#gandalf and bilbo are long distance husbands

[possiblyweedfart]

just watched the lord of the rings. never seen a more homoerotic movie in my life

[rachelillustrates]

On Bagginshield and soul-matches:

(Surprise! I have more thoughts.)

I wrote my original commentary on the development of their relationship before I had heard of Dwarven Ones, and I think fanon-wise it's well established that Dwarves know their Ones on sight (with varying degrees of realizing what that *feeling* means, how long it takes them to realize that, etc.).

In the interest/idea of Hobbits having soul-matches too - shoutout to "The Will of the Green Lady (and Her Husband the Smith)" by Dragonsteamfan) for the spark of my own headcanons about all this - if they know theirs by touch, then Bilbo would have recognized Thorin as his at their first meeting.

In going back through the gathering scene at Bag End, when he first meets them all - Thorin takes great care not to touch him as he circles around him at their introduction, studying him, but just far enough away that no part of them ever brushes.

(And I think a lot could be said about that, considering that if he recognized Bilbo as his One immediately - which seems likely, considering how his posture changes and the slight wide-eyed panic just visible on his face when he and Bilbo make eye contact, at Gandalf's introduction - he shoves that aside to immediately criticize him and distance himself from the notion. Even in the face of how breathless-quiet Bilbo's tone is as he looks him up and down in turn. Ahem.)

But then! After he is seated and gets what's left of the food, Gandalf calls for more light as he spreads out the map of the area around Erebor. And Bilbo has to lean in to do that, which presses him right into the space between Thorin and Gandalf.

Having literally walked up to my TV and measured out the space of Thorin's shoulders with my hands, there is no way Bilbo wasn't leaning on Thorin there, in order to get close enough to read "the Lonely Mountain" aloud.

He also goes back into his kitchen right after this, fussing at the space where his mugs seem to be set, and he is not putting the candle away. He set it on the table, and then chose to leave the room. Only to then get distracted by mention of Smaug and the dangers contained therein.

So, he goes from leaning in to read the map, brushing arm to Thorin's shoulder in the process, then chooses to step away and gets fussy over something that does not appear to need fussing over, before he gets pulled back into the greater conversation on the quest itself.

There is an empty space there as to why he chose to leave the room and why he seemed to be getting emotional.

So.

If Hobbits recognize their soul-matches through touch.

I believe that happened for him in that moment. Even if he got distracted from that news of his heart by all the danger and excitement of the quest. Which is a very nice parallel to Thorin actively shoving his own revelation aside before.

(Not to mention how when Gandalf insists that Thorin trust him, and hire Bilbo, there is quite a lot of blinking in his staring at the Wizard as he answers - like he's still fighting against it, "This CANNOT be correct what in Mahal's name am I getting myself into?" And that after Bilbo himself agreed vehemently with many of the Company claiming he was unfit to join them, which reads as further passive denial of his own feelings, on top of his fear about the journey itself.)

(Which adds very interesting weight to the gruff, resigned way Thorin shoves the contract at Bilbo's chest, without looking at him - "FINE. This is happening. Let's see what happens." And to the fact that, as Bilbo is reading over the contract, Thorin whispers to Gandalf that he cannot guarantee Bilbo's safety, "nor will I be responsible for his fate." He separates those two things - Bilbo's safety/the danger, AND his fate, which encompasses MORE than physical safety. Hmm...)

He also keeps standing, watching Bilbo read, while most of the rest of the Company have gone back to their own conversation to give him some privacy. Until he starts listing all the ways in which he might die, to which he turns away, but still doesn't sit back down.

And a lot of emphasis is put on how Bilbo won't come back the same, if he does come back, when he and Gandalf talk more directly about his choice. A conversation which Thorin was listening in on, with Balin, and to which he stares after Bilbo (after he tells Gandalf no and walks off) more than a bit longer than necessary.

Not to mention that as Bilbo sits leaning against his bedpost, listening to Thorin (and then the others too) sing, he looks dazed. Almost neutral. Spent. Which I've always thought was an odd choice, considering what's written in the book about the moment (it looks like he's disassociating) - BUT with the added layer of soul-match knowledge on top of his panic over the quest, the danger of it, warring with the adventurous Took side of him... it makes a lot more sense.

And then he's able to make sense of all of that, and finally snap and follow his heart, the next morning - when he's slept, and wakes up to an empty house, and has the space and privacy to really decide.

It's very difficult to figure out where to stop this commentary since this all barrels into e v e r y t h i n g else, so I will end with a note on what happens when he catches up with the party the Company and declares he's signed the contract, officially joining them after all.

We don't get Bilbo's reaction to Thorin in this scene at all, since it's so focused on his place in the entire group. But we do get a shot of Thorin turning back and looking at him as he has called out to them to wait, and catches up. He turns, as they all do, and looks at him in stern, frustrated disbelief, almost shaking his head at the end of the shot (as in, he moves as if he were about to, but then the camera cuts away). And he only speaks to Bilbo - actually, not even to Bilbo - in ordering the others to give him a pony, and he sounds resigned again. Then turns back to the path, urging his own pony forward, which signals Gandalf to start ahead too (that all happens at once, but technically Thorin moves first, just by a tiny smidge) and the others follow (and this effectively distracts Bilbo, as well, since his discomfort with the horses is already evident!). Which fits, still, with the idea that Thorin is shoving his feelings away, and Bilbo is passively distracted away from them.

So, again, watching all these scenes from the perspective of Dwarven Ones and the idea of Hobbit soul-matches too, I think it all fits and flows together even more solidly, with that Truth.

❤

[thegreenleavesofspring]

Elrond was… weary. Very, very weary. Bilbo had spoken to him once of what it had been like to carry the Ring in the Shire – “As I told Gandalf, I felt thin like butter, scraped over too much bread – not a problem I have encountered in your House, Master Elrond, I assure you! You always have plenty of butter!” The memory made him smile faintly, but it was an apt comparison, he thought: he too felt stretched and scraped thin.

Sometimes, he turned his gaze back eastwards: across the ever-growing distance separating him from his children, his daughter and his youngest son who he would never see again, his natural-born sons who he could only pray would eventually join him. Sometimes Frodo would stand with him, looking back at the Shire, and Samwise, and Meriadoc and Peregrine. Very occasionally, Galadriel would be there too, looking back towards the husband she had left and the people and the forest that she had given so much of herself to protect.

Sometimes he looked West, across the ever-shrinking distance to the wife who awaited him, his parents, friends long-departed and family he had never had the chance to meet. He wondered if Gil-galad would be there when they arrived. Frodo would occasionally look West as well, to the hope of rest and healing. Often Galadriel’s face was turned toward the setting Sun – for she looked forward to seeing father and mother and brothers and daughter thought forever sundered. Her eagerness and joy made her seem young in a way that Elrond had never seen on her before.

(Bilbo did not look either way with him. Bilbo spent most his time below decks, sleeping. “For I am, after all, a very old Hobbit, you know, Master Elrond,” he had said in response to his friend’s gentle probing, a roguish twinkle in his eye. “I am not Fading! But I am tired. Let me sleep.”)

Elrond found himself engulfed in melancholy when the ship finally found the Straight Way. There was no turning back now, the distance between himself, and his children and the remnant of his brother’s people unbridgeable. Only Frodo seemed to share his mood, staying quietly in his cabin to think – around the ship, the sailors laughed and whistled and sang and called jokes back and forth to each other, while Galadriel pressed herself against the prow and watched forward as though her very gaze could bring land into sight sooner.

Elrond went to bed early that night.

But when he arose the next morning, he found himself refreshed and rejuvenated in ways he had not in a long time, and he watched the water around with keen interest. The very blue itself seemed sharper, clearer, brighter than it ever had in Middle Earth. The air filled him like miruvor, and with the same sort of effect, he thought. He turned at a sound behind him – Frodo was emerging onto the deck, wearing a faint half-smile, and behind him, Bilbo hobbled out, his gait slow and lame but his eyes bright and curious as ever.

Elrond inclined his head to them both and smiled a warm greeting before turning to look back out over the ocean again. The distance behind them might now be a permanent breach, severing them from Middle-earth until the breaking of Arda. But the distance before them was closing rapidly, and his thoughts were consumed with silver hair and laughing eyes in a gentle face. Already he felt stronger and more vigorous, the air itself bringing life, and joyful hope stirred in his breast.

He was coming home.

[mandolinearts]

kathe's hobbit fanfic

as of jan 2nd 2022 here are all the hobbit fics i've got on my ao3, with author's commentary. all of them except the last one are finished, and that wip i am actively working on.

🏔️ fairytale for a darker age - T | 1,7K

a short one-shot set in reclaimed erebor, in which the company gets together to listen to a tale about the finest harp ever made. bilbo may not understand khuzdul, but thorin gladly translates.

🌺 my world is sleeping (my world is you) - T | 5,2K | part 1 of under the world

my most popular fic to date - hades and persephone au, with a spin. gandalf goes to visit his old friend, only to find out that some things are not as they seem. why do the leaves die under bilbo's feet, when flowers used to bloom wherever he stepped? and why does he seem so content about spending half a year in the underworld?

🌾 make some kind of life for you - T | 4,8K | part 2 of under the world.

in the second installment of the hades and persephone au, we take a look into thorin's head - and his never ending well of love for his husband. a winter and a summer, a gift, and a meeting.

(the under the world series is still ongoing, and i may write more sometime)

🌠 hearts of stars and wonder - T | 75K (holy shit, i know)

a blend of the hobbit and star wars, but in ways you might not expect. thorin is looking to return a child he found, bilbo is his mildly unwilling copilot, and there's a lot of secrets and unvoiced emotions. involves space fights, planets, spaceships i got unreasonably emotionally attached to, and maybe even some jedi.

