where you and both of your nephews fell in the recent battle. You and Fili were slain by Azog and Kili would die at the hand of his spawn, Bolg."

Thorin was speechless. There was a possibility that he and Fili and Kili could have died in the battle? He couldn't fathom such a thing happening. "That would have wiped out the last of your line," he stated.

"Indeed and I could not allow such a thing to happen," said Durin. "That is why Aelin's sacrifice was necessary. However...I now see that her death had more dire consequences than I could have ever foreseen. Fili's attempted suicide has shown me this. That was not in our plan for him, yet Mahal was willing to let it happen...but even a god can still be persuaded to change someone's fate."

"What are you saying?" Thorin asked, anxiousness building inside him.

Another smile formed on Durin's lips. "As I have said, Fili shall live and will awake quite soon in his normal state. His blood shall be cleansed of all the poison he consumed. In addition to this act of mercy...I have a gift to bestow upon you."

"And what gift could you possibly give me?" Thorin questioned.

"One that I know you need," Durin responded almost coyly. "For what is a King...without a Queen?"

Thorin's heart leapt up into his throat in disbelief. Did he mean…?

Then Durin smiled one last time and declared, "Live your life to the fullest, Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, and my worthy descendant. There is much you have yet to do. Until we meet again in the halls of your fathers. Long live the King."

Durin's light increased in strength to where Thorin had to briefly shield his eyes. The cloud formed into a large ball of light which then beamed down to the ground in front of Thorin, wisps of gold swirling in a cloud before him. The very faint silhouette of a figure gradually began to form within the cone of light.

Then the voice of Durin spoke loudly yet calmly from beyond, "I am pleased with you, Thorin. You have chosen well."

The golden cloud continued to twirl and flow in front of him, the light grew brighter and the silhouetted figure grew darker. Thorin took a hesitant step back as he anticipated what was to come.

A short moment of this same pattern passed until finally, the cloud of light and the mist dissipated...and there before him, clothed in a sleeveless, white dress and smiling brighter than ever...stood Aelin.

For a brief time, Thorin's ability to speak failed him as he was stunned in utter disbelief. Surely, this couldn't be real. How could it be when she had died in his arms? Yet, there she stood in front of him, clear as day.

Then she spoke to him, her smile forming into a playful smirk, "Did you miss me, Oakenshield?"

He exhaled sharply, realizing that he had stopped breathing out of shock. He couldn't believe it. Was this too good to be true? He took a couple of steps forward. "Aelin…?" he asked, astonished.

She smiled again. "Aye...it's me," she confirmed.

Thorin moved closer until he was directly in front of her, looking deep into her emerald green eyes. Then his gaze wandered to the white scar that she still bore on the right side of her face and his hand hesitantly lifted up to it. His fingertips hovered over the scar briefly...until they made contact with her warm skin. A gasp escaped his lips at the feeling of her flesh beneath his fingertips, a smile of joy crossed his face and tears immediately sprang to his eyes.

Aelin was real...and she was alive again.

Without hesitation, Thorin took Aelin up in his arms, held her tightly against him and spun her around with joy. Aelin's arms came up around his neck and she clung to him as he twirled her, snickering with amusement and bliss. Then he captured her lips in perhaps the strongest, happiest kiss he had ever given her, keeping her suspended above him. There they remained for a short time as they basked in the moment of being reunited once more after it seemed they would never be together again.

Finally, Thorin set Aelin back down and gently cupped her face, taking in the look and feel of her face once more. "Aelin...how...how can this be? I cannot believe you are here," he said.

Aelin grinned and replied, "Let's just say I made a convincing argument with Mahal to save Fili and he decided to send me back, as well."

"That was you Durin spoke of?" Thorin asked.

"Aye, it was...and I used the term 'argument' quite literally," she said with a chuckle. "Needless to say, I made it very difficult for him to refuse."

Thorin chuckled and shook his head. "Even in death, you are still stubborn to get what you want," he commented.

"Well, of course, I am!" said Aelin with pride. "I was not going to let Mahal take Fili away from you. That and I saw how lost all of you were without me. I couldn't stand it any longer; I demanded to be sent back and I wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer." Then she grinned again. "Not even the gods can argue with me."

Amused at hearing how Aelin even gave deities a hard time, all Thorin could do was smile and shake his head even more. As he did so, his eyes noticed something very peculiar. "Aelin...your arms!" he pointed out, lifting her bare arms for her to see.

Where once were numerous scars from self-harm...now, they were no more.

"Your scars have disappeared," said Thorin.

"They have been gone since I arrived in heaven," explained Aelin.

