The Last One

Chapter 48

The soft glow of candle flame lit up the dark green walls of Erebor, though the mood was far from brightening. The newly crowned King Dain and his soldiers stood with their heads bowed as the company mourned the fallen Sons of Durin. Each lay pale and still, swords clutched in their cold hands on tables of stone. On Thorin's chest sat the Arkenstone, his birth right; the right that he would never live to see through. The dwarves and Bilbo slowly walked between their fallen companion, holding back tears some better than others. Gandalf, Radagast and Beorn stood to the side with their heads bowed in sadness. The only person who was not present was Ruive. The remainder of the company had wondered of her whereabouts, perhaps the pain of her loss was too much to bear, for the one she loved had died in her arms and the promise she had made to protect them was broken. 

Soft footsteps echoed off the stone walls, the company raised their heads to the doorway where stood Ruive. Slowly she walked forward approaching the stone table where Fili lay, tears glistened in her tired eyes. She walked to the head of the table and knelt on the ground closing her eyes and placing a hand over her aching heart. Softly under her breath she whispered an Elvish prayer before rising to her feet and placing a small kiss upon his forehead.The others watched silently as they moved between the mourning platforms. Ruive looked broken and lost, their hearts broke with hers. They watched as she moved to Thorin's table and knelt at his head whispering a prayer.

Ruive raise to her feet and leaned down to press a kiss on Thorin's forehead as she pulled back she whispered.

"Forgive me, I failed you."

Ruive took a deep breath and stepped back before looking over to one of the hardest sights she'd ever seen. She slowly walked to the table where Kili lay pale and peaceful, only this time she stood at his shoulder. Slowly she knelt down breathing shakily and rested her head on the stone table. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered the same prayer before raising to her feet once again. 

"Forgive me, I could not save you. I should have saved you, all of you." She whispered as tears cascaded down her rouge flushed cheeks landing on the stone.

Slowly she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his cold lips. She pulled back just enough to whisper three words that she thought she'd never say again.

"I love you."

Ruive straightened her back and stiffened her posture, all emotion was wiped from her face. The stone walls Kili had so carefully chipped away  were made again, stronger than ever before. She made a promise to herself to never let herself love once before, and because she broke that promise those she cared for paid with their lives. She would make that promise again, and this time she would hold to it, for her heart could not bear to have another ripped from her so cruelly by death's cold grip. 

Ruive stepped back from the fallen Sons of Durin, barely sparing them or any of the company a second glance as she drifted lifelessly from the halls of Erebor with no intentions of returning. With her head down she wandered from the halls, scarcely acknowledging Alagos' presence as she headed towards Dale with no desire to stay. 

As she and her faithful horse trudged through the streets of Dale, paying no mind to the fallen bodies of those who died in the battle, Ruive barely noticed the sound of her name being called.

Bard pushed through the townsfolk lightly jogging to catch up to Ruive, calling her name to try and get her to stop. He placed a hand on her shoulder and finally got her to stop.

"Ruive, where are you going?" 

"As far away from here as possible." Ruive didn't even meet Bard's eyes.

"Why?" Bard asked trying to catch her eyes.

"Because there is nothing but pain and grief left for me here." 

Ruive finally raised her head to look at Bard.

"I cannot stay, I'm sorry Bard."

Bard nodded sympathetically and brought the woman into a tight hug gently placing a kiss on her hair.

"Then I hope you find what you are looking for. But remember Ruive; the faster you run, the faster the pain catches up with you."

Ruive pulled back and nodded at the ground.

"Goodbye Ruive, I hope to see you again someday." Bard gave her a small, sad smile.

"Goodbye Bard."

Ruive turned around and walked out of Dale with Alagos by her side her mind swimming with Bard's words. 

"The faster you run, the faster the pain catches up with you."

"But running's all I know."

Here's Johnny!!! Hey guys I'm back! I finally watches the extended edition of BOTFA so I could write the funeral scene. This is the second last chapter of this story before the start of the LOTR trilogy so the next chapter is an epilogue. Thanks so much for reading and tell me what you think, bye!!