Before I begin this chapter I would like to thank Melanie Daughter of Nico Di An, Netiri Vi Britannia, The Musketeers 29, Shadowvixen89, bonny99, ryuee, britta1234 and zorchide for following and adding the story to their favourites.

I would also like to thank EmerwenVoridune for reviewing, and yes while writing the previous chapter I too was of the same piece of mind, that Thranduil too suffers from gold sickness and I'm glad you liked my way of expressing it.

Pain.

That was all that Thorin could feel as he opened his eyes. He woke up to find himself lying in a meadow of flowers.

Flowers?

It was snowing during the battle. What were flowers doing anywhere near Erebor or Dale at this time of year? He stood up and looked at the landscape around him. No, this was not Erebor. Instead of the rock he expected to see, his eyes came to rest upon trees, grass and flowers in all directions. What was this place? More importantly what was he doing here? This place was beautiful but Thorin felt strangely insecure, standing isolated in an eerie silence. He looked around him hoping to find a familiar face, any face. Hell, even Thranduil would be a welcome sight.

This place was indeed beautiful. The silence was oddly comforting but Thorin preferred the noise of dwarves stamping around, their armor and weapons clinking and clanging.

He racked his brain trying to remember how he got here. Slowly it all came back. The quest, Smaug, the battle, Ravenhill, Azog, Nori, Bofur and Dwalin helping him. He remembered Fili and Kili getting injured. The elves- Tauriel and Legolas- protecting them.

Bilbo. What had become of him? What had become of the hobbit? His hobbit. Or was he? Thorin remembered of how he banished Bilbo over a piece of glittering rock.

Was he dead? If he was then what was this place? Definitely not the Halls of Mandos.

Then it hit him. Valinor. The home of the Valar. But how had he gotten here? Dwarves did not sail to the Undying Lands and he was sure he never boarded any ship. So how did he get here?

"So awakens Thorin, the son of Thrain, the son of Thror, King Under the Mountain", a voice called out mockingly behind him. Turning around Thorin saw a man. Well, not a man, not even an elf, not even dwarf and he didn't seem like an orc.

"Who are you? What is this place?" he squeaked. Squeaked? Thorin Oakenshield did not squeak. No, he made others squeak. This place must be messing with his mind.

"Who am I, child? Why, I thought you would know?"

Thorin stared at him, convinced that this person was not a mortal being. His silence seemed to annoy the person who smiled irritatingly and spoke as if addressing a ten year old dwarfling.

" I am Oronwe. Lord of the forests. One of the Valar. But of course I'll have to explain the big, complicated words to you. Now listen, forests are-"

"I know what they are."

"Well, fancy that. It has a brain."

"What am I doing here?"

"Oh, doesn't waste time does he. Straight to the point."

"Answer me!"

"Careful, dwarf. Do not forget who I am. You realize you have no power over me, nor am I required to answer you."

"Please, why am I here?" Thorin pleaded.

Oronwe's expression softened. "You hover between life and death, child. Valinor- well it's like a place you stay before one side wins."

"One side?"

"Life or death."

"So does everyone come here before dying?"

"Elves sail here. But you my friend are the first living being, the first dwarf to come to Valinor. Come, follow me."

Thorin walked after Oronwe, absorbing what he had said.

"Is this a dream?" he asked.

Oronwe was silent for several minutes before replying, "Yes and no."

Thorin snorted, "What are you? An elf?"

Oronwe glared at him. "Hold your tongue. You know very well to whom you speak. So shut up. This is not a dream, your body lies in a healing tent in Dale. This is part of your subconsciousness, but not a dream."

Thorin stared at him. "What?" Oronwe asked?

"You do know that you make no sense, right?"

"Just hold your questions if you can't handle the answers, idiot."

"You're the one to talk," Thorin murmured.

"What was that!?"

"I said where are you taking me."

"You will see soon enough."

Thorin followed Oronwe through the trees. He realized how beautiful this place really was. No wonder the elves sailed here after a time. Now if only Thranduil were to sail here too. That would make the world a better place. Oh but it would spoil this place, and Thorin really did not wish ill upon Valinor. Little did he know that it was only because of Thranduil's efforts that he was still alive, somewhere else of course.

"It's been a long time since I saw you, dear." Anew voice spoke, bringing Thorin out of his thoughts. He looked towards where the voice and come from and saw someone whom he never expected to see before.

"Mother?"

The woman smiled. "I see you have not forgotten me yet Thorin." She held out her arms, signaling Thorin to embrace her. He needed no second invitation and ran to her arms.

"Mama, Mama I've missed you, I've missed you." He cried into his mother's arms. The same arms he sought comfort in before Smaug came because after his arrival, these arms were no more.

"Shush, I'm here Thorin. I'm so proud of you, darling. You gave the other dwarves a home again. You didn't make the same mistakes your father and grandfather did. There is so much to talk about but so little time. I guess I'll have to settle for your presence only. I love you Thorin."

