Bilbo sat in his quarters unable to sleep. He slept for a few hours at the very best since the battle. So, this was a completely normal routine. Usually, when he awoke, he'd read a book, wait for sleep to come to him or think about Thorin Oakenshield.
But tonight he didn't feel like doing any of those things. On the contrary, he yearned for adventure, thrill and discovery. Where does that lead to? Well, a stroll around Erebor at night. A sole adventure.
Bilbo slipped out of his room into the hallway. He was greeted by complete silence, mainly because Erebor was as empty at night as it was when Smaug was around. The only sounds one could hear was those of dwarves snoring or soldiers patrolling the corridors.
Bilbo had his living chambers in the Royal Wing and so obviously Thorin insisted that Bilbo be given a personal guard. Bilbo had agreed to this, but with a condition, which was, that Bilbo choose who looks after him. Bilbo had chosen Rodor, a dwarf from the Iron Hills. Rodor had a good heart and was an excellent warrior so Bilbo felt safe with him. But more importantly, Rodor was a heavy drinker and heavy sleeper which worked out perfectly because now Bilbo could go for a stroll wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and by himself.
Erebor was beautiful. In terms of architecture, that is. However most of Erebor lacked natural beauty. It made Bilbo think of the Shire where one could see the stars from almost anywhere. But that was not the case here. However, there were certain places in Erebor where you could see the sky, and Bilbo knew each and every one of them better than any dwarf, except perhaps Nori.
Bilbo strolled through Erebor only encountering a few guards. The guards did make a lot of noise while walking so he would simply wear his ring whenever one came into sight. No one hindered his route to his destination and within a few minutes, Bilbo had navigated his way to a balcony.
It was a beautiful night. A full moon whose light shone all over the landscape. The stars were out. Constellations… well he couldn't quite remember the names. But overall, a truly remarkable sight. An aura of peace and tranquility surrounded him and sleep came to Bilbo. What better place to spend the night? Why shouldn't he spend the night here? The answer to that was Thorin. A grumpy Thorin was a normal occurrence but a furious Thorin was not something which Bilbo wished to encounter. Although he had fully recovered from the gold-sickness, Bilbo was still afraid of Thorin. That fear influenced some of his decisions, such as not spending the night outside his chambers.
Ah, the sound of music was all that was missing. He could almost imagine it. The low yet melodious ringing of harps. A song filling the night and before he knew it he dozed off, only to abruptly awake a few minutes later. Sleep had left him once again but he could still imagine the music, which he then realized was not his imagination but very much real.
Looks like he wasn't the only one still awake and having a bad night. He followed the sound only to be shown the most bizarre sight; Thorin Oakenshield sat beneath the stars, his eyes closed, his face a mask of peace, his fingers slowly strumming the cords on the harp to produce the most beautiful noise that Bilbo had ever heard. He had never expected Thorin to play a harp of all things. Come to think of it, Thorin was the only one undisturbed by the music the elves played in Rivendell. Bilbo closed his eyes, enjoying the music until it stopped. He opened his eyes to see Thorin looking right at him.
"What are you doing up so late if I may ask?" Thorin spoke while gesturing at Bilbo to sit next to him to which he obliged.
"Couldn't sleep," Bilbo replied.
"And where is Rodor?"
"I slipped past him, he still thinks I'm asleep," not the entire truth but not a complete lie either, "You play the harp?" Bilbo asked in an attempt to change the subject.
Thorin was silent for a few moments before replying, "As a Prince, I had to learn how to play an instrument. Luckily, I got to choose which one. So, I choose the harp. A reason why Dis never allowed me to teach Fili and Kili anything about music because according to my dear sister a harp is too feminine and elvish."
Feminine and elvish were the words which least accurately described Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo thought. It was quite funny if you think about it and so Bilbo let loose an ungraceful string of giggles. It was then that he realized that Thorin was saying something and he now came face to face with that glare which was the most consistent part of Thorin Oakenshield. "Pardon me?"
"I was asking, before you exhibited those horrendous antics, the reason for your inability to sleep."
