Things were getting… They weren't getting more tense, exactly. A kind of rift had grown between Tharkûn and Thorin over the map business. Everyone was civil about it of course… as civil as could pass muster in this rambunctious lot. Arguments were still breaking out during meetings. Dori thought that Balin was trying his best to keep things orderly, but preferential treatment was being given to those agreeing with him.

So he decided to stay out of it at large. Dori supposed he'd be more useful trying to calm nerves subtly than shouting them all down. He hefted a laden tea tray around the room instead. Let it not be said that he had no skills to contribute!

He kept an eye on his youngest brother, who was taking down notes as needed. Ori's scribing abilities had been more useful that they'd hoped on the journey, but unfortunately he didn't have the most solid grasp on what were and were not relevant points. There were a few thick lines of ink drawn over bits Nori cued him to ignore. Whatever Dori could say for his middle brother's intentions, he never played mischief with things that mattered to Ori. Their quarrels would reliably come from pranks and not sabotage.

A different kind of quarrel broke out in the meeting. Dwalin and Oin were arguing- hammer and tongs- over possibly asking the Elves for help restocking their provisions.

"They have nowt we need!" Dwalin reiterated, "Unless you'd like to add a debt to this elf-lord to our troubles."

Oin squinted and leveled him a hard look. More loudly than Dwalin (and not as a means to escalate things) the older dwarf rebuffed him. "We need not be indebted at all. There was treasure in the troll hoard beyond the swords. Payment can be made for supplies." He puffed out his chest a little. "Master Healer I may be, but we venture into the Misty Mountains. If one of us is warg-bit by the end of it, I'd rather have the things to keep it from festering. We can ill-afford infection on the road ahead."

It was sound reasoning. Dori poured Bifur some more tea and watched as the warrior produced a leaf of romaine from somewhere in his coat and began gnawing on it. The plant looked a tad wilted for Dori's taste, but he could do with a snack himself. It had taken Ori a week to eat a proper vegetable, and then only a cooked one slathered in something else entirely. Nori was no help, egging him on and providing all the least effective forms of 'encouragement'. Poking fun at their younger brother and comparing him against the culinarily adventurous lad Frodo had the opposite effect. In an odd turn, it was the influence of the other halfling that gave Ori the push he needed. A comment of his to Bilbo on how unpleasant the greens were sparked an interesting conversation.

"Oh! Well, I can see how it looks unappealing now." the halfling had said, "I don't know how they do it among the Elves, but we usually add a bit more… flair to these sorts of things. How they can eat a salad with no dressing I can't fathom. Why, I had an uncle who swore no greens were worth eating without a proper coat of my aunt's special vinaigrette-"

He supposed he ought to thank Bilbo Baggins. As skeptical as he'd been of the halfling, his presence had turned out to be good for them all. Nori had kept out of trouble with a child watching all the time. And Dori was plenty worried about trouble. Taking care of two younger brothers would make anyone wary, but their quest was full of more danger than one could shake a hammer at. He was old enough to remember the dragon, and was curious about why so many of their Company insisted Smaug must be dead.

They had survived in hardship. Why couldn't the dragon thrive in safety?

But as far as some others in the Company were concerned, the burglar's practicality now was debatable at best. Balin's argument in favor of Bilbo had been echoed by Tharkûn, in that a Halfling's scent would be unfamiliar to Smaug. Additionally, the tale of the 'escape' had been passed around a few times. If it wasn't exaggerated, Bilbo's quietness was something to note. Dori was more than happy to let the little fellow find a way into the Mountain. But things could never be that simple.

They'd avoided the topic in group discussion, but it had come up before. Dori was waiting and wincing inwardly for the moment when someone would question Bilbo's continued usefulness to them. Of course, they hadn't hired him to fight. They hadn't hired him to kill orcs. But it was looking like 'pulling his weight' meant something different to everyone who had an opinion on Bilbo. Dori thought he was doing very well to cook and stand watch and keep up with Frodo. Thorin expected more, but Thorin expected more of everyone.

