A/N I hope this sort of goes without saying by now, but seriously thank you so much for taking the time to read, review, fav, or follow. I hope you enjoy! :)

ps. My friend suggested I get a tumblr to post my shitty class note scribbles on so if you guys want some half-assed Hobbit fanart all up in your eye holes, its fruuba. tumblr .com - no spaces, I might get around to doodling some scenes from the story but who even knowwwwws

Bilbo woke the next morning to the sound of a door banging open. Blinking blearily, the hobbit felt the two dwarves on either side of him shift rapidly. There was a brief moment of confusion as Fili made to jump up in their defense but ended up catching his foot on a fur and falling back down on his face. Kili was hardly any more impressive as he made to draw an arrow from thin air while spitting out a chunk of hair from his mouth.

The two brothers spluttered for a moment as Bilbo finally managed to rub the sleep out of his eyes. Beorn had burst through the door and proceeded to throw his giant fur lined coat onto a chair.

The large man eyed them with a small measure of amusement, "A good effort, boys, but I think even the least skilled orc would have had you by now."

Fili pushed himself off the floor, rubbing his nose gingerly as Kili gave Beorn a petulant frown. "We are not boys, Master Beorn," Kili crossed his arms with a huff.

"Of course," their host scoffed as he looked towards where Gandalf and some of the company were standing near the fire, "I must have imagined the distinct lack of beard on you, friend. I thought dwarves prided themselves in their mighty facial hair, but clearly," the man smirked at Kili, "customs change."

The younger dwarf flushed as red as one of Gaffer's ripe tomatoes and Bilbo couldn't help but fell a bit bad. Fili shot a glare at Beorn's retreating back and gave his brother a reassuring pat, "don't listen to him, he doesn't know what he's talking about."

Kili gave a short and rather unconvincing laugh as he shrugged off Fili's hand, "of course, nothing I haven't heard before anyway. Doesn't bother me in the slightest." The blonde dwarf's concerned frown deepened as he continued to gaze at his brother but seemed to decide against pursing the topic further.

Bilbo's glance shifted between the two but before he could offer Kili any reassuring words, the dwarf stood up and stalked through the open door to sit next to Ori who was on the porch with his notebook in hand sketching furiously.

"What – uh, what was that about?" the hobbit turned to Fili curiously, not entirely sure if he should pry, "he's okay, right?" The dwarf nodded with a small smile as he started shoving the various daggers around him into his armor.

"He… Yes, Kili will be fine. It's just a bit of a… sore spot for him. It doesn't really matter, anyway. Well, it shouldn't matter." Fili shrugged as he helped Bilbo up, "I'm sure you would find it all very strange not being a dwarf, Master Baggins, but we - oh this is all very silly…" The dwarf sighed as he shook his head, "we have different standards of handsomeness, so to speak, and let's just say Kili has always been a bit self-conscious about not necessarily adhering… strictly to that standard."

Bilbo narrowed his eyes as he looked from the blonde dwarf to his brother, "But surely Mister Kili is considered at least somewhat handsome by your people? I mean he would for a hobbit at any rate… I can't imagine these types of things are that different."

Fili winked at Bilbo as he wiggled his eyebrows with a laugh, "perhaps you should tell him that, Master Baggins, I'm sure it would cheer him right up!" The hobbit rolled his eyes, "Oh you know what I mean."

Fili chuckled as he playfully elbowed Bilbo's shoulder, "I can't speak for hobbits, but he certainly did get some attention in the towns of men, though I don't think it did much for his confidence. The dwarf maidens mostly just laugh and tell him to wait some years until his beard grows in. I think any, uh, proposals from human women just made him feel even worse."

The hobbit couldn't help but think this was all very strange and confusing. After all, dwarves didn't look that different from the folks he'd met, but then again, he probably shouldn't expect to be anything but confused when dealing with dwarves at this point.

"But you never had any problem?" Bilbo's eyebrows furrowed, "No, uh—no offense but it's not like your beard is that, uh… voluminous." The dwarf stuck his hands on his hips and winked at Bilbo again, "Ah, but there you have hit the nail right on the head, Master Baggins, it's all about confidence! I've tried to tell Kili over and over but he won't listen."

Fili hooked his arm around Bilbo's shoulders as he steered them towards the delicious smells of breakfast. "Dwarf women will eat you up and spit you out faster than Smaug if you don't have a certain poise!" Fili leaned down to whisper conspiratorially in the hobbit's ear, "they can smell fear, see?"

Bilbo laughed as he elbowed Fili lightly in the stomach. The dwarf made a show of keeling over at the contact, but Bilbo rolled his eyes again, "you may think me a fool, Mister Dwarf, but even I know that can't be true!"

