Aragorn did not stay for long in Erebor. He needed to return to Gondor, but promised to return in October, when Milly's baby was due. Arwen would remain in Erebor until then. She and Tauriel became fast friends. They spent hours in each other's company, enjoying being with another elf in a mountain filled with dwarves.

They discussed in depth the decisions they had both made to marry mortals instead of their own un-dying kind. Neither elf regretted her decision, but felt it to be very unfair that one day, they would see the one they loved the most die.

It was after Aragorn had left before Fili was finally able to catch up to Hana. He had not heard her talk or laugh in a long time and he was determined to change that. She still avoided looking at him and he missed their talks and their kisses. Hana had given up most all of her healers duties to spend her time with Milly.

After Fili had a little chat and planning session with Tauriel, he went to Milly's for a visit. Milly's face had the slightest shade of pink to it today and she smiled when her father walked in. Milly gave him a wink, then she glanced at Tauriel. Apparently, his brother's wife had let Milly in on Fili's plans.

Hana was carrying in a tray of food when she saw Fili.

"Oh, your majesty, I didn't know you were here," Hana said.

Fili took the tray from her and placed the food in Milly's lap before he turned back around and grabbed Hana by the hand. "You've been avoiding me," he said.

"No, my lord, I haven't. You've been very busy and I've been busy, so we,"

Fili didn't let her finish. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. She struggled and pulled away. "My king," she gasped before whispering, "We aren't alone."

"I know," he kissed her again, "and if you don't call me by my name, I'm afraid things will get very unpleasant for you."

"Forgive me, Sire," Hana said, her face serious, but Fili saw the mischief in her eyes.

He poked her in the rib. She gasped and pulled away, but he held onto her waist in a tight grip.

"Your majesty," she said.

He poked her again, this time extracting a small squeal. Milly giggled.

"My lord."

Fili put his entire hand on her ribcage and squeezed. She squealed again and tried to get away, but her face was a huge smile.

"Most great and wondrous king," she gasped.

"Close, but not quite," Fili said, going in for the kill. He ticked her until she screamed with laughter. Milly and Tauriel were laughing.

Fili did not give up his assault on Hana's ribs until she finally cried out, "Ok, ok, Fili!"

He stopped his hand and pulled her close. They looked into each other's faces, still laughing. Her eyes were bright. He leaned forward and kissed her again. This time she kissed him back.

After several moments, Milly made a polite coughing sound. "This is very nice, but you're going to cause my baby trauma to see its grandfather and midwife kissing like that. Go for a walk, you two."

Fili grinned at his daughter. "See you later," he said and he pulled Hana along.

"I can't be leaving her," Hana said.

"Sure you can. That's why Tauriel is there," Fili told her. They walked down the hall in silence. "I've missed you," he finally said.

"I've missed you, too. Fili, I want to explain myself." She stopped walking and forced Fili to stop and look at her. "After Arwen said she might have been able to help more had she known sooner, I felt terrible. I was the one who encouraged us to wait until spring. If anything happens to Milly, it will be my fault."

"Hana, it's no one's fault. Not yours, not mine, not Milly's. No ones."

"It's just I feel so terrible," Hana sighed.

"We all feel terrible," Fili said. "Even with the very best healers and medicine from day one, there is still a good chance Milly will," Fili couldn't finish the sentence. He had come to terms with the idea of Milly dying in childbirth, the way his wife had, but he still had a hard time saying it out loud. He didn't need to, though. Hana understood.

"Where are we going?" Hana asked, realizing she was walking down a hall she had never been before and climbing a set of steep stairs.

Fili smiled. "To see some friends of mine." He stopped in front of a large door and pushed it open.

"Ravens!" Hana said as she stepped into the room that was open on one side to the outside. There were four birds in the open-aired room and the two raven keepers were there.

"Hello, everyone," Fili said. The largest of the ravens went to Fili and settled itself on Fili's arm. "Everyone, this is Hana. Hana, these are Aderyn and Deryn, the raven keepers of Erebor and four of our resident ravens, Vek, Muta, Krahn, and Alart."

"Do you name them or do they have their own names?" Hana asked.

"They have their own names, but it's difficult for us to speak them, so we use as close to their names as our tongues can manage," Fili explained.

Fili handed Hana a biscuit. She held it out to the raven on Fili's arm. The raven snatched it out of her hands, ate it and made a warbling noise in its throat. Fili laughed.

"What?" Hana asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Fili chuckled, "Vek here just called you nice lass."

"The other ravens understand what he said?" she asked.

"Of course. That's why they are all advancing towards you now. They saw the treat and heard him call you nice lass."

Hana looked slightly nervous as the three other ravens hopped on the ground towards her. Fili pulled out a linen bundle from a pocket and handed it to her. She opened it and found a dozen biscuits and nuts inside. She took one and held it out to the raven closest to her. It came to her, cocked its head and took the cracker. She smiled and held out another to the other ravens. They each came to her and accepted the treat.

Fili laughed again. "They all call you nice lass now."

Hana continued to pass out the treats Fili brought until they were all gone.

"Now that you've had you treats, what news?" Fili asked.

Hana listened to the bird's noises and watched Fili. He seemed to understand as he listened with interested. Hana knew the royals had the ability to speak to and understand the ravens, but she had never seen them do it before. She marveled at the king who loved her.

"What do they say?" Hana asked.

"Well, Vek is talking with pride about the two eggs in his roost. That small one wants to be held and petted."

"May I pet her?" Hana asked.

Fili held out his arm to the smallest of the ravens, Muta, if Hana remembered correctly, but it was hard to tell. They were all just black birds to her.

"Come on," Fili coaxed. "Nice lass wants to stroke your lovely feathers."

The raven hopped to Fili and onto his arm.

"Do they really understand you?"

"Yes, of course. Here, rub your hand just along her back," Fili showed Hana. She reached out and ran her hand down the raven's back.

"Oh, she's lovely," Hana said.

Fili laughed. "They love flattery," he said.

"Do they understand me when I speak?" she asked.

"I'm not entirely sure they understand those who are not Speakers, but whether they understand the words or not, they do understand your tone of voice and your actions. Muta here knows you just paid her a compliment."

Hana ran her hand over the back of the raven several more times before the bird flew off Fili's arm. She watched Fili for several more moments are he interacted with the birds and asked the two raven keepers as to everyone's health. Even though she had spent many months in Fili's company, she had never seen him much outside of his family's living quarters as she spent most of her time with Milly. But Fili was a very personal king. He knew his people, inquired after their families and their trades, spoke with sincerity and interest and listened with full attention when they spoke.

She knew of Fili's reputation, but seeing him now, Hana was able to confirm that the words spoken about kind King Fili.