Hello again and sorry for the little delay in updating, I had an unnervingly busy week :P

BorysBorys: How mean, they're not peasants! :D But I know what you mean. But in the end, I'm just a girl with a heart that can't take too many deaths at once :D

Hiding in the Shadow: Well, I'm glad I'm at a minimum level of 'suck' at least :D And don't worry, I won't get over Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bombur and Thorin either. So I share your pain, dude :D

Nameless: *pours shampoo bottle over head* Thank you. I must say, I'm not a big fan of fish anymore.

Akilah Swiftblade: I'm gonna keep an eye on that barrel of fish. And in the meantime, I just hope that you'll get a bit happier with me again sometime :D

Teshka: They definitely all need hugs. Long hugs. Bear-hugs. I'll take care of it :D And yeah, asleep for four months, that's harsh, isn't it? We'll see what effects that has :D

Adalyn: Put them in a jar and save 'em for a rainy day? :D Sorry I gave you all these brother feels :D

Thanks to RippahGoneWolf, My mother is a koala, Dalonega Noquisi, Eruwaedhiel95, Daerwyn and FleurSuoh for your reviews! I love reading them every time!

And thanks to the followers and favoriters (that's not a word, is it? :D)

Now, I hope you'll enjoy the newest chapter and leave me your thoughts when you've finished reading! I'd love to hear from you! :)

Tarya could merely hold on to Kili gingerly as he carried her and it wasn't long before they had reached the chamber she had escaped from only a little while before. Fili stepped past them to open the door and as she was carried inside the dark room, Tarya felt her heart sink slightly as her arms unconsciously wrapped a bit tighter around Kili's neck. She didn't like it in here, she thought, as Kili carefully placed her on the bed, his hand shortly lingering on her knee before he gently peeled away her arms from his neck. Tarya could merely watch silently for a moment as the two brothers exchanged a short look and a moment later, Fili was out the door again, leaving her with the brunet dwarf.

The Amarok twitched slightly as she suddenly felt Kili's hand on her cheek, warm and gentle as he stroked it over her face.

"You should lie down," he muttered as he stood before the bed, Tarya's face eye-level with his chest. But she just shook her head in reply. Tarya didn't want to lie down, didn't want to rest. As far as she knew, she had been resting for almost four months. She would not go back to sleeping her time away in a dark room when all she really wanted was to know what had happened and to see her friends. Kili sighed quietly as his hand resolved the gentle stroking on the side of her face. "You are still feverish, Tarya. It won't do you any good to strain your strength more. You have already exposed your body to more stress than it can handle when you wandered the corridors on your own."

"I don't want to lie down," Tarya replied finally, looking up at the brunet dwarf defiantly. "I want to see my friends and know what happened to them. I want to mourn those that were lost. I want to know what happened, Kili."

She heard Kili's sharp intake of breath upon her words, and she could see that he was about to interrupt her but she didn't give him the chance.

"I want you to tell me why I woke up in a fur-covered bed when all I know is that when I last closed my eyes I was lying on the battleground amongst blood and screams, waiting for death to take me away."

Kili held her gaze for a moment, his warm brown eyes filled with sadness and pain as he looked at her before he inclined his head, his eyebrows drawing together in a deep frown. Tarya merely looked up at him, unwilling to give in, even though she could feel how tired she was and how much her body craved the rest that Kili was suggesting. Her skin was warm, almost hot, and covered in a thin sheen of transpiration, and she could tell that Kili was probably right when he had told her that she was feverish. But Tarya didn't care. All she really wanted at the moment were answers, and she wouldn't rest until she got them, for she knew that if she did, her sleep would only be haunted by the horrible memories that were embedded in her mind.

"I-… " Kili hesitated, taking in a deep breath before he knelt before the bed, his eyes now level with her stomach. His hands found their way to her legs, and Tarya didn't protest as they came to lie on her thighs. It was as if Kili felt the need to touch her in order to assure himself that she was actually there, and Tarya couldn't find it in herself to take that away from him, for it did her good to feel his touch as well. It took the dwarf a moment before he looked back up at her, and Tarya could see the hesitance in his gaze before he cleared his throat quietly and nodded slightly.

"Dwalin found you," Kili started to explain quietly, holding her gaze as he spoke. "After the battle had ended. You were mortally wounded. The arrow that… that pierced you," Kili had to clear his throat before he could continue, his voice filled with pain as he told her about her own fall. "It would have killed you, had it not been for your father. He was found lying by your side; dead while you were still alive. Barely, but alive. He has shared your pain and has given his life to save you."

