Disclaimer: I don't own Thor or The Hobbit
Beta: RoyalLadyEmma
Chapter 4
Balin and Dwalin – even though he'd already had seconds and a handful of cookies – had tucked into the meal and both dwarves were generous with their compliments to the chef. Bilbo was grateful that he and Loki had stocked up on supplies and had prepared unusually large amounts of food, but at the same time he couldn't help but worry that it might not be enough given the way Dwalin and Balin were working their way through the meal they had created. Bilbo was contemplating putting a fresh pot of soup on the burner, just in case, when he was pulled from his thoughts by the ringing doorbell.
This time as Bilbo went to answer it he had company as Loki trailed behind him; there was something tugging in his gut, something he couldn't put his finger on but Loki's instincts told him that whoever was behind that door was going to become very important to him.
After Bilbo opened the door, he and Loki found two dwarves, younger than Dwalin and Balin, standing before them and upon spotting their hosts, they smiled and bowed as one.
"Fili," the blond dwarf introduced himself as he stood to his full height.
"And Kili," the dark-haired one spoke up, smiling brightly at both of them.
"At your service," they stated in perfect unison.
Loki barely heard them speak; all he could see was Fili. The blond dwarf sang to him in ways he had long ago stopped dreaming of. Instinctively Loki knew that at long last he had found his soul bond, the true other half of his soul just as Belladonna had told him he would. 'He's here, mother, just as you promised, he's finally here.'
Fili found that suddenly he couldn't breathe as he stared at the strange-looking man before him, he was so unlike any man he had ever seen before, but there was something very about him that spoke to his deepest heart.
As his eyebrows disappeared beneath his hairline Bilbo glanced between his brother and the blond dwarf with unconcealed curiosity, and as he saw the way the two were looking at one another it reminded him so much of the way his parents would look at one another. 'I'm happy for you, brother, I truly am; I just wish that I could find my soul mate.'
Bilbo wasn't the only one who noticed the lingering looks between Loki and Fili. Kili's eyes narrowed suspiciously; he had never seen his brother look at anyone the way he was looking at the dark-haired man standing before them, and it took him a moment before he realised what was going on. Immediately, Kili was torn between jumping for joy because his brother had found his One or and threatening the man before him with just what he would do to him should he ever hurt his brother.
Somehow Loki was the first find his voice. "I am Loki Baggins and this is my brother, Bilbo and we welcome you to our home." He gave a small bow intended for both brothers but his eyes never left Fili's.
Bilbo and Kili shared an uncomfortable look; it felt like they were intruding on a rather private moment between their brothers. "Kili, why don't I show you were you can put your belongings and then I'll take you to the others who have already arrived?" Bilbo offered more than a little anxious to get away from Loki and Fili.
Kili grinned cheekily at the Hobbit. "That sounds wonderful, Mister Boggins."
Bilbo raised an eyebrow at the unusual name but could see the playful side in the dwarf and that he didn't mean any harm in it. "It's Baggins, but you can call me Bilbo, Kee."
That brought a broader grin to Kili's face; like the other dwarves who had arrived before them, he and Fili had been worried about this Hobbit burglar that Gandalf wanted them to hire. After all, given the nasty looks and intimidating glares they had received upon their arrival in the Shire, they were really expecting the worst but he was glad to see their burglar was completely different than all the other Hobbits. "Lead on, Bilbo, my new friend!" He was starving and a good meal sounded wonderful at that moment.
Neither Loki or Fili noticed when they'd been left by their brothers, they only had eyes for one another, that is, until Fili's stomach let itself be known and quite loudly too.
Loki couldn't help but laugh at the look of embarrassment and horror on Fili's face as he glanced down at his stomach which chose that moment to once again let out a loud grumble of protest at being ignored. "Do not worry yourself, after living with Hobbits you get quite used to the sound, since there's only four of you so far there should be some supper left."
Fili returned Loki's easy-going smile. "I'm not too sure about that; I do believe Kili's down there and there might not be very much left."
Loki shook his head a playful smirk replacing his smile. "Ah yes, that might be true at other places but this is a Hobbit hole and a Hobbit-planned feast, trust me there is more than enough food to go around." Seeing the look of confusion in Fili's eyes Loki only shook his head again and explained, "While Bilbo is not like other Hobbits there are a few things he can't change, like his love of food and cooking. We always have lots of left-overs even when it's the two of us."
