A/N: Happy December! Have a chapter! This might be the last update for a couple of weeks as I have to work on some assignments and attend lectures and seminars, which take priority. Hopefully it won't be a couple of weeks.

The Hobbit:
A Dwarf is for Life not just for Christmas

Chapter 10

Nori and a Crafty Conspiracy

Nori knew his own reputation. He knew what others thought of him, what they whispered behind his back, what they said to each other in the dark corners of streets or pubs.

Nori the Thief, Nori the Secret Stealer, Nori of the Light Fingers, Nori the King's Spymaster.

He liked his titles. They proved his worth even if they weren't the normal reputable titles a Dwarf would aspire to. He was good at his trade and really being capable at his craft and being able to protect and provide for his family and friends was the most important thing to him.

He knew Dori didn't entirely approve. He saw it in his eyes whenever Nori returned home after a job when Nori first started his criminal career. The disapproval would be present but was always accompanied by worry. Nori couldn't remember the number of times he would come home, in the middle of the night after a long job to find Dori sat wide awake knitting or sewing, easy tasks that didn't require a lot concentration in the low light of the dying fire or the few candles Dori decided he could afford to light. Sometimes Nori would come home and find Dori fast asleep, his hands tucked into the fabric with the needle hanging from the thread.

Nori always felt loved, even if Dori disapproved his actions showed that he cared in spite of Nori's many flaws.

It wasn't a career that Nori deliberately aimed for. When he was a Dwarfling he thought he might become a warrior or a jeweller. It was in the settlements of Men that Nori realised his skills lay more towards subterfuge and the more criminal pursuits.

Travelling from Erebor, the caravan of hundreds of Dwarves exiled from Erebor, Men were not so welcoming to their Dwarven neighbours. They would bar them from entering the towns and villages of Men or refuse to trade with the Dwarves. It wasn't like the Dwarves had any of the great riches they originally crafted or mined, Smaug had stolen them all, so trade wasn't appealing for the Men. They believed that the Dwarves were being stingy, offering their worst examples of crafting and bartering so they could keep their gold.

Nori knew that his fellow Dwarves were not being as miserly as the Men believed. The jewels and precious items that the Ereborean Dwarves had managed to save were those they had on them, precious items that belonged to families, heirlooms that held sentimental rather than monetary value. It was the sign of the direly desperate that would sacrifice their family heirlooms and beloved items to try and buy a morsel of food to feed their hungry children, spouse or beloved relatives.

Seeing the Men treating his fellows so poorly enraged Nori. A sense of righteousness and fury boiled up in him and he took it into his own hands to get food for his family, Dori who was struggling to care for a three-month-old Ori. Ori was born a few days after the fall of Erebor and their mother didn't make it. Giving birth on the road was not ideal at the best of times but their mother had been tired and exhausted, and Ori's birth was too much for their mother.

Nori couldn't remember where they buried their mother, somewhere in the wilds between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains. An unmarked grave, one amongst many.

Nori had pushed down his anger and bitterness and thought about what he could actually do. He had no money, no jewels nothing of worth to trade. So, if he could not trade he would steal. It seemed better to him to steal than for Ori to starve. For Ori and the other Dwarflings who had lost parents to the Dragon's arrival.

He had slipped into the town at the dead of night and ransacked several warehouses and stores, taking only as much as he could carry and only enough from each that it wouldn't cost the seller too much.

That was the first time he stole. He left sacks outside the tents of those who most needed the food. Sacks with dried fruit, oats, grains, dried and smoked meats and fish. For the families with young ones he was even able to milk a few goats and he found some tankards which he could cover with a scrap of cloth to keep bugs out.

Dori hadn't approved of Nori's stealing when he woke the following morning and found the sack of food and the tankard of milk. His brother said nothing however and gratefully warmed the milk over the fire before soaking a clean scrap of cloth in it and dribbling it into the hungry mouth of Ori.

That day the Dwarves were happier and healthier, and Nori saw how his skills and helped.

That was the beginning of Nori's trade. From there he had his highs and lows. He gained more and more skills; picking locks, walking unheard past guards, where to hit in a fight for the most impact, how to flog his stolen goods for the best price, who's information to trust and who would rather stab in him the back.

He had done things he wasn't proud of, but he would never regret it, that first job where he stole food to feed his people. Nothing would ever be worth more than the safety of Dori and Ori and when he eventually came into Thorin's employ the lives of Durin's children became just as important. Following a king who recognised and accepted his talents was worth following.

