AU. When Bilbo, travelling show magician with a reputation that precedes him receives a job offer to be temporary evening entertainment for the royal family of Erebor, he is hardly about to turn it down. He is quickly drawn into politics, family drama, 'blue blood' lifestyle and the fact that he may or may not be flirting with the King.
There was also the little fact that unlike other show magician, he actually had magic, something he'd very much like to keep hidden.

Bilbo did not believe in funny costumes (cousin Drogo, master of parlour tricks and multi coloured cloaks) or weird, so-called mandatory uniforms (mentor, father figure, total bad ass and altogether irritating Gandalf the Grey) so Bilbo wore a suit. He was a gentleman – though at 33, it could be argued he'd only just gotten there. A suit reeked of professionalism and respectability (as well as anyone could be in this business). Bilbo learnt from the best; he could escape from the sturdiest of cages, pull various animals out of boxes and hats, make objects disappear and reappear at will. On a good day, he could even read minds.

Bilbo knew no sleight of hand. He had never been given the gift of persuasion, he could not suggest like a mentalist or use flashy and sometimes cheap, tricks to distract and deceive. He was revered, spoken of, sought after, but one thing separated him from his fellow inner circle magicians (bar Gandalf), Bilbo could actually do magic.

Bilbo was happy with his lot in life. He'd taken his unusual skill and turned it into a lucrative trade. He was quite happy keeping the truth of his actual magic in question. If it was well known, one, it became less impressive, and two, the world, or even worse, his cousins, might decide he owed them something. There was a limit to what he could do in the Shire, and the rest of his folk did not like so many visitors of different races coming to him, and no good hobbit would stay here and steal business from his cousin, Drogo was accomplished in his own right.

With Bag End legally donated to those less fortunate than he, (not to mention charmed to the hilt against damage, theft, greedy cousins and the like) Bilbo had taken to wandering. He wowed people as he went, the camps of men especially grateful for his appearing. He was forever able to find work and sleep in the finest of inns or nobleman's houses, and if he snuck into physician's strongholds late at night and healed the odd dying child or wounded worker, nobody was any the wiser of his input. He travelled steadily East until one day he was given a 3 week long job offer (read summons) from the royal family of Erebor.

There was no way he could possibly refuse (no, really) so he called up an old ward of Bag End who was just turning 33 himself and gave him all the savings he had to bring back to the Shire, and off he set for the lands of the dwarrows. He was already close; word of him had obviously travelled faster than he. Bilbo had no fears about travelling on the road, he was not naïve and even in the inns he kept his room warded, his suit barely had a wrinkle when he arrived. He made his way through the kingdom, smiling and introducing himself to people as he passed; he had friends all over middle Earth for a reason, right up to the palace gates.

He admitted he was a little smug to be headhunted as entertainment for royalty, he hoped the line of Durin was impressed; he'd never slept in a palace before. "Good afternoon master dwarf," he introduced to the guard, "mister Baggins at your service, I received a summons from Erebor, evening entertainment for the royal family."

"Nice trench coat," he heard a whisper, "reckon that's where he hides his tricks Bowan?" Bilbo shot a sideways glance at 2 dwarflings who were hiding behind their father.

"Bilbo Baggins, of course, I was informed of your arrival today… master Baggins, you say you are… a magician?"

Bilbo smiled, used to the scepticism by now, "not expecting a hobbit, master dwarf?"

The dwarf in question cocked his head and smiled back, "I wasn't expecting a magician."

The dwarflings behind showed some boldness, "can we see a trick mister Baggins?"

"Rowan!" The guard hissed.

"Is there something hidden in your coat?"

"Bowan!"

Bilbo laughed, "no need to worry master dwarrows." He swung his coat off and handed it to the little ones. "Feel free to search my pockets masters Rowan and Bowan, I assure you, you will not find anything other than my money." He didn't have the heart to tell them that he didn't wear the coast for any other reason than the fact he thought it looked cool. "I suppose I can show you a quick trick, I'm early, but don't tell anyone alright?"

