MMMG: Hello everyone! I'm back with chapter 3! Glad to get 11 happy reviews and support! I feel loved guys, I really do!

Just a reminder, there is mild Gandalf bashing in this. He's a good guy with good intentions, but just not in the way he goes about doing it, so he gets a bum rap.

Oh, slight change last chapter. I made sure I mentioned that Bilbo was wearing his gentlehobbit clothes when he met Gandalf, not his traveling clothes.

Malo919: Wait. The dwarves are coming. Bilbo, run! ROTFLMFAO! To funny! That made my day!

Azile Signer: My schedule for updating is whenever I get the chapter done. I don't do good with deadlines, it makes the chapters seem rushed and sloppy.

Guest: I don't know if he'd say that, but he does have 131 years of experience behind him to kill Gandalf's kindness.

GlassGazer: Here come the dwarves! Are you still excited?

K: A tease am I? Oh, you are going to hate me at the end of this chapter! Should I run and hide now?

MMMG: Okay, I don't own the Hobbit and never will! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 3

Bilbo put on his dark blue waist coat. He had made sure that Gandalf was walking down the lane before he went to retrieve the coat and his basket and head out the door. He planned on eating before the dwarves arrive, and was in the mood for fish, of course. Shutting the door, Bilbo noticed a piece of paper in one of the flowerpots. Pulling it out, Bilbo realized there was another older piece of paper, and a very familiar looking key.

Bilbo steadied himself as he realized that he was holding the map and key that had once belonged to Thorin's father, Thráin. How had he missed the items last time? Placing them in his waistcoat pocket, Bilbo decided that he would give them to Thorin that evening, somehow. Curious about the final piece of paper, Bilbo opened it. It was a list of names, and next to each name was a check.

Balin son of Fundin

Dwalin son of Fundin

Óin son of Gróin

Glóin son of Gróin

Dori son of Tegud

Nori son of Harfit

Ori son of Ronad

Bifur son of Cifur

Bofur son of Mufur

Bombur son of Mufur

Fíli son of Víli

Kíli son of Víli

Thorin Oakenshield son of Thráin

Bilbo Baggins son of Bungo

Bilbo realized that Gandalf must have been checking off members of the company, making sure that they would go for whatever reason it was that concerned the wizard. Folding the piece of paper back up, Bilbo tucked it into his waistcoat pocket to rest next to the map and key. At least now he had an excuse as to how he could have all the food prepared.

Walking down the lane, Bilbo found he was glancing over his shoulder like the first time, but for a slightly different reason. He was still watching out for Gandalf, but this time it was so the wizard couldn't question if Bilbo had seen the map and key instead of not wanting to go on an adventure.

As he waited in line for his fish, Bilbo glanced around the market in Hobbiton, wary of Gandalf and his habit of popping up when you least expected, or wanted, him. But as he looked, Bilbo felt himself relax as he soaked up the day to day life that was Hobbiton. Children laughing and playing as their parents bartered for food, men drinking and puffing at their pipe-weed as they told jokes to each other, women giggling as they played with their kids and tended to their babies, and all of the vendors smiling and laughing as they 'bartered' with their neighbors over the goods they had available.

"Here you go chum." the fish vendor grinned as he handed Bilbo his fish.

"Thank you." Bilbo nodded as he stepped away and started back towards his home, still keeping an eye out for Gandalf.

"Hello Mr. Bilbo!" Mr. Worrywart, a farmer Bilbo knew well, called as he walked into town with his wheelbarrow full of root-vegetables. "Here, have a feel at me tubers. Nice and firm, they are. Just came in from West Fathering."

"That's very impressive Mr. Worrywart." Bilbo nodded his head as he touched the vegetable, and just couldn't help himself. "I don't suppose you have seen any wizards lurking about, have you?"

"Hm, tall fellow, long gray beard, pointy hat?" Mr. Worrywart questioned as Bilbo spotted the gray article of clothing he knew was a hat atop a pile of laundry. "Can't say that I have. Why?"

"Because Gandalf the Wandering Wizard stopped at my smial today." Bilbo replied with a sigh, making the farmer gape at him. "Any chance, if he comes back, could you perhaps get some mischief makers to distract him? Not anyone that might be with him, just him?"

