September brought cooler weather. The mountain's recovery from the quake was completed now. Homes had been rebuilt, the dead buried with honor, and life continued as it always had.
But, Fili couldn't help but notice a change in Thorin's mood. He was a little more down than usual, although his running of the kingdom remained as strong as ever. Fili had a feeling he knew what was troubling his uncle.
"I'm sorry, Uncle," Fili said one day during a rare moment in which they weren't surrounded by council members or others, needing the attention of the King or Prince.
"I don't know of what you speak," Thorin's deep voice rumbled.
"That you didn't get to go to Rivendell for Bilbo's party, which is next week."
Thorin sighed. "I am sad that I couldn't go, but I do not regret my decision to stay. It was important I be here and help with the quake recovery. You did a fine job taking charge of the rebuilding and I'm have been honored to see you in action."
"Thank you, Uncle," Fili stammered. "Did you ever hear back from Bilbo? Do we even know if he got your letter?"
"I don't know," Thorin said. "I never heard back. I can only assume he got the letter, is angry with me for not going, and that is why he did not reply."
"Thorin, that's ridiculous," Fili admonished. "Bilbo's not like that. You know that better than anyone. He would not be angry at you for missing his party due to a mountain quake that threatened to destroy your home and people."
"I guess not," Thorin said. His mood did not improve.
The following day, the home of Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain was invaded by a most unexpected party.
Thorin was in his study, sitting at a desk and going over ledgers filled with numbers that counted their winter food and supplies in storage.
Fili and Kili were giggling like dwarflings about to pull their best prank ever on their uncle. With straight faces, they walked into Thorin's study, side-by-side, and approached his desk.
"What can I do for you, boys?" Thorin said, barely looking up at them.
"It occurred to us that we may have made a big mistake," Fili said.
They had Thorin's complete attention now. "What mistake?"
"Well," Kili said very seriously, "We think it may have been a mistake to send Bilbo's birthday presents to Rivendell."
"Why is that?" Thorin asked.
"Because Bilbo's not in Rivendell," Fili said, "he's right here!" The brothers stepped apart allowing the small, light footed hobbit to come into Thorin's view.
"Bilbo!" Thorin stood so quickly, he knocked over his chair and scattered his papers of ledgers and numbers. Bilbo was lifted off his feet in a huge hug.
"Thorin!" he squeaked, "It's wonderful to see you, too, but I would like to breathe again."
Thorin released him and Bilbo had to take in a few gasps of air.
"It can't believe you're here," Thorin said, his smile wide. "Why are you here?"
Bilbo blushed. "Well, I decided since you couldn't come to my party, I would bring my party to you."
Thorin grinned.
"It's true, he did. Bilbo arrived with two large wagons filled with food and gifts," Kili said, excitedly.
"Yes, well," the hobbit nervously shuffled from one foot to the other, "I hope that's alright. I know I'm showing up uninvited, and,"
Thorin didn't let him say another word. "You never need an invitation to come to Erebor. You are welcome here anytime you please as a most honored guest and friend of the King. A king, who owes you his kingdom."
"Oh dear me, no, Thorin," Bilbo blushed again. "You owe me nothing. All I ask is your friendship."
"And you have it," Thorin said. "Tell me how you came to be here."
"Well, when I arrived in Rivendell, you letter had just arrived. Lord Elrond and I talked it over and I decided I would come here, to surprise you. I sent letters to Gandalf, Beorn, Thranduil, and King Bard to let them know my intentions. They all promised me aid. Elrond's sons escorted me to Beorn's. Beorn escorted me to Mirkwood. Legolas escorted me through Mirkwood, and on the other side, I met with Gandalf. We went to Dale and now, here I am!"
"You certainly are and I'm very happy you've come. Have you been shown to your room yet?" Thorin asked.
"No, I only just arrived. I wanted to see you first."
"Thank you." Thorin looked a little humbled. Bilbo was the only person outside the family that had a way of bringing out Thorin's soft side. "Come on, then. I'll give you a tour and open up a guest room for you. I can't wait for you to meet my wife. She has heard so much about you."
"Ah, yes, the lovely Fire. I can't wait to meet her, too," Bilbo said as he walked with Thorin.
Just before he walked out, Thorin shouted over his shoulder, "Take care of my appointments for the rest of the day, boys!"
Dinner that night was a huge affair. All of the Company and their families were invited to welcome back their hobbit. Bilbo was ever so polite and met each and every member of all the families, speaking with them all and getting to know them.
"I'm afraid we've overwhelmed you, Master Baggins," Dis said across the table.
