"What if they have archers?"
Bilba paused in the middle of pulling herself onto Syrath's back and looked over her shoulder. What? Why would they have archers?
"Why wouldn't they?" Fili argued. "He's a paranoid bastard."
Someone is certainly paranoid, Bilba agreed, turning to lean back against Syrath's shoulder, but I'm not sure it's him.
Fili did not look amused. He was several feet below her and, she had to admit, looking down on him from that height was fun. Not that he seemed the least bit intimidated. Irritating.
They were in the dragon levels, almost empty now but for a few of the younger dragons and their harried parents. Bilba was wearing her light armor and weapons, including the new sword that Fili had gifted to her early since she had...misplaced the other one.
He, in turn, had his weapons and sword but hadn't yet put on his armor. Bilba doubted they'd need any of it, but she had an image she wanted to project on this visit, and the armor and weapons were a big part of it.
Fili was giving her that look that said arguing would just end up wasting her time so, with a sigh, Bilba tilted her head toward Syrath. Is Slyphe awake?
Syrath turned his head back until it was mere inches from hers. He'd grown enough that his head alone was larger than her body, which was nice as it gave her a better perch when she needed to fire arrows. You must be joking.
Bilba raised an eyebrow. Do I look like I'm joking?
I don't know, Syrath said. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
I could just call for her myself, Bilba said mildly. If she was asleep, it probably wouldn't do much as only her parents, Syrath or Varegeth could awaken her when she was out, but she'd give it a try.
Syrath gave her the dragon version of a scowl. You shouldn't encourage her. She's reckless enough.
She's no worse than Varegeth was at that age. Bilba replied.
Syrath gave her a look that suggested he begged to differ but did as she asked.
A commotion started from the nearby nursery area, and Fili turned to look, eyebrows raising. "Oh, you didn't."
She raised an eyebrow. You were the one complaining about archers. She has the best eyesight of anyone and is small enough that she won't mess up my plan.
In the near distance, the figure of a baby drake spun around the corner. She somehow managed to trip over nothing, fell and rolled into the wall but was up immediately and continuing as if nothing had happened.
A few seconds later she galloped straight into Syrath's leg, scrambled up and then was swirling up and around Bilba's body until she finally ended up perched on her shoulder, tiny chest heaving as she caught her breath.
"Lyth and Sardin are never going to agree," Fili warned.
Bilba raised an eyebrow before sending, Is it okay if I borrow your daughter for a few hours? I promise she won't leave my sight, or theirs, since Sardin and Lyth wouldn't be all that far.
That's fine, Lyth sent back, while Sardin sent a similar sentiment a few minutes later. Bilba felt the tiniest bit of relief from both and figured they were probably excited for the free babysitting. Slyphe was a bundle of endless energy at the best of times and had the worst habit of getting herself into things. Bilba had lost track of the number of times she'd been asked to go rescue the tiny gold and bronze dragon from high shelves in the library, or random closets she'd wandered into and subsequently found herself trapped in when someone closed the door without seeing her.
They said it's fine, she sent to Fili with only the smallest bit of smugness. Lyth and Sardin knew she'd die before she allowed anything to happen to their daughter and, truly, Fili was being paranoid. Bilba hadn't planned any of this to be dangerous. She was simply making a point. If she didn't, idiots all over Middle Earth might start thinking they could attack her through the dragons or, worse, that they could abduct a dragon and use it for Mahal only knew what.
Fili still didn't look happy so Bilba sighed, put a hand on Slyphe to keep her in place, and then stepped forward and right off Syrath's leg.
Fili caught her around the waist with ease, holding her so her feet didn't touch the floor. Bilba wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead against his.
Slyphe quite enjoyed that, Syrath sent. She wants to do it again.
Maybe later, Bilba told him with amusement.
Please don't, Sardin broke in. We're worried enough already about what she's going to get into once she can fly. She doesn't need any ideas.
Bilba laughed. Apologies, Sardin. I'll try my best to refrain.
