Hello! thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, you're the best!

I hope you enjoy this next chapter, there's a little A/N at the bottom of this as well!

Onwards...

Kili sat back, full and contented, and watched the others talk amongst themselves- the Hobbit was too busy running around making sure they didn't chink any of his mother's prized glasses and inspecting the washed up crockery to really notice anything, even in his own house. He watched Thorin fill his pipe at the other end of the table, before his Uncle caught his eye. A smile passed his lips and he nodded, a sentiment Kili reciprocated; it seemed like an age since they had had a proper conversation, what with Fili and his travels around their homeland and Thorin always going off to the other clans to speak with their leaders.

Gandalf, who was sitting next to the leader of their Company, tutted and poked Thorin's shoulder just as he was about to lift the pipe to his mouth. 'Bilbo doesn't approve of smoking indoors- he has a bench outside.' He muttered, nodding to the Hobbit as he now approached the table, eyes wary at the revellers still in his house.

It had now been a little while since Bilbo had read the never ending contract- and since he fainted onto his dining room floor- and the Hobbit still couldn't quite believe what he had read. He had told Gandalf and the others time and time again, and then another time, that he just wasn't interested, that he didn't want to go on this silly quest for something that didn't concern him….but would they listen? No, they just carried on with their business as if it had already been decided and he was coming whether he wanted to or not- well, that wasn't about to happen, oh no- he was a Baggins, and more than that; he was a Took, and no one told a Took what to do…well, perhaps the Took's mother, of course.

'I still don't know why you need me.' He muttered, hoping again to make them see sense. Fili looked up at his words, a small part of him feeling a bit sorry for him, but they really did need his help.

'Relax, my dear Bilbo…' he heard Balin mutter from the top of his Sherry glass. 'We only need you for one small thing, nothing too taxing…'

'Nothing too taxing? You want me to steal- from a dragon! You do know….what a dragon actually is, right?'

'Of course he does!' Thorin growled, rolling his eyes and standing up- Bilbo stepped back, eyes wide. Thorin tried not to smile; instead he held up his pipe and quirked an eyebrow.

'Oh, right…' Bilbo muttered, feeling a little foolish- these Dwarves make look brutish, but he hoped they had higher standards than to kill a Hobbit in his own house.

As everyone watched Thorin head out Kili stood, stretching. 'Need some fresh air- coming?' he asked his brother, but Fili shook his head and reached for another glass of ale. Shrugging, Kili picked his way round the chairs and to the doorway leading to the living area. He peeked into the area that housed an armchair next to a roaring fire- Bilbo was sat there, head in his hands. He cleared his throat to get his attention- Bilbo started, looking round with round eyes.

'Relax, its only me.' He called, raising his hands.

'Oh.' The Hobbit replied as he sank back, eyes to the fire. 'I wish people would stop telling me to relax.' He muttered, more to himself than the Dwarf stood awkwardly next to him.

'Listen,' Kili said, dropping to his haunches for lack of a seat. 'I know this is….a big thing for you-'

'You have no idea.'

'Well, what you are doing- could be doing- for us, we've been waiting an age for….you'd be helping us reclaim a homeland.' Kili said, giving him a smile.

'But why me? Why do I have to be the Hobbit to do it?'

'The Wizard…he works in strange ways….it is not always clear.' Kili agreed- he had never met a more cryptic person in his life.

Bilbo sighed, shaking his head. 'But I'm just a Hobbit, a simple, run of the mill Hobbit….'

'But you could be hero, a saviour of an entire race…' Kili added, shrugging. 'I cannot force you to come, and neither can anyone else- this is a choice for you and you alone. But know this- you would be doing a great thing, and see all these Dwarves at your table?' They both turned and looked at the rabble of Dwarves at Bilbo's table, now talking merrily to each other. Kili turned back to Bilbo '- they would all be eternally grateful, and in your debt.'

Bilbo turned back, eyebrows knotted together, one hand under his chin as he looked back into the fire, unwilling to hold Kili's eye contact.

