A.N. Since this was part 2 of what was a really long chapter, this was super easy to edit and get out to you guys. 😊
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.

"Am I a good person?"

The question took him by surprise. Of everything else she had heard, and all they had discussed, this seemed to be her primary concern. He supposed he shouldn't have been too surprised.

"Did you not believe Bilbo's words?"

"Even if that was me, those were actions he spoke of. Did I do all of that for the right reasons, or just my own glory?"

It would be incredibly rude to laugh, but he couldn't completely stop the chuckle.

"Forgive me," he said at her sharp look. "You are likely the last person on the face of the earth who would be seeking glory. Everything you do, you do for others,"

He paused, looking at her face, her silver eyes wide and hopeful. By Durin, he really had been in denial, hadn't he? How long had it taken him to get over his pride before, and accept his feelings? When he spoke again, it was with all the sincerity he could muster.

"You are the kindest, and one of the bravest people I have ever met,"

Her face softened and warmed into a relieved smile. "Thank you,"

"Glad to be of service," he smiled back, then froze when she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. She sighed, relaxing into him, and he couldn't help but do the same, resting his head on hers. In his memories, they had just begun to get comfortable with touch, but this felt right; natural.

"I'm sorry if this is too much," she murmured. "But it helps,"

"It isn't too much," he answered honestly, for he was realizing that it helped him, too. Unfortunately, he knew the hobbits would be worrying themselves into a frenzy. "We should get back to our host," he said.

Knowing she would be just as reluctant as him, he stood and offered a hand. As he expected, both Bilbo and Frodo were nearly falling over themselves apologizing, and were only placated by Danica's smile. Even the small memory she had regained made her a little more like herself. They were able to sit down again, and this time, Bilbo filled in some of the blanks. Thorin marveled at how romantic the whole thing sounded. To think they had both sacrificed and risked so much for each other. To think she had been challenged to Mamradthi, and he had taken over. Then again, if he thought back to the dream of him dying, he knew both of them would have done anything for the other. He looked at Danica, whose expression was calm, but her cheeks looked like they would forever be stained red. How long would it be before she fully remembered him? Or he remembered her? The couple Bilbo spoke of seemed like completely different people next to the near strangers sitting beside each other now. For some reason, the thought of them never returning to the way they were made his heart ache.

"That is all I know," Bilbo sighed. "Anything else is between the two of you, or is not…ahem…appropriate for polite society," despite his discreet words, there was a wicked gleam in his eyes that had Thorin raising a brow. Danica's face deepened to scarlet.

"So will you two stay for the party?" Frodo asked, eyes alight.

"If that is alright with your uncle," Thorin smiled at the young hobbit's enthusiasm, then looked with him to Bilbo.

"Of course! You must! They are calling it the party of the century," despite a half-assed attempt at humility, Bilbo was obviously pleased with himself. Thorin supposed he must have earned it for living as long as he had.

"What will we wear?" Danica asked, looking down at her winter gown. She and Thorin had already had to shed their coats, but it was still stifling.

"Not to worry," Bilbo stood suddenly. "We have a genius seamstress in town who can alter something for you. We've actually had more than a few dwarves and humans pass through recently, so she may have some larger clothes set aside," he took Danica's hand, and led them out the round, green door, back into the summer air.

The sun was beginning to dip below the trees, casting a warm light across the valley. As Bilbo kept up a bubbly conversation with Danica, Thorin enjoyed the peace of the place. Yes, there was much he wanted to do, and learn, but for now, the soft domesticity of the Shire was healing. So much of what they had heard from Bilbo was better than he could have expected for their journey, including his own survival, but the losses still cut him deep. He looked around at the hobbits milling about in their yards, playing with children or tending to their gardens. Many of them hailed Bilbo and Frodo with greetings, even while looking at Thorin and Danica with curiosity and suspicion.

By the time they had reached the seamstress' establishment, much of Hobbiton was alerted to their presence. Thorin had to duck slightly to get in the door, and then felt a stab of pity when the poor seamstress nearly fainted at the sight of them.

"I am already swamped with orders for your party, Bilbo Baggins," the woman said irately, prodding Bilbo in the chest with her finger. Thorin and Frodo shared an amused glance.

