When dinner was over, the sun started to set rapidly, the sky darkening a dark blue-violet. The Dainsons ended up returning with the dwarves back to their sleeping quarters, which was a room inhabited with open walls, benches, and pillars, decorated with soft furnishings and beautiful multilayered tapestries of blue and gold. Beyond the stone railings revealed the open views of Imlardris, including the mountains and the huge waterfall below the slopes.

At night, the city tainted with its natural surrounding seemed to float in the shadows and rising moonlight like a dream. The houses were lit with candles and torches. The water seemed glow blue from the white foam rushing and crashing on the rocks in the falls. The sky began to light with a glittering mass of stars, though patched with gray clouds that drifted like sleeping phantoms.

As promised, Lori had gotten her share of treats from one of her friendly elleth friends: little lemon cakes, apple tarts, and mini pudding pies. The little girl was happily munching on her sweets from a fancy napkin after dinner, the table left with nothing but scattered mess of lettuce bits, crumbs, and mash. The dinner had ended almost immediately after the food fight had ended, and to the elves' credit, nobody (especially Lord Elrond) had lost their temper. If anything, it almostseemed like the Lord of Rivendell tried to hide his amusement...or maybe that was just Maia's imagination.

When the Dainsons were led back with the dwarves, Kyle had ended up having to scrape off potato mash from his face. The boy learned firsthand from the food fight that Dwalin knew a thing or two about karma. He remembered that when he threw food straight into Dwalin's face, the death glare at Kyle think the large dwarf was going to tackle him...until out of nowhere, a large potato splat into his face. Dwalin was still booming with laughter while Kyle tried to rub the food out his eyes. Maia and Lori had to fish out scattered lettuce from their hair.

Eventually, Lori started to get sleepy, not having napped all day while too busy facing trolls, escaping a warg pack, and then getting too boosted with excitement when meeting the elves. As soon as she drifted off in Maia's lap, the elder sister consented in hoisting the little girl so that her head rested on her shoulder, her little arms wrapping limply around her neck. "Okay, L, let's get you to bed," she said softly, shifting her sister into a comfortable position.

While no one was looking, Kili nudged Fili, giving the slightest nod toward Maia. Fili gave a warning look, but took a deep breath before standing up as Maia was about to leave. "Would you like me to walk with you there?" he asked, carefully. The dwarves watched curiously. Even Kyle, but a tad more suspicious. Thorin, who was standing near the balcony rail in the background, turned slightly with a frown.

"In case you need help with Lori," added Fili, swallowing as he watched Maia's confusion. "I know you trust the elves, but it would give not only me, but all of us lot some peace of mind."

"Oh...Yeah, sure," said Maia, shifting Lori again. She smiled. "I think this way y'all will know where to find us in our rooms."

"I'm in a separate room," Kyle pointed out. Then he gave Fili a narrowed look. "So what exactly are you planning to do in her room?"

"Kyle! Seriously?!" snapped Maia, shocked at her brother's rudeness.

Fili only smiled. If he was insulted, he showed no sign of it. "Nothing short of tucking your sister in, Master Kyle," the blond dwarf replied smoothly. "And I mean Lori, not Maia." The dwarves chuckled, and Kyle smiled a little, tension relaxing. Even Thorin smiled a little, before turning back around to face the view.

"Well, get to it, then," said Dwalin, who was cleaning his axes, "before the wee one starts to drool."

"Okay, good night, y'all," said Maia, and the dwarves and Bilbo echoed in response. "Kyle, don't stay up too late. We had plenty of that of last night with the trolls."

"Yeah, yeah..." said Kyle, waving his hand at her. "Don't trip over your ball gown."

Maia made a face at him in response, before she and Fili walked out into the halls. In the dark, though it was hard to see the furnishing, the torches lit their way. "Kyle is a very perspective lad," complimented Fili as they walked up the steps together, halfway to the bedrooms.

"And a real pain in the ass," grumbled Maia, shifting Lori's weight again halfway up some stairs. "Sorry about that. You're really patient with him, you know."

"Well, I never had a sister, but if I did, I would probably be worse than your brother." Fili watched Maia carry Lori and placed a hand on her arm for her to stop. "Do you want me to carry her?" he said softly. Lori's sleeping face was so peaceful with her baby cheek pressed into her young woman's shoulder, dark strands escaping her braid and her pink lips parted slightly as she breathed.

