Chapter Text
Arabella could hear their whispers. In a mountain as grand as this, it was impossible not to hear what remained of the company and their concern for the female Hobbit.
"Will she be alright?" Bofur had questioned.
"Aye, it was a hard birth, but she will live," Óin answered softly before muttering, "But according to Bilbo I don't know if she will want to.. She lost her One and their child. He says there is a high chance she will try and fade now."
Tears pricked in her dull green eyes that stared out the window, resolutely set on the tower on top of Raven Hill where her Golden Prince had made his final stand. The silence had droned on for a long beat, and Arabella had to fight the sob that threatened to break out of her. She was determined to not let them know that she was actually listening. All the while her tired body that ached after the failed childbirth was being cared for by Óin's helpers. They moved her gently to take the blood soaked sheets away, and the feeling that she failed her Home once again set in.
Her ears pricked when she heard Dwalin growl out, "How could Bilbo leave her like this?"
At Dwalin's words, her ache soothed minutely. Throughout their journey to Erebor, Dwalin had stepped in and became another father figure to her. One that cared for her safety and made sure she understood the Dwarven culture she was getting into. Balin of course helped too, but he was busy helping her Godfather Bilbo as well with what it entailed to be a Consort to the King. So she obviously got close to Dwalin who took the young sassy lass under his wing and helped train her in weapons at her insistence.
It didn't surprise Arabella that Balin spoke up on Bilbo's behalf, "He is also suffering brother. She is not the only one who lost her One."
She heard Dwalin grumble for her under his breath, "Still, she is his Goddaughter. I thought he said he didn't want her to suffer."
Bifur spoke gruffly in Khuzdul causing Bofur to add, "That's right cousin. From Bilbo's letter, he had to leave immediately. He would have lost Bag-End. And it said he has a pebble he has taken under his wing. You saw the picture, the young one has a striking resemblance to Thorin. Probably the only reason why our Burglar hasn't Faded either."
"I still can't understand why he'd leave though? Not when she's like this," Dwalin lamented.
Óin sighed tiredly, "I believe he thought her pregnancy would make the journey back to the Shire harder. Besides, she carried the last remaining direct line of Durin... She had the heir in her belly. And maybe... Being near him would have brought at least a little comfort."
The silence came back with a vengeance at that. Arabella's eyes glazed over as she rubbed her belly, missing where her child once resided as her eyes once more found Raven Hill.
As her eyes began to grow heavy, she heard Óin say gravely, "It would be wise to take turns watching over her. She mustn't ever be left alone. Fíli would not want her to come to any harm. We must make sure she feels safe, and loved."
She heard the company all agree before the world around her faded to black.
She stood back in the shadows as she watched Fíli secure her armor on her smaller stature. The grim look on his face was one that she knew was echoed on her own. When his cerulean blue eyes made contact with her soft green ones he attempted a smile, "You seem tense Mizimel ."
Arabella's brows furrowed as she attempted to smile as well, "I just wish it didn't have to come to this."
Fíli frowned as he secured the last of her armor before leaning forward and planting his lips on her forehead, "Me too Mizimel, me too."
Pulling away his eyes searched her face for a moment before stating, "You don't have to do this you know. You have nothing to prove. And I would rather you stay here where you are safe."
Arabella scowled at her Prince, her fists coming to rest soundly on her plump hips, "And what would you have me do? Twiddle my thumbs while you go out and fight against the Men and Elves? No. You are my Home now Fíli, which means this is my Mountain just as it is yours and I will fight for it by your side."
The worry didn't completely melt from his frame, but he did relax as fondness softened his features. Without any warning, he pulled Arabella into a warm embrace, his lips finding hers soundly. The anger and distraught melted from her shoulders as she sighed into his kiss, leaning into him. As passionate and slow as their lover's embrace was, it ended quickly as Fíli pulled away begrudgingly and with a slight huff as he rubbed her arms, "What would I do without you?"
"Luckily for you, you will never have to find out," Arabella smiled lovingly up at her Golden Dwarf causing him to chuckle and gift her another sweet kiss on her lips. Brushing her dark curly hair out of her face, his fingers traced the braid that he had put in every morning since Beorn's house, "Come, let's not keep them waiting."
Everything had gone so wrong so fast. Bilbo's 'betrayal' had reflected on her as well, and Thorin had thrown both of them out, despite Bilbo and the Company fighting for her to stay up there on the Ramparts with them. Fíli, Kíli, and Dwalin had fought the loudest for her to stay, but it was to no avail.
And now, here she was, fighting desperately to follow her Home up to Raven Hill while killing as many foes as she could. She had watched as Fíli, his brother, his Uncle, and Dwalin road on war boars towards the danger. She breathed heavily as she ran with all her might to catch up with them, only to stop when she heard a familiar voice call out, "Bella! Bella wait!"
She turned to see Bilbo running towards her, her own brows furrowed in frustration as she spat in slight frustration, "Do not try and convince me to go and wait somewhere safe! My Home is up there, I will not have him leave me behind!"
Bilbo looked at her slightly taken aback before he shook his head and caught up with her, "No, no. I wasn't going to say that. I was going to say we have to hurry. We need to warn them, it's a trap." Arabella sucked in a harsh breath, before grasping her Godfather's hand, both Hobbits were now silently making there way up Raven Hill and towards the line of Durin.
By the time they reached the top, they only saw Dwalin and Thorin. Bilbo immediately called out to him causing the Dwarven king, whose eyes were clearer than they were on the rampart, to turn towards the two Hobbits and say in disbelief, "Bilbo?"
Bilbo ran towards his Home and grasped his Dwarf's strong arms while Arabella's eyes scanned the area with her heart thundering in her chest, "Thorin, you need to find the boys. It's a trap."
Thorin's eyes widened before he looked to Dwalin who's concern was clear on his face as his eyes began to go towards the tower a few feet in front of them. Bella frowned as she asked, "Where is Fíli?"
All eyes turned to the female Hobbit, and if it was possible the two Dwarrow's concern seemed to double, "What are you doing here Bél? You must leave, it is dangerous up here."
"I'm not leaving Fíli," she fought back with a glare, her hand gripping her blade tightly. Thorin huffed in annoyance but didn't answered her as Kíli made his appearance known. His eyes immediately found his brother's One and his brows shot up, hidden behind his bangs, "Arabella? What are you doing here? Gandalf said he would keep you somewhere safe."
Rolling her eyes she grumbled, "Where was I supposed to go? No where is safe. Now where is Fíli?"
At her question, Kíli's face paled as he turned to his Uncle, "He isn't back yet?"
Thorin's own features were marred with frustration and worry as he growled out, "You left him alone?"
It was that moment where her whole world shifted. For just as Kíli was about to answer his Uncle, Arabella's eyes drifted up towards the Tower where she saw something come into view. She let out a scream as she saw her proud Golden prince broken and bloodied, being held up by his neck. She could see his fear and pain as their eyes connected.
"Fíli!" Kíli had cried for his brother, who was being dangled hopelessly above sharp rocks below him. Thorin and Dwalin let out twin shouts of outrage and fear in Khuzdul, while Bilbo caught a running Bella trying to make it up the stairs to help in some way.
Azog only laughed cruelly and spoke in his cursed black speech, mocking them below. Then suddenly he stopped, his nose twitched as he sniffed the air, looking from Fíli to Arabella causing the group below to stiffen at the predatory gleam in the Orc's eyes. His sharp teeth caused him to grin wolfishly as he mocked Fíli, "Is that your bitch down there? She reeks of your stench."
Fíli only growled in response, while Arabella subconsciously took a step away from the black gaze of the Pale Orc.
Azog laughed before saying to Thorin, "I must thank you for making my job easier. You brought your entire line to me. After I kill this Lion, I will tear his cub from his bitch's stomach and feast on its flesh!"
The Orcs and goblins around them laughed mockingly while Arabella and Fíli's faces paled. The implications of Azog's words freezing everyone in their spot.
Fili's blue eyes found Arabella's once more, and the last words he yelled were, "RUN!"
Arabella screamed as Fíli wordlessly hung his mouth open in pain, the double-bladed sword attached to Azog's arm ran straight through his heart. A gasp escaped him as the Pale Orc mercilessly and messily tore it out of his chest, and Bella felt it in her own heart, that Fíli was dead before he even hit the rocks below. She cried again and tried to run towards her Home, her One, but Thorin held her back as well as Bilbo, as Thorin tried to reason, "Bél! Bél! You need to leave!"
"No, I won't leave him. I can't leave him like this!" She cried as she fought against Thorin's arms.
"Arabella, he's already dead!" Thorin shouted in frustration and hurt causing the young lass to stop and turn to him. Tears fell like a steady stream leaving dirt streaks on her warring face. Thorin's own eyes were filled with tears as his voice cracked, "I'm sorry... But Fíli is dead. There is nothing we can do for him now."
Arabella's eyes trailed back to Fíli's broken and crumbled body, his usually bright blue eyes were now soulless and staring up into the sky. His blood painted the rocks and snow beneath him, the red only growing as the back of his skull seemed to have cracked from the fall as well. Faintly she could hear the approaching hoards but everything seemed to go in slow motion, and the color around her seemed to fade.
She was only drawn back to the present when Thorin gently nudged her towards Dwalin as he instructed, "The best thing you can do now is survive. Go with Dwalin back down to Erebor. You are now holding the Heir in your womb. For Fíli, and for your pebble, please Bella you need to survive."
Arabella blinked numbly before nodding and following Dwalin as he dragged her away. She stopped in front of Kíli, whose own face was filled with anger and pain as he vowed, "Don't worry namadith, I will avenge Fíli for you, and for your baruf." The young Hobbit lass could only nod dumbly before being dragged away by Dwalin, but not before looking over her shoulder one last time to see Bilbo and Thorin with their glowing blue swords and Kili with his bow drawn.
When the battle was said and done, they had found that Thorin Oakenshield and his nephews were the only ones lost in battle from the original company.
Although heavy losses were felt by all races that day.
Arabella briefly saw the red headed elf that saved Kíli a few days prior. She had been crying over the dark Dwarf Prince's body, before she was given a banishment from Thranduil. Arabella had tried to find her again after that, but she had been too late.
They found the she-elf's broken body at the bottom of Raven Hill after they returned the three Royals to the Stone.
Bilbo and Arabella gave her a Hobbit burial instead of an Elven one.
