A/N: -long boring author's note that you are free to skip-

This story is the result of the fact that I watched the Hobbit repeatedly over break and came back to school with Sociology and Group Communications class on my schedule. I have always been interested in group dynamics, especially with a group that is stuck with each other for a long period of time- ones on a journey. Thus, this formed in my mind, a humble fanfiction that focuses on the relationships within the Company. When I say relationships, I do mean by only platonic terms. I have no problems reading and enjoying some of the romantic pairings formed but I never saw any of them that way. So, just expect a lot of bromance here, nothing more.

Second main point: Assemble will be more movie!verse than book!verse, especially concerning character personalities. After the point where the first movie ends I will continue with my own plot and twists following along the book. This will not be drastically AU in any way; however, as mentioned above, the primary focus will be shifted to suit my means. All parts directly related to the movie and/or book will be strongly paraphrased instead of directly quoted.

Final point (I promise), I am not as comfortable as I should be with Middle Earth knowledge to the extent that I could do a whole fanfiction on it. I will consult all the novels and other sources frequently to make sure I have the facts right. If I have not, please tell me through constructive criticism and I shall correct it as soon as possible.

EDIT FOR NEW READERS: Since it has been years since I last updated, and sometimes I forget to look at when updated stories were originally published, I will say this: as above, this follows the movie and then the book. Singular movie, AUJ, as DoS and BotFA were not out at the time I originally worked on this. After the point where Unexpected Journey ends, this will follow more closely to the book.

Disclaimer: The Hobbit and characters are not mine. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.

Chapter One

or "Must be a Respectable Hobbit"

The morning started out as an ordinary, peaceful day. There was nothing out of the ordinary suggested to happen, and that was what Bilbo Baggins liked. He had gotten up no later than he usually did and shortly after proceeded to have a particularly large breakfast. It was a big breakfast even to hobbit standards. At the moment, Bilbo could not say what made him enjoy an extra big portion for his first meal. He just felt like it, he supped, and a nice day like this heeded no other reason besides that.

After breakfast, the hobbit left through his door, pipe in hand, intent to take in the simple beauty of the pleasant day and relax away his morning. He lit his pipe and started an array of intricate smoke rings, one thing the hobbit was proud to admit to.

In front of his comfortable hobbit hole, the entertainment by smoke rings, that was when the day started to show it would not be an ordinary one. The first sign came when he coughed from smoke cloud, for a reason he was not able to identify. Bilbo looked up to see a tall individual, definitely not a hobbit, standing a few paces away. A few seconds passed before he was able to name the individual; it was Gandalf. He could remember talking to the wizard before and being quite impressed by him. When the last time was, he could not directly recall right now. The point was Bilbo did not know what he would want with him, or what he was doing here. So, until he was sure, he would feign unfamiliarity.

"Good morning," he stated with a hint of an unsure manner in his voice.

"What do you mean?" the wizard asked lightly. "Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not, or that you feel good this morning, or that it is a morning to be good on?" Gandalf smiled in turn.

Oh, so they were going to go about it like this, were they? Bilbo was still trying to figure out what the wizard was doing here, and this was not the way he wanted to go about it. "All of them at once… I suppose. May I help you?"

"That remains to be seen," Gandalf said in a mysterious- and in Bilbo's opinion, ominous- voice. A semi-dramatic pause, "I am looking for someone to share in an adventure."

Now Bilbo understood. He felt his stomach plummet. The time he was most acquainted with the old wizard was as a curious young hobbit, one who was immensely intrigued by elves and other such points of interest outside the borders of the Shire. He still had that curiosity, but it was saturated by his books and maps. Yes, he was now a grown respectable hobbit and had no need for adventures.

Bilbo stood up and waved his pipe, peeved, at the wizard. "No, no. I am not interested in any adventures. I will be surprised if you found anyone interested in adventures around here. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! Nope, there will be no adventures here." The hobbit puffed a small smoke ring from his pipe before he turned indigently toward his door.

"I would expect a different response from Belladonna Took's son!" Instead of getting in a conversation concerning his mother and adventures Bilbo hastily opened his door, stepped inside and just as quickly closed it. Prior to doing so, he turned and waved his pipe once more.

"Good morning!"

The hobbit thought he heard Gandalf at the door, though when he checked, Bilbo could see no sign of the wizard. A relieved sigh escaped his lips. Good, maybe he could go back to having an ordinary and pleasant day.

The lovely day continued first when Bilbo took out some of his maps. Of' course, that lead to thoughts that maybe it would be nice to enjoy an adventure and go outside the Shire's borders. Bilbo quickly got annoyed and a little panicked from the thought process and went to look at his books instead.

By the time Bilbo had settled down for supper, a smaller meal than his breakfast had been, the memory of Gandalf and his ploy of adventures had almost completely left his mind. Certainly, it was not something he was worrying about.

