Disclaimer: Please refer to first chapter.
Author's Note: Here's the latest update! I hope you enjoy and review! It will be quite evident by this chapter, if you haven't guessed already, what the pairing in this fic will be. Again there will be slash as this fic progresses. You have been warned, continue at your own risk.
Two: A Disgrace to the Name of Baggins
The laundry has been out on the line for a little over an hour, the sun is bright, Bilbo has just finished baking the biscuits and even some strawberry scones for teatime in addition to the cheese, smoked pork and tomato sandwiches, and the kettle is whistling. The herbs he uses for his mother's special tea, hibiscus flowers, licorice root, orange peel, rosehips, and lemongrass are tied off in small bits of cheesecloth and he drops the bags into the cups. As he fills the cups with the steaming water to leave them to steep there is a knocking at his door.
It's a dreaded and persistent rhythm of knocking, and just leave it to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins to intrude upon his teatime with his new guest, probably to try and force him into considering one of her sisters or cousins for courtship. He does a quick check around his home to make sure anything of value is secure and out of her reach. He still has not forgotten the time she tried to scuttle off with his mother's finest silver spoons. He prepares a genteel expression, although he fully intends to shoo her off.
Her knocking has grown louder and she even calls out, "Bilbo Baggins! I know you are within! You can't avoid your duty as a respectable Baggins forever! Come on then, I've some biscuits and cakes prepared to surprise you for teatime!"
"And to make off with my china, no doubt," he grouses quietly to himself as he again forces a genteel expression and answers his door before she can beat the fresh paint off of it.
"Oh Bilbo, there you are," she says, the smile making her already unpleasant face even more sour in his opinion.
"Lobelia, what a surprise, you know I'm really not prepared to receive guests at the moment, perhaps some other time, though I must say the biscuits and cakes do smell delightful," Bilbo says, all the while thinking they are probably poisoned.
She narrows her eyes at him, and Bilbo thinks that for all the warning Gandalf mentioned of the stubbornness of dwarves, Gandalf has yet to acquaint himself with the stubbornness of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. She pushes at the door, and he places his foot behind it to prevent her further purchase into his home.
"Nonsense," she says as she tries to push past him to gain entrance. "Everyone has time to prepare for guests for tea, and I've brought the refreshments. It's not so pressing a task to get down another cup."
She is nearly through the door when she suddenly stops of her own volition, her usually beady and shrewd eyes widen to comical proportions and her mouth falls open, and Bilbo wonders at this expression and winces at the shrill shriek that escapes her, only to startle and jump as a bare arm lands about his shoulder and he's pulled against the side of his houseguest, a bare dwarf draped in nothing but bed sheets, a whole head taller than Bilbo, with his long dark hair ruffled, warm from his sleep, and a smile on his face as he says, "I thought you were to bring tea to bed with you."
Kili then pauses to look at the intruder, a seemingly pushy Halfling woman, and tilts his head to the side. "Bilbo you never mentioned you were expecting guests this afternoon."
"That's because I wasn't," he hisses, and sends a glare up at the mischievous dwarf, fully knowing what this looks like to the contemptible and abominable Lobelia Sackville-Baggins.
"Well, she's here now, why not have her for tea? Did I hear mention of cakes?" Kili says, his smile brightening, and mischief lighting up his brown eyes.
Lobelia makes a series of high-pitched grunts and squawks before narrowing her beady-eyed glare on Bilbo.
"So this is why you deny the eligible ladies of Hobbiton courtship! He's not even a hobbit!" she hisses, and then she continues darkly, "Bilbo Baggins you are an utter disgrace to the respectable name of Baggins!"
With that being said she unleashes a final nasally snort and turns around to flounce down the path from his door, and Bilbo's eyes widen as he realizes what has happened. He quickly pulls away from the darkly chuckling mostly bare (and still injured, he reminds himself), dwarf, and closes his door before leaning back against it, trying to regulate his breath.
Once he is as composed as he is likely to get under the circumstances he narrows his hazel eyes on the dwarf and snaps, "Well now you've gone and done it! She'll have the whole town aware of my very male and non-hobbit lover by this very evening! You mark my words, that dreadful woman! What were you thinking? What are you even doing out of bed?"
Kili raises a brow with a smirk and says, "Because that last questions you've addressed at me wouldn't support her claim at all."
Bilbo lets out a rather loud and displeased grunt, turns on his heel, and stomps away as Kili laughs and simultaneously groans in pain for the ache in his side the laughter costs him.
