Chapter 21

My eyes opened instantly when I finally yanked myself from the dream and my heart pounded in my chest. I didn't move, feeling that I was tucked against someone so when I looked with my eyes, I noticed I had fallen asleep against Thorin. He had at some point shifted us so that I laid between his legs and he had put himself in a position off his back. One hand was firmly hooked around my waist. His head was pressed against a folded up blanket on the rocks as he slept while sitting up. I had no idea how dwarves could do that. Looking up, I took in Thorin's face and his beating heart that was very real under my hand. Fili and Kili were there across the dying fire snoring softly, telling me they were alive. It was just a dream now, but would have been very real had Elrond not told me to stay with him in Rivendell for those five days.

Everyone was sleeping, so I pressed my cheek quietly back against Thorin and I curled my hand against his shirt when I closed my eyes. I breathed in, taking in everything to make myself believe that I was awake and more tears formed in my eyes. Fingers touched my cheek suddenly, causing me to jump and open my eyes to see who had touched me. Thorin looked down at me quietly, his fingers still on my cheek.

"Arina," he said softly.

"Just a dream," I whispered. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"I would be lying if I said yes," he replied. "I was already awake. I felt you wake up."

I relaxed a little, not feeling as bad. "Do you ever sleep?"

"Sometimes," he smiled slightly. "I sleep in the early hours of the night and then sometimes right before dawn."

"Cause sleeping the whole night through would just be too easy," I remarked, making him shake in quiet laughter.

"Of course," he agreed, making me smile.

"So," I mused softly. "Did you always think I was beautiful?"

He went very still against me, so I decided on patiently waiting for his answer. Over this journey, we had expressed feelings for each other that we have had for many years. We finally had been able to express them. I knew at this point I was just asking for more, and it made me smile a little.

"Yes," he finally answered. "You knew that."

My cheeks burned again in a blush and I put my arm back around him as I felt my heart squeeze a little with the sudden burst of emotion. He looked down at me, and reached out ran his finger down my cheek and over the large braid in my hair. He fingered the beads as if to point out the obvious and it made me smile softly.

"Go back to sleep. I'm going to need your help in the morning," he rumbled. "If you'll agree to do so."

"Of course," I nodded quietly, putting my head back down against his chest. "What ever you need..."

"Thank you," he rumbled.

"Yea just don't push it," I mumbled tiredly. "And you have to at least feed me."

His chest rumbled in a soft laugh, and I fell asleep again to the sound of it. He was alive and so were the others; I was safe to sleep for now.

I woke that morning alone, but had been cared for regarding where I was sleeping. Thorin had managed to leave me with both blankets and something for my head to rest on while I slept. I was almost surprised I had not woken to him when he had left my side. After how much energy I had used yesterday, however I wasn't surprised that I had fallen in to such a deep sleep. I hadn't dreamt again either, which had been nice. I laid there for a moment to gather myself and wake up more before I slowly got to my feet and ran a hand through my hair.

I splashed some cold water on my face to wake up, and noticed that beside the wounded, many of the dwarves had gone in to the mountain and there were horses with wagons coming up the path. At the head of it, was Thranduil and I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at his appearance. Getting to my feet, I flung the blanket from me and went inside to find the others. Dain was standing with Thorin and Balin, discussing what needed to be done. I noticed that there were several dwarves around fixing up the gallery of the kings, and hanging up the huge tapestries that Smaug had knocked down. Rock had been removed and they were starting to rebuild where the dragon had broken through, and also were removing the empty casing where the gold statue had once been held. Thorin looked up from talking with Dain and he met my gaze when I finally looked back to him, and he motioned for me to come forward. Sighing, I walked over to them and let him take my hand and draw me to his side.

"Ah, it's about time, lad," Dain grinned from in front of us, and I had to suppress the urge to groan.

"Hush, Dain," Thorin chuckled. "Unless you wish to be insulted."

"I'll take an insult any day!" he laughed loudly. "If it meant you two finally stopped ignoring the feelings ya had for each other!"

"I'm not awake enough," I sighed sadly. "And Thranduil is coming up the path with wagons and horses. I'm sorely tempted to send him off."

"No," Thorin replied easily. "I sent word for him to do so. I'm returning his gems to him, and he is taking as much gold as he can carry down to Dale with Bard. I've also had Dain send down healers to help with anything that is needed."

