There was nothing that tasted sweeter than honey cakes. Bilbo's great aunt had made wonderful honey cakes, and she only hoped that her recipe would compare. Besides, there was more than enough honey to share at Beorn's.

The dwarves seemed more than happy with her recipe, and more than a few asked for seconds. Luckily, Bilbo had made quite a lot. Being away from her kitchen kept her from baking, and it was nice to do something relaxing again.

The only dwarf who didn't ask for seconds was Thorin Oakenshield. In fact, she was nowhere to be seen. Bilbo inquired Fili and Kili on their aunt's whereabouts and they both replied that they didn't know.

So, knowing something was likely up, Bilbo went in search of Thorin, plate of honey cakes in hand.

When she found her, she was sitting by the small stream that ran east of Beorn's house, fur coat off, and staring off into the distance brooding. She seemed to not know of Bilbo's arrival and nearly jumped out of her skin when Bilbo spoke.

"Bilbo," Thorin said, composing herself once more, "I apologize."

"Don't worry about it."

Thorin sniffed the air. "What's that smell?"

Bilbo sat down and placed the tray of honey cakes between them. "Honey cakes," she said. "Go on, try one."

Thorin grabbed one and then brought it to her lips, taking a small bite. No emotion passed over her face and Bilbo's heart sank.

"Wonderful," Thorin said after she'd finished chewing. She took another bite, this one much larger than the first. "May I have another?"

"Want to split the plate?" Bilbo asked.

Thorin nodded as she chewed the last of her cake. She grabbed another honey cake. "Thank you."

"So why were you out here? If you don't mind me asking."

Thorin looked away from her. "I was thinking."

"Oh, I never would have guessed that."

Thorin rolled her eyes. "I was thinking about Mirkwood, where Thranduil and her scum live."

Bilbo made no comment. By now she was used to her view on elves. "We aren't leaving until two weeks from now."

"That's fourteen days from now!"

Bilbo shook her head. She placed her hand on top of Thorin's own and began to rub circles into it. Whenever she got stressed out, her mother would do the same for her. "Don't worry about that right now."

Thorin scowled. "How am I not supposed to worry?"

"Just for a little while," Bilbo pleaded. "You can worry after we've finished the honey cakes. I came out all this way to find you."

Thorin sighed. "Alright," she said. She leaned an arm across Bilbo's waist and pulled her in closer next to her. Bilbo turned red as a beet.

Thorin either didn't notice or didn't point it out. Instead, she grabbed another honey cake and stuffed it into her mouth. Quickly, she did the same.

"These are delicious." Thorin said.

"Thank you," Bilbo replied.

They continued eating in comfortable silence. There was a smile on Thorin's face, so at least she seemed to not have anything to worry about.

Bilbo made no comment on the arm around her.

All good things come to an end. The honey cakes ended a bit too quickly. Once they were all gone, Bilbo wondered what to do.

Thorin noticed that they were gone pretty quick, and looked at Bilbo.

"I should get going," Bilbo said.

Thorin wrapped her around her tighter. Before she could process what happened, she was in Thorin's lap.

This certainly wasn't very respectable.

But it felt nice, very nice.

Thorin smiled. "Would you mind making me some more of these?" Her arms were wrapped around Bilbo's waist. This certainly wasn't a respectable form of hugging between two adults.

"Yes," Bilbo said before she could regret saying it. "Of course."

She promised herself that what she made tomorrow would make her great aunt's honey cakes taste like nothing.