A/N: Hi guys! Phew! I didn't take so long to get this chapter up this time. Once again, thanks for all the reviews, alerts and favourites. I really appreciate all your support.

I hope you like this chapter. I got the flower meanings from the web, so don't yell at me if I got it wrong:)

I put up my poster of Thorin in my office and as it's facing my desk, as I'm writing I look at him for inspiration. Works a treat!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope you all get spoiled for a change.

As usual, I don't own anything but if I did, I'd have Thorin spoil me all day as my Mother's Day present.

Chapter 21

Poppy could feel herself quaking inside as she came face to face with Thorin Oakenshield for the first time but endeavoured not to show it. Bofur had assured her that Thorin wouldn't hurt her and she was trusting his word. Still, intimidating was not quite strong enough a word to describe the dwarven king.

The heat of the furnace hopefully covered the blush that raced through her as Thorin looked up at them with a look of confusion which quickly morphed into a stern glare at both her and Bofur.

She had seen the King of Erebor about the village now and again during their stay but this was the first time that Poppy had actually had an opportunity to get a good look at him. Despite his fierce glare and the dark shadows beneath his eyes, Poppy could fully understand how Bella had fallen in love with him. He was certainly a handsome male, with his piercing blue eyes, long, dark hair and strong, masculine body but she found him much too daunting for her taste. Bofur, with his twinkling eyes and ready smile was much more appealing, even with his long beard and crazy hat.

"What do you want, Bofur? And who is this?"

His deep voice roused her from her thoughts. Oh yes, she could definitely see what the appeal was for Bella. That deep, rumbly voice would be a powerful weapon against any female.

"Oh, ah…Thorin. This here is my friend, Poppy Gardner. She wishes to speak with you," replied Bofur nervously.

"Why?" questioned Thorin as he turned his steely gaze on the young hobbit.

"Ah…your majesty…" she began nervously, taking a few quick breaths. "I wish to assist you…"

"Assist me? With what?" barked Thorin.

"With…with Bella."

The hammer that Thorin was about to swing downwards with force, instead came to a crashing halt on the anvil, the loud clang causing Poppy to jump a little.

"What are you talking about? What business is it of yours?" he thundered as he looked at Bofur. "What tales are you spreading?"

"None!" cried Poppy. "We are good friends and I could see that he was upset and I pushed until he told me what was happening."

"I haven't told anyone anything, except for Poppy here," promised Bofur.

"Yes, and I want to help you," agreed Poppy.

"It is none of your concern, hobbit," snarled Thorin. "Go back to your cozy hobbit-hole and leave my business alone."

"No wonder Bella won't talk to you!" came the uncensored words from Poppy's mouth. When she realised what she had said, she raised both hands to her mouth in horror. Oh my, she was in for it now!

"Leave my forge, you insolent female!" He then turned to Bofur. "Next time you feel like gossiping about me, don't, or you can leave my company!" With that he brought his hammer down on the piece of metal he was working on so hard that a small shower of sparks burst forth.

"So you would rather indulge in your self-pity and make all your companions miserable alongside you than actually do something about getting Bella back?" sneered Poppy, incensed at the king's treatment of Bofur. "If that's the case, then Bella is better off without you. She may find someone who would actually fight for her!"

Whether it was her words or her tone of voice, Thorin froze in mid-strike. His gaze pierced her with a mixture of bemusement, anger, surprise and a hint of admiration. "I am not wallowing in self-pity," he grumbled.

"Well, it certainly sounds like it," retorted Poppy. "Staying here all day won't get Bella back."

"Why do you care?"

"Because you are making Bofur, and the others, I expect, unhappy and it's not right. And I like Bella."

"Are you a relative of hers?" asked Thorin

"Well, we are distant cousins, but then again, just about everyone in the Shire is related in some way so that's not really saying anything."

"What makes you think you can help me?" asked Thorin, his voice softening a little.

"Firstly, I'm a hobbit, so I know how hobbits think, particularly female ones, and what appeals to them. Bofur has told me that Bella refuses to speak with you so you need to do something that will get her to change her mind. I may have an idea that might help with that," replied Poppy.

"She refuses to see me, despite numerous pleas."

"Have you asked her yourself?" asked Poppy.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because she doesn't want me anywhere near her, that's why!" growled Thorin. "She can't bear the sight of me."

"Have you even tried?"

Thorin gave a small shake of his head. "No."