I arched my brow and then sighed. "I'm trying to come up with some clever excuse, but I just do not like him."

"That's not a surprise," Dain chuckled as the sounds of footsteps came in to the hall. "No body bloody likes him."

I let Thorin move me slightly behind him as Thranduil approached, and I ignored the elf. His brief act of kindness on the battlefield had not changed my opinion of him. We had been in battle for hours, and it was just natural for everyone to work together.

"King under the Mountain," Thranduil said with a slight smile. "It suits you. I've come to collect what is mine and to do as requested."

"Thank you," Thorin replied with a nod. "Your help will be much appreciated."

Thranduil arched his brow slightly and nodded in return. "I might ask that it'd be nice if your shifter would accompany us back to the Woodland Realm. To assure that we arrive safely once this is all over."

I kept myself where Thorin had moved me, and I watched his shoulders tense slightly at the suggestion and I fought the urge to go hide. I could transform in to a dragon, Thranduil shouldn't scare me. I silently searched my feelings as to why I felt the way I did and it dawned on me that Thranduil had threatened to put me in a cell. Well, that was one way to scare me. Even if he hadn't intentionally done it.

"You will find that your welcome will fade quickly if you keep suggesting anything that has to do with Arina," Thorin said firmly. "As far as I'm concerned, she is mine. She'll be staying here and helping me over see what needs to be done."

"Oh, you've laid claim to her?" Thranduil asked. "You do realize she is the last of her kind. She would be safer in the Woodland Realm."

"If you want your gems, I suggest you keep any suggestions about her to yourself," Thorin said flatly. "And yes, I have."

I couldn't help but enjoy him saying that. I looked down at where his hands were behind his back, one hand holding his other wrist, so I reached out and took the hand that was free and stepped to his side.

"I would be happy to follow you, Thranduil," I said as I felt a burst of confidence. "But only to chase you back to your forest. Take your gems, and please help us with what needs to be done and then leave."

Thranduil couldn't help the smile that crossed his face. "As I told you, Arina, you are an extraordinary creature," he replied and bowed slightly. "You and Thorin will make a great match."

"And I'm sure you will taunt us till you see fit to stop," I arched my brow.

"Perhaps."

I looked up at Thorin, who had turned his gaze to me in slight surprise that I had stepped up next to him. I smiled at him and then glanced back to Thranduil.

"I'm feeling a bit to confident, Thranduil," I said quietly. "I don't feel like insulting you. Instead, I'll let you and King Thorin discuss what needs to be done. But do not speak to me with intention of bringing me back to your home. I will burn it to the ground if you dare try and rip me from here."

I was happy to see him glare at me so I turned and walked off when Fili and Kili passed me. I knew Thorin would be more comfortable if I was with them and Dain couldn't help but laugh as I walked away.

"Think that was too much?" I asked Kili.

He leaned down to me and glanced back for a moment before he grinned. "Nope," he replied laughing. "Come on, let's help Bilbo pack."

"He's leaving?" I asked in surprise as we found the hobbit.

"Yes, it is time he goes back home," Fili sighed. "Gandalf is waiting for him."

We found him filling a small chest full of what ever he thought was interesting enough to bring back. They had supplied him with new clothes, and he was lifting the chest when we walked over. Kili quickly grabbed it from him with a big smile on his face.

"It's sad to see you go," Fili sighed, as he took the shield from him so that we could walk back up.

"I'll visit again," Bilbo smiled. "You've got your home back. I'll have to see it when you have fixed it."

I chuckled a little as we walked back up the steps and in to the main hall. Elves and dwarves were filling great chests with gold and getting them on to the wagons while Thranduil and Thorin continued to discuss things. Fili went off to get the others of the company so that we could say good bye to the hobbit together. I walked over to Thorin, and touched his arm when he looked down at me.

"Your burglar is leaving," I informed him.

"Dain, will you continue what I had spoken of with you earlier with King Thranduil?" he asked formally and I noticed his eyebrow tick.

"Yes sire," Dain nodded his head.

I tried hard not to smile until we were safely behind Thranduil's back. Thorin glanced down at me and then couldn't help but roll his eyes as he took my arm and tucked it through his.

"Eye rolling isn't very king like," I teased.

"Will you hush?" he demanded.

"Neither is the eyebrow tick nor yelling at me," I smiled as he squeezed my fingers as we walked. "I saw that. Is it really that hard to not insult him?"

