Its really hard to write a story which is 100% to everyone's liking, so I apologise to those who did not really like the last chapter. I knew that some would not like the end, but then again...I could not change it. Someone had to die and I just could not let all three of them die ;(

Kili was not the only one the royal family had to mourn. Thror stood beside his mothers dead body and stroked her hair. Dara had followed him and Zial to battle, after she had left Dis side. His father Levek had died in one of the silver mines two years ago and Dara had never gotten over the loss. During battle, Dara had fought at Zials side and had caught an arrow which had been meant for Thorins oldest daughter with her own body. Dara died in the arms of her son and her daughter in law, with a happy smile on her face. For a while, Thror could see the reflection of his father in his mothers eyes before they lost their light.

The company mourned two of their own. Bifur and Nori had fallen and left their mourning families behind. Bifur had died as an orc had pushed the remains of the axe stuck in his head into his skull and Nori had died defending his brothers from the wargs. It took a long while to identify Noris dead body. Dori and Ori did not leave his side, not even to let the healers look at their own injuries. Dori felt guilt about not having protected his younger brother from the wargs and Ori felt guilt about having kept Dori to help Nori, because he had taken care of his youngest brother.

Bofur had taken his hat and had laid it beside Bifurs body. He knew that Bifur was reunited with his family now, but he could still not help but grieve for his cousin.

Legolas had joined Fili in the tent where Tauriel and Kili were still laying and Thranduil had begun to help Dis with the wounded. The elven king mourned the captain of his guard as if she had been his own daughter and he could feel the pain Dis felt at the loss of her youngest. Thorins sister tried to ignore the wrenching pain in her heart and focused on the living. There would be a time to mourn the dead. But this time was not now. The wounded needed all the help they could get.

Fili sat at his brothers side, staring into the emptyness of the tent. He relived the battle in his mind, torturing with the memory of his brother falling. Kili had rushed to Thorins aide as he heard their uncle cry out in pain. He had totally neglected his side in worry for his uncle and Bolgs axe had cut deep into his side. Fili, who had been blinded by the sun for the blink of an eye could do nothing but watch the axe burry itself into Kilis side, crushing ribs and cutting flesh. He was about to avenge his little brother and recklessly throw himself at Bolg as Tauriel had launched into the fight and had rescued him from Bolgs blow, which would have cut him in half. The elf had taken the deadly blow for him and she had fallen faster than Fili could react. He was still staring at the motionless bodies as he heard his aunt Branns voice snarling at Azog and then suddenly, fate had quickly turned in favor of the dwarves. But it had been too late for Kili.

#

Gwen, daughter of Brann, wandered the battlefield in search for more wounded. Zial was the healer of the two sisters, but she had stayed at her husbands side to mourn the loss of her mother in law, who had given her life for her. Ignoring the aching pulse in her head, Gwen stumbled across a dead orc and snarled at it. She delivered a quick kick, but winced as her head threatened to explode from the pain. She had a severe concusion, that she knew, but she would not whine about it. For a brief moment Gwen saw stars in front of her eyes and lowered her gaze. Promptly, she ran into a hard chest and fell backwards with a loud thump.

'Whoa there!' a male voice startled her and made her look up. Gwen blinked as she saw an attraktive blonde dwarf her age standing before her, looking down at her with familiar eyes. It was Niar, the dwarf Gwen had fancied in her teens. The one who had played with the hearts of Gwens friends. But now, Niar only stood there and looked down at the princess with a warm smile. He kneeled down to help her up and Gwen noticed that he was only wearing a bloody tunic. She felt as if she had ran into an armor.

'What in the name of Durin are you wearing under this shirt?' she asked and made Niar smirk smugly.

'Nothing.' he told her and Gwen blushed furiously. Niar was still holding Gwens hands after he had helped her up and leaned forward, taking advantage of her lowered gaze. His lips met hers in a soft kiss that lasted as long as Gwen could breathe through her broken nose. As they parted Gwen looked at Niar with clouded eyes.

