Thorin and his kin where walking back from Bree after work trying to find a place to spend the night. They happen upon the Shire where they meet a feisty young hobbit woman that welcomed them to her new home where she lived with just her husband Bungo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins would then be born and grow up with this odd little family and in later years the quest to Erebor would begin. This fanfic was inspired by an excellent prompt found on LJ by ladyredfeather.

Chapter 1: Prologue

Thorin trudged through the mud, looking over his shoulders occasionally to see how his sister and nephews were doing. After reassuring himself that they were fine he turned his gaze back again to the road ahead. He let out a growl of frustration, it wasn't enough that they lost Erebor, no he had to end up running for his family's life and just as he thought life couldn't get any worse. It was all thanks to Nori, of house Ri that he became aware of the plot that threatened his life and that of his kin.

Some dwarves blamed his grandfather for what happened at Azanulbizar and wanted his line decimated.

"Amad, I'm hungry" said a small voice belonging to his youngest sister-son, Kili.

His mother didn't answer opting instead to look desperately at her brother and as well as lifting her youngest in her arms to offer a measure of comfort. The king in exile, sighed and fingered the coins in his pocket, that were earned from spending a day's work at a forge. For many days they camped on the road, hunting and foraging for food. Tonight there wasn't even a rabbit in sight.

"I'm sure that we'll find somewhere to rest soon," said his uncle allowing a measure of reassurance to enter his voice to offer some comfort to his nephew.

Looking around him there was nothing but cursed grass and even more grass. "Where are we Thorin? This isn't Bree" murmured Dis, voice low so as not to startle the children. Her brother opened his mouth, however before he could utter a single word, a stranger's voice cut across the clearing, "what business do dwarves, have in the lands of the Shire?".

"I guess that answers your question sister," sighed Thorin

Turing round he was meet by people that were even shorter than him, with big curly feet. Halflings.

"I'm looking for a place to stay the night; my kin and I are weary," Thorin demanded. He would not be reduced to begging, no matter how dire the situation was.

"Then I suggest u turn elsewhere, dwarf," said a different voice, sounding both cold and calculating. Turning around Thorin noticed that they were at least a group of ten.

"There are children with us; surely you will not turn away children from having some food."

"Outsiders aren't welcome here, not even their young. Leave these lands for you're not welcome here."

Thorin felt his anger rising but before he could strangle the offender, a feminine, fiery voice halted him.

"Are we beasts Isengrim?" she said. "For only beasts turn away those that are looking for something as small as comfort that should be given freely."

She was black haired, with eyes as green as the emeralds found within Erebor. Her curly hair tumbled down her back unruly and untamed. A small smile graced her lips.

Her eyes held no pity only compassion.

"Bella, they are outsiders," snarled Isengrim. "They would only bring us trouble."

"The only trouble I see here, brother is you. Now if you would all excuse I have guests to entertain and shouldn't all of you be joining your family for the night."

With grumbles coming from every corner, the small group began to disperse, leaving only the young woman in the company of the dwarves.

"Please forgive my kin, but they are weary of strangers. Allow me to formally welcome you to the Shire. My name is Belladonna Baggins of Bag End and I ask you to join me and my husband for dinner tonight.