Hello everyone! This chapter is a bit fast paced but I thought it was better off this way; no need to drag out things. Please check out killthepain62's fanfiction Welcome Home as well! Things are about to take a turn that I think many of you will like.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit, I do however own my characters and the events not canon to the original series.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Like The Flow Of Time; We Pass On

Lian's eyes fluttered open and she felt something brushing against a hand lying on top of her own, lightly brushing their thumb across her flesh; it felt nice. She let out a content hum vibrate through her chest as she let her lids slip back close; she hadn't felt this well rested in what felt like forever. Sleep was thick throughout her body and her muscles felt completely relaxed and she just sank as much as she could into the sleeping mat; which wasn't far.

"Lian." Her name was spoken in a soothing rumble, sending delightful goosebumps across her skin as she slowly re-opened her eyelids to answer the call of her name.

She didn't know where she was but it was fairly dim with only a candle to light the small room; it had to be the smallest room she's seen in the entire kingdom; which wasn't actually that small. Turning she looked into the normally pale pools; now looking to be a deep silver color and there was a pair of stark black brows furrowed right above them. Thorin looked dead tired and a bit frustrated as well; she didn't know whatever for though.

The dwarf had carried on with his duties for the day until night feel, he had dismissed the elf watching over her in case she woke; he was annoyed by the idea of the elf watching him. Several times through the night she made noises, causing the dwarf to think she had awakened but that was not the case to his great distress. Her fever had broken about an hour ago and he was anxious for her to open her eyes; sadly his owns were growing heavier and heavier as the minutes ticked by.

"Why must ya always look so intimidating?" She meant for it to come out in a playful tone but her voice was dry and cracked a little; she sounded like she had swallowed a swab of cobwebs. The said dwarf had a smile playing along his lips none the less though, loosening the tight furrow of his brow as the corners of his eyes crinkled; he looked as if he hadn't even been brooding at all before she woke.

"Here." He offered her a swig of a flask and she reluctantly sat up so she could drink; the cool liquid flowed over her dried lips and into her parched throat. She let out a sigh as she gave back the now nearly empty flask and let out a rather abrupt burp that afterwards made her laugh lightly; she didn't know whether to be embarrassed or amused.

Lian turned to face the dwarf but she didn't get the chance to even do that before she's suddenly taken into a sweet lip-lock; muffling her sound of surprise as Thorin's lips began to move against her own tenderly. She became mush under his lips and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck as his own snaked around her waist; her senses were on a complete overload. The dwarf leaned forward and she let out a muffled laugh as they fell back onto her sleeping mat; their kiss didn't break until they had to come up for air.

She let out a rather breathless giggle, a ridiculous grin wide on her face with large sparkling eyes to go with it; this must be what they mean by 'being kissed silly', after it all it had made her giggle. Lian couldn't remember giggling since she was a little girl, maybe chuckling but not giggling; it was just so…feminine.

"That was certainly something." She breathed before Thorin dove in to feather kisses across her cheeks and down to the base of her neck; her wounds felt a bit sore but they didn't hurt nearly as much as they did before, just a bit stiff.

"I'm glad you're finally awake." He murmured against the flesh where her jaw meets her ear, sending a shiver throughout her from the deep vibrations.

"How long was I asleep?" Lian asked, leaning back to look up at the Thorin as covered her body with his own and she brushed a few loose strands of hair from his face.

"Since noon yesterday, it's a few hours till sunrise right now." Thorin hummed, leaning his head against her shoulder as he inhaled her scent deeply; an elf had given her a sponge bath while she slept and she smelt of soap. She ran her fingers through his jet black locks and watched the candle reflect off the few wispy grey streaks as the dwarf buried his face into the crook of her neck.

"Great, I missed the entire day; at least my fever is gone, right?" She sighed.

