A Hearts Home 34

Beorn's House Part 2

Chapter Notes:

elvish {English translation}

Khuzdul [English translation]

Iglishmêk /English translation\

telepathy ((…))

oOoOoOo

The Company had breakfast together then Oin and Balin kicked all the males, themselves included, out of the house. With their clothes in desperate need of a wash of their own and no spares to change into while their clothes were drying Balin said the others would remain outside to give the two females privacy for their baths.

Bilba felt both relieved that she wouldn't have to sit around in front of the Company in just a blanket like Thorin had and guilty that it forced the others outside. As a compromise Bilba convinced Ori they could wait for their clothes to dry in the room in the loft that Beorn had offered the previous night. It would still give them privacy and let the others take their turns in the bath as well.

After they finished washing they climbed up the steps. In the loft they found there were big straw bales stacked against the walls of the room, but plenty of loose straw covered the floor. The two could use it to make a comfortable bed to rest on especially with the two wool blankets they'd been given after their bath.

"Did you have a nice dream last night?" Ori inquired when they were finally assured of privacy.

Since Bilba had been given the opportunity to actually touch Thorin's bare skin last night she supposed she shouldn't be too surprised she'd dreamed of touching him more intimately. From the way Ori smirked and wiggled her eyebrows the hobbit could tell her dwarf friend knew exactly what Bilba had been dreaming.

"It really doesn't bother you that I dreamed about your King like... that?" Bilba asked blushing.

"Bother?! I hope you marry him!" Ori told her.

"Marry!" squealed a startled Bilba.

"Aye! You would be so good for him. It can't be good for someone in his position to be alone like that. He needs a wife."

"Well now, I don't know about that. I mean I'm sure a wife he could confide in and count on for support would be very beneficial for him, but me?! I haven't decided if I even like him yet! He can be such a clot-head!" Bilba huffed. "He only makes the attempt to be cordial half the time. And then there is the fact that I'm not even a dwarf! Wouldn't your people object to the King marrying outside your race?"

"There are some that would," Ori said seriously, "but if they object just because you aren't a dwarf without getting to know you then they aren't worth the bother. Everyone else will just be ecstatic that he finally married."

"Oh. Well," Bilba cleared her throat, "I suppose it is not entirely outside the realm of possibilities. You never know what the future might bring. I still think you are jumping a bit ahead with the talk of marriage though."

Ori just smiled.

"Oh, bother," Bilba said running (or trying to run) her fingers through her hair. "It's going to take forever to untangle my hair again. Would you be willing to help me?"

Ori's smile turned tremulous and shy, "You would let me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Bilba asked puzzled.

"You cut your hair," Ori said sadly then rushed on. "It's perfectly understandable if you don't trust any of us enough to let us take care of your hair! It's your right to choose who can or can not touch it, of course, but I'd thought with how close we'd become that you might have trusted me enough so you could keep your hair. You let me help untangle your hair when we arrived in Rivendell. I just… I don't want to over step," the dwarf finished, wringing her hands.

"Oh, Ori! I really hurt your feelings, didn't I?! I'm so sorry!" Bilba cried giving her friend a hug. "Getting a haircut isn't a big deal for hobbits. Truly it isn't! My decision really had nothing to do with how I feel about you or anyone and was not meant to insult either. And of course I trust you! Believe me, if I had known the trouble and hurt it would cause I wouldn't have done it. You lot have your own hair to take care of and I didn't want to become even more of a burden than I already am."

"I think you proved you weren't a burden when you saved Thorin back in the mountains," Ori smiled.

"Maybe," Bilba conceded.

"Anyways, haircare isn't a burden," Ori insisted. "It's an honor and a privilege. We enjoy doing our hair!"

"Then I don't see a problem!"

"So," the dwarrowdam smiled starting on untangling one side of her friends hair, "what did happened in your dream?"