Should he share his reasons with Thorin? Sure Thorin was a friend but this was the first time they were alone together since Thorin stupidly proposed to him a year ago. Plus, Bilbo did not fully trust him. Yet his tongue decided to go against his thoughts and said, "Nightmares."
"About what?"
"The battle, the death and you threatening to kill me."
Bilbo saw or thought he saw a flash of hurt cross Thorin's face when he mentioned that last one.
"Have you seen Oin about it?"
"I'd rather not worry him."
Thorin looked at him as if Bilbo had grown a beard. "Not worry him? It is his job."
"You know how Oin has all those interesting herbs. I might just forget about my nightmares and inquire about them. Curiosity is a dangerous thing, you know. After all it killed that cat."
"That was stupidity, not curiosity and you are being stupid regarding your decision not to go to Oin. It is this stupidity which could seriously harm you."
"Leave it to stupidity to take on where you left off." The words left his mouth before he could comprehend what he was about to say. Now Thorin's expression was one of absolute hurt.
"I... I'm sorry… I didn't mean…" he stammered.
"No you're right;" Thorin cut him off, "Perhaps not going to Oin is for the best.
Bilbo saw a single tear roll down Thorin's cheek. Should he have said that to Thorin? Of course, after what Thorin had done to him, Bilbo had every right to do so, but he knew that he shouldn't have.
"Do you think that if I play something for you it would help you fall asleep?"
"Perhaps."
"Please allow me too," it wasn't a request Thorin made but he was pleading to Bilbo to let him play.
"Ok," Bilbo agreed hoping to right his earlier mistake.
Thorin led Bilbo to his chambers and as Bilbo settled himself to sleep, Thorin sat on the sofa and began to play. Bilbo closed his eyes and was on the verge of sleep, when Thorin stopped. Bilbo heard Thorin move towards his bedside and so he pretended to be asleep. The next thing he knew Thorin had planted a kiss on his forehead and whispered, "I'm sorry Bilbo. I'd give up every gold coin in Erebor to go back and prevent myself from hurting you. Maybe one day you'll forgive. But I think I've blown my chance. Sweet dreams, my dear Bilbo." Thorin left the room and quietly closed the door behind him leaving a hobbit in his wake.
There was still hope, Bilbo thought, Thorin may yet love me. With that thought Bilbo fell asleep. He had no nightmares that night or any other night. No his dreams were filled with Thorin Oakenshield.
Thorin would come to Bilbo's chambers in the evening and play the harp while Bilbo either sat and listened or read a book. The company was welcome though. Not that Bilbo was lonely in Erebor, but he longed for the company of his king. The nightmares got him that didn't they? Yes, life was good. Life was good.
"Bilbo, hurry up," Fili called out.
"We wouldn't want to be caught in the unsafe sections of Erebor do we?" Kili offered his input.
Bilbo glared at the two, in disbelief of how they had convinced him to come into the mines, of all places. Ah, but they hadn't convinced him at all. Bilbo took a little pride in the fact that the princes hadn't been able to coerce him into following them and so had to employ sneakier tactics which involved going into an unexplored section of the mines and not returning, long enough to get Bilbo worried and have him follow their route.
"Why would you bring me here?" Bilbo asked.
Fili and Kili exchanged the most gruesome smirk Bilbo had ever seen. He regarded them with suspicion before Fili spoke, "Word around the mountain is that you've bewitched our King."
"Yes," Kili continued with a serious expression, "The rumors say that the Halfling's burgled himself a Durin."
"Now there are only six remaining Durins. Mom, of course is still in Ered Luin so it can't be her. Dain has returned to the Iron Hills and you've never met his son. The two of us, well, we are obviously angels and the epitomes of proper and honorary behavior so that really leaves only our dear uncle, King Thorin," Fili told him.
