#dwalin fanfic

[ironmandeficiency]

drinking songs

pairing: established dwalin  / fem!dwarf!reader

word count: 1607

summary: you got drunk off your ass at thorin’s coronation banquet, and now it’s up to your dearest dwarf captain to get you back to your rooms.

a/n: song snippets are from "rattlin bog” by the irish descendants. i have become dwalin trash, mostly thanks to @fromthedeskoftheraven

the captain of the guard was enjoying himself, truly. it isn’t every day that thorin is actually happy, that his cousin is able to swing his arms around the shoulders of his nephews with joy oozing from every pore.

peace is seldom found in the line of durin.

his eyes flit around the room, observing every shift of the light and tracking the positions of his family and friends. the boys are hanging off thorin with rosy cheeks, smiling wider than he’d seen in years. bofur is dancing on one of the massive tables, flute in hand, deftly avoiding plates and goblets while doing a jig to his own music. nori’s pulled ori into dancing along, the brothers almost tripping over each other in their laughter. balin and dori are watching said merriment from their seats at the royal table, casually drinking from their goblets with matching grins.

dwalin respects the duties of his station and would never stray from his responsibilities during a royal banquet or otherwise. it doesn’t matter how entranced he is with the way you’re going toe to toe against the others with the mead, the way errant drops of the beverage drip down your chin and neck. he’s not going to abandon his post and allow himself to sweep you to your feet, beckoning you into the energetic dances of celebrating dwarrow.

but he can damn sure wish to.

he doesn’t know how it started. all dwalin knows is that it happened, is still happening, and probably won’t stop happening anytime soon. he fell beard over boots for you many moons ago, the dam sent by dís to accompany them on the quest, your presence the only reason his dear cousin let her sons join the company.

it could have been the battle cry released from the pit of your soul when you downed a warg headed straight for him. or maybe it was the vicious glint in your eyes when you ripped the leg off a mirkwood spider with your bare hands, then promptly used it to skewer two others. it could even be the doting care you gave to every member of the company, your innate kindness off the battlefield a delightful contradiction to your ferocity on it.

those and many more were the reasons he, with some encouragement from his closest friends and family, found the courage to ask to court you while they were in laketown. it was why his eyes kept focusing on the courting bead in your hair that marked you as his, no matter how many other eyes followed you around the mountain.

mahal’s sweaty balls, dwalin was in deep.

even in the safety of the mountain, there were so many strangers that he couldn’t let his guard down. that was his excuse for not celebrating and he would stick to it like the honey in your beard when you ate the little honey cakes at the shifter’s cabin.

he spotted bofur taking your hand, pulling you onto the table to join him in whatever foolish drinking song that was being chorused around the table.

“ho, ro, the rattlin' bog the bog down in the valley o real bog, the rattlin' bog the bog down in the valley o!”

an obnoxious cheer cut through yours and bofur’s song before you continued with wide smiles and mead dripping from your beards. 

“in the nest, there was a bird a rare bird, a rattlin’ bird the bird in the nest and the nest on the limb and the limb on the branch and the branch on the tree and the tree in the hole and the hole in the bog and the bog down in the valley o!”

it was an absolutely foolish song, albeit rather catchy. while he would never lower himself to singing along, he caught himself tapping his boot to it. the faster you sang, the more every other dwarf struggled to keep up. even bofur was occasionally lowered to simply making syllabic noises that didn’t quite make sense, though his current inebriation could be partly to blame.

you jumped off the table in a hurry, headed straight for him. if he were a betting dwarf that needed the gold, he would bet that you were going to try and pull him into your cheerful little song and dance.

“come on, ya big oaf! you’ve got to join us!”

“oh no no, dearie, you know i don’t-”

“correction, you didn’t dance! now you do!”

dwalin’s long-suffering sigh meant nothing to you. you’ve known dwalin nearly your entire lives, there wasn’t a moment spent under this mountain or another where he could successfully said no to you.

your strength in pulling him into the growing crowd, no matter how close to inebriated you were, shouldn’t have surprised him. his feet weren’t cooperating with the rest of him as he stumbled after you, the way he’s done since you were both wee pebbles.

he’s just glad he wasn’t asked to join you and the miner in the singing.

once you succeeded in pulling dwalin to the edge of your impromptu stage, you jumped right back into the song with ease. your drunken crowd was stomping their feet and banging meaty fists on the table. one of dain’s men had a banjo and was playing along with the steadily increasing tempo of the song. the increase in speed seemed to not affect you in the slightest and dwalin was gobsmacked.

“the rash on the tick, on the tick on the louse, on the louse on the hair, on the hair on the worm, on the worm on the feather, on the feather on the bird, on the bird in the egg, in the egg in the bird, in the bird on the nest, on the nest on the limb, on the limb on the branch, on the branch on the tree, on the tree in the hole, in the hole in the bog, in the bog down in the valley-o!”

you launched yourself off the table, still shouting the lyrics with a speed that rivaled the rabbits pulling the brown wizard’s sled. dwalin caught you with a wide grin. he almost didn’t catch you when you jumped into his arms, but his instincts were ahead of his brain.

with that one last line, ringed fingers tangled in the warrior’s beard, pulling him close so you could connect his lips with yours. it was a sloppy, rough kiss with just a little tenderness but overflowing with passion and impatience and devotion. hoots and hollers rang around you both, the loudest ones belonging to members of the company.

it was a very forward display of affection for two dwarrow who only recently started courting, but propriety could get shoved up the drake’s ass for all he (and you) cared.

he tempered your kisses, untangling your fingers from his beard before placating you with smaller pecks all across your face. “alright lass, it’s time for you to get to bed.” there was an affection in his voice that he couldn’t keep at bay when he was around you.

“rather forward tonight, are we?” you couldn’t help but tease your dear warrior. the sight of his cheeks wearing even the most faded tint of ruby was a reward that far surpassed the value of the treasure only a few rooms away.

dwalin rolled his eyes fondly at you. “not quite, kurdel,” maybe one day though. he wouldn’t even entertain the idea of doing anything untoward when you were giggly and rosy-cheeked from the spirits. “need to get you to sleep. ‘sides, it sounds like your voice is gettin’ hoarse.”

the resulting pout you gave him was very unconvincing.

a hiccup escaped your lips as your betrothed hoisted you into his shoulder, carrying you out of the grand hall like a very cherished sack of potatoes.

in the morning you were definitely going to regret the way you drank close to bombur’s weight in mead. it wasn’t a concern now, however, when drunk you had the best vantage point of your lover’s ass.

you could continue your singing after all, especially with the best hand drums this side of the misty mountains right there. deft hands began to tap an encore of your earlier performance. you were so distracted by this task you didn’t notice dwalin stop walking or his slight chuckle at your antics.

dwalin paused outside the door to your rooms, an impatient sigh falling from him. “are you quite finished, love?” just to spite him, you hum and give his buttocks a few more taps just because you could. “i’m done now,” you answer.

his grunt of acknowledgement made you giggle as he opened the door to your rooms, your intended making a beeline for your bed. he unloaded you with all the care a lover would give and once you were sobered up, you’d look upon the moment fondly. he was gingerly guiding your body as he removed your outerwear, leaving you in your pants and a loose tunic.

but that moment was not now, so you instead chose to grab up at him in a silent attempt to get him to lay with you. he should learn to say no to you eventually.

“if i lay down wi’ ye, there will be no funny business. understand?” he’s already ridding himself of his own boots and heavy armor, getting himself ready to crawl into bed with you. balin would definitely have his ass for this in the morning, but dwalin couldn’t find it in him to care when you were gazing at him with love in your eyes.

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Flower Crowns - Dwalin X Female (Baggins) Reader

Title: Flower Crowns

Dwalin X Female Reader

Additional Characters: The Company, Ori, Kili, Fili, Thorin, Bofur, Balin, Oin (Mentioned), Bomber (Mentioned), Gandalf (Mentioned), Bilbo, Bard (Mentioned), Bard's kids (Mentioned), Alfrid (Mentioned), and the Mirkwood Elves (including Legolas and Tauriel (Mentioned))

Requested By: Anon!

WC: 5,252

Warnings: The Hobbit canon violence/weapons/death/etc, Reader is Bilbo's sister, misunderstandings, broody Dwalin, blood, injuries, nicknames, crying (brief), orcs, death, Ones, giant spiders, movie reference to a different movie (bonus points for those who get it), yelling, angst, and fluff

Trudging up the path with a woven basket of homemade muffins, you made your way up to Bilbo's home. You were a bit late. You were supposed to be at Bilbo's over an hour ago, but you had misjudged when you'd finish your muffins. And you knew how much Bilbo loved your muffins, so you were sure he wouldn't be too annoyed by your tardiness after eating a muffin or two.

Stopping at the door, you let out a small huff before knocking on the round door... Only to receive no answer. You frowned, furrowing your eyebrows before just entering. Pushing the door closed behind you, you heard voices from somewhere else in the Hobbit hole, confusing you even more. Had Bilbo invited others to dinner?

"Bilbo?" You called out, beginning to wander over towards the voices that quickly stopped after you spoke.

But before you could say anything more, Bilbo popped out into the hallway, rushing over to you. "Y/N, I believe we'll have to reschedule dinner." He spoke, rushed as he tried turning you around.

Your frown deepened as you twisted around in his hold, your eyes staring at the circular entrance of the dining room, "What do you mean? Who have you invited over?" Your curiosity was peaked now, and you wanted answers. 

"Nothing! No one! Lovely seeing you!" Bilbo exclaimed, pushing you backward towards the door, ready to get you out. But before he could, you ducked out of his arms and sped towards the dining room. 

You skidded to a halt at the entrance, eyes widening as your jaw dropped slightly. Bilbo sighed, rubbing his face with both of his hands before walking over and standing beside you. Eyes glued to the surprise visitors, you leaned over to Bilbo slightly; eyes unmoving from the surprise guests, "Bilbo... Why do you have thirteen Dwarves and a wizard in your dining room?"

~~~

And that was how you got roped into traveling alongside Bilbo, Gandalf, and the rest of the Company. Gandalf somehow convinced Thorin that having a second Hobbit would benefit the Company. And, unlike your brother, you wanted to go with them. You had read so many books about adventure and heard so many stories... You wanted to get out into the world and go on adventures that you had read in those books. 

During the first few days of the journey to The Lonely Mountain, you became friends with most, if not all, of the Company. Kili and FIli, for example - the two youngest members of the Company - took you under their wing. When Thorin allowed the Company to rest, they would teach you how to defend yourself. Most lessons usually turned into fooling around most of the time, despite Thorin's grumblings. Fili and Kili were fun people to be around. They never failed to make you laugh, which was welcomed when having to face orcs and goblins almost daily. 

Balin was like a father figure to you, always giving worldly and wise advice. Bomber often let you help in the making of breakfast and dinner. Ori, the sweetest of the bunch, would tell you stories, which you eagerly accepted to listen to every time. It gave you something to look forward to. And Oin, when free to do so, would teach you the basics of healing; showing you what herbs and plants worked best for certain ailments, which ones should be avoided, and so on.

You enjoyed each member of the Company's presence, but Thorin and Dwalin were the only two who hardly spoke a word to you. You weren't sure whether it was because they believed you didn't belong in the company, or because they were just not talkers. You hoped it was the latter.

But between the two, you really liked Dwalin. You liked his gruff demeanor - the brooding look on his face - and in addition, you really found him attractive. His muscular build, strong arm muscles, and dark hair; not to mention the tattoos on his arms - you wondered what their stories were. It surprised you, in the beginning, when you finally let the realization sink in. Even Bilbo, the only one that you had told about this attraction - you didn't fully trust Kili and Fili with the information - Bilbo was shocked, to say the least. 

~~~

Walking with Kili and Fili, you snatched up bundles of flowers as you went, weaving and braiding them together into a crown. You had already made one for yourself, and Fili and Kili were quite invested in your creative, colorful craft.

"Where did you learn to create such things?" Fili asked as he watched you bend down, snatching up another flower from the grassy ground.

You shrugged, tying off another flower, "In Hobbiton, of course, Fili, dear," You began, fixing some of the flowers before continuing, "In originality, my mother taught me." You finished, weaving another flower into the crown.

"How does one make such intricate designs?" Kili then asked, twisting the stem of a flower between his fingers in thought. 

You smiled back at him, "Well, it is quite simple, Kili, dear," You began, "You just have to braid the stems of the flowers together. Simple really." You answered, spying on Dwalin near the front of the line - just behind Thorin, you glanced over at the two Princes' beside you, "I'll be just a moment." You spoke before jogging over.

Your smile widened as you matched Dwalin's pace once by his side. Looking over and up at him, he didn't acknowledge your presence. It never bothered you, him ignoring you... You understood that Dwalin was not the type of person to just chit-chat, especially when there were bigger things to do and worry about. Lonely Mountain speaking. 

Finishing the flower crown in your hands, you offered it up to the Dwarf, a bright smile on your face. "I made this for you." You explained softly, the flower crown - made of yellow, white, and red wildflowers - sitting in your hands. 

Dwaling stopped, and so did the rest of the Company. You suddenly felt a wave of anxiety wash over you - all eyes on the two of you - watching as Dwalin slowly turned his head to look down at you, to the crown, and back. And for a moment, you thought that you saw something flash in his eyes, something that wasn’t brooding, determined, or angry. You swallowed, finding yourself unable to take your eyes off his, your ears and cheeks burning as he grumbled and huffed through his nose. You were confused, your hope and happiness dwindling - your hands lowering slowly - as Dwalin turned and continued walking. 

Fully dropping your hands to your sides, you watched him go; feeling completely rejected. You knew that it was stupid. It was just a flower crown... And yet, you still held onto it with all of your heart, clutching it tightly in your hand; unintentionally crushing the flowers beneath your fingers. What did you do wrong? You just wanted him to like you... Tears stung in your eyes, but you refused to cry in front of everyone. 

The rest of the Company soon passed you, some giving you sympathetic smiles, some patting you on your shoulder or back. Fili and Kili stopped beside you, Kili frowning softly, as Fili gave you a pat on the top of your head; careful not to disturb the flower crown on your head. 

"Don't worry, Miss Y/N," Fili spoke, "He'll come around."

Kili nodded, "I assure you, he will." He let out a small chuckle, but you knew he wasn’t laughing at you. That was just him.

You nodded, doubting, but saying nothing more as they turned and followed the group; Bilbo finally coming over. "I'm alright." You muttered, looking up at him. You knew that he was going to ask you if you were alright.

"I'm sorry, Y/N..."

You shook your head, "No, it's okay." You whispered softly, trying to give him the best smile you could give him to ease his worries, "I don't know why I am so caught up in this... I must understand that I'm not really everyone's cup of tea. Not everyone wants to be my friend. If he doesn't want to be friends with me... Then, that's alright." You explained softly. Bilbo stared at you for a long moment before you began walking, dropping the flower crown to the ground. 

~~~

The night was cold, the stars shining brightly down from the sky as you huddled close to Bilbo; next to the fire. It was hard to sleep, still not fully used to sleeping on the woodland ground, but you were getting there. And, soon, you found yourself drifting off to sleep.

Dwalin, on the other hand, having the first night watch, stared into the fire before him. It was quiet, aside from the fire crackling and the crickets chirping. Dwalin seemed to be lost inside his own mind, his eyebrows furrowed, and dark eyes narrowed in thought. Hearing a small grunt and feeling the log under him move slightly, Dwalin glanced over to see Balin sitting beside him. Balin hummed lowly, staring at the fire, rubbing the palms of his hands together.

"She didn't know, Dwalin." He spoke softly, not wanting to wake the others from their sleep, and only getting a deep mumble from his younger brother; at the mention of you, Dwalin's eyes flickered from the fire to your sleeping figure; curled up beside Bilbo. "She does not know of our courtship rituals. I should’ve told her more about our culture." Again, getting nothing from Dwalin, Balin continued, "She only wishes you to speak to her. You have hardly spoken a word to her since leaving Bilbo's home." He stared at his brother's side profile, "You can confide in me, brother."

Dwalin continued his silence, his eyes falling upon you once more. He was conflicted. Ever since he saw you enter the dining room of Bilbo's Hobbit hole, Dwalin had been unable to stop thinking about you. The way you moved and talked... Your features were sharp, yet delicate, your lips pouting, and your hair flowing. You were kind, bright, and soft; everything Dwalin wasn't. Dwalin was rough and tough. He had scars, he had seen death, and he had seen suffering. But, you... He had never seen someone as beautiful as you. You were different. Dwalin sighed deeply, looking away from you. He didn't know how to approach you; he couldn't bring himself to act on his feelings. 

But he knew that you were his One.

He knew the moment he saw you. 

Dwalin hated being vulnerable, and he hated admitting anything to anyone. So he sat, his jaw clenched tight, trying his hardest to fight his growing feelings for you. 

"She's my One." Dwalin found himself muttering, far too quiet for most to hear, but Balin heard.

A knowing smile graced his oldened features. "I presumed so." Balin spoke with a hum, "I can only... Advise that you should speak to her. She cares for you. I am sure that she would understand." Balin stated, before letting out a small sigh, standing, "Think about it, will you?" And with that, Balin found his sleep sack, rolling into it and falling asleep.

Dwalin stayed awake much longer into the night, contemplating his decision as he waited for Gloin to take over the night watch. His older brother's words echoed throughout his head, and with a deep gruff, he let his eyes stray from the fire; the light making his eyes burn slightly. His eyes flickered from around the woods that surrounded him, to the Company before finding the stars and the moon in the sky, and finally... Back to you.

You, in your sleep, muttered something softly, unnoticeable. He watched as you rolled to your side, shivering, your hand pulling the fur blanket closer to you. Dwalin's eyes lingered on you, his mouth slightly agape before he snapped his gaze away. Feeling a wave of frustration towards himself, Dwalin's gaze landed on his sleep role. 

~~~

The next morning, you woke up to a bright blue sky, filled with white, fluffy clouds. You let out a sigh, eyelids fluttering as you shifted slightly and let out a breath. You groaned lightly before freezing. Your fingers brushed against the fur blanket over you, feeling the coarseness of the material. It was warm. Very warm.

Your eyebrows furrowed; confused. You opened one eye, squinting at the bright sun that was peaking above the tree canopies. Slowly turning over onto your back, you sat up, looking down at the blanket... Or should you say... Blankets?

You stared down at the fur blanket, that was not your own, before flipping the fur up, spying your fur blanket underneath. This second fur blanket - which wasn't yours - was a deep brown color, with little bits of white. Who gave you this last night? Were you really that cold last night that one of the Dwarves had given you their blanket out of kindness or pity? You felt a sense of gratitude fill your chest. Looking down at the furry blanket, you couldn't help but let out a smile. 

Looking up, you let your eyes survey the small camp, hopping from Dwarf to Dwarf until they settled on one. Dwalin. A wave of warmth passed over you, watching as he packed his sleep role away and into his pack. As Dwalin stood to leave, he glanced over at you, meeting your gaze for a brief moment; before quickly darting his eyes away, going over to Thorin. 

You felt the corners of your lips twitch slightly, a frown threatening to form on your face as you looked at Dwalin's retreating back. Did he hate you? Did he find you annoying? All these questions ran through your head, but you only huffed, getting up from your sleep role. You were not going to let Dwalin's behavior towards you sour your mood. Today was a beautiful day, and you wanted to savor it. 

~~~

You couldn't see, and all you could feel was the feeling of falling. You felt as if you were wrapped in something. It was tight around you, almost suffocating. Anxiety washed over you, gripping your heart painfully as your lungs begged for air. But you could hardly breathe. You needed to breathe, but you were trapped. You clawed at the sticky white substance that surrounded you, trying to rip it and free yourself, but you were not strong enough. You felt like giving up, though you knew you couldn't, but as you clawed at the sticky film, you could finally hear what was going on outside of the cocoon. You could hear the Dwarves yelling, yelling about spiders. 

Before you could do anything else, someone from the outside ripped open your cocoon. You blinked rapidly at the slight change of light, finding yourself back in the creepy woods. A large hand reached out to you and you quickly grabbed it, the person behind the strong hand pulling you up with force. Stumbling slightly, you felt slightly dazed, the hand still in yours as you found yourself in a giant spider fight. 

As you stood amidst the chaotic scene of giant spiders attacking the Company, your heart raced with fear and adrenaline. Eyes unable to leave the giant spiders - tunnel-vision - you gripped the hand in yours; giving you slight reassurance. The air was filled with the sounds of battle - the clang of weapons, the hiss of the spiders, and the shouts of the Dwarves. You could feel the sticky strands of webbing brush against your skin as you dodged and weaved through the throng of arachnids. You felt gross and dirty; and for the first time since the start of this long journey to The Lonely Mountain, you missed your Hobbit home.

With each passing moment, the fight intensified, the odds seemingly stacked against you and the Company. Your wide eyes danced around you, trying to spot Bilbo, but you couldn't find him. You wanted to yell out, to shout, but as your mouth opened, no words came out. There was an odd buzzing noise in your ears, your heart was beating loudly in your chest; harsh against your ribcage. Only then, did you look at the person who held you so close to them. You thought it couldn't have been Kili or Fili, but you spotted the two Princes when you lifted your gaze. Looking down at the hand that held yours, you felt your racing heart freeze for just a moment; an auditable hitch escaped your throat, but you didn't dare utter a sound. 

Standing in front of you and holding your hand tightly in his own was none other than Dwalin. You knew it was him. You knew those tattoos. Trailing up his muscular arm, you were finally met with the side of his face. His expression was hardened as he held his weapon tightly in his other hand. Aside from the anxiety and nervousness that had overcome you, you were incredibly impressed. Dwalin, with one hand, fought off giant spiders, whilst also keeping you perfectly safe. 

At the sound of something coming from up in the trees, you looked up, watching as no more than two dozen elves jumped to the ground, taking out the last of the large, monstrous spiders from around you. One of the Elves spoke to another, you noted her red hair as they spoke in Elvish. You wished that you could understand them. Your awe of them quickly diminished when they drew their weapons, arrows drawn and at the ready; circling around you and the Company. Soon, they demanded your weapons, and before you knew it, all the Dwarves were weaponless. 

"What about her?" One Elven guard asked in a demanding tone. Your eyes lifted up, finding the guard staring down at you. "Hand whatever you have over instantly." He demanded, holding out his hand, only for Dwalin's hand in yours to tighten slightly, gently pushing you behind him.

"She bears no weapons, Elf." He spoke in his deep, gruff, disgruntled voice. The Elf stared down at Dwalin for a moment before staring right back down at you, with a sniff and a small 'humph' he turned away. 

The blonde Elf, the one that you believed to be in charge of the whole group, yelled out something in Elvish, and before you knew it, you and your Dwarven friends were being pushed along, being led to hopefully, not your doom. Passing Thorin, you looked at him with pleading eyes, "Thorin, where's Bilbo?" Only for your answer to be unanswered. 

Your hand never left Dwalin's, your free, unoccupied hand found his arm; the skin upon skin contact grounded you, allowing you to calm yourself ever so slightly. You finally took a chance to look around, finding the forest opening, revealing a stone bridge. Pillars, beautifully carved, gave way to the entrance of Mirkwood, the Elven Kingdom. You wished you had the time to admire the architecture of the kingdom, but, sadly, you did not. Before you knew it you were being tossed into a cell.  

A hand fell upon your shoulder, pulling you to the side, your hands falling from Dwalin's. "Dwalin!" You called out, trying to reach for him, but you were soon shoved into a cell. Stumbling over your feet, you braced yourself on the rock interior of the cell. Hearing the heavy cell door close behind you, you snapped your head up; feeling exhausted, mentally and physically, but you pushed yourself forward. Your hands curled around the bars, trying to look at the cells beside yours. The sound of the now-captured Dwarves - yelling and complaining. 

"Miss Y/N!" Fili yelled out, only a few cells away from yours, "Are you alright!?"

"I'm fine!" You called back, "Is everyone else alright?"

Most, if not all, of the Dwarves, replied with various 'ayes’. You sighed in relief, closing your eyes; the chill of the cell door refreshing on your forehead. 

Sitting on the floor - you felt the hours pass you by slowly - you pressed the back of your head against the wall; tired. "I wager the sun is on the rise. Must be nearly dawn." Bofur called out, his voice echoing throughout. Your eyes fluttered open, a yawn leaving your parched mouth. 

"We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" Ori asked, sounding resigned, making you sigh.

"Don't fret, Ori, dearest." You spoke up, sounding a bit resigned yourself, but you were determined to keep everyone's spirits high. "We'll make it." You continued, looking out of your cell door, "We will." With that said, you stood up from the ground, wincing as pain shot through your legs. Looking down, you noticed a rip in your trousers that you replaced your usual dress with. Pushing the ripped fabric to the side, you then noticed a red substance that trailed down your leg; coming from a small scratch on your calf. "Well," You spoke up, clearing your throat. "I may have been slightly injured."

Simultaneously, the Dwarves began to talk. Their voices became louder, some with more worry and concern. "Miss Y/N, you are injured!?" You heard Fili call from his cell.

"Yes, tis but a scratch." You explained, hoping the Dwarves would stop fussing over you. You weren't a damsel in distress. You were strong, even with a bloody scratch. "But worry not, dearest Dwarves, it's nothing I can't handle."

"You won't have to handle it for long." You heard, eyes widening - mimicking your bright smile - as Bilbo appeared at your cell door, holding the keys. 

