"(Y/n).......!" Kili called out. Smiling broadly, as he beautiful elleth made her way over to him and took a seat on the corner of his bed, resting the back of her hand delicately on his forehead, to check on his temperature.

It had been many, many days since the battle, many days since the Lady of Mirkwood, the sister of the elven king had ventured beyond the mortal veil, to reclaim the line of Durin; and now, all three of the dwarves were awake and sitting up. None truly able to recall where they had been, to recall having been in the Halls; yet what they could remember, was her face, her soft voice and guiding hand leading them back. And though all three of them were in pain, Kili and Fili, at least, were glad to be alive. The brother's taking an instant liking to the exquisite healer; but Thorin.......well, Thorin was still being Thorin, and seemed to have taken against the lady for what she had done. For bringing him back. Doing his best to make things as difficult for her as possible, even after words from Balin and the occasional threat from Dwalin.

"Yes, my prince..........." Kili's smile getting even broader as she called him that. Her soft, warm voice seeming to purr out the words. The dark-haired dwarf giving her his best puppy dog look, as he pointed at his wounds.

"They itch........."

"Of course they do. It means that they are healing. But I will check on them......" (Y/n) replied. Kili letting out a content sigh, as she carefully began to remove his bandages. Her soft fingertips delicately touching his flesh.

"Mine itch too, (Y/n)........." Fili called out, eager to receive the same attention as his brother. The blonde prince smiling and laying back in his cot, as the elleth assured him that she would come and check on him too. The three ignoring the usual huffs and grumbles of Thorin, as he complained under his breath about his nephew's antics.

Once (Y/n) had seen fit, she had allowed the dwarves to take the King and princes from her tent, so that they could be escorted back to the Mountain. The elleth only insisting that the trio stay in the same room so that she could nurse them properly. It on this slow journey back to their home, that Balin had told the three dwarves what (Y/n) had done for them. How she had journeyed to the next world and brought back their spirits from the Halls of Mandos; and given that, he believed she more than deserved to be allowed to stay the Mountain for as long as she needed and wished. The brothers more than happy to keep their nurse with them; and Thorin, well, he had been given no chance to say anything other than yes, given the looks on the faces of the rest of his Company.

In truth, it was not the elleth he was angry at, she was just the scapegoat for his ire. The one that he was really angry at, was himself. That day atop Ravenhill, he had been prepared to die; he believed that it was right that he should die for all that he had done since they had reclaimed the Mountain, since he had fallen prey to the Dragon sickness. Thorin no longer seeing himself worthy to be king, worthy of his people and their respect. So, he had done what he needed to; he had given his life to ensure that Azog was dead. But instead of the next world, he had been brought back to rule. Thorin not sure if he could be the king that he had wanted to be; if he could ever forgive himself for what had happened and do what needed to be done. But he had been given no option. And it was easier for him to be angry at the healer, than Balin, Ori and Gandalf for their sacrifice.

Silently, he watched how she cared for his youngest nephew. Since he had woken, he could not recall her sleeping. She had been there, day and night; been there every time he or his nephews had been in pain, had woken from a bad dream; ready to care for their wounds or mop their brows, assuring them that they were safe, that they would be well. Taking all his abuse, all the bad and nasty things that he would call her, with just the softest of smiles. He having even once heard her defending his bad behaviour to Balin, who had come to apologise for him. The elleth stating that it was only to be expected, that he was in pain, and in truth she was sure that she had been called far worse; even though she was not completely sure what he had called her. Assuring him that she didn't take anything to heart, and that when she left, it was only the good things that she would recall..........

When she left........that was another reason that he was angry; angry at himself, at the world. He didn't want her to leave; in truth, and despite himself, he had taken to the elleth, as much as his nephews had; not that he would admit that, and that was the problem. If he could tell her that he wished her to stay; that he wished to get to know her better after he had fully recovered, instead of seeing her go, then perhaps something good may come of everything he and the others, had been through. But as it was.........

"My king..........." Thorin looking up to see (Y/n) looking down at him.

"I wish to check on your wounds......." She continued. Thorin not realising that he had been in his thoughts for so long, until he saw that both Kili and Fili, had brand new dressings.

"I am fine........."

"That may be the case, your grace. But I am afraid that I must insist. As I have said before, given your wounds, I must keep a regular check on them. After all the sacrifices that have been made to have you here, the last thing I want is..........."

"I asked no one to make any sacrifice for me. Nor did I ask for you to come to the Halls to reclaim me and then fuss over me like I was a child. I am the King under the Mountain........"

"Yes, you are. So, it may pay for you to actually act like it. I care not what you think of me, what you think of what and who I am; I know of the dislike and distrust you have for my brother, and I cannot say that it is completely undeserved. But you should show some appreciation for the sacrifices that Balin, Ori and Gandalf have made for you; for you have no idea what it truly means. Now, if you are going to insist on continuing to act like a petulant child, rather than a king; I will go and see if perhaps Oin will come and check on your wounds, for me. And if he believes that he is now capable of caring for you, I feel that it is more than time that I take my leave, not only from this kingdom, but from you..........." (Y/n) retorted, before making her way to the door. The lady not even turning as Fili and Kili called out her name.