'Kili, leave him- he has made his choice.' Thorin growled from the door. Kili sighed but nodded, standing up and straightening his tunic as Bilbo still looked away. 'Just think on it, please?' he whispered, before walking in the direction of his Uncle.

They stood outside in the crisp night air, watching the twinkling lights in the windows of the little houses in the Shire. 'Nice place.' Kili observed.

'Like a rabbit run.' Thorin muttered, face illuminated as he puffed on his pipe. Kili got his own out- he didn't often smoke, but when Thorin was in one of these moods it was best to keep him company. They stood in silence for a while, just puffing away and listening to the night. 'It's too quiet here- where is the noise of the children? Fighting? Machinery?' Thorin asked, eyes narrowed.

'Perhaps they are all sleeping,' Kili replied, looking around too. 'We didn't see many of them when we came up here.'

'Hmmm…' His Uncle muttered. He turned and studied his nephew; 'I see you and your brother look well enough these days.' He muttered. Kili nodded, not really knowing if this was a compliment or not- he turned to refill his pipe, before he stiffened as Thorin reached out and patted his head.

'What-' he asked, but his Uncle cut across them, showing him his fingers.

'Why have you got blood in your hair? Let me see your head…' he growled, putting his pipe down and pulling Kili to the bench. 'I….fell off the pony is all….' Kili muttered- he hadn't realised he had hurt his head that much when the man from the tavern hit him.

He sat still nonetheless as Thorin rootled around in his hair to see his scalp. 'It's not deep, but you should clean it before we set out- and be careful!' he grumbled, hitting his head lightly.

'I will, something spooked her….' Kili explained, the lie coming uncomfortably easy to his lips.

'Hmmm…'

'What are you two doing out here?' Fili spoke out of nowhere, causing them both to start, looking up at him with wide eyes. 'Dolt.' Thorin admonished, but he smiled anyway at his eldest nephew as he walked outside, stretching. 'You failed to mention your brother getting injured when we spoke when I arrived?' he said pointedly.

'I…well….' Fili muttered, looking to Kili- his brother, who was sitting a little behind their uncle, pointed to his head, before using his hands to motion a horse clip clopping along.

'Oh…yes- well, it was only small….he doesn't have far to fall from a pony, does he?' Fili gabbled, catching on. 'I'll make sure he cleans it before we go.'

'Alright.' Thorin nodded, satisfied. 'We leave in the morning, but early- with this burglar, or not.' He stood, brushing down his coat as his nephews nodded. He turned and walked away, back towards the house. He bade them goodnight before shutting the door, leaving the brothers alone.

'Where are we going to sleep?' Kili asked, frowning.

'I don't know, perhaps Bilbo has enough room for us all.' Fili shrugged. He pushed Kili's shoulder, grinning. 'Nice pony, by the way!' he said, laughing as Kili shook his head and rolled his eyes.

'I knew we should have thought of a story in case he found out!'

'Well, we shouldn't have to lie anymore- as long as we don't travel along the road near that tavern!' Fili smiled, shaking his head.

'I'm sure it was all talk- they wouldn't dare do anything, especially not with the others there!' Kili smiled, before he yawned, covering his mouth with his hand. 'Well, I'm going to see where Thorin expects us all to sleep….I'll save you a bit of floor space if you want to stay out here awhile?'

'No, I'll come in- the quiet is making me uneasy.' Fili shuddered, turning to the door while his brother chuckled. 'What's so funny?'

'I never noticed how alike you and Uncle are, that's all…'

'Is that a good thing or a bad thing?'

'Not sure yet…' Kili muttered, grinning as Fili pushed him into the door, rolling his eyes.

'Go on, get in before I lock you outside for the night!' he laughed, before taking one last look into the darkened landscape of Bag End and shutting the door with a snap.

All the action will come up in the next chapter or two, don't worry- I just need to do the setting up, which takes a couple of chapters!

There will be no update next week owing to the fact that I'm on holiday, sorry! But don't worry, I have a clear idea on this so expect at least 2 chapters the week after! I'm quite excited about this one!

Thank you for reading, please review!

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