~~~

When you joined the Company on their journey, you did not expect that you'd trick goblins, climb bit trees, fly on eagles, fight giant spiders, and barrel ride down a raging river. This was certainly an adventure that you'd go through again, minus the goblins and giant spiders; you'd love to fly with the eagles again.

Somehow, you survived, floating down the raging river, your clothes all sopping wet, and river water dripping from your hair. As all of your barrels fell down a waterfall, you couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Behind you, you could hear the laughter of some of the dwarves. For a moment, you forgot about your injuries; and the exhaustion that was seeping into every fiber of your body. Your hands tightened your grip on the railing of the barrel, praying for it to not capsize or tip over, your fingers growing numb with cold. You tried desperately to ignore what was going on around you. Smelling the fresh air, and hearing the birds chirping above you, almost made you forget everything else.

But at the sound of a horn, you were quickly snapped out of your head, watching as the suited Elves began to shut the gate; the only way to escape. All joy, and a sense of freedom, flew right out of the window. You all collided with each other at the closed gate, you huffed, glaring up at the Elven guards before your eyes caught sight of an arrow flying through the air, and into one of the guards. 

"Orcs!" You yelled out, gesturing up at the guards, as the one that was shot fell into the water below; almost hitting you. "Why does it always have to be orcs?"

You dodged the best you could when dead elves and dead orcs fell into the water, along with dodging arrows, and over-confidant orcs that tried to swing at your head. 

You were about to call for Bilbo, but when you turned your head, you watched as your brother stabbed a sword into an orc, defending one of the dwarves. 

"Miss Y/N!" Ori cried out, making you look over to him, only for him to point above you. 

You looked up, your eyes widening at an orc - dead - began falling towards you. Unable to move, almost frozen in fear, you squeezed your eyes shut and shielded yourself with your arms, only for your barrel to be pushed back and out of the way. You opened your eyes, blinking them rapidly as the river water splashed in your face. Looking over, you just saw a glimpse of Dwalin turning back around. Despite the obvious danger that you were all in, you wondered what you could do for Dwalin since he had saved your life twice now. 

Turning your eyes to the side, you watched as Kili ran up the side of the stone top of the gate, you covered your mouth as an arrow flew through the air and hit him in the leg. Fili cried out of this younger brother, as Kili then opened the gate, and fell into an empty barrel. 

Falling down, yet another waterfall, smaller than the last, you pushed your wet hair from your face, only to grip the barrel with as much force as you could; the raging, white-foaming waters continued. Looking to your side slightly, you watched as Bilbo held onto a barrel, holding onto the sideway barrel, his own death-like grip. You felt a small bit of relief, seeing him safe. You, and the Company, continued down the river, and the longer you tried not to tip over and drown, the more you wished that you weren't in the freezing waters. 

Finally, the raging stopped, and the river was calm. Leaning over slightly in the barrel, you brushed your hands in the freezing water, moving your barrel forward slowly, but carefully. 

"Make for the shore!" Thorin yelled out, receiving some 'ayes' in return.

Pushing your barrel forward, you pressed your cheek against the rim of the barrel, your eyes drooping slightly as you continued to push yourself toward the shore. Your barrel soon hit the rocks, and you used the rest of your strength to get out of it, climbing up onto the rocks; completely soaked. You trudged up the rocks, wrapping your arms around yourself as you mentally counted those around you, counting fourteen. Mentally, you could rest.

Feeling a hand on your upper arm, you looked to the side, seeing your brother Bilbo. Just his presence made you give him a small smile, seeing the worry in his eyes. "I'm alright." You spoke to him, wanting to reassure him, "I'm just cold."

At the surprise of meeting Bard, the human, you sort of let your brain shut off. You felt your feet move as you followed the Dwarves to Bard's boat. You felt yourself sitting down in the corner next to Bilbo, and hiding from Alfrid, but you were far from the present. You were so tired, mentally and physically, that you let your mind quiet, letting yourself only fade back into the world you knew once you felt the warm fire at your feet.

"Wee lass hasn't spoken since the Elves." You heard a hushed voice, it was Bofur. 

You pressed your legs closer to yourself, staring into the flames. The clothing you were given, having been one of Bard's daughters, was warm; the fabric soft - your fingers toyed with the soft material. 

"Is she alright?" Ori asked worriedly, only for Bilbo to nod, crossing his arms. 

"She's alright. She had told me so." Thorin only gave you a short glance before turning back to Bard. 

Dwalin, with his arms crossed, turned to look at you, staring at your side profile. Glancing over at the table that Bilbo sat at, Dwalin said nothing, walking over to the table and grabbing a plate. Bilbo, in turn, watched as Dwalin filled the plate with a few potatoes, two small tomatoes, and a small slice of bread. 

Your eyes picked up the sound of heavy footfalls coming towards you, and at the sight of a plate coming into your field of vision, you moved your head to look up. As you looked at Dwalin, his face stoic as usual, you couldn't help but smile. Taking the plate, your fingers briefly brushed against his.

"Thank you, Dwalin." You spoke softly, but before he could slink away, you grabbed his hand, stopping him. For a moment, you thought back to when he held your hand so tightly - protectively - in the Mirkwood forests. "Thank you for saving me. Twice." You smiled at him softly, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. "And I apologize if I had anything to upset you, or make you uncomfortable." He glanced over at you, then down at your hand which was wrapped around his. He didn't remove his hand from yours, giving you the same squeeze that you had received from him earlier today. 

Dwalin stared at your hand in his, his jaw clenching before he looked back to you, his eyes softening. "You did not, dorzada." He spoke gruffly, “Eat.” He finished before leaving your side, your hand dropping from his. 

