WPB Chapter 10
AN: Thank you to every one who read and commented on the last chapter! Well, the whole story so far, really. :P This one's normal sized, because I'm still a little tired from the last one, but it's an important one and leads up to the next chapter. :P
Thank you for reading!
Chapter 10
The next couple weeks were some of the happiest of Bilbo's life.
He would awake to the comfort and luxury of his suite in the heart of Rivendell and linger in his large, warm bed, swaddled in blankets and cuddled by pillows, for nearly half an hour. Then he would rise and dress for the day with some reluctance but overall eager to begin the day, as his days now held a new attraction than they ever had before: Thorin.
The dwarf king was nearly falling over himself to please Bilbo. Every morning when the hobbit stepped out of his rooms, a bouquet of flowers from the gardens would be at the foot of his door. Bright arrangements of white, yellow, pink, and blue, all wrapped together by a satin ribbon. After placing them in a vase beside his bed, Bilbo would head to the dining hall where Thorin waited to begin breakfast, a cup of tea prepared to perfection waiting for him. They would share a lovely breakfast, talking about a variety of topics, Thorin often inquiring about his life here in Rivendell and other small things that warmed Bilbo's heart, like his favorite tea and his books and maps.
After breakfast, Thorin had taken to trailing along after Bilbo, helping him with whatever menial tasks the hobbit had to do that day, such as organizing some books in the library and baking a few scones in the kitchens. Bilbo wasn't entire sure how he felt about this; during the first few days, he had found it endearing and rather sweet of the dwarf. Now, though, it was beginning to feel a little like mothering hen behavior, and he was feeling rather smothered. He couldn't bring himself to discuss this with Thorin, however, as he had promised to give the dwarf the chance to make relations between them right. It would be rather impolite of him to tell Thorin he was hovering and that Bilbo did not appreciate it. But for goodness sakes, lifting a few books onto a shelf was not going to kill him or endanger the child he carried!
Still, Bilbo acknowledged that it was nice to have Thorin wait on him hand and foot. He would be lying if he said that he was not feeling a little bit smug at this; Thorin had been quite dreadful to him throughout the journey and after the battle, so…just a little recompense would not be so horrible, right?
Thorin certainly seemed to agree as he had no issue with being directed various places by a small pregnant hobbit, even willing to cross to the opposite side of Rivendell for the specific kind of tea that Arwen had begun to give him that had a variety of nutrients beneficial to pregnancies. Bilbo had felt a little guilty at that; Thorin not only had to walk the near twenty minutes it took to navigate Rivendell's halls but also had to interact with Arwen, who was still rather hostile to the dwarf even in the wake of his apologies.
Thorin had told him that, were they in Erebor, he would be fashioning hair adornments of great beauty, the like of which had never been seen before. As it was, Bilbo was content with allowing Thorin to braid his hair every few days, using a few of his own beads to hold the designs in place.
Bilbo found that those nights, when Thorin would sit behind him by the fire, his large gentle fingers moving deftly through the long length of his hair, and tell him about his childhood, his sister and father, and Erebor, post past and present. Bilbo would return the favor, telling him of the Shire and his family as he worked, though his braiding skill was not as advanced. Thorin had beamed with pride the first time he had done so and had worn Bilbo's slightly clumsy braid around for nearly five days before Bilbo finally convinced him to let him re-braid it.
The other dwarrows had been overjoyed that Bilbo and Thorin were repairing their relationship. Balin had slapped Thorin on the shoulder, proclaiming that it was about time, and had embraced Bilbo with a merry smile, murmuring a quiet 'I told you, didn't I, laddie?'
The younger dwarrows, Kili, Fili, and Ori, had shouted with excitement and had run to hug Bilbo exuberantly, and the brothers embraced their uncle for the first time in many months (Fili had admittedly pouted for a good bit upon hearing that the rest of the dwarrows had known about Bilbo's pregnancy except him). Dwalin, like his brother, had thumped a large, meaty hand upon his king's shoulders and had looked on with approval, though he did sneer occasionally at the overly emotional displays of affection Thorin would give to Bilbo.