"Me too, Mama."

"Speaking of love, a Halfling?"

Thorin looked up at her, suddenly fearful, "Do you not approve?"

"Of course I do! I think he's an excellent person. A good cook, has excellent manners, soft spoken unlike that hag of Rhun your grandfather wanted to marry you off to. Hmm he's even good looking and Thorin it doesn't matter to what race your love belongs. As long as you love him, nothing else matters."

Thorin smiled at his mother, and looked around him. Oronwe was gone. "Mother where is Oronwe?"

His mother looked at something behind him before saying, "He has duties to carry out, and I believe it is time I take my leave." With that his mother gave him a kiss on the cheek before walking away.

He looked behind him to see another man and woman. These two also seemed similar to Oronwe. The man spoke first, "Welcome Thorin Oakenshield to the home of the Valar. I don't suppose Oronwe gave you a warm welcome?"

"No he did not," Thorin looked curiously at the pair, "Who are you?"

"I, Thorin, am Aule but you may call me Mahal as you have been doing for so many years."

Thorin looked at the man in awe. " Mahal! The maker? It really is you." He looked eagerly at the woman. "You must be…"

"Yes, Thorin. I am Yavanna." The woman smiled and answered him.

"Yavanna!" Then another question struck him. "Please I do not mean to be offensive but what am I doing here?"

"Thorin, you have faced many hardships during your life, " Mahal spoke, "However you overcame them all, going as far as reclaiming your homeland from a dragon. We brought you here because it is time for you to meet your loved ones, your fallen family. You are a living reminder to me that my decision to carve dwarves from stone was indeed correct."

"Am I still living?"

Mahal chuckled, "Yes. Yes you are."

Yavanna looked at him. "You were brought here also because Eru Illuvitar wishes to meet you and we, the Valar have a favor to ask of you."

Thorin looked at the two before him. Mahal's eyes were full of pride while Yavanna smiled at him. She continued, "And of course I have to talk to you about one of mine."

That confused him. "One of yours?" He asked.

"The hobbit of course. Bilbo Baggins."

Thorin found himself blushing uncontrollably. Before he could speak a horn sounded in the distance.

Yavanna and Mahal looked at each other. "That would be our cue," Mahal spoke. "Come with us Thorin."

They guided him through the forest until they reached a huge tower. The tower shined as sunlight fell on it, reflecting several different colors. As he stared at it, Mahal opened a door and gestured Thorin to enter while he and Yavanna stayed outside. Once he entered the tower, all he saw was one room. Not just any room but a throne room with some really, really majestic thrones. Before he could examine them further he heard someone behind him say, "It has been a long time, Thorin, my son."

Looking behind him Thorin saw the one who spoke and his eyes widened in shock. There stood Thrain along with his grandfather and grandmother. "Father?" He whispered.

Thrain smiled at him. "Miss us?" Thorin threw himself at his family, sobbing into his grandmother's shoulder.

"Now, now dear. You look just as handsome as I last saw you. Found a wife yet?" His grandmother asked.

"Uhm well, no, not really…"Thorin mumbled

Thror suddenly erupted in laughter, followed by Thrain. Thorin looked at them in shock. He then looked at his grandmother who was smiling and glaring lightly at the two laughing males. As Thorin looked at her questioningly. "We all know about Bilbo, Thorin."

Thorin simply stared at her. "But do you approve?"

Thrain spoke first, "When I first saw your mother, I instantly fell in love with her. When I began courting her, father did not approve. But that didn't stop me. My point is, on that if you know someone is your One, you should not care what others think. But yes we approve, or I do anyway. He seems a good lad."

"It is not ideal courting a hobbit but-" before he could continue, his own wife smacked him across the face.

"What do you mean it's not ideal? Of course it is. Would you rather have a usurping witch as his consort, like that one in Rhun? Or would you prefer a hobbit who has every quality to be Thorin's consort already existing within him?" She asked sternly.

"You are quite right, my love," Thror said while nursing his cheek. "But Thorin I am so proud of you. The way you have retaken Erebor from that slug. However I must give you a piece of advice; do not make the same mistakes that I did as King Under the Mountain."

Thrain smiled at him before saying, "And you killed Azog didn't you?"

"That wasn't me. I was lying there waiting for him to finish me before Bilbo saved me, and even after that it required a combined attack from Bofur, Dwalin and Nori to finish him. But…"

"Yes?"

"What of my nephews, Dis's sons? Are Fili and Kili alive?"

"They live. However both are severely injured. Excellent lads you raised, those two. They are both still unconscious, but they will soon wake."

The door of the room again opened and another man walked in. Upon seeing him, his family bowed, gave Thorin a hug and left the room.

