AN: Apologies for the delay in getting a chapter up. You'd think with the lock down occurring this year I would have had a chance to write. Hopefully you can forgive me.
Chapter Four - Cruinneachadh beag
The Ri brothers walked into a hubbub of noise. Noise which only ceased when, after a glance at the portraits on the mantle, Nori promptly fell over a chair leg and lay face down on the floor for several moments.
Bilbo of course found himself walking into the gathering at that precise moment. He groaned, pressed a hand fleetingly to his forehead, and then hustled forward to help the red-haired dwarf from the floor.
"ò Mo chreach, are you alright Master Nori? That chair does seem to have it out for unsuspecting guests! Of course, Màthair always said dwarrow were of a hardier breed than us daoine beaga. It would make me a poor host if I didn't see if you were alright. Here my dear dwarf, please sit down. Take your time now. ò Mo chreach! You are quite shaken, aren't you! Can I get you a stiff drink? Or a cup of tea?"
As Bilbo rambled to cover his confusion around the green-eyed dwarf, he flitted around taking in the sight of the stunned silent room. The silence was a heavy sort, one pregnant with pause. He stopped, one hand still on the red-haired dwarf's shoulder and looked up to meet his Uncail's eyes. Eyes that were full of mirth and he relaxed.
"Oh good!" he breathed, "No harm done."
Turning brisk, Bilbo clapped his hands. "I know we are waiting for Sgòthan geala, are we waiting on anyone else?"
Dori sighed as he took in the still shocked Khazad and blinked at how even Balin seemed stunned at the sight Bilbo made standing just behind his middle brother. He sighed again "Aye, Bilbo Belladonnaul. We are waiting for our Dorni. He is the one who made the Yel do Kaurnmorn. We are waiting for Thorin Oakenshield. I do not know how long he will be though as he went to seek aid from our kin."
Bilbo watched as Balin paled at his Uncail's blatant use of Khudzul and repressed an eye roll. "Thank you Uncail." He tilted his head. "As we don't know how long our two missing will be, perhaps we should convene for the Biadh feasgair?"
At Dori's nod, Bilbo smiled and removed his hand from the red-haired dwarf's shoulder. He left the room at a sharp trot, his Uncail following behind him. Noise once again erupted behind them as they reached the kitchen and Bilbo sagged against his work bench and looked up into Dori's eyes. "cnuimh teine? Really Uncail? Màthair is going to kill you!"
Dori chuckled, the hobbit in front of him was definitely Belladonna's son. He missed his sister. His shoulders slumped and he leant next to Bilbo. "Aye!" He breathed.
***
By the time Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield found themselves at the door of Bag End there was a merry party underway. Nori was hiding at the bench by the front gate and offered a weary wave. Ori was hiding in the library and upon seeing Bilbo let them into the smial merely shut the door again. Dori shadowed Bilbo's every step; his sharp glare having prevented the throwing of Belladonna's good china.
Thorin stopped short and glared down at the Aalven before him. "Sword or axe Aalven Baggins?" he snarled.
The joy in the room silenced instantly as the Aalven before him drew up to an impressive height for one of his race. Familiar green eyes flashed angrily as he took on an almost dwarven stance. Thorin swallowed.
"Neither dwarf," Bilbo found himself snarling, "Not that it matters to you, but I like my Màthair before me, prefer throwing knives, daggers and the bow."
He turned his back sharply to the latest dwarf, voice dropping lower, becoming more gravely in his rage, "The door is there. See yourself out!"
His eyes fell on the dwarves gathered in his smial. "Any one who is not one who is family to me through blood or battle remove yourself from my home NOW!"
The dwarrow gathered shuddered as sharp green eyes cut them deep. Balin's mouth hung open, and Bilbo made an aborted gesture as Dori's hand landed on his shoulder.
"My mother was Belladonna Baggins nee Took," He snarled at Dwalin and Balin, "Maybe you would remember her better as An Oidhche Mharbh!" The dwarves looked to Dwalin in alarm as he paled. Bilbo sneered, anger flaming higher. "I said that you all need to get out!"
