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Dwalin found Ori and his brothers exactly where he had expected to; down by the river where they went to sit most afternoons. The warrior took a deep breath and walked towards them.

"Dwalin," Ori said, rushing over to him. "How is Bilbo?"

Dwalin smiled. "Upset, but he is in Violet's care."

Ori sighed. "I wish our King had handled that more delicately. It is clear to anyone that has been in Erebor had he misses Bilbo and is in love with him."

Dwalin saw Dori and Nori talking over Ori's shoulder. "I can only hope that Thorin will act with more sense next time."

Ori turned to follow Dwalin's gaze and sighed. "Dori is still worried that you are going to treat me poorly."

"Does he still wish to fight?"

Ori looked upset. "He will not retract the challenge."

"He is aware that I could kill him."

"He is stubborn and wants to protect me."

"Right," Dwalin said, kissing Ori quickly and striding towards Dori. "Dori, we need to speak and end this."

Dori nodded. "I will get my weapon."

"No," Dwalin said firmly. "I will not hurt you because it would only hurt Ori. What do you need me to do to prove to you that I love your brother?"

Dori looked surprised. "What?"

"I will do anything you ask of me to prove that I am not toying with Ori, so long as it is neither illegal nor anything that will hurt Ori."

"And asking him to leave me would hurt me," Ori threw in, smiling at Dwalin.

Dori looked at Nori.

"I believe him, brother, but I will help you think of things that he must do to prove himself," Nori said.

"We will not be lenient on you simply because you suggested it," Dori told Dwalin.

"Of course not."

"And I want time to think on this."

"Take as much as you like, I am not going anywhere." Dwalin said with a smile.

Dori was silent for a few minutes as he thought about the proposal.

"Very well. We will come back tomorrow with a list of trials," Dori said. "Ori, you will come back with us?"

"No," Ori said firmly. "I will be staying here with Dwalin. We will pass any trial you put in front of him."

Dwalin smiled at Ori's 'we' while he looked at Dori.

Dori looked like he wished to argue but then he sighed and nodded. "Very well."

"I will see you tomorrow," Ori said. "We will come to the Inn to have lunch?"

Nori smiled brightly. "We would like that."

"As would I," Dwalin said, smiling brightly at Dori.

The grey-haired dwarf looked unsettled but he allowed Nori to say their goodbyes and drag Dori from the river side.

"They are going to come up with horrible trials," Ori said.

"I do not care," Dwalin said, shrugging. "Shall we wander down the river? I know that Bilbo wanted to be alone."

"Should he be left alone though?"

Dwalin nodded. "Maklon and Violet are still there. I wish to know what you think we can do to help Bilbo and Thorin."

"You are so much sweeter than my brothers know. You should have asked me that when they were still here."

Dwalin smiled and bent to kiss Ori. "It would not do my image any good if dwarves thought that I was attempting to play matchmaker for our King."

Ori smiled and tugged on Dwalin's hand to walk to a good spot on the river to sit and talk.

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