Tarya's eyes stung with hot tears that she was trying desperately to hold back as she listened to Kili whose gaze had become compassionate and sad as he kept on talking quietly.

"Dwalin brought you to the healing camps where Oin took care of you with the help of the elves. Your wounds healed slowly but you weren't getting any better apart from that. You never woke up. Your breathing was always weak, and your skin always so pale that it reminded me of snow every day I came to see you the past four months."

Kili's fingers trailed slow patterns on the garment that covered her thighs and Tarya shortly closed her eyes, a few tears escaping her closed lids and rolling down her cheeks as she nodded slightly, trying to organize her whirling thoughts upon the information Kili was giving her. Neither of them heard the door opening behind them.

"What happened to… to my father?" She asked quietly, her voice not more than a tear-filled whisper.

"The elves laid him to rest near Mirkwood forest," the brunet dwarf explained slowly. "And Thranduil has recovered the fur Azog was wearing so it could be buried with him."

"M-my mother's fur," Tarya spoke hoarsely, sniffling quietly as Kili nodded at her. The brunet dwarf graced her with a sad smile, his warm brown eyes giving her something to focus on as he answered.

"I told him what you have told me when we had just left the Carrock behind us," he said quietly and Tarya couldn't help the small sob escaping her mouth. "They cleansed it of all dirt and orcish stench. Her fur was as beautiful as you described it to me when it was laid to rest with Arkin."

Tarya clenched her eyes closed, now unable to keep herself from crying as her hands found Kili's on her legs. She squeezed them tightly, sniffling quietly as she spoke.

"Thank you," she whispered genuinely to the dwarf before her as she reopened her eyes. Kili merely nodded at her, squeezing her hands lightly in reply. It took Tarya a moment to regain her voice enough to speak clearly again. But as she was about to open her mouth, her gaze shortly flicked upwards and she suddenly saw the people standing by the door. Her mouth opened and closed for a moment, without a word falling from her lips as she saw her friends, looking at her from where they were gathered by the doorframe. Fili was there, and Oin and Gloin, Balin and Dwalin. Tarya felt an uncomfortable lump build in her throat as she looked at the bald warrior who was now standing there without any weapons, only clad in warm clothes and nothing else. Dwalin shot her a small nod, a strange expression in his eyes that Tarya had never seen there before like this, a warm and gentle light that shone within them. But as her gaze wandered over the rest of her companions, the lump in her throat became more and more prominent, and she felt hot tears streaming down her face as her eyes wandered over Ori who looked at the same time so happy and so sad to see her, before they finally found Bofur.

The hatted dwarf had a small smile on his face, and though it was genuine, Tarya could see the pain hidden behind it. Taking a shuddering breath, she stood from the bed, ignoring Kili as his hands reached out for her, trying to steady her. Tarya took a step forward, her gaze wandering over the company again that was now much smaller than she remembered it. Too many were missing. Too many had been lost.

She could feel their gazes on her as she slowly walked towards Bofur on unsteady legs, coming to a halt before him, her vision blurry due to her tear-filled eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered then, as the hatted dwarf shot her a questioning look before his brows drew together in a concerned frown. Tarya's voice was raw as she spoke and upon her next words Bofur's face fell and there was nothing more left but sadness in his gaze. "I- … I was too slow. I wanted to save him, but I… I was too far away and I-… I couldn't help him."

Bofur understood whom she was talking about immediately and he slowly shook his head at the Amarok as she kept repeating how sorry she was for not being able to save Bombur. She had been there, Tarya thought, if only she had been a bit faster, had paid a bit more attention. Bombur might still be alive.

"It is not your fault, lass," Bofur spoke quietly, and Tarya twitched as she felt his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "Bombur has fought fiercely to the end. My brother died an honourable death."

Tarya took a shuddering breath as she nodded, remembering how Bombur had killed one orc after the other before he had fallen. Bofur gave her a sad smile as he carefully wiped away a few tears from her cheeks before he cupped her face in both hands.

"You did everything you could, I'm sure of it," he said slowly, reassuringly. "We all did. But even our best was not enough to save all those we loved in the end." Tarya sniffled quietly and Bofur gently pulled her in for a hug, careful not to squeeze too tightly. "We have all lost friends and family in that battle, Tarya. And there is no one to blame but war itself."

