Well so far things have been going well. The Kingdom has been reclaimed .Now the work start's. The council has arrived . What kind of difficulties will they make for Thorin and Philicia? Read on and find out.

Disclaimer I own none of The Hobbit character's I only own my O/C's

Chapter-48

The Return

Philicia woke the next morning in her own bed. She silently wondered how she got here. She distintivly remembered falling asleep in Thorin's lap last night. "Oh god, I hope he didn't carry me here . He will bust them stitches for sure. Stubborn dwarf ." She grumbled as a knock sounded on her door. Philicia wrapped her robe around her and went to see who was coming to call so early. Philicia opend the door "Oh. good morning Balin." She said softly."Please come in." Philicia stepped aside so he could enter. "My lass you have really made this room your own." Balin chuckled surveying her personal space. She had the whole room rearranged and her perfumes on the elegant vanity that had been provided for her. Near the window was a table that sat in the direct sunlight. Balin could not help but to notice her laptop computer charging in the morning light. He walked over to the balcony and pulling the drapes aside there were several plant's placed along the railing catching the warmpth of the sun. "Is everything alright, Thorin is he ok ?" Philicia grasped his hands frantically. "Aye lass ,Thorin is still sleeping. Did you enjoy the Victory Celebration last night?" He turned and grinned at her. "It was the best!" She laughed pretending to dance around the large chamber. "You know it got very quiet when Thorin led you to the dance floor people are asking who the beardless dwarf is that was dancing with the king so intimately." Philicia sighed. "They, they think I am a dwarf. Oh god what are they going to think when they find out I am not." She gasped loudly. "I would'nt worry about it for now my dear these things will take time but in the end all will be fine." Balin patted her on the shoulder suddenly remembering why he was there. "Oh my I almost forgot. After you are readied for the day you are expected in Thorin's study." Balin informed her. "I'll be there." She said.

An hour later felling refreshed after her bath Philicia after getting a bit lost finally made it to the king's study. She gave a quick knock and waited. Philica had donned her new lavender an lime green dress that Bofur had spent a better part of the past two nights making for her. She tied her hair up in the side with ribbon and spritced perfume on her dress and had made her way down to the ground level of the city.

"Ah, there you are lass" Balin greeted her warmly. "Good morning again." Philicia said stepping into the study. The first thing she noticed was Thorin . He was seated in the chair behind his desk ."Whats going on?"She asked upon spotting the young dwarrowdam standing quietly in the corner. "Lady Philica I would like to introduce you to Tillie." Balin said motioning for the young girl to come forward. "She is going to be your lady in waiting." Balin continued. "And what does that mean?" Philicia asked her eyes looking at the girl. She was pretty with a wisp of a beard on her face ,light brown hair done up in braid's and simple dwarvish style dress was what she was wearing. "Philicia." Thorin stood coming to stand next to her."She has been assigned to be a help to you. such as keeping your chamber in order helping you dress and what ever else you may require." Thorin assured her. "Will you accept her assistance My Lady?" Thorin gently took her hands in his. Please do this ,for me." Philicia turned to the girl ."I would be most appreciative of your assistance." Philicia spoke to the girl with all the grace of a queen. 'Thank you Lady Philicia." I shall be ready to start first thing in the morning." "That would be wonderful and thank you." Philicia embraced the young girl saying she would see her tomorrow. "Where does she come from?" Philicia asked Thorin as they walked to the morning hall to see what Bombur had cooked up for breakfast. "She was residing in Erid Mithrin with her family. Her father is a minor and her mother is a very skilled jewelry maker. They came with the caravans a few day's ago." Philica told Thorin that she was happy that he had hired the young girl and hopefully they would be at least be friends. 'I am sure you both will get along fine together." After breakfast Philicia went to help Bombur with a receipe she wanted to show him when there was a comotion in the main thoroughfare. "What the heck?" She said as she ran out of the kitchen meeting Thorin and Dwalin in the main area "There is a large caravan appproaching my king." Dwalin said as Balin ran up behind them. "Thorin,it is the council members." Balin suddenly turned to Philicia. "My dear time to steel yourself for they will not receive you well." Philicia s face lost all color as she looked up at Thorin. "They are here." Thorin squeezed Philicia's hand as the council members approached. "I would rather face a pack of warg's then them pompus assses." Thorin growled rolling his eyes at the finely dressed elder dwarves. "Welcome." Thorin said greeting his council. Suddenly the face of Lord Hathnor turned in a scoul as his eye's fell on the human woman standing next to Balin. "My king what is a human female doing within our sacred mountain?" The dwarven Lord spoke in Kazadul. Thorin turned an pulled her forward. "May I present Miss Philicia Anderson of Woodland Hills." Philicia gave them a polite nod before being led away by Balin.

