A/N So there's some lore in this chapter that I mostly bullshitted from memory, so don't be afraid to just gloss on over any gross discrepancies ;) Thanks everyone who has taken the time to review, you are all very kind! Enjoy!

Bilbo woke up the next morning feeling utterly refreshed and in a very good mood. Even if the dwarves were too stubborn to concede to the offering of beds by the elves, the fine cushions Bilbo had 'liberated' from one of the close by rooms were infinitely preferable to the ground.

That, and the lack of needing to be ready at a moments notice in case of an orc raid, made for the best sleep Bilbo had had since he left the Shire. The hobbit sat up with a stretch, noticing that most of the dwarves had already left the alcove they were staying in.

Fili and Kili were likely off being a nuisance to whomever they met and Bilbo had no doubt Thorin had stuffed himself into some random closet so he could avoid everything elvish and possibly have a good pout.

Bilbo got up from his makeshift bed and was determined that he would go exploring before their dinner with Lord Elrond later. The hobbit had heard marvelous tales describing Elrond's extensive library and could feel himself almost start salivating at the thought of touching some of those rare tomes.

Bilbo started down the hallway he had used last night passing Ori, who was already back to sketching, with a smile and a nod and was met with one equally warm.

The hobbit continued with a slight spring in his step, feeling that he had finally made another friend within their company.

The hallways looked just as beautiful in the morning sun as they did at night bathed in moonlight. Though it was a different kind of beauty, Bilbo pondered, where in the night, the designs appeared to him as ethereal and mysterious, in the sun they looked full of life, almost sentient as the shadows of leaves danced across the floor.

Not quite sure where exactly he was heading, Bilbo made his way towards what he thought to be the main courtyard. 'The dwarves have certainly done a good job finding a secluded area,' Bilbo thought exasperated, 'I haven't seen anyone and I have noblastedidea where I'm going!'

After hitting more than a few dead ends, Bilbo began to realize that he was, in short, completely lost. "It shouldn't be that hard, it's not like this place is that large!" Bilbo muttered to himself, pushing a hand through his hair as he stared at another set of locked doors.

"Why, the little one looks quite lost, doesn't he brother?"

Bilbo spun around as he heard a light, almost musical laugh from behind him. Clutching his heart in surprise, the hobbit took a few deep breaths to calm himself as he gazed at two eerily identical elves.

The two were brothers apparently, and just by looking at them, Bilbo could have come up with that conclusion by himself. They had the same brown hair, woven in intricate braids at their temples and identical circlets rested on their brows. But it was their faces that gave Bilbo pause, for they had almost the same features as Lord Elrond apart from their stunningly blue eyes that looked more akin to shards of ice compared to Elrond's deep cobalt.

The hobbit wouldn't have been able to tell them apart at all if it wasn't for their clothes that differed color, the one on the left sporting a deep auburn as the one on the right favored a blue as dark as midnight.

"I was just…" Bilbo began nervously, not sure if was trespassing in an area he was not supposed to be, "I was just looking for the library?"

The elf in the blue spoke with a small laugh, "that is a relief, small one, for I was just about to ask you why you were trying to break into our quarters."

Bilbo looked from the two elves to the door behind him and back, "Oh, oh no, no I wasn't trying to get in there!" The hobbit flailed his arms trying to convince them he was no burglar. Well not a real burglar anyway.

The two elves simply raised an eyebrow each in unison, "Well I was, but I didn't know it was anyone's quarters!" Bilbo hurriedly continued feeling that this was going not at allwell, "I mean… well…" The hobbit felt horribly flustered at this point and the elves impassive faces were doing nothing to assuage his fears.

"I am lost. Very, very lost. But seeing as how no one has seen fit to give me a tour, I hardly see how that is my fault," Bilbo crossed his arms with a huff, narrowing his eyes, but his ruffled feelings were quickly giving way to nerves, desperately hoping he hadn't offended the two in his small outburst.

