Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).

Chapter 29

Magdalen hated celebrating her birthday. In her younger years, when her head was filled with fairytales of her youth, her birthday was a magical time. Her grandparents made sure she and Susan felt like anything was possible on their special day. When she was seven years old Magdalen became enthralled with the idea of pirate fairies, something she had read about in one of her books. Instead of discouraging her daydreams, as her teachers had, her grandparents made her dreams come true. They turned their entire house into a pirate ship and created an adventure just for her. At the end of her adventure was a treasure, her birthday present. A beautiful copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Birthdays were truly a magical time in the Kathan household.

After her grandfather's passing the last sparkle magic seemed to slip away from Susan and Magdalen. They both were in school full time and worked jobs on the side to pay for rent. It wasn't uncommon at that time in her life to forget her birthday all together. The sisters had always tried to keep up their spirits by gifting one another small items they had saved up for, or baking cakes like their grandmother had. Yet there was no duplicating the sweet innocence of childhood they once had.

So Magdalen let her birthday slip by without much mention. Of course, Felicity and Emma had been outraged when they discovered that Magdalen refused to make a big deal out of her twenty-first birthday. But she had grown used to the quietness of her birthday, she liked it that way. She was never one for parties, especially parties centered around her. Her time in Erebor hadn't swayed her beliefs. Though when Dis and Poppy caught wind that Magdalen's twenty-second birthday was only a few days away, they were having none of Magdalen's silly beliefs. Dis had all but ambushed her one day, disguising her intervention in an invitation to afternoon tea with her and Poppy.

"Magdalen how could you not tell us it was your birthday," Dis demanded.

"It's not a big deal," Magdalen said sheepishly.

Poppy raised her eyebrows, giving her a scolding look usually only reserved for her misbehaving children and husband. "It is a very big deal, young lady."

"That will be the last I hear of that. Of course, we will be having a party for you!" Dis exclaimed holding up her hand to silence Magdalen.

It wasn't often Dis used her position of power on Magdalen, but when she did Magdalen knew not to mess with her. Before Magdalen could speak Poppy interjected.

"Birthdays are blessings from the Valar, it is one more year we have with the ones we love." She added softly holding Magdalen's hand.

Magdalen gave her a small smile. "It's just I haven't celebrated my birthday in a very long time."

Dis threw her hands up in the air dramatically. "All the more reason to have a celebration!"

Magdalen sighed in defeat, she knew when to give up in the case of Dis's strong will. Hardheadedness was a strong trait in the Durin line, and it was not something to trifle with.

Dis ignored her muttering spinning to Poppy to talk."I will have to ask Mister Neal to prepare a cake, He is such an old goat he will gripe about it the whole time."

Poppy clapped her hands as she spoke."We could ask Miss Tamra, Magdalen loves her sweets."

"Fabulous idea." Dis beamed as she stood up walking to the door to call for the maids.

The maids hurried to the door bowing to their princess. "Send for Miss Tamra, please. Hilda let Master Gilran I will need him right away."

Magdalen huffed resting back in her seat knowing that she wasn't going to get a word in. She felt a light patting on her thigh, she looked to meet Poppy's amused face.

"Leave her be, we just want you to be happy."

Magdalen forced a smile, that seemed to be a running theme in the mountain. It was odd to have so many people to care and be concerned for her well being. Back home she had her friends and her sister, but no one was this invested in her happiness. She would always miss home, she would always long for her sister. But Erebor was becoming more and more of a home to her.

Dis spun as the maids left her, a beautiful smile gracing her face.

"We have a lot to do ladies."

To say Fili was stressed was an understatement. He had spent the morning in meetings, but his mind was a thousand miles away. His mother had informed him and Kili over dinner that she was planning Magdalen's birthday and thus began his anxiety. It was Kili's fault, as were most things. He had mentioned he had the perfect gift for Magdalen's birthday. That was when Fili realized he had no idea what to give her. Twenty-two wasn't a major age in dwarven years, but for a human it was a sign of adulthood. Gifts in dwarven culture were special and a sign of respect. He and Magdalen had been friends for months now, and yet he was drawing a complete blank on what to give her. He had thought about making her knives but thought that others might take the gift in the wrong way. He didn't need to feed rumors about their human companion. He had spent an afternoon searching through the market and found nothing. Magdalen cared little for finerys, that was one of the many things he admired about her. But at the moment it frustrated him to no end.

The night of her party arrived and he had been avoiding Magdalen for days now. It wasn't that Fili was trying too, he felt embarrassed because of his lack of a gift. Fili paced back and forth, sipping on his ale.

"You pace anymore brother, and you'll make a hole in the floor." Kili laughed.

Fili glared at his brother stopping his pacing. Kili sighed coming to stand next to his brother, patting his shoulder.

"What's wrong, nadad? You've been acting strange the past couple of days." Kili dropped his goofy facade in exchange for a serious one.

