Billa slowly came to. The last thing she remembered was two young and handsome dwarves invading her space and treating her like she was some sort of doll on display. Talking about how they wanted to keep her. Then there was the regal one with a hint of ruggedness. The one that made her heart skip a beat. Those eyes, no one should have such beautiful eyes. Even in this state of semi-awareness she could feel her heart flutter like she was a girl with a crush. She could feel pillows and soft bed sheets.
Was I carried to my room? Oh no, I hope not! I don't want to be a burden to my own guests.
The hobbit felt embarrassed for herself; to be so head over heels for a dwarf. When her eyes finally opened she saw the dwarf who made her heart skip leaning over here with a wet cloth.
"Thank Aule, you are awake." He said; his voice was like rolling thunder.
Her mind snapped back to the fact he knew she was pregnant, shame filled her and tears started to roll down her cheeks. It was all too much. She didn't want her guests to think less of her; a hobbit pregnant out of wedlock.
"How did you know? Did Gandalf tell you?" She asked her handsome caretaker in a hoarse whisper.
He looked at her confused at first, but his eyes gave way to a look of knowing, "My sister birthed two boys. I know Gandalf said hobbits were of a softer and rounder sort, but I know what a belly swelling with young looks like."
Billa felt light headed again. She could only imagine what he thought of her. He probably didn't even want stay anymore because his nephews would be around such a bad example of a woman.
"Mrs. Baggins." He said softly.
"So, Gandalf didn't tell you?" Billa said relaxing only a little, "What did he tell you?"
The handsome dwarf frowned, "Not much, outside of a generalization of hobbits and that if we made you cry he would drop us into the fires of Mordor." The dwarf chuckled and Billa felt her heart flutter.
"I don't know if he didn't go further because hobbits are private creatures or because we dwarves are, and he didn't want to startle us with second hand information," He admitted, "However, I heard your son telling my nephews some of the finer details of being a hobbit. He is a charming youngling. You and your husband must be proud."
Billa couldn't wasn't sure but it almost seemed like he was disappointed at the prospect of her being married, but that was ridiculous. Before she could correct him about Frodo being her son, the door to her room swung opened.
"Auntie, you're awake." Frodo said as he ran to the bedside; Kili and Fili trailed in behind him.
"Yes, Sweetie." Billa answered as she felt small arms wrap around her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bill noticed the older dwarf looked a little relieved to hear Frodo call her auntie.
"Just in time the roast is almost done and I'm hungry." Frodo said.
Billa felt sick again, she had forgotten about the roast. How could she be such a mess? She knew her guests were going to hate her.
"Mrs. Baggins I am sure me and my nephews can handle getting the rest of the-"
Billa cut her handsome guest off before he could finish, "No!" there was more desperation in her voice then she had meant, "You are a guest in my house, and it isn't hobbit like to have your guests work. Gods it isn't even hobbit like to pass out them. I got it, I can do it…" I want to feel helpful.
There was an understanding in the dark haired dwarf's eyes. His hand reached out and grabbed one of Billa's and she thought her cheeks had caught fire.
"I will let you be a gracious host if you do me the honors of letting me be a kind guest, and at least letting me help you out of bed." He said.
Billa nodded, "I didn't get your name earlier. I was so overwhelmed. I have never had dwarves in my home before…and your nephews…" she said as he helped her up.
He glared back at his nephews and they went running out of the room like orcs were on their heels.
"Thorin Oakenshield," Thorin said taking a deep bow while still holding Billa's hand, "I am sorry about Kili and Fili. We have not had the honor of meeting on of the gentler children of Middle Earth. They meant no harm; their excitement gets the better of them."
Billa blushed, even his name seemed so regal, and his manners. This Thorin fellow was turning out to be nothing like what she heard dwarves to be like.
"It's alright. Me and Frodo are not used to guests and I was taken by surprise at their…um…zeal?" Billa said slowly taking her hand back. Thorin was warm, like a furnace. She wondered if this was a dwarf thing, or just him?
Thorin let out a hardy laugh, "Zeal is an excellent word, I think." He said as he followed behind Billa.
Billa's nerves eased further as she finished everything for dinner. She wasn't sure how she felt about Thorin hovering close by, however. It looked like it took everything out of him not to insist he help pull the roast out. Periodically his nephews would pop their heads into the kitchen of dining room with mischievous grins. Thorin would cast them a glare and they would take running to go keep Frodo company. She could hear the young hobbit talking about gardening and Kili and Fili 'owing' and 'aweing'. They seemed genuinely impressed and she heard one of them, Kili she thinks, mention he wants to help out tomorrow.
After she got the table set and the food set, she called everyone to eat. Kili came rushing in with Fili on his heels and Frodo hanging off the dwarf's back with his legs wrapped around his waist. Hearing Frodo laugh like that made Billa feel warm inside for once. She was glad he was making new friends. He had so few because of her and her reputation.
Thorin waited to take his until Billa was sitting. She waited nervously for the dwarves to take their first bites of the food. She had no idea how they would like their food and hoped her cooking was okay with them. The noises the dwarves made after they tried the food made Billa blush and burst with pride.
