Summary: Is Borin home to meet his father? And who could have killed Avna?

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is fiction

Safe Home?

Erebor was bustling. Today was the day that Bilbo, Kili and Bofur would return. The servants were making sure that their rooms were clean, the cooks made sure there was enough food and the Royal family were trying to calm Fili down.

"Should I tell him? I have to tell him. He'd tell me."

Dis rested a hand on her son's shoulder. For two days, Fili had been debating whether or no to tell Kili about Avna.

"It is your decision my child. Remember, none of it was your fault. You did not ask her to sleep with you, nor did you murder her."

They still didn't know who had murdered her. Dwalin and Nori were investigating, but so far, they had come up blank. Dis had her suspicious, but until they found something set in concrete, she would keep it to herself.

"You're right mother. Kili will need to know. If anything is found during the investigation, there is a chance it may tie back to me. I have to tell him."

"A wise decision child. One worthy of a King."

Bilbo smiled, glad to home. As the cart moved through the city, people were throwing flowers to the hobbit, knowing his love of the corner of his eye, he saw Bofur gather up a handful and sniff them. Bofur loved the smell of flowers, violets in particular. A section of Bilbo's garden was devoted to violets. It wasn't unusual to see Bilbo sit with Borin there, or Frerin pick a few to bring back to his husband.

"I see Fili!"

Bilbo and Bofur grabbed the back of Kili's shirt, not wanting him to fall off the cart.

"Wait two minutes laddie and we'll be there. Bilbo and I are excited but we're not jumping of moving carts."

Bofur pulled Kili back onto the seat of the cart, muttering under his breath about children and their love addled brains. Bilbo pulled the cart to a stop in front of the royal family. Thorin offered him a hand to climb down and the hobbit happily accepted it, ignoring the glare Bazani sent him. He was pulled into Thorin's arms and wrapped his arms around the King's waist.

"I have missed you beloved."

"I've missed you too Thorin. So much."

Thorin pulled away from his lover and smiled down at him.

"Did you receive the blessing?"

"Yes Thorin. The Thain gave me his blessing."

Thorin laughed, delighted, and pulled Bilbo into a kiss.

"Now nothing stands in our way."

"Well, there is one thing."

Bilbo could feel Bazani's eyes stabbing into the back of his head. If looks could kill, there would be a dead Hobbit in Erebor.

"Papa!"

Bofur turned in Frerin's arms to where his son's voice came from.

"Borin! My darling, I have missed you."

The young dwarf leapt into his papa's arms, delighted to be home to see his papa."

"I've missed you too papa. I have so many stories to tell you."

Frerin laughed nervously, pulling his son into his arms.

"Come now Borin, let papa get some rest before you start telling him any stories."

Kili leapt into Fili's arms, delighted to see his lover again.

"Fili, oh Fili, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too. Kili, I love you."

Kili giggled, never tired of hearing those words.

"I love you too Fili."

"But Kili, this evening. There's something very important I have to tell you."

Kili nodded, surprised at the serious look on his fiance's face.

"Of course. You know you can tell me anything."

"Murdered!?"

"Yes Bilbo. Close to Fili's rooms. It seems she was going to see him."

"Valar, who would want to kill such a harmless young woman?"

Bilbo remembered Avna. She was a friendly young thing, a very hard worker. No one had a bad word to say about her. And to think that she had been murdered. Bilbo shivered, suddenly afraid. Thorin wrapped his arms around Bilbo's wait, resting a hand on Bilbo's stomach.

"We have our suspicions. But, nothing has been proven yet."

Bilbo hmmed. No one would want to hurt Avna, not unless she got involved with something she shouldn't have. Bilbo had his suspicions too. And they all centered on one person.

Bazani.

A/N Done. R&R please. Next chapter, tensions rise as the tournament draws closer and Nori finds a clue