Hello!

I have no recollection writing this story!

I suppose that's a good thing since I went back and had this new experience reading it as I prepared to write the last few chapters. I honestly forgot how comical and feels-y this story is! D: Why did I put off finishing it for so long?!

They're just so sweet together! So, here's to the last few chapters. Thought I'd give you guys the gift of uploading all at once - that is if any of you remember me :)

Long story short, there is no explanation for my absence... I mean it was a mixture of writer's block, procrastination, school, unforeseen life events, more school... yeah.

Just enjoy the rest! :)

Oh, and Happy Holidays (or whatever time of the year it is for you)!

"Ah, that cane makes you look quite experienced, Thorin Oakenshield," Gandalf the Grey beamed as he ducked into the tent where Thorin and ten other dwarves were huddled over a table with a map. "Oh, I hope I am not interrupting anything."

Thorin turned to the wizard and refrained from groaning outwardly. "Gandalf," he greeted, giving the others an apologetic look. "What brings you here?"

"I was in the neighborhood," the old wizard chuckled. "Just had a visit with Bard. Man's doing well in Dale. Anyway, thought I'd stop by and see how the lot of you were getting on. Especially you, Thorin."

Said dwarf had a feeling what the other was going to say.

"Last time I saw you, you were literally and quite figuratively dead on your feet. In fact, pushed me aside to plead to the hobbit that you weren't dead!"

There it was.

"And then you passed out from over-exertion," he chuckled. "So, how is the halfling?"

Thorin turned to his men behind him. "Back to the mountain, continue transporting stone. If the weather doesn't let up, you may retire early." He gave them a firm nod then approached Gandalf. "I'll take you to him."

"Excellent!" the wizard said cheerfully.

The dwarf exhaled through his nostrils and stomped (or tried to but the cane and the pouring rain made it difficult indeed) three tents over.

"Bil-" He stopped short as Bofur exited the tent. "Bofur," he said warily.

The other nodded to him though his eyes were downcast. "Thorin. I-I've apologized just like you said. I am heading to the mountain now, sir. T-to finish clearing the rubble."

Thorin gave him a leveled look. "Aye, and you may leave when the others do."

Bofur nodded again and scurried off.

"What ever did you do to the poor fellow?" Gandalf asked curiously. "You have him literally running scared!"

"It's nothing," Thorin growled. He didn't want to get into it at the moment though he had a strong feeling another being on the other side of the tent flap was going to make him.

The tent flap flipped open, and Bilbo narrowed his eyes at the dwarf king who did not have the decency to look sorry. "It's nothing?" he repeated. "Thorin, you scared Bofur half to his own death! By Yavanna, I told you it wasn't his fault!"

"Is that Dwalin?" Gandalf said as he peeked through the opening in the tent.

Bilbo shut the flap and continued to glare at Thorin, waiting for an answer.

"Did he apologize to you?" was all the dwarf said.

"He did. Shakin' like a leaf, but he did!" Bilbo was close to fuming. "I cannot believe you threatened him, Thorin. Threatened your own kin! For the love of all that is good in this world, I thought you were past this! I cannot-"

"Are you comparing this to my dragon-sickness?" he growled.

"I most certainly am," Bilbo huffed. "That and you have no faith in your kin. They already respect you, Thorin. I can't imagine why you would want them afraid of you. Again!"

"If he hadn't left your side that night, this wouldn't be happening," he snarled, taking a threatening step forward.

"Then if you see it that way, the blame should be placed on me as much as it's placed on him! I was the one who veered from the path!"

Gandalf plopped his staff between the two quarreling creatures. "Bilbo, I see you're doing well."

"Peachy," he sneered, still glaring at Thorin.

"Wonderful!" the wizard smiled. "Now," he looked to Thorin, "why don't you run along, Thorin, and oversee your men. Bilbo will be in good hands with me."

Thorin grumbled greatly but managed not to say anything. It took him great effort to stalk off... limp off.

Gandalf made Bilbo face him. "So, what have you been up to, Bilbo, besides having a lovers' spat?"

Bilbo glared at the wizard and took in a deep and what he hoped was a calming breath. He opened the tent flap. "Do come in and see."

