Chapter 19 - The Return

Philicia woke just before sunrise, She turned on her side ,Thorin was still sound asleep peacefully lyin on his stomach his arm tucked under his cheek. How contented he seemed here . She had watched him in sleep so many times in the past three months she had lost count. His rest was always fitful and unsteady. He would wake suddenly look around then try and close his beautiful eyes but she knew Thorin never slept too deep. And when they had started the journey he would make sure everyone else was content before he would take his rest. Philicia knew even then he did not sleep good whatever haunted his dreams she did not know . She only hoped maybe one day he would tell her. Philicia rolled over so her back was to him and as soon as she moved Thorin turned and pulled her up next to his warmpth . Brushing her hair aside he nuzzled that sensitive spot behind her neck. "And a good morning to you also", Philicia said rolling back over so to look into his hypmotising eye's."Why is it everytime I wake with you all the past trials and hardships I have had to endure seem to fade away." Thoin softly and slowly wispered to her. He gently rubbed the front of his fingers across her cheek then into her red gold hair and finally setteling his hand behind her neck pulling her lips to his, kissing her tenderly. " I had never thought to love I had always prepared to live my life alone with Fili as my heir." "And now?" She asked. "Now there is you and I love you more than I ever thought possible. You hold my very heart within your hands and I only hope you keep it in the highest regard." "Oh Thorin." She said a tears slid down her cheeks. "Before I met you I had to be content with just dreaming what it would be, how it would feel to hold you ,kiss you sleep beside you . All those things were crazy to even imagine ,you were just a person from a movie you were not real, then I woke up that morning and you were just standing there with your back against a stone wall trying to understand who I was." She curled herself up against his front as his hands splayed across her back rubbing smalll circles up and down. The Dwarf King and Philicia were caught up in the moment till Thorins stomach made it's hunger known. " Maybe we should get breakfast." She said sitting up reaching for the room service menu. Philicia handed the menu to Thorin and let him choose first. "What are you going to have?" She asked leaning up against Thorin's shoulder. "I do not know may perhaps something Dis would make for me when we were living in The Blue Mountains." Thorin caught Philicias curious look then she asked". Tell me about what it was like Thorin? Was it different than Erebor?" Thorins face saddend at the thought as his memory took him back, back to the hard times. "It was the year 2770 the day the dragon came everything changed . We had nothing except the clothes on our backs so we went to Dunland cause there was work there. Dwalin and I took work where we could find it. It was not easy we were homeless , We stayed in Dunland for many years Dwalin and I traveled following the work, finally reaching Erid Luin in 2802." "Is that when you were a Blacksmith?" She asked stroking Thorin's face tenderly. "Yes,It was a craft I had learned during my youth years and I was proficient at it so I did what I could to put food in the mouths of my people. My grandfather was lost the madness never left him and my father had to do what he could to hold everyone together. We stayed there till my grandfather deceided to reclaim Moria in the year 2799 . We fought at the east gate it was during that battle that my grandfather was murdered by Azog." Philicia felt a shutter run through Thorins whole body as he recalled the battle. Thorin got up and went to stand his face void of all emotion as he looked out the window and the city beyond. "Thorin", Philicia softly called . She went to him and wrapped her arms around his middle "I'm so sorry what you have had to go through, you are so strong and yet so ..." "Broken ,"he finished. "Tell me more please?" Philicia entreated as she kept her hold on Thorin as the shutters continued. "My father set out in 2841 to reclaim Erebor but he went missing and was never found .We waited for 9 years and nothing so I became king of Durin's folk in 2850 and I ruled there till now." "What was it like living there?"She gently nuged. "At first times were very hard, we faced everything imaginable starvation, sickness many of my people suffered in the worst way's anyone could endure, many died ,the elderly ,the children and babies." Thorins voice broke as he continued to talk. "I never realized it was that bad. I have never wanted for anything ,Oh Thorin." Philicia put her hand on his shoulder and when she turned him around his eye's were full of tears. "Never again will I allow my peple to suffer like that." Philicia searched his tear filled eyes before brushing them away with her thumb's. " Now you know why the quest is important to me,why I must suceed and Erebor must be reclaimed." " For Durin's folk and for a permanant home for your people". "Yes." he answered, then burying his face in Philicia's hair let the heartache come forth.

