Part 4 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 4 picks up after the final battle of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.

Everyone is together, dwarves, humans, elves, witches, and wizards, either in Dale or in Erébor. However, Jordan's curse has finally take over and she has the hardest choice she will ever have to make: love for the dwarf she would spend the rest of her life with, or the life of her brother who is counting on her to rescue him.

I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.

Chapter 8

Thorin sat at the desk in his grandfather's study. Now he was king, he supposed it was his study. It would take some getting used to. Nicole had offered to magically clean the room for him, but he insisted to do it by hand himself. He wanted to put things back together and organize it so he could see what was left behind to deal with.

Someone knocked on the door, "enter!" Thorin called as he stacked papers and books into piles.

Gloin came into the room and bowed, "Your Majesty. I have found a very interesting document down in the treasury."

"Oh?" Thorin answered and accepted the paper. "What is it?"

"It is from the administrative assistant of the previous head treasurer. He did not survive the dragon attack but wrote this letter before he perished. To sum it up, it's a confession as well as a suicide letter. He had been the one to accept the payment from King Thranduil for the gems of Lasgalen, on behalf of King Thrór. He falsified the invoice saying it was never paid. He was desperate for money to pay back a major gambling dept. Once he fled the mountain, he saw the elf king retreat with his army, and decided to sneak back in for the gems; in hopes of persuading King Thranduil. He writes he was cornered by the dragon before he could find them and waiting for his demise. At the bottom of the letter, he apologizes for his actions and hopes being dragon food would be penance for his sins."

Thorin read the letter, sighed, and add it to the pile of papers. "I found the gems when I was sick. They should still be locked in a box in the treasury. Could you bring them here? We shall right this wrong and hope it will help build a better relationship between dwarves and elves."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Gloin bowed once more and left the study.

Sitting down in the chair, Thorin thought about all the plans needing to be carried out. There were so many that needed to be done immediately. This presentation would be bumped up to the top of the list before Thranduil returned to Mirkwood.

On top of all his kingly duties, his family duty need attention. His oldest nephew was really worrying him. Thorin did not expect Fili to start feeling better any time soon. After seeing many of his relatives lose their Ones, like his sister and grandfather, Thorin learned that everyone handled their grief differently. And yet, also the same.

It had been a few hours since they sealed the tomb and laid Jordan to rest. When they left, Fili immediately returned to his chambers. Thorin and Kili followed just to check on him and they were glad they had. Because that's where Fili let loose. Somehow, he maintained his vow of silence, never speaking a word out loud. Only speaking in sign language. He still had the Forgetfulness Potion, and just as they were about to open the door, they heard a crash. Fili had chucked the bottle at the wall as hard as he could and shattered it. The potion splashed all over and the glass bounced on every surface.

Kili tried to comfort his brother. When his words seemed to have no effect, admitting to understanding why Jordan would see the potion as a gift. Thorin silently agreed, knowing the intent; to free him from this ordeal. Only that's not what Fili wanted and he did not handle the gift well. So in the end, they just let him vent. And break a few more things, before he finally calmed down. Once his mind settled down, he decided to use his aggression in a more helpful and productive manner; going to work with one of the restoration crews and start helping with the rebuilding. Kili had gone along, wanting to keep a close eye on him, while he also checked in on Karah; whom was helping her sister.

Another knock on the study door sounded, it was much lighter and happier. "Enter," Thorin responded with an amused smile.

René pushed the heavy door open with all her strength, and Nicole and Gage came in behind her. "Hi King Thorin!" She came to his side and jumped into his chair behind the desk. It spun like a traditional office chair, only much grander. René could not help but put it to good use.

"We came to get you and bring you to dinner. Bombur has organized a small feast for the company, the elf court, and my family." Nicole explained. "He took over the kitchens and has been able to feed the masses. He has a talent, to be sure."

"That he does. The company would have starved after the first two days of our travels if it weren't for him. How are you doing? Will the rest of your family be joining us?"

"Everyone was invited, but I don't know if my grandparents will come. Blair is still asleep. He still hasn't completely recovered, and his trip back home with my sister and your nephews did not help."

"Has anyone checked on Aunt Dan yet?" René asked.

Gage tried to stop his sister from spinning, "my turn!"

"Sweetie, don't you remember what we talked about earlier?" Nicole tried to make her see reason. "Let your brother have a turn."

René stopped the chair and helped Gage sit. Once she got him spinning, she answered her mother. "Yes, I understand what you said. But I told you, she's just sleeping. She will wake up when she feels better."

Thorin did not want to overstep on the conversation, so he waited to see if Nicole would que him. When she was at a loss of what to do, he just changed the subject. "Let's go to dinner. We don't want to offend Master Bombur by being late to his feast."

René did not hide her frustration when she led the way back to the dining hall. No one was listening to her! She did not see the sad looks shared between her mum and Thorin as she stomped to the door and shoved it open. Which was probably just as well. Just because I'm a kid, doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about! She thought to herself.

The dining hall was full of all the races. Dwarves, elves, and humans mingled together, trying to help each other and bring comfort. It was more than Thorin or Thranduil could have ever asked for. The elf king himself was present in the hall, sitting at a table fit for his size next to Thorin's. He was accompanied by Bard, Gandalf, and Celeborn. They all lightly discussed more tentative plans for trade and restoration until Nicole caught his attention.

