Bilbo was on a mission. Luckily it had mostly been a success so far.

He had been sure that there would be some berries around here – he just had to find them.

Cursing the prickles that caught his jacket as he brushed past, Bilbo persevered away from the main company and headed closer to the stream Balin had said was nearby. He already had collected a decent pocketful of fruit, but was hoping he might find something else closer to the water.

Of course, he had also collected his fair share of bumps and scrapes along the way, but it would be worth it later.

Bilbo's ears twitched. He could hear something happening nearby. Water moving, definitely. But there were other creatures nearby.

He dropped into a crouch and moved around some large trees. He could see the stream rushing past. He could see weeping willows along the far bank. He could see…

Bilbo stopped short.

In the stream, Fili and Kili were obviously washing themselves up. He wanted to head back and give them some privacy, but he couldn't.

The hobbit had never seen wounds like that in all his life.

Fili's back was cross-crossed with angry white stripes in every direction. The raise scars showed that the few red welts that were still healing were not a new punishment. Bilbo felt the distant, academic part of his brain wondering if Thorin used his belt of if he pulled out a whip for such occasions. Then he hoped he never had to see it for himself.

Then he hoped he never compared his pathetic, weak-stomached whining with Fili and Kili's genuine suffering.

Because Kili's back had its own pattern of old wounds. His shoulders showed fading burns, and as he lifted his hair Bilbo saw an old scar circle around the back of his neck.

Either Fili was much more disagreeable than his brother, or – as Bilbo had seen the other night – Fili had probably stepped in to protect his brother. Fili had a lot more scars.

Obviously Thorin had kept their hands and feet healthy, but the rest of their normally hidden bodies told a story that matched the 20 years of pain the other dwarves had implied to Bilbo.

Suddenly Kili looked up and saw Bilbo standing under the tree.

"Mr Bogg… Mister Bilbo," he squeaked.

Fili turned at his brother's voice and immediately bowed his head. "We can finish up later, Mister Bilbo, if you want to wash up," he said, and he and Kili quickly got out of the water and started collecting their clothes.

"No, it's fine," Bilbo stuttered. "And please, just call me Bilbo."

He saw Fili and Kili share an uneasy glance.

"Actually I was hoping to find you boys," Bilbo continued. "I've been listening to the others and realised I could bring you these."

He stepped over to Kili, meaning to drop the berries into his hands, but Kili stepped back as soon as Bilbo got close. Without missing a beat, Bilbo smoothly sat down on the ground, spread out his jacket and placed the berries there.

"Please eat some. I picked these for you."

Fili still refused to meet his eyes. "We aren't allowed, Mister… I mean, Bilbo. We can't."

"Dwarves aren't allowed, Fili," Bilbo said calmly, "But hobbits take food rather seriously, and there aren't any traditions restricting who I can share my food with. So please, eat."

Bilbo kept his eyes on their knees, and he felt rather than saw their silent conversation. Somewhat reluctantly both boys sat down. Neither of them would meet his gaze.

"Go on, try one."

Fili looked green, but picked up the berry closest to him and brought it towards his mouth. Kili broke first.

"Please Mister Bilbo, don't make us eat it! You can just tell Thorin we've been good; we know not to eat unless he says, we know we can't eat good food like this, just tell him and don't make us eat these and get sick!"

Bilbo felt like he'd been shoved back, so fast he leant back on his elbows. "You… what?"

Kili finally looked up at Bilbo. "Please sir, tell our master he doesn't need to test us. We know who we belong to and we know we can't eat these. So please don't order us to make ourselves ill to prove our loyalty!"

Kili was almost sobbing. Fili's hands were shaking. He was staring doggedly at the food like he was trying to will himself to eat it, but he was clearly battling Kili's words.

Sick! This is sick!

Bilbo had planned a highly logical argument as to why the boys could and should eat, but he had nothing. Literally, his brain was blank. That these two boys would think that Bilbo was just trying to make them sick, to test them for Thorin (their master, he refused to call him his name anymore) instead of helping them…

Bilbo made a snap decision. Reaching out, he grabbed a berry, made sure the boys could see it and put it in his mouth. He chewed, swallowed then showed them his empty mouth.

"See? Perfectly harmless," he said cheerfully. "Although I meant them for you, there's no reason why I can't join you for a little afternoon tea." He gently picked up another berry and ate it more slowly, savouring the sweetness.

Fili and Kili hadn't moved. Bilbo had hoped they would relax but he had obviously underestimated their wariness. He sighed.

"Look, I know you have no reason to trust me. Quite frankly you have every reason never to trust a living soul ever again. But all I want to do is help you, which is why I brought some food over here where we can all eat in peace without the others knowing. Not that I think it matters – I'm not a dwarf. If I want to feed you, I will. And so I did."

Bilbo waited until both boys were looking in his general direction. Not directly meeting his eyes, of course, but close enough.
"Please," he repeated, "Eat some."

Next up: Fili and Kili's perspective!