The boys quickly agreed.

He got his coat back, "found nothing."

Bilbo swung it back onto his shoulders, "thank you very much." He passed the training sword that Bowan had had strapped to his hip back to him, "you can have this."

He turned to the littler one. He'd summon Rowan's boots right off his feet earlier, such bold tricks did not work on adults, "and you can have these."

He clearly won the boys over if the way they were staring at him with wide adoring eyes were any indication; kids were always the more easily impressed. The guard simply smiled at his shrugged shoulders and waved him through.

"I am to meet with Master Balin upon my arrival; could you tell him where I might find him?"

"Master Balin is expecting you; he'll be in the entrance hall, straight ahead."

"Thank you Master dwarf. I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage my friend; you know my name but as I am as of yet unaware of yours."

"I am Morden, Mr Baggins, and none of that 'master' business."

"Then to you, Morden, I am simply Bilbo, Mr Baggins was my father. Have a good day and Mahal bless," he offered the trio a wave and turned the corner, waited until nobody was looking and turned invisible.

Looking at the mountain, even from the outside, it was easy to get lost. When you are invisible, you can look frantically and get an early layout of a place without anyone knowing. It was all about keeping up appearances, knowing someone's house better than they do without ever setting foot inside it added to your image without them at first realising it – like the suit. He walked into the entrance hall barely a minute after his letter said he would. The elderly dwarf with the bright white mane and braided beard was seated, looking over some papers, ever so occasionally looking up at the door, waiting for him.

Bilbo made his way over silently, looking over the papers. How boring: it seemed like he was planning the construction of a post office; no wonder they wanted Bilbo to provide some entertainment. He perched on the desk and revealed himself. He may have given poor Balin a heart attack but at least the royal advisor knew they had hired a professional. He fell back, almost toppling off his chair, "Durin's beard, where in Mahal did you come from?"

Bilbo's smile was nothing short of predatory, "oh you know, here and there. I heard your royal court was in need of a magician, I've always been one to make an entrance."

Balin, to his credit, recovered quickly. "Well Laddie, thank you for being punctual, I don't think we need to question your validity, even the boys can't sneak up on me like that."

Bilbo had no idea who 'the boys' were but as it was none of his business, he didn't ask. He gave an award-winning smile, hopped off the desk and bowed. "Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, magician extraordinaire, at your service."

"Balin, son of Fundin, at yours. You are going to get along just fine here." He looked the younger man up and down. "Begging your pardon laddie, but how old are you?"

"Old enough that my reputation precedes me."

Balin smiled, "aye laddie, that it does." He left the question there. "Down to business then. You will be performing for the extended royal family and court every other evening for the duration of their stay. Once Lady Dis, Lord Vili and Lord Dain leave, King Thorin may ask you to stay a little longer and you are of course welcome to stay a few days extra to explore the kingdom."

"That would be appreciated," it was the reason he wandered. "In the letter it said that the first performance, or a preliminary performance will not be paid, a test if you will, will this be in front of everyone or a select few?"

"I will admit, as part of your introduction, a small taster to me, King Thorin and a few court members will be required. Please do not take it as a slight against your skill."

"No offense taken, one must ensure the best for the royal family."

"I am sure you will impress us."

"Something we can agree on Master Balin. When will this preliminary show take place?"

"As soon as you are ready."

Bilbo had expected as much.

It didn't take long for the members of the court to arrive when Bilbo announced he was ready now. The people of Erebor had never seen a magician with the exception of Gandalf (Tharkun to them) who seemed to know everybody. He first ones to arrive were a pair of young dwarrows, adults like him, but only just, like him. One had a shock of blond hair and a heavily braided beard, the other long dark hair, he'd only just started to sprout hair on his chin.

"Nice to meet you Mr Boggins," said Blondie, "we've never seen a magician before."

"But we've heard a lot about you."