"I'm sure we can come up with something." Mr. Worrywart grinned as he picked up the handles of his wheelbarrow. "Don't worry yourself Mr. Bilbo, it will be taken care of."

"Thank you." Bilbo nodded.

Why had he gone and done that? Oh yeah, because he wanted the dwarves to get to know him and not the rumors they had been led to believe, and it would be easier if Gandalf wasn't there. Besides, he wanted to talk with Thorin Oakenshield alone, before Gandalf showed Bilbo off in a bad light, no thanks to him not telling the dwarves he had literally sprung the quest on Bilbo at the last minute.

That simple detail had made life miserable for the poor hobbit the first journey. The dwarves had practically cut him out of the group until after the troll incident. Unless there was a chore that needed to be done.

Not this time. This time, Bilbo was going to show the dwarves who he really was.

Bilbo found that he kept glancing out the window to gauge what time it was. The sun had set not too long ago, and he had just finished eating. Dwalin was due to arrive at any moment, but he still had time to change out of his gentlehobbit clothes and into his newly made travel clothes.

Bilbo pulled on the light brown shirt that would go under his tunic. The sleeves were slightly loose and didn't button at the end, sort of reminding Bilbo of the skirt part of a dress. On top of that was the dark tan sleeveless tunic, which had a couple of pockets sewed into the seams along his hips, and one in the hem a few inches above his knees. The dark brown pants looked like many of his other pants, but were more travel worthy then the pair he had worn last time. To cap off the look, he added a dark brown belt, two inches thick, to go around his waist. This belt had two pockets sewn into it, which Bilbo planned to use to carry some money, a small knife/scissor, a comb, and the ring once he got it.

Once he had all of his clothes on, Bilbo did a last check to make sure all the rooms were ready for his guests. And made sure his bow and arrows were put up where they wouldn't get ruined by any of his soon-to-be-there rowdy houseguests, but were still easily accessible for tomorrow's journey, along with is mother's-but-is-now-his coat. And that he had a handkerchief packed for his allergies, mustn't forget that.

The ringing of the bell by the door caught Bilbo's attention. Oh, it was time. Dwalin was here. Bilbo walked to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

There he was. Taller than the average dwarf, large forearms and a bald head, both with scars and tattoos, a green shirt with the sleeves ripped off at the elbows under a green tunic that was hemmed above the knees, animal skin draped over his shoulders, belt, fur-lined boots, knuckle-dusters, and twin battle axes named 'Grasper' and 'Keeper'.

Dwalin.

"Dwalin, at your service." Dwalin bowed after he saw Bilbo had opened the door.

"Bilbo Baggins at yours." Bilbo replied with a bow of his own.

Last time Dwalin had showed up, he had rightly been intimidated by the dwarf who looked like he could strangle him with one hand, so he kept away. Bilbo found out later that his timidness had decreased the warrior's opinion of him, and it only changed after he had rescued Thorin from one of Azog's minions after Goblin Town/Gollum.

By bowing and holding eye contact, Bilbo was showing Dwalin respect. He knew that Dwalin thought that he didn't understand dwarf customs, but the bow would always be in the back of the warrior's mind when he spoke with Bilbo from now on, and the little bit of manners that had been instilled into Dwalin by his brother would hold him to honor that first bow.

"Please come in." Bilbo stepped back, allowing the dwarf to enter. "But I ask that you wipe your feet if your boots are dirty. We'll be going through the house to the backyard, and would prefer if I didn't have to keep cleaning the floors."

Dwalin stared for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and wiping his feet on the door mat, scraping off a good deal of mud. More then what the warrior was expecting if his raised eyebrow was anything to go by.

"Would you like me to take your cloak?" Bilbo asked, eyeing Dwalin's oilskin around his shoulders, but didn't bother asking for any weapons since he knew as Thorin's bodyguard, Dwalin wouldn't hand anything over.

"Sure." Dwalin shrugged the cloak off and handed it to Bilbo, who quickly hung it up on one of the nearby coat hangers.

