6 YEARS LATER...

I jumped off my pony and tied it up to the familiar fence that I remember all too well. I looked at that same green, circle door with a golden knob in the centre. It feels good to be home. "Me next!" My youngest, Nynx, reached out his arms for his father to lift him off the horse. "Alright here we go. 3...2...1!" He groaned as he lifted Nynx off the pony and onto the floor. I smiled at my three children giggling with their father.

Turns out my first child was not my last. As soon as we laid eyes on our child we knew we wanted a big family, bursting with love and laughter. And that's exactly what we got. My eldest, Ash, then Amber and finally my youngest, Nynx. Amber has the same blond hair as Fili and his piercing blue orbs, Ash has Kili's dark wavy hair which he always has to tie back, and finally Nynx, he has jet-black hair that falls onto his face which he has to keep on pushing out his face. They are all the spitting image of Kili and I.

It's been around 6 years since I have come home. Turns out having three kids is a lot harder than Kili and I both expected and we've barely had time to do anything. It's Bilbo's birthday so everyone is coming to celebrate and he will get to see all his grandchildren again which he hasn't seen since they were babies before he left to come home.

"Have you all got your bags?" I asked whilst taking Amber's small hand. "Yep!" They all called back. I opened the gate and prepared myself as I walked up the steps. Just as I reached out to the door handle, I hesitated. "You okay?" Kili asked from behind me. I turned around to see Ash on his shoulders whilst holding onto his hair as a grip. "Yep, just nervous."

"Why are you nervous?" Amber looked up at me with her big blue eyes. "Well it's been a few years since I've been home to the Shire and seen grandpa, but i'm fine, don't worry about me." I assured her. "But I thought we lived in the mountain?" She questioned, I smiled "That is our home, but this used to be my home for many years, long before I met your father. We fought long and hard for the Mountain." Amber made an Ohh noise before looking forward. I turned back to door and wrapped my hand around the cold gold. I twisted the knob and opened it to my hobbit hole that hasn't seemed to change one bit.

"We're here!" I called out. I was startled when Bilbo came running out from the pantry with open arms and a beaming smile. "Grandpa!" The kids called whilst running into Bilbo's arms. Bilbo almost fell back but he luckily caught his balance and squeezed his grandchildren tight. "Oh wow! Look how big you've all gotten!" Bilbo squeezed them tight and didn't let go.

They all eventually pulled away and the three ran into the lounge room where they jumped into his armchair. "Hello dear." Bilbo gave me a welcoming hug. "Hello, father." I squeezed him before releasing. "Kili." "Bilbo." Kili reached forward to Bilbo and placed his right hand on his right shoulder, the traditional dwarvish greeting. Bilbo, on the other hand, awkwardly chuckled before stepping back and accidentally falling into a bow with flushed cheeks.

"When will the others be here?" I set the children's bags down by the door which were overflowing with God knows what they managed to sneak in after I checked their bags. "They should be here soon, you are all actually very early. Plenty of time to catch up! (Y/N), Kili," Bilbo disappeared into the kitchen "Can I make you a cup of tea?" "I'll have one!" I called out.

Kili also called back saying he didn't want one before we met the kids in the lounge room arguing over Ash squishing everyone in Bilbo's armchair. "Hey, hey, don't argue." I sunk into the sofa. They all continued bickering. I just turned to Kili, completely exhausted from our long journey with three 4 year old kids.

"Ash." Kili warned him with his serious voice. Ash immediately looked up, rather frightened of the more affirmative side of his father which their rarely saw. He mumbled something under his breath before getting off and sitting in between me and Kili with a groan. He narrowed his eyes at his brother and sister sitting on the chair he couldn't fit onto.

Bilbo shuffled into the room and handed me my tea with a coaster to put on the side table next to me. "Thank you." I mumbled. I was about to ask Nynx and Amber to get out Bilbo's armchair but Bilbo gave them a red blanket to warm up and sat down in my old armchair. Bilbo began to ask the kids about how they have been lately.