"Harumph!" Bilbo mutters. "Serves him right, it does."
Bilbo checks on the tea, adds a stick of cinnamon to each cup, and places the sandwiches, biscuits, and scones on a tray to take out and serve, and then he recalls that Kili is still draped in a sheet. He pauses in his tea preparations, goes out to his hanging line to retrieve the dwarf's clothes and storms back to the entrance parlour of his home, seeing the dwarf clutching at his side, but still laughing and sitting on his mother's glory box. This will not do.
He tosses the slightly damp underthings, trousers and black linen shirt to the dwarf, directs him to the nearest lavatory to wash up and more importantly get dressed, and provides the dwarf with directions to his library. If Kili is feeling well enough to be out of bed and cause mischief then he can take care of himself and find his way to the library on his own.
Bilbo carries the tea things to his library only to find that Kili is already there and perusing the books and desk, nosing about. Bilbo clears his throat and the dwarf looks up, his smile wide and even reaching his eyes. Bilbo can't help himself as he returns the smile, pleased at least to see that the dwarf is clothed now. Kili takes the initiative to clear off a table of several books and maps, depositing them on the near crowded writing desk. Bilbo sets down the tray, and then the two of them pull up stools to the table. Bilbo sets the table, serving Kili first his tea and offering up the sandwiches and goodies he's prepared.
Kili nods and then takes a sandwich, stuffing a rather large bite of it into his mouth and Bilbo wonders if he even tastes or chews the food before swallowing. Bilbo is gaping as Kili continues to stuff his face with the biscuits and scones as well before reaching for another sandwich.
Kili pauses as he realizes he's been gawked at and raises a brow as spilling crumbs from his open mouth he asks, "Something the matter?"
Bilbo shakes himself from his stupor and replies as politely as he can, "No, I'm just trying to acquaint myself with the apparent dining habits of a dwarf."
Kili blushes at this and does his best to slow down his eating as he watches Bilbo begin to eat, daintily nibbling at his sandwich, sipping his tea, and biting into a scone. Bilbo actually lets out a moan over the scone, and Kili feels his chest tighten and heat rise to his belly, and he reaches for another scone, this time taking his time with it to see what about it would make the hobbit groan.
As Bilbo takes another sip of his tea he asks, "Are you not fond of tea? You haven't touched yours yet."
Kili breaks away from his concentration of the taste of the rather delightful confection, and diligently reaches for his cup. He gives it pause to realize that unlike most teas, either being of a brown or green quality that this tea is actually red. He also raises a brow at the stick of cinnamon in it, but the hobbit seems to be enjoying it.
He follows the example of the hobbit and gingerly sips at the warm liquid, his eyes widening in surprise at the tastes of bitter and sweet bursting on his tongue, unlike anything he's ever experienced in drinking tea before.
The hobbit smiles at the dwarf's stunned expression and chuckles. "It's actually rather inaccurate to call it tea as there are no actual tea leaves in it. It's an herbal infusion, good for building up your health and pleasant to taste. It's even good chilled on occasion. I take it that you like it?"
"Well it's not ale, but it will do," Kili says, that smile that Bilbo has found himself deeming charming alighting the dwarf's face, and Bilbo finds himself actually looking at the dwarf, and he furrows his brow.
Kili as he finishes off another sandwich (and Bilbo is glad he made so many based on the dwarf's appetite through brunch and lunch) looks up to meet the hobbit's curious gaze, careful to swallow this time before speaking and asks, "What is it?"
Bilbo shakes his head and says, "Nothing really. It's just that you're not what I expected in a dwarf. You're rather rustic I'll admit, but your appearance is more gentle than I might have imagined."
Kili nods and says, "I'm not like most dwarves. I have a fairer complexion, and a beard that refuses to grow. Made me an oddity to the others, back when I had a home."
"When you had a home, you don't have one anymore?" Bilbo asks, and he feels embarrassed for having asked the question as Kili shrugs.
"Least not somewhere I would be welcomed anymore. Better to let them think I was as lost as the others than to return alone and failed in our quest," Kili says with a shrug, the sadness returning to his eyes, and he's stunned when Bilbo reaches out and takes his hand.
He looks up questioningly at the hobbit, and Bilbo offers him a tentative smile. "That you're alive is a good thing, whether you realize it now or not, and I'm sure that the others who were lost would be glad to hear of it. As for not having a home, well, I am very much alone, and soon all of the Shire will see that I'm an outcast. My future looks rather lonely, but for dwarf companionship, friendship rather. You've a home here as long as you need it. If Gandalf brought you to my home then you're a good man, and I extend my home to be yours as well if you would like."
