Thanks guys for traveling this far with me, I am overwhelmed by the favorite, follows, and reviews for this story. Sadly, the end is on the horizon but don't worry it will be an ending you will never forget. Read, Review, Enjoy!
Chapter 43
"Happiness"
Within months of the end of the Battle of the Mountain, Erebor was repaired with the efforts of the Dwarves from the Iron Hills and the Men of Lake-Town. Dain stayed to provide direction while Thorin recovered from his injuries, Torshar offered her services when distributing the treasure as both payment of debts and labor to all who did their obs. As the fifth month began to dawn, Thranduil once again darkened the Mountain's Great Hall where Torshar had set up the distribution system.
"Torshar, I demand the return of my gems." He ordered as he stepped in front of a Dwarf as he was about to take the pouch the versifier offered.
Not raising her gaze she spoke, "How kind of you to grace our humble kingdom, Lord Thranduil… I am afraid that now is not a good time-"
"Make the time!" the Elf shouted and slapped the pouch out of her hand; scattering its contents to the floor.
She quickly raised her hand to stop Dwalin and Thbir from drawing their weapons and charging the Elf, "Easy boys. Lord Thranduil is unaware of my status and the customs of our kin." She cooed as she slowly looked up and met the Elf king's gaze at last.
"I care not for your status as Thorin's wench of your Dwarf customs! I simply want is rightfully mine!" the blond shouted in agitation.
"You will hold your tongue before the Queen of Erebor!" Dwalin ordered as he pulled out his ax and took a step forward.
"Dwalin!" Torshar snapped, "Easy… Thbir, send for the starlight gems."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Her brother bowed then walked away.
Smirking Thranduil finally took notice of the sapphire ring on her left ring finger, "Even after throwing you from the ramparts… You married him…"
"I did… Why is that a shock to you?" she asked.
"You gave up a future with me… For him…."
"Because I love, Lord Thranduil." She countered as Thbir returned with a medium sized bronze and mahogany box, "You will, of course, understand that these were no longer yours once you gifted them to me? But seeing as I am Erebor's queen, I have the power to return them…" she started as she took the box in her hands and slowly stood, showing off her nine month, twin-carrying belly, "There are stipulations first."
Growling, the Elf stood to his full height and reached for the box only for it to be taken away, "Dwalin, could you please assist Mr. Turnbuckle in collecting his gold from the floor? Thbir continue to distribute the gold. And Mr. Turnbuckle, please come see me once Lord Thranduil and I have finished our business."
With a trio response of, "Yes, Your Majesty." Torshar motioned for Thranduil to follow her to her private study, "Please close the door behind you." She requested as she placed the box on her desk then sat down behind it.
Doing as she requested, Thranduil spoke up, "What matters do you wish to discuss?"
"Matters of importance to the wellbeing of my kingdom. I am willing to return these gems to you but there are some things you need to understand before I do so."
"Like what?"
"These gems are technically no longer yours because you gave them to me as a proposal, which I respectfully declined, then you told me to keep them. Yes, I did in turn give them as payment to Thrain for allowing me to stay whenever I visited so they then were no longer mine but seeing as I am now queen…" the versifier explained.
"You can give them to whomever you wish…" the Elf continued.
With a nod, Torshar stood and pushed the box towards the king, "I have two stipulations before you can have them with my blessing."
"And they would be…?"
"The necklace stays, I have a friend who has given nothing but love and happiness to everyone she meets and expects nothing in return." The queen stated as she opened the box and removed said piece of jewelry, "And the second is that you never darken this kingdom's door again." She slammed the lid closed and shoved the box in to the king's grip to emphasize the point she was trying to make.
Chuckling, Thranduil nodded, "You would have made a fine Elven queen."
Glaring slightly she called out, "Dwalin." And said Dwarf entered the room, "Please escort our guest to the front gates."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thranduil smirked, "Pleasure doing business with you, Queen Torshar." He then bowed and left the room with Dwalin close behind, a hand on his ax handle; just in case.
As they walked away, Mr. Turnbuckle knocked, "Excuse me, Your Majesty… You wanted to see me?"
Smiling, the versifier motioned for him to enter, "Yes, please come in! This won't take long."
"May I ask what this is about?"
"I promise, you're not in trouble if that is what you are worried about. I simply have a gift for your wife," she explained and picked up the necklace making the older Dwarf gasp on astonishment.
"It is beautiful, Your Majesty…"
"Do you think your wife will like it?"
"Overjoyed would be a more accurate term." The blacksmith chuckled.