(this fic is a monster and also my baby please go read it. and i still have some ideas for continuing it with one shots and stuff)

🧭 81°14' north and 25° east - T | 2,4 K | part 1 of love letters to history and astrophysics

the aliens are here and they want to be friends!and their leader wants to marry a historian. one very specific historian. said historians' name is bilbo baggins, and he does not know how he feels about this.

(gifted to my friend angie, and she wrote a companion fic, which is the second part of the series. we might write more!)

⛸️ and our steady true north fades (we'll be just fine) - T | 5+ K | wip

in my newest story, i will take you on a trip to the frozen lakes of my country, and we will find out about ice, about family, and maybe even about love between a certain grumpy long-distance skater and a stubborn figure skater.

go check them out if anything strikes your fancy! if the links don't work, my ao3 is katheneverwrites, and you can find the stuff through there. 💖 also, you can check out my art and my fic tags.

[lilxberry]

His Snowdrop - Fili

Warnings: Fluff. Injury. Violence. Mentions of blood. Pregnancy. Sweet ol’ Fili. That’s pretty much it, I’m sure.

Words: 3,201

Pairings: Fili x Reader (wife!reader) (pregnant!reader)

(A/N: Reader is mute but there is dialog between you and the others during the flashback.)

Amrâlimê = My love

_______________

“Hello, my little snowdrop.”

You looked up at the use of the nickname your husband had taken to calling you ever since before you two had begun courting each other. You smiled towards Fili and set your book aside gently, raising from your position from atop the sill of the window. With no spoken words, you advanced towards your husband and laid a gentle kiss upon his cheek covered in golden hair.

As you pulled back, Fili had quickly turned his face to plant a chaste kiss to your soft, plumps lips, causing a blush to rise up your neck and adorn your cheeks. He smiled triumphantly, knowing he can still make his wife flush with a shy red after so long of marriage.

“I hope you have been well whilst I did my duties for Erebor.” He took your hand in his considerably larger one, gently running his thumb across the bare knuckles within his tender grasp. You simply nodded whilst continuing to beam up towards your love which he mirrored.

It had been no more than 5 years since the battle of the five armies and the reclaiming of The Lonely Mountain, rightful home of the exiled dwarves. You had been amongst Oakenshields’ company, finally meeting many dwarves first at the home of Bilbo. That was where you had first met Fili, one of the two young nephews of Thorin, heirs to the throne.

You had gotten along quite well with all within the company. You and Ori had a fair similar interest with art, an interest in healing you shared with Oin. Bofur and Bombur had shared your equal love of food, your skill in the hunt had bode well with Bifur. Your fearlessness and bravery along with the ability to wield your weapons well had landed you in good graces with all, especially Thorin, Dwalin and Gloin. Dori and Nori had valued your compassion, especially that towards the young one Ori. Your sense of humour and like for jesting had greatly bonded you with both Kili and Fili, the older of the young princes’ especially.

Both Bilbo and Gandalf had said they had liked you for you, no particular trait in mind. But they were not the only to like you for more than a specific trait.

All of that listed and more had drawn Fili to you, including that of beauty, but all he truly knew was that of knowing you were his One. You had began courting after a short while along your journey, Thorin, although you feared the worse, had simply agreed and spoke that you were possibly the only one fit for his nephew. You had smiled at the high standard he had viewed you at and celebrated internally before you and Fili had gathered everyone to tell of your courting.

He had braided your hair and you his after conversation and a hearty meal, clasping the braid in traditional, metallic courting beads and not far off, had wed during the companies’ travels, neither of you wanting to wait any longer to truly call each other theirs and theirs alone.

You smiled, simply remembering the simple and joyous times in-between the hardships you faced along the way to the mountain. Fili noted the smile that accompanied your usual reminiscing and stared down at you with a loving gaze. “Remember when Bombur had eaten most of the food whilst our ceremony had gone on?”

You released a silent giggle, eyes creasing at the corner as your smile widened. He somehow always knew what thoughts you were thinking. You sighed, albeit mute, as you raised your hand and caressed his cheek, running your thumb gently across the hairline of his beard.

He leant into your hand as you continued to show affection towards him. Although you had many a happy memory from your journey home, one lingered constantly within your mind which saddened you greatly, one that had taken the ability to voice your love for Fili and your appreciation for your friends away.

--- flashback ---

You walked alongside the rest of your company; hand clasped in Fili’s own tightly, slowly but surely making progress towards Erebor.

Fili had gazed down at you as you all walked, a leisurely pace, listening to the background chatter of the other dwarves. You felt his eyes upon you and the corners of your mouth upturned the slightest. “And what is it you are looking at?”

He chuckled as he heard your playful and teasing tone, but he could not bring himself to return it as he found no humour in his overbearing amount of love for you. “Just my beautiful wife.”

You clicked your tongue turned your head towards him. “I hope you’re enjoying the view greatly then.”

Kili surpassed you both whilst he heaved jokingly. “Will you too stop your soppy exchanges?! I’m gonna vomit.” Kili turned to face you both as he continued to walk backwards, a cheeky smirk across his face. “I never thought marriage would make you such a sap, brother.”

“Would you leave the pair alone boy?” Balin spoke from near the front of the group, a tinge of annoyance evident within his voice. You giggled at the elder dwarfs’ scolding of the young prince.

“Thank you, Master Balin.” You conveyed your gratitude of his stepping in.

He sent you a smile over his shoulder. “No problem lass. I think it’s wonderful that yet another good thing to come of this journey.”

You turned to smile at Fili, who you found to be already looking at you with a smile etched across his handsome face. You opened your mouth to speak but was quickly cut off by the loud patter of the Wargs’ paws at the treeline behind.

You all quickly turned to see a pack of orcs, Bolg amongst them. Slight panic overtook the group at the sight. “Run you fools!” Gandalf yelled at the group before you all took off at a speed you’d never think possible for a group of dwarves, a hobbit, an old wizard and yourself.

You heard the loud roar of Bolgs’ anger before the pounding of Wargs’ feet slam against the ground below, gradually getting louder the closer they came. They chased and chased until you ran out of room to run. You had run yourself into nothing but a closed off area with no escape in sight.

Fili had pushed you behind him as the orcs formed a semi-circle in front of the group, boxing you all in. You knew Fili would never diminish your ability to fight and this was purely out of instinct to protect his beloved. The orcs closed in, Bolg had a horrid smirk across his hideous face.

Bolg and the others dismounted their Wargs and slowly proceeded towards the group. Soon, swords, battle axes and blades clashed against each other as the fight had started almost instantaneously. You were fairing quite well by your own, already taking down orcs three times the size of you.

Bolg had noticed that you stood a bit away from the others and took advantage of your lack of surrounding allies. He quickly appeared behind your form and gripped a fistful of your hair into his large, cold hand, narrowly avoiding your courting braid and brought a large orc blade against your throat, it already digging ever so slightly into your skin, causing the smallest amount of blood to trickle from the tiniest of cuts.

The others had noticed fairly quickly, fear for you had washed over them. “Y/N!” Fili spoke. Only two emotions were painfully clear as you gazed at your husband, fear and anger. Your own weapon had dropped a distance from your body as Bolg forced you to your knees in front of his, wincing as your knees hit the hard floor below you harshly.

“Let her go!” Thorin had shouted, anger oozing from him, so much so, it nearly matched that of Fili’s but Bolg had only laughed at Thorins feeble attempt, digging the blade further into your skin.

The shine of your blade had caught your eye and you looked at it from the edge of your peripheral vision. You looked back towards the group who were switching their gaze between you and Bolg, noting that the orcs attention was focused solely on the group who stood before the both of you.

You returned your gaze back towards your blade as your arm ever so slowly reached out to your right towards the hilt of your weapon, cautious of your movements. You quickly glanced towards Fili and Kili, knowing that their eyes had settled on you alone, no alternating between you and the hideous creature behind.

Fili and Kili both shook their heads subtly but all you could do was give them a look to tell them that it was okay. You tried to get across to them that you wanted them to keep the Bolg and the orcs attention away from you as you act out your plan.

They nodded after a moment of hesitation to show they had understood and had begun to indulge Bolg in a heated back and forth argument, meaning you could continue to inch closer to the blade.

Once you were certain you were mere millimetres away from the hilt, you quickly grasped it and brought the blade towards your hair, swiftly cutting it and freeing you from Bolgs’ grip. But may have been in vain as your body twisted, forcing the blade to drag across your neck, cutting deep. You quickly clasped your hand over the large wound and swung your sword once more, slashing open Bolgs’ abdomen, eliciting a pained scream to erupt from his throat.

You quickly fell to the floor, black spots already clouding your vision as the blood rushed from your throat as fast as the white waves the rapids. Fili had yelled out your name as he hastily rushed to your side as the others had pushed forward, forcing the orcs to retreat, dragging a screaming Bolg with them.

Once sure they had left, the others had also quickly come to your aid, Oin pushing past the group to reach your side to evaluate your wounds. He ordered Fili to apply pressure on to the large, deep wound as he prepared something to block the bloods exit point and cause a clot of some sorts to slow the loss of blood.

A deep crimson red quickly engulfed Fili’s trembling hands as your head hung back, body limp and almost lifeless. “Y/N!! Stay with me, amrâlimê, stay awake!!” He pleaded with you, terrified. He felt his heart break ever second your eyes stayed closed.

Gandalf had retrieved a horse seemingly from nowhere and sat upon it. “Quickly! Hand her here!” He spoke, words rushed out towards the group. After Oin had quickly wrapped your neck the best he could, they hoisted you up atop the horse and into Gandalf’s arms. As soon as Gandalf deemed he had a secure grip on you, he rode off. “Head West and you shall find us.” He shouted as he rode away.

And with that, they began their trek West, making their way to wherever you may be as quickly as they possibly could. All Fili and the others could elf was hope and pray that you would be okay as they closed in on where you had been taken.