"Then why do you still bear the scar I gave you?" Thorin then inquired, lifting his hand to trace her facial scar again.

Aelin smiled. "For that very reason," she answered. When Thorin looked at her with confusion, she went on to clarify, "This may sound odd or even a little morbid, but you were the one who gave me this scar and you gave it to me that fateful night when we first met. I have learned to love it because, were it not for that chance encounter a hundred and forty-two years ago, I never would have met you and my life wouldn't have been forever changed. My scar disappeared after I died, but I asked for Mahal to restore it before he sent me back. He has seen that there is more I can do in the world of living than in the world of the dead. He sees that my task is not yet done here...or, at least, I convinced him as such."

She looked back down at her arms and then her face scrunched up. "What in the world…?" she asked aloud as she stepped back, looking down at her clothes. "You have got to be joking!" she groaned. Then she threw her arms down to her sides, lifted her head to the sky and suddenly yelled out, "Oi, Durin! You forgot I hate dresses!"

Thorin simply stared at her, bemused at her unorthodox behavior.

A few seconds later, the familiar golden mist suddenly appeared and swirled around her. Then, in a bright flash of light, her dress magically shifted into her old set of clothes: a long-sleeved white shirt, a tan felt vest with a fur collar, dark trousers and her boots.

"Now, that's more like it!" she cried out, looking more comfortable.

Nothing could match or describe the absolute joy Thorin felt just to be looking at Aelin and hearing her voice once more after all the pain he had endured for the past month. This was now truly his beloved Aelin. He never believed he would be happy again or that he would see his beloved until the time of his own death, and yet he found he was completely wrong, all because his stubborn, spitfire of a woman couldn't leave well enough alone even in heaven and argued with Mahal himself to be sent back and to spare Fili's life.

In that moment, he suddenly remembered Fili. "Fili! We must get to him quickly," he stated.

"Don't worry, Thorin. He should definitely have awakened by now," Aelin informed him.

"How do you know?" he asked.

Grinning, she replied, "Because, before I was resurrected, I am the one who woke him up."

A few moments prior…

"Fili...Fili! Do you hear me?"

Alone in the darkness, Fili suddenly could hear a familiar voice speaking in the shadows. He whipped around, looking for the source of the voice, but he could see nothing.

"Aelin? Is that you?" he asked aloud.

"Oh, good! You do hear me!" cried out Aelin's voice. Then, all of a sudden, a ball of light suddenly formed in the midst of the darkness in front of Fili. A few seconds later, it materialized into the form of Aelin, smiling at him.

"Aelin!" Fili gasped. Then his surprised expression faded to one of realization upon being able to see her. "Is this it? Have I died?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "No, lad, you are not dead...but you are on your way there. The poison is infecting your body and rapidly."

Fili's eyes filled with tears and his face fell. "I know now that I have made a terrible mistake," he spoke. "I was selfish in my desire to end my pain. I now will die without being able to say farewell to my brother, to my uncle and to my friends. My mother will be heartbroken to come back to Erebor and find out I am gone. I realize now...I don't want to die."

Aelin reached up and gently stroked Fili's cheek. "I know you don't, Fili...and I don't want you to die either. You are still very young and have a full life ahead of you. It is far too early for it to be your time. That is why you shall not die today."

"What do you mean? I can see you; you're dead which means I am close to death," said Fili, confused.

"Am I actually dead?" she asked back with a sly grin.

Now Fili was even more puzzled as to what was going on.

Then she smiled lovingly at him. "It is time for you to wake, lad. Find me when you do. You will know where to go."

Before Fili could question any further, Aelin pressed her fingertips to the center of his forehead and all of a sudden, there was a flash before his eyes. For a second, he saw the balcony he and Kili had found at the top of the mountain. Then he felt a strong pulling force, hoisting him from the inside out…

Fili suddenly jolted up in the healing room bed with a loud, deep gasp, and his eyes flew open. Kili, Dwalin and the rest of the company, who had come down earlier, all jumped and cried out in alarm, scared out of their wits at Fili's sudden movement. Once they realized what was happening, they all were amazed and filled with relief.

"Fili's alive!" cried out Dwalin.

"Praise be to Durin!' added Balin.

Kili rushed to his brother and clutched his arm. "Fili! You're all right!" he exclaimed before nearly tackling him in a hug. "Don't you scare me like that again, do you hear me? Don't you ever try to leave me again!"

Fili lightly pushed Kili back at arm's length and looked right up into his eyes. "Aelin…!" he simply said.

"What?" Kili asked, confused.

