An Unexpected Encounter

by elveriamoir

Dwalin is a warrior dwarf with a heart of gold, but a scary exterior. Bilbo is a well to do hobbit with a protective streak, but unthreatening looks. I wrote it because there are so few fictions out there about Dwalin, and there is more to his character than grr argh! This story is now betad by fierynightangel.

25. Chapter 24-Traveling

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: Gah you are confusing me and it's my story. yes Ori isnt evil I've told you he is a puppy. Hmm I suppose it is you did get the memo I wouldn't get time for a chapter until 20th didn't you. Oh and no I meant his slip to Bilbo about the ages of the dwarves :D

Chapter Twenty Four – Travelling.

Bilbo declined to sing for the company again for several days claiming he needed to get used to the rigours of travel-despite pleading now including Bombur and Nori. He was glad when Dwalin swung a heavily armoured arm over his shoulders and growled at the persistent dwarves the second night in. He did elbow the dwarfs lightly as a reprimand but the blinding smile he accompanied it with took any stink from it. Dwalin's actions were watched with suspicious eyes, most of the company having decided that Master Baggins didn't have any idea about where their boundaries lay. Dwalin's actions were beyond what even courting couples were allowed in public, but as Dori looked between the guardsman and the hobbit he realised that to Bilbo they were the normal for everyday interactions. A glance at his younger brother confirmed the fact to him, Ori was watching the two with soft understanding in his brown eyes. Dori nodded his head decisively, he would have quiet words with the older dwarves of the group and get Ori to do the same with the younger five. He frowned slightly, until he could do so he would have to give them all a distraction. A smile graced his lips, instantly making him appear several decades younger. "Now lads, leave our burglar alone," he called happily. Ori's head whipped around so the younger Ri brother could narrow eyes at him in suspicion. "Don't give me that look Ori, it's not proper," Dori chuckled, "Now I don't have Master Baggins' fine voice but there was a time when you didn't mind listening to me sing." Deciding to ignore the almost silent snort from Nori (especially as his younger brother moved stealthily to sit by Ori as he did it) Dori continued. "If you give the poor lad a chance to get used to travelling I will sing some of your favourites for you." He smiled widely as Fili, Kili and Bofur turned their attention fully to him. Dori threw them a wink, "I might even try some new ones I've heard." Dori felt himself flush as Bilbo sent him a brilliant smile in thanks, and even Dwalin crinkled his eyes at him across the fire. "Right where should I start?"

The clamour of young voices made him blink, he hadn't realised the lads had missed him sitting and singing to them. Even Nori was looking towards him with a kind of excited expectation. It wasn't until he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder that Dori realised several of the alder dwarves were also requesting songs. He smiled as Bifur managed to squeeze in between Nori and Fili, and Gloin moved so he was sitting on a tree stump nearby. Balin's voice startled him though, "If I may lad?" Dori turned his head to look up at the white haired dwarf. Balin was smiling softly at him, "Perhaps you could sing us The Wind Mister Dori?" the steel haired dwarf felt a light blush settle over his features.

"Mister Balin, just how many of you listened to me sing to the young ones?" he gulped.

Balin smiled softly at him, "Most of us at some point, although I will admit to sitting in the shadows and listening to you more than most," Dori thought he could see a light blush on Balin's cheeks, "You have a lovely voice lad." Balin seemed to shake himself and Dori smiled back, "Now will you sing it for me Mister Dori?"

Dori's smile became a grin and he nodded his head, "Aye Mister Balin I will. It would be a pleasure." Clearing his throat Dori turned back to the waiting dwarves. He smiled at Nori who was almost vibrating where he sat, remembering it had been his brother's favourite rhyme. Taking a deep breath Dori let his rich baritone flow around the clearing where they had made camp.

"The wind was on the withered heath,

But in the forest stirred no leaf:

There shadows lay by night and day,

And dark things silent crept beneath.

The wind came down from mountains cold,

And like a tide it roared and rolled;

The branches groaned, the forest moaned,

And leaves were laid upon the mould.

The wind went on from West to East;

All movement in the forest ceased,

But shrill and harsh across the marsh

Its whistling voices were released.

The grasses hissed, their tassels bent,

The reeds were rattling-on it went

O'er shaken pool under the heavens cool

Where racing clouds were torn and rent.

It passed the lonely Mountain bare

And swept above the dragon's lair:

There black and dark lay boulders stark

And flying smoke was in the air.

It left the world and took its flight

Over the wide seas of the night.

