Summary: Fili's in love
Notes: There are fences to mend and bridges to build.
Chapter Text
Family
Once Thorin got control of his voice, he tried to calm the situation. He suggested that everyone had had enough revelations for one evening and after a good night's rest they would be better able to sit down and discuss everything that had happened. After asking Bilbo to please stay in the mansion, he hugged him again and asked Fili to show Bella and Bilbo to their rooms, while Kili helped Dis back to her quarters. The Durins were too stunned to argue and the Bagginses needed to talk privately. With one last look around the dining hall everyone started off to their beds. Of course sleep was the last thing that happened that night.
Bilbo and Bella
Fili showed Bilbo to his room and then Bella to the room next door. The order in which he did this was completely on purpose. He had to speak with Bella. Bella his One..Bella the dragon…Bella Smaug's daughter. Bella.
"Bella ", Fili started off as he opened the door for her. "Bella I don't have any real idea of what is happening in my life right now. This morning I was just taking a walk when I met the most wonderful hobbit..dragon…drabbit? I don't know….. but I do know, I want to get to know you. I..I…"
Fili was startled out of his little speech when Bella kissed him on the lips. He jumped back a little and bumped into Bilbo who had just walked into the room as Bella kissed him. Bella giggled. Bilbo cleared his throat and gave Fili a look that clearly said "run".
Fili did just that, turning a bright red, he said, "I'm..I'm so sorry."
"Really," Bella smirked.
"NO…not for that.'Fili"s voice was a little too high and a light sweat was starting to break out on his face and palms.
"Really," Bilbo demanded.
"Well yes, I mean no…I mean..I mean..g..goodnight, goodnight." Fili stammered and bumped into the door as he continued to back out of the room before giving a quick bow, pulling the door shut and running down the hallway as fast as possible.
Bilbo winked at Bella who broke up into giggles.
"So, little Miss Bella," Bilbo smiled at his child. "I think we may have more to talk about than I had originally thought."
Now it was Bella's turn to break out in a sweat.
"Papa."
Bilbo held out both arms and Bella flew into them.
"Is Mother very angry?"
"Your Mother is very hurt."
"She treats me like a child, Papa."
"She loves and worries about you. Now, I want you to stop blocking her from sensing you. Obliviously since I'm here she knows you are too."
"Papa."
"Right now young lady."
"Fine, Papa."
"Good and I want you to apologize to her."
Bella started to object but Bilbo cut her off. "I know you don't want to hurt your mother and she doesn't want to hurt you. You love each other. I also think that there just may be a certain royal dwarf that you might want to introduce to her, without him ending up as a …a"
"Pile of ashes."
"Exactly. Now, just how serious is this with Fili?"
"We just met Papa, but I think I'm falling in love with him. I think he likes me too."
"Bella do you remember me talking about how dwarves have their One?"
"You think, maybe I'm Fili's One."
"We'll have to see."
Bilbo took a long look at his daughter and hugged her close.
"Papa what's wrong?"
"Your mother isn't the only one that worries about you, little one."
Bella stayed in her papa's arms for several minutes. She was so glad he was there. He would understand and make Mother understand…wouldn't he. She knew several things. She loved both her parents and needed both of them to understand what she was feeling towards Fili…just as soon as she figured that out herself.
The other major thing she knew was that Fili's beard was extremely soft and didn't scratch at all. She grinned and blushed just a little.
Fili and Dis
"Mum,"Fili started, "Are you feeling better?"
"Bilbo's alive and he's a dragon of sorts and so is his daughter, by the dragon that took Erebor and still lives there." Dis stated in a matter-of-fact voice, even though the look on her face was one of shock.
"Mum, I have to talk to you. I know this is a bad time but I doubt there will be a good time to tell you this."
Dis looked at her oldest son.
"Mum, I've found my One."
The room was starting to spin a little for Dis, there was really only one reason for Fili to take this moment to tell her this.
She sat down.
"I'm certain Mum."
Dis wondered if she should just lay down. It would be easier if she passed out again.
"I know we've just met but I also know that she is gentle and kind, intelligent and strong. But really what else could she be given who her father is?"
Dis could still hear Fili but only at a distance, right now she was busy visualizing her grandchildren flying through town as unruly toddlers with little dragon wings; giggling playfully as they burned down shops. Dis hated Smaug , but she loved Fili more. They had lost so much, so many precious lives, she couldn't forgive Smaug and she wouldn't hurt Fili. What better revenge than to have the dragon's own grandchildren be dwarves. Would Smaug ever be able to justify herself to them? Maybe not... and that revenge would be sweet. Perhaps her grandchildren would be some sort of dragon but at least that would make them so strong that no one would be able to ever take their home away.
