AN: So I move pretty fast in this chapter, but to my defense, I wasn't even intending to make a second chapter. So yeah. Hope you like it anyways. Oh, and the M version is basically just this with some smut in the beginning.
OOOOO
Mirkwood was much different than Bilbo expected. It was...terrifying. He had heard tales of the beautiful Greenwood all his life, from his mother and his books, but this wasn't the Greenwood. Not anymore. Whatever was making the forest sick was something very bad. Bilbo could feel it from the tip of his ears to the hair of his feet. It was just...wrong. The only good thing about it was that Bilbo had an excuse to cuddle up with not just Thorin, but any Dwarf who offered. They all wanted comfort, and Thorin had no reason to be jealous, especially not after the special and heated night he and Bilbo had shared at Beorn's house. Bilbo didn't have to worry about slipping back into Touch Deprivation at all.
And then the spiders had attacked, and the Elves as well, and in the confusion of it all, Bilbo forgot to put on his invisible ring. He was bound and searched just like the others, though thankfully the Elves didn't think anything of his ring and let him keep it. It was when they were being led across the bridge into the Elvenking's palace that Bilbo's mind clicked. This was Thranduil, the Elf King that Thorin despised above everyone. Well, except Smaug and Azog he supposed. This was the one that Thorin forbade him from speaking to. The one Thorin would be gladly banish from Erebor if it meant keeping his eyes off of Bilbo.
He glanced at Thorin, only to find that the Dwarf King's eyes were already on him. Burning like blue flame, tearing into Bilbo and pleading with him not to engage with Thranduil. At all. He nodded with a small smile, and Thorin's shoulders lost some of their tension. Tension which was regained the very second they were brought into Thranduil's throne room and made to stand in a line before the Elf's keen blue eyes. Thorin wormed his way over to stand next to Bilbo, or somewhat in front of Bilbo, as if he could hide the Hobbit from Thranduil's gaze.
"Thorin Oakenshield. What a pleasure to see you again." Thranduil drawled with no emotion in his beautiful voice. Bilbo shook his head slightly. Where had that come from? Beautiful voice? Thorin had a beautiful voice. And eyes. And braids. And- "What brings you here, trespassing in my Kingdom?" Thranduil asked, though he sounded more bored than Bilbo did when he sat through Lobelia's tea time gossip. Bilbo could see Thorin opening his mouth, probably to deliver some scathing remark or bitter accusation, but thankfully, Balin stepped in quickly.
"We were merely passing through to the Iron Hills." The wise elder Dwarf said with an innocent smile. Thorin muttered under his breath, but even Bilbo didn't catch it. Thranduil smirked, and it was a very cold smirk.
"Indeed." He sneered. Bilbo felt a little jolt run through him when Thranduil's eyes slid off of Thorin and onto him. He felt the Elvenking observe him, even though he was mostly hidden by Thorin, and then he smiled. And that scared Bilbo more than anything. "Legolas, the Halfling." Thranduil ordered, and the blond Elf who cut Bilbo out of his cocoon grabbed him by his arm and led him forward.
"No! Let him go!" Thorin yelled, struggling against his binds and the Elf guards who stepped up to keep him in line. Bilbo kept sending fearful glances over his shoulder at Thorin, who was looking less angry and more panicked the closer Bilbo got to Thranduil. Of course the Elvenking noticed, and he found himself increasing intrigued. He had never seen a creature like this. He was fairly sure he was a Hobbit, but the Shire was so far away from Mirkwood that he had never met with one of the Halflings before. What would a Hobbit be doing traveling with a group of Dwarves? And why would Thorin Oakenshield be so protective of him?
"King Thranduil, really, you shouldn't take Bilbo away from Thorin!" Kili blurted out, all of their eyes going to the young archer.
"And why, prey tell, should I listen to you?" Thranduil asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Bilbo is Thorin's One. Even you must know the significance behind that!" Fili provided when Kili looked about ready to yell at the Elf. The way Thranduil talked down to them, like they were all children, was maddening. And it pissed Kili off somehow more than the others. Thranduil's eyes flicked from Fili to Thorin and to Bilbo, before they examined the Hobbit closer. There was nothing apparently special about the Halfling. He was quite attractive, and there was some kind of subliminal charm that radiated from him, but the One of a Durin?
