Acorn
I used to go away for weeks in a state of confusion.
~Albert Einstein~
Gandalf cannot begin to express his feelings when he came down the road and saw Bilbo Baggins sitting on the bench, smoking his pipe and humming a pleasant little tone as he enjoyed the summer breeze. Yes, the Hobbit was pale and unkempt as though he didn't bother with the cleanliness of a proper Hobbit; not that the wizard blamed him with not wanting to have anything to do with being a proper Hobbit. Yes, his eyes had lost that brightness and fire, and he didn't have Hobbit roundness that the others had; but Bilbo was alive.
"Gandalf!?"
And he remembered him.
"I came back" said the wizard to the still stunned Hobbit.
Bilbo gaped at him, mouth opening and closing reminding Gandalf of a fish, amused by the image; Gandalf gives the Carrier a moment to collect his thoughts.
"Y-You're here" Bilbo finally said.
"That I am, may I come in?" asked Gandalf, indicating to the closed and locked fence.
"Oh!" Bilbo said, "yes, yes, of course!"
Sheathing his dagger (which didn't go unnoticed by Gandalf) Bilbo gets up and lets him in, Gandalf takes a seat on the bench, waiting until the Carrier sit back down next to him to take out; stuff and light his own pipe. Bilbo is quiet and squirming, finally with an air of hesitation and biting his bottom lip, the Hobbit reached out and poked Gandalf in the arm.
"Y-You're really here" the Carrier said quietly and full of wonder, "y-you're real"
Gandalf doesn't say anything about that, just continued smoking his pipe.
"I-I thought you had forgotten"
"A wizard's promise is a promise kept" Gandalf said softly around his pipe.
He wasn't upset or insulted that Bilbo thought that, his business had taken far longer than he wanted, but he was here now.
"Though it seems that I've kept my promise too late" the wizard then frowned, heart clenching in sorrow at remembering the discovery of Belladonna' and Bungo's fate when he was on his way here. Not for the first time he wondered if the news of the Shire had come to him during that winter would things have been different.
Bilbo's eyes clouded over with sorrow, quickly he blinked it away and with a shaky breath spoke.
"You still remembered and kept your promise, and for that I am glad"
"You don't know how happy that makes me"
Bilbo gives him a shy smile.
The two sit there for some time, talking of little things, though Bilbo is eager to discuss plans of escaping; he knows better to do so out in the open. Gandalf even scared off a Breeder who had wondered down the path with a daring brow. Bilbo had found it most amusing.
"There is also something I wish to discuss with you"
Bilbo looked up curiously at the wizard.
"I'm looking for someone to share an Adventure with, you wouldn't happen to know anyone interested would you?"
Bilbo blinked, and blinked again, and then he grinned.
"Actually, I believe I do know of someone"
~.~
When they go inside, it takes Bilbo a moment to remember what to do with a guest that wasn't the Gamgee family or Fosco and his family, and after fixing tea and some small cakes. Gandalf tells Bilbo more of the Adventure, what was needed of him.
"I have never stolen a thing in my life!"
What he may have to face.
"A dragon!?"
Along with who his companions will be should he accept going on the Adventure.
"Thirteen Dwarves" said Gandalf as he nibbled on his cake, "will come here tonight, once I send word"
"Oh" Bilbo said after a moment, "I hope they don't destroy the plumbing" he then said, quoting his father.
Gandalf chuckled, "I'd not hope for much my lad"
"Oh bother" the Carrier sighed, inwardly saying goodbye to his pipes if the stories his father told him of Dwarves to be true.
Gandalf eats his cake and sipped his tea, preparing himself for the next part of the conversation, after finishing his tea; he placed it on the saucer.
"There is also one other thing I wish to inform you of" said the wizard, "the Dwarves who we'd be traveling with, are Alphas"
Bilbo, who knew that Alphas was another name for Breeders, froze.
"A-All of t-t-them?" the Carrier stuttered after a long uneasy silence.
"To my knowledge, yes" Gandalf nodded.
Bilbo whimpered, and the teacup he had in his hands slipped and shattered on the floor. The room started to spin and he couldn't get enough air, someone was talking but it sound so far away.
Breeders, all of them! Dwarves were bigger and stronger than Hobbits; no doubt they were more aggressive than the Breeders here too! Nonononononono!
