A/N: I'm very sorry I was late in posting this chapter but with Christmas and a typical mom's need to just crash the day after, I just didn't get it finished earlier. It's a bit shorter than usual but its all Thorin and Rhae, nothing from the book and nothing from the movie. As for these coming chapters, I am going more along the lines of the book's time frame as it seemed a bit ridiculous to me that in the movie everything seemed to happen within a day or so. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think. I really liked how this chapter turned out. :)

Just4Me: Gandalf and Balin hoped she'd be able to keep him from succumbing to dragon sickness but when Thorin thought she had died, that one chance disappeared as he just gave in to it in his despair. If she'd been there she might have been able to knock some sense into him. And yes, she does feel a bit guilty even though she knows she had no choice this time.

Dare queen: Thank you for your review! I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

My Petal Heart: I hope this reunion lives up to your expectations. Yes, these are very difficult chapters to write and its taking me a bit longer to finish them. And no worries...I was just thinking I had really screwed something up in that last chapter lol!

Everything you recognize is Tolkien's and PJ's...everything else is my own creation.

Something warm brushed against her cheek, rousing her from her slumber. Words in Khuzdul, spoken lovingly, reached her ears and she slowly opened her eyes. Thorin was there, seated next to her. It had been his hand running along her face that she had been feeling, his words she had heard. Rhae stared up at him in shock, lifting her eyes to his desperately, afraid of what she would see there. Though there was still something deep within them that worried her, his eyes were the blue she'd always loved. For the moment at least it seemed the sickness had lessened its hold on him.

She bolted upright, throwing herself into his arms. He clasped her against him tightly, one arm around her waist and the other on her back, his hand keeping her head pressed to him. The relief he felt holding her in his arms after thinking her dead was intoxicating. He vaguely remembered her presence in the treasure hall. He couldn't explain the fog in his head that seemed to distort periods of time but once he'd returned to the company that fog had dissipated enough that he really became aware of the fact that his nephews and wife had arrived in Erebor. The joy he'd felt when he saw Fíli and Kíli had further diminished that lingering fog. They were eager to tell him about what had happened in Lake-Town, eager to question him on what had happened in their absence but all he wanted was to see Rhae. When Balin had told him were she was he'd almost sprinted from the room. And now she was here, in his arms where she belonged, and he never wanted her out of his sight again.

He gripped the hair at her neck and tilted her head up, bringing his lips down on hers in a searing kiss. She whimpered slightly in happiness, reveling in the feel of his body, the taste of him. She was just as hungry for him as he was for her and she responded just as passionately, eliciting a pleased moan from him. When he finally broke the kiss - he had to or else he'd have laid her down right there and not cared that anyone could walk in on them - he cradled her against his chest, trying to calm his erratically beating heart.

"We saw the fire. I thought you were lost to me," he said, the deep velvet of his voice seeming to wrap around her.

"There were tremors that warned us the dragon had awoken. We were able to get to a boat though we weren't far when the attack started ... but we made it somehow."

"You saw the dragon fall?"

"Yes. The children spotted Bard on the rooftops. Bain jumped from the boat to help his -"

"The bargeman? What does he have to do with this?"

"Bard killed the dragon, Thorin. He had a black arrow, a single black arrow left from the attack on Dale. That was why Bain left us, to get the arrow to his father. We saw them, in the bell tower, we saw the arrow pierce the beast, and we watched him die, crashing through half the town as he did so. We saw them fall from the collapsing tower but I have no idea if they survived or not. We left the girls on the far shore with the survivors." She wisely chose not to mention the presence of the she-elf.

"The girls? Bard's children?" She nodded. "Why were they with you in the first place?"

"Because Bard asked me to look out for them if anything happened to him. We never made it back to the inn after your departure, Kíli was too ill, and he opened his home to us."

His arms tightened around her as a stab of jealousy shot through him. He tried to keep his voice calm when he spoke. "And what did you do in that man's house for the last few days?"

