Thanks for all the reviews and favourites and follows! You kept me going.

This Chapter is not really what I wanted, but it adds another 14k to this work and finishes it. Hope you like it!

Fingfur groaned as he came to consciousness. He was still a Dwarf so he had not died, but he did not doubt it was just luck on his part.

"Stay still, you are badly hurt, although you are healing very quickly" a low grumble came from above him.

Fingfur opened his eyes and stared at the huge man above him.

"You are the other Dwarf are you not? The one from the Company?"

"Yes" Fingfur croaked: "Fingfur" he said, knowing he could say little more.

"Yes, little bunny was so upset you weren't with them anymore, as was the gruff warrior dwarf. Even the royal Dwarf seemed upset. I don't like Dwarves, but I do like the little bunny."

'Are you talking of Bilbo? Did they survive?' Fingfur wanted to ask but he merely croaked.

"Don't talk, wait until you are in better health" the large man spoke to him. "I will take you to my home."

Fingfur closed his eyes and slumped against the large man, falling asleep almost immediately.

Fingfur had weird dreams. He dreamed that they were still in the Shire and that the Dragon came there as well. He dreamed Dwalin wore flowers in his hair and that Thorin was drunk and was being held up by Oin. He saw Bilbo being devoured by fire and Wargs attacking Ered Luin. He watched as the Mirkwood burned and Azog rose above the Misty Mountains. But Azog was dead?

Fingfur opened his eyes and stared up at a wooden ceiling. There was a pony to his left and he quickly moved back.

"You are awake, I see" a booming voice came from next to him. "Just in time, too. I was about to leave."

Fingfur frowned and looked towards the giant next to the bed. "Who are you? If you don't mind me asking? And where am I exactly?"

"In my house and I am Beorn. Your Company rested with me before they took off to reclaim a homeland. But with Orcs on their tail, I wonder how far they've gotten. More are closing in from the Misty Mountains. They dare not go near this place, but I will see them not return to their home either. The Orcs will die and the Goblins with them. The fight will probably take place near the Lonely Mountain. So if you wish to come. I leave in two days."

Fingfur closed his eyes. He did not come so far to give up at the last moment. He would fight with Thorin and his kin at Erebor, and they would prevail. He had not used magic in fighting for a long time. Even before he got on Middle Earth. He slowly rubbed his hands together. He then felt inside himself for his magic core. It was still large, as it always had been. He slowly let it travel through his extremities to all the places in his body. The magical channels where still as intact as ever, even if they had not felt magic since his fall. It was probably the only reason he was still alive, that and the fact that his magic would try to heal him even if he was near death.

He would fight for his Company. He would fight so that even if he might die, they would live. He would first have to be ready to leave in two days though… how long had he been out of it if they had already reached the Mountain? And how where the Dwarves doing? Had they all survived? It didn't matter, he had to go, if only to see for himself.

Fingfur was slowly going through the moves with his halberd, it had been awhile since he used it. He had only held onto it during the skirmish with the Orcs and not used it since. He had more use of his short swords when fighting with Bilbo. He stopped moving when he thought about the Hobbit, but quickly returned to moving with the halberd. He was going back to the Mountain and Beorn had told him of the Goblins whom had left the Mountains. He would fight for the Kingdom. It was time for the Dwarves to return to the Mountain.

"Little fox, are you ready to go?" Beorn asked him.

Fingfur stopped moving and stared at Beorn: "Yes, how are we getting there?"

Fingfur turned around as he heard the loud call of a bird. He came eye to feathers of a huge eagle.

They were halfway around Mirkwood when Fingfur stiffened. Something was wrong, very, very wrong. He did not know why he thought that, just that he did. They were getting closer now… close enough to apparate? He could still remember parts of the mountain from his youth… Maybe he could apparate towards the gate. There were probably no goblins that close to the gate, so it should be safe… if he apparated inside the gate he might get spotted by the Company, but he would have to explain later either way, so maybe he should appear somewhere they would not see him and explain later, he would rather not get an axe in his head because he scared the Company.

He closed his eyes, remembered the three D's and disapparited.

He appeared in the old guard's house near the gate. There was no one there, nor near the gate, which was open for all to enter. He crept towards the open gate and looked out. There was a battle happening away from the gate, there were Dwarves fighting orcs and trolls, and there seemed to be taller people further away, Fingfur couldn't see whether they were Elves or Men, but it seemed a bit of both. Where was it he was needed, exactly? He saw Bifur and Bombur fighting Orcs together. Bofur seemed to be riding one of the trolls, going by the hat Fingfur saw. He watched as he took on another troll who was in the River. What was he doing there? Fingfur wasn't sure until he saw three Goats riding up Ravenhill. So that was where he needed to go.

He took a step forward, his eyes turning towards the battle and stopped. How was he going to get there? He could try to apparite, but how was he to be sure he would not appear where there were Orcs? There was just one thing for it. He held out an arm and watched as the air rippled and opened up. He was glad he had been keeping his important stuff in a pocket dimension since the Wizarding War. He summoned his broom and took it out. It was the easiest way to fly. He then cast a disillusionment charm on himself and flew off.

He was nearly there when he saw Azog holding Fili in one arm. Without thinking he cast the first curse he could think of; the stinging jinx and watched as Azog dropped Fili and held up his hand. His aim had been very good, Azog's hand was swollen from the jinx. Probably not for very long, Orcs could heal very fast. Fili had fallen from the tower, but Kili seemed to be there and was dragging his brother away, back over the ice. Thorin was staring at Azog from that side as if he had never seen him before.

"Kili!" Dwalin called, running towards the ice where Kili was still half-dragging his brother with him. He quickly grabbed Fili as well and together they moved back towards Thorin.

Fingfur decide they were well enough and flew back down to the fight below. There was no doubt he could be of proper help there. He dropped to the ground near the other Dwarves and put his broom back in his pocket dimension. He took out his halberd and threw of the disillusionment charm before engaging the closest Orc. He lost himself in the fight soon after.

"The King! The King fought off Azog and needs a Healer! All Healers to the King!" a shout came over the battlefield. Most of the Orcs had already fled and the bats were being taken care of by the Eagles. Fingfur grumbled, he had just sat down next to another Dwarf to share some water – of course he had forgotten any for himself – but now he got up and ran towards where the other Dwarves pointed. He found Thorin with Oin next to him.

"Fingfur?" a voice came from his back but Fingfur ignored it, putting his hand in his belt bag and opening his pocket dimension. He took out the Phoenix tears. He knelt down next to Thorin and held up his head. He drippled three droplets on Thorin's mouth, who licked them off. It should be enough to speed up the healing process and keep him alive, without anyone thinking he survived by some miracle. He then quickly stepped back to let Oin have some space.

"Fingfur, laddie! Where did you come from?" Balin cried out when he saw who it was: "We thought you were dead!"

Fingfur smiled as the elderly Dwarf embraced him: "Well, I survived my fall and Beorn came to patch me up. I flew with him and the Eagles." Not a lie, he just didn't arrive with them. "Is everyone else still alive? I haven't seen Bofur or Bifur anywhere."

"They went to get checked out by a Healer" Nori said: "Bifur lost his axe if you can believe it."

"Fili is in a bad way, but he'll survive" Balin added: "Kili is with him" he smiled: "Soon he will no longer stay in bed just to get away from his brother."

The others laughed half-heartedly, it was no real time to be joking, they had won but they had lost many as well.

"Isn't he supposed to be Regent now that his brother and uncle are out of the running?" Dwalin asked gruffly.

"Fili said he would share the burden with Kili as far as he can. Kili never really got all of the lessons needed to be Regent."

"So the little buggers are alive?" another gruff voice said and they turned to see Dain standing there, next to his boar.

"Yes" Oin was the one who answered: "And I need a stretcher to get Thorin towards the Mountain as well."

Dain turned to the Dwarf next to him and said a quick few words to get him to search for a stretcher. "Where are Fili and Kili?" he then asked.

"In one of your healer tents" Dwalin answered: "I escorted them myself."

"Alright" Dain said: "I'll go check on them, see if they need any help." He turned to Balin: "Will you remain with Thorin, cousin?"

Balin bowed his head in agreement. Dain nodded back and left them alone.

