AN: Warning: Primarily Thorin/Bilbo, and no Legolas yet. But soon!

oOOOo

Thorin sat upon his throne and stared at the air between himself and the entryway of the Throne Room. There was nobody there with him, and the silence clung to his mind like a web.

Another letter had arrived from Mirkwood that morning. Thranduil had expressed his... joy at the acceptance of matrimony. Whether he was deterred by the change of the participant had yet to be seen. Thorin was never the best at figuring elves out, and it wasn't hard for him to imagine the Mirkwood King to be devising a new way to work around the new arrangement.

Almost to prove Thorin's point, Thranduil threw in a new detail; since Kili is not the heir of Erebor, he is to live in Mirkwood, among the elves, as opposed to the original plan of Thranduil's son coming and staying in Erebor with Fili. It made sense, but it left Thorin on edge. Not having his nephew in the home they fought for bothered him deeply. Having him in the company of only elves indefinitely on top of that left a foul taste in his mouth and a stone in his stomach. But there was no way around it; Thorin knew he was treading on thin ice as it was. He had told Kili, and the poor boy looked as if he were going to be sick. Still, he managed a nod at his uncle and left, presumably to find his brother. Thorin couldn't blame him; if he had had half of the connection that Fili and Kili shared with his own brother, he would spend as much time as possible together. Thorin couldn't even begin to fathom what they will do when they are separated...

The sound of horns outside his gate snapped him back to reality. It was a very particular sound, meaning only one thing to Thorin: the entering of a visitor. For a few seconds, Thorin's heart was light again. He stood and descended down the steps (two at a time, though Thorin would deny it) and made his way quickly out of his palace. Ahead of him, the entry-way to the Mountain gaped like a mouth, and in the center two beings, one much smaller than the other, were walking toward him.

Thorin said nothing, but the corners of his mouth raised as he sped up a fraction. As he drew near, the forms took more shape- the brim of a large gray hat and a long white beard and glittering eyes under bushy eyebrows- but Thorin didn't take much notice to Gandalf in favor of the fellow next to the wizard.

Bilbo had changed since the events of years ago; his hair had begun to gray at the temples and he was slightly thicker around the middle, and maybe his clothes were even finer than before. But he was still the hobbit remembered by the king in the ways that were important. Such as Bilbo's smile, which was upon his face when Thorin approached them.

"Master Baggins." Thorin greeted. He repressed the impulse to gather Bilbo up and clasp him to his chest, keeping in mind that they were in public. Instead he grasped the hobbit's shoulder tight, noting the shift of soft muscle under the traveling coat. "Your journey has treated you well, I hope."

"Yes, quite." Bilbo sounded a touch breathless, whether from the walk up the mountain-path or because of something the King was inflicting upon him was uncertain. Thorin had hopes, though. "Though there was a bit of an issue going from Hobbiton..."

"Whether I knew or not if your nephew was in my bag is not my responsibility." Gandalf gave an indignant sniff, then bowed his head toward Thorin. "Your Highness."

"Gandalf." Thorin replied a bit on the curt side. He would have told Gandalf that the use of his title was unnecessary, but at this point he figured out that the wizard said with just as much amusement as respect, and he didn't feel like dignifying the jab with comment.

They began to move toward the castle, and Thorin didn't take his hand off Bilbo's shoulder. He needed it there, anchoring the Hobbit next to him where Thorin felt he should always be. It had been a good year and a half since Bilbo's last visit and for Thorin, that had been somewhere between manageable and excruciating. Bilbo's visits were far and in between, nearly always unannounced (Thorin felt that that had something to do with the Wizard...) and Thorin could never, even in the most modest of fashions, keep his hands to himself; he touched the hobbit as if to validate to himself that yes, Bilbo is there, and this is not just another disappointing dream.

