Decisions

Elrond stood before the three with a pleasant smile on his face. He was surprised to find Coruwen sitting up here and not with Arwen. Coruwen stood and walked up to him with puzzlement written over her young face.

"Lord Elrond, what are you doing here?" Coruwen asked.

Elrond let out a small laugh, knowing that the elleth was sharp. However, it seemed to have left her when he caught her off guard. "I am here to fetch my daughter, Coruwen. And you if you see fit." Elrond replied.

"Arwen said-,"

"You should know my ways of taking on an escort, little one."

Coruwen gave him an apprehensive look, and then smiled wryly. "I thought so…"

"Ever the clever one, aren't you?" Elrond took her dainty hands in his, and gave them an assuring pat. "Come along, my lady."

Coruwen glanced over her shoulder, and then gave Elrond a motion to go on without her. She watched Elrond disappear down the hill and she let out a small sigh of relief. She walked back to camp with Thorin and Kili, but as she saw Elladan, Elrohir, and Erestor; her heart sank in her chest.

Upon a dark bay horse sat Bard with Fili behind him. The company was scattered about the remains of the camp and giving the elves from Imladris dark looks. Arwen had moved beside her brothers with her face downcast. Coruwen felt the sadness coming off of her in waves when she looked upon her friend.

"Are you coming with us?" Elrohir asked flipping through the pages of his small book. His dark hair was braided on the sides, but one could not see it because he wore his hood pulled over his head.

Coruwen sighed, feeling the overwhelming force of her statement rise up in her chest. The words stung her mind, but she bit back the surging grief that writhed within her. "I am not…" She stated clearly. Erestor let out a small noise in response while Elladan stared at her with confused interest. "Maybe another day I will return, but it is not this day."

"Are you mad?" Elladan snapped. Arwen grabbed his arm to stop her brother, but he ripped his arm free. Anger marred his face, and Coruwen faced him knowing that Elladan would rouse anger in her as well. "You do not belong with these people! You are an elf of Lothlórien, and a lady of the court."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Elladan gripped her wrist using every bit of strength he possessed to hold her firm. Her heart had made up its mind, and she was following her path that she set. Gently, she pulled on Elladan's fingers to release his grip from her arm. "You are making a mistake, Coruwen."

"Who is there to stop me?"

Elladan opened his mouth to object, but stopped his speech quickly. Coruwen saw him take a step back to remove his hand from her wrist. Her anger had flared easily, but now it only boiled underneath her skin. "You're right, make your own mistakes." Elladan rasped.

Coruwen's heart jolted painfully at his words, and saw the astonishment on the faces of Arwen and Elrohir. He had just cast her aside. She knew that when she took up following Thorin that it would entail this. It was inevitable. The people of Imladris and Lothlórien would cast her aside now, and would not look at her. It hurt her; however what can one do against such a difficult decision?

Elladan whirled around to leave with Erestor following him. Arwen gave her a sympathetic glance as she was led by the hand away from Coruwen by Elrohir, who had the same look of pity in his eyes. Elladan was like Lord Elros in his anger. Coruwen felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and she glanced up to search the fair face of Elrond. His grey eyes were fond as he left her to leave with his people back to Imladris, and then the severity of the whole ordeal slapped her across the face.

"Lady Coruwen?" Bard's voice asked, concerned.

Coruwen felt her knees buckle and she collapsed onto the ground unable to fathom the heartache that clawed at her. A small hand came to rest on her shoulder, and her slender one came to rest on top of it. Bilbo watched her with concern in his brown eyes.

"Coruwen, are you going to be all right?" Bilbo asked.

"I will be fine, Bilbo," Coruwen replied gently, forcing the sorrow from her voice. The dark sorrow clawed at her heart viciously, digging into her soul with its claws to tear down her mind's walls and break them from the inside out. "Go on ahead… All of you."