Thranduil beckoned Bilbo closer, and when the Hobbit couldn't seem to make himself walk, Legolas gave him a light shove forward. Bilbo stumbled a little, ending up right between the Elvenking's legs. And oh the curse Thorin let loose at that... Thranduil narrowed his eyes, intent on discovering what made the Hobbit so very curious. Beneath the dirt and grime he had collected during his trek through Mirkwood, Bilbo had fair, pale skin and golden curls. His eyes were a lovely shade of blue, but not as striking as Thranduil or Thorin's eyes. The Elvenking could sense some kind of innocence, and kindness, within the creature that confused him. What would a soft little thing like a Hobbit be doing with a group of Dwarves, especially with Thorin Oakenshield. And how in the world had he ended up as Thorin's One?
Thranduil was about to shrug and give up when he noticed the bump. He wouldn't have noticed it at all, but for the way Bilbo shifted his arms in his binds, pulling his shirt taunt over his stomach for a moment. And displaying the slight roundness to his stomach. Thranduil hesitated before reaching forward and making short work of the bottom buttons of Bilbo's shirt.
"Don't you touch him!" Thorin roared, but Thranduil wasn't listening to him. He was very interested by the sight before him. The Hobbit was pregnant. A male Hobbit, Thorin's Hobbit, was pregnant. Bilbo was looking at him with wide, scared eyes, and was obviously uncomfortable. Thranduil gave him a reassuring smile and buttoned up his shirt once more.
"How far along are you?" Thranduil asked curiously. Silence followed the question. Bilbo's eyes widened even further, if it were possible, and Thorin looked genuinely shocked from where he stood. The Dwarves showed their surprise to varying degrees, the younger ones all but dropping their jaws and the elder ones simply looking at Bilbo dumbly.
"I-I...w-what?"
"You didn't know." Thranduil surmised. Bilbo shook his head, looking down at himself. "I must admit I'm fascinated. How is it that a male creature can hold a child? You are a male, are you not?" Bilbo sputtered indignantly for a moment.
"I am definitely a male!" He said fervently. Thranduil smiled at his reaction, then gestured for Bilbo to explain himself. "I...Hobbits have an ability...when there are no females around...we can bear and deliver children." Bilbo explained, his face bright with a blush. Thranduil steeped his fingers beneath his chin.
"Interesting. Do you know what the species will be? Or the gender? I imagine it's not a usual practice anymore, considering Hobbits have fairly proportional gender percentages, if I remember correctly. How will the child be born?" Thranduil had never been so interested by something in his life! Unfortunately it looked like the Hobbit was in mild shock over the news, and thus unable to tell him what he wanted to know.
"Bilbo." Thorin murmured, and the Hobbit immediately looked to his One. "You're pregnant?" Thorin asked quietly. The way they looked at each other, Thranduil had to wonder if they even remembered there were other people in the room as they spoke. Bilbo nodded, and Thorin's face flitted through several emotions before settling for awe.
"You're not...mad?" Bilbo managed to squeak.
"How could I be mad?" Thorin asked, with a warm smile. Bilbo hesitantly returned it. Thranduil couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Yes yes, how adorable. Legolas, escort the Dwarves to their cells. I'll take the Hobbit to the healers. I'm sure you're in need of nutrients, after your journey thus far." Thranduil ordered, standing and putting a hand on Bilbo's shoulder. The look of fear returned to the Hobbit's face as he looked desperately from the King to his Dwarf and back.
"Thorin-" Bilbo started to ask him what to do, but the Dwarf was already yelling and cursing in Khuzdul as Elves tried to drag him away.
"You really shouldn't separate a Dwarf from his One, especially if his One is pregnant." Balin told Thranduil calmly, not fighting the Elf that was leading him away. Thranduil sighed, like he was indeed dealing with children.
"Surely Thorin will realize that I have no intentions of keeping him separate from his pregnant One. I intend to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with my guest, give him a good dinner, and a fine room. It would be cruel of me to deny such things to one who holds life within them." Thranduil drawled. Thorin quieted his rant to mutters, but he stood his ground when the Elves tried to usher him out again.
