AN: Well this is it, the end of this story. I hope you all enjoyed it, I had a lot of fun writing it. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to favorite, follow, or review. It really means a lot to me to hear what you think of my writing. Thanks again for everything :) Take care!

Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own the Hobbit or LOTR and I never will. That honor will forever belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.

The next time Bilbo awakens Thorin is nowhere to be found. To be honest he was a little disappointed, the hobbit was hoping that his dwarf would have been there, a silent pillar of support as he rested and regained some of his strength. He knew that was a selfish thought but after everything that had happened in the last half a year he really didn't want to be on his own. Still, Thorin was King Under The Mountain and that title didn't come without responsibilities. Wherever he was Bilbo was certain that his stubborn dwarf was hard at work.

He was just about to try and get up to fetch himself a cup of tea when Oin walked through the door with a dwarf he didn't recognize. The two were deep in conversation but immediately broke off as the healer noticed him attempting to rise.

"What do you think you're doing!?" The older being shouted, causing Bilbo to startle which in turn led to him wincing in pain as it pulled at his various injuries. "I just got you stabilized yesterday afternoon and here you go trying to undo all my hard work. If you keep this up you're likely to tear your stitches."

The medic moved over to the bed, gently but firmly pushing his patient back down on the mattress before undoing the bandages so as to get a look at the damage.

"You're lucky, lad." He commented as Bilbo bit back a biting retort at being manhandled. "If we hadn't come in when we did I would be needing to redo about half of these."

"I'm sorry Oin, I was just going to make some tea." The halfling confessed, earning a disbelieving look from his friend and a chuckle from the unknown dwarrow.

"Tea? That's what you were willing to risk you're life for?" The gray haired male stated, so quietly that he probably couldn't hear himself say it. "If I didn't know you better, Bilbo, I'd say you'd gone of your rocker."

"Well I don't know, Oin." A somewhat more feminine voice spoke up. "From what I know of hobbits I'd say he's long past that if he was willing to traipse halfway across Middle Earth not once, mind you, but twice and face all that held in store."

The other dwarf drew closer and now the ring-bearer could see a startling resemblance to the company's leader. With her long, dark hair, piercing eyes, and intimidating presence she could nearly be mistaken for him. There was no doubt in his mind that this must be Dis, the sister of Thorin and mother of Fili and Kili. He could definitely see where the boys got their mischievous side, judging by the teasing he'd just witnessed.

"My name is Dis, but from the look on your face I can see that you've already guessed that." She said, moving to sit on the edge of his bed as the healer took his leave. "Don't get me wrong about what I just said, I meant no offense. It's just that normal hobbits wouldn't even think of stepping one foot outside their cozy Shire, much less help a band of dwarves reclaim their home from a dragon."

"No offense taken, in fact you're quite right on that matter." He declared, confusion lighting his eyes as he tried to figure out what was going on. "I hope you don't find this rude but... why are you here exactly?"

"Oh, it's perfectly fine." The princess reassured, patting him gently on his uninjured arm. "I knew from the moment Thorin and my sons first spoke of you that you must be someone truly remarkable so, of course, I just had to come meet the halfling that has stolen my brother's heart. Could you blame me for wanting to know more about you?"

The burglar thought on it for a few moments before slowly shaking his head.

"No, no I suppose not." He declared. "In truth, if it were my kin, I would want to know everything about them just as you do."

He got a beaming smile in return for his words and realized that, yes the princess could be intimidating and seemed rather fierce in her own way, but she was also someone Bilbo could call a friend and was glad to get to know. They sat there talking for the rest of the morning. Dis, it turns out, was an excellent cook and had prepared a homemade brunch for them before she'd met up with Oin. She was extremely intelligent as he came to learn over the course of their conversation and it was somewhat uncanny, the female dwarf seemed to understand what he was thinking at times even without him saying a word. Maybe that was just a mothers intuition though, after all, Belladonna had been very similar to the dwarrowdam when it came to stuff like that. When lunch time rolled around Dis took her leave but before she walked through the doorway she turned and looked over her shoulder, a warm expression on her face.

"I think you'd best get some rest, Mr. Baggins." She declared, smiling knowingly as Bilbo frowned at being called by his surname. "I suspect you'll be getting some more visitors around suppertime. I know of four lovely children who have been very eager to see you."

With that the dwarf was gone, leaving a tender smile on Bilbo's face at the thought that he'd finally get to see his boys.