Thorin hummed in acknowledgement and she felt his breathing begin to even out as he lie on top of her; she didn't mind the weight and she continued to gently stroke his hair and massage circles into his scalp. He let out a heavy sigh and before she realized it he was asleep with his head rested on her shoulder; his body slide off to only cover half of her as his arm still remained tucked around her waist.

She breathed out a sigh of satisfaction as she too drifted off into her own peaceful slumber with the dwarf firmly pressed against her person. Everything felt complete.

Lian sat in the Dining Hall with Rowan sitting on her knee; she was blowing sloppy raspberries at her, which the infant copied with her own slobbery ones. The company of dwarves had joined her kin at one of the grand tables that spanned a great deal of the Dining Hall; chattering away animatedly. Thorin couldn't join them because he was talking with Thranduil and Bard about their past 'differences'; Gandalf and Bilbo were there though and the Hobbit was cringing at the large amount of bubbling saliva dripping of Rowan and I's chins.

Thanks to the elves most of the injured were healed in over half the time it would have taken them before; Burv was even well enough to sit and eat with them. He was a bit paler than normal still but he looked far better than when she'd first seen him; he literally looked like death warmed over. He was still depressed over his brother but he managed to make a few playful jabs at Luke and Gordon; he still wasn't too comfortable with the dwarves.

Lian saw Thorin walking with Thranduil from across the Dining Hall, she stood up to wave over the several heads of others in an attempt grab his attention; it worked and he looked over to see her waving like a buffoon. She had Rowan hitched on her hip and she took her small chubby hand, making her wave at the King Under the Mountain while the infant was still blowing raspberries. Thorin pursed his lips as a smile teased the corners of his mouth and she smiled broadly at him before she and Rowan began to blow sloppy raspberries at him together; he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

Thranduil heard the dwarf's low chuckle and turned to follow his gaze towards the woman and child; he instantly scowled, his perfect lips curling in disgust. She laughed before she finally sat down to once more join everyone in their morning meal; their food supplies were doing surprisingly well and the storm had calmed an hour or so after dawn. Everyone was relieved and they were going to all head out and gather their fellow soldiers corpses since the storm had broken sooner than they expected; the act will be a grim one no doubt.

Many whispers were floating around about the Arkenstone; no one had heard anything about it and many of the dwarves worried that it was destroyed in the battle. Lian was surprised that Throin wasn't as worried about it as the others but she hadn't had the chance to ask him why that was.

"Are you really leaving tomorrow?" Kili suddenly asked her with a sullen expression; catching the attention of the other dwarves and her heart gave an involuntary squeeze in her chest. She would miss them all dearly and she hoped to come back to visit them as soon as possible; but for now she had to return to responsibilities back home.

"Aye, but I'll try to visit ya'll as soon as I can; it would be a shame if we didn't stay in touch." She promised; the dwarves still seemed a bit unsettled by her departure though and this touched her to know they cared so much. Even Dwalin looked a bit stumped by the news; it was nice to see that they had grown as fond of her as she had them.

"You better, lass; it won't be the same without you now." Bofur said; a rumble of agreement following from the dwarves and she chuckled at their sullen expressions.

"Don't worry, lads; we couldn't hold the Princess down if we wanted to." Gordon laughed, slapping a sturdy hand onto her shoulder; his hand nearly covered her entire shoulder blade.

"Even if you can't meet as soon as you'd like; you can all still write each other." Nellia explained; wearing her normal uncaring expression while Luke stole quick glances at her from across the table. She was right though; they had a messenger hawk back home they used for communications with Ered Luin and their family there.

"I'll write you every day!" Kili announced, puffing his chest out to make him look more serious.

"Yeah right, you can hardly remember to change your socks; much less write a letter every single day for who knows how long." Nori snorted obnoxiously and Kili sent an annoyed look his way; he obviously didn't appreciate the remark.

"I bet I'll write her more than you ever will!" The young prince challenged and of course that was when the bets started to roll out; dwarves, always seemed to have change to spare for a good bet. They were betting on who'd be most likely to write the most and least; so far Dwalin was the least and Kili the most.