Kili was moaning in pure bliss after his first bite into the meat that Bilbo had piled on his plate when Fili and Loki joined them. Fili took in the equally blissed-out looks on Dwalin and Balin's faces and a quick sniff in the air almost had him drooling. He had barely taken the empty seat next to his brother when Bilbo was placing a plate of mouth-watering food in front of him. The first bite had him groaning obscenely in pleasure as well and at that moment he decided that if Loki and Bilbo didn't come questing with them then he was staying in Bag End with them. From the appreciative sounds Dwalin and Kili were making over their own food, Fili was pretty sure he wouldn't be the only one.
Bilbo felt happiness surge through him as he listened to the sounds of pleasure all around him; it had been such a long time since he'd had the chance to cook such a feast. The last time had been at Rivendell when he and Loki had wanted to thank Elrond and the rest of the elves for their hospitality and friendship. 'I just hope the others like it as well when they get here.'
It turns out Bilbo didn't need to worry about any of his guests not liking his cooking; the other seven dwarves who had fallen into his home along with an amused Gandalf standing behind them enjoyed their heaping plates of food just as much as their companions. Between the delicious smells permeating the simple home and the sounds of the other dwarves enjoying the home-cooked meal, the newcomers were quickly straightening themselves out and mumbling a few greetings.
Bilbo and Loki blinked at how fast they introduced themselves before they were seated at the table and eagerly helping themselves to the feast laid out before them. For several very long moments there were no words spoken as the hungry visitors stuffed Bilbo's delicious food into their mouths.
Bilbo performed a quick head count and realised that they were still one dwarf short, so while Loki was sitting and getting to know the dwarves, more importantly getting to know Fili better, Bilbo was setting aside a plate loaded with healthy portions of his best dishes. He didn't know why but something was telling him that his life was about to change yet again and that the change would be brought about by their last-to-arrive guest.
A low solemn knock, one, two, three raps, broke Bilbo out of his musings and silence fell over the table so suddenly that it had both Loki and Bilbo blinking at one another. If Bilbo wasn't mistaken he thought that his brother looked a little deflated at having his conversation with Fili end so abruptly.
Gandalf uttered two words that would forever change Bilbo Baggins' world, "He's here."
Bilbo didn't need any prompting as his feet took over and moved him towards his front door; Loki started to follow but a look from Gandalf and a brief shake of the wizard's head had him staying put. Apparently, opening the door this time was something Bilbo needed to do himself.
Taking a deep breath Bilbo stilled his curiously shaking hands, pulled the door open, and saw blue, blue the colour of a summer sky, the colour of a deep-water lake, a blue that made his mouth go dry. In that moment as Bilbo stared into the impossibly blue eyes of the dwarf standing before him, he knew he had found his soul bond.
Thorin Oakenshield was a king even though he had no kingdom over which to rule and no subjects to advise. He had been raised to know how to say the right thing at just the right time, but as he gazed at the beautiful creature with the curly golden hair standing before him all his words deserted him and he was left to stare silently at his One.
Neither dwarf nor Hobbit could find the strength to break their gaze and silence fell over them.
Back in the dining room it was clear that everyone was straining to pick up any words between their host and the new arrival and as each second passed with no sound the more worried Loki became; he really, really disliked the growing silence.
"It's too quiet," Fili muttered to his brother.
Kili had a worried look on his face. "I know, Thorin being that quiet is never a good thing. You don't think he's done something to Mister Boggins, do you?"
And that question was the last thing Loki needed to hear before he was shoving back his chair and making his way to the home's entryway with protectiveness pouring off him in waves.
A startled sound escaped Kili's lips as Fili quickly followed after the overprotective big brother, and then Kili turned his attention to those remaining. "Should we join them?"
It took just a moment for the dwarves to come to a decision. Since most of them wanted to make sure that Thorin didn't scare away the wonderful Hobbit who made them such delicious food and Kili wanted to make sure that his future brother didn't end up murdering his stubborn uncle in a fit of big brother protectiveness, it was decided to join the party at the door.
Before anyone could actually move away from the table, the moment was broken when Thorin and Bilbo, as well as a scowling Loki and a panicking Fili joined them all in the kitchen. Thorin felt something tighten in his chest when he saw the way the unfamiliar man moved quickly to take a protective stance behind the Hobbit, his Hobbit.
Could this strange-looking man be his One's mate?
"Loki, it seems our last guest has arrived, I'm sorry I didn't get your name." Bilbo actually blushed as he remembered the reason why he hadn't asked earlier. "I'm Bilbo Baggins and this is my brother, Loki, and you are?" He smiled disarmingly at the unknown dwarf.