"I'm good," assured Maia, hugging her sister tighter, and Fili nodded.

Lori was very light-weighted, though the five year-old was getting too big for Maia to carry at long periods of time. Still, it never stopped her before. She can carry her baby sister for as long as she is able to, because one day, little Lori won't be so little anymore.

It reminded her of when her mom carried her to bed when she was Lori's age. She would wrap her arms around her mom's neck, the way Lori does, and snuggle her face comfortably at the crook of her shoulder. Her mother would smell of hazelnut, honey, and coffee. She smelled of home. Maia swallowed the throbbing lump in her throat.

When they had reached the bedroom, finding Maia and Lori's bags still near the bed, Maia finally relieved her little sister to their large, cushiony bed. Lori shifted, moaning slightly, and then shifted her hand to place her thumb in her mouth; Maia pulled it out and tilted her slightly sideways before pulling off her little golden slippers.

"It looks like the elves have you well-placed," said Fili, looking around the large room. "I believe they offered Thorin a room like this, since he's royalty, but he refused."

"Because he wants to stay closer to his friends and family?" guessed Maia, while trying to get the purple dress of Lori by sitting her up a little. It was a wonder how deep of a sleeper the little girl could be when she was also crazy and energetic as a monkey awake.

Fili shrugged, pacing around the floor slowly. "I'd like to think so," he said, "or maybe it was just his way of rejecting elven hospitality. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case."

"Do you mind getting Lori's pajamas?"

"Where are they?"

"In her bag. The little pink one."

While Maia pulled the dress over Lori's head, placing it gently aside so that it wasn't wrinkled with one hand while holding the child up with the other. "Mmph..." Lori moaned sleepily, her head leaning against her sister's stomach, soft and timid as a kitten.

Maia stroked her soft curls and kissed her head. Again, she remembered her mom, Laura, doing the same, wrapping her warms around her while stroking her head until she was calmed into sleep, humming a lullaby. Then Laura would kiss the top of her head before laying her down and tucking her in.

Fili had recognized Lori's PJs before pulling them out of the bag and passing them over. Maia took them gratefully, "Thanks," and starting sitting Lori up to pull the shirt over her head, putting her arms through the sleeves. Fili then helped Maia hold the child's legs as they both dipped her into her snuggly PJ pants.

Then, Fili picked up the sleeping Lori and laid her down, lowering her head on the massive pillow, while Maia pulled the silken sheets and quilt over and tucked the little girl in up to her chin.

Lori looked so tiny compared to the huge canopy bed, snuggled up into the covers like she would when she was a baby, but she looked peaceful in her sleep, her breathing soft and wispy. The only thing that was missing was her teddy bear, whom she never slept without.

And in the dark shadows, lit slightly by faint moonlight, Lori even looked like Laura. Everyone thinks that it is Maia who looks the most like her mother...but it was really Lori who looks the most like their mother. Her hair color was just different.

"And I thought my brother was the deep sleeper," smiled Fili, looking at Maia, but his smile faded when he saw her looking down at her sister with sadness. "What's wrong?" he whispered, turning to her completely.

Maia bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears glistening in her eyes, but a couple escaped her eyes and she quickly wiped them away, her expression breaking.

"Maia?" Fili tried to catch her eyes, worry glistening in his own.

She gulped, looking briefly at the ceiling, trying to maintain her pride but failing. Before she knew it, she ended up croaking in a whisper, "I miss my mom."

Maia felt her face heat up with embarrassment, feeling small and weak with her pride slowly falling in tatters, but for some reason she felt like confessing this to Fili. Just like their night watch on the cliff. She didn't look at him, knowing she would see pity in his eyes.

Fili said nothing, but he stepped forward and hesitantly pulled her towards him before wrapping his arms around her, folding her into his embrace. Maia felt her body relax against him, letting herself be wrapped in his comfort, her face buried into his hair. He may be shorter than her in reality, but it did not feel like it. She could feel his strength and compassion through every part of his being, his calm and his own sorrows intermingling with hers. They seemed to fit comfortably together.

"I know you do," said Fili after a while, rubbing her back. "I miss mine, as well, even if it is not the same."

Maia sighed and pulled back to meet his eyes, which were full of compassion and affection. "I wish I was stronger," she said softly. "I wish I was able to look after Kyle and Lori better."

"You are strong," he insisted. "You are so much stronger than I had ever even known. And you are a great big sister."

