A/N: Hello lovelies! Have a new chapter!
The Hobbit
A Dwarf is for Life not just for Christmas
Chapter 11
Balin and Culpability and Conviction
Balin was feeling guilty. It was not a feeling or emotion that I was familiar with. He tried not to worry over decisions he made, comments he said or deeds he did but there were a few moments in his life where guilt had niggled and gnawed at him.
He'd felt guilty when Thorin, a young Dwarf Prince whose grandfather was mourning the loss of Erebor, his father mourning the loss of his One (Thorin's mother) and caring for his younger sister who had just come of age, was forced to lead their entire people across many lands. Balin had felt guilty because he had not been able to do more for the young prince, only offer options and repetitive words that Thorin was doing well, that he was leading them, that Thrain and Thror would be themselves soon and Thorin would be able to concentrate on caring for Dis who was feeling the loss of her mother deeply. Words that as they travelled felt hollower and emptier when, no matter how many Men Balin spoke with, their people began to starve. Guilt had wormed its way into Balin when he saw Thorin handing over his portion of food to other Dwarves, when he saw Thorin grow thinner and once when Thorin handed his food to Balin.
Balin had also felt guilty for not being more open when the Company arrived in Rivendell and he found he had lost his rationality and tried to prevent Thorin from showing the map to Elrond. He felt guiltier after when he accidentally let slip that they intended to travel to Erebor. The look on Elrond's face had caused a pang of guilt to burn in Balin's chest.
There were a few other occasions that Balin had felt guilty; for doubting Bilbo (even when all the Company, save for Gandalf, was doubting the Hobbit), for not listening to Gandalf's warnings about the mountain and the gold, for succumbing to the Gold Sickness, for letting Thorin send Bard away without the money they had promised to the people of Lake Town, for not standing up to Thorin, for not thinking beyond guarding the gold in the mountain and for not protecting his King and Princes.
It had taken some time but Balin had gradually come to terms with those things that had caused him to feel guilt. He had personally spoken with and begged Bard's forgiveness and had even reached out a diplomatic hand (metaphorically of course) on Thorin's behalf whilst the King was unconscious, to Thranduil and the Mirkwood realm. From those interactions an alliance had begun to form. It was tentative at best but Balin was hopeful that they would be able to stop any further altercations between Men, Dwarves and Elves and provide a united front if tragedy were to befall the East once more.
The Gold Sickness had been something all the Company had to deal with and Balin had dealt with his guilt over it by arranging for Men to come from Dale and to sort the gold and melt it all down. The forges, still burning from the dragon's fire, were hot enough to melt the gold and burn away the sickness. Balin had also asked Gandalf to do what he could and so the wizard had placed some sort of spell over the horde.
The Men of Dale who had been melting down the gold were paid for their work and the gold coins which they were melting were recast and used to pay the survivors from Lake Town. The gems Thranduil had requested to be returned to him were given back, Balin had handed them over himself. As the horde diminished or was recast and returned to its proper function, items to be sold, used and traded, the sickness that lay over it weakened and gradually the Dwarves residing in the Mountain no longer felt it's pull.
The other things Balin felt guilty about abated over time but there was one thing that had resurged since their arrival in the Shire.
Balin had not realised Bilbo believed Thorin and the boys to be dead. When he found out, when little Frodo who was so protective of his Uncle let it slip, Balin felt a surge of overwhelming guilt.
The time immediately after the Battle had been confusing, overwhelming, stressful but Balin should have paid more attention to Bilbo. He had not been there when Thorin, Fili and Kili were retrieved from Ravenhill but had been organising groups with Lord Dain to go after the last stragglers or Orcs and ensure that Erebor and it's surrounding lands would be safe. He had found out later that Thorin and his nephews had been grievously injured and taken into the mountain with Oin and several other members of the Company so that Oin could treat their wounds.
Balin had ventured into the halls of healing and discovered that Oin had done his best but the King and the Princes would be better off deep in the darkest halls of the mountain, as close to their creator as possible, in the Halls of Abiding where they would be close to Aule and hopefully their creator would save the line of Durin from departing the world so soon.
Oin had told Balin that there was hope, that the wounds – whilst horrible and gruesome – could be healed with time, care and attention and with rest in the Halls of Abiding. The Company healer had also warned that whilst their bodies might heal physically in a fairly short space of time their minds and souls would take longer, a long sleep would heal much and thus the Halls of Abiding was where the boys and Thorin were taken.
