Wow! This is it. The last chapter. I feel sad yet relieved that i finally have finished my vision for this story.

Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed this story. I truly will be waiting with baited breath to see what you all think.

Chapter 40

Nothing in Thorin's life quite compared to watching Sara fly away from him towards certain danger and potential death. He would have given all of Erebor's gold away in that second if it meant she would have stayed by his side. However Sara was fearless. He knew this and he respected her fierce bravery and right to decide her own destiny.

With a heavy heart, he allowed himself a few more moments to watch her fly away on the comparably large dragon. He still didn't understand the bond that Sara and Raegan had, however having witnessed her remarkable recovery from just being in the dragon's presence he understood it was impenetrable and only a fool would try and oppose it.

As Thorin watched her unravelling braids being tossed around by the wind he found himself memorising the colouring of her light brown hair and its wavy texture. Fully expecting this may be the last time he would ever see her.

Now with Sara vanishing from direct view, Thorin was now forced to recognise that there was nothing further he could do for her and instead he had to think as the King. For there was an entire city of people behind him who lay asleep blissfully unaware of the peril they faced. It was his duty to keep them safe.

Thorin moved swiftly towards the normally imposing gates of Erebor which now seemed so inadequate in the face of an attack by a group of dragons.

"Sound the evacuation bells, raise the defences, shooters be on guard" Thorin yelled the commands as he ran closer towards the gates.

The guards hesitated at first as they shone torches down in his direction. Upon realising it was the King, two guards promptly winched open the gates whilst the others scurried around following his orders.

There were two large bronze bells situated on either side of the gates. With no hesitation a single guard positioned at each bell used a metal mallet and struck the bells in earnest. The bells let out a deafening ring that reverberated throughout all of Erebor causing the mountain itself to shudder.

The stone roads inside Erebor went from being peaceful like any other early morning to being flooded in a matter of minutes.

Despite it being so long since Smaug attacked Erebor, the memory of dragon fire and death remained all too vivid for most who lived under the mountain and the fear seemingly had been passed down the generations.

Everyone knew by the intensity in the guards eyes that this was not a drill, that the mountain was indeed under threat. As such, there was a sense urgency and panic in the air. Everyone headed to the evacuation tunnel as quickly as they could. Beards were unkempt and braids were in disarray. Dwarfs could be seen in their night-wear carrying armfuls of precious possessions, whilst others led their families through the organised chaos.

The residents followed the well-practiced procedures under the supervision of guards and took themselves and their families to the designated evacuation tunnel.

Dis left her royal chambers with her hand maidens and sons in tow. Kili and Fili protectively escorted their mother to the mouth of the tunnel before giving her a reverent kiss on the cheek.

"Please be careful my loves" she said with worry etched all over her face.

"Aye we will mother" Kili responded as he clasped her hands in his.

Fili intercepted protectively "You must also take care mother".

Just before they were about to say their final goodbyes, Fili's eyes were drawn towards blonde hair who he knew to be Anne's. She was about to pass him and enter the mouth of the tunnel.

Fili quickly darted across and grabbed her arm which in itself was a very bold move to make in public, even under the extreme circumstances. Anne looked up at him, blue eyes wide and alarmed.

"What is going on Fili?" she said with a quivering voice.

"I know not the details. Stay safe amrâlimê" (my love) Fili uttered sincerely.

Dis stiffened her posture at the intimate language Fili spoke.

"Aye, and you too" Anne said shyly, bowing her head once she recognised she was surrounded by royalty.

"Please keep mother safe" Fiii whispered to her.

"Of course" she responded, squeezing his hand with hers before entering the tunnel with Dis walking silently alongside her.

With that, Kili and Fili turned on their heels and headed straight for the armoury.

Dwarrows and dwarflings were ushered into the tunnel first, with dwarfs following on from behind. The guard who led the mass through the tunnel lit the torches which hung on the walls as he went, providing a dim eerie light for those who followed.