"Follow me, if you will." Bilbo said and started through the house. "Supper is this way."

"He did say there would be food." Dwalin commented as he followed. "And lots of it."

"I'm assuming 'he' is Gandalf, correct?" Bilbo asked as he paused at the back door, and Dwalin nodded. "I thought so. I just wish that he'd give me a little more warning before he brings guests over for supper."

"And what do you mean by, 'a little more warning'?" Dwalin questioned as he followed. "The wizard said you knew we were coming when he gave us our maps two weeks ago. How much more warning does one need?"

"More warning than just this morning." Bilbo replied smartly as he led the dwarf out the back door, and didn't need to turn around to know that Dwalin's jaw had dropped.

He had moved his tables out to the backyard that afternoon, set up chairs that he knew could handle the weight of the dwarves, and added torches so they could have light to see by, stationing them in a near dwarven fashion.

But on the table, was paradise. All of the meats Bilbo had cooked, the venison roasts, lamb legs and liver, beef brisket and steaks, and pork chops, sausage, and ribs that would be smoked, with three or four of each type, were the main attraction. But Bilbo, feeling a mite clever, had also added lots of fruits and lots of vegetables to the table as well. He wasn't a fool, and knew how to get the stubborn race to eat right. He was actually told by Bombur, after they left Rivendell, that all dwarves like the cooked, smoked, and grilled veggies, not the one that looked like they had just been plucked off a tree or the ground.

So, aside from the meat, he had roasted and stuffed bell peppers, double stuffed and baked potatoes, sautéed and grilled eggplant, cucumber, and summer squash, fresh fruits off the tree, sliced and warmed peaches with a touch of sugar on top, a salad that consisted only of fruits like apples, pear, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries, and a small bowl of leafy salad for dear old Bombur, who actually enjoyed leafy greens on occasion.

There were large barrels of ale that he had ordered from the Green Dragon, along some red wine, water, and tea. But Bilbo was certain only himself and Dori were going to drink the tea, that is, until everyone was suffering from a hangover the next morning.

"You made all this by yourself?" Dwalin asked breathless.

"Oh no." Bilbo shook his head, secretly wishing he didn't have to lie and could actually say, 'Why yes I did'. "My neighbors were more than happy to help after I told them Gandalf had stopped by around 11 this morning, and had dropped a list of names that had been checked off. My name included."

"When was the last time you saw the wizard?" Dwalin questioned as he slowly moved towards the table, the delicious smells reeling him in.

"Aside from this morning?" Bilbo questioned, and Dwalin nodded as he took a seat while snagging a mug of ale. "9 years ago when he came with the ranger's towards the end of the Fell Winter."

Dwalin chocked on the ale and set the mug back down as he stared at Bilbo in shock. Bilbo raised an eyebrow as to inquire about the dwarf's health, but Dwalin just kept staring.

"So this was just sprung on you?" Dwalin asked.

"Yes, but I'm not that surprised." Bilbo sighed as he checked the pies he had in the oven that would be served as part of dessert. "My mother warned me that Gandalf has a habit of appearing the day before someone starts an adventure. That is, I'm assuming you and the other names on the list were the adventure he was talking about?"

"You have a list?" Dwalin held out his hand, and Bilbo forked it over, watching the warrior's expression darken as he read the names. "That wizard has some explaining to do."

"I'm sure he will." Bilbo replied as he heard the bell ring again. "Excuse me, the door."

Bilbo left Dwalin stabbing at a piece of liver, more like mutilating the poor thing, and headed back through the house. The dwarf out there would be Balin, and the thought made Bilbo stop. The first time around, Balin, Ori, and Óin had all died in Moria after the Balrog and orcs had over run them. Perhaps this time that fate could be avoided. Taking a deep breath, Bilbo opened the door in time to see Balin wiping his feet.

Red undershirt beneath a long sleeved and heavily decorated deep red tunic, red leather belt, steeled toed boots that curved upward at the toe, black leather gloves, and a sword that Bilbo knew had a unique cross-shaped tip, kind of like a flat-bladed mace. Balin's grandfatherly face smiled at Bilbo, his white-gray beard and hair moving with him, and Bilbo smiled back with a nod.