"That is the most absurd accusation I've ever had leveled at me. It's simply preposterous! Why, even Lobelia's claims that I was secretly hosting trolls were not as stupid. IT's more far-fetched than the talk regarding Nori being an elf because he is so light-footed, or Bofur secretly being a dragon. Why, it's even more absurd than Balin plotting to assassinate the Line of Durin and Dain and his family so that the sons of Fundin inherit the mountain!" Bilbo burst out at the princes who still wore solemn expressions.
"Be that as it may," Kili replied, "You can understand why we would like to make sure that Uncle is not hurt by you. Therefore you will not blame us for taking appropriate measures," Kili said as he flexed his fingers.
"A-appropriate measures?"
"We've seen Uncle slipping into your room every evening and we can only imagine what sort of activities you two indulge in," Fili spoke as Bilbo spluttered indignantly, "But by no means do we want you to reveal them. Mahal, no."
Fili and Kili slowly moved towards him. Fili's hand moved towards one of his knives which made Bilbo think that this may not be a joke after all.
"Is-is-is this really necessary?" He asked
"Do not fret Bilbo," Kili spoke, "You won't come to too much harm."
"But I'm afraid the correct course of action must be taken," Fili continued from where his brother left off. "This infatuation between you and Thorin has gone on long enough. It is time for the righteous to put an end to the disgrace and expose the lie which is Bagginshield."
"Bagginshield?"
"But, of course, my dear hobbit, the greatest scandal in dwarven history should indeed be given a name. What say you Fili?" Kili asked.
"I quite agree, dear brother," Fili said.
"How did you two come to know of this?" Bilbo asked fearfully.
"My, my Fili! He admits it!" Kili exclaimed with mock anger.
"Indeed," Fili spoke with a blank expression, "and to answer your question, Bilbo, since Smaug is no more, the Company has nothing better to do than gossip. So gossip we do."
"You do realize that the whole mountain knows of you as The Burglar of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, 'Bilbo Bed-Warmer Baggins'," Kili said while smiling at Bilbo.
Neither Fili nor Kili could have predicted what happened next. Bilbo, the gentle hobbit that he was, kicked them both with his large, hairy feet on their shins. The next thing you know, Fili and Kili were rolling on the floor clutching their shins and screaming for justice against assault and the brutality that Bilbo had displayed himself capable of possessing. Kili even had tears rolling down his cheeks. Come on, he hadn't hit them that hard, had he? It took him a moment to realize that these were tears of laughter. Oh, their audacity!
"Make jokes like that again, and I'll do a lot worse," Bilbo said rolling his eyes at the scene before him.
"Don't come crying to us when Dwalin arrests you for harassing the Heirs to the King," said Fili.
"Funny you should mention crying," Bilbo smirked while looking at Kili. Said dwarf burst into protest when he realized what Bilbo was saying.
"Are you quite done?" A baritone voice spoke behind them. Looking back Bilbo saw Thorin standing with his arms folded and an exasperated expression on his face.
"H-how long have you been standing there?" Kili asked.
"Long enough," he said while glaring at his nephews, "You too will have guard duty with Dwalin 17 hours a day for two weeks. Do not even think of shirking your duty or blabbering such nonsense again. If you do, then my sister-sons the consequences will be far more dire than anything you can imagine. I will find out if you do anything I have forbidden just like I found out you had brought Bilbo into the mines of all places! What were you thinking? Haven't you seen enough death already or do you wish to experience it yourself?"
"How did you know we were here?" Fili asked.
Bilbo rolled his eyes. Of everything Thorin said that was what they got out of it.
Thorin looked at them as if they had lost their minds. "Nori, of course. Do not ever put yourself in such danger again and never bring my hobbit near the mines without my permission. Do you understand? Now leave. I shall notify Dwalin shortly."
As the princes left, Bilbo heard Fili whispering to Kili, "Did you hear that? He said MY hobbit. Something is definitely going on."
Bilbo fixed his gaze on Thorin. "Why did you enquire about me, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Those fools have kept you down here for the entirety of the day. It's almost night. I came to your chambers with my harp only to find that you were not present."
"Oh."
"Shall we?" Thorin asked and strode out of the mines. Bilbo smiled to himself before following him.