There was a moment of silence before the two elves broke into smiles, letting out soft laughter. "You have some spirit, little one, I admire you for it," the one in the auburn tunic spoke, "Allow us to introduce ourselves, I am Elladan," the elf bowed before gesturing to his brother who added, "And I am Elrohir, sons of Lord Elrond and very pleased to make your acquaintance…"

Bilbo spluttered for a moment, he had just been cross at the sons of their host. The sons of Lord Elrond. "I'm, uh, Bilbo… Bilbo Baggins. Son of, uh, Bungo Baggins. Not that you've heard of him…"

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a quick glace. "Ah," Elrohir began, "so you are the Halfling that travels with the dwarves and Master Gandalf." Bilbo gave them a small nod, hoping that maybe the two were good natured enough to let his impudent behavior go, "Uh, yes, I suppose I am."

"Well then, it is a pleasure to have one of the Shire folk in our halls again for it has been far too many years since we had the presence of your kin amongst us." Elladan gave Bilbo an easy smile, "I apologize for no one showing you the halls of Imladris."

Bilbo flushed, "Oh no, I must apologize for intruding! I had no idea I'd gotten so lost…"

Elrohir stepped forward and placed a long, pale hand on the hobbits shoulder, "Nonsense!" He said, "It is our duty to show guests of our father the hospitality of the elves, Bilbo Baggins, allow us to guide you to the library."

"There's no need!" Bilbo cut in quickly, the last thing he wanted to do was impose on the sons of his host, "I'm sure if you just, well, point me in the general direction I'll get there eventually…"

Elrohir frowned at him, "surely you must know, small one, that the elves take great pride in their hospitableness. I insist we guide you even if I must carry you there myself."

Bilbo felt his mouth fall open as he gaped, wide-eyed at the elf, 'did he just say he would carryme?"

"Elrohir is joking, Bilbo Baggins. You must forgive him. My brother is adept at many things but I fear humor often escapes him." Elladan smiled at the hobbit teasingly but was swiftly reprimanded by his brother, "At least I attempt it. You are about as amusing as a poisonous spider," Elrohir pouted at his brother who merely laughed again.

"Come, come, little one," Elladan ushered Bilbo forward as they made there way back down the hallway towards the correct direction. Bilbo felt very strange at that moment. He was used to being flanked by Fili and Kili, so it was not as if having royalty on either side of him was abnormal, but at least FIli and Kili were closer to him in height.

Bilbo felt immensely short, as the elf twins were almost twice his size! And if he thought the dwarf brothers were too similar to be healthy, these elves even had the same gait in their walk. Bilbo wasn't sure he could have even begun to try and tell them apart if they hadn't helpfully worn different colors.

"So, Bilbo Baggins, tell us, how do you find journeying with dwarves?" Elrohir glanced down at the hobbit with a small grin as they walked down another hallway, "I must confess, while they have done nothing to refute the common opinion of their nature thus far, I was rather hoping to be wrong…"

Bilbo pondered the question for a moment. This was his chance to try and facilitate some friendship between the two groups!

"I did start off rather skeptical," Bilbo began slowly, "they had made a right mess of my kitchen and eaten all of my pantry the night they stayed in my home. But I have found since that the dwarves I journey have the kindest of hearts I have ever had the privilege of knowing."

A small sigh escaped his lips, "it is true that dwarves often are very reluctant to let outsiders know themselves and their secrets. But! If you work hard enough and earn their loyalty, I think it would be difficult indeed to find a truer friend!"

Elladan gave him an appraising stare, "you speak very highly of them, little one, perhaps it is wrong of us to judge them so harshly."

Bilbo gave the elf a large smile, "it is good to hear the elves are not so stuck in their prejudices as some of the dwarves I know! I sometimes think all it would make all the difference in the world if Thorin would just sit down and talk with an elf…"

Elrohir let out a short laugh, "I think in that case, Master Hobbit, you might be mistaken. Thorin Oakenshield's dislike of our kind is all but legendary. I believe he finds all our woodland kin to be traitors of the worst sort."

The trio wound their way through many paths and hallways, a warm, autumn breeze playfully rustling the trees as they passed.

Bilbo just shrugged, "I can't say I know the whole story really, but from what I heard, the elf-king was trying to spare his people the wrath of the dragon. I know Thorin sees it as betrayal, and it just might be. But I think in his position, Thorin might have done the same, for he loves his kin above all else…"

Elladan and Elrohir placed a hand each on one of Bilbo's shoulders, "You speak with much wisdom, little one," Elladan spoke kindly, "perhaps you should consider diplomacy if you find adventuring not to your liking."