"Aelin!" Fili repeated in a louder voice. Right then, without clarifying or waiting for any response, he jumped from the bed and ran out the door. Everyone was surprised to see he had so much of his strength back.

"Fili, wait!" Kili cried out, sprinting after him.

"What was that about Aelin?" asked Dori, even more puzzled.

"I have no idea…," replied Bofur, although he seemed a little more curious than confused.

"Well, what are we waiting for, lads?" said Nori to the others, motioning with his hand for them to follow the boys. With unified agreement, the rest of the Dwarves moved quickly out of the room to go after the two young ones.

Fili's speed did not let up as he weaved through multiple corridors and staircases of the mountain. He knew that he had to get to that upper balcony, if his theory was correct. He could hear Kili calling out for him behind him, but he knew he couldn't stop. His feet were flying so fast and his mind was racing.

He rounded a corner and suddenly stopped, nearly causing Kili to run right into him. The rest of the company caught up and found the two lads looking up to the stop of the staircase in complete bewilderment. They all looked to where they were and they were stunned at what they saw.

At the top of the stairs was Thorin, who had been heading towards the stairs and stopped upon seeing Fili and Kili. Then there beside him, holding his hand, was Aelin.

"Well, bless me…!" Bofur gasped.

"Bless us all," added Balin.

"It cannot be!" stated Nori.

Aelin stepped forward, releasing Thorin's hand, and then raised her arms out to her sides a little above her waist as if to say, "Here I am." Then she said, a small smile on her face, "Take a good look, lads. I'm back."

Without hesitation, Fili once again broke into a sprint up the steps, with Kili close behind. Seeing this, Aelin began making her way down. There was a platform in the middle of the stairway and the two of them met upon this platform. Fili threw his arms around Aelin and she returned the gesture, the two of them embracing each other as tightly as they could. Kili then came up wrapped his arms around the both of them. Both Fili and Kili already had tears falling down their faces.

"Aelin...you came back…," Fili said in a cracked voice.

"Of course, I did," Aelin replied. "Did you really think I would leave my two boys forever?" She pulled back a little, kissed Fili's forehead and then kissed the top of Kili's head in turn.

The two of them hugged her even tighter, their delight increasing immensely at knowing she was alive.

However, a couple of the other Dwarves were not quite as convinced that she was real.

"It's not natural, none of it," commented Dori.

"This is some kind of trick," added Gloin skeptically.

Fili and Kili both turned to face them with looks of sheer unbelief that any of their companions would have any doubts, but Aelin put her hands on their shoulders, stopping them from saying anything. Then she looked down at the company, still at the bottom of the stairs and informed them, "It is no trick. I really am alive."

"How?" asked Dwalin.

"To put it simply: I gave the gods a bit of hell and they came to realize through great persuasion that I would be better off in Middle-Earth for a while longer, so they sent me back," she explained with a mischievous look on her face.

"That is definitely our Aelin!" exclaimed Nori, taking off up the stairs towards her.

She greeted him with a fond, close embrace. "Good to see you, brother," she said in his ear.

He said back, "If you die on me like that again, I swear I'll kill you."

Chuckling as they pulled away, Aelin lightly punched him in the arm. Then Nori ruffled her hair in return.

The rest of the company, now seemingly convinced these Aelin's resurrection wasn't a trick, all came up the stairs and embraced Aelin each, welcoming her back.

"It's so wonderful to be with you lads again," she said to all of them after greeting them all personally. "I watched over you all in my absence and I saw how miserable you were. It broke my heart to see you all in such pain over my loss. But now, there's no need for such sadness anymore."

"Aye, now is a time for joy and celebration!" declared Bofur with his natural jovial attitude.

"I concur. Our dear companion has been restored to us. We must celebrate her return!" added Dwalin.

"I do appreciate that, my friends," said Aelin gladly, her heart feeling overwhelmed with absolute joy at being with them again, "and this I promise you all: I'm not going anywhere. I am here to stay for good for a very long time."

.

And by "a few nicer moments in this chapter"...I meant probably the best moment ever: Aelin is now alive again! xD

GOT YA!

Were you all surprised? I know some of you said you hoped I'd bring her back somehow, but I didn't want to hint to anything. So I hope I, at least, got some of you!

But as I've said: I'm a hopeless romantic who enjoys love and fluff and romance! xD There was no way I was going to leave Aelin dead! And because I love fluff, romance and love...there may be some more of that in the next chapter, where the company celebrates Aelin's resurrection! ;) Between who? I don't need to answer that ;) What do you think will happen? I'm curious to see your guys' thoughts!

PM me or review and let me know!

You're welcome, my lovelies! ;)

Until next time!