Summary

In the aftermath of the Battle, the Company searches for their lost Burglar, but all they find is a letter and the Arkenstone. They vow to make it up to their Hobbit, and they start by honoring their word to their allies. It takes two years for them to reunite with the lass, and it takes them longer to heal to emotional wounds left by something she refuses to talk about.

A/N: Hello, everyone. I hope you enjoy this new story. It's a little different from the others. Anyway, I'm trying to decide on a language to use for Khezdul but I cannot find one. Would anyone mind helping? I've already decided on who I will be pairing her with, but he remains a mystery for now. Who do you think it is?

Hobbitish = Irish

Khezdul =

Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain may have lifted the banishment of Rose, but she could not bring herself to stay and help. She had to leave. Rose needed to sort out her affairs and get rid of the foul ring she had discovered in the Goblin tunnels. She had known what it was when she placed it on her finger. Rose knew she should tell everyone why she was leaving, but she could not bring herself to. She loved the Company, but sadly, she no longer trusted them aside from Balin and Ori. They were the ones that stuck by her. Not even her Croí-Amhrán stood by her and that hurt the most.

She no longer trusted the one who held her heart in his hands. He failed to keep it safe as he promised. Not wanting to dwell on that thought any longer, Rose placed her belongings inside the pack Ori designed for her, and sheathing Sting on her waist, Rose penned a letter to her Croí-Dheartháir, informing him why she must go. Rose had some business to finish in the Shire before making a journey to Mount Doom. She gazed back toward the direction of Erebor one last time before Prince Legolas gently escorted her to the border of Mirkwood at the edge of Beorn's land.

What Rose failed to know was her heart family was franticly looking for her, wanting to apologize for their actions. A certain dwarf wanted to find his One and apologize for not standing by her, and most of all, asking her to keep their courtship a secret. The reason was he wanted to give her a proper courtship, betrothal, and marriage rites. She deserved better than what he could give her on the road. The dwarf understood that he caused a lot of doubt to weigh on her beautiful mind, and his actions, or inactions inside and outside the mountain did not help with those doubts plaguing his One. Rose was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he failed at showing her. Mahal willing, Rose would give him another chance.

The dwarf was franticly searching the rooms of Erebor hoping to locate the beautiful Hobbit Lady Yavanna had grown for him, when he heard Ori's shout of distress standing near a familiar red pack. Rose had carried that on their journey. The dwarf rushed toward Ori along with the others of the Company as the Journeyman started reading the letter aloud...

Dearest Croí-Dheartháir,

"What does that mean?" Gloin asked. "It's Hobbitish for Heart-Brother," Ori explained before continuing to read the letter. He didn't see the sad expressions on the others' faces as the realization hit that Rose hadn't trusted them as much as they had hoped. Her Croí-Amhrán's expression is the most heart-wrenching. But he understood as Ori had been the only one amongst the Company who welcomed her at the beginning of the Quest.

I knew it would be you who would come looking for me before the others thought too. I'm sure you realize by now that I have left. I know that Master Oakenshield lifted my banishment from Erebor, but I cannot make myself stay where I no longer feel comfortable. I do not wish for you to worry, so you must understand that I will return. I need time away to heal my emotional wounds.

The Company was heartbroken that they failed the sister, daughter, and niece of their hearts. Her dwarf was devastated. He helped destroy his One. Mahal strike him down.

I love you all, but I am returning to my homeland for the time being, to settle my affairs. I do not know how long I will be away, and I cannot promise that I will return as it is a dangerous journey and I have come to understand more than I would like. Know that I will cherish what I have gained from you and the Company. A family. You now know what gaining a family meant to me after losing my parents and brother during the Fell Winter.

"What is the Fell Winter?" Thorin asked worriedly. He failed the daughter of his heart.

"Rosie never talked about that whenever I asked. She changed the subject whenever it came up," Ori explained with a frown. "Now we know why she never mentioned having a brother," Fili stated. He couldn't imagine losing Kili.

Rose's dwarf was heartbroken at the thought of his One hiding pain, but then again, he never gave her a reason to open up to him. He noticed Ori's nickname for his One and couldn't help but frown. It was supposed to have been him who gave his Rose a nickname, but seeing as Ori claimed her as a sister, he didn't say anything.

I'm sure you must be wondering what that is, so allow me to explain.

It was five years before I reached my maturity. The winter of 2911 to 2912 or what my people call the Fell Winter, was the worst in Shire history. Snow came earlier than normal, causing the harvests to suffer that year, and for a while, we were fine, as my people have extra stores, and for that reason, everyone does. The first thing that hit us was the food shortages. We discovered that we could not plant the winter vegetables, as the ground was so hard that we could not break through, causing my people to ration. The snow and ice were so deep that travel and farming became almost impossible. Some of us had to dig our way out from our Smials, and form pathways so we could help those in greater need.