"Balin, at your service." Balin bowed his head as he held open his arms as if he was expecting a hug.

"Bilbo Baggins at yours." Bilbo bowed the same way he had to Dwalin. "Good evening."

"Yes, yes it is, isn't it?" Balin replied as he glanced at the sky. "Though I think it might rain later."

"Probably right before dawn." Bilbo agreed. "Please follow me, I have supper waiting in the backyard."

"Oh, that's delightful." Balin smiled as he followed Bilbo, and stopped short with his jaw dropped once he caught sight of the dinner tables loaded with food. "Oh my."

"Is it too much?" Bilbo asked, suddenly worried that he would have too many leftovers.

"Not at all." Balin replied, and caught sight of Dwalin. "Oh, ha, ha, ha! Evening brother!"

Bilbo had to turn away and stuff a fist in his mouth so he wouldn't burst out laughing. Dwalin had snagged the cookie jar off from where Bilbo had put it next to the oven and his hand was stuck inside, unable to get his hand out with the cookies he had grabbed. Dwalin chuckled and set down the cookie jar, sauntering over to his older sibling.

"By my beard, you're shorter and wider than last we met." Dwalin teased.

"Wider, not shorter." Balin corrected. "And sharp enough for the both of us."

Both chuckled as they placed their hands on the other's shoulders before they bashed their foreheads together. Bilbo winced at the sound, remembering it was how family greeted each other after not seeing each other for a week or two, and the first time that Bofur had done that to him. Nearly had a concussion if it hadn't been for Óin.

"Have you eaten?" Dwalin asked as he seated his brother next to him.

"No, not yet." Balin replied as he eyed all the food. "But I will."

"Before you start, take a look at this." Dwalin passed the list of names to his brother.

"What the…?" Balin trailed off as he took it all in. "This is Master Gandalf's handwriting. Why did he make a list of names?"

"No idea." Dwalin shook his head. "But it gave Master Baggins a warning as to how many of us to expect. The wizard saw him only just this morning, and the last time before that was at the end of the Fell Winter nine years ago."

Balin's jaw dropped again, and he looked towards Bilbo. Bilbo just shrugged as he sipped a small cup of ale. Balin's face immediately adapted an apologetic look, and Bilbo knew that the old advisor felt guilty for not seeing something like the list happen.

"I'm sorry about all this laddie-" Balin started.

"It's not your fault Master Balin." Bilbo cut him off. "If anyone needs to apologize, it's Gandalf."

"What's this?" Dwalin asked as he poked at some cheese he had crumbled onto grilled eggplant, cucumber, and summer squash.

Bilbo chuckled. Dwalin had asked the same question the last time, except the cheese had still been in his pantry. And ended up getting tossed over the dwarf's shoulder without being tried.

"I think its cheese." Balin commented.

"It's blue cheese." Bilbo replied. "And yes, it's supposed to look like that."

"But it's riddled with mold." Dwalin shot back.

"There is some grilled eggplant, cucumber, and summer squash without the cheese further down the table." Bilbo replied and paused as the bell rang again. "Excuse me, the door."

Bilbo went back inside, but paused as he caught sight of the front door. The two dwarves behind it were Fíli and Kíli. Both had died protecting their uncle during the Battle of Five Armies. Fíli had shielded Kíli from orc arrows while Kíli protected Fíli from a goblin sword, but both had been slain by Azog and his spawn Bolg. Bilbo had seen them on the battlefield as he had been carried back to the healing tents the first time, mangled… broken… dead…

Not this time. This time, they would survive even if he had to chain them down in the forges. Or the dungeons. Did Erebor have dungeons?

The bell rang again, and Bilbo snapped out of his memories. Taking another of many deep breaths, Bilbo opened the door again. Oh, there they were, so young and innocent, not having seen true battle before… so full of energy and pranks and life!

Fíli, with his golden head of hair, was wearing his hooded undershirt under his long leather vest and heavy coat, his boots with his twin throwing axes tucked into the tops, belt, leather arm bracers with two of his many daggers tucked on top, and his dual falchions.

