Bella finished re-packing her travel things, lightly patting the secure, leather ties. Her hand then ran along the flap that belonged to her brother's pack. It had been packed, unpacked, and packed again, but only to air the contents every few months. And every time she packed it, she made sure to slip in cedar balls to keep away cloth eating pests and some sprigs of various flowers or herbs for freshness. She smiled softly, allowing herself to hope that soon those clothes would be worn.
She left the room, deciding to change into something a little more relaxing for the evening. It had always been agreed that Bella could only wear pants either under skirts (it was insisted upon when there was a threat of any adventuring) or they were home to stay for the night. So, she slipped on some loose pants, a cotton shirt, and her brother's dressing gown. She smiled as she took in her brother's familiar scent of earth, grass, and wind. It was like getting a hug from Bilbo despite his distance.
She fried her fish and put together some cheese and potatoes to eat alongside. She was just sitting down and putting the final seasonings on when a cheery little jingle broke the quiet. She froze. Bilbo would have told her if company was supposed to be coming, he wouldn't have invited company when he would be away, and Bella had most definitely not invited anyone. If it proved to be Lobelia Sackville-Baggins at this hour, (she smirked a little) well then she'd just let her cousin be shocked by her current attire.
She went to the door and opened it to find a large, bald, brown-haired dwarf with piercing eyes. Her mouth dropped open a touch. Who on earth?
"Dwalin," the dwarf said in a surprisingly genial voice with a slight bow. "At your service."
Her cheeks suddenly flamed. Fumbling with her brother's robe she half-muttered, "Be-Bella Baggins, at yours." Yes, she was more Took than Baggins. Yes, she was a bit of a tomboy. No, that didn't mean that she really wished anyone outside her family to see her in trousers!
To her further surprise, the dwarf stepped inside. "Um, do we know each other?" she asked.
He turned, locking his brown eyes with hers. "No," he said.
Bella continued to stare in confusion. Trying to make sense of it all. Why on earth would a dwarf come to Bag End of all places?
"Which way, laddie? Is it down here?" Dwalin asked, tossing some items to the floor.
'Laddie'!? What where? Of course it was the second thought that manage to voice itself, "I-is what where?"
"Supper," the dwarf answered, throwing his cloak into her arms. "He said there was food here and lots of it." He then ducked into the kitchen.
"H-he said?" Bella muttered. "Who said?" It couldn't possibly have been Bilbo. He never would have been un-hobbit-like as to invite a dwarf over for supper.
She could only watch in silent confusion, distaste, and frustration as the dwarf ate her supper, finishing it off with a loud crunch as he ate the fish head. If she was completely honest with herself, she had seen worse manners in Bree at the Prancing Pony. But she had been wanting that fish and that dwarf had stolen it without so much as an "If I may."
"Very good this," Dwalin said, mouth full. "Is there more?"
Bella shook herself from her thoughts. "What? Oh, ah, yes. Yes, of course." She picked up a platter of Bilbo's biscuits. With a private scowl she snatched one and hid it behind her back. She loved her brother's biscuits and she wasn't about to risk being refused one by a potentially bottomless pit. Then like the perfect host she set the platter before the dwarf. "Help yourself," she said.
Any Baggins induced guilt for snagging the one biscuit was gone immediately as the dwarf proceeded to stuff entire biscuits in his mouth. Oh, yes. She had seen worse manners from dwarves, and men, but she had also witnessed better.
She softly cleared her throat. "It's just that I wasn't exactly expecting company." The words no sooner left her mouth when the doorbell jangled again.
"That'd be the door," Dwalin said, unhelpfully, though thankfully without his mouth full.
"I am well aware of that," she half-muttered. As she went to the door, she stuffed her biscuit into her pocket. Hopefully she could find a proper moment to eat it.
She was greeted by a cheerful, white-haired dwarf. Certainly a friendlier looking dwarf than the first, there even appeared to be a twinkle in his dark eyes. "Balin, at your service," he said with a sweeping bow.
"Good evening," she said, managing a small smile.
"Yes," he said glancing up at the starry sky. "Yes, it is. Although," he added as he stepped inside, "I think it might rain later. Am I late?"
Bella's forehead furrowed in confusion. "Late for what?"
But then Balin's attention was drawn to the first dwarf. "Oh, ha ha," he cried as he came further in. "Evening, brother."