"If you say so," Bilbo whispered. His little hand slipped off of her shoulder and the sound of horse hooves drifted off into the winter winds. Silently, she composed herself with ringing her colds hands over and over in nervousness. A pair of arms encircled her from behind and she leaned back into the broad chest of Thorin.

"Why didn't you leave?" Coruwen inquired somberly.

Thorin rested his chin on her shoulder to look at her passive face. In her sky blue eyes, he saw deeply etched sorrow and longing. He kissed her cheek softly to hopefully draw her attention from the passing of her friends, but to no avail.

"I did not leave because I know you would've let yourself fall into grief again. And that is all you have been doing as of late, being a grieving ghost of the woman I care for." Thorin said gently. Coruwen turned her gaze to him, and smiled sadly. "Be happy, my dear. I know it pains you to be like this, for it brings you no happiness or recognition. I know that the others do not enjoy seeing you pained this much. Let the days of sorrow pass."

"It is easier said than done, Thorin." Coruwen replied.

He laughed at her sarcastic tone. "So it is…" He took her face with one hand and felt her lean into the endearing touch. "At least try, Coruwen."

"Right…" He released his grip from her and let her stand. Her gaze searched Erebor and a smile lit her face. "Let us be on our way then."

Coruwen whistled shrilly for Faenaur, who came trotting up to her with his head tossing back his long mane of white. The horse was handsome befitting his lady quite well in their personalities. Faenaur kneeled down to the ground and gave Thorin a nudge in the hip.

"No," Thorin said firmly, looking between Faenaur and Coruwen. "I am not riding on that horse."

Coruwen laughed at him, which only furthered his irritation. "Thorin, he doesn't bite. If anything, I promise he won't throw us." She comforted.

Thorin let out a growl in response to her, in which she clicked her tongue for Faenaur to stand back up. The palomino stood and let her mount him with ease. The horse tossed his head at Thorin again this time stamping one shoed hoof into the dirt, which kicked up dust.

Now, one would know that dwarves harbor great distrust for horses, and what Coruwen did is something one should never do a dwarf unless they wish to get yelled at.

Coruwen smirked, rolling her eyes at her beloved's adamant nature. She clicked her tongue again and Faenaur walked towards Thorin, and passing him by Coruwen picked him up by his collar and settled him behind her. His dark blue eyes narrowed in anger at her, as she threw her head back in laughter.

"I'm going to get you back for this," Thorin muttered angrily as Faenaur cantered off to Erebor's slopes.

"You can get me back all you want later, but you can only walk, need I remind you." Coruwen said. Her spirit felt light for while she toyed with Thorin, but when silence drifted in-between them her heart grew heavy with sorrow once more. A question prodded her for a long while Faenaur rode up the leading pathway before the gates. "Thorin, when will you be crowned as king?"

Thorin blinked in curiosity at the random question, and thought it over. "When I am ample enough, I suppose." He replied slowly for even he was unsure of the question. Balin had given him a timeline several times, but it all slipped away so quickly. "Why do you ask?"

Coruwen's head shook, sending her wavy hair swaying into his face. He batted it out his face so he could listen to her. "Just curious, I never heard of anything of the sort." She replied curtly. "It must be nerve wracking to regain this lost kingdom after it being lost for so long."

Thorin's grip tightened around her, and she white knuckled the reins of her horse when he did so. She had no idea how much it bothered him to have lost this kingdom to a dragon. To have it back was a godsend from Mahal. Faenaur halted before the gates and he slid down with Coruwen following. Faenaur tossed his head at them with a whinny as he turned to leave back down the slopes.

"I will be right behind you," Coruwen said with a gesture to go inside. Thorin gazed up at the iron doors that were blackened by pitch and felt assurance rise up in his soul. He had gained back that which he had fought so long for… His lost home. Though it was in shambles, one could fix it easily with enough effort.

His heart sank when he saw Dain Ironfoot standing beside Balin. Dain's face was set into a grimace, and it was typical of the lord to appear. Thorin walked up to Dain, and the lord clapped him on the shoulder with one gloved hand. The lord stated he would stay until Erebor was restored to its former glory with every piece picked back up and in its rightful place.