Several hours later a noise came from the door and drew the halfling from the peaceful recesses of sleep. It took a few moments to register what had woken him but then a wide smile graced his features as the tiny head of his nephew peaked through the barely open door. Sam, Merry, and Pippin soon joined Frodo and Bilbo couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up at the humorous sight they made as they all peered into his room. Upon seeing his uncle awake the black haired faunt's eyes widened in excitement and he rushed through the doorway, jumping up on the bed before burying his face in the older male's shoulder. Their reunion was soon interrupted as the other three fauntlings joined them but that didn't matter as all five hobbits held tight to one another.

"I was so worried about you boys." Bilbo whispered as he clung to his children. "What would I have done if something happened to you?"

"We're okay, we were worried about you too but Uncle Thorin said you'd be okay so that made us feel better." Frodo commented, causing Bilbo to raise an eyebrow at the dwarrow who had just entered the room.

"Uncle Thorin?" He mouthed, humor shining in his green eyes.

The king shrugged before a soft smile found it's way onto his face. Shaking his head in amusement, Bilbo turned his attention back to the smaller halflings.

"So lads, what have you all been up to, huh?" He asked, curious as to what the tykes had been doing for the last few days.

"We've been having fun with Fili and Kili." Meriadoc answered, a full blown smile filling his little face.

"They've been teaching us a lot of fun pranks!" Peregrin exclaimed innocently, nearly vibrating with excitement.

Bilbo nodded and patted the two youngsters on the head but internally... he was screaming. These two didn't need any advice from Thorin's nephews, they already get into enough mischief as it is. With a long-suffering sigh the caretaker turned to the only child who had yet to speak.

"And what about you, Sam?" The elder Baggins asked.

"I've been answering Ori's questions on what it's like to be a hobbit." He stated proudly, a wise glint in his young eyes.

'You'd have thought Ori would have got enough information about hobbits out of me on the journey, not to mention the letters I've written since then. I should have known though, he's a curious as a cat, that one.' Bilbo mused, a good-humored smile on his face.

"When I wasn't doing that me and Frodo where listening to the other dwarves tell stories." Samwise added.

"Especially the ones about you." His nephew joined in. "Their versions are a little different than yours, they make you sound even braver! I want to be just like you when I grow up, uncle Bilbo."

With tears threatening to fill his eyes, the older male once again pulled his nephew into a warm embrace. He was so thankful that they had all made it to their destination safely, even after all the obstacles that had barred their way. If he would have lost even one of these boys the formerly respectable hobbit would have been beside himself. It was inconceivable to think of a life with one or more of the lads missing from it. Now though, he would never have to worry about such a thing again. They were safe and would remain so from now on thanks to Thorin and the rest of his adopted family of dwarrow. Fear of rejection still coursed through Bilbo's veins when thinking of the dwarven king but it was a lot duller than it had been before they'd spoken. More so than that, he felt the same friendship and love that he'd once held bubble to the surface along with an infinite amount of gratitude for all that Thorin has done for him and his faunts. As he looks over toward the aforementioned dwarf he is met with a tender smile and kind eyes and Bilbo can't help but have hope, even as doubts fill his mind, that maybe they could go back to the way things once had been before the gold sickness took his love away from him.

For the rest of the afternoon Bilbo was content to watch the young ones play and run around his room. The small group had been joined by Kili, Fili, and Dis about an hour after Thorin had arrived and the hobbit was extremely happy to see the two pranksters again. Suddenly a cry sounded and Bilbo whipped his head around trying to locate where it originated. Pippin was sitting on the floor holding his knee, upon closer inspection the ring-bearer could tell that it had been skinned as there was a little blood leaking from the wound. Making to rise he felt a strong hand clamp onto his shoulder, effectively holding him in place.

"You are not strong enough yet. If you try to stand you will only fall and end up worrying the boys further. Rest for now, save your strength, there will be plenty more skinned knees for you to deal with in the future." A deep voice told him and he sent a glare over his shoulder at Thorin, even as tears of frustration began to build in his eyes. "Do not give me that look, burglar, you know I'm right."

Letting out a heavy sigh, the fifty-two year old curled up on his side as Dis began herding the children and her sons from the room, Peregrin securely nestled in her arms. She could tell that her brother and the hobbit needed time to talk in peace without the distraction of youngsters racing about. Thorin sent a grateful nod in the dwarrowdam's direction before moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Bilbo, what's wrong?" He asked, running a hand through the hobbit's curls. "This isn't just because of what happened a moment ago, I know you better than you think and you would never let such a minor occurrence upset you so."

Sniffling lightly, Bilbo glanced up through his eyelashes at his beloved dwarf. Thorin was being so gentle, so tender, now but what if that changed? What if he did something to anger the dwarrow like he had back then? Would he be banished all over again? Taking a deep breath the hobbit decided it was time to face his fears and the only way to accomplish that was to talk about them.