"Well then, that just tells her that you either aren't that desperate to talk to her or that you're too scared to face her."

"I am no coward!"

Poppy took a step back at the thunderous expression on Thorin's face. "I…I'm not saying you are but I'm trying to make you see how it may appear to Bella. That she's not important enough for you to even try to see her."

"She…she is afraid of me," admitted Thorin, his eyes showing the sorrow he felt. "I don't want to frighten her further which is why I am respecting her wishes and staying away."

"Which is why you need to go about this a little differently rather than just walking up to her door and demanding she speak to you," said Poppy. "We females can be contrary creatures, you know. She may believe that you staying away is what she wants but if you do nothing, or only use others as intermediaries, she will think that you don't really want her and things will only get worse."

Both Thorin and Bofur shook their heads slightly at this logic and looked at each other as if agreeing that the female mind was too impenetrable a puzzle to work out. "So, either way, I will do the wrong thing?" asked Thorin.

"Yes, exactly!" nodded Poppy.

"And how is this helpful?" asked a perplexed Thorin.

"I'm just giving you an insight in how we females think and I have an idea for you to woo her in a way that won't seem threatening but will show her that you are making an effort to repair your relationship. That she is important to you. Hopefully, before too long, she will allow you to see her."

Thorin couldn't quite hide the scepticism on his face but he gave a small nod. "Very well. Tell me what I must do."

The sun had not yet risen and there was a distinct chill in the air, a remnant of the winter months that stubbornly lingered despite the signs of spring.

Making his way stealthily up the path towards Bag End, Thorin kept turning his head, hoping that no-one was up yet. It would be too embarrassing to be caught acting like a thief in the night when he was doing the exact opposite – he was delivering something.

After agreeing to let the pushy little hobbit help him, Poppy had run out of the forge, promising to return as quickly as she could, leaving the two dwarves staring dumb-founded after her.

"That is who you spend your time with?" asked Thorin.

Bofur grinned unashamedly. "I didn't know she was such a fiery little thing, with a temper to match. She's always been as sweet as pie with me. You seem to have the ability to bring out the worst in hobbit lasses."

Thorin's glare would have withered a lesser dwarf but Bofur was too busy relishing the memory of the look on Thorin's face when Poppy had stood up to him. He let out a small sigh as he thought about how her show of temper had made her even more stunning.

Poppy returned a short time later, panting with exertion, her face flushed red and her hair slightly askew and falling out of its ribbon. In her arms she was holding a worn book.

"Here we are!" she said breathlessly. "My, I think I need to start doing a little more exercise!" she grinned, holding out the book to Thorin.

He looked at it dubiously then glared at her. "A book? How is that meant to help me woo Bella?"

Poppy shook her head. "Just listen. I know dwarves don't know much about flowers but as I told Bofur, for hobbits, they are an integral part of our culture. And not just because they are pretty or decorative. No, to us, all flowers and plants have a meaning which we use to convey a message. For example, a courting couple will give each other flowers to show the other how they feel. When a baby is born, the mother will receive flowers that express good wishes for the child. When we have parties, the flowers used to decorate usually represent what the celebration is about, such as flowers that symbolise love and fidelity at a wedding ceremony. And they are used when someone wants to apologise and show remorse for something." She looked pointedly at Thorin as she said the last bit.

Thorin looked at the book in her hands. "So, you are telling me that flowers have a language of their own, according to hobbit lore?"

"Yes, exactly!" she replied. "This book lists all the plants and flowers that can be found in the Shire and the meanings that are attached to them. Similar books can be found in most every home in the Shire and many become family heirlooms that are passed down through generations. This is my family's book." Once again, she held it out to Thorin.

Reaching out, he took the book tentatively in his hands. He could see it was well-worn, with small cracks appearing in the leather binding and the pages slightly yellowed and creased with age. "Won't your family miss it?"

"Not straight away and besides, we've all grown up being taught the meanings by our parents so it's not something that gets read a lot. It's only used on occasion when we need to look up a plant we don't normally use."

"So, how is reading this going to help?" He was still in the dark about what he was meant to do with that knowledge.

"My idea is for you to give Bella flowers that convey your feelings, but not all at once." At his confused look, she continued. "You need to give her one flower every day, each with a different meaning. For example, you can start with one that conveys your remorse and move on to others that tell her how you feel."

"But how am I to give them to her if she won't let me near her?"

