Summary: The dwarfs are living in the Blue Mountains before the quest to reclaim Erebor. Ori is reaching the age where he can be influenced by Nori's thieving ways. Nori has to step up and do something to protect Ori from following in his footsteps. Dori is a protective big brother to both his siblings. Bofur is adorable.

Big Brother

"So, you're going to town, then."

It was more a statement of fact than a question. Dori gave his brother Nori the same look of disapproval he normally reserved for his wayward sibling.

"I'll be back."

"When?"

"When I've finished my business there."

"Business, really Nori, is that what you're calling it now?"

Nori rolled his eyes at his older brother. They both knew that Nori was headed to town to pick a pocket or lift some valuables from a shop; anything that would bring in a little money. He'd been in trouble with the law on and off for years. Dori was always there to make bail or talk someone into not pressing charges.

"You know Bofur's looking for some help in his toy shop."

Nori just rolled his eyes and smirked" Well, then why don't you apply big brother?"

Dori sighed and turned back to fixing Ori's breakfast. Nori pulled on his coat just as Ori stepped into the little kitchen, a bright smile on his face.

"Nori, are you going to town? Can I come with you?" I need drawing paper and ink. Did someone say something about Master Bofur? Could I stop by his toy shop? He has the best toys." Ori was trying to fasten the buttons on his little jacket as he spoke.

Nori looked at Dori for help that his big brother was not going to give. Dori's expression was clear; you explain it to the child, I'm not lying for you. Nori glared at Dori for a second then stooped down and gently hugged his little brother. "Ori, I have…business to attend to...I'll take you next time."

Ori looked disappointed, but in his young eyes Nori could do no wrong so he smiled a sad little smile and nodded as he chirped "Next time, promise."

"Promise, little one."

Ori was fumbling with the buttons on his jacket, so Nori quickly unbuttoned them for him.

"You're so clever Nori. That's what everyone says, that you have clever fingers. I'm going to be clever just like you." Ori gave Nori a sweet innocent smile and a quick kiss on the cheek.

Dori watched the whole scene with growing horror. He had long dreaded the day when Nori's criminal ways could start to infect their youngest brother. Ori idolized Nori, it was just a matter of time before he started picking up some of his habits. He couldn't let this happen. Ori had so much promise, so much talent. But, what about Nori? He couldn't just throw his other brother away, couldn't kick him out of the house. What would become of him? Their little family unit was the last thing holding Nori back from a life lived in dark alleys with dangerous and deadly companions.

Ori, hummed to himself as he went to put his jacket away. Nori stared after him, apparently frozen in place; there was a buzzing in his ears and a shaft of cold terror stabbing at his heart. Clever ….just ….like…..me. Oh Mahal no…just…like…me. Not Ori…not his little brother. Nori thought of the people he knew …the criminals. Need something stolen….need someone beaten or even killed…Nori knew who to contact. Just….like…me. The words kept ringing in his ears. No…not…Ori. No.

Without looking at his older brother, Nori stood and walked out of the house. His feet seemed to have a mind of their own. People passed him, some nodded and others didn't even notice him. For his part Nori barely saw anyone or anything, he had one purpose. As he walked it was like layers of his being peeled away, each time he remembered Ori's innocent smile and those words…words that burned his soul. Like…me…clever….just like me.

"Good morning Bofur."

"Nori, what can I do fer ya?" Bofur couldn't remember ever seeing Nori in his toy shop before; given his reputation that was just as well. Chances are he wanted something for little Ori; sweet child, that one.

"Master Bofur," Nori looked suddenly unsettled, as if he were actually slightly afraid of Bofur for some reason. "Are you still looking for help around you shop?"

Bofur swallowed hard. What on middle-earth was happening? Nori, asking him for a job, what was the thief up to? "Well, as a matter of fact, yes I am. But Nori, it's a job sweeping the floor and straightened the shelves. Helping me and Bifur with odd jobs, don't yer know. Nothing worthy of yer …talents."

"Master Bofur, I know you have heard the stories, the gossip about my past. At least some of that is true….but I want to.."

Just…Like….me, Nori could still hear that sweet little voice, burning into his heart.

"stop using my …talents and…..and…."

Bofur stood there staring at Nori. Nori could read people quite well, one of those talents that you needed in his profession…former profession. Bofur was about to say no and Nori couldn't let that happen. If he didn't get this job his resolve would wavier and if he couldn't convince a gentle soul like Bofur to take a chance of him…who would?

