Bilbo roughly pushed open the door of his Smial. He walked in, a slight frown on his face, he stopped when he saw the dwarrow staring at him in confusion. With a strained smile he walked towards them.

"It's almost time for dinner, I'll start on the food as soon as I've changed" and with that he left for his room.

Everyone slowly looked at Thorin and Balin. "What was that ?" Nori asked, scratching his chin, squinting down the hall, trying to see Bilbo. Balin and Thorin looked at each other and had a whole conversation with just their eyes.

"We just had a bit of an issue, but it's all sorted, no worries." Balin smiled, as he sat down.

"What sorta issue?" Dwalin asked, wondering why he wasn't there if there was a problem that needed sorting.

"It was small and like I said, it's sorted"

"It doesn't seem small, not from the way he acted" Nori piped up, walking closer to the two brothers. Leaning on Dwalin's shoulder, he looked closely at Balin.

"You're lying" he smirked, knowing he had caught Balin out. "Remember I know when someone's lying" He stood up and walked over to Bofur, sitting down next to him but still watching Balin.

"I had a disagreement with my cousin on our way back, it's a regular occurrence. She isn't the easiest to get along with. Words were said. A lot harsher than usual. Is that okay with you all? Now that you know" Bilbo had walked in so quietly no one had heard him entering, he stood next to the doorway, leaning against the wall, arms folded. The dwarrow nodded , not quite sure what to say. Thorin and Balin on the other hand were impressed that Nori had believed him.

"Right I'm going to start on the food." Bilbo didn't wait for anyone to say anything and left for the kitchen.

The dwarrow began to talk to each other and Thorin stared after Bilbo.

'Would he be annoyed if I followed, I could offer to help? But I don't know how to cook, I never cooked before.' He continued to look hopelessly after Bilbo, paying no attention to what was going on around him.

In the group of dwarrow, Fili elbowed Kili in the ribs.

"Ow, what the hell" he shouted. Fili quickly put his hand over Kili's mouth, trying to shut him up.

"Look," Fili said pointing at Thorin. Kili looked at where Fili was pointing.

Pushing Fili's hand from his mouth he said. "why does he look like that, he looks confused, like when he's lost, confused" Fili laughed and shook his head.

"He isn't lost Ki, well not in that way, he likes Bilbo and I don't think he realizes how much he likes him."

"Wait, you don't mean that uncle"

"Yes"

"And Bilbo"

"Yes"

"They're that"

"Yes Ki, they're that" Kili just stared at Fili mouth gaping open, not sure what to think. Fili laughed at Kili's expression and shook his head.

"He is so stupid when it comes to love"

"What do you mean ? "

" He had given up on finding his one Ki, he thought that they were lost in the fall of Erebor because he never found anyone through the travels, and he looked for so many years, but he never thought to look outside of the dwarrow race. I don't know if anyone ever had someone who was not a dwarrow before."

"We should help him, it might be fun. He doesn't have to know" Kili grinned.

"It'll make the journey more interesting if nothing else" Fili grinned back. They both turned back to the group, not wanting to look too suspicious and get caught before they could even begin their new plan to terrorise help Thorin.

While no one was paying attention, Thorin finally built up the courage to enter the kitchen and offer what little help that he could. He stopped dead at the doorway, not daring to go in any further until he had Bilbo's permission, suddenly remembering how Dís would fire pots at his head if he walked in while she was cooking, without asking first.

" Can I do anything to help?" Bilbo stopped what he was doing and looked at him.

"Can you actually do anything ?" He asked sceptically, raising an eyebrow.

"I can peel vegetables and wash dishes," Thorin said, slightly embarrassed.

"Well come on then, how have you gotten to your age and not learned how to cook" Bilbo shook his head, handing Thorin a knife. He pointed to a large brown bag in the corner.

"Grab that and come over here, you can peel the potatoes, I'll show you how to boil them and you can be in charge of that and the dishes." Thorin looked slightly nervous but did what Bilbo asked. He took hold of a large pot that Bilbo passed him and began his task.

No words were said as they worked, it wasn't a comfortable silence though.

'Have I angered him?' Thorin glanced over at Bilbo and saw he was focused on baking what looked to be a blueberry pie. 'Maybe I should say something, apologize maybe' Thorin put the knife down, and cleared his throat.

"Bilbo, I"

"You're finished, great," Bilbo cut in before Thorin could finish. Nodding Thorin passed the large pot to him. "Come over here, I'll show you what to do" Bilbo walked over to the sink and began to fill the pot with water.

"Right so when this is filled to here" Bilbo put his hand about three quarters up the pot "you can put it on the range over there, and light a flame under it. In about half an hour, check with a fork if they are soft. If they are, take them off and pour out the water. I'll tell you what to do when they are done. Once you have them on the range you can do the dishes." Once he had explained everything, he began to walk away.

"Bilbo wait" Thorin grabbed Bilbo's shoulder. Bilbo stopped but didn't turn around.

"What is it, i'm busy"

"Look, I didn't mean to make you upset. I shouldn't have asked about the picture."

" You didn't upset me ok, I just hadn't seen that painting until today and it reminded me of something best left forgotten, and no Thorin I don't want to talk about it."

Thorin closed his mouth quickly, stopping what he was about to say.

"Thorin I know you said you couldn't cook, but you should at least know how to turn off a tap" Bilbo reached across brushing against Thorin's chest and flicked the tap off.

" Do I need to go with you when you are having a bath as well, just to make sure you don't flood the place?" Bilbo smirked, teasing him, obviously trying to lighten the mood and get off the serious topic. Thorin blushed, picturing himself and Bilbo sharing a bath.

"Of course not" he turned and put the potatoes on the range. Everything fell into a comfortable silence, occasionally broken by Bilbo explaining what Thorin can do next.

In no time at all dinner was cooked, and they carried it out to the table. As they entered the dining room the dwarrow fell silent and looked at the two in shock, they couldn't believe that Thorin, their king, was working in the kitchen.

This was something even Dis couldn't get him to do. Yet here it was, right in front of their eyes. Dwalin opened his mouth, but before he could make any kind of comment, Balin elbowed him in the side discreetly, making him shut his mouth immediately. He turned to look at Balin, eyebrow raised, the minute Thorin and Bilbo headed back to the kitchen he asked.

"Whatcha do that for"

"Use your eyes brother, Thorin is captivated by the hobbit." Balin whispered.

"You don't mean to tell me that the hobbit is Thorin's one?" Dwalin looked shocked, staring back towards the door Bilbo and Thorin had left through.

"Aye I do"

"Does 'e even know?"

"From what I have seen, he doesn't" Balin shook his head

"Well this will make for one interestin' journey if nothin' else" Dwalin smirked at Balin.