The dwarrows had found various things to occupy their days, Balin and Ori going the library, Kili and Fili training with Dwalin in the courtyard, and all occasionally enjoying the spring sunlight while smoking on their pipes. Bilbo did not believe he had ever seen the dwarrows so relaxed. Away from the needs and demands of Erebor, they seemed filled with new life and peace.
Bilbo had worried that he was selfishly keeping the dwarrows here; after all, it could not be good for the kingdom for the king to take a long leave of absence, nor the princes and royal advisors. Thorin had assured him of otherwise, however. Dis, his sister, was currently regent, and according to nearly all the dwarrows present, including Thorin himself, she was more than capable of managing Erebor for a couple of months. Frankly, it would be a surprise if the work of the dwarrows on reconstruction did not triple with her stern eye hovering overhead. Thorin had sent a letter the morning after he and Bilbo had talked to his sister to inform her of their prolonged stay, but by the firm set of Thorin's shoulders and the determined glint in his eyes, Bilbo wondered if there was not something more to the letter than a mere update.
While spending time with Thorin in general was extremely pleasurable for Bilbo, their twice-weekly visits to Arwen to monitor Bilbo's pregnancy were so much more. The wonder in Thorin's eyes then was a balm to Bilbo's wounded heart. The dwarf king was ecstatic that he and his One were making a family all of their own, and not a day went by that he did not thank his hobbit for this second chance and for the blessing that was their child. He would sit in the chair on the opposite side of Arwen while she examined Bilbo and watch with wide eyes as she carefully poked and prodded Bilbo's large bump.
The female elf was still very frosty in her dealings with Thorin, but she had toned it down for her friend's sake, who had sent her large pleading eyes whenever she insulted the dwarf king in some way. She actually answered Thorin's many questions instead of ignoring him altogether, and after a while she stopped slamming the door in his face before their little check-ups. Thorin took this treatment stoically, unwilling to harm his relationship with Bilbo any further by killing his elf friend, though there was always a brief flash of fury whenever he was slighted by Arwen.
Life in Rivendell was once again at peace.
And as is the way of things, something, or rather someone, came along to disturb that peace.
Gandalf arrived a month after Thorin came to Rivendell, riding a large brown horse and looking a little harried. Accompanying him was an elf messenger who carried various letters and packages with him and a profound relief on his face that he was back home.
A large party was waiting for him at the entrance of the hidden valley, and he was quite surprised at the new residents there, seeing half of the former company standing next to dear Bilbo, one of which being Thorin Oakenshield, whom Gandalf had never seen with such a large smile on his face.
The wizard dismounted to the shouted welcomes of Kili and Fili and the much quieter greeting of young Ori, who offered to take a few of his bags, the polite lad. Lord Elrond stepped forward after this and, even after being the host to a large, rowdy group of dwarrows for far longer than he had ever had cause to before, welcomed another guest with equal warmth.
"Mithrandir, it warms my heart that you have returned, and with little injury," The venerable elf lord stepped forward to embrace Gandalf. "I never know if the next time we meet, you will be in perfect health or having just been mangled by some great beast. You make quite an entrance, my friend."
Gandalf chuckled good naturedly, "Yes, well, I do seem to find adventure wherever I head." He then gave a cursory glance over all of the dwarrows present, lingering on Thorin Oakenshield. "Though I certainly seem to have missed on upon my departure from here months ago."
Bilbo stepped forward then, a bright smile upon his small face. Gandalf felt his heart soften at the flash of dimples and the now much large swell of his stomach. "Welcome back, Gandalf. And yes, you certainly have."
"Ah, my dear Bilbo," Gandalf put a warm hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "You have gotten much larger than last we met! How long until the baby is due?"
