Author's note: Written for a prompt on the lj hobbit kink meme. Enjoy.
Silence is all You'll Be
Bilbo never found out exactly what had happened.
The ceremony itself was in Khuzdul, and thus closed to outsiders. Thorin had apologised over and over for it, trying to find a way around it, a way for Bilbo to attend. It had taken a long time for Bilbo to convince him he didn't mind. He'd have liked to see the ceremony, but watching afterwards would be just as good.
So he was outside the hall, studying some of the carvings to pass the time, when a handful of Dwarves swept down the corridor and burst in. A moment later there was a cry of horror from inside, and then the doors fell closed again and there was nothing.
Bilbo hesitated, not sure what to do. Eventually, he decided to wait; the room was full of heavily armed Dwarves, after all, not just the Company but Dain and some of his people as well. Whatever was happening, he was sure they could handle it.
A little later, when he was starting to think about trying to slip in, the door burst open again and Kíli raced out. Fíli was on his heels, and though the older one clearly saw Bilbo he didn't stop or make any sign, just followed his brother through the corridors and away.
Bilbo slipped across to the still-open door, peering cautiously through. His gaze flitted across the group, picking out the ones he knew. At first he skimmed past the dark haired figure wearing the crown – until he saw Thorin standing below the dais, Balin and Dwalin flanking him. Frowning, Bilbo looked back at the dais, trying to understand what was going on.
Thorin took a single step forward, voice raised, and in a heartbeat Bilbo understood. "Hail Thrain, King under the Mountain!"
He found Bofur later, sitting on the edge of a balcony and chewing on his pipe. He glanced up as Bilbo sat down. "Master Hobbit."
"Master Bofur. Can you explain what's happening?"
Bofur chewed on his pipe for a few minutes. "Thrain is Thorin's father," he said finally.
"Yes, I know the lineage. But Thrain died in Dol Gulder. Gandalf was there."
Bofur spread his hands. "A Dwarf with Thrain's key died in Dol Gulder. Balin and Thorin have both spoken with Thrain, and they agree he is who he says he is."
"And now he's King?" Bilbo asked. "Even after Thorin…"
"Even after Thorin," Bofur agreed. "Dwarf law is very clear. Unless Thrain dies or steps aside, he is the King. Long may he reign," he added, sounding vaguely disturbed by the notion.
"But where has he been?"
"Ah, well, that part's still a mystery. And likely to remain that way, if I'm any judge."
Bilbo sighed, absently taking the pipe when Bofur offered it to him. They'd run out of pipe weed long ago, and none had yet arrived in the supply runs, but holding the pipe and chewing the stew was somehow comforting. "I saw the lads run off. Are they all right?"
Bofur shrugged. "No one's seen them since. Kíli got fair upset when Thorin stepped aside."
"What happens to them now?"
"They're still princes of the line. Only pushed back a step, I suppose. Thorin'll be Crown Prince, once Thrain's settled in." Ori wandered past the end of the corridor and Bofur raised his voice. "Ori! Looking for us, lad?"
Ori trotted over to join them, looking so frazzled Bilbo started to offer him the pipe on pure instinct. "I've to find everyone," he said mournfully. "And I can't find Fíli and Kíli. They're not anywhere."
"I'll help you," Bilbo offered. "Why do you need them?"
"There's a special dinner tomorrow night, and everyone has to be there, the whole Company. Thorin's orders."
"Where have you looked for them?" Bilbo asked.
He didn't really listen to Ori's answer. He was still the Company Burglar, after all, and he'd made it his business to know where each member of the Company tended to go. So he nodded solemnly to Ori, gave Bofur back his pipe and thanked him, and headed off to search Kíli's bolt holes.
He found them in the second place he checked; a narrow walkway, clinging to the outside of the Mountain's west face. It might have been meant as a lookout, once, but in the years since Smaug had driven the dwarves out it had partly crumbled away, and plants had overgrown it. It was now almost impossible to see from below. Fíli and Kíli were sitting hunched at the far end, shoulders pressed together, muttering. Bilbo watched them for a moment before dropping on Fíli's other side.
"Don't mind me," he said brightly when they fell silent. "I'll wait. Nice view, isn't it?"
The lads studied each other for a moment longer before Fíli sighed, leaning back on his hands. "Who's looking for us?"
"Everyone," Bilbo said mildly. "But as far as I know, none of them know about this place. You're safe for a while yet."
"A while?" Kíli repeated suspiciously.
"Dinner tomorrow evening, everyone has to be there. So you'll need to come in in time to get ready for that."
"Is he going to be there?"
Bilbo considered for a moment. "If you mean Thrain, I don't know."
"Thorin is our king," Kíli snarled.
"Yes," Bilbo agreed. "But Thorin has stepped aside –" Kíli scoffed, and Bilbo raised his voice. "And he will expect you to follow his lead. You know that, Kíli. Thrain wears the crown; Thrain is king."
"I will not…"
"Kíli," Fíli murmured, and Kíli cut himself off sharply. "Thank you, Bilbo. We'll come in in a little bit."