It was now just a week later, and Arabella barely moved from where she lay against the stone tomb of her Home when her Godfather's voice echoed softly, "I knew I'd find you here."
The dark haired lass, who wore one of Fíli's tunics, turned minutely to see her pale and hollow-faced Godfather. He attempted a smile but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Arabella only blankly stared back. With a sigh, Bilbo came closer and said, "You need to eat Bella. He would want you to eat."
"I can't," she replied sluggishly, "Everything I eat has tastes like ash."
Bilbo's frown deepened, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, before shuffling softly to the floor next to her. There was silence between them for a moment before Bilbo sighed, "I know how you feel. It is the same for me."
"Is this what it feels like? To Fade away? Is this what my Mama felt when Papa died?" Arabella asked.
Bilbo's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he nodded, "Yes.. Yes this exactly how it feels."
Arabella's eyes trailed down to her pudgy stomach that showed no bump yet, "I always wondered why she did what she did. Why she had me but then let me go. Why I wasn't good enough for her to stay... But now that Fíli is gone.. and I am left alone with just his child... I understand. It just doesn't feel worth it, not without my Home." She cried, her face morphing to guilt at her own words. Bilbo's eyes widened as he stared at his Goddaughter, before he looked up at the top of the cavern ceiling. He bit his lip to silence his own cries as he prayed for forgiveness from Gormic and Azalea. He had promised his cousin and best friend that he would always cherish and protect their girl and he had failed her instead.
Pulling himself together, he clasped her hand gently in his, causing her to look at him with red puffy eyes. Bilbo took in a breath before confessing, "Arabella, I wish I could say it gets easier. But it may never. All I can say is that you should not feel guilty for how you feel now. But I beg you, before you choose to Fade, please give this fauntling a chance. And remember that he or she has just as much of Fíli in them as they do you. You may never see him in this life again, and for that I am sorry, because it isn't fair that he was taken from you. But give your child a chance. Be there for them like you wish Azalea was for you."
Arabella blinked as she processed his words before rubbing her stomach as she looked at it and said softly, "Fíli would have been so excited. We talked about kids of our own ya know... Before all this... Before.... We knew ...
"At Beorn's, when he braided my hair. We talked about our pasts, about our future... He wanted a big family." Arabella turned to her Godfather and chuckled as tears fell down slowly, "You should have seen his face when he learned how fertile Hobbit's are." Bilbo chuckled with her as they stayed huddled close.
After a long moment Arabella sniffled, "I just wish he was still here."
"I know darling, I know," Bilbo sympathized as he rubbed her arm and let her cry on him some more, all the while his eyes were trained on his own Home, his hair fanning out around him and silent as the Stone surrounding him.
Arabella had snuck out with a Durin blue blanket cradled in her arms. Her pale and ghostly figure looked as if she were haunting the halls of Erebor themselves.
She was silent when she left a sleeping Bofur in her chambers.
Normally she would feel bad for what she was about to do, but now, all she felt was peace.
The last six months had been hard on her, what with her fighting the urge to Fade to make sure that their child grew strong. But complications arose because of her inner turmoil and her body had fought itself to keep her child alive, as well as give in to the urge to just give up. Looking down in her arms at her child whose skin was grey, and ashen and was smaller than should be normal for either fauntlings or pebbles, she felt a sense of calm that she hadn't felt in what felt like an age.
Arabella's once beautiful curls that coiled and sprung with every step she took, now hung in a matted frizzy mess by the sides of her head. Her frame that was once full and healthy for a Hobbit lass, now was a sick color and she felt her skin hang off her frame as she lost too much weight too fast. To be frank, Arabella was quite the sight and had Fíli been there she would be embarrassed to be seen by him.
But none of that mattered now.
A smile graced her dry and cracked lips as she caressed her child's face with a bony finger, "Shh, my child. We will see your Adad very soon." The giggle that escaped her throat bordered on hysterical, but Arabella pressed onward towards the tombs where her Home lay waiting for them.
Meanwhile up in Arabella's private quarters, the shift change had begun. But as soon as Nori came into the room and noticed the empty bed and a sleeping Bofur, he slugged the dwarf hard and asked where she went. The frenzied search began and word spread throughout Erebor that the Crown Heir's Consort was missing.
Just like with Tauriel, they would not reach her in time.
Unbeknownst to the chaos now taking place above her, Arabella made it to her destination, greeting both Thorin and Kíli in kind and showing them her and Fíli's child. In her state of delirium she carried on a one sided conversation for a good while before bidding her family members goodbye and going to Fíli.
She slowly climbed into the tomb with him after pushing the lid to the side with great effort. Her eyes were unseeing to the decay. In her eyes, Fili was as he always has been, her Golden Lion Prince.
Reaching out to caress his hair she sighed, "I have brought you our child. Your heir, I haven't decided on a name for her yet. I thought we could choose together." When silence is what met her, tears stung her eyes as she confessed in the darkness, "I'm sorry Fíli.. I tried. I tried for our daughter. But I wasn't strong enough."
Laying next to her Home she held her child close to her chest while wrapping herself around him, "I failed you Fíli. I'm so sorry." Closing her eyes she mumbled, "I'm just so tired. I just want to sleep."
Farther in the distance she heard shouts, but they sounded muffled like cotton in the ears compared to the roar that was ringing in her head. With labored breaths she pleaded, "Wait for me, please?"
As the voices sounded closer, and her heart thudded to a slow stop, she could have sworn she heard her Home's familiar voice reverberate in her soul, "Always Amrâlimê."
When the Company finally found her, they didn't have the heart to move the small family into separate tombs. Instead, they said their last rites and closed the tomb shut, heartbroken with how their story ended. But feeling some semblance of peace knowing that at least in death, the small family was finally reunited.
Notes:
So, just a few notes, the Major Character Deaths mentioned for the most part happened all in this chapter. As per usual with Time Travel Fix It AU's I thought it would be best to at least mark it as such because I did get into Fili's death in particular even if it wasn't that graphic. But after this chapter, this will be a Canon Divergent story.
Some Khuzdul Translations:
Mizimel: Jewel of all Jewels
namadith: little sister
baruf: family
Amrâlimê: my love
Chapter 2: A Curse or a Blessing?
Summary:
Arabella wakes up disappointed that she is back to where she started.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The darkness felt never ending, and cold. And she couldn't tell if she was falling, standing, or sitting. She had no idea how long she was in the darkness, or why she was there in the first place. But her frustrations and fear bled together and caused her heart to thump erratically against her chest.
Arabella felt another jolt of panic shoot through her.
As far as she knew she died, how could still she feel her heart beating?
Slowly, like a flower blooming under the gentle care of Yavanna's loving Hand, she felt a warmth seep in her chasing away the cold and darkness. A calmness overtook her senses and she thought, finally, maybe now she would see her Lionheart once again.
Heavily, she opened her eyes, only to immediately hiss and close them once again when a bright light blinded her. Bringing her hand up to shield her eyes, she opened her doe green eyes once more, and blinked dumbly as stared up at the swaying green leaves that greeted her vision. Rays of sun bled between the branches and leaves of the Willow Tree she lay beneath, blanketing her tan olive skin in a comfort she hadn't felt since her Home died in front of her.
Sitting up stiffly, she felt her calmness dissipate and panic set in anew. For her eyes were greeted with the rolling green hills of the Shire, and where she sat was her favorite Willow Tree that was the only one in Hobbiton. She heard the laughter of faunts and the scolding of parents that followed them. The smells of freshly baked bread and pies wafted through the air which was only carried further by the gentle breeze that rustled the tall grass and the dark curls on her head.
Arabella could hardly believe her eyes. She felt her breath come in, in sharp shallow gasps and a heavy stone settled in her chest.
'Why am I here?' she wondered, 'I Faded. I was supposed to finally reunite with Fíli. I was supposed to be with my child and my Home in My Lady Husband's Halls.'
Looking up into the sky she cried as she asked Yavanna, "Why My Lady? Haven't I suffered enough?"
She never received an answer, causing her to cry even harder into her hands.
When she finally pulled herself together, her eyes were red and her skin was blotchy. Arabella had walked through the Shire dismally. The other Hobbits had turned to greet her but stopped short at her somber and distraught appearance.
She heard their whispers, and saw them pointing. Some, Arabella's second cousin Lobelia in particular, had none too kindly announced loudly, "She looks as if her Home has already passed. Pity, she never even got to meet them. No doubt she is Fading as we speak."
Arabella didn't grace her bitter cousin with a response. She knew she still had hard feelings against Arabella as Otho had hoped that Bella would claim him as her Home. She could only think that if she were to Fade, she wouldn't be so lucky as to actually stay dead.
Instead she just sent Lobelia a glare that would have made Thorin proud, and kept walking to her Aunt Petunia's Smial.
When she was inside, she turned to go to her small room tucked at the very back of the Smial. She avoided the running faunts and gave them a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, but they were too busy wreaking havoc too really notice their older cousin's broken expression. Arabella almost made it to her destination, but was called over to the parlor by her Aunt causing her to sigh tiredly. When she arrived, she was struck with a scene very familiar.
Frozen where she stood she looked over to see her Aunt Petunia talking with a nervous Cedric Gammons and his parents Baldric and Poppy. Her Uncle, Lambert Underfoot, sat next to Petunia but was smoking his pipe weed looking particularly disinterested in the conversation.
When Aunt Petunia looked over at her, she grinned in her usual sardonic way, "Ah, Arabella finally." Unlike last time, Aunt Petunia frowned when she took in the state of her niece and wrinkled her nose in disgust, "Bella dear, you are a mess and in no state to greet our guests! I thought I told you earlier today that we are expecting the Gammons?"
Uncle Lambert also frowned, but saw her red-rimmed eyes and scolded his wife, "Oh, lay off her for once my dear. She is obviously in distraught."
Arabella sent her Uncle a grateful smile before turning to her guests and bowing her head, "Sorry for my unseemly state. I must admit I completely forgot the date-"
"Go wash up this instant Bella, this is not a good way to meet your future family," Petunia instructed with a hard scowl.
Arabella stopped and couldn't help but remember how last time she had been so distraught over hearing the news that she would be obligated to wed Cedric within three months time. It was unheard of in Hobbiton to have arranged marriages, as once a Hobbit reached their Majority they feel the pull of their Home. It was rarer still to not claim anyone as their Home. As luck would have it there were only two that Arabella knew of that didn't feel their Home was here in the Shire. And that was herself and her Godfather.
