Chapter I: Remembering
Thorin Oakenshield knew who he was. A wealthy business man who successfully turned his grandfather and father's shady business legit. His grandfather was probably rolling around in his grave. They were mob bosses, but when Thorin took over after Thrain disappeared, he made it his life's mission to turn the business legit and cut all ties with the other families, like the Smaugs of Eastern London. He may be legit now, but Erebor Enterprises or EE was a former mob boss business and the police still keep their eye on him.
He was working late in the office when it hit him. A second pair of memories in a far off land, Middle Earth. Only, in this time, he was a king who reclaimed his home. Memories of the quest hit him like a hammer. He was remembering the Battle of the Five Armies when the door to his office opened. In walked Kili, his youngest nephew who was a computer tech for EE. At the moment, Thorin was remembering the younger of his sister sons being struck by an arrow on the battlefield. He remembered both of his nephews dying together, guarding his body.
Kili seemed unsure what was going on and told him he fixed some computer problem in Advertising before he found himself in the arms of he uncle. "Uncle Thorin? Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm okay and I'm glad you're okay too." He was now Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain and a businessman.
"There wasn't anything wrong with me," Kili said. He obviously hasn't started remembering his Middle Earth life yet.
"Okay, yes. Um, have a good night then," Thorin said.
"Okay. Good night, uncle," Kili said before leaving his office. Thorin let out a sigh of relief as he watched his alive nephew leave. If Kili was alive, surely Fili was alive as well.
As it turned out, neither of his nephews were next to remember. It was Balin who came into his office while he was working on some paperwork. He began asking cryptic questions as Thorin kept his head down in his papers. When he began asking questions about the mountain, that's when Thorin knew he had Balin back. They hugged and talked for an hour, delving into the scotch that was in Thorin's private office stash. While they were talking, Dwalin came into the room, wondering what the hell was going on. The three of them stared at each other before Balin stood up and walked over to Dwalin. Next thing Thorin knew, they head butted each other. The brothers remembered.
Balin learned his was CFO of Erebor Enterprises. He was Thorin's right hand and adviser for turning the business legit. Dwalin was head of security and Thorin's personal bodyguard. Thrain, Thorin's father had personally hired him when Thorin started at the company. That was five years ago. Thrain had disappeared then, without a trace. His bodyguard, Azog, was suspected, but the police couldn't prove anything.
After Dwalin and Balin reunited, Kili and Fili were next. It was like it clicked in them at the same time like it did all the time with them. Kili was helping Fili with a computer problem when it did. Fili had the sense to close up his office so people couldn't see them cling to each other as they sobbed. As if sensing them remembering, Thorin came to Fili's office to discuss the new energy power source they were working on. Seeing his nephews remembering and then realizing who he was caused a whole new stream of tears.
Next were the three brothers, Ori, Nori and Dori. They were in charge of the entertainment department. They set up banquets, parties and other events that Thorin needed thrown to introduce a new invention or product. Or for his charities he took part in. Kili was down in their department helping them create a web site for their new charity when Ori felt all his memories come out to him at once. Then it was Nori and than Dori who was tasting a wine to serve at a party. Kili had finished something on his iPad and was bringing it over for their approval when he found himself in a trio of brotherly love hug. Ori was praising him being alive, confessing that he saw him fall on the battlefield.
Bofur, Bifur and Bombor were next. The two brothers and cousin ran their own catering business and often worked with Erebor Enterprises when they had parties. Their Middle Earth memories came upon them during a charity banquet. Bifur seemed stunned he could speak and they couldn't shut him up after. Bombor seemed to embrace his slimmer look and Bofur was just happy everyone was alive.
Next were Gloin and Oin. Neither of which worked for Erebor Enterprises, but for Thorin himself. Gloin was Thorin's driver and another bodyguard. He nearly drove off the road when his memories hit him out of the blue. Thorin, Kili and Fili were in the car when it happened. "Gloin, everything all right up there?" Thorin asked.
"Yes, sir. Just thought I saw an Orc in the road," he said. It caused the three of Durin's line to chuckle before going back to their work.
"Well, just run over the next one you see," Thorin said.
