Short chapter today, chapter 12 tomorrow XP
Soon, some of you will know and understand what I meant when I talked about chapter 12 because, I think, it's the only thing I've been mentioning lately xP
Anyways, I'm really tired and I have to get going to Uni soon so
ENJOY!
They collected Dori once Bilbo was released from the hospital. Together, Thorin and Bilbo had made a plan to invite both Dori and Ori to live at the estate until things died down as to keep them safe when, in truth, Thorin only acted as so to avoid Nori starting chaos. Thorin quickly explained the situation to Dori and when Ori confirmed everything that happened, he was easily swayed to follow Thorin to his home. They were quite crammed in the car but none complained too much and Dori, who normally complained a lot about those types of things, took the time to catch up with Bilbo whom he hadn't seen in quite some time.
Two days later, they turned on the television and saw Dori and Ori's house on the news, burning as badly as Bilbo's. Both Thorin and Bilbo were relieved that they had gotten to the brothers and had reacted quickly. However, the burning house was a sign that Smaug would stop at nothing to have the war he wanted and though Bilbo didn't understand why the latter was so keen on wreaking havoc, he knew Thorin would try to stop him. Thus, that night, Thorin called in those he trusted the most to discuss what would be done about Smaug and the Orcs assisting him. Of course, no one else in the house could know such a thing and so he passed it off as a party to help Dori and Ori pass through hard times.
While Thorin made calls and Fíli, Kíli, Ori and Frodo dabbled in the kitchen, Bilbo and Dori spoke privately about financial matters, what would be done about his house and things that weighed on the latter's mind.
"I don't know what to do with him," Dori sighed and sipped on his cup of camomile. "I told him not to drag us into his nasty business and now the house's gone! God knows what we're going to do now…"
"Nori didn't mean to." Bilbo defended.
"Of course he didn't!" Dori snapped but then, appalled by his loss of patience apologized frantically until Bilbo pleaded for him to stop, "No one wants to put their family in danger. But it still happened." He leaned forward and whispered, as though afraid the boys might be eavesdropping, "Do you realize that we could have died if you hadn't come to get us a few days earlier? I don't know about Ori for a fact, he's always running off to his part time jobs, but I would have still been there, tidying or making calls. I could have been dead Bilbo."
"But you're here now," Bilbo smiled comfortingly, "And that's what matters."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you." Dori said as he sat back properly. "And it's awfully kind of Thorin to allow Ori and I to live with him until we feel safe to move on. I don't know how to thank him."
"I suppose he might just be glad to help." Bilbo said, though he wasn't sure.
"In any case, Ori and I will eventually have to find a new place to live." Dori declared, changing the subject as abruptly as he always did. "I got some information from the bank, I was hoping you can take a look and set a budget for me. I want to be able to buy some food, continue to pay for Ori's education and save some of the money I make, if that's not too much trouble."
Bilbo took the papers from Dori and skimmed through them quickly, "I don't think it'll be too hazardous." Bilbo said just as the door swung open.
Frodo walked in with a shy expression, "Kíli wants to see you." He said quietly.
"I'll be right there," Bilbo smiled and turned to Dori, "Be right back."
He followed Frodo to the kitchen, wondering what it was Kíli wanted until he saw what he had done and that thought flew out the window. Kíli had made mountains of gloriously arranged food having utilized every single ingredient and element at his disposal. The smell filling the kitchen was heavenly and the sight of the perfectly arranged dishes was mouth water.
"This is amazing." Bilbo stated in awe.
"You think so?" Kíli asked with a sheepish grin as he stepped out from behind an intricate fruit bouquet he had just completed. "I didn't go overboard, did I?"
"Maybe a tad," Bilbo admitted with a smile, "But you're doing this to set a point across, right? So I think this is just perfect."
"Good," Kíli sighed and he seemed much more relaxed. "But we're going to have to do some serious grocery shopping after this. The fridge is completely empty."
"I'd be surprised if you told me otherwise." Bilbo smiled.
An hour later, people began to arrive. First Dwalin had appeared, greeted by Thorin but immediately attacked by Fíli and Kíli who were still offended that he hadn't come by to say hello the last time he was at the estate. In compensation, Dwalin was forced to entertain them until it was time to eat. A few moments later, the bell rang again and three people stood in place this time.
"Bofur," said the one with the funny hat, "And this is Bombur," he gestured the fat one, "and my cousin Bifur," he gestured the one with the strange scar on his scalp, "And before you ask, yes Bombur is the owner of La Boustifaille à la Bombur."
Then came Gloín and his brother Oín who both requested a cup of alcohol while they socialized with the others and waited for the permission to devour the food which they had all yet to see.
"Barely managed to shake Gimli off," Gloín sighed. "He's a good lad, but this isn't the time to bring him to such a place."
"Aye," Oín agreed, raising his cup, "The boy's convinced he's one of us but he's just a wee lad, barely fourteen years old!"
Then there was Nori who, rather than wait for someone to answer the door, had barged in, in a panic.
"Where are my brothers!?" He demanded.
His voice carried on through the house thus summoning Dori and Ori who both had much different feelings on seeing Nori again.
"I'm glad you're safe," Ori smiled.
"We need to have a talk now." Dori hissed and hastily dragged Nori away from the entrance.
Finally, the last one to arrive was Balin. He arrived much later than all the others claiming he had some business to take care of beforehand. He paused when he saw Bilbo and greeted him warmly, something Bilbo thought to be odd but kind.
"You see to be warming up to your position," Balin smiled and winked, "Sorry about what happened to your house."
"It's fine." Bilbo responded with a smile, "I suppose it'll be best to move in a safer neighbourhood anyways once this is all over."
"Aye," Balin agreed with a laugh, "That's if you make it out of this alive!"
Bilbo laughed awkwardly, forcing himself to continue with the old man's good mood though he honestly wasn't reciprocating the sentiment after that last comment.
"Am I the last guest to arrive?" Balin asked, peering at the piled up boots and coats hanging on the hooks next to the entrance.
"You are," Bilbo confirmed, "They're all waiting in the living room."
"Haven't started eating yet, I hope?" Balin asked with legitimate concern.
"Kíli wouldn't let them." Bilbo smiled softly, "Not until everyone's here."
"That's strange of him," Balin mused, "Then again, he is the son of his mother."
Mother.
Bilbo considered the word for a moment, feeling that it was strange for it to be associated with Thorin's nephews mainly because he had never seen her. Where was she?
"But he wouldn't know, now would he?" Balin stated with a bitter laugh, and his smile suddenly disappeared, "She's been gone for 18 years now."
"Where is she?" Bilbo asked naively.
"Dead," and though a smile did grace Balin's lips, there was nothing jolly about his expression. He seemed forlorn, his mind had gone somewhere far away – his memories, perhaps. "She was a good lass. A good mother."
"What happened?" Bilbo asked suddenly, he schooled himself for being rude.
"It's a depressing story, really," Balin said with a sad smile, "And it has to do with what the Sons of Durin have gathered here to discuss tonight."
"You don't have to tell it if you don't want to." Bilbo assured him. "I won't force you."
Balin's smile became bitter, "I think it's best to tell you." He said, "Because, whether you like it or not, you're going to be involved in this mess as Thorin's personal accountant."
"What do you mean?" Bilbo asked anxiously.
"A lot of things are going to happen in the next few months," Balin said, "And Thorin will constantly call upon you for various reasons as most of his decisions will revolve around the expenses he can afford to make. You'll be getting in very deep with the business of the Sons of Durin and I think you need to know just how dangerous things are going to get for you. And to do that, I'll need to tell you about something that happened long ago…"