Not long after that two Dwarves came with a stretcher and Oin helped them put Thorin on it, before he told four of the Company – Dwalin, Balin, Nori and Gloin – to help carry Thorin towards the Mountain. Fingfur found himself alone and decided he was going to find some water after all. He turned around, spotted an Elf and decided to try his luck.

"Any chance for some water?" Fingfur asked to the back of the Elf. He had long red hair, beautiful, like his mother had had and Ginny.

He turned out to be a she and she handed over her own water flask to him. He took it gratefully and took a sip.

"May I ask you something?" she asked him.

"Sure" he answered, wondering what she wanted to know.

"Do you know what happened to Kili? The dark-haired prince? I was looking for him but couldn't find him."

"He's the Regent, he's currently with his brother. Fili was hurt badly in the battle, I'm not sure how that happened, but that's where Kili is."

"You seem to be familiar with them, but you were not with them when they were in the Greenwood" she asked: "Did you come with Dain Ironfoot?"

"No" he answered: "I came with Beorn."

"The Bear?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"He found me after I fell off a mountain in the Misty Mountains."

"You fell off a mountain?" she asked: "How did you survive?!"

"Just really lucky, I suppose" Fingfur answered: "Anyway, should I tell Prince Kili you asked about him?"

"No, just tell him I'll be in Dale when you see him."

"And you are?" Fingfur asked.

"Tauriel" she answered.

"Tauriel" he repeated: "Fine, I'll tell him, not sure when it is I'll see him, though, he's probably way too busy for a while. Oh, and here is your flask." He handed back her flask: "By the way, you wouldn't happen to have seen a Hobbit, would you?"

Fingfur moved towards the streets of Dale. There were people moving about, trying to find their families and giving the dead people their last honours. They would probably burn them, there was no way they could bury all of them. Or maybe it would be a massive grave. He wasn't even sure how Humans did it in this world to be honest.

Tauriel had said she had seen Bilbo last here with Gandalf. Fingfur had yet to find either of them. He wondered if they went towards the Mountain already and he had missed them on the battlefield, you would think Gandalf would stand out on the field, but apparently he hadn't. If they had gone in the first place. Fingfur struggled further up the way into the city. The cut on his leg was slightly hurting, and it did not help that the roads were so steep. He used his halberd as a walking stick the last part of the hill. When he reached the top he was in what seemed to be a small square. There were more Humans wandering around here, it seemed they were dragging foods towards their houses and there were mothers watching over children, too much children to be of all the mothers, and a few of the woman looked even too young in Fingfur's eyes.

"Oi, Dwarf, what are you doing here?!" a voice shouted and Fingfur looked to see an older man come from a side street.

"I'm looking for a Hobbit" he answered: "Have you seen Mister Baggins?"

The old man narrowed his eyes: "Why? Haven't you people done enough against the halfling?"

"Why? What happened?" Fingfur asked.

"I'll tell you what happened" a rough voice came from behind him: "Your King went gold mad and threw out Mister Baggins. It was only by the help of Gandalf he didn't actually throw him from the top of the gate." Bard glared down at the Dwarf.

Fingfur swallowed, he could imagine it, sadly enough: "Is he okay? Have you seen him?"

"Yes" Bard bit out icily: "Though I do not know why you care. You were not with the Company when they reached my house."

"You wouldn't" Fingfur answered: "Since I fell of a mountain in the Misty Mountains."

"Fingfur?" a young voice asked from behind Bard: "You must be Fingfur! Bilbo told me all about you!" A smiling blond child appeared from behind Bard and took Fingfur's hand to shake it up and down.

"Indeed, little miss?" Fingfur asked: "Fingfur, at your service" he bowed over their hands: "And might I know your name? You must be an extraordinary young woman to have the friendship of Master Baggins."

"I am Tilda" the little girl answered: "Are you really Fingfur? How did you survive falling of the mountain? Do you really tell stories about magical children? Do they really fly on Dragons? Our dragon wasn't very friendly" she said in one breath.

Fingfur laughed: "Well, I doubt there are many places where Dragons are nice but of course there are nice Dragons as well, just as there are nice Humans and Elves and Dwarves."

"And Orcs?" Tilda asked.

"I am not sure" Fingfur answered honestly: "I cannot say I have ever met a nice Orc, to be honest."

Tilda at once turned towards Bard: "Da, can we take Mister Fingfur home and let him see Bilbo and he can tell us stories! Please, Da? Please?"

Fingfur had not yet figured out that the adorable child was the daughter of Bard, but now he could see the resemblance. She probably took more from her mother, but she was still cute. Like most Dwarves Fingfur adored children, and he had adored him even in his first live and all lives after that. "So Bilbo is with you?"

"Yes! He's helping with the laundry!" Tilda said, grinning. She grabbed Fingfur's hand and started dragging him towards the citadel. Fingfur wasn't unaware that Bard and the elder man were following them.

They met were Tilda told them Bilbo would be – doing the laundry. He was with a few older girls and some women, cleaning off his own shirt with a brush.

"Bilbo" Bard called and the Hobbit turned to Bard. His eyes widened when he spotted Fingfur. He dropped his shirt and rushed to Fingfur.

"Fingfur!" He threw his arms around the Dwarf, seemed to shy away almost immediately, but Fingfur wouldn't let him. He wrapped his arms around Bilbo as well and held on tight. He even lifted the smaller male from the ground for a second. "Oh! It's so good to see you! You are okay, right? Not injured?" Fingfur asked as he lowered Bilbo to the ground and looked him over critically. He immediately spotted the mark on Bilbo's forehead, half hidden behind his hair. He reached out to softly brush the hairs away: "Are you okay? What happened?! Have you seen a Healer?!"

Bilbo batted his hand away: "I'm fine! Got knocked out halfway through the battle. How are the others? Everyone still alive?"

Fingfur nodded: "Looks like it. Kili is Regent until Fili or Thorin is better. Thorin was unconscious last I saw him, but Fili is apparently awake enough to help his brother with his duties. Bifur lost his axe, but is okay, for all I've heard. I'm not sure how Ori and Dori are, but Nori did not seem worried, so they should be fine. The rest are all healthy, apart from some bruising and flesh wounds."

"Like yourself, Master Dwarf?" Bard asked nodding towards his leg. The scratch had started bleeding again while he was trying to keep up with Tilda.

"Just a flesh wound" he answered: "I'll get it seen to when I return to the Mountain." He turned to Bilbo: "Will you come with me?"

Bilbo grimaced: "I'm not allowed" he answered: "Thorin banished me."

Fingfur shook his head at the foolishness of his own King: "And there is no way that the Regent can undo it" he answered: "I understand." He took Bilbo's hands into his own and smiled sadly: "You will be able to return to the Mountain, Bilbo, I promise."

"I… I am not sure I want to" Bilbo said, looking away: "There are no pleasant memories there."

Fingfur swallowed: "Then, will you allow me to return and talk to you here, in Dale?" he asked.

"If Bard allows it, I would like that" Bilbo answered, looking towards the Man.

"I see no reason as to why not" Bard answered: "I have no grievance with this Dwarf." It was clear he meant to say there were Dwarves not allowed to come visit.

Fingfur turned back to Bilbo and squeezed his hand softly in order to gain his attention: "I have to go see a Healer, but I will return, Bilbo. I promise. Will you promise to still be here?"

Bilbo smiled a watery smile: "If you do not stay away too long. I am not sure when I will return to the Shire."

"So you will not stay here?" Fingfur asked.

Bilbo shook his head: "A Hobbit does not belong in the world of Men, at least, this Hobbit doesn't."

"And if your banishment is revoked?" Fingfur asked.

"I will not return to the Mountain while Thorin is King" he answered: "Not while there is such grievance between us."

Fingfur frowned: "I may not like it, but I will respect your wishes" he answered: "I know I cannot keep you here. If you do return to the Shire, though, be assured I will happily escort you."

"Do you not wish to remain here?" Bilbo asked: "In the Mountain?"

Fingfur smiled: "I will return" he answered: "My mother still remains in the Blue Mountains and she has no one to pack her stuff for her while I remain here. I wish to take her to the Mountain. She will be happy to see it again and she will be of higher standing now that we have taken the Mountain. No need to work if I have a fifteenth of a share, now is there?" He grinned at Bilbo, which turned into a grimace as he felt his leg nerves spike. "Forgive me, I must see a Healer" he said and bowed towards the Hobbit. He then bowed to Bard and the ladies before turning around and limping away. He only looked back once to wave at Bilbo and Tilda: "See you soon, Master Baggins!"