"Yes, sire," Gloin said before continuing on down the road. His brother Oin was not far behind him. Oin was the Oakenshield family doctor. Thorin's personal physician and medical advisor. Kili had taken a spill at EE and Oin was treating his sprained ankle when his Middle Earth memories came back to him. Kili let out a yelp when Oin grabbed a hold of his ankle too hard.
"Sorry, Kili," Oin said. He finished wrapping it as Kili looked over at his brother.
"You having a flashback of some sorts, Oin?" Fili asked.
"Uh," Oin started before gesturing to his deaf ear causing the two brothers to burst out laughing.
After all the company got their Middle Earth memories back, Thorin held a meeting in his office. He had the doors locked and the blinds closed.
"So, now that everyone's got their Middle Earth memories, now what?" he asked leaning on his desk in his study.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Kili asked with his ankle propped up.
"Yeah. The company's not complete. We're missing our burglar," Fili said. It was then everyone realized they were right. The company was not complete until Bilbo and even Gandalf was with them.
"Do you think they have their memories?" Oin asked.
"Well, we could see if Gandalf has his," Thorin said. "He sits on the Erebor Enterprises board."
"That's right, Dwalin said.
"Maybe he's behind this whole thing," Nori said.
"And he can tell us where Bilbo is," Ori said.
"Maybe," Dori added.
Meanwhile, on the river Thames...
Detective Inspector Bilbo Baggins walked down the dock to the body underneath the blue sheet. His partner, Legolas Greenleaf, a few steps behind him. The two of them were recently partnered together by their chief captain, Elrond. They've only been partners for five months, but they've managed to get a feel for each other. "What have we got, gentlemen?" Bilbo asked the crime scene people.
"A floater," the ME said.
"Nice wording, Dr. Radaghast," Legolas said.
"Thanks," the good medical examiner said. "Victim is a while male, black hair, but that's about it." He pulled the sheet back to reveal the victim. "No identification yet," he said, but Bilbo recognized him.
"No need. I know who that is," he said.
"Who?" Legolas asked.
"It's Thrain Oakenshield," he said.
"Thorin's dad?" Radaghast asked.
"Yeah," Bilbo said.
"Wait, isn't Thrain Oakenshield that mafia boss who disappeared five years ago?" Legolas asked.
"Yeah. His son took over the business. Turned it legit," Will, the ME assistant said.
"I think they're planning on making some new body armor for us guys in the field," Tom, a uniform said.
"Much nicer and safer then what we lot wear now," Bert said.
"Hey, Bilbo, don't you know the son, Thorin?" Will asked.
"Yeah, I do," Bilbo said. "Oh, this isn't going to be good."
"Why?" Legolas asked.
"Because I dated the son," Bilbo said.
"Oh, I didn't realize..."
"Probably should of told you that from day one," Bilbo said. "Do we have a time of death?" he asked.
"See, that's where it gets interesting," Radaghast said. "I tried getting a liver temp, but the reading was too cold for it to even register."
"What are your thoughts?" Legolas asked.
"If I had to guess, someone put this fellow on ice after they killed him four years ago and then took him out of the freezer he was in and dumped him in the river. River temp is below freezing, so at first I thought it was from the river, but even the river isn't cold enough to freeze some one solid. I'll know more once he thaws out."
"Yeah, we should wait to get the family to make the official id after he thaws out. How long til you think he'll be thawed out?" Bilbo asked.
"At least a couple of hours," he said. "I'll get him under some heat lamps to speed it up," he added.
"Anything on him, besides his clothes?" Legolas asked.
"It looks like he's got some hair in his clenched hand, but being in the water may have compromised the DNA. I'll know more..."
"When he thaws out," Bilbo and Legolas said together.
"So where to next?" Legolas asked his partner.
"Erebor Enterprises to notify the family," Bilbo said.
"That'll be quite the reunion. Legolas, make sure you take pictures. Been over a year since Bilbo and Thorin seen each other," Bert said causing the two uniforms to chuckle.
"You guys are regular comedians, you know that?" Bilbo asked. "Let's go, Legs," he said to his partner.
End of Chapter I
Notes: Will be awhile until Bilbo remembers who he is. He will remember, but it will take some time. Next up, Thorin lays his eyes on his Hobbit, whom he had just a year ago had been dating for three years.