Over the next week or two Rhae was thrust into a role she had never imagined herself filling - that of a ruling queen. While Thorin was recovering, it fell on her to make decisions in Erebor. She counted herself lucky that those decisions dealt mainly with helping the Lake-Town survivors and housing Dain's army. Valar help her if the mountain had been full of dwarves needing all kinds of things from their monarch; she knew nothing about the politics of the race. She also had Balin at her side guiding her through each issue that was brought before her. During the quest she had seen how much Thorin respected and relied on his advice and now she was experiencing first hand why. With his help Rhae not only managed to house all those that requested shelter she also began the salvage and clean up within the mountain. She assigned groups of workers to different areas, areas that Balin felt were the most important to start on first. And so during that first week the destruction around the Front Gate was cleared away and work began on rebuilding the grand entrance. They also sent a group, along with Bombur and Bofur, to begin cleaning the kitchens and main dining hall. However the most workers were sent to the forges to begin clean up there. Besides the years of disuse, the company's battle with Smaug had caused extensive damage and it had to all be repaired before any dwarves could begin working there again. Balin said, and she whole heartedly agreed, that the forges and the work the dwarves did there was the true heart of the mountain; not until they were again producing the fine craftsmanship their race was so known for would the dwarves feel like Erebor had been fully restored. At first she had been very reluctant, not knowing how the dwarves from the Iron Hills would react to a female of Man (as they would see her) making decisions. She soon saw that her fears were unfounded. There was respect shown to her that she had never expected to receive and her word was obeyed without question. It finally gave her the confidence she needed.
Each day she rose early and, before searching out Balin to see what needed her attention, visited Thorin in the Healing Halls. For the first week Oin had kept him sedated as the dwarf king, understandably, did not want to remain in bed despite his injuries. Azog's blade may have missed anything that would've proven instantly fatal but it still opened a sizable gash in his side that required a lot of stitches. There had been a day or so when the healer was afraid an infection had set in but vigilance on his part, and probably some help from a certain wizard, took care of the threat. While he was still unconscious Rhae would simply sit by his side, holding his hand in hers, and just watch the steady rise and fall of his chest. Those moments up on Ravenhill plagued her, gave her nightmares, and she needed the reassurance that he was indeed still with her. She longed to see the blue of his eyes and hear the deep velvet of his voice again.
During her visits she sometimes checked on the wounded Iron Hills dwarves. They were a long way from home and she felt they might appreciate someone to talk to now and then. The warriors were very grateful for her efforts; her actions helped solidify the good opinion they were forming of Erebor's new queen. Rhae would never leave without also checking on Fíli, sometimes sitting by his side and talking to him. She didn't know if he could hear her but in case he could, she didn't want him laying there with nothing but silence around him. She talked about what was being done in the mountain or Nori's latest stunt to annoy his older brother. Kíli spent time by his brother's side as well, the two of them chatting while they kept Fíli company.
After the first week, when Oin felt Thorin no longer needed to be kept sedated, Rhae would discuss all the work that was going on and get his answers to many questions, wanting him to have the final say in the decisions. His frustration was clear but her frequent visits did much to ease his mind. Listening to her describe what was going on in the mountain and her part in it was showing him yet another aspect of her character; she was a great leader and diplomat. When the thought had first come to him he couldn't help but chuckle, remembering Gandalf's argument about why he wanted her to come along in the first place. She would stay with him for at least an hour, always making sure to check on Fíli before she left.
His nephew was still unconscious. Oin said it was a combination of the blood loss and the hit on his head when Azog dropped him. He had woken a couple of times for a few minutes, always looking around, trying to take in his surroundings but he had yet to say anything. Thorin was worried but Oin said it was quite likely he would recover; it would just take some time. The king also worried for his wife. She had fought - hard - during the battle; he recalled how exhausted she had looked in the tent that day. She had suffered injuries, and he wouldn't be surprised if there were some she had kept from him, and now she seemed to hardly rest as she tried to manage things in the mountain while he healed. Oin reassured him that Rhae was fine - he'd checked all her wounds - and the baby was fine as well but Thorin still worried and chafed at the fact he had to remain in the Healing Halls.
