You know, Thrain went missing in 2841, Thorin passed in 2941. So there was a hundred years between Thorin and Thrain's last sighting of each other.

Instead of waking up in Mahal's Halls, Thorin Oakenshield woke up in Bree. Blinking up at the ceiling of the small room, he recalled this inn being the place where Gandalf had come to him about the quest. He slipped off the bed and walked over to the window, taking in the sight of the deepening blue with clashes of amber sunlight glowing across the lower part of the sky.

But just how had this happened? The last Thorin remembered was saying goodbye to Bilbo and then allowing death to take him. How was he here instead of in Mahal's Halls?

For a brief moment, the frightening thought that Mahal had refused him access flitted across the Dwarf's mind, but he shook himself out of that thought. Whatever he was doing here, it would do no good to worry and fear over the reason. The best he could do was deal with the fact he was, it seemed, alive.

He pressed his hand against his chest and felt the rapid thumping of his heart against his palm. A dead person's heart wouldn't beat this fast, Thorin knew.

He was alive, then.

The date proved it was undoubtedly the day Gandalf came to him. He ordered an ale and took it to a table. He stared into its dark-coloured depths for a few minutes, wondering if and when Gandalf would come to him this time around. He wondered about asking the Wizard about this strange development. He even wondered if the quest to reclaim Erebor had just been a dream and he was wasting his time sitting here and waiting for Gandalf.

A movement caught his eye and he became very aware of two Men staring at him from underneath hooded eyes. He instinctively gripped the handle of his sword, ready to attack if they were, when without warning a presence came by his table. Looking up, Thorin almost smiled.

Gandalf had come.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not all. Gandalf."

The Wizard gave a surprised, yet pleased look to Thorin. "You know my name?"

"I know of you."

"Hmm. What bring you to Bree, Thorin Oakenshield?"

"I heard my father was seen around these parts. I have not found him."

"It has been some time since anyone has seen Thrain."

"It has." Thorin replied. "Tell me, what did you say to my father went you both saw each other? You were one of the last to see him."

"I urged him to march upon Erebor. To rally the Seven Armies of the Dwarfs to destroy the Dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain."

"And you would suggest the same to me."

Gandalf's piercing gaze stared into Thorin's eyes for a short-lived moment, before the Wizard nodded. "I would. That Dragon has lived there long enough."

"I agree. But how would we get there without the Seven Armies with us? They swore an oath to the one who holds the King's Jewel which lies beneath the feet of a Dragon."

"Which is why you will need a burglar."

"Mmm. I trust you can think of a good one?"

Gandalf's eyebrows rose. "I can think of a few, yes."

"Could I ask you to find us our thief?"

Gandalf smiled. "Certainly."

Thorin rose. "I shall make my way back to the Blue Mountains. I'll need more than just two to help win back Erebor."

As he walked away, Thorin distinctly heard Gandalf murmur, "Well, that went better than I expected."

Throwing his items back into his pack, Thorin thought about his two boys. He remembered them both fighting Orcs and Goblins over his half-conscious body, one falling and the other defending both him and his brother. He half-felt like leaving them behind in the safety of the Blue Mountains, but he knew it would be cruel to do this without them. Besides, they were fine warriors and deserved a part in reclaiming Erebor. And they would survive this time.

Thorin would ensure it.

He headed to the stables, giving Minty a smile. She whinnied softly and nuzzled into his hand as he patted her nose. She gave a little snort as he placed the saddle on her back as if to say, "We're going this late at night?"

She seemed fairly eager to leave, though, so it was with no hardship that Thorin left the Prancing Pony, the peaks of the Mountains, shining in the silvery light of the Moon and stars.

Riding back towards his Halls, Thorin looked around at the various Dwarfs who seemed surprised at his early return, but made no questions about it, simply waving to him. Nearing the stables, he jumped down from Minty's back and began leading her towards them so that she could get some rest.

He was just considering whether to visit Balin or Dis first, when the decision was made for him, courtesy of his youngest nephew running into the stables, screeching his name.

"Hello, Kil- Mmph!" Thorin was cut short as Kili had barrelled into him with all the strength and speed of an ox, and then wrapped his arms firmly around his uncle.

"I thought you weren't back for ages!"

"Something came up. Please, loosen your grip. I'm not going anywhere now."

"You'll be visiting Mama, won't you?" Kili asked, releasing Thorin.

"Of course."

Now that the initial excitement had worn off, Kili held onto one of Thorin's arms, chattering away to him as they made their way to their home. He asked several times why Thorin had returned early, but wanting to tell both at the same time of the quest, Thorin simply asked him to wait.

Kili let go of his uncle when they finally reached home and opened the door. Entering the small house, Thorin gazed around, the frayed, yet colourful and soft rug on the floor, the faded, tin-framed pictures on the walls, the blue glass vases on the windowsill, the cheap, thin curtains, all seeming like beautiful treasures, for these were things Thorin had thought he would never again see and that made his and his sister's home even more wonderful in his eyes.