Her eyes went to Cedric who frowned at her, and looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but here. And she didn't blame him. For she knew the truth as to why his parents had him here. For his Home was found in Theobald Took. The Took's had opened their hearts and homes to the two with open arms, but the rest of the Shire.... If the two male Hobbits were to follow their pull, Cedric's family would become an outcast to the rest of the Shire as they were from a smaller family name. The Shirelings really couldn't do anything to the Took's even if they tried.
Yes, in the past Arabella was too afraid to tell her Aunt no. But she wouldn't be pushed around like that anymore.
Giving the male Hobbit a sympathetic smile, Arabella turned to her family and glared, "I will not marry him. He isn't my Home and I am not his."
Cedric stiffened as everyone else in the Parlor froze. Aunt Petunia's eye twitched as an angry scowl marred her features and she practically growled out, "What?"
Arabella crossed her arms defiantly. In the past, Arabella would have been meek and followed her Aunt's strict rules, but now... Now that she knew of her Home and she lost him and their child, all Bella felt was bitter rage as she spat back, uncaring of the consequences that would be handed to her, "I will not marry Cedric. His heart does not belong to me, and mine does not belong to him."
"You watch your tongue girl or I'll-" Aunt Petunia started to threaten turning dangerously red.
"You'll what? You hold no power over me for I do not fear you anymore Auntie," Arabella spoke mutinously. The young Hobbit lass watched her Aunt flounder for a moment but didn't give her another second to interject as she turned to the Gammons family, "Do you love your son?"
The two parents exchanged a surprised glance before turning their gaze to their only son. They frowned sadly before Poppy answered, "Of course we do."
Her Uncle Lambert watched with interested eyes, although he still sat back and smoked as Arabella said, "Does it not pain you that Cedric cannot be with whom our Lady has chosen him to be with?" Baldric looked particularly distressed, "Of course it does! We hold no shame for who he loves. Theobald is a nice lad, and has treated our son with the love and respect he deserves. Even more so."
Cedric's eyes filled with tears as he sat up straighter at their confession, "Pa?"
Baldric glanced at his son and fretted before pulling him in a hug and kissing the top of his curly head, "Oh my little Sapling, you didn't think we were disappointed with you all this time did you?"
"You always told me that I needed to carry on the family name.." Cedric trailed off before his father spat in frustration, "Damn our family name! And damn these pesky Hobbits!"
"Baldric!" Poppy gasped.
"Well it's true, they are the reason we are forcing our son to abandon his heart in the first place... And I can't stand it," Baldric proclaimed with disdain. Poppy sighed before turning to her son and saying, "Your father is right, even if he said it brashly, we love you Cedric, and we are proud of you. I wish we were strong enough on our own, but we aren't."
Arabella cut in then and spoke, "You don't have to be. I will stand by him and you as friends, and I know the Took's will too."
The family stared at her in shock as she took in a deep breath and revealed, "My Home hails from the Stones and Mountain."
Lambert's jaw dropped slightly as Petunia gasped and grew pale. She began to sway unsteadily as she muttered in horror, "A dwarf.."
Ignoring her aunt, she turned to Cedric and said, "Lady Yavanna knew what she was doing when she made your Home Theobald, and my Home a Dwarf. Trust in her, please. I promise you this, she makes no mistakes." Cedric blinked thrice before they all jumped when the door burst open and a familiar angry voice thundered, "WHERE IS SHE?!"
The screams of faunts drew faint and footsteps could be heard coming their way. Arabella blinked in surprise when she saw her godfather storm in with a look of righteous fury set on his face. She didn't remember this happening the first time. In fact, if she remembered correctly, she hadn't seen her Uncle Bilbo until the end of the week when the company....
She was jolted back to the present when Bilbo rounded on her stunned Aunt and yelled, "How dare you?! Just who do you think you are?!"
"Bilbo," Aunt Petunia laughed nervously as she cast her eyes around the room, "What are you doing here? You weren't invited to afternoon tea."
Bilbo planted his fists on his hips firmly and glared, "You've got some nerve Petunia Underfoot née Tommins. You're brother would be rolling in his grave with the way you treat his daughter! And to think, I thought that she would have been better off in your care! Shows what I know!"
Petunia turned a worrying shade of purple in anger as she got up in front of Bilbo's face, "Now see here Bilbo Baggins! I do not come storming into your home and berate you for your strangeness! Is it so wrong that I do not want my brother's only child to become an unmarried stain to society like you?!"
The other Hobbits went slack jawed while Bilbo laughed mockingly, "That's rich! Seeing as you would have made more than one Hobbit unhappy in the process! Setting Arabella up with Cedric who clearly has no interest in her is a quite clever way to make your niece look bad when no fauntlings would have graced in their family." Arabella and Cedric both shuddered at the thought causing Bilbo to shoot them both apologetic looks before going on, "And to think, it was you who started the talk of shunning the Gammons if Cedric's home turned out to be Theobald... That was really quite devious of you."
The room went stock still at that. And for a moment, nothing shattered it, until Uncle Lambert frowned disapprovingly and muttered around his pipe, "Oh dear."
"Why you!" Poppy Gammons yelled, and from her skirts she pulled her prized cast iron skillet. Petunia screamed and ran out of the Smial with Poppy on her heals, skillet raised high as she threatened her within an inch of her life. Arabella blinked as she watched them go, before turning to her Uncle who approached the father and son duo and offered them a hand, "I want to apologize. I had no idea that my wife was doing all this behind my back." Baldric frowned and eyed his hand warily before taking it as he said slowly, "I suppose we should put all of this nasty business behind us."
"Indeed, and if it suits you, I think I would only feel right if I helped clear the air for your family, as well help with your Son's upcoming wedding," Uncle Lambert smirked mischievously as he winked at Cedric whose ears turned bright red.
"What do you mean?" the young lad asked shyly.
Lambert rocked on his feet as he announced, "Well, to be quite frank this whole arrangement business was my wife's idea. I had it in my head that Young Cedric here was nearing the end of his courtship with Theobald and a wedding was soon to happen anyways." Shooting Bilbo a conspiratory look, he added, "Besides its within my understanding that the Thain's favorite grandson is standing in this very room and is in favor of this wedding. So it would stand to reason that with Bilbo on your side, and the Took's as well, this whole nasty shunning business can be put to rest for good."
Cedric and Arabella beamed as Bilbo nodded his head in agreement and sniffed, "Indeed."
Baldric smiled at the two older hobbits, "Thank you... I really don't know what else to say besides thank you."
Bilbo waved him off, "Think nothing of it, everyone deserves to be happy." Arabella frowned as she studied her Godfather who looked somber as he said, "If I can help others find their happiness then I will."
With that, her Godfather congratulated the young Hobbit lad before leaving the Smial in a much calmer manner than when he came in.
Arabella stood at the top of Bag-Shot Row overlooking the Shire down below. The warm glows from within the Smials made the cool summer night feel all the more brisk as a fresh set of gooseflesh rose on her exposed arms and legs.
She had knocked just a few seconds prior and heard Bilbo's muffled reply, "Just a moment!"
Her frown only deepened as she stood there on his doorstep, unsure how to talk to him, or if she should divulge what she knew would happen. What if her plans failed? What if the Dwarrow didn't come at all? What if this time around Thorin and Bilbo weren't each other's Homes and neither were she and Fíli?
Her ears perked when she heard a sniffle before turning around when the round green door swung open and a puffy eyed Bilbo stood on the other side.
He looked almost scared for a moment before he saw Arabella which only caused her to frown further when he said nonchalantly, "Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Do come in dear!"
She stepped in gingerly, her eyes stopping on the small desk where she remembered Fíli's weapons had been unceremoniously dumped at once before. Bilbo had closed the door behind her and was chattering away but stopped and looked at the young lass when he noticed she wasn't following him deeper into his home. His eyes turned and followed where she was staring and he couldn't stop the sharp inhale of breath. Bilbo turned his hazel eyes back to Arabella and wondered, 'Does she remember? Does she know?'
His heart thumped at the very idea that his Goddaughter, whom he had received tragic news of 80 years prior, was back. It was his biggest regret leaving her there, he should have fought harder for her. When he died and found himself in the past, he was determined to change her sad fate. He wouldn't let her suffer, not this time around. Bilbo was set against her coming on the Journey this time. If he failed in saving them, it would be better for her not to have known or even to have met her Home.
As it was, Bilbo's 80 years without Thorin had been torture, and he knew seeing him again and his Dwarf not remembering would hurt him even more.
Clearing his throat, he was able to bring Arabella's vibrant eyes towards him as he asked, "What can I do for you my dear?"
Arabella shifted as she twisted her hands being her back, "Oh, well... After today's disaster," Bilbo and she shared a smile, "Aunt Petunia has been up in arms about me moving out... And well.. I don't have a dime to my name as she has spent everything my parents left me for her own children. So I was wondering, if it wouldn't be too much trouble that is, if I could stay with you?"
Arabella smiled hopefully before it fell when Bilbo didn't respond in kind. Her brows furrowed in confusion as Bilbo looked down guiltily and said, "I am sorry Bella... But... I don't think it's a good idea."
Surprise and hurt pricked at her heart as she whispered, "What?"
Bilbo bit his lip and fought the lump in his throat. It hurt to no end to have to do this; to reject his Goddaughter like this. Bilbo rubbed his brow as he stated, "Look, I love you Bella, but it would not be good for you to live with me. The other Hobbits will brand you as strange and.."
Arabella stopped listening as her Godfather spoke, her own confusion was whirling through her mind as she thought, 'This didn't happen last time. Why is it happening now? Is it because I'm too early? I didn't originally move in until the night the company came.'
"Bella? Bella, I'm sorry," Bilbo tried when he noticed Arabella wasn't listening to him.
The young Hobbit lass just turned around and flatly mumbled, "Sorry to bother you Uncle.."
"Bella wait!" Bilbo called out but cursed himself when she walked right back out the front door and closed it gently behind her. Looking towards the desk, he started talking to it as if it were a Golden haired prince instead of furniture, "I know Fíli, I know. If you were here you'd have put me in a headlock." Sighing he rubbed his face tiredly before admitting, "It's for her own good Fee, she lost you once and it destroyed her. I can't risk losing her again."
