"I remember that night........" (Y/n) opening her eyes as she heard Thorin speak. His tone so soft, so gentle that a tear couldn't help but slowly make its way down her cheek. The Queen of the woods, feeling the breath catch in her throat, as he tentatively reached out and brushed away the crystal-like droplet from her skin.

"You were so beautiful that night. I was sure that I had never seen anything like you. That none of the jewels that sat in the treasury, could compare to your brilliance." Thorin continued. His hand resting on her cheek, as he let his sword drop, with a clatter, on to the pile of gold beneath them.

"And you, you looked so handsome; so regal. Every inch the heir to the Mountain; and I couldn't help but think that one day, you would be the greatest king that Erebor had ever seen." (Y/n) replied, as she slowly placed her own hand on his cheek. A soft smile coming to her lips, as she saw that his eyes had returned to their true colour, that they had regained their warmth. The eleven queen hoping beyond hope that she had helped him to break the spell that had taken the proud and brave dwarf, as it had his grandfather.

"I still believe that that is true, Thorin. I still believe that your rule will be the most glorious that the dwarves had ever seen. Thorin Oakenshield, the king that took the Mountain back from the fire drake. Thorin the Wise, Thorin the Brave. Thorin the king that healed the wounds of the past and brought not only prosperity but peace back to the dwarves of Erebor, the men of Dale, and.........and the elves of Mirkwood.........." (Y/n)'s shoulders slumping as Thorin pulled away and turned his back on her.

"I will have no dealings with the thieves of Lake-town, and even less desire for peace with that treacherous, pointy-eared imp that you took as your husband. If Thranduil and those gems are all you care about, then you can be on your way, elf............." The king growled, as he moved further away from her.

"I am not here for those damn gems, keep them, I do not care........" The elleth retorted angrily, as she carefully got to her feet and made her way over to the dwarf. The queen taking a deep breath, before placing her hand on Thorin's shoulder. (Y/n) able to feel him relax slightly under her touch.

"I am here for you, Thorin. For all those that love you and would see you returned to them..........."

"And do you...........?"

"Do I what, Thorin.........?"

"Do you love me..........?" (Y/n)'s eyes widening, as he slowly turned to look at her.

"Did you love me? Do you love me.........? Would you have been my queen if it was not for that woodland princess........?" Thorin continued, taking both of her hands in his. His words, his questions taking her back to her knees.

Many a time she had thought about such things, about just those questions. What she had told Bilbo earlier, was all true, Thranduil was the ellon that she loved; despite what others may think of the elvenking, she saw a different side to the aloof monarch. A side that was caring, that was loving; (Y/n) knowing that her husband would do anything for her, would protect her with his life. The elleth never happier than when he had asked for her hand; the lady knowing that there would never be another for her. Yet then, there he had been, the dwarf prince. Thorin managing, little by little, with her every visit to the Mountain, to make his way into her heart. The prince able to make her smile, to make her laugh in ways that Thranduil couldn't.

"I..........."

"Please (Y/n), I must know..........." The grandson of Thrór, moving his hands from her, so that he could cup her face; slowly raising her head so that she was looking at him.

"Yes, Thorin. I did........I do love you. A part of my heart has always been with you. It stayed with you every time I had to return to the woods; it was with you when you had to flee this very Mountain and wandered the wilderness with your people, and it is with you now. And, again, yes........if there had been no Thranduil, and you had asked me for my hand, I would have happily have been your queen." The elleth confessed. What had once been a single tear, was now a torrent of them. This the first time that she had said all that out loud; the guilt that she felt for admitting it to the dwarf, when her husband lay sleeping back at the camp, the worst feeling that she had ever had. But it was the truth, it would always be the truth; and if ever Thorin needed to know that, then it was now. Her eyes closing and her heart fluttering, as Thorin leant in, and placed a kiss to her forehead.

"Then be my queen now. Stay with me in this Mountain; help me send that faithless sprite back to his woods.........."

"You know I cannot do that. That I will not do that........." The queen protested, as she pulled his hands away from her face.

"I love Thranduil, he is my husband, the father of my son. I have devoted my life and soul to him. And no matter what you may think of him, of elves, if I were not to return to him, and he discovered that I was here, with you, he would take his mountain down, rock by rock until there was nothing left. For, for whatever Smaug did, it is nothing when compared to the wrath of the elvenking." (Y/n) told him. Her heart dropping as she saw the darkness retake him. As hope abandoned her.

"Then go and be with your elvenking. Go and take your heart with you, for it, nor you are wanted here. And do not expect me to look upon you as anything other than my enemy, now. The next time we meet, Queen of the woods, I will not spare you.........." Thorin growled. His demeanour, his cold voice leaving no room for argument. (Y/n) getting back to her feet and turning to make her way back to where she had left Bilbo, and the dwarf, Bofur.

"If this comes to war, Thorin; and if you cannot break this sickness, it will. I will not fight against you, or any of your Company. In fact, I will do all I can to keep you safe; but I will never turn against my husband. I am sorry." The queen said softly, her head dropping before she left the dwarf king with his gold.