Bilba flushed, "Surely there must be something more interesting we can do while we wait!"

oOoOoOo

Thorin and Balin sat on logs outside with Gandalf and Glorfindel. Dwalin stood nearby watching the others wrestle with one another as they awaited their turn for a bath.

"How did your meeting with the White Wizard go?" Balin quietly asked the two Tall Folk.

Tharkun sighed. "You didn't miss anything. Saruman expressed his displeasure about your quest and wanted to stop you, but he gave no indication of changed loyalties."

"Besides not mentioning anything about what the Lady Galadriel discovered in Orthanc, of course," Glorfindel added.

The Gray Wizard nodded, "Not definitive proof of betrayal, but neither is he in the clear. We must continue with our plan as discussed without Saruman's assistance."

"Do we have a wizard pursuer in addition to the orc pack already at our back?" Dwalin said turning to face them.

"I do not believe so. Or if he does decide to come after you then you have some time," Gandalf said.

"He and Lady Galadriel will be sharing the road back at least until Isengard. What he will do after that who can say," offered Glorfindel.

"When do we lose your company, Tharkun?" asked Thorin.

"I will see you as far as Mirkwood. From there I will leave you in Glorfindel's very capable hands," said the wizard.

"I would like to see you safely through to the other side before I go to meet with King Thranduil, but if we come across any patrols I'm afraid that will be most unlikely," said the blonde elf. "I doubt the King would allow dwarves to cross his land without an explanation."

"With any luck," Gandalf said, "you just might be able to avoid their patrols."

"If we are counting on luck I would put my money on being forced to see Thranduil," grumble Thorin.

"All too possible I'm afraid, but perhaps now be a good time to start your mental defense training?" Glorfindel suggested.

"I believe that would be a good idea. The book you gave me was lost in the Goblin Tunnels," Thorin said.

"Better it than your lives, I would say," offered the elf. "I will teach you what I can before our paths part. And any of your company that would wish to learn as well." And so for the rest of the day, aside from their own turns for the bath, Balin and Dwalin joined Thorin in his lessons on how to protect their minds from outside influences.

By the time for dinner came around all had had the opportunity to get clean, though half were, as the hobbit could have claimed, still improperly dressed. Again clothed, Bilba and Ori joined the rest down stairs once more.

"You've done your hair!" Kili exclaimed drawing everyone's attention to the hobbit.

"Um, yes. Well, actually Ori braided it for me," Bilba said running a self conscious hand over her hair.

More looks than Kili's were green with envy.

Bilba's hair was tightly wound in two braids. They started small near the front of her head and each grew larger as more hair was added going around the sides and meeting in the back. Ori had hidden the ends inside each other somehow so they weren't dangling down her neck.

"It looks nice," Fili offered.

"Indeed it does, lass," smiled Balin. "How do you like it?"

"Fine. It's just going to take a bit to get used to it. Normally I wear my curls free with nothing but the occasional ribbon." There were some hobbit women who did their hair up, but Bilba had never learned how to do anything similar. Her mother had always worn hers down and had died before Bilba had ever thought of doing anything else with her own hair.

"Well, you can always just keep trying different hairstyles until you find one that works best for ye," said Gloin.

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with it," Bilba tried to object, but most of the Company was off with the subject making suggestions to Ori on what she could try next and arguing over what might or might not work with the hobbit's short, curly hair.

Thorin thought the current style was eminently suitable for the road. He would miss seeing the way her curls would bounce and sway, but if this would keep her from cutting her hair again, it was a sacrifice he could live with.

oOoOoOo

It was long after dinner and most had sought their beds. Thorin and Gandalf, however, were still sitting by the fire smoking their pipes when the Dwarf King had a thought.

"Tharkun, what happened to my father's body?"

The wizard let out a puff of smoke from his pipe before answering.

"I was able to find a small fissure in the rock at the edge of the fortress. I placed his body inside and then collapsed the opening. I am sorry I could not do more, but I was being pursued by servants of Sauron," he sighed.