"It's time to be going; we don't know if the storm will pick back up soon or not." Stevvin intervened, always one to try and get things done and over with.

"Ori, can you take Rowan to Segrid." Lian asked the meek dwarf who happily took the bubbling infant with a sweet smile; he adored the child like most of the dwarfs and they were always trying to play with her. Making silly faces for the child to giggle at or Bofur would slip her one of the few wooden toys he made for her; they would no doubt spoil her rotten if she stuck around too long.

Dain bellowed over the bustling crowd, his loud voice easily resounding throughout the Dining Hall as the dwarves from the Iron Hills killed out of the Dining Hall and into the Entry Hall. The company of dwarves followed behind and her own people joined them; the Elves and Lakemen didn't join them on the account that they had left much earlier and had already gathered all their fallen kin. Bilbo didn't even ask to come along since he couldn't stomach killing an orc; much less seeing that many corpses of friend and foe.

"Stay in groups; if you find any survivors take them back to the mountain and make sure they're tended to. If you should come across an enemy then kill them immediately; we will not be taking prisoners." Thorin spoke once all were standing in the Entry Hall, the proud dwarf standing with Dain on the grand staircase landing; his voice ringing clear and strong throughout the great halls. Dain mirrored his words in Khudzul; a roar of replies echoing off the halls loudly and Lian winced as her eardrums vibrated under the rumbling sound. They filed out into the crisp winter air with their boots crunching against the freshly fallen bed of snow; reaching mid-calf on the burly Men of Forochel while the dwarves had it up to their knees.

A fog had settled on the slopes and you couldn't see any farther than a yard or two in front of you; it was going to be a long search with all this snow covering the battlefield. Luckily the elves and Lakemen had already trudged a path through the snow and cleared away snow to reach their own kin. They began immediately, yells of anguish sounding almost immediately as dwarves found their fallen kin under the snow; friends and family slain in the heat of war.

A dwarf had been the one to find Trelkin; hauling his lean figure out of the snow and pile of dead orcs that had been laid across him. Gordon had fallen to his knees before the smaller man; broad shoulders hunched over as he took the corpse into his arms and sobbed; Burv was thankfully still recovering back in the mountain so he could not see his brothers corpse. Lian's own eyes moistened with tears along with several of her kin; a loss no matter how small was still a life that would never be truly completed.

It took them the rest of the day to gather their kin; the Men of Forochel helping the dwarves carry in the large amounts of corpses and soon enough the entire Entry Hall was lined with bodies covered in thin material. The elves and lakemen had been permitted permission to house their people in the Thone Room since their losses were larger in count.

Everyone was exhausted both emotionally and physically and tomorrow would be just as tiring when they gathered all the corpses of orcs to be burned. They searched the entire battlefield and even Ravenhill and found no survivors; whatever the war had left alive had been swallowed by the icy torments of snow.

The halls were quite under the red glow of torchlight; those who did not sleep did not speak and those who slept dreamt no sweet dreams. Lian was one of them as she stared into the bright flames of the torch hanging above; the flames licking greedily at the oil and wick while making faint swishing noises. Snow had begun to fall at dusk but it was far lighter and less harsher than before as it began to cover their tracks; it wouldn't deter their work too much tomorrow.

She could hear Nellia's quite breathing as she slept and wondered how the woman still managed to stay calm throughout all of this; Lian had already lashed out a few times under the emotional pressure. Actually she couldn't remember the woman getting angry since they were little girls; maybe she was just used to keep it inside. Her mother was a prude after all and didn't tolerate public displays of such things; Nellia must have felt much pressure growing up, more than Lian at least. Lian never gave into the idea of being a lady so eventually her chamber maids and teachers gave up; but Nellia did, meaning that she was constantly picked apart while trying to maintain the vison of 'perfection'.

