I feel like I'm repeating myself by starting each of these off by saying how great you all are. Thank you for all the reviews, follows, favorites, and views in general. Just so you know the whole time I was writing this chapter I just kept thinking about how these conversations are really going to affect the company when they hit the second half of DoS and especially BotFA. Like those are going to be amazing for us and horrible for them anyways but man. Ah well, I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Screen-Bilbo was now sitting in his armchair with a cup of tea in hand, Gandalf sitting next to him looking disapproving. He tried to convince Gandalf he would be fine but Gandalf was having none of it. He reminded screen-Bilbo of his youthful adventures and desires, not understanding how he could let all of that go for doilies and dishes. Crossing his arms, Bilbo frowned at Gandalf's words, the wizard no doubt knew why he had changed. The dwarves listened to Gandalf's words curiously, excited to learn more about their hobbit.
"Not only were you an adorable baby hobbit, but you also wanted to go on adventures? That's so cute," Kili gushed and he wasn't the only one. Screen-Bilbo tried to reason with Gandalf, bringing up that he was a Baggins, responsible and sensible.
"With all that entails," Balin said bitterly. "You shouldn't have just run out your door."
"How else was I supposed to catch up?"
"Any way other than leaving next to no information about your whereabouts. Especially since you are-have important familial connections and duties," Balin corrected. He still didn't want to think of how poorly the Shire must think of them, only adding fuel to their stories of outsiders. The entire thing was going to be a political nightmare, Balin was sure despite Bilbo's assurances it wouldn't be.
[Gandalf:] "You are also a Took. Did you know that your greatgreatgreatgreatuncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?"
"Whoa! He had to have been bigger than a dwarf!"
"That is how the story goes," Bilbo said sighing at the mention of that story once again. Honestly, he had heard it far too many times in his life. Ori didn't know how Bilbo could sound so tired of what Gandalf was saying. This was fascinating. He listened carefully as Gandalf recited the story of the Battle of Greenfields, how Bullroarer Took had taken on the Goblin King and created golf. Ori was absolutely amazed.
"Really Uncle Bilbo? You have some really interesting ancestors."
"To be entirely fair I know the golf part isn't true, and the exact details of that battle are a little vague."
"I didn even know Hobbits had been part of any battles."
"Sometimes fighting is unavoidable, as much as we wish it was," Bilbo sighed and Dwalin nodded. He might be a warrior, but he knew war was not something to seek, especially for people like hobbits. Screen-Bilbo cracked a smile at Gandalf's story, the wizard admitting it was slightly embellished. Gandalf promised screen-Bilbo would have a tale if he went, but when asked for a promise that he would return, Gandalf paused. Everyone watching already knew the answer.
Of course, they couldn't promise such a thing, but that didn't mean they shouldn't try. It was their home they were talking about, that they were fighting to reclaim. Bilbo really didn't have any reason to be here, even with his memorable speech outside the goblin tunnels, he was still the only one likely going to his death for nothing more than because he wanted to help them. None of them would have done something like that for a complete stranger. The thought made them appreciate Bilbo even more if that was possible.
As they expected, Gandalf could not make such a promise and screen-Bilbo refused the offer.
"We got the perfect hobbit," Dori said, shaking his head at screen-Bilbo's remark. He received nods of agreement that had Bilbo blushing.
The screen switched to Balin and Thorin, standing in the hall within earshot of sitting room. Screen-Balin sighed in defeat, admitting that the odds were against them. The mood fell with his words, screen-Thorin trying to convince him not all hope was lost.
[Thorin:] "I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they came. Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
"And all of you have proved you have those traits and so much more. I am honored to have each and every one of you in this company. All of you have earned my absolute trust." Thorin made sure to look each member of the company in the eyes as he gave his short speech. His gaze fell on Bilbo as he said 'trust' and he smiled, inclining his head to the hobbit. The dwarves that had been closer to Thorin before the quest merely bowed their heads at his words. But those like the Ur and Ri families seemed entirely taken aback, bowing their heads deeply and whispering in Khuzdul. From what Bilbo remembered both of them were commoners through and through, so to have the King say he trusted them must have meant the world to them.
It meant the world to him as well, though he suspected for slightly different reasons. Sure it was well and good to have a King say he trusted you so completely, but Bilbo was not a dwarf and Thorin was not his King. But having the person who he had pined after say that filled Bilbo with a joy he couldn't even describe. Smiling to himself, Bilbo leaned back as screen-Balin tried to convince screen-Thorin one more time that he didn't have to undertake this quest. As always though, there was no changing Thorin's mind, his screen-self shaking his head and holding the key, telling screen-Balin in no uncertain terms, that he would undertake the quest. With a heavy sigh, screen-Balin nodded and swore to him.
"We all are," Dori said, finally looking at Thorin. There were nods and murmurs of agreement.
"To whatever end this journey comes to, you have our absolute trust as well," Bofur said, for once entirely serious. Thorin smiled at them as well.
