Chapter 40

When I woke in the morning, I was alone but Thorin had thrown his robe over the blankets with me. My eyes hurt something fierce and I kept them tightly closed, and pressed further into the bed after I rolled onto Thorin's side of it. I could hear movement in the room, so I opened one eye to see Thorin getting ready to leave. He turned to look at me, and he smiled gently as he walked over. Leaning down, he pressed a hand to my cheek and kissed my head. I let my fingers caress his arm as I reached up to him, and he took my hand and kissed it.

"Stay here," he said gently. "I'm going to go make sure everything is all right. I'll return with breakfast for you. If you wish to stay here for the day I have no problems with that. I'd like you to, and if I have to I'll order it."

I gave a tired smile and nodded my head against the pillows and let him go. He shut the door firmly behind him, and I heard voices outside the door.

"Is she all right?" Dwalin asked.

"She's tired," Thorin sighed.

"Can we see her?" Kili questioned.

"No, let her rest," Thorin replied firmly, as they walked off. "I mean it."

I was happy that they listened, and soon the voices faded and I pressed against the pillows and pulled Thorin's robe close to my face. I fell asleep for a little while, before waking up to the door opening a while later. It startled me and I jumped, my eyes flying open. Thorin gave a sigh as he shut the door with his foot, and I noticed he had a plate of food and a cup.

"Sorry," he murmured, as I slowly sat up.

Raking my fingers through my hair, I blinked tiredly and then fell back in to the bed with a groan. Thorin chuckled as I pulled his robe over my face, and ushered him to go away.

"Go away, I look terrible and my eyes hurt," I complained. "I can't be queen today."

Thorin laughed, and yanked the robe from me as well as the blankets. I gasped and glared at him when I found him at the foot of the bed. He crooked a finger at me, motioning me to get up. I hated when he gave me that look, because I couldn't refuse him, so I glared even harsher at him. Thorin smiled slightly before he set his expression into one I was beginning to recognize as his 'King' look.

"Come on," he commanded. "Eat, and I'll draw a bath for you so you can look like a lady again."

"Ugh," I grunted looking at the ceiling. "Where is something heavy to throw at you when I need it?"

He walked over, appearing in my line of sight as he leaned over me. "I'd promptly make you regret ever throwing something at me," he mused, kissing my cheeks. "Now up. Eat."

I sighed in irritation and sat up, knowing full well that I had to get out of this bed or else I'd never leave the room. Quickly eating the breakfast he had brought me, I got out of bed and went and washed up before braiding my long hair and getting dressed. Slipping into a pair of shoes, I sighed as I walked back out and looked at Thorin who gave me a light smile.

"Much better," he rumbled gently, as he came over and placed my crown on my head. "Many of the wounded said last night that you lingered in the hall for a while, making sure that everyone was taken care of."

I sighed and ran a hand over my braid for a moment. "Yes, I did," I replied quietly.

His look softened as we walked out of the room together and headed down the stairs. I made a direct line toward the room with the wounded. Gloin had been beaten pretty badly, and had broken an arm, and Fili had several broken ribs. He hadn't said anything till we had been close to home. Had I not noticed, he probably would still be walking around. I checked on every single dwarf who had been hurt, and offered words of comfort. I would even grab things that they needed. Gloin was sleeping as I approached his bed, and Fili was laying there in silent agony. Going to him, I pulled up the chair and sat down. Grabbing a cloth, I ran it over his forehead, and moved some of his hair from his face when he attempted to give me a smile.

"You are stubborn, just like your uncle," I said quietly. "You should have said something sooner. You'd be in less pain."

Fili smiled at me, "Well they set it right. And it was only two ribs, nothing else," he said softly. "We heal fast, so I'll be up in no time."

"Mmm, that leaves your brother all alone," I teased.

"He was here all last night," he sighed.

"I know, I saw him," I replied. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm all right," he answered. "Go do queen stuff."

I chuckled softly and rose to my feet, laying a hand on his forehead. "Don't give the healers too many problems."