An hour later all the company was assembeled at the gates of Erebor. "Songs will be sung, tales will be told and The Battle of the Five armies will pass into legend. Balin said to Bilbo as he prepared to depart. 'Balin." Philicia spoke. "You know in the story from my world something much different was said here." She looked at the old dwarf and a sadness came over her face. " Instead of The Battle of the Five Armies it was and Thorin Oakenshield will pass into legend."Tears were streaming down her face as she embraced Bilbo. Thorin and the rest of the company gave hug's and gift's to The little Hobbit that had single handedly faced down a dragon and Azog the Defiler saving their king's life. "If you pass by that troll hord inside the cave is a chest we buried. It is marked with an old boot. A don't leave it behind." Bofur said to Bilbo as he let his tears run freely. "I will most definatly do that." Bilbo said his eyes taking a good long look at the dwarves he now considered as friend's. "Master Baggins." Came Thorin's booming voice."If ever you are this way again an esteemed guest will you be received as in my kingdom." Thorin gave the Hobbit another embrace and then Gandalf called for him. "If any of you are ever in The Shire and Bag End, tea is at four and don't bother knocking just come on in."With that Bilbo climbed on the pony and followed Lord Elrond and Gandalf . "Bilbo." Philicia hollered and he looked back. "Don't worry about the Sacks-ville Baggins you will be just fine."They stayed at their post till the small group was no more than a speck on the horizon.

Philicia buried her face in Thorin's chest weeping softly as his arm's encircled her. "I know my heart .We all are going to miss his presence." Thorin slowly stroked her hair. "Do you ever think we will see him again?" Philicia asked looking up into Thorin's face. "I am certain of it." And high above the gates a lone figure of a dwarf was observing the closeness between the king and the young human girl. "Come, we have much work to do." Thorin said to the company. Reaching for Philicia's hand they went in together.

By that afternoon The council had been organized and Thorin had appointed Balin and Gloin to replace the two members that had retired . He had also bestowed the title of Lord onto Gloin and Balin stating it was well earned due to Gloin's financing of the whole exbidition and Balin being by his side his whole life. Dwalin was appointed as Captain of the Royal Guard and Bombur the Head cook for the whole kingdom. The rest of the company had also received titles and reconition for answering " Loyalty,honor and a willing heart that is what they lived up to and the reward's are well earned." Thorin spoke as everyone was enjoying the dinner in the great hall. "And as for you, My Lady." Thorin turned to Philicia. 'I can at this point offer nothing save for my love and loyalty. The rest will come when you are ready." Philicia twisted the diamond ring on her finger Thorin had given her on her birthday at Beorn's all those month's ago. Lord Elrond's word's echoed in her head. 'And all I ask is an invite to the wedding when it is time. "Lord Elrond had said as he rode away. We will see it is done." Thorin answered. " And tell Arwen I miss her." Philicia had hollered as he rode away. "What now?" She asked as they left the main hall."Now we rebuild. ":We did a lot of clearing away of rubble while you were recovering and most of the broken step's have also been replaced." Balin stated. 'Aye and also we have managed to get the plumbing pipes cleared out so running water can be pumped in for the homes that I might add are already taken. "Dwalin continued. "Speaking of homes." Thorin turned to his company. 'All of you are to be given apartment's in the wing just below the royal suite's. Kili and Fili and Philicia being the exception Gloin and Bombur also since they have chosen to remain in the family section." There were hoot's and cheers as they all went to choose their room's. "What do you want me to do? Where can I help?" Philicia said following the king. "You can help by making sure everyone here has what they need such as enough blankets food and I would be most grateful,with your medical knowledge if you could help with the children." Thorin said to her. "How many kid's would you guess are here now?" She asked as they started the up the stair's."I would have to say at least fifty or so." Thorin answered. Philicia stopped and turned her eye's to scan the whole kingdom once they reached the top. "Thorin?" She began. 'Come here a sec will you? Thorin turned and joined her at the railing. "What is it?" He asked reaching and bringing her hand to his lip's. "Take a look and tell me what you see, or what you don't see." Thorin's eyes traveled over Erebor noticing all the work that was in progress. With the caravans coming almost daily they were also bring craftsman, masonary workers minors crafter's and people for the forges. Ironsmiths and animals in abundance. " I see all the work I had ordered being done." "Anything else?" She asked. "Philicia my heart what in Mahals name are you trying to tell me?" Thorin breathed. "The railings Thorin, the railings .We can't have the children running around. All it takes is one child to get away from it;s parent's an well." Thorin looked back at all the bridges that crisscrossed the whole city. "Oh indeed. I will have railing'sa made and replaced immediatly. The need for safety is great. See my heart already you have the making's of a fine queen. Come I wish to spend a litle time with you before we retire for the night." Philicia didn't any more get in her room when Thorin's lip's came crashing down over hers. He kissed her as if he was dying of thirst. "I have missed this." He softly moaned into her mouth as he let their toungs twist together again. "I love you, Mahal help me but I do." Thorin picked her up and tossed her on the bed. "Now my heart I want to spend a quiet evening with you watching a movie." So for the next few hour's they laid on her bed and for propriety's sake with the door open watched Braveheart.