A/N: Huge apologizes for how long it took me to get this new chapter posted. It has been a crazy week here which didn't give me as much time to write as I would like and THEN I decided I didn't like some of what I'd written and redid some of it. Anyway, here is the new chapter 28. Let me know what you think. Brunuhville's "My Kingdom,' "New Dawn (Part 1) - For A True Love," and "Celtic Love Song" were my listening inspiration for this chapter. Really...check him out! Any translations are at the bottom; continued thanks to The Dwarrow Scholar for his amazing work with the dwarves' language. Thank you for all the reviews!

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A/N2: I have also started work on my next Thorin/Rhae story and I have some of my original Thorin/Rhae inspired original story started. I'm very excited about both of these though I won't be working much on them until after I have finished this one. :) There may be some info on one of them at the bottom ...

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As always, its all Tolkien's and PJ's...except my OC and what I add to the plot.

Rhae didn't know if what she was feeling was a horrifying premonition of something that was to come or if it was something that had indeed just happened but either way she knew she had to find Thorin and, thanks to Dain, she knew where to find him. She took off at a sprint, for once glad that she was small as it helped her dodge between orcs, dwarves, and elves. The quickest way to Ravenhill would be through Dale and she turned in that direction, hoping she would come across help along the way; she felt it was going to be needed. She cursed every creature that got in her path, slashing and stabbing any orc foolish enough to try and impede her progress. After what seemed like an agonizing stretch of time she found herself in one of Dale's town squares, signs of hard fighting littering the ground, but that was not what caught her eye.

"Gandalf!" she yelled, dashing towards where the wizard was standing with Bilbo. Never had she been so glad to see him.

"Rhaella! My dear! What are you doing out here?"

"I have to get to Thorin. He's gone up to face Azog."

"Yes, with Fíli, Kíli, and Dwalin," Bilbo said with a nod. He was shifting his weight from foot to foot nervously. He felt so helpless.

"I have to get to him!"

Gandalf opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of pounding hoof beats quickly approaching. A horse skidded to a halt just before it slid into them, two very familiar elves on its back.

"Legolas Greenleaf!" the wizard said in surprise.

"There is a second army! Bolg leads a force of Gundabad orcs. They are almost upon us!"

"Gundabad ..." Gandalf mussed. "This was their plan all along. Azog engages our forces then Bolg seeps in from the north." Rhae jerked around at his words.

"Where is the north exactly?" Bilbo stammered in fear.

"Ravenhill," she told him. They all turned and looked up at where a mist obscured the top of the hill where Thorin and his warriors had disappeared. She looked up at the elves.

"Get me up there. I have to help him."

Legolas studied the woman for a split second, taking in her blood spattered armor and the desperation on her face. His slid from the horse and moved to hoist her up behind Tauriel.

"What do you think you are doing?"

The small group turned to see Thranduil walking towards them with several of his guard trailing behind. Rhae huffed in impatience; she needed to get up that hill!

"The dwarves are walking into a trap. We must help them. If not they'll be slaughtered," Tauriel said from her spot on the horse.

"Yes, they will die. Today, tomorrow, one year hence, a hundred years from now. What does it matter? They are mortal."

Rhae saw red at Thranduil's words and took a step towards him. Legolas tried to stop her but she shook his hand away. The Elvenking stared at the woman before him - bloodied and fire all but shooting from her eyes.

"You think your life is worth more than theirs?" She spat. "You, who retreat behind your walls and let darkness seep into your kingdom, not caring for others in Middle-Earth? You, who carelessly turn your back on those in need? As I said the last time we spoke, there is no love, no compassion in you. It was snuffed out long ago leaving only contempt and arrogance. That arrogance has blinded you. Blinded you to the fact that if the dwarves fail that darkness will overrun everything. These orcs are not here just at their own bidding. They answer to someone higher. " There was a sharp in take of breath from the wizard and elves standing behind her. "If you would open your eyes long enough to actually look around you'd realize we are stronger together and we'll need all the might we can muster to defeat this evil. It won't stop at the edge of Mirkwood." She was shaking with anger as she faced Thranduil. In her eyes much blame for their current situation could be laid at his feet. If he hadn't forced Bard's confrontation with Thorin there wouldn't have been an army blocking Dain. Perhaps Gandalf and Legolas would've warned them sooner of the advancing orcs, giving them time to plan and prepare. Maybe not. But at the moment he was delaying her and she'd had enough. Rhae stomped back to the horse and Legolas lifted her up behind Tauriel

"Go. I will be right behind you." The two females nodded at him and then the elleth spurred the horse forward through the streets, leaving Legolas facing his father.