She could just see the look on Thorin's face. Well, he'd just have to deal with it. They were her grandchildren and Mahal help anyone who didn't like it!
"Mum, Mum?"
"Yes son, you were about to tell me the name of your One."
"Bella Baggins"
Dis didn't faint.
Fili and Kili
"Kili, its Bella"
"What's Bella, Fee?"
"My One…KILI! Stop laughing this is not funny!"
"I'm sorry Fee, Bella seems great, she's beautiful and hey, she Bilbo's daughter, you can't get better than that. It's just that….."
"Kili stop laughing!"
"Fee, it's not Bella or Bilbo that I'm laughing about."
"WHAT THEN?"
"Fee…..Smaug is going to be your….. mother-in-law!"
"Fee…Fee…wake up." Kili tried hard not to double over laughing as Fili started to regain consciousness after fainting dead away. He lost that battle.
Bilbo and Smaug
Bilbo opened his mind to Smaug.
Yes Bilbo, I can sense her now. She says that you have something to tell me.
Smaug, Bella loves you dear.
Yes I know, she's just so stubborn and that my love does not come from my side of the family.
Well, I never!
Don't even get me started.
Smaug, she's fine and I believe she may be falling in love.
So, you're saying there are elves there.
No.
Humans?
Not many, I haven't actually seen any.
Bilbo.
Darling.
Bilbo!
Love of my life.
BILBO!
Sweetness, do you remember the two young dwarves that wanted to fight to save me?
One blond, one brunette?
Yes.
One of them?
Yes, you have remarked before on how they showed bravery and honor.
Durins?
Yes, the blond. Fili, the heir to the throne.
Bilbo, if Thorin is using my child to get his heir's hands on Erebor…..there will shortly be NO LINE OF DURIN LEFT!
I believe they are falling in love. He is an honorable dwarf.
You can't even imagine that Thorin Oakensheld would allow such a match.
If they are in love I believe Thorin's love for Fili and frankly his guilt over leaving me may be enough to outweigh….other factors.
Meaning me.
Smaug darling how long do dragons live?
Centuries, you know that.
How long do dragon-kin live?
Not as long, but still centuries.
How long do dwarfs live?
Not nearly as...long.
Wouldn't their children be a type of dragon-kin too, dear?
Well….yes. So... you're saying she can have her love and the children will still be dragon-kin. Even if he lives a long life for a dwarf, it will be but a blink of the eye for Bella. She'll grieve but as time passes she will have her children and possibly find love again.
Smaug, our grandchildren will sit on the throne of Durin and the gold in the Blue Mountains will be at their disposal without a fight.
I won't smile and act like I respect or can even abide Thorin. He gave you up in a trade that could have meant a terrible fate and he hates me completely.
Let me speak with him and darling remember without that trade, I would never have met the love of my life.
Silence
Smaug?
Silence
Smaug?
Sneaky little adorable hobbit.
Smaug and Bella
Mother, I'm sorry.
Child, you are very young and don't seem to understand that many people hate dragons.
I know.
I only want you to be safe.
I know. Mother, I love you.
I love you too Bella.
Now tell me about this dwarf.
Fili
Fili
Mother, don't hurt him.
I won't hurt him if he doesn't hurt you. Fair.
Fair.
Now tell me young lady.
Dis and Smaug
Bilbo took Dis' hands and opened his mind to Smaug.
"Now ladies I will be able to hear and sense you. I will relay your words to each other."
He loves her. She is his One.
She is starting to fall in love with him.
I love my child more than I hate you.
I do not hate you dwarf, your people were foolish not to be better protected. You left yourselves open to attack.
I will never forgive the horror and pain you have caused, but when I look into my child's eyes I see only hope for the future. Bella is Bilbo's, my son adores both father and daughter. For my child, for Bilbo's sacrifice. for the future I will accept this union.
I have seen the boy's courage. He is one of the few dwarves that I believe to be worthy. If he ever hurts her, I will harm him, but if he loves her and makes her happy I will destroy anyone or anything that dares to lift its hand against the line of Durin.
For our children.
For our children.
Fili and Thorin
"Uncle."
"Fili, come in."
"Uncle…..I need to talk to you."
"Then do."
"Uncle…" "Fili what is it. Did Dis faint again?"
"No."
"Well…"
"I've found my One."
Thorin Oakensheld was not a stupid dwarf. He saw it all, hiding there within that simple sentence. Why else would Fili choose now to mention this?
Fili's uncle was happy he had found his One.
King Thorin was horrified that his heir's One was the daughter of Smaug.
Fili's uncle saw that without Bella, Fili would be alone and lonely, much as he was.
King Thorin thought with white hot hate of that lizard inside Erebor, his ancestral home.