Meanwhile, the rattle of guards wearing their armour through the streets of Erebor and barking orders at their subordinates was reminiscent of battles long ago. They bustled through the city to the key defensive locations across the mountain. Several large shooters and metal harpoons were being taken to these vantage points on the shoulders of three dwarfs a piece as they were so large and heavy.

Thorin stood at the top of the front gate nervously, Fili and Kili flanked him.

The defences were now in place, the shooters stood ready with their harpoons. Most importantly, all civilian residents of Erebor had been evacuated.

The golden sun was just starting to rise from the north behind the mountain which brought the first proper light to the darkened sky. The mountain cast an eerie shadow on the land up front. Thorin's fingers were clenched firmly on the stone railing as he intensely scanned the skyline. The dark foreboding mass of dragons could be seen from a distance now with rumbling dark clouds behind them.

From where Thorin stood he could not see Sara and Raegan. Thorin prayed harder than ever to Mahal for Sara's safety, for the safety of his people, and for Erebor itself.

From Sara's perspective time seemed to travel far too quickly leaving her no time to truly consider everything. She knew not what her plan was going forward other than ensuring that the dragons did not reach Erebor.

As Sara and Raegan flew directly towards the dragons, the two friends had never felt more in harmony with each other and yet never more endangered.

The closer they got, the more details could be seen. Raegan's superior eyesight was able to look into the dragons eyes from afar.

"They are overcome with darkness Sara. I can see it in their eyes" Raegan said sharply.

"We must continue forward" Sara said determinedly.

Soon they were within 100 feet of the swarm. Raegan stopped flying forwards and instead flapped her wings at an angle so she could stay air born but not be propelled forwards. Not dissimilar to treading water.

The red eyes of the middle dragon bore down on Sara and Raegan causing the hairs on the back of Sara's head to stand on end. Her senses screamed danger.

"Drakk Kazhunki, you are to come with ussssss. Our Lord has a great usssse for you. With you, we will take Middle Earth" it hissed.

"Never!" Sara shouted with as much might as any war lord in Middle Earth.

"You have no choice" it hissed malevolently in reply.

As if on command, the dragons formed a line mid-air in front of Sara and Raegan. They opened their jaws in unison exposing their sharp teeth and let out the most cringe worthy screeching sound. In reflex, Sara closed her eyes and put her hands over her ears in an attempt to shield herself from the ear bleeding sound.

As the dragons continued to let out the unnatural screech, a dark mist was expelled from their mouths and towards the pair.

Sara opened her eyes to see the dark mist funnelling from the dragon's mouths and heading in her direction at an alarming speed. She quickly directed Raegan to flee the oncoming mist. She knew not what it was and had no intention of finding out.

Swiftly, Raegan swirled from her position and started to retreat.

"We cannot lead them to Erebor" Sara uttered as she crouched down on Raegan's back.

So instead, they headed north east in an attempt to keep the dragons away from as many populated locations as possible.

The mass of dragons were in hot pursuit and continued to expel the dark mist from their mouths as if they were breathing fire at them.

Raegan flew with all her might.

The civilian population of Erebor had reached the first main evacuation centre clear from the mountain. It was a large bunker which sat just below the surface, but was camouflaged. It was designed to withstand fire, flood, and famine with every basic need covered.

Anne stood nervously with Dis in the corner of the bunker. Seemingly the eventful turn of events had brought the two dwarrows together. They held hands attempting to give each other support and comfort. Whilst on the surface it appeared they had nothing in common, nothing could be further from the truth. For they both loved Fili and were worried for his safety.

Curious sounds could be heard from above ground. As there were several peep holes to the surface, individuals took turns to stand on another's shoulder to peer through the small hatches. They reported back to the crowded room of anxious dwarfs and dwarrows what they could see.

"Mahal's beard, I see them. I see the dragons" one dwarf cried out to the hushed room.

"You mean there is more than one?" yelled another dwarf with a tremor of fear in his voice.

"Aye, it is like a swarm or something."