"Then what of Dale?" Balin inquired. Thorin let out a short breath, feeling his side burn when he shifted from side to the other. "We cannot simply abandon that city, for it sits at the base of our mountain."

"Aye, that it does," Thorin replied. His mind was piecing together what to do. Bard would need assistance wherever he could take it currently. Thranduil had not offered any help, which was understandable for the Elvenking. The king glanced over his shoulder at Coruwen, who was running her fingers across the iron doors of Erebor. She was fascinated with everything he wondered what al she had not found out about this mountain. "Coruwen, come here."

The elleth walked up to his side with interest in her blue eyes. Her hands folded behind her back as she gave him a slight nod in response. "Would you stay with Bard and his people until the two cities are restored? I would not typically send you away, but we are spread thin currently." He stated.

Coruwen smiled at him, "Of course, I would gladly stay with the Lord until all is finished."

With that problem solved, he looked to Dain and Balin again since they seemed to have a general idea of what needed to be done. He knew little of the plan, having only gained pieces and parts from Balin in the past few days. Dain's men were all ready starting to remove fallen rubble from areas which required a good amount of them to remove the chunks that fell when Smaug and Freya had toppled them over.

So much must be done.

Thorin's eyes fell on Bard as he came up a flight of stairs with his heavy cloak billowing behind him like a shadow. The young lord was stretched thin by the stress etched in his face, but that did not stop him from having a faint smile on his face. The lord was departing Erebor when Thorin stopped him.

"Bard, wait a moment," Thorin said, halting Bard in his tracks. The lord walked up to him and gave him a slight incline of his head to continue speaking. The words that came to Thorin's mind hurt greatly, but it had to be done. "I am sending Lady Coruwen with you to help with rebuilding Dale."

Bard's eyes went wide in disbelief. Had he heard the king correctly? The King under the Mountain was sending his Elven Lady with him?He was confused. "Are you toying with me?" Bard asked, his voice becoming quiet.

"Would I toy with you when I sending that which I care for away?" Thorin snapped. Bard let out squeak when the king's voice became harsh, slowly he corralled his emotions. He was being mentally slashed with a knife for sending his love away. His heart tightened as he watched Bard slowly realize his words. "I trust you with her."

"Your trust will not be misplaced, Thorin," Bard replied with a bow of his head. Coruwen walked up to Bard, and gave him a small bow of her head. "Come, my lady."

Bard and Coruwen departed Erebor upon their horses, and he felt a hand rest on his shoulder in silent reassurance. Glancing over his shoulder, Thorin saw Gloín looking at him curiously.

"Are you going to be all right?" Gloín asked. "You didn't have to send her away, you know."

"It had to be done." Thorin muttered as he shooed off Gloín's hand. "I cannot send any of you away with the current status of our kingdom."

"That is understandable, Thorin. However, we've been noticing how you've been fighting to keep her near you," Gloín replied. The warrior had a pitiful glint in his eye that Thorin did not desire to fall upon him. A small growl escaped the king's throat as Gloín kept speaking. "All right, all right."

Bilbo fidgeted with his ring in his small hands as he listened to Fili scold Kili to leave him and go help Thorin. The two shared one mind sometimes, and sometimes they would two separate people like they are now. Bilbo had been with these dwarves so much now that he knew that Kili was the more caring one, and helped in whatever way he could while Fili acted more like his uncle, an independent person.

"Kili, for the love of Durin, go before I have Dain drag you," Fili growled. Bilbo got a funny mental picture and held back a laugh by chewing on his cheek. Kili gave his brother a pitiful look, and Fili fidgeted uneasily. "Do not give me the puppy eyes."

"But, Fili," Kili muttered.

Fili pointed at the door. "Go, now." The older one ordered. Kili slinked out of the room like a sorry dog and disappeared quietly. "I will never understand my brother."

