Lhindril shot up to follow Balin and Kíli did the same. Fíli called after them that they should send his compliments and wish him luck and all the best.

"Tell him he's always welcome here, any time. And of course he can have his share of the treasure. We can send it to him if he doesn't want to carry it home now" after a nod, they wanted to leave when Fíli called her back

"Yes?"

"Come back here, little one" he held out his hands and a little confused she sat down on the bed while Fíli told the others to go on ahead.

What's the matter?"

"You still owe me something" with a frown she asked what he meant

"The bet at the beginning of the journey, whether or not Bilbo would show up, do you remember?"

"Of course I do. Does that mean you know what you want from me?"

"Exactly" he grinned

"Which is?" softly, he pulled her closer and whispered in her ear

"A kiss"

"Wait, you could have anything from me and all you want is that I kiss you?"

"And what more could I want? Thorin and Gandalf were right, you are a very good burglar" he saw her frown for he continued "after all you managed to steal my heart without me noticing at first" sighing she shook her head but couldn't hold back a grin

"That wasn't stealing. It was an exchange. I did give you my heart after all"

The others were already at Erebor's gate and talking when Lhindril arrived with some other Dwarves. Bilbo turned to them and told them they always were welcome at Bag End and wouldn't even need to knock. Despite the sadness of the situation she smiled. Before he left, she approached him and wanted to shake his hand but the Hobbit didn't take it and hugged her instead. Because she wasn't sure if Kíli had already told him what Fíli had said she did so. Finally, they let go of each other and Bilbo joined Gandalf who was waiting a little apart and the two of them left. With tears in her eyes she glanced after them, asking herself when they would see each other again. Because she would see to it that there was a reunion.

"What about you, Lhindril? Are you staying for the feast?" Balin interrupted her thoughts

"Which feast?"

"The one tonight, for Thorin"

"Oh that one, yes" how could she forget about the feast to honour Thorin and their reclaimed home the Dwarves had been planning ever since the battle was over? But why would Balin ask if she wanted to stay for it? Didn't he want her to stay here with Fíli? Or did he just think she would leave them anyways? Before she could say something Kíli was at her side

"I think we won't be getting rid of her that easily. She'll be staying quite a while" he said with a grin in her direction.

The following hours she helped the Dwarves - also the ones of Iron Hill that had been invited for the feast as well - to prepare the gallery of the king. Then she decided to spend some more time with Fíli and if she was honest she didn't really look forward to the feast. Big festivities had never been her thing and she had never really attended one, except for the one in Lake-town not too long ago. And also Fíli wouldn't be there so she also preferred to be with him and have a few moments alone together. (And also to prevent him from getting ideas and sneaking to the feast anyways). But once she reached the sickbay she saw that Fíli was asleep and decided to attend the feast anyways and could go back to him later. Back on her way she met Kíli who had gone to look for her.

"Did you think you could weasel out of this? No way" he laughed and started pulling her for the rest of the way. Only a couple of minutes after the fest started she almost regretted having come. Thorin here, Thorin there. Thorin this, Thorin that. Not that she still hated him but she was mourning and this worked best for her if she wasn't constantly reminded of said person. With time as the Dwarves started to get drunk they even talked Khuzdul mostly and she felt left out because she didn't understand a word. Others were just hollering around or sang songs but so out of tune that it sounded horrible. At some point she searched Kíli who already had had enough but still did a drinking contest with Ori, Bofur and Dori.

"I'm leaving, I'm tired" she shouted into his ear "You'll know where to find me if you do need me" not even putting the jug down he only nodded and she just left quickly, taking a deep breath when the sounds got quieter. This time, Fíli was awake and seemed surprised to see her.

"Hasn't the feast started already?"

"Yes it has. It's in full swing"

"And why are you there then?" she sat down on the bed

"It got a little too much for me" he raised his eyebrows

"You have the possibility and choice to go to the feast but don't want to while it's the other way round for me?"