Kili takes in a sharp breath and bowing his head he says, "You hobbits, you're too trusting, and far too hospitable for your own good. I accept your offer, as I have too few options at the moment, and I promise you that I will one day repay you for the friendship you offer me, even if it is just in the form of regularly chasing that woman from your doorstep."
Bilbo wrinkles his nose and grins as he lets out a laugh. "Yes, I suppose you have made quite the impression upon Lobelia Sackville-Baggins if you've done nothing else at the very least."
-THE HOBBIT-
It's been a fortnight caring for the dwarf, that the need for clothes is finally dawning on the pair of them; after all, Kili needs to own more than the clothes on his back. Bilbo vaguely recalls Gandalf mentioning something about making arrangements to clothe the dwarf when he first came to check on it, but to Bilbo's knowledge nothing has come of it. The dwarf's physical recovery is remarkable and Bilbo suspects mostly due in part to the salve given him by Lord Elrond of Rivendell.
Bilbo has learned quite a bit in the behavior of his guest, obviously Kili has known the bad end of an adventure. Usually he's of cheery company, mischievous, clever, and quite funny, but at times he has his moments of melancholy and it is usually during this time that he sees the dwarf cleaning and sharpening the blades of the knives Bilbo retrieved for him the first day or a particularly large sword with elvish writing on the blade. The dwarf takes special care of the weapons, handling them with a kind of reverence born of love and loss.
At night the dwarf wakes at odd hours in a state of bewilderment, and sometimes acting in violence before he returns to himself. Names are shouted by him, Bofur, Bifur, Bomber, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Balin, Dwalin, and there are two names in particular that bear the most anguish to the dwarf, Uncle Thorin and Fili.
Bilbo hasn't the courage nor heart to ask Kili about these names yet, or how he came to be injured before landing on Bilbo's doorstep. Of course the dwarf has managed to keep himself busy with his leather crafting and helping Bilbo with the chores and making their meals. Still Bilbo has noticed the growing restlessness in Kili and he imagines that some new scenery would do the both of them good, even if Lobelia has managed to spread the word of how much a disgrace to the Baggins name Bilbo has become.
"So what plans have we today Mr. Bilbo?" Kili asks as he slips out of the room that Bilbo once called his own.
Bilbo has moved into the guestroom next to the master bedroom of the house, but that is neither here nor there as long as Kili is comfortable. Bilbo looks up at the question directed at him, and sighs.
"Well I was thinking of going into Hobbiton to restock the pantry and we really should see about some clothes for you. Besides we both could use a day free of the house," Bilbo says with a shrug.
Kili raises a dark brow at Bilbo and manages a cheeky smile. "And here I thought you enjoyed me running about your house draped in your bed dressings."
Bilbo blushes brightly and the dwarf laughs heartily. "I rather think appropriate dress is in dire need for you Mr. Kili… Oh my, your surname. If you are to be introduced to the people of the Shire and welcomed, you'll need a last name."
Kili sucks in a sharp breath, but then shakes his head and says, "Underhill. I am now Kili Underhill of Bag End."
Bilbo's eyes widen and then he accepts his friend's name and desire to keep who he was far from memory.
"Right, Mr. Underhill of Bag End it is. Are you feeling well enough for a venture into town to the market and perhaps to the pub for a pint or two of Ale?"
"Sounds like a fantastic idea. I think a day away from home is a necessary. Also I'd like to look into smithing equipment and more leather for working. Something to keep me occupied, maybe a means of income," Kili replies.
"Income? The chest of gold brought with you is more than enough to live comfortably for several lifetimes in the Shire. You don't need to work or contribute to the household. I'm fairly well off myself with what I have," Bilbo says, not knowing whether he should be offended or not.
Kili tilts his head as he looks down at the strange little man. "I want something to do and if it will contribute to the household, all the better. I was raised to be productive rather than idle, not that household chores and such keep you idle, but you have your writing and translations. Me, well I have my hands and the skills taught to me, and I am a dwarf quite skilled with my hands."
Bilbo flushes at the thought of the dwarf's large, work roughened hands, especially when compared to his own soft, long fingered hands, and he wonders at the skill such rough hands really do possess. He's quick to shake away the thoughts, and blushes again at the young dwarf's inquisitive look.
