Summary: The courting begins and Aragorn remembers his courting of Legolas

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is fiction

To answer daydae37, I imagine Bilbo at around 40. Over the age of majority but still over half his life left. As for Legolas, the age I most commonly see for his is over 3000 years, so that's what I went with. And obviously, all the courting rituals here are from my own head, I just made it all up. Enjoy

Courting

"Hobbit courting, hobbit...courting."

"Uncle, are you having difficulty with the courting?"

"It all seems to be about flowers and food. Fili, why couldn't you court me this way?"

Kili shrank back at the incredulous stares from the company.

"I didn't court you like that because dwarf courting is different. It's about proving your love through tasks, getting your intended the perfect jewels and giving them all the jewels and precious metals their heart desires."

Bofur's moved his flaps, agitated.

"But I don't think the hobbit would like that. We've all gotten to know Bilbo. Can anyone in this room see him being happy if Thorin showers him in jewels?"

There was an awful clattering as the objects shifted in their seats. Thorin sighed and ran his paws through his mane.

"Well then, what do I do? Bilbo has no interest in metals or jewels and I have on interest in flowers or food."

He ignored the insulted huff from the ladle. Eventually Balin, who Thorin believed was probably the most intelligent and wise in the room, spoke up.

"We will begin with the tasks. Thorin will ask Bilbo to give him a task of the hobbit's choice. He will complete it and Step 1 will be done with. Any complaints?"

There were none, not with Dwalin looming menacingly over his brother's shoulder (it was hard for a sword to look, but somehow, Dwalin managed it.).

"Very good. Thorin, get going."

"You mean ask him now?"

"Yes you fool. Go now!"

Thorin nodded at the quill and left the throne room. Now, where could that hobbit be?

Aragorn bowed to the king as the beast hurried past him. Must be off to find Bilbo. The ranger chuckled as he remembered his own courting. That had been...interesting. Thranduil had disliked him from the start and made Aragorn's life hell. He chose the most ridiculous gifts for Aragorn to get Legolas. Like, a lock of Galadriel's hair or some of Gandalf's pipe weed. Luckily for Aragorn, Galadriel and Gandalf liked the human, so they gladly gave what he asked for. And Thranduil was furious as Aragorn handed each gift to Legolas, which everyone enjoyed. It was worth it in the end though. Legolas was perfect. And if Aragorn ever took his throne, Legolas would be an amazing consort. Although he was Thranduil's third son and not the the heir to the Mirkwood throne, he still knew pretty much everything after three thousand odd years of watching his father and brother doing it.

"What has you so happy?"

"I am allowed to be happy my love."

"I know. But you always look kind of miserable."

"That is because I am still waiting for us to be wed meleth."

Legolas laughed and wrapping his arms around the taller man's neck, he pulled Aragorn into a kiss.

"We will be wed soon my king. And when we are, we will reclaim Gondor and you can rub your kingliness in my father's face."

"That does sound fun."

Legolas burst into laughter at Aragorn's words. He took the human's hand and started leading him to their rooms.

"But first, why don't we test just how study these dwarf beds really are?"

The walls. Of course the hobbit was on the walls.

"Bilbo?"

"Thorin, is everything alright? You look a bit out of breath."

What was Thorin going to say to that? Yes, I'm out of breath because I have been running through the entire kingdom searching for you.

"Everything is fine beloved. I have discussed our courting with my...advisors."

"So have I. Well Gandalf, really. He says that I have to give you a task to do for me. I must say, I'm not really bothered by jewels and precious metals. I hope that won't be a problem."

"No, no, of course not. And have you come up with a task?"

"Yes. Thorin, you're first task as my intended is to get me a flower?"

What? Pick a flower? Was the hobbit serious. Behind him, Thorin could hear his nephews chuckling. He knew the company had followed him.

"A flower?"

"More precisely, a blue rose and a silver bell."

"Of course. It will be done. May I ask though, why those two flowers specifically?"

"Well, blue and silver are your colours. And as an added bonus and risk, they only grow on the borders between Erebor and Mirkwood."

Of course. Bilbo was too clever to just choose something as simple as picking flowers in a field. No matter. Thorin would do this. For Bilbo, Thorin would march up to Thranduil and kiss him if the hobbit asked! Although, he really hoped the hobbit wouldn't ask him to go that far.

"Very well Bilbo. You will have your flowers by the end of tomorrow. On my honour as a king."

A/N Done. Sorry I've been gone so long folks. My laptop broke down, so i got a new on Saturday. I spent Saturday setting it up and spent Sunday typing an essay that was due in at 3pm yesterday. Which I got in. But hopefully, with a new laptop that I enjoy typing on, updates will be more frequent. Next chapter, Thorin tries to get the flowers and Galadriel sees something in her fountain. R&R please