i

Thorin feels all the regrets hanging onto him, dragging him down. They are ghosts he cannot rid himself of. Dreams, visions as dark as the night itself, torture him. It is a fact well known that there are a few people who can remember their past lives. While many find that amazing, Thorin inclines to believe it is not so. He'd give anything to not remember. These memories that are not his own have become a constant source of pain.

Guilt eats him alive even hundreds of years later, as he remembers her. Thorin supposes that because he still has the memories it is not entirely unexpected for his emotions to have survived as well. This woman he refers to is none other than the lover he hasn't found yet. How is he to ever find Lori when the last thing he recalls is her heart wrenching sobs as he left off to battle and the bitter ringing of half yelled curses in his ears? Thorin, the warrior, had refused to listen to her pleas, and now he'd give anything really to hear her. If only thing were that simple.

ii

Lori huffs, her arms crossing in front of her. She looks at him with pleading eyes that are, despite their softness, harder than steel. "I love you, I do," she says. "I don't want to lose you, so please, let us give them what they want." He sidesteps her, gently pushing the female away."Thorin, please!"

Of course he walks away. Thorin can't stand knowing that she suffers. Not because Lori is a frail thing that could fall apart at any guts of wind, but because she shouldn't have to. He would stay with her if he could. Thorin would give up dreams of gold and precious stones in a heartbeat. But what of his men? They have come this far in hopes of gaining something, he could not disappoint them.

Anger, despair and disappointment roiled off of her in waves. Yet Thorin would not back down. "In another life, my love, it would have been as you wished." If he was not who he was, Thorin might have found it easier to let go. "I'm sorry."

"It's not enough!" she yells after him. To his relief Lori doesn't follow him. She remains where he left her, soft footsteps do not ghost in his wake. Thorin is both relieved and distressed by it. However battle awaits him and the warrior can waste no more time on what he cannot understand at this moment.

It may not prove enough for Lori, but Thorin must keep his word. His men need him to do so. Perhaps if he made it back to her, he would be able to understand Thorin hears the screams, the sword hangs heavy at his side. It is with a troubled mind and a burdened heart that he joins the battle.

The first hit knocks him back with its force, sending Thorin to the ground.

iii

He catches a shadow with his peripheral vision that makes him stop. Thorin's head swivels, the suddenness almost making him dizzy. Recognition plays in his mind and his lips form the name without his consent. "Lori." It's not a yell; he's not trying to get her attention. If anything it would be best if she didn't hear it.

But she does apparently, for the next moment she turns to face him, a look of wonder crossing her features. Thorin stares at her. She hasn't changed as much as he would have expected. There is that temptation to smile, a feeling he has whenever he thinks of her, coupled with the desire to lash out. Why? He is far more damaged by all this than her. Thorin can tell by the light in her eyes. Lori is still an optimist, and he isn't. He has given up long ago.

"Lorena," she tells him a heartbeat later. "It's Lorena." She shrugs at his bewildered look but says nothing else. And that is when Thorin finds himself agreeing with her. Lori would have been more open; Lorena is different. She is guarded. Maybe he deserves it, but Thorin is still hurt by this. Then her voice fills his ears again. "I've missed you."

Like a missing puzzle piece, it all falls into place. Thorin releases a breath he didn't know he has been holding. "So did I." Her hand touches his, shyly, like she's ready to pull back at the slightest sign of danger. Only Thorin has other ideas. Swiftly, he manoeuvres his digits to entwine hers. "Lorena." With that he acknowledges the changes in her, because he's not ready to lose her a second time. Once is more than enough.

They walk away together. There is much to be learned, for they've been apart a long while. But Thorin can feel it in the way she clutches his hand that Lorena is of a mind with him on this matter. She smiles at him, a thing he's missed dearly these past years. It's enough to make his head spin with memories.

iv

Carnage is all around him. Dead bodies are strewn on the ground. Many enemies have fallen, but so have his warriors. Thorin can barely see his nephews as they still stand. Both Fili and Kili are hurt. Their end is upon them. Thorin can't help thinking about those he leaves behind. Lori must still be upset with him. He would have liked to make it up to her.

Alas, death had gripped him tightly. Coppery blood stains the grass and the earth. Thorin could fool himself, he could tell himself that he isn't dying. However the man isn't in the habit of lying to himself. No, he will face death. What has been done cannot be undone. This is the fate that he must accept.

Faintly, he can pick up the sound of steps. A weight is pressed to his chest, warm and sweetly scented. Thorin can't place the fragrance or the feeling of familiarity, all that he know is that this is the end. There are pleas and accusation, and for a short moment he thinks to linger. But he can't. Something is pulling him out of the body that had once been his. In a desperate feat, he opposes, only to be yanked away brutally. Death waits for none. Death forgives none.

Such goes the death of Thorin Oakenshield.

A/N: And that is that. Having filled this particular prompt I plan to move on. If anybody would like to volunteer any ideas, I am willing to listen. Feel free to share your opinions, thought and, naturally, other prompts.