Vuala! Here is the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own it :*(

Also pretty please review!


Groaning, Katarina rubbed her sore feet as she dropped her heels into the entry way having said goodbye to Kelli and Tim as they entered their own apartment, excited whispers about a wedding bouncing between the two. Placing the mask on table, she grabbed a glass from the cabinet quickly filling it with water. That fourth glass of champagne was going to kick her tomorrow if she didn't drink the water. Chugging the water, she refiled the glass walking to her bedroom, the bath sounding like a better idea for the morning.

Katarina quickly slipped from her dress, letting the gold fabric sit in a pile on her floor. She pulled the pins from her hair setting them on her vanity as she watched her brain hair fall in haphazard ringlets down her back. Setting the glass of water on her bedside table she changed quickly into her pajamas, consisting of a pair of booty shorts and an old t-shirt that barely covered her thighs. She snuggled into the plush covers of her comforter, letting its silken fabric rub against her bare skin, its cool touch lulling her to sleep.

Katarina groaned as the light shone on her face, turning over she attempted to snuggle closer to her pillow to find it missing, as was her blanket. Shooting up, Katarina blinked slowly, the bright light blinding her for a moment. Eventually her eyes adjusted, and Katarina stared open mouthed at the scene before her. Rolling hills of lush green grass as far as the eye could see. A clear sapphire sky, with small fluffs of white in its depths. "Oh my God."

"Ah I see you are awake." An amused voice called from beside her. Squeaking Katarina turned toward the voice looking at the face of an older man with a long beard, a gray hat shading his eyes. "Now, we haven't much time." The man said standing tall, his figure hulking over Katarina's. "My dear." He called curiously his eyes twinkling.

"Cease and desist that incessant twinkle in your eyes." Katarina snapped as she stood herself. "And go where?"

"Why to visit Mr. Baggins of course. We haven't much time you know, I should like to know if he is the one I am looking for before the dwarves are to meet." Gandalf stated ignoring her snide remark.

"Hey wait a minute." Katarina yelled jumping up before screaming and sitting back down a red blush on her face. Gandalf noting that she did not follow turned looking at her curiously.

"Yes my dear." He questioned curiously.

"I'm wearing my pajamas." She muttered trying to pull down her shirt so that it covered more than it did.

Frowning Gandalf walked back to the girl, he had not noticed. "Forgive me. Here." He said taking off his too large gray cloak and draping it around the girl. "That will have to do until we can find you better clothes."

The wizard began to walk again, Katarina jogging to catch up. "Are you Gandalf?"

"Why yes my dear I am, forgive me what do they call you?" Gandalf questioned looking at the small girl.

"Katarina but most people call me Kat, it is a mouthful ya know." Katarina replied looking around in astonishment at the small round doors, peeking out from the hills. "If your Gandalf and we are meeting Bilbo and there are dwarves does that mean it's about the quest for Erebor?"

"Yes." Gandalf said nodding at a hobbit as they passed. Katarina had to keep herself from quaking at the little creatures' hairy feet. "But I must ask that you mention the fact that you know that to anyone."

Katarina nodded following along the dirt path smiling at the small children that were running through the fields laughing merrily, the mops of curly hair flying in the flowing wind. "Then send me back."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that currently." Gandalf said stubbornly.

"Why ever not?" Katarina questioned annoyed.

"It takes quite a lot of magic to do what I did and I will not have it restored for many a month, it may even be a year before I am able to return you." Gandalf stated.

"So you are saying that I should stay by your side until then just to be safe, conveniently having to go on the quest?" Katarina demanded.

"Ah! Well it did seem to work out that way. Yes I do think you will need to come with." Gandalf said nodding his head.

"That's practically black mail." Katarina sputtered.

"You are here for one reason, and one reason alone." Gandalf stated seriously.

"To save the sons of Durin?" Katarina finished letting her fingers run over the wooden fence of another hobbit-hole, her anger quickly leaving her.

"Why yes." Gandalf agreed quiet happy that she understood.

"So no meddling in any other way?" Katarina questioned.

"If you can help it." Gandalf said gently.

It should be fine, everything works out up until that point, just Gandalf don't tell them my purpose is that I'm a seer." Katarina said taking stopping to peer at a beautiful bed of flowers.