Fili shook off his brother's grip, coming to lean against the wall watching his friends move about the small hall. Magdalen had managed to convince Dis that the party should be a small affair, only close friends. Of course, Dis was elated when they came to the agreement but let it slide in favor of gifts. Though his mother was always one for the more extravagant gatherings, even the small ones. The celebration, as any dwarven celebration, was a sight to behold. Held in the dining hall, the room was packed wall to wall. A three-tiered cake sat at the center of the room. Music filled the room, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.

Fili ignored Kili's inquisitive gaze, nodding at Bifur as he passed them. Kili was going to press more on the subject when the Dis announced the birthday girl's arrival. Magdalen was a vision of beauty as she came into view. Even in her everyday clothes, he found her beauty undeniable. She stepped back letting his mother take the lead as she made her grandstanding to their friends. Bofur and his hoard pushed past Dis taking an embarrassed Magdalen into his arms, spinning her in the air.

Her smile radiated the room as the dwarves gathered around her wishing her a happy birthday. Fili found his feet stuck in place. She shouldn't make him feel so shameful, he was eighty-eight for Mahal's sake. Yet here he was acting like a dwarfling. She was just a woman. That's what I wish she would be, just another woman. Magdalen wasn't like anyone he had ever encountered, and he was like a moth called to a flame when she was around.

Fili watched as Kili approached Magdalen, he must have said something foolish as she punched his arm. Part of his wished they could have such an easy relationship like Kili and Magdalen shared. His brother always had an easy time making people fall for his boyish charm. Fili grew up playing the part of an older brother, he was much more reserved in his trusting of others, never being overly friendly with anyone he encountered. As a result, he found his friend group limited, but that was how he liked it. Fili enjoyed being alone, at times. He and Magdalen shared that in common.

Like a bolt of flash lightning, he was hit with the perfect gift for Magdalen. Grinning like a madman he pushed himself off the wall searching the room for his hobbit friend. Bilbo was speaking with Thorin when Fili found him.

"Hello Uncle, would you mind if I steal away our hobbit." Thorin raised an eyebrow in suspicion but nodded nevertheless, watching as Fili dragged Bilbo away.

Bilbo protested his sudden kidnapping, Fili ignored him. Taking him away from the party, Fili quickly let go of the hobbit brushing his hair away from his face.

"Really Fili what is all this fuss about?" Bilbo griped.

"I will be needing your assistance, Mister Baggins."

Days had passed since her birthday and Magdalen had been grateful for her party. She hadn't had that much fun celebrating in years. She spent the evening drinking good ale and stuffing her face full of mouth-watering cake. It was blissful. The gifts the company had given her littered her apartment. Bifur had made her a bookcase for Ori and Deamra's gift, sets of various books that she loved. The Ur family gave her new leather braces engraved with a floral pattern to replace her old hand-me-down ones. Kili gave her a bow and a matching quiver stating that he only did so that she would stop using his.

Balin's gift was a quill and well, and a promise to begin her khuzdul lessons. Oin gave her a metal tea set, and Nori gifted her a locket picking set. Which Dis wasn't thrilled with. Dwalin had taken aside the morning of her party shoving her an unwrapped present in her hands. It was a small knife with a smooth metal handle and a leather belt. Magdalen put it on immediately showing off Dwalin's work, he grumbled at her not to speak of it again. But she ignored him throwing her arms around his neck, she could have sworn Dwalin hugged her back.

Even Thorin had given her a small journal. Yet she couldn't hide her disappointment when Fili avoid her at her party. She didn't need anything fancy, in fact she didn't need anything at all. But she would have liked a happy birthday from him, all week he had ignored her. And it was beginning to make her angry. So she was surprised to find the golden-haired prince at her door looking red-faced and winded.

"Fili?" Magdalen furrowed her eyebrow.

Fili grinned bowing at her. "Good evening, m'lady."

Magdalen followed her arms over one another leaning against her door.

"Oh so now you're going to speak to me?" She raised an eyebrow.

Fili clasped his arms behind him hiding a smile as he looked at the floor. "My apologies, I have been busy the last few days."

He paused stepping closer to Magdalen tugging on one of her hands. "That is no excuse to ignore you on your birthday."

Magdalen looked up at him through her lashes. She pursed her lips looking away from his face. " You're right it's not." She huffed.

Fili held back a laugh. "But I was hoping to make it up to you."

She glanced at him, as he held out his elbow.

"Please?" He asked.

She sighed looking back at her dinner, before stepping out into the hall closing her door. Fili grinned in satisfaction as Magdalen took his elbow. They walked through Erebor in comfortable silence, greeting people as they passed. It was unusual to see the pair taking evening strolls, though this time they traveled through abandoned halls and stairways.

"What was so important that you had to interrupt my dinner?" Magdalen muttered as she followed Fili down the long winding hall.

Fili peered over his shoulder, offering her a smile. "You'll see, M'lady."

Magdalen narrowing her eyes. "Are you going to murder me? I've seen those crime shows, this is always it starts."