The blonde dwarf grinned, "Might as well be! They can certainly smell something on Kili! He'll grow into his own soon enough, once he realizes that beards don't mean anything in the face of true boldness!"

Fighting a smile, Bilbo felt his mouth quirk as he looked at the dwarf's bright grin, "And I supposed your boldness floweth over, hm?" Fili puffed out his chest and flipped one of his braids over a shoulder, "Why yes, Master Baggins, I have been told by many reliable sources that it does indeed."

The two laughed together as they reached where the group was chatting over what promised to be a very good meal. Gathering their own plates, Bilbo and Fili sat on the edge of the circle next to Thorin as Beorn began to talk.

"As you know, I went scouting to the borders of my land to see what of your tale was true, wizard." Beorn nodded at Gandalf who was sagely smoking while leaning on the wall near the fire, "You were telling the truth. Though I don't think even you know just how many are in pursuit."

Yellow eyes flitted between the wizard and the utterly impassive Thorin, "I have slain a group of wargs, but the wild things tell me that more than a score of goblins are thirsty for vengeance against the company that murdered their king."

"I suggest that you take the northern pass through Mirkwood –" Beorn began but before he could finish an angry voice cut over him, "we will not." Thorin had stood up suddenly, clenching his fists, "I would not lead this company towards that foul place even if it were the last option we had!"

Beorn looked simultaneously unimpressed and annoyed, "That is unfortunate because it just so happens to be the last option you have. With goblins and orcs on your trail, I can hardly fathom why you are so opposed to the only marginally safe passage available."

Thorin let out a deep growl as he narrowed his eyes, "That place is infested with traitors and beasts, I would rather face ten thousand goblins than to even look at it again! I would—" The dwarf had been about to continue his rant but was interrupted by Gandalf, "Enough, Thorin. Beorn has been kind enough to find you passage and I strongly suggest you listen to him."

The dwarf opened his mouth, looking angrier than ever at being scolded, but before words left his mouth, Bilbo placed a tentative hand on Thorin's forearm, squeezing it lightly. The hobbit looked up somewhat nervously at their leader, whose glare had turned from Gandalf to the offending appendage.

There was a moment in which Bilbo thought maybe he had chosen the exact wrong thing to do, but much to his surprise, Thorin snapped his mouth shut with a snarl and he sat down again slowly.

Beorn smirked at Thorin with bared teeth, "Yes, make sure you keep your pet leashed." Bilbo felt the dwarf tense next to him, all coiled muscle ready and quivering to lunge, to attack, but he simply tightened his grip on Thorin's arm.

'Well it worked once,' Bilbo thought to himself nervously, 'hopefully I won't soon be short a hand for trying twice.'

Thorin didn't take his eyes off Beorn, the fist on his uninjured arm still clenched tightly, but the dwarf seemed to relax minutely and sit back a little at the stronger contact. Once Bilbo was satisfied Thorin wasn't going to run over and start mauling their host, the hobbit removed his hand.

'Huh…' Bilbo looked at his fingers with no small measure of amazement, 'well would you look at that…' Bilbo was both pleased and confused that Thorin had calmed, but as the conversation moved on around them, he wasn't exactly in the position to analyze what happened.

Beorn detailed the route they should take, warning them to stay on the paths no matter what. Bilbo couldn't help but feel some of the anxiousness that had lessened over the last day start to creep back into his stomach. The hobbit was no fool, but he would admit that he had hoped the worst was behind them.

However, as Beorn started to go trough the rather extensive list of creatures and foliage that would like nothing better than to maim or poison them, Bilbo realized that he had been just a tab bit too optimistic.

"I will lend you ponies until you reach the borders of Mirkwood, but they will not go into the forest, so no use trying to steal them." Beorn crossed his massive arms as he scanned the room with slightly mistrustful eyes. "We would not dream of it, Master Beorn," Gandalf piped up from next to the fire. And, just for good measure, the wizard sent Thorin a stiff glare to show the dwarf there would be no debate over the issue.

There was a bustle of movement as the group made to pack up their supplies. It was still fairly early on in the day and Gandalf insisted they could reach Mirkwood and beyond before the sun fell. Beorn had been kind enough to supply them with not only ponies, but also enough supplies and packs to reach the land beyond the forest.

Bilbo packed up his own few possessions with a small sigh. He wasn't eager to leave the safety and comfort of Beorn's cabin, especially since Thorin wasn't quite healed yet and they could all use a few more good nights rest.

