I posted two chapters at once so if you are confused you may have to go back one

The next day was a rush to get everything ready. Most things were already set up. It was just a case of checking and double-checking. You could never be too prepared when it came to war.

Each human that stayed behind was kitted out in some form of armour. The elves had brought some back with them when they went to the woodland realm. Though some of it didn't quite fit a few of them. Elves tended to be on more of the slender side, so some of the bigger-built men had to improvise. Usually, by attaching different pieces of armour together with strips of leather, it was better than nothing.

Thrain was desperate to see his son. He wanted to be there to help break Thorin out of his downward spiral. The guy held a lot of guilt. From what I'd seen of him, he hated how much his disappearance had affected his son. Thorin was only young when he had to assume leadership. Thrain seemed to be under the impression that it was all his fault. If he had not been captured, then Thorin would not have been the one who had to reclaim their kingdom alone.

It was a logic that we tried to tell him was deeply flawed. No one ever asked to be captured. None of this was his doing. The orcs that took him were the ones to blame. But dwarves are stubborn, and the idea in his head wasn't going anywhere soon.

However, we couldn't get to Thorin yet. Dain's army was close, and they were gearing up for a fight. With Thrain with us, I felt like we would be on better footing with the dwarves. Adar's version of negotiation was more likely to end in a fight. The two side's notorious animosity with one another would not allow for anything less. They would be more likely to listen to our strategies with dwarven royalty among us.

As the evening drew near, scouts warned us of the army's imminent approach. Adar gathered up his forces and left the city of Dale. They lined up at the bottom of a great hill and waited. A move that I thought was ill-advised if we wanted to look like we meant no harm. Nevertheless, we all stood our ground as an army marched towards us.

Adar sat near the front on his great elk. Mum and Bard sat next to him on their own horses. I stood with Thrain and Kili, sequestered behind a line of guards at Adar's request. Gwaenir stood at my shoulder, still pained from his failure to keep me safe before.

The Ironfoot army was truly a spectacle to behold. Sun glinted off their steel armour. It had the effect of being both dazzling and threatening. They marched in perfect rows. Similar to the elves, yet with their own uniqueness. The elven army flowed around each other and was adaptable. Whereas the dwarven army was stalwart and strong as if they were one unit. Unstoppable force meets immovable object.

When Dain rode towards us, I nearly gasped out loud.

"I want a pig."

"That there is a war pig. It'll bite your arm clean in two," Thrain leaned in to explain.

"It's still cute, though."

Thrain laughed at my reply.

The army marched to a stop not far in front of us. Adar rode forwards on his mount too.

"Lord Dain–" he started but did not get to finish.

All the dwarves drew their weapons. Dain rode closer and waved his war hammer in the air.

"Good Morning to you. Now would you all do me a favour? Turn tail and piss off!" His voice echoed through the air.

The elves around me grew restless. Gwaenir twitched to grab for his weapon. Adar held his hand out flat, a sign not to take up arms. His face was a picture of anger and confusion. "What on earth are you talking about? Do you not know why you are here?"

"Aye. Thorin told us we were to fight the enemies at our gate. Now I won't ask you again!" Dain raised his hammer in the air, and a garrison of spears pointed our way.

Christ, just how vague was Fili's letter? Could he not have added a few more details? Like the fact that orcs were the enemy and not us.

Gandalf pushed through to the front of the elves. "Dain, please, stand down. You were not summoned here to fight the elves. Orcs are marching upon the mountain. A bigger war is coming. One, we must all fight together."

"Poppycock!" Dain yelled. "I will not stand down for any elf. Especially not this woodland sprite! He wishes nothing but ill will on my people."

"We are the ones that felled the damn beast, you great hog," Adar shouted, unable to help himself.

Dain was momentarily taken aback. "Excuse me?"

Thrain must have decided he had seen enough because he barged his way to the front. "Dain, you great buffoon, stand down."

Dain's eyes looked like they were about to bust out of his head. "Thrain?"

A rumble reverberated through the crowd of dwarves.

"Thrain!"

"It can't be."

"By my beard."

"It's him."

Thrain walked closer to Dain. So close that it was undeniable that it was truly him.