Lian always found it rather odd that the woman ended up becoming a soldier despite this; the prime and proper bookworm came out of her house to sweat and fight with the men. Quite the gossip in their small kingdom and Lian could tell that her mother was beyond embarrassed; tried to blame her for influencing her daughter even though they barely even looked at each other. She was sure Nellia had done it to spite her mother but even after that she stayed so she must have become fond of the lifestyle.

She let out a soft sigh as her mind began to wonder aimlessly; she only wished to sleep but at the same time she didn't want to. Tomorrow they were to leave the mountain and she'd be back to her old life of obnoxious bar fights and scolding chamber maids; she missed it slightly but not enough to want to go back just yet. Adventure had spoiled her to new and exciting things; made her crave more than what her home had to offer while here she could meet new people and explore a new world of opportunities.

She felt bad for thinking so little of her home and people but she had been with them her whole life until but nine months ago; her hunger for more was endless. Though when she thought of Thorin with her back home suddenly the thought wasn't so bad; he seemed to sate a large portion of her craving. Even now she was learning bits and pieces about the dwarf and she ate it up and stored it away for safe keepings.

Eventually her troubled mind could keep her awake no longer though and her eyes drooped close as she felt herself slip into dreamless slumber once more.

Lian woke before anyone else; more awake then ever and she quietly got dressed before she left the Dining Hall to enter the Entry Hall; still dark for the sun had yet to rise. She stretched on the staircase landing with a loud groan before letting out a sigh; she felt good and a bit energetic despite the depressing events yesterday and the ones to come today. The snow had stopped and left a layer of snow over everything once more and she noticed that the sky was clear from any clouds.

She was glad that she'd be able to see the sun peak out for the first time in two days and it looked like it would last and melt away some of the snow before nightfall. Lian suddenly got the idea of waking Thorin up to see the sun; he was in a poor mood at the end of yesterday and she thought that maybe he'd enjoy seeing the sun again as much as her. She was a bit worried that he'd get mad though for waking him up just to see the sun; the thought went back and forth in her head until she finally decided.

It wasn't going to hurt him and if she was going to be gone before noon then she was going to at least get on his nerves one last time; for old times' sake. She quietly walked back into the Dining Hall and tip-toed around until she finally found the dwarf sleeping beside the snoring Dain and ever so intimidating Dwalin. Even in his sleep he was threatening but somehow he wasn't nearly as bad as Gandalf who nearly made her scream when she saw him looking straight at her; it was odd though because he was snoring. The wizard kept amazing her with his crazy tricks as well as disturbing her with some; she's just surprised she hadn't noticed his sleeping habit before.

She quietly kneeled down by Thorin and was about to shake his shoulder but before she could even touch him he spoke.

"You'd make a terrible assassin; you breathe and walk like a moose."

Lian pursed her lips as the dwarf sat up to face her; his hair a bit mussed from sleep but his eyes were as alert as ever. She couldn't tell if he looked annoyed or amused in the dim light so she just huffed at his comment.

"What is it you need?" He asked; his deep voice rumbling quietly in the silent hall and she was afraid that others would wake despite their lowered voices.

"Come with me." She whispered.

He raised a thick brow but decidedly to play along for the soul reason that he knew she'd bug him till he came along; even if it meant waking up everyone in the process. He slipped his boots on and followed her out of the Dining Hall through one of the servant's hall until they reached the grand staircase in the Entry Hall. The hall had grown brighter as the sun began to color the sky with its rays though it had yet to peak over the forest trees upon the hills.

They watched as the sun rose over the trees; spilling magnificent rays of light across the glittering snow and warming their flesh as they watched. Their breath was visible as they watched; the cold nip in the air not so bad with the warm rays of sun against their flesh as it pierced and evaporated the morning mist. Lian felt a smile spread over her face, causing the corners of her eyes to crinkle as she watched the sun; she wanted to savor it as long as she could before she returned home.