"Hobbit." Bilbo started as he heard a low voice behind him, turning around he was met with the sight of a rather large pair of crossed arms belonging to their host. "Uh – yes? What can I do for you Master Beorn?"

Beorn stuck out a large hand, opening his fingers to show a small pot. "Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe I am right in assuming you take the healing responsibilities for this company."

The hobbit furrowed his eyebrows feeling slightly confused, "Um… I suppose? I haven't had any formal training per say, but everyone else," Bilbo narrowed his eyes at Thorin's back, "seems less than eager to take it seriously."

Beorn barked out a laugh, "I thought as much. This is balm is made to heal most minor wounds and prevent infection." Bilbo reached out to take the earthen pot from their host, but the fingers were suddenly closed again.

"Make sure you use it sparingly, Baggins. Only a small amount is needed to be effective. I suggest you use your unique powers of persuasion on that stubborn dwarf or I regret to say he might not last the journey to his home."

The fingers opened again and Bilbo quickly placed the pot into his pack. "I – I will try, thank you Master Beorn. I wish I had something to repay your kindness…"

The man grinned at Bilbo, but to the hobbit it looked more like Beorn was baring his teeth. "Just try to stay alive, hobbit. It'd be a shame for a spirit as strong as yours to be snuffed out before its time." Bilbo didn't quite know what to say to that so he just settled for a safe, "uh… Thank you. I'll – I'll try to stay alive?"

Beorn clapped Bilbo on his shoulder with a laugh, "I'd be sorry never to hear more of your tales. I wish you safe journey Bilbo Baggins, perhaps we will meet again before your time in these parts is done."

The hobbit smiled up at Beorn, he was a very strange man to be sure, but once you got past his well… unique personality, Bilbo supposed he could be quite nice. "It would be my pleasure, Master Beorn."

Thorin's company, now laden with supplies and atop ponies, waved their goodbye to Beorn and continued on their journey. Gandalf said he would ride with them to the edge of the forest before going his separate way. Bilbo would be sad to watch him leave, not just because the wizard was an extremely valuable asset in a fight, but also because the hobbit found Gandalf had been a consistently amiable and reassuring companion in these travels.

The hobbit rode near the back of the party next to Ori who was valiantly trying to sketch the landscape in his notebook with the reigns tucked between clenched teeth. Despite the constant jostling, Bilbo thought the drawing was quite good, though the dwarf wasn't in much of a position for chatting.

Bilbo settled for passing the time by trying to imagine what the forest would be like on the inside. They were only several miles away by midday, Mirkwood a towering mass of green in front of them. Not that he would ever admit it aloud, but Bilbo couldn't help but think the forest looked almost… alive.

Not in the pleasant way that some flowers seemed to have merry faces and waving leaves, this forest appeared to be seeping a murky shadow, like darkly sinister fingers reaching out to snare anyone who ventured to close.

Bilbo gulped as he tried to look away from the sight before him, but the trees grew across such an expanse that he could do little to avoid it short of riding his pony backwards.

The hobbit spent a good while actually considering the logistics of twisting around on his pony without falling off so he could look at the distant sunflowers of Beorn's garden instead, but his thoughts were eventually interrupted as he heard Thorin call for a halt. They had arrived.

Bilbo reluctantly got off of his pony and made to say his goodbyes to Gandalf. The wizard had gathered the hobbit in tight hug before pulling away at arms length. "Do try and stay safe, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf's eyes crinkled at the corner as his face broke into a warm smile.

"You too, my friend," the hobbit smiled back, though on the inside he couldn't fight the welling of melancholy that spread through his chest. He felt somehow that their quest was going to be significantly more difficult without their wizard to guide them.

Gandalf seemed to sense the trepidation within Bilbo and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, "I will see you sooner than you think, do not fret." The wizard stood back up to his full height and took his leave of the group, galloping south on his swift steed.

Beorn's ponies apparently could sense that their duty was done and once the last of the dwarves were off their saddles, they turned around back the way they had come.

"Shame that," Bofur muttered sounding disappointed, "woulda' been mighty useful…"

Bilbo chuckled at the dwarf's exaggerated sigh, but Thorin's voice from the front of the group called the company to attention. "We stick to the paths," their leader began gruffly, "according to the wizard, there will be little light during the day and none during the night hours. It is absolutely crucial that we all stay together and make sure no one leaves the path unless necessary."

The company took a moment to ready themselves, not one of them thinking this experience would be anything less than highly unpleasant. "We move out," Thorin turned and began to lead the group into the ominous forest of Mirkwood.

The two dwarf brothers had taken Thorin's words, in Bilbo's humble opinion, a tade too literally. "You see, Master Baggins," Fili pulled out two long strips of cloth from his back, "if we're tied together, then there's no way any one of us will get lost!"

