Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way it's gotta be according to the lawyers.

Note: The quote Gandalf makes about forgiveness is by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Return of the Fellowship

Some Time Later

Those who rode horses encircled those on ponies, an instinctual thing as opposed to a necessity as they were in a world where no harm would come to them. Of course there was also the fact that those on ponies seemed to find trouble and mischief with a regularity that was completely unexpected of their kind to consider as well. Ergo it was best for all involved that the hobbits remain sheltered in the middle while their taller and less mischief seeking friends shielded them from the world and vice versa.

Having given up on arguing that point, the others knew them too well after all, Pippin turned his attention to something else that needed discussing, especially since Gandalf was of the opinion that they didn't have much further to go before they reached their destination.

"All I'm saying is that technically speaking he's family now. One should not have to address family as 'Your Majesty'. And besides that, we're the saviors of Middle Earth! We don't have to bow to anyone, Aragorn said so!"

"I doubt my proclamation will matter to Thorin Oakenshield, Pippin."

"Your uncle will not be pleased if you offend his beloved, Little One." Arwen added with a gentle smile. "I'm sure that he will give you permission to do away with titles once he gets to know you, but for this first meeting it would be wise to be on your best behavior."

"Especially when you're dealing with someone of Oakenshield's reputation." Boromir put in. "He's a legend among dwarves, his people won't appreciate any perceived slight."

That statement had Merry spouting out stories he'd heard about what dwarves did to intruders who dared to trespass on their land, stopping only when Legolas told him to because he was quite obviously upsetting Sam. Seeing that the elf spoke true Merry immediately apologized to his friend for worrying him.

"I just…I don't like the idea of Mr. Frodo and Mr. Bilbo around such rough, short tempered folk." Sam mumbled as he twisted and turned the reins he held in his calloused hands. "From the stories Mr. Bilbo used to tell us it's obvious those dwarves he knew don't know how to properly behave around hobbits, much less take good care of them. Mr. Frodo especially, he was so tired and frail when he left…being around dwarves all day…I'm just worried is all."

A soft look in his eyes, he had a soft spot for Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf smiled down at the constantly worried hobbit. "I assure you that Bilbo and Frodo have found their place around the dwarves, who care for them quite well, I promise you. The two wouldn't have made the mountain their home if that weren't the case. They were both the picture of health when last I saw them."

"But you can't tell us how long ago that was." Sam argued, hating the way time seemed to blur in this world. On the one hand the fluidity meant that those who'd come here before them didn't have to pine for their loved ones back on Middle Earth for very long, but it was so confusing otherwise. He didn't even know how long he'd been 'dead' for, and that was just wrong.

Trying to help Legolas pointed out that Gimli had set off for the mountain before them, the dwarf eager to be reunited with his family, and it went without saying that their friend would most definitely be taking care of Frodo and his uncle in their absence should such attention was needed.

That did make Sam feel a little better, but not by much.

Silence reigned for another ten minutes or so and then Pippin and Merry started up again, unable to maintain silence when they were so excited and wound up over the fact that very soon they'd be seeing Frodo and their uncle again. They'd missed the two hobbits something awful and they had so much to tell them!

Those who were not hobbits let the two ramble to their heart's content, speaking when necessary but mostly keeping quiet and simply enjoying being back together once more. Two members of their fellowship were currently missing but they'd all be together soon enough. And Merry and Pippin were a good distraction for Boromir, the others reasoned, which could only be a good thing. The man was very nervous about seeing Frodo again even though they'd all made it clear that the Ringbearer bore the other man no ill will for what he'd done. Frodo understood better than anyone the power of the ring, they'd argued, and had mourned his death and loss to their party. The hobbit would be thrilled to see him, they did not doubt it for a moment.

As it turned out they were much closer to their destination then they'd previously thought, the small group closing in on their destination as twilight began to fall over the land. Though this was a place of peace there were guards stationed to protect Erebor, Gandalf gaining them entrance even though Legolas and Arwen got some very suspicious, distrustful looks from some of the dwarves they passed as they were escorted through the elaborately carved stone hallways. The hobbits were also given some interesting looks, which made them glad they were protected on all sides and curious as to just what sort of impression Bilbo and Frodo had given these dwarves about hobbits.

They met up with Gimli first, the dwarf delighted to see them as he gave them a hearty, back slapping welcomes. Naturally he blamed Legolas for how long it had taken them to get there, insinuating that that was what happened when you trusted an elf to lead the way. The fact that Gandalf had led them went unsaid, Legolas simply making the comment that Gimli looked both fatter and shorter than last they'd spoken.

