Sally and the Line of Durin

Chapter 10

Warning: NSFW - Not at all! 😳 😍

Sally spent as much time as she could in the infirmary tending to Thorin. He remained unresponsive for 3 days, during which time pyres burned constantly in order to remove the accursed orc remains. Thranduil had gathered all of his dead and wounded, taking them back to Mirkwood to be honoured. Dain sent most of his contingent home, choosing to remain behind in order to manage Erebor while his cousin recovered.

Sally was sitting slumped in a chair beside Thorin's bed. A thin, reedy voice interrupted her sleep, "Sally? Sally, my love?"

She sprang from the chair and took Thorin by the hand. "I am here Thorin. I'm here and you are going to be okay."

"Kili?"

Sally sorrowfully shook her head, "I'm sorry Thorin, we lost them both." A tear trickled down her face. 'How do I even have any more tears to shed?'

A sob broke from Thorin's throat. Sally clasped his hand tighter. "We have sent messages to the Blue Mountains for Dis." She searched his face, "Thorin, I am so sorry!"

He reached up to her cheek and pulled her head down to his chest. "You have nothing to be sorry for, my love. You fought well and bravely, as did my nephews. We must honour them and celebrate them as sons of Durin." Sally sobbed into Thorin's chest.

Oin entered, trying to be as cheerful as possible. "Ah Thorin, you are awake." Sally rose from Thorin's chest. Oin moved to the bed, ostensibly to check his wounds. In actual fact, there was virtually no sign he had ever been sliced through the side. Sally's healing had sealed the wound with only a faint line left behind. A very narrow reminder of his narrow escape from death. "We must get you something to eat."

"No Oin." Thorin threw back the covers on his bed, "I need to find out what is going on."

"Thorin, really, you should rest some more," Sally pleaded.

He put his hand to her cheek, "I am feeling fine. Oin must be improving, I feel almost as good as ever."

Oin made to tell Thorin how it was Sally who had saved him, but she indicated that he should remain quiet.

'You must promise me that you will stop if you get tired," Sally had a hand on either side of his face, locking his eyes for his promise.

"I promise," he leaned forward and brushed her lips. She ducked her head, blushing. Oin stood by with a large smile crossing his face. "Besides, you are coming with me. I need someone who will tell me everything."

"You know Balin or Dwalin," she raised her eyebrows, "actually pretty much everyone will tell you all."

They left the infirmary and made their way to the throne room. The throne had been rebuilt, the Arkenstone in its place of honour.

Thorin halted in front of it, his face beaming, "Just where it belongs." He hugged Sally tighter and kissed the top of her head.

The dwarfs of the company greeted Thorin with hearty hugs. Sally cringed with each hug, afraid for Thorin to be hurt by one. However, he was glowing; he seemed like a man in control and content with his life.

That evening a ceremony of honour was held for the young princes. Each were laid out on a highly polished piece of granite, surrounded by flowers (where they had come from Sally had no idea) and candles. Many of the dwarfs murmured prayers for the boys, "Dayamu Khuzan-ai menu" (Blessings of the ancestors upon you) and "Menu ziramu gamildul" (You forge with the ancients.)