Here it is, everyone, the final chapter! I can't believe I finished another fanfiction...the world must be coming to an end. Working on a few other ideas but I'm curious what you would like to see as my every faithful and loyal readers so if you have an idea you would like to see me tackle, I am up for the challenge. Currently outlining a Hobbit Pirate AU but I have been asked to write a story based off one of the hunting trips mentioned in this story so I might be working out a story of Fíli and Kíli when they are growing up.

I want to take this opportunity to thank every single reviewer:

, Oblivion03, Dis Thrainsdotter, C.H.W.13, AJ McLeod, Thorny Hedge, KseniaNZ, ncis-lady, syreen, Borys68, Guest (2 DEC 2013), UndeadOctopus, Rin-anne, Ozlex, jaymzNshed, anime-rocks-08, czkilifangirl, GuardianOfMusic27855, Guest (2 JAN 2014), Guest (3 JAN 2014), FanOfRandomThings, Kari, Guest (16 JAN 2014), lotrlover2931, Truthful nomad, Attack of the Feels, MomoftheShire and idrylla.

And of course a big thank you to all of the readers who put this on their alerts and/or favorites. I love you all so very much!

Chapter 28

That next morning they packed up camp and after Elladan and Elrohir checked Fíli's wounds one last time, they bid goodbye to the brothers and headed for the Shire. It took a week and during that time, all was well. With Bolg gone, the threat that had followed them since Mirkwood was no more and it seemed that bandits were steering clear of the dwarves, if there were any out there to begin with.

At the end of that week they found themselves in the green hills of the Shire. Bilbo wore a smile as big as his sword as they rode their ponies through the town. Hobbits stopped what they were doing, looking at the dwarves and Bilbo in shock and fear. Some muttered, "Is that Bilbo Baggins?" while others muttered, "I thought he was dead."

Bilbo led the way towards his beloved Bag End, looking forward to his comfortable armchair and his warm hearth. "I can't believe we finally made it," Bilbo muttered.

"Aye, and in one piece," Bofur added.

"Well, relatively speaking," Kíli jested, turning to give his brother a cheeky grin.

"Oh how I can't wait to…" But Bilbo stopped his sentence short, along with his pony, as he turned the corner that led to Bag End, for what he saw made his throat dry. Swarmed around his doorstep were many Hobbits with someone standing by his door which was wide open. "And here we have a fine armchair! We will start the bidding!"

"What's the matter?" Bofur asked.

"They're...they're selling my stuff!" Bilbo dropped from his pony and ran towards the door, shouting, "Now wait just a moment!"

The Hobbits all stopped and turned, their faces paling when they saw Bilbo running towards them. He pushed through the crowd and jumped up the stairs, turning to the group of Hobbits. "This is my stuff! Just what made you think you could come and buy it!"

"You had disappeared, Mr. Baggins!"

"So you just thought it would be fine to come lay claim to my belongings?"

Before any of them could say another word the dwarves had approached. The moment they appeared one of the Hobbits caught sight of them and began to slowly back away. The others wondered what had shocked their fellow kinsman and when they turned to see the dwarves, they too began to back away before a woman let out a shriek and they all ran away. Bilbo and the dwarves exchanged confused glances before Fíli asked, "Do you need some help putting things back?"

Bilbo nodded and without another word the dwarves began helping to replace Bilbo's things that had been strewn about during the auction. It took some time but eventually Bag End was restored and Bilbo was preparing a fine meal for his companions. They all sat around the fire, laughing about their adventures. When Bofur and Nori told Fíli, Kíli and Bilbo about the bandits they ran into they doubled over from laughing. "What's so funny?" Nori asked.

"It seems you ran into the same bandits we did! Bilbo here told them the mountains were haunted by the ghost of a dwarf who harmed those who tried to rob from dwarves and Fíli used Bilbo's ring to throw rocks at them!" Kíli explained through fits of laughter.

"Well that explains why they ran at the sight of Bifur. They probably thought he was the same spirit!" Bofur laughed.

The dwarves laughed and joked as they ate and drank merrily, enjoying the ability to rest in comfortable beds for the night. As dinner finished the dwarves insisted that they do the dishes and Bilbo allowed them. He even joined in as they began to sing the familiar tune of Blunt the Knives from their first visit.