Slyphe scooted off her shoulder until she was hanging onto the back of Bilba's shirt. Bilba felt her hesitate and then, in a quick move, leap off to land on Syrath again.
Knowing she could trust him to keep an eye on the little dragon, Bilba proceeded to kiss Fili quite soundly. He responded, only to pull back a few minutes later and say, "You know, you can't just kiss me any time you want to distract me from something."
Bilba kissed him again just because she could and then put her hands on his chest and pushed. He set her on her feet and loosened his hold, resting his hands lightly on her hips.
"You still look tired."
Well, that's just rude, Bilba retorted. Truth was, she was tired, but she wasn't willing to leave Braxis in captivity any longer than necessary simply because she was a little fatigued. It wasn't just that he was a dragon, or that he had a worried mate and children waiting for him.
It was that he was her dragon, just as much as Syrath or Lyth or Xalanth or any of the multitude of other dragons she'd bonded with. She may not be as close to them all, or even have met them all, but it didn't change the fact that she owed them all. If they needed her, all they needed to do was ask and she'd treat them no different than she treated Syrath.
Still, that didn't mean she was averse to stifling a large yawn and unwinding her arms from around Fili's neck to loop them around his waist and lean against him. He hugged her back and she snuggled into him, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. You are unfairly comfortable.
He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. "Since we're not on the subject, did you get a chance to ask my uncle to speak to Thengel?"
Thorin? Bilba asked innocently. I just talked to Thengel myself. Well, I talked, and Frerin interpreted for me since Thengel isn't a rider.
Fili tensed. "Please tell me you didn't start a war with Rohan."
Bilba pulled back and took his face in her hands. I did not start a war with Rohan. She pushed up on her toes to kiss him and then pulled away again toward Syrath.
"You really should rest longer," Fili grumbled, choosing to not ask anything else about Thengel because he already knew he wouldn't like the answer.
I'll sleep on the way there. Past him, Bilba caught sight of her father entering the level and felt her eyes widen at the thunderous scowl on his face.
"I don't like this," he stated flatly as he neared.
It won't be a problem, Bilba tried to assure him. I won't be in any danger.
"This asshole is holding a dragon," Dwalin corrected, "and we have no idea how."
He's thinking about Belladonna, Fili said, and Bilba frowned up at him.
This is entirely different.
Not to him, it isn't.
Bilba grumbled to herself. This would have been much easier had she simply done it herself and then told everyone about it after. She went and wrapped both arms around her father. How about if you come with me?
His eyes narrowed. "Me and how many others?"
Bilba narrowed her own eyes. One.
"Three," he growled.
Two, she countered, and no royals. It'll ruin my fun.
Fili muttered something, but she simply grinned at him. He'd get his fun, her plan just called for it to be a little later was all.
"Fine," Dwalin growled, "but the first sign of something going wrong and I'm removing heads, Thengel be damned."
Bilba's grin grew wider. I don't think he'd have a problem. He's very grateful for my gracious offer of aid.
"Your offer of what?" Fili asked in surprise.
Bilba stepped away from her father and slapped Fili lightly on the chest as she walked past. Time to go! I'll get out two extra babysitters on the way. I've already got the perfect pair in mind.
"Why do I feel I won't like it?" Dwalin muttered as he followed her.
Bilba climbed up Syrath's shoulder, retrieved Slyphe from where she was sitting on one of his wings, and swung onto his back. You'll love it. You'll see.
Her father did not love it.
Bilba could feel him simmering, literally could feel it through their bond. He wasn't mad at her per se. He was angry at Tamrin and this idiot they were about to deal with. He was also tired and tended to get cranky, unlike Bilba who, according to others, got overly reckless and hyper.
He was riding behind her now, waves of irritation radiating off him. I thought you said no royals.
Bilba rolled her eyes. Clearly she hadn't meant Frerin when she'd said that. He was currently riding on her left side, while Vili rode on her right. I brought Vili too, that should make you happy.
Vili was simply married to a royal and therefore did not actually count as one.