Turning to the small desk, his face set in determination as he declared, "Once we reclaim your mountain, and we all live this time, I swear Fíli, I will bring her to you. But she cannot meet you sooner than that."
Getting no argument from the desk, Bilbo nodded his head once before turning further into his Smial and chuckling under his breath, "Mad Baggins indeed. I talk to my furnishings as if they are old friends."
Notes:
Thank you to those who are reading my little story. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, and you feel so inclined, please leave a heart and/or a comment below with your thoughts. Thank you again. Until the next chapter. :3
Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitors Pt. 1
Summary:
Bilbo takes a stroll down memory lane, and an old friend makes a sudden appearance.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Arabella frowned as she toiled mercilessly in her Uncle's garden. As sweat trickled down her brow, she speared the ground with her garden trowel, digging up the beds and slamming the new sprouts down none too gently. Uncle Lambert, who was eyeing her warily at her side, joked, "Easy there Petal."
The older Hobbit let out a yelp and jumped slightly when his niece rounded on him with a thunderous glare, and murderous intent in her usually tranquil green eyes. He cleared his throat and chuckled nervously, "We're trying to coax the hydrangea's into their bed Petal, not smash them." Arabella pinned her Uncle with a hard stare for a long moment before she let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Her whole body sagged with exhaustion as she mumbled, "I'm sorry Uncle Lambert."
"It's quite alright my dear. Yavanna knows your Aunt has that effect on people," Lambert chuckled good-naturedly as he turned back to the flower bed they were pruning. Arabella glanced over at her Uncle and huffed a laugh, "That's not it."
The older Hobbit paused in his actions of patting down the soil and turned his attention back to his niece, "Then by the grace of Our Green Lady, Bella why are you trying to kill my prized hydrangeas?"
The lass giggled at his exaggerated movements, Lambert joining her after a moment. It had been rare to see her smile or laugh since she reached her majority almost three years prior. And ever since she came home after the whole arranged marriage debacle, she spoke and smiled even less so. She was like a ghost in their Smial since that day. It was almost like.... Well if Lambert didn't know any better he'd swear she acted like a Hobbit who had lost their Home and was Fading.
But it couldn't be so.
So instead, he took the time to just be glad to see her as she once was. Even if it was for a short while. Arabella took a second to catch her breath before answering in disappointment, "I just don't know why Uncle Bilbo doesn't want me to live with him. I thought maybe... I thought maybe he would be happy? And not feel so lonely."
Lambert frowned in thought and sighed, his eyes searching his garden for the answer that would soothe the ache his beloved niece felt. With a heavy beat of silence between them, he finally said, "Petal I don't think it was anything you did that caused him to say no."
"Then why? If he knows how unhappy I am here, why won't he let me stay with him? I know I call him Uncle, but he is my Godfather," she said stubbornly, unaware of the hurt she had caused the older Hobbit beside her.
"You are unhappy with us?" Lambert asked solemnly causing Arabella to whip around and to stare at him with widened eyes. A flush of red colored the apple of her cheeks as she tried to stutter out an excuse. When the male Hobbit just stared at her with saddened brown eyes, Arabella let out a sigh before admitting to the flowers, "I don't think I could be truly happy anywhere in the Shire Uncle. It's not where my Home is."
Lambert blinked back his tears as he went back to his own flowers and hummed in understanding, "Yes, I suppose that would make sense," shooting her a teasing smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes he continued, "A Dwarf for a Home. You're Took of a Mother would be very proud."
They shared a small chuckle once more before Arabella disclosed, "I don't want to seem ungrateful for the care you and Auntie gave me. I love you both deeply, even if Aunt Petunia can be.... Difficult at times. But I thought, if anyone in the Shire was to know how I felt, it would be Bilbo." Uncle Lambert turned to her in surprise then and questioned, "You think Bilbo's Home is a Dwarf as well?"
'I don't think so, I know so,' she thought but only shrugged as she continued to dig a row of beds, "I don't pretend to know who his Home is. All I know is that he's never married, and that can only mean his Home isn't here." Arabella paused and waited for her Uncle to finish planting the rest of the hydrangeas before she finished, "I just figured... Since it's highly unlikely that either one of us will find our Homes in our lifetimes, why not seek familial companionship in each other?"
Her Uncle hummed once more as he nodded, "It is sound logic, and I know Bilbo would do nothing to hurt your honor either, he is a Baggins after all. And they are one of the most respectable gentle-hobbits anyone could ask for... Well except for the Sacksville-Baggins. But think about it from Bilbo's perspective. You are barely in the third year of your majority, and you are the most sought after Hobbit in all of Hobbiton. Bilbo may be a respectable Hobbit, and the best Baggins to boot, but his mother was a Took, and a very strong willed one at that. Why I dare say she was one of the bravest Took's to ever live, as she was the only one who traveled the farthest from the Shire. The only other Took who could even compare in guts alone to Belladonna was your mother, who was an expert swordswoman in her day." Arabella's brows rose at that bit of information, that was something she hadn't known before. Her Uncle continued on though, undeterred with the tidbit of knowledge about her mother he just dropped on her, as he asked, "Do you see where I'm getting at?"
"No, not entirely," Arabella mumbled just a bit shell-shocked and mostly confused.
Lambert sighed before dusting off his soil covered hands and giving his niece his undivided attention, "What I'm saying is that you two under one roof could spell a recipe for disaster. Rumors could fly about your propriety being compromised. Not that I think Bilbo or you would engage in such sinful behavior," the older Hobbit was quick to tack on after seeing Arabella open her mouth to argue, "But we Hobbit's are a nosy bunch. Just look at the mess with Aunt Petunia and the shunning business. Just dreadful how quick she turned things in her favor." Lambert shivered in disgust causing Bella's lips to quirk upward.
The older Hobbit continued on as he said in exasperation, "Or, Our Green Lady forbid, you two get it in your head to leave the Shire on a journey to find your Homes yourselves."
Arabella felt a shock run through her spine and she stiffened at his words, but her Uncle didn't notice as he kept ranting, "I remember when both Azalea and Belladonna would go off on adventures, dreadful things that they are. They definitely fed each other's bad habits. What's to say you two wouldn't take after your mother's and do the same? Like you said, nothing is keeping you two in the Shire, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility-"
Arabella stood up abruptly and announced, "I see your point now Uncle. Thank you! Do you need anything else?"
Lambert blinked up at his niece in surprise before shaking his head and smiling, "No, we did a good job I should think. Why don't you get cleaned up and visit the market today. I think Bilbo has his pies out for sale today. Why don't you grab a couple if you can."
"Yes Uncle," she nodded and turned towards the house praying to Yavanna that he didn't realize how shaken up he had just made her. Walking into the Smial, she gathered a clean set of clothes before entering the bathroom and closing the door behind her. As she filled the tub she looked at her dirty, sweaty image in the mirror and wondered, 'Does he remember or was that just a really good guess on his part?'
26 of Astron- T.A. 2941
It was a cool spring afternoon by the time Arabella had reached her Godfather's round green door. Both Hobbit's were equally distracted for two distinct reasons so neither noticed the new scratch mark at the bottom of the freshly painted wood.
Bilbo had been too busy pacing after being set into a mild panic by an old friend of his Mother's. Gandalf the Grey. Well, no the Wizard himself wasn't truly what caused Bilbo's inner turmoil, but more of the proposition that Gandalf approached Bilbo with just the day before.
He offered him an adventure. One that his Tookish side was just itching to jump at. One that his Baggins side was completely mortified of. The very thought that someone even came to him, Bilbo Baggins, and offered to share an adventure with them completely appalled his Baggins side. Could you imagine that scandalous thought?! Why, his Tookish side could, and it did. And for this very reason, it had the poor Hobbit pacing. For as his thoughts embraced the idea of leaving his beloved Smial and abandoning the rolling green hills ....... he came to realize that it filled him with excitement.
And that was the worst possible thing that a Baggins could do. Run off out into the blue, chasing an adventure that was bound to get him killed. Or worse, late for supper.
Bilbo sighed, once again running a shaking hand through his hair. He needed a distraction, any distraction. By Yavanna's Grace, he'd even let his horrid cousin, Lobelia Sacksville-Baggins, rip him a new one if only for his thoughts to not go running off. Hell, he'd welcome her in his home if he had to.
Just as those thoughts entered his mind, there was a soft knock that made him go stock still. Bilbo's gaze immediately locked onto his round green door. His mind instantly thinking of the Wandering Grey Wizard. But he pushed that thought aside as he is a respectable Hobbit, and any respectable Hobbit is nothing if not a good host (even in spite of his fears). So Bilbo opened the round green door, at best, expecting Lobelia Sacksville-Baggins, at worst, Gandalf the Grey. But who actually stood at his doorstep was a wonderful surprise indeed.
"Arabella?" Bilbo quirked a brow at his goddaughter. The young female Hobbit before him smiled easily, the Sun acting as a natural crown for her head, "Uncle Bilbo, I hope I'm not too terribly late for elevensies. I know we agreed at exactly then, but I'm afraid I got held up at my Aunt's."
Bilbo blinked owlishly, how could he have forgotten about their arranged meal? Oh that's right, he was approached by a Wizard yesterday morning and has been pacing ever since. Bilbo gave her a nervous smile and nodded, "That's quite alright dear. I'm just afraid I forgot all about it?"
Arabella let a small giggle slip through her plump lips as she held up a basket of lemon cakes, tarts, and muffins that Bilbo had not noticed until then, "That's alright, I brought some sweets. Maybe we can settle for tea instead?" Bilbo nodded and opened the door wider for Arabella to slip through. As she entered she looked about her Godfather's empty Smial filled with furnishes, maps, and books and frowned. Her light green eyes turned to Bilbo when he voiced, "Why don't you sit in the parlor dear, while I make some tea."
Arabella quietly and obediently went to the parlor and sat opposite of Bilbo's favorite chair. Setting the basket at the coffee table, Arabella's eyes sifted around the room before landing on the window. Her green eyed gaze filled with longing as she watched two blue birds fluttering around each other before flying off. Her frown only deepened as she thought of the situation she found herself unwillingly thrown in and her gaze turned to her hands that were fidgeting in her lap.