"Why are you helping us?" Rhae managed to ask.

"You are not the only one aware of that darkness. I will not just sit back while it runs rampant in its attempt to take over our world. If your dwarves are fighting against that evil then I will fight with them." Rhae nodded even though she knew the elf couldn't see her. Frankly she didn't care why at this point, she was just grateful.

It only took them a few minutes to reach Ravenhill. After leaving the panting horse, the two cautiously made their way through the rubble, arrows notched and ready. The sound of voices drew their attention and Rhae peered around a wall.

"Thorin!" she cried in an urgent whisper. His head jerked around in shock at her voice, his surprise doubling when he saw her step into view with the red-haired she-elf he remembered from Thranduil's kingdom. She flew into his chest, thrilling in the feel of his arms around her. She let herself enjoy it for only a brief moment before pulling back and looking up into his face.

"What are you doing here? You're bleeding! Didn't I -" he started but she interrupted him.

"It's a trap, Thorin. We came to warn you. Bolg is approaching from the north with more orcs."

"Are you sure?" He cast worried eyes at Dwalin.

"Yes. We followed them all the way from Gundabad," Tauriel told him. "They will be here soon." Rhae could see the conflict on Thorin's face.

"Azog is here. If we can destroy him ..." he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the ruins around them.

"Where are Fíli and Kíli?" she asked, suddenly realizing they weren't with their uncle. His face paled.

"They went to scout the watchtower."

A sound behind them had the four turning with weapons drawn. Rhae's brows came together in a frown when Thranduil and Legolas appeared, a line of soldiers behind them. The Elvenking took in the sight before him. Two dwarves, a Dunedain, and an elf seemingly ready to fight together. He approached the group and addressed Rhae.

"You spoke wisely in Dale, Queen Under the Mountain. There is much to be discussed between us all later but there is evil threatening. It is a scourge we cannot allow to gain an upper hand. We will fight with you to stamp out its leader."

Remembering Thorin's words, Rhae looked at Tauriel. "Go find Fíli and Kíli!" The elleth nodded and took off in the direction of the watchtower. Thranduil motioned to a few of his guards and they followed. Legolas walked up to the dwarf king and handed something out to him. Rhae raised an eyebrow but kept her mouth shut for once.

"I believe this is yours."

It was Orcrist. Thorin looked at him skeptically for a moment, wondering if it was a trick, then took the blade in hand, giving the elf a curt nod of thanks. Legolas quickly ran off after Tauriel. The dwarves and Rhae turned to Thranduil but didn't get a chance to say anything. Words in Black Speech pulled their attention to the top of the watchtower. Azog stood there ... and he had a bloodied Fíli dangling over the edge. She couldn't understand what he was saying but caught the word "Oakenshield" as he pointed at Thorin. As they watched Rhae suddenly realized what the Pale Orc was about to do. She didn't have time to think, she moved only on instinct, and had notched and released an arrow before she was hardly aware of what she was doing. The projectile hit Azog on his pronged arm and it startled him just enough to cause the stab he'd been aiming at Fíli's chest to miss, striking the dwarf through the shoulder. He dropped him in rage and disappeared back into the watchtower.