Then there came the knock on the door.

He looked up, confused, and wondered who could possibly be knocking at this time. Since when was he expecting company? Bilbo stood up and slowly walked to the door. The time seemed to stretch before he made the move to open it. The door was eventually opened and standing on the doorstep was the imposing figure of a tattooed dwarf. It was safe to say that Bilbo gaped for a moment. There was no doubt he was a dwarf- the stature and aura being what he imagined though he never personally met one. Bilbo also induced that he was quite tall for his kind, or that may be because he felt unsure and the very tiniest bit intimidated.

"Dwalin, at your service," the tall, imposing dwarf gave the slightest bow. The words snapped Bilbo back into focus. This was entirely surprising, and he was deeply confused, but the hobbit would be respectable and polite to this guest.

"Bilbo Baggins… at your service," Bilbo hurriedly adjusted his clothes, in a fidgety fashion, really. As Dwalin stepped into his home the hobbit found his voice once more. His voice box did not want to cooperate, apparently. "Do we know each other?" He only received a curt no in return. Well, that was surely helpful, and not the least bit reassuring.

He showed the tattooed dwarf to the dining area, being the respectable hobbit he was Bilbo remained silent as Dwalin dug into his supper. He stood to the side and was an accommodating host and gave more food when prompted. The dwarf seemed satisfied enough- though he had a grand total of three minutes to take in and understand the expressions of dwarves- so the hobbit could not positive.

"You see, I wasn't exactly expecting company," Bilbo started slowly. He intended to figure out precisely what was going on here. Before he could get an answer and if as on cue; the hobbit heard another sound at his door.

"That will be the door," Dwalin gave him a brief look before returning to the food. Bilbo was too courteous and jumbled to supply a witty comeback to the obvious comment. Instead, he headed to answer to see his newest guest.

The door was opened for the second time and standing there was a kind looking older dwarf. "Balin, at your service," another bow was given. At least dwarves were straightforward and polite, at first at least. His eyes held wisdom and kindness but Bilbo remained in shock to have another dwarf at his steps.

"Good evening." He managed to get out, the surprise evident.

"Yes, yes it is." Balin replied, looking up at the sky. "Though, I think it might rain later." Did nobody besides hobbits take a good morning/evening statement rhetorically as a greeting and not take it literally? Nevertheless, Bilbo mutely let the second dwarf into his home.

The two dwarves greeted each other apparently they were brothers, though the poor hobbit's mind was reeling on what was going on here. He was starting to get annoyed, but he will be a decent host. That was what good, reasonable hobbits were. Bilbo took a deep breath and walked over to the pantry, which was now in the process of being raided. Again, he tried to get the some answers but his hoard of food continued to receive the majority of the attention. 'It's blue cheese!' Bilbo thought frustratingly as the aforementioned cheese flew past his shoulder.

He was about to try again- for explanations, to teach the hobbits' definition of manners- when, once again, someone was at his door. A sense of dread blanketed him and for the second time that day his stomach plummeted at more unforeseen company- probably another dwarf. 'Be a good, polite host. You are a respectable hobbit…' Bilbo thought and headed toward the door.

This time there were two dwarfs at his steps, both looked considerably younger than the two already in his house. One fair-haired and the other dark, the two had identical grins on their faces.

"Fili," the blond started, the confident smile remained firmly in place.

"Kili," the dark-haired dwarf followed with his own introduction.

"At your service," the two said simultaneously, with an equally simultaneous bow. Definitely brothers, Bilbo decided.

"You must be Mister Boggins!" Kili sounded excited and honest, but really, he had to get his name wrong.

Bilbo tried to remember that he needed to be a upright host, yet still tried to talk them out of coming into his house. Needless to say that failed and he was unceremoniously dumped with all the young dwarves' weapons.

The confusion Bilbo felt quickly turned into frustration as none of the dwarves answered any of his inquiries. All pretenses of being an accommodating host left his mind as a knock came from the door, again and hopefully for the last time. The, usually, proper hobbit ranted all the way to the door before thrusting it open. He stumbled back as an avalanche of dwarves almost fell on top of him. Safe to say, Bilbo did not want to count how many new guests he had. Something, or someone, else stole his attention anyway. Gandalf was bending down and gazing through the doorway.

"Gandalf," Bilbo's voice came out flat. Obviously, the adventure mumbling wizard was behind this. He should not have been surprised.

There was some part of Bilbo that mumbled angrily inside his head as he could not manage a swarm of dwarves. He knew he should be courteous, as appropriate; however, it was impossible as dwarf manners, or lack thereof, did not give an ounce of courtesy in return.

The hobbit was happy he had a large breakfast. He never got the chance to have a proper evening meal himself.

Concerns of eating were out of his mind as he tried to keep his pantry stocked for future eating. Plus, he attempted to not have his dining area completely rearranged with all the company currently inside. Bilbo imagined Bag End as a well off, comfortably sized home. Now, he felt that it suddenly became cramped.