"This is amazing Mrs. Boggins. I don't even think Bombur can cook like this." Kili said with a small moan.
"Yes, the food is delicious Mrs. Baggins." Thorin agreed.
Billa felt her cheeks heat up even more when Thorin spoke, "I am so glad you all like my cooking. Sorry there isn't much. I wasn't sure what dwarves eat."
"We will eat anything you put in front of us as long as you cooked it." Fili said.
Kili nodded in agreement with his brother.
The rest of dinner was Billa and Thorin watching their nephews joke around with one another. Every so often Thorin would cast a glare at Kili and Fili when he thought they were about to say something not suitable for a young hobbit. It was a pleasant scene for Billa. It had been a long time since there wasn't a pull in her heart that made it feel like it was sinking.
After dinner and Thorin insisting he and his nephews do the dishes, Billa settled in her chair by the fireplace and without thinking started her nightly routine of reading Frodo a story. She grabbed the book that was on an end table that sat next to her chair. Thorin excused himself outside so he could smoke. Billa started where she left off the night before, Frodo sat in front of her and listened with intently. She looked up to se Kili and Fili taking a seat next to Frodo, both with childlike joy.
Frodo filled the brothers in what the story was thus far. Kili and Fili showed more excitement when it was about a knight saving a princess from an evil dragon. When Frodo finished Billa continued. She read until the three in front of her looked ready to pass out. She didn't even noticed that Thorin had walked back in.
"I think it is time for bed." Thorin said smiling.
Billa jumped a little, "Thorin! I didn't even hear you come back in…how long were you standing there? Not too long I hope!"
"Long enough to know the hero of our story is in deep trouble, and he is doubting if can defeat the mighty dragon." Thorin said.
"Yeah but he will. He has his friends with him." Frodo said rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, Uncle, Godwin is a master with bows, like me." Kili said.
"There is also the princess' sister who is in disguise! Glinda is a master of the sword and shield." Fili added.
"Well, why don't we find out what happens tomorrow night? Frodo, it's time for bed." Bill said kissing the small hobbit on the forehead.
"I think we all should retire for the night." Thorin said looking at his nephews.
Billa sat up with fear in her eyes, "Oh my goodness I never showed you your rooms!"
"Don't worry, Frodo showed us while you were would." Fili said, "Thank you for dinner again and letting us stay here." The blond dwarf said giving Billa a hearty hug. Billa squeaked in surprise when he let go and only to be swept up by Kili next for a hug.
Thorin merely bowed his head to her, "Goodnight Mrs. Baggins."
Thorin woke from his sleep to see the dim light of a fire dancing through the crack under his door. The exiled prince sat up and leaned over so he could grab his tunic. After he looked somewhat decent he walked out and headed to where the light was coming from. There sitting in front of the fireplace was Billa and she looked like she had been crying.
Panic filled the dwarf, "Mrs. Baggins are you alright? Is it the babe?"
Billa jumped up, "Thorin! Did I wake you? Oh my goodness I am so sorry. I…I" She trailed off as a new wave of tears took her.
Thorin rushed to her sides and dropped to his knees, "Do I need to call for a healer? If you are in pain please tell me." He pleaded.
The hobbit shook her head, "No the baby is fine. I…I can't talk about it."
The dwarf frowned. It hurt him to see such a precious creature so distort, "Where is your husband? Did he come in late? Should I wake him?"
Billa's sobs worsened, "I don't have a husband, not anymore."
Thorin felt like a mountain had come crashing down on him. Was her husband a warrior? Did he die in battle? Or did a sickness claim him?
"I'm not some harlot." Billa said suddenly.
Thorin grabbed one of her small hands and placed it in his, "Why on earth would you say something like that?"
Billa didn't answer at first she only wept, "It's ridiculous to think I could carry a human child. I mean really."
Thorin had never felt more confused in his life, however there was a pit growing in his stomach and a fear in the corner of his heart that he was going to have to crack some skulls to defend this lovely woman's honor.
"Billa…did something happen?" Thorin asked slowly not sure if that was the question he wanted to ask.
Billa tried to wipe her eyes with her free hand, she was trembling. Thorin could feel his heart speeding up as he waited for her to answer.
"No one believes me." She said barely above a whisper.
Thorin thought he could hear his heart shattering. Why would anyone would want to hurt such a gentle creature he didn't know. He jumped up and wrapped himself around Billa, like she was shielding her from phantom prying eyes.
"I believe you." He said.
Nothing more was said, he just sat there with Billa in his arms and the dwarf decided he would wait until she was ready to talk. Suddenly his problems seemed so small and he felt like a child for thinking what was happening to him was so bad. There was a deep seeded curiosity of where her husband was, if he wasn't dead he needed to be here to help his wife. Then it hit Thorin, Billa wasn't wearing a wedding ring. He didn't know about hobbits, but with dwarves widowers wore their wedding bands.
When she fell asleep in his arms do to crying Thorin gently picked her up and carried her into her room.
"Aule, what mess is this hobbit's life in? Can I help? Please allow me too." Thorin whispered as he looked back to take in one last look of Billa sleeping.