"Ever since I left this place I haven't felt whole... like I'd left something behind in the mountain." He began as Thorin listened intently, blue eyes blazing in the dim light. "I tried to fill the gap it left but no matter what I did it always remained. The time spent with you and the rest of the company were the best days of my life. I forged so many close bonds and grew to love you all dearly... one even more so than the rest."

Here he shyly met the king's gaze. There was no sign of rejection present so, taking a deep breath, he resumed his tale.

"You gave me wings, Thorin, you helped me fly. Without you I would have wasted away my life in the Shire. True, it might have been safer..." He giggled slightly as he thought back on all they'd been through together. "But I realize now how very dull it was."

"Bilbo..." Thorin began, only to be cut off as said hobbit shook his head.

"Let me finish, you stubborn dwarf." He bid, knowing that if he didn't get this out now he never would have the courage to. "A...after that whole debacle with the Arkenstone I, well, I truly believed I would never see you again. I returned home and tried to go on with my life, but it wasn't the same. I was grounded, like a bird without wings, all I longed for was to fly again but I couldn't... it was no use."

Tears began falling from his emerald eyes and he could no longer meet the dwarf's gaze. He curled up even further, trying to make himself as small as possible as he buried his face in his arms. When he spoke again his voice was muffled and frantic but the company's leader was still able to make it out.

"I love you, Thorin." A small sob escaped the confines of the hobbit's arms. "I have for a long time and I can't hold it back any more. You've been acting so kind since I awoke here but what will happen if I do something wrong? I want the wings you'd once promised me but I can't go through the pain again. I wouldn't survive having them torn away a second time!"

He paused, glancing up briefly at the dwarf's face. Upon seeing the anger there he let our a little squeak and hid his face once more.

"I know you're probably repulsed by this." Bilbo continued, never realizing that it was not him that the king was angry at, but himself. "You may have opened your mountain to us but that doesn't mean you have these same feelings. I just... I can't live anymore keeping everything bottled up inside as I've been doing for the past two years. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... but I love you and these feelings won't go away!"

Bilbo broke off as he felt a firm hand slip under his chin and his head softly being raised. He was about to ask Thorin what he was doing when a pair of lips met his. He gasped, allowing the dwarf to deepen the kiss as his tongue slipped into the hobbit's mouth. With tears trailing down his face, the hobbit closed his eyes and let the fear and anxiety finally wash away as his love pulled him close. Moments later the dwarven leader pulled back and the burglar opened his eyes. He was met with the most tender expression he'd ever seen as his dwarf gazed lovingly at him.

"Bilbo, I have loved you since I first saw you standing in your smial." He revealed, a light blush dusting his cheeks. "I know I was harsh during the journey but it was only because of how worried I was for your safety. Then you stood between me and Azog and I realized that there was so much more to you than just the soft hobbit I had seen. I can never apologize enough for what I did to you while under the thrall of gold sickness but I can promise you I will never let such a thing happen again. There is nothing you could do that would turn me against you, now or ever."

Reaching into his pocket, Thorin pulled out the courting bead he had spent over half the day forging, until it had reached a state of perfection, and held it out to the shocked halfling. It was made of mithril with emerald inlaid in the shape of a small hill on one side and sapphire in the shape of a mountain on the other with a dusting of gold connecting them.

"Bilbo, you are my One, and I couldn't stand another day without you by my side." The older male spoke, voice serious and eyes soft as he fondly watched the smaller being. "You say I gave you wings but you gave me something even more precious... you gave me a home. No, I'm not talking about this mountain. I never realized it until I met you but I'd been lost long before Smaug. With you I am finally where I'm supposed to be and I couldn't be happier than I am when you're here in my arms. So I ask you, Bilbo, will you accept this courting bead and become Consort Under The Mountain?"

The halfling couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only did Thorin return his feelings but he wanted to marry him!? It all seemed too good to be true and before he knew it a large grin had appeared on his face and he found himself embracing the dwarf with as much strength as his injured body would allow. He was still crying, but now it was from the overwhelming happiness coursing through his small form rather than the sadness that had previously been the cause. He felt strong arms wrap around him as he nodded against the broad chest of his dwarf.

"Yes, of course I will!" He exclaimed, joyously, once he'd finally found his voice.

A deep rumble shook through him as Thorin let out a pleased laugh.

"Your hair is longer than I remember, it suits you." The dwarf complimented and Bilbo looked up to see a large smile gracing the king's face before it grew serious once more as he asked. "Is it alright if I braid in the bead?"

