48

The next few days were some of the happiest Erebor had ever seen. Thorin and Talia were finally able to rule their kingdom together, and their kin were overjoyed to finally see it. The King Under the Mountain had finally come into his own, and although his fate was destined to end in fire and burn, he was able to rise out of the ashes with his Queen. Dis, Balin, and Dwalin knew Thror and Thrain were watching happily from above, and that their pride in the pair was just as strong as always. Meanwhile, Kili was excited about the idea of a new family member, not just his ancestors. He and Tauriel awaited their cousin anxiously, which put a smile on the rulers' faces. When the She-Elf was permitted to visit Erebor as an Ambassador of Mirkwood, the kingdom always welcomed her; after all, she and Talia had become as close as sisters.

Despite the joy of new beginnings, there were still remnants of the past that needed to be tended to. Thorin had to work on reestablishing the grandeur of the kingdom that he had once known, and make sure Talia's economic and political foundations stayed stable. He had always known his destiny was that of a King, but it was still quite an adjustment to make from his previously nomadic life. Naturally, his Queen agreed, for it had been long since she had seen action behind any of her titles. But Talia's time as Queen without Thorin had given her some sense of familiarity, and so she turned her focus to what she truly valued; her friends. As much as she hated to admit it, the Company had come to an end. Finally, it was time to say goodbye to their beloved associates.

Thorin and Talia helped the hobbit haul his things onto his pony, grunting slightly from the effort. Bilbo, feeling slightly guilty for accepting their shower of gifts, cringed in response. Meanwhile, Gandalf chuckled in response, leaning on his staff beside his already prepared horse. The behavior was expected from the burglar, for if the wizard knew one thing to be true, it was that hobbits enjoyed their comforts.

"Now do you admit that you've overdone yourselves?" Bilbo huffed, adjusting his cloak after the labor was complete.

"I admit nothing."

"All I can say, Master Baggins, is that I am grateful you did not bring your handkerchief." Thorin replied, corroborating Talia's stubbornness. The three of them shared a smile while Gandalf looked on, happy with the friendship he had cultivated. He truly believed that these smaller moments, of the common folk in their everyday lives, were what kept evil at bay.

Balin's sniffle was what broke up the moment. The wizard patted the dwarf's shoulder, motioning to his breast pocket. In response, the dwarf pulled out his handkerchief, blowing his nose loudly.

"I think you'd best be off, Master Baggins—before Balin begins to bawl altogether."

"It'll surely attract more members of the Company, yes." Gandalf agreed, nodding to Talia and her smirk. "I recall you wished to leave unseen and unheard; well, as much so as the King and Queen would allow."

"This is farewell, my friend." Thorin embraced Bilbo with as much strength as he had outside of Goblin Town. This time, the hobbit was prepared; he returned it gratefully, smiling despite the lump in his throat. Talia could only look on in sadness, reflecting on how much such a small creature had impacted her.

When the moment came, after Bilbo had embraced the rest of their audience, he gripped onto the reigns of his pony, shifting awkwardly. "Well, I think I'll slip quietly away. Will you tell the others I said goodbye?"

But before he could turn, Balin brought himself to speak. "You can tell them yourself."

Bilbo looked back to find the rest of the dwarves standing behind him, taking in their clasped hands and teary eyes. Seeing the sentiment in their eyes, Bilbo's own emotion bubbled up into his chest, and he remembered why he hated goodbyes. He rarely knew how to put such things, experiences, people into words, especially how enormously they had impacted him. The Company would always be a part of him, whether he liked it or not.

After a slight pause, the hobbit found some semblance of manners. "If any of you are ever passing Bag-End... tea is at four. There's plenty of it. You are welcome any time."

Sniffles ruffled through the crowd, causing some of them to wipe their eyes. Then, all of the dwarves bowed their heads to the hobbit in acknowledgment, including the King and Queen. If there was one thing they knew about Bilbo Baggins, it was that he was true to his word.

He started away, but not before turning back one last time. "Don't bother knocking."

The dwarves laughed softly, admiring his gentle humor. With that, Bilbo turned and walked away with Gandalf, back to the Shire after awaiting Thorin's return. They watched him go with sadness, knowing they would all miss the dear fellow more than words could say. Thorin and Talia both vowed that they would take him up on his offer one day, perhaps when they both were finally at peace.

Once Balin had collected himself, he knew it was his turn to speak. "On the subject of goodbyes..." He began, turning back to his kin after the hobbit had disappeared. "I'm afraid I and some others of our Company must bid Erebor adue."

"What?" Talia turned to him in shock, followed by Thorin.

