During the next day in the elven kingdom of Rivendell, nearly every dwarf could feel an odd shift in the mood. Dori, who knew very well what had caused it was nearly certain that no one else had caught on to the discomfort between Nori and Bofur, even with the obvious glances they had been giving each other for the duration of the day. In fact, Dori was very surprised that neither Nori or Bofur had noticed the longing looks that the other had been sending their way.
Really, though, Dori was both pleased and upset with the turn the pair's relationship had taken. He was pleased because it meant he didn't have to protect Nori from Bofur or vice versa and had extra time to focus on keeping watch over Ori and Dwalin. But he was also saddened by the fact that one of his little brothers was so depressed. He knew he acted more like a mother to his two brothers, but it was only because he truly cared about them and their wellbeing. When they hurt, he hurt.
However, as Dori looked over at Ori, who was talking pleasantly to Dwalin, his new lover, his heart ached. With Dwalin being so uncharacteristically kind and gentle, and not looking as though this change in affection will ever end, Dori was scared that the two dwarves would want to bond themselves in marriage when they returned home. And this meant Dori would no longer have to spend his days worrying about caring for little Ori, but instead worrying over whether or not Dwalin was caring for him. Such a strange idea that is, he thought. Still, he knew Dwalin was an honourable dwarf. He had the gold to support a husband, and children should they choose to go down that road and adopt, and could work decently.
Nori has never had anything decent, although he could have. If he didn't choose to go around thieving, and instead found himself a real job, he could be as well off as the rest of the company. It wouldn't have been as hard on Ori and I, either. If only Dwalin hadn't caught him the act all those years ago. Suddenly Dori clapped a hand over his mouth, remembering the numerous times Dwalin had arrested Nori on charges of theft. The two hadn't gotten along since, even when Nori didn't find himself in trouble with the law. how would those two act if Ori and Dwalin were to marry? They'd be brothers! Oh, but look how happy Ori is now.
A cry of "Where has Thorin gone?" from the smallest member of the company, the hobbit, pulled Dori's attention from the happy faces of Dwalin and Ori, as he joined the rest of the company in gazing around the room, searching awkwardly for their leader. I didn't even realize he had gone, and by the looks of it, no one else had either. No one stood but Bilbo, who frantically peered around every corner as though he hadn't been involved in a rather large argument with the King of Erebor just days previous.
"Aye, he's gone off with Balin," Dwalin said, probably louder than necessary. Bilbo's eyes widened as though he was actually shocked that Thorin would wander off with Balin, who was known to be his great friend.
"Why? Why would he have done that? What are they doing? I demand to know!" The hobbit looked both shocked and angry, and Dori wanted to laugh at his attempt to appear intimidating. After all, it was Dwalin he was talking to, the most muscled and second strongest member of the company (only after Dori himself). If a fight were to break out among the hobbit and the large dwarven guard, there was already a clear winner.
"Relax, little Bilbo, they're off on quest business. I think he mentioned consulting with Gandalf about asking Elrond for help. Balin went along for support, and to make sure news of our true intentions on this journey are not revealed to the elf." Bilbo calmed visibly, his posture loosening considerably.
"Oh, very well then." But it was already too late. All of the dwarves had already witnessed Bilbo's emotional outburst and were thinking up their own ideas of what could have happened for Bilbo to become so worried for Thorin. Luckily, everyone calmed down quickly enough to make and enjoy supper.