"Few do," Bilbo put in quietly. Fili scoffed while rubbing his bandaged shoulder. "How long has Thorin been working on Erebor now?"

Fili turned his gaze on Bilbo. The hobbit dropped his ring back into his pocket as Fili eyed him with interest. The dwarf sat back against the headboard of the bed while counting on his fingers. "Few months by now. I would like to be helping them, but Oín says I can't do anything until my leg is fixed." Fili replied with a grumble.

Bilbo let out a chuckle at Fili's disdain for lying around. The young one wanted to be free and help his uncle, but couldn't because of his broken leg. The leg had two clean breaks in it, one in his shin and the other on his femur. This made it nearly impossible for Fili to do anything besides lie around, talk, and read.

As the months had gone by, Bilbo had noticed that Coruwen was rarely present anymore. They would see her a few times with Bard, but besides that he rarely ever saw his Elven Lady. He missed her terribly, so terribly that it hurt.

"By Mahal, I hate this," Fili cursed. "Master Baggins, there's a book Ori left on that table. Could you bring it to me?"

Bilbo search through the piles of paper and books to find the one that had not been thrown half way across the room all ready, and brought it to Fili. He skimmed the pages and mild interest came to his features when he was reading.

"Do you think that Thorin will have Coruwen by his side forever?" Bilbo asked randomly. Fili glanced up and then back down at his book while a soft smile came to his face. "Why are you smiling?"

"What you don't know, Master Baggins. The better," Fili replied playfully.

Bilbo shook his head. "Well, now you get to tell me because you opened your mouth," The hobbit grumbled.

Fili let out a chuckle, and set his book down. "From what Kili has told me, one of these days it is going to happen. When that day comes, all of your questions shall be answered."

Bilbo pursed his lips in thought. It wasn't entirely fair, but the dwarf has given him some information, so he couldn't say that Fili had given him nothing. The hobbit ran a hand through his curly hair, giving it a slight shake as his fingers reached the ends. "What is 'it'?"

Fili shrugged. "I only heard it from Kili, and that's the word he used too. I'm in the same boat." Bilbo gawked at Fili with a bemused expression on his face. "By your expression, I can see you're confused."

Bilbo rubbed his face in slow circles. "You think?"

"Yeah, I do." Fili shook his head a bit. "Trust me, I do not try and understand Uncle sometimes. He does everything so differently."

Bilbo tilted his head in agreement, because Fili was right. Half of the time, Bilbo didn't understand anything Thorin did. Not without explaining all of the processes; which took up an insanely stupid amount of time.

"I have heard that Dale is just about fixed," Fili stated, flipping through the pages of his book again. Bilbo glanced up, and let out a simple noise in response. He stood and walked over to the hearth and prodded the glowing embers with the end of a metal rod. Lately, snow had fallen and the winter's biting air whistled through the stone walls of Erebor easily that many were cold. Even through the heavy coat of fur and leather Bilbo wore, he could still feel winter's freezing grip on his skin. Fili sat up abruptly with eyes gleaming with understanding. "You know, I bet you anything that's where Thorin sent her."

"What?" Bilbo asked turning away from the red glow of the fire.

Fili swept his gold hair from his face with nervous fingers. "Thorin sent Coruwen down to help Bard, I bet you." Fili stated again. Bilbo stared at him in confusion, not knowing what the lad was speaking on and on about. Fili let out a grumble, sounding an awful lot like Thorin when he did so. Bilbo held back a laugh when the dwarf sighed. "We haven't been seeing Coruwen because she's been with Bard this whole time."

"Why would Thorin send her with Bard? He is far too protective of her," Bilbo said with a snort. "You know the relationship those two have, they practically can't be separated from the other."

"Bilbo, where's your trust in Uncle? While it's common knowledge to know that the two care for each other. One wouldn't think that he'd send her with the Lord of Dale, no?"

"Not really, no."

Fili swatted the air. "Anyway, you should go see how everything is going, and come report back."