"Why ever not, I thought that an excellent plan." Gandalf asked waiting for the girl to enjoy herself for when they accompanied the dwarves they would not be able to.

"Because then they will expect me to tell them of everything and it will make it harder to not meddle." Katarina answered making her way once again down the path.

"I see, an honest response." Gandalf said nodding his head in understanding his mind already working out what possible way he could use to assure that Thorin will allow her to accompany.

"You have no idea how else to convince him do you." Katarina asked smiling slyly at the wizard.

"I will think of something before I need it, worry not." Gandalf responded glancing down at the girl with the wide smile.

"Just tell him that I am accompanying you. That way I won't need to sign the contract and he won't have to worry about me wanting any of the gold." Katarina said lightly giggling as a butterfly flittered across their path.

"An excellent idea yes." Gandalf said nodding his head. "When I leave the company by then he hopefully will have come to trust you and allow you to stay."

"Works for me." Katarina agreed. "Though Gandalf I do not know how to fight."

"Yes I assumed as much." A frown appeared on Gandalf's brow. "You will have to learn on the road, if none of the company will teach you then I will."

"We will have time on the road and in Rivendell." Katarina remarked.

"Ah! My dear it is best that you watch what you say even around me." Gandalf said gently. "I do not know all."

"Just …things that were… things that are… and some things…that have not yet come to pass." Katarina quoted looking over to Gandalf noting his surprised look making her own eyes narrow. "You looked into Galadriel's mirror that's why you only know about their deaths and now you try to prevent it."

"It is not certain." Gandalf said sadly. "Nothing is certain."

"No, perhaps not but I will admit if you ever wanted to prevent something this certainly is an interesting way to go about it." Katarina retorted following Gandalf along a winding path toward a young hobbit sitting on hit bench smoking a pipe. The duo stopped in front of the hobbit, the rocky path smooth under Katarina's bare feet.

Bilbo who was busing enjoying the early morning had not noticed the figures until the shadows loomed over his own figure. "Good morning."

"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? OR, perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?" Gandalf questioned the hobbit seriously, gauging whether or not he should come.

"All of them at once, I suppose." Bilbo stuttered his brows raised.

Gandalf frowned not at all happy with the response.

"Can I help you?" Bilbo asked after a moment of silence when it became apparently obvious that this strange man was not going to say anything.

"That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure." Gandalf said mysteriously, his voice alit with happiness.

"An adventure? Now, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nast, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner, hm, mm" Bilbo replied standing to check his mailbox, quickly sorting through it. He started for his door before looking over his shoulder once more. "Good morning."

"To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I were selling buttons at the door." Gandalf exclaimed loudly. Katarina could imagine he was tempted to wave his arms about himself dramatically.

"Beg your pardon?" Bilbo asked bewildered.

"You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf said frowning as if in deep thought.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Bilbo questioned squinting up at Gandalf curiously.

"Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf! And Gandalf means . . . me." Gandalf trailed off a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Gandalf . . . not Gandalf, the wandering Wizard, who made such excellent fireworks! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Ha, ha! Well. Hmm, I had no idea you were still in business." Bilbo stated not at all noticing how offended Gandalf seemed.

"And where else should I be?" Gandalf demanded loudly grabbing his staff tightly.

"Ha, ha! Hm, hmm. .." Bilbo puffed his pipe nervously.

"Well, I'm pleased to find you remember something about me, even if it's only fireworks. Well that's decided. It will be very good for you, and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others." Gandalf stated happily.

"Inform th- who? What? No. No. No! Wait. We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today, not-mm. I suggest you try over the Hill or across the Water. Good morning." Bilbo stated quiet flustered before making his way into his hope, closing the door behind him quickly bolting it shut.

"What now Gandalf?" Katarina questioned curiously.

"I already said, I shall go inform the others. I recommend-" Gandalf stepped up the small entry way to lean over carving into the door. "-you make friends with Master Baggins and see if he can house you until later tonight."

Nodding at the golden-eyed girl Gandalf turned making his way down the path humming a merry tune. Katarina turned back to the hobbit-hole unsure of how to proceed before sighing and walking forward. She really had not much of a choice. Raising a reluctant hand she knocked softly waiting patiently for the door to open.