"Thank you." The humming beginning makes them all stop talking at stare at the screen. It showed the dwarves gathering in the living room. As Thorin begins to sing, Bilbo felt himself relax ever so slightly, the sound calming his remaining nerves from the previous conversations. He remembered how it had felt hearing the song the first time, and the reason he joined the quest. The song was every bit as beautiful this time as it had been the first and Bilbo felt at peace as it progressed. Listening to it again, Bilbo realized just how dwarvish it was, beyond what the lyrics said, he felt like he understood them better by listening to their voices. It was not a sad song, nor was it entirely hopeful but it was filled with so much raw emotion that Bilbo had come to associate closely with his dwarves. As the screen moved from the dwarves to the night sky, Bilbo leaned towards Thorin.
"You know, that was what convinced me to join," Bilbo said. Thorin looked at him curiously, eyebrows pulled together. "It was beautiful, and I don't know. It made Gandalf's words mean something more I guess." Bilbo tried to explain, not understanding the light in Thorin's eyes.
"I am forever glad for that song then. There is more, should you ever wish to hear it."
"I would enjoy that."
"Later then, when all this is over." They smiled at each other, nearly missing as the scene changed to Bilbo waking up. There was some laughter as Bilbo checked around the house cautiously.
"Miss us already?" Bofur laughed.
"It was just too quiet. And I still have no idea how you cleaned everything up and left without waking me up."
"We're dwarves of many talents Bilbo, ye've only scratched the surface," Nori said with a wink. Bilbo just shook his head at their antics. It didn't take long for screen-Bilbo to realize they had all left, the smial eerily quiet. He frowned and glanced at the table to see the contract. He stared at it for a moment and then his eyes filled with determination.
"This is why ye were so unprepared," Dwalin said.
"I only spent a few minutes packing. I was late enough as it was." Bilbo couldn't help but marvel at the music playing prominently as he ran through the hills of the Shire. It was unlike anything he would have thought of, yet it fit the mood of the situation so well. He wondered where the musicians were or if the voice was also controlling the music. The fast-paced matched his running pace as screen-Bilbo raced through the Shire, startling chickens and neighbors alike. He had no time to answer their questions with long explanations, instead, calling out as the contract fluttered in the breeze behind him.
[Bilbo:] "I'm going on an adventure!"
Balin groaned again. The screen shifted to the company riding down a path, screen-Bilbo running behind them. He shouted after them, Thorin ordering the company to a halt to allow him to catch up.
Balin smiled a bit as Bilbo handed his screen self the contract. He had been wary of Bilbo coming along, but the Hobbit's determination had endeared Bilbo to him. The screen-Balin matched the Balin in the room as they both smiled warmly at Bilbo.
"I'm glad you did sign it laddie, even if I wish you'd planned a bit more."
The dwarves cheered around Bilbo now as well when screen-Balin officially declared him apart of the company, with much more enthusiasm than their on-screen counterparts.
Despite screen-Bilbo's objections he was lifted up and placed on a pony at screen-Thorin's command. The entire company broke out into a roar of laughter at Bilbo's obvious discomfort. Even Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle at how hopeless he had been around ponies to start. Thorin shook his head as money started flying through the air, not liking all the betting the company took part in, but then again there were far worse thing they could spend their time on
"Wait you bet I would come?" Bilbo said looking at Oin in shock. He had missed that the first time around and Oin hadn't struck him as one of the ones to bet on him.
"Aye, and a good thing I did too!" Oin chuckled.
"I never doubted you, Uncle Bilbo,"
"You only bet on him because I didn't, no offense Uncle Bilbo but you really didn't seem the type," Fili said.
"None taken, I wouldn't have bet on myself," Bilbo admitted to laughter. Screen-Bilbo asked Gandalf what was going on and Gandalf explained with a large smile. He caught one of the money pouches with a chuckle and placed it in his pocket. Screen-Bilbo looked about to respond when he sneezed.
There were several groans from those watching, remembering what was going to happen. The incident had been the butt of many jokes during the beginning of their journey before they got to know Bilbo as well. When screen-Bilbo called out to stop and turn around Bilbo covered his face with his hands in shame. What an embarrassing situation he had caused.
The company stopped and screen-Bilbo informed them that he had forgotten his handkerchief.
"And a good deal of other things as well," Balin grumbled. Screen-Bofur tore off a piece of cloth and threw it at him, screen-Bilbo catching it and looking at in disgust.
"D'ya ever use that?" Bofur asked with a grin. Bilbo looked at him as if he was insane.
"Absolutely not, though I kept it till the goblins found us," Bilbo admitted not noticing how Bofur looked taken aback. He hadn't expected Bilbo to keep it until the end of that day, to learn that he had kept it for so long was surprising. Bifur nudged him in the ribs and Bofur nodded, already knowing what he was signing. It was very surprising indeed.
Screen-Thorin ordered the company to move on and Gandalf began to speak to screen-Bilbo. As Gandalf spoke the screen began to show a series of images of the early days of their journey, the music once more taking over. It was relieving, in a way, to know they wouldn't be rewatching everything that happened on the journey. The voice obviously only wanted to show them what would matter. Bilbo couldn't help but wonder what else the voice and the screen had in store for them. They had only just left the Shire and already he felt like the company was closer than ever. He had been wary before, but now? He was excited and looking around he knew he wasn't alone. Hopefully, the voice would refrain from bringing up too terrible of memories again though.