Maia shook her head. "I shouldn't have run," she admitted. When Fili frowned in confusion, she explained, "While you, Kili, and my brother were still up there with the wargs, while I stuck down the hole wondering what was going on and who was still alive...I should have stayed with you."

Fili shook his head. "I told you to run," he said, firmly. "I practically ordered it, and you obeyed. I'm glad you did."

"Because you didn't want me to be killed," muttered Maia. "I know."

"Aye, and because you knew I was right," explained Fili carefully. "I know you would have stayed if I didn't order you to go."

"I feel like a damn coward!" whispered Maia in frustration, stepping away. "I feel worthless."

Fili suddenly stopped and then grabbed her hand again in a tighter grip, causing Maia to stop and look at him in shock. His eyes were blazing. "You are not a coward and you are not worthless," he said slowly and fiercely. "You have more courage than even I have even expected when I met you. You are brave, smart, funny...and a fast learner. We are going to increase our weapons training, Maia, and then we will have you battle-fit in no time. Kili and I will train you. The whole company will train you, even Thorin. We have faith in you."

Biting her lip, Maia nodded. Fili looked at her for a moment. Then after glancing at Lori's sleeping form, he asked her, "Are you tired?"

Maia shrugged. She was tired, but not enough to sleep just yet. "Not really."

"Will Lori be okay by herself?"

Maia looked down at her sister, who looked deeply content in her sleep, and nodded. "Yeah. I think she always wanted a King-sized bed to herself." She looked at Fili with curiosity. "Why?"

Fili shuffled a little, looking nervous, before asking, "Would you come walk with me? Outside?"

"Where are we going?"

"I remembering gazing at it when we were entering Rivendell." Fili took her hand and she let him lead her out. "I think you may like it."

Kyle thought about telling the dwarves and Bilbo about the two orcs he and his sisters ran into back at their farmhouse in Texas, but decided to wait until morning.

Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves, more so than they had for a long time. The dwarves may not like the elves, but the effects of Rivendell were already taking their toll on the dwarves, relaxing some tension and bringing some merriment. Kili could not get over his humiliation on how he had mistake a male elf for a maiden, which Kyle thought was hilarious, but with the dwarves' endless teasing and Kili's reddened face, he reached over and patted the archer on the back, "S'okay, man."

It was when he had noticed that Bilbo was missing from the merry bunch that Kyle looked over his shoulder and saw Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo following Gandalf out of the room. Summoned for a meeting? Dwalin, Gloin, Oin, and Nori merely glanced over to see them leave before turning back to the conversation.

Curiosity itched Kyle. If Gandalf was here, summoning the Dwarf King, his advisor, and the hobbit to slip away nearly unnoticed, then it was bound to be an important meeting.

We have questions that need to be answered, he remembered Gandalf telling a fuming Thorin.

Kyle then forced a yawn and stretched his arms. "Well, I think I'm gonna check out now," he said to the dwarves. "Try out my new bed."

"Careful that those elflings don't mollycoddle ye too much, lad," said Gloin.

"Very funny," retorted Kyle, before standing up. "So, training tomorrow?"

"You bet, mate," smiled Kili.

Once Kyle said good night to the dwarves, he walked casually out of the quarters and into the shadowy halls of the house. Glancing over his shoulder, he sped up his pace and then went into the opposite direction to the passage leading up to his bedroom and crept behind a pillar as he watched the small group turn around the corner. Thankful that his new elvish boots were light-padded, Kyle kept on his toes as he kept jumping from pillar to corner, walking slowly like a thief in the night as he followed the hallway lit with orange flickering torches held by elvish statues. Beautiful as the sculptures were, the shadows dancing in twisted angles across their faces made them look creepy.

Realizing they were far ahead of him, Kyle quickened his pace, but treaded lightly. He was usually good at sneaking, drilled-in at a young age, like his sisters, to never drag his feet when he walked. He had recent practice with Bilbo in Bag End while playing hide-and-seek for what seemed like forever ago. It was especially a great advantage for pulling pranks.

A part of him felt bad for leaving his sisters out of the fun, but Lori was asleep and Maia would typically just try to talk him out of mischief. And even if he invited Kili and Fili to come along, there was 75.5 percent chance that they wouldn't agree to it either, respecting their King and uncle's wish for privacy.

Nope, tonight Kyle Dainson was going solo.