Balin had only been in the Halls of Abiding once before, when his own father had been injured and slept for many months. The Halls of Abiding were at the deepest point of the mountain and so closest to Aule. They were also dark but warm and dry and provided a safe place for Dwarves who were greatly injured to sleep long sleeps, like the Dwarves had when Aule was forced to give up his creations to Iluvatar.
Balin had seen his King and Princes safely carried down to rest in the Halls of Abiding and set up guard rotation with Dwalin and the other members of the Company who could be spared from the clean up of the battle before returning to the surface.
It was whilst searching the battlefield for Dwarrow, Elf and Human bodies that Balin had met with Bilbo. Their Hobbit had been pale, dirtied and staggering over orc corpses. A dark trickle of dried blood had run down Bilbo's face from beyond his hair line to his jaw. The Hobbit's eyes were dull, and he had twitched his head frequently as if shaking off something.
"Bilbo!" Balin had called out and the Hobbit had stared over at him with muddled confusion.
"Bilbo, I am glad you made it out of the battle. Are you badly injured?" Balin had met with Bilbo and looked over the smaller male with concern. There had been no other visible signs of injury and whilst he moved in a weakened state there were no signs of broken bones or other injuries and so Balin heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thorin…" Bilbo murmured. "There were Dwarves… They came to Ravenhill… They took him and Fili and Kili away."
Balin had sighed.
"They have been taken into Erebor. They were grievously wounded and so have been taken to the… hmm what is an appropriate translation, Halls of Abiding. There they will remain in rest."
Bilbo's expression had not changed and Balin had been concerned and opened his mouth to try and encourage Bilbo to return to Erebor with him, but Lord Dain had called out and commanded Balin's attention. When he turned back to where Bilbo had been standing, the Hobbit was gone. Vanished into thin air. Not a sign of him in any direction.
Later Balin would learn that, that was the last time any Dwarf saw their Hobbit. Bilbo never returned to Erebor and the Company believed it was because he believed Thorin was still angry with him and that his banishment still held.
When Balin arrived at Hobbiton and found that Bilbo believed Thorin, Fili and Kili dead a great feeling of guilt flooded the old Dwarf and he spent some time wondering about how best to apologise to Bilbo.
The busy days and mischievous faunts had made it hard for Balin to find a moment alone with Bilbo to apologise but it seemed that finally he might have an opportunity to seek Bilbo's forgiveness.
*Winter*Festival*
It had been a busy few days in Bag End but it all seemed to be calming down a bit. The Company had all been warned by Bilbo that today would be the final day of market before Hobbiton slowed down completely. Tomorrow everyone would stay in their smials and homes and prepare their food for the Yule festivities at their homes the following day.
Today however was when Hobbits could go to the market and get their last-minute presents and food.
Breakfast (both of them) had been a quiet affair and the Company had missed the presence of the fauntlings but enjoyed the soft conversation and ability to eat without having to worry about sticky hands winding their way into beards or braids.
The Company had since dispersed and gone their separate ways for the remainder of the day, some to their stalls in the market, others to ensure their people were settled and ready for the two days of celebration in their host families.
Balin and Oin had remained behind in Bag End with Bilbo and it was then that Balin found the opportunity to apologise to their Hobbit. And of course, they had their conversation over some gingerbread and some winter tea.
Bilbo had been in the kitchen tidying up after their second breakfast when Balin summoned up his courage and resolve and stepped into the large room.
"Bilbo…" He began but when the Hobbit looked up he found his words had escaped him and with a sigh of frustration he shook his head.
"Come and have a cup of tea Balin. You can help me make some gingerbread too. I find gingerbread is an excellent light treat for Yule. I'm afraid Oin has said I must keep the bandages on until this evening, but I should have full use of my hands for tomorrow. And a good thing too as our Yule meal will require a lot of preparation. All fourteen members of our Company and Bombur and Gloin's families are joining us. It's going to be quite a squeeze getting everyone in. I was thinking of possibly having the tables brought out into the hallway, Bag End was designed for a large family but certainly not to accommodate more than twenty Dwarves and one Hobbit!"
Bilbo kept up a steady stream of chatter as he boiled water in the kettle over the fire and gathered a teapot and some cups. Balin found himself standing at the sink washing his hands thoroughly and rolling his sleeves up out of the way.
"Could you get me the ingredients from the pantry across the hall?" Bilbo pointed to a page in a book which he had laid out on the kitchen table before turning his attention back to the tea.
Balin couldn't tell exactly what was going into the teapot but the variety of spices and ingredients combined smelt quite rich and tickled his nose.