Bilbo sputtered indignantly and laid a hand upon his bump. "Are you insinuating that I am fat, Gandalf? Cause I'll have you know that I—"
"Easy, now, Bilbo! I implied nothing of the sort, my dear hobbit! I meant it as a happy question, not a slight about your weight!" He laughed at this, patting his hand on Bilbo's shoulder reassuringly. "Forgive me. I had no idea that a hobbit would become so sensitive to the size of his belly!" His eyes were positively twinkling with humor.
Bilbo huffed irritatedly, casting an angry look at a few of the dwarrows. "I wasn't before. Now, though, I have to listen to two dwarf princes make jokes about the oliphant living next door to their rooms or eating at the dining table."
Thorin whipped around at this and smacked his nephews upside the head, murmuring furious sounding words to them in Khuzdul. The brothers winced, rubbing the backs of their heads and scooting away from their uncle.
"Just a joke, didn't mean anything by it," Kili mumbled grouchily, shooting a slightly apologetic look to the disgruntled hobbit.
Ah, well," Gandalf began with an amused smile. "Dwarflings. Nothing to be done about them. But speaking of dining table, it is almost supper, and I would greatly appreciate if we were to retire to one for the night."
"Of course," Lord Elrond agreed, gesturing for the group to follow behind him.
They did eagerly, ignoring the squawks of the princes at the implication that they were children. As Bilbo walked up the staircase, he noticed that Thorin was no longer beside him. Looking back, he saw Thorin talking with the elf messenger, who handed over a medium sized package and a letter in exchange for a few gold coins. Thorin nodded his head in thanks and turned around, catching Bilbo's eye. He strode quickly up the steps to where his hobbit waited patiently and smiled, folding the package into a compartment of his fur robe. Bilbo looked on with interest.
"What's that?"
"Nothing worth notice," Thorin said quietly, looking firmly at his hobbit with a small smile on his handsome face.
Bilbo's head cocked curiously, one of his long dwarven braids trailing over his shoulder with the movement. He didn't say anything further, though, and the two headed up the steps, Thorin's hand a soft presence at the small of Bilbo's back. They were rather steep stairs, after all.
Dinner was a merry affair indeed. Six dwarrows, two elves, one hobbit, and one wizard gathered around a great expanse of food, including large plates of sautéed tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables, smoked venison and chicken, and large buttered rolls. Every dwarf but Thorin was nursing an ale with their supper, not making any effort to eat with manners, though Bilbo thanked the heavens that there were no belching or drinking contests to speak of. Lord Elrond, Arwen, and Gandalf had chosen the classier alternative, slender cups of red wine poised delicately by their plates. Elrond and Gandalf seemed amused by the antics of the dwarrows, while Arwen looked on with subtle disgust, though there was a faint glimmer of humor in her grey eyes as well.
Bilbo sat contentedly next to Thorin, sipping at his second cup of tea. He had tried to get Thorin to drink an ale like his companions, but the dwarf insisted on water and the occasional cup of tea, all the while sending little smiles at his hobbit. Bilbo felt silly at the fluttering in his stomach at these, a blush flushing on his face every time.
"Well, Gandalf," Bilbo said after a few bites of food. The tomatoes were particularly delightful. "Tell us about your journey."
"Well, as you know, my original plan was to head for Ered Luin. I had wanted to search the elvish library of Forlond, a harbor on the southern coast of Forlindon, for…personal reasons." At this, he shared a dark look with Lord Elrond. "However, when I passed through the Shire, I was waylaid by… a few other events."
"And how is the Shire?" Bilbo asked quietly. Thorin placed his hand upon the hobbit's where they were fluttering anxiously in his lap. "What has become of Bag End?"
Gandalf took a long drink from his cup, before he continued, fixing Bilbo with a wry look. "When I arrived in the Shire, everything seemed as it always was there, hobbits meandering about with normal day-to-day tasks. A great muttering began as I journeyed through, I assure you. Nothing was out of the ordinary until I reached your home, Bilbo, with a good amount of hobbits trailing behind me."
Bilbo sat forward in his seat, looking searchingly at Gandalf. "What happened?"
"Your relatives had made themselves quite at home in your former smial," Gandalf began with a raised bushy eyebrow. He smirked at Bilbo's outraged gasp.