'I forgot my name.' Gwen mumbled and made Niar laugh. The young dwarf had never forgotten the daughter of the king. He had known that she had fancied him, but he had been too interested in short and unmeaningful relationships. But the fact that he could not forget the princess after their contact diminished had led him to follow her aunt to battle and to fight for her and her family.

'Gwen, daughter of Thorin, son of Thrain.' Niar whispered against her lips. 'I thank Mahal on my knees that you are still with me. I have always thought myself brave, but I was too much of a coward to listen to my heart. But now I know that the great Mahal granted me another chance. Gwen, will you marry me?'

Gwen stared at Niar with wide eyes. Her heart jumped in her chest and her stomach...turned loops...and her head was also whirling. She held up her index finger in front of Niars nose and turned away from him. To vomit.

'That´s romantic.' Niar stated dryly. 'But I guess I deserved that.'

#

Brann sat on the shore in Valinor, tears falling down freely. It was over. The battle was over. She had seen Dara enter the halls of her fathers, reuniting with Levek. She had also seen Bifur and Nori, the later waiting for his beloved brothers. Kili and Tauriel had come to visit her. Tauriel was granted to stay with Kili in the Halls of Mahal and Brann felt happy for them. But now, the queen of the Blue Mountains was alone. She had stayed with Thorin for a while after the battle, but even her soft touches could not keep the king from mourning and feeling guilt for the lost ones. Brann thanked Mahal that he kept most of her family safe. She could not have beared the loss of her daughters.

It was only then, when she heard light footsteps that she turned around...and looked into Frerins friendly face.

'Frerin!' Brann stood up quickly and looked at her brother in law, the dwarf who had wanted to marry her all these years ago.

'Brann...' Frerin smiled at her. 'You look as beautiful as the day we first met.'

Frerin took Brann into his arms, but Brann was reluctant and made him chuckle. 'Do not fret, I know that you are my brothers woman now. I just missed you. That is all.'

Brann smiled and took Frerin hand. 'I missed you, too. I have so much to thank you for.'

But Frerin waved it all off. 'Do not thank me, thank the Maker, who has laid out our paths for us...which is why...I am here.'

Brann frowned and looked into Frerins eyes, which looked troubled. 'What happened? Is it something wrong with Thorin?'

But Frerin only shook his head. 'It has to do with Thorin, but then again it also has something to do with you. You see...Thorins fate was to die on the battlefield today. Fili should have died with him. Kili was the one Durin who fulfilled his destiny. He was also to die and he did.'

Brann felt her knees give in and had to sit down. 'The Maker would have let them die? All of them?' Tears filled her eyes and rolled over her cheeks. 'How could he be so cruel?'

'It was their fate, Brann.' Frerin sat down beside her. 'And it was you who crossed his plans.'

'What did I do?' Brann asked in surprise.

'You attacked Azog and saved Thorin from the fatal blow. It was you who had gathered enough mental strength to influence others in the world of the living. Everything would have come differently if you had not interfered.' Frerin took Branns cold hand. 'Thorin was the one who should have fallen under Durins curse, not Belladonna. His madness should have ended in his death. Now, he is still alive and the kingdom of Erebor with be rebuild under his rule.'

'I fail to see why this should be a bad thing.' Brann stated stubbornly.

'It was simply not the way everything was supposed to be.' Frerin told Brann and sighed. 'Mahal...'

'Mahal is responsible for all this chaos in Middle Earth!' Brann exclaimed. 'It is his formerly highest Maiar who brought this darkness upon all of us. Sauron forged the one ring and he tried to overpower the people of the West again in this very battle! He is the source of all the bad in Middle Earth. Mahal should have prevented this when he had the chance!'

'You know that it does not work that way, Brann.' Frerin nodded. 'But you are right, Sauron was once a Maiar loyal to Mahal. The white wizard, Saruman, is also dedicated to Mahal. We will have to wait and see which side he will choose. But that is all, Brann. Wait and see.'

'What do you mean by that?' Brann felt an icy prickling in her stomach.