You looked down at your plate of food, your stomach grumbling and spinning, as your mind wandered. Picking up the slice of bread, you bit down on it, thinking about the word that Dwalin called you. You wondered what it meant. 

~~~

"Oin, stay with Kili." Thorin commanded as the rest of the Dwarves began to gather their things. Without being told, Fili stayed by his brother's side. 

"I want to come too." You spoke, grabbing a random weapon from the wooden table.

Dwalin quickly turned, staring down at you, "It will be too dangerous for you, lass."

You huffed, lightly glaring up at the Dwarf, "I have fought trolls, orcs, what have you." You pointed out, causing him to raise an eyebrow. "I want to fight."

"This is against us Dwarves and the dragon." He grumbled, his hand taking a hold of the weapon in yours. "You'll die before the beast does."

"I'm already dying anyway," You shrugged, looking back down at your weapon, "From the moment we're born, we're dying. So, what is the point? I want to help."

Dwalin breathed out of his nose as he took hold of your other hand, "No, no, lass, you are staying here, with Kili, while the rest of us fight."

"Are you telling me, or are you commanding me, Dwalin?" You asked, voice becoming soft as his eyes bored into your own. "Do as you wish then," You sighed when receiving no answer, letting go of his hands, "But please, do not die." 

Dwalin humphed, the corners of his lips just twisting up into a small grin, and for a moment, you were stunned. Dwalin was smiling. "Don't worry," He spoke. "I won't." His gaze softened, as he stepped back from you, "Be safe, lass." With that, he started to walk away, only for you to grab his arm and stop him. You didn't say anything else, merely pulling him close to you.

You felt him tense in your abrupt embrace before his one hand, not holding his weapon, circled you. But, it all ended too soon, as he pulled back from you, nodding to you before turning his attention to the group, as they set off to The Lonely Mountain. 

Your shoulders sagged when the door closed, a small pout upon your lips, "Do not fret, Miss Y/N," Fili spoke from beside his brother as you turned to look over at the four Dwarves - Kili, Fili, Bofur, and Oin. "They will return."

You let out a sigh, looking out at the window. A fuzzy feeling rose within your chest, and you couldn't help but smile to yourself. After watching them disappear into the distance, the sun went to sleep, "I know."

---

Main Masterlist | The Hobbit/LOTR Masterlist

[rainydaydream-gal18]

(The Hobbit) Imagine: Holiday in Erebor

Author's Note: Hello! Here's a snippet of something cozy and cheery I wrote a few years ago and never got around to posting. You can decide who it is at the end that requests you sit beside them!

Additionally, I just wanted to say I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! For me, it's a time to be grateful for loved ones and of course, most of all, the real reason for the season!

Word Count: 708

Warnings: None

Description: You join the Company for a celebratory holiday feast!

Erebor had truly been a sight to behold when you first arrived. The halls were numerous and so vast. Everywhere you looked, there were displays of the dwarves’ handiwork and ingenuity. It was beautiful. You understood why the Company had gone to such great lengths to win it back from Smaug the Terrible.

Once the mountain was reclaimed, it became a home to the dwarves once more. You’d only heard stories about Erebor in the olden days when the halls were filled with bustling trade and friendly chatter. Night after night, your comrades told you of its wonders, but you’d never witnessed it for yourself.

You imagined that it was much like it is now, with the Company settled there and their relatives flooding in- so utterly warm and welcoming.

Especially this time of year. You walked down the dimly-lit hallway, the lovely scent of evergreen trees filling your nostrils as you passed lanterns that were decorated with the branches. The harsh winter weather had ushered in a season of cheer, and the entire kingdom was celebrating. Everywhere you went, there were woven banners of red and green, holly leaves adorning every dwarrowdam’s hair, and warm spiced beverages passed around. Feasts were always merry occasions, but more recently, they had become even more grand with special meats and desserts.

It was spectacular, and you felt so fortunate to have been invited to stay and enjoy it.  You traveled with the Company at the request of Gandalf and became very close with the group, and when Erebor was reclaimed, you were offered a place there. Thorin stepped into his role as the rightful ruler, and Fili and Kili respectively as princes.

As pleased as you were to remain with the Company, there was one in particular that you were glad to be near.  He had become the object of your affection over the course of the journey, and your feelings continued to grow as more time passed. The cheerful, cozy season made you wish you could have him as your own, with all the happy couples that you passed every day and dined with. The longing to have someone to kiss and huddle close to for warmth in the cold weather grew stronger each day

As you approached the dining hall, the chatter that had echoed down the passageway grew louder.  Booming laughter, the clink of goblets, and jingle bells filled your ears.  

You paused just before the doorway to smooth out your red and green gown and check your hair in the nearby reflective gold ornament. You couldn’t help but think of how beautiful you looked, and you hoped that he would think so too. With a deep breath, you stepped into the doorway. The hall was filled with long tables, but there was one table in particular you headed straight for. 

It was the Company’s table, complete with specially-adorned seats for those who had made the hard journey to reclaim Erebor. Thorin sat at the head with Fili and Kili’s chairs on either side.

“There she is!” Bofur announced with a grand gesture and a wide grin. “Why, lass, we were just talking about you!  Wonderin’ when you’d be joining us!”

“Here I am,” you laughed. Dwarves weren’t sticklers for punctuality, so no one took offense to your slightly late arrival. You were met with many smiles and boisterous greetings as you neared the table. 

“Why, don’t you look lovely?” Balin complimented. He smiled kindly from his seat beside Fili.  Dwalin was on his other side, chewing a large bite of roasted meat. “Absolutely lovely, my dear.”

“Thank you, Balin,” you said. “As always, it’s a pleasure to see you all.  How is dinner?”

“Dinner is delicious,” Dwalin piped up after a loud swallow. “But don’t take my word for it, see for y’self.”

You smiled.  “I definitely will.  Everything looks fantastic.” You turned and headed toward the other end of the table where there was an empty chair. Before you had even taken two steps, Balin’s voice rose up.

“Wait, dear. There’s a seat for you up here. A certain someone has requested it.”

Heart thumping wildly in your chest, you halted and glanced over your shoulder to see who it was that made the request.

[letmelickyoureyeballs]

I feel like a fun idea for a fic around The Hobbit is a time travel fix-it one, where instead of just Bilbo or Thorin going back in time to before the company sets out, the entire company is sent back

The fun part is obviously all of them think they’re the only one who was sent back. But another fun thing could be how each member realizes that another one of the company was also sent back, before thinking that it’s still only them that know. What little tests would they do with each other to see who was sent back and who wasn’t?

I imagine Fili and Kili would instantly confide in one another, and most likely anyone related would tell each other(brothers, not cousins), but then they’d all keep it to their little groups

How far into the journey would they travel before everyone realizes that they were all sent back? How would they then react to their past actions, especially Thorin, Fili, and Kili dying? And of course how would they then go about their journey differently?

Another thing to consider is at what part of their past lives were they sent back? Did everyone live their lives and die(battles, Moria, old age, etc.) before coming back, or was it right after The Battle of the Five Armies?

I feel like there would be even more bantering since they’ve all traveled with each other already. And what of any relationship that could’ve happened? Gandalf would be so confused. How would the events of LoTR occur then too?

[kilibaggins]

Your take on cuddling with the company? 🥺

Cuddling With Thorin's Company

A/N: I hope this is what you were looking for! Thank you for my first the hobbit request and I hope I did them justice <3

Warnings: None really! I don't go into detail about anything graphic or anything. Nori is said to be handsy (I go on to describe it's in a good way and not sexual and only with someone he's dating)

Words: 2113

Crossposted on Wattpad!

from the river to the sea, palestine will be free 🇵���� READ: this account stands with palestine, and so— i require everyone who interacts to educate themselves, and support/donate.READ THESE; 1 and 2, HELP HERE, BOYCOTT. silence is complicity, do not scroll past this.

Fili

Very much a big spoon kind of guy, always just pulling you as close as possible and burying his face in your neck. The smell of you makes him feel comfortable and safe, a lot safer than he'd feel being held as a little spoon.

He'll randomly put his arm around your waist if you're all sitting around the campfire, using the cold as an excuse for it. 

If you have hair he'd love to have his hand in it while giving you big hugs. His hugs are longer cuddle-like hugs that he uses to remind himself that he can keep you safe.

Uses your cuddles as a way to relax after a long day, especially if he ends up being king one day since he's the heir, and even as the heir he has a lot of responsibilities and it weighs him down so cuddling with you is his time to relax and feel like he can let go. 

Kili

Kili is a little spoon or big spoon, depending on your and his moods. If you've had a close call he's one to pull you as close to him as possible and be your big spoon to make sure you're safe and okay. Holding you is one of his favorite things to do. 

So Clingy, I'm not even kidding. An arm around your waist, a hand on your hip, a hand on your shoulder, his arm looped through yours, his legs in your lap, his HEAD in your lap, the company can bet every day they'll see some new way he's decided to cuddle with you even in front of them all.

If you're more of a secretive/in-private kind of person he'd cut back on the clinginess but sometimes he'd slip up and cuddle you randomly just to notice and pull back. 

His favorite cuddling position is when he can lay his head in your lap and you're petting his hair. I have a headcanon he doesn't do much with his hair and doesn't like braids much but that doesn't stop him from LOVING his hair being played with and messed with. it makes him feel safe. 

Nori

Kind of handsy, won't lie, but in a gentle way and only after you and him are fully together. His hands on your hips, hands holding your legs close to him in bed, etc. He's very much a "pulls you as close as possible even when you're already as close as you're gonna get" kind of guy. 

"Nori, Nori, you're suffocating me, Nori-"

Will also cuddle you anywhere. He has been known to just pull you onto his lap, even If you're taller than him. Likes to pull you into his lap and, if you're the right height, rest his chin on your shoulder with his arms wrapped around your waist and his hands on your thighs.  

Oh, a negative thing though, he steals the blankets. BUT only if he can't steal you. He'll choose you over the blanket for a cuddle sesh or at night but if you for whatever reason don't cuddle with him, expect to find yourself without blankets.

Ori

Slightly awkward at first but also very gentle and clingy. Doesn't like asking for the type of things he wants in any regard, let alone cuddling, and lets you take the lead. It takes you looking him in the eye and telling him to tell you what he wants to admit he wants to be held. 

Though, after a while, he'd eventually just. ASK. Because as soon as he's comfortable with someone his anxiousness subsides to show his brave spirit. 

He loves to sit up in bed with your head on his legs as he draws or writes. He likes to read to you as you lay down together. Cuddling with Ori is kind of like hugging a teddy bear. 

Dori

Dori is a very gentlemanly dwarf so cuddling with him is always putting your feelings above his (which is something you two can work on). He's very willing to give you exactly what you want at any given moment.

A lot of "is this okay?"'s and "Are you cold?"'s. Uses your well-being as a big excuse a lot of the time because he cares about you a lot. If he's questioned on why you were in his bed roll the night before he'll tell everyone that it was cold! You were scared! You shouldn't have to be alone in this dangerous world, he had to protect you!

A very big mother-hen, and not only to his brothers, so it's very easy for him to come up with "excuses" to cuddle with you. 

But really he just wants to.

Oin

Sometimes it can be hard to hear the things you say to him so when you're nice and close in bed it's one of the best times. He loves to hear you talk in his ear so he loves when you lay on your side with your face near his. 

He loves to read your lips in this position, hearing you speaking and reading your lips helps him be able to understand you more outside of bed as well. 

Your arm would be thrown over his side and his would be gently running up and down yours. Your legs would intertwine a lot.

He's not that cuddly anywhere other than in bed, usually, he prefers his space, but if he ever thinks you're under the weather he is THERE. or if he sees you're down for any reason he's also there, holding you, because in his own words he's a healer! and healers are meant to help in any way possible, and it's proven that physical affection can help.

Gloin

Gloin is a bear hugger. He will squeeze the living daylights out of you and laugh while he does it. Cuddling with him is like if you were cuddling with a living bear. 

He's kind of possessive but less in a "you belong to me" way and more of a "I get to have you?" way. He's always burying his face in your hair, shoulders, neck, wherever he can just to get closer to you. 

He's a guilty pleasure little spoon and it RARELY happens but when it does he says it's to humor you. 

He'll cuddle with you at night around the company but he's not that much of a hands-on affection type of person. He'd rather show how much he loves you with acts of service or words than hold you. 

Bifur

Bifur!! Bifur would be very much a secret cuddler. He wouldn't do it often, I think he might even get a bit overwhelmed with being held, but he'd love to sometimes be able to hold you and show you how important you are to him. 

Especially if you can't speak Khuzdul, he'd feel the need to show you physical affection as a love language to show you how much he cares. If you see him with the axe still in his head, he'd be a bit... hesitant to hold you. He wouldn't want to accidentally hurt you with it. 

I think he worries about not being able to give you what he "should be able to" so he often shows you love in cuddles whenever he can. 

Bombur

BOMBUR IS A HUMAN (dwarf) PILLOW. He gives the best hugs 100% and loves to cuddle. He loves when you lay at his side and lay your head on his chest or stomach. He also loves to just cuddle into you like a cat. 

If Ori is a teddy bear, and Gloin is a real bear, Bombur is one of those big teddy bears that you have no clue how to actually cuddle but instead, he has the pro of being able to cuddle YOU so there's less of a hassle!! Loves to just have lazy days where all you do is lay and cuddle. 

Will 100% cuddle with you around the company but if anyone mocks or jokes about it he'll stop. (don't worry, he'll only stop for a little bit before picking it back up again. not even his kin can make him stop cuddling you.)

Cuddling by the campfire usually consists of you laying against his side and falling asleep but he doesn't mind. 

Bofur

Bofur is such a cuddler oh my gosh !! He'd cuddle you constantly. He's a lot like Kili, wanting physical touch with you all the time but specifically his cuddles are so gentle. 

He's had a rough life, and through it, he keeps a smile. When his smile finally falls, your cuddles are the only things that can get him happy again. 

He likes to sing to you while you cuddle and his favorite position is your head on his chest, but he's open to other ones !! He's open to being a little spoon and enjoys it but I think a part of him prefers being able to hold you, which is why your head on his chest is his favorite because it feels like a mix of holding you and you holding him. 

Dwalin

Dwalin doesn't seem much like a cuddler, and I think he'd definitely not do it in public, but he'd hold you at night. He's a personal space type of person so it's not all the time but he does! He'll pull you close to his chest and bury his face in your hair. 

His cuddles are kinda clunky and rough, and he's always worried about hurting you, and he's a bit too strong for his own good so sometimes he squeezes too tight. Though, despite all that, if he's tired enough he'll just grab you and hold you without thinking. Sometimes those are the best nights where he lets you gently run your hands up and down his arms and lets you kiss him gently.

Those nights, when he's so tired that he's just dragging his feet and all he wants it to be with you are some of the best nights. Sometimes, and I mean very rarely, he'll let his head rest on your chest.

Balin

Balin is a cuddler but not a big one. Loves to hold you but isn't really clingy or enthusiastic like Kili, and overall just finds peace in it. If he's able to hold you it means you're alive and, to him, that's the greatest gift of all. 

He's a calmer soul so a lot of the cuddles are just laying in bed with a few of your limbs intertwined and just relaxing after a long day. 

He doesn't really like positions like little spoon big spoon or anything, he prefers to have his own space in bed which is why the points of contact are limited to arms and legs most of the time, but if you or he has a day he's willing to cuddle more closely. 

Thorin

Thorin is a great big teddy bear underneath all the grumpiness. Very gentle, he treats you like that meme that says "gently holds". He's like a living furnace and shares his body heat happily. 

He loves to sleep as close to you as possible, and he's a secret little spoon. He enjoys being the big spoon and probably won't ask to be the little spoon, but he will be one in a heartbeat. He loves to be in your arms or have you in his. 

Technically this isn't cuddling but Thorin will wrap his coat around you and put his arm around your shoulders to keep it in place for you. Likes to pull you into his side/chest and wrap his coat around you while hugging you, too. Will 100% suffocate you without meaning to in his need to be close. 

Bilbo

He keeps to himself, and because of that he rarely ever cuddles in public. Feels a little awkward if anyone can see him cuddling with you. 

Due to his height sometimes he finds it hard to be the big spoon so he often ends up being the little spoon, which you won't find him complaining. He's very gentle when it comes to cuddles and is another one to put your needs first, though if he doesn't like something he WILL make sure someone hears about it. 

"Your arm is in my side. Move. Y/N, Move."

"It's too hot." *he does not get up to move*

He may sound like a complainer but most of the time his complaints are small things that he chooses to ignore anyway, and you'll make him smile if you tease him about it. If your arm is in his side weirdly and he complains, you can just... laugh. and not move. and he'll shake his head with a smile.

[nostalgicnarrator]

Over Hill and Under Mountain

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Word Count: 9,586 Parings: Thorn X Bilbo Description: as Thorin and his Small company make their way though the wood, Thorin is met with problem after problem, he just wants to see his hobbit.

Chapters: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Note:

I’ve rewritten this five times, and this is the chapter filed down and useless info removed, and it still feels wrong and kind of empty and honestly I think I fumbled with the characters in this chapter but I really don’t know how to fix it and if I don’t post this now it will forever be stuck in limbo. So I’m sorry I did my best, here ya go.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

The hours passed slowly as the group continued, till they came to a bridge that was supposed to be there, and granted it was, sort of.

With its timbers rotting and broken, it wouldn’t have even supported a hobbit or an elf. it cracked and creaked dangerously as wind brushed against it.

‘This is definitely the wrong path’ Thorin thought but- it would take too long to trace back-‘ a voice interrupted his thought.

“We can’t cross here,” Dwalin said, frowning at the collapsed structure. “We’ll need to find another way.” Dwalin looked at Thorin.

Thorin nodded, his jaw set. “We must find a different path or make our own…move carefully. Stay alert and stick together.” Thorin commanded.

the group forged around in a familiar fashion. Dwalin took the back Nori was behind Thorin as the two younger found themselves in the middle of the group.

Thorin spurred his pony forward, she reared up when he tried to get her to leave the path. But after a bit of coxing the pony’s begrudgingly tread off the path.

the dense forest seemingly closed in around them. They moved slowly but not quietly, fallen leaves crunched and rustled under hoofs.

Thorin couldn’t help but feel more uneasy than before, sick almost. He glanced back at the others, they seemed to feel similar by the looks on their faces.

Suddenly a quick rustling snapped the attention of the whole company. Thorin looked just in time to watch a spider knock Nori from his pony and throw him to the floor.

The dwarf was barely fast enough to push the venomous jaws of the spider away, he kicked and flailed somewhat helplessly in his panic before a war hammer found its mark on the spider’s head.

The spider went flying away from Nori as Dwalin swung again and smashed the head of the spider.

Nori scrambled up and pulled his mace from its hold and he slammed it into the very next spider that dropped on them-Thorin drew Orcrist and joined the others, his sister’s sons not far behind.

The company fought against the onslaught of spiders, Thorin hardly remembered there being this many spiders before. He turned and sliced the head of one spider in half.

Kíli gets pinned by another spider, Fíli stabs at its abdomen, and Kíli is able to kick it away. Nori was watching the back of Dwalin horribly mangling any spider that got close.

The battle felt long though it truly wasn’t, as Kíli ran out of arrows, Fíli had lost a sword seeing as Kíli left his on his poney who had run off with the others when the spiders attacked.

Thorin’s jaw set once again, he looked around, ‘this is it, I failed, i failed my family, my friends- I failed Bilbo’ Thorin squeezed his eyes shut at that thought ‘I failed Bilbo’ he looked around desperately at that thought 

‘I can’t! No I can’t fail him now I can’t-‘ but his thoughts are interrupted by a flurry of arrows whizzed through the air, striking the spiders with a deadly precision. 

He looked at Kíli who was shakily welding one of Fíli’s twin swords. ‘Then who-?’ A blond and very familiar looking Elf comes into view, he slides to a stop near them, he releases arrows as fast as he drew them.

Before even a moment had passed, most of the spiders were dead, the others fled away deeper into the shadows of the forest, the sky was darkening slowly.

The blond elf spoke haltingly, “Do…do you… need help?”, he asked Thorin. Thorin watched as the elf’s gaze turned from himself to the rest of his group. Thorin eyed the elf suspiciously.

Thorin could almost recall the name of this Elf, he was sure it started with an L, he was the elven king’s son. He knew that much anyway, he also remembered how they had met, under unsavory conditions.

Thorin had also been introduced to him formally in court of course but he really couldn’t remember the elf’s name. Was it Leg? Leg something. ‘I wonder if I asked, if that would be considered rude..?’ He thought.

Apparently, Thorin had been quiet for too long, and somewhat glaring at the elf in question. So much so that Dwalin had answered for him. “Aye, we do.”

After a long moment, the elf gestured for them to follow him. Thorin felt the eyes of his small company find him, he nodded and followed after the elf as he led them away deeper into the darkening forest.

“Where are you taking us?” Thorin asked, The elf looks back at them and then straight ahead again.

“Uncle don’t worry!” Kíli said while smiling. He clapped Thorin on the back “I’m sure he’s not taking us to a dungeon again.”

“Ugh! Don’t even joke about that- that was horrible” Fíli whines as he puts his swords away.

“That it was” Nori agreed as he nodded, Thorin looked back at the Elf. He really rather not be locked away again.

You never know with the temperament of elves, even though Thorin assumes he’s in good graces with the elves he could be wrong. Well, maybe not good. 

And maybe even especially with this elf in particular. The prince had been the one leading the group that captured them the first time. And Throin does openly insult the boy’s father. This could be a trick.

Dwalin, again, after a long silence, cleared his throat, getting the elf’s attention. “So, what’s yer name again lad? Aren’t ya the elf king's son?”

The elf blinked at them but decidedly remained silent. Thorin really couldn’t help the thought that came to his mind. ‘Does he know common?’

Thorin looked up when the elf answered the first of Dwalin’s questions “Le-…Legolas.” The boy said in an unsure tone while shifting his eyes away to the tree line.

Kíli pushed ahead to be beside the elf. “That’s right! Do you remember us? You kinda locked us up for being in your territory! Your guard captain helped me when I was poisoned!” Kíli said, far too cheerily.

Legolas looked down at Kíli and rolled his eyes as he looked away. ‘So he does know common?’ Thorin thought. 

Kíli continued to try and speak with Legolas as they continued through the forest but the elf seemed uninterested, while Kíli continued to talk, nonstop. Thorin was a Kíli question away from having only one hire.

Sometimes Kíli would get “yes” or “no” to questions, which only seemed to fan his flame.

Legolas led them to a different path deeper in the forest, one that was a bit better kept than the other 

Once they made it to the path, Legolas seemingly disappeared. Kíli looked around for the elf he was just next to but found nothing. 

Thorin didn’t see much of a reason to worry, the business of Elves was none of his, though his sister’s son seemed to think otherwise.

“Uncle! Legolas disappeared!” Kìli cried, stating the very obvious. The lad looked out into the forest as if to find the elf.

Fìli looked at his brother when he cried out, he whipped his head around also looking for the elf. Fìli’s eyes found his uncle. “Why do you think he-.” But Thorin didn’t even let the question fully settle in the air.

“Lads, he is an elf, I am not his king or his father. I have no reason to worry.” Thorin grumbled, he was not in the mood at the moment. 

They had lost all their supplies, the elf was gone, and they very well could starve here.

“But uncle-“ Kìli whined. Thorin interrupted them again, he was starting to get frustrated with his sister’s sons. He had far too many other things to worry about, he did not have time for a stupid elf.

“THAT IS ENOUGH.” Thorin yelled, the two boys immediately shut their mouths, all questions quickly lost before they could be asked.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the whole company. Thorin sighed and rubbed his face, a sudden exhaustion washed over him. 

Dwalin was the first to break the silence by clearing his throat, Thorin peeked over his hand that was covering his face.

“Thorin, the ponies had our supplies.” Dwalin stated and Thorin had to almost fight himself not to roll his eyes. He was very aware of what was happening. “What should we do?” Dwalin asked after a moment.

Thorin dropped his hand from his face. “We’ll make do with what we have.” Thorin crosses his arms. He looks around and then looked back at Dwalin 

“Dwalin, go with the boys to gather things for a fire, maybe you will find something to eat.” Thorin suggested dully, Dwalin nodded and left with the boys.

Thorin watched them for a few minutes before turning to his spymaster. “Nori help me make a list of everything we have.” Thorin nearly demanded.

Nori nodded, and the two of them dug through what little supplies they had. Aka the two backpacks. One was Dwalin’s and the other was Fíli’s Nori had a side back and Thorin had a few things in his pockets

Thorin felt himself almost pale at the prospect of how little they truly had. He felt even more so when not much wood was found for a fire that night nor food.

Thorin did not sleep. Morning came and went. After a bit of debating on which direction to take, the smaller company began to follow the new path that they were set on by Legolas.

As much as Thorin didn’t want to, he'll have to thank the lad when he sees him again. If he saw him again.

Suddenly there was a soft rustle of leaves, everyone drew their weapons and formed a circle quickly. Thorin whipped his head to the left of the path where the rustling was coming from.

Suddenly, Legolas emerged from the trees. Beside him were two of the small company’s missing ponies, Thorin’s very own and Dwalin’s old pony. 

They trailed in, looking a bit battered and beaten. The ponies somehow kept they’re owners' packs on them.

“Oh! That’s where you went!” Kíli said excitedly, Thorin raised his brow at the sound of relief in his sister’s son’s voice.

He did not know this elf well nor did they meet in good will, the first time anyway, yet Kíli sounded relieved that the elf came back. Did they seriously not trust him to lead the company out of these cursed woods.

“How did you find them?” Throin heard Fíli ask, Throin watched as Fíli huffed when Legolas offered no answer.

Legolas decided to simply stand there, as if he’s waiting on something. Thorin’s theory of Legolas not knowing common was relit at his lack of response.

Nori wasted no time, immediately going through the packs on the ponies to check them. Dwalin took the reins from Legolas, offering a curt nod of thanks while waiting for Nori to confirm what they had recovered.

Fíli looked Legolas over quietly, Thorin began to wonder if Fíli felt offended when Legolas did not answer him. Fíli was used to receiving respect as the heir and crowned prince. The boy's words carried some weight among his own people. But not here