She leaned back so she could look into his face, recalling the jealousy he'd shown towards Bard. There was darkness trying to seep into his eyes again. "I sat on the balcony and stared at the mountain most of the time," she told him, placing a hand on his cheek. "I hated being parted from you, hated not knowing what was happening to you, if you were even still alive. Once we saw the girls safely on shore, we turned the boat around and headed for the mountain. I couldn't get here fast enough. We only made camp each night for a few hours. We just wanted to get here."

Thorin closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers, breathing deeply to banish the jealousy that had tried to consume him. Some of her words finally registered with him and he suddenly sat back, looking her over carefully. There were dark circles under her eyes, eyes that were tired and seemed to hold sadness within their velvety brown depths. Her hair was in a messy braid, there were smudges of ash on her face and neck. Her boots and the bottom of her cloak were thick with dirt and dust. He even saw some small scorch marks on her clothes, a reminder of the danger she'd gone through. And she'd just said they had travelled almost none stop for at least three or four days in order to reach the mountain.

"Are you alright? Is the baby alright?"

"I'm fine. Tired, hungry, but fine. The baby is perfectly fine as well." She smiled at him. "Oin and Fíli took good care of me."

He folded her into his arms again, counting his blessings. He had his home, his wife and child, his gold. Now all he needed was the Arkenstone. Once it was found he would truly be king.

The next couple of days passed in similar fashion. Thorin had most of the company in the treasure hall looking for the Arkenstone. Even poor Bilbo waded through the hills of gold, sometimes needing assistance getting back out. He didn't want Rhae tiring herself, insisting she just watch from a gallery above. After a lively argument, he relented slightly and sent her with Bombur to look for supplies. She also noticed Dori and Ori were absent much of the time though when she asked of their whereabouts Thorin told her not to worry about it.

On the morning of the third or fourth day after their arrival in the mountain Thorin waited for her after their small breakfast.

"Kíli will help Bombur today, Rhae. I'd like to give you a tour of the mountain."

The other two dwarves didn't seem surprised by this news so she guessed he had something planned for her. Taking a quick sip of water she hurried to his side, placing her hand on his arm, and he led her into the mountain. Beyond the halls she'd glimpsed when her small group had arrived in the mountain she had seen next to nothing of Erebor. She was eager to see this kingdom that Thorin and the dwarves had staked so much on. He showed her the Hall of Kings with its newly poured floor of gold, explaining some of his initial plan to defeat the dragon. She looked at him a bit skeptically but luckily he didn't see her. After that he took her to the immense cavern that was the throne room, if a space like that could be called a room. Rhae gripped his arm a bit tighter as he lead her across the long walkway to the raised throne, refusing to look left or right, her slight fear of heights causing her to have nauseating visions of tumbling over the edge and into the rocks far below. The space was awe-inspiring. It certainly showcased the skill of the dwarves; it far surpassed anything the elves had built. The throne of the King Under the Mountain was carved out of Erebor itself, a huge point of rock that stretched from the ceiling far above them and continued far below them. They stopped before it and she shivered a bit when she noticed the large claw marks that marred the top corner.

"It is truly amazing, Thorin. I could never have imagined it being this magnificent. Erebor is a wonder." He smiled at the pleasure in her voice. He wanted her to love his home. He knew it would be a completely different life from what she was used to and he had been concerned she would feel suffocated within the mountain. The happiness he saw on her face wiped away his fears.

"Come. There is more to see." He couldn't keep the excitement from his own voice; he was finally showing her around the mountain as he had envisioned so many times during their journey. As they walked he explained what life had been like in Erebor, the first steps he would take to restoring his home to its former glory. She found herself caught up in what he was describing and it became easier to see the city for what it had been and what it would be rather than what was currently before her. They passed by chambers that he explained were for the king and his council to meet with each other and with visitors from other kingdoms. Their next stop was Erebor's massive market district. The road they were on was wide enough for two carts to pass through. There were abandoned market stalls of all sizes, the merchants' shops behind each one. Everything was still where it had been left as the dwarves fled the mountain, covered in over a hundred years of dust and cobwebs. Rhae paused in front of a stall that, from the looks of it, had been a dress maker's shop. She fingered some of the bolts of fabric that still lay on the counter, wiping away the grime to reveal beautiful shades of blue and violet and emerald.