"Oh, yes!" Elrohir joined in with a merry laugh, "we could certainly use your skills in our dealings with the dwarves!" The elf leaned to whisper conspiratorially to Bilbo, "You don't know how often our councils end with a dwarf raising his axe to our father, shouting about some insult or another!"

Bilbo smiled at the twins, if he could only get Thorin to see that the elves were perfectly nice! The three of them eventually came to a large archway that was carved intricately with depictions of ancient tales. Bilbo let out a small gasp as they entered into the great library.

Rows and rows of books lined the walls in shelves that seemed to be less carved, than trees that had simply opened up to make space for the countless, leather-bound tomes. "Oh my…" Bilbo whispered as he gaped at the sight, sunlight pouring through the openings in the ceiling, a soft, ethereal light pouring down.

"It is worth having a library this grand if only to see the faces upon new visitors," Elrohir laughed as he made his way past Bilbo into the great space, "feel free to browse at your leisure."

Elladan also moved forward before turning to face Bilbo, "Please let me know if I can assist you in finding a particular subject, I've spent many long hours in here myself."

Bilbo just nodded, not sure he could make words at that moment, and made his way to the nearest shelf. There seemed magic in the air, Bilbo thought, the knowledge of thousands of minds pooled together in one place.

The hobbit ran his hands across the spines as he made his way down a row of books, each one had a distinct feel and seemed to almost thrum with life as touched them.

Bilbo stopped as he saw a large, thick book bound in ancient black leather with what seemed to be golden runes decorated its spine. Bilbo stood on his toes as he strained to lift it off the shelf, until a pale hand reached out from behind him to grasp it, "Allow me, Bilbo Baggins."

The hobbit tilted his head back to see Elladan smiling down at him, "Oh, uh, well thank you," Bilbo took the book as Elladan handed it to him.

The cover had more of the runes that resided on the spine, but accompanying the script was a golden embossed design of a regal figure pounding at an anvil, the sparks that flew from the impact making intricate designs as they intertwined.

Bilbo felt his breath leave him as he gently traced the design with his fingers, "what… what is it?"

"It is the tale of Aulë and Yavanna, two of the Valar. Yavanna is the guardian of all the green things that grow on this earth," Elladan spoke softly, "she works constantly to keep evil away from her wild children and is mother to the great Tree-Walkers."

"Then this is Aulë?" Bilbo asked as he continued to trace the gold figure, "Indeed. It is interesting that you should pick this book of all that reside here. Aulë is the great smith of the Valar and creator of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves."

Bilbo looked at Elladan with wide eyes, hoping to hear more of the tale. The elf seemed to catch on as he grinned at Bilbo, "it is said that Aulë defied Eru to create the dwarves. Eru learned of Aulë's actions and almost forced him to destroy his children, before recognizing their worth and granting them life, and thus the dwarves came to be."

The hobbit turned back to the book and opened its pages delicately; bold runes stared back at him as if trying to convey the great nobility of dwarven people. "It also contains some of the history of the early dwarves and lineages, I'm sure your friends of the Durin line would find their ancestors among its pages," Elladan added as he started to peruse some of the other books.

"Do you think?" Bilbo asked excitedly, "How did Lord Elrond come across this treasure?" Elladan continued to move slowly down the row, "I cannot be entirely sure, but he has lived countless lives of men and the dwarves did not always view us so coolly. Perhaps he received it from a friend or found it forgotten in an ancient kingdom, I suppose you would have to ask him."

Bilbo continued to turn the pages, wishing he could understand some of what the runes said, "Do you think…" the hobbit began, hoping not to sound overly forward, "Do you think I could show this to one of my companions? He loves tales and legends, I can already imagine his face if I showed this to him!"

Glancing up at the elf with a hopeful smile, Bilbo clutched the book tightly to his chest. Elladan seemed to find the sight endearingly amusing, "Of course, little one, I doubt it has seen appreciative eyes for many ages. It would be a shame to let this friend of yours be unable to learn its treasures."

Bilbo almost jumped up and down in excitement but just barely restrained himself, "Oh, thank you, thank you! I will tell them of this kindness, I'm sure then they will not think so poorly of elves!"

Elladan smiled down at the hobbit, "I admire your optimism, Bilbo Baggins, perhaps this time you are correct."

Bilbo spent many hours looking through the wealth of the library, occasionally picking up books, but always clutching the story of Aulë closely. He would have liked to continue on but the appearance of Lindir, apparently searching for the twins, announced that dinner would be approaching soon.