"Of course, Thorin, I'd love that. It's the most beautiful bead I've ever seen and I'd be honored to wear it." He agreed, before stating truthfully. "I actually haven't cut my hair in about a year, maybe even longer. I realized that I didn't feel right doing so after learning what it means in your culture."

Thorin gave a hum of appreciation as he began shifting his fingers though the golden curls.

"I did get many a strange look in the Shire though." The hobbit added as an afterthought, causing his love to chuckle.

They spent the rest of the afternoon together, snuggled up talking about everything and nothing, and the next day when the company dropped in for a visit everyone was overwhelmed with happiness for their king and burglar when they spotted the bead carefully woven in amongst his golden curls.

Bilbo soon regained his strength and began learning the ways of the dwarves. There was much he needed to know if he was going to rule alongside his intended so Balin took it upon himself to aid the future consort. It was tough going, especially learning the proper pronunciation of the Khuzdul alphabet, but he powered through and was making great progress.

It was a happy day when word came from the Shire. It turns out that each of the boy's families had survived the attack. In fact there were far fewer casualties than the elder Baggins had expected. The rangers had arrived in the nick of time to prevent the peaceful land from going up in flame and had given their aid wherever it was most needed. With a relief he hadn't felt since Thorin reassured him that he wasn't hated, Bilbo was able to tell Sam, Merry, and Pippin that their loved ones had survived.

Through the use of letters it was decided that the boys would remain in the mountain until the wedding, at which point they would return home with their parents who would be attending the festivities. To say Bilbo wasn't upset over the idea would be a lie but he also knew it wasn't right to keep them from their kin. As the day drew closer the hobbit withdrew into himself, choosing to silently watch his faunts play rather than spend time with his friends and future husband. Thorin saw this and took it upon himself to fix the problem.

The day of the wedding arrived and though Bilbo was filled with intense happiness that he would finally be marrying the dwarf of his dreams there was still that lingering sorrow that his children would be leaving the next day. Their families had arrived the night before and though the ring-bearer had missed them dearly he couldn't bring himself to face them at the time. Instead, Thorin had greeted them and gave them a personal tour of Erebor after showing them to their temporary quarters. Now, however, the ceremony was done and he could see the group of hobbits making their way over to him and the boys. Plastering on his best smile, the ring-bearer took a deep breath as steeled his nerves before greeting them warmly.

The conversation lasted far longer than he'd expected and Bilbo couldn't believe what he' just been told. At some point Thorin had come up beside him and wrapped a supportive arm around his One's shoulders, his mouth morphed into a beaming smile as he watched the wonder on his love's face.

"What are you saying?" The fifty-two year old asked as Thorin drew him closer to his side. "I'm not sure I heard you right."

"We've decided to stay here, Mr. Baggins, in Erebor." Hamfast repeated, an amused grin on his kind face. "The little one's love it and I've been told by a very reliable source that the hills around the mountain could use the kind of care only hobbits can provide."

The other halfling cast a meaningful look towards the dwarven king as he finished and Bilbo turned to his new husband, a look of awe on his face.

"Did you?" He asked, unable to completely voice what he was thinking.

The older male nodded seriously as he placed a gentle hand on his consort's cheek.

"I couldn't stand to see you so upset." Thorin admitted.

Bilbo wrapped his arms around his love, smiling up at him with tear filled eyes.

"This is the best wedding present you could have given me." He stated as those gathered around them watched with affectionate smiles.

"Well, ghivashel, you are the consort of the king." The company leader said, slightly teasingly. "You should expect nothing but the very best from now on because, to me, you are worth more than all the treasures this mountain has to offer."

The two leaned in, smiling softly as they shared a warm embrace. When he'd seen how troubled his hobbit was Thorin had sent a long and heartfelt letter to each of the children's families, detailing the situation in full and asking if they would be willing to relocate to Erebor. He made sure to express that the hills around the mountain were in desperate need of a hobbit's skill when it came to green things and also told of Bilbo's depression. It had been a long shot, Thorin knew that, but he had to take that chance. Nearly a month later a letter had come from the Shire and he was so very thankful when it contained a positive reply. They had all been willing to move as would a few other hobbits that no longer felt safe within the borders of the Shire. He had debated telling Bilbo at the time but decided to keep it a secret, never really feeling that the time was right. Now though, he leaned down and kissed his beloved's head as the smaller male looked up at him with tender eyes and he knew he'd made the right decision. He would do anything for this small creature who had captured his heart. If a few more hobbits roaming his halls kept that brilliant smile on his One's face, well then, that was a price he would gladly pay.

AN: Thank you so much for reading this story and I hoped you liked it. Please let me know what you think and I'll see you next time, bye ;)