Trying out this "update once every day" thing and it seems to be working out :D
I really enjoyed this chapter because I got to introduce Fili and Kili =w=
They're so fun to write, especially when everything is gloomy and depressing but they will have their share of angst in due time xP
Anyways, ENJOY!
The thugs in the long room quickly disappeared after Thorin had dismissed them. Only Dwalin and Balin remained in place, discussing things with Thorin as Bilbo stood in place, unsure of what to do, how to feel, or how to react. For a long moment he stood quietly, awkwardly even, waiting for the three to pay attention to him which only happened much later when Thorin was ready to abandon his jagged throne.
"Come." He commanded as he passed swiftly by Bilbo and at a rapid pace.
"W-wait I—" and Bilbo cowered when Thorin glowered at him for having commanded him so. "I-I mean…" he stuttered nervously and twiddled his thumbs as he lowered his head, "I…why?"
"Why what?" Thorin asked without attempting to hide his irritation.
"Why…" Bilbo muttered, "Why didn't you kill…me?"
"Would you have preferred death?" Thorin asked bluntly.
"N-no, that's not what I meant…" Bilbo defended, but his voice quickly shrank as he continued, "I'm incredibly thankful…but I…I just want to know why…if…you don't mind…"
Thorin stared at him quietly before walking towards him, stopping inches away from his face, "Most people don't question my decision." He stated and Bilbo thought he had committed a horrible mistake by insisting on his curiosity, "But if you truly wish to know why, it's because I know you're not like the others. And that made me curious."
Bilbo was about to question Thorin's vagueness but Balin's hand on his shoulder was enough of a silent warning to have him keep his mouth shut. He merely lowered his gaze and thanked Thorin again for sparing him before he walked off and commanded Bilbo to follow him once more.
"Just a word of advice, lad," Balin whispered to Bilbo before he left, "Don't ever question Thorin again, if you value your life."
Bilbo swallowed heavily and nodded before running off after his new employer, hoping he wouldn't receive punishment for having been too nosy.
Thorin lead them out of the building which had actually been an abandoned factory just out of the city. Thorin climbed into his black car, at the wheel while Dwalin took the seat next to him and Balin sat in the back with Bilbo. He sighed heavily once hearing the motor of the car start, knowing full well that nothing would be alright and that his life had most likely changed forever. Staring out the window he cursed the idea he had had upon learning Frodo suffered from leukopenia and having resorted to a criminal organization for aid. He hadn't been raised a fool and yet he had acted like one.
Stupid… Bilbo thought as he leaned his forehead against the window in despair.
"Don't be so sad, lad," Balin said comfortingly, placing a hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "Look on the bright side of things, you're employed now…albeit it's to the leader of the Sons of Durin but that's better than nothing, isn't it?"
"I suppose…" Bilbo said, though a different answer weighed on his mind but he knew better than to say it aloud.
Around an hour later, after following isolated roads into a forest, the car reached a clearing in the center of which was an enormous estate. Though it was indeed dark, Bilbo could see how perfectly the grass had been cut and that the hedges and shrubs had been cut to perfection into various shapes.
Large gates opened as to allow the car passage and it circled around a large fountain before stopping in front of the main doors. Wordlessly, all exited the car, Bilbo scurrying behind everyone having been too preoccupied by the grandness of the estate to think properly. "Welcome to Erebor," Balin introduced, "The operating base of the Sons of Durin and home of Thorin Oakenshield."
Bilbo would have continued to stare at the magnificent edifice with admiration if Thorin himself had not cut his gawking short. He stood in front of Bilbo with authority and with such a serious expression that Bilbo knew his life would be in peril if he dared to disobey the order he was about to receive.
"Listen carefully," Thorin commanded, "You are to serve as my accountant as I've previously mentioned, but you also have the task of humouring my nephews as does everyone else who enters my domain. Understood?"
Bilbo nodded.
"You are to do whatever they desire of you," Thorin specified, "let it also be known that they will also not be an excuse for your incomplete work if it so happens to be unfinished. Understood?"
Bilbo nodded again.
"The details of what you'll have to do will be specified later," Thorin added, straightening his posture, "now, you're here because you need to repay your debt. That is the only information you are permitted to give my nephews if they ever ask. If I ever learn that you've told them about my position as the leader of the Sons of Durin you can be sure that your life will be forfeit. Am I clear?"
"Yes." Bilbo squeaked.
"Wonderful." Thorin said and smiled ever so slightly before turning to Dwalin and Balin, "Will you be staying for the night?"
"Afraid not, lad," Balin said with a regretful smile, "We need to check on Nori and settle a few matters before relaxing. We'll come by to see the boys some other time."
"Alright," Thorin nodded, "Contact me if there are any complications with Nori."
"We will." Dwalin said and hugged Thorin before returning to the vehicle.
