Bilbo and Dis spent much of their quality time together, pouring over different books and scrolls while drinking tea and eating scones. Dis, to her surprise, found herself having a harder and harder time with concentrating on her duties as Erebor's Princess. She would eagerly wait for time to reach certain parts of the day so she could seek Bilbo out. The only time Dis and Bilbo got to be around one another was when the council gathered together to hold different meetings when people needed to speak to Thorin in the council room or before the throne of Erebor.

One evening, Dis sat before a table in Bilbo's chamber as Bilbo served up tea and scones after dinner, joining Dis at the table by sitting opposite her.

"Has Thorin figured out what to do about the issue of the lake?"

Dis shook her head. "He keeps tossing around the idea of redirecting the water flow, but as Balin pointed out earlier this week, the rain seasons will be upon us and I don't know how well redirecting the water would work because the rains fall heavily, both Dale and The Lonely Mountain are trapped between two water sources."

"So there's a greater chance of flooding with the two lakes?"

"Yes."

"I'm sure Thorin will think of something." Bilbo's words were confident. "He's good at that."

Dis smiled. "He is, but I'm not sure if even he will be able to solve this huge dilemma."

"Too bad Dwarves don't live in The Shire."

"What's The Shire like?" Dis swallowed a bite of scone and sipped some of her tea. "I heard it's very…tranquil."

"The Shire is peaceful," Bilbo admitted. "The Shire is known as small but beautiful, idyllic and fruitful land that's so beloved by the Hobbits. There is agriculture and The Shire is mostly inland. Densely populated. But as you travel to the border, you pass over very lush green rolling hills and forest." Bilbo smiled as he talked about his homeland.

"That sounds lovely. What is the atmosphere like?" Bilbo saw that Dis had a hunger in her eyes to learn more about where he grew up.

"The atmosphere is vibrant from all of the boisterous laughter and chipper conversation and attitudes. The Shire is known as a place of innocence, because it's the one place that hasn't seen the sort of situations Dwarves and Men have seen. The Shire is practically tucked back into the countryside. If you travel west from Hobbiton to Ered Luin, it would take you 250 miles to reach the mountains." Bilbo watched awe and wonder fill Dis' beautiful facial features as she drank in his words.

"On June 23 we celebrate what is called Midsummer's Eve because it's the shortest night of the year. There's dancing, bonfires, food and a huge merry gathering."

"That sounds very lovely." Dis took another bite of her scone.

"I see you're busy helping me figure out the situation of our water problem."

Dis looked behind her to find Thorin standing in the doorway of Bilbo's chamber, a frown on his face.

"Brother, dear." Dis beamed at Thorin. "Did you come to try a scone, too? They're quite delightful, and the tea is exquisite." Dis knew why her older brother had come. During the previous months, she and Bilbo had grown close; closer the last couple of weeks, that word spread throughout the halls of Erebor that she and Bilbo might be courting. Not that it's anyone's business of what she does, but as a Princess - being back home, Dis was expected to act like one. But no one ever forbade her to do spend time with Bilbo.

"You know perfectly well why I'm here." Thorin chided his little sister. He rounded on Bilbo. "I thought you would have enough respect to tell me what's going on between you two."

Bilbo and Dis exchanged a confused look. "That we're enjoying some scones and tea?" Both asked together.

"Don't play games with me." Thorin's voice rumbled very deep from his chest and throat. "I have been hearing rumors you two are courting and I would think, as my best friend, you would have the decency to tell me instead of letting me hear the news rumored around my own kingdom."

Dis sighed. "My dear brother, I'm afraid all of our peoples' talk has gotten in your head." Dis stood and walked up to her brother.

"Don't tell me you're starting to think little of Bilbo and I by believing all of the talk? We're just spending quality time together. Courting has never crossed our minds."

"Maybe not yours, little sister," Thorin countered. "Hobbits have a different idea of courting than Dwarves do."

Bilbo knew what talk the dwarves of Erebor were talking about and he agreed with Dis. "Thorin, you have nothing to fear. All I wanted to do was introduce Dis to tea and scones. We're getting to know one another, sure, but I wouldn't dare court your sister without your permission. We Hobbits do have a different idea, yes. But this is not it. Dis and I just love to spend quality time when we're able because we're building a relationship but not that kind of relationship."

Thorin wanted to believe them so badly, but having heard about Dis' behavior during her duties as a Princess, Thorin's speculation outweighed the facts, and he voiced as much.

"We have grown fond of one another because we're two different people, and yes maybe we like each other like that, but right now we're just testing the waters with our new friendship."

Dis wasn't one to lose her temper, however she wasn't happy about the accusation in disguise. Bringing herself to full height, Dis furrowed her eyebrows and placed hands to her hips.

"You listen to me, Thorin, and you better listen good, because I will not repeat my words again." She watched Thorin raise an eyebrow but didn't allow her next words to book room for any argument. "My behavior, Thorin, is of me being excited to spend quality time with a new friend after my duties and get anxious to do so, because at times, they seem to carry on longer than normal. I am a mother of two beautiful boys who have grown up and found their One, a widow of a late husband who I know for a fact, wants me to be happy, and a sister of Erebor's new king. So who are you to tell me who I can and can't choose to court if and when I decide to see fit to do so?" Dis was angry and she couldn't be reasoned with."If Mahal chooses Bilbo to be my next One, then who are you to tell me otherwise?" Dis let out a sigh while Bilbo and Thorin only stared at her with shock - Thorin more so than Bilbo.

"I love you, Thorin, but as a Princess, I declare that you and I are equal, and I don't have to ask you for permission to court whoever my next One is. If I ask you, it's only out of love and respect for you. And honestly, I do hope my next One is Bilbo."

Dis watched the wheels turn in her brother's head; rethinking his words.

"You're right." Thorin pulled his sister into a big hug. "I'm sorry, Dis. I should've trusted you to tell me that Bilbo has caught your eye - if he has, that is."

Dis returned the hug. But when he let go, he found Bilbo holding a scone in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Holding them out for him to take.

"You have to try the scone, it's very good, and the tea is delightful."

Thorin complied after a minute of hesitation. The scone wasn't bad, but when he took a sip of the tea, he grimaced from basically drinking a sip of water with leaf juice in it.

Bilbo and Dis burst into laughter at Thorin's reaction.

Dis is the one mother Dwarf I would not want to anger. The next chapters will be more interesting. I just wanted to get Bilbo and Dis' feet wet so to speak while slowly putting my vision into play. Feel free to comment. I will let you guys catch up before I continue. Thorin won't meet his one till later on. This book is mainly about Dis and Bilbo. I just wanted to introduce the dilemma Thorin is faced with as a way to introduce part of my vision while thinking through of how to put my vision into action along with Thorin meeting his One.