"It's you. It's really you," Dain's voice was tight. "By Durin, you're alive."

"It's been a while, cousin," Thrain smiled up at Dain. "I assume you have many questions. But first, may I suggest that you get off that damn war pig, and we can have a proper conversation."

Dain did not really have much room to argue.

"Well, how was I supposed to know that you weren't a threat?" Dain spat.

"How about the fact that none of my soldiers were armed?" Adar said, annoyance clear in his voice.

We had all moved into one of the more intact buildings. There were quite a number of us in a rather small space, but we somehow made it work. Once Thrain managed to calm Dain, the army stood down, and we could all breathe again. The dwarven army now lay outside, mingling with the elven one.

Any minute now, I was going to hear a scrap between the two of them. I could just feel it.

The room contained no less than six elves, five dwarves and one human. Is this the start of a joke? It wasn't a good one if that was the case. The elves included yours truly, Mum, Adar, Legolas and two guards. The dwarves were Kili, Thrain, Dain and two of his guards. All on his lonesome was a rather bemused Bard. He seemed rather out of his depth with all the interspecies relations.

Dain shook his head and laughed. "Well, whenever I see that ugly mug, I see a threat."

Adar's fists tightened by his sides and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He looked very much like he wanted to throttle the dwarf "Lovely."

Mum put her hand on Adar's arm, and his posture immediately relaxed. "Let me," I heard her whisper.

Adar gave an almost imperceptible nod and took a step back. Mum stepped forward with a smile and a calming facade. "Lord Dain, I don't believe we have been introduced. I am Queen Elineth."

Even Dain seemed to be affected by Mum's calming presence. He no longer stood as straight backed.

"Queen?" Then he looked to Ada. "I heard she was dead. Where've you been hiding her then?"

The glare Adar gave could have burned holes in his head.

"Tread lightly, dwarf," He spat through his teeth.

Dain's lack of tact knew no bounds. You would think, as a lord, he would be a little less brusque. But that may have more to do with the present company. He was probably perfectly lovely to his own people.

"You heard correctly, Lord Dain. But as fate would have it, I'm back where I was supposed to be," Mum said with an even voice. Unflappable as ever.

"Blimey. I knew you elves were a strange lot. But this just takes the cake."

"Let's just get back onto the topic now, shall we," said Thrain, trying to calm the room down. He placed a hand on Dain's shoulder, centring him.

"No, aye. You're right," said Dain. His eyes brushed the room, and I felt them land on me. His face scrunched up in confusion. "We're not letting bairns in here, are we? It doesn't seem like the place."

I resisted the urge to sigh and failed. Curse my short stature. Kili gave my hand a comforting squeeze. But I could see the hint of a smirk in his eyes. He found the situation funny.

"I assure you my daughter is fully grown and of age. She stays," said Adar.

I gave Adar a thankful smile, and he nodded back to me.

"I died too, if that helps," I added.

"It does not," he said in a very casual way. He still didn't look convinced, though.

"If it wasn't for Leah, I would not be here, Dain. I'd be trapped in a ruin or dead in a ditch by now," said Thrain, coming to my defence.

"And if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have been able to kill Smaug," Legolas piped up from the back. Good to know that my brother has always got my back.

"Is that true, lassie?" Dain looked taken aback.

"Well, I sort of tag teamed with Bard over there," I pointed over my shoulder to where Bard was leaning against the wall. He did not look happy to be getting involved.

"Bloody hell," He said with a bemused laugh. "Well, himrûna, I guess you can stay. Now, where were we?"

The talks were agonisingly long. The last of the sun gave up its grasp on the land before we finished. It turns out that adding another army into the mix tended to complicate matters. Especially when said army did not like to cooperate much. As was standard, the stubbornness of dwarves prevailed, and they didn't like the elves' plans. Instead, they tried to come up with their own.

It led to a lot of rearranging and quite a lot of hair-pulling. Eventually, they came to some kind of understanding. Most of the dwarves were to be based on the ground. In the midst of it all, as was their fighting style. Many elves would take the high ground and act as snipers from above. There would still be elves fighting with the dwarves as they didn't want to leave them to fight the brunt of it on their own.

