Balin had to admit, at least to himself, that having a Hobbit in the Company was fascinating. Generally, the Halflings of the Shire were far too shy to leave their homeland, and very little was known about their lives. He had heard rumors, ranging from the plausible (Hobbits are relatives of the Elves, for instance) to the ridiculous (Hobbits grow their children in the earth like potatoes). But to have a Hobbit with them, to be able to ask Master Baggins about his people! For a scholar, it was an incredible opportunity.

For instance, on their third morning traveling together, he noticed that Bilbo was packing away a small portion of his breakfast, a few pieces of sausage and some fruit he had gathered as they walked. He frowned, bemused. All available information about Hobbits said they had incredible appetites for their size, and their rations were not large. Nothing compared to the feast they had had in the Hobbits home. (He had been informed to never call it a burrow, despite being partially underground, unless he wanted to gravely insult the Halfling).

"Master Baggins, are you not feeling well?" He asked, approaching him carefully. Bilbo glanced up from where he was packing up his bedroll and belongings. His complete lack of a beard was still startling from time to time, and it was only through ironclad self control that Balin didn't stare at his smooth chin.

"I'm perfectly alright, Master Balin," he answered after a moment, in a cautious tone of voice. Balin gestured towards the small bundle of food Bilbo had just gathered together.

"You've barely touched your breakfast; I'm afraid there won't be much else until the end of the day. Best eat up," he advised, though as he spoke, Bilbo's face became more drawn, brows pulling closer together.

"That's why I'm setting some aside to eat on the road. I'm afraid my Hobbit stomach isn't up to not eating for the entirety of the day. Hobbits have seven meals throughout, it is a large change to go to two. Not to worry," he added frantically, apparently reading into the bewilderment on Balin's face, "I'm sure I'll get used to it! Just, it will take me a few days!"

"You have seven meals in a day?!" Kili exclaimed, and they both jumped. Neither of them had noticed that several members of the Company were listening in to the conversation. Bilbo shrugged, clearly tense at the added scrutiny.

"Well, yes. Not huge meals, mind you, but we do have seven. But that would be a waste of time, stopping for those, so I've just been saving some breakfast to eat around luncheon. I… what is it?" Kili's eyes were darting all over his body, as though looking for more to the Hobbit's body he hadn't already seen.

"Where do you put it all?" Fili asked, leaning close. Bilbo seemed to curl into himself, as though to make himself look smaller than he already was, and Balin scowled, shooing the boys away from him.

"That is enough! Leave the lad be. He's not a Dwarf, of course Hobbits do things differently," he admonished, and glared until they moved further away, out of Bilbo's personal space. He turned back to receive a grateful look from Bilbo.

"Don't let those two get away with anything, Master Baggins. They'll walk all over you otherwise." Bilbo nodded, and he seemed to stand just a bit straighter.

"My thanks, Master Balin," he said, before chuckling to himself. "Perhaps I ought to keep what I do differently more secretive, so they don't continue to badger me?" Balin shook his head.

"Do that, and they'll try to get you into a fake beard within a fortnight. Now, if you don't mind, would you explain all these meals to me? I'm having a difficult time imagining how one could even fit that many meals into a day!"

As Bilbo began to explain the system, his eyes bright at the prospect of having someone speaking to him, hands gesturing as he spoke, Balin settled back with a small smile.

Fascinating creatures, Hobbits. He was looking forward to learning more.