"Maybe I should be asking you if you're well enough for going into town. You're awful rosy cheeked today. Sure you haven't come down with a fever?" Kili asks, the mischief twinkling in his eyes.
"I'll have you know that I'm quite all right and in the tip top of health."
"Good then it's to town today," Kili says, his smile lighting up his entire face.
Kili is dressed, his clothes having been laundered the day before, and he makes quick work of pulling on his boots and his cloak. He also fits the leather armor on, and adds his sword. Bilbo's eyes widen. Kili looks very much like a warrior.
"Um, we're only going into town. The cloak would be advisable as there is a chill, but the rest, well, while I will admit the market can get rather fierce, especially if Lobelia Sackville-Baggins is out today, you won't be heading into battle," Bilbo says, and notices as Kili flushes in embarrassment.
Kili nods and then says, "Right then, sword stays at home, but you won't object to the knives will you?"
Bilbo's eyes widen at the question but he merely shakes his head in amazement as he says gently, "I meant it when I said we hobbits are peace abiding people. Really, don't judge us based on the Sackville-Bagginses."
Kili chuckles and says, "It will make me feel better to have something on me. I… The knives are…were my brother's. I'll take one, two at most. I have a place for one up my sleeve and another down my boot."
"Fine, fine, but you won't have need of them. It's all right though."
Once Bilbo is dressed and ready with money in his pockets the pair of them begin the walk into town. Neither of them miss the eyes on them as they walk through the Shire. Many of the looks are curios or disapproving. The pair are quite a sight, Bilbo in his neat clothes and waistcoat and the dwarf standing a whole head taller than Bilbo and dressed like a warrior.
The first place they visit is the tailor, and Gandalf, true to his word had stopped by the tailor's and left him with Kili's measurements. While in the tailor's Kili tries on a few pants and shirts while Bilbo settles the bill for the clothes made based off the measurements Gandalf had given the tailor.
Once he's settled with the tailor Bilbo turns around to see Kili coming out of a back room wearing clothes fit for a hobbit. They fit his waist just fine, however they are entirely too short on him. The sleeves of the shirt end just at his elbows and the bottom of the trousers come to just above his knees.
"Never thought I'd say I've tried on something and it was too short for me. This is quite a turn about from normal," Kili says, turning this way and that and putting on a show for Bilbo.
"You look ridiculous!" Bilbo says with a laugh.
Kili grins back and returns to the changing room and after a few minutes he returns in his previous clothes, complete with the leather guards.
The two depart from the tailor, the parcel with Kili's clothes in the dwarf's right hand. Their next stop is the market. Bilbo goes to the grocer, trying to ignore the stares of the other customers, to place an order for delivery of the main staples, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and herbs, and then he mentions that he might be adding to the delivery order.
They wander the small market together, Bilbo adding fresh fruits and vegetables to his order while Kili wrinkles his nose and asks about the selection of meat. Bilbo chuckles and says they'll stop by the butcher's on the way to the pub.
Bilbo notices when Kili eyes the display of licorice, and smiles. As Kili walks off he adds licorice to his order, and then they move on to the butcher's where Kili insists on getting large stores of meat, beef, chicken, and pork.
"Once I've fully mended I'll get us better meat, deer, quail, even rabbit, even show you how to cook it properly, but until then this will do. Should be well enough for hunting in another week or so. My side's still tender," Kili says.
Bilbo's eyes widen. "You needn't trouble yourself, Kili."
"No trouble, a little wild meat is good for you, put hair on your chest and chin it will," Kili says with a bright grin, and Bilbo likes how the smiles are reaching Kili's eyes more and more, making them sparkle.
Their next stop is the pub. They take a table in the back, as Bilbo lets Kili choose, and Kili raises his hand to gain the attention of a barmaid. It is not lost on either of them that it takes them awhile to get served, and the pub has gone quieter since they've entered. Bilbo sighs about to get up, but Kili puts his hand firmly on Bilbo's shoulder, his brows rise as he nods for Bilbo to take his seat again.
Seeing that they aren't going to get any service Kili nudges the parcel of his clothes under Bilbo's chair and then he gets to his feet and makes his way over to the bar. He is ignored by the barmaids, and can feel every eye in the pub on him. He knocks his hand down on the bar and finally a squat hobbit wiping down the bar looks up.
"My friend and I would like a couple of ales," he says and retrieves a few gold pieces from where his small leather purse is tied at his belt, then tosses them to the bar. "I don't care about the hospitality, as long as the ale's good. I'm not paying you for more than drink. If I signal I expect refills. Four gold pieces enough to start?"
