My Own Star In The Sky

Bonus chapter: The end of a lifetime

Dakota's POV:

I lie in my bed with Thorin in a chair next to me. Every breath I take is hard labour. It was like breathing with an incredible weight on my chest. My hand was in my husband's and he wasn't planning on letting go.

The door slowly opened and my two sons walked in. Thrir was now King and Hérion his first advisor. I was so proud of my two boys and I watched them as their glory grew by the day.

I knew my baby girl was doing fine as well. We had gotten the news that Sauron and all his servants had lost. Middle Earth remained free. And my daughter had a roll to play in all this.

I prayed for her to be home. I needed her here, before it was time. "Mother, how are you?" Hérion, who was definitely the sensitive of the twins, asked. He had a deep frown on his perfect young face.

It reminded me of when Thorin was young. It made me smile thinking about it. "Doing much better now that you're all here." I said softly. 

"Not all." Thrir said with the same tone as Thror. It was almost weird how much they looked like each other.

"I know." We all missed Daerien, especially Thorin. She was his little Princess. 

"I'm sure it won't be long. She'll be home soon." Thorin said and he stroked his grey beard. Our sons nodded and left the room after both kissing my forehead.

As the door closed Thorin turned to look at me. "How long, my love?" He asked, drawing circles in my palm. 

"Not long I'm afraid." I replied and he deeply sighed. "I hope she is in time." I said and Thorin cupped my face with his hand.

"Let's hope she is." Thorin stood up and kissed the top of my head. He left the room and I fell asleep.

*****

The next day was completely different from the last. I woke with a searing pain through my chest. I was coughing all day and my throat was dry. "Thorin, my love, I... I think it could be time." Thorin's face turned sad.

"I'll get the boys." He said and I nodded. Thorin looked at me before walking out the room. "I love you." I said and he nodded and smiled. 

"I love you more." He closed the door behind him and I deeply sighed.

A minute later the door opened, but it wasn't Thorin or either of my sons. I looked at a sun kissed face. The girl's black hair tumbled down her back and she had a pretty smile on her face. "Daerien." I breathed and my daughter entered the room.

She sat on the side of the bed and I embraced her. "Mother, what is wrong?" She asked, searching my eyes with concern. 

"I'm old my dear. I'm old and I'm ill. It's normal." 

Daerien frowned, "You're dying?" She asked, shocked. My breath stocked in my throat. I hadn't heard anyone say it as bluntly as she had.

I slowly nodded and she grabbed my hands. A tear fell down my cheek but Daerien was quick to wipe it away. "Don't cry." She said softly and I took a deep breath. 

"Daerien, I want you to know that I'm so proud of you. My daughter saved Middle Earth."

Daerien's frown turned into a smile. "I'm not the first woman to go on such a dangerous adventure. I just wanted to be like you." She admitted. I stroked her soft cheek.

"You're nothing like me, Daerien. You did something far greater, something far more dangerous." I lowered my tired arm and sighed. I felt afraid. I had looked death in its eyes before, but now there was nothing to save me.