At first Fili was certain Bilbo Baggins was as his uncle so nicely put it, nothing more than a "grocer" who really wouldn't be able to help them in their quest. Well, he wouldn't be as rude as Thorin was but the thought would be generally the same. That's why he laughed and joked without restraint in the hobbit hole, not bothered by the opinion of the Halfling on them.
But then, he will admit, he went a little bit too far by sending him alone against trolls. 3 trolls and without a sword to defend himself nonetheless. But it ended rather well, didn't it? After all the hobbit gained a little respect from all except Thorin for his quick wits. That had been the first time of many others that Bilbo saved their dwarven hides. By the time they reached Erebor, he was owed a few life-debts.
But everything went sour after they escaped from Mirkwood. Kili got hurt and had to stay in Laketown while all the others went to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. Oin stayed too so he could tend to the prince's injuries, and Bofur was nowhere to be found. Fili made his decision quite easily. He would stay by his brother's side no matter what. After Kili was cured by that red-haired, they made their way towards the mountain, their home.
The small trip was full with hesitation, fear, worry. They feared what they would find there, because if Smaug came and unleashed his fire on the man-town, who could say what happened to the Company. Maybe they died, roasted or sliced or eaten.
(It filled Fili with dread just to think about it.)
Or maybe they hid while they waited for the dragon to leave after it woke up.
(It was not very likely, knowing the strong-headness of dwarves and even more of Thorin, but it made the hope live in their chests.)
They finally arrived to the glorious Lonely Mountain, only to be stopped by an erratic Bilbo. "You have to leave." He kept repeating. They did not listen. Maybe they should have. Maybe they could have avoided this if they did. But they didn't listen and rushed to see their family, their friends, their newly reclaimed home. Just to be assured that they truly lived.
That night, Fili joined Bilbo in a little alcove the hobbit could curl in, feeling hopeless, helpless and powerless. "What happened to Laketown? To Bard?" The burglar asked after a few minutes of silence. "The town burned. Really burned. Bard was the one to kill the dragon, so I can guess he's fine."
Another silence stretched time, making it seem longer and tiring. "Don't worry Fili. He'll be alright. We just have to be patient." At that the blond broke and told what was on his mind. "He promised! He promised he would be strong enough. He promised to Amad he would never fall for the gold's lure. I heard him, the night before we set out. He swore he would not turn into his grandfather Thròr. And look at him now." Bitterness replaced the anger and it was laced in his voice, making the hobbit frown.
"Fili. Listen to me. Don't blame Thorin for this. Don't blame your uncle for anything might do while under this sickness. Don't, and I mean, never ever, lose your respect for him. Under this weird, mean, behaviour, there is still your beloved uncle Thorin, who is fighting to get out, to be heard, to be seen. And I know he will fight his way out of the gold thrall. I know he will. I trust him."
Bilbo said it with so much confidence, and trust that it made Fili believe his words. He believed because it gave him hope. So he believed. He was certainly not prepared for what happened next.
Next: Kili
I'm sorry it took so long. I faced a writer block but anyway here's the new chapter. I know it's a bit short but so far I think it's my favorite chapter. (Maybe because I have a slight, really slight crush on Fili. Idk maybe.)
Anyway there should be only two or three chapters left.