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Fun and fluff time!

Enjoy!

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Chapter 59

~X~

So it went, the following afternoon Flinn and Frodo were put in the care of Marigold and Thorin, both willing to watch over the two little lads together. As a gift, Thorin brought them little wooden swords, saying that since they were sword brothers, it only made sense that they each had one. The toy weapons were a hit and Flinn and Frodo battled together as they all headed down to the stables to visit Storm and the other ponies.

"I am not altogether sure that Drogo and Prim will appreciate you giving Frodo a sword to play with," Marigold told him, yet smiling all the same as she watched the two children racing around them in circles, hitting their little weapons together with glee.

"As any young dwarfling, Flinn cut his teeth on toy weapons, and Fili will have no objections to him gaining another," Thorin reasoned, trying to explain his line of thinking. "And if Frodo is not with Flinn, he will have no one to play battle with, so I doubt Mr. and Mrs. Baggins will object too strongly," he deduced, deciding that even a hobbit needed to begin his weapons training at some point, and by his way of thinking, Frodo was long overdue.

"If you say so," Marigold laughed. "But if they should ask…it was all your idea."

"Agreed," Thorin nodded, enjoying the sound of her merriment.

"Take that!" Flinn yelled as he advanced on Frodo, driving him back against the wall as they continued down the corridors of Erebor.

"Oh, no you don't!" Frodo countered, ducking under Flinn's arm and emerging behind him as he swatted the little dwarfling on the rear end with the flat part of his sword.

"Hey! No fair!" Flinn yelped, rubbing his backside as he spun around and stared at his friend with surprise.

"I'm sorry," Frodo said, quickly dropping his sword arm and looking at Flinn apologetically. "Did I hurt ya?"

"Nahhh," Flinn laughed, grinning at the little hobbit. "Just surprised me is all. You're very fast. That'll help you in battle, or so my adad says."

"But I don't want to be in any battles," Frodo protested. "I just like playing swords with you."

"And Mahal willing, you will never have to engage in a true battle, Young Master Baggins," Thorin broke in, noting that the little hobbit seemed genuinely upset over the idea. "Hobbits are peaceful folk, and have very little need to take up arms."

"But our whole group fought those orcs when they attacked us on the way here," Frodo pointed out, giving a visible shudder as he recalled the memory of that day. "Even you fought, Cousin Marigold."

"Yes, I did," she agreed, kneeling down so that she was face to face with little Frodo. "But that was a rather special circumstance. We were not inside the Shire, where things like that very rarely happen. And it was a rather small skirmish, easily taken care of by those who knew how to fight, and with the help of the dwarves."

"What about Cousin Bilbo? He was in a really big battle once, wasn't he?" Frodo insisted, looking over at Thorin questioningly. "I don't know everything about it, but I heard some of the stories when the adults didn't think I was listening."

"Ahhhh, it would appear that you are picking up a few of our burglar's sneaky tricks," Thorin laughed, reaching out and ruffling the tyke's curly, brown locks. "And Bilbo is a very special case, Frodo. He was indeed caught up in a fierce battle, yet it was not by his choice. You, on the other hand, will hopefully never be put in such a position."

"And if you are," Flinn spoke up, stepping over to Frodo's side and putting his arm over his friend's shoulders, "Then I will be right there to protect you."

"You are a brave sword-brother indeed, Flinn," Marigold smiled, standing up and looking at Thorin. "And I am willing to bet that you inherited your sense of loyalty from your uncle." This earned her one of Thorin's rare smiles, something he had lately been reserving only for her.

Flinn, who was unsure how to respond, just shrugged his shoulders and took off after Frodo once more, the two children laughing and squealing as they went.

"They remind me of Fili and Kili when they were young," Thorin mused, a sudden pain in his heart at the thought that his nephews were all grown up, and no longer needed him the same way they used to when they were dwarflings.

"You did a fine job in helping to raise them," Marigold told him, calling him back from his thoughts. "Dis mentioned how you stepped in after their father died and helped her care for them both. That was a very kind and noble thing you did."

"They are my kin…the only family I have left," he replied, giving a slight shrug of embarrassment. "And Dis is my sister, how could I do any less?"

"Well, it was still a very nice thing to do," Marigold said with a smile, knowing that she was making him uncomfortable with her praise. So she turned back and stared at the children, still racing around. "You see Fili and Kili when you look at them, but I see myself and Saradoc when we were young," Marigold chuckled.

