It was a shock to everyone to see Dwalin, the huge warrior known for his strength and rough exterior, with his arms tightly wound around Ori, the scholar who was small in size but not in heart. While a majority of the company paid little attention to the new lovers, two dwarves in particular were red as the tomatoes back in the Shire as they played witness to the founding of a romance. Bilbo could see that Bofur was struggling to hold in laughter as Thorin, having been standing next to the pair when they first embraced, stumbled away with a crimson-coloured face, most likely from the embarrassment that came with being so close in proximity to the two. The other flushed dwarf was none other than Dori, who was burning in anger at the sight of his youngest sibling in the arms of, well, anyone, really. Bilbo even scanned the group for Nori, the middle Ri brother, to see his reaction, but the thief looked calm, and Bilbo thought that maybe he would learn to overcome his obvious dislike for Dwalin in order to protect the good spirits of Ori.
Of course, especially on a journey like theirs, happy moments were sure to end quickly. This proved true for even the new couple as Dori stomped towards them, though he was interrupted by a tall figure walking gracefully down the steps in front of them. Dwalin and Ori untangled their arms from one another in record time, but stayed close together.
"Ah, Mithrandir," the dark-haired elf said, his voice carrying as much grace and elegance as the rest of him. Gandalf greeted the elf, causing Thorin to stand back and roll his eyes before whispering something certainly nasty in Dwalin's ear. The elf spoke some words in his native tongue, none but Gandalf understanding. Bilbo just stood in his place, amazed by not only the rather beautiful creature in front of him, but just the sight of Rivendell as a whole. It had been one of Bilbo's childhood dreams to visit the city, and now here he was.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf stated bluntly, not caring for small talk or much anything else at the time.
"My Lord Elrond is not here," was the reply he received. The wizard had barely any time to question before a horn echoed through the valley, similar to the one they had heard before mounted warriors had appeared during the orc chase. Unsurprisingly, as the group turned to face the direction the horn had originated, the same warriors, elves carried by strong and sturdy horses, rode out towards them. The dwarves huddled together, an awe-struck Bilbo being dragged into the middle of a circle of dwarves by a quick-acting Bofur.
As it turned out, after a short conversation between a disapproving Thorin, a suddenly cheerful Gandalf, and this Lord Elrond, the dwarves needed not to draw weapons on the horse-riders. They meant no harm, not immediately anyway, and Bilbo was sure they would never. I don't understand all of Balin and Thorin's stories, then. The elves seem like a friendly, generous folk, much like those in the Shire. But taller. Instead of threatening battle, like the dwarves had first believed, their hosts offered food, and hopefully lots of it.
Though he lost track of time, Bilbo could guess that a half hour or so had passed since the company was introduced to Lord Elrond. Following that, which was a very exciting for moment for Bilbo, the group was lead to a large living area, where they were able to drop off all of their belongings and rest and recover from their run from the orcs. He watched as a few members of the company collapsed dramatically onto little benches, and Bilbo even had to hold back a laugh at the two princes' battle for the last seat available. Despite being in a land of elves, the company seemed rather pleased at the moment, with the exception of Dori who was still fuming over his younger brother's display of affection towards a certain older dwarf. In fact, Bilbo realized, he had not seen any of the Ri Brothers in quite some time, not after Dori commanded the two younger brothers to follow him for a chat.
Even Thorin, as he sauntered over to where Bilbo sat against a far wall, didn't look so put off. Perhaps he's just relieved to find we have food, clean water, and beds tonight. And may- Wait! What is he doing coming here? Oh dear. Bilbo began to worry himself nearly into a panic, tiny beads of sweat forming on him palms, and heart racing, and only managed to get right to him feet as Thorin stopped in front of him.
"I would like to speak to you, Master Ho-," he paused, giving a weak cough. "Master Baggins, a moment?" Bilbo didn't have it in him to speak, afraid that whatever words he would say would just get caught in his through anyhow. Thorin gestured towards a hallway away from the rest of the dwarves, and Bilbo moved in that direction, keeping in step beside the dwarf. "I would like to start, Master Baggins, by say-"
"No, no. let me stop you right there, Master Thorin." The dwarf looked down at the hobbit, unsure of where to go from there. Bilbo offered a grin to the taller of the pair. "I only mean to tell you that you may call me Bilbo, if it pleases you. Just please do not refer to me as a hobbit."