"That's why I'm here too. That you're not alone. And I really had enough of everything. Besides, who knew if you hadn't gotten the idea to sneak to the festivity out of boredom anyways"

"Not me" he laughed and for the longest time they just lay there, cuddled up against each other not talking much but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

"What happens now? I mean you have the mountain back... will the other Dwarves of Ered Luin come here? And what about those from the Iron Hills? Will they stay here or return? And what about the treasure? What if it causes even more war?"

"Now, don't worry about this, my love. I will not let that happen. There shall be no more war because of any of the riches of Erebor" only a few seconds later she realised something else that would change their lives again. Now that Thorin was dead, it was up to Fíli to rebuild and rule Erebor. She swallowed

"Oh Manwë. Fíli, are you even aware what Thorin's death means?"

"Yes. An important part of my family is gone and I'm king"

"Does that worry you?"

"A bit. I mean yes but Thorin has well prepared me for this burden. But what about you? Do you think you are ready and fit for this?" she shrugged and had yet another thought

"What about us? I'm no Dwarf… are you even allowed to marry me and that we rule together? Or does our relationship has to end that you can marry someone of your folk?"

"It must work. I can't leave you or even send you away. So we will find a solution, I promise. If nothing else works I will refuse the throne and we shall go somewhere else to live together. Unless you don't want this or me anymore" before she could give an answer she noticed that they weren't alone anymore. Kíli barged into the room with a beer in his hand

"Ah here you are, Fíli" he slurred while laughing "They're looking for you"

"And where else should I be?" taking a sip the younger Dwarf shrugged

"We think that we should officially have a king under the mountain" when she made sense of the words she rolled her eyes. A part of her had wondered before why they made the festivity now when the heir to the throne could not even attend.

"Does that mean what I think it does?"

"If you think we want to coronate your beloved betrothed, Linnie, you are quite right" he let out a loud hiccup then grinned happily.

"What did you just call me? And we're not betrothed!"

"That can be changed very quickly, Linnie" angrily, she took a deep breath and just wanted to growl at Kíli when Fíli piped up

"Don't get angry, little one. I do find that nickname rather cute" she only huffed while he addressed his brother "But I don't think your idea is possible" with big, surprised eyes Kíli looked at him, asking why "I'm not feeling well and I can't get up. And then what? I rule Erebor from my sickbed? Not exactly graceful" disappointed Kíli nodded but at least he accepted it. He just wanted to leave but then came back, placing the mug of ale on the little nightstand before leaving.

-oOo-

Many weeks had passed since the battle and Fíli had swiftly recovered thanks to the bedrest. One of the first things he did was give the promised gold to the people of Lake-town and hand the gems to the Elves of Mirkwood. And members of the company just were allowed to take whatever they needed whenever they did that no one needed to hoard his share somewhere else. The news that the Dwarves had reclaimed Erebor spread like wildfire and soon they would await the arrival of the first group of Dwarves from Ered Luin. The Dwarves of Iron Hill had all returned with Dáin but some planned to come back with their families. And the Dwarves of the company were already assigned new tasks and jobs for later but as of now, almost everyone was still tiding up and cleaning Erebor. At least Lhindril had something to do like this and wasn't bored because everyone was busy all day, especially Fíli.

On that day she had been sent to clean near the entrance halls, feeling glad that the others had taken care of the harder jobs like getting rid of the stone rubble or remove the bodies of their kin. She stopped her task however when she heard loud voices and laughter. Was there a feast in Dale? So she hurried up to the balcony where she had been with Bilbo during the battle to have a look and gasped when she saw the huge group of people, Dwarves by the looks of it. If it were those from the Blue Mountains? Quickly she dropped the broom and ran through Erebor until she reached one of their conference rooms. Not even bothering to knock she entered and hurried in. The three Dwarves, Dwalin, Kíli and Fíli all looked up

"What is wrong? What happened?" Fíli asked.

"I… they're here. The Dwarves from the Blue mountains. There here and will arrive any minute" Dwalin let out a little curse and wanted to know what they should do. The three of them exchanged glances

"We're not quite done here and can't just leave. I know I'm asking much but could you take care of them? See if you can find someone to help you? Just try to gather them somewhere so we can welcome and instruct them. We'll be with you as soon as we can" Fíli asked. After a moment of shock she considered it and then nodded.