Bilbo opened his mouth to object, but knew that Fili would win regardless. The hobbit slinked out of the room and made his way up a flight of stairs that passed through several halls and corridors. Several doors were open revealing dwarves rebuilding the insides where Smaug had caved them in.

One door in particular stood open with no noise coming from within. It was dead silent, so silent that could hear doors banging against the upper halls. Bilbo poked his head in and saw Ori organizing books into piles on one side, and another young dwarf sat on the opposite side of the room rifling through piles of aged parchment. Bilbo shook his head; Ori was still a book loving youngling.

He passed down a corridor that had recently been opened up and led to the main hall where Bilbo typically would see Thorin or Dain walking around in. The stone walls were still rough from having other stone rubbed up against them. Bilbo ran his hand across the stone feeling the rough stone beneath his palm. It scratched his hand and he recoiled back revealing a small cut upon his small palm where the stone had cut him.

"It's always the little cuts," Bilbo cursed holding the cut closed with his fingers. The wound stung like bee sting and burned when open air hit it. Bilbo ignored the cut on his palm as he walked down the remainder of the corridor and walked out into the main hall where he saw Bombur and Bofur picking up a wooden bench and moving it to an alcove.

Bilbo heard Thorin's baritone voice and darted back into the corridor, fearing he would get into trouble if Thorin found out that he had left Fili alone. The hobbit contained his frazzled nerves by smoothing his golden ring in his pocket over and over. Thorin walked into the main hall with Bard and Dain behind him. The young Lord of Dale seemed quite laid back as he listened to Thorin speak, which was a surprise seeing as most were still uneasy around Thorin.

Intently, Bilbo picked up on the conversation between the lords. "Dale has been finished then?" Dain inquired setting his ax hilt on the floor. Bard straightened out his cloak around him so it lay correctly on his shoulders. He was fidgeting, uneasy in his spot. Bilbo would've been too if he had been in Bard's place with The King under the Mountain and the Lord of the Iron Hills staring up at you.

"Yes, it has. I am forever grateful to what the two of you have done for my people," Bard replied smoothly. "We will rebuild Esgaroth as an outpost for those who still desire to live there, but most will live in Dale. Should we need assistance, will you help us?"

"Of course," Thorin said with a bow of his head. Bilbo smiled at the sight of the king being at peace with everything around him. Well, most of it. Coruwen still hadn't returned to Erebor since Dale had been restored.

Bilbo noticed something on Bard's person that seemed odd. The glitter of steel drew his gaze to a second sword scabbard at his side. The pommel of his normal sword rested up against his side, but the second one lingered behind a great deal. From Bilbo knew of the young Lord, Bard did not carry two swords. Nor did he use swords often. It was rather peculiar to the hobbit, and made him want to reach out and grab it.

"Lady Coruwen wishes for me to tell you that she will be returning to the mountain by late this afternoon." Bard stated clearly. Dain's ax rapped the ground once as he shifted. "And I have something for you, King under the Mountain from her ladyship."

Bilbo watched Bard remove a leather wrapped bundle from his side, the same side that had the second scabbard. He passed it to Thorin, who removed the bindings to reveal dark brown scabbard with a wave like piece of metal that adorned the hilt.

It was Orcrist.

Thorin smiled down at the sword as if it were an old friend. His fingers wrapped around the hilt and pulled Orcrist free of its sheath. The metal being released let out a bell like ring into the main hall, and the elegantly curved blade was held high.

"Tell Lady Coruwen thank you, Bard," Thorin said as he sheathed Orcrist.

"I will do so, Thorin," Bard replied as he left the main hall. As the lord left the hall, Bilbo slinked back to Fili's room quietly. Happiness was bursting from the hobbit as he returned to find Fili still reading his book with an unmatched fervor.

"How is everything?" Fili asked flatly, his eyes never leaving the pages of his book.

"Almost finished, or from where I wandered everything look about done. Dale is finished, Coruwen is coming back, and Orcrist was returned to Thorin," Bilbo reported. Fili dropped his book and bolted upright. His light blue eyes twinkled with happiness. "Excited much?"