Tarya merely stood in the dwarf's embrace, crying quietly into Bofur's shoulder as he held her. She was aware of the others staring at them, was aware of the concern and the sadness in the room. And it was all just so overwhelming that she couldn't stop her crying for a long while, but none of her friends said anything to interrupt. They waited patiently until she had calmed down again, and it was only then that Tarya felt Bofur's grip around her loosen as he slightly pulled away from her, shooting her a gentle smile. Tarya couldn't bring herself to return it.

"We have all lost so much," Bofur murmured softly, rubbing her shoulders in a comforting gesture. "I am just grateful that we didn't lose you, as well."

Tarya couldn't muster a good reply to that, the lump in her throat preventing her from speaking. She simply inclined her head at the hatted dwarf as she felt a pair of hands coming to lie on her waist from behind. Tarya didn't have to turn around to know that they belonged to Kili. He kept her steady as Bofur retrieved his hands from her shoulders.

"I reckon it would be best to give her some time to rest now," Oin then spoke from where he was still standing next to his brother. "It won't do her any good to be overwhelmed like this. I suggest we come back tomorrow, and I will check on your wounds then. I wouldn't want to expose you to too much stress at the moment, lassie."

Tarya could merely nod silently in reply before Oin brought his gaze to the others who murmured their acceptance of his decision with small nods. Tarya stood a bit awkwardly with Kili's hands still on her waist as she received a few soft smiles and gentle claps on the shoulder as the dwarves exited the room one after the other. Fili was the last to leave the room, and Tarya tried to smile at him as his hand shortly squeezed her shoulder before it rushed down her arm, giving another small squeeze to her hand. The Amarok wasn't sure whether her attempt to smile had worked, but Fili simply gave her one of his own soft smiles, blinking kindly at her before he left the room. The blond dwarf closed the heavy doors with a soft thud and it was only then that Tarya took a deep breath, allowing herself to lean back slightly against the brunet dwarf that still stood behind her. Kili said nothing as she turned slowly in his hold, his hands encircling her petite form now as he looked down at her searchingly, compassionately.

"Where…" Tarya had to clear her throat slightly, for her voice was still laced with tears. "Where is Bilbo?"

She hesitated shortly before she lifted her gaze to look into Kili's eyes, the young dwarf giving her a sad smile. One of his hands left her waist to cup her cheek, brushing a few strands of dark hair behind her ear. He sighed quietly before he answered.

"He has departed for his return journey to the Shire," he finally said and Tarya felt her heart sink at the news. "Gandalf is accompanying him. They have left here three weeks ago. I reckon they have reached the outskirts of Mirkwood by now."

Tarya shortly pressed her lips together as she nodded slightly, sniffling back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes again. She would have liked to see Bilbo again. She would have wanted to see with her own eyes that he was all right, and she would have wanted to say farewell to her friend. Tarya still had many things to say to the hobbit after everything that had happened, but now she wouldn't get a chance to do so.

Kili seemed to sense her discomposure and Tarya didn't protest when he pulled her closer to him, instead she wrapped her arms around his neck, seeking comfort in his familiar warmth and strength as he hugged her gently. Tarya didn't know whether she cried or not, or for how long they stood there as the fireplace cast dark shadows to dance on the walls. All she knew was that sometime during their embrace, Kili had carried her over to the bed again and that now she was lying down as he pulled one of the thick fur-blankets over her body. Tarya merely looked at him as Kili graced her with a warm smile before he leaned over her and pressed a small kiss to her forehead.

Tarya grabbed his hand as he stood, and Kili looked down at her questioningly, though his expression changed quickly as he looked at her, staring up at him with wide eyes.

"Stay with me?" Tarya whispered, unconsciously grabbing his hand a bit tighter as she thought about sleeping in this room on her own, at the mercy of her own cruel memories and dreams. Tarya didn't want to be alone. "Please?"

Kili hesitated shortly before he nodded, and Tarya could see the understanding in his warm brown eyes as he shook off his boots. He climbed into bed next to her and the Amarok scooted over to give him more space. It was only a few moments until Kili had covered them both with the same blanket and his arm gently wrapped around her underneath it, carefully pulling her closer until her back was pressed against his front. His other arm came to rest beneath her head and Tarya sighed quietly as she felt herself engulfed in his warmth. Her hand found his where it lay merely a few centimetres above the scar on her abdomen, and her fingers intertwined lightly with Kili's as she felt his warm breath ghost over her neck.

