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It was kindly pointed out that I forgot to mention Freya in my list of children's ages in the last chapter. Sorry, Freya! So here is where she would have fallen:

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Rose = 11

Freya = 9 1/2

Raina = 6

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Now, more time jumping ahead, so buckle up folks!

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Chapter 172

~X~

Everyone had been excited to welcome the newest prince to the mountain, with friends and family all eager to get their chance to hold little Náin. Even Dain made the trip all the way from the Iron Hills to take a gander at his newest cousin.

"He's a fine lad, Thorin!" the burley dwarf announced as he cuddled the sleeping prince in his arms. "You and Marigold should be right proud."

"We are," Thorin nodded in full agreement.

"And I like his name too, though I think you spelled it wrong, Thorin," Dain pointed out.

"What?" Thorin questioned, confused by his cousin's words. "How so?"

"You spelled it with an 'N' and not a 'D'," he replied, his tone quite serious, yet his eyes sparkled with mirth.

"His name is Náin, not Dain!" Thorin huffed, rolling his eyes in exasperation. "I never had any intention of naming my son after you."

"Well, I named mine Thorin, I thought you would at least have the courtesy to extend the favor," Dain grumbled.

"Ah Ha!" Thorin barked, pointing his finger at the red bearded dwarf. "So you admit that you named him after me!"

"That's not what I said, and you know it!" Dain objected. "I named him after Thorin the First…for Mahal's sake, won't you ever let that die?"

"Probably not," Thorin laughed, always enjoying the verbal sparring he shared with his cousin.

"And I suppose if you had to name him after someone – who wasn't me - choosing my father's name was the next best thing," Dain said, smiling down at the little lad in his arms.

"I named my son after Náin the First, not your father," Thorin was quick to point out.

"Blast it, Thorin!" Dain grumbled. "Can't you at least give me that?"

"Fine," Thorin said in an exasperated tone. "If you wish to believe I named him after your father, Náin the Third, then far be it from me to burst your imaginary bubble of pride."

"Thank you, laddie," Dain nodded in agreement. "I shall." He then reached in and gently tickled the dwarfling under the chin with one of his meaty fingers. "Isn't that right, little Náin …you are named after my Adad…and a finer dwarf there never was, I tell you."

Thorin simply shook his head and rolled his eyes. It was a small price to pay to keep the peace.

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But none in the mountain - besides his parents - seemed more taken with little Náin than Rose and Raina, who simply doted on their new baby brother. The two were the best big sisters a little dwarfling could ask for, and as the weeks passed, they never grew tired of doing anything they could to aid their parents in caring for the babe.

"Oh, Adad," Raina cooed one night, stroking the dark hair on the infant's head as she sat beside Thorin on the sofa. The proud father was holding his son and resting the sleeping babe on his legs, allowing his daughters a clear view of him. "He's just so pretty."

"No he's not, silly," Rose laughed, sitting on the other side of her father. "Lads aren't supposed to be pretty…just lasses."

"Am I pretty, Adad?" Raina asked, looking up at Thorin questioningly.

"No, my sweet, you are beautiful," he told her, leaning over and placing a kiss on her cheek, causing her to blush and smile. "Just as you are, my little flower," he told Rose, also bestowing a kiss on her cheek as well.

"But your sister's right, Raina," Marigold broke in, having just come out of the bedroom holding a soft little blanket. "Náin is not pretty, he is handsome, just like his father."

At this, Thorin looked up, a smile of pride gracing his face as he gazed at his enchanting wife. He still couldn't believe how blissfully happy he was, and sometimes he wondered if he would wake up back in the dungeons of Mirkwood, to find it had all been a fanciful dream. But each morning he awoke beside Marigold, and each night he fell asleep gazing at her beauty…so apparently it was not a dream at all.

Just then Náin's face scrunched up in a dissatisfied fashion, his little fists flailing about as he began to fuss.

