A/N

So this is my first fic for The Hobbit. Keep in mind, it takes place before the timeline of The Hobbit, though not real far off, perhaps a few years. I was partially inspired by the film Big Fish for aspects of Bofur's character and some other things.

This is also the first fic I have written in ages... so I'm very rusty on this sort of thing. Forgive me if it is fast paced or jumbled.

I only own characters that do not appear in the actual Tolkien universe (I.E. Sebastian Took, Clover Gamgee).

Also, I cite wikipedia for information I find on the actual language of flowers.


Chapter 1

thornless rose

It was love at first sight. Or drink, in Bofur's case. The dwarf was sitting in a rather sketch looking pub, enjoying a pint, when he saw her. She was no dwarf, nor man. She had to have been a hobbit; it was Bree, after all, which wasn't too far from the Shire. Often times Bofur bumped into some halflings as he sold his toys in the market. He knew by her shoe less, hairy feet what she was. And that was a hobbit.

And she was quite a lovely one. Bofur lit up his pipe, chewing on the end of it was he watched her. She was working the pub, it seemed, delivering drinks and food to the patrons. And that would mean him, as well, if he finished his drink fast enough. With a grin, he tossed it back before slamming the empty tankard onto the table to get her attention.

The hobbit lass merely glanced towards him as she delivered the food to a nearby table. A faint smile appeared on her face as she gave the dwarf a look over. It wasn't rare to see dwarfs in Bree, but they weren't as common as hobbits.

She approached Bofur's table, a sly grin on her face as she put her hands on her hips. He took her in, giving her a good look over. Her dress was dirty, a bit torn, but still held a lovely floral pattern upon it. Her apron was stained, burnt, and covered in a wide array of stains, but managed to still look lovely upon her. Her head of curls was a beautiful chestnut color, and Bofur couldn't help but want to run his fingers through her hair. He wanted to kiss those full lips, gaze into her hazel eyes, and hold her hands and never let go.

And this was before she took his order.

"What can I bring you then, darling?" She asked. He smiled brightly when she spoke. Her voice was like the sweetest song he ever heard, and the way she called him darling made his heart ache. Oh, Bofur needed to stop before he had his heart broken.

"Another ale would be lovely, lass." He replied, still smiling. "Perhaps some bread and butter as well?"

She smiled and nodded, and he felt his heart flutter. She turned and walked back to the kitchen, Bofur watching her with a smile. Oh, she was too beautiful for words.

He immediately knew he wanted her for his wife.

Bofur was unfamiliar with the way to court a hobbit. With dwarves, it was usually an offering of a hair clasp and offer to braid it in. Usually food was exchanged as well, and a few gifts, and that was just with the intent to court. After that, if it was received, the couple would court from anywhere to one year to several. Bofur hoped that it was easier with hobbits.

He knew of an old hobbit who lived in Bree, actually. He always had a tent set up near Bofur's, and he sold pottery. Bofur decided he would be the best one to answer his questions. Sebastian Took was an odd one, yes, but Bofur enjoyed his company and had a feeling he would help him out if Bofur offered to carve some toys for the hobbit's grandchildren.

It was decided, then. Bofur would question the old Took about courting a hobbit before his attempts on her.

Except he realized he did not know her name. That was a bit of a problem.

Bofur decided to fix the problem of not knowing his future wife's name. He was going to walk right up and ask her.

And he did just that. The old Took had told him how hobbits court. They were simple folks, hobbits, and they enjoyed simple things like baked goods, a lovely song, or just spending time with loved ones. He told the lovestruck dwarf that the best way to court a hobbit - especially one away from the Shire, was to give them something that made them think of home, such as flowers. That was the best first gift to give.

Bofur badgered the old Took about the Shire, asking questions about what that meant. He had never been - he had no idea what kinds of flowers were there. Thankfully, the Took gave in, telling him to just give the lass a bouquet of certain flowers.

And Bofur did just that, going to the stands and picking up flowers from the different booths. He got handfuls of daffodils, forget-me-nots, plumeria, and finally, a single lavender rose in the center. He tied the bouquet up with a blue ribbon before marching his way down to the tavern to ask of her name.

When he arrived, he was surprise at how empty it was. Then again, it was midday, edging closer towards an early evening time. There were few patrons lingering around, eating their meals and enjoying their ale.

And that's when Bofur saw her, his hobbit lass, delivering a tray of food to a family seated near the stone fireplace. She greeted them merrily, placing the food in front of them. She greeted the children all with a smile, slipping a sweet onto their plates when their parents weren't looking. She headed back to the kitchen, which is when Bofur decided to make his move.

He was quick to approach her. When she saw him, she offered him a smile.

"Master dwarf, you are here rather early." She said. "Is there anything you'd like?"

He nodded and, finding himself speechless, held the bouquet out for her. He watched her eyes widen, then her cheeks flush, and her smile get even bigger when she took the bouquet from him. She knew all the names of the flowers, murmuring them to herself as she inspected every one of them.

"Why, thank you, Master dwarf!" The hobbit lass cried happily, the smile still on her face. "These are absolutely lovely!" She stopped for a moment, a slight frown on her face. "I do not even know your name, good sir. Why would you give me such a lovely gift?"

Bofur smiled and gave her a bow. "Bofur, at your service, my lady!" He straightened up, still smiling. "I was... I brought you the bouquet in hopes... well, I wish to court you, if that is all right."

She blushed now, but did not look mad, much to Bofur's relief. She looked more surprised than anything.

"Dear Bofur, you do not even know my name."

"Which is another reason I'm presenting you with this lovely bouquet. I wish to know your name." Bofur replied with a bob of his head. "I imagine it is as lovely as the rest of you.'

She smiled shyly, looking down at her bouquet. "My name is Clover. Clover Gamgee." She told him. "And you, dear Bofur, do not even know me! What has possessed to you to want to court me when you are just now learning my name?"

"I am a bit of a fool at times, I'll admit that." The dwarf told her. "However, I know what I want when I see it. I knew I wanted to meet you and marry you the moment my eyes gazed upon you the other night. And I know hobbits have their own way of doing things, so I am willing to try whatever it takes to have you as my wife."

And with that, he bowed to her and left, leaving a very confused and flustered Clover.