_______________

You had awoken and all you knew is that the light be too harsh and your throat hurt immensely. You squinted as the light pained your eyes and turned your head to your left where you had noticed your husband where he slouched over, hand grasping yours, head resting upon the bedding beside you.

You tried to make a sound, but nothing but pain erupted. It had made you scream out but once again, not a single sound was made and pain erupted throughout your being, causing you to clench your fists tightly in the hopes of elevating your pain which had caused Fili to shoot up from his hunched over position. “Y/N, what’s wrong?!” Fili asked worriedly as he looked down at you.

All you could muster was a shake of your head as tears cascaded down your face. Fili had called out for help as loud as he could whilst he gazed at you concerned. A few of the company and an unknown person had hurriedly crammed themselves through the door and into the room all the while you continued to screw your eyes shut tightly and sob in a silent manner.

“What’s wrong with her? What’s wrong with my wife?!” He looked up at the man who stood before him examining his wife.

The man had sighed as Kili laid a comforting hand upon his brothers’ shoulder, though it went unnoticed by the panicked prince. “It appears the damage to her throat and vocal cords cause her pain as she tries to make even the slightest of sounds. I fear the damage that had been done by the blade, though fortunately not fatal, may run too deep for her to utter a spoken word again.”

Those who stood near the door had finally entered and joined the others within the room with solemn expressions. Upon hearing this, you willed your own eyes to open and you finally gazed upon the man that was currently unknown to you through watery eyes, your vision blurred from the pain and fresh tears that continuously threaten to spill.

Thorin had quickly exchanged a look with the grey wizard, soon turning to head towards the door, not before sending you a small smile that was riddled with guilt and a pat to his nephews’ shoulder sympathetically who had a look of sadness yet brute determination across his face.

The others had followed Thorins’ example, all giving their own form of comfort towards their companions, thought none dared speak. In time, the room had been vacated by all except the wedded pair. You stared blankly ahead of you, now void of tears left to cry for the time being, all the while Fili had taken a seat atop the bed beside you, slowly and gently cradling your hand in his.

“Amrâlimê, my snowdrop, please look at me.” He whispers as softly as a summer nights breeze, afraid that even speaking at this volume may cause you sadness.

You slowly turned your gaze towards your husband, anguish shone deeply within your (E/C) orbs. He moved himself closer, laying his forehead to rest against yours. “I love you, your voice does not change that in the slightest. I will be your voice, forever ‘til the day I perish. I know this will truly be heart breaking for you and that you may feel sadness through the loss of your voice, but your voice had never truly made you who you are. What’s inside here,” he pointed towards your chest which your heart lay underneath, “is what made you, you.”

You teared up at his loving speech and words of encouragement. You could do nothing more than lean into his embrace further as stray tears slipped from your tear ducts. Fili cradled your head tenderly to his chest, combing his large fingers through your now short hair expect one section where your braid dangled.

He ran his finger and thumb over the braiding and across the bead and smiled. “I must admit, I’m eternally grateful that your braid remains.” You smiled and nuzzled yourself further into his warm and loving embrace. “I love you, snowdrop.”

You thought for a moment before tapping at the left side of his chest where his heart rests and tapped lightly three times, hoping that he would understand that you responded, desperately trying to relay those three words back to him.

He looked down at you and smiled, tapping your own chest the three times before settling further back into the bed, laying your head to rest upon his chest. He pressed a kiss atop the crown of your head and closed his eyes.

Only now he felt he could finally breath, releasing a long sign. He knew that you were going to be okay and he thanked the Gods with his whole being and more for allowing him to have you in his arms, alive and well.

--- end of flashback ---

You smiled sadly as your head had lowered, placing one hand over your large, faded scar and the other hand on to your husbands chest. Once more, as if he knew what had been playing running through your mind, he lifted your chin and placed a chaste yet passionate kiss upon your lips. “I love you, snowdrop.” He spoke as he tapped your chest three times with his large pointer finger.

You beamed up at Fili, a wide smile that he instantly mirrored as he recognised your spirit lifting. You tapped his chest four times and the look of confusion that had spread across Fili’s face had been comical enough to elicit a silent giggle from you, shoulders bouncing up and down slightly.

“What does the fourth one mean, amrâlimê?” You mouthed a singular word, ‘more’, and grinned cheekily up at Fili. He laughed boisterously as he gathered you in his arms, raising you slightly from the floor. “You never cease to surprise me, my snowdrop.”

At this, your grin could only widen as you turn to retrieve a tiny piece of folded parchment you had written on and hidden between the pages. You faced your husband once again as you held out the piece for him to take. He attentively does so and unfolds it with caution.

He read over the 3 simple words that lay along the centre of the paper and he froze, wide eyed. You swore he had stopped breathing for a moment. ‘I’m with child.’ The initial shock had worn off fairly quickly and his head snapped up towards you, a small smile playing upon his lips. “Are you sure amrâlimê?”

You nodded ferociously and he grinned as he surges forward and crashes his lips against yours, smiling entirely throughout. He pulled back and cupped your face between his hands. “We must tell everyone immediately.” He was just as excited as a child witnessing the first fall of snow during the season of winter.

He engulfed your hand into his own and pulled you hastily through the halls as he repeated the loud and joyful announcement of you bearing his kin. All you could do is smile as your husband trapsed around gleefully and prideful. You shook your head adoringly at your husbands’ antics.

As everyone congratulated the young prince and his wife, you, Fili could only sigh just like he had when he comforted you after the initial loss of your voice, although, now happy not just for you live but for you live happily, carrying his son or daughter.

His family was only to expand more and more, and he couldn’t be more ecstatic from the thought. For now, all he could do was support you the best way he can during your long pregnancy and the years that follow, for he lives solely for you, his family, his amrâlimê, his snowdrop.

_______________

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I don’t know what it is but I’ve just recently been in the mood for LOTR/The Hobbit stuff

Especially Fili, I feel like he’s kinda overshadowed by Kili (who I love, don’t get me wrong)

I really enjoyed writing this so I hope you enjoy reading this just much

As always, constructive criticism and requests are welcomed and greatly appreciated :D

[catbowserauthor]

Start of a Hobbit AU

So, I know this is a popular topic but I just couldn't resist starting my own version of this:

*** "It is beautiful, isn't it?" Bilbo turned to his nephew and he lay a hand in his curled hair. "Aye, it is, my dear boy. Valinor, the undying lands." "You used to tell me stories about them." Frodo remarked, one hand still over the old Morgol wound on his shoulder. "I used to spend hours drawing and painting what it might look like but none of them came close to this. I don't think even if I had seen it, in some far off dream, would I have been able to replicate it." "Such is the wonder of Aman." The soft, almost angelic voice behind them gave way to a fading white life that was the Lady of Light, Galadriel. Her smile, as always, was welcoming and warm. "As Middle Earth was meant to be once, before it was marred by Morgoth." She knelt and lay her hand over Frodo's. "I promise you, Ring Bearer, you will find comfort here." Frodo smiled but Bilbo saw the raw pain in those eyes. The pain that comes with leaving those you find so dear behind you. He knew that pain all too well. It was not one healed, even by the lands of the Spirits and Gods. He gave a nod of encouragement and Frodo met Gandalf at the door and followed him up to the deck. To the Lady Galadriel, he waited and then, once alone, she spoke. "You wish something of me, Bilbo Baggins of the Shire?" "Aye, I do." He bowed lightly to her. "I would ask something of you milady." "Ask, dear Hobbit. I cannot guarantee anything but I shall listen and do what I can. You began the downfall of Sauron. A small ripple in an ocean of possibilities." He took a breath and locked eyes with her, "I would meet with Manwe, if I could." She laughed, a lovely sound and not one done out of distain but rather out of genuine contentment. "Oh, Bilbo Baggins. Mithrandir is right to view all Hobbits but you especially with such high regard. You have not yet taken step on Aman and yet you request his counsel?" "I do, Milady. As soon as I may. If he insists on refusing then do be so kind as to inform him that Bilbo Baggins will plant himself firmly as near to him as possible and will carry on a conversation as if he were by my side. And I will do so until he would acknowledge me." Galadriel smiled, again, that gentle, caring smile. "Not many would risk the wrath of Manwe, Bilbo Baggins." "It would be far more unpleasant to risk the wrath of Bilbo Baggins. I can name many a folk that can attest to that. Mortal though I am, it, in many ways, makes me far more adept at being unpleasant if it suits my fancy." The elven Queen offered her hand. "Come. I will appeal to Manwe on your behalf." "Many thanks, gentle Galadriel."