"You say the strangest things." Fili made a face turning back to continue down the stairs.

The air was cold and damp as they descended the staircase. The soft crackling of fire echoed in the cavern. Magdalen followed Fili's led them deeper into the cave. Her hand brushed against the uneven wall, feeling the cool stone under her palm.

"What is this place?" She asked as the rounded the stairs coming up on the last leg.

Fili's looked over his shoulder the light of his torch brightening up space between them. A smile played on his lips.

"Patentics, Dushin- Mizim, we're not there yet," Fili muttered stepping onto the floor.

Around them, the lights were dimly lite. The small tunnel narrowed and came to an end, no door in sight. This didn't deter Fili from continuing down the steps. He held out his hand, pushing his palm into the stone. A blue light made the outline of a door, the grinding of rock echoed in the hall. Fili paused looking back at her smiling before giving one hard push on the outlined door. Soft blue light poured from the door. Magdalen felt her jaw drop, she took a step down following Fili into the light.

She moved past him taking in the sight around her. Walls of uneven stone surrounded them, reaching up into an open sky above them. A blanket of stars lit up the small area. A willow tree stood in the center of the soft grass, surrounded by tulips.

Magdalen blinked.

Blue Tulips.

She took a step toward the tree staring at the bundles of tulips that made a semi-circle around the willow. Air caught in her throat, the words were lost on her. She quickly turned back to Fili.

"What is this?" The words were soft and just audible enough for her to hear.

He stood a distance away from her, looking at the serene around them.

"It's yours." He stated plainly.

Fili continued. "Your birthday present, I mean. All of this is yours. I know you enjoy moments to yourself, so I thought I'd give you a place to go."

She stared at him wildly, she was speechless. Magdalen followed his gaze, she stared at the flowers.

One word came to mind.

"Blue tulips."

She could have laughed at how dumb she must have sounded. Magdalen was thankful for the darkness, to hide the deep blush forming on her cheeks.

"Those were very hard to find you know, Bilbo and I searched all over to find them," Fili explained.

He paused glancing at her.

"Do you like it?" He asked somewhat sheepishly.

Magdalen turned to study Fili. She couldn't find the right words to say to him. Instead, she jumped wrapping her arms around his neck. He stumbled back before slowly wrapping his arms around her ribs. He lifted her up, her feet only brushing the floor. She reared back still held in Fili's embrace, their faces only inches apart. She smiled through her tears.

"Thank you Fili, it's the best birthday gift I've ever gotten." She couldn't contain her happiness planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

Magdalen knew her mistake when her lips touched his warm skin. She heard his sharp inhale. His grip on her tightened, the air left her lungs as her lips dragged off his skin. Through heavy lids, she met his gaze. His normally blue eyes were overtaken by dark pupils. His breathing was heavy and erratic or was that hers? She didn't know, she couldn't hear because of the blood rushing in her ears.

Deamra always talked about how Ori made her feel giddy and airy like butterflies filled her tummy. Magdalen didn't feel butterflies, she didn't feel giddy, she didn't even feel airy. Magdalen felt heavy like she had swallowed stones. She was hyper-aware of the feeling of her person pushed up against his. She didn't feel butterflies, no she felt crows trying to claw their way out of her stomach.

Much to her dismay, he released her from his hold. He held her at arm's length smiling at her.

"You're welcome Dushin-Mizim." He breathed.

Slowly Magdalen backed up from the prince turning to study the small valley.

"No one will bother you here, it's all yours. Only you, I, and Bilbo know about it." He said.

She couldn't contain her grin as she walked around the small garden. A place all to myself. The thought brought an air of peace to her.

"I'll leave you to it, then." Fili bowed deeply turned to head to the door.

Magdalen tapped her fingers watching as he moved away from her. She couldn't stop herself from reaching a hand out toward him.

"Fili" she called after him.

Fili paused at the sound of her voice, he turned to look back at her.

"You don't have to leave yet… I mean I'm sure you have other duties to attend to, but you can stay if you want. That's cool."

That's cool? What are you a twelve-year-old boy?

Fili paused looking to the door, contemplating something. Then he looked to the ground, hints of a smile playing behind wisps of blonde hair.

"Uncle did want to talk to me..." His voice trailed off.

She couldn't find the disappointment in her face, as her eyes dropped.

"Oh.." Was all she could muster.

"Uncle can wait." Her heart leaped.

She smiled at him, nodding once to hide the giddy she felt in her blood. Magdalen and Fili spent the late hours of the night speaking quietly underneath the willow tree. Resting in their small spot in the world, letting their trouble melt away. They listened to the soft hum of the earth, Magdalen could feel the warmth of Fili's body. Not looking at him, Magdalen found his hand laying in the grass beside her. The tip of her pinky tapping his hand, he responded by turning his palm toward her. She slowly interweaving their hands together. Neither spoke a word that night, relishing in the peaceful of their space.

Y'all writer's block was smacking me hard in the face this chapter. But it's finally here :)

Let me know what you think of this chapter!