"Painfully so," Thorin rumbled as we walked in to the sunlight. "Obviously you couldn't help it."

I huffed, "See I'm not royalty. So I get away with that."

He looked at me suddenly stopping us short just before we got to the others. Startled, I looked up at him when he turned to face me.

"If I asked it of you, would you be?" he asked lowly.

I felt my breath catch in my throat and my cheeks burned. It was such a surprise it almost sent me running for safety, from what he was asking of me. I had run that last time and that had me stopping in my tracks. My pause caught him off guard, and his expression fell.

"You're serious," I whispered.

"Yes," he answered, his voice deep.

"Can...We speak about it in private?" I asked carefully. "So I still have my breath to say goodbye to, Bilbo."

Relief flooded across his face when he realized I wasn't exactly turning him down. I knew what he asked of me was a huge responsibility. Turning back to our path, I followed him over to the company. Bilbo smiled at us and so I stepped away from Thorin to let him say good bye.

"Bilbo Baggins," Thorin said seriously looking down at him. "I have never been so caught off guard by anyone until I met you. You have helped us in so many ways. If you ever need anything, just ask and it will be yours."

Bilbo smiled crookedly up at Thorin. "Thank you," he said graciously. "This has been an amazing journey. I'm glad we all made it out alive. Especially you...you are a very dear friend. Thank you."

Thorin hugged him tightly before the rest of the company took turns to say good bye to the Halfling. I smiled at him when he approached me and I bent to give him a hug. Saying good bye to him on happy terms and with Thorin and his nephews alive almost seemed like a dream to me.

"Gandalf told me...about what you saw," Bilbo said quietly leaning back so he could see me. "Thank you...thank you for being here. If you had not, I'd be weeping over them. I don't think my life would be the same."

"We both proved to be useful then, didn't we?" I smiled at him.

"Yes, I suppose we did," he laughed a little, and then walked over to his pony to get on. "If you should ever be around...please feel free to see me. Tea time is at 4, there is plenty of it. You are very welcome there."

His voice had my chest swelling with sadness at his departure, and apparently I wasn't the only one sad to see him leave. I chuckled seeing many of the company with tears in their eyes at that. Even Dwalin was smiling from where he stood. Gandalf looked at me, so I quietly walked over to stand next to his horse as he leaned down to me. He reached out for my hand, so I took it.

"You are an amazing woman, Arina," he said gently. "You bring luck...and love to all those around you. You stay safe."

"I'm sure I will be kept as safe as possible," I replied with a smile. "Thank you for everything, Mithrandir."

Gandalf returned my smile and released my hand as he turned his horse to ride off with Bilbo. Everyone waved to them cheerfully and I turned when Thorin put his hand on my back when he joined me.

"We'll be seeing them again," I said thoughtfully. "I'm sure of it."

Thorin smiled as he watched them leave. "I'm sure we will," he agreed softly.

I turned to him fully then, which took his hand from my back. Standing right in front of him, I took in his slightly startled expression as he stood in front of me as I looked at him. He stood before me, and met my gaze, though I could tell he was feeling a little to vulnerable for his liking. His hands locked behind his back, giving off a very easy posture, but I was sure underneath it all he was nervous.

"Why? I mean I know why, I just...I don't see how," I began quietly. "What can I provide to you? I am not queen material. I am a caretaker, Thorin, not royal material. I'm not even a dwarf."

Thorin turned his gaze to the ground for a moment as he thought of what to say. "A Queen is a caretaker. She cares for all of those around her and most importantly her King. I would not have you from my side, Arina. Not anymore if I can help it. What you are does not matter to me. You would be the finest Queen to ever rule in Erebor. I think everyone else would agree."

I sucked in a breath after a moment and stared at his chest as it sank in to my head. "Thorin..."

He moved forward and cupped my face, bringing my gaze up to his. "Have we not done enough?" he asked quietly. "I thought I'd never lay eyes on you again, yet here you are. I've not loved another person since the first time we kissed. Is that not enough?"

I reached up to hold on to his wrists. "That's...that's enough," I whispered.

"Then stay with me, and rule by my side," Thorin said softly.

"You are doing this completely backwards," I couldn't help but tease.

"I think we're doing just fine," he smiled drawing my gaze again. "I was trying to do it correctly thirty years ago."

I pressed my lips together and looked up at him again. "Sorry for that."

