Not beta'd! Not mine! Fluff! THANK YOU FOR THE WONDEFUL REVIEWS AND FAVORITES they make my heart jump for joy! Special thanks to my FAVORITE author…..I was so excited they posted I decided to post myself! 17 reviews- my thanks is a long chapter!

OMG this has a plot in it!

Chapter four

I carried Bilbo for the next four days while he sat on my shoulders, chatting excitedly to Ori and anxiously watching Kili. Fili took great pleasure in making fun of his brother for being scared of a kid and it brought me endless amounts of enjoyment to watch Kili sneeze or cough because then Bilbo would tense up and shove flowers into his mouth. Kili ate whatever bitter herb was forced into his mouth –occasionally having his jaw pried open- and I feared if this continued he'd be the healthiest person alive. He'd probably out live all of us.

"Coughwort! Coughwort!" Bilbo exclaimed happily as he is tiny arms wrapped around my neck and his feet kicked excitedly at my chest.

For a small thing he was strong when he got excited.

"Not again," Kili groaned under his breath.

The group wordlessly stopped and I bent down to let the kid tumble off my shoulders and run towards the yellow flowers. His pockets where already over flowing, and even with Kili having to eat some every hour Bilbo still insisted we stop and collect more. Denying him hadn't even crossed my mind because I knew the moment I did his large blue eyes would turn on me and I'd melt like liquid gold in his hands.

I couldn't even be mad at him for his soul wrenching blue eyes.

Bilbo returned to me, yellow flowers crammed into his pockets and poking out from the top of his loose white shirt. A few where even tucked behind his pointed ears. Normally I would have spit at the idea of anything remotely Elfish but on the hobbit those ears were endearing and cute, adding to his adorableness and the hint of mischief that popped out occasionally.

I had to watch him else he learn from my nephews and start pranking our group.

"Ride on horsey," Bilbo squealed excitedly as one of his hands ran through my hair and gently pulled and the other dramatically pointed forward as he kicked at my chest.

Fili and Kili burst into hysterically laughter, using each other for support as they gasped for breath. I secretly hoped they choked on their air. Dwalin and Ori had the decency to look away before snickering into their hands. I reached up and poked at the pudgy flesh of the kid's stomach. Causing him to giggle and squirm.

"I'm not some pony you can ride around,"

"No you're not," Bilbo agreed as he leaned down and looked into my face, his curly blond locks hanging down to my nose as his blue eyes widened. "You're my best friend."

My brain stopped at his words. I, the king without a mountain, was his friend? Why was I so stunned about this? The kid was obviously fond of me, constantly following me around and snuggling into my cape. However, being his friend had never crossed my mind. Guardian and Protector, yes but friend? I had assumed the warm feeling in the pit of my stomach was a growing fondness for the kid. But as a friend? His best friend?

Utterly confused by his comment, my brain swirled about searching for an answer as my body mechanically moved forward. We should reach the next town by night fall and finally sleep in beds. That thought bought a bit of comfort to my confused mind.

His friend?

His Best friend?

"What about us," Kili called in mock-sadness. "Aren't we your friends?"

I felt Bilbo shake his head and was surprised at his response. It was so uncharacteristically unkind, for a second I was worried a shape-shifter had napped him. Fili and Kili looked equally as taken back. Of all of us I would have thought they would have been his friends. "You're my brothers and so is Ori."

The elated looks on Fili and Kili's faces warmed my heart. It was as if Bilbo's single comment had washed away all the years of loneliness, uncertainty and hardship from their faces. My sister had never been able to have another child and I knew they had desperately wished for another sibling and now here was a hobbit babe offering to play the role. Ori who was the youngest of his own sibling puffed up at the thought of a baby brother. Having a younger sibling would make all three boys grow into fine young men. It was good for them to have another to depend on them.

"What about Dwalin?" Ori asked.

Was he a brother? A best friend?

"He's my Uncle," Bilbo exclaimed happily.

Dwalin bowed his head with a smile. "It shall be my pleasure."

Wait! How come everyone else is family and I'm just the best friend? Something about this doesn't quite make sense.

"Shouldn't I be the dad then?"

Two tiny hands threaded themselves through my hair and clenched the locks in their grip. His head violently shook, shaking his body so hard I was afraid he'd fall off my shoulders. "I already have….I had a daddy already," Bilbo cried.

Ah, that's why.

"And…and...and….I've never had brothers before…. or an Uncle….. or a best friend."

I reached up and gently pulled him off my shoulders, placing his head over my chest. He hadn't started crying but left alone I'd bet all my gold he would have. Bilbo curled into my chest as we walked in silence. The happy, bubbly mood ruined….by me.

Dias was right I was a killjoy.

It was a quiet trek into the human town. Under the cover of twilight we checked into two rooms. Ori and Dwalin shared one room and the boys and Bilbo roomed with me. The three of them where sprawled out and sleep on the large bed when I got back from bathing. A smile tugged at my lips and in the privacy of the night I allowed myself to smile and relax. They looked so peaceful and content. Bilbo lay between the boys, each of them holding him with one arm as their foreheads touched forming a heart around the sleeping babe. My eyes flickered around the room, looks like I'll be sleeping in the chair tonight.

The leather chair wasn't the most comfortable place to rest but it wasn't the worst either. With one last look and smile towards the boys my eyes closed and I fell into a restless sleep, my mind still haunted with questions I had no answers for.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

"I'm requesting you tell me where the dwarfs are," a voice boomed from the tavern.