Here Fíli’s words meant as much as an elf’s would in theirs. Thorin was very sure that being ignored so casually, by an elf especially, most likely stung the princeling’s pride, and if Thorin really looked he was sure he could see frustration beginning to bubble over inside the princeling.

He had seen a similar look when they were captured the first time though Thorin was sure it was more over being manhandled by elves. Thorin opened his mouth to say something but was instead interrupted “Only two?” Fíli asked.

Thorin watched as Fíli’s eyes scanned the woods as if hoping more ponies might emerge from the shadows. Legolas only nodded.

Dwalin grunted, “The spiders most likely got the others.”

Kíli gasped, “-no! Not peanut-she was really sweet.” Kíli whined. He looked at Thorin as if asking if it was true.

Dwalin huffed and grunted, “Not much you can do for it now lad.”

“- I think that’s mostly everything we might need, we might be a little low on food and comfort.” Nori said seemingly unaware of the other conversation he was interrupting.

Thorin stepped forward to take the reins of his own pony. The animal snorted softly, almost like recognizing Thorin. He noticed a freshly treated cut across her cheek and gently petted her snout, murmuring words of comfort. 

“Thank you,” Thorin mumbled to Legolas. Apparently, the gratitude did not go entirely unheard like he thought. Thorin could feel the rest of the company look at him. 

Dwalin cleared his throat and Thorin looked at him, the confused crinkling on his friend’s brow wasn’t lost on Thorin.

“Remove the saddles.” Thorin began, he turned to the rest of the company. “What we can’t burden ourselves with, the ponies will carry.”

Nori and Dwalin took to removing the saddles and dropping them to the sides of the path. They won’t be needing them.

Kíli took a pack off the ponies, Kíli and Fíli moved to carry them but Dwalin took Kíli's pack, Thorin took the other from Fíli and everything else was situated on the back of the two ponies.

When the dwarves were ready, Legolas began to lead them once more. The trek through Mirkwood was slow and difficult, especially with unwilling ponies and heavy packs. 

It wasn’t made any easier with the foul air of the forest. Thorin began to allow his mind to wonder once more. ‘Has Óin faced similar perils?’ ‘Is he delayed in getting to Bilbo?’ Bilbo. 

Now that’s something that takes the mountain kings mind quickly. He hasn���t thought too much on Bilbo since he received word about what happened.

‘How hurt is he?’ Thorin pails at all the images that run through his head after that thought. Thorin had to remind himself to breathe, ‘perhaps, It's best not think about it…’

Thorin looked at their elven guide, and decided to wonder over to the elf instead. ‘I wonder why he has decided to stay with us.’ Thorin casted a glance at Kíli and Fíli who were talking to the elf guide.

Thorin briefly thought of asking the elf, but as Thorin watched Fíli look up at the elf expectingly only to deflate with faced with no answer, he decided that if he did ask Legolas would probably not tell him.

So Thorin resigned himself to following this quiet elf. Dwalin, Nori and himself try to avoid talking to the elf as much as possible. Kíli and Fíli kept trying to talk with him.

But as much as the elf try, it seemed it was almost impossible to ignore the two young Durins. Not even an elf prince who acted as cold as stone could out will them.

“Perhaps a funny story will lighten you, Legolas” Kíli suggested.

“Oh, I have a good one Kíli. Once my mother, our uncle and us were walking through the stall markets in a man city.” Fíli said, he looked to his brother and grinned at him

“Fíli! No-ow!” Kíli cried and tried to cover his brothers mouth

Fíli shoved Kíli away and bounced in front of the elf prince- who started to fight a creeping smirk on his face.  “Hush nadadith, the adults are talking, so Kíli and I were near the fountains where some Dwarowdams were and, he tried his hand in flirting-lets just say it ended horribly- mother showed up and-“

“FEE! Shut up!!” Kíli yelled, Thorin had to stifle a laugh as the boy stomped his foot. Almost like a child not getting his way.

“-And-ah! Uncle help!!” The two boys crashed to the ground making the ponies whiny in slight panic. Thorin chuckled as he and Dwalin calmed the ponies. But almost immediately everything fell deftly silent as Legolas snorted, a sound that Thorin didn’t know an elf could make, the elf prince began to laugh.

Thorin looked up in shock, it was the first time Legolas had anything but a blank face or an annoyed look. As the elven prince calmed he had to cover his mouth but Thorin saw it, the smile the lad held. Then surprisingly, the elf spoke with a humored tone.

“Father said you are all pig headed people that hate other races, that you and your people are violent and untrustworthy, that i should avoid talking-“

Kili interrupted him with a loud “Hey!”

Legolas shook his head but showed his smile “I am beginning to think that he was wrong, at least somewhat.” That raised a chuckle from Dwalin.

Fíli got up and smiled up at the elven prince. “Maybe you’ll answer my questions now?” 

Kíli jumped up and joined his brother. “To think all we had to do is tall a story-“

Fili nodded, then offered his brother a bobcat-like smile and elbowed him before saying “hey how about I tell the one about-mmph!”

Thorin knew the story the lad was talking of and promptly put a hand over his mouth and glared at Kíli who just looked lost.

Thorin huffed and opened his mouth to yell at Fíli, then the elf prince spoke up “while I … love stories, perhaps, we should continue?” He waited a moment and when Thorin nodded the elf continued to lead the way. Legolas began to gladly talk with the boys, though he was a little strange toward Kíli for a while. 

After that day each evening after they made camp, Legolas would disappear into the woods, only to return with game or other food. Then sit and spend almost hours talking with the boys.

Thorin found himself very grateful for it, it kept the boys distracted and they at least had something to eat. He also, for some reason, was beginning to feel very proud of Legolas, that the boy was to be the future leader of his kingdom.

Though he doesnt think he’d ever say that out loud, Dwalin had taken a bit of a liking to the boy too, mostly because of the princes who would occasionally drag him into the conversations.

Nori had taken a liking to the elf, but for a different reason, he saw him as a personal challenge. Nori tried to steal from the elf a few times-and each time was caught.

Thorin was grateful that the young prince took it in good humor, he’d rather not have to go explain to Dori how his brother tried to steal from an elf prince then was arrested, or try and beg the elven king to let him free. They were already on a time crunch as is.

When they finally neared the edge of the forest Thorin was not surprised when it was Kíli who lingered, “Thank you, Legolas,”

Thorin knew it was a silent goodby to the lad. He and the rest of the company waited at the end of the forest now. 

“You are very much welcome my friend, you are all welcome back here by my invitation any time.” Legolas offered kindly.

“Really?” Kíli asked as he raised an eyebrow. 

“Yes of course. You know there is a guard captain I know, she talks about a-“ Legolas stopped and looked up at Thorin then smiled back at Kíli. “Her friend. Perhaps we can all get to know each other better”

Kili smiled and nodded. He turned to Thorin, who was very certain his sister’s son’s face might just split in half.Thorin sighed and nodded to the elf.

Legolas left them a moment later. The company paused to make sure they were ready, then the company set off once more, the shadow of Mirkwood slowly fading behind them. 

Thorin’s mind, however, was already on the path ahead, focused on the time they had already wasted getting lost. Not to mention his hobbit. Bilbo was waiting for them in Rivendell.

The company had trudged along the rugged path, their footsteps began to slow as the hours passed. Thorin walked at the front now, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his mind still churning with worries. 

They only had two ponies, and the meager supplies they had left wouldn't last them long.

"Beorn’s house is not far from here," Dwalin called from the back, his voice breaking the silence that had settled over them like a thick fog.

Thorin glanced back at the older warrior, then at Nori when he nodded in agreement. "Aye, Beorn," Nori added. "We all know he’s not one for guests, but he might make an exception for old friends… especially old friends of a hobbit in need…”

Thorin’s jaw tightened. He knew they had little choice. It was truly their only option if they were to see Bilbo.

The thought of his hobbit paled face, his labored breaths growing weaker was enough for Thorin to swallow pride. "Very well," he muttered. "We head for Beorn’s."

And the journey to Beorn’s cabin, though a little off track, wasn't more than a few hours away. It was silent as Thorin walked ahead, footsteps being the only noise. 

With little else to do, Thorin's thoughts drift back to Bilbo. Thorin wasn’t sure when but he had come to admire his hobbit's courage and cleverness. Yet now, Thorin felt a strange ache in his chest when he was without him.

By the time they reached Beorn’s cabin, the sun had dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. The cabin stood sturdy and strong, an almost comforting sight. Almost.

Thorin’s eyes scan the surroundings for any sign of the skin-changer. A low growl from the woods made them all tense, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. 

But before they could do much else, a massive familiar figure emerged from the trees. Beorn, the skin changer was in his man form. towering over the dwarfs, glaring down at them intimidatingly.

“What brings you here?” His voice was a rumbling growl, deep and dangerous like thunder rolling through the hills.

Thorin stepped forward, his jaw clenched, and forced himself to bow his head slightly. Swallowing his pride was like swallowing broken glass, and he could feel the weight of the others’ stares on him. 

“We need your help once again, Beorn,” he ground out, his voice tight. “We are short on supplies, and… Bilbo is in trouble. We must-”

At the mention of Bilbo, Beorn’s expression softened, just a fraction, and he grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. “What’s wrong with the little bunny?”

Thorin’s frustration flared, a bunny his hobbit is not. “We received word he was hurt. We need to get to Rivendell.” Thorin all but growled out.

Beorn made a noise, something between a grunt and a scoff. “The elves will heal him better. What do you and your people expect to do?”

Thorin’s fists clenched at his sides, fury bubbling to the surface. His teeth ground together as he glared up at the towering man. How dare he? He was Thorin Oakenshield, not some wandering beggar!

“If you will not help us, then we’ll be on our way,” Thorin snapped, his voice sharp with barely restrained anger. He turned, ready to lead his company away. His pride had been battered enough for one day.

Beorn raised a bushy brow, clearly amused by the dwarf’s outburst. He grunted again before speaking. “You may stay, Thorin called Oakenshield, son of Thrain. But I’ll hear the whole tale. Start from the beginning.”

Thorin’s mouth was a thin line, his pride warring with the reality of their situation. He needed Beorn’s help, no matter how much it burned. “Fine,” he bit out. “Yes, Thank you.”

Inside the cabin, the company settled in quickly, grateful for the warmth and food Beorn had provided. But as much as Thorin should appreciate the food, and the warmth around him, he could not.

Thorin glared at the food Kíli had given him, he couldn’t eat as His stomach still churned with frustration. He felt his anger still simmering under his skin like a restless flame.

Thorin left to sit near the fireplace. The crackle of the fire did little to soothe him. He grabbed his pipe and began to pack it as he glared into the dancing flames. 

He spilt some of his tobacco, and Throin felt his anger flare again. ‘Why must everything be a battle?’ He thought angrily. 

The words of Beorn earlier still echoed in his mind. The skin-changer’s casual dismissal of them grated on his nerves more. Just as the smoke began to curl around him, Beorn sat near him. 

“Tell me, Thorin,” Beorn rumbled, his voice still deep, he sounded curious as he spoke. “Why do you insist on traveling to Rivendell? The bunny is safe there.”

Thorin inhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around his pipe. He didn’t want to have this conversation, not now. Thorin huffed and looked up at the skin-changer. 

“He called for me… for us,” Thorin said, he couldn’t tell his tone was harsher than he should have used. “I sent Óin ahead. If you don’t remember him, he was the healer who traveled with us before-“

Beorn interrupted with a grunt of recognition. “Oh yes, I saw him from a distance. He was being escorted by a few elves, and passed through not too long ago.”

Thorin’s irritation faltered for a moment, as relief began flowing through him. He hadn’t realized how worried he really was until that moment. He exhaled, a small but genuine sigh of relief escaping him. “Good,” he muttered, nodding. “Good…”

But Beorn it seemed was not done yet. Thorin watched as the sink-changer crossed his arms. “You didn’t really answer my question. Why do you need to go? The elves are more than capable.”

Thorin gritted his teeth, feeling the urge to snap again, but something in Beorn’s eyes warned him off. He didn’t know what it was but the creature had an air about him.

“Because he asked for us,” Thorin repeated, more quietly this time, an uncomfortable feeling settled its way under Thorin’s skin now.

Beorn snorted. “Don’t lie to me, Dwarf. I may not know much about you, but I know when someone is lying.”

Thorin froze, caught off guard. He wasn’t lying, not really… So what did Beorn mean? Thorin felt his chest tightened as he looked up at the skin-changer. 

He forced himself to look away, feeling heat rise and settle in his face. ‘Where is that pesky wizard when he’s needed?’ Thorin cursed silently.

“…I…” Thorin started, but the words caught in his throat. Why was he so intent on seeing Bilbo himself? And Thorin couldn’t answer that question, he couldn’t, he didn’t understand it himself, Thorin just needed to, he wanted to.

He tried to think of something to say as his hands fidgeted. ‘The truth, the real truth.’ Thorin did not know, he grit his teeth and sighed. 

“I care for him,” he finally pushed out. “He is… my friend. I need to see him safe, with my own eyes.”

Beorn raised a bushy brow, then let out a rumbling chuckle that filled the room. “Ah, I see now,” he said, shaking his head as if amused by some private joke. “I will never understand that bunny or the company he keeps, but it seems dwarves hold just as many surprises.”

Thorin huffed, feeling the tension in his chest finally ease. He wasn’t sure what Beorn understood fully, but it didn’t matter. He kept his eyes trained on his feet.

Thorin tried to stop his hands from fidgeting so much. He tried to take a deep breath like Bilbo said to do when he got frustrated.

“He is more than he seems,” Thorin felt his mouth say, he couldn’t stop himself as he spoke. “Far more, I care for him, more than anything.”

After that Beorn left, and Thorin found himself alone with his thoughts once again. He stood and made his way outside to the garden.

He passed the flowers that were strangely enough still in bloom, Thorin was pleasantly surprised when they got to the land around the Cabin, it felt warmer than the area they came from.

He plopped himself down on a bench, he stared up at the stars that dotted the night sky. His thoughts raged loudly in his mind, and despite everything he had to think about, his mind decided on Bilbo. He felt his face warm once again.

His hobbit, when had he started calling Bilbo ‘his hobbit’? Does Bilbo think of himself as Thorin’s hobbit? Or does he think of Thorin as his Dwarf? 

Thorin huffed and rubbed his face, he was sure if one could see him his face would be entirely red. Thorin leaned back against the bench and blew a smoke ring.

Bilbo had shown him how to do that, his hobbit was quite proud to show off and Thorin couldn’t help but find his hobbit so cute.

He didn’t want to admit it then, but now Thorin didn’t mind, he loved his hobbit, Thorin tried to remember when he had begun to think of Bilbo as cute too.

And in that moment, Thorin felt a strange sense of peace, a warmth spreading through him, then it hit him like a stone to the head. 

He loved him, the feeling that had been there every moment he was with his hobbit, the loneliness when he wasn’t. He loves him, and he wasn’t going to let Bilbo go again once he had him back.

A day or two later the company was ready to leave Beorn’s house. It was decided that the mountain pass was too dangerous for Ponies.

Though without them the whole of the company would move far more slowly then they would like, but they would rather not have a repeat of Mirkwood. 

When they left they’re packs full of provisions, Thorin hoped it was enough to make it to and through the mountains.

He looks to The Misty Mountains in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist given her namesake Thorin thought this not strange. The company trudged on.

The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Misty Mountains, carrying with it the first icy bite of snow. Thorin Oakenshield narrowed his eyes against the biting cold, the chill seeping through his fur-lined cloak.

The mountain range loomed above them, her sharp, reaching peaks cutting into the billowing stormy sky. The path that lay before them was narrow and treacherous, snaking its way along the mountain, slick with a thin layer of frost.

Behind him, Dwalin and Nori trudged through the frigid winter that settled over them, their breaths coming as clouds in the air. 

Thorin could feel a weight in his bones, a weariness that clung to him like the deep chill of the lost caverns beneath them. The cold nipped and bit at the small company like hungry wargs

Dwalin grunted as he tightened his cloak against the chill, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of one of his axes. “This weather’s turnin’ foul, Thorin,” he muttered, glancing up at the darkening sky. His voice was low, laden with concern. “We should find shelter, now.”

Thorin nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts churned almost sickly ’We’re moving too slowly, far too slow…’

‘Each moment lost in this storm brings us closer to danger, closer to the possibility of failure.’ He grit his teeth in an almost snarl The possibility of dying out here. Of never seeing his hobbit again.

The wind picked up, stinging his face with its icy flakes, it tore at his skin like vicious claws, Thorin had to squeeze his eyes shut tightly against the sudden blast.

His boot slipped and Thorin felt his stomach lurch as his eye snapped back open despite the sting. He caught himself just in time, gritting his teeth again as he looked ahead for Fíli and Kíli.

His sister’s sons had pushed ahead. Thorin felt his heart clench as he struggled to spot them. ‘I can’t let them get too far ahead,’ he thought. ‘The last thing we need is to lose one another in this cursed weather.’ He opened his mouth to call out to them, to demand they fall back, but before he could, Fíli stopped and turned to look at him.

Seeming to understand Thorin’s unsaid command, Fíli reached out, grasping his younger brother’s shoulder to halt him. Thorin felt a spark of pride toward the boy.

Kíli frowned, seemingly not like the idea of stopping, but a few whispered words from Fíli was apparently enough to convince him. They waited, their figures barely visible through the swirling snow.

Nori, who had, at that point, fallen toward the back of the group, pulled his hood further down, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Or what little he could likely see of it. 

Nori’s shoulders squared and he glared much harder, Thorin began to wonder what Nori saw. “Aye, this storm’s no ordinary flurry,” Nori muttered, his voice tight with palpable unease. “It feels cursed.”

Thorin’s grip tightened on Orcrist’s hilt, he looked ahead in a silent agreement to Nori’s words. ‘We need to find cover before we’re caught out in the open,’ he thought grimly. 

He turned his head back slightly, calling to Dwalin and Nori. “You’re right, we cannot push on like this. We’ll be buried if we’re not careful.”

As the words left his mouth, the wind rose to a furious howl, and the sky unleashed a torrent of snow. Thorin’s eyes widened in alarm as the storm escalated from a mere flurry to a blinding blizzard. 

It took less then a moment and now thick and fast snowflakes attack them in, the ice whipped around them with a fury that made it hard to breathe, let alone see.

“Fíli! Kíli!” Thorin’s voice was nearly drowned out by the roar of the wind. He knew they were somewhere ahead, but the storm swallowed them in its blanket of white. 

Panic clawed at him as visibility dropped, the path ahead disappearing into a white blur. The snow was falling so thickly now that it felt like they were being buried alive.

“Don’t move! We’re coming to you, understand?” Thorin shouted, his voice hoarse with desperation. For a moment, there was no response, only the relentless howling of the wind and the sting of ice against his face. 

Fear tightened in his chest, the thought of losing his sister’s sons in this frozen wasteland unbearable. He almost trudged himself forward into the flurry.

Then, finally, a voice cut through the storm, it was hardly more than a wisper to Thorin over the howling wind and cutting ice. “Okay-okay, Uncle, be careful, the path gets thinner.” Fíli’s words, though strained, brought a flicker of relief to Thorin’s heart. 

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as his hands stopped shaking ever so slightly. Thorin looked back at his two friends then nodded.

The group trudged forward, the snow crunching beneath boots. Thorin pushed through the biting cold and the unforgiving wind. 

Thorin kept an eye on his other companions, he noticed how their movements were beginning to look sluggish, but they couldn’t stop, he couldn’t stop and his companions wouldn’t let him run off alone.

Thorin’s heart pounded in his chest, louder than the wind howling in his ears, as he finally caught sight of a large rock jutting out in the path ahead. 

It loomed like a dark sentinel in the white expanse, the path that he saw the boys take was barely wide enough for his toes to fit on and the rock looked slick and smooth, the edges of the path crumbling and slick with snow.

He reached for the only hand holds he could find, his hand finding perches as if second nature, began to inch his way past the jut of rock, his boots found precarious positions on the narrow ledge. 

The ground beneath him felt unstable, threatening to give way at any moment. Then, without warning, his foot slipped, and he barely caught himself on the edge of the snow-covered ledge, his fingers digging into the icy ground.

Thorin’s hands struggled to find purchase, to grip onto the ledge, “Thorin!” The alarm in Dwalin’s voice was unmistakable, even as Thorin was dangling off the edge with wind making him haft deft.

Dwalin rushed forward, and dropped down the best he could on the narrow path and grabbed Thorin’s arm. With a strength mostly born of desperation, Dwalin heaved him up.

Thorin could distantly hear his sister’s sons calling out for him as they made their way closer.

Thorin’s heart raced as he was hauled back onto the path, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, he stayed as flush to the stone as he could manage, the cold seeping into his bones, before finally pushing himself to the other side.

Fíli and Kíli hovered over him as he stumbled to the other side, their worry etched in their faces. Thorin turned to the two boys and caught them both by the back of the head.

They both gripped his arm, “Uncle, are you alright?” Fíli asked, his voice tight and wavered slightly. Kíli, too, looked shaken, his usual bravado replaced with fear.

Thorin forced a reassuring smile, though his heart was still pounding and his hands slightly shaking. “I’m fine, lads,” he said, his voice unreasonably steady. “But we need to find shelter now.”

He brought their four heads to his own in a silent promise that he wouldn’t let anything happen to them. Reluctantly he relinquished his hold and the two boys 

The boys kept hold of him though. “Fíli, Kíli- help Dwalin find us a spot to make camp. Nori and I will gather what we can for a fire.” Thorin said quickly he nodded the boys off and watched them leave, Dwalin patted his shoulder as they passed.

Nori and him moved not too far behind Dwalin and the two boys as they scouted ahead, as time went and Thorin was nearly certain that they would find no place of relief.

Their movements were beginning to turn sluggish and the snow fell thicker, faster, Fíli called out to the rest of the small company, there, nestled in the large cliffs faces was a small concave in the mountain. It wasn’t a cave truly but it did block the harsher winds.

As they worked to set up a makeshift camp, Nori had somehow managed to get a small fire lit before the world around them had been completely swallowed by white. 

The Misty Mountains had truly turned foul, she had turned and now their only hope was to wait out the storm, while being buried alive in the unforgiving snow.

Thorin wasn’t a fool, he knew they might just die there, Thorin might never see his hobbit again, Bilbo might believe that Thorin simply doesn’t care for him- such thoughts made Thorin almost feel sick.

It had been almost a week of this, of cold nights and finding something to keep the fire alive, of Thorin watching as the snow fell relentlessly, piling higher, nearly burying the company in a cocoon of white. Effortlessly trapping them along the rock face.

Of the winds that howled like hungry wargs, Thorin thought it an almost mournful sound that seemed to seep into his bones, sapping what little warmth he had.

It was a particularly strange night as Thorin stood, he felt something was to happen. Then again maybe it was just his fatigue. it was well past any hour someone should be awake but he found himself unable to sleep, his mind wouldn’t allow it.

He walked towards Dwalin, the dwarf who had volunteered to keep watch that night, that placed him outside the range of the little fire they were able to keep.

He placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder, “I believe you should take my place, I can watch” Thorin said quietly so as to not wake anyone.

Dwalin huffed at him, he rolled his eyes before saying, “Thorin, you need to rest, I said I can-“

Thorin put up his hand to silence the warrior. “I’ll stand guard for tonight.” Dwalin crossed his arms and looked back out into the icy void.

“I don’t like this Thorin, I feel like-“ Dwalin began to say but Thorin interrupted.

“Like something is going to happen? I feel it too…I will stand guard tonight, go” Thorin said, nodding to the camp when Dwalin looked at him.

“Thorin” Dwalin grumbled, but they looked away from each other when they heard voices.

“Uncle, what are you even watching for…?” Kíli whined, rubbing the sleep from his eye.

Fíli was already sitting up watching the two older dwarfs. He nodded at what his brother said before adding “nothing with haft a mind would come out in this.”

Apparently, Thorin wasn’t as quiet as he thought, “the lad’s right,” said Nori, he got up and walked over. He looked the two of them over. Thorin could at that moment truly see how he was related to Dori.

“You two should come away from the edge, warm yourselves and actually eat something“ Nori finally finished, he had his arms crossed.

“Man, Master Nori, you’re starting to sound like Master Dori!” Kíli said, apparently Thorin hadn’t been the only one to notice the family resemblance either.

Nori whipped his head around and glared half heartedly at Kíli. “Don’t ya dare joke about such a thing lad.” Nori said as he moved his hands so they were resting on his hips instead. 

The boys laughed and Thorin smiled lightly, he looked back to Dwalin and nodded to Nori with a raised brow. Dwalin sighs when he gets up.

“He said it to both of us Thorin” Dwalin grumbled, he crossed his arms, Thorin patted his shoulder and pushed him towards the group.

“I’ll be fine, I’ll join you in a moment.” He told Dwalin who was already making his way into their makeshift camp.

Thorin sighed and sat, he dug around in his pockets pulling out his pipe, he huffed at his low supply of pipe weed. 

Thorin packed and lit his pipe as he watched out into the abyss of white that swallowed the mountain side. His eyes narrowed against the blizzard that raged outside. 

He had barely slept, his mind as consumed as the world outside.  But his laid blank with worry, worry of food and freezing but worried thoughts of Bilbo weighed heaviest in his mind.

Thorin’s gaze drifted to the snowy expanse beyond their shelter then drifted further, as far as he could. ‘Has Óin found his way to Bilbo?’ Thorin wondered as he puffed on his pipe.

The pipe brought little relief to the cold of the storm, Thorin’s focus began to come back as he  stared at the blinding cold, then a distant dark shape, barely visible through the snow came to view.

It moved erratically, struggling against the wind, the closer it inched the bigger it got and more Thorin was able to make out

Thorin squinted, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized the shape. It was a raven, but not just that, it was Hugin. He stood dropping his pipe not that cared for the moment and pushed himself outside into the storm.

‘Somethings terribly wrong.’ Thorin’s thoughts offered, ‘he should not be out in this- had he even made it to Rivendell?’ Thorin thought as he watched the raven.

Hugin’s flight was unsteady, Thorin could tell with no misplaced horror, that Hugins wings beat frantically, and that the raven may not know where he is, the young raven hasn’t ever flown in this type of weather before, most ravens refused such a fight.

“Hugin!” Thorin cupped his hands around his mouth as he called to the raven. He stepped farther out into the snow, his hand reaching out now for the young Raven. Hugin snapped his head up at his name.

A gust of wind pushed Hugin aside, and he struggled to recover but when finally reached Thorin, he ignored the hand as he crashed against Thorin’s chest in a flurry of black feathers. 

Thorin caught the bird, cradling the raven close like a babe. He was suddenly struck by a memory remembered of when he was lad.

Thorin would often, when he had nothing to do, go and watch the ravens, his father had given him his own to watch after when his mother had gone.

It was that raven who had entrusted Hugin to Thorin, who he had promised that the raven would be kept safe in the shire, he shook his head and hurried back into the camp.