Finally, he managed to corner Gandalf and confront him about what was going on. This was his entire fault, so the wizard should be able to at least provide some much-awaited answers. The reply never came, for one of the dwarves walked over the second Bilbo started talking. "Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?" The dwarf- Ori, if he remembered correctly- asked while giving Bilbo a questioning look. The hobbit was still annoyed at the whole situation and being interrupted, or he would have admitted the young dwarf was being quite polite.

He never got the chance to give a reply, for Fili walked over and started a reply. "Here you go, Ori, give it to me." He took the plate from the smaller dwarf and tossed it to his brother, who conveniently walked over Bilbo had no idea when.

Oh no…

He was distracted momentarily from the two brothers as noise came to his side from the other members still seated at the table. "Can you not do that? You'll blunt them!" The final pretense of being a respectable, willing host left him, though he admitted his voice sounded more annoying and pleading instead of demanding. He was losing complete control of his dear hobbit hole.

"Oh, did you hear that laddies, he says we'll blunt the knives." The dwarf called Bofur chimed in. Bilbo got a bad feeling about this…

The gathering of dwarves ensued to throw around more of his plates along with utensils, and sung merrily all the while. The young hobbit started to really question the mannerisms of dwarves.

To get away from the disturbing merriment, Bilbo walked away to clear his head. It was then when he heard a faint knock on the door, more apparent as he got away from the noise. No, no, no, no. He readied himself as he went to answer the door. This was the last time, or he was a dead hobbit.

When he opened the door, a cool calculating stare of striking blue eyes met him. The dwarf's aura made him seem taller than he was and Bilbo picked up more regality from him than any of the other that entered his house so far. Not only from the way he dressed, but his whole posture demanded authority, and yes, majesty. The dwarf did not offer up any introduction or words beyond his powerful stare.

Bilbo was thoroughly intimidated. The sound of music died abruptly as the dwarves noticed that the hobbit had left and the door was being answered. He looked over to the side to see Fili and Kili were the first two who came over. The hobbit looked to the newcomer and back to the two young dwarves quickly. Were they related?

Gandalf was next to come over and neither he, nor anyone else, seemed surprised by the latest member. "My dear Bilbo Baggins, may I introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield." Well, besides arriving late, Bilbo did not doubt what screamed 'leader'- if not king- that came from Thorin. The now very overwhelmed hobbit was happy Gandalf said his name for introduction because Bilbo's voice box finally, completely, failed him.

He stepped to the side as Thorin stepped in, gave one more glance over to the hobbit before staring at Gandalf. "I thought you said this would be easy to find. If it had not been the mark on the door I would not have found this place at all." His deep voice edged with annoyance and embarrassment. Annoyance, Bilbo guessed, at Gandalf and embarrassment for becoming lost. That was not what concerned Bilbo, however. Something else that the dwarf said struck him.

"Mark? There's no mark on that door! It was painted just last week!" Bilbo huffed while he examined the door.

"There is a mark; I put it there myself." Gandalf said evenly. 'Yes, of course you did, this is your entire fault.'

"So, this is the hobbit?" Thorin seemed to be done with his assessment of the hobbit and turned to the rest of the company, who had, by now, gathered by the doorway. "More of a grocer than a burglar," the words and tone did not suggest a good impression toward Bilbo.

And what was the comment supposed to mean?

After Thorin had settled, the company had gotten to business. Bilbo finally got some answers as he listened to the settled dwarves. Yet, his mind was completely out of it and hardly registered what was being said. What he got: a lost kingdom, dragon- dragon!- and that he was somehow appointed as burglar by Gandalf.

Bilbo, nevertheless, kept his cool until he got the contract. The piece of paper was passed from Balin to Thorin, who jammed it into Bilbo's chest.

He took a step back and looked at the contract completely. More than a piece of paper- it was huge! Bilbo was a little apprehensive as his eyes swiftly took in the contents. "Up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any… seems fair." The part that got his attention was the injuries that he could attain. "Lacerations… Evisceration…" He unfolded the paper, "…Incineration?" The time came to cue panic voice. He looked over at the dwarves for some relief.

"Aye, it'll melt the flesh off your bones in a blink of an eye." Bofur said matter-of-factly. Bilbo really started to dislike the dwarf's bluntness. The hobbit took deep breaths, close to hyperventilating.

"Are you alright there, laddie?" He heard Balin ask.

"Yeah," Bilbo took several deep breaths. "I feel a bit faint."

Bofur decided that was cause for more elaboration. "Think furnace with wings," he sounded so helpful when he said it too…

"I need air." Bilbo gasped out and hoped the dwarf got the hint that he did not need any more elaboration.

"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash." Apparently, the hint failed.