"Do you think you would be able to find that spot again?"

"If we are successful in dealing with Sauron I will take you there when this is all over."

Thorin nodded and they both went back to smoking their pipes.

oOoOoOo

Their host returned the following morning. Beorn explained that he'd gone to check on their story. He was much more friendly to the travelers now that he knew it was true.

After breakfast Balin pulled Bilba aside.

"Would you be willing to help me get some private time for Dwalin and Ori together, lass?"

"Oh, yes! Of course! Did you have something particular in mind?"

"Well, I thought I'd distract Dori with repairing Thorin's clothes, and Nori will be sparing with the other's outside. I was hoping you could get Ori away without it being suspicious."

"Hmm… I saw Beorn has some blackberry bushes around the back of the house. I could ask him if we could pick some."

"That would work. How about this," Balin said then told her his idea.

"Oh, my! You are a devious one aren't you?" Bilba grinned. "I love it."

The two conspirators went to fulfill their roles. Beorn was more than willing to let Bilba harvest some berries, especially after she offered to make something with them.

A short time later Bilba had Ori behind the house looking at Beorn's bushes ladened with ripe blackberries when she spotted the burly dwarf appear at the corner of the house.

"Oh, bother. I forgot a basket. And here's Dwalin! I'm sure he'll keep you company while I go find something to put the berries in. I won't be a tick," Bilba exclaimed and was off before either said anything. Rounding the corner Bilba found Balin was there grinning like a tween, and holding the basket she was 'off to find'. He brought a finger to his lips the pointed at the corner. Together they tip toed over to spy on the couple.

Ori's shyness once more overcame her when the hobbit departed. If she had been wearing her normal scarves most of her face would have disappeared behind them. Though he hid it better, Dwalin was afflicted by the same nervousness in the presence of his One.

Their experience in the Goblin Tunnels had shown him that his time with her could end at any moment. Thorin may be willing to risk waiting, but Dwalin was more willing to risk having his heart broken by a refusal for just the chance to tell her how he felt.

Stepping up next to Ori he fingered the small bag he held in his hand. The two stood awkwardly next to each other for a few minutes. Dwalin tried to come up with the words. Balin had always been better at speaking, and he privately cursed him for it. Eventually he did the only thing he could think of and shoved the little bag at Ori.

Giving him a small but confused smile the dwarrowdam took the bag and poured the contents of it into her hand. Ori gasped. She held four hair beads in her palm. They had a gold core surrounded by a deep blue jade tube that had been intricately carved in a lattice pattern that let the gold peek through. They were absolutely beautiful!

"Yer my One," Dwalin finally got out. Shocked Ori's head snapped up to look at him. "Would ye permit me the honor of courting ye?"

Ori stood there speechless for so long Dwalin took her silence for a refusal. Nodding he turned to go. This finally spurred her into a response. She grabbed his arm.

"Yes," she said softly in her shy voice.

"Yes?" Dwalin said hopefully, turning back to her.

"Yes," Ori confirmed once more. It came out as almost a sob in in her joy. "You are my One as well."

Dwalin broke out into the most brilliant smile she'd ever seen on him. He thought he'd never been so happy in his life.

"Will you help me put them in?" Ori asked.

Just as the first bead was secured the two conspirators watching from around the corner of the house were startled by a voice behind them.

"What are you doing?" Thorin asked.

Bilba and Balin turned to shush him, but paled when Dori walked by.

"What are you looking… at?" the silver haired dwarf trailed off as he finally saw. He was frozen for but a moment then he charged at the dwarf who dared touch his sister.

The first blow landed right on Dwalin's nose, and Dori kept swinging from there. Dwalin brought his arms up to guard his head and block as many punches as he could, but he did not try to strike Dori back.