“Dwalin! Nori! Get some food and water!” Thorin commanded quickly as he laid the exhausted raven near the small fire.

He heard the others digging through packs to find something for the raven, Fíli and Kíli had moved to Thorin’s side to look at the raven, the lads hadn’t seen many of them yet. Or at least not close up.

Hugin’s feathers were ruffled, his eyes half-lidded as he panted heavily, Thorin could see a desperate gleam in them that sent a shiver down his spine. ‘Have I led this Raven to as worse perils as my kin?’ Thorin thoughts began to swirl.

But not for long as Dwalin was at Thorin’s other side, a strip of dried meat and a small bowl of water in hand. Thorin was focused on the word in front of him once again.

He took them quickly, offering them to the raven with a gentle care he had not used in a while. “Hugin, here, eat and drink,” he urged, his voice soft.

Hugin hesitated only for a moment before he began to eat, the raven’s movements were labored. Nori had come close finally and offered a blanket to Thorin.

Thorin waited for Hugin to take his fill of food and water before wrapping the raven in the warmth of a blanket, Thorin rubbed the bird's head gently.

“What, is a raven doin’ so far this way?” Dwalin asked

“This is Bilbo’s personal Raven, Dwalin he was meant to be in Rivendell, he was to deliver a letter, warning everyone of our arrival” Thorin felt himself say. He gently petted the raven.

“What? Uncle, what do you mean? If that is so why is he-“ Fíli asked quietly.

“I do not know…” Thorin hummed just as quiet.

Nori sighed and looked at the raven “Hugin?” He asked softly “What has brought you here?”

Hugin lifted his head, his beady eyes looking at Nori then locking onto Thorin. “Gandalf… Gandalf sent me,” Hugin croaked, his breath labored gasps “Bilbo… he’s not well. Óin says he’s not well, Gandalf sent me the second time they lost his pulse-he said, you’d be here in the mountains on the western face!”

Thorin’s heart lurched. Bilbo, his Bilbo, was sick and getting worse. The news struck him like a sword though the chest. For a moment, he could only stare at Hugin.

“Bilbo…” Thorin whispered, his voice barely audible. Thorin wasn’t sure if he was breathing, he wasn’t sure if he knew how, he felt very, very far away.

Thorin wasn’t quite sure how long he stood there- till Nori was bracing his shoulders, Thorin couldn’t make anything out really but he knew Nori’s lips were moving  and that someone else had a hand on his black and chest.

All he could understand was ringing in his ears, and suddenly Thorin was getting shook. He followed the arms that were shaking him. 

Dwalin raised a hand to pat his cheek, as his voice cut through the ring, “Thorin, just breathe lad, breathe-”

Thorin grabbed Dwain’s arm and squeezed it almost desperately, his head stopped spinning so much. “W-We have to move,” Thorin heard himself say, though his voice didn’t feel his own anymore. 

Dwalin furrowed his brow and looked over Thorin’s shoulder behind him, “But the storm,” Dwalin looked back at him then to the boys Thorin knew weren’t far away from him.

Thorin forced himself to stand up to his full hight, he felt a bit of a dizzy spell hit him. “I won’t leave Bilbo alone-,” he replied, 

“He’s not alone Thorin, Óin and Gandalf is with him, you heard Hugin”

“Dwalin- i refuse to leave Bilbo to suffer without me there, he never left my side, I should have never left his”

There was a moment of silence, the only sound Thorin could make out was his own heartbeat in his ears. Then, slowly, Dwalin nodded his head.

“Okay, alright we’re right behind you.” Dwalin looked up behind Thorin and nodded to everyone else. “Gather what you can,” he ordered. “We leave as soon as Hugin is strong enough to fly.”

Hugin let out a weak caw, making Thorin turn to look at him, the bird shook his head. “No… I’ll fly now. I’ll guide you through the worst of it,” he rasped.

Thorin hesitated a moment before he nodded. “Very well, Hugin. We’ll follow your lead.”

It took them only moments to pack what was necessary and then they found themselves back outside, facing the icy cold and harsh conditions.

The storm raged on as they all but dug themselves out from the snow that had basically buried their camp. It was grueling, each push, each step, each curse.

Thorin’s breath was coming in heavy puffs of steam that froze right back onto his face as he pushed through the blizzard. The cold was biting his face raw and the wind wailed in his ear, but he barely felt it.

“Keep moving!” Thorin shouted over the wind as the others followed him not far behind. “Stay close, and help each other through the drifts!”

The path was barely recognizable, buried under a thick layer of snow, but they pushed on, even as they basically sank into the snow with each step. 

The wind tugged at Thorin’s cloak, the snow stinging his face, Dwalin and the others followed close behind him, helping each other as they struggled through the snowdrifts. 

It was slow going, the snow was up to their knees in places, to their chest almost in others, but they didn’t stop. They couldn’t, even if they found somewhere to rest.

Hugin flew above them, his dark shape barely visible against the white sky. The raven fought against the wind, guiding them through the worst of the storm.

Hours had passed by the time, the sky began to darken and the last homely house of the elves came into view. 

Thorin quickened his pace, his heart pounding loudly in his ears and as they crossed the bridge leading into Rivendell, the storm seemed to ease, as if the very presence of the elven haven was enough to push the raging storm away.

Throin did not slow though, even as he heard the others stagger into a heap in the courtyard, even as Thorn felt his legs want to give up or how his fingers were so cold it hurt to move them.

He was making his way up the stairs in front of him to look for Bilbo, he didn’t know where his hobbit was and he did not have time for any elven nonsense. 

He was stopped abruptly by an elf with flowing robes, he couldn’t place the name and he honestly didn’t care to. The elf was followed closely by Tharkûn. 

The elf offered a graceful bow that got Thorin glaring dangerously at the elf, “Welcome to Rivendell, Thorin Oakenshield. We’ve been expecting you-“

Thorin brushed past and interrupted the vaguely familiar elf, his eyes scanning the buildings in sight frantically for anything familiar. 

“Where is Bilbo? Where is my hobbit!?” Thorin demanded loudly. He whipped around, glaring at the two immortals before him. “You called for me, and I am here. Now, where is he!”

“Thorin…” Gandalf began, stepping forward. His voice was unusually soft. “You cannot see him right now, he has fallen gravely ill. Please, trust me-”

“Tharkûn!” Thorin cut him off, his voice cracking as he looked desperately at the wizard. “Gandalf, do not lie to me. If-” His breath hitched, Throin balled his hands up into a fist as he let out a shaky sigh. “If my hobbit is dying, please, please, let me see him!”

Gandalf lowered his gaze, his silence more damning than words to Thorin. Gandalf sighed heavily. “Thorin…”

Before he could speak further, a sudden flutter of wings interrupted the conversation.

“I know the way, my king!” Hugin cried as he swooped down, he landed on the railing of the staircase. The bird was still panting from the fly down the mountain. “I’ll lead you.”

Without hesitation, Thorin rushed to Hugin, extending his arm for the bird to perch on. The juvenile raven’s talons gripped Thorin tightly as he took his place.

“Thank you,” Thorin muttered. “Lead the way.”

Thorin’s boots echoed loudly then he liked on the stone flooring of Rivendell as he followed Hugin’s directions, the dim halls casting crawling shadows. 

Thorin could feel his heart in his throat as he ran down the incredibly unfamiliar halls, finally, they reached a door, Thorin seriously doubted if he would have found this place by himself.

Hugin flew from him and perched on the doorframe. “Here, here! I remember him being here.”

Thorin was quick to shove the door open, hard enough he was sure it would have broken. Inside, the room was dimly lit by a single lamp. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and medicine.

Óin, looking up quickly from leaning over the bed, glaring at whoever just nearly broke the door down, Throin briefly wondered how much the healer had slept or if he had at all. 

“Mahâl Thorin!” Óin shouted. “You can’t be in here!” But Thorin barely heard him. His gaze was fixed on the small shap lying in the bed, nearly lost beneath the silky white sheets. 

Bilbo’s face was deathly pale, his brow damp with sweat. The golden caramel curls, usually as neat as one could keep curls, were tangled and unkempt, and there was a bandage wrapped around Bilbo’s head. 

Thorin’s chest tightened painfully. “Wha-? What happened?” Thorin demanded as he stepped forward to go to his hobbit.

“Thorin,” Óin warned, raising a hand as if to ward him off. “The lad’s been through it. He’s got a nasty head wound from a fall, and it caught an infection. He needs rest.”

Thorin’s fists clenched at his sides, every inch of him was  screaming to be at Bilbo’s side. He took another step forward.

Óin moved to block his path more, he glared up at Thorin. “I mean it lad, listen to me Thorin, If you care for him, you’ll keep your distance.”

Thorin opened his mouth, to yell at Óin to get out of his way, but a faint voice stopped him. It weak and so soft Thorin was sure he misheard. Then he heard it again.

“Thorin…?”

It cut through Thorin’s anger like a hot knife. He pushed past Óin, reaching Bilbo’s side before the older dwarf knew what was happening. His hobbit’s eyes were half-open, glazed with fever that left his face red, Bilbo reached a hand up as he searched for him.

“I’m here, Bilbo,” Thorin said, his voice softening as he knelt beside the bed and gently took Bilbo’s hand in his own. The hobbit’s fingers were cool to the touch, and Thorin felt his heart ache. “I’m right here.”

Bilbo’s lips trembled into a faint smile. “Thorin… you made it,” he murmured. “I was worried… you wouldn’t.”

“We’re here, and we’re all safe,” Thorin reassured him, squeezing Bilbo’s hand lightly. “You’ve nothing to worry about now.”

Thorin glanced up at Óin as he made his way to the foot of the bed. “He’s fought hard, Thorin,” the healer said quietly. “… I had moments I thought-well…, he needs rest lad.”

Thorin nodded, though he didn’t take his eyes off Bilbo. “You need to sleep, Bilbo,” he urged gently. “Rest now, and I’ll be here when you wake.”

Bilbo’s eyes fluttered as he tried to resist, his grip on Thorin’s hand tightening ever so slightly. “Promise… you’ll stay?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Thorin’s chest tightened once again. “I promise,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Thorin’s words seemed to ease Bilbo’s mind, and slowly, his eyes drifted closed. Thorin watched Bilbo’s breathing evened out, his soft features relaxing. 

After a while, when Thorin was sure that Bilbo was truly asleep, did he finally allow himself to breathe easily. 

Óin approached quietly, placing a hand on Thorin’s shoulder. “You should rest too lad.”

But Thorin barely heard him. He was too focused on Bilbo, his heart still pounding. Unfortunately, exhaustion began to catch up with Thorin, the adrenaline ebbing away.

Thorin shifted to sit more comfortably beside the bed, his hand still holding Bilbo’s. The sheer relief of finally being at Bilbo’s side, washed over Thorin in waves, and before he knew it, his eyes began to droop.

As he drifted off to sleep, Thorin’s last conscious thought was of the hobbit beside him, ‘he’s safe’ his mind happily supplied, and to him now, that was all that mattered.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Last chapter really was supposed to go at the tail end of the second chapter but I didn’t want it to be that long and I had to split one chapter into two so think of it as a filler while I make sure that this chapter was really to go.

but also this chapter got out of hand but I can’t post this chapter in twos because the next chapter is the last of it and I really hope this chapter is good enough for now, I'll probably have to fix this later but whatever. Anyway, Have a good day/night.

@m4yh4ps @bllbabaggins

[lovebeinaprincessworld]

Hobbit/Lord of the Rings

Thorin Oakenshield

Courting and Braiding

Strong

Soft Kitty

Fili Durin

Defense

Misunderstanding

Kili Durin

Stubble

Dwalin

Hearts entwined

[myths0f01d]

In my bagginshield era again. So obviously with that I watched the movies again. Let me tell you. It felt like I was watching a fanfic. It made so much sense if you watched it as Bilbo and Thorin falling in love. It also hurts a lot more when they reach the mountain in desolation of Smaug when Thorin points his sword to Bilbo. Just think that they either started courting or got married in Lake Town. You can feel the sheer heartbreak Bilbo goes through when he realizes Thorin is changing.

[itslulabee]

Participation (Ch.2)

~

Sharing is Caring

Kili x OC, Fili x OC (Smut!!)

(part one, part three, part four, part five, part six)

Description; This fanfic is posted to my AO3 as well, it's basically just pure filth with my OC Kaia and five members of Thorin's Company, we're continuing on with Fili ;)

MINORS DNI!! smut!! back off if ur a wee one!!

AN; I stand by the headcanon that Fili eats people out like a man STARVING

Translations for any Khuzdul will be at the end! <3

~ <3 ~

“Well, what do we have here?”

Kaia squeaks in surprise at the new voice, and both she and Kili look over to find the source of the voice.

Fili stands a few feet away, leaning against a tree. He looks down at the two, head tilted slightly.

“Are we having a little tussle?”

Kili scoffs, raising himself onto his elbows.

“No.” He says indignantly, raising his eyebrows at his brother. Fili smirks, and Kili sits back to pull up his trousers, blushing slightly.

Kaia raises herself onto her elbows, looking between the two brothers.

Fili looks back to her, eyes travelling down her dishevelled form. Her skirts are still hitched around her hips, displaying her legs. Fili deeply inhales at the sight of them, before looking over at his brother.

“Well done, Kili. Finally told her you care about her?” Fili asks, his voice tight.

Kili looks at her, and gives her a small smile.

“There wasn’t much talking…” Kaia chuckles, holding Kili’s eyes as he blushed even more. “But I got the gist.”

“Ah, young love…” Fili chuckles, “What would Amad say about you defiling your lady before putting a braid in her hair, Kee?”

Kili scoffs, leaning back slightly. “Amad will be happy I at least found someone... my One. How far have you gotten with that?”

At that, Fili smiles too. He gives Kaia a significant look, and her breath hitches. Fili’s eyes travel down her body.

Kaia watches Fili, before looking over at Kili. She was shocked to hear me call her his One, but her heart fluttered at the thought. She'd had a crush on Kee since the first week of their travels, specifically since he gave her a flower with a blush on his face. And they proceeded to fall halfway down a hill. He was truly one of a king, and she knew she was falling for him. 

Fili's next words brought her back to the present.

“As long as you made her cum, I see no problem…” Fili shrugs, crossing his arms across his chest.

Kili and Kaia are silent. Kaia avoids Kili’s eyes, clearing her throat. Fili stands still, looking between the two of them.

“Wait.... you made her cum, didn’t you, Kee?” Fili asks his brother, eyebrows raised.

Kili is silent, playing with a blade of grass next to him. Kaia looks over at Fili, who is staring shocked at his little brother.

“Kili. We were raised better than that!” His disappointment is palpable, and if it wasn’t for the fact that both princes looked completely serious, this conversation would be hilarious.

“Fee, it’s no big deal.” Kaia states, sitting up. She pokes her foot at Kili, who looks at her in confusion and surprise. She shrugs, looking over at Fili.

The golden haired prince gapes at her. “No big deal?!” He says, incredulous. He walks over to the pair, crouching down.

“Lass, I know you’re used to the way of men. But, as we’ve pointed out, our ways are much different.” Fili says, seriously. “Dwarven women are precious to us. More than any gem. Making them happy is one of the most important things to us! This is why dwarrowdams have so many lovers. Satisfaction is a must.”

Kaia stares wide eyed at him, utterly confused. Both he and Kili are looking at her in earnest, expressions grave.

“I’m not a dwarrowdam.”

“If you are a dwarrows love, then you are practically one of us. You have the body of man, but your soul is made of the same stuff as us dwarves.” Fili nods.

“Now. Let us get one thing straight, ‘ibin abnâmul (beautiful gem). If a dwarf cannot satisfy his One, then she is completely within her right to seek satisfaction elsewhere.”

Kaia stares at him, confused once again. Both Fili and Kili are watching her, eyes urging her on.

“What do you mean?” She asks, breaking the silence that had grown.

“Kaia, it would be my honour to be your lover.” Fill says, taking her hand in his own.

Kaia gapes at him, before looking at Kili.

“But-”

“Please, amrâlimê.” Kili pleads, taking her other hand in his own. His eyes and words are sincere. “Let my brother take care of you.”

“You’re… you’re okay with this… your brother, becoming my lover?”

“My heart is yours, ghivashel (treasure of all treasures). After tonight, I would be honoured to put a braid in your hair, if you would put one in mine.” Kaia’s heart warms to this, and beams at Kili. The two share a soft kiss.

Fili watches the two, his own smile gracing his lips. Looking at him, Kaia creases her eyebrows.

“You wouldn’t feel weird… or inferior?” She asks Kili, searching his eyes for any sign of discomfort. But, all she finds is love.

“It is an honour to know your lady is desired, to know she is loved by many. I want you to embrace our ways. I want you to never spend a day unsatisfied.” Kili murmurs, reaching his hand up to cup her face.

He shares a meaningful look with Fili. “It would not be odd for us, as we trust each other completely.”

The brothers share a smile, before pressing their foreheads together, before Kili looks at her and winks.

“Plus, we have always shared everything.” He teased, his hand moving to trace along her bare thigh.

“But.” Fili starts, “If you are uncomfortable, or you do not wish to take a lover, or if you do not wish for me to be one of them, that is completely fine.” He brings her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “I care for you as my brothers One, nothing will change that. Please, do not feel pressured, sweet girl.”

Kaia is moved, tears prickling in her eyes. The love she feels from both of these brothers is something she has never dreamt of experiencing. She loves them both, in equal measure but in different ways. And she desires them both... 

“I would be honoured to be yours, Kili.” Kaia says, watching as Kili beams, before turning to Fili, “And I would be honoured to have you as my lover, Fili.”

Said prince smiled brightly at her, a dimple forming underneath his moustache braids. He leans forward and presses his forehead to hers. Kili kisses her hand, and Kaia feels her whole body glowing with happiness at this turn of events.

Pulling back, the older Durin prince looks over Kaia’s body. Kaia feels herself blush, her cunt fluttering at his heated gaze.

“Now that we’ve gotten all of that sappy shit out of the way…” Fill murmurs, looking over at his brother, “Let me show you how to properly pleasure a lass.”

Kaia giggles as Fili leans forward and steals a kiss, trailing his lips over her jaw, down her neck and gently bites her shoulder.

File crawls on top of her, gliding his hands over her shoulders, and across her chest. Kaia moans as his fingers touch her breasts over her corset. Fili chuckles into her shoulder.

“Sensitive, are we?”

“Stop teasing me, you fucker.” Kaia groans. Both brothers chuckle lowly at this, and as Fili moves his head down to her chest, Kaia watches as Kili leans back on his elbows, dragging his hand lazily over his crotch. He winks at her, taking his lower lip between his teeth.

The sight of watching him fondle his growing bulge, and feeling Fili drag his teeth over her clothes nipples make Kaia whimper, clenching her knees together to get some friction to her core.

File grabs at the top of her corset, tearing it open to give him access to her tits. She gasps, arching her back. The prince damn near groaned as he eyed her heaving breasts, taking a nipple between his lips. He sucked hard, making Kaia moan and squirm below him. He flicks the other nipple with his finger, his other hand moving to shuck up her skirt even further up her body.

His skilled finger found her cunt immediately, tracing his fingers across her sensitive slit.

“Fili, fuck!” Kaia groans, bringing her fist up to her mouth to bite down on her knuckles.

“Let me hear you, badgûna (lady of my dreams). Tell me what you need.” File groaned around her breast, moving further down her to press kisses along her stomach.

“File please… I need you… touch me…”

“As you wish, sweet girl.”

Fili plunged two fingers into her, pressing into her until he was knuckle deep. She gasped and moaned low, eyes rolling back at the combined feeling of his fingers on her breast, his lips on her stomach and his digits pumping into her.

File scissored his fingers into her, adding a third as her cunt began to grip him harder. She was a moaning, writhing mess as he dropped his mouth lower. Pushing up her skirt, his golden mane disappeared between her legs.

“FILI!” She screamed, as his lips latched onto her clit and sucked, hard. Stars appeared in front of her, as an earth-shattering orgasm hit her. She went silent, unable to form words as Fili continued to suck, four fingers pumping into her pulsing cunt as she came in waves over his face.

Kaia arched off the ground, hand moving to his hair pulling hard as he overstimulated her poor clit. He sucked and licked at her like she was the elixir of life, tasting her and urging her to give him more, he himself groaning as she tugged on his scalp.

Kaia opened her eyes to look at the stars above, vision blurry as her body built up to another orgasm, painfully on the precipice.

She moved her eyes from the sky, travelling across the landscape until they fell on Kili.

He was on his knees a few feet away, slightly hunched over as he fisted his cock. He was red-faced, mouth open wide as he pumped himself hard, his cock red between his white knuckled grip. He watched her writhing body, before turning his eyes to hers.

Immediately, he let out a loud groan, staring her in the eyes as his body shuddered, his cock releasing ropes of cum onto his hand and stomach.

He slumped over, still fisting his cock as he shook.

The sight alone made her cum again. She bit her lip to stop herself screaming out again, arching her back until she could see the world around her turn upside down. Her body erupted, her muscles spasming as she fell into complete bliss.

File gently played with her whilst she came down from her high. Waves of pleasure cascaded through her body like flashes of starlight.

She loosened her grip on his hair, running her fingers through it to bring her back to reality.

“How do you feel, ghivashel?” Fili asks, resting a hand on her cheek. Kaia lifts her own hand up, resting it atop his own. She is sweating and exhausted, but her heart is filled.

Yet, she still was not completely satisfied.

Looking over Fili’s dishevelled person, she noted his half-lidded eyes and rosy cheeks. His mouth is covered in her release, his moustache braids damp. His clothes are askew, his coat pushed slightly down his arms and his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing thick golden hair across his pecs. Travelling her eyes further, she bit her lip taking in the bulge between his legs.

“You’re so good with your mouth, madtubirzu…(golden heart)” Fili’s eyes and smile widened at the pet name, unaware that she had taken time to learn some Khuzdul during their journey.

Kaia smirked mischieously, reaching down to grab at Fili’s erection. “…but how are you with this?”

Fili grins devilishly, leaning down to press his lips to hers. His kiss was slower than his brothers, expertly dancing his lips over her own. She continued to grope him through his trousers, and he ran his hands through her hair in response, as he growled low in this throat.

He rises up to his elbows, looking over his shoulder at his brother.

“Are you watching, Kee?” He calls.

Kaia looks over towards Kili, who is now sat reclined against the soil, trousers done up again as he watched his brother and his lover.

“I thought you were going to show me how to pleasure her, Fee, not how to tease her and act like an ass…” Kili chuckled, winking at Kaia. She bit her lip at the brotherly teasing, enjoying their dynamic.

“Big words from a dwarrow who came the second he got his end away!” Fili sniggers, throwing Kaia a wink. Kili goes to say something else.

“Too much talking , not enough shagging!” Kaia groans, glaring good-naturedly at her boys.

Fili looks down at her, mouth open in faux-shock. “Wow Kaia, you’ve got quite a mouth on you.”

“And she knows how to use it…” Kili drawls, biting his lip.

“Alright, alright. She’s right, too much talking.” Fili leans down slightly to grab her by the backs of her thighs. She squeals as he lifts her legs, bending them and pressing her knees to his chest.

On impulse, she tries to shut her knees together, but Fili slides himself between them, trapping himself against her. He grinds his hard, clothed length against her, rubbing against her clit. Kaia gasps, staring up at him with blown out pupils.

Fili smirks at her reaction, nuzzling his nose to hers in a nose kiss. They share a smile, before Fili sits back on his knees, undoing the ties of his trousers.

“You might want to hold onto something, lass…” He groans, pulling out his cock and stroking it at the sight of her splayed out for him.

His dick is beautiful. Slightly shorter than Kili’s but thicker and curved slightly. Fili grabs her hips, pulling her up slightly as he looms over her.

“…I’m not going to go easy on you.” With that, he thrusts into her fully.

Kaia screams, throwing her head back as he fills her instantly.

He starts fucking her hard and fast, hooking her knees around his arms to open herself fully up to him. He sets a pace which is harsh, pulling her up and down his length in tandem with his own thrusts.

Above her, Fili groans and pants, staring down at her as sweat beads onto his forehead. Kaia stares up at him, mouth hanging open as she takes everything he gives her.

His hips hit her own at an angle, bumping against her sensitive clit every time he thrusts into her. Kaia can feel her head spinning and the coil inside her tightening with every punishing thrust.

Fili lets go of her knees, in favour of grabbing her ankles, lifting and stretching them up to place them against his shoulders. He leans down, foldering her in half under him, hitting her at a deeper angle.

Kaia’s vision goes blurry, digging her fingers into his tunic and becoming a writhing mess beneath this beautiful dwarf.

The new position has Fili hitting a specific spot inside her over and over again, bringing her closer and closer to yet another earth shattering end. Fili holds his forehead against hers, his hot breath fanning her face and their own sweat mingling.

Movement catches Kaia’s attention to her left, and she turns her face to watch as Kili lies down next to the humping pair. He watches her face, biting his lip as she smiles at him with a blissed expression.

“My beautiful girl…” Kili murmurs.

Fili continues thrusting into Kaia, pressing his sweaty forehead into her shoulder as his thrusts became more erratic.

“Kee, play with her clit.” Fili groans, his own hands too busy with playing with her tits and grabbing her hair in a vice like grip.

Kili doesn’t need to be told twice, he reaches between them and starts rubbing her clit in figures of eight, nuzzling into the other side of her neck. One of Kaia’s hands detangles from Fili’s tunic to grasp onto Kili’s unoccupied hand, and she feels him kiss her neck.

The coil inside her tightens almost painfully, and she can feel herself on the precipice once again

“I’m- I’m going to-”

“Cum, ‘ibin abnâmu. I want to feel you cum on my cock.” Fili moans, fucking her with abandon.

“Cum for us, Amrâlimê!” Kili pants, sucking on her pulse point and rubbing his hand against her clit.

Kaia does just that. Throwing her head back and letting out a silent scream, she loses herself in her third orgasm of this amazing night.

Kili kisses up her neck, kissing her cheek, her temple, her forehead and then her nose. She looks back down at him, and he gives her a dazzling smile.

Fili lets out a groan from on top of her, and she feels how his cock pulses inside of her as he finishes, filling her up.

She drags her hand through his hair, forcing his head back to look into her eyes.

Blue eyes meet her own, equally blissed out, ones. He gives her a smile, kissing her gently before pulling out of her, causing them to both sigh.

Both brothers collapse on either side of her, taking each of her hands in their own.

Kaia feels Fili’s seed slipping out of her, covering the ground beneath her. She lets out a contented sigh, excited to have a wash soon…

-

We're all whores here :) thanks for reading, chapter three will be up soon!! First four chapters are posted on my AO3, if you can't wait!

Translations ~

Badgûna – dream girl ‘ibin abnâmul – beautiful gem Amrâlimê – love of mine

[ironmandeficiency]

the hobbit + hozier songs

characters included: kíli, bilbo, dwalin, thorin, nori, bofur, ori, fíli, dori, tauriel

word count: 1166

a/n: the amazing and precious @wordbunch inspired me to write these bc of her lotr/th characters as taylor swift songs posts & i couldn't be more excited to finally post this labor of love!! thank you bestie for listening to me scream abt this for nearly two months lol

kíli: foreigner’s god

he loves outside of his race and this fact causes undue scorn to be thrown at his feet. it’s unheard of for almost any dwarf, let alone one from the line of durin, to do such a thing. this does not deter him - it empowers him; if his heart could go against the traditions forged into his bones, molten in his hot blood, how could it not be true? the strength of his love is what helps him ignore the doubts shouted by the prejudice plaguing those who know nothing of his heart. that, and the sound of your laughter at his antics, the soft smiles only given to him when he’s being a little too charming… he could go on.

bilbo: like real people do

as much flack as bilbo gets from the company for not being conventionally tough, he’s not weak by any means. he’s familiar with the pain of loss, and how the ways one tries to rise above the grief that follows aren’t always savory. he knows there’s a respect to be found in the absence of prying questions, choosing simply to coexist in the feelings and allow answers to come in their own sweet time. he’ll put some tea on to cook and scrounge up some leftovers from the previous meal, sitting beside you and letting the comfort flow naturally, his soft lips soothing the most tender aches.