I had woken up early and planned to creep downstairs and gather food for the group so the little ones wouldn't have to brave the room of giant humans when a loud voice started yelling. I hid in the shadows of the stairwell and peaked over, cursing myself for leaving my armor and weapons in the room. I had felt too relaxed this morning and now I was faced with an adversary and no weapons.

Great Job Thorin. This is what you get for letting your guard down.

"Sir I can't just-," the Inn Keeper, and elderly man with thinning hair on top, tried to calm the intruder down.

The man was obscured by a large wooden pillar but when he moved his hands they were pale and long. And he wore a large gray…..Gandalf?

"Gandalf?" I called across the tavern as the entire establishment turned to glance down at me.

The man stepped to the side and sure enough Gandalf's smiling face greeted me. He nodded curtly at the innkeeper and stormed towards me. It was unnerving, his face was smiling but his posture was tense and angry. I wasn't sure if I should be relaxed or be in an attack stance. I settled for placing my right foot back, if he jumped forward, I'd kick him and if he didn't I'd step forward.

The odd wizard stopped a foot from me, towering over my small height. Which annoys me because I was tall for a dwarf but put me next to a human or- Aule forbid- an Elf and suddenly I was the shortest person in the room, it pisses me off. I'm a king! Kings are not supposed to be short or weak!

"Where is the child?"

Looks like I'll be kicking wizard ass today. Not how I pictured this morning to go but it is what it is.

"What child?"

Seriously? Who was he talking about? I've never kidnapped a child in my life.

Wait he couldn't mean…..Bilbo, could he?

"Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf roared in a whispered, which I found oddly inspiring. I'd have to practice that later. It would be great for intimidating people. "I have several witnesses that claim that you and a band of Dwarfs stole Bilbo from his house and threated one of his relatives at knife point."

"I did no such thing," I snarled, upset Gandalf would think so little of me. He's known me since I was a babe myself and should know that although I may be gruff I would never take a child. I waved my hand towards the tavern that watched our exchanged with obvious curiosity. "We have an audience. I would be happy to explain what truly happened in a more privet setting."

The gray wizard heisted before his shoulders and postured relaxed and an easy smile slid onto his old face. Now that I thought about it. He was really really old!

We sat at a table in the very back covered in shadows. The other patrons wisely chose to go back to their own conversations and soon the room was buzzing with activity and noise once more. I started talking before the wizard could ask.

"I found the boy in his house next to his dead mother. The plague had taken them both. He was crying and looked half starved. Dwalin, Ori and I buried the couple in the back while Fili and Kili watched Bilbo. One of his realities told us to take the kid, that they didn't want him because he was the cause of the plague."

Gandalf shook his head sadly. "Those Sackville –Baggins have always been trouble. The boys Mothers family want him back. They're good people, a bit eccentric at times but good."

I opened my mouth to protest that the boy was happy with us. That we where his family; however, a voice whispered in the back of my mind that he might be happier with his own kind. With his blood family. Our road was a dangerous one and not one I could fully guarantee his safety or that of any of ours.

"He deserves to be with his family."

"I know," I hissed and I did. I was fully aware but I didn't want him to leave. He was the sunshine that brightened everyone's day and left lingering warmth.

It was as of Gandalf was asking me to give away my most treasured jewel and in a way he was. In the short time we had known him Bilbo had wormed his way into all of our hearts and wrapped himself like a prickly vine around our beating organs. The thought of being apart for the cheerful babe was physically painful.

Fili and Kili would cry and sulk. Ori would become reclusive again. Even Dwalin would smile less. A frown pulled at my lips. Taking the babe away would cause all of us sadness, but I had to think about his well-being first. No matter how much it hurt, or how I wanted to take him and run.

"Will you give him back?" Gandalf asked as the silence stretched.

I looked up, knowing my blue eyes swam with emotions and thoughts I would never voice. Hope that he could stay. Fear I couldn't protect him from everything and guilt I was being selfish.

Could I give him back?

…..I could and I would, but only if he chose. If Bilbo wanted to stay with us, I would fight even my long time friend. Wizard or no! The child had so much taken from him. I wasn't going to rip away another happiness. Just the thought of tears in his eyes made my shoulders tense.

"You should ask him if he wants to leave."

Thanks for reading!

KitkatChan92-I'm glad you love it!

Xanelle- Wow ur name is pretty…DE Nile isn't just a river in Egypt! Heheh

Sherabo- OMG! I cannot believe YOU reviewed my stories! I am so honored! Thank you so soo much and I am glad you liked it!

Leyu02o.O wait leviathan02 too- haha love your ursername go Supernatural! Bilbo looks like he's five (because he's so tiny) but he's really 12!

.rain- Thank you for the cookies, they where delicious!

Glittersong-oh he melts like gold!

Pandorum21- Isn't he just kidnappable!

Sarah- yeah, I have accomplished my make someone smile daily goal!

Caramelcandylover- if you've seen ouran high school. I picture it like honey and Mori! Or a monkey to a tree!

Reader- Hello! No the awesomeness will not end! Onward with cuteness!

Lythande 188-oh things are about to get real that is for sure!

ZaraZabuza- hahah yes the cute police won't know what to do with themselves!

Isildur's Heiress- You are so write, I hate all those books that list such useless things and then those that truly have no clue what they are talking about!

Laser-Chick- Hope this makes you even happier-er..hehehe..not as much cuteness hope its just as good!

Silverharpie17- I wanna hug him to!

xXxOtAkU-444xXx- Glad you like it

LuffyMarra- Hope this has you laughing!