The work in the Mountain was heavy. There were no spider webs - even the little cretins kept away from the dragon – but there was still more than enough work getting rid of the mess left by Smaug. Luckily the Dragon was wise enough to leave his droppings away from his hoard, meaning in a field near Dale, and when he stopped feeding – once all the Dwarves were dead – he lived of the sheer energy the gold produced in him. Still, there were small mountains of shed skin and the occasional scale they found between the gold. Gold that needed to be counted. After a week the first of Dain's dwarves arrived in order to help in the Mountain. There were also pathways that needed to be cleared and inspected.

The Company went to work as well. Balin helped Kili and Fili rule while the latter was still on bedrest and the former refused to leave his side. Thorin was still unconscious for long periods of time. Dwalin took his guarding of the King to be the most important job he could do, and when he rested Bifur took over from him. Bofur was helping clear the pathways and inspect them, as he had much experience from his time as a miner. Bombur made sure everyone was fed, while Dori made sure no one was fed too much. They did not have the storage to have luxurious feasts if they wanted to make it through the winter. The little Dain had been able to spare was rationed carefully. Ori helped as the Royal Scribe to write down all the decisions Fili and Kili – and Balin – made. Nori was for some reason nowhere to be found – to the grumbling of both Gloin and Dwalin, who were sure he was up to something. Gloin took the job of Royal Banker, meaning he had to make sure everything was counted properly and stored safely. Oin was the main Healer looking after both wounded royals and told everyone around him he had no time to do any other kind of job because keeping those two in bed was a full time one – even though Thorin was unconscious most of the time.

Fingfur had, somehow, been appointed the job of main negotiator. He had to move from Erebor to Dale and back every day and sometimes more than once. He kept in close contact with Bard and Bilbo, but also with the Elf Galdor, who had been sent as main negotiator by King Thranduil and Tauriel, for whom he had many a letter from Prince Kili. It was simple work, but not very rewarding; little had been achieved in the weeks he had spent running from one place to another. Well, not really running, Lord Dain had lent him one of his mountain goats to get everywhere faster, but it sure as hell felt like he was all over the place. He could hardly wait for the new arrivals from Dain's court to come over and lessen the load.

Fingfur wished he had never heard of Dain's court. Some of them had been part of the court of Thror and they felt entitled to everything, even though they had fled to the nearest Dwarven kingdom and hid there, while their people starved. They seemed to be unable to listen to the Princes – or maybe they were just deaf – because they all shouted at each other about how the kingdom should be ruled. Well, not all of them, but most of them, anyway. Fingfur was required to attend the sessions, as were most of the others of the Company. Fingfur felt lucky he only had to be there when the Elves and Men were discussed, he felt sorry for the other who had to be there all the time, especially Ori, who seemed clueless as to what to write down about what the old Dwarves shouted at one another.

Mostly the Dwarves of the council were kept under control by Dain, who had years of experience dealing with them – and also liked to shout – and Balin, who could make anyone feel stupid with a few well spoken words. They went too far, however when one of them said Dain should take over the rule from the two princes, and the others agreed. Dain tried to come between them, to tell them he had no intention of ever coming between the princes and the Kingdom, they were of the line of Durin, the main line, while he was more of a side branch. The council members ignored him this time though and Fingfur clenched his fist with the need to shut them all up, when someone did it for them.

Ori – from out of nowhere – slung a battle hammer against the table with such a crash that the stone table broke in half. Fingfur hadn't even seen where the weapon came from, let alone been aware what the younger Dwarf was about to do.

Ori glared around him at the council members who stared back in shock, which was turning in contempt. Before one of them could open up their mouths he said: "And that will be the end of that discussion! Fili is the rightful heir to the throne of Erebor! He will rule while King Thorin is indisposed! And let that be the last of it!"

"Who are you to speak to us that way?" one of the council dwarves barked after a long silence.

"He's Ori, son of Dill." Dain reported, noticing the look of disgust on some of the council faces once they noticed he was a mother's son. "He's one of the few who were brave enough to follow our King on his quest."

"He still has no right of speaking here" a snooty old Dwarf grumbled.

"More right than you have" a voice croaked from the door and they turned to find Thorin. He was leaning on the heft of his sword. His face was pale, but his eyes were like fire, glaring at the court in front of him. Dwalin was standing next to him. "I need to speak with my Company" Thorin said: "Will you gather them for me?" It was not sure to whom he spoke, but Ori bowed and ran off. Thorin stumbled and Dwalin reached out with a hand to catch him, but Thorin righted himself before he had to catch him. Thorin moved towards the small throne in the middle of the table. Fili had been seated there but he now helped his uncle in it. Thorin raised an eyebrow at his sister-son who shook his head lightly. "Very well, you are dismissed" he said, waving a hand at the council.

They spluttered as one, even though there were a few who just left with a bow towards the King.

Thorin narrowed his eyes at the ones who were still sitting there: "I said I wanted to speak with my Company! You are not part of that! Leave!"

The council seemed to understand noncompliance would bring a worse outcome and fled the council halls. Thorin sighed and seemed to sink into his throne. He then looked up and turned his blue eyes on Fingfur: "Fingfur! Where did you come from? I thought I heard you had survived, but I was sure my ears were betraying me. How did you survive that fall?"

"Pure dumb luck" Fingfur answered: "I don't know what else it must've been."

Thorin nodded slowly: "It seems we have all been lucky. I was sure Fili would die on Raven Hill."

"And we were sure you would die by the hands of Azog on this side of the Misty Mountains" Kili spoke: "Or that we would never be free from the Elves."

"Yes, Bilbo was a great help" Thorin said with a small smile.

Fingfur stiffened he was sure he had seen that look before… was Thorin in love?

Thorin said up straighter when Ori returned with the other Company members. He narrowed his eyes when he missed someone: "Where is Bilbo?"

Balin sighed when all of the others looked towards him to explain: "You banished him, Thorin, you know a Regent cannot make a banishment undone. For good reason, too, but in this instance perhaps, not."

"Does anyone know where he is?" Thorin asked: "I remember telling him to go home. I thought I was dying."

"You were" Oin answered: "Be glad you survived. I was sure you would not. It was a miracle in itself. I have not seen him since before the battle."

The other Dwarrow looked at each other until Fingfur stepped forward: "I have seen him. Mister Baggins now lives in Dale with Bard and his daughters."

They all started talking as one and Fingfur took a step back at all the noise coming towards him.

"Shazara!" Thorin shouted and the group quieted: "Fingfur… Why did he not come back?"

"He told me he was banished on pain of death" Fingfur answered bluntly: "And he told me he would not return while there was such grievance between you. I am still not sure what happened exactly, though." He gave the other Dwarrows questioning looks, but they all avoided his eyes. Fingfur snorted and ignored them.

"Ori" Thorin looked towards the scribe: "Write this down. From this day forward Bilbo Baggins of the Shire and Bag End will no longer be banished! And he is hereby declared a dwarf friend! May he never betray the utmost trust Durin's folk has given him" he uttered the formal words softly, no doubt remembering that it was not Durin's folk that had been betrayed. He then turned to Balin: "Tell me, what do you know of the happenings in the Mountain while I was out? Bring me up to speed. I want to know everything!" he sagged in his throne as Balin took a book out of his deep pockets where he had written down what had been done every week since the Battle.

Four days later was Fingfur's free day and he took that time to walk to Dale and talk to Bard and Bilbo about something other than treaties.

Bilbo was wringing his hands, standing on the steps of the citadel when Fingfur approached him.

"Master Baggins?" Fingfur asked: "Is something wrong?"

"You have to talk to Bard, Fingfur! Please hurry!" Bilbo was apparently quite frazzled because he did not even say mister before Fingfur's name. Not that he needed to really, he just always did.

Fingfur took the steps two at the time – quite a feat for a Dwarf – and stopped next to the Hobbit: "What's wrong?"

Bilbo wrung his hands together: "They have not got enough space ready for the coming winter. There is no way all the people of Laketown can be kept warm in Dale at the moment and the winter will start soon! They have even worse winters here than they do back home… Come on, you should talk to Bard."

