A/N: And so we come to the end. I have to say I was quite sad to type the end of this and get it ready for posting (there might have been a few tears). I had so much fun writing it and hearing from all the reviewers. Thank you to everyone who followed, favorited (is that even a word?), reviewed, or PMed. I appreciated every single one. I am so glad y'all enjoyed my tale. Another big thanks to The Dwarrow Scholar whose amazing website was a huge help with all the Khuzdul words. Brunuhville's "Aeternum," "Hope," and "The Immortal Land" were my musical accompaniment during my writing. Translations and some info on my newest story are at the end.

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Arianna Le Fey: Thank you! I hope you like this epilogue and the info on their family.

animexchick: Aw! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! And yes, their child(ren) would be adorable!

Just4Me: I'm not ready for it to end either but I'm glad you liked the chapter and meeting Dis. I hope you'll join me on my next adventure!

ro781727: I'm glad you liked the name; I played around with a few different ones before settling on that one. Hope you like this last chapter and the info on their family.

My Petal Heart: Thank you! Look for the new story in a couple weeks; I want to get at least two or three chapters ready first.

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As always, Tolkien and PJ were the geniuses. I am merely a fan who can't get enough of their creation.

Several months later...

Rhae tugged on the folds of her long skirts, trying to adjust them more to her liking. Dori had outdone himself this time; this was the most elaborate dress he had made for her and even she could admit that it was quite beautiful. The overdress was a dark blue velvet with a flowing skirt, slit at the front to show a heavily embroidered pale gray silk underdress. The undersleeves were fitted, disappearing into the gray leather bracers on her arms. The long flowing sleeves of the overdress fell to her feet. There was a gold belt at her waist, a thin gold chain mail necklace draped across her shoulders, and the garnet necklace Thorin had given her around her neck. She hadn't grown to enjoy the finery but she knew when it was required and this was certainly one of those times. Thorin would be officially crowned today and would in turn be crowning her Queen Under the Mountain. Besides the fact that they had just been too busy to worry about it they had waited until she was recovered from Durin's birth and more of the rebuilding had been completed. She also suspected he just wanted there to be more of a crowd which she supposed she should find touching in a way.

"It is time, my Queen," Balin said from the doorway. The white haired dwarf had to cough back the tears that stung his eyes at the sight of her. He had never thought to see Thorin on the throne of Erebor let alone a husband and father. They had fought through so much - hard headed as they both were - and had somehow come out the other side stronger for all their trials. He couldn't be more proud of either of them. "And may I say that you look magnificent."

Her cheeks reddened as she took his arm. "Thank you, Balin. It is a beautiful dress."

"Aye, the dress is lovely, lass, but the person wearing it makes it that much more so." She just ducked her head a bit as they entered the corridor outside the King's Residence. The company was waiting and formed two lines on either side of Rhae and her escort. As they wound their way down to the Hall of Kings she let her mind wander, thinking back over the past year or so. It amazed her how much her life had changed in so relatively short span of time. Last spring she had been patrolling the boarders of the Shire, happy with her life, or so she thought. Halbarad's message to her had shown that her chieftain had not been surprised in the least by where she now found herself. He had even said he felt since she was younger there was something more in her future than just the life of a Ranger. Rhae wasn't exactly sure how she felt about that revelation. She looked around at the twelve dwarves that surrounded her and couldn't keep from smiling. They had truly become the family she'd never truly had and she couldn't have asked for finer kin.