'Mahal will grant you to stay united with Thorin in the halls of our fathers. But there is a prize to pay. You will not be able to contact Thorin anymore from this moment on. Your link to the world of the living will be destroyed, all you will be able to do is take a look at your beloved ones occasionally. I am sorry, Brann.' Frerin saw tears stream down Branns face and his heart broke. It would be a long time until Brann and his brother would be reunited.

'But...I cannot do this...how can I even...' Brann had difficulties to breathe. She tore her hand from Frerins grasp and turned away. In her heart she knew that Frerin was right. She had influenced the world of the living too much already and she had changed the curse of fate. 'Will I be granted to say goodbye?'

'No.' Frerins voice was sad.

Branns heart sank as she heard his answer. She felt alone and heartbroken. But she also worried about Thorin. Would he understand why she was gone? They had no chance to say goodbye. They had already said their goodbyes on Branns death bed all those years ago, but this was not the same. This separation had come unprepared...for both of them.

'I will wait here as long as its necessary.' Brann stated and turned to Frerin, who smiled at her warmly.

'Yes, you will. And we will wait with you.' Frerin turned and pointed to a small cottage which had appeared out of nowhere. It was located on the dunes and its barns reached to the neighbouring green forest. Thrain was standing in the doorway, together with his wife Zial. Kili and Tauriel were there, as well as Dara and Levek.

'We are a family.' Frerin took Branns hand and pulled her towards the cottage. 'We will wait together until we are reunited.'

Brann swallowed heavily. She still stood frozen at the shore, Frerin only slightly pulling her arm. She was not ready to face the long wait without Thorin and her daughters. Reluctantly she followed her brother in law to the cottage. She had barely passed the borders of her new home as an unknown hooded person stepped into the clearing. The dwarves froze, but Tauriel fell to her knees in front of that person. Brann thought that it was Thranduil, but as the hood was removed she saw a beautiful she elf with long golden locks and blue eyes. With a warm smile the she elf walked over to Tauriel and helped her up.

'Not here, my dear.' she whispered softly in Westron, in respect to the dwarves who would not understand Sindarin. She turned to Brann and looked at her intensivly. 'I am Ceridwen, late queen of Mirkwood. Hail, Brann, queen of the Blue Mountains and now Erebor.'

Brann gasped at the beautiful elf and needed a moment to bow in front of the elven queen as well. 'Hail, Ceridwen, queen of Mirkwood. May I ask what brings you here?'

Ceridwen smiled faintly and looked to the shore. 'I often come to look at the sea. It reminds me of my husbands eyes. I heard about your punishment and I feel with you. I have found a way to stay in contact with my husband as well, although it takes me great effort and is frowned upon by the Valar. I will see to it that your husband will know about your whereabouts. He does not deserve to live his life in unclarity.'

'Why are you doing this?' Brann asked. Ceridwen seemed to be a wonderful elf, so unlike her husband.

'If we queens do not stick together, who will?' Ceridwen moved closer to Brann and smiled at Frerin who tried to position himself between his sister in law and the elf. Only as Cerdiwen smiled at him he moved away slowly. 'Our husbands will be at each others throats for the rest of their lives. Only the memory of their loved ones will remind them of the right path. I will not stand here and allow their stubborness and pride to stand in the way of all diplomacy. Will you?'

And just like that, the late queens agreed, much to the amusement of the dwarves present.

#

Many days had passed since the battle of the Five Armies, as it was now called, had taken place. The wounded were tended to and the dead were buried. The men had already begun to rebuild Dale and the dwarves needed to think about what to do with Erebor. The dwarves were too few to inhabit Ered Luin, the Iron Hills and Erebor and defend all of the cities equally. Some dwarves of the Blue Mountains would return to Erebor, but many of the younger dwarves wanted to stay in the Blue Mountains.

It was Fili, who came up with a solution. 'I will return to the Blue Mountains. I resign my position as the heir of Durin and will take over the throne in the south as your nephew.'

Thorin stared at his nephew in disbelief. 'This is inacceptable. You are my heir. You will sit on the throne of Erebor one day.'