They stayed silent for a while, both simply enjoying each other's presence and nearness. Tarya had already fallen half-asleep, her eyes closed when she heard Kili's voice again.

"Men lananubukhs menu, Tarya," he murmured into her ear and the Amarok smiled faintly at the unknown words, even though she didn't know what they meant. But whenever Kili had spoken to her in the dwarven language in the past, it had been words of affection and Tarya was sure that that hadn't changed. And she was glad for everything that hadn't changed. But she was too tired to say anything, or to even move, so she simply squeezed his hand on her stomach lightly in reply before she let sleep claim her once more.

Three weeks had passed ever since Tarya had woken up. Three weeks in which she had been well tended to by Oin as she made little progress day by day. The first few days had been the hardest, not only for her but for Kili as well. He had barely left her side ever since she had awakened, only if he truly had to. And it had been more than frustrating to see her struggle against her fever, forced to stay in a room that she obviously didn't want to be in. But as her health had slowly gotten better, Tarya had eventually managed to convince Oin to let her leave her room and take short walks at a time, mostly accompanied by Kili. Sometimes, when he didn't have the time to be with her, Fili or Bofur would lend her their company instead. And even Dwalin had gone on a few strolls with her.

Tarya was getting better, slowly but surely, and after three weeks she was healthy and strong enough for Oin to consider moving her residence from the healing chambers to a regular one in the royal wing of the mountain. Kili had encouraged the healer's idea, eager to get the Amarok out of her dark room and into one only a few chambers away from his own. Kili knew that she didn't like being alone, and he would have liked to share his own chamber with her, of course, would have liked to sleep in the same bed as her every night, but Dain had made it more than clear that such a thing would be heavily frowned upon before marriage. Though there wasn't much thought spent on marriage, at least not yet. There was too much still to be taken care of. Fili's coronation was to take place in merely one week's time, and more dwarves from the Iron Hills had joined them by now, to help them in the rebuilding of the kingdom and to witness the glorious ceremony that would be held to honour the new King under the Mountain.

Indeed, there was much to think about, and those were the things that occupied Kili's mind as he walked along the stone corridors, a silent Amarok trotting along by his side. He was showing her what they had already accomplished during the months that she had missed, explaining a few things to her here and there, though Tarya merely nodded at his statements. Kili could see that her thoughts were occupied otherwise – as they often were lately – and that she was paying little attention to what he was saying.

"We can go back if you are feeling tired," Kili interrupted his own explanation of how they had repaired the tremendous doors to the throne hall. Tarya twitched slightly as he put a hand on her shoulder, ripping her out of her thoughts. Kili suppressed a frown. He could see the change in Tarya, a change that had caught his attention a few days after she had woken up and that worried him deeply. She was quieter now than she had been before, more reserved and distant. She was sad, Kili could tell, and he understood after everything that had happened. He was sad, too, but somehow he had found enough strength in Fili and her, in his friends to go on with life. But then again, he'd had four months time to process the battle and its aftermath, whereas Tarya had only woken up three weeks ago to a completely shattered reality.

"No, I'm fine," Tarya murmured in reply to his words, shaking her head softly as she looked around the hall that was filled with working and chattering dwarves. Kili sighed quietly, knowing that Tarya wasn't very comfortable in such a crowded space and his thoughts were confirmed when he saw her fingers twist the hem of the dark green cloak she had been asked to wear for warmth. He watched her as her gaze wandered over the crowd, lingering on the corridor that led down to the front gate of the mountain. "I - … I would like to go outside."

"I am not sure if that would be wise," Kili answered slowly, feeling his heart sink as he saw her face fall slightly. "It is still winter, Tarya. I don't know if you're healthy enough to endure the cold. It's still snowing."

"I like the snow," the Amarok muttered quietly, her gaze once again growing distant. Kili sighed again, watching her as she lowered her head slightly and it was then that he decided that some time outside might do her good, or at least her spirits. Tarya wasn't a dwarf, Kili thought as he took her hand and gave her a small smile and a nod. She wasn't used to life under a mountain, nothing but stone all around her. Tarya was an Amarok, a wolf, and she had a strong bond with nature, with the wind and the seasons. He could feel her fingers squeeze his in silent thanks as he led her down the corridor towards the front gate and he could actually hear her taking a deep breath the moment it came into view. The tremendous stone doors were standing open, a few guards nearby to watch the gate. They greeted their prince as he walked by, only sparing Tarya a few short glances. Kili's jaw twitched slightly at their behaviour but Tarya didn't seem to care, didn't even seem to notice at all, as they moved outside and her booted feet connected with the snow that lay before the gate.

