Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ Chapter 7 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~
The next two days Bilbo spent sitting in Thorin's chambers looking around at it all. It was grand, but still quite plain, not what he was expecting. Thorin was sitting at his desk that was placed close to the side of the bed where Bilbo was sitting on, reading over some papers that were already sitting waiting for him to review. He was going over all the paperwork that Fili and Balin had already done and organised for him, making sure that it was what he wanted and so he knew what was happening in his mountain. Balin and Fili had done exactly what he would have done and there was nothing that he wanted or felt like needed to be done and for that he was glad.
It was now the third day since Fili, Kili, Gandalf and the group of dwarves left on the eagles and they would be back the next day. Bilbo was once again sitting in Thorin's chambers on the bed.
"Thorin?" Bilbo asked suddenly thinking of something.
"Yes?" Thorin said looking up from a report on one of the mines that was getting cleared out after it collapsed from Smaug's attack on the mountain.
"Do you think it would be alright if I wrote a letter to my relatives back in the shire? There are some things I don't want some of my nasty relatives to get a hold of."
"Of course." Thorin said with a chuckle, he remembered the stories told around the campfire. "I can have a raven take it. Bifur and Bofur are heading back to the Blue Mountains to help their family move. They can drop in on the way back and pick up anything that you want brought here."
"It's not much, just a few bits and pieces."
"Bilbo I don't care if you had your whole hobbit hole packed up and brought back. Whatever is important to you I will have brought back." Thorin stated, making Bilbo smile. "Now come here."
Bilbo slid off the bed and moved beside Thorin who pushed the chair back and pulled Bilbo onto his lap and wrapped his arm around Bilbo's stomach. Bilbo had let out a squeak before settling against Thorin.
"Here." Thorin said pulling out a blank piece of parchment and gave him the quill and ink pot. "Write to your family."
"I can do so later Thorin, you have work to do."
"I need a break and the little one needs my touch, so write your letter."
Bilbo sighed and reached out and started to write his letter to his relatives Drago and Primula Baggins. Thorin leaned in and rested his chin on Bilbo's shoulder watching him write to his relatives, his hands resting around Bilbo's stomach. Thorin watched Bilbo write not really reading any of it but just watching him stop and start, trying to figure out what he wanted to say. He had listed some of the things that he wanted packed up and anything they find that they think he may want, put aside for when the dwarves came to collect everything. It took Bilbo a short while to write down everything he wanted and what he wanted happen to Bag End. He had given it much thought and left Bag End and everything else inside he didn't want to Drago and Primula or if they didn't want it than the Gamgee family.
"Done?"
"Yeah. I'm leaving Bag End to Drago and Primula, I know they will take good care of it and they have a little boy so they will have much more room there than the place they are in now."
Thorin grabbed a spare parchment and the quill from Bilbo and while Bilbo was still in his lap wrote a short note that would attach to Bilbo's letter. Thorin took his note and Bilbo's letter and rolled them up together and with a piece of twine tied the rolled up the parchments, ready for the raven.
"Come with me."
Bilbo climbed off his lap and followed Thorin to the balcony connected to his chambers and watched as Thorin whistled. Bilbo waited and soon saw a black raven come down from further up the mountain.
"This is Roäc." Thorin said, introducing the two. "Roäc I would like you to take this letter to Bilbo's relatives in the Shire and wait in case they wish to write back. They will tell you if they do." Thorin said and mentioning Bilbo's relative's names.
"At once my King."
Roäc then proceeded to take the parchment and take flight. Bilbo watched as the raven flew in the direction towards the shire. Bilbo continued to watch till he could no longer see the bird and Thorin gently guided him back inside.
"How long will it take for him to get to the shire?"
"Normally it would take about 10days from the Iron Hills to the Blue Mountains. I would say it will take Roäc about 7days to get to the shire. He'll spend the night there so your family can write back and then fly back. He'll most likely meet with Bifur and Bofur on the way back."
