It is slowly coming to the end, my friends… Read, review, and TRY to enjoy. Song used; Lament for Thorin by Eurielle
Chapter 46
"Sorrowful Goodbyes"
Many tears and sobs flowed throughout the bedchambers as the Dwarves began to grieve. Bilbo took hold of the children as Dis escorted Torshar to the bathroom and deposited her onto the edge of the tub before turning and returning to the main room. She rummaged through the wardrobe and found the black mourning gown that the queen was to wear when the kingdom grieved and returned to the washroom to find Torshar had calmed a bit and now simply stared off into nothingness.
"Torshar, you need to change and inform the kingdom of what has happened." She stated calmly even though a few tears fell. When she received no answer of any kind, the royal sister sighed, wiped her eyes, and then began to undress then quickly redress the versifier.
Once the queen was dressed and cleaned up, Dis moved her out of the washroom and into one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. She then went to Gandalf, "Is there something you can do so she may address the people?"
The wizard shook his head, "There is no magic for a broken heart, Lady Dis."
Sighing, Dis decided to give it a shot; she walked over to Torshar and slapped her sister in-law as hard as she could across the face. Realizing she now had the queen's attention she spoke, "You need to gather yourself! Not only to your children need you to be strong, the entire kingdom of Erebor does! I know you miss him, Your Majesty… We all do… But we need a queen…"
The shock quickly wore off as Torshar stood and adjusted herself, "Get Thlin and Torim ready… Company… You know what to do for Thorin…" she stated then headed for the doors as the people nodded around her.
The entire kingdom, and representatives of Dale/Lake-Town, were gathered in the Great Hall around the stadium seating and murmuring their confusion as to why they were summoned. Nalor and Thbir stood on either side of the empty throne and were soon joined by Dwalin and Dis. The people stood when Torshar and the twins entered; Torim on her left and Thlin on her right with all of them dressed in black.
When Torshar stood before the empty throne, she curtsied before it then turned to acknowledge the gathered crowd, "Dwarves of Erebor, Men of Dale and Lake-Town, Elves of Rivendell… I have grave news… Our beloved king, Thorin Oakenshield… Is dead…" her voice quivered a bit as the people began to murmur once more.
Thlin could see her mother's hand shaking and gently took it in her own to calm her enough to speak again, "He was cursed by Harar… Though Gandalf the Grey did everything her could… There was no hope for our king… Thorin died sometime late last night in his sleep… A mourning ceremony will take place in two days…" she finished and was led away by Thlin and Torim as tears began to silently fall all over again.
A knock sounded at her bedchamber door a couple of hours later as she continued to stand at the foot of her bed and watch over the motionless Thorin. When she made no move to answer, Balin let himself in while carrying two boxes and the leather satchel. He quietly approached and stood a couple of feet behind her, "Your Majesty… There are some matters we need to discuss before the ceremony…. Perhaps we could talk in your study so you're a bit-"
"If there is something you wish to discuss, you may tell me here, Balin… Anything can be said in front of my husband…" the distraught widow said as she clenched her fingers around the edge of the footboard of the bed.
Clearing his throat the old man stepped forward and carefully laid the boxes before her on the comforter then pulled out a letter and began to read,
"'Dearest Torshar,
If you are reading this then my life has come to an end. Since Harar's death I have had a suspicion that he would pull something like this; a curse is precisely what he would choose. Inside the boxes that Balin has delivered are the products of my labor on the projects I have been so busy with. They are gifts for you so that you may rule Erebor without question from anyone. I have left everything you will need in Balin's capable hands… I wish I could have been there for you and the twins more and I am sorry that this all happened. Please understand that I love you, Thlin, and Torim more than anything in the world. Do you remember the odd conversation we had a few years back? Well, here is where I want us to meet; Rivendell. I know you're probably smiling or shocked but it is the place I think of most often when I think of when I first knew I was in love with you. When the time comes, meet me there. Until then, try not to grieve too much, raise our children honorably, and care for the kingdom as you cared for me all these years.
Love Eternally,
Thorin '"
Tears were falling as Torshar's knuckles turned white from gripping the footboard so tightly while she stared at Thorin's pale and unmoving face. Her heart was full of both anger and sorrow at the fact that he knew something was wrong with him and he said nothing. The queen closed her eyes as a slow smile crept onto her face and her shoulders began to shake with quiet laughter, "You conniving bastard…" she stated causing Balin to take a small step back.
"Torshar…?" the older man asked barely above a whisper.
"You were dying and decided not to tell your wife and children…? You selfish…" her voice trailed off as her death grip on the bed finally loosened and she reached for the smaller of the two boxes. She gingerly lifted the lid and her eyes widened as her gaze fell onto a woven band of silver that cradled a well endowed piece of the Arkenstone.
As she lifted the ring from its packaging, a small note fell out and landed on the blanket below. Placing the box down, the versifier picked up the parchment and read, "'The proof of my undying love for you... A stone that, at one time, meant more to me than anything only helped me realize what I already had… You.'"
A few tears pricked the corners of the queen's eyes as she looked at her left ring finger where her wedding band sat and placed the new ring on her right index finger. Balin smiled slightly as the ruler admired the ring a few moments more then turned her attention to the bigger box.
A smile spread to her face as she wiped her eyes, "I can't take any more surprises, Thorin…" she whispered as she opened the box and gasped at the gorgeous, hand crafted crown. The dark gold of the tiara base shimmered under the glow of the large Arkenstone piece that hung between two spire-like extensions that curved at the tips. Another note was noticed and picked up; this time by Balin.
"'This was the project I was working on for so long because I wanted it to be as perfect as you are. I love you, Torshar… My queen.'" Balin read aloud with a smile.
Torshar lifted the crown from the box and stared at it intently, "Balin… Will be surrendering the Kingdom to Dain of the Iron Hills…?"
"Of course not! Thorin stated firmly in his will that you are to be the sole beneficiary of the kingdom until of course, Torim or Thlin become of age." The advisor explained.
The versifier ran her thumb over the smooth gold as she smiled, "Good… No one shall take his kingdom from us…"
Two days later Torshar found herself standing before a raised pedestal where her husband's body lay in his best robes, Orchrist resting in his grasp, his crown upon his head, and remnants of the Arkenstone braided into his hair. Tears fell as her children sobbed and laid their heads against the cold stone. The entire kingdom was present and held lit candles, illuminating their black robes and dresses.
Slowly the queen pulled the prince and princess away from their father and took several steps back as she addressed the gathered crowd in song, "Thorin, King Under the Mountain,
Alas no more shall rule this domain,
We brethren must go on without him,
And ensure his death was not in vain,
In sleep eternal he will rest,
With the Arkenstone upon his breast,
Which evermore shall emit its light,
To banish the darkness of unending night,
And on his tomb is Orchrist laid,
An Elven blade forged in Elder Days,
To warn off foes and roving Orcs,
And ward off all evil from Erebor,
How shall we remember our fallen friend,
Who conquered Dragon Sickness in the end?
A warrior, leader, a proud flawed king,
A worthy descendant of mighty Durin…"
Once the song ended, the people formed a line and began to approach the tomb to pay their silent farewells. The royal family stood faithfully before the tomb as if on watch as Gandalf placed the crown upon her head, "A fitting ruler of Erebor…" he whispered as a single tear fell down her cheek.
"No… He was the fitting ruler of Erebor and my heart…" she whispered back.