"It all looks as if the merchants will walk back up at any moment, dust everything off, and open up shop," she murmured as she trailed along, peering into the different stalls. Thorin could only nod. There were stalls that had sold anything a dwarf in the mountain could ever imagine needing: leather workers, blacksmiths, grocers, jewelers, toy makers, dress makers, silver smiths. She paused at a stall, carefully picking up something on the counter. It was a beautifully wrought silver hand mirror, the details on the back clearly dwarvish but more delicate than anything she'd ever seen made by their hands. There were a few gems embedded in the silver but it was the craftsmanship of the design that she admired the most. Whoever had made this must have had someone special in mind. Turning it over she wiped the dust from it and then grimaced as she saw her reflection.

Thorin saw her reaction and chuckled. "Do not worry about your appearance, my heart. You are just as beautiful now as you were the first moment I saw you."

"When I was standing almost nose to nose with you, daring you to tell me I couldn't stay with the company?" she asked with a smirk. He pulled her to him and kissed her gently.

"Yes, even then. I may have been angry at the time but I couldn't deny what was before my eyes." He grinned at her, his eyes twinkling in mischief. "Even it if took me a while to realize it." When she made to return the mirror to the counter he took her hand and shook his head.

"Keep it." She looked at him with a frown, not sure if he was in earnest but he took the mirror from her hand and tucked it into his belt. Offering her his arm they moved on. He next showed her the training arenas and main armory. As in the market, everything was covered in cobwebs but ready should any of it be needed. She marveled at the design of the armor and weapons, though she was careful not to single anything out; she didn't want Thorin telling her she could keep some huge war hammer. After showing her the numerous rooms and small forges where armor and weapons needing repair would be sent he steered her back the way they had come.

"Down here is the treasure hall," he announced, turning to lead her in that direction but she dug her heels in, gripping his arm tightly to stop his motion.

"I've seen that, saw it the day I got here. I'd like to see the forges since the lot of you said it played a part in your plan to defeat Smaug." She wanted to keep him away from that gold. His mind was always worse after he had been down there. Thorin looked at her doubtfully for a moment, that terrifying darkness trying to cloud his eyes, but she kept her face remarkably calm and a small smile on her lips. After a moment he nodded and turned her in the other direction, leading her deeper into the mountain.

Rhae hadn't really cared about seeing the forges. However, when they were before her eyes she was truly struck speechless by their massive size. The space around them was destroyed, the remains of the dwarves' battle with Smaug, but the forges were still standing proudly, all but one still lit from the dragon's fire. She stared at the gaping hole in the metal beams to her right, the scorch marks clearly visible. Bilbo had explained some of what had happened in that fight with the dragon and she wrapped her arms around her middle as she bore witness to the power of that beast.

"It will take some time to repair all this," Thorin said, waving one hand in the general direction of the destruction, "but once it is, Erebor will truly be returned to its former glory and power."

"It is already glorious and powerful, Thorin, it just needs a good dusting," she replied teasingly. He kissed her hand before tucking it back in his arm and leading her back up through the mountain.

"I have one last thing to show you."

Eventually they were walking through what was obviously the residential part of the city. Here there were more signs of the chaos and panic the dwarves went through when Smaug attacked. Some of the doors were left wide open, their occupants having been in such a hurry to escape. There were items littered all over the floor, possessions some had tried to save before realizing they'd never make it out carrying anything. For some reason she stopped in front of one wide open door. Perhaps it was because it seemed like there was more light inside this abandoned home than the others but for whatever reason she walked in. A small window in what was an outside wall did indeed allow a bit more light to filter through into this home. Besides a few things scattered on the floor the place looked like the family had merely stepped out for an evening stroll. Thorin watched silently as she looked around what had been this family's living room, not moving from his spot by the door until he saw her kneel down in the dust.