"Master Bofur," Nori said softly, bowing his head a little. " I have to make a change…I can't let Ori…..Bofur…this moring he said he wanted to be like me…just like me…..I can't let that happen…..I…I have to…

"Bofur, smiled at Nori, understanding dawning on his face. So, Nori wanted to change, for little Ori. He wanted to put away his thieving ways to protect the little one.

"Can yer start tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow…you mean, you'll give me a chance. Bofur you won't regret it." Nori beamed, a grin spreading across his face. "And Bofur, you won't ever…ever have to worry about anything in you shop…going missing because of me….ever."

"I trust yer laddie." Bofur said trying hard to convince himself; if the lad was doing this for his little brother then he'd give him a chance.

"Ummm, Bofur ….I want be totally honest with you…with everyone."

"Well, of course lad."

"Ummmm…well…it's that "lad"…I mean it was easier …safer to let people think…..well given the people and places I've dealt with … you just couldn't chance anyone finding out…and….well."

Bofur just stared at him as Nori stumbled over the words before he stopped and stepped over to a far corner of the shop, giving a quick look around and turning his back to Bofur. Nori quickly took his coat off and fumbled with his clothing. He pulled some type of cloth from under his shirt; it had apparently been wrapped around his chest. Bofur thought perhaps the lad had been injured by some of the less than savory characters that he knew. Nori continued to fumble around; now he was doing something to his beard and hair. When he turned back around Bofur gasped and held onto the counter to steady himself. Nori's long beard was gone replaced by a soft, curly, thin covering of hair that grew down from his sideburns and stopped just short of his chin. His face looked younger much younger and as Bofur eyes roamed down his body he realized what the cloth under his shirt had been for. Nori had wrapped his chest to bind his…..breasts…breasts that now formed two rounded mounds making his shirt rise.

"Bofur?"

"Nori…lad…yer…" Bofur knew it happened, female dwarfs disguised themselves as males to get into the army or to travel….

Nori cleared his throat, several times. When he spoke his voice was slightly higher "I want to be honest with you Bofur. But it won't matter will it? I can sweep and clean and learn whatever you and Bifur want me to do. I'll work hard for you Bofur. Please give me a chance."

"female…Nori….yer a female." Bofur leaned onto the counter. "Does Dori know? Oh, how stupid, of course yer brothers know."

"I'll come dressed like me….the real me, in a dress. I'll do a good job for you Bofur."

"I…I know yer will lad….er...lass….in the mornin' then."

"Thank you Bofur…you'll see..I'll do a good job." Nori rolled her fake beard; the best money could buy, up in the cloth she'd used to bind her breasts, put her coat back on and headed home. She got a few strange looks, just curiosity. She was fairly certain no one really recognized her. Bofur stood behind his counter for a long time, staring at the spot were Nori had stood. Then he started to smile.

When Nori walked in the door Dori glanced up at her and dropped the pan he was holding.

"NORI!?"

"Brother, I got that job at Bofur's shop. I told him what I am. I start in the morning. Dori, I'm going to try…really try. I can't let Ori…"

Dori stood there letting the shock wear off for a second, then he had his little sister in a bear hug.

"Nori, Nori, Nori." Was all he could say as the tears started glistening in the corners of his eyes.

"Now, let's not get all mushy. It's still just me." Nori huffed, but made no move to get out of her brother's arms.

That night Dori got a few of their mother's dresses out of boxes far back in a closet, where they had been stored away since her death several years ago. Then he sat his little sister down for the first time in years and braided her hair in a style befitting a dwarrowdam. Looking at her, his big brother genes went into overdrive. Nori the female was in truth quite a bit younger than Nori the male had appeared to be. She was still a very young dwarrowdam and looking at his sister with her hair in proper braids, their mother's dress on, her full round beasts, figure that tampered nicely at the waist and that ridiculously long beard off, he realized she was quite nice looking. Although, he would never say that to her, unless of course, he really wanted her to beat the living daylights out of him.

"Nori, I'll walk you to Bofur's in the morning. "

Nori tilted her head and looked at her brother "I've been walking to town for quite some years now Dori and been in places that would frighten you half to death. I can certainly walk to Bofur's."

"Ori and I are walking you to Bofur's in the morning." Dori said as if he hadn't even heard her. Ori was his secret…well….not so secret weapon and he had every intention of using him if it meant returning his sister to decent, respectable, and most of all safe dwarf society.

Nori sighed.