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Sorry for posting a day late...been SUPER busy with work. I was trying to get this chapter finished, but before I could, I suddenly realized that it was over 20 pages long! So I quickly stopped where I was, split the thing in half, thus giving you this one, and now also have most of this weekend's chapter written too! Whoohooo!

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Chapter 188

~X~

The day before everyone was schedule to leave, the residents of the Shire threw the dwarves a fine going away party. There was the usual hobbit fare, with plenty to eat, and plenty to drink, and many guests eager to do so in abundance. Torin was sad that his family would soon be leaving, but when Dwalin confided in him their plans to return very soon, he had been quite overjoyed by the news. Talin confessed that she didn't yet know what she would do, but she did promise to visit as often as possible.

"Someone has to teach your new little lass how to fight," she laughed. "And who better than her battle-ready aunt?"

"I wouldn't trust her education to anyone but you," Torin laughed, giving his twin a warm hug. "If you do decide to stay in Erebor, I'll understand…but I'll also miss you terribly, Sis."

"And I'll miss you as well," she assured him.

After dinner, Will Whitefoot climbed up on a little platform and called for silence, gathering all eyes on him.

"Hobbits of the Shire, it is with heavy hearts we are sending our dear friends off tomorrow," he began. "But tonight, we wish to express our gratitude to those who aided us in the battle that saved our home, and many of our lives." Here his words were met with a thunderous cheer, all turning to smile at a blushing Flinn, Frerin, and Torin. "We know very well, that without your training and battle skills, a good number of us would not be standing here today, and more than likely many of our homes and buildings would not be either. So, if you would all lift your mugs, let's give a cheer to the heroes of the Shire!"

"Hip-hip-hooray!" the hobbits shouted over and over, downing their mugs of ale in joyous salute.

"Now, Flinn, son of Fili, if you would be so kind as to join me on the stand?" Mayor Whitefoot entreated, waving the young dwarf up. When he did as directed, standing there looking as if he was now very uncomfortable by all the attention, the hobbit continued. "As a token of our gratitude, we would like to present you with the key to the Shire." At this, Frodo walked up beside the two, holding out a finely crafted wooden box, which he opened to reveal a stunning silver key with a red ribbon tied to the end. The younger hobbit grinned at his sword-brother as the mayor presented it to him, earning a look of shock from Flinn. "Now, it won't open anything in particular, but Milo Brandybuck said that if you ever bring it into the Green Dragon, it will earn you a free mug of ale on the house!" here he paused as everyone, even Flinn laughed at that. "But seriously, it does give you access to all the appreciation in our hearts for your brave deeds."

"I…I…" he stammered, his face now beet red with surprise. "I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything, lad," Will Whitefoot laughed, slapping him on the back. "Or, if you must, say that you and your brother will be back for many, many more visits. After all, you two are chiefly responsible for the Shire remaining a haven for hobbits, and not a den of ruffians and evil wizards."

"Here, here!" Torin yelled, putting his fingers to his lips and letting out a high pitched whistle. "To Flinn and Frerin!"

Again all the hobbits cheered in unison, making Flinn eager to be off the stage and away from all the attention. Once everyone had gone back to their merry-making, Frodo came up and threw his arm around Flinn's shoulders.

"You know, for a prince of Erebor, you sure don't like to give speaches," he laughed. "One day, you'll be king, so you might want to get used to such things now."

"I didn't do what I did for the attention or the accolades," Flinn told him, looking down at the key in amazement. "I did it for you, Frodo, pure and simple. It was your idea for me to come here and protect your home, while I had already made up my mind to follow you to Mordor, even if Elrond had forbade it."

"I know," Frodo said with a bit of a smile. "And that's one of the reasons I did ask you. I wouldn't have wished the things I saw and went through on my worst enemy, Flinn, and I certainly wouldn't have wanted my best friend to suffer them either. It was good that you came to the Shire, and it's good that I went where I did. We both had a duty to perform, and we did what we had to in order to protect others." He then grew serious, his brows furrowing as if he were about to say something profound. "Yet…there are times when we must do what is best for us alone. Now and then we're allowed to be a bit selfish, if it brings us the peace and contentment we need…right?"

"What do you mean by that?" Flinn asked, eyeing his friend in confusion. "You don't have a selfish bone in your body, Frodo."

"Well…maybe it's time I grew one," he chuckled, doing his best to lighten the now solemn mood. "Come on, let's go show that shiny key to my little niece - just don't let her get her hands on it or it will immediately go right in her mouth!"

And while his words did indeed bring a smile to Flinn's face, Frodo's cryptic message stuck with him long into the night.

