Chapter VI: The Funeral

By the time the funeral for Thrain Oakenshield came around, Bilbo and Legolas were knee deep in the case. After talking with Dain, they found out that Azog was never dismissed as a suspect. He disappeared after Thrain's case went cold. Bilbo and Legolas found the freezer and storage unit used to store Thrain. Azog has used his mother's maiden name to rent it over the last five years, but they couldn't figure out why he would stop after these years. "Perhaps he was hired as a hitman by a competing family," Legolas said. "You said that Erebor Enterprises was the biggest company owned by a crime boss or former crime boss in Thorin's case."

"Yeah, I did. Thorin made comments a few years ago about Smaug wanting to buy the company from his grandfather before his father took over," Bilbo said.

"Maybe he thought killing Thrain would leave an opening for him to take over," Legolas said.

"Instead Thorin takes over," Bilbo said.

"Your ex boyfriend could be a target for Smaug," Legolas said causing Bilbo to sigh. He stood up and pulled on his jacket. "Where are you going?"

"We are going to Thrain Oakenshield's funeral."

"I thought it was in Shire."

"The wake is in Shire, the funeral service is at Westminster Abbey. The least we could do is offer some added protection."

"Dwalin's not going to be happy," Legolas said pulling on his coat.

"Tough shit," Bilbo said and they headed out.

Arriving at Westminster Abbey, Bilbo and Legolas ventured in. "Wow, popular guy," Legolas said.

"Let's find a seat," Bilbo said. Just as he said that, Kili came down the aisle and gestured to Bilbo.

"Mum figured you'd stop by. She saved seats," he said before leading the two inspectors to the front of the church. Dis gave them a smile when she saw them and Thorin smiled at Bilbo. Bilbo let Legolas go in first and they sat down. They sat there waiting for the service to start.

"Okay, that is just not hard to miss."

"What?" Bilbo asked.

"He hasn't stopped looking at you since he saw you come into the church."

"I know."

"And you keep looking at him," Legolas said. "I knew it. You still love him."

"Okay, yes, I do. You figured it out," Bilbo said. The bishop came out of the back and proceeded to start the service.

"So, have you run into him since you relocated?" Legolas asked.

"Yes and he's already called too."

"That was quick," his partner quipped.

"We're having dinner Saturday night," Bilbo said.

"Tomorrow is Saturday," Legolas said.

"Yep." Legolas softly chuckled as they stood for a portion of song.

An hour later, Bilbo and Legolas were following the Oakenshield family as they carried Thrain's coffin to the hearse. Once the coffin was in the hearse, Bilbo scanned the passing vehicles. Bilbo eyed a black Audi as it passed heading right and it turned left. He put his attention back to Dis who pulled Legolas into a hug after he gave her his condolences. Bilbo turned his head back to the road and saw the same black Audi come back onto the street. He saw the back window roll down as it drew near the church and the surviving members of the Oakenshield family. As soon as he saw the automatic weapon point out of the window, he leaped into action. "GUN!" he shouted. Legolas grabbed Dis and pushed her down while Dwalin hauled Fili and Kili down. Bullets hit cars as people screamed while they got out of the way. Bilbo launched himself at Thorin and tackled him to the ground as bullets whizzed past him.

Once the car was by and the bullets stopped, Bilbo and Legolas were up off the ground, drawing their guns. Getting into the street, they proceeded to fire back at the Audi. They shot out the back window before the car careened right, nearly taking out another car. "You get the plate?" Bilbo asked.

"Yeah," Legolas said. Thank God for his partner's amazing eyesight and eidetic memory. Bilbo headed back to the hearse which was littered with bullet holes.

"Everyone okay? Nobody's been hit?" he asked.

"We're fine," Thorin said helping his sister to her feet.

"Who would do such a thing?" Dis asked.

"I called it in," Legolas said. "Everyone okay?" he asked.

"They're fine," Bilbo said.

Ten minutes later, police and crime scene investigators were combing the scene for evidence. Bilbo and Legolas had given their statements and were sitting the curb. Dis had gone into a panic attack and was taken to the hospital. After Thorin, Fili and Kili gave their statements, they hurried after the ambulance to the hospital. Dwalin was given the task of getting Thrain's body to Shire for the burial at the cemetery ceremony. They would all wait until Dis was released from the hospital. "I think you hit someone in the car," Legolas said.

"I wouldn't have been able to do that if you hadn't shot out the back window."

"So, what next?"

"I'm going to go to Shire for the cemetery burial and the wake," Bilbo said. "You?"

"Uh, my father wants to reconnect with me this weekend. We're going stalking up in Scotland at his estate."

"Have fun," Bilbo said. Legolas chuckled as they stood up.

"You too," his taller partner said.

"At a burial and wake?"

"I meant Saturday night, Bilbo," Legolas said. "Rekindle the magic."

"Were you dropped on your head as a child?"

"A few times," Legolas replied before they went their separate ways.

When Bilbo arrived at Bag End, Dis had been released from the hospital. She along with her three boys; Thorin, Fili and Kili, were getting out of the car at Ered Luin. After feeding Myrtle, Bilbo grabbed the tin of blueberry scones he had made for the wake. A servant took the tin before Kili and Fili could grab it. "So, that is your Hobbit?" Dis asked him.

"Yes, that is my Hobbit," Thorin said.

"He's quite handsome," Dis said. "You've chosen wisely, brother. Now all you have to do is win him back." She patted him on the back before going to greet Bilbo.

The cemetery ceremony was sweet and short. The priest gave the 'Ashes to Ashes' speech before everyone put a rose on Thrain's coffin. Once that was over and Thrain was in the ground, everyone went to Ered Luin for the wake. Thorin found Gandalf in the crowd and made his way over. "Thorin, it was a beautiful ceremony," the former wizard said.

"I'll be sure to tell Dis."

"I see that she got her Middle Earth memories back," Gandalf said.

"Yes, she has. She also approves of my Hobbit," Thorin said causing Gandalf to chuckle. "When will I get my Hobbit back?"

"As I understand it, you have a date tomorrow night," Gandalf said.

"That I do, but when will our Hobbit regain his Middle Earth memories?" he asked. Gandalf sighed as he glanced over to where Bilbo was talking with Ori. "Gandalf? Will he get his memories back?"

"He will," Gandalf said.

"When?"

"Oh, save me from the stubbornness of dwarves."

"Gandalf," Thorin snapped.

"He will regain his Middle Earth memories after he solves your father's murder." Thorin sighed wondering if Bilbo would solve his father's murder.

End of Chapter VI