Kili nodded enthusiastically like his brother had just solved all the world's problems, "Quite right, brother! I'll take one end and you take the other, and Master Boggins here will be safe in the middle!"

Now Bilbo Baggins was all for safety and security in numbers, but even he felt this to be a bit ridiculous as he rolled his eyes, "Oh come on, you two. I am not a child, trust me when I say I will not wonder off."

Fili leaned forward and mock whispered into the hobbit's ear, "a little secret between us, Master Baggins. It's much less for you, and much more for my brother. He has an unfortunate habit of getting lost even more frequently than uncle does."

The younger dwarf punched his brother in the shoulder, "hey!" Kili started indignantly, "I do not get lost that often!" Fili laughed as he continued to tie one end of the cloth to a strap on Bilbo's bag, "And I supposed you were just taking us on a completely unnecessary two day detour on our way to the Shire then?"

"I was – I was…" Kili spluttered, "I was… taking the scenic route…" The hobbit couldn't help but laugh at dwarf. Denial, he supposed, ran thick in the line of Durin. "Of course, dear brother," Fili gave Kili a mock bow of apology, "my mistake."

Kili tied his own piece of cloth to the opposite strap on Bilbo's bag and turned up his nose at the blonde dwarf, "You are forgiven. Though I expect one favor in return for this unfounded slight against my person, to be collected at a time of my choosing."

Fili laughed again as the three of them set out at the back of the company; Bilbo in the middle and the two dwarf brothers on either side of him attached to their hobbit by two strips of cloth.

As the company made its way further and further into the forest, the sunlight grew murkier and soon enough, Bilbo found himself frequently trying to refocus his eyes to make sense of the shadowy shapes that lined the path.

Though he had thought it silly at first, Bilbo was suddenly grateful that he was attached to the two dwarves, who kept up a constant stream of chatter that at least somewhat lessened the nervous sense of anticipation the hobbit felt seeping into his stomach.

The company continued slowly along the narrow path for several hours. The deeper they got, the more the forest seemed to grow around them. The tree trunks became thicker and more tangled; even the mushrooms seemed to grow to sizes even bigger than Bilbo. There were several moments in which the hobbit could have sworn that he heard the sound of scuttling and twigs snapping along the path, but as soon as he concentrated on the noise, it was gone.

Despite the ominous sense of foreboding that emanated from the very the very heart of Mirkwood itself, Bilbo supposed it could be going worse. Although he probably should have known as soon as the thought entered his mind, there was very little chance the universe would let him become complacent.

The hobbit thought it must be sometime in the evening when they reached a dark, twisted river. Luckily there was a small dock and boat that jutted out into the swiftly flowing water, though Bilbo would not have said no to something that looked a bit less like some random pieces of wood hammered precariously together.

Thorin decided to send them over in groups of three including Bofur who volunteered to paddle the boat; their leader did not want to tempt the thing very loosely defined as a boat into taking on water with any more weight. Calling the hobbit over, Thorin sent Bilbo, Bofur, and Balin over together first.

There were a few minutes in which Bilbo was immensely glad that he had learned how to swim as a young hobbit, though that knowledge did little to unclench his fingers from the edge of the boat that wobbled dangerously with every stroke of the paddle Bofur took.

The three companions made it to the opposite side of the bank, though the swift current slowed their pace down. Bilbo scrambled onto the bank and turned to help Balin out of the boat. The hobbit walked down the bank a bit and they waited along the bank as Bofur turned to boat around to collect the next group of dwarves.

It was a time consuming process, but Bofur turned out to be a surprisingly competent helmsman and sure in his strokes. The dwarf had gotten about half of the group across the river and had turned back to collect FIli and Kili, who both stood on the short dock waiting to board.

Kili bent down and to catch the boat and, while occupied with his task, didn't have time to register the shout of warning that Bilbo let out. Out of the water there leapt a giant creature. It looked to be some sort of massive fish with long, sharp teeth flashing as it flew in the air towards Kili's exposed neck.

Fili's eyes widened as he saw the monstrous creature and was spurred into action by the hobbit's yell. The blonde dwarf gave his brother a swift push, forcing Kili to fall face first into the boat. The creature missed Kili's neck by a only a few seconds and latched onto Fili's arm instead as it crashed into the dwarf, forcing him off the dock and into the swirling water.

Thorin let out a great shout as his nephew disappeared beneath the water. There was a split second were they could hear nothing aside from the coursing water, but Fili suddenly emerged with a gasp of air and the hobbit could see him plunge one of his many daggers into the monster's neck. Rather than let go, the creature seemed to close its jaws around Fili's arm even harder, thrashing its body wildly.

