So, this is it... the epilogue!
*thank you-notes at the bottom*
I do not own any characters or places: J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson and Co do.
Flashbacks are in italics.
Enjoy!
Epilogue: A burglar
He could not quite believe it.
"Save your tears, Master Baggins, for I have not deserved them. Yet I wish to part from you in friendship. My actions were not such as you deserved to be treated."
He watched as the body of Thorin Oakenshield was lowered by the ten loyal members of the remaining Company into a beautifully crafted tomb, placed deep under the Mountain to a lament of sorrow sung by the Dwarves. Tears silently crept down his pale cheeks.
"You were not yourself."
Thorin looked more like a King dead than he had done when he was alive. They had dressed him in fine clothing and gems. His dark hair flecked with grey was neatly done and he looked to be sleeping. Noble features, Thorin had and as he watched the dead Dwarf-King, he noticed that the leader of their Company looked more at peace now, resting between his sister's sons, than he had ever seen him done before.
"I should have been more careful. Who but I knew what gold hoarded by a dragon could cause for trouble? The lust for gold has always been with me, but I thought I could resist it. I thought I would be stronger."
Bard, the newly crowned King of the Men of the Lake, walked up to the tomb. The Man cut an impressive figure, despite worn-out clothes. A collective murmur surged through the crowd, mixing with the song, as Bard reached for his pocket and took out the Arkenstone. The enormous gem caught the light of the torches and gleamed beautifully. He thought it must strike a chord in every Dwarf's heart and he felt his own heart swell as Bard carefully placed it on Thorin's chest where his heart once had beaten.
"I tricked you. My intentions were good, but I tricked you nonetheless. I understand that you were angry."
Next up was the Elvenking and he strode gracefully up to the tomb, flanked by a silver-haired Elf looking remarkably like the King himself and a red-haired Elf with sad, green eyes. The Elvenking carried a sword of Elven work and he recognized it as the sword Thorin had acquired when they had stumbled upon the Troll hoard. He watched as the tall, fair Elf laid down the sword upon Thorin's chest, next to the Arkenstone. An odder sight had not been seen but he believed that Thorin would have been pleased. He also wondered if Thorin would have survived if he had wielded the Elven sword in the Battle, but he did not say it out loud.
"Still, I caused you pain and for that I am sorry. You have been a loyal comrade and an excellent burglar. And as I have not much time left, I ask of you to look past my behavior and grant me my wish of us parting in friendship."
The dark and hushed tones of the Dwarves echoed through the vast halls of Erebor. It was with a heavy heart he stood and saw his friends lift the equally heavy casket lid onto the tomb. As stone met stone, the face of Thorin Oakenshield was shadowed only to then never be seen again. The hard 'thud' of the tomb being shut echoed more soundly than the songs had done. He felt his body shake with a sob and Gandalf placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder.
"I forgive you, Thorin. For me to have shared your adventures and perils, to have been a part of this adventure…. It is more than any Baggins deserve."
Then Daín spoke, but the words fell upon deaf ears. The songs died out and there were shouts of homage amongst the Dwarves as they paid their respect to their new King. He did not participate nor did the Company. The Men and Elves all remained silent as well, for Daín was not their King to pay homage to. He looked away from the previous Lord of the Iron Hills and his eyes strayed to the three, stone-tombs with runes engraved upon them. They were the signs of that the line of Durin had ended. Then the tears came flowing again and it would not be the last time in his life they did so.
"There is more of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!"*
* Quote directly taken from "The Hobbit" or "There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The rest of the flashbacks are inventions of my own, though inspired by both book and movie (which might show) conversation between Bilbo and Thorin at the end.
So, that was the epilogue of this story. It has now come to an end. If you have any thoughts on this chapter or the story in general, I would be very glad to hear it and constructive criticism done in a helpful way is always welcomed! :)
I would like to thank all of you that have given this story a chance by reading it, those of you who have decided to follow it and those of you have deemed it good enough to add as a favourite. I really appreciate it, as it means that there are people enjoying my writing! Also, a big "thank you" to those of you who have taken time to leave a comment. It's interesting to hear your thoughts on the story!
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