The vice around Thorin's heart loosened as he realised that the odd man was no threat to the wonderful future he could have with the Hobbit. "I am Thorin Oakenshield and I thank you for giving my company a place to rest and eat." He bowed his head courteously.
Upon noticing the rest of his company, including the wizard, Gandalf, hovering in the background Thorin narrowed his eyes at the elderly man. "Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I got lost… twice!"
No one dared say anything but there was definitely a smile twitching at the corners of Dwalin's mouth while Fili and Kili looked like they are about to burst into laughter at any moment. They had to keep their gazes away from their uncle as Balin let out a small cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh into his hand. They were all very well used to Thorin getting lost when he wasn't on a mountain; any other time or place he couldn't find his way out of a paper bag with a map in one hand and a guide dwarf holding the other.
Gandalf merely shrugged as Bilbo of all people moved forward to take Thorin's cloak from him; he didn't think anyone saw the way his fingers lingered for just a moment on the dwarf's shoulders. Loki's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he studied the two before him and Fili shifted a little closer to Loki if only to stop the man from attempting to kill his uncle should he say the wrong thing to Bilbo.
And then Thorin just had to open his big mouth.
Thorin stared at Bilbo, studying the Hobbit before him with open curiosity, "Tell me, Mr Baggins, have you done much fighting? Sword or axe, what's your weapon of choice?" He tilted his head to side as he considered the possibilities. "Or do you perhaps prefer a different type of weapon?"
Fili couldn't help but hang his head in dismay; that was exactly the kind of question that he had hoped Thorin would avoid asking.
Ignoring the rapid fire method in which they were asked, Bilbo's brow furrowed as he pondered the strange questions and then he looked Thorin straight in the eye. "I'll have you know I am quite the swordsman, thanks to my brother." Bilbo smiled proudly at Loki. "And you'll not find a better swords master than my brother to come along on this journey." He didn't often get the chance to praise his brother to others and it felt good to do so.
Loki smiled down at his brother before fixing a glare on the Dwarf King. "I will be going along on this quest no matter what you say. Bilbo is my brother and there is no way that I will allow him to go alone and into unknown dangers." There was a finality to his voice that brooked no argument from anyone in the room.
At that moment Thorin was reminded of his own sister-son's – they wouldn't go anywhere without the other one either. To be honest he knew that they would need all the help they could possibly get in order to succeed with their quest and reclaim Erebor.
Noting Gandalf's half-hidden smirk, Thorin came to a sudden realisation. "I take it the wizard has not yet told you of our quest?"
Both Loki and Bilbo shook their heads; even though they'd asked casual questions about the dwarves' mission, all evening their guests had been mum about what their quest was about and why they would need a burglar.
But one look at Thorin and the way their newest arrival kept eyeing the half-finished food on the table, Bilbo decided he could wait for answers a little longer. "You must be starving after your long journey. Why don't you eat first and then we can talk." Bilbo offered Thorin a seat before turning to Dwalin, "I do believe that I promised you cookies?"
The way Dwalin's eyes lit up at the word cookies had Thorin growling in displeasure but sound didn't do anything to dampen his old friend's enthusiasm and Dwalin merely grinned at him.
"Aye, that ye did, lad, and I think I've earned them." Dwalin grinned even brighter at not only the promise of more delicious, freshly-baked cookies but also at the scowl gracing his king's face. Oh yes, suddenly their journey was definitely going to get a lot more interesting!
With a sudden jolt of self-realisation, Thorin knew in his heart that he could not let the Hobbit or his brother come along on this quest; it was far too dangerous! No dwarf in his right mind would allow his One to face a dragon even if he did have his brother by his side. But at the same time, after years of thinking it might never happen, he had finally found the only person in the world who completed his soul and he simply could not let him go.
Slowly, as Thorin ate serving after delicious serving of Bilbo's best dishes, the dwarves revealed the story behind their quest. Sharing in the telling, with each dwarf relating a part, the Baggins' brother heard about Erebor, the last great dwarf kingdom, which had been stolen from them by Smaug, a dragon, as well as about the loss of the human city, Dale, and finally about how their ally, the elf King of Greenwood, Thranduil, had cruelly turned his troops away from them in their time of dire need, leaving the valiant dwarves to their fate.
It didn't take Loki long to figure out what game the crafty dwarves were playing. "You're planning on taking back Erebor, aren't you?"