Thorin turned his head to watch as the woman stood there with a dazzling smile on her face; the sun setting her skin aglow as it brought out the auburn streaks in her hair. He lifted his hand and ran his hand through the soft tresses; now shorter than when he'd first met her as it hung around her shoulders. The woman was surprised by the dwarfs touch and turned to face him; causing her hair to slip from his fingers.

"Thorin?" She questioned.

"You leave today." He stated rather dryly, he didn't want the woman to leave but he knew that it was not his place to decide. She had to return home and care for her people; she'd been away far too long. Their quest was over and they would all return back home or rebuild the one they reclaimed; everything must end eventually.

She averted her green orbs away from Thorin's intense blue ones, not wanting to show how much her departure bothered her. The last thing she needed to do was whine about how she wanted to stay; she had her own kingdom to worry about.

"Aye, I hope ya'll write me…if ya want to that is." She murmured, not wanting to directly ask him to write her; she didn't want to sound clingy. She peered up at him and saw him staring intently at her; his expression almost pained and she lifted a bare hand to brush her chilled fingers across his flushed cheeks. His eyes closed at her touch, leaning into it subconsciously as she began to bring her face slightly closer.

Lian brushed her lips lightly against his cheekbone; her heart pounding a mile a minute at her boldness but she wanted something to hold onto of the dwarf's. He was still and she took that as a sign to keep going; she stopped her fingers so she could run her palm up his jawline and into his dark locks. She felt her cheeks warm as she pressed slow tender kisses from his cheek bone to the very corner of his mouth where she hesitated; she was still a bit embarrassed by outright kissing him but she pushed back as she drew forth all the courage she could muster.

Her lips finally pressed against the dwarfs in a slow molding motion of flesh; her breath escaping her as his own lips responded back just as tenderly. His coarse hands wrapped around her waist; pressing their bodies closer as they shared kisses under the warm sunlight. Lian felt overwhelmingly happy as she kissed the dwarf but her feeling soon became bittersweet as she realized this could be the last kiss they shared maybe ever.

Her tears soon began to mingle with their lips but Thorin did not ask her what was wrong for he could tell by the look in her eyes when he pulled away slightly; words were not needed. He stroked her flushed cheeks with the rough pad of his thumb, rubbing the droplets away as he brought her in for another kiss; this one passionate.

"I will never forget you." Thorin whispered, stroking her cheek lovingly as he cradled her head against his broad chest with her arms firmly wrapped around his waist. "Never doubt what is shared between our hearts."

"Ya speak as if we'll never see each other again." Lian breathed, voice cracking. Thorin pulled lifted her chin then to look into her teary eyes; looking so innocent compared to the horror they've seen.

"I speak with hope that by the time we meet again, you'll still have me." He explained with a deep rumble of his chest; her eyes softened in response and she let a small smile slip onto her face before she replied.

"As long as ya'll have an obnoxious woman such as myself."

A dazzling smile spread across the dwarfs face, taking her breath away in the process; she always loved how his smile lit up his face and made him seem like a completely different person. He leaned in once again for a kiss, mirth twinkling in those pale pools as he spoke; a chuckle attempting to break from within his chest.

"I find that very easy to do."

Lian and her kin had gathered all they could without taking too much from the Lakemen and dwarves; they needed it more after all. The elves were also on their way back to their forest and surprisingly had offered to give them enough supplies to last the journey home; she had a feeling that was due to her Fathers sweet talking though. Trelkin's corpse was to be carried in a rather shabby carriage with a thin cloth protecting him from leering gazes. It would have been nice if they eagles would have taken them home but they had left early in the morning after the storm had settled with Radagast and Beorn.

Tauriel was also journeying back with them though there was tension between her and the other elves; Lian had a feeling it was to do with her and Kili's current relationship. Everyone could see the way they looked at one another; their displayed their affection more openly than Lian and Thorin's. Kili looked like a love struck buffoon which was rather amusing to see though there were several dwarves who sent disapproving looks his way.