It was getting harder and harder to sleep as the war loomed closer. I could not get my mind to rest. Even though I knew I needed it to keep my energy up.

I also found it very difficult to be on my own. When I was alone, my mind got the better of me. It threw awful images into the forefront of my thoughts. Things that could go wrong. Plans that would fail. Loved ones that could die.

Had I done enough?

So much had happened since I came here, but it could all be for nothing. If any of the company died, I don't know how I would cope. They all felt like family now.

So in the dead of night, when I felt like I was about to combust with the stress, I gathered my things and left my room. The guards positioned outside startled at my sudden appearance.

"Your highness, why are you up?"

"I'm going to Kili," I said, moving in that direction.

"But–" he held a hand up.

"Nope," I said, shifting to the side of his outstretched arm. "This is not an argument you are going to win. I'm exhausted, worn out and terrified. If Adar tries to reprimand you, just tell him that I ordered you to stand down. He can take up his grievances with me after all this is over."

"O-of course, your highness," he said, wide-eyed and uncertain. "The dwarf is sleeping two buildings down."

"Thank you," I said, following his directions.

I dove into his room and found him lying across the floor. He had refused to use the cot in the end and instead had used his old bed roll.

He stirred and blinked up at me as I set up my roll next to him. "Leah?" his speech was slurred from sleep.

I lay down so that we faced each other. "I can't sleep," I tried to keep the panic from my voice, but I did a very poor job. "Can I stay here?"

"Of course, you can," he whispered. "Come here."

He wrapped his arms around me and huddled me to him. His arm made a decent pillow. Just his mere presence made me feel calmer, safer. Even his scent was like a balm against my vicious, spiralling thoughts. His warm embrace was just the thing to keep me grounded, and soon I drifted into a less fitful sleep.

We both woke up before the sun had even risen, through no fault of our own. Instead of arising in our own time, we were rudely awoken by a booming laugh echoing off the stone walls. In the small space, it sounded like it came from everywhere at once.

It startled me awake, and for a second, I didn't know where I was. I would have bolted upright if it wasn't for the arm wrapped around my middle that tightened protectively at the sound. It took a second for my heart rate to calm back down, and by that point, I saw the intruders.

A bashful Thrain stood next to a hysterical Dain.

Kili and I scrambled up to a standing position.

"Sorry, my boy, I didn't realise that you were with company, or I wouldn't have barged in," said Thrain, who actually sounded sorry for the intrusion.

"So it's true!" Dain exclaimed. He turned to Thrain and slapped him on the shoulder. "I thought you were having me on."

"What exactly did he tell you?" Kili asked, rubbing his eyes. He did not look impressed about his rude awakening.

"That you were courting none other than Thranduil's daughter. A princess no less."

Now that I had gotten over the shock of being woken up, I'd moved on to amused resignation. I dusted my clothes down before crossing my arms. Dain turned to face me with suggestive eyebrows.

"So himrûna, you like a hairy fella with a bit more meat on his bones then?" Dain laughed. "Not like those gangly fuckers outside."

"Language, Dain," Thrain chastised, but I could see amusement in his eyes.

I looked over to Kili and saw a dusting of pink across his cheeks. I gave him a little smile and said, "Something along those lines, yeah."

Dain laughed loudly once again. The blush in Kili's cheeks deepened, and he coughed. "Right. Now, are you going to tell me why we were so rudely awoken?"

Thrain seemed to recover the fastest. "Oh right, yes. I've been explaining the situation with Thorin's company to Dain. We both think it would be best to get to them as soon as possible."

Dain's face morphed into something a touch more serious. "Aye. And as much as I'd like to go with Thrain, I've got an army to command. I also don't want the old coot to go on his tod."

"Even though I'm perfectly capable of going on my own. Thank you very much," Thrain said directly to Dain. "I also thought that you should be there too. You've been separated from them for long enough."

"Of course, yes," said Kili, suddenly alert. "When are we leaving?"

"There are some arrangements for us to make first. We'll set off when we have more sunlight. It will take a couple of hours to make the trek to the mountain because all the horses are being used," said Thrain.

"Uh, am I included in this?" I asked tentatively.