Due to the lack of food, the Kingdom of Rohan suffered from starvation as did many of the Kingdoms and Countries we had trading contracts with.

"I did not know that Hobbits traded with other countries," Dwalin mused.

"They needed farm tools and gardening tools, so they started reaching out to other countries in exchange for livestock, fruits, vegetables, and wood from the dead trees. They have little use for gold, so they came up with a fair trade," Balin explained having inquired about it with their missing Hobbit lass.

Next came illnesses. We lost many of our elderly and the youngest of our Faunts.

"I did not know that Hobbits knew hardships as we did," Thorin said shamefully. He was ashamed to have ever had a bad thought about Rose and her people.

However, the most devastating thing to hit the Shire was after the Brandywine River froze over completely. That had never happened before as it is protected by our mother, Lady Yavanna.

"The Wife and One of our Father!" Nori exclaimed horrified at how they all treated their siblings through their creator's wife. They had much to atone for regarding Rose and the Hobbits.

When the Brandywine froze over, it allowed great white wolves, Orcs, and Wargs to cross over into the Shire.

"Oh, Mahal. The most peaceful people of Middle Earth must have been so terrified," Dwalin muttered distressfully. He was forming plans to go back with the Dwarrow he trained and teach the children of the Green Lady how to defend themselves and their green land.

Valar willing, it had not taken long before the news of our home being invaded reached our allies. They came to our aid, along with a few Dwarrow you may know. Thrain, Frerin, and a few of their men.

"That must have been before grandfather called our forces together to march on Moria," Thorin said thinking about what his father and brother had done for the peaceful folk of the Shire. He remembered Frerin requesting him to go with them, but someone had to stay and help their people find a home since their grandfather was so out of his mind that the welfare of their people was no longer at the forefront of his mind.

They were of great help. But sadly, they did not arrive before Orcs tore my parents and big brother apart in front of me. That is the true reason why I never left the shores of my home again. It was too painful to go out into the world without my mother and brother. My father never journeyed with us, he stayed at home eagerly awaiting our return so he could write our stories.

"That explains why she was so depressed for most of the Quest," Fili said. He was saddened at the thought of the sister of his heart hurting in any way shape or form. It hurt worse now that it was caused by him and his kin.

Now that you know and understand why I was so nervous to be away from my home after so many years, it is time you understood why I did what I did with the Arkenstone.

Thorin straightened up needing to hear this. Rose had never explained her reasoning. He may have forgiven her when the gold sickness lifted, but it would be nice to understand why the daughter of his heart risked everything to take a stone.

The reason I did what I did with the Arkenstone was I could sense a curse laid upon the stone. Hobbit magic, I have discovered, cannot thrive under stone, to cleanse it, I had to take it out of the mountain. The stone Bard had shown you was a replica of the Arkenstone I had found in the treasury. The real Stone never left my procession. I hope you can forgive me for misleading you.

"Oh, my daughter. I dearly wish you would have explained," Thorin muttered kneeling on the stone path of Erebor. He was overcome with grief at what he did to the daughter of his heart. The Company was heartsore at what they failed to see. Rose tried so hard to make them come to their senses, but instead, they turned her away when all she was doing was trying to help. They did not deserve such a kindhearted lass.

Her dwarf was coming to terms with just how much he failed his One. Mahal willing, he would receive another chance with the Hobbit lass Lady Yavanna had grown for him. He vowed he would never fail her again.

You see, Croí-Dheartháir, Hobbits have no call to gold. We are the children of the Green Lady. She created us to be the nurturers of the land and everything that thrives on the land. We can sense the Earth and communicate with it. The main reason why I followed the Company on the quest to reclaim Erebor, is due to having the ability to heal and nourish the land. I wanted to bring life back to your lands. I want Durin folk and all that call Erebor home to thrive as they once did. With my abilities, I can make that happen when I return. The elves can help, but their connection to Earth isn't as strong as Hobbits.

"And now she won't be here to help as she wished," Kili muttered heart in his throat.

"How can such a small person, have such a big heart?" Oin asked.

"We may never know," Bifur stated in the ancient tongue of their people.

One last thing before I leave. You may not know this, but I met my Croí-Amhrán, my Heart-Song, in Dwarrow culture, One. He knows who he is, and if he would like to expose himself, he may.

"What!" they all exclaimed. "WHO?" Thorin bellowed. He was enraged that a dwarf chose his King over his One. A gift forged for him. He became even more enraged when the Dwarf failed to step forward. Balin had a suspicion, but he wouldn't say anything as it was not his place to do so.