Fingfur followed Bilbo inside and found Bard standing by a table, talking to his council, which existed of the elder men of Laketown and a few elderly women. Fingfur recognised Percy immediately.

Bard looked up and nodded towards Fingfur, who gave a bow. There was talk of crowning Bard the Dragon Slayer the King of Dale – he would never hear of it himself – but even if he only became the Lord of Dale – which was the lowest he would be – he was still of higher rank than Fingfur and everyone around the Mountain owed him for the death of the dragon.

"You asked to see me?" Fingfur asked.

"Yes" Bard said, looking graver than normal. He did not seem to know where to start.

"Bilbo mentioned something about too little space for all of you to stay in during the winter?" Fingfur prompted.

"Yes" Bard said and sighed, looking more grim and weary than usual: "We have not the housing to protect the people of the cold winter weather this year. We would petition your king to be able to stay in the Mountain. We will of course pay for it, whatever it is, as long as at least our women and children can stay in the Mountain."

Fingfur already felt his free day go to waste. He bowed to Bard: "I will return immediately to the Mountain to inform our King of your petition. I will return as soon as there has been a decision made." He bowed again and turned around to leave. He stopped at the door and looked back: "I will make sure the decision is made as soon as possible, Lord Bard. You do not have to fear it will take a long time. I will return next week at the latest." He then left and returned to the Mountain.

He never noticed the look Bard shared with his councilmen at the knowledge the King was once more ruling the Mountain.

Thorin was seated in a large chair in his study – or rather Balin's study, who had taken over since Thorin could only decide on important things, and rested the rest of the day. They were just going over the amount of food they had for the winter when there was a knock on the door and Fingfur was called to enter.

"Fingfur?" Balin asked: "Is it not your day off?"

"Yes, indeed" Fingfur answered: "I went to Dale to spend some time with Bilbo, but I was urged to talk with Bard. They have a problem."

"A problem?" Thorin asked: "They have a fourteenth share of the treasure? How big a problem can they have?!"

"Winter is setting in, your majesty" Fingfur said, after he had stiffened at Thorin's word: "Bard pleads for at least shelter for the women and children."

Thorin groaned rubbing his forehead his eyes clenched shut: "We have the space, but not the food to feed more mouths. We have not the food to feed everyone in the Mountain even!"

"Bard did not want this for free, my Lord" Fingfur said: "Perhaps it can be a trade? Sharing shelter and sharing food?"

Thorin looked thoughtfully, clearly thinking this over.

"It would be better for relations to ask for food instead of gold" Balin said, counselling his King in a soft tone: "May I remind his majesty that if he allows all of the Men in the Mountain a Hobbit is sure to follow?"

Thorin stiffened but then nodded: "We cannot just allow them entrance. I want a contract made." He turned to Fingfur: "Return to Bard and ask him to come to us tomorrow after noon. We will discuss the rules that will have to be in place. I don't trust all the Men in Dale. They could easily try to steal from the Treasury during the winter. Do we have enough Dwarves to guard it?" he asked Balin, who looked thoughtful.

"We might have to ask Dwalin" Balin said: "He knows more of his Majesty's guard than any of us."

Thorin rang a bell on his desk and a Dwarrow from the Iron Hills quickly entered the room and bowed to the King. "Brimir, I want you to go tell Dwalin he is needed immediately here" Thorin told the Dwarrow.

Brimir bowed and left the office quickly, they could hear him start to run as soon as he was out of the door.

"I'll take my leave" Fingfur said, bowed, first to Thorin and then to Balin and left.

Fingfur borrowed one of the faster goats from the stables and was in Dale in record time. He abandoned the goat at the foot of the stairs to the citadel and ran up the stairs, two at the time – quite a feat for a dwarf. He opened a door quickly and walked into the Hall were Bard was standing with his council.

"You are faster back than I had thought" Bard said, looking suspicious.

"My King is considering accepting your proposal, but he wishes to make a contract between our people. He invites you to the Mountain tomorrow after noon."

"Tell me, Master Dwarf, do you think he will accept our proposal?" Bard asked: "Should I even go to this meeting?"

"Yes" Fingfur answered: "You really should. When I left my King, he was already discussing a way to make your proposal acceptable for both our people. You are no longer dealing with a gold mad king, Lord Bard. Thorin will listen to your proposal and he will decide for the best of his people. I do not think leaving you to rot is what he thinks to be best." Fingfur hesitated for a moment: "If you want to insure he will say yes, I must remind you that you have a Hobbit in your midst. Bilbo Baggins might be the key to make sure you will have shelter."

"But he was banished" one of the councilmen spoke.

"He no longer is" Fingfur said: "His banishment was revoked four days ago, when King Thorin returned to his throne. He was named Dwarf friend. I do think it might be good to remind the King that a party of Men includes a Hobbit in this case."

Bard nodded seriously. "We will meet your King tomorrow then. Perhaps you might rest the night? It seems you have run around a lot today."

Fingfur smiled and shook his head: "Not to worry, I came by goat and will leave the same way. I'll be back in the Mountain by dark. After a summer under the stars a Dwarf is happy to return under the stone. I will see you tomorrow."

Bard nodded and Fingfur left the citadel for the second time that day, so much for a free day.

The next day Bard and his entourage entered the Mountain, to the surprise of the Company – and the disgust of most of the Iron Hill Dwarrows – a Hobbit was amongst them.

Thorin was once again seated on his throne when they entered the throne room, Balin and Dwalin where next to him. He was not wearing a crown this time and slowly rose once they came close enough.

"Master Bard, Master Baggins" Thorin said, nodding slowly.

Bilbo swallowed audibly, but Bard spoke: "King Thorin, thank you for meeting with us."

Thorin nodded, winced and slowly lowered himself into the seat of the throne. "Fingfur mentioned you had too little space in Dale." He motioned towards Balin: "Balin has written a contract. We wish for you to read it and see if you approve. There can be changes made. Ori will escort you and yours to a side room where you may review it at your leisure. Will you dine with us tonight? We do not have much, but you are welcome."

Bard smiled: "We will see how long it takes to read. Please excuse us."

Thorin nodded: "Any questions you might have can be asked to Ori. He will be able to answer them or send for Balin."

Bard nodded, turned and followed Ori back over the long walkway. Bilbo quickly followed him, not looking back, his shoulders obviously tense.

Fingfur was then dismissed until Bard and his entourage were done with checking and proofreading the contract. He would be notified when they were ready for him again.

"Rough day, huh?" a voice came from next to Fingfur. He was leaning against the wall of his favourite tavern and looked up to see Dwalin standing next to him.

"You can say that" Fingfur answered: "I thought King Thorin and Bard would never see eye to eye."

"Good thing Bilbo was there" Dwalin said in his gruff voice.

"Yes" Fingfur said and he smiled: "Our Hobbit is full of surprises."

They fell silent and Fingfur wondered why Dwalin had sought him out. It was not normal for the taller Dwarf to make small talk.

Dwalin just seemed about to say something when Selien walked up to them and asked Fingfur for a dance. Fingfur smiled, handed his ale over to Dwalin and took her to the dance floor.

Dwalin closed his eyes and growled. This was not part of his plan.

The next day the Men started to move in. Fingfur was helping them find the rooms they needed and made sure they were big enough for the families. By the end of the day he was tired but got immediately cornered by Bard's children and some other children, both from Men and the spare dwarfling that already resided in the Mountain.

"Please tell us a story, Mister Fingfur!" Tilda begged and so he sat down and made the children sit around him.

"What would you like to hear about?" he asked.

"Something about a princess!" One girl in the back said shyly.

"No, a fight with monsters!" A boy in the front was nearly jumping from the excitement.

"A hero story!" Tilda sighed: "But can the hero be a girl?"

"Girls can't be heroes!" a boy said snootily.

"Of course they can!" Tilda said back, she turned to Fingfur: "They can be heroes, can't they Mister Fingfur?"

"Of course they can" Fingfur said: "Now let me think. There has to be a story I can tell you about." He pretended to think but he had a good idea on what story he wanted to tell them. "Okay then, this story begins in a land far to the East in a time long ago" he said: "And oddly enough it starts with a bath."