"Come along, small one," Elrohir ushered Bilbo out of the library, "best not be late, we will show you back to your dwarves." The hobbit chatted amiably with Elladan and Elrohir as they guided him back to the alcove where the company was staying.

Bilbo thought if he had more than an afternoon, he could become great friends with the elf brothers. While they were a bit more reserved and polite than their dwarven counterparts, he saw their good nature and subtle humor as very likeable. It didn't hurt, of course, that their father had the most fantastic library Bilbo had ever been in.

As they reached the area where the dwarves had slept, Bilbo was surprised to see all of the company was resting there, talking amongst themselves. Bilbo looked from where Elrohir was telling a story about a hunting mishap in which he and his brother had thought their father was a deer and accidentally started firing arrows at him, when Bilbo made eye contact with Thorin.

The dwarf's face went from passively pleasant as he conversed with Dwalin to a dark frown as his gaze went from Bilbo to the two elves with him. The hobbit raised his chin in defiance and turned to say good-bye to the twins.

"Thank you for showing me the library, I don't know what I would've done if you two hadn't shown up," Bilbo tried to say with a smile but it came out a little stiff knowing that Thorin was probably glaring daggers into his back.

"You probably would have broken into our room, small one," Elrohir laughed as he gave Bilbo's shoulder a friendly squeeze, "but the pleasure was ours. Should you return and ever need any assistance navigating our halls, just let one of us know."

"Indeed, it was our fortune to have meet you Bilbo Baggins, we wish you luck on the rest of your journey" Elladan added with a soft smile, his ice blue eyes creasing slightly at the corner.

"Will you both not be at the feast tonight?" Bilbo asked a bit disappointed, hoping to have another opportunity to spend time with Elrond's sons.

"I'm afraid not," spoke Elrohir, "we have business to attend to on our father's behalf in the Golden Wood. Our grandmother has requested a meeting and so we must go."

"Then I wish you both a safe journey as well, and good luck with your business." Bilbo gave them both a wide smile before they bowed and walked away from the hobbit.

Bilbo turned around again and felt his smile crumble as he met Thorin who was, predictably, still glaring at Bilbo. The hobbit refused to apologize for making new friends and walked past where Thorin and Dwalin stood, going around the corner to where Fili and Kili sat, both pulling long draws from their pipes.

"And where have you been all day Master Baggins?" Began Fili with a grin, "we almost sent out a search party for you! I bet uncle thought the elves had captured you," laughed Kili as he let out a cloud of smoke.

"Not that it's any of yours or Thorin's business, but I went to the library." Bilbo said with a sniff, trying to identify the weed the brothers were using in their pipes.

"Ah we should have known, brother," Fili said with a wink, "let the hobbit out of our sight for a single moment and he makes for the nearest pile of books." Thorin chose that moment to stalk past them, looking as displeased as ever, making his way to his pack.

Fili peered at his uncle through a puff of smoke, "he seems grumpier than usual, what did you do this time Master Baggins?"

"What?" Bilbo started indignantly, "me? How are his moods my fault?"

Kili let out a laugh but accidentally choked on his own smoke. Fili slapped his brother a few times on the back before Kili collected himself, "Because," the younger dwarf began like it was obvious, "he only gets that particular brand of grimace on his face after he talks to you."

"That is – that is utterly preposterous!" Bilbo ground out irritably, "Your uncle has a grimace on his face allthe time, regardless if he talks to me or not! …Though I wouldn't call it talking, more him glaring silently as I try to figure out in which of the multitude of possible ways I could have offended him."

FIli and Kili both cackled, "Oh our dear hobbit, you must have done something, no need to hide from us!" Fili leaned forward with a mischievous smile on his face.

Bilbo frowned as he tightened his hold on the book in his grasp. "Well if you must know, I met Lord Elrond's sons and they were kind enough to show me around today. Thorin saw me saying goodbye to them, that's all."

Fili and Kili shared a look, "that'd do it," Fili grinned, "oh he is not going to be pleasant tonight!" Kili grinned back at his brother, "knowing our impressionable hobbit was in the company of dirty elves," the younger dwarf pretended to gag as he said the word elf.

"I am not—I am not impressionable," Bilbo shot in offended, "and they are not dirty, which is pretty rich coming from you lot," the hobbit gave an exaggerated sniff.