"Yes, well, surely you can whip up something," Bilbo stammered. "You are the finest seamstress in the Shire,"

"Ha! Even the finest in Rivendell would turn you away," yet, she sighed. "I'll take the girl first," but the more she looked at the rugged new customers, the more dubious she became.

Danica sent a panicked look over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner. Thorin stared after her for a moment, then turned to Bilbo.

"What of the rest of the Company? Did they all stay in Erebor?"

"For a long time, yes. Balin took a large group of dwarves with him to reclaim Moria. Last I heard, they were doing well. Ori and Oin went with him,"

Thorin nodded. "I'm glad. Those halls belong to the people of Durin,"

"Which is exactly what Balin said in his letter," Frodo chuckled. "I'd love to go there sometime,"

The spark of adventure was strong in the young hobbit. It appeared Frodo Baggins had ended up more of a dreamer than his uncle. By the look on his face, Bilbo was both proud, and regretful. It was the regret that had Thorin looking at him closer. That look was one of someone who knew change was coming. Bilbo caught him looking, and shook his head. A conversation for another time.

After a few minutes, the seamstress called Thorin in, then did some quick measurements, tutting and muttering the whole time.

"You two are lucky I had some clothing left from some big folk who came through a couple of months ago. That, and the girl is small-waisted for her height," she released him, and went to write some things down. "The alterations won't take long, but you'll need to come by tomorrow to pick everything up,"

"Thank you for helping us so last minute," Thorin responded as graciously as he could.

The stout hobbit softened a bit. "Truth be told, no one can say no to Bilbo, no matter how much of an old cracker he is,"

Amused once again, Thorin joined the others, and they made their way to the market to get food for dinner, (not like there wasn't already enough in the pantry), then went back to Bag End. Danica continued to smile throughout the night, but a weariness was obviously weighing on her. Thorin made sure to catch Bilbo's eyes, and subtly nod toward her. Bilbo took one look at her glazed expression, and smiled in understanding.

"I think this old hobbit will need to call it a night," he said, standing and stretching. "I am afraid only one of the guest rooms is habitable, but we have plenty of blankets and pillows,"

He led them down the hall to the empty guest room, which consisted of a small bed, chair, and chest of drawers. The two of them could have fit on the bed, but not without every inch of their bodies touching. Frodo came in carrying a large pile of blankets and pillows.

"My room is just next door, if you need anything," he smiled and set the pile at the foot of the bed.

"Use whatever you may need in the bathroom. There is some salve in there for bruises, if you would like," Bilbo said, beginning to back out. "Make yourselves at home,"

"Thank you," Thorin responded earnestly. "For everything,"

The warm smile Bilbo gave youthened him, making him look almost exactly as he had sixty years before. "Of course,"

Once their hosts had gone, Thorin could see Danica chewing over their situation.

"I can go out to the sitting room," he assured her. "I have slept quite comfortably there before,"

She looked conflicted, biting the inside of her lip. "Would it…I mean, I don't-that is-" she sighed, trying to find the right words. "I don't really want to be alone,"

Even once the words were out, she kept her eyes away from him. Though she didn't know herself, he knew her well enough to know that she was concerned about propriety, and didn't want to offend him. So, he softened his features and nodded.

"There is plenty of room on the floor,"

Her body relaxed in relief, and she finally lifted her eyes. "Thank you. I just don't know what I will wake up to, and…if I can't remember today, I don't want to wake up alone,"

"I may not be a healer, but I do not think that is how memory loss works,"

"Maybe not, but nothing about our current situation is normal,"

He had to give her that one. Then again, nothing about the two of them in general was normal. It was something he had constantly marveled at. As they prepared for bed, he hoped her strange dreams would return, and help them retrieve their memories. It was one thing to hear about what had happened, but another to know it for yourself. He wanted to explain it to her, but she was too overwhelmed as it was. By the time he came back into the bedroom, she was fast asleep in the bed. Her body was completely slack, having fallen into deep sleep almost immediately. Thorin stood over her, looking down at her face for a moment.

This was the woman he nearly risked the quest for. The woman who, despite centuries of culture and tradition, he had married. No matter what Bilbo had told them, Thorin knew there was so much missing that only the two of them could figure out together. For now, memories or no, he had made vows to this woman, and he would keep them. Divorce and separation were practices only humans held. Sighing, he bent down and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"I will watch over you," he murmured, then settled down next to the bed for sleep.

P.S. Ta dah!