He read the page of ingredients and obediently went into the pantry, pulling out labelled pots, jars and packets of ingredients.
Bilbo shook his head fondly and smiled at Balin's earnest expression as he sought out the ingredients and carefully returned to the kitchen with each one. He knew something had been weighing on the Dwarf's mind. He had seen it every time he met Balin's eyes. There was a sadness there that made the Dwarf seem even older and wearier than the first time Bilbo had met him.
Hopefully a cup of Bilbo's winter tea; tea leaves mixed with raisins, almonds, thistle, cornflower, dried apple pieces, lemon peel, cloves and cardamom would raise Balin's spirits. And making gingerbread could be highly therapeutic with the addition of the ingredients and then forming it into shapes to bake in the oven.
Balin finally brought the last ingredient over, dried currants, and then gratefully received the delicate tea cup that Bilbo handed to him. A few sips and some of the tension that had been filling Balin's body seemed to ease and he sighed heavily before swallowing some more. Bilbo grinned to himself before beginning to gather up bowls and metal trays and checking that the fire was at the best temperature for baking in the hearth oven.
"Right Balin, I will need you to follow the instructions and do the main handling. Oin would not be pleased if I got my bandages dirty."
"Indeed, he would not." Oin's voice called out from the adjoining parlour and Bilbo and Balin chuckled.
"Would you care for some tea Oin?" Bilbo called.
The healer peered in the doorway and sniffed. He accepted the cup of tea and looked at Bilbo with narrowed eyes. Bilbo held his bandaged hands well away from the table covered in ingredients and smiled innocently.
Satisfied Oin sniffed haughtily and left, not after grabbing several mince pies from the plate on the sideboard.
"They were for afternoon tea!" Bilbo yelped but Oin carried on through the parlour to sit back down in an armchair by the fire.
"I always find it amusing when his hearing seems to have improved, as if by magic, yet at other times he is quite deaf." Balin said drolly.
"Hmm," grumbled Bilbo and frustratedly slurped his tea. "There won't be any mince pies for him this afternoon."
"You'll forgive him by then." Balin advised. "Remember he's the one who makes the verdict on whether your hands are unbandaged this evening."
The Hobbit scowled and made noises of agreement.
"Now what exactly am I doing here Bilbo." Balin asked and gestured with raised eyebrows to the table.
"We are making gingerbread. Just read the instructions, they're numbered, and I'll advise you as to exactly what to do at each stage."
Balin began following the recipe, carefully heating butter, sugar and a thick substance Bilbo called golden syrup. As he stirred Bilbo leaned over and chattered on about the festivities that they would be having in two days' time and of the prayer offerings the Hobbits would be making later to Yavanna.
Balin asked many questions about the Hobbits religion and Bilbo happily spoke of how the Hobbits gave thanks to Yavanna at the return of spring and asked her to bless them with good harvests in the autumn and prayed to her for a kind winter and for the Shire to be safe from destruction.
The two discussed some of the more well-know or perpetrated facts about Dwarves, the rumours and whispers that Bilbo had heard about before and after meeting the Company as Balin beat an egg and added it to the mixture.
They sat and drank some more tea for a while as the dough rested in a bowl on the window ledge outside the kitchen in the cold of the snow.
It was only when Balin had rolled out and cut the dough a couple of times that his resolve finally strengthened, and he found himself able to begin trying to apologise to Bilbo.
"I find I owe you an apology Bilbo."
"What for?" Bilbo asked neutrally. He had been unable to resist helping and was now placing currants on the designs Balin was cutting from the dough. Dwarven style stars and other shapes were not the usual forms for gingerbread but Bilbo quite liked how he was able to add currants to enhance them.
"For causing you so much grief, stress and worry. I learned that I was the last of our Company to see you before you – returned to the Shire. And I believed you did not feel safe or welcome in Erebor and so returned to the Shire without saying farewell. When we arrived here, we came to see that you were well, among other reasons, and I personally came to apologise for not making sure you had rested and were well and that you would know you were always welcome within Erebor."
Balin spoke slowly but steadily. Every word had been chosen carefully and his sentences were clear. He did not want Bilbo to misunderstand, he did not want to cause another misunderstanding, especially if that misunderstanding would inflict more pain and suffering upon the Hobbit.
Bilbo carried on adding currants to the gingerbread, allowing Balin time to string together his thoughts.