"Bilbo!"
Soft, warm, and gentle hands placed themselves at the side of his face. Worried eyes stared into his own.
"It's alright, it's alright" Gandalf soothed, "breathe, in and out like me, watch, in. Good, now out, in again, now out"
Bilbo felt himself following the other's breathing until finally his racing heart had calmed down, and he could breathe normally again. He absently noted that he had slumped against Gandalf, and his still slightly shaky hands were clinging to the grey robes, a much larger hand was running itself up and down his back in a soothing manner. He doesn't move, soaking in the presence.
Once he was calmer, Bilbo sat up properly, "Sorry" the Hobbit said.
"No harm done" assured Gandalf as he got up from his kneeling position and back to his chair.
Bilbo gave a shaky smile before his gaze goes to the shattered teacup, "A pack of Breeders" he laughed, the sound was almost hysterical, eyes still on the broken pieces.
"Not all Alphas are the like the ones here" Gandalf said softly.
Bilbo snorted.
Gandalf said nothing, he could not blame the Carrier for not believing him, Bilbo had experience nothing that would make him think all Alphas were anything but dangerous and something to fear.
"This Adventure would most definitely be good for him" Gandalf thought as Bilbo goes to get the broom and duster to clean up the broken glass.
"I will be with you the entire journey" Gandalf said after Bilbo sat back down when he was done, "you will have nothing to fear….well beyond the usual fears when on an Adventure"
Bilbo worried his bottom lip with his teeth, pushing back the panic that was threatening to swell up in him again, traveling with a pack of Breeders is a bit of a setback and is making him hesitant, but this….this was his chance.
His only chance.
"Mother always said Adventures comes with risks" Bilbo thought as he agreed to come along and be the Company's burglar, "both good and bad"
"Wonderful!" Gandalf smiled, though there was a bit of worry in his eyes, "I will go and inform the others, then come back and help with dinner".
Bilbo nodded, a grateful smile at the wizard for the hint, it's been a very long time since Bilbo had to put into motion the manners his parents had taught him long ago. Whenever the Gamgee family came over or Drogo and his parents, Bilbo just let them take over during their visit. The Carrier then walked the wizard to the door, no sooner does he close it and make his way to his pantry (thanking Ruby for doing the grocery shopping yesterday, and trying to remember where his mother's cookbook was) that his doorbell ranged. Thinking that maybe Gandalf had forgotten something, he goes back to the door and peeked out the window. It wasn't Gandalf, but none the less welcomed.
"Good morning Hamfast!" the Carrier greeted when he opened the door.
"Good morning" said Hamfast as he entered, "I passed Gandalf on my way home" then said the Beta, "caught me by surprise, we talked a bit and he told he'd be back for dinner after finishing up some wizard business" here Hamfast turned curious.
Bilbo tells his friend about his Adventure and his other guests, skipping the pack of Breeders part, he knows that his friend will make a fuss and weaken his already shaky resolve. When he's done, Hamfast merely raised a brow and tells the Carrier he'd be right back. He left Bag End and comes back with a three month pregnant Bell and their four children.
"Bell and Daisy will handle the rooms, Halfred and May will sweep and mop the floors, and I'll handle the sitting room, while you Bilbo start on dinner with Hamson's help" Hamfast instructed.
As he stands there, watching the Gamgee family scrambling about the place and with the realization that he had more to do than he thought. Bilbo wondered if Gandalf had planned this.
~.~
Gandalf returned in the late afternoon, informing Bilbo that his other guests will be here sometime in the evening (along with convincing a slightly annoyed Carrier to let him put a mark on his green door), before going to help Hamfast and Hamson set up two tables into one long table in the dinning room. Afterward he goes back into the kitchen, looked over the apron wearing (Bilbo's father), flour covered Carrier and declared that Bilbo take a bath.
"You don't want to greet your guests like that do you?" Gandalf said as he stirred the Carrier to the newly cleaned bathroom.
"But the pies" Bilbo protested.
"I'm sure Hamson and I can keep an eye on them, ah, here we are"
Bilbo stared at the tub filled with steamy water, wondering who filled it and placed the fluffy towel and new clothes.
Gandalf left.