The moon set sail upon the gale,

And stars were fanned to leaping light." (1)

Dori opened his eyes wondering just when he'd closed them and found Bilbo and Dwalin had joined with the group on the floor. Dwalin's arm was around Bilbo's waist and the hobbit had entwined their fingers, green-hazel eyes were staring at him in awe while Dwalin's steel grey eyes were soft and suspiciously moist. Ori was leaning heavily into Kili's side and while the dark haired Durin heir had a light blush on his face he was making no move to push the small dwarf away, both looking to much like the wee lads who had sat at his knee days after they had arrived in Ered Luin. Bofur was grinning up at him, unabashed happiness on his cheerful face, Master Fili was sitting crossed legged next to the miner his hand resting lightly on Bofur's arm and also smiling at him. Nori and Bifur's eyes were sparkling in the starlight, but that was the only outward sign they had enjoyed the song, Dori would admit to being impressed that either had sat through the song and was strangely touched. Balin's hand grabbed his shoulder again and he smiled up at the white haired dwarf momentarily before pushing to his feet feeling his back pop as he did, "I hope it lived up to memory Mister Balin." Dori's smile widened at Balin's soft chuckle, "Now if you all don't mind it's been a long day and I'm not getting any younger," Balin's snort had him chuckling, "Ah now Mister Balin it's the truth and I've never been a warrior like yourself, I'm going to turn in, you strong fighting types can stay up as late as you want." He shot the white haired dwarf a wink and turned to his bed roll with Balin's laugh sounding in his ears.

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From that night on the company took turns in offering a tune or story. Ori went the next night, a day spent in the company of Kili seemed to have done his confidence wonders thought Dori as he leant back to listen to his brother's laughing tone float around the shrub land.

"There is an inn, a merry old inn

Beneath an old grey hill,

And there they brew a beer so brown

That the Man in the Moon himself came down

On night to drink his fill.

The ostler has a tipsy cat

That plays a five-stringed fiddle;

And up and down he runs his bow,

Now squeaking high, now purring low,

Now sawing in the middle.

The landlord keeps a little dog

That is mighty fond of jokes;

When there's good cheer among the guests

He cocks an ear at all the jests

And laughs until he chokes.

They also keep a horned cow

As proud as any queen;

But music turns her head like ale,

And makes her wave her tufted tail

And dance upon the green."

To Dori's amusement Fili and Kili had dug their fiddles from their packs and joined in, playing a merry tune to accompany his brother. He also watched as Ori's eyes fixed on Kili's form dancing around the fire, he chuckled, well he wished them luck. He was distracted form his thoughts as Ori started again,

"And O! The rows of silver dishes

And the store of silver spoons!

For Sunday there's a special pair,

And these they polish up with care

On Saturday afternoons.

The Man in the Moon was drinking deep,

And the cat began to wail;

A dish and a spoon on the table danced,

The cow in the garden madly pranced,

And the little dog chased his tail.

The Man in the Moon took another mug,

And then rolled beneath his chair;

And there he dozed and dreamed of ale,

Till in the sky the stars were pale,

And dawn was in the air.

Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat:

"The white horses of the Moon,

They neigh and champ their silver bits:

But their master's been and drowned his wits,

And the Sun will be rising soon!""

Nori and Bofur took up the tune on their pipe and hand pipe respectively and Bilbo found his feet twitching in anticipation of a dance. He tucked them under his body and leant into Dwalin's side, it wouldn't do for the young ones to realise his plea of needing time to adjust to travelling was a ruse. Ori had stuttered when he was joined by yet more musicians but the grins thrown to him by Kili bolstered his confidence again and so he continued. Now up on his feet he tapped a rhythm out with his booted feet as he continued to the end of the childish song.

"So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,

A jig that would wake the dead:

He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,

While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:

It's after three! He said.

They rolled the Man slowly up the hill

And bundled him into the Moon,

While his horses galloped up in rear,

And the cow came capering like a deer,

And a dish ran up with the spoon.

Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle;

The dog began to roar,

The cow and the horses stood on their heads;

The guests all bounded from their beds

And danced upon the floor.

With a ping and a pang the fiddle-strings broke!

The cow jumped over the Moon,

And the little dog laughed to see such fun,

And the Saturday dish went off at a run

With the silver Sunday spoon.

The round Moon rolled behind the hill,

As the Sun raised up her head.

She hardly believed her fiery eyes;

For though it was day, to her surprise

They all went back to bed!""(2)

He finished with a flourish, and bowed deeply to the hollers and applause that followed his song. A light flush dusted his cheeks and he grinned happily as a panting Kili flung a friendly arm around his shoulders.

