The Rightful King

Once Thorin and Leah had returned to the camp, they saw that Fili and Kili were asleep and hadn't moved from their previous positions. "Shouldn't someone stay awake?" Leah asked as she sat beside Thorin. The fire had almost completely extinguished itself; there was only a slight golden glow left from beneath the ashes.

"I will take watch for a while. You sleep," Thorin told her. "You have had much excitement for one day."

Leah blushed, thinking back on the 'excitement' she'd felt only half an hour previously. "Then when we're all awake, maybe we should try and get back to Erebor. I can take us there if I'm able to. Azog seems to be long gone now. Dain needs to know that you're alive; he was crowned just after I left. With you alive, he's taken up the throne and shouldn't be there."

Thorin smiled, feeling pride as he watched her defend his birthright so avidly. "My love, it will be done. But you rest and then we can think about returning to Erebor."

"Why do you seem to be stalling all of a sudden? Going back was all you wanted and now it's as though you don't want to."

"I do wish to go back and claim my right as King, but I'm prepared to wait until you are fully rested," Thorin replied sternly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to question you too much," Leah said, softly.

"I would make any exception for you, and your advice is always appreciated. However, you need to rest now," he said again, his head gesturing towards the low fire where he wished for her to go and rest.

"Can I sleep next to you?" Leah asked.

"Could I even say no to such a question? Yes, but sleep!" By now Thorin found himself chuckling at her.

Thorin sat against a tree and put his fur pelt back around Leah's shoulders, then wound his arms around her. She placed her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Thorin watched for a few minutes as she drifted silently to sleep. It never seemed to take long for her to fall asleep when she was against him.

For over an hour Thorin remained in the darkness, holding Leah to his chest and watching for any signs of danger. He'd come so close to losing her again, but this time she'd made a vow and sealed that by making love to him before they'd even wed. There was no doubt in his mind that Leah was entirely faithful to him; in fact, her loyalty could easily match that of any of the dwarves he'd had in his Company. There was never anything but honesty in her eyes and Thorin ultimately knew he could trust her even with his life. But the fear of losing him again was the point at which darkness crept into her. And when he thought on what had happened the last six weeks or so, he knew that he couldn't blame her for feeling the way she did. If the roles had of been reversed, could he ever be one hundred per cent sure that she wouldn't leave him in one way or another?

Fili began to wake and looked around into the darkness, stretching his tired muscles and yawning. He could make out the outline of Thorin sat by the tree. The first light was beginning to break across the sky.

"Thorin?" he asked, getting up and approaching his uncle. "Are you awake?"

"Yes, I took watch while you all slept," Thorin replied. "I think we may need to get moving soon. Leah is willing to see if she can take us straight to Erebor from here. We will have to see if she has the strength to do it."

Fili looked down at the sleeping girl on his uncle's chest. "She's braved so much for all of us. I cannot see anyone better to rule with you."

"She's made many sacrifices for me and I could never ask any more of her," Thorin replied, kissing her head. "Only that she be my wife."

"I doubt she will say no to that," Fili chuckled. "She adores you, Thorin. Anyone with eyes can see it plainly. I'm proud to call her my friend."

Gradually Kili began to wake, and as he did, Thorin nudged Leah a little. "My love, we must move," he said quietly. Leah yawned and gently pulled herself from Thorin's arms. She got up and stretched herself. While being asleep, her throat had become quite swollen again.

"I need some water," she croaked. "My throat has swollen up again."

"If you try and take us to Erebor, we will get you water there. If you cannot, Kili, go and find water for her," Thorin asked. Kili nodded his head in response to his uncle's request. Leah took Thorin's hand in her own and then looked towards Fili and Kili.

"I think we all need to be joined before I can do this," Leah rasped. In her mind she concentrated on the huge mountain and the walls which had been built outside it, housing statues in memory of previous kings, their faces immortalised in stone. She looked up in her mind's eye and saw the battlement where she'd stood with Thorin when he threatened to kill Bilbo. Then she saw a flash of light before her eyes, shining pure white. And then as the light disappeared, she opened her eyes. Instantly her senses became bombarded with sights, sounds and smells, all of which were very familiar.

Thorin's voice hit her first. But his words were fuelled with hate and anger. He was dressed in his regal robes and charging at Bilbo, ready to kill him if need be. And then suddenly she saw herself dash in front of Bilbo, protecting him.

"W...what are you doing here? But you're there," Bofur called out, shocked and pointing. He was looking straight at Leah, but she was also standing approximately seven feet ahead, standing in front of Bilbo, stopping Thorin from harming him.

"What have I done?" Leah whispered. Then she realised: that had been the last thought she'd had before she transported herself. She imagined this very moment, standing here and watching Thorin become poisoned by his need for the Arkenstone. And she knew full well all along that Bilbo had been hiding the stone.

Becoming increasingly anxious, Leah closed her eyes again, ignoring everything that was happening around her and focused on the Thorin she had just seen and the present she'd disappeared from. She was in the wood, holding his hand with Fili the other side of her. The sensation of his hand in hers was the main focal point, until the white light sparked blindingly before her, and once again she was back in the wood with Thorin and his nephews.

