The reunion chapter is here...I hope it meets with your approval.

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Chapter 32

~X~

Thorin stood at the entryway of the gates of Erebor, waiting. Dis, Sier and Flinn on his left, with Balin on his right. There were plenty of other dwarrow standing around, all family and friends of the soldiers who had gone out to fight. There was even the rest of the original company, anxiously waiting to see Bilbo once again.

The impatient king looked down at his youngest nephew, the little lad standing at his side, his feet a bit apart and his hands laced behind his back – doing his best to copy the way Thorin himself now stood. He couldn't help but smirk at the fact that the small dwarfling was even attempting the Durin glower, though it looked rather adorable on him, and not scary at all. The lad would grow…he would learn.

Then there was the sound of a horn, and around the bend came the sight they had all been waiting for, the return of the war party. Thorin strained his eyes, trying to make out the forms of his two sister-sons and his longtime friend Dwalin. Fili was easy to spot, his golden mane of hair shining like a beacon in the sunlight, while it took a few moments to locate Kili and Dwalin, seeing as they were riding scattered among the others. Yet there was no missing the tall cloaked figure of Gandalf the Grey, and Thorin's lips turned up into an unexpected smile at the sight. Gandalf! What a pleasant surprise!

It took a few minutes for the riders to approach, for Fili to dismount, and give orders for the wounded to be unloaded and quickly taken inside. A good captain sees to his troops first, before all else. When things were well settled, he, Kili and Dwalin all strode inside the gates, in search of Thorin. Yet, this was not a nephew greeting his uncle…no, this was a warrior greeting his king, and all the dwarrow acted accordingly.

"Hail, King Thorin," Fili spoke up, placing his fist over his heart and bowing low. "We return from battle, the victory having been won in your name, oh, great King Under The Mountain."

"Nay," Thorin said with a shake of his head. "The battle belongs to the ones who fought it, who spilled their blood, and risked their lives. And for that, you have my gratitude and my admiration." He stopped and looked out at the dwarves now filing into the mountain, seeking out their loved ones. "The vitory belongs to all of you, and Erebor salutes you!"

At this, a cheer rose around them, each one agreeing wholeheartedly with the king's words. It was then that Thorin stepped forward and placed his hands on the back of both Fili and Kili's necks, bringing their heads down so that they all touched foreheads, a gesture that conveyed so much meaning to dwarves.

"It is good to have you back safe, my sister-sons," Thorin said in a low voice, his words for them alone. "You have done me proud." He then stepped back and reach out to Dwalin, his hand clamping around his forearm as the tattooed captain did the same in a warrior's greeting. "I knew you would not let me down, old friend."

"Have I ever?" he chuckled.

"Well, there was that one time during that bar brawl," Thorin admitted, raising an eyebrow at the dwarf, as if to remind him of the occurrence.

"That is not fair!" Dwalin protested. "I was rip-roaring drunk and already passed out beneath the table when you started that fight. How in Durin's name was I expected to watch your back?"

Dis took this as a sign that the formal greetings were over, and released Sier's arm, which she had been gripping rather tightly ever since her sons were spotted on the horizon. She went first to Fili, giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek, before moving on to Kili. Flinn, unable to contain his excitement any longer, raced forward and leapt into his father's awaiting arms.

"You're back, you're back!" he cried, practically cutting off his sire's airway with the strength of his embrace. "I was really, really worried!"

"I promised I would come home to you, didn't I?" Fili asked, smiling at his adorable son, while his eyes scanned every inch of him, as if he had not seen him in a year.

"But adad's don't always come back…yours didn't," he lamented in a small and sad voice, proving just how much he had been distressed over the subject.

"Who told you that?" Fili asked, not liking the idea of Flinn having had to worry needlessly.

"No one…I just hear things, is all," he admitted, looking downward as he absently played with a few of the links of Fili's chainmail.

"Well, hear this, Flinn," Fili told him with all the confidence in the world. "I will always come back, because I love you. And if for some reason I cannot, it will not have been by my choice. Do you understand?"