She took off in the direction of where Fíli had fallen only to be stopped in her tracks as a large group of orcs spilled over the wall. The elves ran to meet them along with the two dwarves and Rhae. She was immensely grateful for the extra help. Even with Thorin and Dwalin's strength and superb fighting skills they would've been quickly overwhelmed. Still wanting to get to the injured Durin prince, Rhae began backing in that direction, her blade flashing as she sliced through the filthy creatures. Knowing these orcs were coming straight for Thorin added extra fury to her swings. As she stabbed through the belly of the orc that had been foolish enough to get in her way she saw another lunge to attack her husband while he was distracted fighting one off himself. Rhae yanked her sword from the dead orc and leapt onto the back of the creature about to bring his mace down on Thorin's head. It reared back in surprise, a growl in its throat as it thrashed about to dislodge her. She was able to hold on long enough for Thorin to kill the orc he'd been fighting. When he turned to face the one she was clinging to it managed to pull her from its back and threw her across the clearing they were fighting in. Her back slammed into a short wall and she fell to the ground, black spots swimming across her vision. She lay in the snow for a moment, the breath knocked out of her and her head spinning.

"Rhae!" she heard someone - Kíli? - call. She managed to get to her feet and walked cautiously towards the watch tower. There was no way of knowing if all the orcs had cleared out or not but she had to pass through it to get to where they'd seen Fíli fall. She could hear Tauriel's voice ahead of her and she stepped into the dimness of the tower. Sensing something rushing her from behind, she spun around, bringing her sword up to block the blow from the orc that had tried to sneak up on her. Though he didn't last long, he managed to slice his dagger across her arm before she brought him to his knees with one swing of her blade. The pain enraged her further and she sent the creature's head careening across the snow. Resheathing her sword, she clutched at her arm and hurried to where Kíli was kneeling next to his brother, Legolas and Tauriel with him. Tauriel was hurriedly wrapping a piece of her torn tunic around the dwarf's shoulder trying to stop the bleeding.

"Your shot deflected Azog's blade just enough," she said, looking up at Rhae. "But he is still bleeding heavily and that could prove fatal."

"Get him back to Dale," she told Kíli and the two elves. She saw him pause, obviously torn between staying with his brother or staying to help his uncle. "Go, Kíli. Your brother will need you by his side. We will handle the rest here." She tried to sound convincing though she felt anything but at that moment. She just wanted the princes out of there and somewhere safe. He finally nodded and the trio carefully carried the unconscious Fíli back through the ruins. When they were out of sight she hurried back into the watchtower, knowing she needed to get back to where Thorin and Dwalin were fighting Bolg's orcs. Wanting a better vantage point she ran up a short set of stairs, taking them two at a time. When she came out onto a small ledge the sight beneath her caused her equal parts relief and terror. While the number of orcs was quickly dwindling Thorin had become separated from his allies and was facing down Azog out on the vast expanse of frozen water. She could only watch in a panic as the two swung at each other, moving around carefully on the ice. The Pale Orc lunged forward, stabbing with his pronged arm. Rhae could hear Thorin's cry of pain though he managed to stay on his feet. She couldn't tell where he had been hit. Azog swiped at him again and this time the dwarf slipped and fell on his back, with the orc quickly pinning him to the ground. Thorin brought his sword up to block the deadly prongs Azog was trying to impale him with and Rhae stared in horror as she watched Thorin's arms shake under the strain, his eyes locked with his enemy's. She glanced down. Dwalin and the elves were busy finishing off the last of Bolg's orcs; they would not get to Thorin in time. She positioned herself on the edge of the tower and pulled an arrow back, gritting her teeth through the stinging in her arm. Breathing through the pain she let the first arrow go, not watching to see if it made contact before quickly aiming and releasing the last one from her quiver. The first one impaled itself in Azog's leg, the second in his forearm. Not exactly where she'd wanted them but their intent was successful. The orc, taken completely by surprise, whirled around to meet this new attack. The split second his attention was focused on Rhae in the tower and not the dwarf underneath him Thorin made his move, swinging his legs to the side, toppling Azog off balance. In one swift turn he thrust Orcrist forward and it sank into the chest of the Pale Orc. He put his whole weight onto the sword, shoving it through Azog's body and into the ice underneath.

Silence suddenly descended.