The dwarf let out a cry of pain before he was submerged once more. Bilbo could see the current forcing the twisting forms underneath the water over towards the side he was standing on. The hobbit took a split second to consider his options before he started to sprint down the side of the river towards a fallen tree that jutted out into the water. He was now the closest member of the company, if he could only get there in time, then Bilbo knew he might be able to pull Fili out!

Legs burning, the hobbit ran as fast as he could, his feet slipping on the wet pebbles underneath him. Once he reached the tree, Bilbo scrambled onto the trunk and spared no time for safety as he crouched low and made his way to the end.

Bilbo panicked for a split second, unable to locate Fili in the water, but after a few moments of blood pounding in his ears, the hobbit caught a flash of gold almost level with the log.

Bilbo pressed his stomach to the surface of the tree, his clothes quickly becoming soaked by the current, and plunged his arm into the water. He frantically swept his hand back and forth before he felt the collar of Fili's coat underneath his fingers.

The hobbit closed his fist and hauled the dwarf with all his strength onto the fallen log. Unfortunately for Bilbo, Fili appeared to be passed out and the creature was still thrashing, it's jaws locked onto the dwarf's arm. Bilbo let out a yell as he grasped Fili's dagger and with a hard yank, pulled it out before burying it deep into the monster's skull.

Its black, glossy eyes rolled back into its head and its jaw loosened as the creature slipped back into the river. Bilbo panted for a few long moments, adrenaline pumping through his veins, his clothes now utterly soaked along the front. Well that was an experience he could do with never repeating. Ever.

Fili gave a few weak coughs as his head fell limply to the side, his arm leaking blood from the puncture wounds of the monster's teeth. Bilbo stood up as best he could and pulled Fili's unconscious form slowly down the tree trunk, though he moved quite slowly since the dwarf's clothes were soaked with water.

The hobbit was almost off the tree, when Dwalin came skidding into view, "is he alive, lad?!" the dwarf shouted, "is he alive?" Still trying to catch his breath, Bilbo nodded and gave Fili one last yank before Dwalin let out a great sigh of relief and leaned over the trunk to gather the blonde dwarf to his chest before making his way back to the company.

Slipping off the trunk onto shaking legs, Bilbo closed his eyes as he leaned back against the wood and took a few calming breaths. Not for the first time, Bilbo thought that his poor hobbit heart wouldn't be able to take much more of this adventuring business.

Opening his eyes, Bilbo saw that the rest of the company had managed to cross the river and were now huddled around Fili's unconscious form. Thorin and Kili knelt closest as the older dwarf gently shook his nephew.

"We'll camp here tonight," Thorin said shortly, his voice strained, "Bofur start a fire." The miner nodded and started to gather his supplies. The rest of the dwarves were spurred into motion and quickly began to assemble their camp. Bilbo made his way slowly over to where Thorin and Kili sat near Fili and the fire.

Just as the hobbit reached them, Kili sprang up and pulled Bilbo into a fierce hug, his face buried in Bilbo's neck, "Oh thank you, thank you Master Boggins! You saved his life!" The hobbit hugged the shaking dwarf back as he clutched at Kili's back. "you know me, Mister Kili, just trying to earn my keep."

Kili let out a watery laugh and squeezed the hobbit once more before letting go to sit next to his brother again. "I can – I can take a look at his arm, if you'd like…" Bilbo said quietly, not wanting to intrude on their family moment.

Thorin nodded to him stiffly and moved aside to let the hobbit knell down next to Fili's injured arm. Pulling the wounded limb into his lap, Bilbo pulled up the sleeve of the dwarf's coat revealing four punctures oozing blood.

The hobbit couldn't help but wince slightly at the sight, but the wound could have been a lot worse considering the size and number of the monster's teeth. Bilbo reached into his pack and pulled out a cloth and the balm Beorn had given him earlier that day.

He took a few minutes to wipe away the blood before starting to apply the salve to the wounds. Much to his surprise and relief, as soon as the balm touched Fili's skin, the bleeding slowed and it started to look almost immediately better. Thorin and Kili let out matching sighs of relief. "Do you think he'll be alright, Master Boggins?" Kili couldn't help but sound somewhat hopeful that his brother would be fine soon enough.

The hobbit gave Kili a small smile, "Well I'm no healer, but I think he should be okay with some rest." Fili was still shivering, but his grimace had lessened a bit, "He might be getting sick though," Bilbo said softly as he touched a hand to the dwarf's forehead, "that river certainly wasn't warm. I think we should keep him wrapped up and near the fire overnight."