The two brothers laughed, "fair enough, Master Baggins, I would just avoid mentioning that you found them anything less than repulsive to Thorin, lest we all suffer his mighty scowl for the entire evening!"

Bilbo walked the small distance to his bag and set the precious book into it, careful to treat it with great care, before turning back to the brothers, "I will do no such thing! Scowl or no, they were very kind to me today and I will say nothing otherwise!"

The two dwarves stood up stretching as the rest of the dwarves started to make their way to dinner, "Your funeral!" Kili stuck out his tongue with a wink as he clapped Bilbo on the shoulder, "now let's get moving, I'm absolutely starving!"

Dinner had gone smoothly. Well, as smoothly as Bilbo could have hoped. While the hobbit had been seated at a separate table with most of the dwarves, he had been anxiously watching where Thorin, Gandalf, and Elrond all sat.

It looked to Bilbo that Gandalf and Elrond did most of the talking, the two were clearly old friends who had years of shared experiences to reminisce about, but Thorin had surprisingly held his tongue for most of the dinner, settling for pushing his leafy greens around his plate.

Bilbo had sat next to Balin and Bofur who proved to be reliably good company. The longer dwarf table was considerably louder, as no amount of fine company could keep the rowdiness of dwarves at bay.

Following dinner, Bilbo, Balin, and Thorin had followed Elrond and Gandalf out of the hall to a private chamber where they discussed Thorin's map. Bilbo wasn't sure exactly what he was doing with the group as he thought these matters were not directly his concern, but Gandalf had ushered him along muttering something about keeping the dwarves in check.

After Elrond had read the moon runes, a magnificent sight to be sure, the elf and Gandalf had retreated to meet with what Bilbo heard them call 'The White Council,' and the two dwarves had quickly made their way back to the alcove where the rest of the company was waiting.

Bilbo dallied behind the dwarves, eventually separating himself entirely, hoping to take in what he was feeling was going to be his final night in the fine elf settlement. The hobbit sighed as he slowly made his way through the now somewhat familiar halls.

'If only I had more time…' Bilbo thought to himself morosely, 'think of all the books I could have read!'

The hobbit closed his eyes as he ran his hand along smooth railings and carved pillars, hoping to memorize their feel and the smell of Imladris so he could recall the memory during the undoubtedly unpleasant days ahead.

Sooner than later, Bilbo found himself near where the dwarves were getting ready to sleep. He was about to make his way around the corner when he heard lowered voices from one of the rooms on his left. The door was slightly ajar and Bilbo felt the Took in him growing impossibly curious.

The hobbit silently padded over to the door to listen for a second. And Only a second.

Bilbo heard a long sigh, "I know that Dwalin, believe me when I say I know we need more rest, but we have to move at first light." The hobbit immediately recognized Thorin's gruff voice as it drifted out the door.

Dwalin shot in almost immediately, "Listen to me Thorin. And I mean really listen. We have little supplies, no ponies, and rest of the company has only had one, one good nights rest. We're goin' to need a hell of a lot of luck from here on out if these are the conditions you want us to travel in."

Bilbo was shocked to hear someone speak so frankly to the prince, but he supposed years of battle together forged a unique and powerful bond.

Thorin growled back, "No Dwalin, youneed to listen. I spoke with the wizard and he hinted very strongly that the White Council was going to try and stop us! Whatever our conditions are, they mean nothing if we cannot go anywhere!"

There was a brief pause before he heard a sigh, Bilbo could just imagine Thorin taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, "By Durin's beard, I cannot, will not, be stopped when we are so close to finally returning home! Not when I have finally unlocked the secrets of this blasted map."

"Aye," Bilbo heard Dwalin respond, surprisingly gentle for such an intense dwarf, "and I will follow you wherever you lead, Thorin. But we will need to find somewhere to resupply and get some proper rest."

The hobbit heard the clap of a hand meeting a shoulder, "You know I value your counsel, Dwalin. Normally I would heed your words above all others, but in this case I know I am right."

"Aye, Thorin, I know. But you must remember that we are not immortal. I know what this quest means to you. We all know what this quest means. But even you cannot take back Erebor alone."

Silence fell again for a few seconds before Bilbo heard footsteps coming towards the door. The hobbit swiftly jumped away and practically ran around the corner, the last thing he wanted was to be caught eavesdropping by Thorin.

