Blue and pink and white light surrounded him once Thorin opened his eyes again. All he could see was the beautiful sky above him, painted in those warm colours and sprinkled with what looked like a million stars.

He looked down at himself and realized that he was not a spectral body like he had expected it to be. He could feel and see his clothes and his skin as if he had been asleep and just woke up somewhere outside of Erebor. That was when suddenly the fear kicked in and he turned around, his eyes darted searchingly along the landscape surrounding him.

Suddenly he spotted a huge building just a few miles ahead. Carefully he approached it and stopped once he saw a woman descending the steps. Slowy, ever so slowly and with the most loving and relived smile he'd ever seen in his entire life, the blonde woman stepped closer and much to his own surprise, Thorin could feel tears of joy running down his cheeks.

„You made it, my love," she whispered as she stopped right in front of him. Affectionately, her fingertips caressed his beard and trailed up along his face until she played with the braidings in his hair.

„I am so happy to be reunited with you again," he whispered and embraced her tightly. Once he let go of her they shared a meaningful, passionate kiss.

„Tell me, why are we not spectrals and why are we not old anymore? You...you look just like on the day we met in Bag End," he asked once they broke the kiss again.

Mona laughed softly. „This is the Nordic afterlife. It is not a land of ghosts. Not exactly. We are only in spectral form if we go back to the world of the living. Which is possible for some of us. For me, it is possible and I am certain that you will be able to do that, too. So, we can be with our beloved ones from time to time; watch them or even talk to them whenever the time might be right. And we are young again, because...well, I don't really know why that is...Now, come, my love. This hall up thee is the Hall of Valor. That is our new home now."

Mona took Thorin's hand and pulled him up the stairs and together they entered the hall. As they stepped inside, the hall was filled with men and women, all those Nord warriors. Three long tables laden with food and drink were set in the middle of the hall and there was much laughter and songs waving through the air.

„I never imagined this would be so comfortable and joyful," Thorin whispered.

She smiled at him and turned her head as she heard someone saying her name.

„Mona Oakenshield, I assume this is your husband?"

A tall, white-bearded man approached them. Mona sent him a smile and nodded.

„Yes, Kodlak. This is Thorin Oakenshield."

Kodlak watched him for a moment. „A dwarf, indeed. But a warrior just like you said. Welcome to Sovngarde, King Thorin."

Thorin was quite perplexed, but finally he tilted his head and smiled at the other man thankfully.

„We heard you are a wonderful singer, Thorin?" Kodlak asked curiously and Thorin exchanged a glance with his wife. She grinned cheekily and nudged his shoulder.

„Yes, that's true. Most of the songs I know are, of course, dwarvish songs from my world, but..."

Mona frowned as she watched him, dying to know what he was going to say next. He kissed her cheek and added,

„But there is a song that came up right in the moment I saw my beautiful wife again outside of this hall."

Kodlak clapped his hands and announced,

„Listen, my fellow heroes and heroines! This newcomer here, Thorin Oakenshield, husband of our beloved Dragonborn, is going to sing a song for us!"

The hall fell silent and Thorin approached a man who held a golden harp. „May I?" Thorin asked and the man nodded with a smile.

He took the harp and could feel all eyes on him, but only one pair of emerald orbs were important to him. He cleared his throat and began to play a slow melody. Mona could feel her eyes wet again and a smile curled her lips. She did not know that meldoy, but she could feel this song would become special for them.

With his deep, soothing voice, the voice she fell in love with all those years ago, he began to sing,

The desert was hot
the mountains were high
the water was deep
and still I've found you.

I've sworn to you
with you I will change.
You were born for me
you're my eternity.

Because I love you
forever and more.
Because I need you
need you ever so.

I am longing
longing for you.

Please stay with me
I love you so.

It was just a short song, but to Mona it was everything. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lovingly. They could feel their love, their life, their souls combined in that single kiss.

The crowd applauded and the hall was filled with voices and laughter once more.

Mona rested her forehead against his and they eyes were locked again as they whispered,

„Forever."