Chapter 3 is here! And it's the final chapter of this lovely little fic that I've had so much fun writing! I'm thinking about writing a sequel as to what would happen next, let me know if you think it needs one, or just leave as is? I hope you all enjoy! Thank you 3 Also I'm very tired, I hope this actually is OK
Chapter 3
Several dwarves jumped as the door flung open and Nori, Ori and Dori stomped in.
"You have news already?" Thorin asked in surprise, taking in the trio's heavy breathing, as if they'd hurried here as fast as they could.
"Ay" Dori said with a slight frown, taking a seat and looking around at the assembled dwarves.
"Well, who was it!?" Kili burst out impatiently, several other dwarves nodding along.
"We managed to find a place where we could observe Bilbo's room undetected, and we saw none other than Thorin Stonehelm arrive."
Fili gasped the other dwarves looked equally surprised.
"That's not all" Nori said heavily, taking a seat beside his brother. "Bilbo was smiling like a bride on her wedding day when he opened the door to Rin."
Thorin looked perplexed.
"You think our hobbit likes Rin?" he questioned.
"Ay, I do" Nori agreed as he pulled out a chair and sunk into it, heart feeling heavy for his friend.
"We ran into him in the halls when he was carrying the food he'd prepared from the kitchens to his room. He blushed so prettily when he mentioned his guest" Ori continued with a sad look around the room.
"Surely Bilbo realises that a dwarf can love none but their one. Whatever he is feeling will never be returned" Balin said seriously.
The table turned quiet at that.
"Perhaps you're mistaken" Gloin put in hopefully. "Bilbo may just be excited at the prospect of a new friend, especially as his current friends have been treating him so poorly lately. We all know how kind our hobbit is."
A few faces cleared slightly at that.
"Perhaps" Balin said thoughtfully. "We should keep an eye on the situation though, I'm sure we would all hate for Bilbo to get his heart broken."
There were collective nods and noises of agreement, before the dwarves started filing out, returning to their own homes and rooms for the evening.
Bilbo couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he climbed into bed that night, snuggling down as he pulled his thick blanket tighter around himself. The whole evening had gone wonderfully. Rin had adored the food, eating every bite and complimenting Bilbo so thoroughly that he thought his ears would still be burning a month from now. They had laughed and chatted like old friends, not people who had barely known each other for a few days.
After all the food had been eaten, they had retired to the comfortable chairs around Bilbo's pleasantly crackling fireplace and kept talking. Rin sharing his experiences growing up in the Iron Hills and Bilbo, telling stories about the mischief he got up to as a fauntling in the Shire.
Rin's eyes had twinkled, and he'd slapped his knee as he laughed uproariously as Bilbo told the story of a misspent summer where he had decided that he would become a ranger. His cheeks still flushed in embarrassment all these years later as he told of getting thoroughly lost and needing to be rescued by his mother.
When Bilbo spoke of the fell winter and losing his parents, Rin had pulled him into his lap and wrapped his thick arms around him tightly. Offering comfort as he shared the death of his own beloved mother to a wasting sickness some years back.
Even when the conversation had returned to happier topics Rin hadn't let Bilbo go and the hobbit hadn't made any attempt to move away.
When it had grown late, and Bilbo just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer he'd reluctantly pulled himself to his feet and walked Rin to the door. Rin's hands lingering on his shoulder, his arm, his waist as they walked, leaving a warmth that had lingered long after their murmured goodnights.
It had been one of the best evenings of Bilbo's life.
His good mood stayed with him all night and he woke up feeling warm and fuzzy the following morning.
Bilbo had practically skipped to the dining hall to break his fast, happily surprised to find Rin waiting at the doors for him. The dwarf looked as stoic as ever, hair done up in an intricate braid and his face grim as he surveyed those walking by him to enter the hall.
"Good morning, Bilbo" Rin said his face breaking into a broad grin as he spotted the smaller male, his hand once again wrapping itself around Bilbo's waist and pulling him close.
"Good morning, Rin" Bilbo said with a shy glance up at the tall dwarf.
Rin's expression softened and he tucked a loose curl behind Bilbo's ear.
"Thank you again for last night, Bilbo. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much. I was hoping you would let me return the favour sometime soon?" The dwarf asked formally, his dark blue eyes serious as he looked down at the smaller being.
"I- that sounds wonderful" Bilbo said as a soft blush dusting his cheeks.
Rin smiled at that, his eyes crinkling with warmth.
"Excellent! Now…food! I can't have my hobbit going hungry, especially now I know how much he likes to eat."