** "Bilbo Baggins, I swear of all the Hobbits of the world, you are undoubtedly, the most obstinate." "I will not argue with you, dear Gandalf." Bilbo remarked as they took step by step together down the shore. "All the same, Lady Galadriel insists that I have been granted my audience." "Out of pure curiosity, I am sure and no small amount of mercy." Gandalf shook his head. "My dear Hobbit, take care. Manwe, though having a deep heart of caring, is not openly hospitable. He was not thrilled at the prospect of non-elven kind on these shores but he has relented. You, while an honored guest, are a guest all the same!" "I shall not forget it, Gandalf." Bilbo assured him even as he stopped to gather his breath. "Nor am I ungrateful. But I must make my request of him alone. I hope you would grant Frodo some of your time. I shall return if I am able." The older wizard scowled and blew a puff of smoke on his pipe. "You are not aware of how truthful that statement may be, my dear Bilbo. Mind your tongue." "I will mind it as much as I do with others who are worthy of it." Gandalf shook his head but he lay one hand on the Hobbit's shoulder. "I do not know what you have to ask of him but do with grace." "As a proper Baggins should." "Yes yes but as you are all too fond of reminding me, that Tookish blood runs fierce in you as well." But Gandalf left it at that and withdrew, leaving Bilbo at the base of Mount Taniquetil. It stretched above him far beyond what he could imagine seeing but he stood, still and silent for quite some time. Finally, a figure approached him. He did not see where he had come from but he did not waste time pondering it. Rather, he stayed where he was, standing up straight and the man-like figure drew closer. Clothed in flowing robes of blue and purple, hair that spiraled long and soft as the clouds above, and eyes that pierced everywhere at once, the distance between them closed until it was simply Hobbit and Valar. "So, this is the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins that has the strength of heart and will to ask for me, is it?" Bilbo looked upward at him. "Aye, it is. Am I to take it that you are Vala Manwe, Lord of the Breath of Arda?" "So I am. What would you have of me, youngling?" Bilbo, despite his advanced age, chuckled, "I suppose to you, all things are young. I come to you with an unusual request though I suspect me coming at all is unusual enough." "So it is." "I am grateful for the gift that has been offered me. Aman is beautiful, beyond all account of measure and my spirit feels weary no longer among these shores." He paused and laid a hand over his chest. "But my heart is still heavy. I may have served my purpose in this war but there was more I could have done." "You and your halfling kin did more than even the Valar thought you capable of." "Perhaps but I am unsatisfied. I come to you with a request, Lord Manwe. A chance to correct those mistakes. I would ask that, in exchange for my remaining time, however short it may be, among these Blessed Lands, I be allowed to return to the time of the Quest for Erebor and set right my wrongs." The sky itself seemed to rumble. "You jest, Hobbit." "On the contrary, Lord Manwe," Bilbo bowed again. "I am quite serious. Though it may be beyond your power, it is not beyond Illuvatar's." "It is not customary  for Iluvatar to be granting desires of mortals when life does not go as they would wish--" "Not accustomed but he HAS allowed it. As I recall, he allowed the adoption of the dwarves. He allowed the return of Luthien as a mortal woman. I do not pretend to be as worthy as those but I am requesting that it be presented unto him, all the same." Bilbo folded his arms, "If he does not permit it, I shall accept as such but I cannot rest until it is at least presented. If I am to be given any gift for my service to Middle Earth, I would wish it to be thus." "What drives such a desire," This question came from above. Not from Manwe. No, this was feminine and the stars above seemed to shimmer in a smile. "Lady Varda, I presume. Or do you prefer Elebereth as the elves know you?" "Either, young Hobbit." She spoke again, "My husband is not always best with words. What drives such a desire, I ask you again." "The same desire of Iluvatar, for his world, his children." Bilbo answered. "Love. I ask the chance to stop needless death, ease the pain of parting and to save those dwarves that are family to me. I once crossed Middle Earth for them. I shall cross Aman for them as well, for the chance to right a most egregious wrong." He took a deep breath. "I do not presume to be worthy of this chance. But I am asking for Iluvatar's mercy in hearing me, all the same."

[foxrun-fluffery]

The Greatest Distance

Summary: Thorin’s company is displaced in time by Gandalf, due to an emergency. They land in front of country girl Piper and her son. After recognizing them, mostly, she realizes that in no way can they be left on their own in this modern world, and now she has to cope with some of the strangest house guests ever!

OC/Canon ship to develop.

Tag List: @sdavid09, @fallnangelcreations

CHAPTER THREE

READ FROM BEGINNING | PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

A pillow fight and a drink with a king

Hours after everyone was fed, dressed in new clothes, Piper had let Riordan out to play in the yard, and he had dragged Fili, Kíli, and Ori out to play kickball, Piper went on to climb up to the little attic and bring down spare bedding, realizing that she might have house guests for some time. She pulled the ladder down from the ceiling door when she heard someone coming up. Seeing Bofur, in his brown flannel shirt and khaki pants, she grinned. He had kept his hat and scarf, and his gloves and boots, but the rest he had put aside for now. “Hey, Bofur. Whatcha need?”

“Jus’ came t’ give ye a hand if ye need it.” He replied, walking over to her. “Ah, that’s a good little hidey hole!”

“Mm? Oh it’s just attic storage. Spare stuff and whatnot.”

Bofur nodded, eyeing the construction of the folding ladder. Interesting. “I see. Did yer husband build it?”

Piper chuckled and shook her head. “My grandparents built this place. Then my parents had it, and we lost them two years ago, so I inherited it.”

“Oh! My condolences then.” Bofur took his hat off, holding it to his chest as he gave her a slight bow. “It’s a very nice place.”

She smiled, amused. “Thank you. I loved coming to visit here when my grandparents still lived here,” she explained as she climbed up the ladder. “Never expected to own it though. Guess it was logical, I mean, we paid off the land fairly early and my parents finished the few payments on the house my grandparents couldn’t make. So it was all paid up by the time mom and dad moved in.” Her voice faded some as she reached the top of the stairs, but she returned to peer down at him. “I’m gonna toss down blankets, ok?”

“O’ course!” He agreed, holding his arms out. “So your husband didn’t build a home for you?”

“Haven’t got a husband. Never married.” Came her muffled voice before a pile of dusty blankets dropped down on him.

“Wha—!?” Bofur started to question her but the dust got sucked into his lungs and he started coughing. When he looked up again, he spotted her head hanging out of the doorway, with a humored grin, and she giggled when she saw him looking at her. “Aye, just laugh at ol’ Bofur! Don’t mind me down here dyin’!”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic!” She rolled her eyes, but was still chuckling. “Just dust!” Another pile of blankets and some pillows came tumbling down after that. One caught the dwarf in the face and he yelped and had thrown it back at her before he realized what he had done. Luckily she took it in good humor and began aiming pillows at him. It wasn’t long until most of the pillows were in a disarrayed pile around Bofur and they were both laughing. Piper was bringing the last few down the ladder when she stepped on the corner of a blanket draped over the rung. It slid and she went sprawling with a loud yelp, confused when she felt herself caught by strong arms. “Oof!”

Bofur, pinned under the woman, her legs across his chest, his arm behind her back in a desperate attempt to prevent her from striking her head on anything, winced when her shoe that had fallen off in the tumble, was wedged in his back. He was supporting her mid back, her rather nice rump on his shoulder, and he just smiled up at her. “Ye a’righ’?”

“Uh… yeah, yeah I am.” Surprised at their situation, she looked around, glad he appeared uninjured, if a touch squished.

Up the stairs thundered a number of dwarves, and they rounded upon the two heaped on the floor. Piper was looking up at the ladder, while trying to detangle herself from Bofur.

“I’ve never fallen on that… crazy.” Shaking her head, she looked back to see the crowd of dwarves, and gladly accepted Bifur’s offered hand as she stood. “Thanks, and thank you, Bofur. I bet you save me from getting hurt.”

The miner just grinned from his spot on the floor and reached behind him, handing her back the shoe. Everyone else but Bofur and Bifur gathered up blankets and pillows and carted them down to the den.

“For a dwarf who was nearly flattened, you look quite pleased.” Bifur smirked at his cousin, speaking of course in Khuzdul.

“You’re awfully mouthy!” Bofur shot back with a wide grin. Still, as much as he didn’t want to draw attention to the fact his cousin was right, he couldn’t even try to deny it.

Bifur reaches down and clasped his arm with Bofur, pulling the other dwarf to his feet. As Bofur swept his dislodged hat from the floor, dusting it off as though that might actually accomplish something, the older dwarf shook his head. “She’s married, cousin. Else how did she have that boy?”

There was a twinkle of light in Bofur’s eyes. “She’s not. Never has been.” He shrugged, unable to help the grin that was starting to spread on his face. “Even Gandalf said things were different here. Maybe it’s not unusual?” He sad, seeing the skepticism in Bifur’s face. “Ye know I’d be de last t’ judge.” When he had been near Fíli’s age, he had a wild streak in him that had involved certain ladies of a particular employment. No dwarven female would ever work thusly, so they had been females of the race of men.

The axe-headed dwarf heaved a breath and shook his head. “And here I thought you just had a particular taste in females!”

Scoffing, Bofur reached out to playfully cuff his cousin on the shoulder. “Hey now!” They both chuckled and made their way downstairs. Though at the top of the stairs they had heard a commotion, not one of any sort of panic or ill-naturdeness, and by the time they had come down and around the corner of the short hall leading to the den, they came into sight of an epic battle. Of pillows.

Riordan seemed to be the instigator in all of it. The young lad shrieked and giggled, laughing at he swung his pillow at unexpected nimble dwarves. Oin and Balin has wisely stepped away into the dining room adjacent this open room. Dwalin was standing guard in front of a glass case with fancy knick knacks, while Dori had been stationed in front of a large black rectangular thing. Kíli and Fíli were running about, both avoiding pillows either swung or thrown at them by the boy. Ori and Nori were whacking each other and occasionally Gloin. What surprised the two coming into this scene was Thorin was crouched, pillows in hand, jousting with Riordan as he came by.

As stoic and majestic as the king was, he has helped raise his nephews, and did greatly enjoy children’s antics and playfulness. Even if he didn’t get to indulge often now that the boys were grown.

“Where’s Bombur?” Bofur asked after a moment of watching the group playing.

“Went to the washroom.” Dwalin said, his eyes tracking the small child, even he was grinning. With so few dwarrowdams, a child was precious. Even in these strange circumstances, it did the hearts of the company good to see the boy, so full of innocent laughter and lightheartedness. Though they didn’t know it yet, this was turning out to be just the break they needed, better even than when they all nearly destroyed Bag End.

Wincing a little, Bofur turned and started towards the hall. “Which is…?”

“Two doors to the right, yeah down that hall.” Piper grinned at him, pointing him in the direction of the bathroom. She was promptly distracted by the backswing of Nori’s pillow as he tried to get his brother, and had hit her in the face behind him. This started a scuffle, that the woman gladly joined in. The dwarves, while accepting, were mindful of the woman and child.

With a grin at them, Bofur walked away to check on his brother. Whom he found just stepping out of the bathroom, with a disturbed expression. “What happened?”