He gave a light laugh as I walked off, and I left the room quietly. Thorin had left me in there while he had to go talk to Dain and several others, so I found them sitting around a large table. They all looked exhausted and worn. Kili was with them, though I noticed that he would much rather be with his brother. Going over to him, I laid my hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention.

"I'll take your spot," I offered.

"Thank you," he whispered, and got to his feet to hurry back to Fili.

I took my seat beside Thorin keeping my back straight, and sighed softly when he looked down at me. Dain gave me a smile and Thorin nodded his head.

"We are going to keep Dain's wounded with us," he informed me. "So that he and the others can make their way home. When they are well enough, his people will return to him."

I nodded my head. "I don't see anything wrong with that. Moving anyone right now would be a bad idea."

"Agreed," Thorin nodded. "Thranduil said he will send us supplies that we need. I've already sent payment for it."

"Then we should be set on everything we need then," I answered.

We saw Dain off safely a few hours later, and I watched his kin ride off on ponies they had brought to arrive at the mountain. I watched as they rode off over the hill and Dain gave one last final wave. Thorin had sent them off with gold to line their pockets which they all had graciously accepted. Turning my head from them I walked back inside and went to grab something to eat. Thorin left me when someone had drawn his attention, so I decided to head back in and check on the wounded to help in any way I could after I ate. I changed the bandage on Gloin's arm when Oin got distracted by something, and made sure the bone was properly set. I cleaned another wound he had on his chest before I cleaned up to treat the next dwarf.

"You should be doing something else," Fili scowled, as I tended to a wound on his arm.

"Oh shush," I smiled pleasantly, and Oin handed me something to put on the gash. "You need to heal, stop complaining. I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

Fili sighed crossly at me, but sat quietly while I worked, and then I checked on his ribs. I looked at him firmly after that.

"And anyway, Thorin was already furious you said nothing about your injuries," I pointed out. "I can assure him you are healing well."

"Sometimes I swear it is just because I'm heir to the throne that makes him worry," he muttered foully, and I looked at him in surprise.

"Your uncle loves you very much, Fili," I said softly, taking my hands away from his ribs and pulling his shirt down again. "I've never known you to act this way before, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he sighed. "I guess I'm just exhausted."

Reaching out, I laid a hand on his cheek firmly and drew his gaze to mine. "Never question the love your uncle has for you. He speaks fondly of you and your brother. He's very proud of you both. You know how he is," I said softly.

His hand came up to grip my wrist quietly for a moment and I kissed his cheek gently. Leaving him to rest, I checked on many others and finally left the hall when I felt that everyone was well looked after. It gave a few healers a break if I was in there, and I didn't like seeing so many wounded. The battle last winter had nearly broken us with how many we had to tend to. Sighing, I stepped in to the golden hall and looked up at the ceiling for a second and then down at the floor covered in gold.

"It's odd to think, that almost a year ago we were here for an entirely different reason."

Lifting my head, I turned to see Bilbo shyly walking over. I smiled at him when he joined me. We walked together quietly and I looked around the hall again. I wasn't here when they had released all the gold over Smaug, but I was sure it had been satisfying.

"Yes, it is," I agreed. "Sometimes when I come in here I imagine I can hear Smaug shrieking, and the voice of a brave hobbit who had taken the dragon on. Thorin told me what you did."

"It was a momentary lapse of judgment I assure you," Bilbo smiled. "I was not brave."

I chuckled softly, "You did more than I could. When he attacked Lake-town I found my power wasn't enough. I don't think my bravery would have lasted either. Many would shudder in the face of such a beast."

"Thorin didn't," he sighed softly. "He faced that dragon like he was one."

I chuckled softly as we looked around the hall before walking quietly together. "He always had the bravery that someone could only dream of. It was his gift alone," I smiled. "You were pretty brave on our quest. I finally managed to get the troll story out of them. Clever thinking, unlike the dwarves of your company."