Thorin stood over the body of the Pale Orc, grim satisfaction on his face. It was over. It was finally over. No longer would he have to look over his shoulder and wonder if Azog was trailing him or had a bounty on his head. Now he could focus on rebuilding what had been taken from them all those years ago; he would make Erebor as grand as it had been under his grandfather. Now he could look to the future. He turned to a sound on his right and met Rhae's gaze. For the first time he took in the sight of his wife. It was obvious she had left the safety of the mountain long ago. There were noticeable dents on the silver pauldrons and bracers. A heavily scabbed cut ran from her chin down her neck and into the neckline of the chain mail shirt. Blood was running down her left arm from a gash that started at her elbow. She was covered in mud and black blood. Her bow was still in her hand as she stared across the ice at him. Pride welled up in his chest as he saw the evidence of her bravery and strength. He could not have found anyone more perfect for him even if he'd searched from one end of Middle-Earth to the other.

Rhae felt frozen to the ground she was so overcome with relief. It took a moment for her limbs to obey and then took off towards him. She needed to feel Thorin's body against hers, needed to feel his heat to convince her he had survived. She flung her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Tears streaked down her cheeks as some of her pent up fear and anxiety began to release itself.

"I thought I'd lost you," she cried. "You were going to sacrifice yourself. I saw it in your eyes."

"Azog had to die or else he would continue to hunt the line of Durin. If my death had saved the lives of my nephews and my son, I would have given it. Damâm uru 'aban." Rhae shuddered at his words, feeling sick at how close she had come to losing him. "It was only your distraction that saved me." She turned and pressed her lips to his; she was desperate for his touch. He swayed a bit, breaking their kiss, and she grabbed his arms.

"Thorin? Are you alright?" He didn't answer, his face seeming to go pale. He staggered and sank to his knees. "THORIN!" She helped him to lay down and frantically searched for injuries. Her hands came away covered with blood as she ran them down his side. Yanking his leather coat aside she found a large cut in his tunic, the fabric dark with blood. She ripped the garment and cringed when she saw the jagged wound on his side. It looked like it had missed anything important but, like Fíli, he was losing a lot of blood. She reached down and tore a strip off the bottom of her own tunic, using the piece to press against the gash in an effort to stop the bleeding.

"Nê batashfatiya biyê," she said, leaning over him and trying to get him to focus on her eyes.

The corners of his mouth turned up a bit. "I don't plan on leaving you, my heart."

"Do you think you can stand? I need to get you down to Dale ..."

He struggled for a moment, trying to get his feet under him. She wasn't much help; he was just too heavy for her. Rhae felt panic beginning to course through her veins. If she couldn't get him to a healer he would bleed to death.

"Let me help you," a gruff voice said from behind her. She turned in surprise. Beorn stepped next to Thorin and gently lifted him into his arms. "I will get him help." She could only nod and watched the skin-changer hurry away.

She slowly came to her feet and made her way to the edge of the cliff, looking out over the battlefield. The eagles were finishing off the last few fleeing orcs. She hadn't seen them or Beorn arrive but she had no doubt that their timely appearance had helped sway the victory to their side. It was over. They had won the day. But at what cost? Her shoulders slumped in exhaustion. Would the cost be more than she could bare?

"Lass! Are you alright? Where is Thorin? Where's Fíli and Kíli?" Dwalin skidded to a halt next to her.

"Kíli is fine. He, Legolas, and Tauriel took Fíli back down to Dale. I don't think his injury is life threatening. Beorn took Thorin to Dale as well. Azog managed to stab him in the side and I couldn't stop his bleeding."

"The skin-changer?"

She nodded. "I don't know where he came from or how he got here but I'm glad he showed up." Dwalin looked behind her.

"So the filth is dead?" There was exaltation in his voice.

"Aye." She peered over her shoulder to where the Pale Orc lay, black blood still slowly spreading out around him. "Leave his body there for scavengers."

The dwarf warrior eyed the woman next to him. "You need to get to a healer yourself, lass. You've taken quite a beating." He took her uninjured arm gently. "Come. We left those rams of Dain's below the summit; hopefully they're still there." She didn't argue as he helped her down from Ravenhill, sitting behind her on the ram as they made their way back down onto the plain before the walls of Dale. All she could think about was Thorin. Had Beorn gotten him to a healer? Had they been able to stop the bleeding? Her heart beat more and more erratically the closer they got to the city.