Bilbo felt his ears turning red now, as well as his cheeks. He playfully shoved Rin, though the large dwarf didn't move at all.
"I'll have you know I eat a perfectly respectable amount for a hobbit, thank you very much" Bilbo said primly, a grin pulling up the corner of his mouth.
"Well, since there's no other hobbits around, I guess I'll just have to take your word for it, eh?" Rin said as both walked into the large hall.
Bilbo froze in shock at the sight that greeted him.
Thorin was sitting at his place on the high table, a spot that had been vacant for several weeks now. And not just Thorin, but also Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili and… Dain.
Bilbo swallowed thickly, quickly focusing back on his friends… his family, all who were watching him intently. He was happy to see them all, though confused as to their sudden appearance. Focused as he was on the sight before him, he failed to notice Rin's dark frown.
"Bilbo, come join us!" Kili called out merrily, patting the vacant spot in between himself and Fili.
"Rin, I have several matters that need to be discussed with you" Dain said with a pointed look at the chair beside him.
Bilbo felt Rin's grip tighten around his waist and he looked up to find him staring darkly at the whole high table.
"Are you OK?" Bilbo asked quietly, drawing Rin's attention away from the others and to himself.
The large dwarf closed his eyes for a moment before nodding.
"Ay, I'm fine lad. You go join your friends."
With obvious reluctance Bilbo found himself released as Rin took a step back and let his arms drop. The hobbit was surprised to find that Rin wore what could only be described as a sad look upon his face.
Oh, Bilbo didn't like that at all.
He hesitantly stepped back towards the dwarf, reaching out a hand and pulling Rin's arm back around his waist. The material of Rin's dark cloak was soft as Bilbo allowed his hands to linger for a moment as Rin took the invitation offered to him and pulled the hobbit close again. Bending low to bury his nose in Bilbo's hair and breathe in his sweet scent.
"I'd much rather eat with you" Bilbo said quietly but sincerely, meeting Rin's fierce blue eyes.
Rin couldn't help the blinding smile that broke out on his face at the words or the triumphant smirk that he shot at the company as the auburn-haired dwarf pulled Bilbo away to a quiet table still piled high with food.
Kili called out to him again, but Bilbo just waved back happily and returned to eating his breakfast and chatting to Rin about their plans for the day.
'I'm thinking I may do some exploring today, see if there is anywhere in or around this mountain where I could have a small garden" Bilbo said as he scooped up some eggs and popped them in his mouth.
Rin nodded seriously, he could picture this beautiful little creature happily working in a garden, sun glinting off his curls and a smudge of dirt upon his cheek.
"Wait for me to come with you" Rin said, and Bilbo gave him a surprised look. "I have a meeting this morning, then I will ask around, see if there is anywhere suitable. We can go and scout some places after that."
Rin didn't like the idea of Bilbo wandering around to unknown, rarely used places on his own.
Bilbo smiled happily. "That sounds perfect. I will see Bombur about packing us a lunch."
"What sounds perfect?"
Bilbo looked up in surprise to find Bofur standing in front of them and glaring something fierce, the usual smile gone.
Bilbo worried his lip at his friend's dark countenance.
"Whatever is the matter, Bofur?" Bilbo asked, already standing up and ready to help.
Bofur tried to call on his usual smile, but he found he just couldn't today, not when faced with his dear friend's inevitable heartbreak.
"Nothing, dear Bilbo. Ori sent me to ask if you would join him in the library today?"
Bilbo looked hesitant, clearly not believing the hat wearing dwarf.
"Well, I- of course I can. But only until lunch time then Rin and I have plans" Bilbo said with a soft smile as he turned to look at Rin, surprised to find Rin glaring darkly at Bofur.
"Ah…" he said ineloquently as he looked between the dwarrow, both looking fiercer than he'd ever seen them.
"Ori said he would have need of you all day" Bofur grit out and now it was Bilbo's turn to frown.
"I am always happy to help Ori in the library but as I said I have plans with Rin at lunch time and they won't be put off."
Bofur seemed to register Bilbo's less then pleased tone and finally looked away from Rin, his expression softening a little, though he still didn't look happy.
"Okay" Bofur said shortly before stalking off toward the high table.
"What was all that about?" Bilbo asked wonderingly as he sat back down next to Rin. The other dwarf just grunted, not meeting his eye so he decided to drop it. Perhaps there was past conflict between Bofur and Rin, though he didn't see how that was possible, they were two of the nicest dwarves he had ever met. He would have to talk to Bofur about it later, see if he could do anything to help.
"I better go" Rin said with a sigh as he looked up to find his father motioning to him.