To Bella's consternation, Dwalin had been digging into a biscuit jar. But he set it down as he came to greet Balin. "Oh, by my beard, you are shorter and wider than last we met."
"Wider, not shorter," Balin answered. "Sharp enough for both of us." There was something in their tone and manner that hinted that this was how they tended to greet each other after long separations. Possibly even a secret joke between them.
As the two chuckled, Bella took a quick look outside. Not seeing anyone else, she turned, jumping as the two banged their heads together. But apparently this was also part of their greeting routine. Swinging the door closed to keep random night bugs out, she then turned back to her uninvited guests. "Ku-hem. Sorry to interrupt, but I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house."
"Oh, we are, laddie," Balin assured her. "Make no mistake. Where might we find some proper food?"
"Th-the pantry," she answered. "This way." So, they were convinced that this was indeed the right house. Well, then, might as well make the best of it since it was forced upon her.
As they started riffling through her pantry, she said, "Now, while I don't mind visitors, I do prefer to know them before they come over." She sincerely hoped that even though the dwarves were talking among themselves that they were actually listening to her. "But since that isn't really an option at the moment, I would like get to know you now." She raised an eyebrow at a tossed bit of cheese. They apparently don't know the finer points of good cheeses. "So can you tell me where you're from? Do you have families?"
Nothing. They weren't paying even half attention to her.
She scowled. Oh, her Baggins side was about to crack and the Took take over. Then the doorbell jangled again. With a muffled growl she stalked to the door. Opening it, she saw two, two dwarves. Both decidedly younger then the first two. She may even dare to place them as brothers, despite how drastically different their colorings were. One was blond with blue eyes, and the other brown-haired with brown eyes. Based on their facial hair, she figured the blond was the elder, considering he was able to braid his mustache and the other just had scruff.
"Fili," the blond said.
"Kili," the brown said.
"At your service," both said together with matching bows.
Kili broke into a big smile as he said excitedly, "You must be Mr. Boggins."
"Nope," she said. "No Boggins here. Wrong house, good night." She started to swing the door closed.
"Sorry," Fili called, as Kili caught the door. "My brother enjoys making mischief. We are looking for Baggins."
Bella sighed. Well, there went her excuse. "This is the home of Baggins. One of them at least."
"So it hasn't been cancelled," Kili said, grinning again. And with that, the brothers pushed past her.
Although, Fili gave her an odd look as he passed.
Bella rolled her eyes as she closed the door. Maybe these two would be better. No sooner did she turn around when she had to catch a bundle of swords and knives.
"Careful," Fili said. "Just had them sharpened."
"Nice place," Kili said. "Did you do it yourself?"
"Uh, no," Bella said. "My father– Hey! That's my mother's glory box! Not a boot scraper!" She growled as she half-tossed the growing armload of weapons into the blond dwarf's arms. "I've had enough of this."
She fairly raced to the adventuring room and claimed three of her knives. Holding her two fighting knives in her left hand, she readied her throwing knife in her right. She was going to make them pay attention. She hurled her knife into a knothole in the dining room doorway, inches from Dwalin and Kili. By the time all four dwarves turned to gape at her, she was in her dual-knife fighting position. "Out!" she ordered. "All of you out."
"But–"
"No buts! You have all been highly disrespectful of myself and my property. Out!"
"We were told to meet here," Balin said, drawing Dwalin back toward the front door.
"I don't care! I wasn't informed about any of this. Now out before I trim your beards."
Kili smirked a little. "Well, I'm safe since I don't have a beard," he said.
"But you have a full head of hair I can practice on," Bella snapped.
Fili grabbed his brother's arm, pulling him back. "We're going," he said. "Um, do we need to get our belongings?"
"Depends on if you'll listen to my house rules when I let you back in," Bella half-growled. "Get!"
"Easy, laddie," Dwalin said. "We're heading out." He opened the door just as the doorbell jangled long and hard.
To Bella's great consternation, the four dwarves inside were nearly knocked over by at least twice as many outside. "Out!" she screamed. "No one comes inside until you agree to follow my house rules! Get! Out!"
She would later admit to a sense of satisfaction as the dwarves all scrambled away to avoid her wrath. But at the moment she was too frustrated at the ruin of her peaceful evening to pay attention. Her scowl deepened further when she caught sight of Gandalf behind all the dwarves. "This is your fault, you troublesome wizard!" she snapped. "There are some things that I am fine with as a Took, but home invasion is not one of them."