"It has become clear to me that you do not leave Erebor entirely willingly. That you were forced from Erebor by some unknown Dwarf who led you to believe that Thorin, Fili and Kili were…"
"Dead." Bilbo's voice was calm, matter of fact, untouched by grief.
"Yes. That you believed them to be dead. I would like to apologise for my part in this. I realise that even if my conversation with you was before or after you were misled, my words could have been lost in translation."
"It was after." Bilbo murmured softly, as if the words had sprung unbidden from his lips and he didn't even notice them slip out.
Balin made a note of this, Thorin would not be happy to know that some Dwarf from Dain's forces had led Bilbo to believe him dead. Balin wasn't happy either although he knew they would be unlikely to ever find the perpetrator.
"Well, I realise that my words could have led you to believe that the boys had passed. They were not, but instead were taken deep into the mountains to the Halls of Abiding, the most guarded and secure inner sanctum where Dwarves can be close to Aule. I cannot tell you more as that would be breaking laws and I'm already bending them as it is," Balin chuckled dryly and Bilbo snickered. "But as I helped teach Thorin those laws I am well aware of how to bend them myself."
"And here I was led to believe you were one of the Dwarves most concerned with upholding Dwarven law." Bilbo teased.
"Aye, I am. But I have come to realise that sometimes one must bend the law if one is to hold true to one's values and beliefs. And thus, Bilbo Baggins, I must apologise. Apologise for not explaining more clearly, for not leading you back to the mountain, for not telling you that the boys and Thorin lived. I am truly sorry Bilbo. It has caused me great guilt and sorrow for my part in your departure."
Bilbo reached over to where Balin's hands were hovering over the dough, trembling slightly. The Hobbit closed his hand over the back of one of Balin's and squeezed gently. Balin looked up, sorrow and sadness on his face.
"There is no need to ask my forgiveness Balin. I do not blame you. If I had been well myself, I might have found my courage to go back to Erebor even if I did believe them dead. The Dwarf who told me they were dead holds most of the blame. If you feel you truly need me to forgive you then of course I do Balin, but know that I have never blamed you."
Balin sighed and slumped down onto the bench behind him.
"It does an old Dwarf some good to hear that you forgive me."
"Now you must forgive yourself." Bilbo said wisely. "And carry on cutting the dough. The gingerbread biscuits that are in the oven will be done soon and we can put another tray in the oven."
Balin chuckled and rose back up to begin doing as the Hobbit bid. He knew it was unwise to come between a Hobbit and food and he would not dare doubt Bilbo's resolve.
"Of course, Bilbo. I would not dare refuse you. Especially as one day you could be giving me commands."
Bilbo frowned and looked at Balin confusedly.
"What on earth do you mean?"
"Well I have eyes Bilbo. I have seen how you look at Thorin." Balin said with a chuckled and a raised brow.
Bilbo spluttered and flushed bright red. Balin roared with laughter and carried on cutting the gingerbread as he was bidden.
*Winter*Festival*
After lunch, when a few of the Company had returned to Bag End and joined Bilbo, Balin and Oin for the midday meal, they all travelled down to the market and the frozen pond where the Hobbits were ice skating.
Thorin and his nephews had once again joined them and were going around the market as Bilbo's over eager pack mules. Bilbo had made a list that morning with Bombur of the dishes they would be making for the Yule meal, a mix of Hobbit and Dwarven food, and as there would be more than twenty of them Bilbo needed to buy in extra provisions to feed more mouths than the current amount of food in his three pantries.
Gloin and Balin had decided to follow after the Hobbit and his Dwarven beasts of burden. They were both thoroughly entertained with the way Thorin was acting as he kept himself between Fili and Bilbo. It seemed although he accepted Fili's apology their King was taking no more chances of loosing out on kisses from Bilbo, accidental or intentional.
They finished their shopping fairly quickly when the rest of the Company joined up with them. Bombur had been pleased to report that Gimli and SIbit had found Frodo and the other faunts and the little group had been getting ready to go ice skating on the pond. Gimli had puffed up with pride at his Gimli being such a good child minder that the faunt's parents had agreed to leave their children with him.
"Before we return to Bag End we must go to the Party Field." Bilbo said decisively and none of the Dwarves dared disagree. They plodded after Bilbo, some carrying vegetables, some carrying carefully packed boxes of spices and herbs, Kili and Fili even had a brace of pheasants and rabbits carefully draped over their backs.
