Chapter 47

"A Promise Kept"

The years passed in the blink of an eye after Thorin's death; One hundred and seventy- three to be exact. Torshar was now the ripe old age of one hundred and ninety-seven with her white hair turning silver, her once glittering eyes were now dull, and her powerful voice had fallen into shambles. As her age grew closer to one hundred, the versifier began to have medical troubles; bouts with pneumonia, asthma, insomnia, and arthritis. These conditions soon became so bad that most days she was barely able to get out of bed. Torim and Thlin soon found themselves worrying more once their mother began to show signs of her mind starting to go.

Soon even Her Majesty began to take notice of her gaps in her memory and summoned Nalor and Thbir who were still her loyal Captain of the Guard and advisor. When the two arrived, Torshar did her best to sit up to be able to address them properly but was gently pushed back down by Nalor who sat down beside her, "Rest, sister." He ordered sweetly with a smile.

"Nalor, I need you to ready an armed party of your most trusted men for a journey that begins tomorrow at dawn…" she ordered then coughed into her handkerchief, "Thbir, send word to Lord Elrond that it is time…"

"It cannot be…!" the stated in disbelief at the same time.

"I can feel it my brothers… Please hurry, there isn't much time…" she begged then smiled when her siblings quickly left the room, "Soon, my love…" she whispered then fell asleep.

"Are you sure, Uncle?" Torim asked Nalor as they dressed in their royal armor in preparation for their journey.

"You know as well as I do that she would not joke about this, kiddo. Your mother is dying and we need to ready ourselves." He answered as the two men locked gazes.

"Thlin is not going to like this…" the prince stated while pinching the bridge of his nose.

That evening, he took the princess aside after dinner and held her hands in his, "Thlin… We need to talk…"

"What is it, Torim?" his sister asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

"Mother is getting worse and has declared that it is time…"

"No! She will stay here because this is her home as much as it is ours! She needs to be among friends and family!" Thlin argued and yanked her hands out of her brother's grip.

"But Thlin it was father's last request! Does their eternal happiness mean so little to you that you would deny mother's orders?!"

The princess turned away from her brother's hurtful words as tears began to fall, "No…"

Sighing sadly, Torim laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her in for a hug, "This is what they want…"

The next morning Torshar, Torim, Thlin, Nalor, Thbir, and the royal guard departed the Mountain and began to trek West. The roads were clear as they neared the Carrock and a familiar roar rose from the distance making Torshar look out the window of the carriage and smile as she caught a glimpse of a massive black bear disappearing into the woods.

"Beorn…" she whispered and pulled her blanket closer with a smile.

"Mother… How about we sing a song to help us pass the time?" her daughter suggested when the silence was too much to bare.

Reaching up to her neck, Torshar gently fondled the golden charm that had been recreated shortly after the Battle of the Mountain. Smiling she spoke carefully to not aggravate her throat, "Do you children remember the story of The Hanging Tree?"

The twins smiled as they began to sing together, "Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man,
They say who murdered three,
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met at midnight,
In the hanging tree…" they giggled making Torshar smile and quietly pick up where they left off.

"Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where a dead man called out,
For his love to flee,
Strange things did happen here,
No stranger would it be,
If we met at midnight,
In the hanging tree…" the versifier then began to cough hard into her handkerchief, making Thlin wrap an arm around her mother's shoulders for comfort.

"It's alright mother…" she cooed sweetly.

When the queen pulled her handkerchief away from her mouth her expression turned grim, "We must hurry…" she stated, making Torim and Thlin exchange worried glances as they both took notice of a few droplets of blood on the white material in the versifier's hand.

As the sun began to set Elrond paced the courtyard before the entrance to Imladris while Gandalf and Lindir stood near the staircase. The wizard smiled slightly as his anxious friend, "Elrond, they will be here."

"I am just hoping it is not too late…" the elder Elf stated then stopped mid step when the distinct sound of a horse's stride reached his ears. A relieved smile spread across his face as he turned and came face-to-face with Nalor, a small portion of the royal guard dressed in Erebor armor, and a red stained carriage. The door opened and out stepped Torim in his own armor.

"Lord Elrond…" the prince bowed respectfully then turned to help Torshar out the passenger car.

"Welcome, Queen Torshar, to you and your family. Everything is prepared as requested in your letter." Elrond explained as he approached and carefully embraced the sickly woman who reciprocated the gesture.

"Thank you, old friend…" she whispered.

Gandalf took a couple of steps forward and cleared his throat, "We are going to lose the light if we do not hurry."

"Yes, the ship could be here any minute." Thlin agree as she stepped out with her brother's assistance.

A short hour later everyone was gathered at a gazebo near the docks. Torshar was dressed in her best robes as she sat comfortably in a wheelchair waiting for the precise moment. When the sun reached a specific point on the horizon, the versifier excitedly squeezed Thlin's hand and gazed up at her, "It's time…"

The princess exchanged glances with her brother who nodded sadly then she began to sing, "Lay down, your sweet and dreary head,
Night is falling, you've come to journey's end,
Sleep now and dream of the ones who came before,
They are calling, from across the distant shore,
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see, all of your fears will pass away,
Safe in my arms you're only sleeping,

What can you see on the horizon?
Why do you the white gulls call?
Across the sea, a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home..." Thlin's singing trailed off as a translucent ship seemed to appear out thin air. Gandalf laid a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder, urging her to continue.

"And all will turn to silver glass,
A light on the water, all souls pass,
Hope fades into the world of night,
Through shadows falling, out of memory and time,
Don't say, 'We have come now to the end',
White shores are calling, you and I will meet again,
And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping…" Thlin stopped once more as the ship docked and the person who stepped off was none other than her father; Thorin! He hadn't even aged a day since the last time she saw him only he appeared livelier.

Torshar slowly stood from her chair and took slow strides down the gazebo steps and the small hill. With every step she took, the on looking group could see her becoming younger and younger as Thlin started to wrap up the song, "What can you see on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea, a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home,

And all will turn, to silver glass,
A light on the water, grey ships pass,
Into the West…"

Thorin and Torshar embraced then kissed passionately. After a few moments they slowly pulled apart and turned towards their friends and family with smiles of gratitude and peace. They waved to them all before boarding the ship and setting sail for the horizon, leaving Thlin and Torim crying quietly on their mother's lap as the last light of day shimmered off of the gold hanging tree charm that dangled from her lose grasp.

Thank you everyone for reading this story. I had a wonderful time writing it and getting your feedback from reviews. I hope this ending makes up for all of the feels and cliffhangers you had to endure. Thanks again guys and stay tuned for the next fanfic!