"A bath?" Tilda asked, her face scrunched up: "What kind of a story starts with a bath?"

"Mine does" Fingfur said: "If I may tell it?"

Tilde nodded quickly.

"The bath was meant for a beautiful girl named Mulan" Fingfur said: "For on that day she would be chosen for a husband."

"I am never getting married." Tilda said with a huff.

And so Fingfur told the story of Mulan, who refused to get married and joined the army to fight the enemies – though he changed the Huns into Orcs, since he didn't want to give the children the idea that Man fought each other. He made it scary, funny and got wonderful commentary from Tilda and some other kids throughout the story. The story ended with Mulan being the Hero of all the land and then he shooed the children to bed, even though they did not want to. "I will tell you what happened afterwards the next time we meet." He smiled and got up to leave. He bumped into Dwalin the moment he turned around.

"They like you" Dwalin said, nodding towards the children.

Fingfur shrugged: "Some people do like my stories, no matter how farfetched they are."

"I… I did not mean that" Dwalin said: "I just didn't want you to get distracted. The road is never safe."

Fingfur shook his head: "I can tell a story and watch the road, especially if we are with sixteen."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry."

Fingfur stared at him, wondering what Dwalin was thinking being friendly with him all of a sudden. He had been the one who refused to take him with them on the quest. Why was he so nice? "Okay?" It came out more like a question than anything else.

"Would you like to go have a drink tomorrow with me and some of the rest of the company? Bofur planned a little get together now that Bilbo is in the Mountain."

"Yes, I'd love to." Fingfur figured he would have to try to keep the peace between Bilbo and Thorin. Mahal knew Thorin was not yet well enough to calmly meet Bilbo. Fingfur hoped they would remain somewhat calm and not go head to head with each other.

Dwalin smiled at him – something Fingfur could not remember him ever doing before in his direction – and said: "Great I'll meet you after work then!" before he turned around and walked away.

The get together Bofur had planned was great. Fingfur enjoyed socialising with the members of the company while there were no pressing matters to attend for any of them. Even Thorin and the princes had made sure they would not be disturbed during this time. Fingfur was telling Gloin, Oin, Dori and Balin about what had happened after he dropped from the Mountain and they were all surprised he had survived that fall. Balin especially seemed interested in this fact.

"Were we gone long when Beorn found you?"

"He went looking for me after he left you near Mirkwood, apparently" Fingfur answered. "He took me to his home and patched me up."

"You were very lucky to survive in the first place" Balin said: "Though we are all very happy that you are still alive, of course."

"Yeah, me too" Fingfur said: "I am not sad I missed the gold sickness, though, that must've been tough."

Dori grimaced. "I can't believe all of us suffered from it. I can't believe I thought gold more important than my brothers. What if something had happened to Ori while I was obsessing over gold?!" He cried out.

"Though it could still happen to you" Balin said: "You have your own share of gold, any idea what you are going to do with it?"

Fingfur shrugged, having gained the attention of the other three who were wondering the same thing. The others had already told each other what they were going to do while they were waiting on the Mountain for Durin's day. Bilbo had not been sure at the time, doubting he could even take all of that back to the Shire with him. Bombur was going to buy himself a tavern where he could cook to his heart's content and make sure all his bairns would have enough to eat for their entire lives. Bifur was going to begin a toy shop with the help of Bofur and found the smiling faces they would get payment enough. Bofur would be a Watcher of the Northern Mines. The rest of their gold would remain in the treasury for the good of their people, though Thorin promised they could get some if they needed it. Gloin went back to banking to help his own family and Oin wanted to start a Healing Centre in the Mountain where all Dwarves could get healed, paying only what they could. Thorin supported him and offered him more money should he need it. Dori would start a teashop with books to read for the intellectual Dwarves. Ori had sought out most of the books and Dori would select the best spices for teas himself. Nori had only grinned for a moment and refused to say what he would do in the Mountain – causing Dori to huff and hit him over the head. Ori was to be Royal Scribe and Chronicler of the Journey. Balin was royal advisor and would remain so, but he went back to the luxurious ways of his life in the past. Dwalin would be Head of the Royal Guard and protect Thorin and the princes, as he had done most of his life. Fili, Kili and Thorin threw their money together to help their people and pay for the rebuilding. Now they just wanted to know what Fingfur would do with his money.

Fingfur smiled shyly: "I guess I'll become a fabulist, like I always wanted."

"I didn't know you wanted to become one" Gloin said: "You never said anything."

"Well, I made up enough stories on the journey here, did I not?" Fingfur asked.

Oin grumbled and the rest nodded in acquiesce.

"What are you talking about?" Dwalin asked as he came to stand between Balin and Fingfur, looking at Gloin in question.

"Aha" Balin said: "Did you know Fingfur wanted to become a fabulist, dear brother?" He nudged his brother with his elbow and grinned up at him.

"No" Dwalin said and turned towards Fingfur: "I did not know that! You were great at that story you told the little ones yesterday, they loved it!"

"Did I hear something about little ones?" Bilbo asked as he came to stand by them.

"Yes, Fingfur was telling them a story yesterday. That girl from Bard and some of the other Human children" Dwalin said gruffly.

"Which story was that?" Bilbo asked.

"Ah, I made it up" Fingfur answered, flushing.

"Well, you have to write it down!" Bilbo said enthusiastically: "You can't keep telling it to everyone!"

"Maybe I will" Fingfur said and smiled.

"Speaking of little ones" Dori said: "Bofur said something about how he saw no less than ten little Hobbits in the Shire when we were there. I told him he must have been mistaken, how could there have been that many on such a small piece of land after all." He seemed sure of himself but still looked at Bilbo wonderingly, as if wondering if any of it held any truth.

"Many?" Bilbo laughed: "I am surprised he did not see more. Hobbits have many faunts. My mother was one of twelve after all."

Dori spluttered as if he could not believe his ears.

Balin looked intrigued: "Truly? Is that a normal number of – faunts, did you say?"

"Not really" Bilbo answered: "Most families have around five faunts. My grandparents were rich and willing enough to take on twelve. The Baggins family – from my father's side – was quite rich too, but grandma Baggins never wanted more than five. She once told me it was a respectable amount of children and she did not need any more. She also did not really want for my father to marry my mother, but the Tooks are quite influential in the Shire even if they aren't totally respectable. My grandfather was the Thain when my father married my mother and he paid for the construction of Bag End. It was built of Took money for a Took, my mother by my father. He had great taste and a good eye for details, he did need help with the bigger picture though."

"Wait a minute" Balin said at once: "Your grandfather was the Thain?!"

"Yes, but my uncle took over not too long ago."

"Who is this Thain you are talking about?" came the voice of the reinstated King under the Mountain.

"The King of the Shire" Balin answered.

"I did not know Hobbits have a king" Fingfur said, frowning at Bilbo.

"That's because we don't" he answered: "The Thain is not a king! He's just there for people who have problems they cannot fix themselves."

Balin looked at him as if he had declared them all stupid. "Right he's only a mediator, leader of the Hobbit army and the one who's seal approval has to be on any and all outsiders looking for work in the Shire. Tell me how that is not a king."

"It just isn't" Bilbo answered.

"The title is even passed down from father to son!" Balin exclaimed.

They had gathered the attention of the entire Company by now.

"Does that mean that Bilbo's mother was a princess?" Ori asked with childlike wonder.

The entire Company fell quiet, wondering to themselves what this meant. They ignored the cry of Bilbo: "Hobbits do not have a king!"

Thorin ignored him: "You're a prince?" He turned Bilbo towards him: "Why did you not say anything?"

"Because I'm not!" Bilbo shook his head: "There is no Hobbit king! The Thain is just there to keep the Shire safe, he does not give orders to anyone! We don't usually fight wars either, in case you forgot. I could not fight before I went with you, remember?"

Thorin nodded quickly, clearly not want to upset the Hobbit further.

"Perhaps you would like to explain the hierarchy of the Shire to me at a later date?" Balin asked: "For research purposes, of course."

"Yes, very well" Bilbo answered: "It's not that difficult to explain. We are not as complex as you Dwarves."

Balin looked like he did not believe a word of what Bilbo had said, but he turned back to Dori and asked how the reparations were progressing around the market.