After a moment he undressed and gets in the tube, Bilbo sighed happily as he sinks just a bit further underneath the water, he soaked for a moment. Closing his eyes and enjoying the rare peace that came over him. Opening his eyes and sliding back up, the Carrier grabbed the nearby soap and wash cloth, Bilbo stared at the soap, noticing that it wasn't the usual soap he used, before tossing the thought aside. Bell or Ruby did his shopping and it was possible one of them brought this soap because they thought he may like it. He washed up, even his hair (unkempt and long, he does not trust himself with scissors), freshly clean he gets out and unplugged the tub.
Once dry, he puts on the clothes and left the bathroom, a towel on his shoulders to protect his clothing from his still slightly dripping hair. He entered the kitchen to see Hamson watching the pies, assured that things were well in hand, Bilbo goes in search for the others. Bell finds him first, and ushered him to the sitting room, sits him by the fireplace so his hair could dry.
"We have everything in hand dear" Bell reassured, "you just sit there and relax"
Knowing better to argue with the woman, Bilbo sits back and does as he's told. Several minutes later, after Daisy came and asked him where the plates were, and him directing her to the trunk in the laundry room, did it hit the Carrier.
Dwarves were coming to Bag End.
People, other than Hamfast and his family or Fosco and his, were going to roam the no longer dusty halls. Fear and nervousness filled him, he never had proper guests before, the fact that they were all Alphas notwithstanding.
"Oh dear! Oh dear!"
Gandalf came in, he frowned at the Carrier fidgeting in his chair.
"My dear Bilbo, what's wrong?" he asked coming over and kneeling down in front of the Carrier.
"D-Dwarves are coming here!" Bilbo blurted out.
Gandalf nodded, not sure where the other was going with this conversation.
"I'm going to have guests! Proper guests!"
"Ah" said the wizard in understanding.
"Gandalf, I've never had guests before, what do I do? I barely remembered to offer you tea this morning, and if it wasn't for you hinting about dinner, there wouldn't be one, a-and now there's going to be thirteen! Ohdearohdearohdearohdear!"
"Alright Bilbo, calm down, calm down, breathe, breathe there's a good lad"
Bilbo takes shaky breaths, once calm, he looked at the wizard with begging eyes.
"Oh Gandalf, what do I do!?"
"That's simple my friend" Gandalf chuckled, "just be yourself"
Bilbo blinked, be himself? He suppose that's good advice and all; only one small problem.
He wasn't sure he knew who he was.
~.~
After his hair was dry, Bell combed, brushed and cut his hair to a proper length, and when all the preparations were done and the food was being kept warm until the guests arrived; Hamfast asked him if he wanted them to stay with him when the during the gathering. Bilbo declined the offer, though calmer he was still anxious over that thought of Bag End being full soon, and he was sure he wouldn't be able to handle having more people.
"I'll be fine," Bilbo reassured, "Gandalf will be here," he then added, "besides you have a party to get too".
Hamfast frowned at the mention of the party, a party they knew the Gamgee family would be missed if they didn't attend, Hamfast didn't care. All his worry was for Bilbo.
"It's doesn't have to be all of us, Bell can be here, no one will think twice if I tell them she isn't feeling well".
Despite not being so sure about that, Bilbo smiled, and after much coaxing and reassurance. All the members of the Gamgee family reluctantly left to get ready for the party.
Now it's was only Bilbo and Gandalf.
Gandalf settled down for a smoke, the two having light conversation, first about how Bilbo should greet his guest then other little things. After a while, Bilbo needing something to do besides talk, goes and gets a book to read (he doesn't pay much attention to the title) and a comfortable silence falls over the two.
Comfortable.
"What an odd feeling" Bilbo thought absently.
He hadn't felt comfortable in this place for a very long time; in fact he thought he had forgotten how it felt like.
"Comfortable" the Carrier thought again, looking thoughtfully down at the clothes he was wearing.
Breeches, waistcoat, brown jacket.
All very proper of a Hobbit.
It was all wrong.
"I'm going to go change" Bilbo informed Gandalf.
Gandalf nodded and watched him go, a knowing look in his eyes.