Rin pulled him close, nuzzling his hair for a moment before standing.
Bilbo reached out a gripped Rin's large hand, giving it a firm squeeze.
"I'll meet you here at noon?"
"Of course." Rin looked like he wanted to say more, but simply nodded before walking off toward his father.
Bilbo brushed the crumbs from his vest and stood, making his way to the library. It would be pleasant to see and talk to Ori again.
He's not sure if pleasant was the right way to describe his morning with Ori. The dwarf had greeted Bilbo cheerfully but had then proceeded to give Bilbo so many tasks that the poor hobbit barely had a moment to catch his breath.
Ori started by pointing him in the direction of a pile of books that needed putting away. Bilbo's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the size of the pile! He set to his task with fervour, arms and legs aching by the time he had finally put the last one away. He thought of fetching a cup of tea now that that task was completed, but before he could even take a step Ori had handed him a long list of books that need to be collected and placed on the main table. There was over a hundred books on the list! Bilbo bit back a small sigh, thinking longingly of his tea. He was copying old books that were faded and falling apart onto brand new pages, ready to be bound, when he realised that it was now noon and time be meeting Rin.
He stood up slowly, stretching out his stiff back and made his way over to Ori who was conversing with another dwarf.
"I must be off now, Ori" Bilbo said with a smile at his friend.
"What!?" Ori squawked, "you can't leave yet, there is still so much to do!"
Bilbo hesitated for a moment, he felt bad leaving Ori if he really needed his help, but well he hadn't even seen or heard from the dwarf in weeks so surely the work wasn't that urgent.
"I can come back on the morrow if you would like? But I really must be leaving now."
Before Ori could protest further, as Bilbo suspected he would, the hobbit was out the door and heading toward the dining hall. He unfortunately hadn't had time to organise lunch for them with Bombur, they would have to do it together now.
His body ached tiredly as he walked along, it really had been a busy morning.
Rin was waiting for him when he finally arrived back at the dining hall. Bilbo smiled as he approached.
"How did your morning go?" Bilbo asked, smiling as Rin took his hand in his own.
"I think my father was just in the mood to hear himself talk" Rin chuckled. "He wanted me to stay longer but I already had a much better offer" he said with a grin as he lightly bumped his shoulder into Bilbo's.
"How was yours?"
"Busy" Bilbo said tiredly. "Ori had me working flat out, then tried to stop me from leaving when I said I had to go. He wasn't impressed but I said I would go back tomorrow if he still needed help."
Rin frowned down at him, running a hand in comfort down Bilbo's back.
"We don't have to go out if you're too tired? I'd be happy to spend the afternoon in front of a fire with a book, as long as I'm with you."
Bilbo flushed brightly at the sweet words, leaning subconsciously into Rin's warmth.
"No, I still want to go and look for a place for my garden. I didn't have time to organise a lunch though."
"Well, that is easily remedied" Rin said with a fond smile at Bilbo. "We can go and see Bombur now and pick something up."
But when they entered the kitchen and asked Bombur for some supplies and a basket for lunch, the rotund dwarf claimed he had nothing to spare.
"Nothing?" Bilbo said incredulously. "Not even a bread roll?" he asked, pointing to a pile on a nearby table.
"No!" Bombur shouted, eyes flickering around the room anxiously. "I need all of them, I can spare nothing. Perhaps it would be better to cancel your picnic for today."
Both Rin and Bilbo frowned at that.
"No." Rin said levelling a hard look at Bombur, that caused the other dwarf to tremble slightly. "I will buy us something to eat at the markets."
"Ooh maybe we can get some more of those meat on a stick thingys we had the other day?" Bilbo asked excitedly as Rin started to guide him out of the kitchens.
Rin chuckled in amusement, blue eyes shining.
"Yes, well before we go and get some more meat on a stick thingys I wanted to show you something."
"Of course," Bilbo said happily.
The large dwarf lead Bilbo along corridors and around corners until they came to a large set of doors in the royal wing. Rin pushed the door open and lead Bilbo inside.
Bilbo looked around the obviously lived in room, recognising some of Rin's clothes piled up on a chair. He felt his ears turning pink, they were clearly in Rin's room.
Before Bilbo even had the chance to feel nervous, he was taken to a large wooden desk in the corner, where a beautifully detailed map was laid out.
Bilbo looked at it reverently, a finger coming out to trace a delicate line.
"What is this?" Bilbo asked curiously.
"It's a map of my home. The Iron Hills" Rin explained softly.
"There are lush green meadows, within our settlement, perfect for a hobbit to grow whatever he wished."