Bilbo Baggins was a conundrum to Nori. He didn't seem to approve or disapprove of Nori's career when he met the Dwarf. But Nori could recognise the skills Bilbo brought to the Company. He was light on his feet, could slip into the background and go unnoticed by all (except Nori of course who always knew where everyone was) and could talk his way out of many a situation.

Nori also appreciated Bilbo's level-headedness. A group of thirteen Dwarves, all male and stubborn, was not a good mix for keeping tempers even and stopping disagreements. And Nori knew that a disagreement could often blow up out of proportion and rage like dragon fire, uncaring if it burned innocent bystanders.

Bilbo was able to diffuse several situations between even some of the short-tempered and easily triggered Dwarves. He could also approach the various complicated situations they found themselves in with a rational mind and none of the previous history that the Dwarves had with Men and Elves.

Bilbo also had a mischievous streak to him, which Nori adored. Nori's favourite of Bilbo's tricks was when the Hobbit wove flowers into a sleeping Thorin's hair at Beorn's home. The unsuspecting King woke to find himself swarmed by the large bees and couldn't (for several hours) work out why the bees were so attracted to him.

It was this mischievous streak that found Nori approaching Bilbo to pass on some gossip he had accumulated from listening to the Hobbits at the market and at the Feast of Fools the previous night. There was an opportunity for fun and mischief making to happen and Nori couldn't resist.

*Winter*Festival*

Bag End had finally settled down after the events of the morning. Thorin had been pacified and had forgiven Fili, to an extent, and put his nephew's braids and beads back in once Fili had explained the whole misunderstanding.

Nori had found himself a nook and tucked himself away from all the hustle and bustle. His job as a spy and the King's shadow meant he never really stopped working. Even in the Shire, in Hobbiton, Nori was keeping his ear to the ground (metaphorically of course, although when they were in Erebor the stones would sometimes whisper secrets. The stones didn't always know what secrets were new and which were old, that was the problem with stones that couldn't tell the passing of time).

Nori had yet to unearth any dastardly Hobbit or Dwarf plots against his King or against the royal family and so he was able to pay attention to the rumours going around the Shire about their esteemed host, one Bilbo Baggins. Well, rumours about Bilbo and about the Dwarves he had staying with him in Bag End.

Some of the rumours were downright malicious, even by Nori's standards, and were ones he most certainly wouldn't repeat to Bilbo who could sometimes be so proper and upstanding – a gentlehobbit.

Nori had traced the rumours back to one particular family (and I'm sure, dear reader, you can guess that family's identity with one guess): the Sackville-Baggins'.

Such spite and vitriol flowed from both Otho and Lobelia's lips and when Hobbits had, had a few drinks they could be very unforgiving of Bilbo's oddities, especially when the Sackville-Baggins' voices were so loud.

Nori waited patiently until Bag End had emptied out a bit, Dwarves scattering to sort out their businesses, visit family relations or get a breath of fresh air and only Bilbo, Thorin, Fili and Kili remained in the smial. Frodo had commandeered the Durins and so Nori took advantage of the situation and pulled Bilbo to one side.

"Bilbo, a word?"

Bilbo looked surprised at Nori's presence but willingly went along with the spymaster to his office.

The Hobbit settled himself in his desk chair and invited Nori to take a seat by the lit fire. The Dwarf refused the seat with a smile but leaned against the mantle and stared into the flames. Although he felt very strongly about injustices and had strong emotions Nori didn't find looking at others when imparting bad news particularly pleasant. It made his stomach turn if they became saddened and he never knew what to do with emotions.

"I've been listening Bilbo. One of the things I do, being the King's spy and all. And a thief always finds it helpful to have an idea of the comings and goings."

Bilbo interrupted with an almost stern tone – but he clearly wasn't too upset.

"I hope you haven't stolen from anyone Nori. The worst thievery is usually from the fauntlings when pies or cakes are left unattended on window sills. It would cause quite a stir."

"Thief's honour, I've stolen nothing…"

Bilbo raised an eyebrow and puffed on his pipe.

"A couple of biscuits but they were from your larder and we are your guests so not exactly stealing." Nori admitted.

The Hobbit chuckled and shook his head.

"So, what is being said around Hobbiton that would cause you to take me to one side. I assume it has something to do with me?"

Nori coughed uncomfortably and shifted into a more relaxed position.