~.~
His mother had spent much of her days making clothing for her son, husband and dear friends, using her worldly knowledge to create outfits that were beautiful and almost otherworldly; he has fond memories of him spending the whole day in every new outfit his mother would give him. Memories of watching his mother draw patterns in her journal, of how gentle her hands and voice were as she taught him her secrets, his father's proud smile when Bilbo showed him his own designs drawn on parchment.
It's with those memories that Bilbo opened the trunk that held all the wonderful and precious outfits he had hidden away the day after his parents' funeral. With careful hands, he goes through them, noting that they still had the softness about them. Finally, he finds and pulled out soft white trousers, and a black long sleeved robe. A quick sniff revealed that they didn't have the muskiness that usually came with long stored clothing, instead they still held the scent of precious memories; of course that could be Bilbo's mind playing tricks on him.
It wouldn't be the first time.
Pushing the thought away, Bilbo laid the clothes out on the bed to get a better look. The white trousers had green leaf vines embroidered at the bottom, the vines twisting up to the calves. The robe was black, an odd chose considering Hobbits liked bright colors. The buttons were in the shape of wolves heads and black with blue piercing jeweled eyes, embroidered on the front were more twisting vines, these were golden with its leaves cradling eggs. Embroidered on the back was a large golden tree, the strong trunk started in the middle of his back, goes down and spreading out to roots towards the bottom. The branches and leaves spread out, across, and up his shoulder blades stopping at the round of his shoulders; lodging on the branches smoking their pipes were a Dwarf, Elf, Man, Ranger and a Hobbit. At the top was a familiar looking wizard.
It was most definitely not something a proper Hobbit would wear.
It was prefect.
Bilbo dressed, and goes back to the sitting room, Gandalf is impressed with outfit and commented that the Carrier looked fetching in it, making Bilbo blush.
Pleased and much more comfortable, Bilbo goes back to his book, this time getting lost in the fairytale story that he missed the sound of his doorbell and was startled when Gandalf stood.
"Sounds like our Company has started to arrive"
Bilbo's heart started to pound, and his throat suddenly became dry.
"I'll answer it, you just wait here" said Gandalf, already heading for the door.
"O-Okay" Bilbo stuttered, "wait Gandalf!" he then called after the wizard, "please have them take off their shoes!"
Sure that he was heard, Bilbo waited nervously and fearfully in the sitting room, he hears the door open and Gandalf speaking, a gruff voice answered back. Then footsteps are heading towards him, Gandalf comes in, with a Dwarf trailing behind him; and what a Dwarf he was!
Even if Bilbo was standing he'd tower over the Hobbit, his appearance was a fearsome one indeed. Except for the top of his head which had tattooed runes on it, he had dark hair along the sides and down the back, his face had a dark beard and mustache; and his eyes were a steely grey that stared at the Carrier.
What was worse was the scent of pure Breeder, it came off the Dwarf in waves that had Bilbo's fingers twitch for his dagger and wanting to run and hide.
~.~
Gandalf had told them that their Burglar was an Omega, so he expected his nose to flare at the scent when the door opened, what he wasn't expecting was the desire to rub and roll around in it. Surprised by this Dwalin almost missed the wizard's greeting.
"Dwalin" greeted Gandalf as he stepped aside to the let the Dwarf in.
"Tharkûn" Dwalin grunted as he stomped inside.
"Please hang your coat here, and take of your boots, the floor has been cleaned and Bilbo would be upset if it gets dirty"
Figuring the one called Bilbo was their host and the Omega (a male Omega, a rare thing!), Dwalin does as the wizard asked before following him to a sitting room.
There sitting in a cushioned chair, smelling of nervousness and just a hint of fear (or perhaps it's the other way around, it was hard to tell) was a small thing with a child-like face, golden curls and pointed ear. Surprisingly large and hairy feet, dressed in what looked like Elven clothing but didn't feel like it, the Omega was indeed an exotic beauty; but something about his green eyes told of a sadness and loneliness that was familiar. The sadness and loneliness pulled at the protectiveness embedded in him, a growl rumbled from him at the thought of someone or something causing the Omega such pain.