dwalin: work song

just looking at him, you wouldn’t think dwalin a sap. but with his insanely strong sense of loyalty and stalwart dedication, he can’t be anything but. he’s faced down innumerable evils in his time, braved the fiercest of storms that many of his comrades didn’t; none of them even come close to keeping him from you. your arms welcome him home without question after each fight he braves, and your letters tucked into secret compartments in his armor keep him warm between embraces. he’ll read them by the fire every night when he’s away, every gentle word carrying his mind away from thoughts of the day’s turmoil.

thorin: sedated

this sweet, sad man doesn’t think he deserves good things in life. this, unfortunately, includes having someone love him despite his flaws and past mistakes. he couldn’t resist admitting his feelings for you and was ridiculously shocked that you reciprocated & allowed him to love you. on nights when he feels his failures deeper, he’ll try to convince you that he doesn’t deserve you. vitriol will escape from worried lips and terrified heart, piercing you in the way only a lover knows how. a soft kiss, gentle words, and a few strokes through his hair will soothe these wounds from him for a time and allow him some of the peace he’s fought to find, but doesn’t always believe is earned.

nori: it will come back

it was decades since the last time nori thought of love, even longer since he believed himself worthy of it. meeting you only solidified his disbelief; how could someone look at him and see someone that deserved such a pure thing, after everything he’s done in his life? he’s stolen, lied, cheated, and killed to survive (and sometimes not for mere survival). his attempts to spurn you away from him only increased your determination to break through the fortress he built around himself. he could only be strong against your advances for so long before he crumbled, reluctantly accepting the love and peace and safety you offered so freely.

bofur: nobody

bofur’s done a lot in his time. he was born in the blue mountains, a colony that never seemed to find the prosperity needed to do more than simply survive. he is a brother, uncle, cousin, friend, toymaker, miner, member of the great company that reclaimed erebor. but through all his adventures and hardships, he never lost his playful streak. he wants to have fun with who he loves, wants a little bit of mischief to make his laugh louder and brighter. bofur is a fun-loving soul who, despite his wandering past, will always choose you over anywhere that you’re not.

ori: francesca

ori’s life has never been a peaceful one. being raised by dori and being followed by the whispers of his late amad’s reputation (not to mention nori’s) without a mountain to call home, it weighed on his shoulders. even his craft, the pride of every dwarrow worth their beard, happened to be one seen as miniscule in importance compared to smithing. every moment spent with his one, doing anything or nothing at all, eases the burden he carries and makes every moment of strife worth it just to be with the soul made to mirror his.

fíli: i, carrion (icarian)

your love for him seems almost too good to be true, the remnants of stories told in dusty tomes written by those with far more eloquence than he can claim to possess. that being said, he is definitely not one to look a gift boar in the mouth. he relishes in each tender moment, every second spent in your presence that carries him far beyond the constraints life has placed upon him. but he recognizes that life isn’t always so simple, retreating into your arms and wishing that everything around you both just disappears. there’s always reality, waiting patiently outside of your chambers for one faulty misstep to throw you both askew. that’s why he dedicates himself to showing you that if life does what it does best and deals harsh blows, he will be there for you through it all.

dori: shrike

dori never had time for love; he had two brothers to protect, one more wily than the other was young. his focus was on getting his brothers through the days, putting food on their plates and the semi-frequently used stash of bail money well-stocked. he allowed his feelings for his one to fall to the wayside in the name of preservation. he ignored their call for decades and braved out the pain that came with such a silence. he begged for his one’s forgiveness every time they called for him. but once the mountain was reclaimed and his brothers safe, he yearned for what he could have had. he would approach his one with much regret and sorrow for the time lost, but a pure hope that they could find forgiveness in their heart for him.

tauriel: unknown/nth

to earn her love is a feat unlike that which the world has known for a long time. being seen as worth all these mortal struggles and painful toils in the eyes of an elf, let alone one as fierce as tauriel, is quite the achievement to anyone outside looking in. to the red-haired warrior in question, though, giving her love to you has the same unthinking ease as breathing; it’s beyond instinct to do and just as necessary to her survival. you’re worth every century spent alone, every moment after knowing you spent away from you.

[ink-stains-and-constellations]

I usually write and post Undertale fanfiction on a different account, but I kept seeing those time-travel The Hobbit fics and I really liked the premise, so I wrote a small bit of one. I have no idea what else to do with it, soooooo here have the random fic I wrote at like 1 AM.

(Quick disclaimer, I'm not actually super well-versed in Middle-Earth lore. I've read and loved The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but I haven't gotten around to reading The Silmarillion or anything yet. I probably got some stuff wrong in terms of lore, so sorry about that. This was written for fun and I'm not planning on making it into a longer fic, but I thought I'd share it because why not.)

Bilbo was dead.

He knew he was dead. He had died in the Undying Lands, finally succumbing to the age of his body, surrounded by Frodo and Gandalf and the elves as he drifted off into his very last adventure. He had lived a long life. A good life. One with regrets, of course, but also one with much joy and love.

Hobbit-lore had never said much about their afterlife - not like the lore of elves, dwarves, or even men - but Bilbo had always supposed it would be something like this, the comfort of home. For he had found himself back in his hobbit-hole, back in Bag-End, seated at his table with a lovely-looking tea spread out before him.

His aches, his weariness, were gone. His joints and back moved easily, without any pain to speak of. His eyesight was perfectly clear. Even his bald patches had vanished, his head and feet covered once again in thick bushes of curly hair.

"Why, I don't feel a day over fifty," he marvelled under his breath, grinning a little.

Leaving his food on the table, he explored his home, running his fingers along the backs of chairs and rifling through drawers. Most things were exactly as he remembered it - better, even for he had not seen his silver spoons for decades, yet there they were, sitting neatly with the rest of his cutlery. The only objects unaccounted for were the things from his adventure; Sting, the coat of mithril, the chests of gold and silver, and the ring (he caught himself a moment before thinking 'his ring'). But he had given Sting and the coat to Frodo anyway, the ring had been destroyed, and he didn't suppose he would need gold or silver in the afterlife, so he paid it no mind.

He had just sat back down to his tea when the doorbell rang. He was not expecting visitors, of course, as he had only just gotten to this hobbitish afterlife, but he was not nearly as fussy about that sort of thing as he had once been, so he got to his feet and went to greet his guest.

He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but it hadn't been a dwarf, and it most certainly hadn't been a very familiar dwarf with a long beard and a dark green hood, worn and stained from travel, his bright eyes glittering from beneath its hem.

The dwarf hopped inside as soon as the door was open, hanging his hooded cloak on one of the pegs, then sweeping into a low bow. "Dwalin at your service!"

Bilbo was frozen, one hand still on the polished brass doorknob, staring at his old friend, who now looked decades younger and was wearing the same clothes he had been the first time they had met.

"Dwalin?" he asked. "What are you doing here?" Even if the dwarf was dead too, he surely wouldn't be here, wherever here was.

Dwalin frowned slightly. "I am here for the meeting, of course."

"Meeting?" he echoed, mystified.

"Yes, the meeting." Dwalin gave him an odd look, as if he should have already known. "And, er, whose service do I have the pleasure of being at?"

Bilbo blinked. "What?"

"Your name," Dwalin elaborated.

After a moment of mutually puzzled silence, Bilbo took a closer look at Dwalin. The clothes. The appearance. The expression, politely confused. Asking for his name.

I don't feel a day over fifty.

He swallowed. "I - Bilbo." Slowly, he bowed. "Mister Bilbo Baggins, at your service." He straightened, gesturing to the hall behind him. "I, uh - I just set out tea. Please, help yourself."

Dwalin nodded, bustling off down the hall. Bilbo did not follow him, but sat down on the ornamental chair by all the hooks and put his head in his hands. This... wasn't possible, was it? He couldn't be back then. He had died, for goodness' sake.

Before he could get very far with his thoughts, the bell rang again. He sprang up, nearly wrenching the door open to reveal an old, red-hooded dwarf, who immediately hopped inside.

"I see they have begun to arrive already," he noted as he hung his hood next to Dwalin's. He then bowed, giving Bilbo an entirely unnecessary introduction.

"Balin, at your service!"

"Bilbo Baggins at yours," Bilbo replied, bowing in return. "Dwalin is inside - please, go join him, I'll bring out more tea. Unless you would prefer a little beer?" he added, remembering his old friend's preferences.

Balin smiled. "Yes, and some seed-cake, if you have any."

"Yes, lots."

Balin set off down the hall to join his brother, and Bilbo went to the pantry to collect the beer and seed-cakes.

Well, that settles it, he thought, a tad grimly. I am back at the very beginning of it all. He wasn't entirely enthusiastic about the prospect, given that he knew what lay ahead, but he resolved to do his very best with this second chance. To make their journey better with his knowledge. Maybe he could even save...

He shook his head and quickly delivered Balin's food and drink, right before the bell rang a third time and he had to rush back to the door.

It was Fili and Kili this time, and Bilbo's heart started aching when he saw them, young and whole and alive, their yellow beards clean of blood and grime, their eyes sparkling and clear.

"Kili at your service!"

"And Fili!"

He took their hoods and bags, setting them carefully to the side, and bowed back, fighting the urge to pull them both into a hug. Somehow, he managed to speak past the lump in his throat. "Bilbo Baggins, at yours and your family's."

"Dwalin and Balin here already, I see," said Kili cheerfully. "Let us join the throng!"

Bilbo nodded and stepped aside to let them pass. He very firmly set aside his grief, his questions, his racing thoughts, and fixed his mind on the task at hand - namely, preparing enough food, drink, and chairs to host a company of fifteen.

While the four dwarves settled in and got to talking, he hurriedly set out more places at the table, then started raiding his pantry, bringing out everything from the wine to the cheese wheels. Halfway through, the bell rang again, and he practically sprinted to the door - in fact, he got there fast enough that Gloin had only just come puffing up to the doorstep.

Introductions were short, and the five newcomers soon joined the others at the table while Bilbo went back to emptying his pantries before they could do it themselves.

He had almost finished when a loud rapping echoed down the hall, the knock of wood against wood. Bilbo sighed heavily, thinking mournfully of the dent in his nice green door that he had never quite gotten around to fixing, and, whisking one last plate of food onto the table, set off to let his guests inside for the fifth and final time that night.

He made sure to open the door very slowly and carefully, so as not to repeat his mistake from all those years ago and end up with a pile of dwarves on his doormat. This time, all four of them hopped inside without incident, and Gandalf ducked through the doorway a moment later.

"Hello, Bilbo," he greeted with a smile. "I hope you do not mind terribly that I brought guests to our tea."

Bilbo sighed again, casting a glance in the direction of his depleted pantries. "Not at all, Gandalf."

"Excellent!" The wizard clapped his hands. "Now, allow me to introduce you to Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and especially Thorin!"

There were the usual bows and "At your service"s from Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur, and none at all from Thorin, not that Bilbo had expected any. He gave all four of them a deep bow in return.

"Bilbo Baggins." He glanced up, meeting Thorin's proud gaze and ignoring the pang of grief, an old, old pain that had never really gone away. "At your service."

Thorin merely turned to toss his sky-blue, silver-tasselled hood onto a hook beside the others.

"Now we are all here!" declared Gandalf, hanging his hat at the end of the row of hoods. "Quite a merry gathering. I hope there is something left for the latecomers to eat and drink!"

"Yes, there's plenty," replied Bilbo, gesturing for the group to follow him down the hall.

Gandalf fell into step beside him, peering curiously down at him. He opened his mouth to ask something, but Bilbo quickly interrupted.

"Be careful of the -"

Thunk.

"Rafters," Bilbo finished with yet another sigh, watching Gandalf rub his head.

"A little low, these ceilings," the wizard commented, grimacing.

"Or maybe you're just a little tall!" called a grinning Fili from the dining room. "We seem to be managing just fine."

"Impertinent dwarf," Gandalf grumbled, hunched over to keep from hitting his head again.

Bilbo darted ahead to pull out a chair for Thorin, the grandest chair he could find in his little hobbit-hole. Thorin paused for a moment, then slowly sank into it, nodding his thanks. Bilbo gave him a quick smile and took his own place at the table, which he had made sure to include this time, as he didn't want to miss out on all the food again.

He wasn't much for conversation, as he didn't want to slip up and reveal all the things he knew, but he didn't bother asking if they would stay for supper after the meal was finished. Already knowing the answer, he just made to collect the plates, and didn't protest when the dwarves sprang up to clear them away instead.

The dishes were soon cleaned and put away, and the dwarves came back to find Bilbo watching Thorin and Gandalf blow smoke-rings around the room.

"Now for some music!" Thorin declared as his company filed into the room, snuffing out his pipe and setting it aside. "Bring out the instruments!"

There was a rush for instruments just as Bilbo remembered, and he sat back in his chair to listen to the dwarves' music. It was enthralling as it had been the first time, and he felt as though he was indeed fifty all over again and feeling a great desire for adventure. He found himself humming quietly along to the familiar tune.

It eventually stopped, of course, once dark had fallen, and Thorin stood to begin his speech.

"Gandalf, dwarves, and Mister Baggins! We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator, this most excellent and audacious hobbit - may the hair on his toes never fall out! All praise to his wine and ale!"

The ache in Bilbo's heart increased upon hearing his friend's typically long-winded beginning, and he barely managed to reply, "You are very kind." His voice came out with a funny choked quality to it, as if he was about to cry. Which was, of course, absurd, he thought as he blinked furiously against his burning eyes.

Thorin stopped, staring at Bilbo, his brow furrowed. "Is something the matter, Mister Baggins?"

Bilbo quickly shook his head, scrubbing away the tears that were leaking down his cheeks. "Nothing at all, Thorin," he whispered, unable to help the familiarity that slipped out with his friend's first name. "And, uh -" He cleared his throat, speaking a little louder. "Please, call me Bilbo, all of you. It seems appropriate if we're to - uh, work together."

Slowly, Thorin nodded, although he did not continue with his speech. He just... stared at Bilbo, a puzzled divot between his heavy brows, until Bilbo shifted uncomfortably, worried that he had made a mistake.

"Tell me, Mister Baggi - Bilbo," said Thorin suddenly. "Do you have much experience in the matter of burglary?"

Bilbo felt his lips twist into a humourless smile as images flashed in his mind. A golden cup. A large gemstone that could be called white, if you ascribed the same colour to the stars themselves. Before that, a set of keys, countless morsels of food, even the very dwarves who now sat in his dining room. All done while invisible, of course, but perhaps this time he could be a burglar before he found the ring as well as afterwards. (He was a little reluctant to take possession of the ring again now that he knew what it was, but he also knew that it had been an invaluable asset on their journey, and besides if he hadn't found it, it wouldn't have been destroyed, so he resolved to pick it up again as he had before.)

"Yes. Quite a bit, in fact."

A murmur of surprise went around the room. Even Gandalf's bushy eyebrows raised, although he stayed silent, still puffing on his pipe.

"How about travel?" Thorin asked, evidently set on grilling him now. "Fighting? Sword or axe, what's your weapon of choice?"

Bilbo sighed yet again. "I'm rather skilled at darts, if you must know, and I quite enjoy a good hike now and then," he answered, voice dripping with sarcasm that he never would have dared back at the beginning, but he was rather used to being treated with the indulgence afforded to eccentric elderly folk, so he didn't think much of it at all until Thorin snorted and he realised that the dwarf had taken his words seriously.

Another outbreak of muttering spread throughout the room, and amidst all the questions about his sincerity, he caught the fated words, murmured by Gloin to Oin.

"He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."

Bilbo's teeth gritted, and he addressed Thorin again, discarding the sarcasm this time. "In all seriousness, I favour a sword, although seeing how I am not currently in possession of one, the question seems moot."

Thorin looked him up and down, as if trying and failing to imagine him using a sword. "I see."

Electing to ignore the dwarves' doubt, Bilbo stood, heading towards the hallway. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I am going to -" His toes snagged on something, perhaps a hole in the carpet, and he stumbled, a hand darting out to steady himself upon Gandalf, who happened to be the nearest solid object.

"Oh, terribly sorry, Gandalf," apologised Bilbo, looking quite a bit less flustered than one might expect. "As I was saying, I am going to fetch a light. I will return in a moment."

"Excellent idea," replied Gandalf, peering down at Bilbo. The dwarves may not have found his stumble suspicious, but the wizard was well aware of the surefootedness of hobbits and suspected Bilbo to be up to something, which, of course, he was.

At fifty, Bilbo Baggins had been polite to a fault and wholly inexperienced in theft. However, having lived over a hundred and thirty years before his death, he now considered himself a fairly seasoned burglar and quite disliked being doubted or mocked. So when he saw the opportunity to prove himself, he took it, and by the time he returned with a lamp, Gandalf was rifling through his pockets in search of a map he was certain he had had on his person.

Bilbo placed the lamp on the table and tilted his head curiously at the wizard, struggling to conceal a grin. "Is there something wrong, Gandalf?"

Gandalf's shrewd eyes snapped to him, and he gazed intently for a moment or two before explaining, "I seem to have lost a rather important map. You wouldn't happen to have any idea of its whereabouts, would you?"

"Not the foggiest clue," Bilbo replied, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Oh - wait, what is this?" With a - perhaps unnecessary - theatrical flourish, he withdrew the map from his waistcoat, holding it up. "Well, it appears it's right here in my pocket. How odd." He dropped it onto the table in front of Gandalf, his grin breaking through his attempted poker face.

Gandalf stared at the map for a few seconds, then chuckled loudly and suddenly, patting Bilbo on the back. "Very impressive, my friend."

Bilbo laughed and went to sit back down, not noticing the suspicious look Gandalf shot him behind his back.

"Now, then," the wizard began, spreading the map out on the table. "This was made by Thror, your grandfather, Thorin. It is a plan of the Mountain."

Thorin glanced at it, then shook his head, disappointed. "I don't see how this will help us much. I remember the Mountain well enough, and the lands about it. And I know where Mirkwood is, and the Withered Heath where the great dragons bred."

"There is a dragon marked in red on the Mountain," put in Balin. "But it will be easy enough to find him without that, if ever we arrive there."

"Unfortunately so," Bilbo murmured to himself, his shoulders curling a little inwards.

"There is one thing you haven't noticed, and that is the secret entrance," pointed out Gandalf. "You see that rune on the west side, and the hand pointing to it from the other runes? That marks a hidden passage to the Lower Halls."

"It may have been secret once," Thorin countered, "but how do we know it remains so? Old Smaug has lived there long enough now to find out anything there is to know about those caves."

"He may, but he can't have ever used it. It is far too small for him - 'five feet high the door and three may walk abreast' say the runes, and Smaug couldn't have crept into a hole that size even when he was a young dragon, let alone now, after devouring so many of the dwarves and the men of Dale. In any case, the door should be closed and hidden, made to look exactly like the side of the mountain, and therefore kept secret from the rest of the world, if not from Smaug."

Bilbo leant closer to get a proper look at the map, which he had not seen for decades. The Mountain drawn in dark ink on the paper seemed a lot smaller than the Mountain of his memories.

"Also," Gandalf went on, "I forgot to mention that with the map came a key, a small and curious key. Here it is!" He presented it to Thorin, a key with a long barrel and intricate wards, flashing silver in the lamplight. "Keep it safe!"

"Indeed I will," replied Thorin, taking the key and fastening it upon the fine gold chain that hung around his neck. "Now things begin to look more hopeful. This news alters them much for the better. So far we have had no clear idea of what to do. We thought of going east, as quiet and careful as we could, as far as the Long Lake -"

Bilbo had heard Thorin's ramblings before, of course, and if this was an ordinary meeting with friends, he would have tuned him out. However, he was acutely aware of just how precious his time here was - every second with Thorin and Fili and Kili alive, every second with the others smiling and in good cheer, every second unburdened by deep, heavy grief - so he listened quietly to the voice he'd spent so many years missing.

"- but we none of us liked the idea of the Front Gate. The river runs right out of it through the great cliff at the south of the Mountain, and out of it comes the dragon too - far too often, unless he has changed his habits."

"That would be no good," added Gandalf. "Not without a mighty warrior, even a hero. I tried to find one, but warriors are busy fighting one another in distant lands, and in this neighbourhood, heroes are scarce, or simply not to be found. Swords in these parts are mostly blunt, axes are used for trees, and shields as cradles or dish-covers; dragons are comfortably far-off, and therefore legendary. That is why I settled on burglary - especially when I remembered the existence of a side-door. And here is our little Bilbo Baggins, the burglar, the chosen and selected burglar. So now let's get on and make some plans."

"Very well, then," agreed Thorin. "Supposing the burglar gives us some ideas or suggestions." He turned to Bilbo with mock politeness, although it was a bit less mocking than it had been the first time around.

Bilbo drew himself up, meeting Thorin's gaze with a determined look. He was the only one there who knew what was in store, and over the course of the night, he had come to the decision that he meant to bring them all through the journey and out the other side alive and more or less intact, if at all possible. "Certainly, Thorin," he answered briskly. "I should think that we ought to focus on actually getting there and finding the side-door before we worry about dealing with much else. I take it there is quite a lot of treasure?" he added, although he already knew.

Thorin nodded. "Yes, halls upon halls of it."

"It will be impossible for me to move it all by myself. I will be able to perhaps steal one or two pieces before the dragon notices us, so I would suggest you give some thought as to which pieces you should like." A large white gem glimmered in his mind again before he pushed the image away and forged on, ignoring the echoes of dread. "I would also suggest -" His voice trembled, and he cleared his throat, trying to keep his words steady. "I would also suggest that we take a moment to consider the possibility of things such as dragon-sickness, and how it may be overcome once the Mountain is in our possession."

"Sage advice," said Gandalf approvingly, filing away his suspicion to deal with later and patting Bilbo on the shoulder.

Bilbo threw him a quick smile, though he was unable to hide the hint of tiredness to it. He found that he didn't particularly want to speak of their journey anymore, not with the knowledge of what was to come weighing on him, heavy as a sack of dragon-guarded gold.

"And, well, don't you know, I think we have talked long enough for one night, if you see what I mean. What about bed, and an early start, and all that? I would appreciate some help with breakfast tomorrow, if anyone would be so kind."

"You're the host, are you not?" replied Thorin, raising a dark, heavy brow. "But I agree about bed and breakfast. I like six eggs with my ham when starting on a journey - fried, not poached, and mind you don't break 'em."

Bilbo crossed his arms, staring at the dwarf expectantly, until Thorin reluctantly added, "Please."

Bilbo nodded and grabbed a small notebook that had been laying on the mantlepiece, quickly jotting down Thorin's preferred breakfast. "Anyone else?"

The dwarves and Gandalf all ordered their breakfasts, and Bilbo managed to get a 'please' from every one of them. Afterwards, he had to find places for all of them to sleep, which was thankfully a much shorter affair than last time, as he had his previous experiences to go by. He did have to dig extra blankets out of the linen cupboard, and set several dwarves and Gandalf (who was much too tall for his spare beds) up on couches and chairs, but he eventually got them all stowed away and retired to his own little bed. The shock of finding himself back in the past, along with having to host thirteen dwarves and a wizard, had left him rather exhausted, despite the renewed strength of his younger body. Before he collapsed into bed, he remembered to leave a sliver of his curtains unclosed, so that he would be awoken by the rays of dawn.

He fell asleep to the sound of Thorin's humming from the bedroom next to his, and this time, it was comforting.

The Hobbit was created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

[lathalea]

Yes, it is finally happening!

Lathalea’s

💎 HUGE 💎

Follower Celebration

… is here!

Remember the poll from last week? The results are here! You have spoken!

Thank you everyone for participating! 💙🙏

💎 What happens now?

Per your request,

I’m going to write ficlets for you, my lovely followers!

And I can’t wait! 🤩

💎 It’s time for the Prompt Game!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

💎 To take part in the celebration, you have to be my follower before it starts!

💎 For the Prompt Game, I will have around 10 slots open. Maybe a few less, maybe a few more (it depends on boring real life stuff, sorry, I’ll try to do my best!).

💎 The participants will be picked on the "first come, first serve" basis.

💎 I’m going to write ficlets (300-500 words) based on Tolkien’s Middle Earth and the characters created by JRRT.

💎 Pick your favorite pairing, the prompt you’ve been dreaming of (or 1-2 prompt numbers from the list below), any additional details you want me to include (like your OC, quote, vibes…), and send me an ask! No anons please 🙏

💎 I will be happy to write about things like: canon x canon, canon x oc, canon x reader, oc x oc, oc x reader, textual ghosts, G-E rated romance (to request E-rated stuff, you have to be an adult), angst, gen fics, fluff, GIME, crack fics, Middle Earth locations, headcanons, imagines, worldbuilding… and much more.

💎 I’m not in the right headspace to write about things like: incest, rape, death, explicit descriptions of injuries/childbirth, themes/characters I’m not too familiar with.

💎 If you’re one of the lucky participants but I’m unable to fulfill your request because of some its content, don’t worry! You won’t lose your spot! I’ll ask you to submit a new fic request.

💎 Any questions? You know where to find me!

⬇️⬇️PROMPT LIST BELOW THE CUT ⬇️⬇️

If you’ve just ran out of fic ideas or there’s something here that speaks to you, please add one or two prompt numbers to your ask:

1. “I lost my way. Twice.”

2. Regency AU

3. "It was an... accident?"

4. Pirate AU

5. “You did this for me?”

6. Neighbor AU

7. “We could just stay like this, cuddling all night, if that is what you wish."

8. Forbidden Love AU

9. “Whose wedding is this?” “Ours.”

10. Soulmate AU

11. “Tell me what you see.”

12. Library AU

13. “Where am I?”

14. Best Friends AU / Friends to Lovers AU (you pick)

15. “Is anything you say to me true?”

16. Modern AU

17. “The stars are bright tonight, aren't they?" "Not as bright as you…”

18. Stranded AU

19. “This quest is yours alone.”

20. Room Mate AU

21. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

22. Fake Dating/Engagement/Marriage AU

23. “Make a wish.”

24. Amnesia AU

25. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

26. Hurt/Comfort AU

27. “What does your heart tell you?”

