AN: I don't own any of the Hobbit characters I am just taking them out of Tolkien's toy box and playing with them.

Warning. Mentions of slash.

Nine Drummers Drumming.

Drums were an integral part of the service he had been told. So he was to have drummers at his wedding. Strange though it might seem Bifur hadn't been fazed by the need to include drums or flowers or the ribbons binding their hands. The day had been blissful for him, he was marrying his One and his family, friends were all there. Now though he was panicking, he had no idea what he was to do. They newlywed couple had been driven to a secluded smial and then left with a larder full of food and an empty house. He sat on the very edge of his seat as Bilbo pottered around him, not realising he was tying his fingers together again and again.

Soon Bilbo noticed and placed a soothing hand on his wrist. "Bifur?"

Strangely despite all they had been through he didn't want Bilbo to know he was scared now so he asked about the drummer boys. Bilbo grinned at him and leant back in his chair loosening the collar of his shirt and dumping the cravat on the side table, so Bifur felt it safe to do the same.

"The first drummer is to symbolise the groom." He looked Bifur in the eye, "The second drummer is to symbolise the bride, or in this case the other groom." He had obviously decided his chair was uncomfortable and moved to sit in Bifur's lap as he had so many other times. "The third drummer is to symbolise the end of our single life." His hobbit was a warm weight against him and Bifur hummed as he buried his nose in sweet smelling curls. Bilbo chuckled, "The fourth drummer is to sound in the start of our married life. The fifth drummer is to show our family and friends are standing at our side, yes I know it is daft as we could see them, but it's tradition.

Bifur found his waistcoat buttons had been open and Bilbo was sliding it off his shoulders and moving himself off his knee. "It has been a long day should we head for bed?" Nervous again Bifur nodded and allowed himself to be steered to one of the bedrooms. He watched Bilbo shuffle around getting ready for bed and swallowed hard as he realised his husband was standing in nothing but his underwear, an eyebrow raised in question. Swallowing he asked again about the drummers and set about removing his outer layers.

Bilbo tugged his undershirt over his head and chuckled, moving to help Bifur with the ties on his. "The sixth drummer is to send a message to those we want to be there but can't." Bifur allowed himself to be manoeuvred so he was lying with Bilbo wrapped around him and he closed his eyes to allow himself to become accustomed to the feel of naked skin against his own. "The seventh is to show we have shared all our secrets." Bifur froze as long fingers traced over his scars, he knew Bilbo knew he had them, but this was different somehow. Bilbo's voice was soothing and so he focused on that. "The eighth drummer is our future."

Bifur found Bilbo straddling him and looked up into hazel eyes in shock. "The ninth drummer," fascinated Bifur traced the blush spreading over Bilbo's cheeks and down his neck. "Erm yes the ninth drummer is to symbolise the consummation of our marriage."

Bifur froze and blinked, but it was enough to clue his One in. "Oh Bifur. Silly dwarf, why didn't you just say?" he had expected disbelief but not the almost possessive need that Bilbo kissed him with.

He found that he was a very good student and Bilbo a very willing teacher.

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As he lay in the moonlight he glanced at their hands lying on the top of the covers. "I am yours, as you are mine."