"As much as Erebor is our home, our kin comes first." The advisor explained as Ori and a few dwarves joined his side. "When the seven dwarf kingdoms welcomed Thorin back at the feast a few days ago, the steward of Moria offered me a proposition. My father, Fundin, was the Lord of Moria before the Orcs overtook these lands. But now that Azog is gone, and order has been restored, the Dwarvish Council has decided that I am to claim this role. I must journey there and honor my father's legacy in his stead."

"You will be missed." Thorin bowed his head to his friend, accepting his departure.

But Talia faced him in a heartbroken stupor. "You knew about this?"

"It was my idea." Thorin confirmed, taking Talia's hands in his. "They followed me to reclaim our home. It is only fair, that in such a resurgence of the might of the Dwarves, I allow them to do the same."

"Who said I allowed it?"

"That's why I didn't tell you."

Balin smiled at the bickering, moving to Talia and putting a hand on her arm. "It'll be alright, lass. It won't be the last you see of me."

She embraced the older dwarf gently, her short-lived anger now turned into sadness. "I can't imagine my life without you in it, Balin."

"Neither can I, to be honest." He added, wiping his tears away before releasing her. "But you'll be just fine."

She nodded, kissing his cheek and bidding him a farewell. Then, the advisor turned to Thorin, hugging his eldest friend silently. They had little to say to each other, for their embrace expressed it all. Dwalin was the last to say goodbye, holding his elder brother fiercely. "You make him proud, Balin."

"I will." He promised, knocking heads with Dwalin one last time. They laughed it off as he helped Balin onto his pony, standing ready with provisions for the journey. Meanwhile, Thorin and Talia took to saying goodbye to the other dwarves. Though it was hard, they all managed despite the strength of their emotions. Talia hugged Ori the hardest, solidifying a promise that when she was to give birth to an heir, he would be there to read the story of their journey to her child. Much to Ori's surprise, she hadn't forgotten about his book; still, he agreed nonetheless.

"Goodbye, you deserting bastards." Talia joked, allowing Thorin to hold her close while the dwarves adjusted to their saddles.

"Ride safe." He added, bowing his head respectfully. "Should your company need anything more—"

"Yes, yes." Balin chided, waving the King off like he was a schoolboy. "We needn't do anything more but return home."

So the dwarves were off, journeying to Moria to start their lives anew. Talia leaned her head into Thorin's neck, watching them go in the midday sun. It always slipped her mind how new beginnings often required sorrowful endings.

The days wore on, and the kingdom continued to adjust to the new changes. All of the Blue Mountain dwarves were comfortable in their new lives, given that their families, vocations, and leisurely activities were accounted for in Erebor's prosperity. Despite how much the royal family missed Balin, Ori, and some other Company members, they knew that they would find their happiness in Moria. Like those in Erebor, they were beginning to fulfill their destinies, something that they had long awaited.

Still, time passed peacefully within the mountain. The hole in the hearts of the royals never fully healed, but they were able to continue on despite this struggle. They worked harder and harder to restore Erebor to it's former glory, and a few months later, they finally felt like they had done it. Bard and his people in Dale prospered, as did their trade and alliances. As soon as they could afford it, they would hold a celebration in the name of such success, for their people deserved all the happiness in the world for their perseverance.

Over the course of the year, all of their wounds finally seemed to heal. Dis and Kili knew Fili rested in a better place, and had made peace with his death and their lives in the mountain. Although their respective loves hadn't exactly worked out as planned, either, they were happy. Dwalin and the other dwarves proved to be some of the strongest warriors in the Guard, the Council, or other authoritative positions. After their journey, they had all found a sense of leadership within them that they hadn't known of before. Thorin and Talia knew their kingdom was secure and solidified; it truly felt as though the quest for Erebor was finally behind them.

Yet Talia knew that not everything was fully taken care of. One of her promises still went unkept, for she had vowed to visit Beorn after the quest. Amidst all of her time in the mountain, where the work never seemed to stop, she had forgotten her dear friend. Even though she hated herself for it, she was sure he would understand; aside from Thorin, he knew her better than anyone.

"Talia?" Thorin asked, sitting up to find Talia pacing the room. "What are you doing up? Come to bed."

She shook her head at him, sparing a look at his half-asleep form under the covers. He had watched her gnaw on her nails for nearly half an hour, which had become a frequent habit of hers. Still, her restless spirit had never been as anxious in form as it was tonight. Now, he was fully awake, for his worry of her well-being pervaded his mind.

"What troubles you?" Thorin stood, beginning to walk to her side. She had paused at the window in their chambers, which overlooked the lake and the expansive forest behind it. "Talk to me, amrâlimê." He urged her gently, kissing her knuckles with a delicacy that made her knees go weak.