"Marigold…he's getting that look again," Thorin said in a slightly panicked voice. He had raised Fili and Kili, then Rose and Raina, but still, when a baby began to look as if it were about to cry, that could rattle even the most hardened warrior. "What does it mean? What can I do?"

"It means he's hungry, Thorin," Marigold laughed, reaching out to take the lad off his hands. "And I would think by now you would recognize the look…for I have seen it in your eyes plenty of times as well, my rake of a husband." She knew the true meaning of her words would go unrecognized by her innocent daughters, but the blush that spread over Thorin's cheeks told Marigold they were not lost on him. Satisfied by her efforts, the little hobbit turned and made herself comfortable in a nearby chair, wrapping the babe in the blanket as she placed him against her breast to nurse. "There now, my son, is that what you wanted?" And apparently it was, since the moment he latched on, all his fussing had ceased.

"Do you need us to do anything else for you, Ama?" Rose asked, having already taken care of the supper dishes and straightened up the living quarters.

"You two have done more than you should," Marigold complimented them, so very proud of how the two princesses had helped out lately. "I think you deserve a break, and should head off to bed. And since your father is no longer required either, maybe he can tuck you in and tell you a story while your brother has his dinner."

"Yes, Adad!" the both squealed, leaping off the couch and tugging at Thorin's arms.

"A story, a story!" Raina chanted.

"And a really long one too," Rose added, grinning from ear to ear.

"Very well," Thorin laughed. "Now hurry and get into your night clothes and I will be in with a story to end all stories."

As the two lasses ran off, Thorin leaned down and captured his wife's lips in a gentle kiss, one that held a wealth of promise.

"You should not tease me so, wife," he warned, his voice low and husky. "I am after all a dwarf, and you know that we are very jealous creatures. And while I am happy to share you with our son, for now, that does not mean I no longer desire to have you, or your more than pleasing physical attributes, all to myself." As he said this, he allowed his gaze to drift to her partially bared chest, the hunger quite evident in his eyes.

"You will have my full attention again soon enough, my love," Marigold giggled. "But right now, these belong to your son alone, so don't go getting any ideas."

"Oh, it's far too late for that," he chuckled. "But I will bide my time."

"And you can start biding it by telling your daughters a story as promised," she pointed out. "And what one shall it be tonight? About the retaking of Erebor? Of the trolls? Maybe how you all ate poor Bilbo out of house and home?"

"Nay…I think a real special one is in order tonight," he mused. "Perhaps I will tell them the one where you jumped off the Baywater Bridge in Hobbiton."

"THORIN!" Marigold screeched, startling Náin as he ate. "Don't you dare!"

"Come now, I think it is high time your daughters learned of your willful spirit and reckless nature," he laughed, stepping back in order to avoid being swatted by her free hand.

"Don't tease like that, Thorin!" she begged, hoping he was indeed only having a bit of fun at her expense.

"Then don't tease me, lass," he countered. "For I am not a dwarf to be trifled with…especially when you look so amazingly beautiful sitting there like that. It does things to me that I dare not describe in front of my son." At this, Marigold's mouth fell open in shock, and before she could form a coherent response, Thorin turned and headed off to Rose and Rain's shared room, grinning to himself over leaving his wife speechless.

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While peace reigned in Erebor, sadly the same could not be said for the rest of Middle Earth, and as the years passed, turmoil spread far and wide, blanketing the land in a shadow of fear. This caused a delay in Bilbo's plans to journey back to the mountain, for the roads were not safe, and even Thorin advised they stay put for the time being. Bands of marauding orcs were seen more often, and several raids were made on Dale and Esgaroth, causing Thorin to send out his troops to their aid. Even Thranduil reported that the spiders and other sinister creatures were spawning at an alarming rate in the vile ruins of Dol Guldur, faster than even his soldiers could control. The arm of Mordor was growing long…and strong, and Thorin feared that soon it would become a viable threat once more, leaving everyone at its mercy.