When they came to the entrance to the Hall of Kings Balin left her with the rest of the company while he approached where Thorin was standing on the dais at the other end of the hall. Everyone was silent as the elderly dwarf spoke the traditional words in Khuzdul that would make Thorin's position official - though there was no one that would oppose him. Rhae was able to recognize a few of the words but most were still beyond her skills. There was no mistaking the reverence the dwarves in the hall held for what was taking place, though. She could see the awe and joy in the eyes of the company members around her and her heart surged with pride for the race and culture she had married into. How right that meddling wizard had been! Balin carefully placed the Raven Crown upon Thorin's brow, then bowed deeply, everyone else in the room following suit. As he stepped aside a loud cheer rose into the cavernous ceiling of the hall. Once they had settled Thorin motioned towards where Rhae waited, signaling it was time for them to come forth. Sucking in a deep breath to steady her nerves Rhae began down the aisle, the eleven remaining members of the company following behind her in two lines, all armed as if for battle. It was an impressive show.

The company lined the front of the dais as Rhae climbed the few steps to stand next to her husband. Thorin smiled at her, his emotions shining in his eyes as he turned her to face the crowd.

"Erebor requires not only a strong king but a strong queen, a queen who is strong enough to shoulder the burden of governing if required yet gentle enough to comfort in the Healing Halls. Igyidî! We are blessed by Mahal himself to have been gifted such a person. I present to you today, Rhaella of the Dunedain, my chosen wife, as your Queen." Balin stepped forward, the Queen's golden crown in his hands. Thorin took it and placed it carefully on Rhae's head, uttering some phrases in Khuzdul. He met her eyes and she thought her knees might finally buckle at the love she saw in their depths. He took her hand and the two turned to fully face forward.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!" Balin proclaimed and all the dwarves echoed the cry. Rhae could see Dis, Durin on her hip, standing to the side of the dais, tears coursing down her cheeks as she repeated the words as well. The members of the company seemed equally affected.

Yes, she thought as she looked back at Thorin, this was exactly where she was meant to be.

Sixty years later ...

Rhae looked out over the scene before the mountain. Never had she thought to see battle about to be forged upon that plain again but here they were. She had known, sixty some odd years ago that He, Sauron, would not give up in his quest to overtake all of Middle Earth, and the Battle of the Five Armies had only delayed him. In his arrogance the Dark Lord had thought he could tempt Thorin Oakenshield into giving him info on the location of Bilbo Baggins. Twice he had send messages for him, promising all kinds of reward, but Thorin had scoffed, refusing. Now there was another army set to attack Erebor and she stared at the Easterling soldiers in disgust; she'd always known the filth from Rhûn would cause problems. At least this time the dwarves and the men of Dale were firm allies and their numbers were so much greater than the last time they had fought together. It would be a hard fight but she had no doubt they would prevail.

"Amad, you should go further into the mountain with the others, where it is safe."

She turned and looked at her second son. "Rhoin, you know me well enough to realize that there is no way I will abandon you, your brother, or your father at a time such as this."

"But amad, you are -" the brunette trailed off, realizing just what he was saying to his mother. She simply chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Because I am old you mean?" She laughed again. "I can not argue with that, I am old, but that does not mean that I don't have some fight left in me." Rhae lifted her bow and quiver from where it rested against the wall. "Do not worry, dashtith, I am aware I no longer have the strength to swing a blade but I have not lost my ability with a bow. Will that appease you, knowing that I am not in the direct line of fire so to speak?"

Rhoin frowned. "Not exactly but I suppose you will do as you wish anyway, amad."

"That she will," a deep voice said from behind them. Thorin came up the stairs with Durin at his heels, coming to stand at his wife's side, a fond smile on his lips. He took her hand in his, giving it a gentle kiss before turning to look at his son. "Your amad has always been the best shot in Erebor and too stubborn to know when to stay where it is safe." Rhae jabbed her elbow in his ribs and he growled at her, though she could see the laughter in his eyes. Those blue eyes were just as brilliant and bright as they had been when she'd faced him on the road outside Bree all those years ago. His hair might be all silver now and his beard might be tucked into his belt but he was just as handsome as always.

"Has there been any word from Shae lately?" Durin asked.