After breakfast Thorin took a hot shower and Philicia planned their day out. There were still things she wanted to do before they had to be back at the arrival place in Serriana Park. "Philicia", Thorin called from the bath " I , there are no clean towels." "In the cabinet there should be a few in there". "Did you find them?" She asked. Without thinking Philicia opend the door and froze. Thorin was out of the shower dripping wet naked. For just a split second her eye's caught a glimpse and then she turned them away " Oh god I am so sorry,I just didn't think I'll let you a , finish." With that she closed the door clearly mortified. But oh heavens did he have a body on him. Philicia had only seen his top half nude even with what occured in Rivendell it was dark so she couldn't see much .It was more of feel thing. Philicia knew he was big but oh my Gawd he was incredible. Her mind wondered if or when they were together for the first time would it even be possible. "A I'm really sorry I didn't mean..." Mmmmmhm" Thorin silenced her as his lip's claimed hers in a passionate kiss." Did you like what you saw my heart", Thorin brushed his lips over her's once again. "I ...Your beautiful Thorin, all of you." What we dwarves lack in height we exell in width." "I noticed", she blushed a little. "Thorin Is it even oh" she sighed "I don't even know what I am saying", "You are concerend that when I claim you my ", The dwarf king cleared his throat." Proportions will be a problem." "Yes."She wispered too embarresed to look Thorin in the face. He stood in front of her his finger on her chin tipped her chin up to met his eye's."Philicia, when we make love you will be ready I swear it . I will not cause you any unnecessary pain ,that I promise you." She suddenly shot up wrapping her arms around Thorins thick neck and began kissing him fevershly. " I love you, I love you ."She breathed into his ear causing shivers to run down his body. Philicia kissed the side of his neck Thorin let out a growl and pulled her head back taking her lip's and pushing her mouth open proceeded to suck and bite at her lips tangeling his tongue in her's slowly backing her up till her legs hit the mattress he let her fall gently. Propped up on his elbow , Philicias head cradled in his arm ,Thorin leaned in and ghosted his lips across her's " Amralime, I love you." Thorin brushed her hair out of her face and then began placing soft kisses on her lips, her eye's then down to her collarbone and finally back to her lip's. "Philicia I need this, I need you. " He slowly said holding her closer." I'm here for you " she said . "Thorin I know you want this and it's hard for you to fight it but soon ok" " You are right we are so close I do not want anything any ill contempt said about you when ..." "When what Thorin".? She suddenly got scare of what he would say. " When we get to Erebor" She knew Thorin was holding something back but what she didn't know. "Come on we have lot's to do today and it's best we get out of here before something happens we might both not be ready for". Philicia agreed with Thorin .

"So where to ?"He asked as Philicia turned on the Santa Monica Freeway headed for L.A. "Thorin I want to go and see my grandma before I leave I have to say goodbye". "As you should. " So after a while they parked and went in the hospital where her mom used to be a nurse. Phlicia talked with a friend there who reassured her that she would have all the things she had asked for. I.V. bags needled antibodics, pain killers. gloves and scrubs. "Thanks and just bring them to my hotel room whe you get off and if you can put them in a box" Philicia hugged the young nurse then they went to her grandma's room. They walked out half a hour later a teary eye's Philicia leaning on Thorin"s shoulder trying not to break down. Next they went to see her grandpa at the nursing home . "Hello grandpa," Philicia said reaching down to embrace the old man. Grandpa I am going away, do you understand?" The old man nodded his head yes as Philicia softly spoke to him."Grandpa I want you to meet someone very important to me" Philicia motioned for Thorin to come up next to her. "Grandpa this is Thorin Oakenshield and he is going to take me to a place where I am going to have a life no one here could ever believe. Grandpa, do you remember me talking about The Hobbit movies"? The old man nodded his head yes". Grandpa something happpend and I was somehow thrown into their world and Thorin found me he took care of me and now Im am going to go with him and live in Erebor." The old man's eyes got big and then he looked at Thorin and spoke for the first time in month's. "How- can-this-be-real."He wispered. "I assure it is real Master Anderson .Your granddaughter will be protected and provided for, she will never want for anything this I swear to you on Durins very blood." Thorin took the old man's hand and squeezed it gently. After they left Philicia felt better she had said her goodbye's and only one more thing to do " Let's get some lunch I'm a little hungry." "Indeed for I passed that point a while ago." "We can eat here " So they drove into the parking lot of Si Senior's . "Be careful what you get the chile can be hot , not fire hot but spicy hot." So Thorin tried a sample of the Red Enchiladas and deceided it was not for him and settled for the Taco plate instead while Philicia ordered the Combination plate . "This is very good. " He said after swallowing the mouthful he had."Do you know how to make these?" Thorin asked taking another bite. "Yes I do and I can make some mean chile too. I am going to get some chile seeds to take back with me maybe one day I can make a batch of chile for everyone. I would love to see if Fili and Kili would like Enchiladas." She laughed then and Thorin smiled at her.