Thorin led Bilbo back to the bed and sat up him down and handed him the book he had been reading before going back to his paperwork. Bilbo curled up on the bed with the book and went back to reading. It wasn't till an hour later when there was yelling going on in the hall. Bilbo looked up and to Thorin who frowned at all the yelling. Bilbo quickly followed after Thorin making sure to keep behind him. They left Thorin's chambers and looked down the end of the hall where one of the royal guards was holding young Ori by his throat and Bilbo could see a red mark appearing on his cheek.
"What in Durin's name in going on? Unhand him." Thorin shouted.
The guard released Ori's neck but held onto his shirt making sure he didn't get close. Ori coughed and rubbed his neck and cheek.
"I said unhand him." Thorin growled making the guard quickly let go of Ori's shirt. "Ori go with Bilbo, I'll meet you both in my chambers."
"Come on Ori let's go."
Bilbo grabbed Ori's arm when Ori got close and dragged the poor dwarf down to Thorin's chambers. They had just shut the door when they heard Thorin start shouting. Bilbo winced and would have felt sorry for the dwarves if it wasn't the fact that they had hurt Ori. Bilbo led Ori to the bed and sat him down before grabbing a wash cloth from the bathroom and dampened it before handing it to Ori who placed it on his cheek.
"What happened Ori? Why did they attack you?"
"Oh well I was just walking past them to come see you actually and they stopped me saying that only royalty, the Company of the King who helped reclaim the mountain or the High Council members were allowed passed. I said that I was a part of the company and well they just laughed. I tried to continue and then they grabbed me. Well you know the rest."
"They hit you."
"Oh well I tried to hit one of them. Didn't work and they hit back."
"Oh Ori."
"I'm alright. Though Dori and Nori will have a fit when they see this."
"Along with everyone else in the company. Why did they think you weren't a part of the company?"
"I don't know."
"It's because they didn't think that a dwarf that looked more like a scribe was a part of the company. That has now been rectified." Thorin said as he entered. "They had better apologize when you leave Ori otherwise let me know. What brings you up here?"
"Ah…" Ori blinks and goes bright red making both Bilbo and Thorin amused. "I was wondering if I could speak with Bilbo, my King?"
"Of course." Thorin said as he sat at his desk again.
"Ah…" Ori started and went bright red and sat not moving, looking very uncomfortable.
"Thorin we will be going back next door. I'll come back in when I need you." Bilbo said.
"Alright."
Bilbo started to lead Ori out when Thorin's voice stopped them.
"Oh and Ori."
"Yes, my King."
"You can drop the formalities around me and my nephews. The only time that would be necessary is if there is an important meeting or ball. Then you may be required to address us properly but I would let you know. You were with us in reclaiming this mountain and I consider you a close friend, I won't have you or anyone in the company addressing us like that."
"Thank you Thorin." Ori whispered softly, blushing.
Bilbo laughed and pulled Ori out the chamber and into his own. Bilbo sat Ori back on his bed before laying back on the bed.
"So what did you want to talk to me about Ori?" Ori fiddled with the end of his sleeve with a bright red blush on his face. "Take your time. It's obviously important for you to come to me."
"How…" Ori trailed off before taking a deep breath. "How did you show your interest to court Thorin?"
Bilbo's mouth dropped open in shock. He was surprised that Ori would come to him instead of his brothers or others in the company. Bilbo looked down before looking to Ori who would not meet his gaze and was turning a really dark shade of red.
"Well I actually did a few things from how you dwarves court and how hobbits court, well as much as one could do on the quest. I actually had to ask Balin how you dwarves court each other. But I basically asked Fili to show me how to care for my own sword and then I waited till I knew what I was doing and then approached Thorin. It wasn't easy and even though I knew after the incident with Azog I had a better change, I was still extremely nervous about doing so."
"Oh. I was hoping it would have been something from your hobbit courtship you might have used first."
"Well I would have but I don't think Thorin would have known my intent so I decided to do something that he knew would be an intent for courtship."
"Oh."
"So who is it?"
"What?"
"Who do you want to court?"
"What make you think I am?"
"You come to me with these questions, you are bright red when asking and you are trying to avoid the question."
"Oh."
"Who is it? If you don't want me to say anything to anyone I won't."
"It's ok. Probably won't happen. It's Master Dwalin."
"Really?" Bilbo asked surprised.