Bilbo's head peaked out, almost closing the door when he saw the grey clothing but paused as he looked at the face. A young woman stood before him, her brown hair hanging in gently rings down her back. Warm honeyed eyes looked at him smiling, a kind lit in their depths. Opening the door fully, Bilbo looked fearfully out before leaning back. "Can I help you?"

Katarina blinked unsure. "I'm Katarina, but you can call me Kat if you would prefer."

"Oh?" Bilbo questioned still a bit flustered before clearing his throat and smoothing his shirt down. "Forgive me, I am Bilbo Baggins how may I be of service."

Smiling Katarina replied. "I seem to be in a predicament you see. My friend and I were travelling this way but he has left me behind, in front of your door in fact."

Bilbo nodded his head, frowning at a friend who would leave such a lovey woman behind. "I see."

"I'm not sure when he will be back you see and I was wondering if I could intrude upon you until he does? It is quiet warm out and I find myself in need of some shade." Katarina finished hoping to play on the Hobbit's natural hospitable nature.

"Oh! Why of course, rude of him to leave you behind. Do come in." Bilbo stated opening his door for her to come in.

"Thank you Bilbo." Katarina said gently smiling at the hobbit.

"Of course, here let me take this." Bilbo said reaching for the cloak. He did not notice Katarina's voice of protest until he removed it. "Oh!"

"Yes forgive me! It seems that these are the only clothes I have on me at the moment, certainly not appropriate to be travelling in, my friend lent me his cloak you see, to cover up." Katarina said blushing as she tried to cover more of herself with her shirt.

Bilbo's face was a bright red as he was caught between handing back the cloak and finding her proper clothing. "Perhaps, something of my mother's would fit you." He finally spat out running past her down a hall to a destination she did not know.

"Oh! If you would not mind, I hate to intrude more than I already have." Katarina said following the hobbit gazing wondrously at the beauty of the house. "This home is truly magnificent."

Bilbo came out of a room, holding up a dark green dress. "Oh! Thank you now. Hmm, this should fit you." He said holding up a dress. "It might be a bit short though. We can take out the hem but I'm afraid it probably won't completely fit."

"That is fine Bilbo, anything is better than what I am wearing now." Katarina said graciously taking the dress.

"Right, I will let you change in there." Bilbo said nodding toward the room and walking out down the hall. "I shall be in the dining room when you are finished, I shall fetch you a glass of water. Unless you would prefer something else, tea or lemonade perhaps?"

"Oh no water is fine with me." Katarina replied gratefully, closing the door behind her. Katarina shed her clothes, quickly slipping on the new clothes, the dress fitting surprising well if not for the face that it barely passed her knees.

Opening the door she peaked her head out, deciding on the way that she saw Bilbo come was her best bet. "Bilbo?" She called trying to make heads of where she was.

"This was my dear!" Bilbo called from her right. Katarina turned walking that way. "Forgive me, I had forgotten that you did not know your way around."

"It is quiet alright, you've done enough for me as is." Katarina replied sitting on a chair as Bilbo brought a cup of water over to her. "Thank you."

"Of course, now I must be off to the market. I will need to do some shopping for dinner tonight. Would you like to accompany me or would you prefer to stay here?" Bilbo asked curiously.

"Will I not receive weird looks if I were to go with you?" Katarina answered with a question.

"Oh! I can just say you were a friend of my mother's vising from Bree. She travelled quite a bit during her life." Bilbo stated nodding his head enjoying the answer.

"What of my clothes?" Katarina questioned. "They do not look as if they were made for me."

"No." Bilbo said frowning. "Perhaps you only brought the dress on your back not expecting to stay long but it got terribly muddy and being such lovely friends with my mother I offered you one of her old dresses."

Nodding Katarina agreed to the excuse. "If you do not mind. But perhaps I shall just stay here while you are out? I saw a lovely garden out front and would not mind sitting with the flowers and enjoying the fresh air."

"Of course my dear." Bilbo exclaimed smiling widely. The two made their way out the door, Katarina seating herself comfortably by Bilbo's flowers as the hobbit made his way down the cobblestone path. "I shall be back soon!"

"Bilbo!" Katarina exclaimed. "You must let me do something!" Since Bilbo had returned Katarina had attempted to convince him to let her help with something. Alas, the hobbit had waved her off saying that she was a guest until her friend came back. The hobbit was beginning to think that her friend was Gandalf and that did not bode well for him but he could not bring himself to even think of asking the poor woman to leave. They had spent the better of the afternoon after he had returned discussing flowers. The poor woman did not even know that they all had different meanings and listened closely as he explained them all.

