Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy.

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"Italics speaking in Khuzdûl."

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ Chapter 12 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

It had been a few months since Bifur and Bofur had left and gone to see their family back to Erebor and the dwarves had arrived with little problems a week ago. The dwarves were so glad to be home and any new comers were looking forward to rebuilding the mountain to its former glory.

Lots of repairs had been done in that time before the dwarves arrived and all the living quarters were repaired and most of the mines were now open. Only a few remained closed till they were needed as they were badly damaged from the dragon's entrance into the mountain.

Bilbo's stomach had grown and he was now just past when dwarves were expected to give birth. Problem was Bilbo was not as large as many dwarves would expect for the time frame but he was larger than any hobbit with the time frame.

Bilbo's things had been moved to his room that Bifur and Bofur had collected for him. They brought Bilbo many tales from their two night stay in Hobbiton and about Bilbo's young nephew. Bilbo wasn't surprised when Frodo got over his shyness quickly and made friends with Bifur and Bofur.

It had been a week since Bifur and Bofur had gotten back and dwarves were still arriving from different parts of Middle Earth wanting to make a new life in Erebor. Bilbo was sitting on the balcony of Thorin's chambers reading a book that he never had a chance to read before setting out on the quest. It was just after lunch when Bilbo heard a knock and heard Thorin grumble before calling for them to enter and soon found that it was Balin.

"Thorin, Gandalf the Grey is on his way from Dale."

"What does that meddling wizard want now?" Thorin grumbled.

Bilbo smiled and walked inside to see Thorin getting up from his desk and grabbing his robe and crown to put on. Bilbo nodded to Balin and looked back at Thorin who was walking over to him.

"I'll be back shortly."

"I'll come with you."

"You should rest."

"Thorin that is all I have been doing since I woke after the battle. I need to get out of this room for a little while. I'm coming down with you to greet Gandalf."

Thorin sighed but nodded and grabbed Bilbo's jacket and passed it to him. The tailors had made some clothes of Hobbit fashion so that Bilbo had clothes for him as his stomach grew. Bilbo put the jacket on and followed after Thorin and Balin. They made it down to the gates of Erebor just as Gandalf came galloping up towards them. Bilbo saw Gandalf had something wrapped in his robes but thought nothing of it.

"Greeting Thorin, Son of Thrain, King under the Mountain."

"Greetings Gandalf what brings you here?" Thorin greeted.

"Unfortunately I bring grave news."

"Come inside."

Gandalf urged his horse inside the gates which closed behind them. There was a slight whimper that Bilbo and Thorin heard from Gandalf and they knew it wasn't him.

"Gandalf what has happened?" Bilbo asked.

"Bilbo I'm sorry to tell you this but your cousin Drago and his wife Primula have been in an accident."

"Gandalf." Bilbo said as he started to worry.

"I'm sorry Bilbo, they are gone." Gandalf said before he looked at his arms making Bilbo look to what was in Gandalf arms. "I got there two weeks after it happened and young Frodo was with Sackville-Baggins family. He was doing a lot of jobs around the house for them and not allowed with his friends. Bag End was left to Hamfast in Drago and Primula's will."

"Is that?" Bilbo couldn't finish his question looking at what was in Gandalf's arms.

"Yes, this is young Frodo." Gandalf said and moved his arms and the little hobbit tried to hid back in them. "Come out Frodo. I'm sure your uncle Bilbo would like to see you."

Frodo looked around and soon landed on those in front of Gandalf's horse. Bilbo smiled sadly as tears fell from his eyes. Gandalf swung his leg over and landed on the ground before setting Frodo to his feet. Bilbo walked closer and knelt down with some difficulty in front of him.

"You've grown so much Frodo since I last saw you. How old are you now?" Bilbo asked already knowing it.

"I'm 5 and a half."

"Has it been that long? I remember your 4th birthday party before I went travelling."

"You told me a storwie."