Thorin nodded his approval and gently removed Fili's wet clothes before wrapping his shaking nephew in a few blankets volunteered from the rest of the dwarves. Kili settled his brother's head on his lap and took to absently trying to squeeze the water from Fili's hair while a worried frown settled on his face.

Thorin stood up and almost hesitantly placed a hand on Bilbo's shoulder, "it seems I must thank you once more, Master Baggins. You acted bravely and without selfish thought today. I once again owe you my life in return for my fool nephew." Thorin gave Bilbo a small smile before turning away to go oversee the camp and speak with Dwalin.

Suddenly feeling the cold, Bilbo removed his wet jacket and vest before wrapping himself in his own blanket and settling next to Kili to watch over their wounded companion. "Are you…" Bilbo began hesitantly, "are you alright?"

Kili let out a short, agitated laugh, "Yes. I am," the dwarf unconsciously gripped one of Fili's braids in a tight fist as a grimace broke across his face, "I'm always alright because FIli always takes the fall trying to protect me."

Bilbo moved a hand to grip Kili's arm tightly and the dwarf slowly began to unclench his fist from around the braid, "he's always doing stupid things like this. Ever since I can remember he never let me take the blame for anything even if it was my fault."

Kili's face bent down so Bilbo couldn't see his expression, but the hobbit knew angry tears were falling from his eyes onto Fili's face. "I wish he would –" Kili started angrily, "I wish he would just stop. Then he wouldn't…" the dwarf took a shuddering breath, "then maybe he wouldn't get hurt so often…"

Bilbo gave Kili's arm another squeeze, "I know it hurts to see him like this, but that's what brothers do, Mister Kili. I know he would do anything to keep you safe." The dwarf grimaced again, "But he doesn't do anything to keep himself safe."

Kili let go of his brother's braid with shaking fingers, "he never even considers letting me learn from my own idiotic mistakes. I can't even count how many times mother or uncle punished him for something I did. And now – And now this…"

Bilbo looked from the young dwarf's twisted expression to the shaking hand that rested beside his brother's head. The hobbit hesitantly moved his cold fingers from Kili's arm to his quivering hand and squeezed it until the dwarf stopped shaking.

"He loves you, Mister Kili," Bilbo kept his grip strong and firm, "He loves you unconditionally and sometimes that means we means we do foolish things. But mostly it means that the only thing worse than something happening to the person we love, is doing nothing to try and stop it even if that means we get hurt."

Kili looked up from his brothers face to stare at the hobbit, "You are fortunate, Mister Kili, more fortunate than anyone I know to have a bond of such strength and devotion as you have with your brother." Bilbo gazed back at Kili, hoping to somehow reassure the distraught dwarf, "cherish what you have, Mister Kili, for few ever know what it means to be truly loved."

The dwarf looked back to his brother with a sad but fond smile, "I suppose… I suppose you're right, Master Boggins, I am lucky." Bilbo let out a sigh of relief that Kili seemed to be at least a little cheered up and made to move his hand away but the dwarf just gripped it tighter. "Could you – could you just stay here? Just for a minute. I feel better knowing you're watching over him too."

Bilbo let Kili keep his grip tight on his hand and smiled at the dwarf, "I wasn't going anywhere, Mister Kili." The dwarf let out a watery chuckle as he returned to trying to get the last bit of water out of Fili's hair with the hand that the hobbit wasn't holding.

"Fili is right, Master Boggins, you are a lot smarter than you look." Bilbo shoved the dwarf lightly with a laugh, "I know you meant that as a compliment, Mister Kili, so I will choose not to take offense." Kili couldn't help but smile at the hobbit's face but quickly grew serious once more, "No really, Master Boggins, the others don't give you enough credit, but I want you to know that Fili and I… Well, we're very grateful you decided to come along. And not just because you've saved our lives!" Kili added quickly, his face flushing, "What I meant was you have been a truer friend to us, all of us, than we deserve. And even if we don't always say it… we are much better for having you with us."

Bilbo nodded with a grin, "you give yourselves too little credit, Mister Kili, perhaps it's me that is better off for having known all of you. But thank you. That's… that's very kind of you to say."

Kili smiled back at Bilbo as they sank into an easy silence, both watching Fili shiver as he slept. Finally starting to feel warm again, Bilbo hummed quietly as he snuggled further into his blanket, edging closer to the dwarf so they sat shoulder to shoulder.