Recognizing some of the furniture, the dome shaped ceilings, the trailing stairs, and golden railed balconies twisting above like a luxurious palace, everything looked nearly the same as it did when he, Maia, and Lori were led to the outside courtyard for dinner, but now that it was dark, he could barely tell whether it really was the same. Even in the dark, faint traces of moonlight shining through the narrow openings, the home of the elves looked majestic, making Kyle feel small and intrigued.

"Our business is no concern with elves." Thorin's stern voice was heard not far up ahead.

"For goodness sake, Thorin!" Gandalf's voice snapped. "Show him the map."

The map. Kyle found them standing in the center of the hallways, bathed in moonlight from the wide opening leading to another rounded courtyard, which seemed to shine like bright silver in the night. Elrond was standing near Gandalf, facing Thorin and Balin, who were sided next to each other with the air of experienced diplomats. And as usual, Bilbo stood in between, nearer to Gandalf with his head down and arms clasped behind his back, looking uncomfortable. Kyle pressed his body against a nearby pillar out of sight to listen.

Thorin remained rooted like a guarded statue, his chin adjusted firmly. "It is the legacy of my people," he said tightly. "It is mine to protect. As are it's secrets," he added, almost spitefully after glancing at Elrond. Balin nodded next to him in agreement.

Gandalf looked on the verge of losing his patience. "Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves!" he exclaimed in exasperation. "Your pride will be your downfall."

Kyle nearly snorted at that. Yeah-huh, no kidding! He had half a mind of marching right in there and shaking Thorin until he handed Lord Elrond the map. At the same time, however, he remembered when Thorin said that the elves will try to stop them from reaching Erebor, and he suddenly understood a little of why Thorin and Balin were hesitant and suspicious. The last thing they needed was for the map to be confiscated by a bunch of people they just met.

"You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map," scolded Gandalf, taking a step toward Thorin with a demanding expression. "Show it to Lord Elrond!"

There was a pause. The whole time, Elrond was just waiting patiently, saying nothing. Bilbo glanced at Thorin. Thorin was looking at Elrond, his face inscrutable. For a moment, Kyle thought he was going to refuse again...until after hesitation, Thorin slowly started pull out the rolled up parchment of the map.

Balin looked at Thorin in disbelief. "Thorin, no!" he protested, trying to stop him, but Thorin held up a hand while stepping forward and holding out the map to Lord Elrond, his eyes blazing with reluctance and warning toward the tall elf.

Elrond nodded as he took the parchment and then unrolled it. After reading the epigram, he said, "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" He looked up for an explanation.

Thorin opened his mouth as if to retort harshly, but Gandalf spoke quickly, "It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text."

Good save, old man, thought Kyle with a smirk, as Elrond raised an eyebrow before turning around, asking no further questions as he went on to study the map. Gandalf exchanged a meaningful glance with Thorin, who seemed to release some breath and gave the wizard a grateful look.

"You still read ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf asked Elrond.

Kyle watched apprehensively from behind the pillar as the tall form of the Elf Lord walked up the steps leading to the courtyard, the faint light of the moon hidden somewhere behind the gray clouds above framing the bronze of his long cloak. Elrond held the widespread map into the light, slightly above head-level. "Ah," he said softly. "Cirith Ithil."

What? Kyle frowned. What's going on?

Gandalf's eyes widened in understanding. "Moon runes? Of course." Bilbo looked at Gandalf in confusion. "An easy thing to miss," said the wizard with a satisfied smile.

Elrond nodded, and turned to face them, gray eyes lit with interest. "Well, in this case, that is true," he said. "Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written."

Thorin looked at Elrond, hopefully. "Can you read them?" he asked.

"Perhaps. We will need to be on higher grounds, in the observatory, where the moon shines the brightest once the skies clear." Elrond's eyes moved toward the pillar. "Master Dainson may accompany us, if he so wishes," he added calmly.

Kyle froze.

Everyone, except Elrond, looked up in surprise. "Kyle?" called Balin, peering over in the shadows. "Are you there, laddie?"

Man, that Elf Lord is good! Kyle cringed, and then stepped out into the light, grimacing while giving everyone a two-fingered wave. "Yo, what's up?" he said awkwardly.

Gandalf chuckled. "Somehow I am not surprised to see you here, Kyle Dainson."

"Aye, neither am I!" remarked Thorin. "Does your impulse for sneaking show no bounds?"

