*Molly's POV*

I sit in front of the silver-trimmed mirror. Perhaps it's been minutes or hours, who can tell anymore? I can't. I don't know if the night has passed on waking into the new day or if the night lingers on. All I know is that I can't really think, feel, or move. When I got my wits about me for a moment I had removed myself from Thorin's arms. Sitting on the floor in his embrace wasn't comforting, it was clouding. His warm gentle touches reminded me of the cold words of the wizard telling me the truth. His strong arms the grip of sorrow wrapped around my soul. 

My family is gone and their never coming back. 

My family. Right, my family. 

Looking back at my reflection I can see my face coming into focus. My tear-streaked cheeks and tangled hair. Despite the years of somber sleep, I seem more worn and withered. Now sitting here alone I don't feel anything. There are no tears left to cry or words to be said. But there is one thing to do.

---

I can't run fast enough. My eyes can't scan the dark halls quick enough. Just as before I check every unlocked room, every corridor, and every terrace. Many of the Rivendell Elves jump back or watch me as I race by them through the Rivendell palace. 

As I come out from the bottom of the stairs I see the large dining hall. For the most part, it's quiet and dark. However, in the corner of the dining hall is a small gathering of torches and candles. Huddled together around the table in the warm amber light is the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. 

I see Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bofur, Bifur, Bombur, Nori, Dori, Dwalin, and of course, Thorin. As I stand there on the threshold frozen I watch them all. Some of them laugh and feast. Others sit quietly seemingly lost in thought. Thorin of course being the most brooding of them. Despite not all of them being here I am taken back. It seems like yesterday we had all left the Shire. This setting reminds me much of that night. Reminds me of how much they mean to me and how much I've missed them. 

"Molly?"

Brought back in from the call of my name I notice all the dwarves are looking at me. Their eyes are wide and their gazes unshifting. Dwalin stands to his feet next to Thorin who awaits my reply. Looking to them all I muster up enough strength to speak "I-"

"MOLLY!!!"

Every dwarf jumps up and races from the table. They all form together and collide into me as I fall on my back to the ground. Many of the dwarves are laughing, ruffling my hair, squeezing me, but a few are crying. 

Hugging as many of them as I possibly can I can't help but laugh and cry with them. For a moment, this very moment, my heavy sorrow-filled heart becomes light again and I realize something I seemed to have forgotten. They are my family too. The dwarves. They are just as much a part of my family as any of the rest gone, remaining, or waiting for me. 

*Thorin's POV*

Making my way through the jumble of Dwarves and gently shove them away "Alright-alright, let the poor woman breathe!"

The remaining Company all stand to their feet and Fili and Bofur help Molly up. For a moment her familiar smile has returned brightening the room, a small soft laugh passes her lips, but in her eyes, I can still see her lingering sadness. Despite her turmoil, she smiles at the Company and her eyes look back at me. I smirk and she smiles back still with the stain of her newfound happy tears. 

"Never thought we'd see you again." Dwalin remarks from behind me. I look over my shoulder and we all turn facing the cross-armed Dwarf. His usual grumpy and intense demeanor radiates around him, but I've known my friend too long to believe he doesn't have a soft spot.

"I didn't think I'd see any of you either," Molly says walking towards Dwalin.

He huffs "Well, it's not like I missed you 'er anything. Couldn't get this lot to shake you no matter how hard I tried."

Molly smirks and wraps her arms as far around Dwalin as she can. His eyes widen as she embraces him and she smirks "I expected nothing less."

For a moment Dwalin is still, silent, and doesn't even blink. However, large tears build in his eyes and he crumples wrapping Molly in a bone-crushing hug "Oh! Damn ye lass! Did you have to go off and get yourself hurt like that?! It's been misery trying to take care of these half-wits alone!"

"HEY!" the rest of the Company exclaims.

Dwalin growls snapping his attention to them "Sod off! Give me my moment!"

Stepping back Molly gives Dwalin's hand a light squeeze "I'm glad to see you again Dwalin. Thank you for taking care of them."

Watching the interaction between the two makes me smile. It seems even before now the human woman had brought out different parts in all of us. Only the good of course. Just as Molly turns to look back at me the large dining hall-door opens. Two Rivendell guards walk in with Gandalf who looks even more exhausted.

"What the bloody hell is he doing here?" Kili snaps.

Bofur scoffs "Go away there wizard, we don't want any more dealings with the likes of you!"

"YEAH!" the company exclaims with mixed chatter overlapping one another. Gandalf tries to get their attention and settle but to no avail. Standing next to Molly with my arms crossed I know I am going to make no effort to assist the old man, but when I glance at Molly I see a change in her.

Stepping away from the Company she makes her way to Gandalf. One by one the Dwarves fall silent and I was her curiously to see what she is to do. Perhaps she's going to strike him, curse him, or even stamp his foot, but I'm taken back when she speaks so gently to him.

"Gandalf, why did you lock me away? I want the truth. No excuses, no lies, or riddles. That day when you made the decision what was the first thing you thought? The main reason you did all of it."

The grey wizard looks down at the young woman and then up to me. I look back at him and then to Molly who awaits his answer. Gandalf sighs shakily and reaches out taking Molly's hand in his. Squeezing her hand he mutters "I did it because I could not bear to see one of Middle Earth's greatest and truest allies die. I could not bear to see the young woman I had come to call friend die in this world without being given some small chance to live again someday. Maybe if there was some other way I would have-"

"Thank you." Molly says interrupting the wizard.

Gandalf looks puzzled and I'm taken back along with the rest of the Company. I can tell Molly still harbors feelings of anger towards Gandalf but she only seems to squeeze the old man's hand tighter "And I forgive you."

Without another word she turns and faces the Company once more with a small smile "Let's hear him out."

"Fine." I grumble uncrossing my arms "We will hear what he has to say. You have one minute wizard."

Gandalf narrows his eyes but speaks sternly "You need to follow me back to the courtyard. The Orc bodies-"

"They are dead. What does anything have to do with the dead Orcs?" I snap.

Gandalf shakes his head "They were not Orcs."