There was squeak and the smell of fear burst from his host, beside him Gandalf frowned, though whether in confusion or disapproval Dwalin wasn't sure. Ashamed for upsetting the Omega, Dwalin pushed back a whimper and held out his hands with palms up, head tilted in submission. The Omega, Bilbo, blinked at him; expression bewildered. It made Dwalin frown, but he waited patiently. Finally after a quick glance to Gandalf, Bilbo holds out his right hand, palm out. Dwalin is confused, but takes it as forgiveness and takes hold of the Omega's hand.
The Alpha bowed at the waist, brought his nose down to the place were wrist and hand met, he breathes in the scent before pressing his mouth against the skin, beard and moustache no doubt tickling.
"Dwalin" the Dwarf said straightening up, "at your service"
Bilbo's face is red all the way from his twitching ears down to his neck.
"B-Bilbo Baggins" the Omega squeaked, "at yours"
"Well then!" Gandalf then said happily, "now that introductions were made, Dwalin, I'm sure you're hungry"
"Oh yes!" Bilbo then said standing up, "erm if you'll just wait just a moment, I'll have a plate ready for y—"
"Just point me to where the food is, and I'll handle everything" Dwalin interrupted.
"O-Oh well um—"
(Rusty though his manners were, Bilbo was pretty sure the guest was not supposed to handle everything on his own.)
"You'll find the food in the kitchen down the hall to the right" said Gandalf, giving the Carrier a reassuring smile "the dining room is right next to it"
"Is there any ale?" Dwalin asked Bilbo.
"I-In the pantry, I'll go and get you a cup"
Dwalin watched the Omega scurry off, that confusing scent of nervousness and a hint of fear or fear and a hint nervousness hanging in the room.
~.~
Once in the safety of his pantry, Bilbo slumped against the shelves.
"Why didn't Gandalf tell me that the Breeder was going to do that!" the Carrier thought, eyes widening at a realization "I have to do that twelve more times!"
The sound of his doorbell ringing again has him jumping.
"Another one! The ale!"
Bilbo grabbed a mug, then after a thought grabbed a second one, filled both of them to the brim and headed in the direction of the voices. He entered the dining room to see Gandalf, Dwalin, and another Dwarf placing food on the set table.
"Thank you" Dwalin said taking the ale when Bilbo gives him to it, much to the Carrier's surprise, "hope you have more than this or else there is going to be some disappointment when the others get here"
"O-Oh" said Bilbo nervously, "um well there is a barrel or two in the pantry"
"Well, you heard him brother, go and get it"
Bilbo jumped, almost spilling the other ale on Dwalin, who didn't seem to mind.
"Aye, aye" Dwalin grumbled, before downing his ale then placing the mug on the table, "where is it?" he then asked Bilbo.
"Down the hall, the first left" Bilbo answered, very aware of the other Breeder standing behind him.
Dwalin nodded and left, turning around to look at the other Dwarf, Gandalf; Bilbo noted. Had stopped bringing food and was watching them under guise of straighten tableware. The Dwarf was short, and had a long white beard that forked and curled up slightly at the end, he was looking at Bilbo with curiosity. What bewildered Bilbo was that fact that while the scent around the Dwarf said Breeder, it wasn't as intense as Dwalin and the Hobbit Breeders. Bilbo also noticed that the smile the Dwarf had on dimmed as he gave the Carrier a look over.
Bilbo was almost tempted to ask why.
Instead, he gives the Dwarf the mug of ale.
"Thank you" said the Dwarf taking the mug, once again surprising Bilbo, then waiting expectantly.
"Oh" Bilbo thought with realization, though the emotions he feel isn't despair, disgust or even fear of the greeting. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that while yes the greeting had been a surprise, there was something else. He knew it had a name, but couldn't remember what it was.
The Dwarf takes the outstretched and palm up hand, like Dwalin, bowed at the waist. Beard tickling as the Breeder took a deep breath through his nose and pressed his lip against the skin where wrist and hand met.
"Balin" said the Dwarf straightening up, "at your service"
"Bilbo Baggins, at yours"
There is a loud crash from the pantry, followed by a stream ofKhuzdulthat Bilbo knew was not polite and would have made his mother giggle and his father scold her with laughter in his voice, long ago Bilbo would have found it amusing as well. Now, he's just alarmed. Balin gives the Carrier a sheepish grin.
"I think I better go check and see what my brother is doing" Balin then gives a slight bow of his head, and leaves.