Bilbo led them past the Party Tree and towards the very edge of the field. As they neared the edge of the field the Dwarves noticed stones, some taller than Hobbits, others about the height of a medium sized Hobbit, arranged in a stone circle about 30 Dwarf feet in diameter. The stones were not directly next to each other but there was space between them wide enough for even the most rotund Hobbits to squeeze through.
Other Hobbits were sitting or kneeling in the stone circle with their eyes closed but their mouths opening silently as they prayed. There were children there, young faunts who were imitating their parents, some possibly for the first time and the Dwarves watched with fond amusement as some of them opened their eyes and peeked up at their parents faces to check what they were doing was right.
"Are you going to pray Bilbo?" Thorin said softly, his voice rumbling as he tried to keep from being too loud.
"We always pray to Yavanna on this day. We ask her for a kind winter, to give food to those who do not have enough, to have all her plants rest well and grow healthily when spring comes and for her to feel our love for her creations." Bilbo replied, and he stepped into the circle a few paces and dropped to his knees gently.
The Company glanced between each other, unsure of what to do. It felt uncomfortable to be standing watching Bilbo and other Hobbits praying.
Rolling his eyes Balin nudged Thorin.
"Ask him if we could join him? Maybe we could pray to Yavanna and Aule?"
Thorin inhaled deeply before stepping over the boundary and coming to crouch next to Bilbo. The Company watched as they conversed quietly before Thorin looked up and nodded. They gently set down the food and purchases and respectfully joined Bilbo.
"Bilbo has said that we can join and pray to Yavanna or Aule." Thorin rumbled and then took his own prayer position and closed his eyes.
For a long time, there was silence, they could hear the echo of noise from the frozen water nearby as Hobbits and Dwarves ice skated and from beyond the chatter and calls of the market but in their immediate vicinity it was quiet, only the crunching of snow as Hobbits left the stone circle.
Finally, they all finished up their prayers and one by one stood and quietly left the circle to reclaim their shopping and move to the opposite edge of the field to leave the others to pray.
Balin was almost the last to leave and he turned to see Bilbo and Thorin finishing their prayers. He paused and watched with bated breath as Thorin stood and majestically brushed snow off his fur coat before holding a hand out and assisting Bilbo in standing. The pair stood close together, front to front, Bilbo staring up at Thorin's face and Thorin still tenderly holding Bilbo's hand.
Their faces got closer and closer and Balin was almost certain that they would, that the kiss would happen, the kiss that they had all been waiting for since their arrival in the Shire would happen. That Thorin would finally act on his feelings.
Unfortunately, it was not to be as a Hobbit rushed past Balin and bustled straight over to Bilbo calling out their Hobbits name as he went.
Balin groaned and heard from behind him a collective noise of groans, sounds of frustration and curses in Khuzdul.
Bilbo sprang away from Thorin and blushing looked down at the snow and straightened his coat even though it was perfectly straight. Thorin mean while stepped away too and rubbed the back of his head with one hand and looked up at the sky.
The Hobbit that had interrupted the pair was different to the usual sort that Balin had seen around Hobbiton. It was a male Hobbit, wearing dark clothing in shades of brown and green and he was slimmer than the typical Hobbits. Balin narrowed his eyes. There was also a truncheon hanging from his waist that just poked out from beneath his coat.
"Trouble brewing brother?" Dwalin's voice growled out behind.
"Maybe." Balin murmured before moving toward them. Before he got many steps however Bilbo came rushing towards them and crashed straight into Balin.
"Frodo! The children?! Where are the children?!" Bilbo said frantically. Balin moved aside and let the Hobbit pass as did the rest of the Company. They trotted after him as he rushed back to the market, moving faster than they had seen him do so before.
The Hobbits in the market watched as Bilbo scanned the crowd worriedly. Some looked concerned but most dismissed it as yet another sign of Mad Baggins being crazy. Thorin shoved his way through the Company towards their Hobbit and it was a sign of Bilbo's worry that he didn't spin around and reprimand them when they swore loudly in Westron at their King in front of now indignant Hobbits.
"Bilbo!" Thorin said worriedly and grabbed their Hobbit by the shoulder and spun him around to stare into his eyes. One of his large calloused hands came up to cup Bilbo's face when the Dwarf King saw how disorientated and confused and worried Bilbo truly was. The Hobbit's green eyes were glazed and his pupils tiny pinpoints dilated in fear.
"Bilbo." Thorin said softly and stroked the Hobbit's cheek tenderly with his thumb. It was cold out but Bilbo's skin seemed colder than just the chill wind or the snow. It felt like the blasting ice on Ravenhill, the harsh wind that had swept across the frozen waterfall and up the tower that had long since decayed.
