"What is that I smell?" Dwalin pulled off his heavy coat, then proceeded to take off the various knitwear that Ori had made for him back when they were courting.

The kitchen was incredibly warm, and much welcome after the day that he had gone through. Aid had been sent to Lake Town and Dale, who had dealt with harsh winter storms. All day he had cleared snow, allowing travel to continue as normal.

"Cookies," Ori responded. "I made them for you."

Dwalin brightened. "Well thank ye. That was unexpected." He sniffed the air. "Those do not smell like chocolate chip."

"That is because they are gingerbread."

"What?" Over the years, he had learned and heard of many things. As the bodyguard to the king, it was his job to know about those things. While he and Thorin had plowed through snow with other workers, he had been forced to keep his ears open. Never once had he heard of whatever Ori had mentioned.

"I got the recipe from Bilbo today. I am quite sure that he is making the same for Thorin tonight." Ori sighed. "Really, if you do not want any then you can just tell me. I am sure that Fili and Kili along with my brothers would love them."

"No!" Dwalin looked away from him, face turning red. "I would love some."

"Good, now go put up your things and get back in here and we can start frosting these. I do hope that you do not mind me making this tonight's dinner; you and I both know that I cannot cook to save my life."

It was true; other than cookies and one kind of cake, Ori could not make anything. Dwalin usually had dinner duty.

Dwalin hurried off. Despite the strange scent and the fact that the cookies had to be frosted (were these actually cakes?), he liked the idea. Besides, he was too tired to make dinner.

Once back inside, Ori had him stand beside him. He handed Dwalin an apron.

"Why are they shaped like dwarves?"

"What is wrong with them? I think that they are cute. Besides, they are meant to look like hobbits." He pulled up a bowl of frosting. "Hurry and start frosting. I want to eat some."

"Look," Ori said, holding the cookie up, "it looks like you!"

Dwalin grinned, then it took it from him. "I taste wonderful!" The frosting had been incredibly detailed. He had thought up something similar; looking at it, however, made him doubt himself. The frosting was messy and hardly resembled Ori at all.

"Is that me?"

Dwalin turned slightly red. "Not exactly."

Ori took it, then bit off half of it. "You know, this is actually pretty good. I think I will make more of these."

"Good," Dwalin responded, grinning. "I love gingerbeards!"

"Gingerbread!" Ori grabbed another cookie. "They are called gingerbread."