"If you hurt him-"
"Thorin really, only a barbarian would hurt a mother with child. You are considered the mother, are you not?" Thranduil looked down at Bilbo, who still looked too surprised to answer him. "I will take good care of Bilbo. If he wishes it, I will personally escort him to see you once he has been well looked after by my healers. Until then, you would do well to obey my commands. I could always kick you out and keep Bilbo here all to myself." Bilbo's heart jumped to his throat at that, and a low growl escaped Thorin's throat. "As I thought. Run along now, with the rest of your company." The King smirked.
"Bilbo." Thorin called his attention, and once he had Bilbo's eyes locked on his own, he smiled, as much as he could. "I love you." The Dwarf King promised. Bilbo stuttered a breath and tried to smile back at Thorin.
"I love you too." Bilbo replied. Thranduil rolled his eyes again, and gestured for his Elves to remove Thorin. The Elvenking untied Bilbo's binds and gave him that reassuring smile again, though it did nothing to make Bilbo less nervous.
"Follow me. I'm sure my healers will be just as interested in your condition." Thranduil ordered as he started to walk away. Bilbo had no choice but to follow. He doubted he would get far if he tried to go after the Dwarves, and he didn't want to chance being rough handled now that he knew that he was...pregnant. His mind was still swimming with the news! He never would have thought... Usually it took more than one night together before male Hobbits could reproduce. But his chest still warmed at the though, and his face warmed at the memory of that one night. He couldn't wait until the healers were finished. He had to see Thorin.
OOOOO
"Uncle how can Bilbo be pregnant? He's a man!" Kili was the one to break the tense silence in the dungeon after a few dozen minutes of quiet. He and Fili were in a cell across the way from his Uncle, so they got to see his face. Currently it was a mixture of anger, with Thranduil no doubt, and awe. He was going to be a father!
"You heard Master Baggins, lads. In the absence of females, male Hobbits develop the ability to take on their roles. Thorin...did you know this would happen?" Balin asked from the cell to the left of Thorin's.
"I knew it was possible, but I didn't think...not so soon!" Thorin admitted. "We never really talked about it, not in depth." He added, rubbing his forehead. They could all tell that he was on edge. His One, the mother of his child, was currently in the care of Thorin's least favorite Elf in Middle Earth. He had no information regarding Bilbo's location, or condition, and it was driving him to his very last nerve. If he didn't get to see Bilbo soon, he might just declare war on every last Elf in Mirkwood. Fili cleared his throat to try and sooth Thorin.
"I'm sure Bilbo is fine, Thorin. You know Thranduil will not hurt him-"
"But what if the journey hurt him! He was stung by those spiders just as we were, and the last few weeks spent in Mirkwood must have had an effect!" Thorin was pacing now, clenching and loosening his fists periodically. "If I had known...Mahal if anything is wrong with either of them because of me and my foolishness, I'll never forgive myself."
"Thorin, knock it off!" Dwalin growled from where he was laying down in the cell with Balin. "Yer acting like something is definitely wrong. Master Baggins is stronger than any of us know, he's proved that enough times. Just sit down and try to relax. That frilly King said he'd bring Bilbo by when the healers were done with him." Dwalin reminded the Dwarf King, who huffed but did as his friend said. His feet never stopped tapping nervously though. It took hours before there was the sound of Hobbit feet in the dungeons. Thorin would know the sound anywhere.
The Dwarf King sprang to his feet and pressed himself eagerly against the bars of his cell, his eyes seeking out his One. Bilbo appeared moments later, eyes darting from cell to cell and one arm wrapped protectively around his stomach. When he saw Thorin, he broke out into a run until he slid to a stop outside the bars. Thorin immediately wrapped his arms around the Hobbit and brought him as close as the bars separating them permitted.
"Oh Bilbo! My Âzynugel! I've been so worried! Are you okay? Is the baby?" Thorin immediately asked, holding Bilbo at arms length so he could look him over. Bilbo was out of his filthy clothes and in a long silver tunic, a pair of green trousers beneath it. And he was sparkling clean, no longer caked in dirt and grime. The smile on his face could put the Arkenstone itself to shame.