Those expectations worried him too. He and his brothers weren't exactly seasoned warriors. In truth, if it weren't for their status as willing volunteers they might be in the same cart as Bilbo. While he was grateful that the burglar position hadn't gone to Nori, his brother at least had experience over the halfling. It was plain Bilbo had seen as much of the real-world as Ori, maybe less. His youngest brother had barely been allowed on as it was. From a certain standpoint the halfling was on very thin ice. On the other hand Dori hadn't had the chance- or rather, he hadn't felt it was his place- to bring up the fact that a binding contract had been signed and witnessed. If they had qualms that anyone in particular shouldn't come along, they ought to have thought of that before making their marks on legal paperwork.

Really, these elves were to blame. The strange music and the existing tension between their peoples was not bringing out the best in the Company. Things were starting to come to a head. He hadn't realized there were sides until Nori had taken Bilbo's. Gloin and Thorin kept intentionally aloof, and Nori was silently hostile right back. Dwalin had detected something afoot and scowled indiscriminately. A rift was growing between the Company's 'outcasts' and their leadership. Those without ties to the King or obvious practical skills were being noticed. And Balin's longsuffering sighs were doing nothing to ease the tension.

Not that poor Bilbo even knew there were sides. Dori had gone through enough when helping to raise his brothers to recognize an exhausted caretaker. The halfling was at his wits' end. It was clear to him at least that the newfound parenthood had become real. Bilbo spent less time daydreaming. He was more studious about Frodo's time away from him and stopped sending the lad off entirely. Not that he cut the boy off from the Company, far from it! Bilbo had managed to get on top of his schedule to the point that well-meaning babysitters had to ask to take Frodo for a break and not the other way around. Even if he was the only one that saw the change, Dori knew it was a huge step.

But it didn't stop the differences from being noticed. Tharkûn wasn't helping his case with all the arguing, and Bilbo's uptick in time spent with the Ranger over the rest of them stung. He knew Nori well enough to know when his brother was pouting. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur he knew less well, but they plainly missed their halfling friends. It was more like losing an old neighbor, Dori supposed. They hadn't been close, but he'd grown used to Bilbo and Frodo.

Thorin signaled for quiet and snapped him from his reverie. Dori sat up in his chair and cast aside his scattered and rambling thoughts. It had taken them several hours to work up to the discussion of the actual plan, what with the meeting agenda flipping back and forth. While he'd been ruminating on the Company's conflicts, Thorin got them back around to the immediate next step.

"We must leave Imladris at some point." He looked glad to announce it. "And these things must be considered carefully. By tomorrow night, I will make the final decision one way or another, to show the elf-lord the map-."

There were some protests, Balin's most vocal, but Thorin waved at them again to be quiet. "- Or, as I was saying, to keep it to ourselves. It is not a decision I make lightly. No more will be said on this until tomorrow." He looked around the room once more. "Other business can wait until this evening. Dwalin, Balin, Gloin, and Bifur, stay behind a moment. The rest of you should eat and prepare for travel. We may leave at any time."

With the meeting dispersed, the Company was free to eat or spend their time as they liked. Dori got up, stretched, and watched as Ori blotted some of his notes. It was around suppertime and his brothers would want to eat. A glance around let him know that Nori had gathered with Bofur and Bombur to lament about their upcoming meal. Wasn't as if they'd actually consider going hungry. Still, it went to prove Thorin's point. They had to leave Rivendell sooner or later. Most of them would prefer it to be sooner, and impeccable accomodations aside, Dori had to agree with them.

"All ready." Ori announced as he stood from his chair. "I'll transcribe these properly later. Balin says it's good to practice now before we have to get on the road again."

Dori nodded approvingly. "Right he is, very useful. You're looking more and more like a court scribe every day."

His brother tried to wave off the praise but it was clear he appreciated it. "Wait 'till there are real arguments going back and forth- between lords no less. Then we'll see what it looks like."