"Talk to us."
Gloin stepped closer. The other members of the Company had noticed their King and Hobbit's interactions and some of the more seasoned Dwarves noticed the battle-like stance Gloin had taken before them.
Dwalin and Balin exchanged glances across the heads of the many Hobbits before slowly making their way towards Thorin. Soon almost the entire Company were encircling their King and Hobbit with Dwalin staring out of the circle at the nosy Hobbits, warning them neither to interfere or meddle nor to begin gossiping.
The Hobbit who had interrupted Thorin and Bilbo pushed his way through the Dwarves, ignoring their growls to stand beside Bilbo.
"Master Baggins, the Thrain needs you to pass the word around Hobbiton. Master Baggins?"
"Its frozen. The Brandywine is frozen. It can't be frozen." Bilbo muttered still frantic but his breath easing slightly.
"What is the problem with a little river freezing over Bilbo?" Balin asked calmly.
"The Brandywine isn't a little river." Bilbo said with a weak chuckle. Thorin seemed relieved when Bilbo's eyes cleared up and he looked around at the assembled Dwarves fondly. "Where are the children?"
"No need to worry Bilbo," Gloin said reassuringly. "My boy is with them. Gimli won't let them out of his sight. He's used to looking after Bombur's young ones by now."
Bombur nodded and handed Bilbo a piece of chocolate. The Hobbit took it and ate it without even registering what it was.
"Is Gimli armed?"
The Company reacted in various states of shock and worry at their normally violence abhorring Hobbit enquiring about weaponry. Fili and Kili nudged each other before slipping from the circle and winding their way through the milling Hobbits. Thorin watched his nephews go but was satisfied that they weren't going to cause harm or worry.
"Why does Gimli need to be armed?" Gloin asked worried now about not only the faunts and Sibit but also his own dear son's wellbeing.
"Fell Winter. Brandywine River. It's frozen once before. Before my coming of age. It had been a lean year before hand for some strange reason and so there was less food around than normal. The Brandywine froze during a particularly heavy winter. Gandalf and some of the Rangers had managed to bring provisions to us and we were able to ration them fairly well but it wasn't an unending source of food.
Hobbits began to venture further afield in search of food. That was when the first disappearances began. Hobbits that had gone to find food simply didn't come back. Only one or two, then whole groups went missing. We retreated back to our homes and towns, sharing what food we could make or find.
Then the white wolves came and the orcs from the mountains. They came through in hunting groups, united and starving. We fought but many Hobbits fell under the onslaught and continuous fear.
We were only saved when the Rangers and Gandalf returned but it was still a slaughter. Hobbits aren't fighters. You know how poor my fighting skills were when I joined your Company and back then there hadn't been need for Hobbits to take up arms for centuries. We lost many Hobbits and the Rangers numbers were diminished too. We recovered our numbers but the Rangers who guard the Shire still remain few and far spread out. If this is to be another Fell Winter…
I lost my father to the Fell Winter. I won't lose anyone else."
Bilbo furrowed his brow and looked markedly at each and every Dwarf. They had equal looks of resolve and Bilbo felt his heart swell with love and appreciation for the Dwarves who would not abandon him (at least not yet, shut up Bilbo).
"Master Baggins can I ask if you will make sure Hobbiton is aware?" The Bounder Hobbit asked.
"You can Bounder Hornwood. The Dwarves must be warned too."
The Bounder nodded. "I must return to Tookborough. The Thain is speaking with the Mayor of Michel Delving. The Shiriffs and Bounders have been asked to increase the patrols. If any of the Dwarves wish to join patrols, then they would be most welcome. We will be meeting at Took Hall to organise a rota."
Bounder Hornwood nodded once to Bilbo, who nodded back a look of resolve on his face, and then to Thorin. Once he had finished, he pushed his way back through the Company and disappeared into the bustle of the market.
"Well then," Thorin began and he suddenly looked very kingly. He shouted out something in Khuzdul and the various Dwarves who were arranged around the market or mingling with their Hobbit hosts looked up and found their King. Another few words in Khuzdul and they began to move within the groups of Hobbits or rummaging around beneath their stalls. Weapons sprang up from beneath covered tables or from behind blankets.
Fierce looking Dwarrows called their children back and guided them to a circle that had been formed out of straw bales that had been covered with blankets and rugs. A tent had been erected with a little stage and it was at the perfect height for little Dwarflings and fauntlings to watch.