"You miss your brother and parents, don't you?" Thorin asked, noting that her eyes seemed to lose a bit of their sparkle when she spoke of them. "Do you also miss the Shire?"

"Of course," she nodded, turning her attention back to him. "They are my family, and the Shire is where I grew up. Yet, that is not to say I am sorry I came. Erebor is an amazing place and I saw so many new and exciting things on my way here. Still, I wish I could be sharing all this with them, for I am sure they would love it here as much as I do."

"Truly?" Thorin questioned, hope growing in his eyes. "You think that highly of Erebor?" Dwalin had told him of the conversation he had had with Bergie, about remaining in the mountain and not requesting that they return to live in the Shire. And while Thorin had been very happy to hear this, he wondered if Marigold had other ideas. Surely she realized, as king, he would need to stay in Erebor.

"I do," she nodded, getting a bit of a dreaming expression on her face. "It is like living inside a beautiful gem…everywhere you look it sparkles. I can understand why you wanted it back so desperately."

"As you said yourself, this is where I grew up, how could I not miss it?" he pointed out, repeating her own words. "However, unlike a homecoming would be for you, things were much different when I returned. Erebor was in ruins, we had a hoard of orcs at our door, and…" here he stopped, looking down as if he did not wish to continue.

"And there was no family waiting for you with open arms," Marigold finished, all but reading his mind. "Kili told me how your grandmother died during Smaug's attack, and how the rest of your family, except Dis, all perished since then. I am so sorry, Thorin."

"I am as well," he said quietly, taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You would have liked them, Marigold…and they would have loved you."

But do you love me? She found herself asking, wishing that he would just come out and tell her so. It would make everything much clearer in her mind if only he would form the words.

"I think you would have especially liked my brother Frerin," Thorin continued, unaware of Marigold's mental pleas for confirmation of his affections. "He was a lot like Fili and Kili, always laughing, always joking. He was an exceptional brother…and I miss him dearly."

"I am sure you do," she nodded, reaching up to place her hand on the side of Thorin's face, loving the way he seemed to lean into her touch. "I know how much I long to see my own brother, Saradoc, again, so I can only imagine how much you miss yours."

"You are very kind," he informed her, reaching up and cupping her hand with his own. "You have a tender heart, one that is full of compassion and understanding." As he spoke, Thorin found himself leaning forward, his eyes focusing on her rosy pink lips, eager to sample their flavor once more. And much to his delight, it appeared that she was rising up to meet him. Yet just when they were only seconds away from contact, her eyes flew open and she pulled back with a start.

"Thorin! Where are Frodo and Flinn?" she gasped, her head whipping around as she searched for the now missing youngsters.

Thorin too began to look around, not having realized that their shouts and laughter had at some point disappeared during their conversation.

"Oh, Mahal!" he berated himself. This outing was supposed to show Marigold what a good and responsible father he might be one day…and here he lost them both! Dis and Bilbo were going to kill him. "They were here just a second ago!"

"Where could they have gone?" Marigold cried, the catch in her voice showing that she was close to tears. "I should never have taken my eyes off of them!"

"This is not your fault," Thorin insisted, for if anyone was to blame it was him. "They couldn't have gone far, we just need to look. You start on this side, and I will take the other," he said, pointing at the doors that lined the long hallway. He prayed that the two lads had not left the mountain without them, though locating them within the endless halls of Erebor would still prove no easy task. He suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy for Fili and Kili, when they had lost track of Flinn in the mines…for right now his terror was just as great.

Thorin was just reaching to open his third door when he heard a frantic whisper from across the hall.

"Thorin! Come here, quickly," Marigold hissed, placing her finger to her lips in a signal to remain silent. Thankfully, she did not wear a look of fear, but one of pure amusement.

"Have you found them?" he asked, keeping his voice low as he approached the door she held slightly ajar. Yet his answer came when he peered inside the throne room, where he could see Flinn standing on the seat of his throne and the little hobbit sitting on the floor directly in front…laughing! Yet what caused Thorin's brows to furrow in irritation was the fact that perched atop his nephew's head, was his own Raven Wing crown!

"What the..." he began, his voice now a low growl. Apparently Balin had forgot to lock the symbol of his kingship away after today's official meetings with the envoy from Laketown. He did not wear his crown often, but on occasion he was called to appear more regal, and today had been one of them.

"Shhh," Marigold insisted, touching his arm as she strained to listen.