'With all due respect, uncle, I will not. 'Fili shook his head in determination. 'I will not be king of a kingdom which took my little brother from me. I will not sit on the throne of a kingdom which is responsible for so much pain and sadness. I cannot.'

Thorin clenched his jaw, but he could understand his nephews motives. Unlike Fili, he had no other choice but stay. 'Alright. Fili, you will return to the south as the king of the Blue Mountains. May Mahal bless your reign.'

Fili nodded and sat back in his chair, sighing in relief. Dis looked back and forth between her brother and her son. 'I will go with him. Fili is still young and he will need assistance.'

Thorin nodded. He had known that if Dis had to chose between her son and her brother, her son would always win.

'I will also go back to the Blue Mountains, with my future husband.' Gwen stated and stepped forward, her hand linked with Niars. Niar was from Ered Luin and he would definetly go back. Gwen was not ready to give up her love, so she would follow him. Thorin only frowned at Niar, but nodded slowly. So this was it, his family was breaking apart. The recapture of Erebor had done nothing for his line, it had only split a family apart.

'I will stay with you, adad. Thror as well.' Zial stepped to her fathers side and Thror nodded firmly. But as much as Thorin liked Zials husband, he did not see him as his heir on the throne of Erebor. There was only one dwarf who would be worthy of the throne of Erebor one day.

'Thorin Stonehelm, step forward.' Thorin announced and glanced at Dain, looking for agreement. His cousin only smiled and nodded. 'Thorin III Stonehelm, I hereby declare you as my heir to the throne of Erebor. Do you accept?'

Dain could not hold back a grin as he saw his son look at Erebor´s king in pure speechlessness. Dwana had to punch him in the side to awake him from his stupor.

'I accept, my king.' was all Thorin III could say.

'I will return to the Iron Hills with my Mya.' Dain told Thorin II and smiled. 'One of my daughters husbands will take over my reign after me...or maybe even one of my daughters, who knows? Erebor will always have the support of the Iron Hills. We protect family.'

Thorin nodded in gratitude and leaned back in his seat. Fili, Dis, Gwen and Niar would return south. Zial, Thror, Thorin III and Dwana would stay in Erebor. And Dain and Mya would return home to the Iron Hills. That seemed like a reasonable agreement.

'Where is Belladonna?' Thorin suddenly remembered his youngest daughter.

#

Belladonna stood at the lookout of Erebor and glanced down the plain to Dale. Her numb fingers played with a heavy stone in her pocket, the arkenstone. Bilbo had given her the stone after the battle. He had told her that he could see no more madness in her eyes and had tried to prove that Belladonna had been victorious over the madness by giving her the stone. Bilbo had been right, Belladonna had not succumbed to the sickness of her line again. She looked down at the sparkling jewel and sighed. This cursed stone had only nurished her greed for the gold, but she was honest enough to also look for faults in her own heart. She had been weak, she had been weak when her father had most needed her. Belladonna would never forgive herself. As she heard light footsteps she turned around and faced Bilbo, who was standing behind her with one hand in his pocket. Belladonna knew that he was playing with the golden ring in his pocket, as he always did.

'What will happen now, Bilbo?' Belladonna asked quietly and looked down at the hobbit.

'I do not know.' Bilbo simled at her and took her hand. 'But we will figure out what to do next, together.'

Belladonna nodded and smiled faintly. She was bound to Bilbo since they had first met in Bag End. But both of them had not been rushing to deepen their relationship and pursue their attraction for each other. Until this day, they had not even kissed. But they felt as if there was no need for this.

'Will you stay here, with us?' Belladonna asked Bilbo, who shook his head.

'I will return to the Shire, that´s where I belong. I miss my home, my books, my garden...as much as I want to, I cannot stay.' Bilbo told her and frowned sadly. He knew that Belladonna would not go to the Shire with him. She could not.

'Then I will cherish the time that is left with you at my side, master hobbit.' Belladonna told him and took his hand to squeeze it. Together they stood on the lookout till the sun had set.