Having arrived back in the entrance hall with a few others, she noticed that some of the arriving Dwarves had already entered the mountain. Most of them just ignored her or even glared at her. And quite often she was bumped into, not just by the little Dwarflings that ran around.

"Excuse me, please" she suddenly heard a desperate voice "Have you seen my children? A boy and a girl" she described what they looked like and Lhindril looked around but couldn't really see much. And it wasn't the last time that someone asked her for help. Others even wanted to give her orders and tasks. Her only hope were the other Dwarves of the company that helped her and actually could do something about the chaos. But at least Lhindril managed to help the people looking for someone. And together, they managed to gather everyone in the gallery of the kings but they were still bombarded with questions.

"If you would all listen for a short while" Balin said, raising his hand "Your questions will soon be answered. The king soon will arrive" that seemed to do it and the crowd got a lot more silent but Lhindril hoped that the three missing Dwarves soon wound be here.

"Should I go look for them?"

"Not necessary, they will soon be here I take it" Balin said

"Will you tell them that it's Fíli and not Thorin who's… well…?" before he could answer another She-Dwarf approached them.

"Excuse me? Have you perhaps heard something of my sons?" as so often, Lhindril wanted to hear their description when the other woman continued "It's just that you seem to have been here a little longer and my sons were part of the company that reclaimed the mountain. My brother was there too" Lhindril didn't hear the rest of it because she had realized whom she was talking to. The mother of Fíli and Kíli and she pondered what to say, especially about Thorin. But luckily, she didn't need to say something because the other three Dwarves were here and looking for the rest of the company. Now the Dwarf next to her noticed them too and ran over to them, crushing her sons in a hug and peppering kisses all over their faces what the two of them didn't seem too enjoy too much.

-oOo-

In the late evening everything had become quieter and the Dwarves were accommodated but everyone knew that even more would come in the next weeks and months. Dís, mother of Fíli and Kíli was visiting her brother's grave with her younger son. Shortly after he had been back on his feet, Fíli had organized his uncle's burial. They had also wanted to coronate their new king but Fíli wanted to do this later, when more Dwarves were here.

"Well, I think there goes all the silence and peace in Erebor" Lhindril muttered as Fíli and her were strolling Erebor "Are you worried that you'll soon have to be king officially?" Fíli shrugged

"I can't say, really but I will see. There's still time" they had reached the gold halls of Erebor. They stopped and Fíli seemed to be thinking. She took hold of his arm and as always when they were close to the gold she hoped that he would never succumb to dragon sickness like Thorin had. "You know, Thorin was right about the treasure. 'Everything your heart desires and more' is what he would say. He told us everything about it and what we would get with this quest. But I would have never imagined that it would ever be so valuable and important for me" she swallowed and glanced at him, a part of her fearing it was too late. There was a weird shimmer in his eyes, one she had often seen in Thorin while he had been mad.

"Are you alright?" she asked carefully

"Of course, why are you asking?" after a deep breath she told him of her assumption. He only shook his head "Don't you worry about this. Yes, I have found something thanks to this quest that I desire above all else. Something extremely precious to me" she glanced at him in confusion and he chuckled "but I'm not talking about this gold down here, I'm talking about you"

"Oh" her heartbeat increased and she didn't know what to say and felt like she didn't really deserve the words. Luckily he didn't expect an answer and suggested they went on because he wanted to show her something.

Hand in hand they continued their way until they reached the mines, where all the valuables of Erebor had been found. At the edge before the abyss they stopped

"As long as this huge treasure is inside Erebor, no Dwarf shall go down to the mines since we don't need anymore gold" she gave a little nod and was glad that he saw it like this and didn't need more and more just because there was more like the last king did. He let go of her hand and then retrieved the Arkenstone from his clothing and placed it in her hand. They had gotten the stone back after delivering the gold and gems to the respective claimers. Fíli moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "The heart of the mountain has been found somewhere down here and as you might know, its beauty exceeds everything in Erebor. Well, almost" his voice got louder again "I finally want to put an end to this madness" he pressed a short peck to the back of her head "Drop it"