"The fire drake has not been seen for over sixty years and the birds are returning to the mountain," Balin calmly explained. "It is a sign."
Slowly it became clear as to just why they were there and the mere thought of it made his Asgard blood boil. "You want my brother to face a dragon? Are you insane?" Loki roared his rage at the idea of Bilbo placed in such a danger so loudly that the windows rattled. As he stared intimidating at Thorin, waiting for the dwarf to respond, his fierce icy anger lowered the temperature in the room until everyone but him and Gandalf were shivering both with the cold and with fear.
"Loki, please, calm yourself down," Bilbo pleaded as he placed a placating hand on Loki's arm in hopes to cooling his brother's raging fury.
Irresistibly drawn to support his soul mate, Fili was at Loki's other side in a flash and as he rested his hand on Loki's right arm he made the solemn promise, "I swear to you that if Bilbo does come with us I will do everything in my power to ensure his safe return."
Loki's mouth went dry as the promise of his brother's safety in those eyes along with so much more intended just for him, and he knew he didn't want anything to happen to Fili or he would never forgive himself. There was only one way to make sure that both men remained alive and well: "Bilbo will be coming home safely because if he's going then so am I."
"Can you fight?" Dwalin asked immediately, effectively stopping any protest that Thorin might have made.
A fairly sinister, almost dangerous smirk appeared on Loki's face as he continued to look only at a single dwarf. "Oh I can fight and I would be more than happy to demonstrate for you all." There was definitely a glint of direct challenge in his eyes as he stared at Thorin.
"Loki! No!" Bilbo was aghast by Loki's behaviour. "They are our guest!" Knowing his brother's deadly skill with a weapon, Bilbo didn't want him to challenge anyone to a sword fight unless it was an enemy.
Tension filled the room and those seated around the table didn't know whether they should get up and make room for a battle or stay where they were as Thorin and Loki stared at one another. The silence was only broken when Gandalf stepped forward and produced a key that he had been given by Thorin's father for safe keeping many, many years before. "Excuse me," the elderly wizard cleared his throat.
Deep sighs of immense relief left Bilbo and Fili at the same time as both Thorin and Loki turned their attention to Gandalf.
After Bofur had given Bilbo a bit of a scare about what he would be facing should he meet Smaug, it took several minutes to calm everyone down and Loki was rather proud of his brother for not fainting as any other Hobbit would have. The two took the contract that Balin had given presented to them and stole away to their father's study to look it over. The document was precise and easy to read; the reason why the dwarves' quest had led them to Bag End turned out to be quite simple. It seemed that a Hobbit's scent would not be known to a dragon and if that Hobbit could be undetectable and sneaky that was so much the better.
As the Baggins brothers discussed the pros and cons of joining the dwarves, an unusual sound came to them from beyond the study's closed door.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light
As Thorin's song and hypnotic music drifted over them Loki could see the spell Thorin's voice was weaving over and around his brother and he didn't like it one little bit. 'There is no way that I am letting Bilbo go off with these dwarves without me,' he silently declared. 'Who knows what this Thorin may try and force on my innocent baby brother.' Loki scowled as he pictured all the horrible things Thorin may try on his brother; Bilbo was far too innocent of the ways of the world, of life and of men. No, if Bilbo was going on a dangerous quest with a bunch of strangers, then so was he; there was no way he was leaving his only brother unprotected.
"I want to help them, brother, you of all people should understand why." There was no malice or heat to Bilbo's words just a soft reminder that Loki knew what it was like to be without a home.
Loki realised there was no way short of tying him up and locking him in his room that would stop Bilbo from joining Thorin and the others so he sat back and silently watched his brother happily sign the contract. Then he thought of Fili and he remembered seeing the intense longing in those beautiful green eyes to know his home as well as the responding ache in his own heart and he knew what his decision had to be.
Bilbo smiled brightly and gratefully as Loki added his name next to his. "Come on, brother, let's go tell them before I change my mind," Loki grumbled but Bilbo knew that there was no way his brother was going to be changing his mind. After all, he'd been the first person to witness the emotional exchange between Fili and Loki and he was quite sure that it was of the same feeling that had come over him when he'd first seen Thorin.
The dwarves had finished singing their haunting song when Loki and Bilbo entered the living room, and the smile on Bilbo's face as he handed Balin contract told them it had been signed. "We will join you."
Balin studied it and looked at the other dwarves with a smile. "Welcome then to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
TBC...
