It was two days before little Ora's birthday, her parents ran about making preparations for the three day celebration that was going to take place. Ora watched as the maids and servants rushed around, occasionally one would pat her on the head, give her a toy or kiss her chubby little cheek. She was always so happy, babbling at everyone and anyone who came into the room, she was in a small area of the sitting room that was blocked off by a gate. She cooed as she watched as her big cousin Kili walked in and set little Kera next to Ora in the play area.

"Hello Ora, I brought you a little playmate."

Ora looked up at her big cousin, smiled and babbled receiving a kiss on the head and then played quietly with her cousin Kera.

"Awe they're getting along so well."

Said Katie as she took a break. She sat on the davenport next to her Nephew.

"I know..It's so adorable."

Kera and Ora babbled at each other as he adults talked, they didn't notice that Ora used Kera's shoulders to pull her self up to a standing position, she gave a loud squeal getting her mother and older cousins attention. Katie gasped.

"Come on baby girl…Ye can do it."

Coaxed Katie as she sat on her knees, Ora pointed at her mama and babbled.

"Aye baby, that's it. Come on, ye can do it."

Kili had disappeared to find Thorin who happened to be walking up the steps of the palace. Kili grabbed his arm and rushed him into the house.

"What the bloody hell?! Kili! Explain yourself!"

"No time uncle!"

They got to the sitting room just in time Thorin fuming, this was not how a prince should act. Thorin was about to reprimand his nephew.

"Uncle look."

He gestured toward the play area, Thorin froze when he saw what was happening and slowly walked over and knelt down beside his wife.

"Papa!"

Exclaimed Ora happily as she saw her father standing there, yes about a month before she finally spoke again and never stopped. The maids and servants also stopped and watched the little princess.

"Aye darling, come on, you can do it."

Ora looked at both her parents, she wobbled slightly and then took one step and then another and another and finally fell into her fathers awaiting arms. He scooped her up and held her, kissing her cubby little cheeks. The servants and maids smiled happily and clapped for her, Thorin forgot his anger toward his nephew. Katie smiled and giggled hugging both her daughter and husband, kissing her cheeks as well.

"You're growing up too fast. You know that?"

"Papa…Papa."

Giggled Ora as she patted his face, Thorin chuckled and closed his eyes to avoid getting poked.

"We're so proud of ye Ora."

Said Katie happily, tears in her eyes. Thorin wrapped his arm around Katie basking in this moment with his family. Then came another tiny voice.

"Papa!"

They all looked down seeing little Kera who had pulled herself to a standing position using the barricade as support, she had been doing this for a while but this was the first time she had spoken. Kili looked down at her shocked, Thorin chuckled.

"Well look at that. Two surprised in one day! Congratulations Kili!"

Kili smiled and picked up his little girl and held her close. The maids and servants all went back to their work happy to see that their new princess reached her first big milestone.

"Your mama is going to be so jealous. But so proud of you!"

"Papa!"

Kera exclaimed with a big smile. Kili smiled and tossed her in the air catching her making the little one giggle excitedly. They spent lunch time together, Thorin kissed his wife and daughter and went back to work. It was around early evening when Bilbo came to Thorin's study to speak with him. Bilbo had gone back to Hobbiton after the battle but wasn't very well received, he was ignored, bullied and talked about like he was crazy. He had decided to pack up his house and go back to Erebor, he felt happier there. He didn't sell his family home, instead he gave it to his cousin and her new husband as a wedding present. In the time Bilbo had spent in Erebor he had become quite close to Lady Dis and had asked her for courtship, now he came to Thorin for another matter. He knocked on the door softly.

"Enter."

Answered Thorin as he looked over a document. He looked up as Bilbo walked in and smiled.

"Bilbo! Good to see you, just a moment. Finishing up some paperwork."

He said as he signed the document, handing it to a councilor.

"Have a seat old friend. How can I help you?"

Bilbo sat, a bit nervous.

"Well uh…Umm..I had hoped to speak with you in privet.."

Thorin nodded and waved his hand dismissing his guards, secretary and a few ministers.

"Alright, what's on your mind Bilbo?"

He asked as he lit his pipe and puffed at it.

"I uhh…W-well uh.."

Bilbo took a deep breath.

"I'd like your blessing to Marry Dis."

"Given."

Answered Thorin without a second thought.

"...Really?"

Bilbo was shocked. Thorin would allow him to marry his little sister without a second thought?

"Aye really. I trust you Bilbo, I know you well enough and I know you'll take care of my sister."

Bilbo laughed and smiled, nodding. Thorin stood and walked over to the Hobbit and hugged him.

"If she's happy then I'm happy. Do you have a ring?"

Bilbo nodded and pulled the box out and handed it to Thorin. He opened it and studied it and smiled. It was an amethyst with pears on the sides, top and bottom set into a gold band.

"Bilbo this is prefect, she'll love it. When do you plan on asking?"

"Oh uh…After Ora's party. Probably a few day's after."

Thorin nodded and hugged the Hobbit again lifting him off his feet.

"If you recall what Fili and Kili told you that first night on the road about dwarven courtship, its also the same for marrage proposals."

Bilbo looked at him and blushed a bit embarrassed.

"So that's real then?"

Thorin laughed and nodded.

"Aye it is. Best go and ask the lad's as well."

Bilbo nodded. He was in for a hell of a time.

((Authers Note: Sorry for the late update, had some writers block for this story. Also check out The Diary series: The Diary of Elizabeth Potter Smith and Orders from the dark lord: Barty Crouch Jr's POV. Enjoy! R&R!))