"Are you alright?" He was by her side quickly. She didn't answer and he looked down to see she held a small doll in her hands. It was a child's ragdoll, left behind in the panic to escape. There was no way of knowing who it belonged to or if the child had survived Smaug's inferno. Rhae held it carefully, gently wiping away the dust. This small doll, all that probably remained of the child that had cherished it, caused an ache in her heart.

"So many lives lost here. So many little children that never had a chance to grow up." Her words came softly, so softly that Thorin almost didn't hear her. When he did he pulled her to him in a tight embrace, offering her comfort the only way he could in such a moment. That she would grieve for his people touched him deeply. He remained silent while she sat there with the small doll in her hands. Eventually she stood, placing the doll in the small window casing before turning back to him.

"I will fight for our child with everything I have in me," she stated, a spark of fire returning to her eyes. "I will not let anything steal his happiness, his way of life."

"We will fight that battle together, Rhaella. This child is a blessing and I will not let any harm come to him." He took her hand and lead her back out of the residence. They walked for a bit longer before he stopped in front of a large set of wooden doors. "Here is what I wanted to show you, amrâlimé." With those words he pulled the heavy doors open and ushered her ahead of him. She spared him a puzzled glance as she stepped over the threshold ... and froze.

"Welcome to the King's Residence." His lips were next to her ear, his breath ghosting over her, the tone of his voice almost seductive. He pulled the doors closed behind them as she inched further into the main room. There was a fire in the large fireplace on her right, candles flickering in their sconces on the walls, giving the room a cozy, warm feeling. She just looked around in awe. The space was beautiful and clean. Every inch had been scrubbed and set to rights. As she walked through the room, trailing her fingers over the furniture she turned to Thorin in amazement.

"How...when did you manage this?"

He crossed his arms on his chest with a grin. "I had Dori and Ori in here every day. They started before you even arrived...I was trying to hold out hope..." The light suddenly died from his eyes as he recalled those dark days when he thought he would probably never see her again. Rhae hurried to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Do not think on that. It is in the past and I am here now." She kissed him, wanting to bring that light back to his eyes. "Show me our home." He seemed to take comfort in her words and grabbed her hand. There was a dining room off to the right with the kitchen behind it. A door on the left side of the main living room revealed an office. A long hallway lead straight back from the living room and he showed her two smaller rooms, probably sleeping chambers, before coming to another set of wooden doors. He looked like a child awaiting a special treat as he pulled them open.

"The King's Bedchamber," he whispered, again right next to her ear, his voice setting her body to trembling. She looked around her in amazement. This was truly a room fit for a king. There was a huge four poster bed to the left, a large fireplace in the middle of the back wall, and, to her surprise and utter delight, a balcony in the wall to her right. Hurrying to the doors she looked out to see the valley laid out before her, the view unimpeded all the way to Dale and beyond. She could just imagine how it would look when the valley was covered with snow or alive with flowers and grass in the spring.

"Its beautiful!" she breathed.

He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I thought you would appreciate this. My grandfather had this added specifically for my grandmother after they were married. She loved the sun and nature as much as you do, surprising trait for a dwarf," he explained with a content smile.

"It's wonderful, Thorin. To think I will be able to wake up in the mornings and see the sun and sky." She turned in his arms, burying her face into his shoulder. "Thank you."