"No. Now Miss Katarina if you would be so kind as to seat yourself, the fish is finished." Bilbo said chuckling at his pun.

Katarina smiled smelling the fish and making herself comfortable as he placed a fish in front of himself and one in front of her. The woman quickly cut a piece out and bit into it savoring the taste. Bilbo had just begun to squeeze a slice of lemon over the fish when the doorbell rang out.

"I shall be right back. Go ahead keep eating." Bilbo encouraged making his way to the door. Katarina took another bite of her fish not wanting to watch Dwalin eat.

"Which way, laddie? Is it down here?" A gruff voice rung coming closer and closer to where Katarina sat munching on her fish. There was a small shuffle before the dwarf in question came into view.

Laden with heavy furs, weapons, and tattoos the large dwarf was quite a sight. He stopped short seeing Katarina eating quietly. He nodded his head at her, showing the series of tattoos on the top of his bald scalp. "Dwalin, at your service."

Katarina smiled gently, not at all affected by the dwarf. "Katarina, it is a pleasure to meet you." Against the gruff of his voice, hers sounded fairly soft and melodic.

The dwarf sat in Bilbo's recently vacated seat. "I did not realize Master Baggins had a wife." Dwalin said looking at the fish.

"He does not, Gandalf left me here earlier." Katarina mused taking another bite of her fish, happy that she managed to scarf the thing down before Dwalin began to eat.

"He's not going to like that." Dwalin muttered biting into the flesh. Katarina did not need to question Dwalin to know that he spoke of Thorin.

Bilbo finally made his way into the room frowning at the dwarf, he sat behind him staring confused. Katarina looked over at Bilbo shrugging her shoulders. A responding crunch brought her attention back to the burly dwarf. Pushing her plate away she tried not to wretch as he bit into the off the entire head of the fish, cracking the bones of the skull in his mouth.

"Mmmm. . . . Very good, this. Anymore?" Dwalin asked holding up the fish skeleton for Bilbo to see.

"What? Uh, oh, yes, yes." Bilbo said looking around the small room placing a plate of Biscuits.

"Ah."

"Help yourself." Bilbo said bringing over the plate, grabbing two and stuffing them in his pockets. Dwalin smirked lightly, Katarina assumed in secret enjoyment over the flustered hobbit, and began to gorge himself on the biscuits.

"Mmm. It's just that, um, I wasn't expecting company." Bilbo started attempting to be polite. The doorbell rang through the home.

"That'll be the door." Dwalin said ominously looking up at the hobbit.

"Oh! I'll get it!" Katarina said jumping up and rushing toward the door Bilbo reluctantly following stopping every so often to look behind him to the dwarf eating. Smiling she pulled open the door, the dwarf before her bowing lowly his arms spread.

"Balin, at you service." The dwarf said straightening up, quickly hiding his surprise at finding a woman answering the door.

"Hello Master Balin. Lovely evening isn't it?" Katarina said happily.

"Yes, yes it is, though I think it might rain later. Am I late?" Balin questioned.

"No, fairly early in fact. The only other to arrive is your brother. Oh forgive me. Katarina." Katarina said curtseying slightly, smiling at the glint of surprise flitting rough Balin's eyes. "Gandalf sent me earlier to keep Bilbo Company until the rest of you arrived."

"He's not going to like that." Balin muttered stepping inside.

"Excuse me, if you give me a moment I can get that for you." Bilbo said attempting to pry the jar of biscuits from Dwalin who had momentarily got his hand stuck.

"Oh, ha ha! Evening, brother. Heh, heh." Balin cried out walking toward Dwalin.

"Oh, by my beard, you are shorter and wider than last we met." Dwalin commented snidely setting the jar down and approaching his brother.

"Wider, not shorter. Sharp enough for the both of us." Balin greeted. Katarina turned to close the door as the two laughed grabbing each other's shoulders and smashing their heads together.

"Uh, excuse me; sorry, I hate to interrupt, ah, but the thing is, I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house." Bilbo stuttered out following the two dwarves as they made their way to the pantry.

Katarina smiled following behind gaining much amusement from the scene in front of her.