Talia sighed, leaning into his chest. The moon's reflection on the water illuminated her visage, which showed Thorin a longing that was a rarity of hers. "You'd think me foolish."

"How do you know?"

"Because you have, on multiple occasions."

"Is this a similar occasion?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because dwarves are not a wandering people." Talia responded, turning his chin towards her. "Yet I still wish to wander Middle Earth once more, in search of a friend that I made a promise to visit again."

Thorin paused, leaning his forehead on hers and pressing a kiss to her lips. "I know you miss him. I only worry for your safety, is all."

"I can defend myself, Thorin."

"I know, but I'll always worry about you." He confessed, mumbling almost indistinguishably. Such vulnerability from Thorin was only seen by her, and still it was a rare sight.

"I would not leave you unless I felt I had to." Talia whispered, holding him close while bringing his cheek to her lips. "I'm afraid this itch will not go away, Thorin. I've thought about it for months. And now that everything is calm in the kingdom, I figured it is a better time than any." She explained, looking into his churning blue eyes. "I owe him my life—you know that."

He nodded, squeezing her hand. "Come back to me, Talia."

She smiled, cupping his cheek gently. "I always do."

One year after the Battle of the Five Armies, Talia set off to Beorn's humble home with Thorin's good will. Her journey would be much shorter than her last, for she crossed the lake and passed through the forest with an ease that the Company had not been graced with. Although she traveled alone and had no one to share it with, she still enjoyed the land's renewed state. The lake, now clean and free of any ruins, glistened like it had before the dragon. The forest was also restored to the Greenwood of Old, for Thranduil had learned the importance of caring for all in Middle Earth. Talia smiled at the Elf-King's work, seeing touches of a collaboration with Radagast in the life within the woods.

Eventually, she reached the edge of the Greenwood, where Beorn's home sat amidst the plains. A grin like no other spread across her features as she raced to the house, bounding over grass and hill to reach it. When she knocked on the door, she was hardly able to contain her excitement. Still, she chose to jest with her old friend, and so an unamused frown crossed her features when he opened it.

"Bear-Man." Talia crossed her arms, quirking an eyebrow at her old friend.

But Beorn knew her well, and he soon caught on to her game. "You're one to talk. You're named after an herb."

A few seconds passed with the two of them staring each other down, a lack of emotion holding their expressions firm. Then, Talia burst into laughter, embracing her old friend when he knelt down to greet her. The Skin-Changer chuckled along as well, holding her close. He had always known her to be a woman of her word; he was truly overjoyed to see her again, for he had long awaited her visit.

"Good to see you, old friend."

"Agreed. Here I was, beginning to think that you had forgotten me. But if it took you an entire year to get here, then you must've been busy." He rose from his knees, ushering her inside. "Come. Tell me everything."

As he had been on her journey to the mountain, he was a kind and courteous host. He gave her the spare room in his home, which was practically her own considering the amount of visitors he had. While she freshened up for supper, he took to preparing the meal once he had finished with the wood outside. Despite her wear, she fought to get herself out of the bath consciously when the smell of roast vegetables reached her nose. Overjoyed with his craft, she sat at the table with a smile. She was raised a dwarf, but Beorn had given her an appreciation for many things in their years together; a liking to food other than meat was one of them.

"I am glad someone enjoys my cooking." Beorn admitted, joining her from across the table. "I have grown sick of it myself."

"Well, then. Tomorrow I must make my ever-so-famous cinnamon cakes for you." Talia grinned back, taking a bite of her food and a sip of her milk. "By the barrel, should you wish it."

"I wish nothing from you, Rue."

"You saved my life, Beorn." She fought back. Although her tone was playful, Beorn could see how much she meant it. "Any kindness I can offer is yours."

He shook his head, enveloping her small hand in his. "Will you ever give it up?"

"What?"

"Your selfless nature. Like I told you, it will get you in trouble."

She only winked back, shaking her head and squeezing his thumb. "I'm afraid it already has, my friend."

"Speaking of such adventure." Beorn continued, remembering her quest. "I have not been to the mountain since the battle. Tell me, did you succeed? Is Erebor everything it once was?"

And so she told him. She recounted every moment from leaving his home to how she returned, excluding the few details that Beorn already knew of the battle. The Skin-Changer was not at all surprised to hear of Thranduil's initial inhospitality, but he was relieved to hear of his later change of heart. Beorn had seen the change in the Greenwood, but it had gone unexplained; now, he had a reason to believe the forest was truly healed. When Talia told him of Lake-Town, he listened with earnest of her familial ties to the bargemen, and how both of them had gone from nobodies to incredible rulers of their people. Her battle with the dragon did not surprise him. Instead, he was just thankful that Bard had the heart to save her. Recounting the sickness and the showdown with Azog was the hardest for her to recount, and it was the hardest for Beorn to hear. Seeing her in pain killed him, too, but he had always known Talia's strength. It was only natural that she had won.