"What happened?" Kili asked quickly. "You were standing here and then disappeared for a few seconds and reappeared.

Leah's eyes were wide with shock at what she'd just witnessed. "I can't even believe I just did that," she gasped. "I...I ….went back in time."

"What?" Thorin asked, gob smacked by this sudden revelation. "In time? How is this even possible?"

"I don't even know where all of this has come from. And this must explain why when I left Middle-earth and came home, no time had elapsed, so no one questioned my disappearance."

"Think what this means, Thorin!" Kili cried out. "We can go back and change things from our pasts. Maybe so that we never died."

Thorin looked at his nephews sceptically. "I would not advise it. For one main reason: we do not know the impact we could have. Changing our pasts would drastically change the present we return to. We are alive again and that is all that matters."

Leah's head was still in a daze. Time travel? When the hell did all this happen? Was there some other hidden 'talent' she had stashed away that she had yet to find? Maybe she could bend spoons while she was at it. "I have no idea why this has all landed on me. W...why me in the first place? And where did these abilities come from?"

"You have been given a gift, Leah. I do now know where but if you wish to find out, we will help you seek the answer," Thorin replied.

"But surely if I can transport people and objects, and time travel, I can go back and stop Smaug from entering Erebor in the first place. Then your grandfather and father would still be alive," Leah suggested. "It's silly not to use this. I still don't have complete control of it yet, and at the moment I can only go back through my memories, but if I can get a hold on it, I can go back through your past."

Thorin tensed and crossed his arms. "And there is one huge flaw in that suggestion, Leah. That will then mean none of this ever happens and we never meet. I cannot even consider sacrificing that." His eyes had become wide, welling with sadness. "And swear to me that you won't do it!"

Leah remained silent, understanding Thorin's anguish at such a suggestion, but she wanted to do right by him, and if this was the way, she would do it.

"Swear to me!" Thorin shouted.

Leah jumped at the sudden rise in volume of his voice.

Fili and Kili saw their uncle's anger and backed away from the possible impending argument.

Thorin stood before Leah and took her hands in his. He looked down for a moment, feeling embarrassed at his outburst. "I know why you wish to do it, my love. You are nothing but honourable in your intentions, but do not, I beg you, go down this road. We are here now and the circumstances that paved our path should stay as they were. If you change the course of what happened, who knows what we would both be living now. Do you really wish to find out? Smaug is dead and that is all that matters. When he died should not matter. Promise me that you will not consider changing what has happened?" His voice suddenly broke. "Don't..."

Leah took Thorin in her arms, embracing him tightly. "I promise," she whispered.

"I thought I had lost everything, but it is you that is my everything," Thorin said, his breath wafting across her cheek.

In Leah's mind Thorin was one of the strongest men she'd ever met, but also incredibly sensitive. She wanted to go back and give Thorin the life he should have led, not the one he'd been forced to. If she was able to change the past and send Smaug away before reaching Erebor, then Thrain and Thror would not have perished. The dwarves would not have been forced out of their homeland, resulting in the war in which Thror was beheaded and Thrain sent into madness. The impact of such a change was monumental to Thorin's life, but could she do that to him? She'd just promised to leave it alone. The conflict was going to haunt her now until she finally decided which option outweighed the other in advantages, and at this moment in time, the better option was going back. If all of this was changed, would it impact on her own memories? Would it mean that she never discovered her gift? It would probably result in her coming to Middle-earth as she had done and getting stranded as the Company would never have been formed. She'd become lost in the wilderness, fending for herself with no idea of how to get back home. This really was something she'd have to contemplate at a later date. And also, the Arkenstone was still a factor until she could change the past. Where was the stone? She'd only seen it quickly twice and couldn't quite focus on a specific memory of it to retrieve it.

"I trust you will be able to get us home this time," Thorin said, smiling at her reassuringly.

The four of them took hands and Leah began to imagine the vast mountain of Erebor. Again, she let her mind shift towards the gigantic, carved statues. She could see the doors, closed, stretching up dozens of feet into the air. And then the white light came again, and this time she imagined Thorin, Fili and Kili alongside her, concentrating on the feel of them. Last time she'd only imagined herself back in Erebor, thus only transporting herself.

Then there was a darker shade before her eyes. Before opening her eyes, she heard Kili shouting in delight. She'd obviously brought him alongside her. She could still feel Thorin and Fili's hands in hers. They had all been brought to Erebor safely, and it was now time for Thorin to take back what was rightfully his.

Cries could instantly be heard from above; guards had seen the spectacle before their eyes. "It is Thorin!"

The small group approached the huge doors, but Thorin kept Leah's hand locked in his tightly. He wanted to show everyone that he had his Queen beside him. Guards on the doors looked at Thorin suspiciously, and then shifted their gaze between all four members of the group. One guard stepped forward, his emerald eyes shining brightly from behind a huge black beard and long, braided hair. "Thorin is dead," he said in a stern, gruff voice. "Who are you? A result of some witch's enchantment?"

Thorin glared at the guard. "I am the rightful King under this mountain. I wish to see Dain."