Gandalf had the sense to look apologetic.
She then released a long breath before planting her fists on her hips. "Now, I want to make it clear that I intend to be obeyed. My house, my rules. Got it?" After receiving several nods, she started, "First off, all of you must listen to me instead of ignoring me. Second, if you wish to scrape your boots off, use the mat at the door and not my furniture."
Kili ducked his head with guilt.
"Third, I will not have any walking on my furniture, I don't care if it's a tight squeeze. You can thank the wizard for that since he didn't give me proper warning so that I could set something up outside. Lastly, I do not want anymore rough manners from you lot. I just cleaned things up this afternoon, and I'd like it to be in good condition when I go to bed. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," echoed across the gaggle of dwarves.
"Good," Bella said, choosing to ignore her confusion of why they all thought she was a boy. "Now, each of you will step in one at a time, stating your name and then you are to wait until I give you an assignment. I may have a full pantry, but I do not want to be cleared of food, especially since market doesn't open until elevensies."
"'Elevensies'?" Kili asked.
"One of seven hobbit meals, between second breakfast and lunch," Bella said. "And we'll start with you, little scamp. I already have a job in mind for you."
Kili straightened to attention. "Yes, sir."
"You are going to clean the box you got your mud on," she said. "Now, step inside – wiping your boots on the mat if needed – and wait by the wall so I can get the needed cleaning supplies for you." Kili scampered inside as she turned to Fili. "Since you apparently have a love of knives, you are in charge of taking care of everyone's weapons, cloaks, and other items."
Fili nodded, pausing only to scrape his feet on the mat. "You wouldn't happen to be that ranger hobbit we've heard about in Bree, would you?"
Bella blinked. "I'm the one the rumors are about, yes."
Dwalin laughed. "Well, lad, you lucked out," he said, thumping Fili's shoulder.
Bella's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
"Last time we met, he told me about those rumors," Dwalin said. "And a little more. He said that if this ranger hobbit was really a girl and not a boy disguised as a girl, he'd consider courting her."
"Mister Dwalin!" Fili cried, his cheeks reddening.
Bella froze, fighting the blush on her own cheeks. Now that was a surprise that would have knocked her off kilter on even an ordinary night. But since they were apparently thought her to be a boy, she'd have to keep her shock in check. "Dwalin," she said, "since you have already eaten a bit, I'm putting you in charge of getting enough chairs into the dining room. I'll direct you to the best chairs to use.
"Balin, traffic control between pantry, kitchen, and dining room. Now the rest of you, one at a time."
A dwarf with salt and pepper hair and beard braided into two fanciful curls stepped forward. "Oin at your service. I shall warn you," he said, pulling out an odd, little square trumpet, "I am a bit hard of hearing. I am also a healer if that will affect any job assignments."
"Then I shall do my best to speak up for you," Bella answered, "and take it into consideration."
The next dwarf had impressive red bushes of hair on top and on his face. "Gloin at your service."
Two dwarves came up next. But before Bella could protest, the one wearing a funny hat said, "Bofur and my cousin, Bifur, at your service. I understand your rules, Master Baggins, but ever since Bifur's accident he can only speak Khuzdul or otherwise use Iglishmek."
Bella squinted in confusion, taking in the axe head permanently lodged in Bifur's forehead. "Igli-what?"
"Dwarven sign language," Bofur explained. "He can still understand Westron, it's just the speaking he can't do."
Bifur nodded.
"Alright, I'll have you two working together, simply to make sure we all have clear communication. Thank you."
Next was a dwarf that could have passed for two or three dwarves he was so round. The fact he had braided his orange beard into a loop overtop of his paunch didn't help the appearance much. "Bombur at your service. I have experience in cooking."
"Ah, then you will be among those helping me in the kitchen," Bella said.
A young-grandfatherly dwarf with many braids in his silver hair came forward. "Dori at your service. I have practice in steeping teas and such."
"Aye, a regular mother hen," one of the unnamed dwarves declared. Wait. Were his eyebrows braided?
"You can help with drinks then," Bella said. She blew out a quick breath. "I may be needing a bit of tea to calm my nerves before the evening is over."
"You'll be the first to receive the tea, Master Baggins," Dori said.
The second to last dwarf that stepped forward was the braided eyebrows. "Nori at your service."