"Balin." Thorin said his attention now back on the Company and on securing the safety of everyone in Hobbiton at the very least. "Go and speak to the Thain. See if you can gather more information and ideas of what he thinks to do to safeguard Hobbiton and if possible the Shire."
"Right." Balin said and drew his deep red coat around him before moving after the Bounder. By now the message the Bounder had brought had spread amongst the Hobbits and mothers and fathers were gathering their children or rushing home to collect some sort of makeshift weapon.
"Bofur, Bifur, Bombur and Ori: I want you to gather the fauntlings and Dwarflings and keep them occupied. We don't want the children getting upset and inciting panic in the parents. Do whatever you want to keep them entertained and let any parents who want to stay with their children do so."
The three Ur Dwarves and Ori exchanged looks and brief words before wading off and speaking with Hobbit mothers and fathers telling them of a show that was going to be put on for the children in a few minutes. A few kind words had some of the more worried parents at ease and bringing their children over to where the Dwarflings were already sat and mumbling to each other in Khuzdul.
Thorin carried on barking out orders.
"Fili, Kili, Dwalin. Ask around, see if any of the Dwarves would be willing to join the Bounders and Shiriffs on patrols. If you can find any then follow after Balin to Took Hall."
His three most trusted warriors saluted their King before rushing off to do as he bid.
"Dori, check with our people. Make sure all have a residence to stay in for the next few days. I don't want any of our people sleeping in the fields alone or even in small groups. Hobbit walls, although they aren't a mountain, are far more defensible than a tent or a wagon in a field. Tell them the Crown will reimburse them for money if they have to spend it on a room in a smial or home."
Dori nodded and moved calmly amongst the milling Hobbits and Dwarves, speaking with Dwarves who had gathered in clumps, weapons held at the ready.
Gloin and Oin had remained with Thorin, as had Nori and they waited almost eagerly for their orders. Bilbo was amused to see that all of them had dropped their food parcels and packages down and he knew he would need to borrow a wheelbarrow or three to cart it all back up the Hill to Bag End.
"Oin, visit the local healer. Take inventory of herbs and resources they have. Make sure we have enough for Dwarves and Hobbits, if the Shire is attacked then you can expect injuries from wolves and orcs. Gloin, I want you to stay with Bilbo. Make sure he gets back to Bag End and that he has Sting and his armour. Then I want you to survey Bag End, make sure we know its weak points."
Bilbo spluttered and tried to interrupt but Thorin was no longer just his friend, but the King. A King who needed to protect his people and his friend's people.
"Come on Bilbo." Gloin gently guided the Hobbit towards their shopping. He called out to a Dwarf standing nearby and soon there was a small cart with a tiny pony pulling it crunching through the snow towards them being led by the Dwarf.
"Let's load up." Gloin instructed and began loading up the cart. The tiny pony was one Bilbo had never seen before. It was smaller than a Hobbit and incredibly shaggy. It did look like a potential Hobbit pony however as it had an extremely rounded belly and little legs.
Gloin wasted no time in loading the cart and was done in mere minutes. He grabbed the lead rope from the Dwarf and they had a quick conversation in Khuzdul before Bilbo was forced to trot after Gloin. He had to go as Gloin would be unable to get into Bag End.
"What about the faunts? Gimli?" Bilbo panted as he tried to keep up with Gloin's long strides. From somewhere Gloin had produced an axe and he held it loosely in his right hand whilst his left kept the pony from veering off towards tufts of grass poking out from beneath the snow.
"I imagine Thorin has already sent Nori to guard them. Or if not, Nori it'll be one of Nori's proteges. He's amassed quite a few of them you know. Dwarves loyal to Thorin and Erebor and good at sneaking. None quite as good as Nori though. You know Nori wanted to recruit you? If you'd stayed in Erebor your light Hobbit feet might have been recruited for spying purposes."
"That would never have happened." Bilbo grumbled.
Gloin shrugged.
"You never know. The future isn't set in stone Bilbo."
"Don't think I haven't noticed you trying to distract me."
"Thorin wants you to have your sword, well your letter opener, and your mithril armour. He will speak with the Thain and we will find out the level of threat and once that has been determined we can act. For now, let's get you and Bag End prepared."
*Winter*Festival*
It was late by the time Balin returned with Fili, Kili and Dwalin. Thorin had been with them at Took Hall for a while but their King had judged the situation well in hand and left to reassure and organise his people once the threat level had been decided.