Ori, Balin, Thorin, and Bilba all yelled at Dori to stop. The noise brought everyone else running. It took four members of the Company to pull the silver haired dwarf off of Dwalin after he'd fallen to the ground. The thing that finally stopped Dori was Bombur, at Bilba's instruction, sitting on his legs.

"Get off me! Do none of you care about her honor?! I won't let him hurt her!" Dori ranted.

"'E's no' the one hurting her right now. Ye are," Nori scolded. "Just look at her! Ye made her cry!"

Dori looked for his sister and found that tears were indeed falling down her face as she and Oin knelt next to Dwalin helping him hold a handkerchief to his bleeding nose.

"But he just wants to use her," Dori objected. "He was touching her hair!"

"Look at tha' bead in her hair!" Nori shouted. "That's a courtin' gift if I ever saw one!"

"Is that true?" Fili asked. "Are the two of you courting now?"

"Yes," Ori said giving her eldest brother a nervous look.

Kili made a disgusted sound then he, Fili, Bofur, and Gloin tossed small bags of coins at Nori and surprisingly Oin.

"Dwarves," Bilba shook her head. "I think we have something more important to concern ourselves with than some bet."

"Yes, and this is precisely the reason I wanted you to wait until after the quest was completed to approach her," Thorin told his best friend.

"I'll take this, including the bloody nose, over possibly losing any chance at all," Dwalin shot back.

"I haven't given you my permission!" Dori objected.

"You have mine," Nori countered.

"Wha-?!" the elder brother started.

"Do you doubt Ori's judgment?" Bilba interrupted. "Do you doubt her ability to make a sound decision on who makes her happy?"

Dori sputtered.

"After all, she is your sister," Bilba continued. "Isn't that what you want for her? To be happy? It's true I do not know your customs and traditions, but I dare say that much is a common enough wish for siblings of any race."

"Ori's of age. Dwalin donna legally need permission. It's just fer tradition, 'n fer tradition he only needs one o' us to approve. But I know it'd make Ori happy ta have both our approvals, 'n I wanna see Ori happy!" Nori said ending in a shout.

"He's not good enough for her," Dori objected.

"Don't you think that's for Ori to decide?" Bilba reasoned.

This reminded Dori and the others that knew of the circumstances that lead to the hobbit to joining them on their quest - of how others trying to take away her choice had almost cost her dearly.

Dori's mouth gaped open and closed for a few seconds before finding himself. "Fine. I will give him permission to court Ori as long as they aren't intimate before a wedding takes place. And I expect the rest of you to act as chaperones as well!"

"Dori-," his brother sighed.

"If that is what he demands for his permission, I accept," Dwalin said. "Ori is worth it."

"Durn straight she is!" Dori exclaimed.

Those that had been sparing returned to the area they'd designated for it now that the commotion was over while Ori helped Dwalin back inside. Dori followed close behind, serious about chaperoning his sister, and Nori as well to temper his brother's protectiveness.

"Well, now! That went better than I thought it would," Gandalf chuckled.

"That was better?!" Bilba exclaimed.

"Oh, yes!" Gandalf affirmed. "That was, at most, a broken nose. It could have gone much, much worse!"

"Aye, lass. I could name quite a few courtships that started with worse injuries than that before permission was given," Balin said. "I'd just hoped to avoid it for my brother's sake."

Bilba stared at him aghast for a moment, then shook her head in disgust. "I'm going to pick some blackberries for tonight's supper. We have something to celebrate after all!"

"Blackberries?" Thorin asked interestedly just now spotting the bushes.

"Since your helper has gone to off be a nursemaid perhaps Thorin could help you," suggested Balin.

"Aye," said Oin. "He shouldna be moving his arms too much, but he can carry the basket for ye. And it will keep him from being tempted ta join the others in sparring."

Thorin gave the healer a scowl.

"As long as you can keep from eating more than we can pick, you are welcome to join me," Bilba chuckled picking up Beorn's basket from where it had been dropped and held it out to Thorin. "It will be a terrible trial, I know, but I'm sure you can do it!"