After they were back in the mountain for at least a week, they had visitors that required Rhae to cling to all the diplomatic training she'd ever had from Lord Elrond. She dressed carefully in the blue dress Dori had altered for her and placed her crown on her head. At least this time she wasn't miserable wearing it though this meeting was sure to test her patience. King Thranduil was waiting in the Hall of Kings, several elves behind him. She wasn't sorry in the least for keeping him waiting. Once she was facing the Elvenking she tried to force all that negativity to the back of her mind; he had come to their aid, eventually, and there was no need to purposefully antagonize him. She could feel the eyes of the dwarves scattered around the room on her, knowing they wanted to see how she treated the elf. Luckily Balin, Dwalin, and Kíli were right behind her for support.
He gave her a respectful bow of the head which she returned.
"Welcome to Erebor, King Thranduil."
He studied her thoughtfully. He'd seen her as a defiant prisoner in his halls, a stoic warrior fighting beside her husband on Ravenhill, and now before him stood a woman who was undeniably a queen. He could sense no weakness in her, only annoyance. He had seen her obstinacy before but there was something different about the fire in her eyes now. Above her dark dress and bandaged neck those expressive brown eyes shown out of a face still pale but full of pride. Yes, she would fit with the pig-headed dwarf king quite well.
"I have brought the items the dwarves left behind in my kingdom." Dwalin snorted at his choice of words. The Elvenking ignored him, motioning for the guards to bring the carts forward. All their packs, outer garments, and weapons were piled haphazardly but they were there. Rhae alone stepped up to glance through what had been returned. She saw Bombur's long ladle, Dwalin's knuckledusters, Ori's original journal as she passed each cart. Then she paused. There, on the top of the third cart, lay a familiar fur lined leather coat and brigandine. Her hands reached for it, lifting it free of the pile; she would be pleased to see him in these again. Underneath Thorin's things she found the rest of the items that had been taken from her. Rhae couldn't keep the cry of joy from her lips as she once again held her father's bow in her hand. She actually smiled at the Elvenking and he was taken aback for a moment, having never seen such an expression on her face.
"We thank you, King Thranduil. I will be sure the members of the company have their things returned to them." She looked over her shoulder and motioned to Kíli, who stepped forward holding a small chest. "And to show our thanks and gratitude, we would like to return something to you." He held it out to the Elvenking who took it hesitantly. When he opened it the glow of the white gems within could be seen by most in the room and the Necklace of Lasgalen lay on top. He looked at her and she congratulated herself on keeping her laugh from escaping. She'd never seen such confusion on the elf's face.
"Consider this a peace offering. I hope our two kingdoms can be allies from this point on." She lowered her voice a bit and took a step closer. "You know as well as I what waits in the South."
He nodded slightly. "Yes. I have seen the horror of Mordor and can not forget it no matter how much time passes. You were correct: we will need all the strength we can muster in the not too distant future." She bowed her head to him, watching as he and his guards seemed to glide out of the room.
"Very well done, Rhae," Balin said, coming up next to her and patting her arm.
"Do you think so?"
"Oh yes and done much more diplomatically than Thorin would have been able to manage."
"But he agreed to return the gems ..."
"Aye, he did, but it will be very hard for him to accept this change. I don't know if he'll ever trust them but hopefully we'll be able to get him to at least speak politely." At this Rhae did laugh at the white haired dwarf.