They stood there a while in silence, simply enjoying being in each other's presence, and safe in the mountain. Curiosity eventually got the better of her and Rhae began poking behind the other doors in the chamber. She discovered a couple of closets and, through the door nearest the massive bed, a bathing chamber, complete with a gorgeous - and huge - tub carved into the stone. Thorin urged her to look in one of the closets again and on closer inspection she found it was full of dresses and tunics and robes and cloaks of every imaginable color and fabric. Never one for such finery she was nevertheless overwhelmed and awed at the display before her. It was all so beautiful. There was what appeared to be a vanity with mirror right inside the closet, several drawers underneath. She opened a few of them, gasping in surprise when she saw the jewels winking back at her. There were rings and necklaces, bracelets and broaches, hair clips and earrings. In all this time she had not once considered what being Queen Under the Mountain would really mean for her. Helping and supporting Thorin, yes. Sitting in on meetings or councils or whatever, probably. Beautiful clothing and jewels, no. She simply stared, barely daring to run her fingers over the sparkling diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and more.

"I have something for you, Rhae." Thorin was standing by the bed, something small in his hand and he approached her with a loving smile on her face. "I actually have a couple things for you but this is the first." He opened his fist to reveal a garnet necklace on a dark chain, the intricate metal work surrounding the stone also holding a small smoky quartz above it. "Garnets represent passionate devotion and the smaller quartz is for protection." He placed it around her neck, carefully fastening the clasp in the back.

It was simple, unlike some of the gaudy pieces she'd seen in the vanity drawers, and suited her perfectly. "It's beautiful, Thorin." She thanked him with an enthusiastic kiss.

"Hold on to some of that," he chuckled. "I have something else for you." He strode over to a desk against the wall and lifted something out of a small chest that was sitting on its surface. He turned and her mouth fell open in shock. Laying in his hands was a glowing golden crown. It had four small points encircling it, each point rising gracefully from the base, full of beautiful dwarvish designs. Each point had a square sapphire set in the metal. The circlet that would sit on the head was covered with runes all the way around its circumference. She was speechless.

"It is the crown of the Queen of Erebor. It was still here in my grandmother's belongings." Rhae still could not get any words to pass her lips, her gaze riveted on the golden object in Thorin's hands and her brain whirling with the meaning of it all. She looked up at him and he could see the hesitation in her eyes. He gave her a comforting smile as he placed the crown on her head. "Do not be afraid, my heart. You are going to be a perfect queen by my side." His confidence did little to wash away her fear but she managed a smile for his sake. He admired her for a moment longer before lifting the crown from her head and placing it back in its small chest. He then swept her up into his arms, kissing her hungrily.

"What do you think of your kingdom, my queen?"

"It is beyond belief. Never in my dreams could I have imagined such a wonder." Apparently that was the right thing to say as his kisses deepened and began to move from only her lips.

"What would you like to do now?" he growled against her neck.

"Take a bath." Thorin froze and stared at her in surprise. That wasn't what he was expecting but he couldn't help but laugh. It was so like Rhae.

"As my queen wishes," he said with a low bow, then scooped her up and carried her into the bathing chamber.

Rhae hadn't expected Thorin to stay while she bathed but he did. She almost cried in pleasure as his fingers ran through her long hair, helping her to wash away the grime that she had been certain would never come clean. Her whole body felt rejuvenated as she relaxed in the warm water. He explained that the water was fed from the warm springs far underneath the mountain. She didn't much care about the mechanics of it at the moment, she was just grateful for it.

"Come, my dear, you don't want to fall asleep in there." She opened one eye to peer up at where he stood with a drying cloth in his hand.

"I suppose you're right. Are you sure you don't want to join me?" she asked impishly.

"I have been sorely tempted, believe me, but I'd much rather have you on our bed." There was no mistaking the fervor in his voice and that familiar heat began to coil inside her. She accepted his offered hand, letting him wrap her in the warm cloth, and he began to slowly, and seductively, dry her body. It wasn't long before it had been tossed aside and Thorin carried her back into the main chamber, laying her gently on the sheets before quickly shedding his own clothes. For the first time in their short marriage they lay together in their own bed, in the complete privacy of their own chambers. Rhae felt like she was finally home.

The company did not see them again until supper time that evening.

Revised/Edited May 2016