"Silly I know. He's a warrior and I'm what a simple scribe. There is no way he would consider me."
"Now wait a minute Ori. Don't say that. I thought the same thing about me and Thorin. He was a Prince, a King and I was a simple hobbit of the Shire. Complete opposites. You don't know what Dwalin feels and he may just as well return your feelings. So the first thing you need to do is learn his trade."
"Master Dwalin doesn't have a trade. He's a warrior."
"Then you need to learn to care for his weapons. So Gloin would be the best person I can think of to get some help from since he uses axes himself."
"I really had no idea who would be able to help."
"Let's go see him now." Bilbo said, sliding off the bed.
"What! Now! Bilbo!" Ori called as Bilbo walked to the door.
"Come on!"
Bilbo walked back to Thorin's chambers and opened the door as Ori caught up with him. Thorin looked up hearing the door open and frowned, wondering why they were back so quickly. Bilbo just smiled and walked right up beside Thorin and Ori hung back by the door, looking embarrassed and nervous.
"Yes?"
"We are going to see Gloin. Where would he be do you think?"
"Gloin? He is in the treasury. May I ask why you are wanting to see Gloin?"
"Oh no reason. I'll tell you when the time is right."
"Well I need to see Balin about these papers and his study is in the same hall as the treasury so I'll come with you."
Bilbo smiled and walked back to the door with Thorin behind him. Ori moved aside and let the two through before they all walked down to the treasury. Thorin spoke with Ori about the progress in the library and was pleased to hear that most of the books were fine, dusty but fine.
"You are not working in the library today?" Thorin asked curiously.
"No Oin forced me to have a day off. Apparently Dori and Nori were talking to each other and Oin overheard that I've been in the library for many days on end. Dori and Nori aren't happy I'm always there working. I do have a couple of days off a week but I am there, but there for reading not working. So Oin has me for the next three days banned from the library so I thought I'd spend some time with Bilbo."
"Well I'm glad to hear that you are following Oin's advice. Just don't spend all your free time in there Ori."
"I'll try not to Thorin." Ori said as Thorin knocked on Balin's door and opened it hearing Balin call out to enter.
Bilbo and Ori looked in and saw Balin sitting at his desk with Dwalin on a chair on the other side with his arms crossed across his chest and a scowl on his face. Ori blushed darkly and looked away from Dwalin before he was seen and slowly inched back behind Bilbo and away from the open doorway. Balin smiled seeing this and waved them in.
"Thorin, Bilbo and Ori what can I do for you?" Balin greeted and Dwalin's head snapped to the doorway hearing Ori's name but quickly recovered and bowed his head to Thorin and Bilbo before looking to Balin again.
"Just come to see you and escorting these two to see Gloin." Thorin said to Balin before turning to Bilbo and Ori who was hiding slightly outside the study. "Treasury is two doors down that way. Don't stay too long Bilbo." Thorin said as he hugged the hobbit and laid a hand on his belly.
"I won't."
Bilbo grabbed Ori's hand and dragged him down the hall. Thorin shook his head before shutting the door and looked back at Dwalin who was glaring at his brother who in turn had a large smile on his face.
"Am I missing something?"
"Nothing. I'm leaving." Dwalin said and moved to leave the study.
"Dwalin. Maybe you and Thorin should have a sparring session. He is the only one that can last against you. None of the guards here will last long against you." Balin said and Thorin looked between the two when Dwalin turned back around with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Ok I am definitely missing something. I will meet you in the training yards in say 30 minutes."
Dwalin grunted and left the study, slamming the doors shut behind him. Thorin and Balin winced at the sound and Thorin looked at Balin who shook his head sadly.
"What was that all about?"
"Dwalin has found his One."
"Really? Who?"
"He did not want me to say anything. But it is a member of the company."
"He's known the whole journey and he hasn't said anything to him."
"No. He doesn't believe his love will be returned. Since his one isn't the fighting type. Now what can I do for you laddie?"
Thorin had an idea now of who it may have been and he decided to get it out of Dwalin in the sparring match. Thorin sat down at the desk and placed the papers he had with him on the desk and started going through them with Balin.