They had come in here only expecting Kili. I wasn't kin after all, but at the same time, I did not want to leave Kili's side.

Kili grabbed my hand. "Of course, you are, Leah. You're still very much a part of the company."

"Yes, my lady. I wouldn't want to split you two apart. I have a feeling that would bring me more harm than good," said Thrain.

"What does himrûna mean?" I asked Kili as we strode determinedly towards the mountain.

I'd been itching to know what that particular little nickname meant. It's what Dain preferred to refer to me as. He found it endlessly amusing.

We were most of the way there, the magnitude of the mountain growing with each step. The sun was well and truly in the sky. Though its heat was sadly missed. Winter had fully taken hold, and the sun's rays produced little in the way of warmth. But our swift hike was keeping most of the cold at bay.

Kili laughed and hesitated in his reply. Thrain gave a chuckle too.

"What? What does it mean?"

"It means someone who is on the uh...shorter side," Kili said eventually.

Oh my god, I'm getting bullied by a dwarf!

"I'm taller than him!"

"Not by much," Thrain laughed.

Adar had not been particularly happy about my request to accompany Kili and Thrain to the mountain. Not after our last disastrous attempt. However, the orc armies were closer than he had originally thought. They would be arriving a lot sooner than we expected. Which meant that it was now or never to go and retrieve the company.

He also pulled me aside and asked if anything were to happen before we made it back, that I would remain in the mountain. I saw the pain in his eyes, and I wanted to agree readily to assuage his fears, but I also didn't want to lie to him. I told him that I didn't think I would be able to stay if I saw people I loved in danger. He didn't look happy with my answer, but there was understanding in his eyes.

I hugged all my family fiercely before I left. If things were as tenuous as Adar feared, I didn't know if I would see them again before the battle. Mum ensured I was kitted out in my armour before I went. Even went so far as to check and recheck all the fastenings. It kind of reminded me of how she had straightened my tie and zipped up my coat on my very first day of school. She had tears in her eyes then too.

My sword was strapped to my hip, along with several knives bestowed upon me by Legolas and Tauriel. Any more, and I would've felt like a cutlery drawer.

"I think I prefer gamzûna to himrûna anyway," said Thrain.

"And what does that one mean?" I asked, fearing the worst.

"It means fierce one."

I frowned, "I wouldn't consider myself particularly fierce," I said.

"I've seen you explode an orc," Kili said "I think that's pretty fierce."

"Now that sounds like an interesting tale," said Thrain.

We kept our talking light. Or as light as you can get when you're describing an orc exploding. Until we reached the foot of the mountain. Then I realised that we didn't really have a way of getting in. The rubble of the front gate was piled high, and I did not fancy a climb like that. Especially not while wearing armour.

Thrain veered away from the entrance and started moving to the left side.

"Uh, Thrain. How are we getting in?" I asked.

Thrain looked around the rock face for a second before recognising something. Then he started to climb. "Ah yes, it's just over here."

"What is?"

"One of the side entrances," Thrain said offhandedly.

He hauled himself up over a particularly high rock, and we scrambled to follow him. "There's more than one way in?" Kili exclaimed. "I thought the door on the map was the only one."

"The only one?" Thrain laughed. "In a kingdom of this size? No, there are more than a handful coating this landscape."

"Then why was I always under the impression that there was no way into the mountain after Smaug took it," said Kili.

We followed behind Thrain as he forged a path up the mountain. The guy barely looked like he was breaking a sweat.

"Well, that's because it's more or less true. For most people, that is," said Thrain. "The key and map that I gave to Gandalf were for one of the only doors that could be opened by anyone. All the others are keyed to the royal line. Meaning only my father or I could open them. Thorin was too young when Smaug came, so he never got keyed into the doors. I'm not even certain if he knew of them."

"Well, I can say with certainty that he didn't," Kili breathed heavily as he hauled himself upwards.

We climbed until we reached a smooth patch of cliff face. To anyone else, it would look like nothing, but Thrain looked like he had struck gold. He felt along the walls, muttering under his breath before he came across what he was looking for. He brushed his fingers against a patch of the rock.