The room was then filled abruptly with panicked noise.

"Wait" yelled the dwarf who stood haphazardly and pointed at what he saw. "There is a single dragon that is not flying with the rest and…. and there is someone riding it!"

"Let me see" yelled another dwarf who hoisted himself up unceremoniously to see for himself.

"Shave my beard and call me an elf, he is right. There is a lass riding the dragon!"

The entire room gasped.

Sara and Raegan flew through the sky as fast as possible, yet with Raegan's injury it was not nearly fast enough. The mass of dragons and the dark mist emanating out of their mouths seemed to be getting closer and closer by the second. The dragons flapped their wings in union with the same synchronicity and discipline that you would see from an army marching.

Sara kept looking behind frantically. The dark mist appeared to have a will of its own as it seemed to try and reach for her.

"Faster" Sara screamed in panic "They have almost caught us!".

"I will not last much longer. I must land or we will fall from the sky" Raegan panted, clearly succumbing to exhaustion.

"What do we do? If we land surely we are doomed" Sara asked as she started to lose hope.

"You must dig deep within yourself Sara… You must use your Drakk Kazhunki powers and communicate with these dragons… You must try and rid them of the darkness that has ensnared their bodies and minds". Despite sounding exhausted, Raegan remained composed and not panicked.

"I do not know how" Sara croaked desperately. Her voice was starting to sound crack and sound hoarse. Her fingers were splayed across Raegan's scales which glistened in the morning light with the opal like sheen.

"You are wrong Sara. You know how to do it. Your powers have grown. I can feel it. You need to channel your focus towards the dragons behind us".

Raegan quickly looked back at Sara, her yellow eyes sparkled with kindness "I believe in you Drakk Kazhunki".

With that, Raegan sharply started her descent towards Middle Earth, and the dragons closing in from behind.

Sara flared her nostrils and took a deep breath in. She looked back behind her shoulder once again. Her eyes widened as the mist was now in arms reach of her person.

As Sara closed her eyes, willing herself to relax, the dark mist rapt itself around her form.

Like a lightning bolt through Sara's mind, she was able to activate her powers faster than ever before. In her mind's eye, she could feel herself being surrounded by the dragons and the darkness. They seemed to circle her like a predator would circle its prey.

"Hello Drakk Kazhunki" one of the dragon's snarled.

"You will join usssssss" another hissed menacingly.

"You are weak compared to the Lord of Mordor and you will join him" another chanted.

"You will join the Lord of Mordorrrrr" they all roared.

"Never!" Sara screamed with all her might.

Like a monumental shockwave, Sara's new found inner power and glittery magic exploded from her heart and hit the dragons who had surrounded her in her mind's eye with full force. The pulse of magic was so strong that it flung the dragons backwards.

And then there was darkness.

With a start, Sara opened her eyes to find herself and Raegan on the ground. She was still seated upon Raegan's back. Looking around herself, she could see the same glittery magic filling the air that she had created in her mind's eye. The magic was seemingly so dense that it completely obscured her view. She could not see the dragons nor the dark mist.

Everything was silent.

She splayed her hands along Raegan's back seeking the familiar feeling of comfort. The quiet vibrations from Raegan's breathing told her that Raegan was unharmed.

Sara squinted as the specks of magic started to clear and she could see around her.

Slowly from the thickness of the magic dissipating, it became evident that they were still surrounded.

The dragon who seemed to be the leader spoke. However its eyes were no longer red, but instead resembled the same yellow of Raegan's eyes.

"Thank you Drakk Kazhunki. Your powers have freed us from the Lord of Mordor's darkness which has bound our bodies and minds for far too long. He underestimated you. His darkness was no match for your light".

Then the dragons did something she never thought could happen. They all bowed before her.

Sara felt relief wash over her instantly.

"We did it" Sara whispered as she leant down and wrapped her arms around Raegan.

From the onlooking bunker, the dwarfs were silent.

