"What?!" Bilbo was horrified. "Are you insane?"

"Do you not believe we will succeed?" Thorin demanded. It was unfair of him, but he could sense Bilbo would be lost to them if he did not tread carefully.

"Of course I believe you will!" Bilbo snapped back, a painfully familiar spark in his eyes. "But, Thorin, I can be no help in your quest. Do I look like a thief to you?"

"No, but you are quiet and small and non-Dwarven." Thorin answered. "The Dragon will not even notice, most likely..."

Bilbo was shaking his head. "No. No, Thorin, I can't do this.."

"Bilbo, please-"

"Uncle?"

Oh, Mahal save him, Fíli walking in on his and Bilbo's discussion would not help!

"What is it, lad?"

Fíli was wearing a familiar, calculating look. "I was wondering if I could steal Bilbo a minute."

"Yes," Bilbo answered promptly, making his way over to Fíli. "Yes, you may."

Thorin made his way to Kíli, ruffling his hair. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. We heard you arguing."

"Mm. Seems Bilbo doesn't quite like the thought of facing Smaug."

He sat by his nephew, rolling his thumb across his creased brow. He didn't know what Fíli was up to, but he sincerely hoped that somehow his eldest nephew would be able to work some form of magic and get Bilbo to agree.

"Never mind, Uncle," Kíli said. "If anyone can get someone to agree to anything, it's Fíli."

"Was Thorin telling you about Erebor?" Fíli asked, blue eyes crinkling in a smile.

"Yes, he was."

Fíli leaned against the wall, still grinning. "Kíli and I were brought up on tales of the kingdom. Thorin would stay up late with us, telling us of Erebor's beauty. Imagine it, Bilbo! Great, cavernous rooms of a deep and wavering green rock, shining like water in sunlight. Huge statues of past kings made of gold and silver. Mines crammed full of flashing gems." Fíli trailed off, his own eyes sparkling like the jewels he described.

"The memories it beholds. Home is full of memories, isn't it?"

Bilbo glanced around his own walls before nodding. "It is."

"We're not just going to defeat the Dragon for the treasure. We're going to defeat him so we can finally come home."

"Where do you live if not in a home?"

Fíli gave a small shrug. "We all live in the Blue Mountains. It's nice, but it's not our true home, you understand."

Bilbo imagined not having the Shire to return to. Fíli watched as the Hobbit looked around as though seeing his burrow in a new light.

"I'll think about it," Bilbo murmured.

Fíli kept a solemn expression, watching as Bilbo walked through the door. Once the Hobbit was out of sight, he let himself smile again.

He'd done well.

The rest of the day passed with few events Evening came, swiftly followed by the blackness of night and Bilbo bade his guests goodnight and went to his bed, curling up in its secure warmth.

Then he heard it.

'Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep
And caverns old..'

Sleep was no longer on his mind. Throwing back the quilt, he padded out of his room, trying to find the source of these words. His ears led him to the living room and he stared at the Dwarf who stood with his back turned to him, facing the fire.

'We must away
Ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold...'

Kíli spotted him first and wordlessly pulled him onto the sofa between himself and his brother. Fíli seemed half-asleep, yet was watching Thorin sing with his eyes almost forced open.

'The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red
It flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light.'

The quiet longing with which Thorin had sung the words and Fíli's earlier statement had Bilbo seeing the whole thing differently. Yes, there was danger involved and yes a Dragon could very well choose to burn and devour him, but that was the risk Thorin, Fíli & Kíli were taking in order to win back their home.

"If," he said, "you feel I can truly help you, then I shall do what I can for you."

Two strong arms wound themselves around his shoulders. Thorin made no such contact, but he smiled at Bilbo, feeling waves of relief lap over him.

One problem down.

I know it took a while, but it was hard to write :/ Apologies, here is the new chapter!

Hope it was enjoyed!

Love from