Chapter Twenty-Four
The next morning Nigel's trial is held in the Throne Room. Everyone attended, including Belle and Frerin. Dwalin stood next to Thorin, his eyes glaring at the dwarf whom the Captain of the Royal Guard had trained. "And to think I trusted you, Nigel, I trained you! And you turn around and bullied the King's son!" growled Dwalin. Thorin gave his friend a look, and Dwalin fell silent. "Is this true, Nigel, son of Virgil, that you bullied my son into going into the mines?" asked Thorin.
"Yes, Your Majesty." said Nigel, calmly. "Why did you do it? Was it because you were intoxicated on the job?" The Dwarf King continued to ask. "Yes, Your Majesty. It was myself and a few others whom had been drinking shortly before we started our duties." Nigel replied. "Intoxicated or not, it was wrong of you what you done to my son. What do you have to say for yourself?" growled Thorin. "I apologize your Majesties. I never meant any harm to your son! And it won't happen again." said Nigel.
"That's right! It will not happen again! I will make sure it won't happen again. Nigel, son of Virgil, I will sentence you to work in the mines as long as you are still living and breathing. Not only you will be working in the mines, but you will be working as second in charge supervisor, under the leadership of Bofur. And you will start this evening. And another thing, save your drinking when you're not working, or I will take the alcohol away from you." said Thorin. Nigel nodded.
"The Court of His Royal Majesty is adjourned!" announced Balin.
As they left the Throne room, Belle smiled at her husband. "You handled that very well." said Belle. "He's lucky I didn't rip his throat out." growled Thorin. "He's lucky, I didn't rip his throat out." grumbled Dwalin. Belle burst into laughter. "Am I hearing a echo in here? Didn't Thorin just said that?!" cackled the hobbit. "Stop copying me, Dwalin!" hissed Thorin. "I wasn't copying you!" argued Dwalin. Belle and Dis rolled their eyes.
Sixty years later…
Thorin and Belle resigned as King and Queen, as they allowed their oldest son, Thror to take over, since Thorin, now well over two hundred years old, wanted to retire to spend time with Belle.
Belle also decided that she and Thorin would take a trip to the Shire to celebrate her brother's one hundred and eleventh birthday, which of course fallen the same days as hers. Which makes three birthdays Thorin and Belle would be celebrating, because Bilbo's nephew Frodo's birthday, also falls on the same day. As they arrived in the Shire, on the eve of Bilbo's birthday, Belle could see the people are setting up for the big party on the following day.
When they approached Bilbo's door, Thorin knocked. "Alright, it better not be anymore relatives! I had it up to hear with the twenty questions malarkey!" Belle could hear Bilbo grumble behind the door. Thorin laughed. "Its only us, Bilbo!" Thorin called out. Bilbo opened the door. "THORIN! BELLE!" cried out the hobbit, as he embraced them. "Do come in! I wasn't expecting you two to show until tomorrow." said Bilbo, as they entered. "Hello, King Thorin, Queen Belle." said another voice in the background.
Thorin looked ahead of him, as he and Belle saw Gandalf sitting at the dining room table. "Gandalf! How are things for you, old friend?" grinned the dwarf king. "Nothing new, actually. Just staying busy as ever." the wizard replied, smiling at both Belle and Thorin. As they sat together, Thorin and Gandalf talked, mostly about the news of Erebor.
And of their oldest son, now crowned the new King Under The Mountain. "We're getting old, Gandalf. Its time that the younger generation to take over." said Thorin. "How is your nephews?" chimed in Bilbo. "Fili and Sigrid have three children, now expecting their first grandchild." said Thorin. "You're becoming a great-grandfather? Already?!" laughed Bilbo. "I know-the news was quite unexpected when Fili told me." said Thorin. "And of Kili?" asked Bilbo.