Bright sun shine streamed through the Entry Hall, reflecting off the snow in a dazzling manner; everyone was there to see them off. Thorin, Gandalf, Dain and Bard all stood in front of them with their respected kin a foot or two back. Lian was insistent on giving them all a massive hug much to their embarrassment; all except Thorin who she saved for last.

They looked at each other and Lian felt her throat close up while her chin attempted to tremble; she didn't want to leave him, she didn't want to just be connected through ink and parchment with mere words to sate her loneliness. Thorin could see the confliction in her eyes and stepped forward to look into her glistening orbs; lifting a hand to run a callused thumb along her cheekbone.

"I'll write you." He murmured and she nodded, not trusting herself to speak as a metallic taste flavored her tongue; she hated goodbyes almost more than anything. Thorin's normally piercing blue eyes softened and he pressed their foreheads together; taking a deep breath of her scent before pulling away. Thorin was never one for public displays of affection; she was surprised he's even gone as far as he had which gave her a warm feeling inside.

They both reluctantly stepped away and Lian felt like her cheeks were on fire from all the looks pointed her way, especially from her kin; she must have looked like an alien to them. They'd never been able to imagine her being that close with any male before just then; it was rather ironic.

Lvaire stepped forward and spoke with Thorin then; speaking of future visits and in this time Gandalf un-expectantly came up to her and gave Lian a small bundle. She had to hitch Rowan on her hip now to except the bundle since she reclaimed the infant after parting from Thorin; it was heavier than she expected but not to the point where she couldn't hold it with one hand.

"Lian, I am entrusting you with this so that you may hide it where no one can find it, for it cannot be destroyed with the power of man nor elf and dwarves cannot be trusted with it." Gandalf murmured, his voice soft but stern; he was indeed trusting her with a great task that only she could do. She went to unravel the thin cloth from around the object but Gandalf stopped her with a firm hand and leaned down to face her directly.

"Do not look at it around others, only when you are absolutely alone and only then. When you see what it is then you will know why I have asked for you to take it with you back to Forochel. Do not tell anyone of it even after you've hidden it."

Lian nodded slowly before safely tucking the object into her pouch where it weighed a bit heavy on her belt; Gandalf looked pleased with this and leaned back. She didn't have too much time to dwell over what had just occurred before she was bombarded in a bone crushing hug; the person was careful not to harm Rowan in the process though.

"Don't worry, Lian. I'll write you as much as possible!" Kili said before Fili shoved him away to gently give embrace her in contrast to his brothers own.

"Don't listen to him, Lian. I'm sure you'll be back in the time it takes for him to pick up a quill." The older brother laughed, mirth twinkling in his blue eyes as he showed off his pearly whites; he was surely going to catch the attention of a fair maiden soon enough.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Kili yelled, pushing his brother away from Lian.

"Uh, you're slow; obviously." Fili retorted, resulting in the two rolling on the ground in a blur of kicks and slaps; Dwalin and Golin were quick to pull them apart though.

"Here you go, thought I'd make you something before you left." Bofur murmured, a bit of a blush on his cheeks as he held out a wooden ring; it was rather plain looking aside from the small gem encrusted in the band. Lian was touched by Bofur's gift and gave him a dazzling smile in return; she wasn't a fan of jewelry but she would treasure this piece greatly.

"Thank ya."

"Well it's nothing really." Bofur cleared his throat before backing away to allow the other dwarves their goodbyes; it didn't feel complete without Bifur though.

"Visit us soon, lass. We all will miss you terribly." Balin's worn hands were firmly clasped around hers and she felt a soft smile tug at her lips at the old dwarf. She gave his hand a squeeze before leaning in to plant a small peck on his worn and weathered cheek before pulling away.

"Thank ya for being so terribly kind to me; I hope that I may be able to repay the favor to ya one day."