`His eyes strayed back to Bilbo's face as the hobbit babbled happily about life back in the Shire and he took in the new details as well the old; a new wrinkle there, a faint scar there, the looks of dark circles under eyes that never quite went away. Those eyes locked onto Thorin's, and the emotion in them made the king's breath hitch. It appeared he was not alone in his desperation. They reached the threshold of the Great Hall when Thorin found that his hand had drifted from Bilbo's shoulder to his lower back. Bilbo flashed him that look again, and Thorin had half a mind to show the hobbit to his chambers now. It had been a long trip, after all, and Thorin was certain that anyone would need... rest, especially someone so small and soft and-

"Thorin," Gandalf said, interrupting the dwarf's train of thought. Thorin looked up at the wizard, whom he had all but forgotten about, and saw a storm raging in the grey eyes. "I have heard of what has happened to Kili."

Thorin's mouth thinned to a firm line at the reminder. He glanced at Bilbo and internally sighed. It seemed their reunion would have to wait. There were more pressing issues at hand.

oOo

Gandalf's expression grew darker as Thorin recounted the events of the last month. They sit in the same room Kili had announced his fate, and Thorin pulls out the latest letter, handing it to Gandalf. He read it over, making a thoughtful noise. "Yes." The wizard said as he finished, "Most troubling?"

"Do you think Thranduil is up to something?" Thorin asked.

"It is certainly possible, though I would not be able to venture a guess as to what."

"...Is there," Thorin started, slowly. "Anything you can do?"

Gandalf's head snapped to the king, eyes turning to slits. "What exactly would you have me do, Thorin?"

Thorin bristled. "You are a wizard. You must be able to do something!"

"Anybody can do something, not just a Wizard. But whether it is the right thing is a different matter, King Dwarf."

Thorin growled, standing to advance on the man. He felt a small hand on his arm stopping him, and glares at Bilbo. Bilbo doesn't even flinch at the look anymore, and Thorin isn't sure if that's more infuriating or endearing.

"There's no point in getting angry, or provoking anger." Bilbo gave Gandalf a sharp glance. "All we can do is make the best of the situation."

"As always, the hobbit speaks reason." Gandalf smiles, if only slightly, and Thorin lowers back into his seat. He rubbed a hand over his face, and he's more than grateful that Bilbo hadn't taken his hand away.

"So that's it then? Kili is to go to Mirkwood?" Thorin muttered. He suddenly felt exhausted, like the gravity of the matter just now hit him. "There's nothing else that can be done?"

"...Well, you could still refuse and have the threat of war upon you."

Bilbo again managed to catch Thorin before he charged at Gandalf. "Alright, I think we're all a bit tired and upset. I think it's best of we retire for the night." Bilbo glanced at Thorin with purpose, and Thorin is reminded of when the hobbit first arrived to the mountain. He's up in a minute, though he did his best to compose himself (which, if the look the other two were giving him, didn't work).

"I agree with Master Baggins." Thorin's hand was on Bilbo's shoulder in an instant. "If you do not mind, Gandalf, I shall see him to his quarters now."

"Not at all." Gandalf replied mildly, though there was that irritating twinkle in the wizard's eye that indicated that he knew far more than he should have. Thorin scowled, but bowed his head then guided the hobbit out to the hall.

They continued down the corridors, and though Thorin still lead, he didn't really need to; they both knew these halls and the way by heart at this point. Numerous visits and barely contained need established that. There was a specific room for Bilbo when he came to Erebor. It was across from Thorin's chambers, and Bilbo put his things in there and claimed to depart to at night. But only those who knew very very little about the Royal Family thought this was the case. Thorin barely glanced at the door before opening to his own room and ushering Bilbo inside.

He barely had the door closed before the hobbit was on him, mouth pressing fervently on his. Thorin moved almost on instinct, clutching handfuls of cloth as he dragged Bilbo closer and angling his head for better access.