28. Meet-awful AU (funny!)

29. “How did you get here and what are you doing in my bed?!”

30. An AU of your choice

31. Surprise me, Lathalea! 🤩

Ready?

🎉 Let the Prompt Game begin!🎉

Good luck everyone! 💙

XXX,

Lathalea

[shujinkomononobe]

Thorin has been battling the relentless grip of gold sickness for a year. In an effort to help, Bilbo introduces him to a different kind of 'gold'—one that might just be worth obsessing over.

[enchantingkryptoniteheart-blog]

The Best of Intentions — snippet #3- character development- confrontations/ misunderstandings- continued -

***********************

She held her head high as she walked down from the royal suites, keeping her eyes transfixed ahead. She tried not to think too long or hard on who and what she was about to leave behind. She knew Rosalyn was going to be devastated, but she didn’t think she could bring herself to actually leave if she stopped to say her goodbyes.

She only hoped that Dis and Rosalyn would continue to be friends, and that she would find happiness with Dwalin if he ever worked up the courage to court her.

 She felt on edge as she drew closer to the main gates. She knew she drew attention to herself dressed in her Frost drake armor, Luna keeping stride at her side. She knew she was free to leave, unless Thorin wanted to make her pay for her the role she played in the disruption of his sparring session.

 She hoped he didn’t. That he would just let her go, like she asked for him to when he held her close to him that last time.

 Her heart and chest felt like it was bruised purple with the blows she had taken in the matter of just an hour. Each twist of her stomach or stutter of her heart made her body ache, so much more than she had ever felt before. Even with the sudden passing of Argos. That had hurt her, changed her no doubt.

But this betrayal, this death of a dream she had slowly been coming around to envisioning for herself, a happiness she never thought she would ever find for herself, was excruciating. She felt the bruising far beyond her heart, she felt it in the very marrow of her bones.

 

As she approached the gate, she saw the normal guards on duty. Nothing seemed amiss, no one was yelling for her name or telling her to halt. She was both relieved and disappointed at the realization she would be able to walk out freely, with no reason to stop and look back.

She drew her shoulders back tighter as she walked towards the guards with a cool confidence.

 

It was at the very last moment that their axes crossed down in front of her and Luna, their faces as rigid and emotionless as stone.  She breathed in sharply, her heart stopping in dread.

 “Let me pass.” She tilted her chin challengingly as she stared down the guard closest to her unblinkingly.

 “You are not permitted to leave without an escort my Lady.” The guard stated sternly. He didn’t even seem phased as Luna stood over Mistlynn’s shoulder, her tongue lolling in the summer heat so that her sharp canines were on full display.

 “On whose authority?” she demanded coldly, hoping against all odds it wasn’t who she thought it was.

 “Mine.” A deep voice rumbled from the left of them, in the shadowed guard room she hadn’t even noticed right under the top turret.  Her stomach twisted painfully, an invisible fist squeezing her lungs as she allowed her eyes to flutter closed for a brief moment. She heard the familiar, heavy footsteps approach, causing a faint curse to hiss out under her breath. She steeled herself as she opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him.

 

She was surprised to see him dressed so casually, as if he had changed from his sparring gear in a hurry. He was in black trousers and boots with a blue tunic that was so dark it nearly looked black until the sunlight gave away its true depth of color. His black jacket was unbuttoned, allowing her to see the full details that were engraved on the silver buckles and designs on his black leather belt.

 She swallowed nervously, forcing her eyes back up to his face after her quick perusal of his unusual attire. She had never seen him so disheveled. She felt a stab of guilt twist and meld into her already aching chest. She then reminded herself of Briela’s courting necklace, and who it was who was courting her. The reminder did nothing.

 “Are you keeping me against my will? Throwing me in the dungeons?” She fought to keep her voice steady as she arched an eyebrow in challenge.

 His lips quirked up into a smirk, although the storm raging in his eyes spoke of a different emotion he was fighting to contain. It rattled her, and for the first time since she met him, she felt a sliver of fear lance through her.

 Maybe this time she pushed him too far.

 

He looked over her head and gestured with a head tilt, giving someone a silent command he had planned out before her arrival. She turned her head quickly to see who he was gesturing too, and saw Fili and Kili walking towards them, their faces serious.

They approached Luna, greeting only her with smiles. Fili pulled out some jerky from his jacket pocket and fed an eager Luna, who was unconcerned with the current turn of events.

 She felt her jaw drop in outrage as she watched Luna’s tail begin to wag as Fili and Kili began to lead her away.

 “Wait one moment! Where are you taking her?” Mistlynn demanded.

 “Back to your room.” Kili shot back over his shoulder as Fili looked back at her before shrugging as he scratched underneath Luna’s ears while feeding her more jerky.

 “Traitor.” Mistlynn grumbled, still shocked that Luna left her side with not even a whine or whimper.

She turned back to face Thorin, only to see that Dwalin was now standing alongside him, with a look on his face that would make any seasoned warrior tremble under that scowl.

 She felt her anger spike as it began to sink in what had just occurred. “You can’t do this. You can’t stop me from leaving.” She hissed.

“Funny. I just did.” Thorin grinned tauntingly at her. “Imagine my surprise when Kili told me you were running away. They caught you right before you were about to walk out your door. Fully packed. With no intentions of telling anyone.”

 Dwalin scoffed as he shook his head. “Abysmal manners, that.” He stated gruffly.

 “I’ve outstayed my welcome.” Mistlynn bit out, her rising temper making her voice shake as she clenched her hands into fists at her sides.

 “I don’t recall telling you that.” Thorin raised a brow, unimpressed with her reasoning.

 “Considering what has occurred, I figured it was a given consensus.” She shot back, her cheeks now a lovely shade of crimson.

 “She’s still all fired up. “Dwalin observed to Thorin directly, uncaring that Mistlynn was shooting him a murderous glare. 

 “SHE is not amused.” Mistlynn hissed.

 The burly Captain began to chuckle as he waggled his eyebrows at Thorin. “Aye, SHE may not be, But I certainly am. And ye want me in a good mood.”

He gave Mistlynn a pointed look as he gestured towards her swords and bow. “I think it would be wise to let me take those off your hands in the meantime.”

 “You want me to surrender my weapons now?” She scoffed as she fought to hide the panic that was threatening to seize ahold of her.

“No, not seize. Just for safe keeping while you two have your talk.” Dwalin reiterated. The fingers in his outstretched hand wiggled, as if trying to coax her in handing them over without making a scene. “Dont make me take them by force Lass.”

 Mistlynn’s molars ground together painfully as she took a moment to observe that they were beginning to attract an audience. Thorin didn’t seemed bothered in the least, his eyes solely on her as he waited for her to yield her weapons to Dwalin. She scanned the gathering, curious crowd before turning her head to look at the guards, who were watching her closely.

 She breathed shakily through her nose as she trembled with embarrassment and anger. She tilted her head back haughtily as she glared at Thorin, the golden flecks in her green eyes alight like drops of the sun. “I hate you.” She hissed as she ripped her bow over her head and practically threw it at Dwalin, who caught it unphased by her outburst.

 “Now the swords, lass.”

Thorin’s brow raised at her venomous words. The muscle in his jaw ticked as returned her glare unflinchingly. “The swords, Mistlynn.” He growled.

 He watched her nostrils flare as she breathed in deeply at his command. Her jaw was set stubbornly as she reached behind her pulled her swords free from their sheaths, not once breaking eye contact with him. She held them out to Dwalin for him to take, her lips twisting into a scowl as she heard the Captain chuckle as he took her swords from her grasp.

 “May Aule preserve your jewels.” Dwalin clapped his free hand on Thorin’s shoulder before shaking his head in amusement before walking away.

 “I fail to see why this is so humorous for all of your men.” Mistlynn clicked her tongue behind her front teeth as she shot daggers at Dwalin’s retreating back.

 “Do you see me laughing?” Thorin grit his teeth into a sarcastic smile. He took a step closer to her, so that she was forced to tilt her head back to look up at him. “Are you going to come with me willingly? Or are you going to fight me?”

 “Do I have any other choice?” she spat, eyes flashing with a gut-wrenching fear mixed with anger.

 “Either you follow me, or I throw you over my shoulder.” The taunting threat made his lips upturn into a dangerous grin, prompting his one dimple to show. He watched her body shake in fury as she caught sight of it.

 He knew her answer before she could even spit it at him.

 “I’m going nowhere with you. I demand you let me leave. NOW. I am NOT your PLAYTHING, Your Royal Highness.” She seethed, eyes flashing ocher against the vivid green, bright with rapidly gathering tears. She was burning from the inside out.

 And he was done watching her burn alive with the self-destruction.

 “Very well. Do not say I didn’t give you a more dignified option.”

 She scowled briefly in confusion before her eyes grew wide in shock as he lurched forward, wrapping a strong arm behind her thighs before lifting her up and throwing her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. She gasped loudly as her stomach contacted against his broad shoulder.

 He turned quickly on his heel and began stalking towards the room that he had been standing concealed in the doorway.

 “Let me down! This instant! Y-You…You brute!” She shrieked as she tried to kick her feet, her fists hitting him on his back.

 He didn’t even flinch as he walked, the only indication that he acknowledged her struggling was how his arm flexed tighter against the back of her thighs. Her breath stuttered in her chest as she squirmed.

 

He kicked the door open with a bang as he trudged in, quickly kicking it closed behind him. The door rattled loudly as it slammed shut.

 She hit his back again with a renewed fury. “LET ME GO!” she shrieked.  

 He crossed the room quickly than came to an abrupt stop. She felt him lean forward as the sound of shattering pottery, clashing metal, and rustling paper filled the room. Her heart was now beating rapidly in her chest as she continued to struggle in vain against his grip.

A surprised cry left her as she felt him lift her up off his shoulder and deposited her directly on top of some sort of desk.

 She blinked in surprise as her chest heaved. He stepped up, closing her in with his arms and chest. His right hand wrapped around her back, grasping the base of her skull with his fingers tangled into the strands of her loose braid.

She gasped as she was forced to look up at him, his grasp firm as his arm became an unyielding support against her back.

A pleasurable burn from her scalp made her pant at the onslaught of emotions that raced through her. Fear, outrage, attraction intermingled with lust. Her heart raced with it all as she was forced to look up into his stormy gaze as his eyes roved her face. “Are you quite finished? Or shall I let you get a few more punches out?” he ground out.

 “You're a foul bastard.” She huffed as she fought to get her breathing under control as her blood ran hot under her feverish skin.

 “I get a trifle cranky when I have been accosted repeatedly by a dam I was under the impression I had an understanding with. “

 “Must be a rather common occurrence with you, dealing so adeptly with your upset toys.”

 Mistlynn’s throbbing heart fluttered as his eyes narrowed at her words. He pulled her closer to him so that at their faces were mere inches apart.

 “There it is again. Toy.” He tsked. “Interesting choice of words.”  He tilted his head slightly as he scanned her face. She knew he could feel her trembling as she fought to not let his closeness melt away her anger. She cursed her female heart, afraid that it was about to betray her once more.

 “Are you going to tell me what happened?” He breathed, his voice surprisingly steady.

 She shook her head as much as she could with his hand still holding the back of her head.  He chuckled darkly at the movement, as if he couldn’t help his amusement despite the situation.

 “My savage M’eudail.” He whispered, his tone turning reverent, making her breath hitch as she blinked at him, shocked at the change.

 “Dori came to me, right after you left me in that sparring ring. He told me about Lady Briela and what she told you. He told me EVERYTHING.”

He watched her closely as her chest stop moving as she held her breath, her throat bobbing as her eyes grew wide at his words.

“Now, I want you to listen to me. And to actually put that temper of yours to rest and HEAR me.” His gaze burned her with its intensity. “Can you do that for me?”

 She bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling as she felt her eyes began to burn once more. She nodded again.

 He let out a heavy sigh as the grip of his hand relented its hold on her neck. He cupped the side of her face, his thumb gently brushing against the soft skin of her jawbone.

 “I am sorry she said those things to you. Every single thing that left that viper’s mouth was a LIE.”  He watched her blink rapidly.

 “First of all. I did not give her that accursed necklace. It was a form of payment I gave her Adad for his services to Erebor. I offered to pay him with gold or any of the jewels in the treasury.” He paused to studying her reaction before continuing.

“I LOATHE gold.” He hissed through clenched teeth. “I would never give my One any piece of that accursed dragons gold. No matter how much Gandalf cleansed it, the blood of my family and my people slain by that bloody firedrake has been soaked into every accursed piece of my Gamul’Adad treasure hoard. He valued it above all else, including his family. His People. I refuse to touch it.”

 Mistlynn’s eyes widened at the intensity of abhorrence in his words. She had never seen him, or any of the Durin family wear gold. She didn’t think anything of it until that very moment. He never wore jewelry, except for his hair beads, ear cuff and his signet rings.

 “W-why would she lie about that?” Her question was shaky and hushed. She felt his thumb pause its movement against her cheekbone.

 A muscle in his jaw ticked as he looked at her. “She must of heard that I was going to give you YOUR courting gift in a few days’ time. I have several of my men helping me work on it as we speak. It’s not a secret to anyone what it is. Briela and her family have been scheming for years to try to force my hand into a marriage contract with her. “

 Her stomach plummeted as she stared at him in shock. The butterflies that had been haunting her for months sprang to life once more, swirling like a whirlwind within her at his blatant declaration.

 “Your gift is not a necklace, or anything like that.” He continued. “I know we spoke about taking this slow, but I am afraid the meddling nobles in this kingdom are forcing my hand quicker than I would like. I am not very good at hiding what you are to me, and they are preying on that.” He grumbled the last part, his tone a little self-depreciating as he studied her face closely.

 “T-Thorin, I-I…” she stammered, fear prickling across her limbs as the weight of his words hit her.

 “You are MINE, M’eudail. You are the other half of my soul, made for me by Mahal himself. And I am YOURS. You are the only one for me, there will never be anyone else. We can no longer deny that. I know you feel it. You would not have attacked me if it were otherwise.” He brought his forehead to rest against hers. She didn’t even realize she was crying until she felt both his hands cup her wet cheeks. She gasped at his tender touch, his thumbs rubbing away the trails of her tears from her cheeks. 

“I dont want to fight it anymore.” He murmured, his breath tickling her face.

 “I am scared.” She breathed, her voice choked as her vulnerability glistened in her eyes.

 “That is ok.” He nuzzled her nose with his. “Because you terrify me like no one else ever has M’eudail.”

 “There is still so much you dont know about me. We-We can’t…” she was silenced as he brought his hand down to her chin, lifting it up so that he could take her lips with his. She gasped into the kiss, a sound somewhere between pain and relief escaping her as she gave in to him, eyes fluttering closed, releasing the captured tears on her lashes to cascade down her cheeks to splatter on his fingers.  Her hands grasped onto his jacket in desperation, holding onto him as if her life depended on it.

 She felt his arm wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to the edge of the table, prompting her to open her legs so that he could step in between them. He could feel her heart racing by the way her pulse beat rapidly against the palm of his hand as he cradled her head. He pulled back from her slightly. “Do you still hate me?” he whispered with a faint chuckle against her lips.

 She groaned. She could feel the way his lips curved up, teasing her lips with his. She brought a hand up from his coat to reach around his neck so that her hand could delve into his thick dark mane.

“It would be easier if I did.” She forced her eyes to open, so that she could return his gaze. “I wanted you to feel some of the pain I was feeling.”

Thorin kissed the corner of her mouth before placing another kiss on her jaw as he sighed. “I’ll hold her accountable for this.”

 Mistlynn pulled her head back farther, putting space between them. “Please. Don’t.”  she pleaded. “It will only show them I can’t handle anything on my own. I should have spoken with you instead of reacting the way I did.” She swallowed thickly. “I did not handle it well…”

 “I suppose I can forgive you this once.” Thorin gave her a soft smile as he pulled her back towards him, making her giggle before pulled her into another kiss.

She sighed against his lips, allowing him to soothe all the aches and cracks that had been threatening to rip her to shreds just mere moments before. She let herself go, pushing her fear to the side, allowing herself to feel every little sensation he summoned in that moment that was just theirs. He was breathing life into her, and that anger, that darkness that always seemed to lurk deep within her like a starving predator was chased away by every touch of his hand, every caress of his lips against hers as they kissed languidly.

 

This kiss was different from their first. She could feel it from the tips of her fingers to her toes. And for the first time since she could remember that hollow void of darkness within was absent. He had filled it, and she hadn’t realized that until she thought he had been taken from her, just as her Amad and Argos had been taken. Swiftly. Suddenly. Without any warning.

 She pulled back as that thought came to her. She bit her bottom lip again as she tried take a deep breath. “I-I lose all sense of myself when I’m with you. I can’t think straight.”

 “Do you expect me to apologize for that? Because I’m not.” He chuckled warmly. “You take up every waking moment of my day, and every dream I’ve had since the moment I looked into your eyes.”

 Mistlynn’s mouth twisted up into a shy smile. “I couldn’t escape you either.” She whispered. “You have made me question everything I thought I knew. And that is …terrifying.”

 “I do not want you to be frightened of this Mistlynn.” His baritone voice was soothing. She savored the feeling of his calloused thumb tracing the soft skin under her jaw and ear. But it was all happening so fast, so much had changed in just the time span of a week.

 “I just need a little more time. Can we keep this to ourselves for just a little while longer?” her voice shook with nervousness. “I…I made a fool of myself today. I need to get my emotions in check before we can pursue this any further.”

 

His answering sigh was heavy with disappointment. But he didn’t remove his hand from her jaw or his arm that was still wrapped behind her. “You dont need to worry about what others think of your reaction. It was a very grievous thing Briela accused me of.” A flash of anger colored his eyes. “Why would you think I would choose her over you? Especially after last night?”

 Her stomach recoiled in discomfort. She didn’t want to revisit that feeling. But it was a feeling that was far from her thoughts. The idea that she wasn’t good enough. She never had been, not even for her own Adad. It was her turn to sigh. “She is beautiful, smart, and graceful. As every Queen should be. I am neither of those things.” She gestured down at her armor. “I’ve never been a fine lady. I am a warrior. Trained since I was young to take orders and follow them without question. I’ve never owned a dress, let alone fine slippers. Or worn makeup, unless its kohl.”

She allowed her eyes to cast downward, fixated on the leather trousers that covered her thighs. “I will only embarrass you, and your people, Thorin.”

The room grew silent and still. The only sound she could hear was her own heartbeat and his steady breathing. She forced herself to look back up at him. He was staring at her with a determined glint shining in his eyes. “She may be all that you say she is, in theory. But she is as shallow as a puddle. She would make for a very cruel and vain Queen.”

 Her heart felt like it was beating at the very base of her throat as his reverent words consumed her. “You are exquisite, in every sense that truly matters and more. You have the heart and soul of a magnificent Queen. You are kind, loyal, and selfless. You think of others and do not put yourself above anyone, even when you were born to shine brighter than the those stars you love so much.”  

He leaned down, placing a tender kiss to her forehead before continuing. “Even if you were not my One, I would choose you over her. Every. Time.“ His lips twisted into a playful smile as he pulled back to make eye contact with her again. “Try talking to me next time? Before you try removing my head from my body?”

 Mistlynn snorted. “You jest. You swatted my blows away like I was an annoying little gnat.”

 Thorin couldn’t help the laugh that erupted from him. “Mahal Mist.” He shook his head as he chuckled. “That is not even close to what came to mind when I was fighting you off.” He nudged her forehead with his. “Stop belittling yourself every chance you get.”  He raised an eyebrow at her, as if daring her to challenge him.

 She seemed at a loss for words as she stared at him.

 “What is it?”

 “N-nothing. I just thought you would be more upset with what I did.”

 “No. What upsets me is that you tried to run from me. I would rather you try to challenge and fight me than run away.”  He leaned down, stealing another kiss from her before pulling back. “Promise me you won’t run away again.”

 She swallowed thickly before nodding. “Okay.”

 Thorin straightened to his full height as he forced himself to pull away from her. She swallowed thickly as the cool air around her settled in from the absence of his body against hers, making her shiver slightly as she blinked rapidly in attempt to pull herself out of the daze he put her in with his soul consuming kisses.  

 “I shall do as you ask. I’ll let you have the next few days to sort through your … thoughts before I give you your courting gift. At the night of the ball I will announce to Erebor that you are my One, and that our courtship has officially begun. My cousin Dain, Lord of the Iron Hills, is coming with his family. It will be the perfect time to announce it.”

 She gulped as her eyes grew wide. There wasn’t a shred of doubt in his words. He was telling her all of this as if was already engraved in stone.

 He raised a dark brow as he looked at her expectantly. “Do you agree to this?”

She nodded mutely. She was warring with herself, but she was also tired of this internal fight. Now was the time to make her choice and stick with it.

 A short breath escaped him as he allowed a smile to appear on his lips. He was relieved. “I would like to hear you consent with actual words. Do you accept my courtship?”

 “Y-Yes, Thorin. I accept your courtship.” She breathed as her heart felt like it was hammering at the base of her throat. Her grip tightened on the edge of the desk.

 She wouldn’t run. She promised him.

 His smile brightened as he nodded. “Very well. I will see you in a couple days.” He turned towards the door to leave.

 “Wait! What about my bow and my swords?” She called out, suddenly remembering the fact that Dwalin still had her weapons. Her eyes became wide in surprise as she watched his shoulders begin to shake. When he turned to look back at her, she couldn’t help the flare of irritation that ran through her when she realized he was actually laughing at her.

 He was actually laughing. He sighed contentedly as he shot her a mischievous grin. “You're going to have to talk to Dwalin about that.”  

 Mistlynn felt her jaw drop as she stared at him. “Excuse me? He said he wasn’t seizing them!”

 Thorin shrugged nonchalantly. “He is the Captain of my Guard. And you did engage in sparring with me without warning. So, he is just doing his job. I’m sure he will give them back to you once you ask him … nicely.”

 “You’ve got to be joking.” She scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You said you forgave me for that.”

 Thorin grinned wolfishly at her as he began to chuckle again. “I forgave you. Doesn’t mean anyone else has. You haven’t asked for their forgiveness yet.” His hand grabbed the doorhandle and pulled it ajar. “So, I would get started if I were you.”

 Mistlynn grumbled under her breath as she glared at him. He dared to shoot her a wink, making her ire flare even more as her stomach fluttered at it. He stepped out of the door and shut it behind him, leaving her alone in the empty room as her thoughts began to scream at her

*unedited and unbeta’d-

*****************

Taglist:

@fizzyxcustard @mrsdurin @dustie-faerie @exhausted-humxn-being @lathalea

My apologies if I forgot anyone else who wanted to be tagged. Let me know if you want to be added and I’ll update my list ❤️ thank you all for your support on this crazy journey of mine.

[fili-urzudel]

Masterlist

Nothing fancy, just browse and enjoy.

Requests post here.

Fifty-one Prompt List here.

AU Prompt List here

The Hobbit:

Bilbo

Starting to Date Headcanons

Remants - Drabble

Thorin

Pebbles - Fifty Follower Celebration

Second

Girl in Calico - Second Pt. 2

From Afar - Second Pt. 3

Dwalin

Pebbles - Fifty Follower Celebration

Fíli

Dating Headcanons

Moonrise - Fifty Follower Celebration

A Kiss Hello

Burning Gold - 150 Follower Celebration

Kíli

Wildflower - x OC multichapter fic (no regular updates)

Porridge

Enchanted - Fifty Follower Celebration

Jumbled

Ori

nothing yet

Bofur

Dating Headcanons

Thranduil

Should You Wish

Legolas

Dating Headcanons

Balin

Pebbles - Fifty Follower Celebration

Gandalf

nothing yet

The Lord of the Rings:

Aragorn

Take a Break - Fifty Follower Celebration

Elrond

Dating Headcanons

Engagement and Marriage Headcanons

Domestic Life Headcanons

Boromir

nothing yet

Faramir

nothing yet

Frodo

nothing yet

Sam

Care - Fifty Follower Celebration

Merry

nothing yet

Pippin

Burden - Fifty Follower Celebration

Gimli

nothing yet

Éomer

nothing yet

[nostalgicnarrator]

Over Hill and Under Mountain

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Word Count: 6,003

Parings: Thorn X Bilbo

Description:

Bilbo wakes up…

Chapters: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

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Warning:

No one’s getting horribly mangled, murdered or deep-fried just warning.

Note:

Guys I’ve edited this and edited this and fixed it a million times and I am convinced I’ve lost all meaning to words, if there’s anything wrong or anything that doesn’t make any sense at all let me know.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Bilbo found himself waking up to the soft sounds of a distant waterfall and the chirping of birds. His body felt heavy with exhaustion, but the sheets beneath him were light and soft, the air was filled with a familiar faint floral scent mingled with the sharper smell of herbs. 

He blinked slowly, the room around him coming into focus, a gentle light filtering through the sheer curtains, there was a gentle breeze brushing through the room.

Bilbo turned his head away from the light, feeling a dull throb coming from his head and a tender pain in his side. He squeezed his eyes shut with a groan as he tried to sit up. Suddenly, a wave of nauseating dizziness washed over him.

Bilbo let out a whine of pain. A rough hand found its way to his chest and back, steadying him. Bilbo opened his eyes quickly and followed the arm until Óin appeared at his side.

The healer offered him a kind look, his rough hands surprisingly gentle as he helped Bilbo into a more comfortable position. “Easy there, lad,” Óin murmured. “You’ve been through quite a bit. No need to rush things.”

Bilbo nodded, his gaze drifting to the window. Outside, the world seemed so serene, the river glistening in the sunshine, its surface like glass. 

He suddenly felt worlds away when he remembered his tumble down that slope. The thought of it sent a shiver down his spine. He shook his head and decided to look around.

“How long have I been here?” Bilbo asked, his throat felt dry and scratchy from disuse, he tried to clear it but found it no use.

Óin disappeared from his side for a moment before returning with some water. “Three days,” Óin replied. “I’ve done what I can with a little elven healing on the side.” He said as he helped Bilbo drink. 

The water was cool and refreshing as it eased the dryness in Bilbo’s throat. He let out a small sigh of relief. “Thank you, Óin.” Suddenly a memory hit him and his brows furrowed. “Gandalf, I-I was traveling with him…Óin, Is he-?”

“He’s fine lad! Knew you were a little out of it from the fall didn’t think it was that bad-” Óin chuckled. “He’s outside, keeping an eye on things. You gave everyone a scare.”

Bilbo managed a weak smile. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.” 

“Nonsense,” Óin said gruffly. A kind look found the old healer's face as he spoke.“Just focus on getting better, alright?” And Bilbo couldn’t help but nod.