"You remember?"

"Yes." Frodo nodded.

"Well I have a lot more stories now that I can tell you. But I would like you to meet someone."

Bilbo turned his head slightly as Thorin walked over and knelt down on one knee beside Bilbo. Bilbo could hear some protest from the council at Thorin kneeling down. Frodo back up into Gandalf when Thorin got in close.

"Frodo it's ok." Bilbo said and held his hand out to Frodo who took it and cuddled in close to his side. "Frodo this is Thorin."

"What that on hiws headw?" Frodo thought he whispered as much as children are able, making Thorin, Bilbo and Gandalf chuckle.

"It's my crown little one."

"Frodo, Thorin is the King. We are in his kingdom. A king is almost like a Thrain that we have."

Bilbo almost laughed when Frodo's eyes got large as he stared at the crown on his head and his eyes going between Thorin's face and his crown. Thorin chuckled at the look.

"Welcome to Erebor, Frodo Baggins."

Frodo gave a small smile before curling in closer to Bilbo's side.

"Mm Thorin I need your help to stand back up."

Thorin stood and moved closer to Bilbo and helped him to his feet. Bilbo held Frodo's hand when Frodo tugged at his shirt. Frodo tried tugging him again and Bilbo looked down at him and saw what he wanted.

"I'm sorry Frodo I can't hold you right now."

Thorin moved around in front of the two and knelt back down in front of Frodo who shuffled a little behind Bilbo. Thorin smiled and held out his hand to Frodo who looked between Thorin and his hand.

"Would you like a tour of the mountain?" Thorin asked.

"I think you'll like what you'll see Frodo." Bilbo said to try and tempt Frodo to Thorin.

Frodo slowly shuffled out from behind Bilbo and slowly reached Thorin and put his hand in Thorin's. Thorin smiled gently and guided Frodo closer and then stood up and bring Frodo into his arms and settle him on his side. Frodo gripped at his robes and stared around nervously. Thorin looked to Gandalf who was smiling.

"Will you be staying long Gandalf?"

"I'm afraid I can't. I need to be on my way to Isengard."

"Surely you can stay one night can't you?" Bilbo asked. "Your horse could do with a rest."

"I suppose I could."

"I'll have a room prepared for you Gandalf."

"My thanks Thorin."

"Come let us go to the Company's room and talk."

"My King this is highly improper." One of the council said in Khuzdûl.

"What is?" Thorin asked with a glare.

"You can't possible carry that creature around the mountain. It is filthy and surely you aren't letting it stay here. It should be thrown out with the wizard when he leaves. Surely there is somewhere else it can go."

"I would hold your tongue if I were you. This is a child and this child happens to be your future consort's nephew."

"Regardless they should both be tossed from the mountain. This mountain is for dwarves."

Bilbo could tell this was getting dangerous as Thorin's glare intensified. Bilbo looked to Balin who was glaring as well but quickly took Frodo when he caught Bilbo's gaze. Balin quickly removed Frodo from Thorin's arms and put him into Dwalin's and led Bilbo away from the council and Thorin. Frodo stared at Dwalin terrified seeing the tattoos and weapons.

"It's ok Frodo, Dwalin is a friend. He's really a big softie." Bilbo said standing close to Dwalin and received a half-hearted glare from Dwalin. "You don't scare me anymore Dwalin, not after the stories Fili and Kili told me."

Dwalin chuckled knowing what they were. Dwalin looked back as the shouting started and Thorin drew his sword that was at his hip and pointed it at the council member's throat. Dwalin quickly turned Frodo's head gently so he was looking away from Thorin and the council member. Bilbo looked on wondering what was going on but he couldn't understand.

"Uncwle Bilbo?" Frodo said.

"Yes Frodo?"

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. How about we go and see the throne room?"

"Balin take the little one and Bilbo. I'll stay with Thorin." Dwalin spoke.