Bilbo came back into the room after putting on the kettle, but stood in the entryway and stared at his saddened goddaughter. Her long curly brown hair was pinned out of her face, some strands framing her high cheekbones. Her doe like eyes were transfixed on her lap, and a slight pout overtook her lips. Bilbo had to admit, that even in her melancholy state, she was rather the perfect Hobbit lass. She was full figured, with curves that made many of the other lasses envious, which was only accentuated by her cream colored dress with a rose floral pattern design. The dress stopped just mid calf, showing her Hobbit feet that were perfectly well groomed, not a speck of dirt on them.
Yes, never had Bilbo encountered a more beautiful Hobbit than his Goddaughter. Although he knew, even when she was but a fauntling, her beauty would be the talk of Hobbiton. And his suspicions were held true, as every Hobbit lad that reached their majority waited in hopes that they would be the lucky one to be claimed as Arabella's Home. But funnily enough, when Arabella reached her majority, she claimed no one. Bilbo had a sneaking suspicion that this was the reason that his goddaughter was so visibly disheartened today.
He quietly claimed his seat across from her before clearing his throat. Her light green eyes dragged up to meet his hazel ones as he asked, "What is troubling you Bella? You usually visit in such high spirits."
Arabella bit her bottom lip and shifted as her eyes once again found their way to her lap, "I do not wish to be a bother, and you have no obligation to say yes whatsoever but........" The young woman started to fidget again and pause in her request. Bilbo, knowing that this was probably difficult for her, decided to give her the time she needed.
In the end, Arabella finished with a blurted request, "May I live with you here in Bag-End?"
Bilbo once again found himself floored, and unable to speak. He could not fathom what could possibly bring her to want to live here with him. Life with her aunt wasn't that bad, was it?
He was pulled out of his musings when he heard the familiar whistle of the kettle. Excusing himself, he got the tea tray ready before entering the room once again. Sitting down, he poured both of them a cup, adding honey and milk to both cups before handing her one. She thanked him quietly and bit into a lemon cake with a look of despair on her face.
Bilbo took the extra few minutes of silence to digest what she had just asked before voicing, "I'm sorry if my lack of answer is unsettling you. I'm just not quite understanding why you would want to live here? Is your Aunt not treating you well?"
Arabella's eyes ran across the room nervously before settling on Bilbo's, "She is treating me well enough. It's just that......... Well, I will be coming up on three years since I've reached my majority, and I have yet to find my Home. Aunt Petunia thinks that I need to get married and move into my own Smial to start a family......... And she has arranged a marriage between Cedric Gammons and I."
Bilbo's eyes widened at this news. Arranged marriages were practically nonexistent in the Hobbit Communities. For all Hobbits had the call of their true Homes once they reached their majority. You see, a Home to a hobbit, is much the same as a One is to a Dwarf. It is a place of comfort that all Hobbits can find their needs. All Hobbits feel the pull to their Homes once they reach adulthood, and usually from there leads to courtship and marriage. Not one Hobbit was left unmarried after they felt their pull. Well, besides Bilbo and Arabella it would seem.
Bilbo's brows furrowed as he took a sip from his tea before saying, "Cedric is a very respectable Hobbit indeed. I should think you could be happy with him."
Arabella sighed and shook her head, "Yes, but he has already felt his pull with Theobald Took. He is being forced into this, just as much as I am. I do not wish to ruin a beautiful companionship that has yet to begin. Besides, I have felt my pull. Just, not here in the safeness of the Shire. My heart calls past these rolling Hills, past the fields of Rivendell, and far to the east. I am drawn to Mountains, and the people of stone." Bilbo pursed his lips deep in thought, he could not deny he had also felt a similar pull ever since his coming of age. As he looked at Arabella, he could do nothing but sympathize, for she would most likely end up an old spinster and lose the chance to leave the Shire as he did.
Arabella looked into the fire and sighed, "I know I may never be able to find my Home, but at least let me live a life where I am not under the scrutiny of my Aunt. All I want is to live a peace filled life, and not one where I am forced into a marriage."
Bilbo looked over his goddaughter before smiling at her, "I see no problem in that. If you live here you will be my ward, and your arrangement will be annulled." He watched in happiness as her countenance brightened the entire room and she stood up, "Really?"
"Yes my dear, I do not wish you unhappiness, you are my goddaughter after all. I would like to see you happy," Bilbo confessed with a bright smile of his own. His eyes brightened in amusement as she squealed in delight before giving him a tight hug and a kiss on the forehead.
She straightened and immediately started to make plans, "I mustn't dally, there is so much to do! I need to pack, tell Aunt Petunia, share the news with Cedric, and be here for dinner!"
Bilbo stood and chuckled as he watched her run out of his Smial. Grinning, he couldn't help but think, he had made the right decision.
And with that visit, he completely forgot about the proposition for an adventure, and the Wizard. So who could blame him when he prepared two plates for dinner, one for himself, and one for Arabella, only for her plate to be eaten by an unwanted Dwarf?
23 of Astron- T.A. 2941
Bilbo blinked back to the present when a gentle rapping came from his front door. Putting down his book that he wasn't really reading anyways, his brows furrowed as his eyes searched the calendar for the date and he wondered out loud, "I wonder who that could be?" If his memory served him correct, Gandalf wasn't supposed to come until the 25.
He still had two days to prepare.
Getting up, he walked towards the door, and warily opened it, unsure of what he would find on the other side.
Nothing could have prepared him for who stood on the other side of his door. For it was none other than Thorin Oakenshield. Bilbo's eyes widened and he felt his breath escape him as he took in the sight of his Home who stood healthy, and strong, and more importantly alive in front of him. He looked exactly like the night they first met, wearing a dark fur cloak, his weapons strapped to his body, his dark ebony hair streaked with grey in the front that was pulled back by a simple clasp. And of course the twin braids on either side of his head showing his status, and claiming his family. But what really caught Bilbo's eyes were the bouquet of flowers in Thorin's hand's as he felt tears start to form in his hazel gaze as he took in the flora and their meanings.
The dwarf stiffened awkwardly, his blue eyes shifting to and fro as a scowl took over his face. If Bilbo didn't know his Home better, he would assume Thorin was angry with him.
But luckily for Bilbo, he did know him better.
The Hobbit gazed up at the exiled Dwarf- Bilbo could tell his Home was panicking- and waited for Thorin to say something for he knew Bilbo would cry if he spoke first. The Hobbit was preparing himself to meet this stubborn King in three days time, not now, so he was wholly unprepared.
Thorin cleared his throat before shifting the bouquet in his hands, and finally saying, "I know you don't know me, but-"
"Thorin," Bilbo had thickly whispered out, causing both to startle. Bilbo ran a hand through his hair as he became more upset with himself, "Oh dear, I didn't mean to say that out loud-"
"Bilbo," Thorin had tried to interject, his eyes softening even if he was still slightly scared himself.
"But you said I didn't know you, and that's just not true, I can't have you thinking I don't know you-"
"Bilbo-"
"You're all I've thought about in my last life, and I can't-"
"Ghivashel," Thorin expressed loudly with a start of a smile on his face. Bilbo stopped ranting at the familiar endearment that hadn't been expressed to him in 80 years. Looking up to his Home, Bilbo chuckled wetly as tears spilled down his cheeks, "You know, you never did tell me what that meant."
Laughing, Thorin pulled his One into his arms and held him close. The Dwarf King's heart thundered when he felt Bilbo's own arms respond in kind, and hold on just as tightly. Closing his eyes, he let one hand caress the soft honeyed curls on Bilbo's head while his buried his nose in his hair and rumbled, "It means treasure of all treasures."
Bilbo pulled far enough away to playfully scowl up at Thorin as he grumbled, "You Dwarrow and your possessive nature."
Thorin chuckled softly with his One before leaning down and softly resting his forehead against the Hobbit's, "I'm sorry Bilbo, I never meant to leave you like I did."
Bilbo hummed but said nothing further, as the two were silent for a moment just happy that they had found each other once more. Their sense of peace ended when a familiar voice shouted, "Uncle Bilbo!"
Arabella walked through the streets of the market rather bored. She had been too late to get her Uncle Lambert any of Bilbo's famous pies, as she had been too busy panicking after what he said in the garden that morning.
Before she left for the market, she tried to weed out the answer from him discreetly of whether he remembered or not. It turned out that it was just a lucky guess, and he had no idea that she was living her second life. Well, she assumed that the rest were reliving their second life too. But now she was beyond confused as to why she remembered her last life, and why the others didn't.
'Maybe it wasn't a past life at all? Maybe it was visions of what is to come?' Bella wondered and a shudder of fear rippled down her spine at the thought.
Sighing, she turned her head from stall to stall looking at the wares with an apathetic expression painted on her face. Her eyes glazed over as she thought of her Home and the potential life they could have together now, 'Hopefully this time it won't end in tragedy.'
"I'm telling you, it was a Dwarf!" She heard Lobelia whisper-shout to another Hobbit making Arabella stop in her tracks and look at the gossiping pair.
"Nonsense, there are no Dwarves in these parts Lobelia, you must have been seeing things," Peony Proudfoot sassed as she rolled her eyes and turned back to the tomatoes in front of her.
"I saw it too, I did, it went up to Mr. Baggins home," Otho confirmed, his wife nodding vehemently beside him.
Arabella walked over and jumped into the conversation causing all three to startle as she asked, "What did he look like? What coloring was his hair?"
Lobelia scowled at her while the other two Hobbits exchanged worried frowns. The female Sacksville-Baggins wagged a finger as she scolded, "Now see here! Didn't your Aunt and Uncle teach you it's rude to eavesdrop?!"
Arabella scoffed at that, before pressing more urgently, "What coloring was his hair?"
Otho frowned, "It was dark.. almost like coal, and he was quite tall for a Dwarf I would think.. Also... he had some white in his hair."
"Thorin," she muttered under her breath causing Peony to quirk her head and wrinkle her nose, "I'm sorry dear, but what is a... Thor-In?"
She didn't answer Peony, instead, Arabella turned to Otho and grinned as she said earnestly, "Thank you," while she gripped his arm cordially. She had shot off like an arrow towards Bag-End so she missed the way Otho had blushed and stared after her, and how Lobelia glared at her back as she harrumphed to Peony, "She lacks all propriety, that girl. If she flirts with married men in front of their wives, I wonder what she does behind closed doors? Mark my words, she will have many fauntlings with not a father in sight." Peony nodded in agreement while she tisked in annoyance at such brazen behavior.
When Arabella reached the gate to Bag-End she saw two figures standing in front of the door. She paused to catch her breath before she called out, "Uncle Bilbo!"
