Chapter 25

Weeks had passed since the elves had left to retrieve Thorin and his men. This waiting was somehow different for Kaleria than the months of waiting she had done already. This waiting had built a layer of hope within her that at any moment could shatter and threaten to break her from the inside. She had always been strong. Thorin had told her as much on more than one occasion, but the chance of him not returning to her and their unborn child was enough to fracture her strength.

Kaleria sat in the library, the place where she felt the most peace, reading aloud and caressing her growing belly. She still had some time before the baby would arrive, but she didn't know how much bigger she could get. Walking the halls of Erebor had become a struggle Kaleria had never known. Going from being able to wield a sword in full armor to barely lifting herself out of bed was a real kick to the ego.

"The young dwarf climbed up, up, up, to the very top of the mountain and looked out across his kingdom." Her belly moved and Kaleria placed her hand over the spot. "Do you like to climb, little one?"

No response came, but she continued to speak.

"When you're old enough, your father and I will take you on all sorts of adventures. We'll climb mountains, race ponies, swim in the lake. You'll have the childhood we never had." Kaleria felt the tear trace her cheek. "You're going to love your father."

She placed the book back on the table and sat in silence rubbing her belly. The baby had calmed to where she could only sense small movements within.

Her peace was broken when someone threw open the door of the library and rushed in. Kaleria watched as Cardeena rounded the last bookshelf and spotted her.

"My queen…" Her words trailed off.

Kaleria struggled to her feet and approached her lady in waiting. "What is it, Cardeena?"

Cardeena's eyes were on the verge of tears as she gathered her words. "The elves have returned. With the company."

Kaleria took short breaths unable to move. "Thorin?"

"I don't know. When I heard the elves had returned, I came running for you. I'm sorry I should have waited to find out more."

"No, no. You're fine." Kaleria composed herself and became the queen. "Go tell the healers to meet at the front gate. I'm sure some of them are wounded and need care. Tell someone else to ask the kitchens to bring food and water to the hall of kings. We'll feed everyone there and they can send word to their families. If you can find Dis or the boys tell them to get to the gate."

"Yes, my queen." Cardeena sprinted out the door to fulfill her duties.

Kaleria took off as fast as she could go to the main gates. She reached the back stairwell and kept her feet underneath her by some miracle before reaching the landing at the bottom. As she stepped into the entrance she saw the open gates with many people already gathered to welcome the group home.

The first of the company walked through the gates as the healers entered the area. Oin directed his people to set up stations for care, while organizing by types of injuries. As each member entered the mountain, Kaleria scanned each face. One by one they entered and none of them were Thorin.

Dis appeared beside her as if from thin air. "He'll be here."

Kaleria grasped her hand for strength.

The elves entered the gate and blocked her view of the dwarves entering with them. But then the crowd parted just right and she glimpsed a dark head of hair near the back of the group. Another few seconds passed with her vision blocked, before the elves moved and standing at the gates was Thorin.

Kaleria rushed forward through the crowd, bumping people along the way, but not caring in the slightest. She couldn't call his name for fear he might disappear like a puff of smoke.

As she closed in on him, Thorin looked up as if feeling her presence and raced to meet her. They collided in a tight embrace, each holding onto the other like their life depended on it.

"You're alive," breathed Kaleria.

Thorin squeezed her tighter. "I made a promise."

Kaleria pulled back to see his face, tears falling from her eyes. Thorin smiled at her as he took in her image.

She smiled, then a frown creased her lips and she smacked him hard in the chest, making him recoil slightly.

He cocked an eyebrow.

"That's for making me think you were dead." She glared as best she could through teary eyes.

Thorin snorted, then placed his hand at the back of her head and drew her in for a kiss. For months, he had imagined their reunion, but his dreams never came close to the feeling of relief that washed over him as he kissed her and she kissed him back.

They had to separate for air, but they kept their foreheads pressed together.

"I missed you," breathed Thorin.

"I missed you, too." Kaleria drew her face back once more to see his beautiful eyes.

Thorin tried to press closer to her and only then did he seem to remember their unborn child. His hands went to her rounded stomach as he took in the sight of her.

"Our child has grown."

"Very healthy indeed." She laughed.

"Brother?" The word was quiet, spoken as if in disbelief.

Thorin and Kaleria turned to Dis. He released his wife and embraced his sister.

"I'm home, Dis." Thorin reassured her.

He let go and Dis nodded but couldn't speak. At that time Fili and Kili ran up to the group, but stopped short of Thorin. He waited a moment, but when they didn't embrace him, he grabbed them both by the shoulders and pulled them into a big hug.

"My boys," Thorin smiled. "I'm so happy to see you."

"Welcome home, uncle." Fili responded.

Kili only squeezed tighter, not having the words to express his joy.

Thorin stepped back to address them. "I trust everything went well in my absence."

"Of course," said Fili.

"We did as you said and took care of Kaleria for you." Kili added.

Thorin smiled once more. "Thank you, boys. That means a lot to me."

From across the room, a booming voice began giving orders and they all looked to see Dain standing at the top of the steps directing everyone as Kaleria had instructed. He glanced toward Thorin and gave a nod before continuing to organize the people in the entrance.

"Dain is here?" Thorin asked.

Kaleria took his arm. "I have much to tell you, but first you need to bathe."

Thorin looked down at his dirty clothes. "Do I smell that bad?"

"Yes, actually you do, but we'll take care of that." Kaleria teased.

Thorin let her lead him in the direction of their chambers. He had never been more happy to see their staircase and their hallways. But most importantly, he had never been more happy than to have his wife holding onto his arm.