Ye of little faith! I understand your thought, but trust me, please! I may not always get canon right, but I hold pride in keeping characters IC. Unless you're talking about certain works like Through the Eyes which is basically the biggest crack!fic I've ever done. Yes.

I know Dis is a Mama Bear and Dwalin is a Papa Wolf, but, this may be wrong, but I don't think Dwarves are in the habit of physically wounding each other in front of their children. I just don't. What if they accidentally hurt one of the beardlings?
Also, Sanmuhud is undoubtedly protective like Dis, but I think she destroys people with her quick words and wit. I just see her like that.


Unfortunately for Dwalin, Nûlukh's words were not forgotten.

'What is a Halfling?'

He could hardly blame Bilbo's curiosity. What would he know of other Halflings? The lad didn't even know he was one, for Mahal's sake! He watched his nephew sleep, rubbing the back of his neck. Should they have been more honest about Belladonna? Told him she was a Hobbit? But then he'd ask about his family. And how could they explain the hate, the fury and the scourge that had been bestowed upon Bilbo's entire race?

It wasn't something even Fili and Kili knew a lot about. Oh, they knew Belladonna had lost her family, but they knew not of the fate that had befallen every Shireling. They'd not told Bilbo of everything either.

No one had.

How could they? Look into the depths of those innocent, green eyes and tell of the horror that had happened before his birth?

The thought alone was impossible.

Bilbo stirred in his sleep, dragging the blanket over his ears. Dwalin's heart squeezed. His nephew was safe, safe with him and his family, far from the monsters that plagued the Misty Mountains.

"Long day?"

Dwalin turned at Balin's voice. "You could say that, aye."

"What happened?"

Dwalin stole a last look at Bilbo before moving away. Leading Balin to the living room, he glanced down to his elder brother. "He heard the word 'Halfling' today. Been asking about it all day."

"What did you tell him?"

"That it's a bad word."

Balin raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Bella never liked it!"

"No," agreed Balin. "She did not."

Dwalin heaved a sigh. "The tailor was the one who said it. She pricked his arm with the needle and wasn't too happy when he bled."

"Ah. So that was why Queen Sanmuhud went there on a second visit."

"Never felt anger like that," Dwalin admitted. "T'was all I could do not to take her beard from her."

"I can assure you San took care of it."

"But she shouldn't have to!"

"She is Bilbo's kin, same as us!" Balin told him, "Knowing her, she was likely all too glad to step in. She's dealt with unsavoury people before, you know."

"I know, it's just.. why do people behave like this? Most are alright, but some are just.. they don't like things that are different."

"Not all people are good, unfortunately."

Dwalin was gazing to where Bilbo slept. "When I teach him to fight, none will dare treat him wrongfully."

"I'm sure you will," Balin answered. "Go and rest, brother. He'll have forgotten about the new word by morning."


Of course he didn't. He asked everyone, from King Thrain to the cat what a 'Halfling' actually was, unheeding of his uncle's explanation of it being a rude word.
Thrain 'hmm'ed a lot and coughed when asked, leading Bilbo to give up, Thorin abruptly changed the subject, Frerin grabbed him under the arms and spun him 'til he became dizzy, Sanmuhud adopted the same technique as her eldest son and Dis ignored the question completely.

"This isn't fair!" Bilbo told Frerin severely. "When you ask me questions, I have to answer them or you get angry-"

Frerin coughed. "Excuse me, little one, I don't get angry. You're referring to Thorin and Dis, there."

"I still answer them, so why don't you?"

Frerin thought for a little while. "Well," he said gently, "remember when the cat had kittens and one of them didn't live?"

Bilbo nodded, slipping his hand around one of Frerin's fingers. "Yes."

"We didn't quite know how to explain the kitten to you beardlings, did we? Remember, you all asked where Fluffy was and we didn't answer?"

"Uh-huh."

"That was because we knew the real answer would upset you. And we were right."

Bilbo was quiet. He recalled all too well the sorrow and sadness at Fluffy's demise. Squeezing tightly on Frerin's finger, he said quickly. "That's alright, then. I don't want to know, if it's sad."

Frerin was pleased. He'd at least been honest and it seemed Bilbo's questioning was at an end. For how long was anyone's guess, but for now, Frerin decided, the interest was gone.


"You look pleased," Sanmuhud remarked. "Would you like to share why?"

"My kingdom is happy, Balin's child forgot to ask what Halflings are, my eldest grandson is about to have his first Weapon Ceremony and I'm married to the most beautiful Dwarrowdam in all of Erebor," Thrain answered. "And that is why, my mizimel."

"Who's making Fili's gift?"

"I haven't a clue. Our three delightful children nearly engaged in a fight over it this morning."

Sanmuhud huffed a laugh. "What a sight that must have been!"

"Yes. My sons hurling insults at each other while my daughter keeps them from murdering each other. Fools the pair of them."

Sanmuhud grinned. Despite Thrain's declarations of annoyance at his heirs, there was no mistaking the fondness in his eyes nor the warmth in his voice.

"Might well you smile," Thrain muttered. "You weren't the one who had to waste valuable time reminding them of their duties as Princes of Erebor. Duties that do not include calling each other 'Elf-shaggers'."

"Oh, my."

"You should have seen it, San. I turned a corner and there stood Thorin and Frerin bellowing at each other."

"If I was King-"

"We'd all be trembling in our boots," grumbled Thrain. "Don't speak of such frightening things."

Sanmuhud rolled her eyes. "Very well, O' King Under the Mountain. Tell me, what shall happen if they haven't decided by next week? The ceremony takes place in three weeks."

"Dis will probably knock their heads together and choose by herself. Mahal knows I wish I could."

"Have you written to the Elvenking yet?"

Thrain pulled a face, looking exactly as his youngest son did when faced with a task he didn't like, "I'm sure he won't be interested..."

"Thrain!"

"But-"

"I know you don't particularly enjoy his company, but it's polite. Besides," Sanmuhud's features softened, "the children would like to see them. The Captain of the Guard might come along."

"Hmm. Kili does enjoy her presence."

"Imagine if they get married." Sanmuhud said, smirking over at her husband.

Thrain ran his hands over his face. "Mahal above! You are full of horrors tonight, my love. A Durin falling in love with an Elf! Who ever heard of such a thing?"


Poor Thrain. He has no idea!

I apologise that it seemed OOC, and I'm not saying they looked completely IC, but I hope the explanation helps you, for lack of a better word, understand why.

Hope it was anjoyed!

Love from Shania. xx