"I knew it!" The hobbit hit the table angrily with a closed fist, drawing the attention of all seated at the table. "I just knew that conniving, thieving woman would invade my home the second I left the borders of the Shire! Did no one try to stop her? I thought Hamfast Gamgee was going to take care of things."
"That he tried, my dear Bilbo, that he tried. But that Miss Sackville-Baggins has the bite and menace of a wolf, the dreadful woman. Old Gamgee never stood a chance." Gandalf shook his head in pity. "Well, rest easy, my friend. I informed them of your wish that Bag End be given to your cousin Drogo and his family, and they left most eagerly. "Gandalf winked at Bilbo, a smirk tugging at his lips. "With a little help, of course."
Bilbo relaxed back into his chair, smiling gratefully at the wizard. "Thank you, Gandalf, for doing that for me. I really appreciate it."
"No problem at all. I was happy to do it. Ah! Right," He pulled a small letter from within his bag and handed it to Bilbo across the table. "Here, from Drogo and Primula."
Bilbo took the proffered envelope with care, looking upon it with a little worry. He glanced up at Gandalf and found reassuring warmth in his eyes. He put the letter under beside his plate for later reading, feeling better about what might be in it. If Gandalf was not concerned with it, the letter was probably not one of rejection or scorn.
Thorin was watching him with a little concern but relaxed at Bilbo's smile.
"You gave your home away, Bilbo?" Kili asked suddenly from across the table. The rest of the dwarrows turned back in his direction at this.
"Yes, I—I had Gandalf pass along my will that Bag End be given to my cousin and his wife and nephew, since I had planned on living here in Rivendell for a time," He shifted in his seat uncomfortably under the eyes of so many.
"But you'll be coming back to Erebor with us, right?" Kili pressed, ignoring the elbow Fili planted in his side at the awkward question. They had all known not to bother the hobbit on this subject, especially since Thorin had explicitly ordered them not to as he didn't want Bilbo to feel pressured in any way. Kili, it seemed, couldn't contain himself at this.
"I—I," Bilbo stuttered, his face turning red and his hands gripping his teacup tightly.
"Kili!" Thorin reprimanded him sharply, casting a quelling look at his nephew.
Silence descended upon the table, everyone refusing to look at Bilbo or Thorin out of awkwardness. Kili pouted into his mug, nursing his side with a glare at his brother. Thorin kept his eyes carefully from his hobbit as well, but his thumb continued to rub soothingly against the back of Bilbo's hand.
Lord Elrond dispelled the tense atmosphere by asking Gandalf to continue. "You said you were delayed by something, did you not? It must have been something quite pressing, as I have never known you to be deterred."
"Yes, well, " Gandalf coughed. "I was asked by a few Rangers in the area to help in the investigation of a vile creature living in the Brandywine River. A scaly beast with a thirst for blood the like of which I had never seen before. According to the Rangers, it had taken to preying upon the river crossers in the early evenings and at night. Neither iron nor steel could penetrate its shell. Very disturbing."
Most everyone at the table was listening avidly now, the earlier tension forgotten in the deep rasp of Gandalf's voice.
"How did you kill it, Gandalf?" Fili asked eagerly, perilously close to tipping over his ale and spilling it down the front of his brother's clothes.
"Well," Gandalf continued, with a sparkle in his eye. "The vile thing was particularly good at hiding in the shallows of the river, near the rocks and banks, only venturing out into the deeper waters when it sensed movement upon the surface. Upon further study, I noticed that it seemed to have a preference in victims," He cast an apologetic look at Bilbo, "Hobbit victims."
Bilbo shivered, feeling a flash of fear and horror for his kin who had been lost to the creature. Thorin squeezed his hand tightly.
"How were you able to tell this?" Ori piped up from further down the table, holding his journal and writing in it quickly.
"When it would tip over the edges of the boats or rafts, the creature would focus on the smallest prey. I also believed that it learned over time that hobbits were least likely to carry any means of defending themselves." He sighed wearily at this. "That has changed after this incident."