Rhae was tired. She also still ached. The cut on her neck luckily hadn't needed stitches but the one on her arm had and it still hurt if she accidentally brushed up against something. Her back ached as well; when the orc had tossed her into that wall it had caused some pretty deep bruises. She collapsed in bed every night utterly exhausted but she knew it was worth it. If the dwarves in the mountain were depending on her at the moment then she was not going to let them, or Thorin, down. She did close her eyes each night hoping that the next day would be when Oin would finally tell her husband he was free to take up the reins of ruling the mountain. She also just wanted him by her side. Rhae wasn't exactly lonely, the members of the company were always nearby, but she wanted to feel him next to her, hear his voice, see his smile. Coming so close to losing him had made her crave his presence that much more. When these thoughts began to overcome her she would try to push them away, scoffing at her own mawkishness.
Dori was a frequent visitor after she'd returned to the King's Residence in the evenings. Since there was no way to get new cloth he was determined to alter as many of the items from the previous queen's wardrobe for her as possible. While she wasn't particularly interested in how she was dressed, Rhae indulged him as she could see what joy he got from it. And so most evenings she submitted to being turned and pinned and tucked while wearing different garments from her new closet. Ori usually accompanied him, journal always in hand, and the three passed the time rather merrily.
"How is Fíli?" Dori asked one evening as he fussed with the hem of a dress.
"The wound in his shoulder is healing well and there doesn't seem to be any sign of infection. He's also been awake more the last day or so. I know Thorin has been extremely worried despite Oin's assurances."
"And how are you fairing, lass?"
She smiled at him. "I'm well. Still recovering from my injuries but I'm getting there."
"I've heard the Iron Hills dwarves talking," Ori spoke up from his spot by the fire. "They're mighty impressed with you. Seems you've taken them by surprise."
Rhae flushed a bit and tried to wave it off but Dori wouldn't let her dodge it. "The compliments are well deserved. Everyone knows the part you played in saving Thorin and there's hardly a dwarf in the mountain today that didn't see you on the battlefield or covered with the blood of our enemies afterward. You have proven that not all from the race of Men are weak."
"What about when dwarves begin to return to the mountain? Will I be as accepted by them?" Her voice wavered a bit as she voiced the fear that had rested at the back of her mind for some time. Even the company had been unsure of her at first.
"You are the wife of Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain. If that wasn't enough to sway them, you have gained the respect and admiration of his cousin Dain Ironfoot and the dwarves he brought with him from the Iron Hills," Ori explained, a smile on his face as he looked up from his journal. "There's also twelve other dwarves that would fight anyone should they dare say one word against you." Rhae was a bit speechless. The young scribe's words were rather comforting.
"As it is, Thorin wouldn't listen to anyone if they disagreed with him anyway. He's too stubborn," Dori quipped. She laughed at bit at his very accurate description. Deciding to change the subject, he continued with something else that had been on his mind. "Has anyone thought to send word to Thorin's sister?"
Rhae winced and shook her head. "I don't think so. Everyone has been so busy and preoccupied. I can't even imagine how worried she must be, not knowing what has happened to her family. It's been a year since you left the Blue Mountains, correct?" The two dwarves nodded and she frowned at such a horrible oversight. "I will take care of it tomorrow. She needs to know that her family is safe and her home reclaimed."
"And that she has a sister-in-law in the family way," Dori said with a smile. She acknowledged his point though in her mind letting Dis know her sons and brother were safe was of more importance.
.
Before leaving the next morning she slipped into the office that was to be Thorin's and penned a note to Dis. For a moment she was unsure of how to say what needed to be said. She thought of the child she carried and how she would feel if he had left on a journey that could lead to his death; if she was left to wonder about his fate for a year. The pain she felt at that thought gave her the words she needed and the message was finished quickly. She hunted Balin down before even visiting Thorin, explaining to him her goal of sending word to Dis. The white haired dwarf was just as disturbed at their lack of getting a message to Thorin's sister as Rhae had been and led her to where the ravens waited.
"This will be the quickest way to get a message to the Blue Mountains," he told her as she eyed the large birds. She spotted the elderly one that had spoken to Thorin weeks ago.