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To Dwalin's amusement they seemed to have settled into a pattern of song and storytelling after dinner had been served. As neither Thorin nor Gandalf put paid to the fun Dwalin decided to let it continue, merely setting himself up for first watch as the company entertained themselves. He had been delighted when Bilbo had joined him on the first night although he hadn't failed to notice the twitch when the music had started.

The second night he merely huffed and leant back against a tree stump to allow Bilbo to curl into his side. Gloin was standing in the middle of a circle of dwarves his deep rolling voice cascading through a battle poem. Dwalin closed his eyes momentarily, lost in memories until a gentle had closed on his and he looked into the equally sad eyes of Bilbo. Grumbling he tucked the hobbit closer and lit their pipes.

The third night they had sat at different points on a fallen, standing stone. Dwalin leant against Bilbo's legs and savoured the feel of gentle hands rubbing soothing circles on the back of his neck. Their supper bowls sat empty beside them as Oin told a funny anecdote about mushrooms. At least Dwalin assumed it was funny as Bilbo's bright peal of laughter rewarded the healer when he was done. The dwarf had come across and clapped Bilbo on the shoulder later when the time to swap shifts occurred.

The fourth night in and Dwalin was twitchy expecting something to have gone wrong now, after all they had been outside of the Shire's boundaries and so in dangerous lands. Gandalf had joined in that night and he was telling the story of the creation of the hobbit race. Dwalin glanced at a stiffly sitting Bilbo, wondering if he should put a stop to the sharing of another race's secrets. It wasn't until Bilbo leant into his side muttering about idiot wizards and their inability to remember facts that he realised Bilbo wasn't upset with them knowing the story just with the wizard getting facts wrong. He leant heavily back on his hands, feeling the leaf mould beneath his fingers, "Bilbo," he rumbled softly, turning green-hazel eyes to his and gulping he smiled, "you know your creator and our creator were married?" Bilbo's bright laugh broke the wizard's tale and he pouted at the hobbit while Bilbo merely smirked at him, "Get your facts right next time Grey One." The laugher of the company hid their true interest in what they had been told, and Dwalin tucked Bilbo closer to his side at the curious looks sent their way.

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The next night they camped at the ancient human strong hold of Facere Fortis, a fancy name for a few crumbling walls and natural caves at the pinnacle of a hill. Dwalin's growl at Fili and Kili when they teased Bilbo about orcs was drowned out by Thorin "You think this is funny?" Dwalin watched as the prince strode up to his nephews, "You think a night raid by orcs is a laughing matter?" Dwalin watched as Thorin strode to the edge of the hill and looked out into the night before turning his attention back to Bilbo. To his surprise despite the obvious fear and hurt lingering in the expressive eyes he had moved to stand behind Fili and Kili a reassuring hand on each of the lads' shoulders as he glowered across the air at Thorin's back.

"Well oh gracious prince!" Dwalin was shocked at the bitterness in the hobbits lilting Westron, "You should be glad the young ones don't have that fear," Dwalin stepped forward aiming to reach the hobbit until Balin's hand on his arm stopped him. He glanced at his brother who indicated to him to wait and watch. He did just that.

Bilbo was drawn up to his full height and easily staring down the shocked Thorin. He was clearly supporting the two shocked Durin brothers and taking in their crest fallen expression understood why. He turned his own glare on Thorin, Bilbo was right it was better the lads didn't know and he'd prefer it to stay that way.

Bilbo's voice cut harshly through the night. "You think you are the only one who has had it hard Thorin Oakenshield. You think you are the only one who has seen just what a night raid by orcs can do?" His voice instead of getting higher pitched, had reached an almost growl and more than Dwalin stiffened their spines, although he noticed Fili and Kili had drawn further back against the hobbit's chest, and the lad was running soothing hands through their hair. Ori had crept so he was hidden behind Bilbo and Nori and Bofur were huddled unhappily with the small dwarf. Bilbo continued over what was obviously going to be Thorin's reply. "I don't care Master Oakenshield. You will not talk to the young ones like that." Dwalin watched as the expressive eyes became dark, "I made a promise to Master Dori to protect his brother and I extended that protection to Fili and Kili as well. If that means protecting them from your fits of temper then so be it!" The growl was still there and Dwalin swallowed, Bilbo wasn't shaking this time and Dwalin had a moment to wonder just when Bilbo had seen an orc attack before the hobbit was lashing out verbally at the prince again. "Really Oakenshield, you think the lads were being flippant?" Bilbo's eyes flashed dangerously, "They could see I was worried and in their own way they were trying to protect me."