“It’s pourin’ water everywhere!” Bombur hissed in quiet panic. He pushed the door open to show the water running out of the toilet bowl. “What do we do?!”

Bofur ran in, ignoring the splashing of his heavy boots. He gave the strange toilet a quick look over, not recognizing how exactly the device worked. “Mahal’s beard…” Turning to his brother with a helpless look, he shrugged, a gesture which Bombur repeated.

Soon Dwalin peered around the corner, rolling his eyes. “You two imbeciles are messin’ up the lass’s house!” He growled at them, shaking his head. Of course they were already making trouble. “Fix it!”

“We can’t!”

Gradually one after another, a dwarf disappeared from the romping about, until there were only a few left, and Piper, realizing something was going wrong, looked about. Where had they all gone? Then she followed the sounds of poorly hushed whispers, and found them crowded around the bathroom, and backed up toilet. One had the lid to the tank in his hand, and she had to muffle a laugh at the panicked expressions, and the pile of towels they were using to sop up the seemingly endless mess.

“Okay, okay! Boys! BOYS!” She called over the anything but quiet whispering. Going to the sink, she pulled the plunger from the cabinet, “Let me at it.” And in a few minutes she had taught most of the company of Thorin, how to plunge a toilet. Shooting the dwarves off to the den, she got the rest of the mess cleaned up, and bleached.

“Quite sorry about all of this, Mrs. Morgan,” came a quiet voice from the doorway. Bilbo smiled politely when she turned to him, just as she was putting things away. “They did rather the same to my toilet, with less of a… puddle.” He grimaced. “I hate to think what it may look like now.”

Piper chuckled, walking over to him. He was just the size of her boy, so finding clothes for him had simply meant giving him Riordan’s nice outfit. “I bet you’ll get it sorted just fine. You seem quite ingenious, and from what I hear of hobbits, there’s not much that can stop a hobbit from making a fine home.”

Under her praise, Bilbo stood to his full height, looking quite self satisfied. “Bag End is very much a fine home, if I do say so myself. I doubt it would be possible, but for whatever it means, I would very much like to show it to you. You’ve opened your home to us, Mrs. Morgan, it would only be fair.” He hesitated a moment before grinning, a touch of playful humor glinting in his merry eyes. “Though, perhaps after I’ve repaired my plumbing first.”

The woman laughed and gently clapped him on the shoulder. “I appreciate that, I really do, Mr. Baggins.”

“Bilbo, please.” He insisted.

She grinned at him, “Only if you call me Piper. And it would be miss, anyway. I never married.” Seeing his look of surprise she chuckled, “Different social structure. A woman doesn’t have to marry, not even to enjoy a man’s company.” She waited, amused by his further shock. “I’m not some wild party girl, but I did… get a little wasted and had a very good time. Rio’s a bit of a souvenir from that. It was tough at first, but I love my little boy, wouldn’t change history if I could.” There was a warm sort of smile on her face.

The hobbit fought to remind himself that this was a different time and a different world, but he saw the look of love on her face, and he smiled. “I can see how much you love him. I may be grown now, but seeing you two makes me miss my own mother.”

Piper smiled at him, nodding slightly, unable to deny she missed hers as well. “My parents died in an accident. I hate that Rio doesn’t have a grandma to spoil him, I hate not having her around to ask her advice. But… I hope she’d be proud of us.”

“I also lost my parents in an accident,” Bilbo looked up at her, the two sharing a moment of sympathy.

“Hey, c’mon, why don’t you come help me fix up a batch of tea, and you can tell me about your parents.” Piper motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen, a nice large kitchen with a bay window and long curved counter, double ovens, central island stovetop, deep sinks, and a number of nice contraptions.

A broad smile spreading on his face, Bilbo nodded, “I’d be happy to! And you must tell me about your family in return.”

And so the two went off to fix up tea, and a good sized plate of Milano cookies, for the company. By the time they had tea and snacks, the others had set up a living space for themselves and the absent hobbit, Bofur once more looking out for his little friend. All of her guests were happy to have a cup of tea, and they calmed from their bustling and joking about to sit and drink, even if a number of them would have rather had ale or the like, they weren’t going to turn down a freely offered cup. They took this time to chat amicably with their hostess, many telling her something about themselves, and answering her questions.

“This is quite nice!” Dori chirped up after a few sips. “What is it?”

“Orange spiced chai.” Piper replied as she sipped her own tea, now and then watching Riordan, who was laying across one of the dwarves’ claimed spots, on the supplied bedding, sound asleep. He had crashed after the pillow fight, when the plumbing disaster had struck.

Balin, quite enjoying this milk tea, looked up, licking his lip still, and spoke softly so as not to wake the boy. “Miss Piper, while we appreciate that you’ve taken us in, more than you could know, lass, dwarves are very hard to house and feed. You’ve already had to buy what I imagine was a great deal more food than you two would eat, and we seem to have made a mess of your toilet. Which I’m relieved could be repaired so easily.” He saw her starting to object, and held his hand up to hold her off for a moment. “There must be some way we can either make ourselves useful, or somehow take the financial burden off of you.”

Understanding how he, and likely the others, felt, Piper contemplated his words for a few moments. “Well… I had been thinking of going back into my grandpa’s trade. He was a logger, sold firewood mostly, to people who couldn’t go out to get their own. We’ve still got his equipment, and this place could use some tree thinning. A few good loads should give us some funds to keep you all fed.”

“Logging? Like some kind of—” Dwalin was cut off by his king.

“That would be perfect. We’ve felled trees before, at least some of us. It’s a good trade, and we can work fast.” Thorin said with a sense of finality. They had to do something to earn their keep. And it was highly unlikely they could use their skills that they were more accustomed to. He had neither seen nor heard mention of a forge. “We are smiths, miners, toy makers, and the like, but we can easily adapt to becoming woodsmen.”

“Typically we use the term woodcutter, but that works.” Piper assured him. “I dunno if you’ll be here long enough, but in two weeks we’re having a market sale, handcrafted items and such. I’m bringing my decorated candles to sell.”

“Yer a candle maker then?” Bofur asked, curiously, his eyes lighting up to hear she too worked handcrafts.

“As a hobby, I enjoy it.” Piper got up and walked around to a bookshelf, pulling down a colorful intricately carved and shaped candle. “See? I make these sort of things. People like to buy them for parties and special occasions, since we have electric lights.”

“The magic lights you mean?” Ori piped up, pointing up to the ceiling light. It wasn’t any sort of fancy chandelier, but a simple round glass covered light.

“Magic… well I suppose it might look like magic, but they’re far from. It’s electricity, uhm… kind of like harnessed lightning? Well… it’s created by machines mostly, but yeah.” Piper pursed her lips, the way they were learning she did when she wasn’t certain how to explain something.

“There is a lot of your world that is strange to us.” Balin smiled kindly. “We understand, it’s difficult to explain things one might take for granted.”

“Exactly!” Piper cried with a sense of relief, a bright smile dawning on her face as she felt pleased he understood her horrible attempts at trying to help them understand. “A lot of it is things I’ve never thought I’d have to explain, I don’t even understand how it works myself. The more developed we, as a society become, the more complex machinery and technology becomes. I’ve kept up with some of it, mostly what applies to my work, but I can’t tell you how everything works.” She half shrugged. “Happy to explain what I can,” she offered, tacking quickly on, “Within reason and not constantly,” as she looked over, seeing Ori had his mouth open already, and he snapped it shut sheepishly. “But for now, let’s take it slow and see if we can make this all work for us, okay? I bet you guys are all turned around and messed up, this can’t be easy for you!”

Bofur stood straighter, just slightly, feeling a surge of what he could only imagine was pride, perhaps a touch of happiness, to hear her so concerned about them like that. “Aye, ‘tis no’ an easy nor comfortable journey for us, but we’re lucky t’ have ye, lass.”

“Mmm say that when you see me tomorrow before I have my coffee.” She teased him. Her mind flitted about to how she would feed them the next day and what to do after that, so thankful she worked at home.

Thorin seemed to recede into his own thoughts, sitting on the sofa, watching everyone around him quietly. How long would they be stranded there? He was itching to continue his quest, his impatience allayed only by the remembering of the wizards words. They would return mere seconds after they had left. Still, to be interrupted so soon after beginning the journey! They had hardly left Bree, but four days ago. He couldn’t help but feel this did not bode well for the rest of the journey. After a moment he felt eyes on him, and looked up to find their hostess looking at him while the others had broken off into quiet conversations of their own. He was startled to see that she had a sort of encouraging expression, as if by some strange magic she could understand his thoughts. Then she made a subtle motion with her head for him to follow and she rose, excusing herself, and slipped away to the kitchen.

Waiting for the king, Piper pulled the step stool over and climbed up to reach her liquor cabinet. Heading his heavy steps and he walked in, she pointed over her shoulder, “Grab a couple glasses, huh?” Then she pulled down a bottle of old scotch she used to drink with her grandfather. It was still a favorite of hers, though she didn’t drink it very often anymore. “My grandfather and I used to drink this together, whenever I needed to get something off my chest.” Hopping down lightly, she went to fill the glasses. “You look like you need to say something.”

Thorin watched her for a moment, contemplating her offer. He picked up his glass when she did, and brought it to his face, first smelling the contents. His brows rose, and he looked down at the dark amber liquid. Bringing it to his lips he sipped it first, appreciating the slow burn and the spicy flavor, though the sweet after taste was a pleasant surprise to him. “You claim that our world is a story in yours. Tell me of it.”

“I can’t.” Piper replied in an adamant tone. “I wish I could, but I can’t.”

Raising a brow, Thorin lowered the glass, his eyes darkening in a faint scowl. “Can’t, or won’t?”

The woman sighed, cradling her half-filled glass in her hands. “Both? I can’t let myself tell you something that could possibly change the outcome, I won’t hurt your world. We have a theory in our world, called the Butterfly Effect. I don’t remember the exact details about it, but it’s something how the wings of a butterfly on one side of the world can cause a hurricane on the other.”

