I had a review asking about Lobelia's point of view and it got me thinking that there was no way someone as determined as her would give up quite so easily. So this one-shot is now a two-shot.
And another snow storm has hit the Northeast, so you know.
And so Bilbo was more than ready to leave Sackville behind. He, Bofur, and the boys made it back to the others quick enough. The rest of the company had finished packing and were waiting on their ponies for their missing companions.
Thorin moved out as soon as they were in sight, not bothering to ask what kept them. Mainly because he didn't care as he saw the slight delay as a complete waste. They didn't get far; when a high-pitched, squeaky voice called out, "Wait just one moment here, Bilbo Baggins."
Lobelia Sackville-Baggins was not so easily perturbed and the sight of the Master of Bag End leaving the Shire was something she had been waiting on for years. Dwarves or no dwarves.
The ones who had interacted with the she-hobbit looked to each other with apprehension. Their trick had worked well enough back in the hobbit village, but they were much less likely to get the others to play along. Gloin, Dwalin, and Thorin would never waste time with the charade, that was for sure.
Fili instantly kicked his pony to be between Bilbo and his irate cousin attempting to dissuade her advance on their burglar.
It didn't work.
The sight of the blond dwarf did not catch her off guard again and she pulled the pony's bridle to the side, out of her way. Fili was left to try and get Minty under control as the quick move had startled her.
"I demand to know what you are doing," She stated, having eyes for no one but the lone hobbit.
"You have responsibilities to the family, cousin," Otho followed. "You are not involved," He stated, waggling his finger at Kili as the dwarf approached to assist his brother.
Bilbo stuttered over a response. He wasn't much of a liar and his mind was drawing a blank as to what to say next. Luckily the master of quick wit swept in.
"We've not the time to dawdle. Not to worry we'll take good care of Master Bilbo, ah Baggins" Bofur covered quickly.
The Sackville-Bagginses looked less than convinced.
"Business, cousin." Bilbo finally said, he could not think of anything better to say.
"What is the hold up?" a deep voice sounded, Thorin had back tracked to the field when he realized there appeared to be another issue.
"No concern of yours, Sir." Lobelia answered, so incensed that she was in Bilbo. Otho, however, had noticed the number of dwarves that surrounded them and was a bit more hesitant.
"We have a right to know about our kin and his home," Family loyalty was one of his favorite excuses to fall back on. "These hooligans," pointing at Fili and Kili who were the closest, "have been keeping it from us."
"You speak of kin. Those hooligans, as you say, are my nephews. And our business it none of yours." Thorin growled out.
Now Lobelia noticed that this dwarf was not like the rest, the air of authority radiated off of him, she scurried back to her husband. But it was not enough to completely deter her. She drew herself up to her full height of 3 foot 1, and pointed her squat nose at Thorin.
"Cousin! This is really unnecessary." Bilbo intervened, if he didn't he wasn't sure how much longer his cousins would be living. "I will be home soon enough and then we can catch up over tea at Bag End."
Tea with the Sackville-Baggines was the last thing Bilbo wanted to do, but if it got them to leave and avoid Thorin's ire, well that's what he would have to sacrifice for this quest.
He would need to remember to count his spoons before they would leave though.
Lobelia looked unhappy with that answer, but a touch on her shoulder from Otho kept her from making any other response. The she-hobbit had been waiting for years to get a foot into Bag End; she could wait a little longer.
"Very well, Bilbo Baggins. I will hold you to it," With a final glare to Thorin and the dwarves the Sackville-Bagginses retreated.
No one spoke for a moment, then the reverie was broken by Gandalf's soft chuckling. The ways of hobbits always amused the wizard. Thorin turned away, ready to set back out.
"You weren't kidding when it came to your kin, Master Hobbit," Said Nori.
"Yes, I do apologize for their infraction." Bilbo said, hoping to try and make up for the delays and trouble cause by his family. Although he spoke to everyone, it was Thorin he was looking to. However, the tall dwarf did not acknowledge that the burglar had even spoken.
"Don't worry about him," said Fili, guessing what the hobbit was nervous about. "We've done a lot worse things to deserve Thorin's anger while growing up."
Bofur laughed at that statement, "They have enough stories to last us unto the Lonely Mountain itself."
"Oh yes," Kili jumped in. "This one time . . ."
And so the day was spent sharing stories and telling jokes. Eventually most of the company had joined the conversation.
By the evening, Balin had spotted Thorin smirking to himself as his nephews reenacted one tale involving some emissaries from the south and their "borrowing" of their mother's skirts.
Balin knew the King better than most, though he was annoyed he wasn't truly angry. And these moments with family were important to hold on to.
There may not be time in the near future for it. The old advisor could only hope that the time with his family would keep Thorin from falling to the gold sickness. It was the reason he encouraged having Fili and Kili with them at all.
The company burglar brought out the best of the group even if he didn't realize it. Though angry, nosy relatives were guaranteed not to be the worst thing they would encounter. It would take all of them working together to reclaim Erebor. This hobbit may help keep Thorin from drowning yet.
Man, I can't do just humor. But I'm not a super funny person to begin with. I hope you like it. Please let me know. I am having trouble with "Axe in his Head" don't know how much longer that one will last.