"I'm fine, the healers said I'm completely healthy. And...the babies are fine too." Thorin was stunned for a good moment, but then a grin split his face practically in half.
"Babies? There's two?" He dropped to his knees and leaned his forehead through the bars to press against Bilbo's stomach. "My children." Thorin whispered lovingly. Bilbo couldn't help but run his fingers through his One's hair.
"I'm so glad you're not angry. I know we didn't talk about having children, and I didn't think it would happen so soon! I thought you would be furious with me, since we still have a long ways to go and all." Bilbo admitted. Thorin looked up at him with wide, almost fragile eyes.
"Bilbo I would never be angry with you, never. And especially not for bearing children. Children are more precious than anything to Dwarves." Thorin murmured, standing to cup Bilbo's face in his hands. "I'm as far as can be from angry. I love you my little Hobbit." He whispered, kissing Bilbo tenderly.
"Gross." Kili muttered from across the way.
"Never knew uncle was a sap." Fili agreed. Bilbo chuckled as Thorin glared at the two over his shoulder. "Bilbo, this is wonderful!" Fili added.
"We're going to have cousins!" Kili cheered.
"Two little girls." Bilbo grinned proudly. Again Thorin looked temporarily shocked.
"Girls? Are you sure?" He asked. Bilbo nodded happily.
"Male Hobbits always bear girls, since the only reason a male would need to bear children would be because of lack of females." He reminded him. "Does that upset you?" Bilbo suddenly looked worried. Thorin shook his head vehemently.
"No! There are hardly any females Dwarves. They are treated like princesses, every last one of them. And since ours will be little princesses, they will be treated even better. I promise you." Bilbo smiled again, and Thorin felt his knees go week for a moment. "You must stay here. Where you can be safe, and healthy. I will send for you when our journey is done." Thorin frowned even as he said it. He didn't want to be parted from Bilbo, but he would not put his One and his children in danger.
"No! Thorin I'll be fine! I don't want to stay here, wondering constantly if you're alright. It would be like torture, never knowing what was happening to you." Bilbo immediately protested, grabbing Thorin's hand like it would disappear.
"Your Dwarf is right, it would be much safer for you to stay." Thorin hadn't even realized Thranduil was standing a few feet away, watching the two with sharp eyes. But now he turned a glare on the Elvenking.
"As much as it pains me to agree with an Elf, you should stay." He growled. "I would not be able to live with myself if anything happened to you." He added in a softer tone.
"Thorin-" Bilbo looked like a fauntling, his eyes as wide as plates.
"Bilbo please. I need you to be safe." There was silence for a few moments as Bilbo tried to think of something that would change Thorin's mind. But he knew now about the stubbornness of Dwarves, and he doubted he would every be able to convince his love.
"Please promise me you will be safe as well." Bilbo whispered, his eyes tearing up slightly. Thorin gave him his most reassuring smile and brought Bilbo's forehead against his own.
"I promise my love." He whispered, kissing Bilbo lightly.
"There is of course the matter of your release." Thranduil spoke up again, and Thorin had to pinch himself to keep from snarling at the Elvenking.
"What do you want, Elf?" He demanded harshly.
"You know exactly what I want Thorin, you were there that day." Thranduil drawled. Thorin remembered the day in question. The day when Thranduil came to Erebor to pay homage to Thror, who was already sick with Gold Madness. Their arrangement, crops for the star jewels, had lasted so long by that point that no body expected what happened. Thror had offered the chest of jewels to Thranduil and just before the Elvenking could claim them, the chest was snapped shut and carried away. It shocked everyone, and Thranduil stormed out, never to come to Erebor again. And never to offer aid to her people either. Thorin knew it was unfair of his grandfather, and he had been very confused and disappointed when Thror had done it. But now that he was faced with the same choice, he found it harder than expected.
"Thorin?" Bilbo asked, noticing the hesitance to answer. The Dwarf King looked down at his One, his beautiful One carrying his beautiful children, and he knew he had to do the right thing. If he never left this place, how would he ever be able to give his One and his children their home? It was just a few star jewels anyways.
