Hey! This is not abandoned, I just lost my muse for a bit. I have been working on this one and thought I would go ahead and post a chapter. This one moves things along. I got stuck on it and finally decided it was time to get to a point where I needed it to be to continue. You'll see when you read it. I hope to post more soon. I have learned that I do better waiting until I am finished or at least ten chapters ahead before I post. I hope you enjoy this!

Fili and Kili fidgeted as the stood outside the doors to their uncle's study. Their mother had been very happy to see them, but she wasted no time in saying she would speak with her brother immediately. They had listened outside while they heard the murmurings of their uncle telling the story of their journey. Balin and Dwalin flew from the room the moment their mother began yelling and throwing things. Apparently, Thorin was too far to get to the door, for Dwalin slung the door shut as he made his escape. Fili and Kili, not knowing what to do, stayed where they were. Besides, it didn't seem as though she was upset with them.

"Why were Balin and Dwalin running? I thought we weren't supposed to run in the halls, unless it is an emergency. Did something happen?" asked Tilda, taking the dwarrow by surprise. Bard stifled a laugh from behind his daughter.

"Well…" started Fili, only to be cut off by a crash and more yelling. This time, it was Bard who startled. The door opened and Thorin came rushing out.

"I'm not done with you, Thorin! Get back in here!" called a voice from within. It was deep, yet feminine.

Thinking quickly, Thorin decided to use what was at his disposal. As his sister came out of the room after him, he stood behind Tilda.

"Sister, allow me to introduce you to Bard, soon to be crowned King of Dale, and his youngest child, the Princess Tilda!" he almost shoved the child towards his sister, causing Bard to glare at the mountain king. He sent him an apologetic look, before turning back to his sister.

"Your beard is so pretty! They told me that lady dwarves had beards, but I had a hard time picturing it! You're absolutely perfect!" chimed Tilda

The dwarrowdam smiled sweetly at the child. "That is the best thing to say to a dam. You are a sweetheart!"

Thorin released the breath he was holding. It was not easy to redirect his sister, but she loved children. Loved to dote on them. He finished introducing his sister to Bard and Tilda. Upon learning that he had two older children, she insisted on meeting them. Before she departed, she turned to her brother.

"Do not think I am done with you, Brother. We will finish our discussion later. And my sons, we will speak as well." With that said, she sashayed off with a very amused Bard and excited Tilda.

"Well, that went better than we hoped," said Kili. His brother and uncle stared at him in disbelief. "What? We thought she would castrate you on sight for sure. Now, she will have burned through some of her anger and will likely to be more reasonable."

Thorin nodded in agreement. Fili looked thoughtful.

"Perhaps," said Fili, "but it might be a good idea to keep Tilda on hand."

His kin agreed. They left to see who else had arrived.

Gloin and Bombur were reacquainting themselves with their families, who had surprisingly joined Dis. The dwarrowdams had all exclaimed over the children present in the mountain, though Dis, in one day, had become possessive of Bard's children. He smiled and enjoyed seeing his children being showered with motherly affection. Thorin had gotten lucky in that his sister had apparently decided to leave the matter of his wrongs alone. For the moment. He knew she would approach him later on the subject, and would likely retaliate for putting her sons through unnecessary pain while he was caught up in the gold sickness, but at this point, he wasn't afraid of her being nearly as lethal.

Winter was soon upon them in full force. They had received the aid they needed and the peoples; Man, dwarf, and two elves, all settled into life in the mountain. The Men were kept away from the forges and mines. The damage from the dragon was extensive, and they would need dwarven engineering to make it safe. Some of Dain's men were trained as more than just warriors, coming from families who specialized in what they needed, but the bulk would have to wait until the people began returning. Still, they were able to start making the mines and forges workable.

The Men held up their end of the bargain well, taking care to see that they main halls and market places were cleaned up and ready for their new proprietors. Some of the men were even promised booths in their lifetime, in an area Thorin decided to open for foreign trade inside the mountain. Lord Elrond had included seeds for planting and Tauriel had informed them that the ground would be good for planting. The soil was once more rich in minerals. If they were careful, the peoples of Dale and Erebor could keep the ground in peak condition for centuries to come.

And so passed the winter. There were scrabbles and many tense moments, but on a whole, the relationship between the kingdoms appeared as though it would once more flourish. The royal families became close. There was a tension between Bard and Thorin that was understandable, and the dwarf king did an admirable job making amends. Dis took the new human king's daughters under her wings, especially Sigrid, teaching her what would become expected of her as she grew. In the absence of a queen, she would be the considered the Lady of Dale until her father remarried, she married, or her brother took a wife. Tilda had the privilege of simply learning the role of princess. Bain was under the tutelage of his father, Thorin, and Dwalin. Dis always made sure the boy was given extra treats for his misery.

Spring came, and with it building began in Dale. The outer walls were repaired and houses were made livable. The Market place was put together and the Kings palace restored by the hands of the Company themselves, as thanks for Bard's aid to them and for his forgiveness. This had been left as a surprise for him and his family. He had said he would not live in a fine house while his people were left to unstable structures. Therefore, the majority of the dwarrow worked on the city, and the thirteen worked on the Palace, Thorin included.

By the time the first caravans leading the dwarven families' home arrived in the summer, the Men of Dale and Esgaroth dwelled in their own cities.

Through much toil and strain, the cities thrived as the years passed by. Once more, with Thorin and Bard at the helms of their kingdoms, they became the bustling, wealthy realms they once were. Seventeen years passed. In Dale, Bard rule was fair and firm. He never made a decision until he had all available information, and once he did, he did not wavier. He ruled with his eldest daughter by his side, Bain and Tilda having left for Rivendell ten years before. Under the Mountain, Thorin was known for his determination and mercy. He was decided in all his actions, but he never failed to see when compassion was required. In Fili, he had the ideal heir. The people had full faith in their ruling family. Kili, while still light-hearted and fun-loving, was a forced to be reckoned with. He was the ambassador to Dale and Woodland Realm, and maintained an easy rapport between Men, Dwarves, and Elves. It helped that, while he never stayed long, Glorfindel visited regularly. Tauriel's presence in Dale was of assistance as well.

And now we come back to our characters. As what happens in life, change was on the wind.