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"As the great, strong, and wise king of Erebor, I 'point you as captain of my guard," Flinn was telling Frodo, doing his best to keep the majestic crown perched on top of his head. It was a bit large, and if he did not hold onto one side at all times, it would slip down and quickly become a collar around his neck.

"What does a captain of the guard have to do?" Frodo asked, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the royal chair, looking up at his friend curiously.

"You know…important stuff," Flinn responded vaguely, due to the fact that even he did not know for sure. "Whatever my Uncle Dwalin does, I guess."

"I don't know…" Frodo muttered, shaking his head. "Mister Dwalin is big and tough, and I am too little to do what he does."

"All right then, you can be my burglar!" Flinn suggested, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Just like Bilbo is for my Uncle Thorin! Every king needs one of those."

"What am I supposed to steal?" Frodo asked, sounding a bit more open to this idea. "The dragon is already dead, and the dwarves got all their gold back."

This had the little dwarfling stumped, and he sat down on the throne in order to think. It did not take long however before he came up with a brilliant idea.

"I know! I will send you to Mirkwood to steal all of King Thranduil's toys!" Flinn informed him.

"All the way to Mirkwood?" Frodo gasped, looking very worried. "I don't know if I should. Cousin Bilbo said the elf king threw all the dwarves into prison just for passing through his land. What would he do to me if he caught me taking his toys?"

"I'm King Flinn!" the dwarfling insisted, his voice growing loud as he brought the fist of his free hand down upon the arm of the throne. "I would not let him throw you in prison! If he did, I would…would… send him to bed without his supper!"

This idea made Frodo laugh so hard that he fell backwards, rolling on the floor as he clutched his belly.

"Only his mother can do that!" Frodo informed Flinn. "You are funny!"

"I'm not funny!" the dwarfling huffed, now looking quite a bit like his uncle. "I'm the king!"

"Are you now?" came a deep voice to his left, causing both youngsters to spin around and stare at the two adults who had just entered.

"Uncle Thorin!" Flinn gasped, jumping down off the throne and quickly pulling the crown from his head, setting it respectfully in the seat. He then gave his uncle a sheepish look, locking his hands behind his back and rocking back and forth on his heels. "I…I was just…just…" he stammered, not quite sure what answer would lead to the least amount of punishment. He was unable to tell what kind of mood his uncle was in, but from the way Marigold was looking up at Thorin with a worried expression…he figured it was not good.

"Thorin, they were just playing," Marigold whispered, also doing her best to determine his temperament. He appeared very upset, with his crossed arms and a stern glower on his face.

"A king performing his duties is nothing to play around at," Thorin growled, staring directly at his now nervous nephew. He then turned his eyes towards Frodo. "He also requires subjects willing to obey his ever command, no matter how dangerous that assignment might be."

Marigold held her breath, waiting to see what would happen next, feeling very sorry for the two lads who were swallowing nervously.

"That is why…" Thorin continued, his tone never wavering, "…I offer my services to you, King Flinn," he finished, dropping to one knee as he bowed his head to his littlest nephew. "I am yours to command, oh mighty king of Erebor."

Marigold's hand flew to her mouth and the only sound that could be heard in the room was the little squeak of surprise that escaped her lips. When he had entered the throne room, she had feared that Thorin was truly upset with the lads. But now, to see him going along with the game - even offering them his humble service - warmed her heart like never before. This was a side of Thorin she had never seen, a playful and nurturing side…and she found she really liked it. Choking down the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat, Marigold joined him in the fun.

"I too pledge my loyalty and service to you, King Flinn, and your trusted burglar, Frodo the Fearless," she said, curtsying to them as she bowed her head as well.

Both Flinn and Frodo stared at the two adults in wide eyed disbelief. Finally, it was little Frodo who found his voice first, leaning back on his outstretched hands as he sat on the floor facing them.

"Ummm, well, Flinn wants someone to go steal all of the elf king's toys," he suggested, only too happy to pass on the assignment to those who could leave the mountain without having to first get parental permission.

At Frodo's words, Thorin glanced up at Marigold, doing his best to conceal his smirk of amusement, though he was certain that his hobbit lass saw it, for she let out a little giggle. Rising to his feet he bowed respectfully once again before speaking.