Nodding in understanding, Thorin replied, "Are you not proud of what you are, B- Bilbo?" He stuttered, testing how the name felt on his lips. Bilbo decided right there that he very much liked hearing his name in that deep tone. Still venturing down the corridor together, they walked past a room with an open doorway, where the pair could barely make out the Ri Family arguing. Hurrying past, Bilbo looked at his bare feet, clasping his hands behind his back.
"Do you think it's a good thing, Ori and Dwalin finding love? I mean, finding love is almost certainly a good thing, but on this journey, with the threat of death at every turn," he let himself trail into incomprehensible string of words, never lifting his head.
"I don't know about hobbits, Bilbo, but dwarves only love once," Thorin put his hand on the small of Bilbo's back, earning a soft 'oh!' from him, and lead him to a banister overlooking a nicely wooded area. It smelled greatly of outdoors, and Bilbo felt nearly at home in that moment. Thorin leaned over on the banister, gazing down below to the trees, though Bilbo knew he didn't truly appreciate it. "If one of them had not survived today, the other would not only be heartbroken, but they would have regretted not letting their feelings be known." Thorin watched as Bilbo lifted his head, eyes filling with emotion. Neither was enjoying the darker mood the conversation had taken on.
"Hobbits have many loves, most being food, of course," Bilbo laughed, hoping to relieve them of some of the seriousness. A deep noise from within Thorin's throat filled the space surrounding Bilbo, and he wondered if that was supposed to be a chuckle of some sort. "I don't know much about hobbits finding love, because it's never happened to me, you see, but I know of hobbits who've thought they'd loved more than once." He was still looking at Thorin, and the sun hit him in such a way that Bilbo could really see him for the first time. The dulling blue of his eyes, the tiredness in his skin, the streaks of silver in his hair; It was all so beautiful to Bilbo, who was leaning on the banister, trying to peer over the edge though it reached up to his neck. "And to answer your earlier question, I am very proud of being a hobbit, as proud as you must be of being a dwarf."
"Aye, I am." The pair staying in silence, both choosing to look out over to the woods below them, watching as the sun slowly began to set. A few quiet, but not unpleasantly so, minutes passed before Thorin spoke again. "I saw you earlier, when we first came to this place," he spat, his hatred for the elves evident in his voice and tight stance. "You looked on at everything in pure wonder. Do you like it here?"
"Oh, yes!" The hobbit's eyes brightened considerably, widening with excitement. "It reminds me of home, with its ties to nature and the earth. It's so wonderful, Thorin, and the elves are so- so beautiful!" He clasped his hands over his mouth, stepping back from the dwarf, who turned to face Bilbo, narrowing his eyes.
"You think these creatures beautiful? Even with their hairless faces? Even with their slim figures?" Bilbo was shaking his head, hands still tight over his mouth. "Are we dwarves ugly to you, then? Disgusting, even?"
"N- no! Thorin, no, that's not what I meant," Bilbo took another few good steps back for good measure, dropping his hands only to raise them in defense, though Thorin made no move towards him. Instead, the dwarf just stood tall, with an intimidating stare. "I only meant that they're graceful, maybe that they have an elegance to them that dwarves don't." This didn't look like it pleased the dwarf king any. "You dwarves are beautiful, too. You're much more like hobbits anyway, and that's nice. You don't need elegance either, not when you have such strength and power." Thorin only stood straighter, even though Bilbo didn't see how it was possible, but said nothing. Seeing there was currently no threat in Thorin, Bilbo dared to move closer, only a few inches, to whisper to the dwarf. "Please, please, do not be upset with me, Thorin. I can't have you hating me any more than you already do." Bilbo reached forward, grasping one of Thorin's hands for a second, but Thorin pulled back as soon as contact was made.
"I am not upset with you, Bilbo. I don't find you hobbits particularly attractive, either, with your beards being misplaced on the tops of your feet." He paused, as if to rethink his next words. "No, I am not upset with you. I just do not trust you."
I am promising actual Thorin/Bilbo fluff within the next few chapters. Sorry for this mess. I am so, so sorry. Oh gosh.