The Return Journey:

"Is she goin' to be okay?"

"I think so, the healers have been working on her for a while now."

"Auntie!"

"Not now, son, yer aunt's not well."

I twitched a bit when I heard Kanin's voice and pulled my mind back from unconsciousness. "K...Kanin, is that you?" my eyes fluttered open and it took a minute or two for my vision to clear. I saw Bilbo, Bofur and Kanin clustered around me, and I couldn't miss the relief that passed across their faces when I spoke.

"Thank Mahal, yer awake" Bofur came forward and grasped my hand tightly.

"Did we win?" I asked.

"Aye, we did" Bofur replied. I did notice, however, that the sparkle left his eyes.

"Who did we lose?" I asked trying to sit up. Bilbo assisted me and I looked between them anxiously.

They looked at each other and Bilbo cleared his throat "we...we lost..." he paused and took a deep breath "Fili fell defending Thorin."

My hand flew to my mouth "no! What about Kili and Thorin?"

"Kili was seriously injured but will survive, Thorin..." Bilbo turned to the bed behind him.

I saw Thorin laying there swathed in bandages and breathing very shallow.

"The healers say he doesn't have long so we were hoping you'd wake up before it was too late" Bilbo cleared his throat again and went to Thorin's bedside. "Thorin, Anduin is awake now."

Thorin's eyes fluttered open and it took him a minute to focus on me. He gave me a small smile "Anduin, I wish to part from you in friendship." He took a few deep breaths "I am sorry for my behaviour these last few days and I'm sorry I led you into such peril."

"Think nothing of it" I replied "I'm sorry about Fili."

"Thank you" he started breathing quicker "look after Kili for me, he is to be king after I pass."

"I'll do my best" I replied tearing up.

"I'm sorry I won't be there for your wedding or the birth of your children but I give you all the blessings on this earth to your future" Thorin took a deep breath and sunk into his pillows "farewell Anduin, daughter of Sarren, may Mahal watch...over...you."

With a final sigh, Thorin passed away and I was not ashamed of the tears that fell. Bofur picked Kanin up and placed him on the bed. I wrapped my arms around my nephew's shoulders and kissed his cheek.

"The...ah...the others are waiting for news so I'll go and let them know" Bilbo said thickly.

He ducked out of the tent and I looked up at Bofur and gave him a week smile "I'm glad you survived my love."

"So am I" Bofur replied placing a hand on my stomach. The twinkle had returned to his eyes. "Did yer want the pendant back?" he asked holding it out to me.

"Keep it, we'll pass it on to the next generation" I thumbed the tooth earring still attached to my braid "we'll do the same with this, if that's okay?"

"As you wish, my love" Bofur leant down and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Once you and young Kili have recovered enough we'll be holdin' the funeral, so rest and recover till then."

"I'll do my best" I replied with a yawn.

"Come on, son, let's give yer aunt some peace fer a little while" Bofur motioned to Kanin.

"Okay" he replied. Kanin took hold of Bofur's coat and looked up at him "so is it okay if I call you Uncle now?"

"Aye, that's fine with me" Bofur smiled broadly "come along and meet yer other uncle while Anduin sleeps."

"Bye Auntie."

"See you later, sweetheart" I replied with another yawn. They left the tent and I slipped into sleep and barely heard the dwarves enter to pay their respects to Thorin.

A few days later the funeral was held. One of the larger halls in the mountain was utilised as Thorin and Fili were laid out on enormous stone plinths. They had their weapons in their hands and surrounded by candles. Thorin also had the Arkenstone, which Thranduil had returned.

I walked slowly around the plinths with Kili, trying to be the support he needed. Tomorrow he would be crowned and the kingdom of Erebor restored.

"I can't believe this happened" Kili mumbled gazing sadly at his brothers face; peaceful in death.

"I know how you feel" I replied brushing a tear off my cheek "but we'll get through it together."

"Thank you for being with me, Anduin" Kili turned to me with a sad smile.

"I'll be here for you whenever you need to talk" I replied patting his arm.

Kili smiled weakly and I left him to his thoughts.

…

Though exhausted from his vigil the night before, Kili stood proudly as he was crowned the next day. A feast was soon organised and I saw Bilbo starting to act oddly.

Kanin was hanging around with Bofur and getting a tour of the mountain so I decided to see what Bilbo was up to.

"Thinking of slipping off without saying goodbye?" I asked.

"I...I don't think I can face the goodbyes" he replied thickly.

"At least let Balin know that you won't be going alone."

He looked up at me in confusion "what do you mean?"

"I have in-laws to invite to a wedding and Lady Dis needs to know what's happened" I replied, trying to sound offhand.

"But you're injuries!"

"Bombur has already agreed to accompany me and will be on hand if anything happens" I replied "you may leave today if you wish but we'll be following you tomorrow and joining you in Dale."

"Very well then, I should probably go and pack" Bilbo said quietly.

A little while later I saw Balin walking Bilbo out the gate.

"There is to be a great feast tonight" he said "songs will be sung, tales will be told...and Thorin Oakenshield will pass into legend."

"I know that's how you must honour him" Bilbo replied "but to me he was never that...he was...to me...he was..."

Balin gave the hobbit a fond smile as he tried to find the words.

"Well, I think I'll slip away quietly" Bilbo said once he'd found his voice "will you tell the others I said goodbye?"

"You can tell them yourself" Balin chuckled turning around.

Bilbo gave a small laugh and cleared his throat. "If any of you are ever passing Bag End, tea is at four – there's plenty of it. You are most welcome."

The dwarves bowed and I noticed a few dabbed at their eyes.

"Eh, don't bother knocking" Bilbo finished before raising his hand in farewell as he walked back towards Gandalf.

We watched them go and most went back inside. Balin joined Bofur, Bombur, Bifur, Kanin and myself.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"Tomorrow morning" I replied wrapping an arm around Kanin's shoulder "we'll be back before you know it."

"Give Dis my condolences."

"Of course" I gave a small smile as the old dwarf disappeared inside.

"Are yer sure about this?" Bofur asked "if our union was successful you might be with child by the time yer arrive."

"I know, my love, but Lady Dis needs to be notified and your parents need to invited to the wedding, so I may as well do it on the way after seeing Bilbo home."

"But yer injuries...and the boy..."

"Calm down brother" Bombur chimed in "I'm goin' with her, everything's goin' to be fine."

"If you say so" Bofur replied "I'll miss you...both of you."

"I'm hungry" Kanin said suddenly.

We all blinked and then started laughing.

"Of course, sweetheart" I ruffled his hair. "I'm sure your uncles have got some more funny stories to tell you."

"Aye" Bofur replied placing his hand on Kanin's shoulder. "Now, son, have I told yer about this one time..." his voice faded as they headed in, followed by Bombur and Bifur.

I stayed where I was and turned my gaze to Dale. I was glad we'd saved the city but I just couldn't stop thinking about what it had cost all sides. Dwarves, Men and Elves had all lost far too many lives; although out of the tragedy a new alliance had been forged. An alliance I hoped would stay strong through the ages.

The sounds of cheering reached my ears and I turned back to the mountain. Though Kili was very young I was adamant he would make for a great king and keep the line of Durin alive for many years to come.

Kanin came running out of the door, his face shining in excitement, clutching a chicken leg. "Auntie! Uncle Bofur is having a drinking contest with Mr Dwalin...be quick or you'll miss it!"

Smiling I acquiesced and followed him inside, turning my thoughts from the past and onto the future.