They made their way down the corridor to where the Elves usually set out dinner things. Their hosts had taken stock of the situation and reworked dinner arrangements for mutual benefit. The Company made use of a small (by Rivendell standards) dining room that the Elves usually avoided. After the extremely uncouth- albeit fun- performance at the welcome dinner most everyone was minding their manners. All-Dwarven dinners went as smoothly as liquid silver.

Although the two noted exceptions for welcome dinner companions were there again tonight. Bilbo was getting Frodo's silverware sorted when Dori and Ori arrived. A few of the others were helping themselves to food and the places near the two halflings were being snatched up. Ori managed to steal the seat across from Frodo out from under their middle brother's nose. Nori scowled but settled on his younger brother's right. Dori took the seat on the left.

Bilbo Baggins looked worn out but brighter than he had in the last week or so. "Good evening to you all," he greeted them warmly, "I trust tonight's meeting was productive?"

"They're always productive-" Nori started, "-but somehow we never get anything done."

"Hard to get anything done 'round here." Bofur added, gesturing with a fork, "With all the Elves and without the you-know-what for the you-know-where there's not much we can do. At least, not so much as anyone's told us."

Ori was liberally salting some kind of melon slice as he chimed in. "Quite right. I can't take notes on the meetings I'm not invited to. And if they're not secret- though, I suppose I could understand if they have to be- why aren't we being told what goes on?"

"Treating you like mushrooms are they?" Bilbo wore a smile on his face, but it was quickly wiped clean and replaced with the expression of one who has said too much.

Bofur frowned at him. "I thought the Shirefolk were fond of mushrooms?"

"Yes, yes well-" Bilbo flushed and appeared to be thinking frantically for another line of conversation. He was not fast enough.

"I know this one! They keep you in the dark and feed you-"

" Frodo!"

Bilbo's scandalized scolding was drowned out by howls of laughter. Nori held his sides and Bofur had to turn away before the halfling's stricken expression knocked him over. Dori found himself unable to keep in a snort, though he tried to hold himself together for Bilbo's benefit.

"Where in the world did you learn such a thing, Frodo Baggins?"

Frodo looked back up at him innocently. "Grandpa Gorbadoc. He would always come back from meetings and tell Papa about them."

Bilbo softened at the mention of the lad's father and took a deep breath. "Well, it's not really a good turn of phrase for dinner. Not something you should be repeating…" More to himself he muttered "Oh, we don't have time to go over that…" and scrubbed at the tension between his eyebrows. "Just promise me you won't say it again before you get home will you? If your grandfather said it in front of you, that's his doing, but it's more of a grown-up conversation starter."

"Only grown-ups can talk about mushrooms?"

Bilbo sighed again. The laughter was dying down but Dori could see he was trying to make the most of the lad's attention while he had it. "When you see Granny Mirabella you tell her just what your grandfather said and she'll have all the answers, I promise."

Dori couldn't keep his laughter back at that, and Bilbo caught his eye. He grinned at the halfling. "The oldest trick in the book, I'd wager. That or 'I'll tell you when you're older'."

Bilbo wore a different kind of caution nowadays, but he offered Dori a smile in return. "It's easier when you've got someone to pass the buck off to , I've found." He paused to ruffle Frodo's curls. "We're lucky he has other options."

The dinner went on smoothly enough. Thorin and the others hadn't arrived yet, but Elrond's house had plenty of food and the atmosphere seemed lighter without many of the more… severe members of their group away. Dori was able to chat with Bilbo a bit more than he'd had the chance to previously. They didn't have much in common, but the halfling was a fair conversationalist and did share his love of hosting.

"Things are… different in the Shire to be sure." Bilbo was careful not to scrape his spoon as he gathered up some soup from his bowl. "I'm sure by Dwarven standards I have appalling manners or atrocious dress-sense or something of the kind. Just as you lot strike me- being fairly un-traveled by your standards- as very strange yourselves."

"Don't worry." Dori replied easily, "Most of them are appalling by Dwarven standards too. You're exactly right." Nori scoffed and decided to prove him right by flicking a single pea across the table with a fork. Bilbo shot a glance at Frodo to deter any imitation attempts but the lad appeared to be lost in thought.