"Then all was well."

"No, it wasn't." Beorn corrected, seeing the shift in her eyes. Her slight glee in telling Beorn of Azog's death was gone as soon as it had come, and a new heaviness set in it's place. "What happened after the Defiler was slain?"

Her silence gave him the answer he had dreaded. Shocking emerald eyes met his warm brown ones, making him sigh in abandon.

"I do not force you to recount it, should it hurt you so."

Then, she furrowed her brow, shaking her head in response. "No, Beorn. He didn't die."

The Skin-Changer urged her to continue. "Then why do you still ache for him?"

"He was asleep, comatose, for over a month." Talia confessed, looking away from his piercing gaze. "Everyone told me to keep hope, to stay strong for him, and I did the best I could. Yet I could not stay the voice inside that told me he never would wake. That it had been too long, that his wounds would have healed by now. Amidst reparation of a broken kingdom, a desolated city, and a grief-stricken family, I had to live with the guilt that I was powerless. I could do nothing to save him, for he had sacrificed himself for me. It felt like..." She sniffled, wiping her cheeks quickly so Beorn wouldn't see her tears. "It felt like I had doomed him to his fate."

He paused, thinking of an appropriate response. Then, his deep voice rumbled from his chest and echoed into the firelight. "A man accepts his destiny. A warrior follows his destiny. But a King makes it his own." Beorn said, pouring more milk into her pitcher. "He chose this path because he loves you, Talia Rue. You cannot blame yourself for his sentiment."

She nodded, for when he used her full name, he was in no joking mood. She knew his words to be true. Though Thorin had tried to convince her of the same for months, they butted heads so often that it was hard to heed his persuasion. Beorn had always been a welcome voice of reason in their captivity, and proved to be the same even outside of it.

"I understand why you felt that way." He began, setting the pitcher down. "But what I cannot understand is why you still hold onto this guilt, for you are not one to hold onto the past—especially after Thorin has healed."

"How did you know that?"

"You said he was asleep. I could only surmise that he had woken."

Talia raised an amused brow, folding her arms. "You know there was another option."

"I spent centuries being a pessimist, my friend. But I was given a second chance at life." Beorn confessed, a small smile spreading across his features. "I chose to spend it otherwise."

"A wise decision, from an extremely wise friend." Talia grinned, bowing her head in respect. "Thank you, Beorn."

He only patted her hand in return, standing from the table and beginning to clean up their dinner. "And after Thorin woke, I assume all has truly been well? Your kingdom is repaired; you must be drowning in riches by now."

"Yes. Well, we were always drowning in riches, weren't we?" She stood as well, helping him collect their plates. "But you shouldn't worry. We don't visit the vaults. Our finest metalworkers handle the gold, and melt it down to it's original state. All other hidden treasures have been reduced to their pure forms, as well. My personal economic mission has been to lift the curse that has long plagued the Durinsfolk—allowing the hoard to stand will only delay our demise."

"Seems as though I am not the only wise one." Beorn commented, making Talia snort. Once their chores were completed, Beorn welcomed her to one of his two armchairs. They sat across from each other in front of the fireplace, enjoying it's warmth in the coolness of winter. But after seeing Talia yawn, Beorn was afraid her travels had caught up to her. "I do not wish to keep you from rest, my friend. If I am doing so, you needn't but say the word—"

"You worry too much." She rebuked, making him chuckle. "Do you want to shut me up? Because it feels as though I have been talking for hours."

"I never said that."

"It was implied."

"Well, we can both agree that you have been talking for hours, but I never said I wanted you to stop. I know better than to insult a Queen."

Talia scoffed while Beorn chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "I take back my offer. The stubbornness of dwarves tells me I cannot make you cinnamon cakes in the morning."

"Does it?"

"No. I am a Half-Blood, remember?" She winked. "I still have some semblance of kindness in my heart."

"I'll believe it when I see it." Beorn jested, causing both of them to laugh. "Although you deny it, you are tired. Is there anything new in the life of Rue, aside from saving the world?"

She grinned, her eyes lighting up in delight. This was a look Beorn had never seen before. "Well, can you keep a secret? I haven't told anyone else, even Thorin."

"You know I can." The Skin-Changer smiled back. "I am intrigued. What do you hide, Rue?"

"Only what is within me." Talia patted her stomach, rubbing circles into her tunic. "I am with child, Beorn. There will be an heir to the throne of Erebor."