"There are rumours and gossip spreading through Hobbiton. Some of them are quite nasty Bilbo, casting aspersions on your character and your honour."

"What are these rumours and gossips saying about me?"

"I wouldn't care to repeat them Master Baggins."

"Humour me, Nori, and don't call me Master Baggins – you know it's Bilbo to you and everyone else."

Nori coughed and licked his lips. He wished he had stolen a few sips of the whisky in the drink cabinet. A little drink would have calmed him he thought.

"There have been comments about the company to start with. In particular, after Fili's - unwise actions last night, they are being quite rude about the Princes and Dwarrow in general.
I heard that Obsidian Took has also been the recipient of foul words; some are saying she was flirting and teasing male Hobbits for years and that her Dwarrow blood made her encourage Fili.
The rumours about you are worse. Some of the kinder ones say that you are having relations with all the Dwarves staying with you. That you behave indecorously and that it will impact on the faunts negatively. That you earned the gold you came back with from your trip from less – admired activities."

Bilbo paled slightly. He didn't much care what others thought of him or how he had earned his gold. The fact that Hobbits were saying he would be a bad influence on the faunts, well, that one stung quite a bit. The faunts would always listen to his stories and even if the could be cruel (calling him Mad Baggins to his face) he knew that they didn't mean it and were normally just repeating something they'd heard their parents or adults saying.

"Are you alright Bilbo?" Nori glanced over.

"Hmm? Oh yes, I'm fine Nori. No need to worry." Bilbo responded absently and stared into the fire himself, lost in his thoughts.

"There've been two particular Hobbits who've been perpetrating these rumours. Sackville-Baggins."

Bilbo scoffed and puffed on his pipe irritated.

"Lobelia and Otho. Unsurprising."

Nori raised his eyebrow, not that you could tell particularly well since it was woven up into his hair.

"Thought you'd mentioned them a time or two before. And you had a run in with them the other day didn't you. Thorin scared 'em off though."

"I'm afraid even Thorin isn't enough to stop Lobelia and Otho's greed and sharp tongue." Bilbo knocked out his pipe and set it to one side. He wanted to clasp his bandaged hands, but he knew Oin would not be pleased if he burst the last of the blisters that were slowly healing. If he did clasp his hands together in order to contain his fury and upset he most surely would do himself harm.

"Well, I thought you should know about these rumours. And that I could offer a way to get a little harmless revenge. I've already begun combatting the rumours. Dwarves in the market who know of your courage and your deeds have begun speaking of them to one another and in front of your fellow Hobbits. Opinions are swaying back in your favour and you have a few Hobbit friends who will quickly shut down any gossip mongering. The Gamgees are your most stalwart defenders but the Thain and a Drogo and Primula Baggins have said a few words on your behalf too."

Bilbo smiled at his friends and family defending him. There were still some Hobbits with honour and a sense of loyalty. Courage, honour and a willing heart indeed. Nori was one of the most honourable and loyal Dwarves Bilbo had ever met, not that the Dwarf would ever admit to it.

"This is good news. But I am intrigued as to what you have planned for revenge. I do so enjoy a little bit of revenge, as long as no one is permanently harmed."

Nori shook his head and grinned.

"I thought you'd say that. The Sackville-Baggins' will suffer no permanent damage. Well, maybe permanent mortification, humiliation and embarrassment."

"And those will not kill anyone." Bilbo chuckled.

"Indeed. I heard that you and your family play a game? The White Oliphant?"

"Yes, it's a Baggins tradition. Everyone gets a gift and wraps it and leaves it unmarked so that the gift giver's identity is secret. Then the gifts are left in a designated place and all the participants are given a number. We usually do it this evening at the Green Dragon. We go in order and select a present. We don't unwrap them until everyone has a gift but instead of picking a gift from the selection each gift can be stolen from people who've already selected. If the present they chose is stolen, they can take another from the pile. A Hobbit can only loose their chosen present twice, after that they're immune."

Nori's eyes twinkled from below his bushy eyebrows and he grinned widely. He looked incredibly mischievous.

"Perfect. Are the gifts supposed to be quality ones?"

Bilbo shook his head, a mischievous smirk spreading on his own face.

"It's whatever you can afford. I always tend to give a book or cakes or some ribbons that my female cousins wouldn't be able to afford."

"Excellent." Nori steepled his hands and chuckled. "All we need now is a little bit of time for me to go and gather some items from a friend, a little bit of carving and some gift wrapping."