The tall being ducked in and that meddling smile Bilbo hoped to never see again appeared on his lips. "Dwalin! What is a hardened warrior like yourself doing in here surrounded by ink bottles and rolls of parchment?"

The warrior's ears turned red and he glanced at Ori. "Gandalf," he coughed. "I did not know you were here."

"Ah, no one ever does. Except for my fireworks, of course," he added, casting Bilbo a glance.

Said hobbit rolled his eyes. "Let it go, Gandalf."

Dwalin skirted around the tables and past the wizard. "Well... I have to be gettin' back... got work to do... Gandalf. Bilbo." He was out the tent in a flash.

"Hm, wonder what's gotten into him," Gandalf mused.

Ori tried all his might to hide behind the stack of parchment he was looking through, but the wizard's twinkling eye stopped him. "G-Gandalf, what brings you here?" he gulped, hoping the wizard wouldn't go blabbering about this to Nori and Dori.

"Yes, Gandalf, what are you doing here?" Bilbo puffed, still ticked about the argument.

The tall man frowned at Bilbo from under his hat. "Oh, just wanted to have a friendly chat with you, old friend," he said. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," the hobbit grunted. "Let's leave Ori in peace. We can talk outside." He led the other out of the tent but not before shooting Ori a 'you're welcome' glare.

"How have you and Thorin been getting along? He's not yet returned to the dead?"

Bilbo stopped short. "Can he? I mean, is his second chance at life not permanent?" His heart started to speed up at Gandalf's words.

"From the Arkenstone, yes. I did not mean to frighten you, young hobbit," he chuckled. "I simply meant has he not made any more foolish decisions that could get him killed again. My dear Bilbo, he has another mortal life as any of us do."

The hobbit took a deep breath. "Don't you ever scare me like that again. I thought-"

"Master Baggins," Dori suddenly appeared causing Bilbo to nearly jump out of his own skin. "I am sorry but Thorin has requested your presence."

"Thank you, Dori," Gandalf answered for him. He looked down at the frazzled hobbit. "This should be fun."

Bilbo tried not to do any of the following: roll his eyes, groan loudly, groan at all, and tell Gandalf to shut his trap and mind his own business. "Best go see what that dwarf wants," was all he managed to say before stalking off to the mountain trailing Dori.

The throne room was much different than the last time Bilbo set foot in it. The room was almost bare; no trace of gold in sight. It made him wonder where they stored all those coins that had been in the room and how often Thorin visited it... He shook his head.

Thorin threatening Bofur had nothing to do with his gold-sickness. It was purely of his lack of trust in his Company and Bilbo. Yes, that was it.

Hopefully.

A hush fell over the room as Dori entered with Bilbo and Gandalf in tow. The hobbit had a sinking feeling in his gut as Thorin dismissed every dwarf in the area. He stepped down from the raised platform and looked at Gandalf.

"I'd like a word alone with Bilbo," he said in a strained voice.

Gandalf looked from one being to the other. "Right then. I'll just be outside."

Thorin waited for all of the wizard to disappear in the doorway before he turned to Bilbo.

"You really didn't have to kick every single dwarf out of here just to tell me something," the hobbit started first. "Gandalf, I understand. The meddling wizard, but-"

Thorin held a dull stone key in front of him.

"What is that, the key to your heart?" he asked tiredly.

"No," the dwarf said firmly. "This is the key to the storage room where all the gold has been placed. I want you to take it. I cannot be tempted by this madness, Bilbo."

He did not move. He didn't even take his eyes off of the object Thorin held between his fingers.

"Take it," Thorin repeated.

"No."

An emotion flickered across Thorin's face though Bilbo wasn't sure what it was. "Please, Bilbo. With this second chance at life, I have too much to lose. Too much I do not wish to be parted from ever again."

Bilbo still refused to take what was being given. "Why me?"

Thorin's fingers tightened around the stone key. "I trust you."

"Do you?"

The dwarf let out a harsh exhale. "There will be times it doesn't seem like I do, but there is no one I'd trust to keep me sane. I need you to keep saving me from myself. I know I will fail if I try on my own. I know it is permanently seared into my soul that I cannot hurt you the way I did at the Gate; I would feel it and the Arkenstone's power would drain from me." He licked his lips and kept his hand steady. "Please, Bilbo. Please take it."