Balin made sure to guzzle down as much hobbit ale as he could that night, knowing it would probably be a long while before he could make this trip again. Yet if this was where his brother and nephew could be found, he would be sure to find his way back eventually. Still, the white-bearded advisor chose to celebrate late into the evening, until he passed out in the soft green grass, snoring loudly.

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So it was, the following day, Flinn, Frerin, Dwalin, Balin, Bergie, and Talin prepared to leave the Shire. Many turned out to wish them a safe journey, telling them to visit again soon. Dwalin and Bergie exchanged knowing looks, thinking that for them, it would be sooner than most expected, and on a more permanent basis.

Over the winter it had been explained to Pippin, in great detail by his friends, that the younger princess of Erebor seemed to have developed a crush on him…much to the hobbits delight, and fear! While he had long thought Raina was the prettiest maiden he had ever beheld, he was also rather afraid of what courting the daughter of Thorin Oakenshield would entail. Yet, the more he thought about the chance of being with Raina, the braver Pippin became.

So, as the dwarves were making ready to leave, Peregrin Took approached Talin and handed her a little wrapped present, asking if she would deliver it to Raina for him. His face turned rather red over the request, but Talin only smiled knowingly, assuring him that she would see the princess received it. Paladin and Ellie exchanged knowing looks as they watched their son, quite anxious to know if all this might lead to grandchildren!

Bergie and Dwalin said their farewells to everyone, while Flinn and Frodo spoke their goodbyes as well.

"I'll be back," the dwarf assured his sword brother. "After all, I now have the key to the place, it would be a shame not to put it to use, right?"

"Right," Frodo laughed, though his humor did not reach his eyes. "Please take care of yourself, Flinn. Don't go doing anything too heroic, and get yourself injured again."

"Oh, I'll try not to, but with that confounded Durin blood in me, you never know what trouble I'll get into," he joked.

"And please tell everyone back in Erebor goodbye for me," he continued.

"You mean, tell them hello…right?" Flinn questioned, not quite understanding his friends line of thought.

"Sure, that's what I meant, tell them all hello for me," he nodded, not sounding at all convincing. "Flinn…I want you to know that you have always been a true and wonderful friend to me, and I will never forget you."

"I'll never forget you either," he assured him. "But how can I, when I already promised I'd be back to see you real soon?"

"Yes…yes you did," Frodo agreed, pulling him into a warm embrace. They held each other for a bit, and when they parted, Flinn reached down and took a package from his bag.

"I have something for you," Flinn said, handing the gift to Frodo. "I had quite a bit of time on my hands while waiting for you to get back from your grand adventure, so I made you this."

"What is it?" Frodo asked, pulling on the string and letting the cloth around it fall to the ground.

"Something to store your button collection in," Flinn explained, grinning from ear to ear when his friend's eyes grew wide with wonder. "See, the box is in the shape of a shirt, and there are little holes for each one."

"This is amazing! Thank you, Flinn! You're the best brother a hobbit could ever have," he said in a choked whisper, running his hand over the box.

"You'll always be my sword-brother, Frodo," Flinn assured him. "Always." He then gave him one final smile and turned to mount his pony, pulling it up to stand beside the others that were waiting on him, ready to leave.

"Goodbye for now!" Frerin called, waving to everyone.

"Save me a chair at the Green Dragon!" Dwalin laughed, causing Torin to roll his eyes and smile. "And Fundin, you keep working with that ax I gave you. We'll make a warrior out of you yet."

"Don't let little Daisy get too big before we see her again," Bergie insisted, blowing a kiss to Holly and the little baby."

"I'll do what I can, but no promises," Holly laughed, holding Daisy's pudgy little arm and waving her hand back and forth at her departing grandparents.

"Frodo…" Flinn called, looking at his friend one final time. "I'll see you in a few years."

"Have a safe trip, Flinn!" he said in reply, waving to them all as they headed out.

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Several hours and many miles had passed, the group nearly at the edge of the Shire, when Flinn brought his pony to a halt, nearly causing Talin to run into the back of him.

"Hey, what's the hold up?" she called out, pulling her pony to the left and going around him.

"Is something the matter?" Frerin asked, looking at his brother with concern.

"Frodo…" Flinn began looking very unsure of how to explain his muddled thoughts. "He…he didn't agree with me when I said we'd see each other again in a few years."

"He what?" Now it was Frerin's turn to be muddled. "I don't follow you."

"When I said 'see you in a few years' he didn't say it back…almost as if he didn't think we would," he once more tried to clarify.