Oh, and young Kíli, with his bow and arrow making him the only archer in the group, his hooded blue undershirt, blue vest, and leather jacket, the leather boots, skinny leather belt, and arm vambracers, (fingerless leather gloves made of soft leather with a harder leather exterior to protect his forearms), and sword that could double as a saw if needed.

Oh, the boys… his boys, alive.

"Fíli." Fíli introduced himself.

"And Kíli." Kíli added.

"At your service." Fíli and Kíli spoke together as they bowed.

"You must be Mr. Boggins." Kíli grinned.

"Baggins." Bilbo corrected automatically.

"I told you it was Baggins, Kí." Fíli grinned.

"Oh shut up Fí." Kíli grumbled.

"Welcome." Bilbo said with a bow, getting their attention. "I'll have to ask you to wipe your boots before following me to the backyard, unless you want to clean up the pig-peg mud you've tracked in."

Fíli and Kíli glanced at each other, and both quickly wiped their feet on the doormat. And both were amazed at the amount of filth that came off, if their jaw dropped expressions were anything to go by. Stepping inside, Kíli looked around the entryway while Fíli started taking off his weapons.

"Careful with these, I just had them sharpened." Fíli said with a small smile.

Bilbo knew the boy was up to. He wanted to see how strong Bilbo was and how well he fared at the sight of weapons. Besides, handing the weapons off to the host was a sign of trust, one that Bilbo had abused last time by carelessly tossing the swords and Kíli's bow on the floor.

"This is a nice place." Kíli commented as he looked around.

"Thank you, my father built it for my mother." Bilbo replied. "It was her dower gift."

"Wow." Kíli whistled as he expected some of the craftsmanship on the walls.

"That's the last of it." Fíli said with a grin as he placed his last dagger in Bilbo's arms.

Bilbo nodded his head and quickly turned so they couldn't see that his eyes had filled with tears. He would not cry, he would not cry, he would not cry! Moving towards a table he had put out for weapons in the next room, Bilbo cleared his throat.

"The coat rack is on the wall." Bilbo said, amazed that his voice didn't crack as Kíli added his bow and arrows to the pile in his arms. "You can hang your jackets there while I take care of your things."

"Thank you!" Fíli and Kíli called at the same time.

Bilbo set everything down gently. This was so much harder than he thought it would be. As he gently arranged the weapons on the table, Bilbo found himself wiping his eyes dry on his shirt sleeve. He had to get it together. Once everything was organized, Bilbo walked back into the entryway.

"Follow me." Bilbo said and started down the hall.

There was a brief scuffle before two sets of footsteps followed him. He heard the two whispering, and guessed that they were talking about him. Oh, how he wished he could just grab the two and hug them! But that would be awkward since they didn't know anything about him, so he would have to wait until they got to know each other better. Maybe after the trolls, if they still faced them, but Bilbo didn't see another way to get Sting and Orcrist.

"Whoa!" Kíli's gasp brought him out of his thoughts.

"Hungry?" Bilbo asked as he looked at the two with a grin.

"Yeah." Fíli nodded with a dazed look in his eye.

"Fíli, Kíli!" Dwalin called as he raised his third mug of ale. "Come try the lamb leg!"

"Mr. Dwalin!" Kíli grinned as he ran to his fighting trainer.

"How was the journey?" Balin questioned as the boys sat down.

"Wonderful." Fíli grinned. "Especially when Kíli fell asleep in his saddle only to be woken up by an overhanging branch and thought he was getting attacked."

"Shut up!" Kíli hissed as Dwalin roared in laughter.

"Excuse me." Bilbo said as he heard the bell ring for the last time.

As he walked down the hall, Bilbo found himself wondering if Mr. Worrywart had managed to distract Gandalf. Well, he was about to find out. Opening the door, Bilbo quickly stepped back as the eight dwarves outside fell down on the entryway floor.

"Get off you big lump!" Glóin grunted at Bifur, who snarled back something is Khuzdul.

Bilbo glanced up, and felt relief when he didn't see Gandalf standing behind all the dwarves. Now he could start building friendships with them sooner. Taking another deep breath, Bilbo steeled himself.