He had given me his word that he would not allow anything to happen to me, or to allow anyone to come between us. He failed when we chose his King and worthless Glacadóir Deannaigh over our bond.

"What does that mean?" Bofur and Bombur asked in confusion causing blood to rush toward Ori's cheek.

"It's Hobbitish for dust catcher. Rose and her people have no respect for gold, gems, or jewels. They see it as pointless. They value home, hearth, food, and family over gold, gems, or jewels," he explained making everyone shake their heads, but they now understood Rose's disgust when she entered the treasury.

I do not know if that is something I can forgive. I do hope that isn't so. Children of the Green Lady depend on their Croí-Amhrán, and if I cannot depend on him to keep his word, how can I believe anything he says to me?

"She had a valid point. I can understand why she feels that way," Fili said through grinding teeth making the dwarf in question fight to keep his reaction hidden. He knew he made a mistake, and it may have cost him everything in the process.

I do not understand why he wanted to keep the bond between us a secret, given his actions, or inactions, I am coming to the belief that he is ashamed of me.

"How can anyone be ashamed of such a kindhearted lass?" Kili asked Heartsore that Rose could think that.

"It seems like he gave her plenty of reasons to doubt him. He will be lucky to keep his beard intact when I get through with him," Ori muttered angrily. His brothers were stunned. They never knew their baby brother could get so angry that he was turning red.

The dwarf in question knew he had his work cut out for him as he had to prove himself to his One, and the family who claimed her.

Of not having a dwarf as his One. It breaks my heart to think that, but given everything that has happened, how can I not? Wouldn't you have those same doubts?

"I would. I cannot believe a member of my Company could do something like this. A dwarf never hides the fact that he or she discovers their One," Thorin said. He never thought something like this could or would happen. He wished he had known.

I no longer trust him, and I hope that can be mended, as I do not wish to break our bond, as all Hobbits have the ability to break the bond between two souls if wronged.

Please no, the dwarf thought terrified of the possibility of walking this life without Rose by his side.

"Oh Mahal!" the Company exclaimed shocked and horrified that Hobbits could do this. But they understood Lady Yavanna's desire to ensure her children's happiness and well-being.

Our Green Lady granted my people a way out of a soul bond so as to not curse us with someone we cannot be happy with in this life. I dearly hope my bond with my Croí-Amhrán can be saved. It is up to him, should he wish to do the work needed to restore my faith in him and our bond.

I will, he silently vowed.

"He had better fix this mess," Ori said trying not to rip the letter apart at the thought of his sister being in pain. Pain caused by the one meant to cherish her always.

"He will if he doesn't want to be labeled a traitor. Betraying our One is one of the top two worst crimes a dwarf can commit," Balin stated.

Oh, Mahal. I'm not a traitor. I was trying to give Rose what I thought she deserved. I didn't know it would lead to this, the dwarf thought, feeling his heart tighten in his chest at the thought of what could happen to him because of his actions, or inactions in this case.

I left the courtship bead behind, as I cannot be treated like this by the One Mahal created for my soul to walk this life. I refuse to be treated like I do not matter.

Ori quickly opened the pack and at the bottom, was a small pouch. Inside, he found an emerald, green bead with red rose vines curving up and around. It had knot designs that were only known about in the Company. No one knew who had designed it, but they would soon find out.

Now, in the pack I left behind, there is a sketchpad of the plans I outlined for the land around Erebor, and should my Croí-Amhrán wish to continue with his plans, there is a design for my personal garden, as Hobbits cannot be without sunshine and earth, along with everything that comes with it. Hobbits need it to thrive, as we will fade and join our Green Lady in the Gardens if we are cut off from our connection to the Earth.

"We can't let her die! Mahal! Whoever is her One, step forward!" Thorin ordered and became enraged when the dwarf failed to do so.

I will fix this, the dwarf desperately promised in his mind. He was saddened that he may have caused Rose to dissolve their bond, or worse, cause her death. Mahal willing, he wanted to walk this life with Rose, but if she decided to dissolve their bond, at least he would know she was out in the world.

I do hope I return.

"You will," Thorin sternly stated. He would accept no other option.

Sincerely,

Rosalie Adamanta Took-Baggins

Granddaughter of Gerontius Took the Thain of the Shire

"Beautiful name," Balin said smiling sadly. Her One treasured that he now knew her full name. As they went through the sketchpad, they were amazed at Rose's plans for the land around Erebor.

"We will need the elves to get everything set up, but Rose seemed to love tending to everything on the road, so we will leave that for her when she returns," Thorin swore as they moved through the King's Hall. He was setting a room up for Rose, as it had a large terrace that could easily be transformed into a garden.