Kili merely watched with a small smile as Tarya released his hand and took another deep breath, revelling in the fresh yet cold air that the wind was carrying towards her. Her eyes closed for a moment and Kili could see her nerves relaxing, her mind calming even if it was merely for a few minutes. He stood by as she took a few steps further away from the gate, the snow crunching lightly beneath her feet. She held her head high then, and Kili watched with an absent expression as she inhaled deeply. He knew that she was taking in the scent of the cold air, of the fresh snow and for a moment, he thought he saw the old her, the innocent and pure soul that he had first seen like this in Rivendell.

Tarya was still innocent and pure, Kili knew, but her soul had been stained by war and death and loss, and it had taken a part of her old self away. She was different now, and so was he. They all had changed through their experiences and Kili only hoped that it would bring them closer and not apart.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he watched her tilt her head backwards but Tarya just smiled lightly in reply, closing her eyes as if she was waiting for something. Kili frowned slightly before he looked up to the sky that was covered in light grey clouds. He cleared his throat quietly as he brought his gaze back down and stepped towards Tarya. "Maybe we ought to go back inside. It is mighty cold out here and you're not dressed warm enough for temperatures like these. I think Oin wouldn't be pleased if he –"

"Not yet," Tarya interrupted softly as her eyes opened and her bright golden orbs were staring up into the clouds expectantly. Kili sighed quietly but complied. He buried his hands in the pockets of his coat to keep them warm and once again followed the Amarok's gaze to the sky. They stood next to each other for a little while without saying anything, both simply staring into the clouds above.

"What are we waiting for?" Kili asked eventually, shooting a small sideways glance at Tarya as she nudged him slightly with her elbow.

"This," she smiled, and as her gaze was focused on the sky, Kili's lingered on her face that seemed youthful like a child's when a snowflake suddenly landed on her forehead. The young dwarf looked up in surprise as more snow began to fall and he scrunched up his nose as a snowflake hit him right on the tip of it. He heard Tarya chuckle lightly beside him, the sound warming his heart and he turned around to give her a soft smile. He pulled her towards him then, taking in the sight of her in the white around them and the snowflakes that were creating small white shimmering crystals in her black hair before they melted away. Tarya snuggled into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her, burying her face in the fur of his coat collar for a short moment.

"We should really go back inside now," Kili murmured against the top of her head as he felt her shiver lightly in his hold, and he rubbed her arms slightly to give her some warmth. "You're freezing."

Tarya just nodded and pulled back, smiling slightly as he took her hand again to lead her back inside the walls of the mountain.

"It's strange, you know," Tarya spoke beside him as they passed the guards, again not seeming to notice their rather hostile gazes. "I never quite felt the cold as much when I was still a wolf."

"Well, it isn't that strange, Tarya. You had a dense fur to protect you from it then, now you don't," Kili answered with a small laugh and Tarya slightly tilted her head in reply.

"Right," she murmured. "Now I don't."

Kili shot her a questioning look upon her tone of voice that had suddenly become more thoughtful again and less light. He raised his eyebrows at her as she stopped walking, preventing him from going on, too, as she was still holding on to his hand. Kili felt his heart thump nervously in his chest as he saw the look on his beloved's face, one that spoke of uncertainty and sadness, though there was also something determined in it.

"Can I see them?"

Kili's brows furrowed slightly, as for a moment he wasn't sure what she was talking about. But it became quite evident when she cleared her throat almost nervously and slightly pressed her lips together, waiting for his answer.

"I… are you sure that you want to?" Kili asked as he realized that Tarya was talking about their lost companions, their friends that lay buried deep down in the mountain's chamber tombs. Tarya just nodded in reply to his question and Kili sighed quietly. He wasn't sure whether bringing Tarya down to the tombs of their friends was such a good idea. It would hurt her, and remind her of the horrible things that had happened. And all after she had seemed almost free of them just moments ago. He hesitated, shortly pressing his lips together before he spoke again.