"We don't serve your kind in here," the hobbit says.
Kili raises a brow and snorts. "And what kind would that be?"
"Strangers," the hobbit replies.
"My name is Kili Underhill of Bag End, and I do believe my companion Mr. Bilbo Baggins is well known here. Now I'll have our ales," Kili says, his tone low and his eyes narrowed.
The hobbit behind the bar says no more as he grabs a couple of large ale mugs, fills them up, and takes them to the dwarf.
"There, not so difficult was it?" Kili asks.
Bilbo is anxiously looking around the pub, seeing everyone staring between him and the dwarf at the bar. Scratch that, the dwarf walking back to their table with two mugs of ale.
"Drink up Bilbo, and if you want more, you'll get it," Kili says with a wink.
Bilbo shakes his head but takes his mug, they clink their glasses and Bilbo takes a sip and Kili drains nearly half of his mug in one go, some of the ale spilling from the corners of his mouth and down his chin. He wipes his mouth and chin with the back of his hand and looks at Bilbo, tilting his head and sighing.
"You know, I don't quite get you Bilbo. I mean you're settled, have a nice home, I guess for a hobbit you're not so bad on the eyes. You're probably at marriageable age by now. Why were you living all alone in that nice house of yours? And not that I'm ungrateful, but why so willing to invite me to stay with you?"
Bilbo shrugs and takes a good hardy swallow from his mug as he says, "Well Gandalf trusts you, so I'll take him at his word, and from what I've gotten to know about you, aside from our differences in table manners you're enjoyable enough company. As far as my being a bachelor, well, I just haven't found someone I felt an interest in."
"Weren't you ever lonely? What about the comforts to be found with a woman?" Kili asks, genuinely curious now, and the ale loosening his tongue.
"I suppose there were moments when I was lonely. When I was younger I courted, and I know the touch of a woman if that's what you're asking, but it just never seems enough. The spark I'm looking for, that feeling of friendship with passion, it's just never there," Bilbo says.
Kili outright laughs and shakes his head. "Not that I've known many hobbits, but you have a sense of companionship like that of a lass! Where's your sense of adventure? That take charge of what you want moment?"
Bilbo's eyes widen. "That sounds barbaric!"
Kili nearly chokes on the last gulp of his ale and coughs a little as he sets the empty mug on the table. "Not really, there's some finesse. It's not as though I'm telling you to knock her on the head and carry her to your bed. You just need to find the right kind of woman for you."
"That's if there is a woman for me," Bilbo mumbles as he tips his mug back to finish his own drink and Kili raises his eyebrows in surprise, having caught what Bilbo says.
"If not a woman, then what other option is there?" Kili asks, and he watches in amusement as Bilbo spits out his last mouthful of ale, and looks wide-eyed at Kili.
"Um, uh… Right, well," Bilbo says, and voice has grown higher in pitch.
Kili raises his arm to signal for more ale and a moment later two more filled mugs are set on their table and he reaches over and claps a still stuttering Bilbo on the back.
"It's not wrong if that's what you like and you find the right someone," Kili says with a warm smile, and Bilbo lets out his breath in relief.
"Thanks," he manages, still a little shaky as he reaches for the reassurance of the ale and takes several gulps.
"Easy, slow down there," Kili says.
"I… I mean… It's not proper for a respectable hobbit. You see how we've been treated throughout the day and that's just because Lobelia has been gossiping about us. To be honest I expect you'll probably be ready to move on once you're well enough considering…"
"It doesn't change who you are Bilbo, and I like it at Bag End, unless you'd rather see me gone," Kili says and directs his gaze to the scarred top of the table.
"No! Not at all. I would be pleased if you considered Bag End your home… It's just isn't there someone out there for you?"
Kili snorts. "Not really. I'm odd looking for a dwarf, my face is too fair, and I've a beard that won't grow. I always took the piss for looking different while I was growing up… My brother and Uncle…" Kili pauses, taking in a sharp breath and a gulp of ale. "They took up for me."
"You don't look so bad to me," Bilbo says and then blushes and trains his eyes to the table.
Kili chuckles and then says, "Thanks Mr. Baggins. You're not so off putting yourself, and I don't mind the rumors either. Wouldn't even be bothered if they were true."
Again Bilbo chokes and Kili claps him firmly a few times on the back. "What was that?"