He leaned forward then, and pressed his lips to mine. I kissed him back, just like I had the very first time. Gripping his wrists, I let our lips move together in marvelous ways. When he pulled back, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Thorin ran his hand down the side of my head, brushing some of my hair back.

"I will stay," I whispered. "I always wanted to stay."

Thorin smiled at me and wrapped his arms around me, lifting my feet from the ground. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my throat. Setting me on the ground, Thorin pressed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"Don't thank me yet," I teased reaching up to tug on his braid. "I might be more trouble then I'm worth."

"If this was easy, then I'd be concerned," he rumbled. "And anyway, I've had plenty of time with you already to prepare for it."

I laughed with him, mostly out of relief. Reaching up to him, it was my turn to cup his face in my hands. I smoothed the hair of his short beard and gazed in to his blue eyes. I had gone so long without looking at him that now, it was going to be a joy not to give him up again. I controlled the excitement that raced through me.

"If it is in my power," I said quietly. "I will protect you with my life. No one will take you from me, unless it is old age that beckons. I promise."

"Spoken like a true queen," Thorin smiled, turning his head to press a kiss to my palm. "Now come, let us finish what I had set out to do..."

When we turned around to go back in to Erebor, I noticed several dwarves grinning at us like children. It didn't help my confidence, but I forced myself not to shrink against Thorin. He kept my arm looped through his own as we approached Thranduil again who turned to look at us. He walked forward, motioning behind him to the elves at his back. They all carried something in their hands. Large bundles of something.

"Let this mark many years of peace to come," Thranduil nodded. "Should you ever need my help, I will come to your aid."

I saw a muscle in Thorin's jaw tighten at his words. I remember the story that Thranduil had not helped the dwarves when they needed it most. There was still a long road ahead before he would ever recover from such a betrayal. But then there was surprise, as he offered what was in the hands of his elves. All of the weapons he had taken from the dwarves were uncovered, and I stopped for a moment.

"Dain, take those," Thorin said quietly.

His cousin and a few others stepped forward to take the weapons and went to lay them on the table. Thorin looked back to Thranduil and gave a slight nod in respect, but said nothing still. Kili's bow, and Fili's daggers were there among his other arsenal of weapons. Thorin's sword I had gifted him with was there as well as Dwalin's axe. Every single weapon was there.

"We will hold you to your word, Thranduil," I said stepping up in Thorin's absence of voice. "The road to recovery is going to be a long one, but today was a wonderful step in the right direction."

"Indeed," the elf nodded slowly, knowing exactly what I meant.

I turned my attention back to Thorin and jerked him from his thoughts with a look. "You said you had a need for me today, King Thorin," I smiled, bringing some amusement to his eyes. "What do you need me to do?"

"The halls that hold the gold," he said slowly. "Can you remove the pillars that have been broken?"

"I can do more than that," I nodded with a bow to my head. "It will be fixed by the end of the day if I can help it."

He smiled at me as I turned away and headed away from them and walked down the steps and in to the huge cavern below where all the gold was held. I couldn't believe how much had been in there. The dwarves were working on clearing it away and putting it in huge trunks that would go up to the elves and men while they were containing it in other ways to clear out the halls. The floor of the halls would hold many things other than the piles of gold.

Balin walked up the steps and over to me, so I helped him up the last few steps when he was close enough. "Ah, thank you lass," he smiled. "What do you need?"

"I'm clearing the downed pillars and putting them back up. I had every intention of fixing them, and reinforcing it with gold bands at the top. Is that possible?" I asked looking down at him. "I want these halls to stand proudly once more."

"Oh aye, I'm sure we can get that quite easily," Balin nodded. "It's going to take a while to get this out. Dale gets their half and Thranduil only wants his white gems which we are collecting. Thank goodness they were somewhere separate from all this."

I smiled, "And how are the wounded?"

"Oin is tending them just fine. It will be easier when we get more help. Dain sent a raven to bring the rest of his people here to help clean up this mess."

I nodded my head and then looked down there for a safe landing. "Well, I must get to work on this," I sighed. "Wish me luck."

He chuckled as I jumped off the huge stairs and I pushed my transformation in to a dragon. I kept my wings folded tightly to my sides and I did my best to land without sending gold flying. There were a good number of pillars that had been knocked down, but I was sure that I could wedge them back in to place if they were long enough.

Thanks for all the follows and favorites as usual! :)