Hi,

The title speaks for itself, master Baggins arrives at the home of Thorin and his family.

This one is a bit different from my other stories, as it is AU. But I hope you enjoy reading.

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Thorin observed their servants, which were frantically running through the mansion, trying to get everything cleaned and in place in time.

He smelled the aromas coming from the kitchen, where their cooks busied their selves with the preparations of a festive meal for the evening.

Outside, the gardeners made sure everything was trimmed neatly, getting rid of the little weeds that they could find.

He could hear how Dis, his sister, was getting herself dressed in decent attire, in the room above him. His father and mother with her to decide if her appearance would look impeccable. Probably they both would be already dressed in one of their finest assemblies.

He smiled at the hairdresser as she entered through the front door. Knowing well enough which mayhem she would walk into.

She smiled politely back at him before disappearing upstairs.

Thorin had seen enough for now.

The restlessness of their staff started to rub off on him and he didn't like the agitated feeling that got a hold of him.

Although he wasn't supposed to, he snuck outside when no one was watching.

His feet automatically brought him to the apple garden. A big stretch of yard that was filled with apple trees.

Absently he plucked one from the nearest tree and started to nibble on it.

Deep in thoughts he continued walking, until he arrived at the lake, were he sat down at the water side.

Today was going to be an important day.

A day that would decide his sister's future and quite possibly, the future of his family.

Yet, Thorin couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the whole ordeal.

A man, coming from Bag End, would arrive later that evening and it was their parent's wish the man and Dis were to be married.

It was also because of this man, their entire staff was running around like idiots, since he would be a day earlier as expected.

Thorin watched as the sun moved further along the horizon, deciding it were better if he went back to the mansion.

At least, if he wanted to avoid a scolding from his father, that was.

Reluctantly he got to his feet and made his way back home.

As he got inside, most of the tumult had died down.

Only a few servants stayed behind to take care of the last few things.

The same servants that would tend to their guest's belongings once he arrived.

"Thorin Durin, where have you been? And what are you wearing?!" Thrain, his father scolded. "Get yourself dressed properly right now, young man. Our guest could be here any minute!"

Busted, oh so busted.

Although Thorin would like to tell his father there was no use for this charade, he was smart enough not to do so.

"Yes father." He replied, then made his way upstairs.

He could hear his mother and the hairdresser bickering about the latest trends as he passed his sister's room.

He shook his head in amusement. All this for a stranger. Poor woman.

In the privacy of his own room, Thorin changed into something fancier.

Black pants, white shirt, grey blazer, finishing of the look with a pair of black boots.

He took a brush through his long dark hair before he braided it, keeping them in place with silver metal clasps.

He played with the idea of trimming his beard but decided against it.

He felt like he was way overdressed already.

As he came back downstairs, his parents and his sister were already waiting in the hallway.

Dis looked incredible in the yellow summer dress she was wearing.

Her dark hair pinned up in a structure Thorin wasn't familiar with, but it suited her well.

"You look stunning, little sis." Thorin complimented her, positioning himself besides her.

"You don't look to bad yourself either." Dis replied, giving him a warm smile.

The waiting seemed to be endlessly, Thorin getting tired of it already, when at last three hard knocks came at the door.

"He's here." Thrain stated excitedly, moving towards the door. "Everybody, straight backs and smile."

"Welcome, welcome, please come in." Thrain said as he opened the door, gesturing to the hallway. "Very pleased to meet you, master Baggins."

Master Baggins entered the hallway and to say he wasn't what Thorin had expected, was an understatement.

Before them stood a man a head shorter than himself. Bronze curly hair stuck out from under the hat he was wearing. His hazel eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings. His trousers and blouse were both a light brownish color, accompanied by black suede shoes.

No, this really wasn't what he had imagined his sister's future spouse to look like.

"Bilbo Baggins, at your service." Master Baggins spoke, reaching out to shake Thrain's hand.

Bil..Bo, Bi…lbo, Bilbo. What a ridiculous name.

Thorin had to hold back a chuckle, but he couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his face.

His father shook master Baggins his hand. "Thrain Durin, at yours."

Master Baggins then proceeded to their mother, taking her hand, planting a kiss on top of it. "Very nice to meet you, miss."

"The pleasure is all ours." His mother replied, giving their guest a warm smile.

So polite, so well mannered. Thorin was going to be sick.

