Bilbo had never ridden a pony before. As adventurous he had been as a child, ponies just seemed too much, even for him. Yet, here he found himself on one now. He was thankful Thorin gave him the option to ride alone or with him. He had been holding tight to dwarf's shirt as they rode. The ride was uneven, and he was still too far off the ground for his liking.

Thorin, however, was enjoying having the hobbit cling to him as he was. He did feel a little bad for stressing the other out, though.

"How long are we riding again?" Bilbo asked for the eighth time since they left that morning.

Thorin chuckled softly. "Not too much longer. Once we clear the trees, it should be an hour's ride." Bilbo huffed softly against Thorin's fur cloak. The dwarf was sure the hobbit had muttered something about it being too long. He smiled.

The three armies had split up that morning. The elves went back to their forest kingdom. Bard and his men rode with Thorin and the dwarves for a little longer, just until they would reach Dale. Bard had been quietly amused with the little hobbit through their ride as well.

Bard had spent a good portion of the start of their ride trying to reassure Bilbo that Thranduil did not hate him. The Elvenking had barely given the hobbit a nod of acknowledgement before turning his back on them to return home. Bilbo felt terrible about Mirion and had thought that Thranduil would blame him. Both Thorin and Bard had to put that thought down quickly. It wasn't Bilbo's fault that Smaug had lost his temper on the Elven queen. Bard's word went over better, seeing as he had actually spoken to Thranduil about it after the meeting the prior day.

Thorin noticed that Bilbo seemed to make friends with everyone he spoke to. The dwarf king had already been cornered by his nephews and threatened with a good head beating if he should ever hurt the hobbit in his care. Bofur was a constant companion to Bilbo if he wasn't with Thorin. The three dwarves were riding close by, even though he was with their king. Bard also seemed quite fond of Bilbo already. Thorin had a suspicion that it was because Bard saw Bilbo like he saw his children, someone innocent who needed to be protected. He hadn't thought to tell the Man that Bilbo was probably older than him yet.

He had spent a long time with Bilbo, Bofur and his nephews last night talking about Hobbits. None of them were familiar with the species, so they all had questions. Bilbo had seemed happy to answer all of them. Thorin had sent the others away only when Bilbo started to yawn mid-sentence.

After another quick checkup by Oin and Feynriel, Bilbo had followed Thorin around their camp as everyone prepared to leave. No one questioned why their king had a pregnant hobbit on his arm, but there were a few sly smiles sent their way when they thought Thorin wasn't looking. The entire mountain was going to be talking about this for ages. Thorin wondered what his sister would have to say about it.

They eventually cleared the tree line, coming up to the small kingdom of Dale. Bard invited them to stay and rest, but the dwarves wanted to push on and get home.

"There it is, Master Baggins," Thorin said, catching Bilbo's attention as they split from Bard and his small army. Bilbo turned a little to see what Thorin was indicating. "The Lonely Mountain. Home to the kingdom of Erebor."

Bilbo was struck speechless as he looked at the mountain they rode towards. It was intimidating in its grandness, but the pillars and torches carved along the outer walls made it almost welcoming as well. Hobbits weren't ones to live in stone, but this mountain did look to make an interesting home.

"It looks marvelous," he said to Thorin, smiling as he saw the dwarf preen at the compliment to his kingdom. He leaned against the dwarf's broad chest as they finished the ride.

Dwarves lined the entrance to the mountain to greet the returning army. Many were looking for their loved ones while some were there simply to wish them a happy return.

As Thorin was helping Bilbo down from the pony, Fili and Kili rushed by them with happy exclamations, startling the Hobbit into losing his hold and falling into Thorin's waiting arms. Thorin chuckled and shook his head. "You'll have to forgive them. Besides each other and me, their mother is all the family they have."

Bilbo looked over to see the brothers hugging a woman. At least, Bilbo figured it was a woman. Her hair matched that of her youngest son's, but her eyes were a bright hazel, like that of molten gold. There looked to be a bit of stubble along her strong jawline and prominent chin, but the bright smile on her face as she held her sons to her outshone it all.

Thorin led Bilbo over to her, and he got to hear how she greeted her sons and kept saying how glad she was that they were safe and home.

"Brother!" She smiled and pulled Thorin into what looked to be a bone crushing hug. Bilbo had to hold back a laugh at hearing the king get the air squeezed out of him.

"Sister, it is good to see you," Thorin said when he was able to speak. "There is someone I wish for you to meet."

By now, Dis had noticed the small creature partially hiding behind her brother. He was obviously not a dwarf, not an elf, nor a man. She had never seen a creature as small and dainty as this one was.

"Bilbo Baggins, I would like to introduce you to my sister, Dis," Thorin said, setting a hand on Bilbo's back to encourage him forward. The notion did not go unnoticed. "Dis, this is Bilbo Baggins. He was a part of the beast's horde, and will be staying here as my guest for a while."

