Walls
Summary: Bilbo had no idea what he had gotten himself into when he joined The Company of Thorin Oakenshield, but he was much less prepared for his nephew.
Chapter 1
If you would have asked Bilbo Baggins, only a night earlier, if he would ever find himself riding a pony through a rain-drenched forest with a bunch of dwarves and a wizard, he would have swore you had the very wrong hobbit. Yet... here he was. He was definitely questioning that decision at the moment. He felt as if he was going to drown in rain, and beards, and he found himself feeling incredibly homesick, and slightly overwhelmed. He knew already that Thorin completely disapproved of his presence, and honestly, he had every right. He had no experience in anything he had been "hired" to do. At least a few of the others had done their best to make him feel welcome, and included, but of course, Bilbo had never felt included with anyone, even in Hobbiton, so it was no surprise that he felt completely exposed, and alone.
Then, he jumped in shock as he was yanked from his thoughts as a dry blanket dropping over his cold shoulders. His gaze shot up to meet the crystal blue eyes of the elder prince, Fili. The prince smiled down at him, but Bilbo couldn't hold his stare. He looked back at the blanket, and instantly felt a bit embarrassed, and slightly confused. Had he really looked so pitiful? Why had Fili noticed him at all? Why such a king gesture? They hadn't really had a conversation during supper, but he had been warm, and polite.
"Oh, no... You don't have-"
"It's fine, Mr. Baggins." Fili said with a confident smile, even though the rain had him looking less than his best. He then held his hand out and watched as the rain collected in the palm of his glove, then he chuckled: "Besides, such a little thing like you will drown in all this rain."
Bilbo was inclined to be offended by such a comment. It wasn't often he was referred to as 'such a little thing', and the sly smile that Fili had made him feel a bit uncomfortable, but he assumed that the prince was trying to be friendly, or at least, he hoped he was, so he decided to do the same. "A little rain never hurt anybody." He replied.
Fili laughed again, this time less cheeky, and more sincere, but as he was about to reply, Thorin caught his attention when he lifted his hand to signal that a cave had been spotted up ahead. Bilbo had no idea what the gesture had meant, but everyone seemed excited about it, as they all sped up their ponies. All except for Fili, that is, who stayed along side the hobbit, and spoke to him, again, over the rain: "There's shelter ahead."
Bilbo nodded, a bit exaggerated, though it was just his way, as it all became clear. He would have joined the others in the rush, but he honestly had no clue how to make the pony go faster, nor did he dare to try and have the possibility of loosing control. He couldn't help but notice the prince was still following along side him at the same pace. He didn't want to be rude, but he was honestly very confused by his actions, and he couldn't help his curiosity. He found himself unable to stay quiet, though he did not say exactly what he was thinking: "You can go ahead. I can't ride as fast as you, I'm sure."
"Oh, that's alright." Fili said, waving the others off, as the last of them passed. "I know you're not familiar with riding. Perhaps you need someone to teach you."
Bilbo immediately started shaking his head. "I'd rather not have to at all, thank you."
Fili laughed, and something about it made Bilbo smile. It was innocent, and, despite the rain, it was also bright. He felt grateful, and a bit nervous that the young prince was even speaking to him. He was very different from Bilbo, and he had to admit, he was certainly fascinating, even for a dwarf. It was slightly intimidating. That made Bilbo have to hold his breath, and try to keep his head grounded. That feeling brought back memories he really didn't have the time to deal with.
He was relieved to see that they had made it to the large bluff Thorin had been referring to, and Fili moved away to tend to the ponies. He was happy to have a moment to relax, though he couldn't shake a deeper feeling of loneliness with his parting. However, as he joined Bombur in preparing supper, his spirits started to lift. The company seemed in a good humor, and though not everyone was around the fire, the ones that were, Bilbo felt the most comfortable with. Bofur and Bombur were arguing over some ginger, and the 'Ri brothers were talking amongst themselves.
Just as Bilbo had finished lying his wet clothes out, and was wrapped up warming in the blue robe he had brought with him, and was going to give his opinion on the ginger disagreement, a familiar voice came from behind him. "Bilbo." He turned to see Fili standing by two bed rolls and packs several feet away from him. He blinked a few times when he realized that one was his. "Come sit with me." The prince invited, and the grin was back on his face, and, for reasons Bilbo didn't want to think of, his heart went into his throat. He suddenly felt silly for it, and tried to walked over with as much poise as he could. He felt incredibly flustered, and very confused. When he reached the prince, he just kind of stood awkwardly.
"Um... yes?"
"Sit with me." Fili repeated.
Bilbo cocked his head, and lifted his eyebrows. He felt odd, and a bit invaded. He didn't want to come off rude, but the idea of sitting right next to the dwarf made him incredibly nervous. He was frozen with a very puzzled look on his face.
Fili looked at him closely, and even though his smile faded into a small closed-mouth grin, he spoke lightly: "Is that alright?"
Bilbo shook his head quickly, and instantly started tripping all over his words. "Um.. I mean... I don't see... Well... Um... Pardon?"