Bilbo dodged around several dwarves lying on their mats before he reached is small pile of cushions. He went about setting up his area, before Bilbo saw his bag and the book visible from the opening.

How could he have forgotten! Bilbo had meant to show Ori before they went to sleep so he could return the book in the morning. The hobbit quickly retrieved the leather tome from his pack and made his was over to where Ori was sitting, a bit away from the group as he wrote in his notebook.

"Hello Mister Ori," Bilbo sat down next to the dwarf with a warm smile. "Oh, hello Master Baggins! How was your day? I didn't see you until dinner."

Bilbo uncovered the book from his arms with a flourish, "One could say that I was very productive. I went to Lord Elrond's library and found something I thought you would like."

"Is that—" the young dwarf looked back and forth from the book to Bilbo several times, "is that a first edition?"

Bilbo shrugged with a laugh, "I was hoping you'd know! Elladan said it was very old so it just might be." Ori let out a pleased groan, "Oh, Master Baggins, I've seen copies! I've taken notes on copies, but I've never seen something so old and so well-kept as this!"

The hobbit handed over the book to Ori's slightly quivering hands, which proceeded to stroke the cover lovingly. "So you can, uh, read it right?" Bilbo asked the dwarf curiously, "It looks ancient and I'm not much familiar with dwarf script."

"Oh no," began Ori, "it is quite old, but I," the dwarf looked at Bilbo with a pleased smile, "just happen to be an expert. Would you mind if I looked at it a bit?"

Bilbo chuckled, "of course not! Just be careful, I'm not sure what elf lords do to those that desecrate their books and I don't much care to find out."

Ori looked scandalized at the idea that he of all dwarves, could possibly harm a book, "I will be most careful!"

Bilbo gave the dwarf a pat on his knit covered shoulder as he sat up, not wanting to be a distraction while Ori frantically took notes on the ancient script. The hobbit stretched a bit, no longer feeling tired, but not quite sure what to do with himself until he caught the wafting of familiar smoke coming from around the corner that was blocked from his view.

'Maybe Fili and Kili are having a good smoke,' Bilbo thought pleased as he started to make his way over, 'perhaps they'd share…'

However as the hobbit turned the corner away from where most of the dwarves were sleeping, he was met with sight of Thorin Oakenshield framed against the trees and moonlight that fell on Imladris, an intricate pipe at his lips.

Bilbo was caught in quite the awkward situation. On the one hand, he was sure, well more positive, that Thorin would not want his company. On the other he was clearly making his way in Thorin's direction, and seeing as how there was nothing but hallway where the hobbit was facing, it would be difficult to play it off casually.

Thorin, noticing his presence, gave him an almost imperceptible nod. "Oh, uh, sorry…" Bilbo began trying frantically to think of an excuse to turn around without offending the dwarf, "I didn't know… you… were here, I'll just –" he made a motion indicating his intention to back away.

Thorin simply snorted at him, "do all hobbits ramble so much? Or do we just have the distinct pleasure of hosting one so unique?"

Bilbo frowned at Thorin indignantly, crossing his arms over his chest. He didn't ramble. Well, he didn't ramble that much. And onlywhen he got nervous. "I will have you know that while you lot apparently find it distasteful, we hobbits are quite skilled and well practiced in small talk."

Thorin raised an imperious eyebrow at him, "you certainly are small, though I'm sure not sure I would label your talking as anything less than lengthy."

'Alright,' Bilbo made up his mind in a huff, 'if Thorin Oakenshield wants to talk, then so help me, I will talk.' The hobbit uncrossed his arms and purposely made his way to stand next to Thorin, who was still resting against the railing, facing the valley down below.

"Just because you do not appreciate the pleasantries of conversations, Master Oakenshield, does not make them irrelevant or unnecessary." Bilbo still did not look at the dwarf, but pulled out his trusty pipe, stuffing the end with a spare bit of Longbottom Leaf that he always kept on his person.

"Light?" Bilbo glanced sideways, not sure if Thorin would punch him or just scoff and humor him. The dwarf continued to gaze at the hobbit as he tilted his pipe sideways until one of the embers fell into Bilbo's, "thank you."

Bilbo took a few quick draws, added breath to sparks until he got a nice, steady glow.