Thorin was able to resist temptation for several minutes before sneaking a blackberry into his mouth when Bilba's back was towards him. This continued for awhile before he had to freeze mid-chew when the hobbit turned back before he'd expected her to.

Bilba raised an eyebrow at him. "Open your mouth," she said.

Thorin swallowed quickly and then obeyed.

Bilba surprised him. Instead of scolding him for his no doubt blackberry stained tongue she threw one of the little juicy bundles into his mouth.

"I didn't say you couldn't have any!" Bilba smirked.

Thorin closed his mouth, smiling as he chewed the small treat.

After that every now and again she would turn and toss a blackberry lightly into the air and he understood he had to catch it in either is mouth or the basket. None of the berries she threw ended up in the basket.

oOoOoOo

Nearly every living creature at Beorn's house regularly took the opportunity to observe (spy on) Thorin and Bilba interact with one another throughout the day.

"Little Bunny seems to be very good for the Dwarf King," Beorn said to Gandalf from where they watched Bilba throw berries to Thorin.

"That she is," the wizard confirmed.

"You hope there is more between them," the skin-changer stated.

"I know there is more between them, even if they have yet to figure that out for themselves."

"If she has the potential to get him to become better than he is, I would encourage it," Beorn nodded. That is when Thorin and Bilba's relationship gained the support of a very large skin-changer.

oOoOoOo

The friendly atmosphere reminded Thorin of something he was supposed to speak with the hobbit about.

"Bilba, you know much about flowers do you not?" the dwarf asked her.

"I am reasonably knowledgeable for a hobbit," she turned a smile at him pleased to hear him call her by her name again. "I know others that know more."

Thorin liked seeing her smile, especially if it was for him. "Have you ever heard of a coumarin rose?" he inquired.

"Hmm…" Bilba took a moment to consider. "No, I can't say that I have ever heard of a rose by that name," she shook her head. "Why?"

"It's just a name I saw somewhere. I'd never heard of it either. I thought that since hobbits are so fond of plants perhaps you would know what it is." Thorin was disappointed. He had been sure he'd get the information they were looking for from Bilba.

"I'm sorry I can't help you, but now you have me curious. If you ever discover any more about it would you let me know?"

"Of course," Thorin said.

"I suppose it is possible it is another name for a flower I already know," Bilba mused. "Do you know anything about it? How was it used?"

"Used?" Thorin was unsure if he should explain that to her.

"Was it used to send a message?"

"How would a rose send a message?" Thorin asked confused.

"All flowers have meanings. You do not learn the language of flowers, I take it."

"No, we do not."

Bilba spent the rest of the day telling him about the language of flowers. Thorin was content to listen even if he was unfamiliar with many of the flowers mentioned. Certainly he was interested enough to accompany her into Beorn's kitchen and follow her orders as he assisted her in making several delicious somethings with the large basket of blackberries he'd carried in for her.

"That is a fascinating way to communicate," said Balin who had joined them to check on dinner. "Could you say something like 'I love you' in the flower language?"

Thorin narrowed his eyes at his friend and councilor where Bilba could not see.

"A single red rose in full bloom, and if the thorns are removed it means 'at first sight' too," Bilba told the white haired dwarf, though unlike Thorin, she was thinking about Ori and Dwalin. "Oh, dear me! I've been going on! Now, why don't you tell me what you do know about that coumarin rose and how it was used?"

"I am not precisely sure," Thorin hedged. "It said it was red in color and implied it was used as something harmful."

"Harmful?"

Thorin and Balin exchanged a glance. Because of their long acquaintance, Thorin could tell that Balin was encouraging him to answer truthfully, but would understand if chose to deflect.

"Like a poison," Thorin finally admitted.

"Poison!" Bilba exclaimed. "That doesn't make any sense! Roses are edible!"

"They are?" asked Thorin.

Balin followed with, "All of them?"

