Author's Note:This is a story from the Hobbit. Movie inspired. It is about those who help us grow and shape us as they prepare us for life. A father is not always the one responsible for your birth, a father is someone you can look up to, no matter how tall you get. Fili and Kili never lacked for a father.

Warning: The warning is placed here for vinsmouse, who wanted a spew warning here, claiming it might be a bad idea to drink while reading the funnier parts. So please keep in mind that drinking any kind of beverage while reading this, might be hazzard'ous to the health of your screen.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit, nor the actual dwarves. All I own is my own three inch high Fili and Kili and they shall suffer naught for my stories…

No Matter How Tall You Get


Chapter 8

Bombur would sometimes spoil the younger Dwarves Bilbo noted. The fat cook certainly enjoyed his food, and could be counted on to always clean out the pot with very little difficulty. Any food that wasn't closely guarded was fair game and Bilbo would never forget when Bombur had carried three large blocks of cheese from his larder, and done away with all three. No, Bombur had no need for a cheese knife, he simple sat down and tucked in, bite after bite until the cheese was gone and then all he did was start on the next one.

Bofur tended to guard him to make sure he left enough for the others, telling him when he considered him to have had enough. His brother and Thorin were the only ones who could ever tell Bombur that he had had enough. Bilbo wasn't really surprised for as good-natured as he was he knew that if he was denied food he could be quit grumpy.

He also swung a mean ladle when cooking Bilbo had noted. Anyone approaching the pot with the intent of sneaking a taste was at risk, the only exception being Thorin who he couldn't imagine ever attempting it to start with. Not even Kili and Fili were able to get past him thought they would work in team.

He'd watched them, first whispering between them, then approaching one from either direction. While Fili sought to distract him with idle chatter Kili attempted to sneak a carrot. Two whacks later from the big ladle both boys took a hasty retreat. If wielding cooking appliances Bombur was a formidable foe Bilbo decided. Kili and Fili for their effort were empty handed, but one was rubbing a bruised forehead and the other a red mark on his cheek. Why they had undertaken such a task, well aware of the risk when the gain was only a simple carrot Bilbo couldn't understand. Especially since they had nothing but their bruises to show for it.

The rest of the company was quick to laugh at their misfortune something that didn't appear to affect them at all. They just shrugged and settled to wait, tending to their weapons in the meantime. Fili had his blades out beside him, a share of them Bilbo thought. He had made it an idle game to try and figure out the exact number of various kinds that Fili carried, but it was hard to be sure. He never seemed to take all of them out at the same time, and Bilbo consequently found he was not certain. Some were distinct enough, or large enough, that he could tell them apart, but some of the smaller ones and the more similar looking ones he simply were not sure off. It could be one seen two times, or three different ones seen at the same time, he simply didn't know.

He always saw to it that they were kept sharp though, and could spend hours honing a blade to perfection. Kili would help him at times, since he only carried his sword, a smaller dagger and a single knife he had less work to do to keep them sharp. He instead was fletching arrows at the moment. Bilbo watched curiously at how skilled he was. He had never seen anyone do it before.

Fili had finished with one knife and slipped it back under his coat, reaching for the next one on the ground while he said something to Kili. Still he broke off in the middle of the sentence as he looked at his knife in honest confusion.

Bilbo, surprised by the sudden quiet looked closer and couldn't help but snigger. Hearing him laugh the rest of the company looked over curiously and within the next moment they appeared to all be laughing. Even Thorin was grinning to himself where he stood slightly apart from the others with Balin. Fili at first only looked upon his knife in confusion, then he too laughed. Kili had while fletching arrows also fletched his knife. The feathers fastened to the hilt as securely and perfectly as to his arrows.

"I thought it might help your aim when you throw it brother," he grinned.

"Step back some yards and we shall test it," Fili offered, running his fingers over the feathers.

Kili only laughed, doubled over by now and gasping for breath. Shrugging with a grin Fili slipped the knife into its sheet when he had finished with it, feathers and all. It certainly couldn't hurt his aim he decided.

Kili continued to chuckle over his joke throughout the evening and when they settled down with their pipes Fili threw an arm around him affectionately, allowing his brother to lean against him. That was a time when Bilbo would not bother them. They looked so perfectly comfortable half curled up as they were. It was a brother thing Bilbo knew, being able to find that kind of comfort in one another. Fili keeping an arm around his brother the whole time while Kili was enveloped in perfect safety.