She spotted a makeshift tent just outside the walls and there were crowds of people gathered around, talking quietly. Dwalin helped her down off their mount and they began making their way towards the crowd. There were dwarves from Dain's army, Lake-Town citizens, and even a few elves scattered throughout.

"Make way for the Queen Under the Mountain!"

Rhae jumped slightly at Dwalin's booming command. It was the first time she'd heard herself publicly called that. Nevertheless, the crowd parted instantly, allowing her to walk through. She gritted her teeth and tried to keep her face a blank; it would not do to fall apart here. All stared at the woman as she passed by them, awed at the sight of a female clothed for battle, injured and covered in the blood of her enemies. A few dwarves bowed their heads to her, recognizing her position by the silver circlet she wore, just as Thorin had said. She now saw Gandalf, Bard, and Dain standing outside the tent while the company, along with Bilbo and Beorn, were nearby. Concern was clear on their faces but she tried to take comfort in the fact that no one seemed overly upset.

"He is alive," Gandalf told her, answering the question he could see in her eyes. "He is not out of the woods yet, though. Significant blood loss has weakened him and there's still the chance of infection." Rhae nodded, understanding the implications behind the wizard's words. Taking a deep breath to steady herself she stepped into the tent.

Fíli was closest to the door, his face pale. Above the edge of the blankets covering him, fresh bandages were visible wrapped around his shoulder. She didn't know if he was still unconscious from the fall or merely sleeping but she could see that he was breathing and that was what mattered at the moment. Turning from the blonde prince she stepped to the back of the tent where Thorin was laying, similarly covered with blankets. His dark hair was in stark contrast to the paleness of his face. There was a deep cut running from the outer edge of his eyebrow down to his nose; it was a miracle it hadn't taken his eye. She kneeled next to the cot, taking one of his hands in hers, rubbing her fingers gently over his knuckles.

"There you are, amrâlimê." The soft velvet of his voice was like a balm to her soul. She pressed her lips to the back of his hand, tears pouring down her face. "What is this?" he asked, wiping some of the wetness off her cheek.

"So many times today - I've been terrified - I was so afraid I had lost you." She stumbled over the words, her emotions finally starting to crash down on her, the reality of all they'd been through, what could have happened, sinking in. Thorin wanted to pull her into him but knew that would not be wise with the stitches Oin had put in. He contented himself with pulling her head down on his shoulder, running his hand along the disheveled braid hanging down her back. He couldn't deny that he had had moments of fear as well, especially once Rhae had appeared up on Ravenhill.

"Didn't I tell you I wasn't ready to leave you yet?" She nodded, not lifting her head from where it rested against his shoulder. "You helped hold me to that promise." Rhae was almost successful at choking back a sob at the thought of what she'd witnessed up on that frozen river. That image would haunt her for the rest of her life. She finally lifted her head to look him in the face.

"I am sorry I did not stay in the mountain but once you and the company were lost in the melee I just couldn't sit there and do nothing."

"I would expect nothing less from you." He ran a finger down her cheek, stopping at the cut that ran down her chin. "Have you seen a healer yet?"

She shook her head. "Dwalin brought me straight here. I couldn't think about anything except getting to you. I'll get my neck and arm looked at in a bit."

"Your arm?" His brows came together in a frown and she bit her tongue, wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. He lifted his head up and grabbed her other hand, pulling her arm towards him. The cut in her tunic extended from where the chain mail sleeve ended down to her leather bracer. It was soaked all the way around with blood. His eyes flew up to hers. "How did this happen?"

"When I was trying to get to Fíli and Kíli. I will be fine. It will match the scar on my other arm." She tried to make light of the situation. His face remained serious.