Thorin nodded. "Yes, she sent a raven a few days ago. She is well and with the army of Gondor at the moment." When Rhae had realized what the Dark Lord was after she had insisted someone be sent to warn the Council. Though the years had not diminished her distrust of the White Wizard she was well aware the Council needed to be told of the happenings in the east. Thorin had not been pleased when their daughter had volunteered but after a lot of discussing - arguing - Shae had convinced her father. It had helped that she had her mother's backing. Thorin would not allow his daughter to travel through Middle-Earth alone and sent Gloin and his son Gimli with her. He also hoped Lord Elrond would be able to give them news on Balin, who had ventured to reclaim Moria some thirty years ago and who they had not heard from in some time. Rhae knew her daughter was thrilled to finally be a part of something. Out of all of her children, Shae was the most like her, only her ears and slightly shorter stature showing her dwarven blood. Durin was the spitting image of Thorin though taller and Rhoin was shorter than them all, though still with Thorin's coloring. Their personalities aligned similarly - the lads all excelling in sword fighting and their lone daughter growing into a fine archer. Rhae hadn't told her husband yet but Shae had expressed a desire to journey west to find the Rangers and hopefully join them. It wasn't long after the trio had arrived in Rivendell that they received word that Lord Elrond was convening a council to decide what was to be done with the One Ring. Rhae and Thorin briefly considered traveling to Rivendell themselves, wanting to see Bilbo again, but eventually decided against it, knowing it would not be wise to leave the mountain at that time. As it turned out, they were right.

While Thorin and his sons discussed their battle plans, Rhae allowed her eyes to roam over the amassed dwarves at the base of Erebor. They were armed with the best weapons to be found in Middle-Earth and had loyal hearts behind each breastplate. Movement to her right caught her eye and she spotted Kilí organizing their archers. It was still strange, even after all these years, to see the brunette without his brother by his side but Filí was in the Blue Mountains, ruling in Thorin's place, and there hadn't been time to send word to him. Even without the added help from their kin they would not be defeated. They had been busy in the years since the Battle of the Five Armies, refortifying the mountain in such a way that nothing would be able to break their defenses. Everything was ready.

"They will attack Dale first hoping if our ally is destroyed we will be weakened." Thorin's words pulled her attention back to her husband and sons.

"Is King Brand prepared? The last shipment of weapons was sent?" she asked.

"Aye. This will not be a repeat of the Lake-men's weak defense in the Battle of the Five Armies," he affirmed. Rhae nodded, glad that the years after that battle had seen a strong alliance form between the men and dwarves. Bard and Thorin had worked together quite well and both kingdoms had prospered, just as the dwarf king had promised all those years ago in Lake-Town. She wished Bard could see how well his grandson was ruling. His son and now his grandson had done a fine job but she still missed the dry wit of the Bargeman.

"I do not feel this is a major battle in this war Sauron is waging." Rhae looked at her husband, surprised to see they were alone on the wall. She nestled next to him, enjoying the warmth of his body. It might have been early March but the air still had quite a bite to it; winter was being stubborn in its release.

"No. From the messages I've received it appears his main attack will be far to the south in Gondor." She paused thoughtfully. "If they are defeated it will matter little what happens here."

He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Shall we be victorious, amrâlimê?"

Closing her eyes Rhae was silent for several moments, focusing on everything she could feel swirling around her. "Yes, I believe we shall all be victorious but it will not be easy and we will lose loved ones." It pained her to say the words as her entire family would be at risk but there was nothing she could do about it.

"Will this finally grant us peace from the darkness?"

"If the One Ring is destroyed, yes."

"Then we can only hope that council knew what to do with it. I look forward to some years of true peace." He kissed her gently.

"As do I, Thorin, as do I."

Igyidî: Rejoice!

dashtith: young son

amrâlimê: my love

Preview of my new, AU Thorin and Rhae story... coming in a couple weeks! Totally AU and looks at how things might have been different if Rhae hadn't gone on the quest with the company.

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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. Can she put aside her dislike of the King Under the Mountain to help him fight off the evil that refuses to give up?