It was no wonder that Kili often nodded off Bilbo mused. If he had a big brother like Fili to use for a pillow he would have done the same thing.

Bombur finished his stew, filling two bowls to the brim. With a grin he walked over to where the two brothers sat and Fili reached up to take first one that he put down beside him, then he took the other with a grateful smile. This time the two of them didn't even have to get up to fetch their food. Fili balanced one bowl on his knee where Kili ate still leaning against him, then other he kept on the ground as he ate from it himself.

It made him wish that he had a brother with whom he could share the same closeness.

He noticed much the same thing the next day. Kili and Fili had been sparring, working quite hard and by the time the meal was served it was clear they were both exhausted. They had only to catch whiff of the stew before Kili's stomach rumbled loudly and Fili actually had to wipe his mouth.

As the younger ones they would defer to the older Dwarves and wait their turn at supper. Ori would normally take his turn with Dori who wouldn't sit to eat unless his brother was fed as well. Kili and Fili though were different. Nephews of Thorin or not, their turn was normally last and they never voiced any objections to it.

Bilbo would take his turn with them, being a Hobbit he was not of the same importance as the mighty Dwarves but it did not really bother him. It might have if not for the fact that the system was clear. Thorin, who was the leader almost always was served first, then would Balin and Dwalin have their food. The others did not have a specific order but he himself, Kili and Fili would normally be last. They would take their food in that order for the two young Dwarves would urge him on before them, and Kili would always have his share before Fili. Should there not be quite enough left in the pot for the last bowl, Fili would insist it was his and Bilbo was not brave enough to argue with him about it. That was a very rare occasion though, for Bombur would never knowingly serve any of them a lacking meal.

This time though Bilbo noticed that the boys had extra in their bowls. A little more than he and some of the others had been served, and some of it the better share as well. Bombur had managed to keep some of the finer meat aside as he served the others and had kept it for Kili and Fili.

He couldn't tell if the two of them noticed, they smiled cheerfully at Bombur but then they always did so. Fili sketched a bow and Kili beamed at him like an overgrown child.

"He does spoil them," Balin mused where he sat eating his own portion of the food.

"Sorry," Bilbo hadn't realized he meant him at first.

"Bombur," Balin gestured with his spoon. "He still spoils the lads rotten. Always have and always will, doesn't matter how big they grow I expect."

"I hadn't realized," Bilbo mused, but now that Balin had pointed it out he had to admit it made sense. The way Bombur had taken the bowls to them before, the way he kept a few of the better bits for them. Bombur was one more uncle to the boys, one who'd spoil them when he saw the chance for it.

"I must say though, in their favour I don't think the boys know it," Balin mused. "And I should be glad if they never figure it out. It'd go to their heads you know," he gave Bilbo a confidential nod.

"I'm not sure," he mused. "I mean, I am well aware I am only now getting to know them but they do not seem the kind to spoil easily."

"No, perhaps they do not," Balin admitted. "They're good lads, but really, Bombur shouldn't spoil them so." He turned his attention back to his meal.

Now that he was looking for it Bilbo could see it so much more clearly. Bombur never allowed them to steal the tiniest morsel when he was cooking. Not when they attempted it, but if they sat quiet and patient he might toss them a piece. Kili's stomach was rumbling and he rubbed it absently only to find a carrot bouncing of his stomach to land on the ground.

A particular cold night Bombur kept some of the stew aside and passed it to Fili before his watch, claiming that it would help keep him warm. The fact that the fat Dwarf had been able to refrain from eating it himself the entire evening was quite a feat Bilbo decided.

Fili and Kili never once failed to reward him with big smiles and open gestures of affection. The two of them making a valiant effort to embrace him though not even by holding hands were they quite able to reach around him. Their laughter didn't insult Bombur either, he only ruffled their hair and urged them to eat up as if they were but Dwarflings still. The two of them ducked away with a laugh, taking their treat to the side where they shared it with Ori and Bilbo settled with a soft sigh of contentment.

The way Bombur watched them, with a gentle shake of the head over their energy and enthusiasm before he turned back to his task. It was nice to see Bilbo decided, very nice.

TBC

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