Bilbo blinked up at Rin, his brain failing to understand just what the other was suggesting.
"It is not so far that you could not visit your friends in Erebor, if you did decide you wished to stay in the Iron Hills for a time. You would be most welcome to stay with me for as long as you wished."
Deep blue eyes stared into Bilbo's, shining with a look that was hard to decipher.
Bilbo's heart skipped a beat… was Rin asking him to move to the Iron Hills? With him? The thought sent excitement and nerves zipping through his body.
Before Bilbo could respond the was a loud banging on the door and Rin let out a dark snarl from beside him.
"I wonder who that could be?" Rin said with a grimace, swinging open the door to find Dwalin standing there, Gloin by his side.
"Gimli, has wandered off, could you please help us search, Bilbo?" Gloin implored, while Dwalin stared Rin down.
"Oh, my goodness, yes!" Bilbo said, hand flying to his chest as he raced towards the pair. "Where was he last seen?"
The three hurried off leaving Rin rolling his eyes at the company's antics.
Bilbo collapsed into bed that night, completely exhausted. After his morning in the library and then his afternoon looking for Gimli, who it turned out had simply gone to visit Bombur in the kitchens, Bilbo was tired. He pulled on his night shirt and crawled into bed, his last thoughts of a thick auburn beard, bright blue eyes and a map of the Iron Hills.
Unfortunately, he didn't get the sleep he so desperately craved for a few hours later there came a great hammering at his own door. Tired as he was it took him a moment to realise that the noise was coming from his room and not his dream. He blinked his eyes open blearily and stumbled to the door not sure if he would truly be any help if there was another emergency.
He opened the door, but instead of Gloin and Dwalin, this time he found Fili and Kili looking down at him grimly.
"You must come right away, Bilbo" Fili said urgently, grabbing Bilbo's arm and starting to hurry him down the corridor, Kili quickly grabbing his other arm.
Bilbo shook his head, trying to wake up a little more, the cold floor on his feet helping immensely.
"Just what is going on?" Bilbo asked worriedly. "Has something happened?"
"You'll see" Fili said, leaving Bilbo to ponder what that meant.
He was taken to one of Thorin's private receiving rooms, where he found none other then the whole company, Dain and Rin inside in what looked to be a heated argument. Everyone was standing, body's stiff and many with faces red from shouting.
"We've brought Bilbo" Kili declared as he dragged the unsuspecting hobbit into the room.
All eyes turned to him, and Bilbo was suddenly very aware that he was wearing nothing but a short, thin night shirt that barely covered him.
Rin let out a vicious growl, barrelling Kili and Fili out of the way and knocking the brothers to the floor.
"Did you drag him here straight from his bed? Did you dare to lay your hands on him? He is not for your eyes to see!" Rin snarled, pulling off his own cloak and wrapping it gently around the shivering hobbit. Fingers running down Bilbos neck and along his collarbones, blue eyes turning dark at the sight before him.
Kili and Fili looked suitably chastised, as they pulled themselves to their feet, for barging in on Bilbo's sleep and not even allowing him a moment to change.
"While Fili and Kili may have gone about it the wrong way, there are important things that need to be discussed and Bilbo should be present for them" Balin said diplomatically.
"And it couldn't have waited until morning? Bilbo had a big day; he needs his rest" Rin grumbled, holding Bilbo protectively in his arms and causing Bilbo to smile fondly.
"It is best if we clear this up now before any further misunderstandings can take place" Thorin said as he looked at the pair.
"Bilbo," Thorin said gently. "Rin does not care for you, not in the same way that you care for him."
Bilbo blinked at Thorin before flushing scarlet at what the King was insinuating. Had he really been so easy to read?
Bilbo glanced to Rin in embarrassment, only to find him glaring at Thorin.
"As I was trying to explain to your thick-headed friends, Bilbo, I most definitely do care for you the way that you care for me. Is what they're insinuating true?" Rin asked drawing himself up to his full height as he surveyed first the room and then Bilbo.
"Bah" Nori scowled. "You are just having your fun with him; you will drop him as soon as you find your one. No dwarf can resist their one."
Bilbo looked stricken; he had forgotten that dwarves had ones. One perfect dwarf out there that was made just for them. Oh, what a fool he'd been to think that perhaps there was more between himself and Rin then mere friendship.
"It's not your fault, lad" Oin said, seeing the sad look on Bilbo's face. "You weren't to know, and he should not have been leading you on as he has been."
Rin clenched his fists angrily, he looked like he was trying to fight the urge to draw his sword.