After they all settled down for the night Bilbo retired to his bed but found he could not sleep. He knew that the morning would mean he would have to say goodbye to good friends. He knew it would eventually come but at this moment, he found he was not ready. He was not ready to say goodbye to Nori's sly methods or Bofur's contagious smile. He was going to miss trying to guess what Bifur was saying to him. Mostly he was going to miss the brothers Fíli and Kíli and their troublesome ways. The three of them had enjoyed one last adventure together and during that time he grew fond of them. Eventually he closed his eyes with the hum of the song of the Lonely Mountain playing in his head.

When morning finally came Bilbo enjoyed one last meal with them before they saddled up their horses to depart. At first he said goodbye to Nori, Bifur and Bofur. Once those three had mounted their ponies, Bilbo found himself bombarded by the Durin brothers. "We will miss you, Bilbo," Kíli said as he let the Hobbit go.

"Try to not be a stranger. Erebor may be far away but our doors are always open to you," Fíli added.

"And my door will always be open to you."

"Before we go, we wanted to give you something. You know, to remember us by," Kíli said.

"Oh, you don't have to…"

But he was stopped when Kíli held out one of his arrows and Fíli one of his knives. "We know you won't have any need for them here in the Shire, but we didn't want you to forget us," Fíli explained.

Bilbo felt tears well up in his eyes as he graciously accepted their gifts. "I don't know what to say…"

"Say that you will remember us," Kíli smiled.

With a smile he wrapped his small arms around them, drawing them in for a hug. "I could never forget you. Your memories will never fade."

When he let go he watched through his tears as Fíli and Kíli mounted their ponies and, with a final wave, they trotted off into the distance, back towards their home. Once they were gone, Bilbo stepped back inside. Finally, he was home, but he couldn't help but feel that something was missing.

Thorin continued to pace by the main entrance, his hands laced together as he held them behind his back. Balin and Dwalin stood nearby, watching him. Ever since the raven that had arrived three months ago had told them that Fíli and Kíli were safe and on their way back with Bifur, Bofur and Nori, Thorin had waited by the entrance to see them for himself. Balin and Dwalin continued to follow him with their eyes, starting to feel a bit dizzy from his movements. "If he doesn't stop I might throw up," Dwalin growled.

With a sigh Balin approached the King and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you should get some rest. It will probably be a few more weeks before they arrive…"

"I can't rest, Balin. Not until I see them for myself."

The blow of a horn captured their attention. They knew what that sound meant. Someone was approaching. Before Balin or Dwalin could say anything Thorin raced through the front doors to see who it was, the others right on his heels. "Thorin, it is probably…"

But Balin was cut short when he saw a grin on Thorin's face. When he looked, he too couldn't help but smile. "Well I'll be…" Dwalin muttered, crossing his arms.

Riding up the path, sure enough, was Bifur, Bofur and Nori with Fíli and Kíli following close behind. Once they got close enough they dismounted their ponies. Bofur was the first to approach the King, removing his hat and bowing. "As promised, the lads are back, safe and sound...although I can't guarantee that they are completely unscathed. Seems like they attracted trouble like a dragon to gold."

Thorin rested a hand on Bofur's shoulder before saying, "Thank you, Bofur."

Bofur, Bifur and Nori entered the mountain while Thorin approached his nephews. Before either of them could say a word they found their uncle wrapping his arms around them and drawing them in for a bone-crushing hug. He couldn't help but laugh in joy as he held them, breathing in their familiar scent. Once he let go, he gave them each a smile. "Welcome home, my boys."

"It's good to be home," Fíli replied with a smile.

Balin approached and placed a hand on either shoulder. "It's good to see you, laddies."

Their smiles were cut short, however, when Dwalin's angry voice echoed, "Kíli!"

Kíli winced as he looked over Balin's shoulder to see Dwalin approaching him with such anger in his steps. "I think I'm just going to…"

Kíli never finished his statement as he made a run towards the entrance. "Oh no you don't, lad!"

Thorin, Fíli and Balin laughed as they watched Dwalin attempt to chase Kíli. As they disappeared, Thorin wrapped his arm around Fíli's shoulders and said, "Come, you've had a long journey and you need your rest. Tomorrow I want to hear all about your journey."

"Well, there is not much to tell, really…"

"I highly doubt that."

Together, the king and his heir walked through the doors of Erebor, feeling as if peace had finally come to the Line of Durin.

THE END

And there it is, everyone, the end. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as the last one. Thank you all for reviewing and I hope to see you in the future!