Flinn looked into his father's eyes for a moment, before a smile broke out over his face.

"Yes, Adad!" he assured him, giving him another large hug.

"And what about me, little nephew?" Kili asked, stepping up beside his brother. "Do you have a greeting for me?"

"Uncle Kili!" Flinn cried, leaning out of Fili's hold to that he could be taken up by the younger prince, offering him a big squeeze.

Sier, who had been holding back, waiting for a moment when he was free, took the opportunity to make her presence known. Taking a few tentative steps closer, she stared up into the eyes of her husband…her mate…her one. The next thing anyone knew, she had launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him and giving him the welcoming she had been dreaming of since he rode away. Fili stumbled back just a bit from the force of her embrace, though he recovered quickly and wound his own arms around her, pulling her in even more.

"Oh, Fili," she almost sobbed, never wanting to be parted from him ever again. "I am so happy you are home safe!"

"I…I am as well," he replied, apparently startled by her emotional display. He had expected some sort of greeting from his worried wife…yet nothing like this! Though he was not about to complain in the slightest, unless it was to grumble over the fact that they were surrounded by hundreds of dwarrows…all staring wide eyed at their intimate display. "Am I to assume from all this that you missed me?"

"Very, very much," she nodded, pulling back as she looked up at him. "And, Fili, I….I have something to tell you. Something very important that I just recently realized. I only hope that you do not find it objectionable."

"If whatever you wish to tell me, leads to you remaining in my arms…I will be more than pleased," he told her, praying with all his heart that it might be what he hoped. He then reached out and pulled her ribbon from of the little pocket of his leather vest, running the satin through his fingers. "Your favor kept me safe…and it brought me home to you. Yet I would beg that you let me keep it…for I have grown very fond of this token, since it reminds me of you."

"Of course," she smiled, taking her hand and folding his fingers into a fist around the piece of satin. "I trust you to keep it safe and protect it well. Just as you have done for us, and Erebor."

They might have said more, but an insistent tugging on her skirt and his tunic drew their attention downward. Flinn was there, grinning up at them as he pointed to the gates of Erebor, his eyes wide.

"Hobbits, Adad! Loot at the hobbits!" he squealed, as they all turned in time to see seventeen haflings, and one tall wizard, approach.

Fili and Sier stepped aside, though the prince refused to fully relinquish his hold on his wife, keeping one arm possesivly around her waist. He then pulled Flinn against him, as he stood with his back to his father, the older dwarrow's hand resting lightly on his small shoulders.

As Bilbo and Gandalf neared, Thorin took a step forward, extending his hand in greeting.

"My dear friends! Welcome back to Erebor!" he said, grasping both their hands in his and giving them each a joyful squeeze. "Gandalf, this is indeed a most pleasant surprise."

"Well, I could hardly miss the tenth anniversary of you being crowned king of this fine mountain, now could I?" the grey wizard asked with a playful grin. "After all I did to see you securely ensconced within these walls with a crown on your head, it would be a crime not to be present to revel in my accomplishments."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Thorin nodded. He then looked down at Bilbo, giving the hobbit a stern glare. "I have a bone to pick with you, Master Burglar. For you kept us in great suspense over the day of your arrival, then required us to send out a hunting party to save your errant hides!"

"A situation I greatly regret, yet which was not due to any fault of our own, oh, great King Under the Mountain," Bilbo told him with a bow of reverence.

"King?" the gruff monarch repeated, his scowl morphing into a huge smile. "To you, Bilbo Baggins, I shall forever be simply Thorin. For you have earned my praise, my trust, and my eternal gratitude, dearest of friends." And with that he pulled the curly haired hobbit into a warm embrace.

This emotional display brought smiles to the faces of all around and next, after a few moments spent greeting his old traveling companions once again, the most famous of hobbits turned and introduced the rest of his party.

"Thorin, I would like you to meet my cousin Drogo Baggins, and his wife, Primula…along with their son, Frodo," Bilbo began, gesturing to the husband and wife, who bowed politely. Their little son, however, hid behind his mother's skirts, peeking out with only one eye to look at the intimidating group of dwarves before him.