"Orcrist is back, you say? Bet that made Uncle happy, he loved that sword," Fili smiled, leaning back into the pillows. "It's good to know that Coruwen is coming back too, but Orcrist? I never thought we'd get that sword back since the Elvenking got his grubby paws on it."

"At least he didn't obtain Glamdring, or anything."

"I think Mister Gandalf would have Thranduil's head on a plate if he touched that sword," Fili chuckled and grabbed his book again. "Anyway, tell me when Coruwen gets here."

Bilbo finally asked Fili the question that had been bugging him for hours now. "What is in that book?"

Fili's eyes rose over the top of the book, and he let out a sigh. "It's the story of Freya and Scatha. I've been reading this since Kili found it the other day, but I forgot that I threw it at Uncle last night." The dwarf shrugged. "Oops."

Bilbo shook his head and returned to his chair and began to play with his gold ring again. Occasionally, Fili would tell him little facts that he had learned about while reading his book, all of which Bilbo found interesting to hear about. The hobbit was busy listening to the quiet crackle of flames in the hearth when the door opened to reveal Ori and Kili.

"Coruwen's here," Ori stated happily. Kili walked over to Fili and helped him stand, which when he bumped his injured leg he flinched in his brother's grip. Bilbo hurried after Ori, who stopped before the main hall where Coruwen stood with her hands barely touching the iron doors.

"Coruwen, you're back," Bilbo said as he walked up to her. She smiled and kneeled down to his level. He felt her dress's hem grace his feet as she placed one dainty hand on the side of his face.

"It is good to be back, my little hobbit," Coruwen replied, ruffling his hair. He swatted her hand playfully as she stood back to her full height. Bilbo saw Thorin come to her side and give her an incline of his head in greeting. "It is good to see you, my king."

Steadily, the company greeted the return of their lady back to Erebor. Heir welcomes were warm, and it made her smile. By Bilbo's reckoning, she had been gone for nearly four months to be with Bard down in Dale. He felt like he was gazing up at her for the first time again. Her gold hair had become darker since winter had come and was passing, and she wore a dress of lavender purple. She was beautiful…

Her eyes searched the halls with high interest as she walked down a corridor. "Very well done," She complimented as she returned to her place by the iron doors. She passed a hand through her gold hair, and sighed. "It is late, and I have been running myself ragged trying to help the women of Dale earlier today. I will see all of you in the morning."

Bilbo watched her depart down a hallway and he heard the sound of a door shut and quietly songs began to fill the halls again. Bilbo went to bed shortly after Coruwen had disappeared and did not wake to any sound or noise that came to him.

Coruwen sat on a sofa running her hands across the fabric of a dark blue tunic that a woman had given her before she departed Dale. The fabric was heavy, but soft. Bard had ferried all of her belongings up to Erebor earlier that day, and thus all of it had been moved in her room. It was one of the few rooms that had a balcony that overlooked the vast landscape of the East. The door to her bedroom was cracked open, but she had no desire to venture in there currently. It was relieving to be back among her friends again; even if she was physically exhausted.

She dropped the tunic and folded it back up in the parcel it had been placed in. Gently, she began to pull strands of her blonde hair down to work them into small braids. She worked two or three into one longer one and upon finishing her last braid a knock came to her door.

"Enter," She said clearly as she let go of her hair. Her door opened to reveal Thorin standing before her. He entered her room and shut the door behind him. "Do you need something?"

Thorin shook his head while he walked up to her. There was something off about him that she noticed, but could not quite put her finger on. She watched him intently for a second as he came to sit next to her.

"There is something bothering you, I can feel it," Coruwen said firmly.

Thorin's dark blue eyes searched her face and then fell on his lap. Coruwen shifted so she could rest her chin on his shoulder. His fingers rested on her own, and he traced small circles on her slender hand.

