Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ Chapter 8 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Ori left later that day after spending almost all the day with Bilbo. As the day had progressed Bilbo had started to see the bruise on Ori's cheek start to form and he gathered if they held his throat tight enough his throat would be starting to bruise as well. Ori had waved away Bilbo's concern saying that it would provide him some entertainment when Nori and Dori saw it.

Bilbo was laying on the bed while Thorin was finishing up his work for the day as they were going to have dinner with the company this evening. Thorin placed his papers aside and moved to the bed and laid down beside Bilbo and ran his hand over his Bilbo's face, moving some hair behind his ear, making Bilbo open his eyes. Bilbo smiled up at Thorin who leaned in and kissed him on the forehead gently.

"So I think I can hazard a guess as to why Ori was here and you guys wanted to see Gloin."

"Really?" Bilbo asked surprised.

"Really. He wants to learn to clean axes and the only other person he would know to use an ax, that I'm aware of, is Dwalin. So if he is wanting to learn from Gloin how to care for axes it would be because he is interested in Dwalin."

"You would be correct. I just fear Ori won't have to courage to go up to Dwalin and asked to care for his axes. Dwalin is quite intimidating."

"What? And I'm not?"

"Oh you are. But Dwalin is intimidating in another way. Dwalin has all the tattoos and scares visible making his appearance rough. You just stare or glare people down which is intimidating. You are both equally intimidating." Bilbo explained. "Though knowing you both, you aren't intimidating anymore, at least to me." Thorin chuckled.

"Dwalin will be disappointed you said that."

"Well all the stories told about Dwalin looking after and playing with Fili and Kili when they were dwarfing's, makes it hard to see him as intimidating."

"That is true. So you went with Ori for support in asking Gloin to help him learn to care for axes."

"Yes. Poor Ori was so worried and nervous."

"He'll be fine once he or Dwalin get up the courage to ask each other."

"What?! Dwalin is interested in Ori?" Bilbo said in surprise.

"Yep. The whole journey he knew Ori was his One but never said anything. He didn't believe Ori would be interested in him given his appearance and demeanor."

"Oh dear. No wonder he was really angry today when we met him in Balin's study."

"Oh well that was because Balin was interrogating him as well. Balin was trying to get him to take up Ori's craft. So he would need to learn about what Ori does. So learn to restore a book or something like that. Not too sure how successful he'll be at it. Dwalin doesn't have much patience."

"Well I'm sure Ori would be impressed with whatever skill Dwalin learns."

"So when's Ori's first lesson from Gloin?"

"This evening after dinner."

"Well it's almost time to go. You ready?"

"Yeah."

Thorin stood up from the bed and held out his hand to Bilbo and helped him to his feet. Wrapping his arm around Bilbo's waist Thorin led him out of the chambers and down to the dining hall for dinner. Dinner was as loud as could be without Fili and Kili around. Everyone was laughing and talking and Ori and Dwalin were sitting across from each other but giving each other glances when the other wasn't looking.

Though Dwalin's initial reaction to Ori's bruised cheek made for some entertainment seeing as he was wanting to know what happened but wouldn't ask. In the end it was Oin who asked Ori what had happened and when Ori explained it all Dwalin had gone bright red in anger. Thorin was starting to feel slightly sorry for the guards that had attacked Ori but not really. Ori had waved away Oin's concern over his cheek as he did with Bilbo but when Dori mentioned his throat Oin had come over and pulled Ori's scarf from his neck to inspect the bruising and Thorin was concerned Dwalin might go berserk seeing it. Oin declared it was simple bruising and that it would just be tender for a few days before it disappeared.

Dinner finished and Gloin came over to Ori making everyone look to them. Dwalin only just able to hide his anger at Gloin's approach of Ori.

"Ready to go?" Gloin asked.

This caused everyone but Bilbo and Thorin to frown, confused as Gloin would normally spend time with his family in the evenings after dinner. Gloin's family had just left and normally he would follow, so for him to come up to Ori and ask whether he was ready to leave was confusing for everyone. Ori nodded and followed Gloin from the dining hall. Whispers broke out amongst the company and the only ones not involved were Thorin, Bilbo, Balin and Dwalin.

"Alright that's enough." Thorin said making all eyes turn to him. "Gloin is helping Ori with something. They don't need your gossip." The company wisely kept their mouth shut. "Bifur and Bofur when are you heading back to the Blue Mountains?"

"We were looking at a day after Fili and Kili get back."

"Why?" Bifur spoke in Khuzdûl.

"On your way back would be you mind going to the Shire and collecting some things for Bilbo. Bilbo sent a letter to his relatives explaining that he was still alive and that he was going to be living here and asked them to put together some of his things to have brought back."

"It's not too much. Hopefully only a couple of crates. Depends on what they find there that they think I might like that wasn't on the list." Bilbo mentioned.

"Of course. We'll have a cart anyway so we'll make sure we leave some room for your stuff too Bilbo."

"Do they know when to expect us?" Bifur asked.

"Not really. I mentioned that you would be going to the Blue Mountains first and then collecting it on the way back. They will most likely have moved into Bilbo's home by then so there should be someone there in the evening anyway." Thorin said.

"We can do that."

"Thank you Bofur, Bifur. It means a lot. I would go but it's just going to be too hard for a long while."

"Not a problem at all. It is no trouble." Bofur said.

Thorin seeing Bilbo was finished and starting to doze off decided it was time to take Bilbo back to their chambers.

"Well we will see you all tomorrow."

"Do you know when Fili and Kili will get in?" Oin asked.

"No I don't."

"I'm sure they are fine. Gandalf is with them." Balin said.

"You know those two Balin just as well as I do. My sons like to cause trouble or attracted trouble." Dis said.

"They were reasonably good on the quest, dear sister. You would not have believed they were your sons had you seen them."

Dís chuckled and looked at Bilbo who was almost completely asleep now. Thorin nodded and the company gave their goodbyes before Thorin led Bilbo out of the room. Thorin led Bilbo back into his chambers and helped him get out of his clothes and into bed.

"I'm going back to my chambers. There are a couple of pieces I want to look at."

"Ok."

Bilbo smiled as Thorin rested his hand on his belly and pressed a kiss to his forehead before he left. Bilbo was tired and he laid there for some time before he just got restless and couldn't sleep. Bilbo sighed and climbed out of the bed and shuffled quietly out of the chamber and saw Thorin's door was left open. Bilbo quietly made his way inside and saw Thorin was leaning over his desk and reading a piece of parchment. Smiling Bilbo quietly walked over to the bed and slid quietly underneath and finally Bilbo could fall asleep.

Thorin was so busy reading that he didn't see or hear any movement in the room. He had finally finished reading the letter that had arrived during dinner. It was from his cousin Dain in the Iron Hills. He was going to send more workers and warriors to help keep Erebor secure and get more repairs done.

Thorin sat back in his chair and saw something that wasn't there when he entered and looked over ready to fight before relaxing and a smile formed on his face. Bilbo was curled up fast asleep under the covers of his own bed. Thorin picked up the candle and walked over to the bed and stripped himself of his clothes and climbed in before blowing out the candle. Thorin shuffled in close and wrapped his arms around Bilbo and held in close.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 8 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

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