"Last night in Katûb," Fili curled up behind Hana.

"It's hard to believe we've been in the Shire almost a year and a half." Hana pushed her body back so it was closer to Fili's. "It's been a good year."

"Aye, it has."

It wasn't long after they fell asleep that Thorin woke up for the first time that night. They had moved the children back into the other bedroom now that the weather was warmer.

Hana groaned. "You'd think he'd be sleeping through the nights now like other babies his age, but no." She climbed out of bed to feed Thorin. Fili went back to sleep, waking when Hana got back into bed and scooted up next to Fili.

It didn't take long before Thorin was crying again. Fili kissed his wife's temple. "I'll take care of him. You sleep."

He got out of bed and pulled his robe around his body. Thorin lay in his cot, his blankets askew and his legs kicking. Small tears trickled down his face. Fili straightened the blankets and tried to wrap the fussy baby, but Thorin would not cooperate. So, Fili just scooped him up, blankets and all, and went to the sitting room.

"What is it, little gem?" Fili whispered. "You just ate." Fili changed his wet rags and then found a clean milk bladder in the kitchen. He popped the nipple off and pushed it into Thorin's mouth. This quieted the child for a few moments before he spit it out and continued to cry. One of Thorin's legs kicked out over and over. Fili sat down in his chair and began to rub at Thorin's leg. Almost immediately, Thorin's cried quieted down. For several minutes Fili continued to massage at Thorin's leg. He heard a quiet noise and looked up to see Mailis standing in the doorway, holding her favorite dolly and blanket.

"Sweetheart," Fili called quietly to her. He waved her to him and Mailis toddled to his side. She climbed into his lap and Fili shifted Thorin so Mailis could sit with them. "Did you have a bad dream?" he asked.

Mailis nodded and laid her head into his chest. Fili rubbed her back soothingly with one hand while continuing to massage Thorin's leg with the other hand.

"Mama?" Mailis asked.

"No. Mama's sleeping. Let's let her rest." Fili hummed the old Misty Mountain song in his deep voice. Mailis snuggled close to him and relaxed. She was soon sleeping once again. Thorin relaxed enough that Fili was able to give him the milk bladder nipple. Soon, Thorin was asleep, too. With some difficulty, Fili pulled Mailis's blanket up around her and Thorin's blanket around him. Then he rested his head on the back of his chair, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

When he next woke, the early dawn light was just starting to come through the windows. He heard his wife quietly laughing.

"My poor Fili, have you been there all night?" Hana asked.

Fili tried to nod his head, but found he had a terrible crick in his neck. Hana came to him and kissed his forehead. "Are you alright for a bit longer? I'll fix breakfast and then take Thorin from you."

"Will you rub my neck later?" he asked.

"Of course." Hana went to the kitchen and Fili could hear the sounds of pots and pans and soon he could smell the cooking food. His mind wandered over all they needed to do today. It would be noon or so before they would be out the door. They had to finish packing and loading their things into their wagon. They would take the keys to the house and the forge back to the Mayor and then they could go.

They had said their good-byes to their friends the day before. In order to use up the rest of the food they could not take with them, they had hosted their own farewell party. In the year they had lived in the Shire, Hana had made many friends. Their good-byes were emotional. Fili didn't think he had made many friends, but when it came time to say good bye, he realized he had more than he thought. Tom Boffins and Sam Gamgee had been the two hobbits he had grown closest too. And of course, the person he had the hardest time saying good-bye to was little Primrose. He hoped one day, he would be able to see her again.

Fili wanted to leave as soon as possible today. He really didn't want to say good-bye again to anyone.

Today, the journey would be short. They would travel to Buckland to stay with Merry and Estella. Their baby had been born just a few weeks ago and Hana was eager to see them before leaving for Erebor.

Fili guessed he fell asleep again because the next thing he knew, Hana was lifting Thorin from his arms.

"He had a leg ache," Fili mumbled.

Hana kissed her son's head. "Poor thing. He's growing."

Fili tried to sit up, waking Mailis in the process. "Oh my neck," Fili chuckled. Hana laid Thorin on a thick fur on the floor and placed Mailis next to Thorin. Mailis made funny faces at the baby, eliciting laughs from him.

"Hey, Torin," Mailis said. She made another funny face. Thorin laughed at his sister.

Hana rubbed at Fili's neck, easily finding the aching spot in the muscles.

"Thank you," he said after a while.

They ate their breakfast and Hana dressed the children. Fili packed the rest of the belongings they were taking. He looked around the house. They had lived here for nine months and it had been a good home for their little family. He had closed up the forge a week ago. Many hobbits had expressed to Fili how much they would miss having his fine workmanship in the forge.

They took the keys to the Mayor and thanked him for allowing them to stay in the Shire. Once that was done, they were on their way. Hana wept a few tears and Fili was surprised by the sad emotions he felt about their leaving. He always knew he would return to Erebor, but as he pulled away from Hobbiton, he knew he would most likely never come back here. Now he understood what it must have been like for Bilbo to run out of his door and leave The Shire behind.

Sam met them on the road and traveled with Fili and his family to Buckland. Merry and Estella greeted them and welcomed them into their home. Hana and Estella exchanged babies and Hana complimented the Brandybuck's on their beautiful daughter. Pippin, Diamond and Faramir came for supper and the night was filled with food, laughter, stories, and small children.

Fili would miss them all, but seeing his brother again drove him to say quick farewells. It would be a many long months on the road and it would be difficult with a seven month old and a one and a half year old, but Erebor was calling Fili home.