"Since Bilbo can turn into a giant dragon, can't we just ride him all the way to Erebor?" Dwalin asked at supper that night. Thorin and Bilbo had landed in Rivendell shortly after the others arrived, but after Bilbo had changed he'd been so exhausted that Thorin had to carry him to their chambers and force him to rest. Now, sitting on a little veranda outside their rooms, the company happily snacked away at some stolen food, provided by Nori. Bilbo was leaning against Thorin, who had his arm wrapped around the hobbit a little protectively. It had nothing to do with the fact that the elves had fallen over themselves to get Bilbo anything he needed or anything he didn't need.

"It's not that simple," Bilbo sighed, opening his eyes to stare across the fire at the dwarf. "You may think it is, but it isn't. Me being able to change is one thing. Me staying changed is another. I am governed by different laws than you. Now that I know I can change into a dragon, I'll have to see if my other forms will come back."

"Other forms?" Thorin frowned.

"Yes, other forms. When we first came over, we could change as we pleased into anything, but over time our bodies solidified, making it harder and harder to change. By the time the Great War came about, we each had a handful of forms left. I knew I could go between the wolf and hobbit easily because they are my primaries. The dragon and mouse are my secondary's, so I'm sure I will be able to change into a mouse," Bilbo closed his eyes. "But I have one more set that is questionable."

"And those are?" Kili leaned forward, the younger dwarves looking excited.

"They are what we skinchangers call our ghost forms. We can't use them often because they drain us. They're part magic, really, and very uncontrollable. Mine are a Stone Giant and a Lava Dragon. I won't change into them, won't even try. Unless you all want me to fade away," Bilbo shivered against Thorin, who frowned, pulling his coat more around Bilbo.

"That is enough for now," Thorin cut in before anyone could ask a question. "Let us speak of something else."

"Back to my earlier question," Dwalin grunted. "Why is it so impossible for you to carry us to Erebor?"

"Because even though I can change into a dragon, I shouldn't do it often or I'll have to change constantly. It's like being addicted to something. Like my wolf form, if I don't change regularly now, I'll get violently ill. I will survive it, but it won't be pretty. The dragon, however, won't be so kind. So the fewer times I change and the shorter I am changed, the better," Bilbo huffed. "And I refuse to be a pack mule."

"No one is saying you should be a pack mule," Balin chuckled. "My brother is just being my brother."

"Will Smaug know what you are?" Gloin cut in.

"He knows my scent," Bilbo said casually.

"But will he know what you are?" Thorin pushed gently.

"We met once before he took Erebor but after I stopped changing," Bilbo winced at the thought. "He was still a young dragon, foolish really, but he seems to have learned his lesson. That is all the more I will say."

"So he does not know you can be a dragon," Dori urged.

"No, he does not. So yes, when it comes down to it, I will take care of him," Bilbo's eyes took on a sad quality. "At whatever cost it may be."

"You don't have to," Thorin growled. "We'll find another way if we must."

"I will be fine," Bilbo looked up at him.

"I will not risk you for the sake of a mountain. It is just stone," Thorin glared down at him.

"It is your home," Bilbo countered.

"I have learned, little hobbit, that home does not have to be a sturdy building, just a place where one is happy," Thorin smirked a little.

"Hey, now, no! Some of us are underage here!" Kili called, covering his eyes while Fili covered Ori's.

"Is something the matter?" Thorin glanced at his nephew.

"Yes! Stop it with the puppy eyes and kissy faces!" Fili glared at his uncle. "Mother and Balin do enough of that!"

"Dis and…" Thorin's eyes went to his advisor's, who shrugged sheepishly. Bilbo gripped Thorin's hand, looking between the two worriedly.

"I have done nothing yet, Thorin. These boys are exaggerating," Balin sighed. "I am too old for courting anyone."

"But you make my sister happy," Thorin countered. "I wish you would seek my blessing, my old friend. I do not care and I would be more than overjoyed for you to be officially apart of my family."

"So not only do we get an Uncle Bilbo," Kili looked at Fili.

"We get a Daddy Balin," Fili's face split into a grin. That was the only warning poor Balin got before the two boys had tackled him, giving him a great hug.

"DADDY BALIN!" the boys yelled together. Dwalin thankfully came to the rescue because Bilbo really didn't want to lose his current pillow. The great warrior dwarf easily lifted the two boys off his brother and set them well away before taking a seat by his brother, glaring at the nephews. Ori just huffed and shifted round the fire so he was by Dwalin and went back to his writing. Bilbo raised an eyebrow and Dwalin shifted the glare to him, causing Bilbo and Thorin to chuckle.

"I forgot how amusing dwarves could be," Bilbo laughed, resting his head against Thorin's chest.

"Oh, so you knew we were amusing?" Thorin chuckled deep in his chest.

"Oh, yes, a long time ago," Bilbo tilted his head up, smiling at Thorin. Thorin smiled down at him.

"Oh, hello," Thorin leaned in closer. "This seems familiar."

"It does, doesn't it?" Bilbo chuckled. "I believe I ruined the moment last time."

"Well, then you need to make it up to me," Thorin's smile got bigger as he leaned in closer so their noses were touching.

"I suppose I do," Bilbo smiled back before closing the gap between them. It was a gentle kiss, a warm kiss, a lazy kiss. Full of emotion and meaning. All of Bilbo's heart in that one kiss and Thorin couldn't stop himself from pulling Bilbo closer, deepening the kiss to try to convey those same emotions back. Nothing mattered but Bilbo, everything else faded away.

Bilbo pulled away first, breathing hard, face flushed. Thorin rested his forehead against Bilbo's, eyes bright and smile wide. Bilbo smiled back, chuckling. He looked like he wanted to say something when their little world was invaded.

"Oy! Stop ignoring us! We're happy for you and all, but GET A ROOM!" Fili had come to stand over them, hands on his hips as he looked down at them, a cross between embarrassment and annoyance on his face.

"If you insist," Thorin glanced up at his nephew, smiling cheekily. "Too bad you and your brother have the room next to us."

With that, Thorin stood, easily scooping Bilbo into his arms and heading back to his room, ignoring the roars of laughter coming from Dwalin, Bombur and Gloin while Kili yelled at his brother who was gaping after them like a fish out of water.

"We aren't really going to….you know…." Bilbo flushed red and Thorin laughed.

"You are in no shape for it. You need rest," Thorin chided lightly. "But that will not stop me from making my nephews think anything else is going on. I figured, for being so knowledgeable of the world, you wouldn't mind a little romp in the bed."

"Oh, yes, that, well….you see," Bilbo was beet red now as Thorin strode into their room and closing the door with his shoulder. "I am, ya know knowledgeable about stuff but…just…not…not that."

"Are you saying….."Thorin easily dropped Bilbo on the bed, looking down at him, frowning.

"Well, no…I mean I've….done some stuff…plenty of people offered….I just…..well there are…..I mean I've been in bed….but not to bed…" Bilbo was stuttering and any other time Thorin would find it adorable he had been able to fluster the skinchanger. But now…..Thorin leaned down, easily silencing Bilbo with a kiss.

"If you will have me, I will do right by you," he said softly as he pulled away. Bilbo blinked up at him, mouth open, not saying a word.