"Very well Thranduil. You shall receive what is rightfully your." Thorin agreed. Bilbo smiled slightly, as did Balin in the cell next to the Dwarf King. For a moment Balin had been worried, that Thorin would be more liked his grandfather than was healthy. But Thorin was still very much himself. And he could see reason.
"I shall have you released and give you an guide to Lake Town. But, do be careful with that Dragon. It would be a shame for so many to die." Thranduil winced subconsciously, feeling his hidden scars burn as he spoke of Dragons. "I will escort Master Baggins to the Mountain once I have heard, for sure, of your success." He added when Thorin gave him a bit of a glare and tightened his hold on Bilbo.
"If anything happens, anything at all, I want you to send a raven to find me, alright?" Thorin demanded of Bilbo, who nodded enthusiastically. "And no falling in love with frilly Elves while I'm away." He added, to get a smile out of the Hobbit.
"I'm surprised you're joking about such things." Bilbo chuckled.
"So am I actually." Thorin replied. The two lapsed into silence, just holding each other through the bars of the cell, until Thranduil cleared his throat.
"I would be delighted to host your company for a night in the guest rooms, before you go on your way tomorrow." Thranduil proposed, and Thorin reluctantly agreed. As soon as his cell was open, he pulled Bilbo into a real hug, and seemed to have no intention of letting him go.
"If we only have tonight together before you go, shall we make it memorable?" Bilbo asked slyly, just loud enough so Thorin could heard. The Dwarf King grinned wolfishly.
"You'll be the death of me, Halfling." He rumbled.
"Well...at least you'll die happily."
OOOOO
When the raven came from Erebor, announcing that the Dwarves had retaken the mountain and that Smaug was dead, slain by Bard the Bowman, Bilbo was justifiably excited. He was still relatively small, his baby bump barely noticeable, but Thranduil was still hesitant to let him travel. In the end, his Hobbit stubbornness left no room for argument, and they set out the next day, Thranduil and Legolas riding on either side of Bilbo's pony.
"The letter said that Thorin is currently hosting quite a few men of Lake Town, and that Dain Ironfoot has been sent for from the Iron Hills. Which means there will be limited space for my men." Thranduil explained to Bilbo as they rode.
"But you've brought a whole army with you." Bilbo pointed out.
"The letter also said that an army of Orcs and Goblins are marching on the mountain, and that our help is needed. Which means you will stay in Lake Town when we reach it and after the battle is done, Legolas will come and fetch you." Thranduil told him. Bilbo frowned and then pouted.
"So I'm going to be left behind again?! And wasn't Lake Town destroyed?"
"It still floats, and the women and children still remain with some protectors. You will stay there Bilbo Baggins, you will not endanger your children." Legolas said pointedly. Bilbo pouted for a good ten minutes before he looked at Thranduil.
"You'll make sure Thorin lives, won't you? I'm staying in Lake Town to protect my children, but you must protect their father. I can't raise them on my own."
"I will do my best Bilbo." Thranduil promised. They didn't arrive in Lake Town until the next day, and Bilbo still fussed over being left behind. But then he met Bard's daughters, and he was content enough to sit and talk with them. Thranduil and the Elves of Mirkwood marched on towards Erebor, and were greeted at the gates by Thorin and Balin.
"You left Bilbo in Lake Town, like I asked?" Thorin immediately demanded when Thranduil approached him.
"Naturally. He should be no where near what will surely be a very bloody battle. Are your estimates correct, are their numbers really so great?" Thorin solemnly nodded his head. He wasn't any more excited about the prospect of bloodshed than any of them.
"As much as it pains me...I must thank you for watching over him. He is more important to me than anything. But I must ask...did he...cuddle with any of you?" Thorin winced just asking the question. Thranduil and Legolas exchanged smirks and nodded.
"Don't worry, it was with our female commander, Tauriel, who feel no attraction to Bilbo, nor Bilbo to her. My son and I offered, but Bilbo explained that you would be quite angry if it was one of us." Thorin breathed a sigh of relief. "Dwarves are very possessive beings." Thranduil added. "Now, shall we commence battle strategy? I understand Bard is already here, and I heard rumor that Gandalf the Grey was on his way."