Her father muttered something, but Bilba graciously ignored him. She was having a great day. She'd retrieved the babies, was about to get Braxis back, got to threaten an idiot in the process which would at least partly make up for Tamrin dying too fast, and then she'd had a fantastic idea to boot. One she was sure Fili would agree to, hopefully.
That would depend on what it was, Fili's voice sounded in her head. Your last great idea involved jumping off a dragon at high altitude and seeing if one at a lower altitude could catch you.
Bilba scowled. Her bond with Fili had grown to such an extent that they often tended to leak their thoughts and emotions to another without intending too. It wasn't so much a problem for him, but occasionally could be for her. The more excited she got, the higher the guarantee he was to hear about it.
She felt the horse shift beneath her as it adjusted to the hill they were climbing. Rohan looked mostly like a boring flat plain from the air. From the ground it was a boring plain with a lot of hills.
They crested the hill and there, just ahead of them, lay their destination. From air or land the estate was impressive, a massive mansion constructed of carved stone blocks. It was several stories high and must have housed dozens upon dozens of rooms.
The outside was just as ostentatious, squatting upon acres and acres of overdone gardens, and stuffed full of every kind of statue, fountain or other fancy thing that one could possibly think about. The entire thing was dedicated to showing off the wealth and rank of the person who owned it, even the location in the middle of absolute nowhere was probably designed to ensure no one could possibly compete with the home's opulence.
As they rode closer, Bilba noted that several statues depicted highly stylized dragons. Leaping, twirling, twisting in all manner of shapes and forms, they appeared more simple animals than intelligent, sentient beings.
"Looks like someone wishes he were a rider," Vili mused from next to her.
Looks like someone bought into the crap that dragons are just smart dogs, Bilba retorted. She'd met several non-riders who desperately wished they were riders. Some found a way to work alongside dragons, others simply dealt with it. Not one of them, to date that she'd met, had decided the way to go was to kidnap a freaking dragon and hold it like a damn pet.
They reached the bottom of the hill and continued riding until they'd reached the very edge of the vast green space that made up the idiot's lawn. Vaguely, Bilba wondered what it cost to keep it all watered, and how they managed considering they were, literally, in the middle of nowhere. She couldn't even picture where the nearest river was.
Maybe they get it from underground, Frerin said.
Perhaps, Bilba thought, and absently added the possibility to her plan. They'd need to check before they left. She did so like to be thorough in her work.
A long, wide walkway made from river rock which must have been imported wound lazily along the green space, deliberately laid out in a way that would show off much of the grounds as it made its way toward the front of the house.
"You'd think they'd have invested in a wall at some point," Frerin pointed out.
Bilba shrugged. He's too arrogant to think he needs one and, besides, it'd detract from commoners getting to see his wealth as they pass by.
Vili frowned at her. "How do you know all that?"
I've met people like him before, Bilba said simply. They tend to be much the same.
The weight on her back shifted and Slyphe slowly crept up until she could rest her head on Bilba's shoulder. Bilba lightly scratched the tiny dragon's head, before tilting her head to look at Frerin. Would you mind getting their attention for us?
Bilba, Fili practically growled in her head.
Bilba rolled her eyes. Syrath would you kindly ask Slyphe if she sees any archers?
On her shoulder, Slyphe squinted forward and then proceeded to dramatically dart her head from one of Bilba's shoulders to the other, before pushing up to look over her head as well a few times.
Bilba sighed, but let the small dragon have her fun. Well?
She says no.
Bilba twisted in her saddle and shot a sunny smile at her father. See, I told you so. He thinks too highly of himself to have guards.
Her father glowered at her. Cockiness gets you killed, brat. Once we get back I'm going to work on training that out of you.
Bilba's eyes narrowed and she huffed before twisting back around in her saddle.
Don't look to me for pity, Fili said before she could do anything. I agree with him.
Great, Bilba shot back in mock anger. Then you two can get married and I'll run away with Frerin.