Well used to their way of showing affection, it was rather endearing, actually, the rest of the fellowship greeted the dwarf when he was done exchanging insults and banter with Legolas, the group still playing catch up when they heard the sound of approaching feet, all of them immediately turning their attention to discovering the source of those sounds.

The three hobbits and Gandalf naturally looked at Bilbo first, the hobbit dressed in finer clothes than they were used to seeing him in, but it was the crown upon his head that had most of their attention. It was more of a diadem, and delicate enough that it looked more like something an elf would wear than a dwarf's consort. But it suited the hobbit, as did the huge smile that broke out over his much loved face.

"My boys!"

Despite all the lectures they'd been given as to putting their best foot forward with their relative's husband Merry and Pippin wiggled out from the rest of the group and ran to their honorary uncle, throwing themselves into his arms and hugging him tight as they both talked all at once about how they'd missed him and how they'd helped Sam take good care of Bag End and just where was Frodo exactly because they couldn't wait to see him.

Laughing, they hadn't changed a bit, Bilbo gave their curls a good ruffling and assured them that yes, he'd missed them too, he was sure Sam had appreciated their help as much as he did, and as to where Frodo was, well he wasn't sure but they'd find him together. And remembering his manners before they did, naturally, Bilbo turned his attention to the love of his life, who was standing off to the side with a somewhat amused gleam in his eyes, though only someone who knew Thorin well would notice it.

"Thorin, allow me to introduce you to Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Boys, this is my husband, Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain." The look Bilbo gave them said they would be in serious trouble if they didn't respect the title his husband had literally died to obtain.

The two cousins shared a look and then bowed in unison, greeting the king formally and welcoming him to their family.

Having been warned about these two beforehand Thorin decided to just get it over with and informed them that as family they could simply call him Thorin, thanking them for their warm welcome. "Bilbo tells me that you two get into even more trouble than my nephews, which I found very hard to believe. I suppose we shall see in time."

While the two hobbits tried to figure out whether they'd been insulted or not Sam came over and gave Bilbo a big hug too, so very happy to see the man once again.

Naturally they knew that Bilbo would want to catch up with his fellow hobbits first, those that had already met Thorin greeting him warmly or at least cordially in Legolas's case, Gandalf introducing his friend to the former King of Gondor, Lady Arwen and Boromir.

And once the initial pleasantries were over, well then it was time to go and find Frodo.

)

He'd given up hope of a happy ending, in truth he hadn't expected for his wounds to heal even in Valinor. And while coming here had healed the wound given to him by the Witch-king, and the finger he'd lost had grown back as he'd arrived, to ask for all the wounds inside his heart and mind to heal had sounded like far too much to hope for. And so it had been for a time, the wounds cauterized but still there, his heart aching as much from old memories as they did for those he'd left behind and missed dearly. Yet here he was, Frodo thought with the smallest of smiles, wrapped in the arms of a dwarf as they watched the night sky shine above them, and he was happy. And would stay happy, the hobbit knew, so long as the adorably impulsive, hotheaded, and often clueless dwarven prince he was leaning back against remained his.

For his part Kili did not get why his hobbit liked wide open spaces like this, the rock 'shelf' they were sitting on far too exposed for his liking even though he knew there was nothing in this land that would hurt him or his love. But it made Frodo happy to visit this place, and that was what mattered.

Well that and the other man's friends better hurry up and die in Middle Earth so that they could get here, the dwarf silently tacked on, since Frodo refused to marry him until his friends came over and could attend the wedding. Naturally he'd pointed out that their shared uncle hadn't felt the need to wait before marrying Thorin, but Frodo had argued that Bilbo had had his 'fellowship' with him for that ceremony and he wanted the same for his.

And as everyone in this land probably knew by now, he just couldn't tell Frodo no.

"We should be heading in I think." They had a long day ahead of them, and the way Kili kept nuzzling his neck made the dwarf's interest in retiring to their bedroom quite clear. Better to turn in early then, so that they didn't miss out on too much sleep.

Grinning, Kili kissed the neck he was nibbling on, asking if the hobbit needed a late night snack.

Rolling his eyes Frodo got to his feet and then held out a hand to help his lover to his feet. Thanks to his uncle the dwarves were well aware of how much hobbits typically ate if given the chance, and so Kili saw it as his job to constantly feed him to keep him happy. Like his uncle he'd assured his love and the other dwarves that he'd gotten used to eating a lot less thanks to their travels, but naturally the dwarves were too thick-headed to believe they shouldn't be stuffing their hobbits with food now that there was plenty of food to be had.

"The only think I hunger for is you."