But as the days passed and his strength slowly returned, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that settled in his chest, that something was wrong or misplaced.

And being confined to bed was driving him mad. He began wanting for a distraction, for something to take his mind off his new weird feelings.

One morning, after a lot of “please, Óin!” and “I promise, Óin,” and “just for a bit at least! You won’t be far away, I’ll call for you if I feel sick suddenly,” Bilbo finally managed to convince Óin to let him have visitors.

Bilbo felt his face light up when Gandalf entered the room, carrying a stack of books from Elrond’s library, a familiar glint nestled kindly in Gandalf’s eye.

“I thought you might enjoy some light reading,” Gandalf said, setting the books down on the bedside table. “I’ve also brought a friend.”

“A friend?” Bilbo echoed excitedly, was it Thorin, was Thorin here and the Dwarf was simply not allowed to see Bilbo yet?

But a bit of that hope flattened when a small black shape fluttered through the doorway, it was Hugin. Bilbo smiled kindly all the same though as Hugin perched on the bedpost. The bird ruffled his feathers and tilted his head at Bilbo.

“Hugin!” Bilbo said as excitedly as he could. “It’s good to see you.”

Hugin flapped his wings once, hopping in place a bit. “Good to see you too, Master Baggins! I had delivered your letter and then all of a sudden I was sent here!”

Gandalf smiled at the two and excused himself to speak with an elf who called for him at the door, leaving Bilbo and Hugin alone. 

Bilbo leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Hugin, do you know if Thorin is coming? Did you hear anything when you delivered my letter?”

The raven blinked thoughtfully. “Well, I delivered your letter, I had a nice time there, Thorin keeps all kinds of tasty treats but nothing like you Master Baggins”

“Hugin, call me Bilbo, I’m not anything’s master” Bilbo said, rattling it off like he had said it a dozen times before.

“Right, yes, of course Master Baggins.” And Bilbo sighed loudly as the raven continued. “I was then sent away here with a letter from King Thorin. He looked really upset…” 

“What did it say?” Bilbo whispered to the raven, he felt his stomach begin to tie knots.

“I didn’t know, but I do remember that King Thorin said it was about you.” Hugin did his best attempt at a shrug. “I flew here as fast as I could and handed it over to the wizard when I saw him. After that Óin showed up!”

“Just Óin…he showed up alone? Do…do you think Thorin is mad at me? I am sure I am very late by now.”

“Master Baggins! How dare you suggest that! King Thorin cares for you very much! Thorin didn’t seem mad so maybe he’s already on his way to visit! And maybe Thorin is running late- oh! Or got lost! You know how he gets”

Bilbo chuckled and nodded, “yes I do, thank you Hugin…is there anything else…?”

“Yes! There was much whispering and fussing between the wizard, the healer, and the Lord of Rivendell; it started a few days after Óin showed up.”

Bilbo’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, whispering?”

Hugin nodded vigorously. “Aye, secretive talk. They all acted a bit strange, As if they were waiting for something… maybe something bad…?”

Before Bilbo could press further, Gandalf returned with a gentle smile. “I see you two are catching up,” he said lightly, though his eyes seemed to be studying Bilbo carefully.

Bilbo nodded, dropping the line of questioning for the moment. “Yes, it’s been quite nice. Thank you Gandalf.”

Gandalf simply nodded, settling back into the chair by the bed. “Now, tell me, Bilbo, have you read up on Rivendell’s history? I thought you might find it fascinating.”

Bilbo smiled, letting the conversation shift, but a seed of unease had been planted, it made Bilbo feel something, something weird. Bilbo felt something, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. His unease was growing, and he knew that something was about to happen. He was sure of it.

A few days passed, and Bilbo was feeling well enough to sit up for longer periods.  Lord Elrond came to visit him in his room, Elrond smiled as he greeted Bilbo “How are you feeling, Master Baggins?” Elrond's voice was gentle as he took a seat by the bedside.

“Lord Elrond! It’s good to see you again! And I’m the master of nothing, call me Bilbo, as I had asked several times before.” 

Elrond chuckled and smiled, "Forgive me, Bilbo. It has been a long time since I have seen you, and old habits die hard." Bilbo grinned back, “Now tell me, how are you feeling?”

“Oh! Well, Óin says I'm getting better,” Bilbo replied. “Though, I do wish I could get out of bed. I feel horribly useless just lying here.”

Elrond chuckled softly. “Rest is a form of healing too, my friend. Your body needs time to recover.”

Bilbo gave Elrond a playful glare “I know that rest is a type of healing, but, I’m a restless hobbit!”

“Didn’t Mithrandir- Gandalf steal away some books for you?” and Bilbo could not stop himself from sighing at the elf’s words.

“A few, yes, but there is only so much reading can do for you! I’ve already read them twice over-“ Bilbo glared at the books that were now on a table across the room, he had read them not too long after Gandalf left. 

“Twice! You just got them only a few days ago, how in the name of Ennor did you manage that?” the elven lord raised a brow as he asked. Bilbo thought it looked a little out of place on the elf's face.

Bilbo huffed and snuggled back into his bedding, “I like reading…” he looked up when the Elven lord laughed. “Don’t laugh at me!”

“No- no! you misunderstand, you are such a curious hobbit, I’ll see about getting you something more to read soon” Elrond said after he calmed down.

Bilbo huffed and crossed his arms with a grumpy pout “I like histories and botany books”

“Of course” Elrond offered him a kind smile and Bilbo found himself smiling back. They settled into more boring topics as they spoke for a while longer. 

Sometimes turning the conversation to discuss Rivendell and the beauty of the valley. It felt all perfectly regular and Bilbo could feel some of that unease wash away from him.

Not long after Elrond left, Hugin came fluttering through his room window. The raven circled around for a bit before settling down on Bilbo’s bed.

The raven greeted Bilbo with a cheerful caw hopping over excitedly before dropping a small blue flower onto his lap. “I thought you might like this, Master Baggins,” Hugin chirped.

Bilbo smiled, picking up the flower. The color reminded him of Thorin, he brushed one of its petals with a soft smile. “Thank you, Hugin. It’s lovely.” He paused, ‘…Thorin.’ He heard his mind echo to him.

He sat up a little straighter, as far as he could stand without help, “Hugin” Bilbo started trying to keep his voice even and quiet, “can you tell me more about this letter you delivered from Erebor? Did you talk to Thorin?”

Hugin tilted his head. “Of course! I stayed in his chambers for a while, it was too cold on Raven hill.”

“You did? Can you tell me about him? How is he?” Blibo asked, it wasn’t the line of questioning he had meant to ask, but it was to late.

Hugin hopped into Bilbo’s lap and settled down comfortably, “Thorin looked fine, he looked like he always does-well, his Beard is getting long! He had a bead in it-“

“It’s already that long? Last time I saw him it was still short. Do you think he looks handsome like that?” Bilbo tisked and rolled his eyes, he reached to scratch Hugin’s head. “I told him if he grew his beard out he’d look handsome- always complaining about how ugly he is, can you believe that?”

The bird cooed at the scratches, Hugin huffed when Bilbo stopped, but decided to answer one of Bilbo’s questions “Thorin did kinda seem upset about something, but not mad. More worried, he was always pacing. I think he misses you, Master Baggins.”

Bilbo’s heart ached at the thought. “I miss him too,” he whispered. “I hope I see him soon…”

“Master Baggins, I told you, he’s gonna visit you, just give him time. Be patient!” Hugin cawed at him.

“Say you, you nearly had a fit when I told you dinner would be in a few minutes” Bilbo teased the bird.

“I had already waited hours!!” Hugin whined as he fluffed up

Bilbo gave a look he was sure his mother used to give him when he was acting out. “You had just finished eating less than an hour before!”

“But I was so hungry!” Hugin whined, the bird flopped over onto his back and looked at Bilbo “you were trying to starve me!”

“Hugin!” Bilbo laughed as the Raven kept whining. He couldn’t help but find it funny. And he gladly welcomed the change of topics. At least for now.

One afternoon, Bilbo had to convince Óin again, swearing he’d be fine. And after some more promising Bilbo found himself in a chair on a balcony.

It was a very nice day, strangely warm and the way the sun hit made Bilbo stretch out as much as he could comfortably in the chair he was in.

Bilbo smoked on his pipe peacefully. He blew a smoke ring and watched as it peacefully drifted away in a soft breeze. “I remember when we first came here, I spent most of my time exploring.” 

Bilbo looked over to the wizard next to him, Gandalf was giving him a soft smile, “I believe you did if I remember correctly. I believe I also remember you and Thorin disappearing for a time; I wonder what for.” The wizard hummed.

Bilbo’s heart skipped a beat, he ignored the last part of Gandalf’s sentence, he spouted whatever came to mind first. “Do you think he’ll come?” 

Gandalf raised a bushy brow at Bilbo as he smoked his own pipe, Gandalf blew rings that floated around him. Each ring a different color, they curled and weaved into one another.

“Who my dear boy?” Gandalf asked after blowing another ring.

“Thorin, do you think he’ll come…?” Bilbo rolled his pipe in his hands nervously.

“Ah….” Gandalf hummed for a moment, seemingly hesitating before smiling widely at him. “Perhaps? Though this seems more a question for Óin.”

“Óin…?” Bilbo echoed back, he looked over at Gandalf again.

Gandalf simply hummed and nodded his head before going back to smoking his pipe, Bilbo nodded to himself and decided he’d ask the Dwarf later.

When Óin agreed Bilbo’s health had improved enough to be allowed to explore the Last Homely House east of the sea. Though he had been there before, had already explored, He couldn’t help but find himself wandering the halls and gardens.

He remembered his first time there all over again. How the places felt like a haven to him. Other feelings he felt then came back to him, though not all were good feelings the sense of wonder was felt the most. 

With each step though the Elven halls, it brought relief to his crowded mind. He had begun to worry more over Thorin, his feelings for the dwarf and if everyone else was right.

He wanted to see Thorin badly, he had to see him. And as much as he wanted to ask Óin he couldn’t. He was scared of what the healer would tell him.

What if all his worries were true, what if Thorin really didn’t want to see him, ‘what if he hates me?’ Bilbo stilled at the thought.

‘What if he hates me…?’ Bilbo ran a hand through his hair. ‘What if he send another letter and he tells me he never wants to talk to me again? Tells me I should had stayed in the shire?’

Bilbo shook his head trying to chase the thoughts away again, he tried to focus on the feeling of the magic that was wrapping around him like a warm hug.

It brought with it memories that began to replace the foul thoughts in his head. Thoughts of home, of distant moments when he would come home with sticks and leaves in his hair, trailing in mud and fireflies.

His mother would march him off for a bath with the promise of stories of elves and all her adventures if he were to listen to her. Memories of how she would wrap him nicely in a warm towel.

Memories of his father and watching him sit at his desk, writing for long hours, Bilbo remembered how he would walk over and try and watch them his father would pull him to his lap and let Bilbo read as he wrote.

Memories began to mix, and change into different memories, ones that were not as distant of memories. Most were of a raven haired king, of how he was wrapped in a warm embrace.

He looked out over the garden, his mind wondered back to when he had last seen Thorin. The days they spent together when he visited, were lovely.

They had spent long hours walking the winding roads of the shire, telling stories and having a wonderful time.

He smiled widely as he stepped foot onto one of the garden’s paths. He began to trail slowly through the garden, the flowers still bloomed despite the cooler weather. Bilbo wondered if it was strange magic there that allowed them to.

Bilbo sighed and brushed his fingers along some vines that bloomed beautifully with flowers. He stopped at some soft blue flowers. He felt like they were glaring at him.

And then Bilbo was reminded, reminded of everything he was worried about and the growing unease that had begun to take root within him. And from there it only got worse.

It started with the small things, as all problems seem to do. He began to notice how Óin had begun to sneak away to speak in hushed tones with Gandalf or the Elves. 

And had even frequently caught the dwarven healer staring at him, his brow furrowed in thought, or pacing the halls while muttering to himself. 

The more Bilbo began to notice, the more he watched, the stranger things seemed, and he felt that something incredibly important was being kept from him.

One afternoon, Bilbo took a chance to explore more of Rivendell on his own. He wasn’t meant to be up that day, but Óin was preoccupied, so Bilbo took the moment to escape. 

That’s how he found himself in a dining hall, where an open letter lay on the table. Clearly forgotten by the elf lord or otherwise. Unfortunately, curiosity got the better of him, he leaned over and read a few lines.

Bilbo’s heart sinking as he read and learned, the letter spoke of dark forces gathering in the Gap of Rohan and spreading towards Mirkwood. 

Bilbo felt the uneasy feeling climb higher, something sick scratched and clawed inside him. Bilbo couldn’t understand it, didn’t want to, he was afraid but why? The issue was so far away and he was among eleven magics.

But before he could pull himself into a true panic, Óin spoke from behind him. “What do you think you’re doing, Bilbo?” Bilbo could hear the concern in the healers voice even when he tried to mask it with gruffness. “Didn’t I tell you to rest, Lad?”

Bilbo felt a wave of guilt wash over him. “I’m sorry, Óin. I just...”

Óin sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Aye, lad. But some things are best left alone until the time is right. Come, let’s get you back to bed.”

As Óin guided him back, Bilbo’s mind raced. ‘What else were they not telling me?’ He thought desperately, ‘Was this something that had to do with Thorin?’ ‘Was he okay?’ ‘Where was he?’ ‘Will he be here?’ ‘Was he even coming?’ His thoughts swirled around his mind.

Bilbo had to shake his dizzying thoughts away, he wondered vaguely if he should have asked Óin more, if he should do as Gandalf suggested.

Then the opportunity presented itself a few days later, as Bilbo sat by a small fountain with his eyes closed, listening to the soothing sound of the water, he heard the familiar sound of heavy footsteps approaching. 

He opened his eyes and smiled up at Óin as the older dwarf joined him, wiping his hands on a cloth. “Good morning, lad,” Óin greeted him, “You’re looking better today.”

“Thank you,” Bilbo replied with a nod. He let a comfortable silence fall between them, feeling the cool mist from the fountain on his face. 

After a moment, he decided that the time to question the dwarf had come. Trying to keep his tone light, he said, “I can’t help but notice you seem very busy lately. Is something the matter?”

Óin paused, his hand hovering over the pipe he was pulling from his pocket. He looked at Bilbo as if searching for something.

Then Óin sighed heavily before sitting down beside Bilbo. “I suppose it was only a matter of time before you asked,” he said, beginning to pack his pipe with tobacco.

Bilbo’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

“Thorin was supposed to come with me lad,” Óin spoke loudly, though he often did. “We were to travel together, but he took too long…I feared I was out of time, so I left ahead. When I last saw him, he was waiting on Kíli and Fíli. We were supposed to meet in Mirkwood.”

“Then what happened…?” Bilbo asked, his anxiety creeping into his voice.

Óin shrugged. “Things didn’t go as planned, I assume. I came ahead.” He took a drag on his pipe, the smoke curling around his face. “After I arrived, we started getting a few letters from Erebor.”

“Letters?” Bilbo pressed, hoping for more information.

“Aye,” Óin nodded. “Letters, mostly from Balin. They’re meant for Thorin when he gets here.”

“So… so he is coming…?” Bilbo muttered, Óin gave him a confused look and Bilbo suddenly remembered that Óin was hard of hearing and he wasn’t facing the hobbit to be able to read his lips.

“Thorin is coming?” He asked, trying to be a bit louder.

Óin gave a small nod. “I believe so. He and others will be here soon enough.”

“Others?” Bilbo asked, trying to keep his hope in check.

Óin hummed and nodded in agreement as he took another puff from his pipe. “Most likely Fíli and Kíli, Nori and probably Dwalin- maybe Bombur but I doubt it, he’s waiting on his Brother and cousin  to come back. That group is bound to be slower than I was, especially with the princes.”

“How-how long ago was that…?” Bilbo’s voice cracked as he asked, he would tell you it was because he had to be louder than he liked.

Óin looked down at Bilbo and sighed, placing a comforting hand on the hobbit’s shoulder. “Traveling on any road isn’t without danger. But I’m sure they’ll be fine, lad.”

Despite the reassurance, a flowering anxiety bloomed in Bilbo’s chest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong.

The next day Bilbo skipped First breakfast, he couldn’t eat anything and if he did he began to feel sick. He decided since he was unable to do anything he’d go find someone to bother.

He very quickly found Gandalf strolling through the gardens. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, and birds sang in the trees. It would have been very pleasant if Bilbo didn’t feel like throwing up.

He fell into step beside Gandalf, who greeted him with a warm smile. “Good morning, Bilbo. Feeling restless today, I see.”

Bilbo nodded, his hands fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt. “Gandalf,” he began hesitantly, “do you think they’re alright? Thorin and the others, I mean.”

Gandalf’s expression softened, and he paused in his walk, placing a gentle hand on Bilbo’s shoulder. “I do,” he replied calmly. “This is Thorin we are talking about. You should know better than anyone, that they have faced far worse than an unwilling path.”

Bilbo nodded again, but he still felt the sickening anxiety twisting within him. “I just… I can’t help but worry. I suppose I am truly turning into an old fool…”

Gandalf sighed.  “ you have always been a foolish Hobbit Bilbo, have no doubt on that”

“Thank you Gandalf, you know you must work on your reassurances”

Gandalf chuckled and nodded “ I suppose so, have patience, my dear boy. They will come. I’m certain of it.” He patted Bilbo on the back before walking again. 

Bilbo quickly followed beside the gray wizard. Gandalf spoke again “In the meantime, take solace in the peace of this place. Rivendell has a way of healing more than just the body.”

Bilbo managed a small smile at the attempt of comforting words. As they continued their walk, he tried to focus on the beauty around him, but his thoughts still remained with his Dwarfs

Bilbo had been doing his best to occupy his mind, focusing on light walks through Rivendell or engaging in pleasant conversations with whomever he could catch.

Unsurprisingly it was often Gandalf or Lord Elrond who kept him company, though sometimes Hugin would follow him around. They felt almost like a temporary balm to the unease that had been growing slowly within him.

But then, without warning, it happened. It was a perfect afternoon, well a nearly perfect one, at least. The sun had bathed the garden in a kind golden light.

Bilbo found himself alone among the flowers, their bright colors almost too bright in the light of the day. He couldn’t help but marvel at the delicate petals. He inhaled deeply, trying to savor the sweet, earthy scent of each flower.

Suddenly, Bilbo’s world tilted. The sturdy earth beneath his feet shifted. A sharp pain stabbed through his chest, stealing his breath away.

He tried to breathe in air, but his lungs refused to cooperate, leaving him gasping, each breath undoubtedly ragged, in a desperate struggle. The once calming warmth of the sun turned sharp and burning.

His hands instinctively grabbed at the ground, as he fell to his knees. Bilbo’s fingers dug into the soft soil wanting for an anchor to keep him in reality. 

Panic surged through him, cold and swift. He shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness that clouded his mind, but it only made things worse. The vibrant colors of the garden; the reds, yellows, and blues of the flowers he’d been admiring, began to blur together, their edges softening and darkening.

Darkness slowly dug its claws into him and the edges of his vision. Bilbo felt his arms tremble, his strength had left him almost completely. Bilbo glanced around, his eyes still wild-eyed, searching for someone, anyone, who could help him.

But the garden was deserted, and the realization struck him, and struck him hard. He wined and Bilbo could feel tears blurring the rest of his vision, he was alone.

A strangled sound escaped his throat as his arms finally gave out. He buckled, and crumpled to the ground, the impact sending a jolt of pain through him. 

Panic swelled within his chest, mingling with the suffocating sensation that gripped his lungs. ‘I’m gonna die here’ his mind all but screamed. 

He tried to get up, but his body stubbornly refused, limbs failing to obey any of his frantic commands. His thoughts were a jumbled mess of terror and confusion, ‘I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die’ ‘help, please no’ ‘wheres Thorin?’, they all swirled together making it impossible to think clearly.

He tried to scream, to call out for help, but the sound that came out was pitifully weak, barely more than a desperate whisper. He blinked away his tears as his vision began to narrow. 

He had no sense of time, no way of knowing how long he lay there, struggling to breathe, to move. It could have been seconds or hours; it all blurred together in a haze.

Then, through the fog, he heard it, the familiar sound of boots thumping they’re way up the path. Bilbo’s heart leaped with a flicker of hope, and with a desperate strength, he forced his body to move. 

He rolled over onto his side, dragging himself forward with trembling arms. The effort was agonizing, and a scream tore from his throat, louder this time, ripping his throat raw.

Before he knew anything else Óin was there. The healer knelt beside him, his hands moving swiftly. “Stay awake for me, lad,” Óin muttered, his voice gruff but concerned.

Bilbo whimpered in response, the pressure in his chest easing away slightly as Óin worked. Bilbo gasped, drawing in a deeper breath than before, but it wasn’t enough. 

The darkness was still there, hovering on the edge of his vision, wanting, clawing for him. He felt Óin’s arms scoop him up.

“Keep your eyes open, now.” Óin’s panic was clear, “you’ll be alright lad, come on.” Óins panic pierced through the haze that was clouding Bilbo’s mind.

Bilbo tried to hold on, really he tried, but it was no use. The darkness was too strong, its grip tightening around him. Óin’s voice became a distant echo, fading further and further away until there was nothing but silence. 

After that Óin refused to leave his side, and if he did it wasn't for long, more then once Bilbo would devolve into random fits and when he’d come to and Óin would be holding him tightly.

Bilbo’s fever had returned, worse than before, and the wound on his head began to fester strangely. Dark thoughts crept into every corner of Bilbo’s mind as the sickness took its hold.

Bilbo struggled to remember what happened, or how to keep his memories straight but he remembered when he began to hear the whispers.

they would come and go from him, often more at night. They seemed to come from the walls or the deep inky shadows that crept and shifted in the darkness. 

The few things he could remember was how the whispers were soft, lullingly quiet and almost relaxing. But then they grew louder, the whispers began to change and warp, to something he had never heard before. 

He could hear snatches of an otherworldly melody, haunting and distant, followed by a deep, resonant humming that sent shivers down his spine.

“Do you hear that?” he asked Óin one night.

Óin frowned. “Hear what, lad?” Óin asked as he slowly stopped what he was doing and made his way to Bilbo’s side

“The voices… the music,” Bilbo whispered.

Óin exchanged a worried glance with Gandalf, who too began staying at Bilbo’s side. “There’s no music, Bilbo,” Gandalf said gently. “It’s just your mind playing tricks, you’re alright.”

But Bilbo was not convinced. The whispers, the singing grew louder, sometimes forming words he could almost understand, other times dissolving into soft laughter or high-pitched, eerie tones that seemed to bounce off the walls. 

“Am I…am I going mad,” he whined as he looked at Óin, clutching the sheets tightly. “I don’t want to go mad Óin make the music stop, make it stop, stop, stop!.”

Bilbo had gripped at his hair desperately, he felt rough hands take his and untangle them from his hair “don’t do that lad. yer not going mad, I promise I’m not going to let ya go mad, okay?”

Bilbo didn’t remember what he said after that, the next thing he did remember was how he felt as if he were being watched, at all times, but whenever he turned to look, there was nothing there. He felt unseen eyes burning into him, watching his every move.

He remembered how his sleep became restless, filled with nightmares of dark corridors and shadowy figures. He would wake up drenched in sweat, gasping for air, his heart racing.

One  he could remember vividly, he didn't think he could ever forget. He dreamt of Thorin, standing tall as he always did, his blue eyes piercing and determined. 

But then, the dream shifted. Thorin was surrounded by orcs, their dark forms swirling like a storm around them. Blood, thick and dark, oozed down Bilbo's arms. 

Bilbo tried to run, to get to Thorin but his feet wouldn’t move. Suddenly, a sharp blade sliced through the air, embedding itself into Thorin’s side.

Thorin reached out to Bilbo, his eyes wide with pain and fear. “Bilbo…” he whispered before collapsing to the ground. Bilbo screamed.

He woke up with a start, screaming still. “No! No! Thorin, no- wait, please, no! You can’t!” He thrashed against the sheets, tears streaming down his face. 

Someone grabbed his arm, the voice spoke softly, rumbling in tone. but their voice was lost in the roaring thunder in his ears.

Suddenly, Gandalf was there, his arms wrapping around Bilbo, pulling him close. “It’s alright, Bilbo,” Gandalf whispered, his voice steady but filled with concern. “You’re alright. Hush now. What you saw isn’t real; it didn’t happen.”

But Bilbo shook his head frantically, the tears coming faster. “No! It happened, Gandalf! I saw it -I saw it happen! I saw it!”

From that night on, Bilbo’s fever worsened. It became even harder for him to distinguish between his dreams and reality, Bilbo's mind was beginning to blur memories and images, facts and fictions.

He had lost all meaning to any sound other than the whispers. The walls seemed to close in on him, and the shadows danced just out of reach, taunting him.

He felt as though he were sinking, the weight of his own body pressing him down. He tried to move, to speak, but his limbs felt heavy, like lead.

Bilbo’s mouth refused to form the words. He felt trapped in his own mind, a prisoner to the fever that burned through him.

In his fevered state, he often found himself standing in an endless void, a blackness so deep it seemed to swallow all light. He would whip his head around desperately for anything familiar, but there was nothing, just the dark, endless void. 

Then the ground beneath him would shift, and he would feel himself falling, spiraling down into an abyss with no end.

He heard chanting, deep voices singing in a language he didn’t understand. The sound was everywhere and nowhere, vibrating through him, filling him with a strange mix of dread and awe. 

He tried to cover his ears, but the sound was inside his head, reverberating through his very bones. “Gandalf,” he whimpered, “make it stop. Please, make it stop.”

Gandalf was always there, by his side, whispering soothing words, but Bilbo could hardly understand them. The words began to sound like rolling thunder, and soon even Gandalf’s voice was lost in the noise.

Bilbo felt himself slipping further away, the world around him growing darker, colder. The room spun, and Bilbo felt panic grip it's cold claws into him again. He didn’t want to lose his grip on reality. He didn’t want to fall into the darkness that waited at the edge of his mind. But he couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t fight it. The darkness was pulling him down, down into its cold embrace.

He could hear his own heartbeat slowing, the music growing louder, consuming him. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, there was only the music, the haunting, terrifying music.

Just when he thought he couldn’t bear it any longer, he heard a new sound,a clear, strong voice cutting through the chaos. It called his name. “Bilbo!” the voice rumbled, filled with fear and urgency. “Don’t ya dare, lad! Come on! Damn it, breathe!”

Bilbo’s eyes snapped open, he took a deep breath as his surroundings began to come back to him, he couldn’t help the cry that escaped him as his chest throbbed in pain, someone took his face in their larger hands.

“That’s it, breathe, deep breaths. Come on, stay awake lad” Óin’s voice rumbled close to his ear. The dwarf let go of his face and turned to Gandalf. “Keep him with us, Gandalf.”

Gandalf’s face appeared in Bilbo’s blurred vision as the wizard held his arms tightly. “Fight for us, Bilbo. Come on. You must fight it. Think of Thorin! The blasted dwarf is always late, isn’t he?”

But Bilbo was so tired, so very tired. His body ached, his head throbbed, and he felt as if he were being pulled in a thousand different directions. 

The world around him blurred again, and he felt himself beginning to drift. “I’m tired… Gandalf,” he whispered softly, his eyes fluttered as he tried to keep awake.

Gandalf held him tighter. “No! No, no, no, hold on, Bilbo. Hold on!” He glanced over his shoulder, panic flickering in his eyes. “Óin!”

But it was too late. The darkness came again, enveloping Bilbo in its cold, endless embrace. And it was horrible.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Note:

I’ll be editing chapter 5 if you need me. Have a good day/night.

@m4yh4ps @bllbabaggins