"What song is that?" Kili broke the silence softly, looking up curiously to his companion, "it sounds familiar…" Bilbo looked up from Fili, his eyebrows furrowed trying to recall where he had heard the tune. "Oh! I think I heard Mister Bofur whistling it once or twice while we made dinner; I didn't even notice I was doing it."

Kili gave an 'ooh' of recognition, "Now I remember! My mother used to sing that to us while when we were small!" The hobbit frowned as he tried to remember some of the random words Bofur used to sing between spurts of whistled notes, "is it a lullaby?"

The dwarf nodded, "Yes indeed, if I recall correctly it's about a dwarf hero that rescued a maiden from terrible peril by swinging his long beard down to pull her from a cliff! Though I can't really remember the words anymore…"

Bilbo chuckled, "why am I not surprised you dwarves have songs for children about the epic feats of beards?" Kili's face fell a bit before he responded, "Well it's a… it's a mark of maturity for both the males and females of our race, Master Boggins, the longer and bigger the better! It's hard… it's hard to be considered anything more than a child if you don't have one."

Remembering Kili's short but unpleasant conversation with Beorn earlier in the day, Bilbo realized he had accidentally trodden on sensitive territory with the young dwarf. "I'm – I'm sorry, Mister Kili, I didn't mean to bring anything up again."

The dwarf shrugged as his face went blank, "Don't mention it, Master Boggins. Fili says I'm overreacting and he's probably right but…" Kili stopped short for a moment before plowing forward with an irritated huff, "I'm no dwarfling anymore! No one in this entire company save for you and my brother take me seriously! I'm – I'm sick of always being seen as a child. Even Ori gets more respect than me."

Bilbo squeezed the dwarf's hand again with reassurance, "You know that's not true, Mister Kili. Your uncle and the rest of the dwarves… Well, I'm sure they just want to protect you as long as they can. They don't want to see you hurt is all."

Kili scowled at the flickering flames of the fire, "I don't need protection anymore. I'm an adult, even if they don't see that. I can take care of myself." Bilbo sat silent for a moment, considering how to best make the dwarf understand the strength he saw in Kili.

"Have I ever told of my father, Bungo Baggins?" Bilbo broke the stiff silence. Kili looked at the hobbit quizzically before shaking his head, "No… I don't think so." Bilbo smiled as he launched into his tale, "Well my father, Bungo, was a Baggins of well-repute. He was considered by all the shire to be a very respectable hobbit."

"Bungo never did anything unexpected or did anything even remotely considered adventurous." Kili chuckled softly, "I'm starting to think you aren't a very good hobbit, Master Boggins." Bilbo gave the dwarf a wink before he continued, "No, I suppose I'm not anymore. But my father, he was one of the very best."

"My father married my mother, despite her tendencies towards less than savory activities like exploring and a desire to meet strangers, and they had me. My mother told me once I was born; my father grew more and more suspicious of the outside world. He wanted to protect his wife and child, so he wouldn't let any of us leave Hobbiton unless it was absolutely necessary."

Kili frowned at the thought of never leaving such a small and confined area like the Shire, "My mother tried to respect his worries but as I grew bigger, she knew the Took in me would have to go outside the Shire and explore or else I would wither under the confinement. "

"My father couldn't stop my mother from doing what she wanted once she set her mind to it, but he refused to let his child explore the lands around Bag End, even safe as they are."

Kili snorted in indignation, "that sounds awful, Master Boggins!" Bilbo simply smiled back at his companion, "I'm not finished yet, Mister Kili. Anyway, My mother finally convinced my father to let me go fishing in the stream near our hole as long as he accompanied me."

"Now my father was a, uh, rather large hobbit, who neither desired nor found any need to fish as long as he could buy them from the market, and so he never found any cause to learn how to swim."

Bilbo pulled the blanket tighter around him as he continued his story, "We got down to the stream, which to me was fascinating and beautiful, but my father wouldn't let me go in past where the water would cover my feet. I think this almost goes without saying, but my father was a bit of a nervous hobbit."

"Things were going fine until a rather large bird swooped down over his head and in his surprise, my father slipped on the pebbles and fell into the stream. Mind you it was nothing too deep, but seeing as how my father didn't have the faintest idea how to swim, he naturally thought he was drowning."

Kili looked up concerned at his companion, "Was he alright?" Bilbo couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, "oh he was fine. After I pulled him out." The dwarf grinned, "You seem to be making a habit of rescuing people from rivers, Master Boggins."

"What can I say? It's a gift," the hobbit winked at Kili, "my point was, Mister Kili, that until my father saw that I was not a helpless little hobbit anymore, until he had no choice but to admit that I could not only fend for myself, but take care of him as well, he couldn't see me as anything but a helpless infant that needed constant minding."