They spent the rst of the afternoon just driving around Los Angeles. Bhilicia took Thorin to Beverly Hills and they went shopping in Armini's. Thorin ended up getting a black leather trenchcoat and Philicia a really nice dress . They were driving on the Pacific Coast Highway and Thorin asked "Is that the?" Yes Thorin,that is the ocean, do you want to see it?" "As close as we were to the sea in Erid Luin I have never beheld it's beauty." Philicia turned off the highway and suddenly the water lay before them. There wasn't a lot of people there being December save for a few surfers but they deceided to stay anyway. " This is Malibu beach a very famous place I used to come here a lot during the summer." " It is ..words fail me Philicia." Thorin said entranced by the water. So hand in hand they waded in the cool water as the tide slowly washed over their bare feet. They walked back the way they came and sat down in the still warm sand. "Philicia It is so peaceful here I can sleep not having to be concerned about outwitting trolls or running from orcs I could stay here. "That would be a disaster Thorin ,we have to go back. " I know it's just." "I know but you are their king you would not be one could never live in my world it would be to danderous for both of us." So Philicia explained to him what would happen if he stayed and he deceided that she was correct they had to go back together. After leaving the beach Philicia had one last stop before leaving all she had ever known behind. "Want a crash course in driving?" She asked him pulling off the side of the road and onto a side road. "Are you joking?" he gasped his intenseblue eyes stareing at her.
Actually I am serious,really." So they switched places and Philicia showed him how the gas and brake pedals worked." And if I push with my foot like this it will stop." Yes". So while Philicia helped him steer Thorin removed his foot from the brake and put the car in drive. Very slowly he pushed on the gas and the car accelerated forward. "Now see this gage." She pointed to the speedomoniter. "This will show how fast you are going." She said pointing to the needle. So for the next half hour Thorin had the only driving lession he would ever have in a car that is."Ok good now push a little bit harder." She instructed him. Now you take the wheel but be careful don't turn it too fast ." "I am doing this! He said extatically. after a while philicia took over again but nt before snapping a photo of the Dwarven King behind the wheel. Turning back on the freeway they headed east. Philicia drove by a big house in Woodland Hills and told Thorin that was Ms. Abigals home for orphand girls. He frowned and they moved on leaving all the bad memorieds behind. Philicia then turned on Winnetka Av. till she got to Winnetka circle. She drove down the winding road and parked in front of the last house on the right. "This was my house Thorin." she breathed her eye's suddenly watering The sun was starting to set in the western sky as the house was bathed in light . "The window on the far left was my room and my parents room was in back." Philicia's old house was a two story home with shrubes growing all alomg the front. There was a covered entry in the middle that spread out into the walk way and flower garden. The house was painted grey with blue trim. "I am really going to miss this the most." She told Thorin. "I am sorry that you have had to endure so much at such a young age." " We both have had to go through a lot and now we can lean on eachother." Thorin reached for Philicias hand clasping it in his as they drove away. Thorin stole a glance at Philicia and her cheeks were streaked with tears. " Things will get better azynugal", he reassured her. " I know it's just it's hard to say goodbye to everything I have ever known" "I understand for I had to do the same when we were forced into exile". "I know", she said turning up the street headed for the graveyard. They passed several buildings with lighted windows a couple of fast food places and a strip mall before parking on the curb. "You don't have to come with me if you don't want to, I can do this alone." Philicia all the sudden seemed very sad. "Where are we?"Thorin asked taking in all the tombstones. "I need to say goodbye to my parent's." She softly answered him. "Are they buried here?" Thorin gestured to the cemetary. "Yes, Thorin?"Philicia held his eyes for a second before getting out of the car. He lingered for a minute then was right behind her. "Philicia ." Thorin called catching up to her ."I can not let you do this alone I will be beside you through this." Thorin followed Philicia down a path that led