"I'll wait here." Bilbo replied. "Although if you could take a message to Drogo Baggins on your way I would appreciate it."

Nori watched as Bilbo quickly found a piece of parchment and dipped his quill in his ink pot and began writing quickly.

The note was very short, and Bilbo folded it and sealed it with a dollop of wax and the Baggins seal before blowing on the wax to try and cool it somewhat. He handed the note to Nori and the Dwarf felt his fingers itch with the temptation to open it. Secrets from his friends were safe in Nori's hands however and he tucked the note into a secret pocket on the inside of his jacket.

"I'll be back within the hour. See if you can't find some fancy paper or cloth to wrap the gift in. We will enact the most delightful revenge on your relatives."

Nori winked and left Bag End.

*Winter*Festival*

By the time he returned, after dropping the note off to Drogo Baggins who had seemed most amused to be getting a letter from his cousin delivered by Dwarf, and then going to find his friend in the home of one of the Hobbits who had agreed to shelter Dwarves, Bilbo was tucked away with Drogo in his study.

Frodo was pouting because Bilbo had also requested Thorin's presence and they had been in the middle of a grand Dwarven story about a Dwarf who was cursed to be a beast and dwell alone in his mountain until a Dwarven lass could break the spell. Frodo was waiting to see how the Dwarrow broke the spell, he was hoping it wasn't a kiss. But Thorin had been dragged away by Uncle Bilbo, right in the exciting bit.

Fili and Kili were doing their best to entertain Frodo and were succeeding to an extent. They were juggling items from around Bag End and Nori hoped that they didn't drop or break anything, including Frodo or themselves.

Nori managed to slip into Bilbo's study without being noticed.

Bilbo was sat at his desk, Drogo standing to his left and looking amazed and flabbergasted and Thorin standing to his right and looking an amusing mixture of hopeful and impressed.

"I believe that should have everything?" Bilbo said. "If I can just get you to read it over Drogo, and you too Thorin, then we all need to sign all three copies and I'll put my seal on them, just a precaution of course. Then one copy can go to the Thain in case it's contested, one to you Drogo and I'll keep one for myself."

Drogo took the paper with sweaty, shaking hands and licked his dry lips.

Nori thought it was always odd that when you were nervous your hands could become swamp-like, all damp and clammy but your mouth would suddenly be dryer than the deserts of Harad. It was as if all the moisture in your mouth went to your hands (and your armpits and other places but we won't mention those).

Drogo read through the parchment, his eyes flicking across the page and Thorin had taken the third copy and was reading it through too.

Bilbo sat and waited patiently, he had noticed Nori waiting in the corner even if the others hadn't, and Nori winked when Bilbo's gaze fell upon him.

"It-it all seems in order. But are you certain Bilbo? Is this re-really what you want?" Drogo stammered out.

"I have no direct kin by blood. You and Frodo may not be my closest blood relatives, but you are the family I am closest too. And even if you were not, I would still wish for my estate, properties and belongings to go to you in the event of my demise. I know you do not covet my estate and that you care for me despite my wealth. And I love Frodo. He is… most important and dear to me."

Bilbo smiled fondly.

"Besides, can you imagine the look on Lobelia and Otho's faces when they discover Bag End will never be theirs?"

Drogo chuckled nervously and handed the document back to Bilbo. Nori now knew it was Bilbo's will, or at least a codicil – an amendment, and that Bilbo was leaving all his estate to Drogo and Frodo. That would most definitely infuriate the Sackville-Baggins'.

Nori applauded Bilbo's ingenuity, revenge played in the long game, for Nori did not see any reason for Bilbo's will to be revealed soon. It may even be years before Lobelia and Otho found out what Bilbo had done.

Drogo, Bilbo and Thorin had signed the will and Nori watched as Bilbo made three identical seals on the bottom of each parchment.

"Thorin, could I ask Fili to take this to my Grandfather? I will write a note explaining what it is and my Grandfather will know it is true. This may also be an opportunity for Fili to find and apologise to Obsidian Took."

Thorin seemed to scowl a bit but quickly stopped at a cough from Bilbo. The King looked almost sheepish before nodding and taking the proffered parchment and the accompanying note Bilbo had written.

"Drogo." Thorin rumbled before leaving the study and barking at Fili and Kili for something they were doing. Nori did not want to know what they were doing.

