Author's Note – I am posting this chapter with mixed feelings. This story has been important to me; it wouldn't leave me alone, begging me to write it. Now that I am presenting the final chapter, I am both proud and sad to see this journey finished. Thank you, all of you, who have walked with me on this quest and left me such wonderful, encouraging reviews. May the Valar watch over you!

Monkiainen did a fan mix for this, and I will be linking it when she posts it on AO3. She is my artist-partner for the "Hobbit Big Bang." I've had so much fun with this, and I hope we get to do another one when the time comes.

Disclaimer – I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make any money from this story.

Chapter Sixty-Nine – Reunion

The Halls of Mahal, where dwarrow went after returning to stone, was always a noisy, vibrant place. Dwarrow worked on their crafts while waiting to be reunited with the loved ones who had been left behind, spending time with those who had passed on before they had. There were always tears for those entering the halls as well as joyful laughter and the occasional argument. It made everything lively, and those who waited there thrived in it as their souls healed while waiting.

This held especially true for the line of Durin; while they shared the blood of the one known as "Deathless," even the longevity of each member of the house eventually ended due to old age or violence.

Thorin II Oakenshield had ruled justly, eventually passing his crown to Fili so he could help his sister-son adjust to his throne as the younger dwarrow took charge of the people of Erebor. He had fallen ill some years later, his body too worn down by centuries of hard work and worry, and had passed away peacefully in the night. Dis had followed him two years later, breaking the hearts of her family.

Kili had been greeted by his mother, uncle, and father shortly after his one hundred and ninety-first birthday. He had gone scouting when orcs had been reported near the borders of Erebor, and their party had been attacked. The archer had killed several before putting himself into the path of a sword that would have ended his eldest son's life, sacrificing himself for his loved one.

When he wasn't visiting with his family and getting to know his grandparents, he spent his time working at his craft as he remembered his time on Arda while waiting for the others he had left behind to arrive. His thoughts were always full of his family and his One, hoping they would live full lives and have many tales to share with the family once they were reunited.

Fili had ruled justly with his consort and siblings at his side; Kili had been so proud of him and still was, knowing that Erebor was once again the crown jewel amongst the dwarven kingdoms. Even the hobbits, who had made the mountain their home, had worked hard to ensure Erebor would be the happiest and safest of the dwarrow kingdoms.

When Kili had passed onto his father's halls, the migration of hobbit women and fauntlings were still ongoing but slowing down as a few of the adult males were going back to the Shire with each generation. Everyone had taken it as a sign that the plan devised to keep the female hobbits safe and treasured was working. Yavanna had certainly blessed the mountain both inside and out; fertility had been climbing, much to everyone's joy.

His brother and Ori had been gifted three children by Belis, who had focused on her craft after each birth. She made time to spoil her oldest brother's two sons and daughter as well as the children Kili and Adamanta had welcomed into the world as well.

The archer sighed to himself, smiling at the thought of his One. He and Adamanta had gone on to have a grand total of eight children before she had been cautioned not to have anymore. She had been ill a great deal during her final pregnancy since she had carried twins each time she had been with child, and both had agreed to focus themselves on their little ones. Kili counted himself as blessed and hoped that his beloved wife and children would continue on even though he was gone.

The only regrets he had were leaving his loved ones behind and not getting to be there for the birth of his first grandchild. There was one other thing laying on his heart; a worry that had been planted during a discussion about the family over a meal he shared with his mother, father, and uncle.

Thror had started the topic before going on to dine with his father and brothers, warning that while Kili's offspring would join him here in Mahal's Halls due to their dwarven blood, Adamanta might not be permitted to enter the halls designed for the dwarrow's afterlife.

Dis had immediately told Kili that she didn't believe Mahal and Yavanna would keep them separated since the two were soulmates, and Thorin and Krili had agreed with her. Kili hadn't said much on the topic that night or in the days that followed, praying that the Valar would be kind and allow him to be reunited with his beloved wife once her time came.

Time passed and more family and friends joined the Durin line in Mahal's Halls with no sign of Adamanta; Kili focused on his craft to try to ignore the hole in his heart that continued to grow every day without his soulmate. He knew his family worried about him, but he couldn't reassure them since he didn't know if he would be allowed to be all right or not.

"Kili, Prince of the Line of Durin."

The deep voice pulled him away from his work and thoughts, and he turned to see the Stone Father standing in the doorway of his workshop.

"Lord Mahal," he greeted, bowing his head in reverence.

"You show signs of being unhappy, son, and that troubles me," the Vala began. "The others work, feast, and live within my halls with great joy. You have always been a sparkling diamond, but that radiance has faded. I wish to know what grieves you."

"I miss my One," he admitted, gritting his teeth at his own bluntness and hoping Mahal would not take offense. "It has been such a long time since I last saw her, and my great-grandfather reminded me that there is a very strong chance that I would not be reunited with her once she leaves the realm of the living."

"Some would view me as stern, my son, but I am not that cruel," Mahal stated. "My lady wife has sent a gift for you."

Confused but hopeful, Kili looked up and spotted the wide smile on the Vala's face. He followed when the Stone Father gestured him to do so, wondering what was going on.

The pair entered a large hall where the occasional party was held, and the archer spotted his family waiting not far from the door where he and Mahal had used to enter the cavernous room. Before he could say anything, a voice pulled his attention away from his family and the Vala.

"Kili!"

Kili didn't even think; he ran for all he was worth when he spotted the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Within seconds, he held his beloved wife in his arms, sobbing softly as he kissed her. Adamanta held tightly onto him, kissing him back before trying to soothe her soulmate.

"Lady Yavanna swore that any hobbit who was the soulmate of a dwarf would be allowed into Mahal's Halls. She and Lord Mahal have no wish to part the souls they crafted to be One," the hobbit said to him, wiping his tears away. "I'm here now, my Kili, and I will never leave you."

"Adamanta, my jewel, I love you. I have missed you so much."

"I love you too," she told him, blue eyes shining with just how much she felt for the other. "The years were so miserable without you, but we're together now."

Kili laughed through his tears, picking his wife up and spinning her for a moment. Her beautiful laughter filled the hall with its sweet sound, and he was so grateful that he would be able to experience this for the rest of his afterlife until it was time for the world to be remade.

Adamanta continued laughing as he set her down, and she kissed him once more. She took the time to savor it, letting his presence seep into her essence once again. When she had woken in Yavanna's Gardens, the hobbit had thanked her creator for watching over her and had been so very happy and incredibly grateful when the Valië had told her she would be reuniting with her husband now that she was awake.

She was home now in the arms of the one her heart had chosen, and she would savor every second she was with him because she knew just how close she had come to never knowing love at all. In truth, she was not just grateful to the Valar for allowing her to be with her family here in Mahal's Halls but Adamanta was also incredibly thankful for the rescue that had enabled her to live such a rich life.

Author's End Notes - I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter as well as my story. Though this tale is now finished, I will be posting more "Hobbit" stories because my heart adores this fandom too much to leave it behind. Truth is, I have enough wombats to keep me writing in this fandom for years. Please let me know what you thought of the chapter, and I hope that you will continue to follow me through the next adventure in Tolkien's realm. ~ Laran