Clill sipped her cup of tea as she continued to watch Bilbo walk around the house, trying to keep all the Dwarves under control, whether it be stopping them from using his personal belongings or complaining about the food.
"Bebother and confusticate these dwarves!" he muttered.
"My dear Bilbo", Gandalf said watching him. "What on earth is the matter?"
"What's the matter?" Bilbo asked outraged. "I'm surrounded by dwarves. What are they doing here?"
"Oh, they're quite a merry gathering, once you get used to them."
"I don't want to get used to them", he said showing Gandalf the mess the Dwarves had made since their arrival. "The state of my kitchen! There's mud trod into the carpet, they've pi-pillaged the pantry. I'm not even going to tell you what they've done in the bathroom; they've all but destroyed the plumbing. I don't understand what they're doing in my house!"
"All will be explained", Clill said getting up. "Mr. Baggins, as soon as my husband arrives, you will understand our purpose here."
"Husband?" Bilbo asked, not realizing she was married.
"Excuse me", Ori said walking toward them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?"
"Here you go, Ori", Fili said taking it. "Give it to me."
Clill giggled as walked toward the kitchen. This was an old trick Fili and Kili used to do all the time at home. Looked like they got everyone else involved with their little game as everyone tossed all of the dishes throughout the hallways, toward the sink as Clill started to wash them.
"Excuse me, that's my mother's West Farthing crockery!" Bilbo nervously said. "It's over a hundred years old!"
Clill could understand he was worried about them possibly breaking the dishes, but she knew they had everything under control. The Dwarves that sat at the table began clinking the silverware against each other, starting a rhythm as they also tapped their feet.
"And can you not do that?" Bilbo asked looking at the forks and knives. "You'll blunt them!"
"Ooh, did you hear that, lads?" Bofur asked. "He says we'll blunt the knives."
They continued stomping their feet and clinking the silverware as Kili started to sing.
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks
Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
Clill couldn't help but smile as the others joined in.
"Cut the cloth and tread on the fat
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door!"
Balin looked board as he helped toss the dishes down the hall. Bofur and Nori picked up a couple of instruments and started to play. Clill joined in the singing as she washed the dishes.
"Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
When you've finished, if any are whole
Send them down the hall to roll!"
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
Everyone laughed at Bilbo a he came in to see all the dishes cleaned and stacked on the table. The merriment was interrupted as they heard a loud knock at the door.
"He is here", Gandalf said.
He, Bilbo and Clill got up to go to the front door. Gandalf opened the door to reveal Thorin looking away. Grey streaks ran through his hair, a sign he was getting older. He turned and smiled at Gandalf.
"Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door."
"Mark?" Bilbo asked. "There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!"
"There is a mark", Gandalf said. "I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."
"So, this is the Hobbit", Thorin said removing his coat. "Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?"
"Pardon me?" Bilbo asked confused.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?"
"Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know", he shrugged. "But, I fail to see why that's relevant."
"Thought as much", Thorin smirked. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."
"Thorin…"
Clill made her way past the others and smiled as she wrapped her arms around him, being reunited with him at long last.
"My darling, I missed you", she said and turned to Bilbo. "This is my husband I told you about. Come, Thorin. You must be hungry."