Bilbo pulled back, gasping and wild-eyed. "Goodness, I missed you." A small hand grasped Thorin's tunic and he was tugged toward the bed. Bilbo crawled back onto the mattress and pulled Thorin on top of him to resume the fervent kissing. The moves were comfortable yet still desperate, a decade of on-and-off interaction forming a consistence that Thorin somehow enjoyed while still being frustrated. The feeling passed for the moment when Bilbo nipped his throat and worked the top of layer of clothing off.

"Confound dwarfs and their layers..." Bilbo was muttering, now working on the complicated buckles and laces of Thorin's trousers. Thorin watched, amusement ebbing the lust just enough to let his mind slip parts of the day back into his attention.

He didn't realize how long he had been thinking until there was a tug on one of his braid.

"Glad to have your attention again." Bilbo remarked when the king looked back down. Comparably slender arms made their way around his neck and the hobbit leaned up to leave quick pecks over Thorin's throat. "What's in your mind, my king?"

Thorin shivered at the title, pulling the halfling closer. "Should it not be obvious?"

Bilbo let out a groan against the scruff on the dwarf's jaw, though it was less aroused and more irritated. "Could we perhaps talk about your inner turmoil after you take me in a timely fashion? As much as I'd like to help, I've been holding back for over a year and I'm afraid if we do not continue now I will burn from the inside out and you will have nothing but a pile of burglar-ash in your bed, which I'm certain would be the devil to try and wash out."

Thorin grunted with equal parts charmed and apologetic before he tipped his head and caught Bilbo in a smoldering kiss that had the smaller male humming delightfully. He tried his best to keep his focus on the moment, he truly did, but Thorin was nothing if not tenebrific.

"...Do you think I made the right decision?" Thorin asked, ignoring the muttered Oh for the love of Mahal under him. "I see no other outcome but war if we refused, but I want to do right by both Kili and my people. Was there something else I should have done, or should I have fought harder? Have I been unwise?"

Thorin looked at Bilbo beseechingly, and Bilbo was watching him without the annoyed expression he wore before. It was far and in between when Thorin opened up to anyone, and they both knew that even though Bilbo had won his place in Thorin's trust, it was still very difficult for the King to allow his guard down. Large green eyes scanned over Thorin's face for a moment more before Bilbo sighed and sat up slightly.

"Thorin, for the duration of time I have known you, you have been highlighted by a handful of unwise decisions." Bilbo placed both hands on each side of the dwarf''s face and smiled fondly. "But this isn't one of them. You are avoiding unnecessary problems, and anyone can see you want what is best for everyone. Kili is a strong, grown lad; he knew what he was doing...probably." The corner of Thorin's mouth quirked at that. "At any rate, He is now proving responsible and honorable because knows the value of protecting both his kingdom and his family, traits I think he got from his uncle." Thorin could hear the pride that mirrored his own in Bilbo's voice; his nephews had grown quick and deep in Bilbo's heart, and it brought comfort to Thorin just to think on it. "You are all doing your best in a rather bleak situation, and no one should ask for more, not even yourself. And you never know, something good may come out of this mess." Bilbo gave him a reassuring smile. "Alright?"

Thorin ducked his head, hiding his fond smile in the curtain of his hair. If he wasn't sure he loved the little creature before this moment, he could never question it again. "What would I ever do without you, Halfling?"

"Fester in frustration, I should think." Bilbo sniffed, tugging on Thorin's braid again until the dwarf glanced up at him. "Now that that's been taken care of, will you remove those blasted things you call clothes and ravage me like a proper dwarf?"

oOo

Thorin awoke some time later to a loud, insistent and rather irritating banging. He cracked one eye opened, glancing about for a moment to get his bearings. He was in his bed, with his (somehow still sleeping) Hobbit and the sound was coming from the other side of his door. He untangled himself from Bilbo with reluctance and dressed haphazardly, then trudged to the other side of the chamber. He wrenched the the door open with a prepared curse at whomever was stupid enough to wake him from such a peaceful slumber. But whatever he had to say was drowned out by the all but roar that burst as soon as he was visible to the intruder.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING WITH MY SON?!"