~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~
Bilbo knocked on the door of the treasury and didn't hear a reply. Deciding to take a quick look he opened the door and Bilbo and Ori inched inside and shut the door behind them. The treasury was huge and Bilbo suspected if someone was so focused in their work they wouldn't hear anything. It was nowhere near the size of the area he had to search through to find the Arkenstone but it was still very big.
"Gloin?" Bilbo called out. "Gloin are you in here?"
"Bilbo is that you?"
"Yeah I'm here with Ori."
"I'll be right over. Just wait there. Still a little dangerous in here."
Bilbo and Ori looked around trying to find where Gloin's voice was coming from till they saw him come out from behind a pillar. Gloin came over to the two and ushered them to a desk off to the side of the door before they sat down.
"What can I do for you two? I'm surprised Thorin would let you wonder around Bilbo."
"Oh he didn't. He escorted us down here to see Balin. We'll walk back ourselves. But Ori is the one that needed to see you, I'm here for support."
"Oh what can I do for you Ori?"
"I have a request."
"Yes?" Ori squirmed in his seat and wouldn't look at either of them. "Ori it's ok. I'll help if I can."
"I need…." Ori took a deep breathe. "I need your help to learn how to clean axes."
Gloin sat there stunned for a little bit staring at Ori in shock. Ori squirmed in his seat while Bilbo just smiled and put his hand on Ori's arm.
"May I ask why you want to learn how to care for axes. You don't use them. Oh! You fancy someone who does though." He said looking to Bilbo who nodded. "May I enquire as to who it is?" Ori looked up in horror. "I won't say anything to this person Ori. I just want to know who so I can help you better if I know them."
"Oh you do." Bilbo said with a smile.
"Oh?" Ori squirmed more now as he tried to decide if he should tell Gloin.
"It's Master Dwalin." Ori said quietly.
"Dwalin? Really lad?" Ori nodded. "Well I best tell you how to really care for Grasper and Keeper as Dwalin is very picky about his axes. How about this evening after dinner we'll go down to the armory and start with the basics. How does that sound?"
"Thank you Gloin. How can I repay you?"
"Don't worry about that lad. I think it would be nice for Dwalin to finally have someone instead of just his job and weapons. I think it will work well."
They sat there for a little while just talking, catching up before they decided to leave Gloin to his job. Just as they left Balin came walking out of his own study and seeing as he knew it would be best for Bilbo to go back to Thorin he walked over.
"Where are you two off to?"
"We were going to go back to my or Thorin's chambers. I'm thinking it's getting too long since I've been around him."
"You would be right but he won't be in his chambers. Dwalin is a little frustrated and angry so they are probably sparing still."
"Sparing?"
"Yes. Come I'll show you where they are."
Balin led Bilbo and Ori down to the training grounds and the sounds of metal striking against each other met their ears. Bilbo and Ori shared a slightly worried look before rounding the corner and there standing in the center of the chamber was Dwalin and Thorin. Sword and ax held high ready to strike. Both were shirtless and sweat glistening on their skin. Bilbo and Ori blushed darkly before Ori adverted his gaze and looked at Balin who was smirking at the two.
"Over here lads." Balin said waving to some seats beside the training grounds. "Have a seat here. They probably won't even notice you are here."
Bilbo sat down and when he looked up he noticed that both had small scratches on them and it was then that Bilbo remembered Thorin's shoulder.
"Balin, Thorin is still injured. Should he be doing any of this?"
"Probably not. If Oin found out he would be in trouble. But you'll notice he isn't really using his injured shoulder and Dwalin won't use that against him or cause the injury to get worse. It would be good for Thorin to train with his non-dominate arm anyway." Balin said before excusing himself and leaving the area to continue on with what he needed to do.
Bilbo and Ori jumped hearing the weapons smash together. Both saw that Dwalin had Thorin on the defense and backing up. To Bilbo it didn't look like either of them were holding back. Thorin soon changed the outcome and had Dwalin on the ground on his back with Orcrist at his throat. Dwalin chuckled making Thorin smirk and take the sword away and held out his good arm to Dwalin. Dwalin grabbed his hand and Thorin helped him back to his feet.
