A/N: Second prompt, second day, second chapter.

The story had been graciously beta-read by absolutely awesomesauce whilewewereyetsinners.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the bowl of strawberries with cream. Not perfect, but hey, it's still strawberries with cream.


Protective

The great wilderness between the Shire and Misty Mountains was safer than it had been during the previous centuries, but at the same time one could never know where danger would show its head.

Like this night.

They had been only about half-a-day travel from the elven city of Rivendell, when they decided to make a camp by the ruins of an old farm.

"This place is creepy," murmured Viola to Bilbo, as they settled by the fire preparing food, as the dwarves bustled around.

Bilbo nodded. "You're right – there should be sounds of birds around at least, and there is nothing but the sounds we ourselves are making. Have you seen the farm?"

"Yes – it does look like rather recent destruction, and an abrupt one at that." She paused. "I don't like this place."

There showed to be quite a good reason why not to like the place. And the reason came in three– a trio of cave trolls stole several of their ponies, and only the quick thinking of the hobbits, who somehow managed to draw the trolls first into argument with each other and then in rather lengthy discussion about culinary matters, saved their dwarven protectors.

With the trolls changed into stone till the end of the days, Viola and Bilbo rushed to get the dwarves out of the sacks they had been thrown into, Viola rushing to Dwalin first of all. Her husband crushed her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his bigger frame, both of them needing to feel the other was safe and (mostly) unharmed.

"Don't do that ever again – prancing before cave trolls like that!" Dwalin growled, making Viola chuckle.

"Only if you promise me to never again get thrown into a sack by a cave troll," she responded cheekily.

Dwalin only hugged her tighter before he leaned down, nuzzled his cheek against her hair, and whispered, "Deal."