"Well, you will have to think of some other way. You look smart enough to come up with a few ideas," she replied cheekily, ignoring his glare.

"And you believe this will work?"

"You giving her these flowers will show her that you are making an earnest effort by taking the trouble to choose the appropriate flower. Also, you will be telling her how you feel without her feeling threatened by your presence until she is ready. If you choose your flowers carefully, they can be as effective as a love-letter."

"Bella will know what each flower I give her means?" he asked, needing to be certain that his meaning would be understood.

"Of course she will. She's a hobbit, isn't she?"

Thorin opened the book and looked at the carefully drawn flower on the page. Underneath was written the flower's name, meanings and uses. Quickly scanning the other pages, he could see the work involved in the cataloguing of the flora of the Shire. He briefly considered getting Ori to copy the book for him. It could come in handy in future.

"So, I suggest you begin studying that book and coming up with a way to give the flowers to Bella," she said.

Thorin nodded slowly. "Yes." Looking up, he gave her the smallest of smiles. "Thank you," he said softly, almost under his breath.

"You're most welcome," she returned brightly.

"I may require your assistance in procuring some of these."

"Of course! I'm most happy to help you find what you need. Bofur knows where I live so he can just fetch me when want my help."

He had spent most of the afternoon after Poppy left studying her book, looking for just the right meaning and working out how best to get Bella to accept it.

Walking up to her and handing her the flowers would not work as she would most likely run from him or slam the door in his face. Giving them to someone else to give to her on his behalf seemed like the coward's way. After thinking long and hard, he came up with a solution.

He would deliver the flowers on her doorstep before she awoke. Whether she kept or destroyed them, he would not know but at least he would be doing something. Poppy had been right; wallowing in self-pity was getting him nowhere.

Thus, it was how he found himself wandering through Hobbiton two days later, in the pre-dawn darkness, holding a piece of raspberry bramble entwined with two peony flowers, held together with a blue ribbon, his signature colour, which Poppy had acquired for him at the market.

Opening her gate, the hinges not making a sound thanks to his workmanship, he slowly climbed the steps to her front door. It was the first time he'd been here since the night Bella returned and every part of him longed to go inside and hold her close. She was so near and yet the chasm between them was as wide as the Misty Mountains.

With a melancholy sigh, he kissed the flowers and gently placed them on her doorstep, trying to arrange it so that she would notice them before she accidentally stepped on the flowers.

He hoped with all his soul that she would understand the message he was trying to send.

Bella checked that her skirt was lying correctly before picking up her basket and heading for the front door. After holing herself away in her home for the first few days, she had begun venturing outside, knowing she couldn't hide away forever. Also, once word began trickling down that she had returned from her adventure, the number of visitors began mounting, much to her annoyance. There were the genuine visitors, those truly happy to see her again and then there were the curious, those who wanted to see what had become of the wild hobbit that took off with a group of strange dwarves. That a number of said dwarves were now well known in the village didn't make any difference. She was now a curiosity.

This morning she had decided that she might as well head down to the market and pick up some groceries to re-stock her pantry. Despite the number of unwelcome visitors, good manners dictated that she offer her all her guests refreshments and so her stores were getting a little low for her liking. Also, she hoped that the gawkers would get their fill without having to make excuses to come visiting.

Her subtle questioning of Kili had yielded the information that Thorin had not been down to the market since she arrived, that, in fact, he hadn't left the forge, so she felt reasonably sure that she would not run into him there. She deliberately pushed aside the faint disappointment she felt at the knowledge. Despite the dwarves' pleas and Primula's subtle encouragement, she wasn't ready to see him.

Taking a deep breath, Bella pulled open her front door and made to step through when her eye was caught by a flash of pink on the edge of the first step.

Lying on the stone brick was a twig of raspberry bramble alongside two pink peony flowers. They were held together by a length of royal blue ribbon.

Bella's heart began racing as she slowly bent down and picked up the posy. The ribbon's colour was a clue to the identity of the giver. It may have been a coincidence but there was one person who predominantly wore that colour.

She walked dazedly to her bench and sat down, her eyes not leaving the flowers. Did Thorin leave these? Her heart told her it was his doing but her brain was valiantly trying to deny it.

It may have been a villager who wanted to welcome her back. It may have nothing to do with him.

Then she looked closely at the flowers and foliage and gave a small gasp as the meaning behind these particular plants became clear.