The two figures turn, and she was greeted with the faces of Bilbo and Thorin. Her eyes search the pair who seemed too familiar being in each other's spaces, when she remembered last time how long it took for them to finally come to terms with their relationship. She scrutinized how close the pair stood, how even though they pulled away from an embrace they still had an arm wrapped around each other. Then finally, her eyes widened when they landed on the bouquet of flowers in Thorin's hands.
'Forget-me-nots symbolizing true love, and memories, baby's breath to say our love is everlasting. Pink carnations to say I'll never forget you, and pink camellias to say how much I long for you,' Arabella thought before her eyes found Thorin's. He also stood there gazing at her with a pondering look.
Looking over to Bilbo who seemed to be shifting from one foot to the next, she could easily see how nervous he was. If it were any other Hobbit who saw them, Arabella would assume it might be because he was seen embracing a Dwarf. But Bilbo knew that Arabella didn't care, no, not when her own Home was a Dwarf. So taking a chance, she turned back to Thorin and grinned, "I see you remembered my lessons in the language of flowers."
The look of shock on both of their faces caused her to laugh heartily especially when Bilbo sputtered, "Wh-what? You remember too?"
Once the shock wore off, Thorin joined in her mirth with his own deep chuckle and opened his arms out for his nephew's One, "It's good to see you again Irak'nâtha."
"Irak'Adad," she greeted just as happily as she leapt into his awaiting arms. As Thorin and Bilbo surrounded her with their warmth, she couldn't help feeling that finally, finally she didn't feel so alone. And for the first time since her Home's death six months earlier, she felt hope.
Notes:
Hi, I hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter, and I hope that I was able to properly articulate that so far, Thorin, Bilbo, and Arabella have traveled back to the past, or at the very least remember their past life. I will go into it more in the next chapter as to why Bilbo says its been 80 years for him whereas Arabella says its been six months. I'm sure some of ya'll can guess it, but yea. Hopefully this chapter makes sense since I am working on fumes at the moment. XD This is two part chapter, so expect some more unexpected visitors in the next chapter. XP
If you feel so inclined and are liking this story, please leave a kudos and a comment down below. It would mean the world to me. Thank you. :3Khuzdul Translations:
Ghivashel: treasure of all treasure
Irak'nâtha: niece
Irak'Adad: Uncle
Chapter 4: Unexpected Visitors Pt. 2
Summary:
Fili and Kili find their way to the Shire. And so far... everything has been nothing like they expected.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Fíli had felt odd for the past week now. Maybe it was nerves for the journey ahead, as it would be a dangerous one and the longest he would be away from his Amad. Maybe it was because he and Kíli had set out with his Uncle Thorin earlier than what was originally planned so his Uncle could meet their supposed fourteenth member.
Even Kíli, who didn't pay their Uncle's weird habits much mind, had made mention of it when their father figure all but abandoned them earlier that morning grumbling about being put behind schedule to and Fíli quotes, "meet my Burglar."
"I've never seen Uncle so worked up like this before. He didn't even throw a fit when the other clans said they wouldn't help us," Kíli observed with a frown and furrowed brows.
Fíli hummed in thought, his own golden brows crinkling as he tried to place why for the past week now he felt so empty. 'Everything just feels wrong, like this isn't how it's supposed to go,' Fíli thought absent mindedly, 'And it all started when Uncle dragged us out the door with him.'
"Fíli?" Kili pressed waving his hand in front of his older brother's face. Cerulean blue eyes came back to focus as he turned to his baby brother who was looking over at his elder in worry. The heir to their lost mountain quirked his head in question, "What is it Kíli?"
A beat of silence passed between them, with just the sound of their ponies to keep the stillness from being too loud. After a long pause Kíli finally drawled, "You know, Uncle isn't the only one who's been acting funny."
"Really?" Fíli asked although he was already feeling his focus fading again.
The younger dwarf either didn't notice, or didn't care as he persisted, "Yes, he may have been acting weird for the past two weeks but so have you. At least with Uncle he seems to be hopeful, almost giddy. But with you.. it's like you're already-"
Fili whipped his head towards his brother when Kíli clicked his mouth shut audibly, forcing whatever he was about to say behind closed lips. The elder brother scowled at his younger brother. He had a feeling he knew what his brother would say but Fíli spat anyways, "Say what you want to say Kee."
"You act like you're already dead. And it scares me," Kíli growled out. The Golden Prince pulled his reins so that his pony stopped, Kíli following suit as the younger continued, "You used to laugh freely, and play jokes. But now, you barely smile, you barely eat, barely sleep. When you do sleep, you wake up screaming.... Brother what is going on?"
Fíli sat there looking at his distraught brother, and couldn't help feeling helpless as well. Sucking in a sharp breath Fíli wheezed, "I don't know."
"Fee," Kíli started to interject as he scowled. But Fíli only shook his head as his eyes began to sting with tears and he confessed, "Truly Kíli, I don't know. I don't know what's happening to me. All I know is that, at the beginning of this week I woke up and felt... Off. I feel like a part of me is missing. A vital part, and I can't even begin to live without it."
Kíli stayed silent, his brown eyes wide as Fíli turned his gaze to scan the endless rolling hills that surrounded them, "I keep wracking my brain, trying to remember what it felt like to live before this week. The thing that frightens me is that I don't remember... I know we played pranks, I know we laughed a lot, but I can't remember how to feel that joy anymore. I don't even remember these nightmares you mention. All I know is that I'm surrounded by darkness, and it's never-ending, and it's cold." Fíli runs a hand down his face trying to calm his breathing. All the while Kíli listened and watched in horror, never having seen his brave older brother act like this before.
Kíli snaps into action when he realizes that Fíli's breathing too rapidly and he's grasping desperately at his chest while tears are falling mercilessly from his blue eyes. Reaching over, he pulls his brother's forehead to rest against his own while he runs a calming hand through his hair. Speaking Khuzdul to him quietly, he waits patiently for his brother to calm his racing thoughts.
Neither brother really paid attention to how much time they spent in the middle of the road hugging each other. It wasn't as if anyone was coming or going down this road anyways. So after the tears dried, and Fíli's breathing calmed down, did Kíli look up and see that the sun was starting to set.
Turning to Fíli he suggested, "Come on Fee, why don't we set up camp for tonight? We won't make it to the Shire any time soon anyways."
Fíli tiredly nodded along and mumbled, "Yeah, sounds good."
With very little preamble, the two exiled Princes found a hidden spot off the side of the main road. They tied their ponies to one of the low hanging branches before unloading their packs and brushing down their steed's fur. Kíli wordlessly went off to the nearby wood to go hunt for some dinner, while Fíli finished setting up their camp and started on a meager fire.
The Heir sat quietly sharpening one of his many hidden weapons on his body, his mind mulling over his brother's words on their Uncle from earlier, when Kíli drifted back into their camp on hushed feet. Fíli paused on his own work to eye his brother skin their dinner with years of practiced precision.
"What are you thinking about?" Kíli broke the silence, still keeping his focus on his kill. Fíli gave his brother a questioning glance as he inquired, "How do you know I'm thinking anything?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Fíli bit back a groan while Kíli fought a smirk as he joked, "Just this once, I'll let it slide that you insinuated that you indeed don't think." Mirthful brown eyes met blue, "But just this once."
Fíli felt his own lips twitch upward in a shallow attempt of a smile, as he conceded with a nod and mumbled, "Yeah, I walked right into that one didn't I?"
Kíli's deep chuckle greeted his ears, "Yeah, you really did." When the air didn't feel quite as heavy and the food was well on its way to close to being done, Fíli finally answered him, "I was just thinking, that it was quite unusual for Uncle to take us with him to meet the envoys from all seven kingdoms. I mean... This is something that is important to Uncle, and we're known for being... Well...."
"Prankster Princes?" Kíli suggested with a quirk of his lips and a shoulder shrug.
Fíli huffed out a soft laugh as he rolled his eyes, "Aye, that."
His dark haired brother breathed out a sigh before he checked to make sure the food was fully cooked, "Uncle Thorin did say it would be a good learning opportunity for us to... Eh.. what were the words he used... Grow into our roles as future leaders of Erebor?"
The eldest brother scowled at the fire in thought and shook his head, "But something isn't adding up. If he really felt that way, why not stay and debate the Seven Lords to support our cause? Why leave as soon as we get a verdict? He seemed more concerned about going to the Shire than the meeting with the other clans."
Kíli paused and studied his brother as he pondered his words. Furrowing his brows, he also started to worry that something more was going on than what their Uncle was telling them. Fíli might have missed it since he had been despondent almost the entire week, but Kíli was very aware of the way their Uncle spoke fondly about the Shire and the Hobbits. Kíli especially took notice to how often their Uncle spoke to Fíli about Hobbits and their Customs
His brother might not have been aware, but Kíli certainly was.
Whatever was going on in with their Uncle, the youngest Durin just hoped that Thorin knew what he was doing.
Shaking those thoughts out of his head, he noticed the food was done and that Fíli was going back into his absent-minded state. The younger brother frowned in worry as he watched the Golden Dwarf stare blankly into the fire without blinking, causing his blue eyes to water. Making sure to shove some into Fíli's awaiting lap, Kíli watched with glee as his older brother hissed in alarm at the warmth of the meat on the metal skewer. Fíli's wide eyes shot to the taller dwarf the youngest joked, "Well don't think too hard, I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
Kíli ducked away from his flying pack and laughed as he ran towards the woods once more with their water skins as his brother yelled, "Kíli!"
The very next morning the brothers worked in quiet harmony as they put their things away and set off down the road once more. Kíli had hoped that after last night Fíli would be back to his normal jovial, and proud self. But whatever cloud that had been lifted from him minutely, had returned with a vengeance.
It felt like a routine for Fíli at this point, going through the motions of pretending he was fine. His muscle memory automatically doing the tasks for him as he gazed numbly at the map in his hand. The only words spoken between them that morning was when Fíli announced that if they made good time they'd be at Bag-End by the late afternoon.
Fíli sat listlessly staring off at the greenery around them, his mind felt like it was in a deep fog that wouldn't clear causing him to miss when Kíli started to point out that they were finally about to approach the Shire.
"Fee, look!" Kíli repeated again tapping his brother's shoulder excitedly.