Dragon… incineration… over rambunctious and blunt dwarves… adventure… Bilbo did the only thing a respectable hobbit will do:

He fainted.

Later, he managed to have a conversation with Gandalf with the wizard doing nothing but trying to convince him to go on the adventure and sign the contract.

He decidedly chose not to interact much with the dwarves for the rest of the night. Though, he did not kick them out. They could spend the night before going on their merry, adventurous ways.

Another song, deep and powerful this time, reached his ears.

"Far over the Misty Mountains cold…"

He picked up Thorin's deep voice most of all. What hit him more was longing and etched pain overall.

"To dungeons deep and caverns old…"

No helplessness, Bilbo noticed. The dwarves carried strength and hope. Admirable, he knew, but he remained set that he will stay comfortably safe at home. He closed his eyes. That was what he decided, right?

The hobbit listened to the rest of the song, his mind clearing with the lyrics but jumbled in indecision. Bilbo shook his head to clear it before settling down to sleep. Hopefully, he could get some sleep. What a long day. It was supposed to be a normal, ordinary one, not all the craziness he received.

All the dwarves had eventually found a spot to sleep for the night. Thorin had decided to leave after first light tomorrow and the majority of those present had no clue if their potential burglar will change his mind. Instead of worrying about that the dwarves were grateful for having a place to stay before truly starting the journey tomorrow.

In one side of the room, close to the wall, Fili and Kili finished settling down in their spots for the night. Fili looked at his younger brother carefully. "How much did you drink tonight?" He asked lightly, though he knew from personal experience that Kili made a very poor drunk dwarf.

Kili shifted and closed his eyes. "Hmm… what?" he replied.

"I asked how much you drank tonight." Kili's first response to the repeated question was to laugh. That told the light-haired dwarf that his younger brother was indeed a little drunk. Fili knew that Kili had a carefree laugh that was not hard to draw up, but it usually did not come out that easily unless slightly impaired.

"No, not at all. Only two tankards of ale." The archer moved closer to his brother and Fili instictually put his arm around him in a hug. The silence drew out for a couple seconds until Kili decided to speak up again. "Do you really think I should have come?" The insecurity only came out while talking to his brother. He will never let it show openly with other members of the company, especially not Thorin.

"Yes, and I am certain Thorin will see your worth soon."

"Honest?"

"Honest. You do need to grow up a bit though" Fili's reply was to kiss the brunette locks and ruffle them in brotherly affection. Kili grumbled in annoyance but his moment's concern died down.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the room…

"Are you sure have all the essentials of the trip? I am not talking about your books. I mean your mittens, scarf?" Dori asked Ori worriedly, the youngest of the trio of brothers lying between them. Nori was at Ori's other side.

"Yes, I have everything." Ori was way too used to his eldest brother's anxieties to be ruffled by them. "And if I did not pack anything I am sure you did."

"You shouldn't need to worry about him." Nori spoke up, looking over at Dori.

"This is your fault he came along anyway," was the reply he got back.

"Contrary to what you've been thinking the last decades Ori has grown up and can make his own decisions."

"I also can hear you talking about me." Ori pointed out in the middle of them. His tired mind had led him to get more easily annoyed than he would usually.

"And your slingshot is that really enough protection?" Dori had focused his attention once more on worrying over his youngest brother.

"It will be enough for defense, yes. I am not meant to be a warrior on this quest. I said I will chronicle it, and that is what I intend to do." Nori made a sound of approval at his brother's words and Dori admitted defeat on the matter, for tonight, and the three brothers went to sleep.

A/N: Woo, done. Let me offer a couple explanations on this chapter. First, I know the Bilbo/Gandalf conversation had certain parts cut out. By the time I noticed, I had already completed the section and thought it flowed quite nicely so I did not add the missing parts back in. Second, I played with the idea that Thorin had been knocking throughout the "Blunt the Knives" song but nobody heard him due to singing/listening/playing music. It made sense for me for Bilbo to walk away to clear his head and heard the knocking a few moments before what the movie had. I am sorry I did not expand on the songs narration or the discussions on Erebor. The chapter was mainly in Bilbo's POV and he was mostly in the background for said scenes, and I do admit I got a little lazy.

A couple things I was not happy on was I thought the tone was too sarcastic to be Bilbo's point of view, at least too sarcastic for Bilbo-at-start-of-journey point of view. Ah well. Also, I wanted to get the Fili/Kili plus Dori/Ori/Nori conversations in there but not entirely happy with the end results. Shame as it is the first part of the story that is not hugely just a big paraphrase plus some internal musings from the movie.

I promise not all my author's notes will be this lengthy, beginning or end of the chapter. I just wanted to put the framework out there, that way people know what to expect of this story. One thing to expect is a chapter by the next week, as it's pretty much written in my head. Unless, of' course, the tests I have this week kill me first.

Please review.