"Should I get face down on the floor in a bow to?" Bilbo asked, making everyone look up at him.

"Nah." Bofur grinned his cheeky grin, although it was a bit strained from him being lain on by Ori, Dori, and Bombur.

"Right then." Bilbo nodded.

Backing up, Bilbo ran forward before nimbly hopping over the pile of dwarves. Now outside, he helped Bifur back to his feet before the two of them hauled up Bombur. Once those two were up, it was easier for Glóin to get to his feet and help them get Óin, Dori, Ori, Nori, and Bofur to get back on to their feet.

"Thanks for the help." Bofur nodded as he took a deep breath.

"You're welcome." Bilbo nodded.

"Well, I supposed some introductions are in order." Bofur grinned. "My name's Bofur and the one with the axe in his head is my cousin Bifur. He doesn't speak common, but he can understand it."

Bifur nodded his head to Bilbo, obviously feeling grateful that Bilbo hadn't flinched at the sight of the axe when he first helped him up, and for helping him up in the first place. He axe had gotten snagged in Glóin's hair.

"I'm Bombur, Bofur's brother and Bifur's cousin." Bombur introduced himself.

"I'm Ori." Ori stepped forward, only to be pulled back by Dori.

"Dori, Ori's older brother." Dori presented himself, subtly flexing his muscles to let Bilbo know he didn't like those who harmed his family before Bilbo stepped through the pack of dwarves.

"And you are?" Bilbo asked as he stopped Nori from snatching his mother's old jewelry box.

"Nori." Nori replied, impressed that Bilbo had spotted him through the seven other dwarves.

"Nori!" Dori cried out and immediately stepped forward to grab his brother, but was expertly dodged by the thief.

"Does this happen a lot?" Bilbo asked as he turned to Glóin.

"All the time." Glóin nodded. "I'm Glóin, and this is my brother Óin. He's a bit hard of hearing."

"Clearing?" Óin questioned as he brought his ear trumpet up. "What's getting cleared?"

"Nothing." Glóin sighed.

"Now that you know who we are, we can officially say that we are at your service." Bofur grinned as he bowed, the others following his example.

"At your service." the seven other dwarves echoed.

"Bilbo Baggins at yours." Bilbo replied with his own bow. "Cloaks can be hung on the coat rack, and I can take any weapons you might wish to offload."

In the end, Bilbo had placed down Glóin's throwing axe, Óin's iron staff, Dori's sword, Nori's quarter-staff, Bifur's boar spear, Bofur's axe, and Bombur's cleaver knife with Fíli's and Kíli's weapons. Once that was done, Bilbo asked them to follow him to the backyard, and to supper. Once there, Bilbo couldn't stop his chuckle at the jaw dropped expressions of awe at the sight of all the food. It was no surprise that the dwarves practically ran to greet their kinfolk and dig in.

Making sure everyone was properly situated, Bilbo left Bag End with an apple in his pocket, fully intending to visit Myrtle. Once at the gate, Bilbo laughed softly when he saw that all of the dwarf's ponies were in Myrtle's pasture. Whistling softly, Bilbo smiled when Myrtle whinnied happily and came to the fence.

"Hello old girl." Bilbo greeted and gave her the apple. "Get some good rest tonight. Don't keep our guests awake with your antics."

"You there." a deep voice said, and Bilbo froze.

Turning slowly, Bilbo nearly stopped breathing. There, sitting on the bay pony Bilbo had named Bungo last time, and looking every bit like the king he should be, was Thorin Oakenshield.

MMMG: And so we leave off with Bilbo re-meeting Thorin for the first time! Aren't I a stinker? And where-oh-where is Gandalf? Guess we'll find out later.

The names of the father's for Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fíli, and Kíli are all made up.

Dori, Nori, and Ori all have different fathers for whatever reasons, (mom was free with affections, each of their dad's died after conception, take your pick), and were given names that rhymed with their mother's name

And yes, the spelling of Fíli, Kíli, Glóin, and Óin are accurate. At least, they are according to the LOTR wikia.

Please review and let me know if I'm still doing okay!