Beside her, Frerin snorted. People who had far too much time on their hands had come up with the rumor years ago that the reason Bilba and Frerin spent so much time together was that they were secretly lovers. Why they didn't say that about her and Vili, who she spent just as much time with, Bilba had no idea but there it was.
Beside her, Frerin released his bow from where it had been strapped to the saddle, pulled an arrow from the quiver at his hip and nocked it to the bowstring.
Bilba felt the resignation from Fili and sent him the mental equivalent of a placating pat on the shoulder. You're the one who gave me the arrow idea.
Trust me, I regret it.
With Slyphe guiding his aim, courtesy of Syrath, Frerin released the arrow and they watched as it sailed on its way, cracking through the glass of a lower floor window and coming to a stop in a very expensive looking portrait on the far wall.
Oh, very nice, Bilba said approvingly.
I could have made that shot, Kili grumbled in her mind.
Next time don't shoot the bastard before I get a chance to gloat and maybe I'll let you, Bilba shot back.
Frerin drew a second arrow and Slyphe, now confident of the lack of archers, scrambled up to mostly sit on Bilba's head to get a better look. A second arrow, a second marred painting followed quickly by a third and a fourth one.
Before Frerin could send a fifth, the front door burst open and a man came huffing out. Tall and spindly and dressed in simple tunic and trousers, he looked rather nervous as he hurried toward them, casting anxious glances over his shoulder every few steps as if hoping to be called back.
Does that look like the master of the house to you? Bilba asked, tilting her head to look at Vili.
"It does not," Vili replied. "I'd say that is the Steward, or whatever is closest to it."
Hmmm. Slyphe slid over her shoulder, carefully balancing and then half climbed, half fell into Bilba's lap in a heap of wings and limbs. She untangled herself in a truly impressive amount of time and sat up with her head up and chest out, casually surveying the area.
"You!" The man shouted as he drew near. "What are you doing? You will stop this at once! Do you have any idea whose ire you risk?"
"We do indeed," Frerin said, sounding as happy as Bilba felt. "The better question is, do you?"
Nice, Bilba silently applauded. You sound like those annoying wizards.
The man huffed and then proceeded to literally stick his nose in the air. "You are trespassing on the estate of his Most Esteemed Lord Baldor the Wise". Bilba snorted, and the man proceeded to turn a look of pure disdain on her. "And you are?"
"This," Frerin said, even more cheerful than before, "is Orcrist. You may have heard of her."
The man started to sneer, only to stop as his eyes zeroed in on Slyphe where she was seated on Bilba's lap. The expression on his face turned downright greedy, and his voice became crafty when next he spoke. Bilba was honestly surprised he managed to refrain from rubbing his hands together in glee.
"Could it be you've heard of my Lord's desire to own a dragon and have come to offer him one in the hopes of currying his favor?"
Bilba frowned. Did he just completely overlook the fact that she was associated with the royal family of Erebor and had no need of the favor of some no account lordling with an inflated ego?
More likely they don't consider the royal family of Erebor to be all that significant, Fili said. I've met some idiots in the world who are convinced Erebor is little more than a hill with a population of a dozen or so.
Even if that were true, Bilba answered. Dragons.
Fili laughed and then settled back into the near constant presence she always felt in the back of her mind.
"Oh, we're quite aware of your master's desire for a dragon," Vili chimed in. "We've been hearing about it all day, in fact, from the one he's already imprisoned."
The man blinked at him, and then blinked again. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about." He frowned at Bilba suddenly. "Surely the lady can speak for herself on the matter, or do you usually have lackeys do your talking for you?"
I'm about to let my axe do my talking for me, Dwalin said casually from behind them. He'd been doing an admirable job of not killing the idiot. Bilba was impressed.
"She wouldn't dream of lowering herself," Frerin replied. "Besides, we really aren't here for that. We're here to give you a warning."
"I beg your pardon?" the man asked.
"You may not," Frerin said flatly.