"Not at all, " Bilbo waved his hand casually, "We hobbits love big families. You should see the family gatherings on my mother's side of the family. More cousins than I can count."
"So," Dis went on, "When is this birthday party of yours?"
"Next week. Eight short days," Bilbo said. "I do home I brought enough."
"Enough of what?" Dis asked.
"Food and gifts," Bilbo said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"But we sent your gifts to Rivendell," Kili said.
"Ah, well, I happened to intercept your messengers on their way to Rivendell, and so I brought my gifts back with me," Bilbo blushed.
"You didn't open them, did you?" Kili asked.
"Of course not. What kind of hobbit would I be to open up my presents early?"
Bilbo spent the following week, visiting with each member of the company and getting to know their families. He got tours of the mountain and was introduced to the Council of Erebor. When he wasn't busy with those things, he spent time with Bombur in the kitchens, helping to prepare the food for his party. He had brought as many of the ingredients for all the food as his wagons could carry, which was quite a bit. Even Bombur was impressed by the amount of food the hobbit had brought.
When the big day came, Bilbo dressed in his finest waistcoat of yellow and a jacket of bright green. The party included all of the Company and their families. They were all surprised when Bilbo presented each member of the Company with a gift.
"It's the hobbit way," Bilbo explained when they questioned him. "Now, I wasn't sure what to give to a bunch of dwarves who have the riches of the greatest dwarven kingdom at their feet. I'm afraid these gifts might seem rather silly, but they are a part of Hobbit culture and I didn't think you could easily find these things here."
To Bifur, Bilbo gave a set of wooden toy figurines of hobbits. Bifur grinned and said something to Bilbo, who didn't understand the words, but caught Bifur's meaning.
Balin received a set of wooden bowls with carvings of the Shire on their sides. Kili received a set of West Farthing crockery, which made Kili laugh. Everyone remembered all too well how Kili had tossed about Bilbo's best crockery back in Bag End, when they first met.
To Dori, a splendid waistcoat of green with shiny brass buttons. Ori was given a red leather bound journal and colored chalks. There was a checkered board and playing pieces, for Bofur. Many games could be played on such a board and Bilbo promised to teach Bofur several of them.
There was an elegant pipe for Nori and a pewter tankard for Dwalin. To Gloin, Bilbo gave a large bundle of the finest pipe weed the Shire had to offer. And Oin was given a fancy leather pouch, filled with dried kingsfoil. Bombur was given a book filled with recipes for the finest food and ale in the Shire. Fili received a wooden music box that played a hobbit lullaby.
And to Thorin, Bilbo gave a plush cushion pillow in deep blue.
Everyone stared at Thorin when he received his gift. He looked at the pillow, unsure what to make of it, but he quickly regained his composure and remembered his manners. "Thank you, Bilbo. It is a most soft pillow."
Bilbo laughed. "When I was here last, you showed me the great Throne of the Kings. It looked terribly uncomfortable - a huge stone chair? I don't know how you don't get a sore backside, so I made you a cushion."
There was a moment's pause as everyone registered what Bilbo had just said, and then the room burst into great laughter, including Thorin. Bofur and Kili were rolling on the floor and Dis laughed so hard, she was crying. Fili was doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter, as he tried to imagine King Thorin sitting on a blue cushion while on his great throne, conducting official business.
Bilbo also brought gifts for Fili and Kili's children. To Milly, he gave a dress, favored by hobbit lasses and to the boys, he gave them a large bag of chestnut tree seeds and taught them how to play Conkers. Bilbo felt bad he didn't have enough presents for the rest of the company's children. Everyone assured him it was alright, but for the hobbit, not to have gifts for the children was unacceptable. But then he remembered a special tin he had brought. The children gathered around Bilbo as he opened the tin to reveal its contents: candied treats and peppermint sticks. The children squealed with delight.
Fili sat back and watched Bilbo as he told the children a story about three huge trolls who had wanted to eat him. Sigrid sat next to Fili and he put his arm around her waist, drawing her close to him. It was times like this that were the most wonderful to Fili. He was surrounded by the people he loved. People he had worked with, laughed with and bled with. He knew anyone in that room would give his life for Fili and Fili would give his life for anyone in that room.
Back then, they had been a rag-tag band of fourteen, off on a near impossible quest, but now, everything was changed. Everything was changed and yet, nothing was changed. Under the fine clothes and fancy titles, they were still a rag-tag bunch, only now with spouses and children. The more the merrier, as the saying goes and Fili couldn't have agreed more.