Ash has becoming much more skilled with his bow, Kili began to teach him from the ripe age that he was strong enough to pull back the string, he has hit the centre of the target many times and Kili is even taking Ash out hunting with him to get our supper.

Nynx is still his cheerful self, the child always has a smile on his face. He's learning to read and write at the moment, he's managed to write a few sentences in both dwarvish and the common tongue, and he's even made some friends from Lake-Town that he meets every time we go.

And Amber. Well, you could look at the three and you could easily tell which one is the responsible one. Ash and Nynx always reminded me of Kili and Fili, always laughing and playing tricks on people and they are inseparable. Amber loves to dress up and fantasize outside the world she was born into and play with my hair. She is obsessed with braiding both mine and Kili's hair which he isn't always too happy about but he always gives into her within a heartbeat. He would walk through fire for his Amber.

The three are doing amazing and are not shy as they overload Bilbo with information who didn't seem fazed by it, just happy to have his grandchildren back.I looked over to Kili who was watching with a smile when Ash jumped out of his seat and showed Bilbo his bow and how he can pull the string back, obviously without an arrow in it, his aim still isn't 100%.

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The sun has gone down and the kids are getting a bit tired but are still going strong. They are all very excited to see all their uncles. The company have been out of the mountain for a very long time now, they said they had business to attend. They promised their quest didn't involve any fighting, slaying dragons or any life threatening situations, so we let them go. Only a few troll caves. We all agreed to meet at Bilbo's so everyone will be able to see the kids again for Bilbos birthday which is tomorrow.

I wrapped an arm around Amber who was now sitting next to me while the boys played by chasing each other around the house. Kili is never far behind them incase they hurt themselves or break something in the hobbit hole. "Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu," Ash yelled is dwarvish as he chased Nyx with his wooden sword. "Imrid amrâd ursul!" The two let out battle cries as they fought using their skills they'd learnt.

I pulled the blanket up and over Amber's shoulder when she rested her head on my shoulder and slowly closed her eyes. A nap wouldn't hurt. I smiled down at my peaceful daughter who was asleep in minutes. I could hear the boys cackle from the hallway before Kili barked at them "Get away from the vase."

"I am very proud of you (Y/N)," Bilbo said gently from his armchair with the fire crackling beside him. "I know I tell you it a lot, but it's something that you deserve to hear." "Thank you." I lowered my voice. "You've raised the kids brilliantly, Ambers going to grow up to a be just like you and the boys, they will grow to be two little gentlemen." He smiled.

"Like Kili?" I joked. His smile faded, he adjusted his robe and sat back into his chair. "Yes like Kili I suppose." He rolled his eyes. I chuckled and brushed a blond strand of hair off Ambers face. "When will the company get here?" I turned my head to look out at the night sky "They said they were going to be here at five but it's getting late."

Bilbo looked a bit disappointed. "I have no idea. They said they would come before the sun sets and clearly," he gestured out the window "It is long past that." "I'm sure they'll be here soon," Kili was leaning against the door frame with the kids running around behind him "They never pass up an opportunity for food."

We all chuckled until we heard a knock. Bilbo's head shot up as he jumped out his chair and ran to the door. I felt Amber stir under my arm. "Hey- Hey!" I could hear Gloin's usual greeting. "Mother?" Amber rubbed her eyes "Is that uncle Gloin?" "And Uncle Bofur!" The boys ran into Bofur and Gloins arms. "And don't forget Uncle Balin and Dwalin!" Balin walked into the house.

I got out my seat with Amber on my hip. "(Y/N)!" They all called when I made my appearance. I greeted them all and went around for hugs. After I pulled away Amber reached out her arms and wrapped them around her uncles necks. They all looked happy to see their niece and nephews. "Good evening, narrvel." Dwalin smiled with adoration as he ruffled Ambers bouncy curls.

