Without further ado :) ~~

Chp 68

Those on the benches, at the sound of the horns, turned around and looked toward the entrance. The elves on the left and men and women on the right also stood with the sound of the music. It took a few moments after the horns stopped, but Lady Dis was the first to appear at the end of the Gallery and there was naught but a weighty silence now. She looked magnificent in her gown. It was a dark blue, almost black color, and was accentuated with many decorations of silver and gold and her hair was arrayed with many fine jewels and a thin silver tiara was present and weaved through her thick, styled hair. On a dark blue silken pillow she carried in her outstretched arms was a jewel the likes had never been seen in Middle Earth before. Oval shaped and of a creamy color, but if you were lucky enough to see it up close, there were flashes of silver and gold and every color of the rainbow swirling around within it. Dis walked slowly with the jewel and everyone marveled at the sight of it.

Many paces behind her, entered Tauriel. Dressed in her stunning blue gown and with pink and purple flowers in her hair, she stood out in beauty almost as much as the Arkenstone had. She carried nothing but had her weaponry belt at her waist and the strap that went over her shoulders. She surveyed everyone in the large Hall and resolved to keep her back and head straight and a solemn expression on her face, despite all eyes being on her. She followed in Dis's path and kept her eyes on the dais and her chair ahead.

Moments later, Balin, dressed in royal finery and white beard freshly pouffed and rolled at the bottom, entered. He surveyed the crowd with a smile. Shortly after him, Kili walked into the Gallery, a resolute, but not unhappy expression on his face. He scarce could believe all the work that had been done in such a short period of time, as he had remembered first entering these halls, not so long ago right after the dragon was defeated. All of the green carven columns had been repaired and there was no taint of melted gold present. He looked up at the lofty ceiling, many feet overhead and saw that a few of the more huge tapestries and banners had been rehung with some almost draping down to the floor. As he walked down the rows and rows of benches with all eyes on him, he glanced at the plinths that bore statues of his forebears and the weight of kingship finally settled in. He stopped walking for a moment, and Dwalin, only a few paces behind, almost ran right into him. He saw Kili's hesitation and put his hands on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Come on laddie. Thorin would have been proud to see this moment. He knew, just as we all do, yee will make great King and ruler for all dwarves. Your mum is here, Balin and I, and of course Tauriel are all here to help." Kili looked back at Dwalin and knew the gruff warrior's simple, but heartfelt, words to be true. He breathed deep and started to put one foot in front of the other again until he made it to the dais. Dis and Tauriel were waiting by their chairs on the dais and only when Kili took his seat did everyone else in the Gallery sit down.

Dwalin took his place, standing slightly behind and between Kili and Tauriel's chairs. Balin positioned himself at the foot of the dais where a podium had been set up. Ori was seated next to him, behind a small desk with quill and paper positioned at the ready. Ori's aides were standing next to him on the left, ready to supply him with more ink or paper as necessary. Balin cleared his throat, as he knew he would have to speak loud to reach everyone in the Gallery, and began, "Thorin Oakenshield, the last King of Erebor is dead. Although he was not formally coronated, Thorin dedicated his life to providing for his kin and undertook this most dangerous of tasks, to reclaim Erebor. This he did, as we of the Company of Thorin Oakshield can bear witness to. Thorin himself, being the direct heir, eldest grandson to the last Coronated King, King Thror, claimed the Kingship as his right and did rule, for the briefest of time. However, the ensuing Battle of the Five Armies claimed his life, as well as the next in line of direct descent, Prince Fili, son of Lady Dis, and nephew of Thorin. In a strange twist of fate, the next two kin in direct descent to the throne, Prince Kili, also son of Dis and nephew of Thorin; and King Dane of the Iron Hills and distant heir of Thror were also killed. For those not present...after the Battle, a wondrous and incredible happening occurred here at the Mountain, such has rarely been witnessed before in Middle Earth...our creator, Aule the Valar spoke to us and said he would not allow the line of Durin to end, such as it had, because of the battle. Therefore he decreed, the one most worthy to rule, would be returned to us. And of the four, on their funeral slabs, there shone a golden light brighter than the sun...and Prince Kili breathed again!"

Those that were in the Gallery, upon hearing this news for the first time, made shocked and startled noises...looking at the Prince now anew. Balin continued, "And now to prove the right to rule...the awarding of the King's jewel, the Arkenstone." Lady Dis who had the jewel on the pillow in her lap as she waited, now rose up with it and went to stand next to her son, who was also now standing in front of his throne. She began, "I present the Arkenstone...the King's jewel. Possession of this stone gives the bearer the right to rule over Durin's Folk, or the Longbeard clan. It came from the reign of King Thror, my grandfather, and it sat here in the Mountain until Erebor was again claimed as a home by our kin. After the grievous battle where so many of my kin and comrades alike did perish, the stone was laid to rest with my brother. And so, I ventured to the Royal burial chambers, accompanied by our priests who keep watch over the dead, to retrieve the Arkenstone. I have brought it thusly to present to my son Kili, the next King. As King, it is yours to do what thou wilt." Dis bowed her head and thrust the pillow, with the Arkenstone on it, in Kili's direction.