"Are you sure it is in your best interest to question the King?" Fili asked, brushing past Leah and standing before the guard. "You will show respect."

"My King is Dain, not Thorin," the guard continued.

"Are you doubting my birthright?" Thorin hissed. "I demand to see Dain. I am Thorin, son of Thrain and I am not moving from this spot until I speak with my cousin. You have no right to question that!"

Suddenly a familiar voice came through the stone halls, resounding loudly. "What the bloody hell's all the commotion going on out there?"

Thorin couldn't help but raise a smile at his cousin's forthright and sarcastic attitude. Even as the new King it hadn't changed. Then a broad, stout figure approached him, bringing with it bright ginger hair. "Thorin? Oh my God!" Dain cried. "But you're dead!"

"We have much to discuss," Thorin replied, greeting Dain Ironfoot with a smile. "How long has it been?"

"We laid you in your tomb but a fortnight ago," Dain replied. "Let him through!" he demanded.

Thorin followed Dain into the grand halls of Erebor and already he could hear the hammering of stone as rebuilding got underway. Leah looked up, in complete awe of the beautiful architecture and handiwork of the dwarves. All of the craftsmanship was unlike anything she'd seen before. Stone columns reached so high upwards that she could barely make out where they ended. There were steps leading up onto balconies which disappeared out of sight due to the sheer length of the place.

Dain took the group into a small hall. "Do not bother us!" he shouted to the guards and slammed the huge wooden doors behind them all. He walked towards a table and began pouring drinks for each of his guests as they sat down at the long table situated in the centre of the room.

"So, Thorin. I don't believe you are some old hag's enchantment like my guards are believing. But enlighten me as to how you can be standing here right now, and breathing," Dain said as he pushed the huge tumblers down the table towards each one of them.

Leah was quite relieved to see that Dain hadn't even made any comment about her presence yet, although he had looked at her. Did he know who she was? He certainly must have seen her in passing, especially at Thorin's burial.

"We do not yet understand what power is at work here," Thorin began. He took a quick glance at Leah, watching her sip her drink, and then looked back towards Dain. "Fili, Kili and myself all regained consciousness in another place completely, very much unlike this. In fact, it is the world that Leah comes from. They call it Earth."

"And who is she exactly?" Dain asked sternly. His eyes then drifted to her and a suspicion seemed to grow in his face. He watched her, his eyes surveying her from over his tumbler.

"We met Leah while on our journey to Erebor. Yes, she came from this other place. And we let her accompany us. It has now been revealed to us that Leah can in fact open doorways between our worlds. And that is how I, Fili and Kili..."

"Oh, and she's also the one who brought Azog back. Am I correct?" Dain shouted. "I've heard word, Thorin. I know that pile of shit still and it's because of her."

Leah sighed and turned away, feeling impending tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. But with the fright and guilt she also felt anger. "You have no idea what I've been through!" she called out. "Do you think I even want this? You stand there accusing me of purposefully bringing him back to life, but without me Thorin, Fili and Kili wouldn't be here."

Dain grit his teeth and as quick as a flash, bolted around the table towards Leah. Thorin instantly got to his feet, shielding Leah and grabbed his cousin's tunic. "You touch her and I have no problem with killing you, Dain."

Leah backed away, weeping. She rushed into a corner and held her hands to her face. Arguing ensued around her; she could hear Thorin and Dain's voices being tossed back and forth.

"Leah?" a voice came. It was Fili. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I can't do this," she cried out. "He's accusing me of doing all this on purpose...maybe..."

"Don't you dare even consider what I know is going through your mind," Fili demanded. His eyes were wide and his face was stern. "You would break Thorin."

"If I did it, Fili. He wouldn't even know. Everything would be changed and none of you would have ever known me. I can't stand by and watch this. We know by looking at this that Dain's not going to stand down so readily, is he?" Leah was growing frustrated by now.

"But Thorin is alive. No one can question that. The line of Durin has returned and will live on through you. We know of Gandalf's words and you are destined to continue our bloodline, Leah. You cannot turn away from that."

"If I wasn't here, he'd find someone else," Leah said, and this time her voice had grown weighed down by sadness. She looked past Fili to Thorin and admired him from afar. Leah had the opportunity to put everything right, and even though she would remain without Thorin, she knew he would be living the life he should have been.

Fili grew shocked by her words. His eyes became saddened. "You really have no idea how our love works, do you? Our One is the person we are destined to be with. Destined! You are Thorin's One. No one else would ever take that place in his life. Even if you change all of this and Thorin lives alongside his father and grandfather once more, he will never find his One. Because that is you. Leah, just think about what you are considering doing here. I have never seen Thorin so overjoyed in the presence of anyone else. He seemed empty before and ruling Erebor was all he had to live for."

Dain and Thorin's argument seemed to have died down in volume, but they were still stood near the doors, their postures showing that they were frustrated, argumentative and defensive.

Kili approached Fili and Leah, having heard some of the conversation from a few feet away. "The past is the past, Leah. Fili is right. You will keep the line of Durin strong. We both admire you so much for what you've done for us and we thank you. But if you did this, who knows what the consequences would be."