"And I suppose you found that the elves appreciated your pleasantries?" Thorin had turned back to gaze at the moon, taking a long pull from his pipe before exhaling a rather impressive ring of smoke.

Bilbo could see that Thorin was baiting him, and rather poorly, but the hobbit had just about enough of dwarvish stubbornness and couldn't quite restrain himself. "Why yes, Elladan and Elrohir were quite receptive to my pleasantries, I believe they found my conversation quite amiable and we got on rather well."

Thorin scoffed at him, "that's because all elves value is talk. Oh, they will say all the pretty, hollow words they need to gain your trust but they are just like a breeze, weak and empty."

Bilbo rested his arms against the railing before blowing a smoke ring of his own. "I won't pretend to understand what happened to your people, but surely you cannot think that all elves are the same, Master Oakenshield."

"That is because you cannot understand what happened to my people, halfling." Thorin's grip on his pipe tightened, his face darkening, "you cannot understand the smell of burnt flesh and the deafening screams of your kin as they are slain without warning by a beast that knows nothing of mercy."

"You cannot understand what it means to see an elf that had pledged friendship," Thorin let out a bitter laugh, "turn away an entire armyworth of ready swords as you begged and pleaded for aid."

Bilbo had not been expecting such emotion or frankness from the dwarf and so was vastly unprepared with anything meaningful to say. Normally the hobbit would have placed a comforting hand on the dwarf's forearm, but if Bilbo was certain of one thing, it was that Thorin would be most discomforted by contact from him.

"It would be foolish of me to expect you to understand, halfling," Thorin said bitterly soft, "but I believe I am well within my right to expect that you respect my dislike is founded on much more than mere prejudice."

Bilbo let out a small sigh; he knew there was nothing he could say, nothing he could do to offer the dwarf any modicum of comfort. There was nothing anyone could do for Thorin Oakenshield that could repair the damage done. That could begin to heal the wounds that had festered over many long years of exile and burden.

Thorin's rage was as white-hot and burning as his desire to return home. But in his pursuit of revenge, to right the many wrongs dealt to him in life; Bilbo believed Thorin had held too tightly onto that blazing fury. He had become so burned and scarred that little could reach him through that hardened shell.

There was nothing Bilbo Baggins of the shire, Bilbo Baggins the hobbit, or Bilbo Baggins the individual could offer such a man that would not be met with condescension.

'And he's right,' Bilbo thought to himself, smiling sadly, 'I understand nothing.' But, as he looked at Thorin, as he looked at the dwarf who burned brighter than any fire Bilbo had seen, perhaps that was a good thing.

"For what it's worth, Master Oakenshield," Bilbo began slowly, not sure if he was making a mistake even speaking at all, "I am sorry. Truly sorry. No one should have to suffer as you and your people have."

"I know you think you do not have a home. That to become whole again you must go back to what you had. But I think you are mistaken." Thorin looked sharply at Bilbo, his eyes narrowing, "I see the way you treat Fili and Kili. I see the camaraderie you share in Dwalin and Balin. I see the way the others would follow you to their death. Not because of where you lead them, but because you are the one that leads."

"I do not believe that home is necessarily always a place, Master Oakenshield, but rather being in the company of those whom you love and respect. I think in some ways you've always been home," Bilbo continued quietly, "but tragedy can cloud the things right in front of us."

They sat in stiff silence for a moment and Bilbo thought he actually had a good chance of being impaled and meeting his death in a rather undignified way.

Thorin sat up quickly, tapping his pipe out with much more force than necessary. "You know nothing of me, hobbit." Thorin spat out as he passed Bilbo, "nothing."

'Well,' Bilbo thought, 'I suppose that could have gone worse. Not much, but still, I'm not dead.' The hobbit tried to be offended at Thorin's words, tried to dislike the dwarf who had never spared so much as small smile at him, but all Bilbo felt when he thought of Thorin Oakenshield was sadness.

There was a kind man, a loving and gentle spirit somewhere deep under the rage and pain. Bilbo knew because he had seen the dwarf interact with his nephews and been told by Fili himself of the strength and care he had shown the young dwarf and his brother.

What Bilbo hoped was that in the future, when Thorin was ready and hopefully after their quest was successfully completed, there would be someone to coax out the man Bilbo knew from brief, distant flashes. What Bilbo knew was that it would never be him.