"Oh, wise and powerful King Under the Mountain," he began, making Flinn grin even wider at hearing his uncle addressing him as such. "I would be more than happy to take a battalion of dwarves and raid the hoard of the elven king for you. However, I fear that Thranduil has few toys, and the ones he does possess…well, they are elf toys, and hardly anything that would interest a dwarf, especially a discerning king such as yourself."

"Oh," was Flinn's reply, sounding a bit disappointed. Not that he ever expected anyone to actually do such a thing, but he had been sure a king would have a hoard of excellent toys to play with. Otherwise, what did he do with all his time?

"However," Thorin spoke up, reaching back and taking Marigold's hand and gently pulling her forward until she was standing beside him. "If you so commanded, we could stop and see Mister Bifur on our way to the stables, Your Majesty. Perhaps he has a few new items in his shop that might interest a king, and his brave subject."

"Yayyyyh!" Flinn squealed, jumping up and down as Frodo clapped his hands together in glee.

"I think you have greatly pleased your king," Marigold whispered, giving his hand a little squeeze.

"Just as you do every time you smile at me like that," Thorin told her, bringing her hand up to his lips as he gave it a light kiss.

Marigold opened her mouth to respond, but Flinn and Frodo were already pulling on their unoccupied arms, begging them to hurry.

"Come on, Uncle Thorin!" Flinn pleaded. "Toys!"

"You heard your liege's command," Marigold grinned, giving Thorin a playful wink.

"Yes, yes, we're coming," he laughed, reaching down and scooping his little nephew up in his arms and tossing him over his shoulder.

"HEY!" Flinn squealed, his tone a mixture of amusement and indignation. "Is that any way to treat your king?"

The only reply he got was a choir of laughter from Thorin, Marigold, and even Frodo.

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Up in their royal suite, Fili sat on the rug before the fireplace, his back propped against their sofa, staring at the dancing flames. Sier was snuggled beside him and he let his fingers lazily slip through her hair, enjoying the closeness they were sharing. They had opted to skip dinner and go right for dessert, the two finding endless delight in each other's arms. The golden prince was really starting to like this being married thing.

"How do you think Thorin is doing?" Sier asked, tipping her head back as she looked up at her husband with dreamy eyes.

"I don't know…and I don't care," he laughed, leaning in to kiss her lips. "I just hope Flinn is behaving himself, so that Uncle can make a good impression on Marigold."

"If not, we might be required to write another apology letter for him," Sier giggled, wrapping her arms around his bare torso and laying her head against his chest.

"I hope not," Fili replied in all seriousness. "I think a second assignment like that would kill Kili."

"It just might at that," Sier nodded, recalling all the complaining and whining the younger prince had done during the job. She was silent for a moment, enjoying the sound of Fili's heartbeat beneath her ear, before she spoke again. "Fili…what if we had an argument? Would you write me a letter saying you are sorry?"

Pulling back a bit and looking down at her, Fili frowned. "What brought this on?" he asked. "Have I offended you in some way, and now am required to apologize?"

"No, of course not," she assured him, her wide smile setting his mind at ease. "I was just wondering…what you might say to me if you did have to write a letter like we did for Thorin."

"Oh…I see," he hummed, acting as if he were now deep in thought. "You are worried that my apology would be as stiff and unfeeling as Thorin's? That I am incapable of expressing myself without sounding diplomatic and all king like?"

"Well…you are in training to take the throne," she reasoned.

"True…true," Fili agreed. "However, I would never resort to such stiff and cold words. No, indeed. I would appeal to your tender heart, remind you of your forgiving nature, and plead for you to recall all the wonderful times we have shared."

"We have had some rather amazing times…especially as of late," she nodded, enjoying where he was heading with this.

"I would also speak of your beauty, your flowing ebony hair, your silken skin, and your soothing brown eyes that cause my heart to skip a beat every time you look at me." Fili continued. "I would tell you how much I cherish the day you entered my life, and how grateful I am that you blessed me with such a fine son as Flinn. Every day since has been made more wonderful by your presence, and I am the luckiest dwarf in all of Middle Earth to have found you."

Fili's words had completely taken Sier's breath away, almost bringing tears to her eyes at his heartfelt endearments.

"That would truly be quite the apology letter," she assured him.

"And would you accept? Would you forgive me for whatever horrible, thoughtless, inconsiderate mistake I might have made?" he asked, almost assured of her response.

"I….might," she finished, tapping her chin with her finger and looking thoughtful.

"You might?" Fili gasped. "After everything I said?"

"Yes…I might," she repeated, a little smile breaking out over her face. "Can we count this as an argument, and now set about making up?"