As soon as he did, a line of light shot out from it, tracing along the edge of the stone to create the shape of a door. Almost like the tree door Mum and I had found back in the Elven Halls. Except this one had a more angular design and was altogether more dwarf inspired.

Kili and I gasped as the rock split in two and opened inwards. I felt strangely giddy at the sight. Magic would never get boring.

The inside was shrouded in darkness. This section of the mountain had probably not seen daylight for hundreds of years.

Thrain looked into the dark corridor with a slight frown. "Right. If you two stay close and hold on to the back of me, I should be able to get us through. I think I know the way from here."

"Don't worry, I got you," I said, not even waiting for his reply before my hand glowed a brilliant white.

"Oh, how marvellous," Thrain said. "Yes, that will do quite nicely. I'll lead the way."

Thrain led the charge, with us not too far behind. We stayed close as my light could only cover a small area if I didn't want to blind us all. It reflected back at us from the walls and floor of the corridor. The shine still holding after hundreds of years. The whiteness of the light gave the area a spectral, ghostly feel that made shivers run up my spine.

The walls were covered by dark, smooth stone akin to granite. They were carved in intricate geometric patterns that told of expert craftsmanship and an eye for beauty. Even in the low light, you could see how much care and effort went into each one. Kili's head was on a swivel, trying to take everything in. It was the first time he was actually seeing his ancestral home.

When we came across the first sign of torchlight, I shuttered out my own, strangely nervous to see anyone. The first person we came across was a bewildered Bilbo. Who we very nearly bowled over with how fast he was moving. He gave a surprised yelp when he bumped into us.

"Bilbo!" I said

"Leah!" Bilbo exclaimed before coming over to hug me. "By Yavanna, you nearly scared the life out of me."

"We didn't mean to, I promise," I said, hugging him back.

"You couldn't have come at a better time," He let go of me. "Or worst, I guess. I don't know. It's Thorin. He's–"

"What about Thorin?" Thrain asked urgently. "Is he okay?"

Bilbo started at the new voice. He turned to Thrain as if he had only just noticed him there. He looked between Thrain and us uncertainly. "Oh well, he isn't good. I think his gold sickness is getting worse."

Thrain nodded his head with sombre resignation.

"Uh, I'm sorry. I don't believe we've met..." said Bilbo.

"Oh, sorry, Bilbo," said Kili. He put a hand on Thrain's shoulder and smiled proudly. "This is my grandfather, Thrain."

Bilbo's eyes looked like they were going to burst from his head. "Thrain!? Wait, wait. Thorin's father? That Thrain?" Bilbo covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "I thought you were dead!"

"Oh, so did I, a few times," Thrain nodded with a rather casual smile. "But life tends to throw you a few surprises."

"Right. Yes. Um. Well. Hmm," said Bilbo.

Oh no, I think we broke him. I put my hand on his shoulder to try and shake him out of it. "I know it's a lot to take in, but we need to find Thorin."

"Yes, yes, of course. He's down in one of the great halls. He isn't letting anyone near him, but I have a feeling that you would probably be able to get through to him," Bilbo explained. "I'll take you."

Bilbo turned back the way he came and let us follow on behind him. He seemed to know his way quite well, twisting his way through the labyrinthian halls. It wasn't long before we came across a new face. Kili nearly knocked us all down to get to him.

"Fili!"

The dwarf in question spun around, and a huge grin spread across his face. He had just enough time to open his arms before Kili essentially rugby tackled him to the ground. Fili let out a pained grunt before he started laughing. "By Mahal, it's good to see you, brother," Fili ruffled his brother's hair.

Then he saw me and pushed Kili off him. He brought me into a bone-crushing hug, lifting me off the ground in the process. "Don't think I haven't missed you too, Leah," He said before putting me down.

"I missed you too, Fili," I smiled at him.

Thrain came over to stand beside me, looking at Fili with wonder. Fili was momentarily surprised by the newcomer, but otherwise, he was fine.

"Ah, so this is Fili?" Thrain was going to hurt himself if he smiled any wider. "Kili has told me a lot about you."

Fili's eyebrows drew together.