"I'll take Frodo back with me if you want now Bilbo?" Drogo smiled. "Give you some peace and quiet without a pesky faunt underfoot. I love that child but Primula and I have definitely enjoyed the time to ourselves."

"I'm sure you have." Bilbo drawled and raised an eyebrow. Drogo frowned puzzledly for a moment before realising what Bilbo was implying.

Drogo spluttered, and he flushed a shade of crimson from his neck up to the tips of his ears.

"Maybe I'll get a niece from the 'adult time' you and Primula have had." Bilbo teased.

Drogo scowled but there was a hint of fondness in his otherwise embarrassed face.

"Do you want me to take my child or not?"

"If you can drag him away from Thorin and Kili, then of course you can take your own child."

Drogo clapped Bilbo on the shoulder.

"If you change your mind about the will Bilbo, I won't be upset or disappointed."

Bilbo shook his head and pointed to his study door.

"I'm not going to change my mind. Now go collect Frodo and manage his tears when you tell him he has to leave his new playmates."

The younger Hobbit finally left, finally noticing Nori in the corner, and shook his head in amusement at Bag End being full of Dwarves. Drogo wondered what his Aunt Belladonna would have thought of Bag End having such exotic guests. He was sure she would've been delighted and managed to find out many Dwarven secrets with her charm and her persistence.

"You've been busy since I left." Nori droned.

Bilbo grinned wickedly.

"It's been such fun. Thinking of their faces going through shock, despair, anger, horror, disappointment and the utter humiliation was more than motivating. Now, what is your plan for immediate revenge?"

Nori slunk over and held open the satchel and showed Bilbo the contents. Bilbo frowned.

"I assume there's some surprise element to them?"

"Of course, what do you take me for Bilbo?" Nori held his chest as though Bilbo's lack of faith had hurt him.

Bilbo merely rolled his eyes.

"Let's get carving. I assume they'll be more inclined to use them if they look more interesting. Do you think you have something we can put them in and wrap so you can't tell what they are?" Nori began laying everything out away from the fire.

Bilbo held up a metal box, it was embossed with flowers and vines and was fairly tasteful. It did not look like Dwarven craft, however.

"Hmm, that looks familiar." Nori said and frowned at the box.

"It's from Rivendell. Lord Elrond gave me some herbs and spices and he put them in this box for me to travel back to the Shire without loosing them."

"Ah, Second Age elf work. I know it now." Nori scowled.

Bilbo chuckled and watched as Nori began following patterns and images from a book of flowers Bilbo produced.

*Winter*Festival*

Bilbo watched in amusement as the entire Baggins family, including Primula, Drogo and Frodo and the Sackville-Baggins', assembled around the gifts piled on a table in the Green Dragon. The adults all had a beer in hand and the faunts had been given spiced apple juice so they could join in the celebration.

Bilbo knew that Nori had already switched Lobelia's number so that she would be the final gift picker. Bilbo's gift was also currently hidden from sight and Nori would slip into view when the last two gifts were left. That way Lobelia was certain to get Bilbo's gift and she would know it was from him. The quality of the paper wrapping and the ribbons would only point to Bilbo.

The evening progressed just as Nori and Bilbo planned. Bilbo picked his gift and sat back and sipped his honey mead and watched as Nori lurked in a shadowy corner of the pub, ready to slip the present into the light when the time came.

Bilbo had also noticed that Fili was in the Green Dragon. He had been there when they arrived, a tankard clasped between his hands as he sat and stared deeply at the patterns of the wooden table. Not long after the last of the Baggins had arrived and everyone had sipped on their drinks, Obsidian Took sidled in. She had her hood up, the one trimmed with white fur, and she only slipped it down once she spotted Fili.

Bilbo had watched with fondness as Fili had noticed her standing and lunged up from the table, causing the bench he had been sitting on to topple over with a crash. More than one pair of eyes had watched as Fili grinned embarrassed and rubbed the back of his head. Obsidian had taken it in her stride however, and sat down opposite Fili, putting her bow and quiver down within reach.

The young pair had stayed there throughout the evening, completely oblivious to Bilbo's and Nori's watchful eyes. Bilbo knew it wouldn't do for Obsidian to have more rumours spread about her behaviour and even though there were many Hobbits and Dwarves in the Green Dragon, as Fili's host Bilbo could act as a chaperone of sorts. No one would question him to his face and especially not if he could name Hobbits and Dwarves sat in the Green Dragon at the same time.