"I think you're just reading more into it than there was," his naddith told him, leaning over and patting him on the back. "After all, where would he go? The Shire is his home, and the only other place he would think to travel would be to Erebor. Send him a letter when you get home, that'll make you feel better."

"I…I suppose you're right," Flinn sighed, nudging Sunny into motion once more. "I'm probably just being silly." And yet, even as they rode on, the dwarf prince could not shake the strange feeling that this might indeed have been the last time the two sword-brothers would ever see each other.

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The trip home was long, but thankfully rather uneventful. Sure, there were the occasional highwaymen, a scattered orc or two, but nothing like things had been before King Aragorn had come into power. Over the winter he had organized protection for the roads most traveled, the Rangers having returned to offer safety for honest travelers.

The small company still took the long way around, choosing to avoid the paths over the Misty Mountains in favor of the Gap of Rohan. They stopped in Edoras, with King Éomer happily offering them shelter and rest for a few days, before they pressed on. Next they turned north and skirting the edges of what had once been known as Mirkwood, until they came to the halls of Lord Thranduil. Again, they were shown hospitality, as they readied themselves for the final leg of their journey.

As Erebor grew ever closer, both Flinn and Frerin were excited…and yet fearful at the same time. They longed to be home, but the idea of facing their parents again had become a concern - not sure if they would be met with joy…or a scolding. Dwalin's description of how upset Fili and Sier had been to find they had chosen to journey to the Shire without even telling them first, had them a bit worried. Still, the sight of the Lonely Mountain filled the two dwarf princes with such joy, that they hardly cared what their greeting might entail, just as long as they could see their family again.

When they drew near the gates - which had easily withstood the Easterling attack - the horns rang out, announcing the return of the two princes as well as their war-chief and royal councilor. Thorin was there to greet them, as was Queen Marigold, Rose, Raina, and Náin. Dis, Flinn, and Lili were all smiles at the sight of the party, as were Kili and Tauriel, along with their children, who stood at their side. But Flinn and Frerin only had eyes for their parents and sister, the two of them leaping off their ponies and running into their father's outstretched arms.

"Flinn! Frerin! Welcome home, sons," Fili all but cried, slapping them on the back as he hugged each one in turn. "You both have been sorely missed."

"Don't you two ever do anything like that again! Do you hear me?" Sier scolded affectionately, tears of joy in her eyes as she welcomed her lads home at last. "I don't think my poor heart could take it."

"We won't, Ama," Flinn promised her, kissing her cheek. "We're home now, and have no immediate plans to go anywhere."

"And it's a good thing too!" Freya insisted, nudging her way in to wrap her arms around her brothers as well. "Since with you two gone, they've only had me to smother with their love, and I fear I might not survive you leaving again!"

"Oh, now you stop," Sier laughed, knowing her daughter was only teasing. "We weren't that bad."

"Still, I would rather not chance it," Freya chuckled, as the others came forward and welcomed the rest of the party home. Thorin was very pleased to have Dwalin back within the mountain, having missed his sword-brother and closest confidant a great deal over the winter.

When all the hugging, kissing, and crying had been done, everyone headed inside, where a grand feast awaited them in the banquet room. Loud cheers rang out as the two princes walked through the doors, all having heard how they had protected the Shire and their hobbit friends. Flinn and Frerin took it in stride, even if their ears did turn a bit pink from all the accolades. Sier, who had yet to leave her sons' sides, steered them to the high table, making sure they sat on either side of her, unwilling to let them out of her sight again.

"So tell us, Flinn…Frerin," Thorin began, once the food had been served and their goblets filled with ale and wine. "How does it feel to be heroes?"

"I hardly think we'd qualify as heroes," Flinn scoffed, drinking deeply. "We were just happy to be of assistance, and keep the Shire free of those who wished it harm."

"That, my lad, is the definition of a hero," Thorin insisted, a smile of pride coming to his weathered face. "You have done your family, and your race, proud. You are to be commended."

"Yet, from what I hear…not as much as our cousin, Gimli!" Flinn said, a wide grin spreading over his face as he spied the dwarf in question entering the room and heading towards their table. "GIMLI!" he shouted, rising from his chair and greeting the red-bearded dwarf with a strong embrace. "It's so good to see you again!"

"You don't know how much Flinn and I worried about you!" Frerin added, also coming around to greet him.

"Trust me, lads, I worried about myself a good deal of the time as well," Gimli laughed, slapping Flinn and Frerin on the back joyfully. "But all's well that ends well, or so they say."