"Thorin Oakenshield. Long has it been since I allowed a living person to visit Valinor. Bt you my child are an exception. I am Eru Illuvitar. Before you speak hear me out. When Aule created the dwarves, I was angered and I decided to destroy them. However upon seeing them and after Aule's begging I allowed them to live. However as the ages passed, I wondered if that was the right decision. Were the dwarves simply some useless race living in Middle-Earth? I needed some sort of conviction that they were worthy and you, Thorin Oakenshield are that conviction. I apologize for being so precise, but I do not have a lot of time Oakenshield. You have done that which I did not believe possible. I have brought you here because you needed to see your family and because I have a favor to ask of you."

"What favor?"

"About a dragon."

"What do you mean?"

"I ask of you to accept a dragon into Erebor."

Thorin stared at him, wondering if Eru had lost his mind. After all monitoring everything that goes on in the world could cause some brain dysfunction.

Eru sighed before continuing, "When we were at war with Melkor, Glaurung the first dragon flew into Valinor and attacked Yavanna. He raped her before fleeing. It was because of that that Yavanna had a daughter. A half-dragon for a daughter. We took her in and loved her as our own. However she wanted to explore the world. Therefore we allowed her to go to Arda. However once people learned about her heritage, they shunned her. She was forced to live in exile. Forced to live alone in sadness."

"So you ask of me to take her to Erebor?"

"If you come across her, I ask you to give her a home."

"I shall think about it."

Eru raised his eyebrows, "Good."

"But I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Is she dangerous?"

"When need be, yes."

"I also noticed how you called Morgoth Melkor. Why?"

"Do you know the story of Melkor?" At Thorin's nod, Eru continued. "Well once we defeated him finally, Melkor fled to the deepest pit and when we found him, he begged for our forgiveness. He even clung to my feet crying and begged us for mercy. But that was the one thing that we could not give him. It broke our hearts to see him, one of us, in such a state. However we had to chain him and cast him into the void. You ask me why I call him Melkor. That was his original name. That was his name when he was our friend, one of us. That was the name of one who was my brother, and no matter how evil, he shall always stay my-our-brother."

Thorin stood in silence. Eru patted him on the shoulder, "I must take my leave now Thorin Oakenshield. However there is still one whom you must meet before returning to your world."

Thorin felt a breeze blowing at his face and closed his eyes. Once he opened them, he saw that Eru had gone and he was in the forest again. But he was not alone. Thorin saw another dwarf. One bearing remarkable resemblance to him. The only difference was that this dwarf had blond hair. He was exactly like Fili but Thorin knew that this was not his nephew. No this was someone who had been his closest friend. Someone who fought alongside him. Someone he loved with all his heart. Someone who died in his arms. Someone whom he buried and grieved for, for decades. As Melkor was to Eru, this dwarf was to him.

"Frerin?"

The dwarf grinned at him, "Thorin!" Before running to embrace him. Thorin stared in disbelief as his brother hugged him. For several minutes they stood like that before Frerin let go. "Well you're sorry sight for sore eyes. But luckily for you my eyes are not sore.

"But … But I saw you.. you fall at Azubi..Azunalbizar. I failed you."

"No. No Thorin. You never failed me. You have no idea how proud you've made me by reclaiming Erebor. Thorin you could never fail me. And found your one have you?"

Thorin smiled at his brother, "Yes. Yes I have."

"I found mine too, you know."

"What? When?"

"Before Erebor fell. A human in Dale. She died when Smaug attacked. I had a child with her, you know. A little girl."

"You never told me."

"To be honest, I didn't know how you and Dis would react."

"What became of the girl?"

"Oh she became a Dunedain Ranger. Extremely talented, the lass."

"She is alive?"

"Well obviously idiot."

"Idiot?" Thorin sneered before tackling him. They wrestled on the ground, something that he hadn't done with Frerin for a good 70 years. After a while they came to a stop with Thorin pinning Frerin's arms.

"Okay, you win." Frerin grinned at Thorin, "Thorin, if you ever meet my daughter would you welcome her?"

"Of course. You never told me, what was her name?"

"Her name is Arael."

"Not a dwarvish name."

"No. Her mother Earenie wanted it so I accepted it."

Thorin suddenly felt very weak. He fell to his knees and looked at Frerin. Frerin smiled sadly at him, "I guess this is goodbye, brother."

"I guess so. I love you, Frerin."

"Me too." Frerin winked at him, "Go get that hobbit."

Thorin Oakenshield fell to the ground with a thud, experiencing the same pain he felt when he first awoke in Valinor. He closed his eyes as he felt a cool breeze around him. Once he opened them, he was no longer in a forest but in a tent and he was looking at the familiar faces of Oin and Thranduil.

Thorin Oakenshield had finally regained consciousness.

The next chapter will be about Bofur as he tries to find a place to hide the Arkenstone and meets someone in the process.