Balin reached out and took Frodo from Dwalin. Balin smiled at Frodo and nodded to Bilbo and led them towards the throne room. Bilbo looked back and Thorin was raging mad and quickly followed after Balin. Bilbo winced at a harsh kick was delivered to his stomach. He knew it was because Thorin was angry and he had a feeling it had something to do with Gandalf's arrival. Bilbo looked up hearing running feet and saw Fili and Kili coming around the corner.

"Balin, we heard Gandalf was here."

"He is."

"What is that?" Kili asked looking at Frodo.

"This is Frodo my nephew." Bilbo answered for Balin. "Frodo this is Fili and Kili, they are Thorin's nephews." Bilbo introduced making Frodo bury his face in Balin's robes.

"Oh he is so cute."

"He's so small." Fili said.

"He is normal size for a fauntling." Bilbo stated.

"Not compared to a dwarf." Fili said.

"Hi Frodo." Kili said trying to get Frodo to look at them.

"Careful Kili, you'll scare him." Fili laughed when Frodo didn't look at them.

"Yeah well you'll give him nightmares." Kili said glaring at Fili.

Bilbo sighed shaking his head and Frodo peeked out from Balin's robes to look at the two who argued back and forth. Bilbo sighed again as he looked behind hoping to see Thorin. Their child was acting up and it wasn't helping that he knew he was still angry.

"Fili, Kili as much as I would like to stay here and listen to you both argue. Can one of you help me to the throne room and one of you get your Uncle."

"Are you ok?" Kili asked standing right beside Bilbo instantly as Fili and Balin looked on concerned.

"Yeah just the little one knows Thorin's angry and won't settle. I also have been standing for too long."

"Fili go get Uncle. Come on Bilbo you might be better off going to your chambers."

"I have a feeling there will be a court session shortly so might as well stay down here. Less walking that way."

"Ok see you in the throne room."

Bilbo sighed as Kili grabbed Bilbo's arm and started to lead them to the throne room. Frodo slowly peeked out as Bilbo pointed things out along with Kili and Balin, so Frodo saw many different things around them as they went. Frodo's eyes widened when they entered the throne room and saw that size of it and the walk ways.

"You always walk in the middle Frodo and hold someone's hand if you can. Do you understand?"

"Yes Uncwle Biwbo."

Kili snickered at how Frodo said Bilbo's name getting an elbow to the ribs from Bilbo. Kili smiled as he helped Bilbo sit on his seat next to the throne and Balin placed Frodo on his feet at the top of the stairs and stayed beside him. Bilbo smiled as Frodo walked around the raised platform with Balin beside him looking at everything. Frodo looked at the second seat beside him with confusion before trying to climb onto it.

"Frodo that's not yours to sit on." Bilbo said about to get up to stop him and Balin waved Bilbo away and lifted Frodo to stand on Thorin's throne. "Balin!"

"Relax. Fili and Kili used to do all sorts to Thorin's throne in Ered Luin."

"Wasn't actually a throne according to Uncle." Kili mumbled.

"Thorin won't mind." Balin said with a smirk at Kili's comment.

"The council will." Bilbo argued.

"They have no say." Kili said with a slight glare towards the doors.

"Well maybe you could tell me what was going on before." Bilbo asked.

Balin looked at Kili before nodding him over and Kili stood in front of the throne so Frodo wouldn't fall off. Balin stood beside Bilbo's throne and leaned in close so Frodo wouldn't hear.

"A couple of the council weren't happy with Thorin kneeling down to Frodo's eyes level to start with. Then when he held Frodo and was about to lead you all out they weren't happy either. Saying he was dirty and filthy and Thorin shouldn't be seen walking around the mountain with him in his arms. Then going on to say that he should be thrown from Erebor when Gandalf leaves and also you as well. As you can imagine Thorin didn't respond well to that."

Bilbo nodded slowly as he settled back in the seat. Balin put his hand on Bilbo's and his other on his shoulder.