Beside him, Bilba cocked her head to one side as Pygrasse contacted her. We found him. It took a bit of time, but he's fine. I can't say the same for the idiots guarding him. They were keeping him in a pit of all things and trying to train him as if he were a dog. They also shot at us. I roasted them.
There was an undertone of very real anger in the otherwise calm dragon's tone, and that was the reason that, in the end, Bilba's plan wasn't really all that overly dramatic. A message needed to be sent, not just to the people targeting dragons, but to the dragons themselves.
"Your master has exactly..." Frerin paused as he considered for a moment, "a half hour to entirely vacate the manor before it and all his lands are forfeit for the crime of attacking a dragon."
The man gaped at him, literally gaped. Then he started laughing. "You must be joking."
"Not at all," Vili said calmly. "You now have about twenty-nine minutes."
"Really?" the man mocked. "And by whose authority and power, exactly, do you think you will accomplish this?" he gestured toward Bilba. "Hers? She may have a few dragons, but do you really think she could simply attack anyone she pleases without consequence?"
Frerin smiled, and not at all a nice one. "Your master believed he could take a dragon without consequence, didn't he?"
Overhead, a roar rang out. The man jerked his head up, just in time to see the shapes of Pygrasse and Jarsun bursting through a very convenient and welcome cloud bank that had moved in during the morning. Clearly, Bilba thought, the Valar approved of her plan.
Two more shapes came through, one of them moving sluggishly and Bilba saw the startled look from the man's face as he recognized Braxis, soaring along beside Astrith.
The four landed a few minutes later, Jarsun and Pygrasse to one side, Astrith and Braxis to the other. The mottled gray and brown dragon looked tired and quickly lay down once he'd landed, causing Bilba to frown in concern. Are you all right?
I'm fine, he returned tiredly. Those assholes drugged me.
You can return to Erebor if you wish, Bilba told him. We can provide an escort. We'll handle things here.
No, he answered at once. I want to see this through.
As you will, Bilba replied.
"Braxis has given us a full rundown of exactly what you did to him," Vili said. "And you now have about twenty-five minutes."
The man snorted, though he did look at least a tiny bit uneasy for the first time. "Nonsense. Only a rider can supposedly 'hear' a dragon, and no king of Rohan would take a rider's word for anything. You move against my master and you'll start a war."
"Are you quite sure of that?" Frerin asked.
He gestured almost lazily over his shoulder. The man's eyes followed the movement, and Bilba watched as the color drained from his face.
Bilba didn't have to look to know exactly what he was seeing. Over the hill behind them more horses were coming, in six separate groups.
There was the Thain of the Shire with several of his family members. With the passing of Gerontius, her grandfather; his son Isengrim had reached out to mend the relationship with Dwalin. Bilba wouldn't say they were close, but they at least talked from time to time which was more than before.
Next came Elrond with his sons, followed by Arathorn and his wife with Aragorn and Arwen by their side. It had taken years for Aragorn to move on from the loss of Barahir and there were still days when he would become melancholy or simply stare off into space until someone reminded him where he was.
After them, came Thorin with Dis, Fili and Kili flanking him. Fili, as requested, had worn his fancy prince clothes as had all the royals save Frerin who simply didn't own any. Thranduil was near Thorin, his son Legolas at his side and then, there, in the center of the line and slightly ahead of them all rode Thengel, the King of Rohan, with his family. Behind all six groups rode contingents of soldiers from all six kingdoms, outfitted in full armor and weapons.
"Summon your lord," Thengel ordered as he came to a stop beside Vili. "Immediately."
"Twenty-five minutes," Frerin said as the man turned to scurry back into the house.
It was only a few minutes later that the man returned, this time behind another man who was doing his very best to hustle without looking like it. He was also in the process of dragging on heavy looking robes and chains, clearly in the hope of looking as important as he thought he was.