“Mmm… the echoing anvil. It’s not unique to your world.” Thorin nodded. He hated it, but he understood what she meant. “You fear telling us anything would become disastrous.”

Piper nodded, “I will tell you this much, the tales on your world do not stop with your time. There are other great tales, epic stories, or rather events for you. That will matter greatly to many, human, elf, and dwarf alike. I can’t tell you anything that would change your decisions now, because it could change even the littlest of details, which might have bigger repercussions in the future.” Her eyes met his imploringly, and she watched his expression as he thought it over, gradually softening.

Thorin sighed, taking a slow drink once more. “Very well. I will not push you on the matter further.” He relented, for now recognizing that she had a point. It didn’t, however, mean he wouldn’t try to find out information in other ways. He would speak with some of the others and work with them to discern as much as they could before they left.

“Besides,” Piper added, “It’s all written up as a story, who knows what details were changed to make it a better one.” She gave one of her half shrugs, and glanced towards the doorway. “I think I can tell you one thing, though, if you swear you won’t repeat it.”

“On my grandfather’s throne, I swear I shall not.” Thorin answered immediately, and he meant it.

“Gloin’s boy, Gimli? He will be a part of a great adventure, and do many wondrous things.” She told him in a soft voice, to be sure it didn’t carry to the other room.

Thorin’s brows rose again, and he glanced to the doorway before chuckling. “That dwarf is so proud of his lad. I’m sure he’ll be insufferable if that comes to pass.” He looked back at her, “I caution you not to mention his family unless you have an hour or more to spare.” The two shared a laugh, and finished their drinks to lighter talk of logging and what equipment she had to do it with, until Riordan had woken, and had convinced some of the others to go play outside, teaching them the finer points of kickball.

Meanwhile, Piper and Bombur, who was happy to volunteer his aid, worked on making dinner. She had bought, not long ago, very large roast, that she intended to cut up into smaller portions that evening, and store away in her freezer. But it seemed a perfect meal for the dwarves now. Plus she had a large box of potatoes in her pantry and they soon had the roast, cut in half, baking in the twin ovens. Bombur was delighted by them, and looked longingly at the devices. If only he had something like that to use! The potatoes were set to boil, and Bilbo had joined them, and he and Bombur debated seasonings, looking over the spice rack that Piper had.

When she stepped out to check on everyone, she found Oin had curled up on her couch for a nap, and Balin was perusing her bookshelf, holding one of her father’s old books about car repair. A certain set of books weren’t there, so she didn’t worry about him stumbling across anything he shouldn’t. Then she went to the window to watch the antics in her yard. Thorin and Dwalin had gone off to look at the trees on her property, to best discern which would sell well, she had indicated that there was a good sized stand of tamaracks near the back. The rest of the dwarves were happily engaged in what was becoming quite the unusual game of kickball. Shaking her head, she was amazed at the very strange turn her life had taken.

Then she turned her head when she heard muttering from the kitchen, in that language she didn’t know. Coming back, she found Bifur had joined them, but he was hiding something in his big hands, and was visibly upset. “What’s wrong?” She hurried over, hoping to help.

Bombur sighed, “Ah, lass. Seems me cousin sort of got carried away tryin’ t’ figure out how yer lad’s toy worked and… he can’t seem t’ fix it.”

Bifur turned to her, actual tears in his eyes, holding the little broken toy fire engine. He said something in a softer tone, glancing to Bombur to translate.

“He says he’s very sorry, an’ would like t’ make it up t’ ye somehow.” Bombur informed her, his accent not quite as thick as his brother’s but definitely there.

Piper saw the little bits of broken plastic, and quickly guessed the dwarf had never seen the likes of it, only to find it more brittle than he realized. She smiled, scooping it all up and dropping it in the trash can. “Don’t worry about it, accidents are bound to happen, and it was just a little toy Rio’s mostly grown tired of anyway.”  Looking back at the language-bound dwarf, she saw there was still distress in his eyes, so she stepped up to him and took one of his large calloused hands in hers. “Tell you what, Bofur mentioned earlier you were a toy maker, so I’m guessing that’s what had you curious about this toy.” He rapid nod had her lips quirking into a smile. “Well then, why don’t you make him something unique to replace it? Then he’ll always have something to remember his new dwarven friends by.”

Bifur’s face lit up with her words, and he spoke, excited and animated, before he swept her into a nearly crushing hug, and dashed away to get his tools.

Piper ran to the doorway after him, calling out, “There’s a big oak behind the house, if you want to use that!” She turned back to find the strangest look on Bombur’s face. He seemed to happy, but his face was scrunched up with tears in his eyes. “Bombur?”

“Oh, lass, ye… he jus’... tha’ was very kind of ye.” With a sniffle, he turned back to the quiet hobbit and the boiling pot of potatoes. As he stirred them, he was smiling, seeing Bifur from the kitchen window, already running out to the oak tree and inspecting it. Yes, a kind lass indeed. As strange as their stay here was, he wasn’t too displeased by it. “Ah, lass, have we cream?”

“Hmm… just condensed milk in a can.” Piper replied, before quickly realizing she had more explaining to do. If someone calls me Lucy, I’m gonna scream.

While she was doing that, she missed a little pack of dwarves sneaking curiously into her garden shed…

Next Chapter

[lostinaseaoffictionalbliss]

Not Built For This

Summary: After getting free from the trolls everyone thinks things are turning around, but are they?

Pairing: Fili X wife!OC X Kili

Warnings: none

Word count: 1247

Soon all the dwarves were free from the spit or their sacks. Nell stretched and made her away over to a large rock to sit. She stretched trying to get her sore muscles to relax. Being tied up and left in an uncomfortable position on the ground hadn't done her any favors. Leaning back on her arms, she tilts her head back and closes her eyes, soaking up the sun. As she waits on the others to check out the troll cave she began to softly sing to herself. It was a soft tune, but a happy one. One filled with love.

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Hearing Nell’s soft sweet voice Fili and Kili join her on the rock. She keeps her eyes closed, head still tilted toward the sky. “Send in the hobbit, it'll be perfectly safe.” She opened her eyes to look at them. “You two dimwits are lucky Bilbo caught on to what the trolls were saying and played for time. If I had gotten eaten I swear I would have come back and beat you both,” she scolded. Both princes looked at her sheepishly. She wasn't mad at them she was just aggravated about how her night had went. She had gotten to spend time with them, sure, but not in the way she had wanted. “It may not have been the brightest plan,” Kili started. “Or even the best, but it all worked out in the end,” Fili finished wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Kili hugged her from the side and rested his head in the crook of her neck. This right here was why she couldn't stay mad at them. No matter what they did, all they had to do was cuddle up to her and she would forgive them. “Oh I suppose you're right. We all are safe and unharmed.” She turned and kissed Kili's forehead before turning the other way and kissing Fili's chin.

Of course the tender moment was soon shattered by some crazy, wild eyed looking wizard on a sleigh pulled by giant rabbits, crashing into the clearing screaming, “Thieves! Fire! Murder!” Nell, Fili, and Kili joined the others while Gandalf talked privately to Radagast. Nell wasn't sure why he was there, but she was sure it was nothing good with the way he had shown up. She kept her eye on the wizard, but made sure to listen to her surroundings as well. When a howl pierced the air she unsheathed her sword and looked around for the source.

“Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out here?” asked a frightened Bilbo.

“Wolf? That was not a wolf,” Bofur replied just as a warg; a big nasty wolf like creature jumped over them knocking Dwalin to the ground. Thorin was quick to kill it, but then another showed up. Kili shot it and Dwalin and Thorin finished it off. “Wargs. Means an orc pack is not far behind,” Thorin said. “Orc pack?” Bilbo asked. Gandalf stormed over to Thorin. “Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?”

“No one.” Thorin looked confused.

“Who did you tell?”

“No one I swear. What in Durin's name is going on?” Thorin didn't like where this was going. “You're being hunted,” Gandalf told him. Nell looked to her husbands, worry evident on her face. Ever since she had heard the story of Azog she had feared for her family and this just made it worse. Fili and Kili grabbed her shoulders and gave them a squeeze saying everything would be alright. She wanted to believe them, but she wasn't sure she could.

“We have to get out of here,” Dwalin told them. Little Ori killed that idea before it even got anywhere by saying, “We can't. We have no ponies, they bolted.” A collective groan spread through the company. “I'll draw them off,” Radagast suggested. “These are Gundabad wargs they will outrun you,” Gandalf argued. Radagast then gave what Nell thought was a cocky grin. “These are Rhosgobel rabbits. I'd like to see them try.”

The company was then running across rocky plains trying to stay out of sight while Radagast lead the wargs and orcs away. Of course there were a few times when the company had to stop as the hunting party came too close for comfort. Nell welcomed those moments. She wasn't used to running like this. Her lungs hurt with every breath she took, her legs felt like they were on fire, and she had a stitch in her side, but she wouldn't give up. She would keep running to wherever it was Gandalf was leading them. At least she thought he was leading them somewhere, she wasn't really sure since he hadn't answered Thorin, when he asked.

They ran and ran and ran some more. Nell wanted to know when the running was going to end. “I'm not built for this,” she muttered as they came to stop under a large boulder with an overhang. When they didn't start moving again she tried to figure out what was going on. She then heard movement and sniffing above them. An orc rider had found them. Thorin gave the order and Kili shot, but it didn't stop the cries that the creature emitted before they killed both warg and orc. Everyone started running again, but things began to look dire. The orcs now knew where they were and were closing in.

“We're surrounded,” Fili shouted. Nell held her sword tightly as the foul creatures crept closer. Her muscles may ache, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. “Kili shoot them,” Thorin called. And so everyone began fighting. Even Ori with his sling shot, but it wasn't doing any good. If anything the little rocks just made the beasts angrier. But when Nell began to think all was lost Gandalf popped up from behind a rock. “This way you fools,” he told them. She didn't question it nor did the others as they ran forward and slid down into the hole. Thorin stayed at the entrance making sure everyone got inside. “Kili run.” Thorin then jumped in and Kili followed after.