The golden haired Dwarf turned from his brother to the town they were now entering and couldn't help his brows from rising slightly. It was bustling with busy Hobbits walking on overgrown hairy feet. All of the creatures seemed to be short and stout, many being so wide that they would send nasty looks at the brothers when their ponies took too much room.
The brothers also noticed that besides the curly hair on their feet, they all had a mop of curls on their head as well. They were like nothing the brothers have ever seen before.
"Excuse me!" One very stout one shouted up at them. Both brothers stopped their ponies and turned to look at, what they assumed, was a female Hobbit glowering at them and turning a dark shade of red, "What are you doing here?! We have enough Dwarves here as it is! We don't need anymore of ya! Now bugger off!"
Fíli and Kíli frowned before Fíli, ever the diplomatic one, asked, "I'm sorry to bother you Miss.. But did you say Dwarves? There are more?"
Kíli muttered to his brother, "I thought the others weren't supposed to come until later?"
Before Fíli could respond to his younger, another Hobbit, this one wearing trousers and a straw hat, looking much friendlier albeit wary of the new strangers, clarified, "Don't mind her, she's just been in a mood ever since her husband set his eyes on another lass."
The lass gasped and flushed brightly, causing some close by to snicker while the two brothers just watched on in confused captivation, "Well! That is not something that needs to be shared Mr. Gamgee!"
"What is going on?" Kíli whispered to his brother. Fíli only shook his head, but was unable look away from the scene that was seemingly getting more heated by the minute, "I've no idea brother."
The male Hobbit- Mr. Gamgee Fíli gathered- from before glared back at the woman and huffed, "You made it everyone's business when you spread those nasty rumors about sweet Bella!"
Fíli shifted in his seat when he felt a tickle start just under his skin. Kíli looked over to him with concern but Fíli wordlessly let him know he was alright before the golden haired Dwarf turned back to the Hobbits in front of him, "Look, we are just trying to find-"
The female Hobbit sniffed haughtily and stuck her nose in the air as she crossed her arms, "It isn't a rumor if it's the truth. Ask Peony Proudfoot. She was there, she saw the harlot flirt with my Otho in front of me."
Fíli pinched the bridge of his nose and fought back a growl as farther down the lane another lass popped up and announced, "It's true! I saw the whole thing!"
Kíli eyed his brother before trying to interject once more, "Could one of you just point us in the direction of the other Dwarf-"
"You lying gossipmonger!! My niece has never been interested in your husband!! Maybe you should keep your husband's eyes from wandering!" Another older Hobbit shouted as he pointed his pipe at the first lass and from the the market place erupted into chaos.
Fíli slumped in his saddle and said sarcastically, "Well, I guess the other rumor that the life of a Halfling is boring. This just proves that there is never a dull moment with Hobbits."
Kíli ducked when a roll almost hit him in the face, and watched it sail overhead and land on another Hobbit instead (his amusement rose when said Hobbit dramatically fell to the ground as if being shot with an arrow), "This is just getting weird."
Fíli nodded, "Agreed," turning to his brother he suggested, "We still have the map, let's just hope Uncle didn't get lost."
Kíli chuckled at their Uncle's expense and the two gingerly steered their ponies away from the brawling Hobbits.
Once the chaos was far enough behind them, the Durin brothers really took the time to appreciate the beauty of the Shire. They were in awe of all the flowers and the abundances of food.
And the Pebbles.
There were so many Pebbles.
They had to stop so many times because a curious Pebble came by to look at their ponies, and then ask them questions, as they've never seen a Dwarf before. And before they knew it, the little Pebbles had run off, only to come back and the brothers had found they had multiplied.
It had warmed the two Dwarrow immensely, as they watched the last batch of Pebbles run off towards their beckoning parents. Kíli waved to the small ones with just as much enthusiasm as they gave him before he turned to his brother with excitement, "Fee, this place is amazing. If Thorin knew about it, why have we never done trading with them before? Fee?"
Kíli frowned when he noticed that his brother had once again zoned out, but before he could shake him from his brain frog, Fíli brought a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shh. Just listen." They sat on top of their ponies in silence, Kíli straining his ears to hear whatever threat Fíli heard. Fíli looked around in a sort of trance as he asked, "Do you hear that?"
Kíli grumbled in frustration, "Hear what? I hear nothing." He groaned when he saw Fíli dismount from his pony and walk away from it, not bothering to tie it or give it to Kíli so it wouldn't wander, "Fee! We're supposed to have met up with Uncle by now!"
Fíli kept walking, following whatever siren's call he was privy to, which led to Kíli dismounting as well and grabbing the lead for both their ponies as he muttered, "Fine, but if we get in trouble with Thorin I'm blaming you."
Kíli followed his older brother and it soon became apparent the closer they became as to what had ensnared his brother so. There, sitting under a Willow Tree, was a Hobbit lass who was arranging a bouquet of flowers as she sang a sad tune that was carried farther with the help of the wind. Her brown curls rustled gently in her face, but it didn't deter her from her task at hand. Kili couldn't see her eyes, but despite her lack of beard, she was quite pretty. With a splash of freckles across her nose and cheeks and a dusting of rosy blush to darken her olive skin. Her voice was rich in tone and pleasant, like their Amad's.
When Kíli turned from the full figured lass to his brother to tell him as such. He was shocked to find that for the first time since the start of this week, Fíli's eyes had a clarity to them and there was a healthy glow to his skin.
Turning back to look at the lass that had stolen his brother's attention unwittingly, Kíli couldn't help but wonder if this was his Uncle's intent all along.
Back at the Shire when Thorin first arrived...
"How long have you been back? Is it just us that still hold our memories? How is Fíli?" Arabella shot off as soon as the three settled down in Bilbo's kitchen. Bilbo had served his Home a nice warm meal, which Thorin thanked him for in kind.
The Dwarf turned to look at the young lass when Bilbo came in carrying a vase filled with the bouquet that Thorin gifted him as he softly scolded his Goddaughter, "Now Bella, let him eat. He's surely journeyed very far, and most definitely hasn't had a good meal in some time."
Thorin smiled up at Bilbo lovingly, "Aye, nothing compares to your cooking Ghivashel." This caused Bilbo to blush and stutter over his words. Arabella and Thorin smirked at the male Hobbit's blubbering before he turned away indignantly and huffed. Chuckling softly, Thorin watched him walk towards the other side of the table before turning towards Bella and saying more solemnly, "I do not mind answering your questions. But I'm not sure you will like my answers."
Arabella frowned at that, unsure how to respond and thankfully she wasn't given a choice in the matter anyways as Bilbo gave her a stink eye, "All questions can wait still. Let Thorin eat."
The young lass' frown deepened which caused her Godfather to sigh, "Look, I understand you have waited to hear news about Fíli. Can you wait just a little while longer? Just until Thorin's finished his meal?" Arabella turned to look at her Godfather's Home and noticed then just how tired and road-worn he really was. Silently, she gave a curt nod and an understanding smile. Giving Thorin's hand a gentle pat she spoke softly, "I'll go wait for you two in the parlor."
The two nodded their thanks as she stood on silent feet and left to start her Godfather's fireplace. Lighting a match, she knelt down and carefully set the wood on fire. Arabella stoked the embers into a gentle crackle before putting the iron stoker back on its rack and turning back to face the rest of the room. She sighed in fond exasperation as she saw stacks of books lining the wall, and the maps rolled up and put in one of the many wooden chests. All but one chair, that being the late Bungo Baggin's chair, was covered with books, and blankets as well.
Letting out a hum she rolled up sleeves of her shirt and went to work to cleaning up the books and folding the blankets. When Thorin and Bilbo walked in the room hand in hand, she was over in the corner grabbing ten books at a time before walking over to the adjacent wall to put them in their proper place. Looking over her shoulder she shot Bilbo a grin and jested, "You know, you do own this wonderful piece of furniture called a bookcase right?"
Bilbo blushed and huffed and he turned his head away from the two chuckling at him. Sending her glare with no real heat in it he snipped, "Are you going to tease me on my housekeeping or are we going to sit down and talk?"
She giggled and gave him a curtsy, "Of course, my apologies Your Majesty." Her Godfather only seemed to bristle further before letting out a soft chuckle as he watched the two he adored and missed for the longest time laugh together heartily.
He finally got them to settle down, the three of them pulling the chairs close so they could converse easier.
Finally, after what felt like an age to Arabella, Thorin turned to her and said, "I woke two weeks prior to when we were originally set to arrive here in Bag-End. When I realized where I was, and that I wasn't in the Halls of Aulë, I had set out to find the members of our Company the first time around, hoping maybe one of them could explain what was going on."
Thorin's face turned grim as he confessed, "None of them seemed to remember our journey, or who we met along the way. I'm sorry."
The two men watched as Arabella wilted like a flower, her green eyes misting and growing distant as she mumbled, "He doesn't remember me?"
"No," Thorin confirmed, his lips set in a firm line, "No he doesn't." Thorin glanced at a worried Bilbo who was fussily wringing his handkerchief. The Exiled King returned his gaze back to his niece in all but blood and frowned deeply when he noticed how absent-minded she looked. It was like he was looking at his nephew ever since the beginning of..
Straightening his posture he brought both of the Hobbits' attention to him when he asked louder than they were expecting, "How long have you been back?"
"Just the start of this week, why?" Arabella answered with a tilt of her head. Bilbo also looked at him questioningly as he hummed furrowed his brow in thought, "Well, that has confirmed my suspicions."
"What does? Thorin what are you talking about," Bilbo questioned.
Thorin took in a deep breath before saying, "I may not remember everything about your culture, but I do remember you telling me about what a Home is to Hobbits and what will happen to you if your Home were to die." There was a tense pause as Thorin's blue gaze pierced Bella where she sat, "You Faded didn't you?"
The female Hobbit didn't answer, but Thorin got his confirmation when she cried silently. The Dwarf scowled as he leaned his elbows onto his knees and questioned, "Why? Why did you do it? I thought I asked you to survive."