"He and Tauriel have four children. No grandchildren, just yet!" said Thorin. "Mariagold and I have two children, whom I named after you and Belle. While, my youngest daughter I named after our mother, Belladonna. Her full name is Belladonna III Baggins." said Bilbo. "Where is Mariagold?" asked Belle. Bilbo frowned, as he bowed his head. "She died this past year of the pneumonia." said the old hobbit, sadly. "Oh, my dear brother! I'm so sorry!" said Belle, as she wrapped her arm around her brother.
"Bilbo, since we're here, we are also considering of living here with you, if you don't mind." said Thorin. Bilbo grinned. "I don't mind at all. Besides, I sure could use some extra help. Frodo cannot do all of it by himself." said Bilbo. Thorin looked at Bilbo suspiciously. "What?" asked Bilbo.
"You don't seem yourself, Mister Baggins." said Thorin, gravely. "Of course I'm still me? Thorin, as age caught up to you?" snapped Bilbo. "Apparently age has caught up to you." growled the dwarf. Belle rolled her eyes. "Gentlemen, don't start fighting now. Especially when we just got here!" scorned Belle. "She's right, no fighting! The both of you!" said Gandalf. "Gandalf, a word with you please?" asked Thorin. Belle nodded, as the three of them walked out of the dining room.
"Gandalf, my brother is not acting like himself. He's not ill, is he?" Belle asked. Gandalf closed his eyes. He debated on whether to tell Belle and Thorin of his discovery or not. Finally, the wizard decided to tell them. "Thorin-Belle, I think you best sit down, for what I'm going to tell you, it is going to cause you to worry, and it involves both Bilbo and Frodo." said Gandalf. "What is it?" asked Thorin. Gandalf then explained of his discovery and the truth behind Bilbo's ring.
Thorin's eyes widened in horror. "He had that ring the whole time?!" cried out the dwarf. "Yes. Luckily it didn't cause any effect to him sixty years ago, if it did, things would have been far much worse." said Gandalf. Thorin's heart sank. "And here I was trying to throw him off the mountain." said Thorin softly.
"Thorin, you weren't yourself. Don't blame yourself for something none of us could control." said Belle. "What is going to happen now?" asked Thorin. When Gandalf told them, Belle's eyes widened in horror. "Bilbo cannot stay here! None of us can't stay here!" shrieked Belle. "No. None of us cannot stay here. We're leaving after the birthday party." said Thorin. Gandalf nodded. "That is part of my plan. I'm wanting Bilbo to go stay in Rivendell." said Gandalf. Thorin rolled his eyes. "Thorin, it wouldn't hurt to live with the elves. So don't you even go there." said Belle.
Gandalf chuckled. "Now, come. Lets focus on a more merrier moment. And by the way Belle, Happy Birthday!" said Gandalf. "I will give you your present later!" purred Thorin. Belle chuckled. She had a feeling she knew what Thorin meant about this special present he wanted to give her. The next evening is the party, and Belle and Thorin had a splendid time celebrating with Bilbo, Frodo and all the hobbits. Belle and Thorin even met Sam, Merry and Pippin.
Thorin thought Merry and Pippin reminded him a lot of his nephews. But he kept that thought to himself. As Bilbo made his speech, Thorin and Belle watched. "He's going to give the signal. When he disappears, we'll follow him home." Belle whispered. Thorin nodded.
Suddenly during the middle of his speech, Bilbo placed the ring on his finger and disappeared. "Now's our cue!" whispered Belle, standing up, and they walked back to Bilbo's home. Later, after saying their farewells to Gandalf, and Bilbo reluctantly having to give up the ring to give to Frodo, the three of them departed from the Shire. As they walked the lands, Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle. "This brings back memories. I remember the last time we journeyed together was sixty years ago. It all started with your Company showing up and trashing my house!" said Bilbo.
Thorin laughed. "Well at least we cleaned up after ourselves." said Thorin. "Well, this maybe our last journey-at least for a little while!" said Belle. "Thank, goodness!" said Bilbo.
The End.