So it was, that nearly ten years flew by before there came an opportunity for Bilbo to make his way east. For Bain had approached Thorin, saying that his sister, Sigrid, wished to come visit for an extended time, seeing as how their father was getting up in years, and this might be her final chance. And if Bilbo could coordinate his trip at the same time, they could join with the party from Rohan for at least half the journey, offering protection as they passed so close to the now dangerous lands of Mordor. Thorin quickly sent word to Elrond of Rivendell, asking for his aid as well, and was pleased when he responded that Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir would be sent to escort the hobbit party from the Shire to Rohan.

So, in the year 2976, Bilbo and Daisy at last arrived in Erebor. With them came Rory and Menegilda, who were beyond anxious to see their new grandson, as well as their granddaughters once again. The journey had been hard on them, since they too were approaching their twilight years, but knowing this might be their last time to see their daughter had spurred them on. Drogo, Prim, Frodo and Holly came as well, along with Saradoc, Esme, and young Merry. Paladin and Elle remained behind to watch over things for them at home. That and they were not very excited about lugging four children across Middle Earth, even if Pippin had been more than anxious to come. So it was, that ten hobbits came riding up to the front gates of Erebor, having left their Rohan escorts in the city of Dale.

"Bilbo!" Thorin greeted his old friend with open arms, slapping him on the back with joy. "How was your trip? No trolls tried to eat you on the way, I hope."

"Oh no, not a one," Bilbo chuckled. "Besides, I think the word is out that both hobbits and dwarves are not good for eating, since they are all riddled with parasites."

"Yes, in their tubes," Thorin laughed, beyond happy to see them all once again. "And Daisy, you look just as pretty as I remember."

"Then your memory is as bad as your eyesight, if you'll pardon me saying so, Your Majesty," she said with a sigh of fake irritation, climbing down from her pony and stepping over to stand beside her husband. "For I must look a fright after all that traveling, and I am certain my hair is sticking out every which way, and my dress…oh don't even get me started on that!"

"And despite it all, you look lovely," Thorin persisted. "I still have no idea how a humble grocer like Bilbo here managed such a catch."

"Oh, it was I who caught him, don't ya know!" Daisy laughed. "It was all my idea to get hitched, I just allowed Bilbo to think it was him who was chasing me, not the other way around. And just look where it got me…all the way to the famous mountain of Erebor." At this she tipped her head back and gazed at the magnificent sight before her in awe. "If only my folks could see me now!"

"And you are most welcome, Mistress Baggins," Thorin told her, taking her hand and kissing the back of it respectfully. He then spied his in-laws, the two of them sitting on either side of Saradoc, who was driving the team that pulled the wagon they were riding on.

"Rory, Menegilda! It is indeed a pleasure," Thorin called in greeting. "Welcome!"

"Mother! Father!" Marigold cried, nearly hopping up and down with excitement as they drew near.

"Get me off this blasted moving torture devise and let me hold my baby girl!" the older male hobbit insisted, shaking his cane at Saradoc, who was just pulling the ponies to a halt. "I think you managed to hit every stone and pothole from here back to the shire just to spite me!"

"Father," Saradoc said with a sigh of irritation. "I drove as gently as I could, but it is not as if I have any control over what is in the road. What would you have me do? Walk ahead and remove every rock and fill in every hole?"

"That's not a bad idea!" he huffed, moving to get down himself, no longer waiting for assistance. Yet Thorin was too quick for him, and took it upon himself to aid his father-in-law to the ground. Once his feet hit earth, he was hurrying as quickly as he could towards Marigold, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "Oh, my little girl, I have missed you."

"And I've missed you to, Papa!" she said, her eyes brimming with tears. "I can't believe you both came!"

"And miss seeing our newest grandbaby?" Menegilda scoffed. "Not on your life!" She then waved Thorin over to her side, instructing him to help her down from the buckboard as well. Once Thorin had done so, and received a warm greeting from her, she too rushed over to where Rory and Marigold stood, taking her turn in her daughter's arms. "Now…where is little Náin? I can't wait to meet him."