A horn sounded and Nell could hear what sounded like battle. A dead orc slid down to rest in front of them and Thorin pulled the arrow from it. “Elves,” he spat. A sigh left her as she knew they must be near Rivendell. Great Thorin isn't going to be happy, she thought as she walked over to her husbands. They both looked over her to make sure she was safe. Other than being drained of all energy and wanting to sleep for a week she felt fine, she assured them. “I can't see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?” Dwalin asked. “We follow it of course,” Bofur answered. Nell stuck with Fili and Kili as they made their way through the winding, narrow pathway.

“I never want to have to do something like that again. We aren't meant to run like that,” she told them. Both laughed and nodded in agreement. “I'm sure that will be the last time we have to run for a long distance,” Fili told her.

Tags:

@e-wolf-98 @ambivertedcroissant @thatfanficstuff @sdavid09 @violentmommabear42

[middleearth2asgard]

Burning it Down: Smaug x Reader (New Chapters Only)

The minutes felt like hours and the hours felt like days as you paced back and forth on the balcony, with one eye always fixed towards the east. You and Smaug had watched the army ride away, and eventually you would watch an army return. Whether it would be the one lead by the new King of Gondor, victorious in spite of insurmountable odds, or the one lead by the Lord of Mordor, coming to establish himself as the supreme ruler of Middle-Earth, only time would tell. And time was currently standing still, holding onto its secrets for as long as it could.

The two of you remained silent. Smaug sat, his now dark gray eyes watching you pace, wearing an expression that appeared unnaturally collected, given the circumstances. But inside his mind raced, calculating the odds of success for the various strategies he was concocting. The city was emptied except for women, children, injured soldiers, and old men. If Aragorn's army failed, there was no chance of stopping Sauron's path of destruction. Evacuating would be the only option, but that was a short term solution, buying only a few months at most. If the race of Men failed, there was no one else to defend Middle-Earth. The dwarves would fight, of course, but were they scattered across the earth, unprepared to make one large final stand against Mordor's armies. They would be whittled away, one small fight after another, until the blood of their people was totally spent. His impression of Hobbits, from the few he had encountered, was that they were a hardy breed capable of more than meets the eye. But they were also untrained and wouldn't be a match for Sauron's vicious forces. And the elves...they were leaving Middle-Earth. With the exception of Legolas, Helms Deep had been the last battle the Elves would fight on this land. As for his own species, even if they did not immediately reject him in his now permanent form, they would never offer aid. The dragons would rejoice and openly embrace the new age of darkness, as he himself would have almost a century ago.

For the first time, Smaug wondered if the jewel he had bestowed upon you in Erebor that day had not indeed been a curse in disguise. He had always told himself that he gifted you with unnaturally long life out of pure love, but perhaps it had really been born of his own selfish need. He had always been selfish. If not for him, you could have grown old and perhaps died peacefully in your sleep beside the husband you loved so dearly, as opposed to waiting to be slaughtered.

Yes, Smaug knew how much you still loved Bilbo. Lately he had been understanding your feelings far better than you yourself had. When you told Smaug you loved him, when you kissed him, when you had worried over his injured body, he had never doubted the sincerity of it. You truly loved him, and not as a pet or even as a very dear friend, but as a partner and a mate. But he also knew that it was a love formed in the midst of conflict. In the face of war and death, there had been no planning for the future or dwelling on the past. There had only been the moment. If by some miracle Sauron was defeated, he knew reality would rear its ugly head and the emotional fallout that followed would have to be dealt with.

Smaug's thoughts were interrupted by you bolting past him without saying a word. Quickly looking out to where you had previously been watching, he saw the reason for your hasty departure. An army was approaching, and even from that distance it was obvious that it was no orc army.

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"Excuse me! Please let me through!" you yelled while trying to weave your way through the swarms of people. Apparently all of Minis Tirith's remaining occupants had witnessed the army's return over the horizon. Every parent, wife, sibling, and child of each and every soldier that rode off to battle must have been crowded around the smashed gates of the city, waiting to see if their loved ones were coming back to them alive or dead. Making your way out into the open fields that had been a war zone only mere days ago, you spotted your friends near the front of the column. You counted them off one at a time...Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Eomer...and swelled with joy upon realizing that all of them had survived. As they drew closer, you could see it had been a hard won fight (Legolas had dirt and what appeared to be actual sweat on his face, which in and of itself said it all). It suddenly occurred to you that nowhere among the familiar faces did you see Frodo's piercing blue eyes or Sam's gentle features. They had been gone on their own for so long that at first you hadn't really even thought to look for them among what remained of the fellowship, but if they had survived, why would they not be here now?

Quickly closing what distance remained between you and Gandalf, you ran up and, without greeting any of the victors, yelled out "What about Frodo? And Sam?"

Gandalf replied by simply pointing to the sky. Looking up, you saw two massive eagles, much like the ones you had encountered decades ago, flying to the uppermost level of the city. Without another word, or bothering to wait for the others, you turned and ran back towards the city gates.

--------------------

You couldn't take your eyes off his face. He had lost weight since last you saw him, and he seemed older somehow. It wasn't really possible because your time apart had only added up to weeks, not years. Perhaps more mature was the better word for it. The kind of maturity that only comes with carrying such a great responsibility. Even as he lay there unconscious, you knew in your heart that he'd never again be the Frodo that had left the Shire.

Cradling his uninjured hand in yours, you reached up with the other to push his dark curls away from his closed eyes with a mother's touch. You had rushed in to check on both of them, of course, with the healers holding you at bay as long as possible. Dehydrated, malnourished, and physically exhausted had been their official diagnosis. As much as you hated for them to take Sam off alone, you couldn't tear yourself away from Frodo.

So now you sat, all alone on the edge of his bed, watching him closely for any sign of him waking up. In the back of your mind, you were conscious of the fact that you hadn't seen Smaug since you left him behind on the balcony. It was unusual for him to not be close by.

Oh how would you ever explain all of this to Frodo? While he was making his way through the worst land on Middle-Earth in his effort to save the entire world, and his uncle, your husband, had been waiting for you both in Rivendell, growing older with each passing moment, if he hadn't already...you shook your head, banishing those thoughts. Bilbo couldn't be...dead. You couldn't stand to think of it. How could you ever tarnish their honor with what you had done? They had been selfless and pure of heart, while you got all lovey with someone who was practically a stranger.

And Bilbo, how would you ever tell him? All the years you had been married you had always been faithful. Never once tempted...alright, so you hadn't been blind to the fact that other attractive males existed. That's normal in a sixty year relationship.

The fact still remained that you had never wanted or loved anyone but him...until now. And that was the most painful part of all.

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In the hallway outside of Frodo's room sat one lonely chair occupied by one equally lonely former dragon. Smaug had not been derelict in his duty to you. He had positioned himself in a place where he would be close by, if needed, without stepping over the boundary he had drawn for himself. Frodo was a part of your life he had not yet been invited into, and he swore that he would not intrude upon it, especially in a moment such as this.

Resting the back of his head against the wall, with his eyes tightly shut, he desperately tried to make sense of the emotional hurricane taking place in the room behind him. It was a strange mixture of relief, fear, confusion, guilt, and something else he could not quite place. The feeling in question was not an unfamiliar one; he had sensed it within you before. He was just never able to find its meaning.

"I do not envy you your task."

Smaug opened his eyes to see Gandalf standing in front of him, leaning against his staff, wearing a small smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Understanding a woman's emotions," the wizard continued, "can be a difficult endeavor. Experiencing them along with her requires a courage beyond that of a mortal man."

"She is conflicted," Smaug said. "I anticipated as much, given recent developments, but there is something present I do not understand." Lowering his voice, he softly added, "I do not know how to help her."

Minutes of complete silence passed between them before Gandalf asked his critical question, the answer to which would determine his course of action.

"Do you ever blame y/n for Bilbo?"

Smaug looked up at Gandalf in surprise.

"It is a reasonable question," Gandalf said. "You gave up your mountain for her, and instead of falling madly in love with you, she married another. Do you resent her for that?"

Smaug dwelled upon the wizard's question. He had always envied Bilbo. And there were times, as illogical as it might sound, that he hated himself for being a dragon, as if that had even been remotely his to control. But he had only ever felt love for you.

"No," he answered. "Y/n deserved happiness with someone who was capable of giving it to her. I would not have kept her from it for anything in this world."

Gandalf watched Smaug for any sign of insincerity while he spoke, and when he found none, let out a small sigh of relief and said, "Neither would Bilbo. That is why I know he will not stand in your way now. Life has not been easy for y/n since I convinced Bilbo to give up the Ring. She knows she will lose him soon, but she will not be able to let go. She will need you more than ever when that time comes. But most importantly, she needs to know that finding hope and love in a new life will not tarnish the past one."

"How do I help her realize that?" Smaug asked.

Crossing the hallway and placing his hand on the doorknob to Frodo's room, Gandalf replied "It is not in your power to do so. There is only one who can." With that, he entered the room, leaving Smaug once again all alone.

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The moment you first saw him start to stir, uncontrollable tears of joy began streaming down your face.

"Frodo? Can you hear me? Please answer me."

He opened those piercing blue eyes you knew so well and smiled faintly up at you before replying, "Just couldn't let me sleep in peace, could you? Is this payback for all those mornings I came in jumping on the bed at daybreak?"

You snatched him up into a hug and squeezed him much harder than you probably should have, given his weak condition.

Behind you, Gandalf chuckled before saying, "If you keep that up the healers will have to come repair a broken rib."