"I think you've heard me," Kili says with a wink and Bilbo takes it upon himself to finish his drink, and finds that his head is swimming.
"Easy there, I think I'll finish this off and we'll call it a day. I can wait till I'm feeling better to look into purchasing equipment to start a smithy. We've had enough excitement for one day," he says, and he works to finish his ale, and then gets to his feet, helping Bilbo up and gathering the parcel with his new clothes in them.
Bilbo is wobbly on his feet as they make their way back to Bag End and Kili is amused that it appears that he's such a lightweight. Once they are back at Bag End, Bilbo is talking about being an utter disgrace to the name of Baggins, and cursing Lobelia Sackville-Baggins for being the one to point this out to him, and Kili is struggling to keep his amusement to himself, finding the inebriated hobbit delightfully entertaining.
"I've more ale in the pantry, lets have some," Bilbo says, and Kili shakes his head.
"I think you've had your fill and on a near empty stomach. Let's get you off to bed and I'll see about putting the food in the pantry once it's delivered and I'll make something for dinner. You've been taking such good care of me; it's time I return the favor. Don't you think?"
"You're taking me to bed then?" Bilbo asks and then flushes a bright red.
Kili bursts out laughing, clutching at his still tender side and shakes his head. "Not quite like that, but I'll see you to your room."
"So then you didn't mean it? You'll probably leave first chance you get. I'm an utter disgrace. I should find a nice hobbit girl to court, make a family with, but… And now you can't stand me," Bilbo mutters, and Kili's eyes widen in surprise.
Kili takes in a sharp breath, against the protest of his side and shakes his head. "It's not that. I meant it when I said you should find someone you like whether lass or lad, hobbit, dwarf, elf, what have you. I will say this though, if you take to fancying an Orc I won't know what to make of you Bilbo Baggins."
"And if it's you?" Bilbo asks.
Kili's eyes widen in surprise and his breath catches in his throat. "I wouldn't mind if it were me Bilbo, but I wouldn't deserve it. You don't know my past, what I've done."
"I don't care about that. Seems to me you're more than good enough," Bilbo says, and Kili shakes his head as he claps his arm around the smaller man's shoulders and leads him to the master bedroom, tucking Bilbo in. He stays with the inebriated hobbit until the hobbit is softly snoring and then he slips out of the room to wait on their earlier purchases to arrive.
Once the delivery arrives, he and the cart driver take the things inside of the house, and once they are done Kili offers him a few coins for his trouble, and the cart driver takes the coins with a smile, tips his hat and then reaches in his pocket, bringing out a small bag that he hands the dwarf.
Kili raises a brow and the cart driver says, "It's the last part of the delivery, and you seem nice enough Mr. Underhill. Bilbo's been rather lonely since his parent's passing. It's good to see him out and about and happy again. You're a good match for him. Didn't know it when I first saw you, but now I know, it was right helpin' him with you."
Kili's brow furrows in confusion, and then he asks for the cart driver's name.
"Oh," the cart driver says with a slight bow forward, "Hamfast Gamgee, a friend of Mr. Bilbo's. I live down the way and tend my gardening. I took care of the delivery for Mr. Bilbo, the regular cart driver was refusing, and Mr. Grinton, that would be the grocer, he was fairly worried about how to make the delivery."
"I see," Kili says, and then he smiles at Hamfast. "Well thank you for your trouble, and for being a good friend to Bilbo."
"Of course, and don't worry about the town, once they've grown used to you, accepting you will be easy. They'll come around, we're just not used to strangers, that's all."
Kili nods and watches as Hamfast Gamgee walks back down to his cart. Hamfast gives a little wave back before he flicks his reigns and pulls off, and Kili finally feels welcomed to the Shire from someone other than Bilbo.
He closes the door and looks down at the bag in his hand. He opens it up and his eyes widen as he looks at the contents, licorice. He breathes in a sharp gasp and finds himself roughly seated on Bilbo's mother's glory box as he looks at the candy. Licorice, his and Fili's favorite, and what Uncle Thorin used to bring home to them after he was done working at the smithy in the Blue Mountains.
He brings his hand up to his mouth to cover the sob and hold it back. Tears leak from his eyes and down his cheek as he looks down at the candy and tries to catch his breath back. Bilbo must have seen him looking down at the candy.
He can feel his mouth pulling into a smile and he shakes his head.
"Mr. Bilbo Baggins," he says to himself, "You are far from a disgrace to your name. You are, in fact, a wonder."
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