Summary: Bilbo leaves for the Shire and Bazani puts her plan into action.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is fiction
Plans at Work
Bilbo stepped away from Thorin, laughing.
"Thorin, if you don't let me go, I shall never leave."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"For me, yes. Thorin, this is a very important step in all Hobbit pregnancies. I have to do this."
"I know. I will miss you."
Bilbo pressed a soft kiss to Thorin's lips.
"I will miss you too. Come now,walk me to the carts."
Bilbo and his party were travelling by horse and cart. They were travelling with a group of 10 guards, as the trek to the Shire was still dangerous. As the entered the courtyard, Bilbo saw Fili embracing Kili and Bofur hugging his family. He could hear the blind dwarf telling Borin to keep an eye on Frerin and make sure his father ate at all meal times. Bilbo knew it would be hard for Bofur to be away from his son and husband, but he was glad to have his closest friends by his side for this journey. He pulled Balin to one side.
"Balin, I fear that Bazani will have plans while I am not here. Please, keep an eye on her for me."
"I'll keep both eyes on her laddie, don't worry. I'm suspicious of her as well. She's been looking too happy lately."
Bilbo hugged Balin, glad that someone was looking out for his husband. He climbed into the cart beside Kili and Bofur, waving goodbye as the cart moved through the gates. Bilbo hoped that his family would be safe when he was gone. He had the horrible feeling something bad was going to happen. And it would happen very soon.
Bazani slid the gold into the dwarf's palm.
"You know what to do."
"Aye, you want me to snatch the babe from his minder and hide him away."
"Exactly. Do it right and you'll get the rest of your payment."
The dwarf trailed after young Borin and the nanny. He had to do this without hurting the nanny. But how? He saw merchant ahead, selling jewels and baubles.
"You, distract that woman for me."
"Why would I do that?"
"I'll give you ten pieces of gold."
The merchant looked between the gold and the dwarf, obviously torn. The mercenary sighed and took out another five pieces of gold. The merchant grinned and grabbed the gold.
"Fine, I'll do it. But if you caught doing whatever it is you are doing, you'd better not bring me into it."
"I'm shaking in my boots, hurry up."
The mercenary skid back into the shadows, keeping an eye on the nanny. The merchant called out to her, saying he had something that would bring out her eyes and make her irresistable to any and all dwarves. The merchant smirked as her eyes lit up. Easy, the single dwarrows were always easy to entice. Mention that they will get a man and they become putty in your hands.
The mercenary smiled as he saw the nanny walk towards the merchant. Really, you'd think the royal family would hire better people. He removed a cloth from his pocket and sprinkled crushed up hops on it. He stepped forward and quickly covered Borin's mouth. As the dwarfling fell asleep, he caught him and moved back into the shadows. He took a look over his shoulder and saw the nanny poring over the jewellery as the merchant winked at him. This was too easy.
"Avna, you like Fili, don't you?"
"Everyone likes Fili my Queen. He is sweet, kind and handsome."
"Not what I mean darling."
The maid blushed.
"Yes my Queen, I like him. But he loves Kili with all his heart. I don't stand a chance."
"Maybe you do. Kili travels to the Shire with Bilbo today. Fili is alone. You will take the place of Fili's personal maid. You will entice him. If necessary, I have potions that will help you ensnare him. Can you do this?"
The maid looked delighted. Imagine, her married to a royal. Becoming Queen of Erebor. She squealed and laughed in joy.
"My Queen, I can do this. I swear to you. By the time Kili returns from the Shire, I will be Fili's one and only, I promise."
A/N Done. R&R please. Next chapter, Avna is introduced to Fili and Frerin discovers his son is missing.