"So you're saying… you're saying they see me as an infant?" Kili looked thoroughly put out at the thought as Bilbo shook his head with a sigh, "That's not what I meant, Mister Kili, what I meant was that sometimes… Sometimes for the people closest to us – for the people who have spent years protecting us from harm and the dangers of this world, sometimes they need a… well, a push of sorts to be able to let go of that instinct to treat us like we're fragile."

"I don't think it's that Thorin and the rest of the company see you as a child, Mister Kili, I think that they are holding on to that instinct to protect and shield you from harm, even though you know you are ready and strong enough to take it. They do it because they love you, just as my father loved me, but they need an extra something to make them realize that stifling you is not the same as protecting you."

Kili's face fell into a pout, "And what is that something, Master Boggins?" The hobbit simply shrugged and gave the dwarf a small smile, "My friend, I haven't the faintest clue. But I have faith it's bound to happen, so just be patient a little longer, Mister Kili."

The dwarf let out a small chuckle, "I suppose it was a bit too optimistic to think you had all the answers…" Bilbo squeezed the dwarf's hand once more, "Perhaps, but I think you should hold on to that optimism, Mister Kili, there's far too little of it in the company as it is without you becoming a brooding shadow to your uncle."

Kili laughed with Bilbo for a few moments, both of them imagining the thought of the young dwarf's face in a mighty scowl to mimic Thorin's. "Thank you, Master Boggins," Kili added quietly once the laughter had died down. "Don't mention it, Mister Kili,"

They sat in companionable silence for a long time, leaning against each other for warmth and comfort as Fili rested. Bilbo felt his eyes beginning to itch tiredly and realized that several hours must have passed as Kili's soft snores permeated the quiet of their small area. The dwarf's head lulled forward onto his chest, but a hand still gripped tightly to his brother's braid.

Bilbo had been about to close his eyes and try and snuggle closer to Kili when he felt a thick and heavy coat fall around his and Kili's shoulders so that they were both enveloped in its warmth.

The hobbit tried to turn his eyes up to see who had put it on them, but his vision was obscured by a thick furred lining. 'Ah,' Bilbo thought to himself, 'that could only be one dwarf.'

Thorin sat down next to Bilbo with a surprising amount of grace for a man injured so recently, "How is he doing?" the dwarf questioned quietly not wanting to disturb either of his nephew's sleep.

"The wound has stopped bleeding and he seems to be shivering less. I think with a good night's sleep and he'll be more or less fine in the morning. Aside from the bite, of course, but I think the large teeth missed so it shouldn't take that long to heal, especially if Beorn's medicine keeps working the way it does."

Thorin nodded with a small sigh of relief as he looked at his injured nephew, "… and yourself?" the dwarf added quietly, "I apologize for not asking earlier, I suppose I became a bit… overwhelmed at the thought of losing Fili."

Bilbo tried to wave off the dwarf's apology but found he was rather firmly wrapped in his own blanket and now Thorin's own coat, "Oh no, I'm perfectly fine. I was a little cold and I think I might have lost a few years from stress, but otherwise as sound as ever."

"That is… good. I am pleased that you are well." Bilbo almost let out a bemused chuckle but thought better than to poke fun at Thorin's efforts at friendship, no matter how endearingly awkward those efforts were. There were a few moments of silence as they both gazed at Fili's unconscious form before Thorin spoke again, "You have shown my nephews great kindness and friendship, Master Baggins, the line of Durin owes you a life debt many times over."

Bilbo couldn't help but sigh at all this talk of debts, life or otherwise, again. "I didn't help any of you so you would be in my debt, Thorin. I did it because I consider each of you a friend and because that's what anyone in my position would have done."

"You do yourself disservice, Master Baggins. I have seen the cruelty of this world many times over and not just anyone would act as you do," Thorin spoke softly in his low voice. "I know I do not often say as much, but I am… I am glad you are here Master Baggins."

Bilbo shifted slightly so he could at least somewhat face Thorin with the smile that had crept onto his face, despite being utterly tangled in blankets and surrounded in heavy fur, "I am too, Thorin, I am too."

And with that they settled into a friendly quiet, the rest of the dwarves having retreated to their own mats and settled into sleep. Bilbo couldn't help but feel the warm comfort of sleep start to surround him as he leaned his head against Kili's shoulder and tucked himself further into Thorin's coat. It wasn't long before the hobbit fell asleep between his friends, facing the fire, and listening to Thorin's steady breathing beside him. Despite where they were and what had happened earlier in the day, in the moment just before sleep claimed him, Bilbo Baggins couldn't help but feel safe.