At first Fili was stunned…was Sier suggesting what he thought she was?

"Why you wicked, little wife!" he laughed, spinning her around in his arms and laying her down on the soft rug, his larger frame now hovering over hers. "While I am quite intrigued by your offer, might I ask, what would gain me your pardon for certain, should I ever overstep my bounds?"

"You, my inventive husband, will just have to figure that out for yourself," she told him, reaching up and cupping the back of his head with her hand, pulling him down so that their lips were only inches apart. "But right here seems to be a very good place to start."

"Then let us not tarry any longer in pointless speech," he whispered. "When actions seem to speak much more eloquently."

"Oh, yes," Sier agreed, though in moments her lips were happily occupied with something other than speaking.

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Marigold busied herself in her kitchen, fixing a simple dessert for the four of them. They had stopped at Mister Bifur's shop, picked out several new toys, visited the stables, the practice ring, the weapons room, and even the kitchens for snack, since Frodo claimed to be starving. Then they all came back to her apartment, where she had made them all a nice dinner, hobbit style. She knew they would have to return the children to their parents soon, but Marigold had promised them all a piece of apple pie before they had to go. Flinn had been especially excited, since all apple products had been ban at their home, due to Fili's aversion to that particular fruit.

Thorin had offered to help clean up after dinner, but she declined his offer, suggesting instead that he read to the children, keeping them occupied while she got their dessert. Marigold had enjoyed Thorin's deep and soothing voice drifting into the kitchen as he read a tale of brave warriors and daring rescues to the enraptured lads. Every now and again, he would have to stop and answer questions that Flinn or Frodo posed, but on the whole, they had been very attentive. Yet as she placed the last piece of pie into the four bowls, she realized that things had grown very quiet in the living area. So, stepping towards the doorway, she peeked through the opening and gasped at what she saw.

At some point Flinn and Frodo had crawled into Thorin's lap, more than likely in order to get a better view the pictures in the book that he held. Yet, apparently, the day had been overly taxing for all three, and each one had managed to drift off to sleep, the leather-bound tome now resting on the king's knees, completely forgotten. As Marigold stared at the picturesque scene before her she couldn't help but wish this was all real. That she and Thorin shared these quarters as husband and wife, and that those two adorable children asleep in his arms were theirs. She had never before felt such a longing for hearth and home in all her life, and she suddenly knew without a doubt that Thorin Oakenshield was the only one she wanted to share it with.

If only he would say those three little words that she so desperately needed to hear.

I love you.

Well, there you have it...I think Thorin did a fabbo job with his kid sitting job, don't you? Oh, we all thought he was going to mess it up there - kind of like his little fake out speech at the Carrock with Bilbo - but he pulled it out of the fire there in the end. Marigold was very impressed.

Oh and there is a pencil sketch I found on line that depicts what I think Flinn looked like trying to hold Thorin's crown on his head. If you do a google search on 'Thorin's Crown' just before you get to the end of the pictures on the page, and before you have to hit 'more photos' you will see it. I hope. Anyway, it is out there, and so cute.

Fili and Sier were having fun...no?

Now Thorin...just repeat after me. I. Love. You. Ok...now your turn - but be looking at Marigold when you say it, OK?

More fun and games heading your way on Monday! And THANK you all for your continued support, reviews and encouragement.

Guest Reviews:

enilorac44: So how do you think my chapters would go with strawberry waffles with whip cream for breakfast? Try it and let me know. ha ha. Well, Dwarves ride ponies...not horses, so it only made sense. ha ha. And as for your other question...no, no I do not. ha ha. My husband however says if you keep doling out praise like that, I will be impossible to live with! ha ha. Thanks.

Emrfangirl: Yes, the disaster was averted, but the laughs for us multiplied. ha ha. Thanks for the review, I have missed you!

Louise: I am only too happy to oblige, and I will keep it up just as long as you all keep it up as well. I am glad you look forward to new chapters. It is always fun to laugh at our boys.

Aranel Mereneth: Was there enough adorable bonding time for you? Those kids are just so darn cute! Thanks

Guest: Glad you liked Dis talking to the statue. I think it is important that she share the milestones of her boys lives with her husband...if nothing else but to complain to him that he is not there to help her wrangle them when they get out of line. ha ha. Fili doing anything is cute...but extra fun when he is teasing Thorin. And did things end up with Thorin and the boys like you thought it would?