Hi everyone, it's me! The Author! It's time for the dwarves to make their appearance. All dwarfish come from the dwarrow scholar :] And I claim nothing!

Also, if you have any songs you want Bilbo to sing, just put them in the comments!

Thanks :]

Dwalin was having a no good, very bad day.

He had left the Blue Mountains early, wanting to scout out the 14th member of the company, a hobbit. Now, Dwalin hadn't met many hobbits in his life, but the few he had were all the same, soft, gentlefolk who never had wielded a sword in their lives. All-in-all, utterly useless for the quest Thorin was planning.

Dwalin trudged up the Road named Bagshot Row and saw a large green door built in the hill at the end, a dwarven rune carved on it. He could even see a small sign naming the tiny bolthole as Bag End.

The place looked simple and soft, and Dwalin did not doubt that this hobbit Gandalf had recommended would be next to useless. He tramped up to the door, raised his fist to knock, and-.

Then he heard singing.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead, the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Dwalin stood frozen, his fist raised to knock, listening. The music was beautiful.

While Dwalin was undoubtedly more of a fighter than any kind of artist, all dwarves appreciated pretty things. Music, art, gems. It didn't matter. If it was beautiful in any way, Dwarves would be fawning over it.

And this song was lovely. The voice singing was distinctively male but lighter and higher than any voice Dwalin had ever heard. It wasn't like the elves, who were all breathy and had more air than song. It was soft and solid, like a warm blanket.

Dwalin finally shifted from his spot on the doorstep and knocked loudly. He instantly regretted his decision when the singing suddenly stopped.

There was a shuffling sound before the door finally opened, and the cutest creature Dwalin had ever seen appeared.

The hobbit had golden, curly hair atop his head and feet and bright emerald green eyes. He wore cropped pants that cut off just below the knee, a lovely tunic, and a small waistcoat. Most importantly, like a fluffy bunny, he was so small, and Dwalin could feel his heart squeal at the 'cuteness overload.'

Bilbo had been puttering around his kitchen when he heard the knock on the door. He quickly realized he had lost track of time and lunged for the door, ready to let, if he remembered correctly, Dwalin in. Bilbo promptly pulled open the door, "Sorry for the wait! I was in the kitchen. Bilbo Baggins at your service."

Bilbo looked up and froze; Dwalin was glowering at him, seeming furious. Bilbo paused. Had he done something wrong? No, he was sure he was perfectly polite; maybe he just surprised Dwalin with his friendliness.

"Dwalin, son of Fundin. At you service."

Bilbo grinned, "Please come in! There's food in the dining room." as an afterthought, Bilbo added, "Oh, please wipe your boots, and I can take your cloak and any weapons you wish to offload."

Dwalin stared at Bilbo for a moment before wiping his feet on the doormat and removing his cloak. Bilbo happily took it before leading Dwalin down the hall. Bilbo smiled when he saw Dwalin's jaw drop, but he couldn't blame him. There were all kinds of food on the table, mainly meat. Lamb, bacon, pork, chicken, and anything else Bilbo could shove onto the giant table were laid out for all to see.

Bilbo started as he heard a knock on the door, "Oh! That'll be the door! Please enjoy the food, and I'll be back in a moment."

Bilbo flounced out of the room, leaving behind a confused and somewhat dazzled Dwalin. Not that Bilbo noticed; he was too busy rushing to the door to let another old friend in.

Quickly, popping open the door, he came face-to-face with Balin, a friendly older dwarf that had been kind to Bilbo during the original journey. "Bilbo Baggins, At your service!"

Balin smiled, obviously appreciating Bilbo's manners, "Balin, son of Fundin. At your service."

"Come in! Come in! Dinner is down the hall; I can take your cloak and show you the way."

"That sounds lovely, thank you."

Bilbo smiled as he led the older dwarf to his dining room. Balin had been one of the first dwarves to show him kindness on the first adventure, and Bilbo had missed his old friend.

Turning one final time, Bilbo entered the dining room.

"Brother!" Dwalin stood from one of the chairs, striding over. "You're shorter and wider than last I saw you!"

"Wider, not shorter, and smart enough for the both of us." Balin smiled before crashing his forehead into Dwalin's.

Bilbo covered his mouth to hide his smile, wincing only a little at the brothers' reunion. Suddenly, the doorbell rang once again.

"Ah!" Bilbo started slightly, "The door! I'll be right back; please enjoy."

Balin smiled as he watched the hobbit leave, "He's an unusual one, isn't he?"

Dwalin snorted, "Aye, great singing voice tho."

Dwalin chuckled at his brother's flabbergasted face, "I heard him singin' as I walked up. He's good."

Balin's question was interrupted by a commotion in the hallway.

*Sigh* "That'll be the lads."

Bilbo's hands were shaking as he opened the door. So far, he had done well, only feeling nostalgic or saddened seeing his old friends. However, the death and funeral of Fili and Kili always remained fresh in his mind, no matter how long ago it was.

Bilbo steadied himself one final time before pulling open the door.

Valar above, they were so young.

Fili and Kili stood on the doorstep, hands raised to knock. Kili's face broke into a smile, "Hello!'

"Fili"

"-and Kili"

"at your service." Both dwarves bowed simultaneously.

Bilbo forced a smile on his face, "Bilbo Baggins, at yours."

The brother quickly strode into the foyer. Fili smiled before starting to offload all his knives into Bilbo's arms, "Be careful with these; just had them sharpened."

Bilbo knew what the older brother was doing. He wanted to see how Bilbo would react to having so many weapons about. Bilbo smirked and gathered the knives, completely unfazed, "I'll be sure to put them somewhere safe. Now, if you could-Kili, son of Dis, don't you dare wipe your boots on my mother's glory box, or so help me, you'll be cleaning it and the entire foyer with a toothbrush."

Kili froze, boot raised towards the sizeable ornate box in the corner before lowering his foot and quickly stepping behind his brother. A brother who obviously did not feel bad for Kili in the slightest, he promptly pulled the younger dwarf in front of him while also giving the lad a patented older-sibling glare.

Kili shuffled slightly, "Sorry."

Bilbo smiled softly at the mischievous dwarf, "It's okay, Master Kili; now let's go have dinner. The others are waiting."

The brother perked up at the sound of food, and Bilbo led them back to the dining room. To his surprise, Bilbo saw both Balin and Dwalin standing in the doorway. Dwalin was holding a chicken leg, laughing while looking a Bilbo, "We should bring you along just to control the lads!"

Bilbo felt a slight blush crawl onto his cheeks, but he was far better off than Kili; the poor lad turned bright crimson.

Balin chuckled as well, moving aside to let the lads by before turning to Bilbo, "Mister Baggins, how did you know the name of Fili and Kili's mother? I don't remember them mentioning her."

Bilbo froze; oh dear, in his anger, he had invoked the name of Fili and Kili's mother without thinking, "Oh well, even in an isolated place like the Shire, we still know a bit about the Durin line. When I found out you were all coming, I did a little research."

Balin studied Bilbo for a moment before softening, "Aye, that makes sense." He suddenly smiles, "Now, come join the feast, Mister Baggins! If we wait too long, my brother and the lads will eat it all themselves."

Bilbo smiled softly and followed Balin, thanking whatever Valar watching that Balin had been fooled by the lie.

4 down, 9 to go.