Flinn, who was still standing in front of his father, leaned over to the side and smiled widely at the tiny hobbit he could only partially see, waving his hand enthusiastically in a silent greeting. When the fuzzy footed youngling pulled back, hiding himself fully behind his mother, Flinn broke loose from Fili's grip and scurried around to get a better look. When Frodo saw the little dwarrow come into full view, he gave a startled cry of fright and ran around to the front of his mother - only to be followed by the inquisitive Flinn. Thus began a little game of tag, circling the flustered parents a few times before Flinn got smart and stopped, turning to head the opposite direction and bumping into Frodo as he came around the other side. The small hobbit squeaked as he fell backwards and landed on his rump, looking up at the blond princeling with wide eyes full of fright. Flinn then squatted down in front of him, placing his palms on his knees as he looked at his potential new playmate.

"I'm Flinn!" he announced, his joy almost bubbling over in his voice. "Do I need to bow and offer you my sur-bus…or do you just wanna be friends?"

Frodo stared at him for a moment, unsure what to make of the lad, and then he looked up at his parents for direction. They only smiled and nodded, letting him know it was up to him. So after another moment of thought – during which all the adults watched with great amusement – he eagerly nodded his head yes.

This caused Flinn to grin with excitement as he helped the hobbit to his bare little feet, all the while talking a mile a minute about how much fun the two were going to have running and playing around the mountain. The adults smiled as well, enjoying the childlike innocence before them…that is, until Fili heard his son's last comment.

"And you can be our lookout! We need one of those!" Flinn told Frodo.

"Whoa there," Fili interjected, reaching down and scooping the little dwarrow up in his arms. "It would appear that you and I need to revisit that conversation we had the other night about pulling pranks, Flinn. I will not have you corrupting young Frodo here with ideas that will get you both in trouble."

"I fear, Prince Fili," Drogo broke in with a laugh. "That you have been led astray by my son's uncharacteristic shyness. Back home, in the Shire, it is Frodo who is usually sought out first whenever there is mischief afoot. I fear that it might soon be our little lad who is filling your son with troublemaking ideas."

"It would appear, Master Baggins, that you and I will need to speak more about this," Fili laughed, just imagining what damage their lads might get into, if they were to team up. "Perhaps over a mug of ale at the celebration tonight?"

"I look forward to it, Your Highness," the dark haired hobbit agreed with an engaging smile.

"Fili…please, call me Fili," he offered, earning a nod from the grinning hobbit.

Bilbo then took a few moments to introduce the others, ending with the two lasses.

"And this is Bergamot Bracegirdle," he said with a touch of pride, gesturing to the older hobbit female, and then to the younger, "And her niece Marigold Brandybuck, who, as it so happens, is the one in charge of heading up the planting and irrigation project."

Bergie had simply given the king a curtsy in greeting, while Marigold stepped forward and extended her hand to him in a friendly gesture.

"It is indeed an honor to make your acquaintance at last, Your Majesty," she said, giving him her most engaging smile. "It was originally meant to be my brother, Saradoc, standing before you, to serve as foreman. But circumstances beyond his control compelled me to take his place. I therefore offer you my humble services as leader of this project, King Thorin. Will you have me?"

Thorin just stood there, unable to tear his gaze from the very proper, and obviously capable, little hobbit lass before him. Never before had anyone caused such a stir so deep within him, leaving the stern monarch speechless and unable to even think straight. What had she said? That she would be heading up the planting project? Requiring her to stay in Erebor all winter, spring, and most of the summer? And had she just asked if he would…have her?

Reaching out and taking hold of her offered hand, Thorin finally managed to find his voice. "Yes, Miss Marigold…I will, and with great pleasure," he whispered. Then to the shock of everyone, including himself, he leaned forward and bestowed a kiss upon the back of her hand.

There was a collective gasp heard around them, but it appeared that neither the king, nor his new project leader, heard a thing, both being caught up in some kind of spell that had woven itself around them alone.