"You know me all too well now to keep anything away, I suppose," Thorin said quietly. "I did not mean to send you away for so long. Had I known you were going to be gone for so long…"

Coruwen smiled and shook her head. "It does not mean anything to me. I would have gotten in the way here." Coruwen comforted. "But that is not what has been bothering you. Tell me what truly bothers you."

"You and I have been chasing after each other for a long while now," Thorin replied slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. Coruwen took notice to his eyes that did not rise to her face. It made her curiosity spike to what he spoke of. "And what I am about to ask you do not have to answer to."

It was then that Thorin's blue eyes rose to her face. It startled her how dark they were with seriousness. They were practically the color of cobalt, and she shrunk beneath his gaze. He cupped her face in both hands, running his thumbs across her cheeks.

"Would you allow me to court you?" Thorin asked.

Coruwen's eyes went wide, and her heart skipped several beats. Her body froze up as well as her mind. She dropped her eyes to his chest, and could not piece together thoughts currently. What few words did escape her lungs were gibberish, word of being confused.

"Coruwen, I understand if you do not-," Thorin was cut off by her eyes rising to his own again.

She had found her words when he tried to back away from her. Her heart had made up the decision the split second he had tried to revoke his words. "Yes," She whispered. Relief flashed in his eyes when her words came to him. He brought her closer to him, and crushed her lips with his. The happiness that surged through him flowed into her, and she placed her hands on either side of his face.

When they broke away, he pressed firm kisses onto her lips and stopped when he heard her fighting for air. She rested her forehead against his, shutting her eyes as her heart beat at an ungodly fast rate.

"Are you all right?" Thorin asked brushing her face with the back of his hand. Coruwen opened her eyes, staring into the depths of his dark blue ones which were filled with love.

"I am fine, love." Coruwen panted. His arms encircled her to pull her closer to him. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin and the beat of his heart underneath her hand, "Just short of breath."

"I feared you would reject me," He muttered. Coruwen tipped her head to the side in interest. She placed a gentle kiss on his lips, which he placed a slightly firmer one on her own. "I suppose that was doubt plaguing me again."

"I would not reject you… I would never push you away, nor hurt you in that manner," Coruwen felt his grip tighten around her as he rested his face in the crook of her neck. She rested her head against his, feeling her heartstrings begin to ache. "It is not who I am…"

"That is true, my heart." His hands stroked her back while he rested his chin on her chest. "My beautiful love." A small, seductive smile came to her lips as she twirled a piece of his hair, and he kissed her collarbone with feather like kisses. "One day, I will have you so deeply etched in my mind that I will be able to remember you without any thought."

Coruwen pulled his lips to hers again with a lingering kiss before she spoke, "One day…" He rested his chin on her head, and nestled his face in her gold hair. She let out a little laugh that drew his gaze back to her. Her lithe frame shook with mirth and he tilted his head to the side with a bemused expression on his face.

"What?" Thorin asked. Coruwen wrapped her arms around his neck with her laugh still rising in her lungs. Her laugh brought a smile to his face when she laughed into his neck. "What are you laughing about?"

Coruwen pulled away from him and shook her head. "Nothing, I'm just happy." She laughed. His hands ran across her gold hair and then rested on her low back. As her laugh died down, he felt her go limp in his arms. "I love you…"

Thorin let out a chuckle and kissed her hair. "I love you too."

A/N: *claps hands* Ok, not much to say besides the usual thank yo everybody because all of you are awesome. :) Oh, wait a moment, on my profile is the big question that needs to be answered for those of you who are going to be reading Dragon Queen. It is a big question that needs so answering, it a poll, so go check it out!

drovingallday96: I am super glad to hear from you! Thank you for sticking with me all through this, and I am overjoyed to hear about you loving this one all ready. In all honesty, I DID NOT enjoy writing that ending simply because I cried like ten times and had to back off. I followed what Prof. Tolkien wrote sadly, even though I got all choked up. The main reason I wrote this story was because I was like "what would happen if they had lived?"This is what came forth. Hope to see you review again :)

Please review.