"Good luck." Balin said and hugged Thorin as well before leaving.
They stood outside until the car passed the gates. Bilbo would have spent more time gazing at the clearing and serenity of the place, but he had work to do and he wasn't about to disobey Thorin on the first day. He followed his boss within his home.
The estate was as grand on the inside as it was on the outside. The floors were made of polished oak and complimented the burgundy walls. A few inches from the entrance was a wide wooden staircase with a red carpet in its center and detailed carvings on the rail. A large chandelier with crystals shaped like droplets hung from the base of each candle holder, reflecting the lights in a manner to add to the aristocratic feel of the home. Bilbo couldn't even begin to imagine how much money was in Thorin's possession.
He followed Thorin across his home, marveling at the paintings on the walls but slowly cringing as chaos accumulated with every room they passed. It seemed that the tenants of the home neglected to clean after themselves, something that bothered Bilbo something horrible but it wasn't as though he would tell Thorin. He did value his life.
Finally, they reached Thorin's study and he was seated on a chair as Thorin discussed what he expected of Bilbo as his personal accountant. Seeing as Thorin was also the CEO of a legitimate company which concentrated on the production and distribution of military weapons, most of what he was being told, Bilbo already knew since it had been present in his previous job. What was a tad different, however, was that Thorin wanted Bilbo to keep tabs on the illegally acquired money and legally acquired money separately. This meant Bilbo would essentially be working for two different companies at once which was something he wasn't used to and wasn't sure he could do.
Nearing the end of his speech, Thorin suddenly slowed down and became distracted. Bilbo was obviously curious but he remembered Balin's advice and refrained from asking any questions. However, the reason to his change in behaviour was suddenly evident when Thorin interrupted himself mid-sentence and said: "Eavesdropping is rude."
Bilbo turned around to see the door and was just in time to see two heads pop in the room. The boys were much older than Bilbo had expected but there was a childish aura about them that hinted to just how rowdy they truly were.
"We were curious!" Defended the blond one, "You didn't introduce him to us before lecturing him about his job!"
"Yeah!" The brunet added, "And don't think we didn't see Dwalin and Balin leave without saying hello!"
"You two should be studying." Thorin said with great patience Bilbo hadn't expected to see. "Fíli, you have finals and Kíli, you have at least three projects you haven't completed yet."
"Don't try changing the subject!" Kíli said loudly, walking into the room with his hands on his hips, his brother following with the same posture. "We demand an introduction!"
Bilbo looked at Thorin, expecting him to murder the boys then and there but was surprised to see him sigh in defeat and sit behind his desk, "Mister Baggins," he said, "These are my nephews, Fíli and Kíli."
The boys ran to Bilbo and inspected him curiously, running around him in circles as they spoke with excitement, "You're rather short, Mister Baggins!" Kíli commented.
"Indeed!" Fíli agreed, "What is it you'll be doing for our uncle?"
"I-I'm his new accountant." Bilbo stuttered, feeling Thorin's threatening gaze on him.
"Is that code for: I'm actually his boyfriend?" Kíli asked with a cheeky grin.
"Kíli!" Thorin snapped, and Bilbo noticed the small shade of pink on his cheeks.
"In his defense, uncle," Fíli said with a wide smile, "It wouldn't be the first time!"
"Yeah!" Kíli exclaimed, "Remember Thranduil? Uncle said he was his 'business partner'! What a load of rubbish!"
"He was my business partner." Thorin frowned.
"Of course he was." Fíli said sarcastically.
"W-well I'm not his b-boyfriend…" Bilbo said, unsure whether he was allowed to make such an interjection. "I-I'm his accountant…"
"We thought Gloín was your accountant." Fíli said, looking at Thorin.
"Gloín is worth a fortune." Thorin stated smoothly, "Mister Baggins, on the other hand, owes me a favour."
There was a pause and the boys exchanged looks before stating in unison: "He's definitely fucking him."
"Get out of here!" Thorin finally snapped, slamming his hands on his desk causing the boys to run away, giggling. Bilbo, on the other hand, had been horribly startled by the abruptness of the action and had paled considerably. Upon hearing the door shut and the footsteps trail away, Thorin sat down and buried his face in his hands with a big sigh. "One's in university, the other's at his last year of high school and yet they act like a bunch of boys…"
"Boys will be boys…" Bilbo said and immediately jolted when Thorin looked at him. "S-sorry…"
Thorin gazed at him curiously before shaking his head and speaking, "Do you know how to cook?" he asked.
"I-I do…" Bilbo responded quietly.
"Then go to the kitchen and make us something." Thorin ordered and a shout of glee could be heard from behind the door, "Ask the boys if they want anything special."
Bilbo nodded and stood to leave when he paused and faced Thorin. "M-Mister Oakenshield…?"
"Yes?" Thorin asked.
"Thank you."