The old dwarf flashed a toothy grin at her before they parted for her to face the always brooding Dwalin who looked a bit miffed by her appearance in front of him. Lian felt her own grin flash across her face as she faced the half bald dwarf; he was just as stubborn as Stevvin only half the size.

"If ya don't at least give me a handshake then I'll have to plant a juicy one on yer cheek." Dwalin bristled at this and slowly held out a hand which she shook sternly with amusement dancing in her green eyes.

"Get out of here already!" Dwalin growled, yanking his hand away from her upon the widening of her ridiculous grin; she was acting like such a pest!

Lian laughed before she stepped back with her kin; looking around for the hobbit but he was nowhere to be seen. She felt a frown replace the smile on her face at the absence of Bilbo; surely he couldn't have forgotten. Her thoughts were cut off though when a rather large bag was dropped in front of them, actually large was an understatement; it was huge! It looked like two Stevvin's could fit inside that bag and it probably weighed as much as him too!

"What is this?" She exclaimed.

"Your share of the gold; you signed the contract like everyone else so you should be given what you were promised." Thorin explained in her stooper; she had of course seen that in the contract but she hadn't thought it would even be close to this much! Even if she accepted it; they'd never be able to pack it all back the Forochel!

"I can't; it's too much, Thorin. I never thought it would be this much." Lian breathed, breathless from her utter shock.

"You do not have to accept it all now but I insist that you at least take as much as you can carry comfortably." He countered, obviously not taking no for an answer. The amount of treasures he'd just given her would be able to last her kingdom for at least ten winters! "Come; take what you will."

The drawstring on the large course sack was opened to reveal countless treasures inside; gold coins, gems, silver goblets and rings plus much more. Her kin hesitated until Lvaire stepped forth; nodding his head towards Thorin before claiming as much of the treasure that would fit in his money pouch. They each took turns taking what they could; each as equally modest in their portions since they knew it would only weigh them down during their journey if they took too much.

"I'll make sure that you receive the rest of your share soon enough; may your travels lead you home safely." Thorin bowed his head towards them and with that it was goodbye.

"Wait!"

Lian looked up to see Bilbo hobbling down the large steps and the crowd parted to let him through as his small legs carried him towards them. Finally he stumbled to a stop out of breath with his pack on; he looked as if he was going somewhere.

"I…want to go with you." He panted, bending over to support himself on his knees; he looked like he'd just run halfway down the mountain.

"I promised I'd visit…your home after…all this…remember?"

Lian was suddenly smacked with realization and let out a loud 'oh'; she had completely forgotten about their promise back in Rivendell! It seemed like years ago that they'd made it but here they were; she's surprised the hobbit hadn't forgotten as she had.

"So I'm ready to go when you are." He announced while straightening, his erratic breathing calming back down; he seemed surprisingly ready to go on another little adventure. Lian didn't think he'd become so addicted to adventure; if anything she thought he'd be ready to be back to his cozy little hobbit hole with his books, warm hearth and plush arm chair.

"Are ya sure, lad?" She asked, a bit bemused.

"No, I never go back on a promise." He defended stubbornly; seemed like the dwarves had rubbed off on him.

"Bilbo is leaving as well? How will we go on?!" Kili cried; dramatically throwing himself against Fili's shoulder.

"I'll make sure to send your share back to the Shire as well, Bilbo." Thorin offered but the hobbit waved a hand at him.

"I'd wait to do that till I send word for it, Thorin. I'm sure my relatives will be all over it if I'm not there to beat them away with a stick."

And with that they were off, a new addition joining their journey back to the far northern bay; no doubt it would be just as tiresome as the one before. Lian took one last look back at the mountain though and she felt her heart throb in mourning for the piece it was about to leave behind. She would return again; maybe not soon but one day she would.

"Lian?" Bilbo called out from in front of her and she turned to face his worried gaze; he was fully aware of the yearning in her heart. "I'm sure you'll see them all again soon."

"I hope so, Bilbo. I really do."