"I would have won that." Dwalin grumbled. "I was distracted." His frustration returning making Thorin frown, he already knew why Dwalin was angry.
"Really? Distracted?"
Dwalin looked over Thorin's shoulder to where Bilbo and Ori were sitting watching their fight. Thorin looked over and smiled seeing Bilbo there watching and Ori looking away. Thorin sent Dwalin a small smirk that Bilbo and Ori didn't see before walking over to them, sheathing Orcrist.
"Enjoy the show."
"Yes I did. Though I'm not sure you should be fighting just yet. Your shoulder isn't healed."
"I didn't use that shoulder. It's fine."
"I was going easy on him. I would never try to further injury my friend and King, Master Baggins." Dwalin said standing with his arms crossed.
"And I thought I told you to call me Bilbo."
Dwalin grunted before turning and walking out. Thorin and Bilbo saw Ori briefly look up as Dwalin left before looking back at the ground. Thorin smirked knowing that at least if Ori or Dwalin got their courage and showed interest in the other they would be happy.
"Come I am in need of a bath and I'm sure you both are hungry."
"You are in need of a bath." Bilbo retorted and Thorin gave a half-hearted glare.
"What are you trying to say Bilbo?"
"Oh I think you know."
Thorin smirked and held out his hand to Bilbo to take. Bilbo smiled and took his hand standing up before feeling himself pulled up against Thorin and his arms wrapped around his waist. Bilbo let out a yelp at that before trying to up against Thorin's sweaty chest.
"Thorin! You are all sweaty and I'm clean. Now I'll need to change." Bilbo said as he finally got out of Thorin's arms.
"I'm hurt Bilbo."
"You'll get over it." Bilbo laughed.
Ori had a soft smile on his face looking at the two of them. Thorin walked over and grabbed his clothes and threw them on before wrapping his arm around Bilbo's waist and led the two back to his chambers. Ori walked beside Bilbo smiling at the sight the two make. Thorin ordered food to be sent up for the three of them when he got to his chambers before disappearing into the washroom to clean up. Bilbo hearing Thorin in the washroom cleaning up turned to Ori with a smirk.
"So what did you think about seeing Dwalin fighting? I know I enjoyed seeing Thorin fight, even though he was injured and I worried about that." This caused Ori to blush.
"It was ok."
"Really just ok?"
"Alright! It was amazing now can you just leave it alone." Ori said blushing bright red causing Bilbo to laugh.
"Ok. Now we just need to get you two talking."
"Bilbo…" Ori whined.
"No. Once you learn how to clean axes you are going to need to be able to talk to him."
"I already speak to Dwalin a little bit. Haven't spoken for a while though not since reclaiming Erebor or the battle. We just don't see each other much anymore. That's all."
"Well you need to make time."
"Make time for what?" Thorin asked walking back in as he put on a new tunic, his heavy robes draped over his arm.
"To take time off work. You know Ori needs to make time. As much as he likes the library."
"Well he will if he wants the other job I have for him." Thorin muttered lightly but loud enough to hear.
Ori had frozen hearing Thorin come out and had relaxed hearing Bilbo make up an excellent excuse. But hearing what Thorin had just said made him look up at Thorin in surprise. He already had a job, what could he possibly be offering.
"Well I'm in need of a royal scribe and I just don't know anyone that would be better suited for such a job. Unless you don't want it?"
"What?... No Thorin it's an honor to receive such a position from you but what about the cataloging of the library and refurbishing of damaged scrolls."
"See and I thought of that. So I was thinking you could keep that job and hire a supervisor to watch over things. You would be in charge but would have someone under you to supervise any work needed. Both jobs are suited to you but it's your decision if you want both or just one. Take some time to think about it."
"No I don't need to Thorin. I would gladly accept." Ori said bowing his head to Thorin low, making Thorin smile.
"You would still address me as such in meetings. I would tell you beforehand if you have to address me more formally."
There was a knock on the door and Thorin called for them to enter and three dwarves came in with food trays and placed them on the table before leaving. Thorin held his hand out to Bilbo and lead him over to the table before the three sat down to eat.
~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 7 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~
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