It was then that Flinn noticed that Gimli was not alone, having been flanked by not only Prince Legolas, but a lovely, dark-haired dwarrowdam as well.

"Might this be the Lady Astra?" Flinn questioned, taking a step forward and bowing to her politely. He had only seen the lass once, and very briefly at that, but from the way Gimli had described her, Flinn guessed it could be no other.

"Aye, that be my name. But I fear you have me at a disadvantage, sir," she chuckled, looking over at Gimli for assistance.

"These two scamps are my cousins, Prince Flinn and Prince Frerin, just returned from protecting the Shire," Gimli explained.

"Oh, forgive me, your highnesses," Astra said with a somewhat stiff curtsy. "I've only been in Erebor for a short time, and I fear I've not had the chance to familiarize myself with all of my husband's relatives yet. It is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"HUSBAND?" Flinn just about choked on the word as he stared dumbfounded at his cousin. "Gimli…you got married?"

"And you didn't even wait for us to get home so we could be here for the wedding?" Frerin huffed.

"None of us got to see them get hitched!" Gloin spoke up from where he sat, apparently still a bit miffed over the fact. "He took off for parts unknown, and then came home already married! Didn't even give us a chance to throw him a proper wedding!"

"Or a bachelor party!" Bofur huffed, having missed that new tradition the most.

"I told you, Adad, that it was kind of a spur of the moment thing," Gimli insisted, sounding as if this was a rather sore subject for his father, and something he had apologized for multiple times already.

"Now Gloin," Dena broke in, coming over to stand next to Astra, linking arms with the warrior-lass and giving her an understanding smile. "What's done is done, and the important thing is that Gimli and Astra are together and happy. Besides, the fact that they had a quick wedding only means that I'll get my first grandbaby faster!"

"Here, here!" both Dis and Ilin agreed, eager to welcome Dena into their little grandmother's club.

Astra blushed at this, looking over at her husband as she gave him a little wink, letting him know she was not opposed to the idea.

"Besides, it was all Dain's fault, since he wouldn't let Astra leave the Iron Hills without the two of us being lawfully wed first!" Gimli stated.

"It is true," Legolas broke in, eager to come to his friend's defense. "King Dain claimed it was not proper for a single female to travel alone with two males, unless she was married to one of them. And since the dam in question seemed to favor Gimli over me - for some odd reason - I graciously suggested that he be the one to take on the role of her husband."

Everyone could see that the Mirkwood prince was teasing Gimli, and even Astra appeared to enjoy his jest. Yet Flinn was quite shocked to see the elf and dwarf being cordial to each other, recalling how the two had been at odds in Rivendell. Still it delighted the young dwarrow that his cousin had apparently put aside any hostility towards the elves.

"It is very good to see you again, Prince Legolas," Flinn told him, bowing at the waist in greeting. "Your father had said we might find you in residence when we stopped by on our way home. You will forgive me for hardly believing him, especially after the way you and Gimli had acted when you first met."

"Yes, I fear that we did not begin the quest on such good terms…yet I am happy to say that I have indeed found a true friend in your cousin, Gimli," Legolas told him with a pleasant smile. "My father told me of your mission as well, of how you chose to protect the Shire for your sword-brother, Frodo, and how war had touched the home of the hobbits as well."

"Indeed it did," Flinn said with a look of sorrow. "Yet, the Shire folk are a sturdy lot, and should never be underestimated. They defended their land and homes well."

"Not without a considerable amount of help from you three," Dwalin insisted, not one to shy away from singing the praises of his kin. "Flinn, Frerin and Tor led an army of trained hobbits against Saruman the wizard, and a band of ruffians, taking out the whole mess of them before they could take over the Shire."

"It was the least we could do," Frerin said, looking a bit embarrassed by Dwalin's words.

"We've visited the Shire so often growing up, it feels like our second home," Flinn added.

"And your mother and I are proud of you both," Fili said, stepping forward and placing his hands on his son's shoulders. "But the important thing is that you're home now, safe and sound, and completely unharmed." Yet when Flinn quickly averted his eyes and Frerin shuffled his feet uncomfortably, the blond prince's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You were unhurt…weren't you?" he probed.

"Flinn…Frerin?" Sier pressed, standing up and leveling them both with a near panicked look. "What are you hiding from us?"

"Well…it was just a little wound," Flinn almost whined, not wanting to worry his mother, or deal with the rant he knew was coming. "Hardly worth mentioning, really."

"Hardly worth mentioning?" Bergie gasped, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at the young prince. "You took a dagger to the shoulder, Flinn, which had originally been aimed at your heart! And you say it's hardly worth mentioning? Don't you dare try and pull the wool over your mother's eyes! She has a right to know!"