" Roäc," she called respectfully. The bird looked up at his name and hopped over to her, bowing his head a bit.
"Yes, Queen Under the Mountain?"
"The sister of the King, mother of the Princes, needs to know that they live and that the mountain has been reclaimed. Can one of your brethren take this message to the Lady Dis in the Blue Mountains?" Rhae honestly didn't know if the ravens would listen to her, after all she wasn't a dwarf, but the bird in front of her bowed its head again.
"It will be done, my Queen." He squawked and another raven joined them. The two seemed to converse for a moment. "This is Maec. He will deliver your message in all haste." Balin came forward at that point with a tiny canister for her to slide the note in and then clasped it to the raven's leg.
"Thank you, Maec. May your wings be strong and your journey swift," she said to the bird. It dipped its head and then lifted into the sky, quickly disappearing into the west. She thanked Balin and headed to the Healing Halls to talk to Thorin before getting a start on the rest of her day. He was awake and waiting for her when she walked through the door.
"You're late," he growled, though she saw the sparkle in his eyes.
"Well good morning to you, too, Grumpy." Taking a seat on the edge of the bed she looked him over, pleased to see that his color had returned. Leaning over she kissed him gently, breathing in the scent of him. She would never tire of it.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, concern replacing the amusement in his eyes.
She nodded. "I am. I merely had an urgent task this morning that I wanted to see to before I did anything else."
"What trouble are you up to, my heart?" he teased.
"I sent a message to your sister, letting her know that her family was alive and the mountain had been reclaimed. I can only imagine how worried she has been. " All amusement left his face and he cringed a bit guiltily.
"I should have thought of that. I know how adamantly Dis was against the boys coming with me and how worried she would be as the months passed."
"Don't be too hard on yourself. You have been injured; no one will blame you."
He took her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, sending a pleasing shiver up her spine. "Mahal truly blessed me when he put you in my life. I could not ask for a better partner by my side." He gazed at her, pride in his eyes. "Balin and Dain have been by several times. They are impressed with how you have taken to your role as Queen Under the Mountain. You have quite won over the Lord of the Iron Hills."
"I am just happy I have not disappointed you."
"You could never disappoint me. All your decisions have been sound and I am grateful I have such a capable Queen."
"Well, don't stay in here too long. I'd prefer to leave the ruling of Erebor to you," she replied with a chuckle, kissing the tip of his nose.
.
Later that evening she lay in bed, staring into the fire. She kept thinking about the message on its way to Dis and hoped the raven would get to its destination quickly. Her heart hurt a bit to again consider how Thorin's sister must have been feeling these long months. To watch her two sons go off on what, honestly, had to have seemed like a suicide mission? To have to carry on and keep things running smoothly in her brother's absence? Rhae placed her hands protectively on her stomach and hoped her note would bring a worried mother and sister some relief.
She hadn't realized she'd dozed off until her eyes popped open. The fire was still burning so she hadn't been asleep long but her body stiffened; years of being in the wild and constantly on alert had honed her senses and a few weeks in the mountain hadn't dulled them. Someone was walking down the hallway towards the bedchamber. Her sword was propped up against the wall at the head of the bed; could she get to it quick enough? She took a deep breath to steady herself and then lunged to the side, her hand grasping the hilt of the sword and swinging around to point it at the figure emerging from the shadowy doorway.
"Rhaella!"
"Thorin!" she cried, dropping the blade in surprise. "What the bloody hell are you doing here? I could have killed you!"
He chuckled. "Not exactly the warm welcome I was expecting." He came around the bed and wrapped his arms carefully around her, a smile on his face. Rhae, though, was still horrified at the fact that she had pulled her sword on her husband. "And to answer your question. I think Oin finally got tired of my badgering him and he told me to go home, though not without strict orders to take special care not to strain those stitches." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye and she had to laugh. Insufferable dwarf. She finally laid her head on his shoulder and he pulled her in closer, breathing in the scent of lavender that was always around her.