Kili looked at it fascinatingly and gingerly reached out for it. For he, and only the members of the Company, knew what the stone had meant and the terrible cost for its' return. As a few tears rolled down his cheeks unheeded, he similarly came close to falling under it's spell. A throat clearing by Balin roused him from his momentary stupor and the first thing his eyes came to focus on, was Tauriel. He smiled and breathed deep. He knew what he needed to do. He held the stone up for all to see and everyone marveled at the sight of the milky jewel, then he began, "My Uncle Thorin valued this stone above all, and my...it does have a charm of it's own, standing here watching all of it's colors unfold in front of me. As I am to be crowned King, and it is mine to do what I see fit with it. I have decided that, as this jewel came from the Mountain, so shall it stay. But I will not take it as a symbol of my rule. I decree that it will be returned to my uncle Thorin's burial slab and rest with him until his body returns to the stone from whence we came; and therefore, again, will be a part of the Mountain until the end of days." He sighed and there were some surprised quiet exclamations at his proclamation, but they were quickly hushed as Kili said lastly, "Mother...I'm afraid I must ask you to return to the burial chambers of which only our priests usually visit; and return the Arkenstone to Thorin's breast. He sacrificed all, for it...and it should rest with him forever after." Dis smiled at Kili and bowed her head and said, "Thy will be done, my son."

Dis went back with the pillow in her hands and sat down. Balin then continued. And now, Prince Kili no longer...you will be presented with your Royal armaments, as will Tauriel, who you have taken as your consort, and you now will be crowned King and Queen." Balin indicated they both stand. Gloin and younger looking dwarf, but with a very similar look stood from their seats on the first bench, and approached the dais. Both were carrying finely carved wooden boxes with intricate locks, one box being a little larger than the other. Gloin produced a large key ring and after moment, unlocked the larger one. From inside he pulled out the gleaming silver crown and again everyone marveled at the design and brilliance of it. Gloin handed it to Balin, who in turn had handed it to Dis, who had risen from her seat, and walked over to the trio, but not before giving Dwalin the pillow with the Arkenstone on it to watch. Dis took the crown and placed it on her son's head. He took a deep breath and accepted the beautiful ornament with a smile at his mum.

Then, the smaller dwarf next to Gloin held his box up. Gloin also located a key from the key ring and unlocked this chest too. He reached inside and held up a similar looking silver crown also with blue and purple jewels, but of smaller and more delicate shape. Gloin bowed as he presented it to Kili, "from the Master Jeweler, My Lord." Kili took it from him happily and looked up at Tauriel who was standing next to him with tears in her eyes. Kili started, "As we have been bethrothed, let me now declare my undying devotion, love and respect to my fairest maiden, the most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth, and more precious to me than ANY jewel would ever be...my love...Amralime, and now...my Queen, as well as Queen of Durin's Folk." Kili was beaming with love and devotion as he had to stand up on his highest tiptoes to place the crown on Tauriel's head. He patted her hands and he turned themselves to face the crowd and he had her crook her arm through his. He continued, "I present...Queen Tauriel." To which there was polite applause from the humans present, the elves bowed their heads and for the dwarves custom of stamping their feet, there was a light measure of it to be felt from the crowd. Thus crowned, the couple remained at the front of the dais until their tributes had died down. Balin cleared his throat and spoke loudly, "Long live the King and Queen!" The baritone horns sounded loudly, and again, each group gave their respective gestures to the couple. And so, Kili and Tauriel were coronated as King and Queen of Erebor.

Can't believe we actually made it here! When I started this story around the holidays of 2015 (after I had seen BOFA) and even though I had never written anything in my life (other than little stories/papers for school), I decided I must create a world that Kili would not die at the end; and of course, with the inclusion of Tauriel (in PJ adaptation) I knew the two of them HAD to be together and have a happy ending! Little did I know...it would take over 100,000 words+ for them to get there ;) But...I have immensely enjoyed writing this story, and cannot believe the outpouring of devotion and acceptance I've had from my loyal readers all over the world. The story has helped me through some difficult times in my life and I hope you all as well.

As I mentioned, I don't intend on ending this story here...not at all! :) There's still so many things to get to! So, please look for the next part to continue the story, "Book 3: The Reign of King Kili."

I want to thank all my readers for their incredible patience, time and willingness to keep returning here as I posted a chapter at a time. Thank you especially to my reviewers: TinuvielTurner, Susan, Lisa, Bienniel, Margaritasc, Aneita and wow...Helena1414 christened this as the best Kiliel story...I am so touched! You all are wonderful! I hope you will continue on our journey with Kili & Tauriel here. Thank you to Peter Jackson & crew also for the inspiration and added details and characters. And of course a big nod and bow of appreciation to Professor Tolkien for creating this world with its immense history and backstory, without which my story wouldn't have been possible.

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