them through several gravemarkers . She suddenly stopped and went down knelling in the grass. Her hand reached out and with trembling fingers she flattend her palm against the marble knelt behind her his hand on her shoulder. "I am here my heart." He said applying gentle pressure. Thorin leaned to the side and read the gravestone. In big letters placed in the center of the marker was the name Anderson. On the left was a birthdate of Oct. 11th. 1974 and the name Alexander Donald. On the right was another birthdate of April 3rd. 1976 and the name Joanna Marie . The last thing that caught his eye was the words, date of death July 15th 2014 , together for all eternity. "Oh Mom ,Dad wish you could be here to meet him you would love Thorin as much as I do. I am going to Middle Earth now, look in on me from time to time . I love you and miss you both so very much." Philicia broke then great sobs coming from deep within ,she buried her hands in her face . All the sudden there were warm strong arms closing around her . Thorin spoke soft words in Kazadul trying to comfort her. "It is alright I've got you ." Thorin picked her up in his arms drawing her close to his chest. The last thing she did was lay the white roses on their grave. Thorin carried her back to the car . Grabbing Philicias keys he pushed the button unlocking the doors. He slid in the passangers seat still holding the weeping girl in his lap. "Shhh, I am sure that they heard you and they will be watching over you always." Thorin pushed her hair out of her face and slowly dried her tears. " I didn't think it was going to be so har-hard." She said sobbing into his shoulder. "It wil get easier with the passage of time , I know that for it was the same for me when my family was taken from me." Thorin cradled her in his arms till her tears slowed. The drive back to the hotel was quiet as Philicia seemed deep in thought. Upon arrival back to their room there was a rectangular shaped box on the bed. "Philicia I hope you know what you are doing . Love ya, Lorraine."It's from one of my moms friends she worked at the hospital with her." Philicia said noticing Thorins cautious look. "And what does this box contain?" He asked looking back at Philicia. " Medical supplies for when the time comes. " She answered cutting the box open to check that everything she asked for was there. " What is this ?" Thorin asked holding up a clear container with water in it. "This stuff is going to save your butts when the day comes Thorin." She answered him. "This is a I. it has life sustaining fluid." "And what are the needles for?" He asked turning the package over in his hand. "Don't open them they must stay sterile." She took the needled back and placed them in the box. Philicia continued to tell him how the I.V. bags worked .She also showed him the Perckect and Vicodan she had managed to get. "I will have everything ready after the Battle for Erebor. " Thorin asked no more as the knowledge of what lie ahead struck him full force. "I will not let you Fili or Kili die I swear to God I won't!" She pulled Thorin next to her meeting his lip's half way as he caught her bottom lip sucking it gently before plunging his tongue into her mouth . They broke for air both panting hard as their foreheads touched. Thorin curled up on the bed with Philicia next to him .She watched the last movie she would ever see again and slowly sleep took her. "Philicia come we must go it is almost time." Thorin shook her gently till she was awake. So they loaded everything up and she started the car . "Are you certin you wish to do this, for their is no coming back". Thorin placed his finger under her chin tipping her head up to meet his eye's. "I know, there is nothing for me here anymore. There is only you and the future." Thorin kissed her again love and happiness raidating off the face of the Dwarf King. So with a very heavy heart Philicia headed to Serriana Park then home. Philicia parked her car as close as possible to the spot they appeared in and helped Thorin with the supplies. Everything had been combined together in one bag for the return. The time was nearly upon them as Philicia shook and cried. She cried for all that would be lost all she was giving up for the love of Thorin Oakenshield. "It is time Philicia." Thorin told her . He held on to her tightly with one hand and their other hands were holding the bag they would need. Philicia said the spell Lady Galaderial had taught her and then suddenly they were being pulled through an endless void. When they next opend their eye's There stood Gandalf, Lord Elrond and Lady Galaderial. Rivendell "Welcome home You two" Gandalf said.