Thorin winced at the volume, still trying to fully regain consciousness. He slumped slightly as he finally grasped who was yelling at him. "Good Evening, Dis..."

"Don't you 'Good evening' me!" The usually lovely face of Thorin's sister was twisted in a blind rage, eyes almost as icy as Thorin's boring into him. "What in the name of Our Father do you think you are doing sending my son away?"

Thorin said nothing at first, glancing behind into the room. Bilbo continued to sleep curled in the blankets. Thorin stepped into the hall and closed the door quietly. No point in having both he and the hobbit subject to Dis' wrath.

"Dis." He turned to look at his irate sister. "You already knew what was happening. Kili has been betrothed for some time now-"

"Yes, but I expected you to find a way out for him at this point! Now not only is he to marry some strange bark-eater-" Thorin held back a smirk at the name, "-He has to leave us to do it! How could you have let this happen? He's LEAVING us, Thorin! We don't know when, if ever, we'll see him again!"

"... Well I'm fairly certain we'd see him at the wedding-"

"Don't play cute with me, Thorin." Dis all but seethed, and Thorin had to bite his tongue to keep himself in check. Dis had always been easy to rile up, even as a child, and it was one of those pleasures in life that an older brother could hardly resist. Though it had been dampened when he was reminded how that temper was another thing both siblings shared. Thorin took in a deep breath and put on his best "Politician" face.

"It's for the best of everyone, Dis. A marriage of royalty is a good way to advance diplomatic affairs between us and Mirkwood-"

"Then YOU marry him!" Dis cried, causing Thorin's mouth to twist at the mere prospect. Dis wasn't looking at him, though, but at the door behind him. "Or are you too busy advancing diplomatic affairs with the Shire?"

"Dis." Thorin said, warning very evident in his tone. He stepped closer to his sister and placed a hand on her arm. "There is nothing else to be done."

"No." She scowled, pulling her arm free. She stood tall, but her voice began to waiver and quicken. "There must be something. There has to be. I will not lose either of my sons again, Thorin. You took them away before and I almost didn't get them back. By the Valor's Grace they're with us, and now you want to separate them from not me but each other? How can you just accept this, Thorin?" Dis voice was growing more frantic with each word, her eyes searching out her brother in desperate anger. "How can you stand by and watch them take Kili away from his family? From his home? He doesn't belong there with the likes of- of them! What about Fili? What's he to do without his brother? They're being ripped apart, Thorin, and you are letting it happen!-"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Thorin snapped, grabbing his sister tight. "Do you think I want this to happen? I had no intention to ever lose my nephews, Dis, either of them! I hate this as much as you!" He sighed, looking hard at his now silent sister. "But there is nothing we can do. We have thought of everything, Dis, we have, but some things... Some things are beyond our control." He felt his heart drop even as he said it. He hated not being able to control of any situation, hated that he could not, for all his power and authority, save one of the people closest to him. It was like he was young again, probably only a few years older than Fili, and he was suddenly thrust from his home into a world he wasn't prepared for, into the the world of People who knew nothing of him or his culture and was expected to take it like the Prince he was.

Dis stared at Thorin, watched the memories where they must be playing out in his face; he could never really hide anything from Dis, just as she couldn't hide from him. It was always something they had, not as strong as Fili and Kili, but there, tying them together in a way most didn't really understand. They stood in silent revery for a moment, then Dis deflated, sagging slightly into Thorin's hold. Her eyes were downcast and even though she didn't cry, her voice was very soft."He's just a boy..."

"I know." Thorin answered, pulling his sister closer into an embrace. Her head rested on his shoulder, and his mind flashed to a similar moment, years ago, when they said something similar about someone who Kili reminded them both of. Thorin sighed again, deep and somber."I know."

oOOOo

R&R please