That winter the Mountain was packed. There were all sorts of Dwarves and Men and sometimes even Elves there. Thorin was having a hard time making sure that they all had a place to sleep. Especially since some of these Dwarves and Men believed they were supposed to have better bedding, or bigger rooms, or even servants to take care of them. Thorin got into a shouting match with three Dwarven nobles, who had been Lords under his grandfather. He shouted at them there was no way they would be restored to their former rang when they left the people under there command to go live in the Iron Hills, and left them to face hunger and even death on the road to another place to live. He gestured to Bofur, who had just given an account of the Mines under his watch and told them he'd rather have Bofur in his council, because the Dwarf had worked to earn his trust. The Nobles had been horrified and returned to their rooms, murmuring to each other as they left. Thorin had given a look to Dwalin who nodded, but had done nothing else.

Fingfur was helping keep the peace between the Dwarves and Men, but they got on better than they had hoped for. It was mostly the Dwarves from the Iron Hills who believed they deserved better than the rest who caused incidents. One even had said to Bard's face that he did not deserve the rooms he and his children had been given and that he should just vacate them so he could move in. Ori was there when it happened and socked the Dwarf in the jaw. The Dwarf screamed for the guard to take the impudent Dwarf away, but was surprised when the Dwarven Guards took him instead of the small scribe. Ori smirked and told the guards to take him to their Captain and to tell Dwalin exactly what had happened. The Dwarf had spent a few nights in the cells and when he was let out, he was placed in the barracks, where the guard 'could keep an eye on him'.

Bilbo took some time to warm up to Thorin once more, but at the end of the winter they were finally getting along enough to spend it civilly talking to each other, even when no one else was around.

The start of spring made an end at that.

Bilbo was adamant he return to the Shire and see how his house was doing and his family. There were some Dwarves who decided to return with him and head to the Blue Mountains to help their family move towards the Mountain. Fingfur was one of these dwarves. He, along with Bofur and Gloin, had decided to travel back and take care of their Families. He went back for his mother while Gloin went back for his wife and son and Bofur went to get Bombur's wife and all the little ones. He had discussed it with his brother and cousin and they had decided that it would be better for Bombur to remain in the Mountain, for he was unable to make the travel back once more. Bifur would stay with Bombur so they could look after each other.

Thorin send a group of soldiers with them to keep them safe and make sure there was protection for all the Dwarrows who would return to the Mountain with them. He sincerely hoped that his sister would return with them to live in the Mountain once more. He gave them letters to take with them for Dis and others did the same for their families.

It was at the start of spring that they left for the Shire and the Blue Mountains.

"Take care of yourself brother" Oin said huffily as he hugged his brother to him.

"Don't you worry none" Gloin answered: "And I'll keep an eye on the little ones too, don't you fret."

Oin nodded: "You brought the ointment box I gave you?"

"Yes, mother" Gloin muttered: "You worry too much. Mari can handle any injury we might suffer on the road. She is an excellent healer, you trained her yourself, remember?"

Oin nodded: "Ok, off you go then!"

Fingfur hid a smile. In moments like these he wished he had a brother to look after him, but this was nice to see. He turned to say goodbye to the Ri brothers when he noticed Bard standing near him, smiling.

"You will be missed in this part of the world, Mr Fingfur" the man said: "We can't convince you to stay?"

Fingfur shook his head: "I am sorry, your Majesty, but I have to make sure my mother has all she needs to travel to Erebor."

"Well, we will look forward to your return in two years" Bard answered. He went with his hand through his hair: "Though I might be grey by then!"

"We will see" Fingfur answered. He bowed politely at the royal family of Dale and turned to say his own goodbyes to the Company.

They were helped through Mirkwood by the Elves, but all the Dwarves and even Bilbo was glad to see the other side of it. The Elves had not been kind and the Forest was as depressing as ever. Especially Fingfur and the guards had been affected since they had not gone through it before.

They were happily surprised to see Beorn waiting for them on the other side. Bilbo and Fingfur were especially happy to see him since they had been closest to them. The guards even dared question Gloin when he decided they would stay a week with Beorn. They would help him gather wood for the coming winter, since he had had little time because of the war.

The guards grumbled that they weren't chosen to chop wood, but then Bilbo put his food down and said in no uncertain terms that if they did not help they would not eat and any who dared kill an animal on Beorn's lands would be giving to the giant man to be punished.

The giant man seemed tickled by that command and happily invited them inside for bread and honey. Bilbo especially seemed very happy at the prospect of food. He even asked Beorn whether he could borrow the kitchen and some ingredients to make honey cakes. He baked them twice so he could take them with him over the Mountains.

"The Mountains should be nearly empty" Beorn answered: "Any stragglers who have tried to return have not made it past my lands. I hope you won't have too many troubles."

"As long as the Stone Giants aren't fighting" Bofur muttered.

"Their mating rituals shouldn't have started yet" Beorn tried to reassure them.

The Dwarves from the Company looked at him incredulously, they were mating?! Bilbo was too busy stuffing his face with bread and honey to worry about what the Stone Giants were doing.

There were tears on Bilbo's face when they left Beorn's house. He couldn't promise the man that he would ever return, even though he had an open invitation to visit whenever he wanted.

Beorn escorted them to the edge of his land. The Company shared grim looks as they looked towards the Misty Mountains. It was never nice to have to go over the mountains, to do so again so soon did not make a difference. At least there would be less goblins since they had been defeated at Erebor.

They met no goblins in the Mountains and reached Rivendell with little problem. Lord Elrond greeted them warmly and allowed them to stay the night in order to rest and to store up some new food. Bilbo left them with a warmer feeling, he was finally going home! He wanted to see his home and his armchairs and books. Every step brought him closer to Bag End and the Shire.

He separated from the Dwarves in Bree and waved at them when they left towards the south.

He enjoyed the grass of the Shire when he reached it. He was unprepared for the battle that would be Bag End.

Fingfur heartily greeted his mother when he returned home and he enjoyed the feel of the Mountains he remembered best being home. On the other hand he could not wait for Spring to come again so that they could travel with the rest of the Dwarrow to the Lonely Mountain. They finally had their mountain back and it was so much better than the mountains of Ered Luin.

At the start of the thaw a Ranger appeared at Ered Luin with a letter for both Princess Dis and Fingfur.

Fingfur was surprised until the Ranger mentioned he had come from the Shire, where a Mr Baggins had paid him to send letters to Ered Luin. The Hobbit had even invited him to take dinner with him and the Ranger admitted it had been quite some time since he had eaten that well. When Dis heard his tale she declared he was welcome to join them for dinner as well, which was – because the long winter was ending – merely a thick stew.

"Word has reached my ear that you will move soon, my lady?" the Ranger asked: "Apparently Erebor has been retaken? My Chief is in contact with Lord Elrond" he explained at Dis' look.

"Yes, we are leaving in early spring. Preparations are already being made" Dis answered: "We will travel by the High Pass near Rivendell" Dis answered: "My brother has contacted the Elven King of Mirkwood to help us cross the forest."

"All the best in your travels, than, my lady" the Ranger said.

Fingfur excused himself not late after and went to his home in the Mountain to read the letter Bilbo had written him.

Dear Fingfur,

I hope you and the others of your company have reached the Mountains hale and whole. I also hope you had a warmer welcome than I had upon your return. I found my smial ransacked and my possessions sold. I have gotten most of them back but Lobelia Sackville-Baggins still hoards my spoon. Sometimes I think she is worse than the Dragon!

Now that I am back here I can relax in my armchair – after I had found it again – and smoke my pipe in peace. I do miss all you Dwarrow and the rambunctious way you do everything. I have been thinking about it all this winter and decided that I'd like to join you on your way back to the Mountain.

I hope to see you in Bag End at the end of winter,

With highest regards,

Bilbo Baggins.

Fingfur found it nice to return to Bag End. He had travelled ahead of the Dwarves and arrived in Bag End with time to spare. Once Bilbo was ready they would meet the others in Bree.

Fingfur found it funny that he would start again where the quest started.

He opened the gate and walked the small path to the door. He knocked on the door.

"Just a moment!" someone shouted from inside and Fingfur waited patiently until Bilbo opened the door and grinned when he saw him.

"Fingfur! You are here. I never heard of you so I wasn't sure if you'd come!"