"Everyone that I know of, or at least the petals are. Other parts are dangerous to eat, but why mention a color unless it was the petals that were used?" Bilba walked over to the window and plucked three petals from a bloom on the rosebush that was just outside. "Here," she said handing each of them a petal, then popped one in her mouth.

Thorin exchanged a doubtful glance with Balin.

"There were flowers in several of the dishes I served in my smial. If they didn't kill you then, I think you will survive now!"

Balin shrugged and put his petal in his mouth. "Hmm! It tastes somewhere between strawberries and green apples with a slight perfume mixed in!"

Thorin put his own in. "It tastes like-" he said looking to his friend.

"Amber Queen!" they said together.

"So," Thorin said as they turned their gazes back to the hobbit, "Amber Queen is rose jam."

"Mhm," Bilba grinned. "It's been a prize winning entry at the Harvest Festival for the Baggins' for several generations now. But remember, that is a secret!"

"So Amber Queen is another one of your secret family recipes?" inquired Balin.

"Mhm!"

"Are you the one that makes the cases we buy?" Thorin wondered.

"Not the actual production, no. That is done by some very distant cousins, though I do know the recipe. The land my cousins live on is part of my father's estate. They grow the roses and make the jam and split the profit with the estate."

"If you can keep my sister supplied with Amber Queen she will love you forever!" Thorin smiled.

"I think I can work something out," said Bilba.

"One thing I have always wondered though is why it's called Amber Queen. An odd name from a people that doesn't actually have any royalty," said Thorin.

"Oh, that is easy! The type of rose used to make the jam is called 'Amber Queen'. We didn't name the rose itself. We use it because of the color, though any type of rose can be used."

"Isn't it difficult to keep it a secret in that case?" asked Balin.

"Not to anyone who doesn't know flowers, and there aren't really that many beyond the Shire that are that interested. As far as other hobbits go, it is the recipe itself that is secret, not the fact that it is rose jam."

"Are there many flowers that are edible?" inquired Thorin.

"Quite a few, yes! Violets are my personal favorite."

Thorin and Balin learned some interesting and in other circumstances possibly valuable information, but as far as finding out how their people were being killed they were back to square one.

oOoOoOo

They had a small celebration that night for Dwalin and Ori. Neither could stop the smiles from covering their faces and rarely took their eyes off one another. They sat side by side at the table holding hands while Dori watched them like a hawk.

Bilba was thrilled for her friend, she just hoped Dori wouldn't make things too difficult on the couple.

Thorin was genuinely happy for his friend, he just hoped this would not cause further strife on their quest.

Balin was overjoyed for his brother, he just hoped that they would get their 'happily ever after' together.

After dinner was over Oin enlisted Bilba's help once again in treating Thorin's wounds before heading to bed. Both she and Ori fell asleep to the dwarrowdam's whispered praises of her newly acquired suitor.

oOoOoOo

The following morning the houses occupants were starting on breakfast when the last two stragglers passed the open door on the way to the table. Fili looked outside and stopped, prompting his brother to look as well. Both wore a confused expression on their face.

"What is wrong?" Glorfindel asked.

"It's... snowing!" said Fili.

This was met with various exclamations including "It is too early in the year!" from Thorin, "It's nowhere near cold enough for snow!" from Balin, and "What do ye mean it's snowing?" from Dwalin.

Everyone rushed outside to look. Sure enough there were scattered flakes falling from the sky. It wasn't much, hardly even enough to really be considered snowing except that Thorin and Balin were correct - it was both too early and too warm for such weather.

Gandalf reached out and caught a flake on his hand then ground it between his fingers. The wizard looked up to the sky visibly concerned. "It isn't snow. It's ash."

oOoOoOo

Endnote:

WARNING!

Do NOT eat random flowers! The chemicals commonly used in gardening nowadays may make them unsafe to consume! Flowers meant for eating have to be grown specifically for that purpose!