Blushing bright red Kili was terribly glad for the lack of light as he allowed himself to be pulled by the hand as Frodo directed them back into the mountain they lived in, heading down the rarely used hallway that would eventually connect them to ones that were used far more often. The way was lit by torches, Kili thinking for the millionth time that his beautiful hobbit looked stunning in the firelight that so lovingly shadowed the halfling's perfect bone structure. He was the luckiest dwarf to ever live as far as he was concerned.

They hadn't gone far when they heard the sound of voices, Frodo coming to a halt when he recognized a pair of voices that he had not heard in so very long.

"It can't…can it?"

Letting go of Kili's hand Frodo ran towards the sound, his fiancé close behind him as he asked what was going on. In a voice that shook Frodo identified Merry and Pippin as the speakers they'd just heard, the two rounding a bend to be greeted by the sight of their shared uncles, who'd apparently been leading the way, behind them three hobbits who looked about Frodo's age currently, and behind them a human and a very familiar wizard.

Gently pushing Thorin off to the side a little Bilbo got ahold of Sam and propelled the hobbit forward, knowing that if given the chance his nephew's best friend would hang back with Boromir who was equally nervous about talking to Frodo apparently.

With a smile and a laugh that his friends and family recognized well from the old days Frodo threw himself at Sam and hugged his best friend hard enough to bruise, Sam doing the same. Neither cared, they were just so happy to see the other.

When he did pull away Sam framed a surprised Frodo's face between his hands, studying him closely before nodding decisively, his eyes full of happiness and relief. "You've found your happiness again, haven't you, Mr. Frodo."

Placing his hands over Sam Frodo nodded. "Yes. Especially now. I've missed you so, Sam. Gimli told me you named one of your children after me. I'm honored."

"He was honored to bear such a fine name." Was Sam's response to that, his gaze shifting over to the dwarf that hovered behind Frodo. His Frodo's new protector. "You brought Mr. Frodo's smiles back, Mr. Bilbo says. Thank you."

Not being a complete idiot Kili was aware of just how much Sam meant to Frodo, it was obvious whenever his lover talked about the other hobbit which was fairly often. He'd been plenty jealous at times, feeling like he had to compete with the memories Frodo had of the hobbit when he'd started courting the other man seriously. When he'd asked Bilbo if this Sam really was as wonderful as Frodo made him out to be his new uncle had said that Sam was one of those people it was near to impossible to dislike, and that he would no doubt hold the hobbit in equally high esteem once he got the chance to meet him. Actually, in all honesty, he'd been predisposed to hate the hobbit he saw as his competition for Frodo's affection…but the purity of Sam's love for Frodo made that impossible now. He just couldn't hate anyone who made his beloved this happy.

So instead he showed how much he'd matured by bowing low before Sam even though he was the prince to Sam's gardener. "It is I who owe you a debt that can never be repaid for your loyalty to my beloved. He has often stated that he would not be the man I love if not for you, so you have my unending thanks."

Not surprisingly that had Sam blushing and stuttering immediately, the hobbit trying to explain, as always, that he really hadn't done that much at all.

Amused by their fellow hobbit as always Pippin and Merry decided to give the other man a chance to pull himself together. Together they explained that the whole fellowship had come to see their cousin, but that they'd split up into two groups to try and find him since no one had been quite sure where he was. And though they were very eager to keep hugging Frodo between them the two had whispered to each other along the way as to how to proceed and so made their happiness known before turning around to grab Boromir so that they could drag the man over to Frodo.

Meeting Boromir's eyes Frodo smiled and motioned with his hand for the man to get down so that they were closer in height, the man bending down on one knee automatically, ready to do whatever he must do to earn Frodo's forgiveness for what he'd done.

Wrapping his arms around the startled and tense man's neck Frodo hugged him just as hard as he'd hugged Sam and his cousins. "I missed you. Thank you so much for taking care of Merry and Pippin when I wasn't there to protect them."

Tears welling in his eyes as he realized that he was truly going to be forgiven so easily, that Frodo truly did not hold his actions against him, Boromir wrapped his own arms around the hobbit's waist and gently hugged him back, his thank you low enough that only Frodo's ears caught it.

)

Standing off to the side with Bilbo and Gandalf, Thorin smiled as he watched his nephew by marriage light up as he talked with his friends and family. He had heard stories about the fellowship they'd been a part of from both Gloin's son and Frodo, knew what had precipitated the demise of the Man who'd been so tenderly embraced by Frodo.

"Frodo is as forgiving in nature as you." The King under the Mountain told his consort, wrapping one arm around Bilbo's waist to draw him closer to his side as the hobbit was getting quite emotional over the reunion.

Bilbo smiled up at him, thanking him for the compliment.

"One forgives to the degree that one loves." Gandalf told them with a knowing little smile on his face. "And loving people with all their hearts is what Baggins' do best."

THE END