"You get this checked and cleaned immediately. That is an order." He squeezed her hand earnestly and she nodded. A soft smile came to his lips. "Kurduyê, gayadê, ulkhudê. Khiyê, more precious to me than all the gold in Erebor. I had no need to seek the gold within the mountain. I found a much more precious treasure when I found you." Her heart quaked at his gentle words; she'd had no idea Thorin Oakenshield had such poetry in him.

Balin poked his head into the tent, a sigh of relief escaping him as he took in the sight of Thorin and Rhae comforting each other. He hated to interrupt.

"Thorin, it's time to move you and Fíli into the mountain. Darkness will soon be falling." A nod was all the response he got and he slipped back out.

"You are well, though? Despite the cuts? And the baby?" Thorin asked when they were once more alone.

"I'm tired, I ache, and I have seen things this day that I will never be able to erase from my mind but I am well, as is the babe."

He was silent for a few minutes, playing with her fingers. Rhae could see that something was on his mind and waited patiently for him to speak.

"I am sorry, Rhaella."

She frowned, confused as to what he could possibly be apologizing for.

"I am sorry for what I did while in the clutches of the dragon sickness. I would never have been able to forgive myself if - if -"

"I know it was not you but it is in the past. No sense dwelling on it. My only concern now is to get you well and to make sure that blasted gold doesn't get its hooks into you again."

"With you by my side I know I can defeat anything."

"There is no where else I would rather be." She sealed their deal with a kiss.

They carefully loaded Thorin and Fíli into a cart pulled by a couple of Dain's battle rams and brought the King Under the Mountain and his nephew back to Erebor. In the weeks they had been in the mountain Oin had made great strides in cleaning and setting to rights the Healing Halls and that was where the two Durins were taken, along with some of the wounded dwarves from Dain's army. She watched the efficiency with which the elderly healer maneuvered through the rooms.

"Queen of Erebor." A ginger haired dwarf with an impressive beard hurried to her side, giving her a bow as he approached. She nodded her head at him. "You are bleeding, my lady." She looked down at her arm.

"It's no longer bleeding, Master Dwarf."

"I was talking about the gash on your neck but from the looks of it that's a pretty nasty cut on your arm as well. Let me assist you. I am Malvo, one of Lord Dain's healers."

"I can wait."

"You don't want these to get infected. It won't take long for me to clean and bandage them." She reluctantly agreed. Knowing how obstinate Oin was when rendering aid she figured Malvo would be the same, not taking no for an answer. He quickly cleaned and bandaged the cut on her neck; it hadn't been as deep as she'd feared. Then he moved to her other injury. He removed her bracer and cut away the arm of her tunic. Cleaning it with water did not make it look any better.

"I'm afraid this is going to need stitches, my lady," he told her rather mournfully. Malvo looked up in surprise when she broke out into laughter and she just closed her eyes with a shake of her head.

"Do not worry about my state of mind, Master Malvo. I am merely exhausted and am no stranger to needing stitches." He gave her another speculative glance before searching out the supplies he would need. Rhae gritted her teeth and looked away while he went to work, trying to ignore the sickening sensation of the needle moving through her skin. After what seemed like forever he wrapped it in a clean bandage.

"That should be fine but you need to keep an eye out for infection."

"Thank you, Master Healer. Now please go and see to the others. They are in much more need of aid than I am." He bowed low to her and scurried away. Gandalf stayed there to help the few dwarf healers while Rhae went with Balin back to the Great Hall just inside the Front Gate. She was confused as to why he insisted on her presence; all she wanted was to return to the King's Residence and take a bath.

To say she was surprised at what awaited her was an understatement. Dain's remaining army filled much of the space though she spotted Bard and a few of the Lake-Town survivors off to the side.

"What are they all doing here?"

"Waiting to hear from their Queen." She stared down at him in shock. "Since the King is unavailable it is left to you to speak to them, congratulate them on their great victory." He nudged her forward, bringing her into clear view of all in the room. Almost as one the dwarves bowed. For a moment she was frozen, her mind completely blank. Then she noticed the members of the company just to her right. Bofur looked up at her from under the brim of his floppy hat and winked. That broke her from her stupor and she took another confident step forward. She could only imagine what kind of picture she presented to these new dwarves, bandaged and bloodied, but she shook that insecurity off. Little did she know that the dwarves only saw a warrior queen before them and that was something they respected.