"Well, wait no longer…here he is," Marigold said proudly, reaching out and pulling her somewhat hesitant son forward. "Náin, these are your grandparents."

The young dwarrow, looking every inch like a miniature version of his father, bravely stepped forward and placing his hand at his waist, bowed low.

"Náin, son of Thorin, son of Thráin, at your service," he greeted in typical dwarf fashion.

"Oh, all that etiquette is wasted on us, lad," Rory laughed, reaching out and pulling the startled ten year old into a big hug. "Hobbits don't stand on ceremony, especially when its family."

"Let the child go, Rory, so I can get my turn," Menegilda fussed, wanting to be the next to embrace him.

"Mother, Father," Saradoc scolded, having climbed down from the wagon himself. "You're going to frighten the lad…or smother him. Give the child some air."

And though Náin had indeed been a bit taken back by the sudden display of affection, he was more than used to the ways of hobbits, having learned early on from his mother and aunt what to expect. So he only grinned and hugged them back, greeting them warmly.

Rose and Raina were next to be bombarded by Rory and Menegilda, followed by Bergie and her children as well.

"I can't believe how big you have all grown!" Esme squealed, she and Merry having made their way out of the wagon as well, and now gazed at all the children. "Has it really been so long? I would hardly have recognized most of you. And look at you, Flinn…nearly as tall as your father now!"

And indeed, Flinn had grown, now almost thirty, he was a near mirror image of Fili. He had even begun to sprout a bit of peach-fuz on his face, promising that soon a fine beard would come in. And while he stood a bit taller at Esme's praise, his mind had only one thought…Frodo.

And as the final wagon pulled up behind and the last visitors disembarked, Flinn spied his sword brother at last.

"FRODO!" Flinn cried, racing forward as the young hobbit did the same, the two meeting midway as they laughed and hugged, both talking a mile a minute, so very happy to see each other once more.

Everyone standing around smiled fondly at the two reunited friends, knowing the past ten years had been hard on them, being kept apart like that. But now they had the entire winter to reconnect, for Sigrid and her children had made plans to remain in Dale until spring, wishing to spend as much time with Bard as they could. Thengel had been forced to stay behind in Rohan, for the king was needed to guide and protect his people from danger. But that allowed the hobbits to spend the next eight months at least with their friends and family, something Marigold, Bergie and Thorin were looking forward to with great anticipation.

Drogo, Prim and Holly were the last to join the group, but they too were greeted with warm hugs and tearful smiles. It was a fine reunion all around, with everyone talking at once, trying to ask questions and relate the tales of their journey. Yet two stood there stalk still, gazing at one another as if in some kind of daze…for Torin and Holly only had eyes for each other. Torin had grown tall and filled out quite a bit, becoming quite the strapping lad at twenty three, while Holly had blossomed into a rather striking lass herself. Now, even though dwarves were not considered of age until they were nearly eighty, hobbits reached adulthood at thirty-three, and from everything Bergie had observed about her son, Torin favored his hobbit heritage in more than just looks.

"Hello, Tor," Holly spoke up, shyly averting her eyes as she clasped her hands nervously in front of her. "It's very nice to see you again."

"I…um…it's nice to see you too," he stammered, completely taken back by the change in Holly over the past ten years. While before he had seen her as only a friend…well now, he was looking at her in a whole new light.

"Why are we all standing around outside?" Dwalin bellowed, grinning from ear to ear at all their guests. "Come inside and let's catch up over a pint of ale…or two."

"Got any more of that Dorwinion wine, son?" Rory asked Thorin, licking his lips in anticipation. "I ran out of the case you gave me for Marigold's bride price ages ago!"

"You what?" Marigold gasped, turning to stare at Thorin in shock. "You gave my father a case of wine in exchange for my hand?"

"Not just the wine," he argued. "I promised a lot of other stuff too…the wine was just something tangible to fulfill tradition."