Shame and remorse.

The peony meant the giver felt shame for their actions and the raspberry bramble told her that he, and it had to be he, felt remorse.

Who else of her acquaintance could feel that way regarding their actions towards her? Lobelia's name sprang to mind, but she'd sooner believe Thorin and Thranduil were best friends before thinking Lobelia regretted her actions.

No. Thorin was trying to tell her, through these flowers, what she wouldn't allow him to say to her face.

A part of her wanted to toss the flowers away in defiance and spite but the greater part couldn't help holding the posy close to her chest as she fought back tears. Taking a moment to regather her composure, she stood up and walked back into Bag End where she got a small vase and carefully placed the flowers in water.

She wondered who had told Thorin about the language of flowers and she couldn't help but be touched by the gesture and though it wasn't enough to change her mind, it gave her a warm feeling to know he was thinking about her.

Shrugging her shoulders, she decided she needed to get on with her day, and with one last look at the flowers, headed back outside.

Every morning after that, Bella would find another flower on her doorstep. Bella couldn't help marvelling at the lengths that he must have gone to in order to acquire some of the flowers, as they were only just coming into bloom.

There was a purple hyacinth and some fern fronds bound together by the blue ribbon on the first morning. She understood their meanings – 'forgive me' and 'sincerity'. That was followed by a white tulip which signified forgiveness.

A snowdrop (hope), followed by a yellow rose surrounded by sage leaves (affection and esteem). The sweet pansy (you occupy my thoughts) and the blue hyacinth (constancy) made her breath hitch.

Tears sprang to her eyes when she saw the red carnation (my heart aches for you). "So does mine, Thorin," she whispered into the petals.

There was no way Bella could deny, even to herself, that she wasn't affected by Thorin's actions. Without going against her wishes, he was conveying his thoughts and feelings, one flower at a time. She could feel her resolve weakening with every flower she found on her doorstep.

Primula's sharp eyes had spotted the collection on her mantelpiece and had instantly made the connection between the different species and the meanings behind them. When Bella put one of the ribbons in her hair, she couldn't keep silent any longer.

"When are you going to put him out of his misery?" she asked Bella over tea one afternoon.

"What do you mean?"

Prim just gave Bella a withering glare. "Don't play the fool, Bel. You know very well who I'm talking about."

"I don't know," sighed Bella.

"Bella, now you are just being cruel. Look at the trouble Thorin is going to. He's begging your forgiveness. He's had to go to a fair bit of effort to get some of those flowers."

Bella looked at her collection. The earliest ones had wilted but she hadn't been able to throw them out, so she had pressed them into some of her favourite books in order to preserve them.

"Give him a chance, Bel. Just let him speak with you. You've left him dangling and you aren't giving him any hope that you may pull him back to safety. You've heard Kili tell you about how miserable he's been. Doesn't that count for something?"

"I know," admitted Bella.

"He could have just packed up and left again but he hasn't. He stayed. He has respected your wishes and not come near you. How long before he sees that it's a hopeless cause and gives up? Is that what you truly want? To never see him again?"

Shoulders slumped and her head hanging down, Bella shook her head slowly. "No," she whispered. "No, I don't want that."

And while the part of her that was trying to maintain her rage against Thorin stubbornly insisted that she didn't care if he went away forever, her heart ached at the thought.

"Then give him some hope. Agree to talk to him," urged Prim.

"But what if I react badly again?" asked Bella.

"You won't know if that will happen if you're never in the same room. Give him the chance to prove he won't hurt you again. Carrying on like this is not making you happy and I know he isn't happy."

No, she wasn't happy. In fact, the only time she was happy these days was when she opened her front door in the morning and found another bloom wrapped in royal blue ribbon.

Thorin made his way towards Bag End in the pre-dawn chill. It was clear that the days were slowly getting longer as the skies were lightening and it was easier to see in the darkness. Dwarves had very good night vision, due to living in mountain dwellings, but he did appreciate the extra light.

He'd been doing this for two weeks now and there didn't seem to be any sign of Bella softening. He didn't begrudge his efforts, but he was losing hope with every day that passed. Would there come a point where he had to give up? Only his nephews' information that Bella had not been throwing out the flowers stopped him from sinking into complete despair. Was that because she cared about what he was trying to tell her or simply because she couldn't bear to destroy any plant?

When Poppy had come to the forge to bring him more ribbon, she had seen despondency in his eyes.

