Chapter Eleven: As They Lived (Epilogue)

"And at the gates the trumpets rang." -Tolkien, 'Song of Durin'

…

In the Halls of Mandos, far in the north west of Valinor, there is a chamber like none other.

Stretched out against a marble bench is a near-beardless dwarf with dark eyes. He looks around impatiently, as though he is waiting for someone.

Mahal, also called Aulëthe Maker, has carved from the very stones of existence, the last great resting place of the dwarves.

The young dwarf looks up with a mischievous smile, his eyes focusing on a new arrival, a boy not much older than himself.

Here, the souls of the departed remain, waiting until they are called upon for the Last Battle after the end of all.

The newcomer is caught up in a crushing embrace.

"Kíli." The single word carries a lifetime of weight and emotion. "Kíli!"

"Hello, Fee. I was waiting for you." Kíli smiles brightly.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." Fíli clutches his brother's arm like a lifeline.

"Not as long as I had hoped." There is grief behind those words.

"I couldn't stay. Not without you." Fíli takes a deep breath. "I saw you fall. I held you while you died."

"I know. I tried to stay! I did not want to leave you!" Kíli's eyes are pleading.

"It's alright, brother." Fíli hugs him again. "We are here now. Together."

Kíli reaches up and tugs at his brother's braids. "Thorin will be here soon. He was given enough time to make peace with everything. Though, I am not sure he will ever forgive us for beating him here."

"We have forever. He will forgive us at length." Fíli shrugs. "And himself." He smiles, pressing his forehead against his brother's.

"We have forever." Kíli repeats, returning the smile. "Always."

…

The dwarves of Erebor bury their king and his heirs deep beneath the mountain, just as the first snow settles on the land above.

They do not relish their victory, as the grief of their casualties is too high to count.

Of Thorin Oakenshied, King Under the Mountain, there is much to say.

They speak of his bravery.

Of his honor.

Of his pride.

And of his greed.

Of Fíli and Kíli, the young heirs of Durin, they have only one thing to say:

They died, as they lived. Together.

…

A/N: And that's it. Thank you all so much for staying with me until the very end!

Special thanks to everyone who has left me reviews/favorites/kudos over the past ten chapters.

Extra-special thanks goes to ballykissangel for the idea of adding this epilogue.

I really hope that you'll leave me some feedback so I know what you thought of the story. It helps me know that I'm doing something right, and lights a fire under my ass to update quickly.

I've decided to do a little drabble spin-off series of missing moments, or scenes that didn't make it into this fic. If you've got a drabble suggestion, leave me a comment. It could be from the book, the movie, or even a prompt based on the boys growing up... The first drabble has been posted, if you go to my author page, the story title is 'Tales from the Forge'.

I'm game for any Hobbit prompts! Just leave me a note and I'll see what I can do.

Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You're all amazing!