Fili laughed out loud, and Bilbo wasn't sure if that meant he should feel better or worse. He knew the prince wasn't laughing at him. It was too kind, and his eyes were only gently humored. However, he still felt embarrassed, and figured a quick exit might be the best option, but before he could budge, Fili started again: "I just wanted to talk with you. I haven't gotten a chance to know you very well."
Well, that made sense, Bilbo supposed. With all excuses falling away, the hobbit simply moved over to his bedroll, and sat cross-legged, and folded his hands in his lap. He looked up at the prince, and put on the best voice he could to hide his nerves, but he felt it came out too professional: "What would you like to know?"
Fili sat on the opposite roll in front of him, matching his position and Bilbo was relieved that there was a bit distance between them, and suddenly he felt bad for assuming that the prince was flirting with him, and he felt himself feeling a bit more comfortable. The prince finally broke his gaze, and glanced over at the rain streaming down at the edge of the bluff. Then he looked back. "Do you like music?"
Bilbo blinked, and couldn't help but blurt out: "Music?"
"Yes, music. As you already know it's very important to us and our culture. I was wondering if it was the same for you."
Bilbo looked down at his hands as he spoke: "Well, yes. We play music a lot. Especially at festivals or parties, which hobbits have a lot of. Dancing, too."
"You can dance?"
Bilbo finally let out a small chuckle. "Oh, not at all. I mean... I know certain steps. I learned them when I was young, but I was never very good at it."
Fili nodded slowly. "We don't dance much. Well, I never have, anyway."
Blibo matched his nod, and finally looked back up at him. "I'm sure you have no interest in dancing."
Now it was Fili's turn to laugh. "Not really, if I'm honest. Though, I do love music." Bilbo nodded and was thinking of a response, but before he could give it, the prince started again: "I suppose you've never had any interest in learning to use a sword."
Bilbo shook his head. "A bit when I was younger, but I was just foolhardy then." Fili gave him a thoughtful look, but did not push it further.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, but that awkward feeling started creeping back up in Bilbo. Though he enjoyed conversation, he wasn't exactly familiar with his new companions just yet, and the young prince's interest was odd, to say the least. He wanted to ask, but at the same time, he didn't want to see rude, or unfriendly. However, no one else had asked him to sit with them and have a real conversation. Finally he decided he would try to place his words correctly, and perhaps his curiosity would be satisfied: "Is there something important you wanted to ask me, or...?" He held out the last word a bit, and tilted his head, hinting at Fili to finish.
"Oh, no. I just wanted to talk to you. I think you're kind, and interesting."
Bilbo's eyes fell back down, and his hands started to fidget in his lap, but he was polite as ever: "Well... thank you..."
"Why do you do that?"
Bilbo's head shot up, and he furrowed his brow. "Do what?"
"Look down at your hands when you speak." Fili chuckled. "Am I making you nervous?"
"What? No!" Bilbo lied immediately, but without thinking, his eyes dropped back to his hands as he continued: "I'm... just... I don't know what you mean..." Though he did, he was simply embarrassed about it, so he desperately tried to change the subject: "Though I'm wondering myself ... why you cared to converse with me... No one else seemed to be so interested."
Fili nodded slowly, and spoke softly, kindly. It was obvious he was trying to comfort. The tone actually made the hobbit slowly look up as he spoke: "That's probably true, but I think if we're on a journey like this together, we should know each other on a more personal level. Don't you? Everyone else here is at least a friend to me. You're someone new. That's rare for me." Just as a real guilt set in about his assumptions of Fili's motives, the prince smiled, and spoke again, and, this time, it really sent Bilbo's head spinning. "Besides, you're not exactly unattractive."
Bilbo couldn't help letting his jaw drop, but he caught himself quickly, and shook his head. "I beg your pardon...?"
Before Fili could respond, however, Bombur waddled his way over to them, and announced that dinner was ready. When Fili tried to explain that they would be along shortly, Bombur refused to go without them, and forced them both up by their shirts, rambling on about how important supper was on such a quest, and how they shouldn't be so stubborn. Fili seemed accustomed to this, and on the way over, he managed to gain Bilbo's gaze, and say quietly with a gentle smile, that they would talk later.
Bilbo nodded, and though there was a knot in his throat, and his heart was racing a bit, he found himself looking forward to it. He found the young prince cheeky, and a bit pushy, but he was kind in the way he went about it, and it certainly made him ... intriguing, to say the least. Bilbo blamed it all on cultural difference. Hobbits never courted in such a way... if that's what he was doing. Perhaps it was simply a compliment, but it seemed ... out of place. He suddenly felt ridiculous for wonder, and had to remind himself quickly what could happen when you get close too someone like that. He was friendly, sure, but anything more..? That had proven dangerous before. Of course, it wasn't fair to judge Fili on the actions of others, but Bilbo couldn't help it, and before he even aware, he'd talked himself into dreading the next time he'd speak to the prince.