"I couldn't bare another night alone," he murmured against her hair. She quickly ushered him into the bed, making sure he had plenty of pillows. Then she tossed another log onto the fire.
"Do you need anything? There's actually food and drink in our kitchen now."
"I want to lay with my wife."
Rhae stared at him. "Thorin! Your injury!"
A laugh rumbled low in his throat. "I actually didn't mean that ... but I certainly won't refuse if you're offering." That twinkle was still in his eyes and she smacked at his arm. She was concerned about the healing wound on his side but it was tempting ... and she was never one to resist temptation.
Thorin lay on his back, Rhae against his uninjured side, her head on his shoulder. He was reminded of their wedding night and the morning after. There had been some urgency in their lovemaking - they were both well aware of how close they came to losing one another - but for the most part it had been slow and passionate. He hadn't felt this relaxed and happy in many weeks. The mountain was his, Azog was dead, he was free of the dragon sickness, and his wife and child were safe. He didn't think he could ask for any more than that. She stretched against him and he could've sworn she purred.
"Good morning, husband."
"Bakn galikh sanyasith."
She smiled up at him. "Do you realize this is the first morning we've been able to wake, together, in our bed without a world of worries waiting for us outside the door?"
"I do and it's a strange feeling for me. I can't remember a time when I didn't feel like I had the weight of the mountain on my shoulders. It will take some getting used to."
"Well, don't forget you have a city to rebuild. Now that word is starting to spread that Smaug is dead and the King Under the Mountain reigns again, dwarves will begin to return. I for one look forward to seeing you dispensing your great wisdom to an Erebor full of khazâd."
"Are you so sure I am so full of wisdom?"
"Oh there's some in there I'm sure and for all those other times, you've got me," she quipped with a laugh. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, enjoying this feeling of contentment, this glimpse of what he was sure his future would look like. She wiggled free and wrapped a blanket loosely around her before padding quickly over to the fire. She stirred it to life and added a couple more logs; the room had gotten a chill in it. Rhae turned around, eager to hurry back to the warmth of Thorin but paused when she saw the expression on his face.
"What is wrong?" She couldn't imagine he would be upset about. He motioned for her to come closer and she did, though a trifle warily. When she was near enough that he could touch her, he took her arm and turned her around so he was looking at her back. That was when she realized what had upset him and she sighed inwardly.
"How come you did not tell me of this?"
"What would've been the point? You couldn't change it or the circumstance that caused it."
"Are you in pain? Are your ribs broken?" He silently berated himself for their actions of the previous evening; he hadn't even thought about the injuries she had sustained in the battle. It wasn't until she'd stepped into the light streaming in from the balcony windows that he'd seen it - a horrible blend of black, purple, and green covering a large portion of her back.
"It aches a bit, some places are a bit more sore than others, but I am not in any pain. And no, there are no cracked or broken ribs, just the bruising."
"How did this happen?"
"The orc that I jumped onto to in order to keep it from killing you, it threw me into a wall." He just stared at her, his brow furrowed in anger. He wanted to say something, wanted to do something, anything, to avenge what had been done to his wife. But he couldn't. As she had said many times, it was in the past and there was nothing he could do to change it. Thorin breathed deeply, trying to control the emotions that wanted to spill forth. He pushed the blanket completely off her, taking in all the marks on her body.
"Thorin ... I am fine, I promise." He said nothing. The cut that ran from her chin down her neck was still red and the gash on her arm, which Oin had informed him had needed quite a few stitches, was still wrapped in a bandage. There were faded bruises around her shoulders and sides, most likely from where she'd been hit by a weapon that had been deflected by her armor. Shallow scratches criss-crossed the tops of her hands. And there was the faint cut on the side of her cheek from where she'd fallen - no, from where he'd shoved her down the steps of the throne. She had faced down orcs for him; risked her own life, and that of their unborn child, for him. She had placed herself in front of him time and time again, trying to pull him from the grip of the dragon sickness. The physical proof of what she had been willing to go through in order to save him caused something to crack inside.
