Reunion with Gloin, Milli and Gimli.

Inspired by brompt from MAPMonstersArePerceptions.

This is 2 of 3 of the reunions.

Erebor stood tall against the sky, its mighty gates gleaming under the midday sun as Milli and her son, Gimli, neared the great kingdom.

After months of travel and even longer spent wondering about her husband's fate, Milli's heart raced with anticipation. The mountain was theirs again, and within it, her Gloin waited. She squeezed Gimli's hand, the young dwarf beside her brimming with excitement.

"Look, Ma!" Gimli pointed toward the mountain's entrance; his voice full of awe, "Erebor… it's even grander than Da said!"

Milli smiled, her own heart swelling with the sight, "aye, my boy. It is. Your father will be glad to see us at last."

They were part of a larger company of dwarves – families, tradesfolk, and others who had journeyed to Erebor now that the mountain had been reclaimed. The bustling sounds of the crowd seemed distant to Milli, though, as her mind raced ahead, imagining the moment she would see Gloin again. She hadn't heard much since his letters had arrived after the Battle of the Five Armies.

The news had been sparse, but what little there was had filled her with hope. Gloin lived, and Erebor had been restored.

Gimli tugged at her hand impatiently, "do you think Da will show me the forges? I want to see where all the great weapons are made!"

Milli chuckled, smoothing a hand over her son's unruly red hair, "I'm sure he'll be eager to show you every corner of the mountain – the safest corners that is – but first, we still have to find him."

She wasn't entirely sure if Gloin knew of their arrival. While yes, she had sent a letter the very day they left Erud Luin with a carrier bird, herself and the band of caravans she and Gimli travelled with had no means to send a letter to notify of their impeding approach.

As they delved further into the kingdom, halls of Erebor were alive with the hum of voices and the clatter of hammers on stone. The majesty of the kingdom was undeniable, but Milli's thoughts were singular – finding Gloin. They wound their way through the corridors, guided by friendly dwarves who offered directions, until they reached the main hall where the company members had been gathering – for what, she had to find out.

They would be at the far end of the hall, many said – at a grand table separate from the communal dining tables.

Though nothing had been said, there were murmurs about – ones of the company members becoming nobles in Thorin's court due to the bravery and loyalty shown to the line of Durin.

As soon as they entered the expansive room, Milli's eyes began scanning the crowd, searching for the familiar face she had longed to see for so many months. Gimli, too, was on tiptoes, his head swiveling from side to side.

"There!" Gimli's shout rang out before he darted forward, quick as lightning.

Milli's heart leaped as her gaze followed her son's path, and there – standing near the far wall – was Gloin, his arms open and his face alight with joy. He caught Gimli in a fierce hug, lifting the boy off the ground as laughter echoed around them. Milli's breath caught, her chest tightening with emotion. Her feet moved before she even realized it, closing the distance between them.

"Milli!" Gloin's voice was rich with emotion as he gently set Gimli down and turned towards her.

The world around them seemed to blur as Milli ran and threw herself into his arms. Gloin held her close, his sturdy frame grounding her, his familiar scent – stone, metal, and the faintest hint of smoke – filling her senses. It was as if all the worry, all the long nights of waiting, melted away in that one moment.

"You're here," she whispered against his shoulder, her fingers clinging to his tunic, "you're safe."

Gloin chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "I'm here, love. And I've missed you more than words can say."

Milli pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of his face. There were new creases at the corners of his eyes, and his beard was slightly longer than she remembered, but he was still her Gloin, the sturdy dwarf she had married. She reached up to brush a hand over his cheek, and he caught her hand, pressing it to his lips.

"You've done it," she said softly, pride swelling in her chest, "you've reclaimed our home."

Gloin's eyes softened, his hand still holding hers, "aye, it wasn't easy, but Erebor is ours again. And now that you're here, it's truly home."

Beside them, Gimli shifted impatiently, his excitement barely contained, "Ma, Da told me I could learn to wield an axe like a true warrior! When can we go to the forges?"

Gloin laughed, a deep, hearty sound that made Milli's heart sing. "In due time, lad! You'll see the forges soon enough. But first," he looked at Milli, his voice softening, "I want to spend time with your mother. It's been far too long."

Gimli pouted for a moment, but his enthusiasm quickly returned, "fine, but only if I get to see everything later!"

Milli shook her head with a fond smile, "we'll see it all together, Gimli. This is our home now."

Gloin wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they began walking through the halls of Erebor as a family. Gimli darted ahead, pointing out every detail that caught his eye, his excitement boundless.

"I've thought of this moment every day," Milli confessed quietly to Gloin as they walked, "of seeing you again, of walking these halls once again by your side."

Gloin squeezed her shoulder, his voice low and full of warmth.

"And now it's real. We've made it, Milli. All of us. We're together again, and that's all that matters."

They continued walking, Gimli's laughter filling the air as he explored his new home. Milli looked up at Gloin, her heart full of love and contentment. The hardships they had endured, the many long months of separation – they all faded in the light of this reunion. They were together again, and they were home.

Finally.

Word Count: 1041