Eventually all the others pooled in. We all hd our greetings and gave our hugs, the dwarves prepared the table whilst Bilbo, the kids, Kili, Bofur and I sat in the living room. "Well you all look great." Bofur rested his arms over the back of the sofa with one leg thrown over the other, like a true man from Lake-Town.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Bofur," I chuckled "How's the maiden?" I smirked. "Well...we are to be wed! HaHa!" Kili, Bilbo and my jaw fell open. "No way!" I playfully hit him. "Yes way." He shrugged. "That's great, Bofur." Bilbo congratulated Bofur. "I knew you could do it." Kili smacked Bofurs shoulder before he sat down next to me.

We were just sitting there when we could hear the dwarves making more movement around the house. I looked up and saw Bombur walked past the door with bowls of bread. "It must nearly time for supper. I'll meet you at the table." Bofur excused himself and went to the dining room.

"We should go eat too," I sat up "Ash! Amber! Nynx! Time for supper!" I called them. They all walked back into the living room. My eyes widened with horror when Ash walked in with a huge ax in his hands. "Ash! Where did you get an ax?!" I felt slightly panicked when he began playing with it in his hands.

Kili stormed over to Ash and snatched the ax out his hand. "Yes, where did you get an axe from?" Kili asked with anger. He could have really hurt himself or someone else. "Uncle Gloin gave it to me. Said it used to be his sons, I think his name was Gimli?" He looked at the wall in wonder. "I'll have a word with him," Kili put the weapon away "Now, all of you, go sit down at the table."

I guided the kids to the table by rested a hand on the back of their heads but Nyx ran straight ahead, under dwarves arms until he jumped into the stool with 2 empty seats on either side. However, I stopped outside a closed door. My old room. "You guys go ahead, save me a stool." The kids ran toward the dining room where I could hear them take their seats as everyone tucks into the mountains of food that I'm guessing are flooding the table.

I opened the door and stepped inside my bedroom. It was the same as before, not a single book had been taken out, not a single crease on the bed. I stepped into the room, leaving the door open behind me. Many years ago this used to be the room where I would spend hours reading, writing, dreaming.

Dreaming of what was out there, although I knew deep down that I wouldn't ever see the world. But boy was I wrong. I know I have talked about this many times and your probably sick of it but it just seems so surreal. Who would have thought I would be coming back to this room with all these memories that I once dreamed of having? Definitely not me.

"Are you coming to supper? Or are you leaving all the kids with me?" Kili slightly chucked from the door. I turned to him. "I'll be there in a minute, just...checking out my room." "Would you like me to leave?" He pushed himself off the door frame. "No, i'm ready anyway. Let's go." I walked out the room with Kili behind me and made my way to the dining room.

———————————————————— The kids were the first ones to finish their plates, devouring them whilst lacking the manners of children to a prince, but more manners of the nephews to a company of dwarves. The company loves the kids, and they have since they were born. They all practically watched the kids eat their food before tucking into their own, which I have learnt from living with them is a very rare thing for dwarves to hold back from a meal.

"Can we please leave the table?" Amber asked me with big eyes. "Yes of course, but no running around, we don't want to break anything." The boys were already off their seats and running away with Amber behind them trying to catch up. As usual Amber was the only one that actually listened to my instructions.

Everyone's eyes followed the kids until they were out the room which they then ripped into their meal. Kili and I had finished our meals long ago. Kili moved up the table into Nynx's seat so he was next to me.

"Would anyone like a refill?" Bilbo offered whikst getting up from the table. Ori, Nori, Bombur and Bofur all asked for another, Bilbo nodded his head and left the room. Once he was out of earshot I looked to the company. "You guys were late." I said with a stern expression. They all looked at each other confused. I placed a hand on my hip with raised eyebrows. I can't believe they forgot. They were supposed to come on time so they could decorate for Bilbo's party tomorrow.

"Hey, don't go all 'mother' on us." Bofur crossed his arms. "I'm sorry?" I looked to him. "You do that thing where you go all 'mother' on us, placing your hand on your hip and raising your eyebrows, telling us off like we're your kids. We're not." He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrow.

