Sigrid was surprised to get a letter from Erebor only a week after returning. It was from Fili, but it was more of a progress report than a letter. He told her how much better he and Milly were getting along. The first night he was on his own with her, she had cried a great deal, but they had gotten through it and his mother had been willing to watch Milly so he could get a few hours sleep the next day. He also said Thorin suggested hiring a nurse for Milly during the daytime so Fili could return to his duties.
Another letter came a week later. It was very similar in content; an update on how Milly and he were getting along. Sigrid was happy to know they were doing well. A letter came for her every week for four weeks and Sigrid always replied to them, congratulating Fili on his accomplishments. The fifth letter came a few days earlier than Sigrid expected it and instead of the usual progress report, it was an invitation to dine with Fili and his family in Erebor.
Sigrid was happy to accept the invitation. While she loved the letters, she missed Milly and Fili. Her father escorted her to Erebor and saw her settled into a private room before he left her, reminding her he would return the following afternoon to collect her.
That evening, Sigrid was led to the family's private dining room by one of the King's guard.
"Welcome, Sigrid," Fili greeted her when she walked in. He looked much better. His face was bright and his hair was full and golden. His eyes still had some dark circles, but that came with the territory of caring for an infant. Once Milly started sleeping through the night, Fili's quality of sleep would improve.
She was about to bow when he took her by the shoulders and kissed her on her cheeks in greeting.
"It's good to see you again, Prince Fili. You are looking well."
"Thank you for ignoring the bags under my eyes," he laughed.
Dis was there, holding Milly. Sigrid went up to Dis and bowed.
"My Lady," she said.
Dis waved her hand at Sigrid, "No formalities in this room, just Dis, if you please."
Sigrid smiled at her friend and looked at the little girl in Dis's arms. Milly's hair had grown a bit and had the tiniest, most delicate braid in it. She looked better than she did when Sigrid had seen her last. She looked happier and healthier.
"You've grown little one," Sigrid smiled, tickling the baby's chin.
Thorin and Kili joined them shortly after. Kili sighed and slumped down into his chair. "Those crooks," he mumbled.
"Kili!" Thorin called out in warning. "None of that here."
"Sorry uncle," Kili smiled. He saw Sigrid, jumped up out of his chair and ran to her. "So glad you could come for dinner!" he kissed her hand.
"Thank you, Prince Kili," she said.
"I thought I said no formalities," Dis said.
Thorin chuckled. He turned to Sigrid. "Welcome back Sigrid."
"Thank you, my Lord," Sigrid said before she could stop herself.
"What did I just say?" Dis said teasingly, but with slight annoyance in her voice.
"I'm sorry, but it's the king. I can't just call him by his first name," Sigrid blushed.
"Of course you can," Thorin said. "And I expect you to do so before dinner is over."
"Thank you, Thorin," Sigrid said.
Thorin grinned at her. "See, that wasn't so tough," he said.
They sat down to dinner at a small circular table. Big enough for the food, but small enough they could easily visit with one another. Sigrid sat between Fili and Dis. They asked polite questions about the goings on in Dale, her family's health and such. They all reported to Sigrid at how well Fili was doing caring for Milly and all expressed their thanks to her for helping him out so much. Sigrid blushed at all the attention.
By the time the third course began, the conversation had turned casual and stories and jokes were flying about. Sigrid enjoyed holding Milly again and cooing over the tiny baby. She finally got up enough nerve to ask about what dwarf infants were like. Was Milly a normal size? What were some of the developmental milestone ages and so forth. Dis answered all of Sigrid's questions and asked her own about the development of human babies.
When dinner was done, the family said their goodnights. Fili walked Sigrid, who was carrying Milly, back to her bedchamber.
"I can't tell you how pleased I was to see you wearing the necklace I gave you," Fili said.
"I never take it off," Sigrid admitted. "It's so lovely."
Fili blushed. "Thank you for coming to dinner. I know it's a bit strange, but I wanted to show you how well Milly is doing. How well we are all doing, thanks to you." Sigrid smiled. "Would you join me for breakfast in the morning?"
"I would love that. Thank you."
The desire to kiss Fili rose up in Sigrid, but she pushed it away. Instead she handed Milly back to Fili. "Sleep well," she said, stroking the baby's head.
"You too," Fili said. He turned and left. It was a bit of a more abrupt ending to the night than was probably polite, but he needed to move away from Sigrid. He had come too close to giving into a strange longing to kiss her.