AHHHH! I messed up! I missed an update! I'm so, so sorry! Because of my mistake, I'll be updating with two chapters. I'm so sorry! All future updates will be on Friday.

Ink…

Chapter 3

Bilbo stared at the throng of Dwarves in his home. He found Gandalf by his side. "No wonder she left! She didn't want me having atrocious manners!"

Gandalf chuckled. "Your mother and father met because he tracked mud into her shop and didn't wipe his boots on the mat like her sign told him to."

Bilbo snorted. "She told me. Now I believe it!" Gandalf chuckled even more.

Then there came a heavy knock. Gandalf looked at Bilbo. "He's here."

Bilbo's heart promptly jumped into his throat. He clenched his hands nervously and went to the door to open it. His father.

Thorin Oakenshield was every inch of the majestic Dwarf that Bilbo's mind painted him out to be. Bilbo smiled slightly and opened his mouth to welcome his father, but Thorin spoke first.

"Gandalf, I thought you said that this was easy to find. I lost my way, twice." His father's eyes found his. Thorin looked him up and down and frowned. "You're no Hobbit."

Bilbo coughed. "I suppose you could call me a Dwobbit. My father was a Dwarf."

That caused quite a stir. Thorin nodded. "It is only fair that the child of a Dwarf join my company. Tell me," Thorin eyed him critically. "What is your weapon of choice?"

Bilbo smiled slightly. "Throwing axes, and throwing blades. Daggers."

Thorin nodded slightly, still staring at him, his eyes moving up and down. Finally, Thorin snorted. "I find it hard to believe that you've ever lifted a weapon in your life. You look more like a grocer than a fighter, or burglar." He turned to Gandalf. "You said there'd be food?"

Bilbo closed the door slowly, reeling in shock. He had imagined his father knowing who he was upon first glance but… He looked into the mirror and imagined a beard. It was easy to not see the Durin in his blood, when not expecting it.

He sighed slightly, trying not to think about the cruel words that Thorin said to him so casually.

The meeting commenced and didn't end until Bilbo signed the contract. Everyone went to bed quickly after that. Their song was still ringing in his mind. He was glad that he knew Khuzdul, else he wouldn't have understood the song.

Bilbo sighed and relaxed in the garden. There was a cough behind him. He turned to see Thorin standing there. Thorin sat down beside him. "I was never told your last name. Tell it to me."

Bilbo focused on his pipe. "Bilbo Baggins, son of Hildigard, nephew of Belladonna, grandson of the Thain." Bilbo clenched the pipe stem between his teeth.

Thorin paused and then turned to look at him straight in the eyes. "Is there a grave for Belladonna?"

Bilbo coughed and nodded. "Aye. Why do you ask?"

"She was my wife."

Bilbo stared at him and then nodded. "She left the Shire after her first husband, Bungo Baggins, died. She didn't speak much about her travels or what she did in the Mountains, but it would make sense that she was attract the attention of a king." Bilbo chuckled and then got up. "Come on, I'll show you the grave." He brushed his trousers off and ambled down the path to the graveyard.

"All the Hobbits are buried in one plot of land. Each family has a section of land for them." Thorin nodded slowly.

Bilbo looked at Thorin hesitantly. "The…child was buried with her. Never got a name." He nodded to the grave that Belladonna was residing in. "I'll leave you alone for a while. I'll be sitting under the weeping willow near the river."

Thorin nodded distractedly. Bilbo curled up his legs and leaned against the trunk of the tree with a sigh. He looked at the stars and wondered what Thorin would do if he ever discovered that his son was still alive.

Do I even want him to know? He was so quick to insult me, to degrade me. Who would want a father like that? Bilbo turned his thoughts to his cousins, Fíli and Kíli. They were nice enough, but how could Bilbo be sure that they wouldn't become vindictive and vicious if they found that someone else would inherit the throne instead.

Bilbo shivered. There can be many an accident that could be arranged during a quest as dangerous as this. He shook his head. "I will wait and find out if they are trustworthy." He sighed and peeked over to where Thorin was.

The Dwarf was kneeling in front of the grave, just staring at the headstone. Bilbo turned back and sighed again. He shook his head. All my life I've dreamed of meeting my father and now…? In all my imaginings, I never thought he would dislike me!

Bilbo bit back a sob. He looked around him and then buried his head in his hands.

Thorin knew he heard the sound of crying. He frowned slightly and looked at where Bilbo said he would be. "Master Baggins?"

The crying stopped. Thorin growled, suddenly angry at the Dwobbit for interrupting his time with his wife. "Do you regret signing that contract so quickly?" He sneered slightly as he neared the blubbering mess. "That you feel homesick even while still at home?"

Bilbo couldn't stand it. He shot to his feet and glared at Thorin. "I never met my father, Dwarf!" He hissed. "I was wondering where the bastard was who took advantage of my mother and never came looking for me!" Bilbo intensified his glare. "I am glad that I was raised in the Shire. At least I will never be like you!" With that, Bilbo marched away. "If you don't want to be lost again, Master Dwarf, I advise you to keep up!"

Thorin was frozen. He had never to spoken to like that in his life. Except…except by Belladonna. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of grief bloom in his chest at the thought. Thorin glared at the retreating back. He didn't want to be reminded of his grief, his regret. He didn't want to be reminded of Belladonna.

But Bilbo Baggins reminded him constantly of his late wife, his One, the partner of his soul.

And Thorin hated him for it.