Giggling, Torshar placed the necklace in the pouch that was strapped to his side, "Tell her it is a thank you gift from a very pleased customer."
The blacksmith smiled and bowed, "I would be honored." Then turned and walked out with a wide grin on his face, making Torshar smile as well.
As she returned to her desk and sat down with a groan, Nalor entered, "The workers have all been paid in full, Your Majesty." He reported.
Smiling, the moon maiden lifted her eyes, "Nalor, for the last time, I may be queen but I am still your sister."
"That is true but I am also your advisor as Balin is King Thorin's." he chuckled as he approached with an arm full of scrolls that required the royal seal.
"How is he?" she asked as she gazed over the first scroll he handed her.
"Fine, he is in the forge actually." Her brother answered, making her drop the parchment and stand abruptly, "Torshar?"
"I'm going to kill him." She stated as her eyes narrowed and head for the door, a worried Nalor following close behind.
Thorin wiped sweat from his brow as he laid his hammer aside and Balin approached, "Your Majesty, Lord Bard of Dale and Lake-Town would like to speak with you if you have a moment."
Nodding, the king grabbed his tunic from a nearby chair and wiped his face and chest, "If he does not mind coming here."
"I do not mind at all, Your Majesty." The once bargeman chuckled, causing Thorin to smile and turn to find him dressed in simple trousers and short sleeved tunic bowing respectfully.
"Good to see you, Bard. How fares the family?"
Smiling, the lord stood straight, "Tilda and Sigrid helped set up a clinic and Bain is being trained by one of Dain's men to become the first guard of Dale."
Thorin nodded and smiled, "I assume there is a reason behind your visit?"
Nodding in return, the bargeman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red velvet pouch, "This…" he stated simply and held it out.
The Dwarf king was a bit confused as he approached and slowly took the pouch from his friend's grip. Unraveling the cord, he dumped the contents in his hand only to have his eyes widen in surprise as the Arkenstone rolled out, "The Arkenstone…"
"Yes, forgive my lateness in returning it but I discovered that during the battle all those months ago that it had fallen out of my pocket and was buried beneath snow all winter. It was found only a few hours ago. I have no use for it nor is it truly mine to keep anyway." The Lord of Dale explained as Thorin continued to stare at the glowing stone.
Still awestruck, the Dwarf king had a hard time expressing his gratitude, "Bard… This is… I can't thank you enough for its return."
"It is no trouble besides, you held up your end of the bargain it was only fair that your allies do the same."
Smiling, Thorin offered his free hand out to his friend who returned the gesture and they clasped each other's forearms in Dwarven friendship. When they separated, the warrior turned back to his station, placed the Arkenstone on the anvil, picked up his hammer, then the smashed the stone to everyone's astonishment.
"Thorin that stone was the symbol of our people…" Balin mentioned in shock, making his king smile as he picked up all of the glowing pieces.
"We do not need a jewel to represent our people, Balin…" he stated then began to work on his project silently dismissing his friends.
A short time later, the king sent the biggest piece and a ring sized piece to his jewelers with specific instructions. Shortly after his apprentice disappeared, a furious voice rang out, "THORIN OAKENSHIELD!"
Smirking, the sweaty Dwarf turned, "Yes, my dear?" he chuckled as a very angry Torshar waddled toward him with a petrified and worried Nalor on her tail.
"You know the healer said you were to take it easy and being here in the forges is not what I call taking it easy!" she shouted and smacked his upper left arm.
Chuckling, Thorin rubbed his sore arm, "I'm just working on a small project is all, my love. I promise you that I am fine."
Her rage slowly turned to worry as she took his hands; "I just don't want you to overexert yourself, Thorin…" she confessed and kissed his knuckles, making him smile.
"I promise nothing extraneous. Just a little idea I had while I was bedridden."
"What kind of idea?" his queen asked, appearing very interested.
Smiling, Thorin turned towards the anvil, grasped the object with his tongs, and then carefully brings it into view, "Your crown."
The piece was made of melted iron and molded into the form of a crown similar to his own but instead of a raven-like design on the forehead section, it was open as if missing a piece, "What goes there?" Torshar asked, motioning to the empty space.
"I am not sure yet, honestly… It's still a work in progress." He answered as he dipped the whole thing in the water bucket near the smelting pit.
Torshar smiled and kissed his cheek, "I already love it." She then gasped in pain and clutched her stomach.
"Torshar, what is it?!" the king asked concerned and gently grasped her arms.
Gasping, the versifier looked down and discovered she was now standing in a small pool of water as Nalor ran over, "It's time…" she groaned.