I'm just going to hang my head in shame because I know that I am the worst.

It has been over a year since my last update. I'M SO SORRY!

I have taken on so much responsibility with my newly appointed position of President of the theatre club at my University. While I love every minute of it, it has stolen my free time.

I will finish this story though. I had planned to start writing again over the summer, but one of my best and dearest friends passed in June and the small urge to write that I felt at the beginning of the summer left with him.

Now I am on break for the winter and next semester will be the last at my college (YAY!) So HOPEFULLY I can start writing a little bit more. Anyway, here is chapter 7. ENJOY!

Thorin's birthday was fast approaching, and the kingdom under the mountain was buzzing with dwarves preparing for the celebration. Many esteemed guests from all over Middle Earth were beginning to arrive and fill Erebor to the brim. Yet with each day that passed, the Durin's grew more and more restless waiting on the wandering wizard to finally show. Thorin paced in front of the burning fireplace resting against the wall of his study.

After about a month of questioning glances he had received when entering the study, he eventually made the decision to move Fili and Kili's workspaces into the room with him. This way no one would question him if he needed to write a letter to a noble in the Iron Hills or what have you. Thorin was actually amazed by how little access the youngest Durin has within the mountain. Not because Kili isn't permitted in certain areas, but because he would so seldom go there. For example, when visiting the library yesterday, Thorin was constantly followed around by one of the scribes, asking every five minutes if he needed any help. And last week, when visiting the mines to check on the progress of the new quartz vein, the miners all looked at him as if he had sprouted elf ears. Even after he informed everyone that the king had sent him, the dwarves still gave him quite a few curious glances.

Stopping his pacing, Thorin looked at a portrait resting on the mantle. It was a gift from Ori. He had sketched a picture of his nephews while on the journey to reclaim the mountain. The lads were sitting by the campfire and were in the middle of a song that had everyone clapping and dancing to the tune. It is one of Thorin's fondest memories of the quest. Fili looked so happy and Kili's young face was exuberant and full of life, he couldn't help but smile. He felt so guilty that the lad had been forced to handle the stress of literally playing king for the past seven months. It was never meant to fall on Kili's shoulders to rule the mountain. He had never taken the training as seriously as his brother so this was definitely a shock to the youngest prince. All things considered, the boy had done an excellent job so far, with only one or two close calls of them being found out. He would have to remember that if…. WHEN things got back to normal, he would have to thank Kili for his seriousness and reliability in this time of need.

His position was much easier to deal with. Going from King Under the Mountain, to playful and reckless prince was like a step into his long, and almost forgotten past. While he has had the burden of ruling on his shoulders for much longer than any dwarf ever should, Thorin could still remember his days as a dwarfling; running the halls of Erebor with his younger brother and sister, stirring up trouble whenever they could.

A sudden knock on the door brought the king back to the present and he called for the visitor to enter.

A member of the King's guard, Bruin, came into the study with a note. He placed his hand over his heart and addressed the royal in front of him.

"My Prince, I have a message for King Thorin."

"Yes…. Oh I mean uh…. King Thorin is in the council chambers, can I be of any assistance?"

"Yes my Prince. The Wizard Gandalf has arrived at the main gate and is requesting audience with the king," Bruin replied ignoring the Prince's strange behavior. Quite truthfully, he had grown accustomed to it since joining the King's guard.

"It's about time," Thorin mumbled to himself as a nervous excitement flowed through him at the thought of the Wizard's help.

"Pardon, Prince Kili?" Bruin questioned.

"Nothing. I will inform King Thorin of Gandalf's arrival immediately. Thank You."

And with that, Thorin rushed past the guard and straight toward the council chambers. Upon rounding a turn, Thorin ran directly into Fili who was headed back to the study after a meeting with Gloin about the mountain's finances.

"Uncle, where are you off to in such a rush?"

"I must fetch Kili immediately, the wizard has finally decided to grace us with his presence."

The feeling of relief that overcame Fili at this news was immense. It felt as though he had been walking on thin ice all month and one wrong move would bring everything crashing down.

"Well what are you waiting for, let's hurry!"

Thorin didn't even pay attention as he navigated the maze of passages that lead to the council chambers. He was focused on reaching his destination as quickly as possible. Upon approaching the door, the guards posted there barred the Royal's entrance.

This caught Thorin off guard and caused him to roar out much louder than intended, "What is the meaning of this?" Fili pulled Thorin back and faced the guards.

"You stand in our way. Why?" Fili questioned.

One of the guards answered, "Lord Guinn has ordered that everyone remain outside the chambers until the meeting has adjourned. According to him, they must finalize the plans for rebuilding the western wing of the stables before the day is up."

Thorin pushed his way back in front. "That is not our concern. We have urgent business that requires the King's immediate attention, now let us pass." The monarch didn't wait for approval. He stormed passed the two guards and threw open the doors to the council.

"What is the meaning of this interruption? Did I not say that all visitors were to be kept out today?" The unmistakable voice of Lord Guinn sliced through the room like nails on a chalkboard. "I am going to have to ask you to leave Prince Kili."

"It is okay Guinn." Kili assured the worked up dwarrow. "Kili, Fili what is happening?"

Placing his hand over his heart in a show of respect to the "king", Thorin stated, "Gandalf the Grey has arrived at the main gate and seeks your audience immediately Sir."

Turning to the council, with the most believable look of disappointment Kili could conjure, he told them, "I'm sorry, but it seems I am needed elsewhere. We will continue this discussion tomorrow."

"But King Thorin! We need to finish these plans today. We have already spent too long deciding what the best course of action is for repairing the stables and need to come to a conclusion. Cannot this Gandalf fellow wait."

"Lord Guinn, while I understand your concerns, if there is one thing I have learned from my time spent with Gandalf, it is that it is best not to keep a Wizard waiting."

With that being said, the Durin's swiftly exited the room; making great haste to the front gate.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the gate was in sights. Along with the pointed tip of a certainly recognizable grey hat.

Rushing forward, the King and Princes met the wandering wizard, and a dearly missed friend, at the entrance to the mountain.

"Gandalf, you are certainly a sight for sore eyes." Kili said, voice full of relief at his arrival.

"Well I've certainly missed you too Thorin. Now what is it that was so urgent that I had a raven nearly assault me in Lothlorien." The old wizard said.

"It is a long story and you can hopefully help us determine the outcome," Fili stated.

"Well how about we chat over a nice glass of wine? Hmm, what say you?"

Releasing the breath he had been holding since seeing his old friend, Thorin agreed, "A good plan. You will want to be sitting down for this one."

With a twinkle in his eye, Gandalf jested, "Oh, I don't know. The last time I sat down to a drink with you lot, we decided to kill a dragon. I doubt you can shock me too much."

"We will see about that old friend."