"We insisted Uncle invite you-"

"So we're ever so happy you came."

"Fili."

"And Kili."

"At your service," the finished together and bowed.

Oh these 2 were going to be fun. He reached up and tweaked one of blondie's ears in warning, "it is Mr Baggins to you Master Fili, make sure to pay attention to your pronunciation." He finished with a wide grin that he had to respond to get his ear back. He subsequently hid behind his little brother who was doing his best not to laugh out loud.

The next to arrive was a hulking dwarf with a tattooed bald head. He introduced himself as Dwalin. "Balin! You spend too long cooped up here, you're shorter and wide than the last time we met." Were they brothers?

"Wider, not shorter, and sharp enough for the both us."

Definitely brothers.

Then Dwalin and Balin head-butted each other, hard. Okay.

The next 2 to arrive were Oin, the court physician who was hard or hearing and used a horn, and his brother and assistant Gloin, who had with him his wife and a tiny little dwarfling a few years younger than Kili by the name of Gimli – cute.

The Ri brothers arrived at once. Dori, the eldest, was holding the hand of Ori, the youngest. They were both scribes, Ori, a natural, apprenticed to Balin. He saw the little one give the elderly dwarf a smile and cast a shy look at the hulking dwarf Dwalin, but immediately turned to his brother when he looked back. Ah, he was smitten. Bilbo appraised Dwalin, personally he couldn't see why.

The 6th sense which made him a successful magician made him duck to the ground and roll to the side a spilt second before a dwarf with a weird hairstyle pounced on his previous position. He quickly realised he did not need to defend the hall and raised his eyebrows at the attack. The dwarf quickly attacked again and Bilbo side stepped and used a little magic to make him trip and then got him into a full nelson and held him in place on the ground.

The hobbit didn't even change his tone from the one he'd used with Balin, "Bilbo Baggins at your service."

The muffled sound of 'Nori,' came from the floor and Bilbo released him.

Dwalin let out a huge guffaw of laughter. "That is Nori, master spy, he started out as a petty criminal, old habits die hard, it would seem he's met his match in you."

"Many do. Shall we begin?"

He didn't do anything too fancy, had to leave something for the actual shows. He summoned a flame to his fingers with a snap and blew it, creating the roaring head of a dragon before turning it into smoke which covered him like a sheen while he transfigured his clothes into a show costume, (nothing outrageous, he still didn't believe in them) he got gasps when he revealed his sparkling blue outfit that shimmered like ice. He summoned a dove to fly out of his robes and it did a circle of the hall before landing on his outstretched palm, the then clapped his hands and disappeared into nothing as if it had never been there.

He pulled a small lump of gold out his pocket, he had been paid handsomely for the shows he had given on his way to Erebor. He chucked it at Fili who bit it and confirmed it was real and chucked it back. Bilbo bit a chunk out of it and moulded it in his mouth, less than half a minute later he spat a roughly moulded wolf in his direction. He chucked the rest of the gold in his mouth and spat a roughly hewn eagle at Kili shortly after. They immediately started comparing whose impromptu gift was better, kids.

As a final trick he summoned another flame – everyone loved fire – and made it grow larger and flash different colours before he threw it at the dwarrows. They immediately ducked on instinct and crowed with delight as it exploded before them with an obnoxiously loud bang, glitter and multi coloured sparks flying everywhere. When they stopped shielding their eyes, Bilbo was back in his suit and staring at an incredibly shocked King under the mountain in the doorway, Thorin Oakenshield.

He had long black hair identical to his Kili, he guessed they were related and icy blue eyes, currently widened in surprise. His beard reached mid chest and was decorated with azure beads – the colour of the Durin line. Bilbo had to give him an appreciative nod. "So," he said, "you're the magician."

"Bilbo Baggins," he bowed, "at your service."

"Thorin Oakenshield," he inclined his head, "King under the mountain." He lifted one corner of his mouth in a half smile, "welcome to Erebor."