Alone, Bilbo turned to Gandalf.
"What didn't you tell me?!"
"Tell you what?" said Gandalf as he folded a napkin.
"About the h-hand thing"
"Ah, that I'll admit slipped my mine"
Bilbo snorted, and didn't even look ashamed when Gandalf scowled at him, instead he asked, "Is that really how they greet others?"
"No, that's only for when they are travelling with unmated Omegas, like you. It's both a greeting and a promise"
"A promise? For what?" Bilbo asked wearily.
"To protect"
"Protect?"
The doorbell ranged just as Dwalin and Balin came in carrying one of Bilbo's barrels of ale, Bilbo moved to answer, only for Dwalin to do it for him. Gandalf and Balin don't seem bothered by this, so Bilbo goes to the door, admittedly curious about the new arrival.
There are two of them, young by the state of their beards, a blonde and brunette; talking excitedly to Dwalin, who was trying and failing it seemed to get them to take off their shoes, when Dwalin started turning an alarming shade of red does Bilbo tentatively interrupt.
"Erm, excuse me—"
Bilbo's eyes widen when two pairs of eyes swirled his way, his heart pounded when the two young Dwarf hurried towards him.
"You must be Mister Boggins" smiled the brunette.
"I-It's Baggins, actually"
"Oh…you're very pretty" the brunette then blurted out.
"Kili!" exclaimed the blond.
"What? He is!"
Behind them Dwalin sighed.
Bilbo stared not sure what to make of the two, he jumped when the brunette Dwarf suddenly grabbed hold of his right hand and preformed the greeting.
"Kili, at your service!"
"Kili!" exclaimed the blonde again.
Behind them Dwalin gave a pained groan.
"What?" said Kili confused, "did I do it wrong?"
The blonde sighed and smacked him upside the head, "You were supposed to wait until he offered his hand to you"
"Oh" Kili blinked, then give a sheepish to the frozen Carrier, "sorry"
Shaking his head, Dwalin came over, grabbed Kili by the back of his coat and dragged him back to the door, ordered him to take off his shoes before dragging the young Dwarf to the dining room.
"Dwalin!" Kili squawked and flailed as he was dragged away.
The blonde chuckled watching them go before turning back to Bilbo, he frowned, blue eyes becoming clouded with worry (along with something else that's there and gone like the wind), nose flaring at the scent that's rolling off the Carrier. Though he can't identify if it's fear, nervousness, or both.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"What? O-Oh yes, I'm fine" said Bilbo, "uh here"
The blonde stared at the offered hand, than looked back at the Carrier who looked moments away from squirming or fainting under the intense blue eyes. Slowly, he takes hold of the hand, and does the greeting.
"Fili, at your service"
~.~
When the doorbell ranged again, it's Bilbo who answered it, as he opened the door he wondered why none of his guests have started eating. Then suddenly he was on the ground, held down by a heavy weight and the scent of Breeder everywhere.
"Nononono!" Is his thoughts, eyes clenched shut, memories descending on him.
He tries to fight back, but there are more of them than of him, fists and feet punch and kick him to the ground, into submission. Hands grab and hold him down as his clothing are torn.
"Let's have some fun lads"
"Get off! Off now!" Dwalin snarled.
Dwalin and Gandalf pulled the Dwarves up and off, Gandalf a little gentler than the Dwarf. Once the last Dwarf had been removed, Gandalf picked up and settled the Carrier on his feet, eyes looking him over.
"I-I'm fine" Bilbo said with a shaky breath, and equally shaky smile.
Gandalf was obviously not convinced, and neither was Dwalin who was growling at the squirming Dwarves in the doorway.
"We're sorry!" said one of the Dwarves.
Bilbo faintly noticed his odd furry hat, "No harm done" Bilbo said to him, "now I'm sure everyone is hungry"
The promise of food has the new guests following Dwalin excitedly to the dining room, though not before taking off their shoes and greeting Bilbo, who tried to remember their names.
He's not sure he succeeded.
Bilbo's eyes widen when after the large round red-headed Dwarf named Bombur, came forward a Dwarf with a wild look and even wilder pepper hair and beard, and was that an axe in his head!? Bilbo stared at the axe while the Dwarf did the greeting, unaware of Bombur watching or the other guests peeking behind the corner.