"Have you eaten?" Dwalin questioned ignoring the hobbit.

"It's not that I don't like visitors; i-I like visitors as much as the next Hobbit, but I do like to know them before they come visiting." Bilbo continued on not taking not that the dwarves were not listening.

"Ah, that looks very nice indeed." Balin said looking around the large pantry. Frowning he picked up a lump of cheese.

"What's this?" Dwalin questioned poking the cheese. Katarina giggled beside Bilbo.

'I don't know, some kind of cheese." Balin said studying the thing closer.

"The thing is, um-" Bilbo continued on. Katarina rolled her eyes squeezing by to join the dwarves in the pantry.

"It's gone blue." Balin said blandly.

"It's riddled with mold." Dwalin agreed.

"It's blue cheese." Katarina spoke up standing beside Balin. The two dwarves looked at her curiously. "It's supposed to be moldy." Frowning she continued. "I have no idea why thought. I refused to even try the stuff, my mother says it does not taste good but my grandmother seems to enjoy it."

Dwalin frowned taking the cheese from his brother and tossing it out of the pantry.

"The thing is, um, I, I don't know either of you, not in the slightest. I don't mean to be blunt, but I uh, I had to speak my mind. I'm sorry." Bilbo finished stubbornly.

The two dwarves, much to Katarina's amusement continued on only to pause and look at Bilbo curiously. "Hm. Apology accepted." Balin said graciously.

"Mm!" Bilbo exclaimed annoyed.

"Ah, now fill it up, brother, don't stint. I could eat again, if you insist." Balin said to his brother holding the mug under the ale.

The doorbell rang out again, Bilbo fretfully going to answer it. Smiling Katarina followed telling the two dwarves that she would be right back.

"Careful with these, I just had 'em sharpened." Fili said dumping his swords into Bilbo's outstretched arms.

"It's nice, this place. D'you do it yourself?" Kili questioned scrapping his boots on a chest.

"Ah, no, it's been in the family for years. That's my mother's glory box, can you please not do that?!" Bilbo exclaimed sounding as if he was about to break. Katarina took pity on the hobbit.

"Fili! Kili! I am sure that your mother taught you better manners than that!" Katarina exclaimed coming into view. The young dwarves looked up at her in alarm for a moment. "Now, Fili take your weapons from your poor host and place them on the chest. Kili if you do not stop that this instant I will insist that you take off your boots!" Katarina ordered waiting for the dwarves to comply, though they only stared at her in astonishment. "Well?"

Quickly the two dwarves did as they were bid, smiling bashfully as the passed by Katarina. Shaking her head she chuckled at the two. "Go help the others."

"Fili, Kili, come on, give us a hand." Dwalin yelled.

"Mister Dwalin." Kili exclaimed clapping him on the shoulder. Bilbo came up to behind Katarina.

"Do you know them?" He questioned not sure on how to proceed.

"Hmm? The dwarves? Oh! No this is the first time I've ever met a dwarf and you?" Katarina questioned back avoiding it all together.

"Let's shove this in the hallway, otherwise we'll never get everyone in." Balin cried out shifting some furniture around.

"Ev-everyone? How many more are there?" Bilbo cried out panic seeming into his voice.

"Where do you want this?" Fili asked gesturing to a small table.

"Who is everyone?" Bilbo demanded turning to Katarina. Before she could answer the doorbell rang once more.

"Oh no. No, no! There's nobody home. Go away, and bother somebody else. There's fare too many dwarves in my dining room as it is. If-if-if this is some clot head's idea of a joke, ha ha, I can only say it is in very poor taste."

Katarina stepped back as Bilbo opened the door, wincing as the remaining eight dwarves all fell in, Gandalf standing behind them peering in in open amusement.

"Gandalf." Bilbo muttered heaving a sigh of relief. Before he could really talk to the wizard he was distracted by the herds of dwarves moving around his pantry and dining room.

"Hello Gandalf." Katarina proclaimed happily.

"Ah! There you are, I see Bilbo gave you something to wear." Gandalf said gesturing at the green dress.

"Yes, though I am afraid he has no boots for me to wear and it is a tad short." Katarina frowned.

"Ah! No matter we can acquire all that you will need once reach Bree." Gandalf said nodding contently around him.