"We'll need all the help we can get." Thorin sighed. "Come inside." Thranduil looked around as they walked, talking note of all the Men and Dwarves around, interacting peacefully and even happily. It was not what he expected. Honestly, he thought Thorin would be mad with Gold Sickness by this point.
"How have you been coping with retaking your home?" He wondered as they walked. Thorin chuckled and shook his head lightly.
"You mean, why am I not Gold Mad?" Thranduil merely shrugged. "I have something more important than Gold to think about. Bilbo is more precious to me than a thousand Arkenstones, and once we finish the impending battle, I would be more than glad to repay you for caring for him. As well as for past grievances done to you by my grandfather."
"I am surprised, and pleased, that you are so healthy, and fair. I think Erebor has a bright future if you continue this way." The Elvenking allowed himself a rare smile for the Dwarf King, and Thorin returned it.
"Well family should always come first. The day I forget that, you have my permission to smack me back into reality."
"I think your nephews will take care of that before Thranduil can be sent for." Balin commented from the other side of Thorin. They all laughed, and for a moment, it seemed like all would be well.
Once the battle started, it was like nothing could go right in the world. There were so many dying, on both sides of the battle, and it appeared to be never ending. Just when things seemed most daunting, the Eagles, Beorn, and Gandalf arrived. Azog was slain by Dain, and Bolg by Bard. Thorin was heavily wounded, but thanks to Thranduil and his Elven healing, he recovered. Fili and Kili were also severely hurt, Fili losing his left leg up to his knee and Kili nearly loosing sigh in his right eye. But they also recovered, and Fili didn't let his amputation ruin his spirit.
Bilbo was called for, and within a week he was standing in Erebor, being led to Thorin's chambers. The Dwarf King was asleep when Bilbo reached his chambers, but Bilbo sat next to the bed to wait, refusing to be taken to his own chambers. When Thorin woke up from his fever a few days later, it was to Bilbo's beaming face and moderately round belly.
"Bilbo?" He still had a small fever, and was still possibly delirious.
"It's me Thorin. I'm here. So don't you dare think about taking a turn for the worse and dying. I swear I'll bring you back myself and then kill you again for causing me such pain."
"But...then I'd be...dead again."
"Well I'd bring you back twice then." Bilbo shrugged. Thorin laughed and patted the bed next to him. Bilbo immediately climbed onto the mattress and snuggled into his One's side. "I'm glad you're awake." He murmured sleepily. He'd been neglecting sleep until he saw Thorin was okay, but now he felt exhausted.
"I am glad you are here Bilbo. I love you." Thorin said warmly.
"I love you too." Bilbo replied with a yawn. Thorin chuckled and brought Bilbo closer.
"Get some sleep Ghivashel. I will be here when you wake." Thorin promised, and Bilbo hardly heard to the end of his sentence before he was asleep.
OOOOO
Bilbo and Thorin were married in a lavish ceremony on Durin's Day the next year. Everyone, even Thranduil, was invited, though Thorin still didn't let the Elf within a two yard radius of his new Husband. And Fili and Kili were more than happy to carry around the two baby princesses all through the happy day. The girls, Tori and Belle, were indeed beloved by everyone who came into contact with them. And Bilbo absolutely adored watching his Husband coo and fuss over them. When Dis arrived in Erebor, her and Bilbo became fast friends, mostly because they both had embarrassing stories about Thorin to exchange. Everything was perfect.
There was never a chance for Bilbo to become Touch Starved during his long marriage to the most wonderful King Under the Mountain in centuries. Thorin was loved by his people, and by the people of Dale and Lake Town, and Mirkwood surprisingly. But no one loved him more than Bilbo Baggins, and his two beautiful daughters. When the time had come for Thorin to join his ancestors, Bilbo followed soon after. But their deaths were not mourned, their lives were celebrated. And though no one could know it, their love continued on after their physical deaths. On and on and on.
END
OOOOO
AN: Did you like it? It's okay if you didn't. But I hope you did. Let me know, either way! Thanks for reading! Once again, the M version is just this with smut. So...yeah.