"Master Baggins." Bilbo started again, holding out his hand towards Thorin. "At your service."

Thorin looked at Bilbo from head to toe, a smirk still on his face as he took the other's hand in his, shaking it firmly.

He applied more force to his handshake then was necessary, squeezing Bilbo's hand in his, only letting go of the other's hand when Bilbo grimaced.

"Thorin Durin, Dis her oldest brother." Thorin replied dryly.

"And you must be Dis." Bilbo observed, making a rather quick recovery as he took Dis her hand into his own and kissing her knuckles. "What a beautiful appearance you are."

Dis chuckled nervously by Bilbo's compliment.

"Pleasure to meet you, master Baggins."

"Please, do call me Bilbo." Master Baggins replied.

"Bilbo." Dis tried out.

Thorin needed to hold back another chuckle.

Thrain, who had been observing the introductions, smiled widely as Bilbo turned back towards him.

"Let us make way to the dining room." He proposed, gesturing towards the opened door that led to their dining establishment. "Our cooks have prepared an excellent meal."

Bilbo looked at Thrain in delight. "That sounds lovely. I haven't consumed a satisfying meal since I left Bag End."

Thorin watched as his father, mother and master Baggins made their way towards the dining room. Dis and himself falling behind a bit.

Observing Bilbo, he found it hard to believe the lad didn't have anything decent to eat during his travel, since master Baggins looked well fed.

If it, however, was true… well, it wouldn't hurt for him to lose a few pounds.

"What do you think?" He asked Dis in a hushed voice.

"He seems decent enough." His sister replied softly. "He comes from good lineage I believe."

Thorin chuckled. "So it seems, indeed."

The two of them joined the rest of the company at the dinner table. Dis sitting next to Bilbo, Thorin directly opposite to him.

Their starters were served from the kitchen, existing of fish soup and biscuits.

"Smells delicious." Bilbo commented before he began eating.

The soup was eaten in a peaceful silence, which Thorin could appreciate. He wasn't much of a conversation maker, even if there were no strangers at their dining table.

Way to soon the soup was gone and their plates got collected again, bringing an end to the silence Thorin wished had lasted eternally.

"So, master Baggins. How has your journey here been?" Thrain asked, dabbing his mouth with his napkin. "I suspect it has been long. Did you meet any troubles on your way here?"

"My journey here was fine, thank you very much." Bilbo replied, slumping in his chair, placing his hands on his stomach. "It has taken me a couple of weeks to complete the trip. But I have not experienced much trouble on my way here. Unless you count in a few of the sleeping arrangements."

Thrain laughed at Bilbo's attempt for a joke, their mother joining in with her husband.

Thorin shot his sister a look, raising his eyebrow at her as she answered his gaze.

The servers returned with their main dish: potatoes in skin, stew and cabbage from their garden.

They started eating in silence again, which only lasted for a moment.

"So, Bilbo, what do you do for a living?" Dis asked before taking another bite of her potato.

Bilbo swallowed the food in his mouth before he answered. "I design gardens."

"You are a gardener?" Thorin blurted out with his mouth full of food.

"No, although I do like working in the garden." Bilbo replied. "I'm a garden designer, which means I work out an idea for a garden if a client asks me to. Then once it's finished, I put my contractors to work to realize the idea."

"So, you run your own business?" Thrain chimed in.

"Yes." Bilbo confirmed. "A blooming business, if I may say so myself."

Master Baggins and his father got drawn into an enthusiastic conversation about gardening, in which Thorin soon lost interest.

As their main course was finished, their plates again removed by the servants, Thrain brought out the brandy and poured a glass for the men at the table.

"Oh no, thank you." Bilbo tried to decline as Thrain placed a glass in front of him. "I'm not much of a drinker."

"Nonsense." Thrain interjected, raising his glass in the air. "We must toast to your arrival."

Thorin smiled as he saw the reluctance on Bilbo's face, raising his own glass towards him. "To your arrival, master Baggins."

Bilbo couldn't do anything but relent, raising his own glass towards the two men before placing it at his lips.

To Thorin's amusement, Bilbo grimaced as he swallowed the amber fluid, his cheeks flashing red.

Dessert was served in the form of pudding. Thorin held out his glass to his father for a refill, Bilbo politely declining.

"So, master Baggins. What is it you do in your free time?" Thorin asked with feigned interest. "I assume not all you do is work."