There were many dwarfs who now stood hoisted up on others shoulders looking out of the peep holes. It was unheard of for any of Mahal's children to ride a dragon except in ancient folklore. Yet that is what they had witnessed. It was evident that the dragon she rode seemed to be protective of the dwarrow, with the others seemingly wishing her harm.

They now watched on in awe. The sudden golden explosion of glitter subsided and the dwarrow could be seen exchanging words with the dragons who had surrounded her. The dragon that she sat on seemed to sit up to attention. Whilst fear had painted dwarfs perceptions of dragons up until that point, the dwarrow's dragon appeared to be a direct contradiction to everything they thought they understood about the species. Despite the years of stigma, in that moment, witnessing the once in a lifetime event that they had, they immediately believed this single dragon must be friend rather than foe.

They could not hear what was being said but were shocked when they saw the dragons bow before her.

Then with heavy flapping of wings, they took flight and went back in the direction that they came from. The sense of danger passed.

"She did it" one dwarf exclaimed.

"They are leaving" yelled another.

"We are saved!" yelled the first, pumping his thick fist in the air.

Upon hearing this, all the dwarfs in the bunker clapped and hollered hearing the news of the dwarrow's victory.

After the celebration in the bunker died down, everyone slowly ambled back to Erebor. Beards were still unkempt and braids were still in disarray. However there was a swelling of triumph in the air.

Resounding chatter echoed through the tunnel about how who the dwarrow was and how she had been connected to the King recently at the Princess's birthday celebrations. The dwarfs who were lucky enough to see exactly what had happened from the peep holes were dramatically recounting the tale and fielding questions from left right and centre. The words Drakk Kazhunki and dragon rider were uttered by one of the elders, and these words were on everyone's tongue.

Thorin continued to scan the sky anxiously, looking for any sign of movement from his vantage point. The shooters were all poised to attack on his signal.

The eerie stillness did nothing to abate his nerves. Thorin felt sick with worry for Sara. The last sighting of the dragon swarm, they appeared to be pursuing Raegan and Sara upon decent. More disconcerting was that they had all landed and it had been gravely silent since.

Suddenly out from the north east of the mountain side of the mountain, the group of dragons could be sighted from a distance. However they were not accompanied by the dark clouds behind them. Thorin held his hand up, signalling for the shooters to be ready but not to strike yet. He watched the group of dragons intently and to his relief they were not headed for Erebor, but seemingly back from where they came from.

Then Thorin then felt his heart soar when he sighted a familiar lone dragon fly with its rider towards Erebor.

"Should we shoot it?" yelled a guard who held the harpoon defensively, aimed at the single dragon.

"No. I believe they have just saved us all" Thorin said as he signalled all the guards to lower their defences.

Sara's face was now visible to Thorin and she wore the most magnificent smile which beamed brighter than the morning light. In that moment she had never looked more beautiful to him.

Thorin couldn't help but match her smile with his own. Sara's heart skipped a beat seeing the handsome King standing at the gates, wearing the most intoxicating smile she had ever seen.

"We did it" Sara called out to him beaming, face covered in soot.

Upon reaching Erebor, the residents were immediately directed to congregate in one of the largest assembly halls for an important announcement.

It took some time but eventually the entire population stood in the hall with Thorin standing at the front. Dis, Kili, Fili and Anne stood to the side.

With no further ado Thorin started his speech.

"Today has been a historical day for Erebor and the dwarvian people" His voice rumbled from deep within his chest.

"Today we bore witness to a dwarrow who broke the law to ride a dragon. A dwarrow who risked her freedom and her life to save each and every one of you. Today we also saw that not every dragon is evil by nature. This dragon has done Erebor a huge service by helping the dwarrow in question to victory over forces that would have seen Erebor destroyed. I bid that you all turn around and show them your appreciation". Thorin's eyes twinkled with pride.

With that, the entire room turned around to see Sara and Raegan standing awkwardly in the large doorway. The normally tall doorway looked so small with Raegan half crouched inside it.