"I do not go all 'mother' on you." I used my fingers as air quotes. They all agreed with Bofur and nodded their heads. I slowly took my hand off my hip and took a deep breath. "You guys were late," I tried to say in my calmest voice "You were supposed to be here at 5 so you could decorate for Bilbos party which, by the way, is tomorrow morning."

"Ah we got that covered, don't you worry." Bofur bit into an apple. "How?" "Just trust us," Bofur insisted "You've known us long enough that we never disappoint and we never forget about a party. Especially Bilbo's." I exhaled. "Okay your right, i'm sorry. I just want this to be perfect." "And it will be." Kili said.

I sucked in a breath when Bilbo returned into the room with his hands full of ale. I quickly put my head down and played with the remainder of my food, the others cleared their throats and continued with whatever they were previously doing. "Here you go." Bilbo mumbled as he handed the dwarves their mugs. Hopefully he didn't hear anything.

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"Come on guys," Kili rounded up the kids "time for bed." They all groaned and Ash tried to escape his fathers grasp. Amber slipped her hand into Kili's, Nynx held onto his tunic sleeve whilst Ash slipped away and was about to run off before I quickly turned the corner and lifted him into my arms. "Got you!" I chuckled. He frowned at me when I poked his nose and squeezed him tight.

"Let's go say goodnight to everyone." I said. With the kids in our arms we stood by the living room door frame and bid everyone goodnight. They all called back and listened as Bofur gently played his flute. I could have stood their and listened to the magic of his flute but Ash's yawn pulled me out of the trance I was under.

"Say goodnight Ash." I adjusted him on my hip. He rubbed his eye with his fist. "Goodnight." He mumbled. "Night." They all called back. We took the kids into my room. The bed was a double so it was more than enough room to fit three small half hobbit, half dwarves. Which means that they are very small. I could only hope they didn't take my height, hobbits have always been shorter.

They were all snuggled in tight, turned onto their sides. I pulled the blanket over them and tucked them in. One by one I placed a kiss on each of their heads. Ash tried to avoid me but I got him, he groaned and wiped his head before turning back over and spreading himself over the mattress. Reminds me of a certain someone. Nyx narrowed his eyes at his brother and shoved him away as Ash's arm was thrown across his face. I didn't even bother telling him off.

After Kili said his good nights I waited for him by the door to close it. I was about to shut it until Amber sat up. "Mother?" "What is it, Amber?" I asked quietly with a soft smile. "Can I have my..." I knew what she was talking about. "Of course, just give me a moment."

I opened Ambers bag and pulled out her teddy. It was a brown bear with big beady eyes and a black bow tie around his neck. She's had him since she was a baby so he was very worn out and one of his eyes were slightly falling off, the people of Lake-Town made it for the new princess in the lonely mountain. Every night, just before bed, she retrieved it from its place and hugs it under her arm until morning.

I tiptoed across the room and placed it under her arm. "Thank you." She mumbled. "No problem, darling. Now, get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." "I will..." Her voice drifted off, I knew she was asleep. I stared, proudly, at my three children all bundled up in my bed like three peas in a pod. They are my world. I love them no matter what. For all eternity. I closed the door without a creek. I don't know where Kili went but the house was silent. Everyone must be asleep. I should sleep too, and find Kili, wherever he's found a place to sleep.

As I walked past the mantelpiece I watched as the clock struck midnight. I placed a hand on a painting of me, Bilbo, Kili and the company all squished behind us which represents the large painting in the mountain. Kili and I were holding the kids in our arms and Bilbo next to me with his arm around my shoulder looking down at his grandchildren. The company were all smiling, with the two paintings of Fili and Thorin behind us in the throne room.

This was my family.

I smiled at the picture and patted it before blowing out the candle next to the picture and walking off to go to sleep, waiting for the morning to come. "Happy Birthday Bilbo."

THE END