Dain stepped up and put a firm hand on his son's shoulder, calming the anger slightly.
"That's enough now son, this is not a hobbit to be trifled with. It would be best if you were to stay well clear of him until we leave in a few days."
Bilbo felt like his heart was breaking at the thought of Rin leaving, of possibly never seeing him again. His breath started to come out in panicked gasps.
"I will do no such thing!" Rin roared, causing all present to jump in surprise.
"Bilbo", he said quietly, turning to face the other. "I did not wish to do it this way, but my hand has been forced."
Rin knelt down in front of Bilbo, reaching into his pocket for something, and producing a small bead, carved entirely out of mithril. It was stunning and seemed like the large dwarf was holding a tiny star in his palm.
"You are my one and I wish to share my life with you, whatever may come, I love you and never wish to be parted from your side from this moment on" Rin said earnestly as he held out the small bead.
Bilbo felt as though his heart was beating out of his chest. Tears pricked his eyes as Rin's words took hold.
"Oh… yes please!" Bilbo cried, before flinging himself into Rin's arms and nearly knocking them both over.
Bilbo peppered the dwarfs face with small kisses, laughing as the beard tickled his cheeks, before Rin pulled him into a deep kiss that caused his toes to curl and his body to ache in an entirely good way.
Rin looked very smug as he took in Bilbo's dazed expression when he pulled back from their kiss.
"He can't be your one" Dain said with honest bewilderment as he watched his son.
"I assure you that he is" Rin countered. "I feel it in here" he said raising a hand and laying it over his chest. Any who try to interfere or part us will face my wrath, as is my right when protecting my one."
One's were a sacred part of dwarf culture and harming someone's one was practically unheard of, but if something did happen, retribution was always swift and brutal.
"But a dwarf has never had a one of a different species" Thorin tried to reason, still seeming sceptical.
"Bilbo and I will be the first. I would expect nothing less of my hobbit" Rin said looking down at Bilbo with complete adoration shining in his face.
"I have already invited Bilbo to come live with me in the Iron Hills and though we were interrupted before he was able to give his answer, I am confident that we will have a happy life there together. I will provide him with an abundance of books, green fields in which to grow things, the ingredients to any recipe he may wish to cook as well as the most beautiful materials with which to sew with. I will tell all of his adventures and how he helped Thorin Oakenshield and the Company win back Erebor from a dragon, so that all know of the bravery, kindness and cleverness of my one. I will give him so much love and attention that he will never feel lonely again. He will want for nothing."
Bilbo was left speechless, so Rin had been asking him to move to the Iron Hills with him. He hadn't been crazy. Bilbo smiled to himself; he was more then ready for another adventure!
"As long as I am by your side, I will be happy" Bilbo said tearfully, pulling Rin in for another kiss. He let out a squeak as strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him off his feet. He could admit even if it was only in his own mind how incredibly attractive, he found the display of strength.
Everyone else in the room had fallen silent as the two proclaimed their intentions but now Dain let out a large grin, exclaiming loud enough that the whole mountain would be able to hear.
"HE'S FOUND HIS ONE! MY SON HAS FOUND HIS ONE!"
Cheers echoed around the room.
"Congratulations Bilbo!"
"Congratulations Rin!"
"Now you make sure you take good care of our hobbit, or you will suffer in ways you have never even imagined."
"Oh, Bilbo you will still come and visit, won't you?"
"Part of the family now, Bilbo!"
Everyone was delighted, the finding of a dwarf's one was cause for much celebration and cheer and the dwarves were looking as though they were settling in for a good party now that all the unpleasantness and been resolved.
"I think," Rin said loudly, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "We should postpone this celebration until tomorrow, it is already quite late, and I know that Bilbo is tired. Tomorrow evening instead?"
Bilbo looked up at Rin with thankful eyes, ignoring the grumblings from the other dwarves in the room.
"Ay, tomorrow would be good" Balin said thoughtfully. "Gives us some time to have food and drink prepared, make this a proper gathering."
At that the other dwarves looked excited again, starting to head to the door already talking about tomorrow night.
"Leave it to us, we'll take care of everything!" Kili cried enthusiastically as the door slammed closed behind him.
Rin and Bilbo found themselves suddenly quite alone.
"I am sorry that I was not able to do this more properly" Rin said staring intently at Bilbo. "The giving of my bead should have been a most auspicious occasion."
Bilbo just shrugged, not caring in the slightest.
"We were surrounded by our families, there's nothing more I could ask for." Bilbo said honestly.
"You truly are a remarkable hobbit" Rin said, eyes shining with love.