Sara felt nervous and had no idea what to expect. Thorin had practically begged that both her and Raegan stay in Erebor for the night and be present for the announcement. It was actually Raegan who had agreed to stay due to her injury and fatigue, leaving Sara little choice.

There were predictable gasps at the sight of a dragon inside Erebor's walls, Thorin started to clap his hands from the front of the room. He looked down at the silent crowd sternly. The applause was slow at first but built gradually as people took their cue from the King, until the true appreciation from the people was being expressed with loud clapping and cheering.

Thorin motioned for Sara and Raegan to walk through to the front of the room. The crowd of dwarves parted nervously allowing them more than enough room to pass. Raegan did her best to ensure she didn't take out a row of dwarfs with her tail, but she did smirk at the amusing image.

Once Sara and Raegan were at the front of the room facing the crowd Thorin continued.

"As a result of what has passed today I have been forced to reconsider some of our laws. I hereby decree that dwarves are forbidden to attack a dragon if they are unprovoked. Dwarvian people will no longer seek out the blood of dragons for revenge. Furthermore I decree that association with a dragon is no longer a punishable offence".

Thorin looked over at Sara meaningfully with a wry smile before he continued "because one cannot judge an entire species based on the minority".

Raegan lightly bowed her head, acknowledging the deep emotion behind the Kings words and the enormity of what it meant for her species.

Sara looked at Thorin with tears rolling from her eyes, completely overcome with emotion. Gratitude was too small a word to describe what she felt. She had never dared to dream this could happen. For the first time in her entire life she felt completely free.

It had been such an intense day, Sara and Thorin sat quietly outside of Erebor on the side of the mountain. The sun was setting which gave the sky an orange and pink colouring.

They sat in companionable silence before Sara was the first to speak.

"There is one last thing I must ask of you Thorin" Sara said shyly summoning the courage from within to continue. After everything she had done today, why is this what made her voice quiver the most? she mused.

She looked into his devastatingly handsome blue eyes and her breath was taken away.

Unable to articulate what she wanted to say Sara merely held out her hand to him which cradled the silver courting bead he had given her.

He looked down at it, and then looked back to her nervously, trying to determine her meaning.

Sara's hazel eyes became misty and she smiled coyly at him.

Finding her voice Sara finally spoke again.

"It would mean the world to me if you put this where it truly belongs".

"Do you mean?" Thorin whispered gesturing to her hair, almost afraid he had misinterpreted her, not daring to hope.

"Aye. I do" she nodded.

"You are sure?" Thorin asked tenderly.

Sara nodded again.

Reverently, Thorin took the bead from Sara's hand and moved from sitting next to her, to directly behind her. Sara felt his breath on her neck which sent a tingling sensation across the plain of her skin. She was certain her heart would be able to be heard from the outside it was beating so fast.

Thorin's fingers worked tenderly to braid Sara's hair. His fingertips lightly ran their way through her hair and across her scalp. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. Everything about him braiding her hair felt incredibly tender and intimate. It wasn't long before he fastened the courting bead to the bottom of the braid and kissed it reverently, before letting it go and join the rest of her hair.

Thorin then moved to sit before Sara. He took her hand in his, lifted it to his cheek and beard before nuzzling it. He then lightly kissed her fingertips individually before looking up at her. Their faces were a mere breath away.

Sparks of energy could be felt in the air.

"I would love you forever if you let me" he whispered with emotion swelling from the core of his being.

In that moment, Sara wrapped her arms around his neck and drew herself into the warmth of his embrace. He covered her soft lips with his. It was a deliciously deep kiss that reflected all the pent out passion they felt for each other.

Sara finally broke the kiss to draw breath.

"If you continue to take my breath away like" she giggled "I fear you may be the death of me". She ran the pad of her thumb across his beard covered jawline as she spoke.

He smirked at her and raised his eyebrows.

"What a delicious ending that should be" he rasped as he took her face in his and once again covered her lips with a searing kiss.

THE END