"And- I do mean no offence of course- it is a surprise to see so much facial hair and such variety! Hobbits do not grow beards, at least… not any I've ever heard of have. I suppose there's a chance some from the Wandering Years might've had the ability but-"

"No beards?" Ori interrupted. "Not even when you've reached your majority?"

Bilbo's lip twitched in a smile. "Have you seen me to fetch a razor? Or even grow stubble of any sort?"

Ori's mouth opened but he lost whatever comment he might have made. Nori decided to jump in instead. "No, and it gave us all a turn. In the first days we all expected something to happen. I think Kili tried to start a rumor you were part Elf."

"I've heard of an Elf that has a beard." Ori chimed in, but his remark was lost to Bombur's guffaw.

"Part Elf! Kili's never seen an Elf in his life before we arrived here, I'd wager." He ignored Bofur's rebuttal of 'Neither had you, brother' before carrying on. "A Hobbit lad I met on the trade routes said they have their beards on their feet, and thought it very strange ours were on our faces!"

Bilbo laughed along with them. "Then I suppose we are all doubly strange to the Elves, and likely to the Men as well. You know, I saw a map of the M- the… you-know-where we're going to, and there was a village of Men or a town or something nearby. Bree is the only major settlement of Men I've ever seen, and I should like to catch a glimpse of it if nothing else. We might be in a terrible hurry by then and-"

Dori didn't have an inkling of what was happening until it was too late. He'd been engrossed in conversation when suddenly there was a quick movement and a loud clang! Frodo had flung his soup spoon clear across the table and into a decorative candelabra behind Nori and Ori.

Bilbo stared at him in shock. "Frodo! Whatever was that for?"

The lad crossed his arms and stared at the table. "You get to go see the Mountain and the towns of Men! Why can't I go with you? I've been very good and very clever with the Trolls and the tunnel and-... and-!"

He looked on the verge of tears, and Bilbo was quick to put a hand on his shoulder in comfort. "You were very brave, Frodo. And I'm very proud of you! But there's a difference between falling into danger by accident and walking into it on purpose! You remember the story I told you about climbing trees-"

"It's not about trees, Uncle Bilbo!" Frodo threw his hands up in frustration. In another situation, it might have been a comical temper tantrum. But little Frodo was clearly distressed and had not been satisfied by the answers in conversations past. "You said Mama and Papa are gone and that I have to go back home, but you won't come with me!"

Bilbo closed his eyes and Dori recognized the feeling. Logic and emotion were not easily separated when a young one was still too little to comprehend. Ori shifted nervously next to him and Dori decided something had to be done.

"Nori, Ori, help me get some new candles." He nudged his youngest brother who had been watching events unfold with undisguised interest. This was something Bilbo Baggins needed to do by himself. Dori knew well enough how easy it was to lose one's courage before an audience. He and Nori managed to lead the charge away from the table, though Bilbo and Frodo were quick to exit themselves. It was obviously a conversation they'd had- and had been having- for some time.

Things were quiet in the little dining room after the halflings had left. Even Fili and Kili, who had been hoarding Bombur's attention all evening, were relatively subdued.

"So he's coming with us, then? Bilbo?" Ori hesitantly asked the table.

Bofur forced a smile. "I think we can count on him, lad. He's not used to this kind of life, but he's not one to break promises I'll wager."

If anything, that killed conversation even more. Dori was trying to come up with some new line of discussion to engage them in when the doors opened once more. Dwalin entered, followed by Gloin, Balin, Bifur, and finally Thorin. The younger son of Fundin looked around at the silent lot.

"Don't stop on our account." He groused in what Dori assumed to be a playful manner. Gloin took a seat next to Nori and Thorin and Balin went to sit closer to Fili and Kili. Conversation struck up again, but several glances passed back and forth between the Dwarves who had been present before. None of them brought it up again. Things were tense enough without adding Bilbo's troubles back into the mix.

"Bofur!" Gloin called from down the table, "How's the one about the waltzing silversmith go again?"

They all tried to carry on and keep up appearances. That at least, Dori thought, was a skill he could always rely on.