· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·There was something about the world that was noticeably different. The air smelled sweeter and the atmosphere was calm like the waters of deep oceans. Everything had fallen into place and a victory had been claimed so that the dwarves and all that is good and green in this world may preserve for many more years to come.
For Loreth, there was a weight lifted off her shoulders. She could no longer sense the pulling of fate once she gave up her mermaid half. It was...a relief but at the same time not knowing what was going to happen put her on edge. Perhaps that's just what made life worth living in the moment, as if nothing had permanence. Taking the extra time to love more, dance in the rain, throw a merry gathering, because tomorrow was never promised. This was another lesson Loreth was learning as she walked back to Erebor, her thoughts all jumbled over these new feelings. They weren't unwelcome, just foreign to her. She would gladly experience them again and again if it meant that Thorin lived every single time.
"Are you alright?" Thorin whispered to her as they walked and nudged her shoulder gently with his.
She nodded, "yes...just worried is all. What will Dáin think of me? And once your sister comes, will she like me? And What if-"
Thorin stopped her by chuckling and putting a hand on her arm, "it's going be fine, amrâlimê. They will love you."
Loreth blinked at him with her big blue orbs, "how do you know?"
He shrugged, "I just do. Trust me. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, I don't think all that fretting is good for the children."
Loreth rolled her eyes with a smile," I just fought in a battle, Thorin. I think I can manage some fretting."
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Whilst they walked the rest of the way to Erebor, Loreth remembered the unicorn that had helped her in the fight. The woman looked around for the creature but saw her no where. She truly felt honored that Fāelina had decided to reveal herself to her and trust her with her life. She hoped the unicorn would reappear at least once more so she could give her a proper thank you and farewell.
There were many bodies they passed as they continued their trek to the mountain. Elves, dwarves, men, and of course goblins and orcs. Seeing the dead dwarves made Loreth all the more glad to have her Thorin safe an whole again. It was a horrible thing to admit, she knew that, but she couldn't deny how blessed she was to be able to bring him back and others are not so fortunate.
Once at the rubble where the great door to Erebor once stood in tact, Dáin had spotted his family and ran to them, giving Thorin a giant, and bone crushing hug.
"Cousin! I nearly thought you had given us up. What took you so long anyway?"
Thorin cleared his throat, ready to admit his fault, "I am forever sorry for that, Dáin. I am ashamed to admit that the same sickness that lie on that gold and that had taken my grandfather, had taken me. I thought I was too far gone at one point. But-" Thorin looked to Loreth and the dwarves around him, "-I had help...although after what I did I didn't deserve it."
Dáin looked over the company in question and his eyes fell upon the beautiful Loreth. Even though she had lost the magic in her flesh that glinted in the sun, she was still a beauty to behold, "Ah, I imagine most of that support came from this gem, didn't it, cousin?"
Thorin smiled proudly, " a great deal, yes. This-" Thorin put a hand on the small of Loreth's back to guide her to Dáin so she could me him. Loreth took cautious steps, "-Is Loreth. The future Queen of Erebor. She is also carrying our children."
Dáin looked at Thorin with wide eyes at that, "oh, already?! You were fast with that one, eh?" He joked and guffawed loudly with the other dwarves.
Loreth flushed and kind of wanted to let the world swallow her up.
Dáin came closer to her and offered his hand. She took it slowly and he brought it to his lip sweetly, " You've watched over the king then, and given him purpose. It would be an honor to have you as a Queen."
Loreth smiled, "thank you, Dáin. I hope I can be a proper Queen to you. I have not the slightest clue on where to begin."
Thorin put his hand around her waist, ready to guide her off again, " My dear Loreth has quite a story to tell of her own one day, cousin. For now, we must work on helping the wounded and preparing for the feast. It may just be the greatest one yet in Erebor aside from the wedding and coronation."
Loreth blinked at that. All of this was still so new and she didn't know how to behave as a Queen quite yet. Not knowing how to respond she gave a nervous laugh and switched her weight.
Thorin took notice, "you will be fine, darling." He turned back to Dáin, "excuse us, cousin, Loreth is in need of some well earned rest."
With that they bid their goodbyes and went about helping the injured, and cleaning up the fallen.
Thorin lead Loreth through Erebor, down long halls and passed many dwarves. It was odd seeing the mountain with more dwarves inside of it. It would be something to see once it is restored as it once was. Loreth tried to imagine the halls so cramped with dwarves that they hardly had elbow room, but it was hard for her to imagine as spacious as this place was.
The dwarf king lead her passed the throne and behind large stone doors. This must be the royal quarters. It lead to a longer stretch of hallways but Thorin didn't walk all the way down, he hung a right and pointed to a door, giving her the opportunity to open it.
Loreth carefully opened the door with a click that echoed through the chamber. Inside, was a fully furnished living quarter. There was a living area, that branched off into sections Loreth couldn't wait to see. Everything was coated in a thick layer of dust over the last sixty years. It would give Loreth something to do while Thorin was out giving orders.
"This is the king's quarters. From my forebears to my grandfather, this room is now passed down to me. Now, it is ours." He said looking over the room, "it's...very dusty but-"
"-it's perfect!" Loreth stopped him. "I've never had any room to call my own. It may need a little cleaning but it's perfect Thorin. Thank you."
Thorin grinned at her and caressed her cheek and cupped it, "the whole kingdom is yours to command. As am I."
Loreth laughed nervously again, "that's a lot to think about."
Thorin nodded, "yes. But I have no doubt that you will do perfectly. They already love you; they will follow you anywhere, Loreth."
"I hope so." Loreth sighed and rubbed a hand over her noticeable belly bump.
"Have a look around, darling. Bedrooms are down the hall to the right, kitchen to the left. I forget how many bedrooms are here, but pick whichever you like. I must return to Dáin. There is much that needs picked up and repairing. I'll see you soon."
Before he left he allowed his lips to meet hers to which she happily melted in to. She was still reeling over the fact that he was alive—no thanks to her. She would've done it again in a heart beat if she could. They both hung onto to the kiss until they were breathless and unspoken words seemed to be shared between them. Thorin's gratitude for saving his life and the love they shared for each other and their children.
Maybe now came the hardest part of the whole journey. Learning how to be a Queen and a mother-to-be.
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Fire and Water ThorinxMermaid!OC
Fanfiction**FULLY EDITED** 🏅#2 in LOTR out of 6,000 stories 4/3/2024 🏅#1in Thorin 5/08/23 and again on 6/14/23 🏅#1 in thehobbit on 7/2/23 #1 in Thorinoakenshield 12/15/22 #18 in mermaid on 1/22/23 ------- Thorin Oakenshield x OC!Mermaid because there need...