Bilbo laughed suddenly, and scratched the back of his head. "That was all chance. I heard the word sun and was like ah...I must waste some time!"

Smiling wide, I led him through the halls and down through the many walkways that went through the city like a puzzle. "I do have to hand it to dwarves, they certainly know how to fix things," I mused.

"When I first met them they destroyed my house," he sighed in memory. "And when I woke up the next day it was like I had never had any company. Aside from the fact that they had emptied my whole pantry, my house had never been cleaner."

"You should see Ori when he goes on a cleaning spree," I laughed. "I watched him clean out several rooms in such a short time it was amazing. Have you spent any time with them?"

"Oh yes," Bilbo nodded. "I've had much time with them before you had to leave and now that they are back I assume I'll stay a few more days. Gandalf said he'd come fetch me and get me home rather quickly."

I laid a hand on his small shoulder when he looked down and his fingers twitched for a moment. When I had his gaze, I smiled. "You are more than welcome to stay as long as you like. Your company will always, always be welcomed here."

He smiled at me, "Thank you, My Lady."

Nodding my head, I led him back to the main hall where everyone was, and I left him when Bofur smiled and came over to greet him. He gave me a sweeping bow that had me arching my brow.

"Oh I'm never going to get tired of that," he smiled big at me.

"I'm overjoyed," I answered flatly. "Just one more thing to torture me with."

"My Lady," Bofur grinned and bowed again, before yanking a laughing Bilbo safely away.

I watched them for a little while, and listened to the sounds of the mountain. The dwarves were getting back to work, and there was laughter echoing through the great halls. I sighed, taking in the fact that this was home. It was good to be back, and soon this place would flourish again under Thorin's care.

"Uncle!"

Hearing the shout I turned my head toward the noise, and looked to see Kili facing Thorin with a glare. Thorin had his arms down at his side, and he stood tall in front of his nephew. A cold hard look was etched across his face and Kili was fuming in front of him.

"I said no," he rumbled, as I tuned in to their conversation.

"So you are the only one here who gets to break the laws then?" Kili demanded, as I slowly approached. "I see how it is then. Special treatment for the king?!"

"Kili now is not the time or place to discuss this," Thorin said lowly. "What you are asking cannot be done."

"It will never be. Not for you," Kili snarled out. "I love her, and you will not keep us apart. You certainly won't stop me. I'd be following my king's example right?! You didn't stick to your own people!"

He turned his head when he heard my foot steps and I couldn't help the hurt that flashed across my face. Kili opened his mouth in shock as he finally registered the words he had spoken and he hastily walked up to me. His hands reached out in some sort of attempt to comfort and apologize to me. Thorin's face went from cold reserve to rage in just moments. Kili blinked several times, as he truly registered the words that had come out of his mouth.

"Arin...My Lady," he whispered suddenly his voice cracking.

Thorin was fuming behind him and went to come forward, but I lifted my eyes and pinned him in his spot with a hard look. When Kili grabbed my hands, I pulled him into a hug so I could whisper to him.

"Don't be sorry," I whispered. "Because you are right. He did break laws. Let me speak with him. But I dare say that he will be the least of your problems."

"I'm so sorry," he said anyway, and I leaned back to press our foreheads together.

"I'll take care of it," I murmured. "Go, before you anger him further, because I might not be able to protect you from him."

When Kili stepped back he nodded his head and then walked off to go see his brother. I sighed and then looked over at Thorin who had crossed his arms and was glaring at his nephew's back as he walked off. I arched my brow at him, and drew his attention back toward me. This was not something I wanted to deal with today, especially after last night. Sadly, I had no other choice, unless I was going to let Thorin murder Kili. That wasn't an option so I sighed loudly, and approached him.

"Don't be like that," I said lowly, and then went and took his hand. "Come with me."

Sorry this took so long! Enjoy this! I knew I'd eventually get to Kili, and soon Fili I'm sure. I'm not quite sure what I want to do with Fili but we'll see. Any suggestions are welcome.

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