"It might not be such a good idea," he murmured and Tarya's face fell slightly in disappointment upon his words. Kili suddenly became quite sure that she had meant to ask him this for a while already. "You are still not completely healed and it might be very stressful for you. I don't know if –"

But Tarya interrupted all his thoughts with only two words that sank into his heart like an anchor, keeping him from back-pedalling any further.

"Please, Kili," she said, her voice low and tired as she looked at him. She hesitated for a moment but as she saw that he wasn't going to give an answer, she continued quietly. "It has been three weeks since I have woken up, four months since the battle has ended. I just… I just want to say farewell. I need to say farewell to them, they are my friends."

There was a distinct silence between them as they looked at each other, and Tarya waited as Kili's thoughts whirled in his head. She was right, he knew. Tarya wasn't quite herself ever since she had woken up after her month-long sleep and Kili doubted that she would ever be again. But there was too much sadness in her now, too much raw and unprocessed pain that haunted her in her dreams. Kili knew as much, for he had witnessed her torment personally, and had spent more than one night by her side since he had found her screaming in her sleep one night. Visiting the graves of those she had lost would undoubtedly hurt her, and Kili wasn't sure how much more pain she could bear at the moment, but it might give her some sort of closure, too, and a possibility to come to terms with what had happened.

Kili sighed deeply, pulling her closer to him again and Tarya stumbled slightly, tiredness clear to see on her face. The brunet dwarf hesitated a moment before he brought her hand up and pressed a small kiss to her knuckles.

"Tomorrow," he murmured, making a promise even though he still felt unsure about the whole situation. "We may go tomorrow. You have already demanded a great deal of yourself today, azyungâl, it would be best if I brought you back to your chamber now so you can retire for the rest of the day."

"As you say," Tarya complied quietly after a moment's hesitation before he pulled her along and they moved down the corridor together. They walked in silence for a moment before Tarya spoke again, two short words that fell from her lips almost too quiet for Kili to hear.

"Thank you."

Kili shot his beloved a sideways glance, then smiled lightly at her and just nodded as he led her back through the many labyrinthine corridors of the mountain towards her bedchamber.

Tarya couldn't quite decipher how she felt when she waited for Kili to pick her up the next day as he had promised. Sitting on her bed, her hands folded in her lap, she felt nervous and scared. She wasn't sure what would await her down in the chamber tombs but she knew that she had to see them in order to process what the world had thrown at her.

During the three weeks since she had woken, Tarya never really had the time to think about the aftermath of the war, but she knew that the dwarves around the mountain as well as the people of Dale and Laketown had by now given it a name. The Battle of the Five Armies, they were calling it. Tarya didn't like the name, although it was quite fitting. She didn't like giving something a name that had caused so much pain and damage. But she understood that they wanted to remember the battle in which their mountain had been protected and truly reclaimed, in which their king had fallen for his people. The battle in which armies had united to fight the evil that was plaguing them. Tarya knew that one day, all the pain and all the loss, all the blood and all the death would be nothing more but words in a history book. And she would probably be dead by then, the pain that plagued her now forgotten and carried away by a gentle wind. But that day had not yet come, and the pain was much too great to ever be forgotten.

A soft knock on the door ripped the Amarok out of her thoughts and she stared at it blankly for a moment before she quietly called for the person on the other side to come in. Tarya recognized the hatted head that popped through the opening door within a second's time.

"Bofur," she greeted the dwarf with a small smile as he entered and closed the door behind him. Bofur shot her a smile that mirrored hers as he came closer. Tarya stood from the bed, holding on to the bedpost with one hand. After three weeks, she felt quite comfortable walking again, her ribs almost completely healed. It was only the scar on her abdomen that still felt a bit sore at times, causing her to feel some pain when walking too much and for too long.

"Good afternoon, lass," the dwarf smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, you know, as usual," Tarya answered, frustration tingeing her voice ever so slightly. She was trying not to let it show though, for she felt like she had no real right to be frustrated. She had survived wounds that should have been her death, and she should be grateful for it rather than being impatient for her normal strength and health to come back.

"Still sore, I take it?" Bofur asked as he sat on a nearby chair and raised his eyebrows at her hand that was still holding on to the bedpost before his gaze wandered to where he knew her scar was hidden beneath her dark green tunic. Tarya just nodded in reply, sighing silently to herself as she followed her friend's example and sat back down on the bed, looking at him quizzically.