Fingfur bowed for him before he smiled at Bilbo: "Your letter arrived late and we weren't sure a letter from us would reach you in time. Do you need help packing?"

"No, no, there is little I might need" Bilbo said: "And everything I do need I got on a small wagon. I'm sure my ponies will easily carry the load." He grinned at Fingfur: "I went back to the Troll Hoards and dug up the money that Gloin and Nori buried. There was quite enough to buy a wagon and some other necessities for the road."

"And what about Bag End?" Finfur asked as he entered the home behind Bilbo.

"It will go to my cousin Drogo" Bilbo answered: "He's one of the less infuriating cousins I have. I do hope he'll take care of it, but I doubt it somehow. He has a fancy for overeating." Bilbo led Fingfur into the kitchen: "Oh, but listen to me blabbering on. You must've missed lunch, can I offer you something? There's some great bread fresh from the market place… some cold scraps from breakfast… I can fry you an egg if you'd like? Perhaps some tea to go with it?" he turned to Fingfur: "You weren't expecting to leave right this instant, were you?"

Fingfur shook his head: "No, my dear Bilbo. I don't think we have to leave until tomorrow morning. Tonight we might have the last night of rest until we reach Erebor."

Bilbo swallowed, Fingfur was undoubtedly right.

They joined the caravan in Bree and followed it down towards the Gap or Rohan, after which they went north and at the end of autumn found themselves in Dale.

"Bilbo!" came a cry as the tired Dwarves made their way through the streets of Dale. They had travelled a long distance and only the sight of the mountain had kept them going for the last week.

Bilbo embraced the human child that called for him: "My, my, Tilda, you've grown quite a bit since I've last seen you."

"It's been two years and da said you might never return!" Tilda told him. She looked as if that very thought insulted her.

"Yes" Bilbo said: "When I left I did not think I would return, but once I was in Bag End I found myself missing the East." He smiled at her: "I missed my armchair and my garden, but I brought my armchair with me and I'm sure I could find somewhere to garden. It might take a while for it to be as good as the one in Bag End, but it will blossom like no garden ever did in the East after the Hobbits left."

"Your people used to live here?" Bard asked, coming to stop behind his daughter. He smiled: "Welcome back, Mr Baggins."

Bilbo smiled back: "Long before we settled in the Shire. We used to live next to the Great River. We left when it was no longer safe for us. We settled in the Shire, now we only remember we once lived here. Only the scholars, probably, because little is written down from the period before the Settling of the Shire. We left because of a danger, but we would now not even return if we could. Hobbits belong in the Shire and that is where we'll stay."

"And yet here you are, on the other side of the world, with nothing more than a cart of belongings" Bard answered: "It seems one Hobbit has returned to the lands near the River." He smiled at Bilbo.

Bilbo was glad that Bard was no longer the grim boats man he once was. "I found myself missing the east when I returned to the Shire. I left my house to my cousin and now I will remain here till the end of my days."

"Very poetic" Dis said, grinning at the Hobbit she had come to like on their travels: "First let's get to the Mountain shall we."

Bilbo looked up at the towering Mountain.

Bard placed a big hand on his shoulder: "You are, of course, allowed to stay with us, if you prefer."

Bilbo pulled up his backpack and smiled at Bard: "That won't be necessary. I am returning to the Mountain. I've waited long enough to see the great city of the Dwarves in all his glory." He smiled at Bard and Tilda: "But of course I will return here often, if I am welcome."

"There will always be a place for you in Dale, Mr Baggins" Bard answered.

"Thank you" Bilbo said.

"Come along, lad. Thorin must be expecting us by now" Gloin said, putting his hand on Bilbo's back and pushing him a little bit.

Bilbo waved at the Men as he walked through the town on the way to the Mountain. He was almost home.

The King was waiting for them when they arrived at the gate. Thorin spread his arms and welcomed them all back into the Mountain, even those who had never seen the Mountain in their life.

"Is it as you remember?" Fingfur asked his mother.

"Better" she sighed at him: "Have you a place for us to stay?"

Fingfur had been living with other Dwarrow in a small room, where they had put some straw on the floor before he left for the Blue Mountains. It was no place to stay with his mother.

"It has been two years since I've been here" Fingfur said: "I am sure we can find some place to sleep for the night and see about accommodations tomorrow."

A hand clasped him on the shoulder before they could move towards an inn. Fingfur turned to find Dwalin behind him. The rough Dwarrow gave him a small smile: "I'd like to invite you and your mother into my and Balin's home for the night. There is no need for you to find a bed somewhere else."

"If you are sure" Kishel answered, looking Dwalin up and down.

"Positive" Dwalin said.

"Thank you" Fingfur said: "We will find some place to stay tomorrow, amad."

Kishel nodded and they followed Dwalin to the rooms Balin and he had picked when the rooms had been checked after the long Dragon years.

Balin wasn't at home when they entered and Dwalin showed them a place to stay. There were multiple guest rooms and Fingfur was so glad to sleep in a bed that he quickly told the others good night and headed to bed.

Fingfur woke early the next morning and it took him awhile to understand where he was. He was glad that he was in the Mountain again. The stone surrounding him made sure he felt way better than he ever did outside.

His good mood plummeted when he entered the kitchen and saw his mother's look. She only had that look when she was laughing at his expense. It was never good for him when she did that. There was something different about her, also. He gave her a thorough look over.

"Mother? Did you get a necklace? In one night?"

She smiled widely: "Why yes, dear, I did. It's a courting gift."

"A courting gift? But mother? Aren't you wedded to your craft?" Fingfur asked: "Please tell me you let them down gently."

"I did not let them down, dear" she answered. At his befuddled look she patted his hand: "Don't worry dear, everything will become apparent soon."

"If you say so" Fingfur said, still very confused.

"Good morning" Balin said as he entered the kitchen: "Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you, Lord Balin" Kishel answered.

"Please call me Balin" he answered: "We're practically family."

Fingfur furrowed his brow, where they practically family because of the quest? To be honest, Fingfur had missed most of the terrible things that bound the rest of the Company for life. None the less, he was still part of the Company of course.

"Where is Dwalin?" Fingfur asked: "Is he not having breakfast with us?"

"I'm afraid Dwalin has already left to help His Majesty with his rounds."

"I would assume that's your job" Fingfur asked.

"I only have to advice when he needs it. For rounds there is hardly any need. Dwalin and Thorin can usually solve those problems themselves. Otherwise I'm just a messenger away."

Fingfur nodded.

Kishel stood and stretched: "I suppose we better find a new residence and a job."

"Fingfur has a fifteenth share" Balin said: "You will never have to work a day in your life."

"So do you" Kishel answered: "And you are not sitting here twiddling your thumbs. Even if I was not Craft wed, I would still be a Dwarrow. We are not meant to sit still and do nothing. That is not the way the Maker has made us."

"That's true" Balin answered: "Mayhaps I can help. What sort of job are you looking for?"

"My craft is the making of fine jewellery, but if there is no need for that weaving is my second choice."

"I am sure there will be a job for a jeweller in the Mountain" Balin said: "Especially since you don't need to really make money to have a living. In the beginning it might be a bit tough as people restore their wealth, but soon there will be need for jewellers to at least outfit the ladies of court." He looked thoughtful for a while: "I should mention you to Lady Dis, I'm sure she will need some new jewellery now that she has the money to buy some. As well as the other ladies who are part of our Company."

"I thought only Lord Gloin and Bombur were married?" Kishel asked.

"Bombur has been blessed with five daughters if I'm not mistaken. None of them are full grown, but that does not mean they do not like something pretty to wear. Then there are the Dwarrows of the Company who would like to wear something gold for their days in court."

"Including you, Lord Balin?" Kishel asked.

"Oh, I haven't thought about it" Balin said, hands going through his beard: "I might have a necklace fitting to my station."

"In gold? What kind of gems were you thinking of?"

"No, gold does not suit me I think. Silver might be better" Balin answered: "I was thinking about rubies, since they are my House colours."

"Let me find some parchment and sketch a few" Kishel answered: "The necklace will have to show your new station as lord of Erebor, of course."

"Ori in the Library will probably give you some parchment if you ask" Balin answered: "Especially when you tell him who you are."

Kishel nodded and left to her room to ready for the day.