"Be careful of him," Dori said, "he enjoys picking pockets."
"Well, there better not be any of that going on," Bella said, "or I'll string him up on my wash-line for the night without any supper."
Nori gave a slight nod. "Noted," he said.
"Ori at your service," the final dwarf said. He appeared to be as young as or younger than Kili, even if he had more of a beard than the scamp. "I am a scribe. At least, I'd like to be one day." He ducked his head. "I know that might not be important."
Bella smiled gently. "At least it tells me a little bit about you. A little more than some of my surprise guests." She then turned glaring eyes at Gandalf. "Any more surprise visitors, troublesome wizard?"
"It would appear we are only missing the leader of our company," Gandalf answered.
"He is late, is all," Dwalin drawled. "He traveled North for a meeting with our kin. He will come."
"All I can say to the matter is I hope that he doesn't bring another whole passel of dwarves with him," Bella huffed. "Now, Gandalf, Ori, set the table. So long as you all will be careful with it, you can use my mother's old dish set. The whole lot of it has been passed down for generations and I'd like to keep it in good condition if possible.
"Once you've given everything you don't need to Fili, meet me in front of the pantry. And, Gandalf, close the door as you come in." Bella tucked her knives into the belt of her brother's robe as she headed to the pantry. She hurriedly put together what would be needed for breakfast, second breakfast, and elevensies, placed it all in a couple baskets, and set them to the side. Now, she didn't have to worry about being eaten out of house and home.
Stepping back into the hall, she was met by all her guests, save Gandalf and Ori who were setting the table. "Bombur, take these vegetables," giving him two dishes of carrots and potatoes, "and start cutting them in the kitchen. Dori, the tea herbs are there. You will also find wine and ale for those who wish to drink that. Oin, Gloin, you can start bringing foodstuffs from the pantry to the kitchen, just don't touch the baskets in the far corner. Those are reserved for my morning meals until market opens.
"Dwalin, Nori, stand just there. I'll be with you to help you find all the chairs needed. Balin, once everyone starts moving, make sure we don't have any sort of accidents. Bifur, Bofur, for now, you'll help with food preparations, then as food is ready, you'll bring it to the table where Gandalf and Ori will help you find a place for it. Fili, once you have everyone's things neatly placed somewhere, you'll help Dwalin and Nori. Kili, I will get the things needed to clean the box in a moment."
Soon, Bella had a meat and vegetable soup started as well as various meat, cheese, vegetable, and fruit trays being prepared. She directed the dwarves to chairs that could for certain handle the abuse of dwarves, no matter how rambunctious they may end up being. Things sufficiently underway, she got a bucket of warm water with a bit of soap and a cleaning rag and gave them to Kili.
Somewhere in all that, Dori pressed a cup of chamomile tea in her hands, which she took gratefully. It was a bit stronger than she liked, but a spoonful of honey made it better. Considering, she couldn't complain. The dwarves were no longer making a disaster of her home, and everything was going about in an orderly fashion. A corner of her mouth twitched up in amusement. Here was where her Baggins and Took sides blended well.
Kili knew how to coax a fine polish out of any wood. He'd done it enough times in the forges when he fashioned hilts and handles for swords and knives. He loved watching the wood's natural beauty come forth. The tin of polish Master Baggins had given him wasn't the best for the job, but he could make it work.
"Just a spot of polish to finish the clean up," he'd said. But Kili had decided to bring a little more "glory" to the glory box so that it didn't just look like some old dusty crate. He wasn't getting a high shine, but the wood grain was gleaming quite fine now.
Working on the box had given him plenty of time to think. Earlier, just before the hobbit's throwing knife had barely missed their noses, he had asked Dwalin which of the hobbits Gandalf had mentioned was their host.
Dwalin had told him that he hadn't quite caught his first name since the hobbit had been muttering, but he was certain that he'd heard two b's, which would indicate the brother, Bilbo. And he'd been wearing trousers, none of the other hobbit lasses they had seen in their travels in the Shire wore anything but dresses.
Kili wasn't entirely sure now. Yes, the hobbit may have been wearing trousers, but he hadn't removed the housecoat that was securely tied, hiding all but below the knees. He had also observed that few hobbit lads wore their hair long, yet this hobbit had a coiled braid just a little above the nape of her neck. Though the coil was slowly falling down as the hobbit dealt with all the present dwarves. The voice was wrong as well, he thought. Unless all hobbits were more shrill he couldn't imagine a boy scream like this hobbit had earlier. There were also the hobbit's features to consider. Though there was nothing delicate per say, there were just subtleties that made him believe that they could fit just as well on a feminine face.
