I'm sure y'all are mad about the lack of smut but trust me, it's better this way. You'd all swear off sex if I ever attempted to write smut. So just enjoy the cute before everything gets too real.

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns Tolkien, you own you!

You take inventory of the situation with every sense to make sure you're not dreaming. He feels the same - strong and sturdy in your arms as he's always been. You take a deep breath and his scent fills you, the scent of home. He's whispering in Khuzdul in his beautiful deep voice. His work-rough hands crush you closer and closer to him, and it's still not close enough.

"Amralime," he murmurs, pulling back to look at you. His eyes are filled with tears, as are yours. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"I'm right here. Everything's okay," you whisper back, running your fingers through his raven hair.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I've never been better!"

You share a deep kiss. The tears in your eyes spill over. Kissing Thorin like this, it's like the separation of the past months never happened. When you part, you bury your face in his neck and sigh-sob contentedly.

"My apologies for the manner of my arrival, king of Rohan," Thorin says in a more steady voice. You assume he's addressing Theoden and leave him to it.

Theoden's tone is warm when he answers, "I more than understand, King of the Mountain. We were also concerned by her absence. We will tend to your horse. Go and take your rest."

Thorin nods and scoops you up in his arms. You direct him vaguely to your tent, really too caught up in him to be very coherent. The cloth door swishes shut behind him, dividing the two of you from the rest of the world. He lays down, still keeping you close, and pulls the blankets snugly up.

"I can't believe it," you mumble. "I can't believe you're here."

"I left as soon as I read Gimli's letter. I feared the worst. Ease my mind and tell me what happened."

"Er...well, I don't think the truth will ease your mind as much as it will convince you to lock me up forever."

"I'm planning on doing that anyway, so you may as well tell me."

You recount your misadventure again. He does not interrupt, but his expression changes with the phases of your story. When you mention being shot down, he brushes your bandaged calf. "So basically I have no one to blame but my own dumb self," you finish.

Thorin heaves a sigh. "I should never have let you leave the Mountain unsupervised."

"Yeah, probably not. But in my defense, that's the worst that's happened this entire time. So I've really done quite well."

"And you're sure your leg is on the mend?"

"Elrond finished the job himself. He was about as pleased as you are." You smile fondly up at him. "I can't believe you came all this way to look for me."

"Can you not? I swore that if I didn't hear from you, I'd bring armies to ensure your safety."

"You're an army of one, then?"

"No. Dain is on his way."

You laugh.

Thorin closes his eyes. "I missed that. I missed you. I have been incomplete until this moment."

"And I missed your voice. I used to hear it when I read your letters. Being apart is dumb. Let's not do it again."

Thorin smiles and pulls you closer. "Never again."

You have the best sleep you've had in a while that night, wrapped up in blankets and Thorin. When you wake, he is miraculously still there, gazing down at you with an expression full of love.

"Did you sleep at all?" you ask, kissing his jaw. "It must have been a long ride from Erebor."

"I slept more wonderfully than I have in months, and I woke to the most beautiful sight in the world."

"You've lost none of your poetry, I see. Why didn't you get up if you were awake?"

"I didn't want to move, and I was waiting for you. I wanted to speak with the king - Theoden, is it?"

"Yes, Theoden. I'm sure he'd like to meet you formally. And I wanted you to meet Aragorn, but he's gone with Gimli and Legolas on a side mission. I guess there's always later. But yeah, let's go."

You walk hand in hand to Theoden's tent. The men marvel openly at you, but you're long used to being stared at when with Thorin. Theoden welcomes you inside.

"Hail King Under the Mountain," Theoden greets. "I am glad to meet you after spending time with your wife."

"Thank you for you reception, Theoden-King," Thorin returns. "And thank you for you hospitality."

"You are welcome to it for as long as we are here, but we will be riding for Gondor tomorrow morning."

"I'd like to ride with you."

You stare at Thorin. "Come again?"

"What, did you think I came all this way to leave again? I intend to stay by your side until this war is over, for better or worse." Thorin addresses Theoden. "My army is close behind. We will follow you to Gondor."

"Army?" you interrupt again. "I thought you were joking!"

"You brought an army?" Theoden seems hopeful at the prospect.

"Yes. My cousin Dain Ironfoot and his soldiers are on the way. They are the finest of Dwarf warriors."

You can't take it any more. "No!" you burst out. Theoden and Thorin look at you. "Thorin, you can't stay, and Dain can just go right back home! Dwarves were not supposed to be involved in this battle!"

"Plans change," Thorin says simply.

"Plans change?! Oh no, you're not gonna pull that again! The last time you changed plans, we woke up a dragon!"

Thorin is unperturbed by your temper. He says to Theoden, "I promised her that if necessary, I would bring an army to ensure her safety, and so I have. The Dwarves are ready to join this war, late perhaps, but all the same."

"We would welcome any aid," Theoden says.

You rub your head. "I am about to have a heart attack."

"Lady Aniel, less than half of the number I had hoped for has arrived. If your ruse does not work , we will need all the strength we can get to win this fight."

"What ruse?" Thorin interjects, looking at you.

"I used a Seeing-Stone to give Sauron some false information," you say haughtily.

"You did what?"

You shrug and smirk, glad to see him angry. It serves him right for pulling something like this.

Theoden attempts to calm the situation. "I can tell you're both angry, but there's nothing for it either way. I would appreciate both of your cooperation."

Thorin nods. You cross your arms. Both of you exit the tent. You mutter, "I can't believe you really brought an army."

"I cannot believe you confronted Sauron! Have you any idea how dangerous that was?"

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this battle will be?"

"All the more reason for me to be here." He looks at you with a wry smile. "You may be angry with me, but I'm just glad to see you alive."

"I - don't - don't you be cute when I'm scolding you!" You heave a sigh and relent. "Okay, I'm not mad at you. I'm just worried. I can't know how this battle will go for you."

Thorin half-shrugs. "You've not known my future for years."

"But those were peaceful years. This is mortal peril, Thorin."

Thorin takes both your hands and kisses them. "I will not leave your side before this battle or after, I swear it. Do you believe in me?"

"Of course. I always have."

"Then forget your worries and come with me. We have been apart for far too long, and tomorrow the fight begins. I'd like to spend at least one night with you before the clouds burst."

(cue sexytime that i'd rather leave to your imagination~)