"Mama, Thorin's back!" Kili called.

"That's a shame!" Dis said, entering the hallway, a glitter in her eyes.

The joke seemed like the funniest ever invented at that moment. Overwhelmed by affection for the Dwarrowdam he thought he'd never again see, he went to her and enveloped her in his arms, to her surprise, but she hugged him back, though she muttered he was getting soppy.

"I missed you."

"You weren't gone for long, you idiot!" Dis said. "Come on, I'll make you a cuppa."

"Where's Fili?" Thorin asked.

"Doing his hair. He's got a new style for his moustache now, you just wait til you see it!"

Thorin looked at Kili curiously. Kili smiled. "'Just wait for Fili'." He quoted, still grinning mischievously.

Thorin bit back a smile of his own. "Go on and help your mother."

Still looking amused, Kili agreed. Thorin watched his dark-haired nephew stroll away and wandered to the living room. Before he'd often wondered why Dis never stopped living in the small building. Where he and his father, siblings and grandfather had lived before Dis had gotten married had room for the three of the Dwarfs who lived under this roof.

Now he knew why. This was the home Dis' husband had brought her to, had blessed her with two children in. This was home to Dis because this was where her happy memories lay. Sure, she would spend a few nights in the Halls, but this was home to her. Just as Erebor was.

"Thorin! Come in here and get your tea before Kili drinks it!" Dis called.

"I wouldn't do that!" Kili's indignant tones rang out.

"You drank your brother's tea this morning." Dis said.

Shaking his head and laughing quietly, Thorin made his way to the kitchen where Dis and Kili were sitting at a table, lightheartedly bickering about what Dis named 'The Tea Theft'.

"-I'm just saying, if he hadn't stolen the last tea bag and then left his cup where anyone could have had it-" Kili argued.

"You can't go around stealing other people's tea! You wouldn't do it to Master Dwalin, would you?"

"No one would. He'd snap them in half like they were a young tree branch." Kili said, taking a sip out of his own cup.

Looking up, Thorin saw his eldest nephew and smiled warmly. "Fili." He rose and went to Fili, arms outsretched. Fili blinked and paused for a moment before stepping into his uncle's arms.

"You're back early." Fili noted.

"I am. There's something I need to discuss with you and your brother."

"What do you need to talk about with me and Kili, The Tea Pilferer?" Fili asked, though there was no anger in his voice and the grin he sent his brother's way showed that the earlier crime had since been forgiven.

"You know Erebor?"

"Erebor, the kingdom that was stolen by a fire-breathing Dragon?" Kili asked, eyes wide.

"Our Erebor?" Fili questioned.

Dis' eyes bored into Thorin's. He looked away from her and to Kili and then Fili. "Yes. It seems the time is right for us to reclaim it."

"Us? Are we coming too?" Kili asked.

"If you wish to." Thorin answered.

"No. Boys, I forbid it."

"But, Mother-"

"Listen!" Dis ordered. "The kingdom is guarded by a colossal, fire-breathing, cunning, flame-eyed, flying death machine! You are not going!"

"I will keep them safe." Thorin told her.

"Thorin I trust you with their lives, you know I do. But I don't trust the Dragon to spare them."

"Sister, when Erebor is reclaimed, I want their names to be one of those that are remembered for taking back our Kingdom."

"How are you so sure you can?"

"Because I'm not going alone."

"Who else have you got on board with this?" Dis demanded.

"You've heard of Gandalf?"

Dis nodded. "Aye. He saw Father before..."

"Gandalf will be with us."

"I suppose he's slain a few Dragons in his life."

Thorin paused, before nodding. Dis didn't need to know the truth.

Dis was biting at her lip. "Will you bring my boys back?"

"I will do all I can to keep them safe." Thorin promised.

"You'd better."

"Does that mean you're alright with us going?" Fili asked.

"I suppose." Dis answered, gently covering Fili's hand with her own. "But you must always obey your uncle, my boys. Promise me you will."

"We promise."

"Unless he leads you to a danger you couldn't possibly escape from." Dis added as an afterthought.

"Agreed." Fili said.

"Alright," Kili promised. "But I don't think Uncle will put us in danger."

Dis sighed and began lightly stroking her beard. "Lads, the tales I could tell you of the trouble he got Frerin, himself and I into when we were beardlings..."

"Do tell!" Kili pleaded.

"Well, there was this one time he discovered a dead mouse. Our grandfather was terrified of mice, and-"

Watching Dis animatedly tell the two heirs the stories of his youth, Thorin smiled. When they got Erebor back, he promised himself, this part of family life would not change. The laughter, the stories, the happiness, would all remain the same.

The characters, places and this website aren't mine.
The original book isn't mine
The movies aren't mine.

I simply write about these characters and places.

Hope it was enjoyed, please R&R!

Love from Shania. xx