Rhae saw the sudden change in his eyes right before he'd pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her as if he would never let go. She was so startled that it took a second to realize that his shoulders were shaking and she could hear his strangled sobs. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she curled into him, offering him the only comfort he was going to want right then: her presence. No words were needed and she held him as he cried.
The Lady Dís had been left in charge when Thorin had set out on his quest. She had not been pleased with his idea and had fought long and hard about her sons going with him. In the end, though, she knew she had no choice. They would follow their uncle. All she could do was implore them to be careful and to return to her. And so she had waited, firmly but gently handling all the issues that came before her. At first there had been some resistance to a female in charge but it hadn't taken her long to quiet those nay-sayers. She was too much like her brother.
The knock pulled her from her embroidery, the only thing that kept her mind and hands occupied enough to dull the constant worry, and she was a trifle surprised to see one of the guards standing on the other side of her door.
"My lady," he said with a bow of his head. "There is a raven carrying a message for you."
Her heart stopped for a moment. "A raven?"
"Yes, my lady. It just arrived a few moments ago."
"Take me to it. Now! And send word to the families of those who traveled with my brother to meet me at the Front Gate." She tried to still the frantic beating of her heart but it wouldn't listen. A raven. There was only one place in Middle-Earth that could send out such a message - Erebor. And she knew that all the ravens had fled when Smaug had taken the mountain. The guard led her to the battlements above the Front Gate and there sat the large bird, its head tilted slightly to the side as she approached. The two dwarves that had been waiting with the bird retreated down the steps, leaving her alone with the messenger. Dis wasn't exactly sure what to do; she'd been too young to have ever dealt with the ravens before they'd left Erebor. The bird seemed to sense her confusion.
"Lady Dis, I am Maec, and I bring a message to you from Erebor." It fluttered it's wing downward and that's when she noticed the small canister attached to it's leg. She carefully removed it, pulling the note free. She didn't recognize the handwriting and her hand flew to her mouth as she read.
Lady Dis,
I am sorry this message was not sent to you sooner; it was a horrible oversight on our part and I hope it will help relieve the worry you've no doubt been suffering for the past year.
Smaug is dead. Erebor has been reclaimed. There was a battle outside the mountain, one which saw the end of Azog the Defiler. Your family is safe and alive. Thorin and Fíli were injured but will recover. All the dwarves that set out with your brother survived. Please let all know that any who wish it can begin to return to your rightful home. There is much work to be done.
Your brother and sons hope to see you in Erebor as soon as you can prepare and make the journey. I, too, look forward to meeting you; I have so many questions only you could answer.
Rhaella, Queen Under the Mountain
Dis's head shot up, her mind spinning with all she had just learned. But ... Queen Under the Mountain? There had been no Queen of Erebor since her grandmother had passed into the Halls of Waiting. That could only mean ... Her heart soared. She could almost feel the weight of a year's worth of worry and stress fall off her to be replaced with joy she hadn't thought she'd ever experience again.
"I will have a message for you to take back very shortly. Thank you, Maec."
The raven bowed its head. "It is my pleasure to serve the dwarves of Erebor."
She turned from him and noticed that a large crowd had formed beneath where she was standing. The families of Thorin's company members stood silently, worry clear on their faces.
"Thorin Oakenshield and his brave company have triumphed! Erebor has been reclaimed!" The cheers were deafening. She looked pointedly at the dwarves at the front of the crowd. "All who traveled with my brother are alive and well." The cheers became even louder, if that was possible. It was more than any of them could have hoped.
"So the mountain is ours again?" a voice called.
"Yes! We are now free to return to the home of our ancestors. There will be much work to be done to restore it to its former glory but we can go home."