"Your Majesty," he intoned, dropping to a knee before Thengel's horse. He lifted his head and stood, without being given permission Bilba noted, and said, "I don't know what these people have told you, Your Majesty, but surely you know that-"
"Silence," Thengel ordered, and the Lord, Baldor or whatever it had been, snapped his mouth shut. "You have trespassed against the dragons, a sovereign race, and have thus earned their ire. You have twenty minutes to gather your people to be brought to Edoras. In the meantime, your lands and title are forfeit to the dragons as reparations for your crime."
Lord Not-The-Brightest stared at Thengel in wide eyed shock before saying, "Your Majesty, you must be joking. I mean-" he gestured at where Braxis was resting with his head on Astrith, which was interesting as his Steward had denied ever capturing a dragon at all, let alone that one. "It's just a dragon."
In Bilba's lap, Slyphe hissed. The lord looked at her and then gestured. "You see? The mute has one as a pet. Surely, it's not so bad a thing that I would wish one? It seems rather unfair that only so-called riders should get access to them. Just think of all the uses we could find for-"
His voice trailed off as he slowly realized how utterly still and silent the entire group had become. Behind them all Pygrasse and Jarsun had both risen only to lower themselves toward the ground in what was clearly a hunting pose.
"I can see I have been far too kind," Thengel said finally, voice like stone. He raised a finger, and, behind him, his soldiers moved forward.
"Your Majesty?" asked the one in front.
"Empty the house," Thengel ordered, "and take this fool into custody. Allow no property to be removed."
Harsh, Fili said in Bilba's mind. Not everyone in the house is guilty. What exactly did you say to him?
The truth, Bilba replied. That Rohan lay on the very cusp of a war with the dragons, and there was little any of us could have done to stop it.
Too long had the wild dragons been harassed now, and far too little had been done about it. There had always been bad information about dragons and their riders, rumors and outright myth but, in recent years, it had grown so much worse, so much more widespread.
Word that riders didn't exist, and it was all just a lie to keep dragons in certain, privileged circles. That they were merely beasts, capable of being trained like any other if you got them young enough. That they could be used as a messenger service, to pull carts or to protect homes and properties.
Bilba had even heard some whispers of a desire to fight them, to build an arena much like the one she'd been forced into in Moria, but this one for dragons.
There were other whispers she'd heard too, and more now that this had all happened. Attacks and harassment of dragons, attempts to steal eggs and younger dragons, and a slowly rising anger that Bilba had been vaguely aware of but hadn't truly recognized.
Not until this, when someone had taken baby dragons, and a young adult. Anger had exploded into something more and a few of the younger, hot headed dragons had wanted to start meting out their own form of justice. It wasn't just Men who were responsible, or just Rohan, but they had become the symbol for every injustice the dragons had suffered.
Bilba hadn't been joking when she'd said Thengel wouldn't be a problem. All she'd done was sit him down, with Frerin beside her to interpret, and told him the absolute truth. The dragons were pissed, and Rohan was quickly becoming the physical representation of a nameless, faceless enemy they'd been fighting for years.
"Ten minutes," Frerin said from beside her. A glance at the house showed Thengel's soldiers coming out, escorting a group of servants and a woman who appeared to be the lord's wife. There were no children, for which Bilba was grateful.
They're coming, Pygrasse said in her mind.
Bilba raised her head and watched as a dragon punched through the cloud deck overhead. This one was quickly followed by another, and another after that. Within a few minutes the sky overhead was lit by a swirling mass of dragons of every color, from every race. Many of them were shooting fire as they twirled and spun and, for a second, Bilba found herself transported back to the moment all those years ago when she'd knelt at the entrance to Moria and watched the sky burn.
Tiny talons gripping her shirt pulled her back to reality as Slyphe clambered up her chest to partially balance on her shoulder as she watched the dragons overhead.
"Are those all wild dragons?" Frerin asked next to her. "I didn't realize there were so many."
Bilba reached out and found herself bonded to many of those in the sky but it was almost as an afterthought for both. There were just so many of them and only one of her but, even so, she needed to do better. All of this was partly on her. What good was it to be bonded to almost all the world's dragons if she couldn't help them when they needed it or stop them from declaring war on a kingdom?