Bilbo was waiting up for them when they returned, a small spread set out for them. Cold meats, buttered bread, a warm pot of chicken and mushroom soup and some gingerbread biscuits.
The four Dwarves fell upon the meal, ravenous as they hadn't eaten since lunch. Bilbo sipped a cup of tea. Balin had noted that it wasn't the winter tea but instead was rose tea, the dried rosebuds had swollen up in the water and were floating in the large mug.
"What news?" Bilbo eventually asked.
"Has Thorin returned yet?" Balin countered.
"No, he hasn't." Bilbo replied. "Nori was with him when he popped by earlier to say that they wouldn't be back until later tonight."
"Ah." Balin pondered for a bit, deciding how best to deliver the news.
"Are you going to tell me? I have a right to know. The Thain is my grandfather and whilst I may be Mad Baggins I am still of his blood and when the Thain gives a message they listen."
Balin exchanged looks with the others and saw Fili give a slow nod. In Thorin's absence and without him stating that Balin was in charge command fell to Fili. By nodding Fili was given his permission and thus representing and speaking for Thorin in his absence.
"The Thain has received reports from the Bounders that the Brandywine has indeed frozen. They tested it and it is solid enough for Hobbits to walk upon, several walking across abreast."
Bilbo sipped his tea.
"There aren't concerns about food, however. You have had a good year this year for crops and harvests. Took Hall has stores of food. I am led to believe that was your mother's idea after the Fell Winter."
"It was. Her's and Gandalf's. In the event of another Fell Winter there will be enough food, if rationed out carefully, to feed every Hobbit in the Farthings. When combined with the stores in Michel Delving that is. So, the Thain isn't too concerned?"
Balin slurped on his soup and munched on some bread. He really didn't want to deliver this next bit of news.
"There are concerns about activity beyond the borders of the Shire." Fili finally spoke.
Bilbo's eyes snapped to the Prince's and Fili put his spoon down and pushed his bowl away from him.
"Nori and his spies have heard from travellers on the roads beyond the Shire that it has been a harsher year in the northern lands. Orcs have been seen occasionally coming down from the north and stealing livestock."
Bilbo was completely still. His fingers wrapped around the handle of his mug had gone white and his eyes were locked with Fili's.
"The Thain and Mayor are worried that if the Brandywine remains frozen for too long then the orcs may venture West where they know there is food. The settlements of Men are too well fortified to raid but the Shire…"
"Is full of fat Hobbits who do not fight." Bilbo said.
None of them made a noise.
Bilbo breathed in heavily.
"What is the plan?"
Balin took over here. He had been the one, along with his brother, to organise the patrols with the Shiriffs.
"Dwarves are going to join Bounders on their patrols and there are going to be staggered patrols. When one patrol leaves another will go half an hour after them. The times between patrols are also going to be changed frequently and the paths are not going to be the same every time. If orcs are watching they will have a hard time sneaking into the Shire if they cannot predict when a patrol will pass by."
Bilbo didn't look very well. Fili and Kili exchanged glances before standing up and beginning to clear the table. Balin and Dwalin knew that they were really moving around in case Bilbo collapsed, one of them might be able to dive forward quickly enough to catch the Hobbit.
"If the Brandywine stays frozen for too long then that could mean the Shire is vulnerable. We won't know however if the weather will warm for a few days. But Nori has told us that there are no rumours or signs of orcs or wolves close to the Shire. We will be fine."
Bilbo stared at Balin.
"You believe that?"
"I do Bilbo. I really do."
The Dwarves held their breath.
"Very well, I will put my trust in you Balin. There are few people in this world that I would trust but you are definitely one of them."
With Bilbo's words Balin knew that he held something special, Bilbo's trust and belief. Bilbo would never have given that to him if he truly believed Balin had caused him hurt.
The guilt that had eased when Bilbo forgave him earlier seemed to dissipate as Balin forgave himself and instead concentrated on what he now had and what was so much more important than guilt; Bilbo's hope and trust.
*Winter*Festival*
A/N: I feel like Bilbo is slowly getting over his PTSD... Hopefully the Shire will remain safe!
I'm hoping to get the next chapter written up and posted soon. I'm having to rework the plot a bit as a new idea for chapter 14 came to me and I must do it!
Please let me know what you think of this chapter and story.
Thanks to:
johnsarmylady, Elita One, DanTheFlowerMan, CrazyRedmanelion, tmntfanforever852
CrazyRedmanelion asked a good question about the whereabouts of the Ring... The answer is wait and see... but just wanted everyone to know the answer to the question where is the Ring...