The young dwarf shook his head. He'd just have to wait and see he supposed. He glanced over at his older brother as Fili took hold of the throwing knife still lodged in the doorframe.
Fili tugged, appeared surprised, then pulled harder. This pull sent the knife out and Fili reeling back.
"Careful, laddie," Balin said catching him before he fell. "Don't need you to make this all a mess."
Fili nodded. "Thank you, Mister Balin." He then looked at Kili before slowly walking over to him, gazing down at the small blade in his hand.
"Copper for your thoughts, brother?" Kili asked, closing the polish tin. He cast an eye on the carpets. The hobbit said he, or she, wanted the house in good condition. It would seem that the twelve dwarves had half ruined the hall rugs and floor. Maybe he could find something in the closet Master Baggins got the bucket from to clean them up.
"Master Baggins has a good arm," Fili said, thoughtfully. "I had thought it would be nothing to pull this out. It wasn't until I used too little force that I realized how deep it was. Then I used too much force and nearly toppled because the blade wasn't as long as I suspected."
Kili gave a closer look to the throwing knife. It was about the size that some dwarf women liked their fighting knives. Though it obviously wasn't of dwarven craft, Kili could appreciate the seeming fit and balance of the blade.
"What are your thoughts on the hobbit ranger?" Kili asked as he carefully rummaged through the closet.
Fili glanced about. "I'm not entirely sure if we have met the brother of the two." He bit his bottom lip. "I don't know why, but –"
"It's because you got the feeling that Amad has been hoping you'd get?" Kili guessed picking up a stiff bristled brush and a broom. He shrugged when his brother gave him a surprised, confused look. "I saw the way you looked at the hobbit. The way you look at something that you are completely shocked about."
Fili sighed. "I just can't imagine my One being . . ." He shook his head. "I've been trying to recall if Ones were ever just confidantes or loyal friends, but so far I've come up empty."
Kili shrugged. "Or, just maybe, our host isn't Bilbo, but his sister." He knelt down, using the stiff brush to flick away the dirt in the carpet.
"I don't know," Fili said. "But I hope so." A pause, and then, "What exactly are you doing?"
"Trying to get on our burglar's good side," Kili answered.
"Fili? I thought I told you to help Dwalin and Nori with the chairs when you were done." The burglar in question appeared, brow furrowed, lips slightly too full for a boy pursed in a subtle pout.
"I was about to join them," Fili said. "But I had to return this to you since I am not aware of where you usually keep them." He handed over the throwing knife.
The hobbit blinked before taking the blade. "Thank you. I'll take care of it." He, or she, looked down at Kili, confused.
"I finished the box and thought perhaps I could help re-clean your front hall floor," the dwarf said.
"Thank you, Kili," the hobbit said with a small smile. "I suppose first impressions aren't always correct in some cases. I'll put together a fresh bucket of wash water for once you've swept the dirt out the door."
When the hobbit disappeared again, Kili asked, "Think the hobbit can handle Uncle?"
Fili released a wry smile. "So long as that feisty fighter is a common occurrence, I'm sure they'll manage each other just fine."
Kili chuckled as he turned his full attention to the dirt laden carpets. He was certainly looking forward to when their host and Thorin would meet.
Author's Note: And nearly everyone has arrived. Yes, I based all my descriptions of the dwarves from the films. Tolkien did a wonderful job, but I could not keep the dwarves straight just by their cloaks alone. So, I actually rewatched the teaser trailer possibly a dozen times just to make sure I had everyone straight. (Blows out a breath) It's probably only because of that I can now watch those movies without wracking my brain for who is who.
I'll quickly add that Bella's actions were inspired by Wynni's The Broom Bearing Baggins of Bag End. While not exact, I felt I should acknowledge where the idea came from. And, while I have a distinct impression that the idea of Ones or soulmates aren't a part of Tolkien lore, I couldn't resist putting my own spin on it.
Thoughts and theories? The missing thirteenth dwarf won't arrive for a couple chapters yet, but it's not too soon to start hearing what you think could happen. And what about Fili and Bella? Any thoughts there? Hope you enjoyed.