"Bilbo, it is only a couple and the ones that are, are disappointed that their daughters won't be able to marry Thorin. Other than those couple, the rest of the council have no problem with you or the fact that you will be Thorin's consort." Bilbo sighed and nodded slowly at that.

"Uncwle Biwbo?"

"Yes Frodo?"

"Why is youwr tummy so bigw?"

Kili snickered with Balin giving a small chuckle. Bilbo smiled and went to reply when the doors opened and Bilbo saw Thorin coming through the door in a hurry. Frodo tried to huddle into the back of the throne to disappear. Thorin knelt in front of Bilbo and placed his hands on his stomach and Bilbo put his hands on Thorin's

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Thorin. The little one just doesn't like it when you are angry."

Thorin saw a small thing on his throne from the corner of his eye and looked over to see Frodo huddled on the throne as far from him as possible. Thorin stood and Kili moved to the side as Thorin moved so he was in front of the throne just as the doors opened again and Thorin looked behind him to see the council and the last couple were in chains.

"I'm going to need that seat, young Frodo." Thorin said and lifted Frodo into his arms.

"Here Thorin." Bilbo said as he held out his arms for Frodo.

"You sure?"

"He's my nephew and he can sit on my knee." Bilbo said with a look on his face.

Thorin chuckled and set Frodo on Bilbo's knee before he sat down. Bilbo wrapped his arms around Frodo and held him close. Thorin nodded to Balin and the session started.

"Can you keep really quiet for me Frodo?" Bilbo said quietly to Frodo.

"Yes uncwle Biwbo."

"Very good."

"We have called this council session now." Balin said.

"Bring up the ex-council members." Thorin said making Bilbo look to him in surprise and confusion.

"We have ex-council member Ralan and ex-council member Bolvol brought before the council on the charge of treason." Balin stated having been given a really quick recount of what happened from Dwalin and Fili.

Bilbo's eyes widened and he looked at the dwarves who were glaring up at Thorin and even Bilbo and Frodo. Thorin's face was blank but Bilbo knew he was fuming on the inside.

"We aren't the only ones that believe the same. There are plenty that don't like that there is that creature sitting beside you in control of Erebor. Our mountain." Ralan hissed at Thorin.

"Regardless you know what happens to traitors." Thorin said. "And to think of doing anything to a child is unthinkable. We cherish children and the punishment for harm to a child is harsh. Even if you don't follow through. Balin!"

Thorin sat back and Bilbo placed his hand on top of Thorin's and felt him squeeze his hand in return. Frodo was looked at Bilbo's hair and playing with the braid and bead looking at both in fascination.

"The punishment for treason is banishment. The punishment for harm to a child is death. My King what is your decision."

Bilbo decided to not get involved even though he wanted to but if they were wanting to harm either himself, Frodo or even his child Bilbo couldn't take that. Thorin sat there for a minute trying to weigh up the options before coming to a decision.

"Death."

"By order of King Thorin, Son of Thrain, you are hereby sentenced to death. Take them to the dungeons."

Guards forcibly removed the dwarves from the throne room and the council moved in closer now. Thorin looked to Bilbo who was bouncing Frodo on his lap making him laugh.

"My King?" A dwarf from the council address.

"Yes Gigran?"

"We wanted to inform you that we had no idea of Ralan and Bolvol's thoughts on the hobbits and your expecting child. If we had we would have informed you or at least the Captain of the Guard."

"Just be warned I will not take threats against my child, my One, my One's nephew or my sisters sons."

"Of course my King."

The council watched as Frodo laughed again when Bilbo bounced him on his knee and Thorin saw only smiles there. The council quickly bowed after this and quietly left once Thorin said they could.

"You are dismissed." Balin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili stayed behind as Bilbo stopped bouncing Frodo. "Shall we show you your room Frodo?"

"My own room?"