Kyle shrugged. "Nope, not really. And anyway, the map's no big secret to me and my sisters." After seeing Gandalf's warning glance, Kyle added cautiously around Elrond, "Just got curious, that's all. We dig maps. Bilbo showed us a lot of them back at his house."

Bilbo cleared his throat and shuffled his feet awkwardly. "It's true," he said.

So then Kyle ended up following the small group throughout the halls of Imlardris, passing over bridges and balconies that surveyed courtyards, gardens, and river channels. Eventually, out at the very back, they reached a cave entrance that cracked smoothly into the rocky mountains bordering around Rivendell. It resembled the tunnel they had walked through when entering the valley, except darker and cleaner. The ground seemed to elevate into a flat set of stairs, narrowing and twisting, until finally the air echoed from the roar of waterfalls outside.

Led by Lord Elrond, who still held the map ready, they walked out onto a widespread stone plateau that resembled a courtyard, surrounded by formed mountain rock and tall Elven statues that perched on either side, practically hidden in the shadows like the looming gothic columns of a large cathedral. The ground was flatten and designed culturally, slightly slanted at the tip, facing the view of the valley at a very high point. Multiple waterfalls plummeted from the high mountainous formation above them in white streams, blown away into the air as each drop fell. In the very center of the walkway was an monument that resembled the shape of a sundial.

The observatory. Kyle looked around in breathless wonder, running a hand back through his hair. I should have brought the camera.

"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago," said Elrond, placing the map of the monument and spreading it flat, the shadows of the water speckling the lighting. "It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell." Elrond looked toward the sky, where the clouds began to drift. "Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight."

As the clouds began to clear, the light began to shine much brighter as a silvery crescent moon appeared in the night sky far above them. Moonbeams began to shine through the falls, glittery and dancing from the running drifts that shaped the opening. The light doubled, shining across the floor and the walls, across their face and across the maps. It was beautiful, heavenly sight. Kyle could almost hear the angels singing.

"Look," said Bilbo, pointing at the map.

They looked in wonder as the light of the silvery moon illuminated the map with its splendor...but what really caught their eyes was the bright, white lines of runes breaking free from the old parchment. Glowing, like the rune Gandalf had placed on Bilbo Baggins' front door, clearly magic.

"Oh, man...You're seeing this, right?" gaped Kyle, blinking twice as he stared at the runes. Thorin looked equally as amazed, stepping toward the map with wide eyes.

The runes glowed suddenly into existence, lined a square-shaped paragraph. In which Kyle had absolutely no idea what they said. It might as well be Chinese or Russian.

Slim finger tracing the glowing runes, Elrond read carefully, "'Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole.'"

Kyle frowned at this riddle, while Bilbo asked, "Durin's Day?" Thorin stepped away, looking disturbed in his own thoughts.

"It is the start of the Dwarves' New Year," explained Gandalf, "when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together."

"So, when's that?" asked Kyle, not sure how the seasons work in Middle-earth. In his world, autumn ends on December 21, five days before Christmas.

"October 22," answered Gandalf gravely. He then looked at Bilbo. "Winterfilth."

"So that's..." Kyle counted with his fingers, "...four months from now. Today's June 21, right?"

"The 24th, actually" Bilbo spoke suddenly. "If it's Midsummer now, then today is Overlithe. Midyear. I didn't realize until now..."

"This is ill news," muttered Thorin, turning back around, looking grave but in business. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."

"We still have time," said Balin, stepping forward.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo frowned at him.

"To find the entrance. We have to standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."

Great! There's only that tiny, little detail to remember! Maia and Lori will be thrilled, thought Kyle sarcastically.

"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain?" Kyle winced as Elrond spoke up, looking in between the newcomers, looking neither happy or surprised.

Thorin glared up at the elf. "What of it?" he growled.

Elrond met his glare. "There are some who would not deem it wise," he said slowly, but handed Thorin back the map.

"Who do you mean?" said Gandalf.

Elrond gave the gray wizard a look. "You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth," was all he said before he walked back toward the exit. Gandalf pondered this.

"That didn't sound reassuring," said Kyle, uneasily as he watched Elrond go.

"It matters not," announced Thorin, shaking his head and tucking the map safely back into his coat. "We have what we came for. Answers. We have no more reason to stay and waste precious time as it is!"