Fili's uncle wondered if he could bare to lose Fili's love if he refused to accept Bella.
King Thorin had a thought, a relatively dark, crafty thought, that Fili's children could inherit Erebor from both sides of their family.
Thorin looked at the bewildered young dwarf in front of him and held his arms out to him.
"Bella?" Thorin said in an even voice.
"Bella." Fili replied stepping into his uncle's arms. "Uncle, she's my one."
Thorin held his heir, an heir he had been substitute father to since Fili was a dwarfling.
Uncle Thorin would move the grey shores and middle-earth itself for his nephews. Bella was Bilbo's daughter, regardless of who and what the mother was. Thorin would not turn his back on Fili and not on Bilbo…not a second time.
King Thorin of the line of Durin would wait; perhaps from the grey shores he would see his heir's child on the throne in Erebor. But he would not lose the love of his nephew. He had seen the anger and disappointment in Fili and Kili's eyes that day so many years ago when he had allowed Bilbo to surrender himself to Smaug. More than once since then he'd recognized that look in their eyes. Now, he had a chance to wipe at least a part of that look away and he was going to take it.
"But Uncle, the people….the Council?"
"As long as Bella remains in her hobbit form they won't be too hard to handle. I assume that as long as Bella is here, we are very likely safe from a dragon attack. Few dragons would risk Smaug's wrath. That should satisfy the Council and the people alike. They will believe you are sacrificing yourself to keep us safe."
Fili hugged Thorin tighter.
Fili and Bella
Fili walked as quietly as he possibly could passed Bilbo's room and softly knocked on Bella's door. She opened it in what felt to Fili like an eternity. But the smile that lite up her face when she saw it was him made everything right. Well, for a second anyway.
Fili needed to explain to Bella that she was his One. But before that he would need to explain what that meant to a dwarf. But before that he would have to know if she liked him at all. But before that he needed to know if….. Bella kissed him hard on the lips.
Fili stared at her trying to remember her name….his name….any name! Bella kissed him again and giggled. That seemed to snap his back to the present. He stood there grinning.
Bella looked at him and said in a very formal voice. "Why, good evening your highness. May I help you?"
Fili was lost in her eyes again…brown with gold flecks. Her honey colored hair was curly and …and… the bead…right... the courtship beads. He looked down at the beads in his hand. They were gold and carved with intricate flowers.
"Bella, dwarves only love once in a lifetime. When we meet our One we know it immediately and I have met my One.:"
"Really, have I met her?" Bella asked straight-faced.
Fili's eyes went wide and then a sad look came over his face as he looked down.
"Oh, Fili, you'll have to work on that sense of humor."
Fili's head popped back up with even wider eyes and a huge smile. "Bella, you're my One."
"Well, good because I just spent an hour convincing my mother not to eat, crush, rip, stomp on, burn-up or otherwise harm you."
Fili swallowed hard. "Smaug is here?"
"No, but we can communicate. It's something dragons do."
"Oh."
"You're so cute." Bella leaned over and kissed Fili on the nose.
Fili could see this courtship was going to be an adventure all by itself. "Bella, do you …like me?"
"Yes, let's kiss some more."
"Wait Bella, would you consider letting me court you and wear this courtship bead to show everyone that we belong to each other?'
Bella looked at the bead, then at Fili. This was serious. Her father had explained about dwaren customs like this one. Fili was serious and now that she looked at him standing there so close…she realized she was serious too.
"I'd be honored. Would you put it in for me? I don't have one for you, but I'll get one."
"I have two. We can braid them into each other's hair. "
They stood almost in the doorway as if moving might break the magic of the moment, each taking a bead, first Fili then Bella. They braided it into each other's hair. Fili expertly working with Bella short curly locks and Bella slowly braiding Fili's long blond hair; taking her time, trying her best to get it right.
"Fili, what will your family say and the dwarves in the Blue Mountains."
"I've talked with my mother, Kili, and Uncle Thorin. They are on our side. Some people will have a problem but many won't, not after they see you and meet you. We have my family's blessing."
"Mine too, well that is mother promised not to eat you."
Fili looked at little pale.
Bella, giggled and pulled him farther onto the room. Fili followed her and closed the door behind him. Just as he and Bella were getting comfortable in each other's arms, Fili felt a strong hand on his upper arm and looked around to see Bilbo in his dragon-kin form, lifting him up and away from Bella.
"Bilbo! I...we…that is…."
"Goodnight Fili." Bilbo said firmly.
"N..Night." Fili stammered as Bilbo set him down in the hallway and closed the door in his face.
Bilbo turned to his blushing daughter."Now, Bella…"
"But Papa…He's just so cute…"