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

FanFiction Queen: I work full time, and it was my week end in, I'm sorry I will try to do better though :D I have another one-shot up, I'm sorry it isn't as happy as you suggested I blame InkweaverAtHeart for the video of Thorin, Fili & Kili set to Tears of an Angel, so I do apologise. I think I need the sugar you were trying to bribe me with after writing it. Is it odd I cried writing my own fiction :S? Here's the next chapter of this one as well. I hope I am forgiven.

Chapter Thirteen - Wizard.

Bilbo did finally let Gandalf in despite his reluctance. The wizard went straight to join the dwarves, ignoring the un-hobbitish rudeness he'd been shown for now. Bilbo knew he'd pay later for it, and so he pottered about in his kitchen, previous good mood gone. He stilled by the sink as an idea formed in his mind, it was a strange one, but it was a way to ensure the company didn't slip all the way back into mistrusting him. He knew most of the food from earlier was gone and he also knew the wizard would be hungry and there was another dwarf due to arrive. He nodded and left the kitchen, slipping silently along the hall to his dining room. He paused at the door before deciding he really need to get changed if he was to go through with his plan, as nice as the clothes he was wearing were he doubted they would survive what he would undoubtedly put them through. With a sigh he turned away from the door and slipped along to his bedroom. He stripped quickly when he had shut the door, it took him merely minuets to hunt down a pair of old brown corded trousers and a burnt orange shirt. He tucked the shirt in half- heartedly and left the braces off his shoulders. He doubted the trousers would fall down on him, they hadn't yet. Once again comfortable he headed back along to the dining room, absentmindedly wondering if he would have to wear undergarments if he travelled with the dwarves, shrugging the random thought off he pushed open the door of the dining room. His eyes found who he was looking for almost immediately and he slunk over to them, completely ignoring the wizard. He smiled warmly as the two dwarves looked at him and was relieved when they smiled back. He put a finger to his lips and drug them out of the room and down to the kitchens, glad they were willing to humour him. He doubted he could have moved them if they didn't want to go anywhere. They followed willingly and despite Nori raising an eyebrow at his quietly giggling brother made no other signs this was beyond the norm.

Dwalin watched them go and rubbed his chest absentmindedly, before remembering that Bilbo had had no idea of their arrival. He growled low in his chest, startling Bofur who was sitting next to him. Ignoring the rest of the company he pushed to his feet and stalked closer to the oblivious wizard. He glowered at the taller male, watching him cautiously before deciding whatever hobbit customer were, he was not going to allow the wizard to take advantage of them. "Gandalf." He rumbled, drawing all eyes to him. "Is there something you would like to tell us?" he asked neutrally, deciding to give the wizard a chance. At the bored look he got in response Dwalin knew he was close to losing his temper, but took a deep breath and focused on the acceptance of his host and the peace it had allowed him to feel. He stared directly into Gandalf's eyes "Was there something you forgot to tell Master Baggins?" he questioned neutrally, deliberately using the correct title for his host, "I don't know, perhaps about the arrival of thirteen complete strangers to his home." Dwalin was surprised he was still able to keep his voice low and neutral, especially as part of him wanted to start throwing things at the smug looking man. He bit back a growl and allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as the muttering of the present company started up. He tilted his head and looked carefully at Gandalf, eyes crinkling as he realised the wizard was deliberately not meeting his eyes. Deciding to let the company deal with the meddling male, Dwalin turned his back on the wizard and met Bofur's eye, " 'Tis true, you know," he paused, "Master Baggins didn't know we were coming. So you can imagine I came as a bit of a shock to him." Dwalin chuckled at the memory of how unsurprised the hobbit had seemed, but decided against telling the company that, "He had a bit of a panic cooking spree yesterday that's why there was so much food last night." He tilted his head in the direction of the kitchen, "I'm now going to make sure he is okay, especially as he grabbed both Ori and Nori and dragged them off." He held up a hand as Dori started to climb to his feet and the steel haired dwarf sat back down looking sheepish. Dwalin sighed but didn't call him out on it, knowing from experience it took a lot to completely trust strangers. "Why don't you enjoy whatever's left of what Mister Bombur cooked as I'm sure our host is cooking again." He rolled his eyes at the gentle smile on Bofur's face and left the room at a brisk pace. He shut the door behind he was not sure to be pleased or disappointed when no-one decided to yell at the wizard. He leant heavily against the dark wood. Dori's reaction brought back to him all the mistrust his kind had for other races. He shook himself breathing heavily, his heart knew Bilbo meant him no harm, it was just going to take a long while for his brain to catch up. Dwalin let his eyes close and deliberately brought up moments he'd spent with Bilbo. He could feel himself relaxing as he went through them all mentally and knew he would have to get the rest of the company to spend some alone time with their host, he rubbed his chest unconsciously again. Dwalin smiled as he remembered how much effort the hobbit had gone through to get him to talk, the anger on his behalf rather than it being directed at him, the tears (but not pity) for the ruined youth of Fili, Kili and Ori, the sheer determination to try and make sure the company-twelve (thirteen his brain supplied, he doesn't really know you either) strangers-could be comfortable in his house. Dwalin sagged further against the wood of the door scowling down at the toes of his boots. He supposed he could give the three in the kitchen some space before he barged in on them, whatever it was they were doing. He pushed off the wood, cracking his neck as he did, before stopping in the middle of the hall momentarily and chewing his lip. He nodded and slipped along the hall to his bedroom.