"I am afraid it is not as simple as that, Master Dwarf," said Gandalf, sounding tired. "You were right about one thing: not all others will approve of this quest and it is very unlikely that we will be allowed to just walk out of here with free license."

"He will not imprison us here!" Thorin bristled.

"No, it is not like that at all. I believe it is more of a delay out of caution than suspicion. We must not act hastily," said Gandalf. "There may be more answers that we seek that may be of some value, regarding more than just the quest to the Mountain." He turned to Kyle, who blinked in sudden understanding.

"You think Lord Elrond might know how to get Kyle and his sisters home?" said Bilbo. Kyle looked a hopeful glance with him, feeling a nervous jump in his chest.

"Perhaps. We will have to wait and see. Use this time to rest your Company, Thorin. Away from the dangers of the wild. Accept the hospitality given, while it lasts."

When they left the observatory, Balin said to Thorin, "He is right, Thorin. Give our kin a few days to rest. With the orcs on our trail and your head on the bounty, perhaps it is best that we keep out of sight for the time being."

"Alright," said Thorin, sounding defeated. "A few days, no more than a week. Then we set out toward the Misty Mountains. Time is our enemy."

"So we have to reach the door before October 22?" said Kyle, trailing after them with Bilbo. "How will we know where to find it? It sounds like a big mountain!"

"We will worry about that later," said Balin. "Arriving at Erebor before Durin's Day is our main focus. That, and remembering the riddle. For without it, the key to the hidden door will be useless."

And then we all can't go home. Kyle didn't want to think about what they would do if they all failed. He shared another glance at Bilbo and bit his lip. He wondered if he and his sisters were still stuck here, whether there was a portal in Erebor or not, Bilbo would be willing to take them in a while longer if it came to it.

When she found out where they were going, Maia was surprised. Even more surprised that they haven't run into any elves on the way out.

How Fili was able to find his way over here without any escort, she was impressed, but it shouldn't have been too hard to find their way over to the water. It was more of an oasis, connected to the running stream that connected to the waterfalls slightly below Rivendell, shallow and crystal clear. The moon's silvery light danced off the shining ripples, leaping and splashing over rocks. From the mountains looming above them like watchful guardians of the night, the higher falls streams down from the cliffs like silver ribbons folding into mist as they dropped. Golden flickers of light were shown like fireflies within the buildings of the elf city from where they stood halfway below. The falls close by seemed to roar like a stampede of stallions.

It was beautiful. Too beautiful. Like it was part of a dream. A Midsummer Night's Dream, she thought, feeling her heart leap excitedly. Then she thought with a jolt, Holy crap, today's Midsummer's Eve, isn't it?

"You sure this is a good idea?" said Maia to Fili, over the noise.

"Why, do you want to go back?" said Fili, glancing up at her mischievously.

"No, I'm just...I don't know. I guess I'm not used to climbing in restricted areas, if it's even restricted."

"I believe the elves would have stopped us if entering this part of their home was forbidden, and even then they would not have stopped me."

"Okay, but you at least could've warned me to put on some pants and boots for this," teased Maia. "I'm definitely not dressed for rock-climbing."

Fili shook his head, while lowering himself on another hold. "What if I said that I did not want you to take it off?"

Maia snorted. "Well, of course you would say that! Meanwhile I'd be worrying about get caught on a rock or something."

"Fear not, milady. We're almost down. I won't let you fall," Fili told her, seriousness lacing his tone.

Swallowing, Maia nodded gratefully and continued downward with him.

Overlithe = Midyear, or June 24-July 7 (by Shire reckoning)

Winterfilth = October (by Shire Reckoning)

I looked up Durin's Day, saying that Tolkien had originally set the date to October 19th, but the Shire calendar listed October 22. I decided to pick the latter, making it almost exactly four months apart from Midsummer's Eve.

I'm not an expert on the Middle-earth calendars, less so with the Shire calendar, but since Bilbo had been away from the Shire "thirteen-months to the day", according to one of the hobbits (around late-May or June), it should have taken the Company of Thorin at least a few months to reach Erebor from the Shire (adding to the weeks they were trapped in Thranduil's dungeon, the days of the siege they built in the Lonely Mountain (which likely extended to November or December, depending on when it was supposed to snow), the Battle of the Five Armies, and the aftermath), and then a few more (easy) months to head back (plus, a pit-stop back at Rivendell).

It's not technically confirmed, but this is just my calculation by far between the book and the movie, based on the seasonal backgrounds.