"Well, I like to draw and to read." Bilbo answered in between bites. "Then there is gardening, I like to do that too."

Thorin snorted. "That's it? Nothing more… well... masculine?"

Bilbo frowned. "Depends on what your definition on masculine is, Thorin."

"Sword fighting, woodcarving, fishing for that matter." Thorin smugly replied, earning him a warning look from his father.

"I fail to see why any of those things are considered more masculine as the hobbies I practice." Bilbo retorted. "Truth is, Thorin, they are mine, my hobbies. So, it doesn't matter if anyone besides me likes them."

The silence that followed was palpable while everyone at the table finished their dessert.

"I like reading too." Dis eventually spoke, breaking the silence. "Looks like we already have an interest we can share with each other, Bilbo."

Master Baggins gave her a warm smile, to displeasure of Thorin, who downed his remaining brandy.

"Can I be excused?"

"Thorin, don't be impolite." His mother scolded. "We have a guest."

"Let us move to the living room." Thrain suggested, getting up from his chair. "We can talk more there. With another glass of brandy, perhaps?"

Bilbo, of course, declined the brandy, asking for a cup of tea instead.

They all moved to the living room, Thorin with slight reluctance.

If he had to be honest, Thorin found it quite annoying to have been put in place by Bilbo.

Then again, he found it even more annoying to see Dis trying to find something she and Bilbo both liked.

Thorin stayed quiet for the rest of the evening, not really paying attention to the conversation around him.

At long last Bilbo stood up out of his armchair, announcing he was going to bed.

"Thorin, can you show Bilbo his room?" His father asked.

"Of course, father." He complied, getting to his feet. "Please follow me, master Baggins."

Bilbo wished everyone a good night, then followed Thorin.

They walked upstairs in silence, Bilbo walking right behind Thorin.

"This will be your room. Luggage should already be there." Thorin announced, opening the door to the guest room. "If you need to go to the bathroom, it's on your left down the hall."

"Thank you." Bilbo said, entering the room. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, master Baggins."

Thorin tossed and turned in his bed, not able to find sleep.

It was pitch-dark outside by now and he figured it must be around midnight.

Irritated he tossed his blankets aside, got out of the bed and slipped on his bathrobe over his pajama's.

Silently he opened the door of his room, tiptoeing through the hallway and down the stairs, in hopes he didn't wake anyone.

Once downstairs he checked for noises, relaxing a bit when there came none.

He moved further through the mansion, opening the door to the porch, slipping outside into the cool air.

Thorin settled himself against the railing, staring at the stars which sparkled in the sky.

Without much thought he took out his pipe and lit it, taking a deep drag from it before slowly exhaling the smoke.

He stood there for a while, stargazing, smoking, when he heard footsteps approaching. Footsteps he presumed belonged to master Baggins, since they didn't sound familiar.

The footsteps stopped abruptly, making Thorin aware that Bilbo was on the porch with him, yet he didn't turn around, not wanting to acknowledge his presence.

He could feel Bilbo's gaze on his back, making the hairs in his neck stand up. Still, he pretended not to know he was there.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Bilbo asked as he appeared into Thorin's vision. "I always have trouble sleeping when I'm staying somewhere unfamiliar."

Thorin gave a small grunt as reply, not in the mood to strike up a conversation.

They stood next to each other in silence for a while, Bilbo glancing at his pipe every now and then. Not like he was going to share it.

"You don't like me very much, do you?" Bilbo said, taking out his own pipe.

Thorin grinned, knowing Bilbo wouldn't be able to see it in the dark. "What makes you think that?"

Bilbo took a long drag from his own pipe before answering. "Well, you haven't been the most welcoming towards me. You tried to ridicule me in front of your family and you are noticeably short in your words when you talk to me, if you even address me, that is."

Thorin turned towards Bilbo. "Master Baggins…"

"It's Bilbo."

Thorin ignored his interruption, continuing to speak. "You are here for my sister. Which means the only one that must like you is my sister. It doesn't matter how I think of you. So, I strongly recommend you don't worry about it and I would appreciate it if you stayed out of my way."

Bilbo seemed taken aback by his answer, taking a while before finding his voice again.

"We at least could try to get along."

Thorin let out a small grunt again, putting out his pipe before he started for the house again.

"Goodnight, master Baggins."

Well, that was the first chapter.

I hope you enjoyed reading.

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