More dragons appeared overhead, and these she recognized. Lyth, Xalanth, Sardin, Syrath, Varegeth and more. Pygrasse and Jarsun took off to join them, while Astrith and Braxis chose to remain below.
Slyphe was preparing to jump off her, so Bilba lowered her gaze to properly transfer the small dragon over to Vili. As Sardin's rider, he spent a lot of time with the little dragon and it was no surprise to see her quickly curl up in his lap and fall asleep.
The lord was still babbling to Thengel, but he was being ignored as the king of Rohan kept his head up, watching the display overhead. His solders had gathered everyone into a group and began to lead them away, back over the hill and toward a wagon that had been brought specifically to move them to Edoras. Once there, the servants, and possibly the wife if she could prove she knew nothing, would be offered positions. Lord Baldor would be exiled.
Overhead, the dragons turned as a wave to face the estate down below. Thorin barked an order and, as one, the groups of horses and royals began to move backwards, away from the land. The word of what happened here would spread, hopefully warning future idiots while simultaneously placating the dragons.
A hand reached out to grab her horse's bridle and she shot an amused look at Fili as he pulled her horse around to back away from the lawn. I was going to move.
"Sure you were," Fili said.
They reached a safe spot, just before the hill and turned back to watch. Overhead, Pygrasse, Jarsun, Lyth and Xalanth took up position in front of the veritable army of dragons. They roared and were quickly joined by the voices of the other dragons, echoing through the air like the rumble of thunder.
Then, as one, they dove.
Bilba stood at the top of the hill and watched the estate of Lord Thought-He-Could-Steal-A-Dragon-And-No-One-Would-Notice burn to the ground.
Soon, it'd be little more than a black scorch mark upon the land, a reminder to everyone of what happened when you pissed off the dragons long enough and hard enough. Most of the wild dragons had left, while the ones from Erebor and the other kingdoms were lounging about the plains.
Pulling her eyes away, Bilba locked them on where Fili stood idly watching the fire burn. She headed over, wrapped an arm around his waist, used it to swing around his body and then pushed up on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I don't trust you," Fili said, eyes narrowing, but he also didn't resist when she went to kiss him. Instead he hooked his fingers into her belt and used it to drag her up against his body. Bilba pulled away as much as he allowed and put her hands on his shoulders.
I have an amazing idea.
He frowned. "I think I already told you my impression of your 'amazing ideas'."
Bilba rolled her eyes. You'll like this one. Let's get married.
He gave her a confused look. "I thought we were doing that already, eventually, once emergencies stop happening every five seconds."
I mean right now, Bilba said. Everyone is here, we're all dressed already. We can get married now and then do the fancy feast thing when we get back.
Fili started to object, and then stopped as he considered. "You want to get married in front of a giant fi-" he cut off with a sigh. "Never mind, of course you do."
You should say yes, Bilba said, bouncing a little on her toes as pent up energy surged through her. If we wait Morgoth might come back or something equally awful. She ran her hands down his arms and grinned at him. Besides, the sooner we get married the sooner we can leave for Shire for the two weeks I got Thorin to agree to let us have.
He looked startled, and then a pleased grin crossed his face. "Did you now? Who's going to take my spot in Council meetings?"
"I am," Kili groused as he walked past, "and you'll owe me for it for the rest of your life."
It's my wedding present to you, Bilba said cheerfully. Well, not Kili being on the Council. The Shire. Just you and me, and my father of course and probably a contingent of security and dragons and such, but as close to you and me as it ever gets.
He considered her. "You know, the more I think about it the more I like this idea of yours."
Bilba grinned, kissed him quickly and then looped her arm through his. Then shall we find Thorin and see if we can set an Ereborean record for the shortest wedding in history?
He nodded, with a grin of his own. "I think that sounds like an excellent idea. Let's go."
And so they did, and soon enough Bilba found herself marrying her One surrounded by her family, friends, dragons and a massive fire in the background.
It was perfect.