Gandalf shared a morose look with Bilbo, mourning the loss of innocence amongst the hobbits that had had no cause or fear before to hold weapons for defense. Perhaps in the future, when this died down and faded into the past, they would not feel threatened, but…
"After I realized this, the Rangers and I formed a plan. We needed to draw the creature out of the water. The best way to do this…well, the quickest way to do this with minimal casualty, was to deprive the monster of its food source. That's why this venture took so long to accomplish. The nasty thing lived off of the sparse fishes for a while before it finally left the water, in the middle of the night."
He took a drink from his cup, secretly delighting in the impatient movements made by his audience. He cleared his throat a few times, much to the annoyance of Kili and Fili, before he continued.
"We followed it through a farmer's fields, weapons at the ready, and into a clearing, which was unfortunately inhabited by a couple of young hobbits making merry." He gave a little snort at this and was echoed by a few of the dwarrows. Bilbo rolled his eyes at this. Hobbit youths, most randy bunch if there ever was one.
"It snuck up on the hobbits with incredible stealth. They were completely unaware of the peril they were in. And when the creature reared up, preparing to strike, I whipped my sword back and brought it swiftly down upon its long, slimy tail! It screamed in agony as its limb was severed, proving that the nasty bugger was no match for a blade as fine as Glamdring. However, it was not finished yet." He punctuated this with a lifted finger, his eyes looking intently at the dwarrows.
Said audience was tensed in anticipation, though the more seasoned warriors were not so open in their excitement. Dwalin, Balin, and Thorin listened with carefully neutral faces, all slightly smirking throughout the wizard's tale. Bilbo and the others listened intently. The elves watched Gandalf's theatrics with small smiles.
"It attacked quick as a shot, its claws sharp as knives and its maw opened to bite our heads clean off! It sliced a nasty mark upon many a Ranger, and I myself was not completely unwounded. At the end of the battle, it stood on its hind legs, a foot taller than I, and faced me with hungry eyes. The head of this foul beast snapped at me, but I caught my sword amongst its teeth, stilling its attack! We were locked like that for a moment when I kicked hard into the scaly underbelly, raised Glamdring up high, and cut its head from its spine with one fell swoop!" He waited for a moment for it all to sink in. "And such was the defeat of the scaled monstrosity."
He sat back smugly, watching with glee as they relaxed into their chairs, the Durin brothers beaming and shouting appreciation for Gandalf's triumph. The older dwarrows rolled their eyes at their antics but nodded their own appreciation for Gandalf's story. Bilbo was comforted at the knowledge that his kin were now safe but still felt admittedly queasy. He had never heard of such a creature ever terrorizing the Shire before. There were wolves that prowled their lands during harsh winters, but never anything truly dangerous appeared in the spring or summertime. Hopefully, this was an isolated case….
"Very impressive, Gandalf," Lord Elrond grinned at him. "I'm sure the Shire and the Rangers were very glad you stopped in."
"That they were!" He agreed exuberantly. "There was a great feast the entire day after! The Thains of the Shire thanked me personally, and I was awarded 'Savoir of the Shire.' Very prestigious title, I assure you. I imagine I will be reveled by the hobbits for quite some time after this." He finished smugly.
"Until you cause the next great disturbance, really." Bilbo grumbled, raising an eyebrow at Gandalf.
"I never cause a disturbance," Gandalf defended himself with amusement. "They happen around me and are therefore associated with me! I only cause half of the trouble that is actually accredited to me."
"Half is plenty," Bilbo replied sternly, though the corner of his mouth lifted.
A few chuckled at this, and then other conversation began until the fires banked and the food was all but gone. Bilbo nearly fell asleep in his seat, lulled away by good food and close friends.
Gandalf's other reasons for returning could wait another day.
AN: This chapter was supposed to be about something completely different…..Oh well, that'll be the next one. :P Hope you enjoyed reading! I did not proof read this one for spelling or grammar, so...if you see something annoying, let me know.