"Of course you are going to be staying here. You'll have your own room." Thorin said with a smile making Frodo give a small smile in return. "Shall we?" Thorin said and held his hand to Frodo.

Bilbo smiled as Frodo inched back slightly and looked between Bilbo and Thorin's hand. Bilbo chuckled and nudged Frodo slightly.

"Go on. I can't carry you at the moment Frodo."

"Why?"

"You see my tummy?"

"Yes."

"Well I have a little hobbit dwarf growing in my belly just like you did in your ma's."

"Like Miss Gamgee with Sam's younger sister."

"Miss Gamgee has had a little girl?"

"Yes she's loud and cries a lot." Frodo said scrunching his nose up making Bilbo, Balin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Thorin laughed.

"Well that's what baby's do Frodo. So will this one."

"Oh. When?"

"In a few months."

Frodo saw Thorin move and lay his hand on Bilbo's stomach and watched as his stomach moved before moving and laying his hand next to Thorin's before jumping at the movement. Thorin stood up and held his hand back out to Frodo who took his hand. Thorin leaned down slightly and wrapped his other arm around Frodo and lifted him up into his arms and settled him on his hip. Thorin turned to Bilbo who was smiling brightly looking at the two.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing Thorin, nothing at all." Bilbo said with a smile.

"I know what it is." Kili snickered with Fili.

"What are you two going on about?" Thorin said looking at the two.

"Bilbo is looking at how well having a little child in your arms is. Always tried to imagine what Amad would say about how you looked with us. Couldn't imagine it but now we don't have to." Kili said with Fili nodding.

Thorin rolled his eyes at the two and held his hand out to Bilbo to help him up. Bilbo smiled and reached out to Thorin's hand and let him help pull him to his feet. Thorin wrapped his arm around Bilbo's waist and led the way out. Frodo's head was whipping around looking at everything. Bilbo smiled as he watched Frodo every so often as he stared wide eyed around Erebor. When they reached the royal wing Thorin knelt down and set Frodo on the ground.

"Why don't you take Frodo and show him your chambers? I'll be there in a second."

Bilbo nodded and took Frodo's hand and led him down the corridor and into his chambers. Thorin turned to the guards there who were looking after them in fascination of Frodo.

"That is Bilbo's nephew Frodo. His chambers will be in this section so he is allowed here. Also Gandalf the Grey will be along shortly I'm sure."

"Yes my King."

"Good."

Thorin walked down the corridor and into Bilbo's chambers to see Frodo lying on the bed in Bilbo's arms crying. Thorin frowned and walked closer to sit next to Bilbo who eyes were teary.

"When can I see mommy and daddy, uncwle?"

"One day Frodo, one day."

Bilbo continued to sooth him with Thorin till he fell asleep. There was a light knock on the door and Thorin walked over and opened it to see Fili, Kili, Bifur, Bofur and Gandalf standing there. Thorin stepped outside and shut the door behind him.

"Frodo is not adjusting well. He's just drifted off to sleep."

"Asking for his parents?" Gandalf asked.

"Yes." Making Gandalf sigh. "Fili, Kili do you mind staying with Frodo. I'm going to have a word with Gandalf and I'm sure Bilbo will want to as well."

"Sure uncle."

"Thorin do you mind if Bifur and myself stay as well. We know Frodo and he may remember us. He won't take well to waking up to somewhere and someone he doesn't know."

"Of course."

Thorin walked back in with the four behind him and whispered to Bilbo what was happening. Bilbo nodded and gently removed Frodo from his person and slid from the bed. He covered him gently before quietly followed Thorin from the room. Bilbo dreaded this coming conversation but knew he couldn't avoid it. If he knew what happened, then he would be able to help Frodo better. Thorin led them to the lounge chairs in his chambers and held Bilbo close. Gandalf sat across from them and sighed making Bilbo look to him.

"Gandalf what happened to Drago and Prim?"

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 12 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

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