She insisted on sitting with her parents, who were at another table. She scolded both her children for having their elbows on the table, using their hands to eat instead of their utensils, and their sleeves instead of their napkins. Food crumbling out of their mouths. "Chew with your mouths closed, use your fork, and tuck your napkins in your collar."

"But Mr. Thorin and Mr. Dwalin aren't using their forks." René mumbled under her breath.

Thorin looked down at his own plate and winced. The food he was eating was indeed finger food, but it would be better if he used his manners. He did not want anyone, especially his One, to think him a slob. Then he thought it over again. Yes, he cared of what his people thought of him, and he needed to keep up good appearances with Thranduil, Bard, and hopefully his future in laws. It did not help that Bilbo was sitting at his table and smirking at him.

Nicole raised an eyebrow at her daughter for her back talk. "No fork, no dessert. And if I have to tell you again, you will go without any for a week."

The little girl stubbornly picked up her fork and began eating properly. Gage followed suit only he struggled with his coordination. Alicia and Jeremy chuckled but tried to hide it. Nicole glanced over at Thorin and Dwalin to see if it was true, and witnessed Thorin elbow is cousin, starting a domino effect to the rest of the tables, and all the dwarves were eating with their utensils. Some even went to get utensils as they did not bring any to the table. Bilbo was already eating like a gentle hobbit and trying to keep his composure and not laugh. He was grateful to anyone who could make his friends have better table manners.

Hearing the whole conversation, Thorin did not want to push his luck and loose his dessert either. Only, the dessert he craved was not something made by Bombur. Glancing back at Nicole, he blushed over where his mind was drifting.

Bifur quickly finished his meal then stood up with a tray full of food. Puzzled by his behavior, Thorin asked him what he was doing.

"I apologize for seeming suspicious, You Majesties. Princes Fili and Kili will not be coming to the dining hall. They requested food to be brought to them so they may keep working on the bridge outside the gate. I'll be joining them as well."

"Alright. The sun will be setting in an hour, if they have not come inside by then, please inform me." He thought about Karah, who was busying herself making potions. He should have a tray of food sent to her, as well as Pricilla, Ruben, and Blair. Nicole had informed him of her family who needed to be alone and had no intention on coming to the dining hall. However, they still needed to eat.

"Yes, You Majesty." Bifur bowed and left.

Nicole was busy trying to get Gage to eat his dinner. René had finished hers and was impatiently waiting to leave. Trying to keep herself entertained, a thought jumped into her head.

"Mama, can I have a mohawk?" she asked.

"What? No. Where did you get an idea like that?" Nicole shook her head in confusion, still coaxing Gage to eat by making 'zoom' noises.

"Mr. Dwalin said he used to have one and now he misses it. He said that Uncle Kili and Uncle Fili made it fall out."

"That doesn't surprise me. And no, you may not have a mohawk. You barely brush your hair as it is, and they are a lot of work to take care of."

"But I promise to take good care of it!"

"It's not up for discussion right now. Maybe when you are older, and prove you're able to handle the responsibility."

"Hmmph." René pouted. Still restless, she kicked her feet under her chair until another thought came to her. "Mama, can I go to the loo?"

"Is there one in the dining hall?" Nicole sighed and questioned out loud, hoping Thorin would hear her from his table. As they were not royalty, she did not want to overstep boundaries. She thought if she spoke loud enough, he might hear and offer to help her in some way. She still got a little turned around in Erébor in unfamiliar areas.

Thorin was trying to be subtle when he let his gaze fall on the family. His smile small and content seeing the family interact with each other. Hearing Nicole's question, he turned to her, "what's a loo?"
"The toilet," she responded while coaxing another bite of food into Gage's mouth.

"Not inside the hall. There is one just outside those doors." Thorin pointed to the doors in the back.

Shaking her head, "I'd prefer you wait until we are finished here." Nicole pointedly looked at her daughter. René had not earned the trust back from running off on her after their fight.

"But I really have to go!"

"You may not leave this hall by yourself. You'll have to wait."

"Please, Mama!" René begged. "I might have an accident."

"I'll take her, dear." Alicia whispered, waiting to have the 'okay' from her daughter.

"Alright. But hurry back. We need to get back to the apartment to check on the current batch of potions."

René did not hesitate to dart from the table. She didn't really have to go as bad as she made it out to be. She was just restless from sitting at the table so long. Looking around, she found a sign she assumed was the bathroom, only to open the door and find a cleaning closet. She opened another door and it was an empty room. Her grandmother emerged from the hall and quickly figured out her confusion.

Alicia tried to find a familiar sign or symbol that might suggest a bathroom. Only everything was written in Khuzdul. She already guessed René didn't really need a bathroom. The little girl had been really good all day and tried to be helpful while she and Nicole worked. Alicia could let her have a break and a moment to herself. "Let me ask King Thorin to help us find the right door. Please wait right here for me to come back."

René smiled and promised to wait. There was a bench on the opposite wall of the doors to the hall. She planted herself on the bench, not wanting to waste or ruin this opportunity. She swung her feet back and forth while she studied the passageway. The carvings in the stone were fascinating and she thought she could look at them for hours. The carvings began to be easier to see as a white light started to grow in the hall. Leaning forward, wanting to get a better look, she almost slipped off the bench. Snapping back, as she did not want to lose this privilege, she had to wait for the light to reach the top of the stairs. To her delight and astonishment, the light turned out to be the really pretty blonde elf she talked to in the processional. And she was not alone!