"It's true, my girl," Rory assured his now irate looking daughter. "Your husband here swore to me that he would take care of you as no one else ever could, and I believe he has lived up to each of his promises. But I have to say," the devious hobbit added, giving a sly wink, "the wine didn't hurt either, it only sweetened the deal."

And so as everyone had a fine laugh, they all headed inside, eager to begin their winter long visit.

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Marigold spent every spare moment with her parents, with them doting over their three grandchildren like crazy. Rory enjoyed sitting in during Náin's sword training, while Menegilda happily followed her daughter and granddaughters around, assisting them with any and all of their daily duties.

Flinn and Frodo were never far apart either, and many of the residents of Erebor would smile at the two lads as they passed them in the halls, fondly recalling their childish antics from years past. Flinn had grown a bit taller than Frodo, and filled out a bit more, but the two were still the best of friends, never allowing anything to dampen their joy at being together again at last.

The two made sure to always invite Frerin along, happily including him in their fun and conversations, yet the younger prince had recently become rather engrossed in his fascination with medicine. Thus he was often too busy working with Oin in the healing halls to accept their invitations. The healers were greatly impressed by the lad's skills, as well as his ability to soak up knowledge like a sponge, leading them all to concur that Frerin had a genuine talent for the field.

Merry was happily entertained by the rest of the children, with Talin, Freya, Lili, Ithil and Anor taking turns showing him every nook and cranny of the mountain.

This left Torin and Holly often on their own, and the two were more than happy to have it that way. They had written to each other over the years, keeping in touch much the same as Flinn and Frodo did, but now that they were together once again, it was obvious that something had changed…and all for the better.

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"Here is what I wanted to show you," Torin said, tugging on Holly's hand as he led her through a tall archway. "These are the Silver Fountains of Erebor."

"Oh, Tor…they're beautiful!" Holly gasped, amazed at the splendor before her. The water from the fountains cascaded down from one silver container to the next, causing the most lovely sound as it echoed through the chamber as they filled and then overflowed to the next. "Your home is so wondrous, so sparkly and big. It really puts the Shire to shame."

"Don't say that," he insisted. "Yes, Erebor is grand, but the Shire…well, I can't think of a lovelier place in all of Middle Earth!"

"Really?" she asked, looking at him with eyes full of hope. "You…you truly like it there?"

"Of course I do! Who wouldn't?" Torin questioned. "With all it's green hills, the gardens and fields, the trees, and especially the people. What's not to…love?" He found that as he said that last word, he couldn't help but look directly at Holly.

When an uncomfortable silence drifted between them, the young lass wandered closer to the fountains, holding out her fingers to let the water sprinkle on them as she smiled.

"I'm very glad I came," she told him after a bit, breaking the quiet in the room. "My parents said I could remain behind and stay with Ellie and Paladin if I wished, but I wanted to come. To visit Erebor had long been a dream of mine."

"Yes, the mountain is rather impressive," Torin agreed, looking around as if trying to see things through her eyes. "And there's still so much more to show you."

"Oh…it wasn't the sights that made me wish to come," Holly explained.

"Then why?" Torin asked, looking at her in confusion.

"To see you, silly!" she giggled, flinging a bit of the water in his direction, making him laugh as the droplets sprayed him. Yet his expression sobered as her words sunk in.

"You…you mean you came all this way just to see me?" he questioned, astonished by her words.

"Of course," she said quietly, taking a step closer to him as she reached out and took his hand in hers. "I would travel twice that far if it meant spending time with you again, Tor. You've been my best friend for a long time now, and even though we haven't always been together, it feels like we are never truly apart. Does that make any sense?"

"Perfectly," he muttered, staring down at where their fingers were entwined. "I have always felt the same way too. But Holly, I'm no longer sure that I want to just remain friends with you…what if I want more?"

"More?" she asked, looking up into his eyes. "More how?"

"I…I know that I'm part dwarf, but my mother says I act more like a hobbit," he tried to explain. "And while Talin claims to have no interest in love or any such feelings yet…I…I do. Lately I've been giving such emotions a lot of thought, and I feel more grown up inside than many of my other childhood companions. I'm only ten years away from being considered an adult by hobbit standards…and you are not far behind either. And I was wondering, when that day comes, if you might…well…accept my offer to court you."