You pulled back and watched the look of shock on Frodo's face when he saw that Gandalf was indeed alive. That is when you remembered that the last Frodo had seen of him was when he fell fighting the beast in Moria.

One by one, the remaining members of the fellowship entered the room to be reunited with their friend. Merry and Pippin quickly launched into telling Frodo all of the grand, exciting things they had seen and done in his absence.

The happy moment, however, was interrupted when Gimli said, "Y/n, you know that fire-breathing boyfriend of yours is-Ow!"

Gimli had been cut short by Legolas elbowing him hard in the shoulder and giving him a harsh enough look to silence even the boldest of dwarves.

"Boyfriend?" Frodo asked, clearly confused.

The laughter and joyful conversation was replaced with a heavy silence that seemed to lay on everyone in the room. All around you, you became aware of the awkward shuffling of feet and darting glances of your companions.

"Come," Gandalf said, his voice suddenly cutting through the painstaking quietness. "They have much to discuss."

As Gandalf walked by you, he placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder and whispered, "Do not forget what I told you that first night in Gondor."

Then you watched as your friends left the room as quickly as they had entered it.

Turning your attention to Frodo and taking a deep breath, you said "Where do I begin?"

You proceeded to tell him everything that had transpired since he left the company, glossing over some of the more private details. He did not need to know exactly what had been said between you and Smaug. By the end of your tale, you sat, head down, looking much like a child waiting for her punishment.

Frodo reached over and took both of your hands in his before saying, "If there is one thing I have learned through this ordeal, it is that life does not always turn out the way we would wish it to. The years the three of us had together in the Shire had to have been some of the happiest anyone has ever experienced. But in a great many ways, that life has already ended, for all of us."

His eyes took on a distant, pained expression that confirmed what you had already suspected in your heart: he would never be the same as he once was.

"I have always loved you like you were my own mother," he continued. "And I know better than anyone how much you mean to Uncle. But your part in this story is obviously far from being over, and neither of us would want you to spend those years alone."

With fresh tears forming in your eyes, you leaned forward and gave him a soft peck on the cheek. Then you stood up and made your way over to open the door. Stepping out into the hallway, you saw your ever loyal guardian keeping watch, just as you had expected to find him.

"Smaug," you began, "there is someone I would like for you to meet."

[lostinaseaoffictionalbliss]

Thank Mahal For Eagles

A/N: We're at the end of the first movie guys. I can't believe it. Coming up Wednesday will be the first chapter of the 3rd movie

Summary: Everyone makes it out of the goblin tunnels, but they still aren't safe

Pairing: Fili X wife!OC X Kili

Warnings: none

Word Count: 1729

Fili and Kili helped Nell up off the ground comforting her as they did so. Now that they knew what had been plaguing her they hoped to be able to help her move passed it. But both of them knew the fears would not be easily overcome. “I'm alright. I'll be alright,” she told them. And while they were correct in their thinking she honestly felt that she would be alright now that she wasn't carrying her burden alone. They knew what was causing her nightmares even if they didn't believe Azog was still alive; she knew Thorin didn't believe.

Gandalf began counting all of the company and when he realized that Bilbo was missing he grew very upset. “Where is our hobbit?”

“Curse that halfling! Now he's lost?” Dwalin exclaimed making Nell narrow her eyes.

“I thought he was with Dori,” one of the dwarves said. Nell frowned wondering just where her little friend was.

“Don't blame me,” Dori shouted.

“Well, where did you last see him?” Gandalf asked.

“I think I saw him slip away when they first collared us,” Nori said. That helped ease the worry that had been filling the pit of Nell’s stomach. If he had slipped away he was hopefully safe. But then where was he?

“And what happened exactly? Tell me!” the wizard demanded. Thorin moved closer to Gandalf his eyes squinted in an accusing way.

“I'll tell you what happened. Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it,” Thorin said. Nell felt anger swell up inside her. She pushed away from Fili and Kili and stormed over to him. Her eyes narrowed and she poked him in the chest. “If you hadn't been so cruel to him, he would have no reason to want to leave. You've treated him with nothing but disdain ever since he joined us and without cause. He has done nothing to you, Thorin. So maybe if he does come back try treating him with a little more kindness,” she snarled.

Thorin scoffed. He wasn't willing to listen to her. “He has thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door.” He looked up at Gandalf.  “We will not be seeing our Hobbit again. He is long gone,” he told them. Nell wanted to say something more; tell him that she too thought of home and being safe back in Ered Luin with her husbands, but she didn't get the chance because from what seemed like out of nowhere Bilbo showed up.

“No he isn't.” The little hobbit grinned walking further into the midst of the others. Gandalf grinned and looked at Thorin as if to tell him Nell had been right. “Bilbo Baggins. I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life,” he said. Nell just rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug which he returned one armed. “Bilbo we'd given you up,” Kili said moving closer to his wife and the hobbit. “How on earth did you get passed the goblins?” Fili asked.

“How, indeed.” Thorin looked at Bilbo curiously. Nell let out a little snarl and was about to tear into him again when Fili caught her arm and shook his head. He understood her anger toward Thorin. She was protective and she looked at Bilbo like a little brother. He knew that meant she would do anything to keep him safe even if it meant yelling at someone else she loved because they were being as stubborn as a mule about things. But now wasn't the time to yell at Thorin.

“Well what does it matter? He's back,” Gandalf didn't see the point in worrying about it. Or maybe he had noticed what Nell did; Bilbo slipping something into his pocket.

“It matters. I want to know. Why did you come back?” Thorin's tone wasn't as harsh as it had been earlier and it made Nell think he was possibly starting to see her point. She smiled in triumph.

“Look, I know you doubt me. I know you always have. Nell is the only one to have had faith in me from the beginning.” He smiled over at her in gratitude. “And you're right, I often think of Bag-end. I miss my books. And my armchair and my garden. See, that's where I belong. That's home. And that's why I came back. Because...you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can,” Bilbo finished his speech.

Nell cocked a brow at Thorin as if to say I told you, you should be kinder. However her smile fell in the very next second as howls filled the air. The company was now having to run for their lives once again. A task that she was quickly growing tired of. When she decided to come along and keep her family safe she never thought she would be running so much. And yet here she was running to the edge of a cliff where she now had to climb a tree. Something she had never done before.

As she stood in a tree looking back the way they had come she felt her blood run cold and fear begin eating at her nerves. There astride a white warg was the very orc that had plagued her sleep for the past few weeks. Her ears rung and the world fell away as her eyes zeroed in on him. She didn't notice anything else around her, not even the words her husbands spoke. She was lost in her own world wondering if she could put an end to this now. She had a bow strapped to her back that she didn't use often. If she could get a shot off maybe she could kill Azog. She pulled the bow in front of her and notched an arrow, but before she could fire, the tree began to shake.

Looking down she realized the tree was going to fall. With great effort she leapt to the next tree crashing into it. And then she jumped again until they were all in the very last tree, right on the edge of the cliff. And while jumping she had lost the bow. She clenched her teeth in anger knowing she had lost her chance. “Here take this.” Fili handed her a lit pinecone he had gotten from Gandalf. She threw it as hard as she could hitting one of the wargs in the side. The fire was now covering a good portion of the ground and the wargs had backed off. But victory was not theirs. The tree the company was in began to fall over the ledge, but stopped sticking straight out.

Nell clung tightly to a branch and pulled herself up to where she was resting in a less precarious place. “Can things possibly get any worse?” She mumbled. Of course, she should have known better than to ask such things because right after the words left her mouth Thorin was running down the tree and toward Azog. He knocked the dwarf down, but the king wasn't going to be so easily defeated. He got back up only to be grabbed by the white warg. “No, Thorin! You'll pay for this,” she yelled at Azog trying to get her footing. When she was finally able to stand she looked toward Thorin and noticed Bilbo standing in front of him protectively.

With a battle cry Nell, Dwalin, Fili, Kili, and some of the others went charging against the wargs and orcs. They were outnumbered, but that didn't matter. They all wanted to protect Thorin. Nell felt her lack of sleep catching up to her and just as she thought this was the end claws grabbed her and picked her up. She screamed as she went flying through the air and landed on the back of an eagle. She looked around and realized there was a whole group of them. The company was going to make it out of this. With a sigh she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

Nell didn't wake until they eagles began dropping them off on a rock. She had been so out of it that she hadn't even realized Fili and Kili riding with her. She looked around and noticed Thorin still wasn't awake. A few tears leaked down her face and Kili grabbed her shoulder. They all watched as Gandalf bent over the fallen dwarf and spoke softly. A gasp left Thorin as his eyes flew open. “The halfling?” He asked as Kili and Dwalin went to help him up.

“Bilbo is here. He is quite safe.”

Thorin shoved the others off and rounded on Bilbo. “You!” he stepped closer. “What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the Wild? That you had no place amongst us?” He was almost nose to nose with Bilbo now. And Nell couldn't believe what she was hearing. Bilbo had saved Thorin and yet he was still being cruel. “I have never been so wrong in all my life.” He pulled Bilbo into a hug. Oh, Nell thought. That hadn't been what she was expecting at all, but she was glad for it. “I'm sorry I doubted you.” Thorin let Bilbo go. “No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior. Not even a burglar.” Bilbo looked up at Gandalf.

Nell chuckled and walked over pulling the hobbit into a hug. “You may not be any of those things, but you are my friend, my sassy little hobbit and I'm so glad you are with us.” She kissed the top of his head. “I'm glad I'm with you too,” he replied as they parted. She ruffled his curls and went back to her husbands. They both hugged her and asked if she was okay. “All I can say is thank Mahal for eagles. I don't think we would have made it without them,” she admitted. Fili chuckled and nodded his head. “I believe you may be right,” he agreed.

A small bird went flying over head and as they watched it they noticed the lonely mountain in the distance. “There's our home,” she whispered.

@e-wolf-98 @ambivertedcroissant @thatfanficstuff @sdavid09 @violentmommabear42