"What are you doing here?" the Amarok asked then. "Dwalin told me you would be down in the mines all day today."

"I was supposed to be," Bofur nodded. "Helping where they are trying to break through the fallen walls to build new tunnels. But plans change, and now I'm here to pick you up."

"Pick me up?" Tarya frowned slightly, sending the dwarf a confused look. "But I was just waiting for –"

" – Kili, I know," the hatted dwarf smiled kindly. "He sends his apologies, he was… uh, delayed. He asked me to see after you in his stead."

"Delayed?"

"Oh, you know, they are all going crazy down in the throne hall because Fili's coronation will be held in five day's time and nothing's quite ready yet. Dain is ordering everyone about, Fili is trying to keep up with all the work that is still to do and Kili got caught in between somewhere."

Tarya's frown deepened slightly as she nodded. Kili had many duties, she knew, but she still couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed. He had promised, after all. Bofur seemed to sense the change in her and he shot her a warm look.

"The downsides to being royalty, I guess," he joked lightly, and Tarya knew that he was trying to lighten the mood. "Shame you've taken a fancy to a prince, eh? An out of work toymaker at least has time on his hands."

Tarya couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips as she shook her head at Bofur. The dwarf just grinned and shot her a small wink. "I might not be your first choice, but rumour has it that I can be quite entertaining, as well."

The Amarok's smile widened in agreement to his words before it faltered slightly and she shook her head again, averting her gaze from Bofur's as he furrowed his brows at her in question.

"It's not that," she said quietly, another sigh escaping her throat before she looked back at the hatted dwarf that slightly leaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows on his knees as he looked at her questioningly. "He was supposed to take me to the chamber tombs today."

Tarya's voice was not much more than a quiet murmur and for a moment, she doubted whether Bofur had heard her at all before a knowing look crossed his face and he sobered quickly, slightly clearing his throat as he leaned back on the chair.

"Oh," he said. Tarya nodded silently, and she watched as the cheerful look on her friend's face was replaced by a sad one crossing his features. Immediately, she felt bad for even bringing it up. Bofur never really spoke of his lost brother and cousin, and it was only in moments that no one was looking that the careless expression on his face gave way to a much darker one. Tarya didn't even know whether Bofur had been to the tombs again after Bombur and Bifur's burial. She swallowed tightly, not sure what reaction she should be expecting from the dwarf before her, but she didn't count on Bofur nodding slowly after a moment and looking at her in understanding.

"I can take you," he said quietly then, shooting her an uncertain look. "If you wouldn't mind my company over Kili's. I mean, I would understand if you –"

"You don't have to feel obliged to do this," Tarya interrupted lowly and Bofur pressed his lips together slightly.

"I don't," he answered, standing up and walking the few steps over to her to extend his hand towards the Amarok. "Really, lass. I can take you."

Tarya hesitated shortly as she looked up at Bofur, but seeing nothing but sincerity in his gaze she slowly took the hand he offered and let him pull her to her feet. Bofur placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, allowing Tarya to lean some of her weight on him if her body became tired from walking. The Amarok shot the hatted dwarf a grateful look as he led her out of the chamber and down the first corridor of many.

They didn't talk much on their way to the tombs, but the silence between them wasn't tense and it wasn't uncomfortable. It was filled with something, a certain sadness maybe, an understanding of how the other felt on both sides. They passed a few dwarves on their way, and while Bofur greeted some of them with a short nod, Tarya ignored the odd looks they gave her. She should have gotten used to them by now, but even though she didn't pay much attention to how the dwarves of the mountain looked at her, she still felt their gazes on her each time and they didn't feel very good.

Tarya's thoughts halted abruptly as Bofur led her around another corner and down a flight of broad stone stairs. Another dark corridor awaited them at the end of them, torches lighting the way as they walked towards the wide opening in the wall before them. The entrance to the chamber tombs had no door wings and as they passed it, Tarya's eyes widened slightly upon seeing the large chamber that awaited them behind it. The walls were high and torches cast a calm light over the whole room, causing faint shadows to dance on the tombs that lay before her eyes. Tarya halted in her tracks, and Bofur shot her a small sideways glance as she looked at the graves silently. The Amarok swallowed hard, unconsciously gripping her friend's arm a bit tighter before she let go of him and slowly stepped forward, hesitant steps carrying her to the nearest tomb. It was made of dark, almost black stone and as Tarya stepped closer, she saw small lines and curves carved into the tomb. Cautiously, she brought her hand up and let her fingers trail lightly over the signs that she recognized as runes – similar to the ones that were engraved on the clasp Kili had given her and that still adorned her hair – though she didn't know what they meant until she heard Bofur's quiet voice from close behind her.