"You want to court me?" she gasped, releasing his hand and bringing her fingers up to cover her mouth in shock.

"When we're old enough," he quickly cut in, worried he might have said the wrong thing. "And only if you want me to…I mean, I wouldn't if you don't like me that way and all, but I just thought that…"

"Yes!" she squealed, rushing forward and throwing her arms around his neck and giving him a big hug. "I would love it if you wished to court me, Tor! I have dreamed of nothing else for the past several years!"

"You…you have?" now it was his turn to pull back in surprise.

"I think I knew that you were the one for me when you first came to the Shire, and I kept following you all around, tagging after you like a lost puppy," she laughed, tears of joy brimming in her eyes. "And ever since, I have never looked at any other lad in the Shire. For no matter what they said or did, they were not you."

"Wait…have others been trying to gain your affections?" Torin asked, his eyes narrowing and a surge of jealousy bursting forth.

"Nothing serious," she assured him, a playful grin on her face. "A few have brought me flowers, or asked to carry my books home from the school house for me. But I always told them no!"

"Well, I should hope so!" Tor huffed, looking rather perturbed. "Because though I favor my hobbit blood, I am still part dwarf…and dwarves are jealous over what is theirs, and they protect it with a fierce passion!"

"So…does that mean that I'm yours, Tor?" she asked in a sweet and innocent voice, stepping closer and placing her hands against his chest in a slightly teasing manner.

"Damn right you are!" he growled, though not in a way that brought fear to the lass. "You are mine, Holly Baggins, and one day I intend to ask for your hand in marriage!"

"And I would say yes, Torin, son of Dwalin, son of Fundin," she whispered. "I would happily marry you and be your wife." And to prove her point, she rose up on her tip-toes and brushed her lips against his, causing him to freeze in wonder and disbelief. Yet within moments, he recovered and kissed her back, their innocent gesture sealing their two hearts for all time.

"WHAT IN MAHAL'S NAME IS GOING ON IN HERE?" Dwalin roared, causing the two to jump back in panic. "TORIN! What is the meaning of this?"

"I…I…" was all the lad could muster in his defense. But thankfully, Holly found her courage to speak, which was saying a lot when faced with Erebor's war chief in such a rage.

"He has asked me to be his girl…and I accepted," she stated, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him, as if daring him to argue the matter.

"His girl?" Dwalin repeated, looking rather confused. "His girl for what?"

"For life…for love…for marriage, Adad," Torin explained, Holly's bravery rubbing off. "Holly and I want to be together."

"But you're just a lad!" Dwalin countered. "You won't even come of age for another sixty years!"

"Not by hobbit standards," Tor pointed out. "And father, in this instance, I think I'm more hobbit than dwarf. I realize we can't officially announce anything for a while..." He then leaned closer to his father, dropping is voice a bit for the next part, "and it's not as if I'm awake or anything." When Dwalin appeared pleased by this at least, Torin continued, now giving Holly a look that said it all. "However, I know in my heart that she is the only one for me, and I'm willing to wait."

"As am I," Holly stated firmly.

Dwalin just stood there, staring at his son as if he were seeing him for the first time. At Tor's age, he had still been throwing mud at lasses, not hardly even realizing they weren't lads as well. And yet, here was his son, already saying he knew what he wanted in life…and who! Could he truly be taking after Bergie's side so strongly in this matter? Was his son nearly an adult? Yet as he saw the two standing side by side, he could see that Torin did indeed resemble a hobbit lad on the cusp of adulthood. Dwarves too grew into their height and stature around this age, but never did they harbor such thoughts and desires as quickly as Torin was now expressing. Might his son truly be taking after Bergie's side…the hobbit part shining through? Dwalin was not sure he was ready for this…but if Torin was, he would not stand in the way of his happiness. And really, his son could have done a lot worse than falling in love with the sweet Holly Baggins.