Balin turned to Fingfur: "You okay, laddie? You are silent. What job were you thinking of taking?"

Fingfur shrugged: "I am a storyteller. That's not really a craft you can make much of a living of. I suppose I will work some more in one of the other crafts or something."

"But, laddie, you don't have to" Balin said, putting a hand on his shoulder: "Go tell stories on the market place for the dwarrowlings. That should keep them happy and out of the way for their mothers. If you get some money, great, but you don't need it. You are a Lord of Erebor now, you will never have to have a normal job. If you tire of the market you can go write some stories down or tell them to a scribe for him to write down and add them to the library."

"I could write the story down and have a scribe copy them into a good book." Fingfur was thoughtful. He had more stories to tell than anyone he knew. "I'll go see Ori in the library for some parchment then."

"Very good" Kishel said, from where she entered the kitchen: "You can join me. I hate roaming these halls alone."

Fingfur smiled as his mother took his arm and they left the house together.

"Fingfur, son of Lesur, adopted of Kishel, will you give me the honour of courting you?" Dwalin asked.

Fingfur stiffened. He had been back in the Mountain for three weeks now. Why would Dwalin want to court him? Was he…?

Dwalin looked at him, awaiting his answer. Fingfur knew he wanted him to say yes. Would he? Courting did not mean bonding by any means. If he was Dwalin's One, there was a good reckoning the opposite was true. Maybe a courting would help him figure it out.

"I'd be honoured" he answered, bowing his head.

Dwalin seemed to sag in relief before he handed the bundle to Fingfur. It was the first gift. The gift was to show his intended's craft.

"As you know my craft is that of a Warrior" Dwalin said: "I looked to what to make regarding that and this was the best I could come up with."

Fingfur was surprised to find a book when he opened the package.

"As a storyteller I am sure you will find use for a book about the battles I fought in" Dwalin said. His cheeks were slightly red.

"Thank you" Fingfur said, cradling the book to his chest. Then something jumped into his mind: "Did you give that necklace to my mother?"

Dwalin nodded: "When I asked her permission. She wasn't sure if I were your One."

Fingfur shrugged: "Neither am I, but I don't believe Mahal would've made me your One without the opposite being true. You'll have to convince me" he smiled at Dwalin. "What will be our first outing?"

"I was thinking we could go to the Inn in the Noble district?" Dwalin offered.

"If you really want to" Fingfur answered: "But it think we are more suited for the Silver Sickle in the mining district."

"Right you are, my One" Dwalin answered: "Let's go there. They might have more songs about the battle I haven't heard yet."

Fingfur laughed: "When do you want to meet?"

Fingfur entered the Silver Sickle. Some of the Dwarrows looked at him as he entered but most went back to their drink.

"Fingfur, my lad! What makes you grant us your presence?" Bofur asked, from where he was seated between other miners.

Fingfur smiled at the hatted Dwarrow: "I'm here for a courtship outing."

"Really?" Bofur asked: "And who is the lucky Dwarrow?"

"That would be me" Dwalin's low voice came from behind Fingfur.

"Ah Dwalin, finally got the guts to ask him, eh?" Bofur asked.

"You knew?" Dwalin asked.

"If you wanted to keep it a secret, you should've tried harder" Bofur answered: "Was afraid I had to chase the suitor away, I was."

Fingfur laughed: "I think I would've had something to say about that, Bofur." He then turned to Dwalin: "Shall we?"

"Good evening, Bofur" Dwalin said before he led Fingfur to a table out of the way.

The innkeeper came by quickly: "What will it be, gentle Dwarrow?" she asked.

"A dark ale" Fingfur said.

"The same" Dwalin ordered: "What's on the menu tonight?"

"It's a hearty stew, today, my Lord" she answered.

"Let's have two of those, with some bread" Dwalin answered.

"Be wrong to have it without" the Dwarrowdam answered as she walked away.

Dwalin turned to Fingfur: "You were talking about the book you were writing?"

Fingfur smiled and settled in for a pleasant evening.

"Bilbo! How are you?" Fingfur asked as he came up behind the Hobbit.

"Very well" Bilbo said, before he looked hesitant. "Can I ask you something? It's kind of personal?"

"You can ask, I won't promise to answer."

"Thorin and I have been spending a lot of time together, and we've forgiven each other. But now… He has given me a gift. I think it means something, but I'm not sure."

"Did he tell you something about it when he gave it to you?"

Bilbo nodded: "I have no idea what, though. He spoke Khuzdul."

Fingfur groaned. The official words were spoken in Khuzdul when someone gave a courting gift. Thorin as King was supposed to follow those traditions to the letter. And he had, but he had not told Bilbo what he had asked.

"What did you tell him?" Fingfur asked.

"I thanked him, he smiled and left" Bilbo said.

Now it only came to one more question: "What did he give you?"

"A frying pan and a new pen. He made them himself, I recognised his mark."

"Bilbo" Fingfur said and took him by his shoulders and looked him in his eyes, bending a little to do so: "That was a courting gift. You have accepted by thanking him. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Bilbo spluttered.

"Nothing says you have to go on with the courtship. You can stop it whenever you want. Until you have given him your gift it's just a courtship. Once you have given him a gift you will be engaged. After that it normally doesn't take long for there to be a bonding."

"I need to know more about courtships and bonding" Bilbo decided. "I assume there are books in the library?"

"Yes I'm sure Ori will help you" Fingfur said: "Are you okay with the courtship?"

Bilbo nodded: "I don't think it is much of a surprise to you that I like Thorin a lot."

Fingfur smiled: "Not really, but I did not know how Hobbits look towards same sex relations or how you felt about becoming King Consort."

Bilbo choked on air: "I forgot about that."

"If you love Thorin it should not make a difference." Fingfur answered.

"Yavannah made us to love ourselves as we are, including those who love the same gender. Some of our hobbit men even are able to have children."

"Including you?" Fingfur asked.

Bilbo shook his head: "I don't think so, even if I could, I'm too old to do so."

"Probably for the best. Few Dwarrow would allow a halfblood on the throne, I think" Fingfur said: "Best if Fili becomes King after Thorin. Kili can go be happy with his Elf and you don't have to worry about any heirs."

"I have to worry about Fili and Kili, that's enough for me right now" Bilbo answered: "And maybe I'll have baby nephews or nieces once they are bonded."

Fingfur laughed and ushered Bilbo to the library. Seemed that Bilbo already had made up his mind about bonding with Thorin. It would be a sight, seeing a Dwarrow marry a Hobbit. Maybe they would wear flowers in their hair. Bilbo with braids would also be a sight to see.

He chuckled as he turned and walked the other way.

Fingfur had spent time in many universes. Beginning with the time he went to Hogwarts and became the Master of Death. Every time he died he came to a new universe and went through the strangest things. Sometimes he found someone to love, like he did here, with Dwalin. Sometimes he was tired of having to miss his loves and didn't go looking for anyone. Actually, he rarely looked himself, mostly someone else found him. He never regretted any of his loves, even if he might forget about his life with them over time. Dwalin would be no different. At least he wasn't a woman in this universe. Vaginal sex was so weird. No one looked weird when he wore dresses, though. He'd easily got used to them because of all the robes he used to wear. Luckily Dwarrows wore similar cut robes.

Fingfur was convinced. Dwalin was his One. He had taken quite awhile to get here, but he was certain. There would be no other for him in this life. He only wondered what Dwalin would think when the Dwarrow would wake again and he would not be there. He would be on his way to another universe by then.

Dwalin would never believe that he came from another world. He could not tell him. He could make sure the time they had together was the best they ever had, though.

One month later he handed Dwalin his courting gift. A book about all kinds of Warriors and the stories of their adventures. The month after they bonded before Mahal, with Thorin tying their knot.

Later stories would be written about the Guardsdwarrow and the Storyteller. They all ended the same way. The Storyteller would die to young from chest rattle and the Guardsdwarrow would only survive to defend his King and Mountain. He passed away in the War of the Ring, defending his King, his axes in hand.

The End!

Hope you liked it! Please leave a comment if you have an idea of what other universes Harry should visit. I'm open to everything! If I don't know the universe I can figure it out and see if I can write Harry into it! Thank you for being patient with me and I hope you like my story, please leave a review.

Lady Blue Shadow