The time eventually came for Nori to slip the present into the light and Bilbo was amused to see Nori had slipped some powder of some sort into Lobelia's cup when she wasn't paying attention. A few sips and Lobelia began sneezing. In fact, she sneezed so hard that her head was thrown down and she noticed the present that was tucked partially under the table.

"There was a present on the floor." She declared and lifted it up and placed it on the table with the final two gifts.

It was clear she knew that it was from Bilbo and they all watched as stared at it with covetous eyes.

The two remaining Hobbits whose numbers had been before Lobelia didn't even bother trying to take the gift and Lobelia was able to snatch it up without hesitation.

Everyone remained for a while, the faunts opening the gifts they had selected and finding treats, toys or ribbons inside the paper and swapping them with each other for the ones they actually wanted. The adults however were more restrained, and some tucked their gifts away to open when they got home.

Lobelia demonstrated none of this restrain and ripped into the present, her nails clawing at the ribbon as she fumbled with the bow it was tied in.

"Oooo!" Lobelia cooed at the box. She stroked her fingers over it and Bilbo snorted into his tankard. It seemed Lobelia could be taken in by Second Age elf work. She opened it and grinned in delight at the sight that lay before her.

Bilbo and Nori watched with delight as she showed off her present. Soaps. That was what she had received. Soaps in different colours which Nori had carved into shapes and patterns. Flowers, animals and twisting patterns lay nestled in soft cloth. Each soap smelt differently and there was little handwritten note tucked beneath each that described its scent.

Nori and Bilbo looked at each other from across the room and Bilbo was forced to hide his face as Nori gestured rudely. Tomorrow would be interesting.

*Winter*Festival*

Bilbo's prediction was indeed true. The following day the gossip and rumours racing around Hobbiton (and spreading further afield) were all discussing the state of Lobelia and Otho Sackville-Baggins.

"Oh, you should have seen it!" Bell Gamgee groaned and wiped tears from her cheeks. "They both appeared in the market, going to get Otho's presents from the tailor, and they both looked so humiliated!"

Bilbo poured her another cup of tea and passed a glass of whisky to Nori who was lounging on the floor next to Bilbo's armchair. He sank back into his own armchair and grinned happily.

"I don't know who looked worse," Bell had to pause to fight back another fit of giggles. "Otho was chartreuse Bilbo, chartreuse! And Lob-Lobe-Lob…"

They both began giggling and Nori watched in delight as tears streamed down their cheeks.

"She was puce!" Bell finally stuttered out.

"Nothing goes with chartreuse or puce! Or at least nothing they own." Bilbo sputtered and used his handkerchief to wipe his cheeks, handing his spare to Bell who took it gratefully.

"I know! I don't imagine we'll be seeing them again until the colour fades. It was all their skin though. Only the hair on their heads and their feet had escaped but even their hair was tinged. It'll take multiple baths to wash all that out. Plenty of soap too."

Bilbo burst into laughter again and Nori joined in this time. Bell watched in bewildered amusement.

"Something I said?"

Nori tossed back his whisky and reached for the decanter, he had earned another glass and he was officially on holiday now having avenged Bilbo and protected the honour of Fili and the Company, before answering Bell.

"If they use the soap they won in the White Oliphant game then they'll turn another colour."

"You didn't?!" Bell gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to hide the smile spreading across her face.

"We did!" Bilbo chortled and sipped his tea. His throat hurt from laughing that much.

"How long will it last?"

Nori scratched his large nose and winked at Bell.

"Couple a weeks. Depends how much they wash and whether or not they use the same soap or try a different one. If they use the same one, it'll last much longer and if it's a different soap it'll be a different colour- so they could end up being multicoloured."

Bilbo saw Nori reaching for the plate of biscuits and handed it down to the Dwarven Thief. He had earnt them. Nori's trick and desire to avenge Bilbo, even from such a thing as gossip (which could be so harmful. Isn't it sad that words can cause so much damage?) made Bilbo's heart swell with love and admiration for the criminal Dwarf.

"Thank you, Nori." Bilbo murmured.

Nori didn't respond but Bilbo knew he had heard.

A/N: Thank you to all the new subscribers and to any old readers who have returned! Please leave a review and let me know what you think of my writing. It has been a few years after all and I hope my writing has improved. I'd like to hear about what you think of the story too, do you think my portrayals are accurate?