"You're not giving up hope already, are you?" she had asked him as she handed over the ribbon.

"No, but it does not seem like my efforts are making any difference," replied Thorin.

"But it's only been just over a week. At least she's keeping them. That's the first step," she told him.

"What if it doesn't work?"

"Well then, we'll try something else. You can't give up on her, Thorin," urged Poppy.

Thorin closed his eyes and sighed. "Very well. I will try not to give in to hopelessness. I will consider it as part of my punishment and penance."

"Good," smiled Poppy encouragingly. "Now, what flowers were you thinking of giving her next?"

In his hand he held a small posy of daisies, daffodils and jonquils. According to Poppy's book they signified respect, regard, loyal love and a desire for the recipient's affection.

Thorin would rather be mauled by a warg than ever admit it aloud, but he was finding the whole language of flowers concept somewhat fascinating. He would never have thought that the simplest plant or flower had so many meanings. Reading through the book had helped take his mind off his sadness and he had taken to writing down combinations of meanings in order to ask Poppy where he could obtain the flora he needed.

The other dwarves had enquired about the book, but Thorin had only given them a perfunctory answer. Dwalin had been about to make some sort of sarcastic comment but the glare from Thorin, and surprisingly, Bifur, had quelled the impulse. He had started eating properly again and after their meal, he would head back to the forge to consult the book again or to put the next morning's posy together. His first few attempts at tying the ribbon had been woeful but he had to admit that he was becoming much more skilled at it. Poppy had even showed him how to tie a double bow and he had completed his first one with a flourish.

He was so engaged with the book that he had asked Ori to make a copy whilst he was working at the forge. As he worked he came up with the idea of creating a garden for Bella back in Erebor, if he was so lucky as to have her come back with him. His skilled artisans would be able to devise a way to build an outdoor garden near the royal suites. He could order that they obtain glass, no matter the cost, so that the plants could be protected in all elements. Bella would then be able to plant anything she wished and maybe have a little bit of home nearby.

Thorin smiled wistfully as he daydreamed of the both of them walking through her garden, hand in hand, as he picked a special flower to tell her how he was feeling that day. Bella would smile at him before reaching up and giving him a loving kiss in gratitude. The kiss would develop into more and they would eventually end up in their bedchamber, where he would show her just how much he loved her.

It was only when he nearly crushed his thumb that he forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand.

As usual, all was still and dark in Bag End when he pushed open the gate. As he did every morning, his mind imagined his love asleep in her bed and the familiar longing rose in him again.

When he reached the top step, he sighed softly and kissed the posy, imagining that he was pouring all the love he felt into the flowers, and bent down to place them on the stone.

He didn't hear the green door opening.

On straightening, he looked straight into the brown eyes that he'd dreamt about every night and couldn't contain the small gasp that left his lips.

Bella stood in her doorway, in the same coloured robe that she was wearing the night they met, with a slightly apprehensive look on her face.

Thorin could feel his eyes welling and his heart pounding as he looked at his beloved and had to summon all his control not to fall at her feet and sob.

"Hello, Thorin," she said softly.

He opened his mouth to reply but it felt like a huge lump of clay was in his throat and he had to clear it before any words would come out. "Hello, Bella," he replied hoarsely.

Bella looked down at the posy on the step and instantly worked out its meaning, her heart seeming to skip a beat. "Are…are those for me?" It was a rhetorical question, of course, but she needed to say something.

Blushing faintly, much to Bella's bemusement, Thorin nodded. "Of course."

They stared at each other for a long moment, neither finding words to speak. Thorin was the first to snap out of it and bent over to pick up the posy. Slowly, carefully, he held it out to Bella, his eyes pleading that she would accept it.

With a tiny smile, she reached out and took it, their fingers brushing ever so lightly. Both felt the instant heat race through them at the tiniest contact.

"Thank you," she whispered. Thorin only nodded in response, unable to speak.

The emotions could almost be seen in the silence that followed. Thorin didn't know what to do. Should he leave? Did the fact that she had been waiting for him mean anything?

He watched her take a deep breath and then she looked at him directly. "I…I think we need to talk."

His heart began pounding at her words and he nodded. "Yes."

At his answer, Bella took a step back and opened the door wider. "Won't you come inside then, Thorin?"

A/N: Thank you once again to lizajay12 for her proofreading. She's always so quick to get the chapter back to me.