Oh, Mahal…what had come over him? This was not like him at all! He could feel the heat growing in his cheeks as he continued to stare into the hypnotic emerald eyes of this tantalizing lass. He knew he should step away, let go of her hand, and try and salvage what was left of his dignity. But he found he simply could not bear to release her…he wanted to feel the touch of her skin forever!

Bergie, however, having taken on the weighty responsibility of serving as her niece's chaperone, stepped forward and gently extracted Marigold's hand from his, shattering the moment and bringing them both back to reality.

"Well, now," Bergie hummed, her tone a mixture of humor as well as a warning. "Aren't you the smooth one?"

No one spoke, no one hardly even breathed, and those closest to the king – his sister, his two grown nephews, not to mention those in the company – all stared at Thorin as if they had no idea who they were looking at. Even Bilbo was a bit slack-jawed, while Gandalf just leaned upon his staff and tried to hide his secret smile. Finally it was young Hamfast Gamgee who broke the silence, doing his best to get everyone past this awkward moment.

"Well, Mistress Bergie," he said with a nervous laugh. "He is the king after all…and don't they spend years being trained in diplomatic speech and fancy words?"

This kind gesture by the gardener caused everyone to laugh and allowed Thorin to regain a bit of his composure. Bringing himself back to his regal stance, he looked out at all of his new guests.

"Welcome, hobbits of the Shire, to Erebor!" he announced in a loud and booming voice, using all his willpower not to look in Marigold's direction. "I want you all to know how grateful we are that you agreed to come. May I present my sister, Princess Dis, the lady of the mountain. She will be assigned to see that all your needs and comforts are met during your stay. And while I am sure you are by now well acquainted with my nephews, Prince Fili and Prince Kili, you have not yet met Fili's wife, princess Sier and their son Flinn."

There were murmurs of greetings and several bows, as pleasantries were exchanged.

"My lady, Dis," Gandalf spoke up, addressing the princess directly. "I have heard many tales of your bravery, wit, and splendor. Though all of them fall short of the true beauty I see before me. It is indeed an honor to finally meet the daughter of Thrain."

"Now, who is the smooth talker?" Kili whispered to Fili, giving him a playful nudge in his side. "Think Gandalf is looking to be our new adad?"

"Quiet!" Fili growled, trying to silence his idiot brother before their mother overheard and cuffed them both for such foolish talk. "Don't go being an arse!"

"You flatter me, master wizard," Dis told him, not at all effected by his winsome words. "Though if all you had were these three," she paused and nodded her head towards Thorin and her sons, "in which to judge the line of Durin…I can see how you might have woefully underestimated us. I look forward to many opportunities in which to set the record straight."

"And Fili," Bilbo spoke up, coming to stand before the pretty dam at the crown prince's side. "You failed to mention that your bride was a jewel that rivals the very Arkenstone itself." He then leaned in and whispered conspiratorially to the startled dam. "How on earth did an uncouth lad such as Fili, convince a treasure such as you, that he was worthy of your hand, lady?"

Sier opened her mouth to speak, but was so flustered by the precocious hobbit's words, that she was stunned into silence.

"That, Master Baggins, is a question I am still pondering myself," Fili laughed, having heard every word. "Though I would thank you to stop flirting with my wife. We dwarves are notorious for being very jealous over our treasure, if you remember."

"Yes…yes I do seem to recall something to that effect," Bilbo nodded, his hand going to rub his throat, as he gave Thorin a pointed look, followed by a wide grin. This caused everyone to laugh, including the king, knowing that his diminutive friend had long ago forgiven him for the accusations, and near physical harm, he had leveled on him on the battlement of this very mountain. That was now water under the bridge, another time, and one where no one harbored any further animosity.

"Once again, thank you all for coming, family and friends of our dearest and most esteemed hobbit." Thorin said. "We look forward to thoroughly entertaining you at the Durin's Day celebration this evening. Though, if we all wish to arrive on time, and in appropriate attire, we best get you settled into your new quarters so you can rest, bathe and change." He then turned to look at Balin, who was accompanied by a host of his underlings, all eager to play escort to their honored guests.