"Oh, Aunt Bergie," Flinn moaned, feeling like a dwarfling who had been caught in a lie. "I'm completely healed now, see?" He lifted his arm and swung it around, as if demonstrating the fact. "Frerin even said I'm good as new."

"I'll be the judge of that!" Sier insisted, a mixture of horror and anger on her face. "And before you retire for the night, we will all be making a trip to the healing halls so that Oin can inspect you both from head to toe, do you hear me?"

"Why me?" Frerin squawked. "I'm not the one who got wounded!"

"Because I'm your mother, and I say so!" Sier informed him, falling back on her tried and true response that never allowed for arguments. "And exactly who was it who dared to harm my son? I want names!"

"That would be Saruman, the former wizard," Frerin spoke up, now only too eager to give his mother any information she wanted, simply to avoid any more of her wrath. "But don't worry, Amad, he paid for his folly…with his life."

"I should hope so!" Sier huffed. "No one hurts my lads and gets away with it!"

"That's right!" nodded Dis, just as fired up over the news as Sier was.

"Can't we please change the subject?" Flinn begged, worried that his mother might next insist that he strip off his shirt and show her his wound…right there in front of everyone! "I, for one, would like to hear how Gimli and Astra got together. When he left on his journey, he'd barely spoken to her…and now, their married? How did that happen?"

"If we would all take a seat, I would be happy to recount the event for you, young Flinn," Legolas offered, never growing tired of telling the story…much to the chagrin of his dwarrow friend.

"Must you?" Gimli moaned, looking as if he wanted to run. "I never come out looking good when you do."

"I am only telling it as it happened," Legolas laughed.

"And he does tell it so wonderfully," Astra chuckled, leaning in and giving her husband a kiss on his bristly cheek.

"Fine," Gimli agreed with a long-suffering sigh. "But this is the last time…and then you are forbidden to ever speak of it again."

"Oh, I cannot, and will not, promise that!" Legolas told him, a sly smile touching his lips. By now, everyone had retaken their seats, with all eyes on the elf prince, eager to hear the story told again. For while many had heard it multiple times, it apparently never got old. "Now, if you are all comfortable, I will recount the events that led up to Gimli and the Lady Astra's wedding. It all began after our journey through the Glittering Caves and Fangorn Forest, with both of us amazed at what we had seen. Yet, for all the beauty we had just beheld, there was someone far lovelier that my friend desired greatly to gaze upon once more." Here he turned and nodded his head towards Astra, who blushed at such praise.

"Stop flirting with my wife, you pointy eared bugger, and just tell the story!" Gimli grumbled, eager to get this all over with.

"Very well," Legolas said with a roll of his eyes, garnishing a few laughs from those sitting around. "Here is how it all happened…."

Well, our boys are home! And mommy is not going to let them out of her sight for a good long time!

Leave it to Bergie to spill the beans about Flinn's ouchie...and did everyone see Frerin throw his brother under the pony cart in the face of an angry mother?

So Gimli is hitched...and Legolas is about to tell us all how it happened! Grab the popcorn, folks...this should prove entertaining! (I hope)

Guest Reviews:

Emrfangirl: (for 186) A big Awwwww chapter was it? Good! We need lots of those. And Fundin can't be scared of his grandparents, they are both big marshmallows! Thanks.

abc: (for 186) Time management is a real pill, right? Yep, everyone is back home in the Shire and now comes the 'filling them in' part. ha ha. Pippin is indeed a bit thick headed, but his heart's in the right place...in Raina's hands! ha ha.

abc: (for 187) Sam put Galadrial's gift to good use. But I had him plant the Mallorn tree on the hill, since the Party Tree is still standing in my version. I really enjoy the name Daisy, so it was nice that I got to recycle it on Tor and Holly's little girl. Thorin would have grown bored in the Shire without Dwalin there to spar with...and drink with. ha ha. Well, Rose and Nain are planning on going to the Blue Mountains...and Raina...well, I think moving to the Shire is even more appealing to her now. ha ha. As for Frodo...well, wait and see. The hints he keeps dropping ARE indeed significant. Thanks.

Feu d'Argent: (for 187) I liked all the adjectives you used! I didn't type the chapter on my tablet, just posted it from here - the chapter was already written, but I was out of town and away from my keyboard so answering reviews was a bit hard. Hmmm, not sure how much I will be able to fulfill your two wishes...you might just have to imagine some of that yourself. SOME of it anyway. Sorry. I agree...Lotho is an idiot. Thanks.