The wild Dwarf straightened up, startling the Carrier out of his shocked state, just in time to see the wild Dwarf do intricate hand gestures. Bilbo watched the gestures, when they stopped, he looked up at the wild Dwarf who turned to the funny-hatted Dwarf; Bofur, to translate and answer.
"Bilbo Baggins, at your service" the Carrier answered, hands moving in the familiar gestures of Iglishmêk.
There is silence and for a long horrifying moment Bilbo worried he did something wrong, slowly he began inching away, when the Dwarf –Bifur- started wildly signing away.
"O-Oh" Bilbo said after taking a moment to translate the gestures, "yes, I'm quite fluent, my mother taught me" he said, signing back.
Bifur smiled and started to sign again.
"You can to talk to the lad later" said Bofur, pulling his cousin away.
Bilbo watched them go, before turning to the last of the group.
The last Dwarf to greet him was a young one like Fili and Kili, and was not a Breeder. He didn't smell like Beta either, his scent was actually pleasant. With a smile that was a bit more genuine, Bilbo held out his hand, but instead of the usual greeting; the Dwarf grabbed hold of his arm. Moved closer and nuzzled the Carrier's cheek.
"Ori, at your service"
"B-Bilbo Baggins, at yours" Bilbo said surprised.
"I'm glad I won't be the only Omega on this journey!" Ori then blurted out, bouncing a bit on his feet, "I'm excited too, I've never met a Hobbit Omega before!"
"You're an Carr—I mean Omega?" Bilbo asked in surprise, catching the "won't be the only Omega" bit.
Ori nodded, his smile turning a bit bewildered.
"Oh, I've never met another Omega before"
Ori's eyes widen, and looked like he was about to fire off thousands of questions, when Gandalf interrupted him.
"I'm sure this is a conversation to be have over supper" said the Wizard, "all of you must be starving, Bilbo especially, I do believe you haven't eaten since this morning my lad"
Bilbo thinks back and realized that the wizard was right, he also wondered how the wizard knew this, and then figured Hamfast or Bell must have told him before they left. A sudden sound drew the Carrier from his thoughts just in time to see the one he thinks is called Dori scolding Gandalf before he and Ori are lead to the dining room by a Dwarf, whose red hair was in three points. Nori, Bilbo remembered.
In the dining room, the Dwarves have seated themselves but the food remained untouched, (the ale not so lucky) worried that they didn't like the selection Bilbo sat down in the chair pulled out for him, the moment he pulled the one of the plates of food to check if it was cold (which it wasn't, Bilbo suspected Gandalf had something to do with that) the Dwarves descend upon the rest of the food.
"Odd"
~.~
Bilbo slipped out the dining room unnoticed when food starts flying, once in the safety of his living room, he sinks into his cushioned chair with a sigh. With the fireplace warming him, he lets his thoughts wander.
The Dwarves, despite all of them being bigger and no doubt stronger than him, despite being loud and overwhelming in general; they weren't threatening. Didn't growl and lash out at him. Didn't try to get him into submission, weren't aggressive at all, nothing like the Breeders here. Even odder was their treatment of Ori, while Dori mostly fussed over him, the other Dwarves were no less attentive. Bilbo almost dared called it respectful. Granted this all could be a ruse because Gandalf was here and keeping a close eye on things, after all, even Hobbit Breeders knew better than to risk the wrath of a wizard. Dwarves were no different.
"That must be it" Bilbo thought, "why else would they act in such a way"
Sure that was the reason, Bilbo promised himself to stay very close to Gandalf during this Adventure, as well as keep an eye on Ori. While it was obvious the Omega's brothers, Dori and Nori, were protective of their youngest sibling. They were still Breeders, and who knows what will set them off.
"Excuse me"
Ori came into the room, holding an empty plate, Bilbo found his lips twitching into what was probably smile.
"Yes?"
"What should I do with my plate?" Ori asked, holding out said plate, the Carrier noticed that it was his mother's West Farthing crockery.
Bilbo gets up and lead the Dwarf to the kitchen, they pass the dining room and Bilbo backtracked, the Dwarves have finished eating, most of them were gone (the thought of Breeders wondering about in Bag End made the Carrier shiver). The ones that were still at the table were playing with his forks and knives.