"Bifur," he murmured, putting one large hand flat on the stone of his cousin's tomb as he read the runes beneath Tarya's fingertips out loud for her. "Son of Bòr. A valiant warrior."

Tarya swallowed thickly past the lump in her throat as she acknowledged Bofur's words with a small nod, gently tracing her fingers over the runes of Bifur's name once more before she forced herself to turn away. Slowly, she crossed the distance to the next tomb. This one was broader than some of the others and Tarya didn't need Bofur's translation to know who lay buried there.

"Bombur," she whispered, her throat dry and her words choked as she spoke. She felt Bofur's gaze on her from where he was still standing a few steps behind her and she smiled sadly at the runes on Bombur's tomb, feeling her eyes sting with tears. "My dear Bombur… I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. I –"

Tarya broke off as tears choked her voice and it was just a second later that she felt Bofur's warm hand on her shoulder, squeezing slightly as to comfort her. She shot the hatted dwarf a short look and saw him staring down at Bombur's tomb as well, his eyes glazed over with a thin veil of tears.

"Bombur, son of Baldur. A loyal companion," he said then, and quietly added, "and brother."

Tarya lifted her hand to squeeze Bofur's on her shoulder, unable to stop the few tears that escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. They said nothing for a while as they merely stood by Bombur's grave, mourning their friend and brother in silence and yet completely understanding how the other was feeling. Tarya knew that Bofur would never get over his brother and his cousin dying and leaving him on his own, just as she would never forget her father dying for her own sake. She would never be able to forget the moment that she had seen Bombur fall, and yet they somehow had to get on with their lives and live the rest of their time in a way that would make their loved ones proud, in a way that would honour their deaths.

Tarya took a shuddering breath as she finally turned away from the tomb and walked further into the room, passing Nori's and Dori's graves.

"A courageous fighter" read the runes on Dori's and "A skilful combatant" on Nori's, though Tarya suspected he would have liked it better if it had said 'scoundrel' instead. Her fingers lingered on the cold stone of the two brothers' tombs for a moment until her gaze fell on another that stood a few feet away, elevated on a small platform. The stone on this one was carved more delicately, and it bore more intricate details, Tarya noticed as she stepped closer. Her throat became dry as she took the small step onto the platform to look at the runes engraved on the lid of the tomb. She shot a look back at Bofur who had stopped a few feet behind her, shooting her a small encouraging nod, though his eyes were sad and dark.

"Thorin," Tarya muttered quietly, her hand only hesitatingly finding its way onto the dark stone of the dwarf-king's tomb. It felt cold beneath her fingers but smooth as if it had been sanded carefully. Tarya's fingers flexed on the stone for a moment as she thought about what Dwalin had told her about the king's burial a few days after she had woken up. Thorin had been laid to rest with the Arkenstone and with Orcrist placed on his chest, and Tarya could only imagine the large dwarf's body lying in this tomb now, hands folded over his broad chest and eyes closed forever. Another tear escaped her eyes then, and as it rolled down her cheek Tarya closed her eyes, not seeing it drop onto the dark stone next to her hand as she inclined her head.

"Lagði þú af stað í það langa ferðalag," she murmured then, the wolfish words falling from her mouth like a quiet prayer as her fingers traced the runes that formed Thorin's name lightly. "þú áfram gekk í villu eirðarlaus… Nú kannski opnast fagrar gáttir himins og yfir erfiðleika svíf."

"What are you saying?" she heard Bofur ask when she finished, and she shot him a small sideways look as he stepped onto the platform beside her, glancing first at the king's tomb and then at her curiously.

"You went on the longest journey," Tarya repeated her words lowly, so her friend would understand. "You went on, restlessly. And now the beautiful sky might open for you and over hardship you may drift."

"It's beautiful," Bofur murmured in reply after a few moments of silence. Tarya smiled sadly, not lifting her gaze from the runes on the grave.

"It's a farewell," she muttered, sighing quietly as her fingers trailed over the intricate engravings again. "What do these say?"

"Thorin II Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror." The dwarf beside her provided slowly. "A true king, and a just leader."