"You have been assigned quarters in the royal wing, Master Baggins," Thorin informed him, having long ago deemed the hobbit part of his family. "The rest of your companions have been provided with lodgings on the ground floor and lower levels."

"That is right kind of you, King Thorin," Hamfast gushed, having been rather concerned about the height issue after getting a look at the size of the mountain. "Nothing pleases a hobbit more than being underground."

"Now you, Gandalf," Thorin said with a hint of humor in his voice. "With your presence being a bit of a surprise and all, we will have to find someplace suited to your position…and your height."

"I am sure you can find some corner in which to stick me," Gandalf grumbled, though he never lost the twinkle in his eyes. "And perhaps if you ply me with enough of your fine wine, good food, and dwarfish hospitality, I might be convinced to put on a bit of show later. No fireworks, of course, since we are inside a mountain, but a light show you won't soon forget."

"Yaahhhhh!" Flinn squealed, clapping his hands together. He truly had no idea what this tall, grey-bearded man was offering, but it sounded exiting to him!

"If you all will follow me," Balin said, stepping forward as he signaled to the group of hobbits. "We will see that your wagons are unloaded and your goods, tools, and supplies are properly stored. Your baggage will be delivered to your rooms, and we will make sure you have all you require to ready yourselves for the celebration."

With happy nods, the halflings did indeed trail after Balin and his staff, marveling at their surroundings as they went. Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Baggins family followed along, with the littlest hobbit and dwarfling waving goodbye to each other. Both hoping they would be reunited again soon.

"My, my, but that dwarf king is a handsome buck, now isn't he, Mari?" Bergie stated in a not-so-quiet whisper as the two of them were directed through the large entryway and towards a long hallway.

"Aunt Bergie!" Marigold hissed, her eyes darting behind her as she looked to see if her less than subtle relative's words had carried. "Keep your voice down…he might hear you!"

"I hope he does," she chuckled. "Perhaps it will boost his ego a bit. And it might cause that fine-looking bald warrior of mine to get a little jealous. There aint no harm in that, now is there?"

"You best be careful, Auntie," Marigold warned. "We are no longer in the Shire, and these are not sweet-natured hobbit lads we are dealing with. They are dwarves, hard and battle trained, and I doubt that they would very much cotton to the idea of you messing with them."

"Oh, something tells me that burly one wouldn't mind so much if I were to mess with him…just a little bit," Bergie snickered, watching as her niece's face turned several shades of red. "What? Just because I am no longer in my prime, does not mean I should lay down and die! Erebor is a whole new adventure, and I for one, plan on making the most of it!" She then gave her companion a sly wink. "As should you."

"Bergie!" Marigold gasped. "I thought you were here to be my chaperone!"

"True, true," she nodded. "But haven't you heard….I am old, hard of hearing, and my eyesight is failing. I can't be expected to see every little thing you do, now can I?"

"You are far from old and decrepit, Auntie dear," Mari said with an exasperated roll of her eyes.

"Exactly," she laughed, linking arms with her niece. "And let's just hope that handsome Dwalin fellow sees it that way as well!"

Well? What did you think of:

Flinn meeting Frodo? (Please go into detail on this - I worked really hard to transfer my ideas to print...did it come through as adorable as I hoped?)

How about Thorin meeting Marigold?

Bergie's reaction to Thorin meeting Marigold?

Bergie's thoughts on Dwalin?

Fili and Sier's reunion? And if you wanted more...well come on people, they were in PUBLIC. ha ha. Let them get alone first!

And while I really don't have a lot of extra chapters to spare...if you all are generous with your reviews, and put me over 700, I am willing to post a bonus chapter on Saturday night, to get you through the weekend. All right?

Guest Reviews:

Mjean: Glad you liked the use of your line. And ha ha, Fili MIGHT get some action...but not until they are ALONE! Can't just do it in the middle of the grand entrance to Erebor! Thanks for your review.

enilorac44: there MIGHT be some love in the air...oh who am I kidding, if you just read the chapter you KNOW there is love! Go get her, Thorin!