"O-Oh please" Bilbo said, eyes wide when he recognizing them to be part of his father's favorite set, "don't do that, you'll blunt them!"
Instead of putting them down, the Dwarves started to sing.
Blunt the knives, bend the forks
Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Bilbo watched in horror as his mother's crockery and father's silverware fly through the air, the Dwarves' joyous singing ringing in his ears, eventual he shakes off his horror and goes in search of Gandalf. Sure the wizard would make them stop. He found him in the dining room, vaguely aware of the song ending, and discovered that the crockery and silverware was undamaged, stacked and sparkling clean. Bilbo stared at the stack, slowly his lips curve into a small smile, around him his guests laughed and cheered.
With his small smile still on his lips, and a feeling he isn't sure what do with or name, he stepped forward to put the stack back in their place when there was a knock on the door and everyone fell silent.
~.~
Bilbo watched Gandalf and the other Dwarves head to the door, the Carrier debated following before deciding to take care of the dishes, he starts with the forks, knives and spoons. He puts them in the cabinet in the kitchen; well it really wasn't its proper place. Bilbo doesn't actually remember where they originally go, having rearranged Bag End so many times during boredom or to drown out the growling and snarling Breeders and other Hobbits outside. The only place that had remained untouched was the study room.
"I thought you said this place was easy to find" said a deep rolling voice, "I lost my way, twice"
Bilbo blinked, lost his way? Twice? Despite not having been beyond his fence in a long time, Bilbo knows that it was very hard to get lost in Hobbiton.
"I'm pretty sure there's a name for that" Bilbo thought, "now what was it?"
With his thoughts preoccupied, the Carrier gets the plates next, he grabbed a few of them and goes back into the kitchen. He placed them on the table and decided they are perfectly fine right where they are, and to be honest it's a lot more convenient there as it were. He goes back and gets the rest of the plates and a few bowls, he stacked the rest of the plates with the others and put the bowls in the cabinet. Said cabinet was filled with other silverware, books, old toys and clothing. Sure that the bowls wouldn't fall over if someone opened the door, Bilbo turned around and finds himself faced with an unknown Dwarf.
The Carrier made a startled sound and his dagger is out and would have made itself home in the Dwarf's person were it not for said Dwarf's fast reflexes. Heart racing, Bilbo stared up at the Dwarf who had a tight, but not painful grip on his wrist. The first thing the Carrier noticed, is the Dwarf's scent, he thought the other Dwarven Breeders; Dwalin especially were bad. This Dwarf however, was so overpowering with the smell of Breeder that Bilbo felt his legs want to give way, the second thing he noticed was the height, the Breeder was tall. The tallest of the Dwarves, which was alarming considering how big Dwalin was. His shoulders were wide, his hands were big and powerful, and looked like they could hold him down with little problem. His hair was long and dark with some sliver, he had two braids and a short beard, and his eyes were a deep dark blue.
A deep dark blue that were staring at down at the Hobbit with surprised eyes, nose flaring, and something else.
"Oh dear"
Both Bilbo and the Dwarf turned to the kitchen doorway to see Gandalf standing there with the rest of the Company peeking behind him, looking on with wide and worried eyes.
It's then that Bilbo realized that he nearly stabbed his guest! Even he knew that wasn't how hosts behaved!
"I-I'm t-terribly sorry!" Bilbo stuttered.
The Breeder looks back at him, blinked, and let's go of the Carrier's hand.
"There is no need to apologize" said the Dwarf, "I should not have startled you"
As the Dwarf backed away, Bilbo stared, he apologized. A Breeder apologized to him! Again!
"T-That's alright" the Carrier said, brows furrowing in confusion at the way the Breeder's shoulder hunched and his head had titled slightly to the side.
It was an odd position, but it also made the Breeder a bit…smaller.
A loud cough had Bilbo looking back at Gandalf who looked pointing between the Carrier and Breeder.
"Oh" Bilbo thought in understanding before holding out his arm.
The Dwarf stared at it, bemusement clear in his expression though for what reason Bilbo has no idea, finally the Breeder takes his arm and does the greeting.
"Thorin Oakenshield, at your service"
"Bilbo Baggins, at yours"
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