Erebor's Guardian

Chapter 34

As the others celebrated, Paean had decided to go to the gates and feel the air. As she stared up at the sky she felt a hand take hers. She smiled as she looked to see Thorin standing next to her in the moonlight. She could see the bandage on his chest through the opening in his shirt. She turned to him and placed a light hand on it, her face showed pain. Thorin placed a hand on hers and pulled her down to meet him. Paephan smiled as the dwarf king brushed a hand on her cheek.

"To think...all of this was possible because of you."

Paephan smiled as she saw his eyes open to look at her.

She backed up from Thorin, only slightly.

"Well, my king I do have another gift for you but... I'm not sure how you would react to it."

"Come now, it would be from you. That already makes it the best."

Paephan giggled slightly. She expanded her wings and held out her hand. Thorin took her hand and in an instant, he started to float.

"Is this your magic?"

"I may be a mortal now but there are some spells I can use in this state."

Slowly Paephan brought them to the top of the mountain, the sun was starting to set over the land and the deep blue sky started to come out of hiding. Paephan gently placed Thorin on the ground and landed next to him. She held out her hand as the sunset. Thorin watched as her hands glowed gold once more. Once the sun was gone. Four golden figures stood in front of them, at first the figures were unrecognizable. Thorin stepped forward and soon the figure on the far left began to focus and change its form. Thorin was taken back for a second by the sight.

"Father..."

Thorin turned his head to the right as his grandfather smiled at him as the figure next to him showed to be his mother who turned to the figure in the middle. The figure has long blond hair and a short beard. Tears started to fall from his eyes, Paephan for a moment was worried that it was too much for him. Thorin turned to Paephan.

"How is this possible."

Thorin turned to the figure. It was Frerin, his younger brother who perished with his grandfather. Frerin started to walk toward Thorin and spoke.

"Brother, I can explain. You see Paephan was the one who found me after the battle... I knew I did not have much time left. So I had her make a promise to me."

Paephan smiled as she turned to Thorin.

"I promised him that you would see each other once more when you took back Erebor,"

Thorin smiled and the realization of everything came to him. His face turned became full of sorrow.

"Frerin. You should have waited to see Dis."

"I wanted to brother but I feared that if she met me like this she would lecture me."

They both smiled and laughed lightly. Paephan smiled at the sight but soon noticed a ring of stars in the sky.

She knew there was not much time left.

"Thorin..."

Thorin turned to her to see the stars as well. Thorin turned to his family and they were starting to slowly disappear.

"Don't leave...not again."

Thorin's mother walked up to him and placed both her hand on the side of his face.

"My son, you must look past us and into the future. To a better one."

Thrain nodded his head.

"You are not alone, my son."

Thrain smiled and placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder.

"Aye, You are a king now. You must stand tall. Don't weep for us. We will see each other again."

Thror smiled and gave a low chuckle.

Frerin smiled and held his hand out to Thorin. Thorin smiled as he took it, and was pulled into a deep hug. Thorin smiled and felt the form of his brother disappear. Thorin raised his head to the rings of stars, they were no longer there. Paephan walked next to him and spread a wing a wrapped it around him.

"I'm so sorry Thorin. I was afraid it would be too much for you..."

Paephan was cut off as the dwarf king brought her lips to his.

After a light kiss, Paephan was speechless.

"You gave me the chance to see my family once again. There aren't enough riches in all of Erebor to repay you."

Paephan smiled and sat down on the edge of the cliff as Thorin sat with her. They watched the night sky as the stars flew over them and the wind blew around them. They were at peace.