Bilbo looked at Thorin for a long while. "I am only taking it until I get a look at this room myself," he relented. Thorin placed it in his hand. "If I don't like what I see, I'm giving it to Ori to keep, alright?"

"Aye," he nodded.

"Now," Bilbo said, trying to sound stern. "You really didn't have to kick every dwarf out of here-"

"Thank you, Bilbo," Thorin interrupted his sentence again, smiling at the others attempt to lighten the mood. "I love you."

"And I you, you great oaf."

Bilbo's fingers played with the key that sat in his pocket. He didn't know whether to be relieved that Thorin was making an attempt to never fall into madness again or worried that if ever the gold-sickness returns Thorin would hurt him once more. But he had given in and now held the key. He didn't want to think about it all that much anymore; the day was far too bright for that.

At the sudden sound of two pairs of feet landing in front of him, Bilbo's hand shot out from his pocket along with the key.

"You blasted idiots," he grumbled, picking up the object. "Scared me half to death!" He looked at a grinning Fili and Kili. "What are you doing here? I thought Thorin had you two working."

"He did," Fili nodded.

"He just didn't see us leave," Kili laughed. "Thought our favorite burglar could use some company."

Bilbo looked at the two of them. "You are going to get in so much trouble when Thorin finds out you've gone."

"Don't worry," Kili assured him. "He won't."

Fili added, "As long as no one announces our presence, we should be fine."

"Fili and Kili!" Gandalf boomed causing the blond and the brunette to cringe. "It has also been ages since I've seen you two. How have you been faring? I hear you did not get many visitors when you woke from near death!"

"Ah ha, yes, Gandalf," Kili chuckled very nervously. "We've b-been well. Right, Fili?"

The blond hastily looked around for Thorin or Dwalin. "Uh, yes. We've been very well."

Gandalf frowned. "I say, are you looking for someone?" Being much taller than the dwarves, Gandalf didn't have to look far before he saw the familiar face of Thorin speaking to Balin just a few instances away.

"If it is Thorin you're looking for, he's-"

"No!" Fili and Kili shouted in unison.

The wizard's eyebrows raised. He glanced at Bilbo who seemed to be enjoying the scene before him.

"He doesn't know we're here," Fili clarified, scratching the back of his neck. "So could you, I don't know, not speak so loud?"

"Hm," Gandalf hummed almost grumpily. Bilbo had a feeling the wizard did not like being quiet. "Very well. Have a merry day, lads. Bilbo. I shall go and find Oin now. I wish to have a word with him about his medicines." With that, to Fili and Kili's relief, he walked away.

"Phew. That was close," Fili said.

Kili nodded then threw his arm around Bilbo's shoulders. "Say, Uncle Bilbo, how you and Thorin holdin' up? He still givin' you trouble?"

"Why are you talking like that? And no, he isn't." Bilbo thought about it for a minute. "Well, not so much."

"Ah, he's always had the hardest head in the family," Kili mused. "But not to worry, dear hobbit. We will make sure that dwarf doesn't-"

"I hope you're over here to tell Master Baggins that the elves wish to see him," Thorin voice boomed, startling the younger dwarves.

"Uh, uh," they stammered.

"Is that a yes?" Thorin pressed.

Both nodded vigorously. "Right. Yes, Bilbo. The elves."

"They wish to see you," Kili added. "Well, wish we could talk but-"

"We got work to do." Their eyes kept flicking from Bilbo to Thorin. "W-we're gonna go."

Thorin smirked as he watched them dash off to their posts.

"Thanks for that," Bilbo smiled at the other. "I don't know what I would have done to get rid of them. Probably would have made a bigger announcement than Gandalf."

The dwarf chuckled. "Glad to have been of service." He gave a mock bow to Bilbo. Then he noticed the hobbit wasn't in any hurry to go anywhere. "But really, the elves want to see you. There's a pony waiting at the edge of the field."

Bilbo looked alarmed. "What? Really? Oh, I must go! I'll be back late!" He pecked Thorin's cheek before scurrying off.

I enjoyed Gandalf's euphemisms :)