Dis looked between the two before settling on eye contact with Bilbo. The sternness in her face almost made Bilbo duck to hide again but he held his ground. She was Thorin's family. She was important to Thorin which made Bilbo want to get along with her.

After a moment of sizing him up, Dis smiled gently. "Welcome to Erebor, Master Baggins."

Bilbo offered a shy smile. "Thank you for having me, Lady Dis," he said softly.

Thorin rubbed his back lightly. "You must be tired. I will have rooms prepared for you immediately."

"Thorin!" Balin called through the crowd. "Your counsel wishes to speak with you about the treasure acquired."

Thorin actually groaned in annoyance. "Now?"

"Better now than later, laddie," Balin said as he finally made his way to Thorin's side. "Bombur has already got the chefs started on a grand feast in celebration. Best get the tedious work over with."

"But…"

"I can show your guest to his rooms," Dis piped up, sending a cheeky grin to her brother. "Right boys?"

Fili and Kili held matching grins and nodded. Bilbo was quickly realizing who they got their mischievous streak from. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing to have all three of their attentions on him.

"There, that's taken care of." Balin gripped Thorin's arm to pull him off. "Off we go now."

Thorin sent Bilbo an apologetic look as he was dragged off. Bilbo offered a small smile and a shrug. Thorin had been looking forward to showing Bilbo his kingdom, but that would just have to wait.

Dis hooked her arm through Bilbo's, catching his attention again. "Now then, shall we go?" She smiled and started off into the mountain. Bilbo stumbled before righting himself to fall into step with her.

"You do look tired, Bilbo," Fili commented. It hadn't been too long before those two had dropped formalities with him.

"Perhaps he shouldn't be walking?" Kili asked as they walked behind them.

"Kee, he's been sitting all day."

"Oh…right. Pony fatigue?"

"That's not even a thing!"

"You don't know that!"

"Boys." Both of them clicked their mouths shut at the tone in their mother's voice. Dis was looking at them over her shoulder. "What on earth are you two going on about? I doubt Master Baggins is so fragile."

"Well….." Fili rubbed the back of his head.

"You see, mother…." Kili exchanged a look with his brother.

Dis had now stopped walking to turn to them.

Bilbo sighed softly. "It's alright, boys." They all looked at him. Bilbo shrugged. "She will find out soon anyway. It isn't really a secret anymore." He frowned.

"What will I find out?" Dis narrowed her eyes at her sons.

They looked at Bilbo, who sighed again. "I'm pregnant."

Dis looked at him in surprise. It didn't take long for Bilbo to see the spark in her eye that she had figured it out on her own. If she was Thorin's sister and had to deal with Fili and Kili, she had to be smart.

"Ah, then you must be exhausted from that trip," she said with another smile. Bilbo almost thought that this smile was gentler than the others. "Let's get you to your rooms quickly then. Boys, go and get Master Baggins something to snack on. Poor thing is much too thin."

"Oh, you really don't have to…

"Right away, mother!" The two said together before turning and running off in what must be the direction of the kitchen.

"Honestly, you don't have to trouble yourself…."

"It's no trouble," Dis told him, pulling him down the hall again. "If I had known earlier I would have had something prepared for you right when you arrived. My brother isn't the best at communication. Please be patient with him."

"Oh...I…um…what?" Bilbo was confused about what she was talking about.

Dis blinked at him in surprise again before scoffing. "Of course the lead head hasn't said anything. Don't worry about it, dear. Just give it a little time."

"Give…what a little time?" Bilbo asked.

"You'll know soon enough. No need to worry. You just concern yourself with your and your child's health. If you need any help or have any questions, you just let me know," she told him.

"Oh…um… thank you."

"Of course, my dear," she smiled, patting his arm lightly. "Ah, here we are~"

She opened a set of ornate doors and Bilbo gaped at the room she opened to him. There was a good sized sitting area in front of a large fireplace. There was a couch and a few armchairs set around a small coffee table. A large, ornate bed was carved into the stone against the wall next to a large sit in window that had a comfy armchair set up. Furs and pillows were piled up on the bed. There was a closet carved into the stone on the other side of the window from the bed. A door led to what he presumed was the bathroom off to the side. The colors were a deep burgundy with bronze details.

"This…is much more than I need," he looked at Dis.

She waved him off. "This is your room for your stay here. Thorin's room is right up the hall, and the boys and I are in the next hall over. This way there will always be someone around if you need something. Please, make yourself at home."

Fili and Kili appeared again with a platter of crackers, cheeses and meats, a basket of pastries, as well as a pitcher of water and a fresh pot of tea. "We weren't sure what you like, so we brought a few things," Kili said as he set the food on the coffee table.

Bilbo had a feeling that he wasn't going to be winning any arguments with this family. His stomach grumbling made up his mind to just let it be for now. He smiled at the three. "Would you care to join me for tea?"

Fili and Kili energetically agreed and got comfortable on the couch to dig in to the food. Dis smiled at Bilbo and nodded her head.