"Oh, he has, has he? Well, I hope they were all good things," said Fili with a chuckle. "Who might you be then? Are you from Dain's army?"

Kili stood up and came back over to us. "No, Fi, this is–" he started

Thrain beat him to it. "No, I'm a bit more than that," Thrain said with a grandfatherly smile. Then he bowed deeply. "Thrain, at your service. And it is an honour to meet my grandson."

Fili stumbled back, almost as if he had been hit. So many emotions flitted across his face at once. Doubt, amazement, love, disbelief. He struggled to grasp at each one until he settled for a teary-eyed look of wonder. "Ugmil-adad? but you…They said you were…."

"Come here," Thrain said before embracing Fili, placing his forehead against his.

"I can't believe it. You're alive!" Fili laughed.

Thrain stepped back from Fili and looked upon him proudly for a few more moments. "I look forward to getting to know you better. I want to know everything." His face turned to something more serious. "But right now, we need to find your uncle."

"I was taking them to the hall, Fili," said Bilbo, standing off to the sidelines.

"Yes, yes, of course. I'll come with you," Fili said readily.

The five of us turned and made our way toward Thorin. We didn't pass anyone else on the way there. Fili told us that most of the dwarves were either in the armoury or in one of the rooms they had carved out to sleep in. With our journey unhindered, we made it there in a relatively quick time.

The hall opened up above us, and I had to stifle a gasp. The vaulted ceiling lay almost too high to see. The bridges of stone crossed my view in solid, straight lines. So similar to the Elven Halls yet different in their own way. The one thing that remained steady was the supreme lack of handrails. Why did Middle Earth hate safety regulations?

Underneath all that lay another mountain in itself. The sheer amount of gold was just unfathomable. The place was huge, yet it managed to fill the space with great hunking mounds of the stuff.

When I heard a sharp intake of breath, I expected it to be from Kili, but when I turned, I found Thrain staring down at the gold intently. I followed his gaze and found the source of his shock. In a small bare patch of ground stood Thorin. His head was in his hands as if he was in pain.

"It's him," Thrain's voice had a strangled quality. "He's here. Oh, my poor boy."

Thrain moved first, descending the great stone steps into the golden depths below. We followed after him. The old dwarf could move faster than we expected. He made it to the ground first and stopped. Thorin stood ahead of us, but he hadn't noticed our entrance at all. Too busy clutching at his own head and muttering. One hand held his head while the other clung to a crown with a vice-like grip.

Thrain took an uncertain step forward, then another and another. Once he gathered momentum, there was no stopping him.

"Thorin. Thorin, my boy," Thrain said lightly.

Thorin spun around, and his face fell with pure anguish. "Adad?" His voice was small and vulnerable.

I had never seen him this way . It made my stomach seize.

"No, no, no, please. Not you," He grabbed at his forehead, digging into the skin with jagged, bitten nails. "I can't take these accursed visions any longer."

Thrain inched forward. "Thorin. I know you. It doesn't matter how long we've been apart. I. Know. You. You are stronger than this. You can fight this."

"I'm not strong enough," languished Thorin. "I tried to fight it, but I still lost. I'm just like my grandfather."

"No, Thorin," Thrain said more sternly this time. "You are nothing like him. It took a long time for me to accept the fact that my Adad was not a great King. Even before his sickness, he valued coin over people."

"But you, Thorin. You always saw the value in others. You cared for our people no matter who they were. Even as a boy, I could see that in you. And you saved our people, fought for them. When any lesser dwarf would have given in, you kept on going. You are the reason that they even have a home now. I may not have been able to see you, but I knew that you were a great King."

Thrain finally reached Thorin, placing his hands on his shoulders. Thorin gasped at the contact. "You are not Thror, my boy. You are Thorin, King under the mountain, my son, and your people need you."

Thorin's eyes cleared, and the crown slipped from his fingertips. The hollow sound rang through the air like the toll of a bell.

"Adad?" His voice cracked, and a single tear slipped down his face. It was enough to break his composure completely, and a sob burst out of him. Then he dived in for a crushing hug. "By Mahal, you're really here. I searched for you, Adad. I never stopped looking. I never stopped."

"I'm here, my boy, and there's no getting rid of me now."