Nori took the bowls and cups some time later as Bofur started to tell a story to the others. Thorin half listened to it while also listening in on Dwalin's, Balin's, Fili's and Oin's discussion. They were talking about getting a farm going either in the mountain or on the slopes. Valar could provide all the food they wanted, but many had chosen to grow their own. The dwarves were working on becoming a little more involved in the markets in Valinor. Eventually, Thorin joined in on the conversation, pointing out that they could easily carve parts of the farm into the mountain, depending on what it was they were growing or raising. Many of the barns and stables should be carved into the mountain so they were sturdy and better to protect when the weather changed. Which it did. Valar liked to try to keep things normal for the most part.
"When winter comes, it will be easier to have paths within the mountain than traveling outside," Thorin said calmly.
"Aye, but the work required for such a thing. We don't have the numbers," Balin shook his head.
"Then we ask our brethren to come help," Dwalin shrugged. "Surely we aren't that stubborn anymore?"
Thorin was going to answer when a weight pressed against his shoulder and he looked down to see a sleeping Bilbo resting against him. A small smile came to his face as he wrapped an arm around the older hobbit and shifted a little so Bilbo was more comfortable. He looked up to see the other dwarves watching, looking smug. He threw them a glare, "What?"
"Its just good to have Bilbo back with us," Balin smiled knowingly. "And you seem happier."
"Its good the burglar can finally rest," Thorin countered. "We have been given many years of peace while he has suffered. I see it my duty to make sure he is comfortable."
"Of course it's your duty," Kili snickered.
"And I'm sure when he's back to his normal self, you will have more duties to serve to the burglar," Fili nudged his brother as a few others snickered.
"I am only being a friend," Thorin ground out, although there was a slight blush to his cheeks.
"For now," Dwalin got out before he started laughing.
"Oh, don't mind them," Bofur chuckled. "We're just all happy you aren't moping around that pool anymore."
"I was not moping!" Thorin huffed. Bilbo shifted a bit, mumbling in his sleep as his face tightened. Thorin gently started to rub his shoulder and Bilbo fell still.
"That! That right there is what I'm talking about!" Bombur laughed. "I promise you, Thorin Oakenshield, your wedding cake with be something to behold!"
"Now, Bombur!" Thorin spluttered.
"Enough," Balin chuckled, shaking his head. "Its late. Thorin, get the hobbit to bed. I'll handle these rogues."
"Yes, take the little halfling to bed," Ori chuckled, and that set off the group again. Thorin shot them a glare before shifting the hobbit in his arms and standing. He didn't look back as he strode out of the room, ignoring the catcalls and wolf whistles that followed him down the hall to his room. He nudged the door closed behind him before laying the hobbit on the bed. He pulled back the covers and shifted the smaller body under them before pulling the sheets over the still figure. Thorin stared down at the little hobbit, gently brushing some hair from Bilbo's face. How he had changed. So old now, so frail. His memory gone, one of the things he had prided himself on. Hopefully Valar blessed the little one quickly. He hated to see his hobbit suffering.
"Oh, dear," Thorin sighed as he set about making a bed for himself on the floor. Calling Bilbo his now. What next? He shook his head as he pulled off his coat and boots before settling down on the floor. A throat clearing caught his attention and he looked up to see Bilbo peering at him over the edge of the bed, looking half awake.
"What are you doing down there?" Bilbo frowned.
"Sleeping. Or getting to sleeping. I thought you were sleeping," Thorin sat up a little, raising an eyebrow.
"I….I was but…..but I remembered things," Bilbo fiddled with the furs that made the top layer of the bed. "And….and I'm sorry for earlier. It was rather….rather pathetic, wasn't it?"
"No, not at all," Thorin scolded. "It was expected, if anything. You were….are an old hobbit and that is how they are expected to act. You are remembering though?"
"Yes, well, I mean, not all of it, but more than before," Bilbo nodded. "Is this the gift of Valinor?"
"The return of health and youth and wisdom," Thorin nodded. "It could come quickly or over a few days. It differs between people."
"Oh," Bilbo nodded, shivering a little as he pulled the blankets around him. "So I….I will become me again?"
"You are already you," Thorin smiled fondly. "But you will return to a younger state."
"I….I heard the others earlier," Bilbo whispered, turning a little red. "Just a little. I wasn't eavesdropping or anything."
"And?" Thorin chuckled. What was the hobbit on about now? Wait, earlier…..oh. Thorin's smile fell.
"Umm…..they were talking about you…..and me…"Bilbo was a spectacular shade of red now. "And…..and I was wondering…..seeing as…..seeing as there's nothing….I mean, what I'm trying to say….I know I'm just a hobbit but….ummmm….."
"Bilbo," Thorin sighed. "I care for you greatly, if that is what you are trying to ask. I have watched you struggle through the last 60 years and wished I could take away all the pain you were forced to suffer through, but I could not. And I think nothing less of you because of any of it."
"Oh," Bilbo squeaked out. "Oh."
"Yes, oh, now get some sleep. You still have a body of an old fart and that body needs rest," Thorin teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Would you like to sleep with me?" Bilbo blurted out before covering his mouth, eyes wide. Thorin raised an eyebrow.
"As much as your company pleasures me, Bilbo Baggins, I feel that I have not courted you long enough to have the privilege of sleeping with you," Thorin murmured.
"C-c-courting?" Bilbo's eyes got even wider if that was possible. "I-I-I was just a-a-asking because the f-f-floor looks uncomfortable and I figured the b-b-bed was big enough for two and more comfortable, not that you look uncomfortable. I mean, its warm here, and I feel bad for taking your bed and….."
Thorin held up a hand to cut Bilbo off before standing, shaking his head as he chuckled, "I understand what you mean. If you would be uncomfortable with me courting you, I will leave you be."
"No! No, that's not what I meant!" Bilbo shook his head furiously. "Its just…I've never…never been courted you see. Tried my hand at it, was never really good but I thought you would be more interested in dwarf because you are…a dwarf."
Thorin laughed now as he climbed into the other side of the bed, "Bilbo Baggins, you are a most curious creature."
"Well….that's a first," Bilbo huffed, crossing his arms. Seeing the older hobbit act in such a childish manner sent Thorin laughing even harder. Bilbo just glared at him till Thorin calmed down, "I'm glad you find this all amusing."
"I do," Thorin smiled as he shifted under the covers and stretching out on his back, head resting on his arms as he looked up at Bilbo. "So, you are not offended that I wish to court you?"
"No, should I be?" Bilbo frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"Not that I am aware," Thorin shook his head.
"Alright then. Although, you don't really have to court me," Bilbo looked down, his fingers once again playing with the furs. "I mean, we've both gone 60 years wishing for the other, if I'm understanding what you're saying. And its not like I'm going to say no and I really do like you and."
Thorin reached out and pulled Bilbo down, causing the hobbit to stop midsentence and squeak as he was pulled close to the dwarf king. Thorin smiled down at the stunned looking hobbit, "Even though that may be true, I am still going to court you, in my own way. I wish to get to know you again, after 60 years apart. See it as my way of trying to set things right. We separated at the worst of times, I do believe. I'm trying to make amends. And get on the good side of your family."
"Oh," Bilbo blushed. "I forgot about them."
Thorin chuckled, nuzzling Bilbo's soft white hair, "It is alright, you old fart. Memory loss comes with age."
"Now, that's just rude!" Bilbo smacked Thorin, harder than Thorin thought possible. Thorin laughed and pressed a kiss to Bilbo's forehead.
"Go to sleep, Bilbo," Thorin whispered as he pulled Bilbo closer. The hobbit sighed, but did as he was told.
