Author's note: Hello again, readers! It's been a long time since I have published more writing but I have finally finished the first few chapters of a new story called "His Storyteller". It is also a "Hobbit" fanfiction and it would be lovely if you gave it a try :). I didn't want to update this story with a simple author's note though, so I spent some time writing this extended chapter. I hope you enjoy reading it! - Little Gertrude

Chapter L: Letter to Bag End

Dearest Bilbo,

Thank you for sending your family's Shire bread recipe in the last letter. I baked a loaf only this morning to find that Thea and Thorin had already attacked through half of it together by lunch time, though my husband denies committing any of it. The two make the most perfect partners in crime, always grinning and sharing winks with each other.

I must apologize for writing my reply so late into the year. I have not forgotten you, it's just that it has been a rather hectic summer here in Erebor. The palace is, with little exaggeration, like a hidden jewel. Every month a new chamber is discovered which is only good for us as the population of our people continue to grow every day. In one of the most recently recovered quarters we recovered a whole room full of old scrolls which had somehow escaped the dragon fire many years ago from now. Balin was especially pleased and he and Thorin spent that whole day in the room, reading over the valuable artifacts and literature.

Now before I go off on a tangent, I know how curious you are regarding our little Thea. Oh, Bilbo, she is the most precious thing, with her beautiful face and bright blue eyes that are always searching for new surprises in the world. She could barely stand let alone toddle more than a few paces the last time you came to visit, and that was more than five years ago. Can you believe that Thea is now a bright seven year old dwarfling? I say she is seven years old, but because of her dwarfish heritage, she is only around five years old in the rules that apply to the race of men.

Thea can make anybody smile, even Dwalin cannot help but chuckle when he catches Thea skipping around the courtyard in her green overalls, carrying her small, wooden sword that Dis had carved out for her (much to the disapproval of Thorin who cannot see why our daughter needs to be around weapons, even if they are toys). I find I don't want to even blink in case I miss her growing up, which I know sounds completely silly. But I am not the only one who feels like this. Last night, Thorin grumbled rather fondly that he would soon have to, as he so put it, "chase off any dwarf lads wishing to court our daughter". He needn't worry though, for I doubt Fili and Kili would ever let any lad near their little cousin.

I imagine you would be most interested in hearing about the latest improvements on Thea's magical abilities. In my last letter, I wrote she was beginning to display signs of having innate magic inside her. For a long time, Thorin and I did not think much of it - we knew from the beginning that she may have inherited such qualities from myself. I guess we both realized the same day Thea would need some focused training.

It happened when the three of us were dining together with Thranduil and Gandalf who had visited upon business matters. Thea must have been no less than three years old. Even then she was full of energy and playfulness. The main course had been finished and Nola, our cook (you met her at Sigrid's wedding a few years back), had just walked in through the doorway carrying a plate of fruitcake. It looked and smelt delicious, and I do not doubt it would have tasted marvelous. Unfortunately, before Nola could cut a slice, the entire cake suddenly elevated into the air, topping and all. It hovered for a moment before speeding past our bewildered eyes and slapping Thranduil right over his forehead. You can imagine the shocked silence that followed and only Thea sat in her high chair gurgling with innocent glee. Thorin also had a small smirk drawn across his face which he quickly hid when I kicked him from under the table. I believe he was more than amused to see the elven King fuming in anger with cake frosting stuck to his hair. We did eventually manage to calm Thranduil down, which only happened after Thorin offered a handsome amount of crystal beads. Anyhow, the storm passed and it was Gandalf who pointed out that Thea would need proper training to control her growing power. Since Thorin and I were both far from content in sending away our baby to Rivendell to grow up under the guidance of Elrond, it was decided Gandalf would visit us every month instead. This arrangement has been continued since, and Thea absolutely adores the wizard's visits. I am happy to let you know that she has better control over her magic now, though she still has much to learn. Thea does not need a wand to channel her power when she casts spells, unlike myself - I assume it has something to do with her being more dwarf than human. That fact does not make me love her less, and she is the biggest blessing in my life since I accepted Gandalf's invitation to journey to Erebor.