Bilbo nodded, rising to his feet. "Things will come right, boys. You'll see."
Dinner was mostly silent, and very awkward. Occasionally one or another of the Dwarves would start a conversation, but it quickly petered out under Thrain's glares. Only Fíli and Kíli kept talking, half in whispers and half in iglishmek under the table and behind the others' backs.
Thrain's cup thumped against the table. "And what is that?" he demanded. "What have you brought to my table, boy?"
Thorin shifted. "That is Master Baggins. A Hobbit of the Shire. He is the reason we were able to reclaim Erebor."
"Indeed," Thrain said vaguely. "Well, Master Biggens, I am sure you have my thanks. You'll be missing your home. Arrangements will be made to return you there."
"Father," Thorin said carefully, "I gave my word that Master Baggins would have a place here for so long as he wished."
Thrain stared at him. "Erebor is a Dwarf kingdom, boy. We'll not be opening it to anyone else. Arrangements will be made for your Hobbit. That is my word."
Thorin looked away, and Bofur hissed out a low breath. "King's word is law," he murmured when he saw Bilbo's look. "No one can refuse to obey. I'm sorry, my boy."
Bilbo shook his head automatically. "It doesn't matter."
"It matters to us."
"And what are you two talking about?" Thrain demanded, rounding on Fíli and Kíli.
"Just discussing the repairs the city will need, Grandfather," Fíli said.
Thrain didn't seem to notice the grip Fíli had on his brother's arm. "And what conclusions have you reached?"
"It needs a lot of work," Kíli said shortly.
"Indeed. Be more specific."
Bilbo lost track of the conversation after that; Thrain kept pressing, and Fíli was answering without hesitation, though from Bofur's reactions he wasn't doing very well. Kíli was staring sullenly at his plate. Bofur shook his head finally, leaning forward. "Fíli, you need to start at the bottom and work up when you're reinforcing. If the base isn't stable –"
"And who is this?" Thrain asked. "Another of your companions, Thorin?"
"Bofur, of Ered Luin, at your service." Bofur bowed shortly.
Thrain studied him. "You are not of Durin's folk."
"No."
"Father –" Thorin started. Thrain turned to glare at him, and he subsided.
"Bofur and his brother and cousin saved all of our lives more than once," Balin said from further down the table.
"Indeed. And your profession, Bofur?"
"Master Bofur is a miner," Fíli offered before Bofur could answer.
Thrain took a long sip from his cup. "Well, I'm sure our mines will only benefit from Dwarves such as him."
Bofur snorted, but he didn't speak up, and they fell back into silence until finally Thrain rose, without so much as a word, and left.
The tension relaxed so sharply Bilbo could feel it; several of the Dwarves seemed to almost go boneless in relief. Thorin, though, was still tense and solemn. Kíli leaned across the table, eyes wide and urgent. "Uncle, are you really going to let him send Bilbo away?"
Thorin stirred. "He is King, Kíli. His word is law."
"You are our King!"
Thorin rose to his feet, coming around the table to them. Kíli pushed back, but before he could stand Thorin touched his shoulder, stilling him. "Lad," he said, so softly Bilbo looked away to try and avoid hearing any more, "you have to stop. It means more than you know. But your grandfather is King. Your loyalty is to the Crown, not to me. Understand?"
"You are my King," Kíli whispered. Bilbo met Bofur's eyes, trying very hard not to let the tears welling in his fall. Kíli sounded completely broken hearted.
Thorin's hand moved to the back of Kíli's head, pressing their foreheads together. "Then listen to your King, lad. Obey Thrain in all things, treat him with the respect his position deserves, and do not tell him your feelings. Promise me."
"Uncle –"
"Promise me."
Fíli reached out, squeezing Kíli's hand, and the younger brother nodded. "I promise, Uncle."
"Good," Thorin breathed, letting him go and leaning back. "Good. Thank you. Fíli…"
"I promise, Uncle," Fíli echoed. "But it is still you. You will always be our King, whether he sits the throne or not."
"Fíli," Thorin said, and it almost sounded like he groaned.
"I'll play along," Fíli told him, eyes bright. "Because you've asked it."
Thorin nodded, drew a breath, and looked down the table. Before he could speak, Dwalin rose to his feet and bowed his head. "My promise, Thorin."
"My promise, Thorin," Balin echoed, and all along the table the Dwarves stood and gave their promise.
Abruptly Bilbo realised he was the only one still sitting, and he scrambled to his feet. "I don't suppose it matters much," he said, trying to force a smile. "It seems I shan't be here much longer. But if it will help you, Thorin, I will give my promise."
"Thank you, Master Hobbit," Thorin said thickly, and then he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. Kíli slipped away in another direction, and Fíli followed him. The rest of the Dwarves sat, slowly, and a low murmur of conversation picked back up.
Bofur caught Bilbo's eye and whistled slowly. "Well. That was something."
Speechless, Bilbo only nodded in agreement.
