Chapter 44 – Farewell

"Mom! He's back!" Frerin jumped and looked back over his shoulder when the door opened and Fili smiled at his wife. His smile was weak but he was glad to be home and hugged Gilriel. "It's good to be home"

"You look exhausted" Gilriel ran her hand through Fili's hair before he held her to stop his wife. "Frerin... take your sisters and find uncle Kili. I need a moment with your mother"

He waited until the children had left before he sat on his bed with his wife. His body was shaking for a moment and he fought tears coming to his eyes. "The queen is dead... Lothien died the day we reached Elrond's house. The travel was too exhausting for her but Thorin wanted to give her the time to see her family one last time. It was Elrond's wish to bury Lothien in her old home and... Thorin and I were the first dwarves to see an elvish burial and... it was very touching"

"And how is Thorin?"

"He isn't well... when Elrond and and Gandalf spoke about the fellowship to destroy the ring of evil... he wanted to join them first but he decided against it because we have to stand against Mordor if the fellowship fails... It turned out braver than dwarves, humans and elves were four young hobbits" Fili smiled weakly again while his wife hugged him. "I'm happy you didn't join them and came back home. We need you here"

"I know and I would never leave you and the children in any danger. I have to take even more responsibilities now and you must know every way out of Erebor if it comes to the worst. I don't want you to fight" Fili rubbed his nose against Gilriel's and both spent some time didn't talking to each other.

They fell on the bed without sleeping and held each other until the next morning when they found each other surrounded by their children. Fili looked and Frerin and sighed. "I hoped I could be a father he wants to play games with and always has fun with but I think that has to change now"

"He will understand. He adores you and he will follow you like you follow Thorin" The hobbit kissed her husband before she woke up their daughters. "Come, we go and see your grandmother"