"Bofur!" Katarina called grabbing the dwarf's attention just as he finished telling Bilbo of Bombur. "It matters not that he eats the cheese by the block he should use a knife in case any of us would life some."

"Did you hear me Bombur!? I better see you use a knife otherwise your hands will smell like cheese for days!" Katarina called out to the plump dwarf who merely nodded in reply.

"Excuse me, Mr. Gandalf, can I tempt you with a nice cup of chamomile tea?" Dori questioned coming out from the kitchen toward the two.

"Oh, no thank you, Dori. A little red wine for me, I think." Gandalf responded. "My dear, what of you?"

Katarina who had been laughing at Bilbo's flustered attempts to right things had not been paying attention. "Pardon."

"Some chamomile tea, my Lady?" Dori questioned holding the kettle up. "Or some red wine with Mr. Gandalf."

"Oh the chamomile would be lovely thank you." Katarina reasoned grasping the offered cup with thanks.

"Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori. . . Ori." Gandalf counted pointing to the dwarves in question. Bifur strode forward speaking in Khuzdul. "Yes you're quite right, Bifur. We appear to be one dwarf short."

"He is late, is all. He travelled North to a meeting of our kin. He will come." Dwalin stated leaning on the doorframe a mug of ale nestled in his hand. The dwarf looked at Katarina with a harsh look. "No, he definitely won't like this."

Katarina sighed as the dwarf walked away. "My dear shall we?" Gandalf questioned walking motioning toward the dining room, were to seats were by the edge. Nodding Katarina followed behind seating herself beside Gandalf, where Thorin would have been on her other side. She watched on in amusement as the dwarves enjoyed their meal, tossing food, drinking ale, burping loudly, their laughter ringing throughout the hobbit-hole.

Having already eaten earlier, Katarina munched on a few things, waiting as the piles of food slowly grew smaller and smaller until there was nothing left. As the dwarves shuffled out of the dining room Katarina turned to Gandalf.

"Should we go help Bilbo? She questioned.

"Whatever for?' Gandalf responded amused.

"You know as well as I that he is not happy at all." Katarina retorted. "And you have tortured the poor thing enough for one night."

"Very well, let us find the Hobbit." Gandalf conceded leading his way through the hall where Bilbo was muttering to himself. "My dear Bilbo, what on earth is the matter?"

"What's the matter? I'm surrounded by dwarves. What are they doing here?" Bilbo demanded no longer attempting to be polite.

"Oh, they're quite a merry gathering, once you get used to them." Gandalf answered smiling at Nori and Bofur who decided to play tug-of-war with a link of sausages.

"Yes Bilbo you should give them a chance." Katarina called merrily from beside Gandalf smiling brightly at the Hobbit.

"I don't want to get used to them. The state of my kitchen! There's mud trod into the carpet, they've pi-pillaged the pantry. I'm not even going to tell you what they've done in the bathroom; they've all but destroyed the plumbing. I don't understand what they're doing in my house!" Bilbo exclaimed.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?" Ori questioned meekly making Katarina want to go over and hug the dwarf.

"Here you go, Ori, give it to me." Fili said grabbing the plate. The blonde threw the plate to Kili who quickly caught it throwing it over his back to Bifur who was standing in the kitchen. The group of dwarves smiled mischievously throwing plates and mugs amongst themselves towards the sink to be washed.

"Excuse me, that's my mother's West Farther crockery, it's over a hundred years old!" Bilbo cried out. "And can-can you not do that? You'll blunt them!"

Katarina laughed as the dwarves began a rhythm. "Ooh, d'hear that, lads? He says we'll blunt the knives." Bofur cheered.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks." Kili sung.

"Smash the bottles and burn the corks." Fili finished.

Chip the glasses and crack the plates

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Cut the cloth and tread on the fat

Leave the bones on the bedroom mat

Pour the milk on the pantry floor

Splash the wine on every door

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl

Pound them up with a thumping pole

When you've finished, if any are whole

Send them down the hall to roll

...

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"

Katarina laughed and clapped along, singing quietly under her breathe as the dwarves made quick work of the mess. Bilbo huffed in anger when they finished not at all amused to find his dished stacked neatly and clean. A hushed silence fell over the dwarves as a knock sounded on the door.

Apparently, Katarina thought, Thorin Oakenshiel was too good for the doorbell.

"He is here." Gandalf whispered.