"Wait!" Dwalin said all of a sudden. "You two aren't too closely related or anything, are you? I know that most in the Shire share some sort of kinship or distant ties with one another. Is it safe that you two…well…like each other?"

"Yes, Adad, we have already figured that part out a long time ago," Torin laughed, easing his father's worry. "Holly and I are only related by marriage, and very distantly at that, so there is no problem there."

"Well…that's at least one concern off the table then," he grumbled, realizing that with this match, there was a whole bunch more that needed to be addressed. "Still, I think from now on, you two should not be traipsing off alone, especially if there's any chance of what I just saw happening again."

"It was just a kiss, Adad," Torin said with a roll of his eyes.

"Aye, and a kiss often leads to a whole passel of other things!" he pointed out, his mind recalling what a kiss had done for him and Bergie. "Trust me…I know! And I also strongly feel that Holly's parents should be told about this. I won't stand for no secrets."

"Oh, they already know I like Tor," the pretty little hobbit revealed, her wide smile brightening the room. "And they are perfectly happy with my choice."

"They are?" Torin asked, his own eyes wide with wonder.

"They said I couldn't have set my sights on a better lad than you," she grinned. "And of course your mother agreed with them."

"YOU MEAN BERGIE KNEW ABOUT THIS?" Dwalin roared, always hating to be the last one to be told about anything.

"Well, she only knew that I liked Tor…but until a few moments ago, even I didn't know how he felt about me," Holly assured him. "This is all very new to the both of us."

"New and exciting," Torin nodded, reaching up and gently touching her cheek with the back of his fingers.

"And about to give me heart palpitations!" Dwalin said in a frustrated tone. He then stomped forward, taking the two young lovers by the hand as he began to drag them out of the room. "Come on, you two. It's clear that I can't leave you alone, and I think a long talk between everyone involved is quite overdue!" And while Holly and Torin kept their eyes trained on each other, the smile on their lips never fading, Dwalin muttered and cursed the whole way back to he and Bergie's chambers, muttering that he was not ready for this!

Not ready at all.

Well...it's official...Tor and Holly are in love! And while Torin does take after his father in temperament and his protective nature, he is mostly a hobbit through and through. So when he is about 33, he will be ready for love, marriage and all that comes with it. Now Dwalin, on the other hand, he might not be so ready, ha ha.

Good to have hobbits back in the mountain though - they are always good for a laugh or two. ha ha.

Guest Reviews:

gginsc: ha ha, did you think for a moment that the real GANDALF was pregnant? He might be a wizard, but I don't think even HE could pull that one off. ha ha. Yes, Thorin is pretty happy about his little lad as well. Thanks.

abc: Thanks, I am slowly getting over it, but man this one hung on a LONG time! Knowing the real Gandalf, he already knows all about the kittens, ha ha. Glad you like the name Nain. I thought it was the nicest of the other old relatives. ha ha. You know, even though Dis said that was the reason she was tearing up - the losing of the bet - I kind of think she was not being truthful, and I suspect she did indeed put money on a lad this time as well. ha ha. Oh, little Bolund is doing just fine, and as far as I know, Ilin has not had any more since then...but you never know with what a wild stud Bombur is. ha ha. Thanks

Feu d'Argent: I'm happy you are tickled by your winnings, but that whole 'my preccciiiousssssss' thing worries me a bit. ha ha. OH yes, but I figure that other babies are being born in the mountain as well...we just don't hear about THEM. ha ha. Thanks for your kind thoughts, my cold is getting slowly better... Y! I am guessing Kili's hair was messy from sleep, but if you want to think otherwise, I am sure Tauriel won't mind. I too love Fili and Sier's relationship, it's what got this whole mess started. ha ha. Kittens can solve the problems of the world...or in this case, Middle Earth. That's it, just have the eagles drop kittens wearing parachutes over Mordor and Sauron won't stand a chance. ha ha. thanks.