It is strange how life takes its turn, is it not? Lately I find myself wondering how different and lonely my life would have been had I not met you, the company members and Thorin. If you had told me then that I was to fall in love with a dwarf King, I am quite certain I would have crashed down to the ground in shock. I remember doubting the work of fate for many years, and perhaps I still do at times. But after everything, I am glad I joined the company and followed my heart. It has been over ten years since, yet it never ceases to amaze me how resilient and courageous you were, Bilbo. I can imagine you right now, sitting in your comfortable armchair and blushing humbly at my comment, but it is true. I have said it before and I must say it again - thank you, my friend. For everything.

Please visit us in Erebor sometime soon in the very near future. We all miss you heaps and cannot wait to meet your young nephew. Thea especially is most excited, as he is around the same age as her. Frodo, you said his name was? He sounds like a bright little boy and Thorin and I have no doubt he will achieve great feats when he is older.

I look forward with all my heart to hearing from you soon. Take care.

With love and affection,

Sophie

P.S. Thea and Bombur have recently met a disagreement on the subject of how large pumpkins can grow in the Shire. I hope you will be able to settle this noisy dispute when you come to visit!

Thorin walked down the empty hallway back to his private chamber. The summer heat was unforgiving and the day had been long. By the time he had worked through the troll-sized task of sorting through the geography mapping of the new mines as well as attending his regular meetings, the dwarf King wished nothing more than rest his fatigued mind.

"Papa!"

Thorin smiled and turned around at the voice that called out to him. He could feel the tiredness melt away from his body as soon as he saw his little princess skip towards him. Thorin knelt down and opened his arms out wide as Thea snuggled into them. He tickled her stomach softly, chuckling when she laughed and squirmed happily.

"How was your day, amrâl?" He asked, squeezing her hand as they walked down the remainder of the hallway together.

"Mister Bofur helped me find thrush eggs," Thea answered proudly as she spread her fingers out with a grin, "we found four."

Thorin chuckled loudly and he patted Thea's head lovingly. The childhood innocence that he saw in his daughter constantly amazed him and he wondered for a moment how Thea saw the world around them.

"When the eggs hatch they will be brother and sister birds!" Thea continued and she laughed as if that were the most entertaining idea.

"Is that so? Well, you better keep your eyes on the eggs in case they hatch early," Thorin played along and Thea nodded eagerly.

"Can I have one too?" She asked as she sucked in her breath elatedly.

"Have what, sweetheart?"

"A brother and sister!" She answered with wide, sparkling eyes.

Thorin laughed loudly and ruffled Thea's hair.

"You should ask your mother first," he replied with a smirk, though he was certain Thea did not understand what he meant.

When they reached the end of the hallway Thorin gently patted Thea on the back, guiding her to her room. He watched with proud eyes as she skipped away around the corner, before making his way to his own bed chamber.

His wife was sitting at her desk, sealing an envelope when he entered the room. Sophie had her back to the door and did not notice the dwarf King come in, which allowed Thorin to watch her silently for a few moments. She had a small smile on her lips as she twirled her wedding ring around her finger absentmindedly. Over the years her figure had become softer around the edges and her brown hair which was tied into a loose braid now had a couple of grey streaks blended into them. But in Thorin's eyes his queen was still and always would be the most beautiful woman in Middle Earth.

Sophie finally noticed the extra presence in the room and she turned her head around to face Thorin who walked over and wrapped his arms around her.

"Tired?" She asked as she kissed her husband's cheek lightly.

Thorin gave a fond grumble as he buried his nose into her neck. Eleven years of being married together meant they knew what each other was thinking, even without words. Sophie massaged Thorin's shoulder affectionately.

"Happy anniversary, darling," she whispered and she felt Thorin smile as he grazed her neck with his lips.

"And to you too, amrâlimê," he answered.

They leaned against each other and watched, through the full length window directly facing the lake, the sunset dye the purple sky slowly.

Translations:

"Amrâl" means "love" in Khuzdul.

"Amrâlimê" means "love of mine" in Khuzdul.