Standing there with his arms wrapped around the shoulders of the youngest of the company, the next three youngest hidden in his shadow Bilbo looked capable of holding his promise, weapons training or no. Dwalin turned desperately to his brother and Balin nodded, "Don't mind him laddie," Bilbo relaxed not one jot as Balin's soothing lilt flowed over him he merely raised an eye brow and Balin sighed, "Thorin has more cause than most to hate orcs." At Bilbo nodding stiffly to his brother Dwalin sighed, he hoped his big brother would be able to talk this down. "After the dragon took the Lonely Mountain, King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria."

Dwalin must have gasped along with Oin for Bilbo looked at them sharply and held up a hand stopping Balin in his story telling. He pushed Fili and Kili to sit with Nori, Ori and Bofur, where they were instantly pulled into the middle of the group, before striding over to Oin. He crouched to look in the seated dwarf's eyes before pulling the healer back to the group of young dwarves. To Dwalin's surprise it was Nori who shifted so the older dwarf could sit in the middle of the group. He missed Bilbo gesturing wildly at Bifur and the badger like dwarf sitting beside the thief and placing a comforting arm around his shoulder. Then Bilbo was at his side, pulling him across to sit with the other and planting himself firmly in Dwalin's lap. He wrapped his arms tightly around Bilbo's stomach and buried his head in his neck. Bilbo glowered up at Balin, eyes softening slightly as he saw Dori place a reassuring hand on the white haired dwarf's shoulder, "Please continue Master Balin."

"Very well." Balin cleared his throat and straightened his spine, "But our enemy had got their first. Mori had been taken by legions of orcs, led by the most-vile of all their race…Azog the Defiler! The giant Gundabad orc had sworn to wipe out the lien of Durin. He began by beheading the king. Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief! He went missing. Taken prisoner or killed, we did not know. We were leaderless! Defeat and death were apon us! That is when I saw him…A young dwarf prince, facing down the pale orc…he stood alone against this terrible foe! His armour rent, wielding nothing but an oaken-branch as a shield. Azog the Defiler, learnt that day, that the line of Durin…would not be so easily broken."

Bilbo stroked a soothing hand over a shaking Dwalin's hair as Balin finished the story. He took in the deep shadows in the dwarf's eyes and heard the break in his voice. He nodded shortly and tried to keep his voice quiet, and yet still managed to cut off whatever Balin was going to say, "My apologises then Master Balin, but it still gave him no right to talk to his nephews in that manner." He held a hand up, sighing, "I am sorry you felt the need to have to recount what was obviously a dreadful time for you to try and convince me but what Master Oakenshield needs to realise is he is not the only one to have lost family to orcs." Taking a deep breath, Bilbo wrapped his arms around a still shaking Dwalin, "Obviously more than one member of the company have done so, poor Master Bifur nearly lost himself, and it is a monument to his courage and dedication to his family that he fought his way back. If anyone here has a reason to hate orcs I would say it was him. Yourself, Dwalin and Master Oin have obviously suffered greatly with your own losses." Bilbo could see Thorin's shoulders stiffen further with anger as he spoke, but pushed on re-guardless. He kept stormy eyes on Balin's sad ones and spoke softly, "Masters Bofur and Bombur, while they may not have seen it happen nearly lost their cousin, why should they have a lesser reason to hate orcs? Masters Fili and Kili although they may not remember the people themselves lost family. I can bet they lost more than the dead that day, have you or Dwalin ever been the same, has Thorin ever treated them with love since?" he raised an eyebrow as behind Balin Thorin's shoulders dropped in defeat.

Bilbo steeled himself and hoped they wouldn't dwell too much on what he was going to tell them, Balin's offering needed some response of trust in return. "I lost both my parents in the Fell winter. My mother was torn apart by rider-less wolves and my father was murdered by orc-cowards. I wasn't of age and I found my mother's body been fought over by the wolves and my father died in my arms." He kept his gaze steady on Balin's grey eyes. "I think we should get what little sleep we can tonight and brush it under the rug. It will not do any of us any good to dwell on it." With Balin's nod, Bilbo turned his face so he could bury it in the thick fur of Dwalin's shoulder pads.

No dwarf moved that night, instead the pile in the shelter of the rock grew as the company united by grief, curled together leaving the wizard on watch.

AN: (1)/(2) Poems by J. . I don't own them.

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