"Thanks to the help of many, we are victorious. Legions of orcs have been slaughtered and the filth that was Azog the Defiler will never again plague the House of Durin." There were cheers from the crowd and that gave her confidence. "All the wounded are being tended to and those that died valiantly will be buried with all the honors due a warrior. You are all welcome to find rest within the walls of Erebor until you are ready to return home. We do not have much to offer you beyond the security the mountain can provide but you are all still most welcome." There were more cheers which let her know she had said the right things. She couldn't help but smile at the assembled dwarves and wished others could know what she did. So many were so wrong in their estimation of the dwarves; she had never met a more noble or honorable race. Rhae decided then that her job as Queen Under the Mountain would be to repair the relationship between Men and dwarves; this prejudice against her husband's race had lasted long enough, but there was still one more thing she needed to say and she turned in Bard's direction.

"Winter is coming into its own and soon snow will fall. Bard the Bowman, you brought down Smaug, freeing us all from his threat. You and the survivors of his wrath fought alongside us to defeat the orcs. The halls of Erebor are open to any that wish to seek shelter until reconstruction can start in Dale." The man stepped forward, astonishment written across his face, and stopped in front of her. "Consider this the beginning of our repayment of the debt we owe to you and your people." She stuck out a hand and he took it in amazement.

"Thank you, Queen Under the Mountain," he replied, bowing his head to her. Rhae gave him a smile. Behind them Balin couldn't keep the grin off his face; he couldn't have been more proud of her if she was his own daughter. She motioned to the company, asking them to help any who sought shelter, then slowly left the Great Hall. She wandered aimlessly for a while, needing the solitude of the mountain to regain her equilibrium. The events of the day had shaken her to her core and she knew it would take some time to recover. Eventually she found herself in the Hall of Kings, its golden floor gleaming. She walked slowly towards the center, her hands behind her back as she thought. Thorin was free of the dragon sickness but could it regain its hold on him? Would the proximity of that treasure horde lure him back in? How could she keep that from happening? She needed to talk to Gandalf about it as she knew next to nothing about the particulars. Her foot kicked something as she paced and she looked down, eyes widening as she saw the Raven Crown of Erebor. The last time she'd seen it, it had been on Thorin's brow in the Throne Room. At some point after the confrontation with her and Dwalin he'd ended up here. She picked it up gingerly, studying it as if it might somehow hold the answers she was seeking. Shaking her head at her own mawkishness she turned and left the Hall, heading back down the passageway toward the Healing Halls. She wanted to check on Thorin once more. Oin assured her he was resting comfortably and there was no sign of infection. Thanking the healer Rhae trudged home, her feet dragging. There was so much she needed to think about, so many things that needed to be taken care of, but she barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other. It could all wait until she'd gotten a few hours of sleep. Despite desperately wanting a bath, she just didn't have the energy to mess with it. Once she was safely in their bedchamber she pulled the bloody armor and filthy clothes from her body, leaving Thorin's crown on top of the heap, and collapsed on the bed, barely getting a blanket pulled over her before she fell asleep.

Damâm uru 'aban - Blood over stone (family is more important than anything)

Nê batashfatiya biyê - Don't leave me.

amrâlimê - my love

Kurduyê, gayadê, ulkhudê - My heart, my joy, my light

Khiyê - My One

Preview of my new, AU Thorin and Rhae story...

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If the Dark Returns

It had been four years since that meddling wizard had asked her to join their quest, three years since the Battle of the Five Armies had been won by the dwarves, elves, and men. Stryker, Ranger of the North, had refused the offer, wanting nothing to do with Thorin Oakenshield. There was darkness leeching into the world again, threatening all who lived there, and she had work to do. So why was she so unsettled? Why was she feeling this pull to travel over the Misty Mountains? A chance encounter with a dwarven princess and then an unexpected mission from her Chieftain sends her exactly where she had no desire to go but felt pulled to nonetheless.