As the dwarves made a made scrabble for their belongings and the door, Bilbo turned to Gandalf and softened slightly. "Tha mi duilich seann charaid, ach chan eil am freagairt idir. Boiteag teine no chan e, cha shiubhail mi le daoine cho cumhang, mì-mhodhail!"
Gandalf met the brilliant green eyes before him and nodded sadly. "I understand my boy. Believe me I will be having words." The last of his scentence utter as quietly as he could, Gandlaf placed a firm hand on the shoulder of Thorin Oakenshield and led the shocked dwarf from Bag End.
As the door banged behind them Bilbo allowed himself to sag into the supporting hand on his should. "I am sorry Uncail. I am not my Màthair." He stepped away and gestured at the halls of Bag End. "My home is yours. What I own is free to make use of." His shoulders slumped further and he walked away from the dwarf he was hoping would be like family to him. "I am sorry Master Dori. I will not be travelling with you." He shut the bedroom door behind him and slid down the polished wood. He was not his mother. His shoulders shook as he clamped his lips firmly together and allowed the tears to fall from his eyes. The Khazad had been Belladonna's world and he was not his Mother!
***
Nori stood suddenly as Khazad poured from the door of Bag End. It was only as the door slammed shut behind Gandalf, he realised his brothers were not with them. His quick eyes took in the sad faces of the young princes, the bemused expressions of the Ur family and the livid expression of the king's two oldest friends. He sighed. Apparently, he had to fix this. Belladonna would have his hide. His shoulders sagged, even as he walked to the back door of Bag End. Mahal, he missed her. His shield-sister, his moral compass. Even as he carefully picked the dwarven lock present at the back door he pondered. He wondered how he could fix it. Why she had never mentioned Ori or himself to Mister Bilbo. Why she had only talked of an Uncail Dori. As he walked silently through the kitchen, he wondered what he had done to offend her so. Why his shield-sister had left, without word, 56 years ago. Why he had never heard from her since. Why Dori know that she had a son when he didn't.
He was shaken from his thoughts as he beheld a teary-eyed Dori. "What?"
Green-grey eyes met his and his oldest brother swallowed visibly. "I am going to kill Oakenshield!"
Nori staggered back at the anger in his normally calm brother's voice. "What in Arda? Bother?"
Dori growled low. "He called my sister son a Aalven! He called the skill of Belladonna's son into question! In doing so he disparaged Belladonna!"
Nori felt his own blood boil and bit back his own snarl. "And where is Bilbo?"
Dori gestured at a closed door. "Behind that barred bit of wood! Breaking his heart!"
Nori swallowed. "Help me clean up and we'll discuss what we are going to do!"
****
Ori had heard the whole situation. He was confused, but the young hobbit had seemed nice. His king had a bad habit of inserting his foot in his mouth when he was tired, or upset. Banging his head gently on the table in front of him, Ori marked the place in his book with a ribbon and stood. AS he left the study, he could see Dori and Nori clearing up after the gathering and quietly gathered his boots and his cloak. Time for him to fix this mess.
Translation.
(Gaelic – English)
Cruinneachadh beag – A small gathering
daoine beaga – little folk
Màthair – mother
ò Mo chreach – oh dear
Uncail's – uncle's
Sgòthan geala – Grey Pilgrim
Biadh feasgair – Evening Meal
An Oidhche Mharbh – The Deadly Nightshade
Tha mi duilich seann charaid, ach chan eil am freagairt idir. Boiteag teine no chan e, cha shiubhail mi le daoine cho cumhang, mì-mhodhail! - I am sorry old friend, but the answer is no. Fire worm or no, I will not travel with such narrow minded, rude beings!
Translation
(Khudzul – English)
Khazad – dwarves
Belladonnaul – son of Belladonna
Dorni - king
Yel do kaurnmorn – call to arms (war)
Aalven - halfling