"I did-"
"Then why did you Fade?" Thorin inquired with a pained fury. He ignored the hand on his forearm tugging him and the warning tone in his One's voice, "Thorin-"
"No, Bilbo," the Dwarf king barked, yanking his arm away as he turned to look at his One. Thorin felt his gaze shift to one of guilt when he saw Bilbo's hazel eyes fill with angry tears and a scowl mar his features, but he pushed it down and faced Arabella once more as he grilled her, "I must know why you chose to Fade Bel. You said you'd survive for your child, for Fíli's child-"
"I KNOW!" Arabella finally bellowed as she closed her eyes and hugged herself, "I know." Crying she rocked back and forth as she confessed, "I tried Thorin, I really did. But I lost our child... I was already Fading the moment I watched Fíli die by Azog's hand. My body was fighting itself to keep our daughter alive, and join Fíli at the same time. And I gave it my all... but there were complications... And she came too early..."
Thorin gawked at her, his own guilt for making her relive all this coming back full force. And yet there was a nugget of pride for both his nephew and his One as he affirmed breathlessly, "Daughter.... You were blessed with a daughter?"
Arabella eyed him warily but nodded as she sniffled. Thorin sighed and sat back as he apologized calmly, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have questioned you."
"You're right, your shouldn't have," Bilbo stated as he glared at the Dwarf beside him. Sighing Thorin rubbed his hands together as he looked at them and clarified, "I only asked because Fíli has not been himself since the beginning of this week as well." Arabella gasped causing Thorin to look up at her as he continued, "He was fine the first week I woke up, and then this week, he's been acting how you describe a Fading Hobbit to be."
Arabella's brows furrowed, "But.. How?"
"You said he doesn't remember?" Bilbo questioned.
Thorin nodded, "Aye, he doesn't. I'm not sure why he's being affected though, and I'm not."
Bilbo winced as he confessed, "That may be because I never Faded."
Arabella and Thorin both whip their heads towards Bilbo in confusion as the lass questioned, "What? You never Faded? How long did you fight it?"
Bilbo coughed as he looked around the room, "Oh... Just 80 years."
"80 years?! You lived on for 80 years?! I barely lasted six months!! Wait..." Arabella yelled as she stood up but paused as she did mental math and then pointed at Bilbo as she screeched, "You lived to be 130 years old?!"
Thorin went slack jawed as stared at his One who waved off Arabella and sniffed indifferently, "Actually if you must know, I had turned 131 before I died." Bella just opened and closed her mouth before plopping down unceremoniously and asking, "How?"
"Hm, so I guess it's not normal for Hobbits to live that long?" Thorin inquired casually although he was freaking out on the inside. Bilbo just rubbed his back and answered, "No dear, not usually. That isn't to say, it doesn't sometimes happen but we Hobbits typically don't live past 105 at the latest." Thorin hummed in thought causing Bilbo to look at him and quirk his lips in a smile, "Don't worry Thorin, I've had a lot of time to think about it. You and I will be greeting Our Makers at the same time. I'll make sure of it." Thorin smiled at his Hobbit before turning back to Arabella who was watching them wistfully.
The Dwarf King gave her an understanding smile before asking, "Did you name her? Your daughter?"
Thorin's dark brows wrinkled when he saw Bél flush and look down at her lap, "Oh.. no, I was actually waiting on Fíli's input first."
"What?" Thorin muttered not really expecting that answer. Bilbo tapped his arm, making the Dwarf King turn and face his One as Bilbo explained quietly, "The Company wrote to me about what happened that day. The night she lost their child, she had slipped the watch they had set up for her to make sure she wouldn't Fade on them, and she made it down to Fíli's tomb, they assumed it was to greet him and show him their stillborn child. By the time they found her, she had already passed... They didn't have the heart to move her so they left her and their daughter with Fíli."
Thorin's heart stung in his chest, as he regarded his niece again. He could see now how much she was suffering, even if she hid it better than Fíli. The disconnect that was between Arabella and the world around her only seemed to snap back into focus when she noticed that others were paying her attention.
It hurt to see her like this, to see Fíli like this. At least with Fíli, Thorin could take comfort in knowing that he had no memory of what happened before. So his nephew had no real pain that was set to haunt him. But Arabella...
The poor lass was just a shell.
Oh she put on a good show, and she tried her hardest to be the vibrant warm Hobbit he met almost a year ago. But he knew her better now.
Letting out a soft hum Thorin leaned back as he drummed his fingers on the arm wrest. Originally he was debating on whether to let them know or not, but seeing how his niece was doing now, Thorin thought it best to warn her. With his mind made up, Thorin exclaimed, "When I said I had my suspicions, I thought maybe you had made it back as well and could help Fíli feel normal again."
Arabella stared at him blankly, waiting for him to continue so he did, "Now I think you two are the only beings that can help each other. But I must ask... are you still planning on embarking on this quest with us? After knowing everything that's happened?"
"Yes," Arabella spoke resolutely, her eyes finding a spark in them.
"No," Bilbo said at the same time. The two turned towards him as Bilbo refuted, "I still don't think you should go Bella. Especially knowing of the dangers we know now."
"That's exactly why I must," Arabella argued.
Bilbo huffed in annoyance before saying gravely, "There is more at stake here than either of you realize."
Thorin frowned at his Burglar, not liking how ominous he sounded, but Bella persisted, "Uncle, I don't think you realize that my choice has been and will always be Fíli. Wherever he goes, I will follow him, even to the jaws of death."
Bilbo and Thorin stared at her, and blinked dumbstruck by her unswaying devotion to her Home. Pride filled both of their hearts as they gazed at their dauntless niece. Bilbo sighed and lifted his hands in surrender, "Alright."
The lass then turned to the Dwarf King who stood and pulled her to her feet. He looked down at her with gentle and fatherly grin as he said, "Fíli is lucky to have a One like you. They will sing songs of you two for years to come of that I'm sure."
Arabella smiled, "Thanks Uncle." The Dwarf softly tapped his head against hers before pulling away and announcing, "I wasn't the only one who made the journey down here earlier than planned." The two Hobbits exchanged glances before Bilbo asked, "Who else is coming?"
Thorin eyed Arabella as he answered, "My nephews." He frowned when he heard her gasp, "I thought maybe seeing you would help Fíli not feel this way. But because he doesn't remember-"
"It will still be hard," Arabella finished tiredly. Thorin only nodded as he gave Bilbo a worried glance. Thorin went on to say, "I won't introduce you two though if you decide that this is not something you can do. It would be even harder for Fíli to leave if he finds his One, and then has to embark on this quest." The male Hobbit shifted in his spot, unsure how to help his Goddaughter, before they both turned to Bella when nodded, "For Fíli, I can do this."
'I can't do this,' she thought in a frenzied panic although on the outside she was the picture of serenity. She prayed to Yavanna that Fíli didn't notice her hands shaking, or the sweat tricking down her neck, or how flushed her cheeks her. Or the way her voice cracked with nerves.
She hadn't meant to put on a scene like this, truly. It wasn't like this was an uncommon occurrence for her anyways. Just sitting underneath her Willow Tree, while she sang and created bouquets to reject suitors. But as soon as she felt a gaze on her, she just knew it was his gaze. So of course she played it up even more. Who wouldn't when their Home was staring at them?
Arabella didn't dare peek over at Fíli, for she knew if she did, she'd lose all her nerve and turn as red as one of Bilbo's prized tomatoes. So instead she carried on singing her mournful tune.
Of all the money ere I had, I spent it in good company,
And all the harm I’ve ever done, alas was to none but me.
And all I’ve done for want of wit, to memory now I can’t recall.
So fill me to the parting glass, goodnight and joy be with you all.If I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town who sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips, I own she has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass – goodnight, and joy be with you all.Of all the comrades ere I had, they’re sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should go and you should not,
I’ll gently rise and softly call, goodnight and joy be with you all.
A smile fought its way to her lips when she heard Kíli's familiar voice whisper to Fíli before there was a solid thud of someone hitting another.
"Ow, what was that for?" Fíli whispered.
"We still have some place to be if you're done ogling her Fee," Kíli whispered back. From there it only devolved into more kicks and thuds and quiet outraged whispers.
They stopped when she chuckled and finally spoke, "You know I can hear you two right?"
Another thud and Kíli's whine greeted her ears before she heard her Fíli speak, "We were just passing through when we heard your song."
"Yeah, you've got a nice voice," Kíli complimented and then muttered, "What?"
Arabella looked up then and smiled at the two Dwarven brothers who were like night and day. They arguing with each other in Khuzdul, their elbows frequently finding the other's stomach. Her eyes took in her nadad, all tall and lean with dark unruly hair pulled back by his usual silver clasp. Fíli, she knew had a matching one, as well as the braids on either side of his head. And of course, his endearing mustache braids.
Her Golden Prince glowed underneath the rays of the Sun, with his eyes alight. When he turned and finally caught her eyes, she felt all of her breath escape her and a shiver run up her spine. The world around her seemed to slow and shift back onto its axis, righting the wrong that had been done when Fíli had died right in front of her. Colors that were all dull in her eyes, grew vibrant once more.
When air entered her lungs once more, she reluctantly turned away from the Durin brothers, her heart aching as she did so. She continued working on the bouquet arrangement in her hand. Her eyes flitted towards her Home when he asked, "What are you doing?"
The wind gifted her with a soft breeze to cool her cheeks as she smirked up at him, "I'm arranging a bouquet. Have you never seen one before?"
Fíli's cheeks dusted a pretty pink, while his younger brother looked down and tried to cover his snicker by coughing into his hand. The blonde dwarf scowled at Kíli, elbowing him once more, before turning back to the Hobbit lass, "No, I know what it is... It's just, why are you still working on it? You did a great job I think."
"As if you know anything about flowers," the youngest Durin muttered as he playfully rolled his eyes. That earned the youngest prince another elbow as the eldest hissed, "You don't know anything either nadadith." Arabella watched the two with a smile, letting the two devolve into grumbled insults and hairpulling before she cleared her throat causing blue and brown eyes to shoot towards her.
The two immediately straightened and dusted off invisible dust as the Golden Heir bowed lowly, "Apologies My Lady, we seemed to have forgotten our manners their for a moment."
Fíli sent his younger brother a scathing look and Kíli immediately bowed as well, "Yes, we're deeply sorry."
Arabella smiled graciously and dipped her own head, "It's quite alright, I found it quite amusing."
Turning back to her bouquet she explained, "To answer your question Master Dwarf, every flower has a meaning, and every arrangement lets the receiver know the intentions of the sender
The brother's exchanged curious glances as they watched Hobbit lass take out a sullied ribbon to tie it off and grinned viciously. Kíli furrowed his brows with worry as he asked, "What is the meaning behind your bouquet?"
Arabella looked up and hummed before pointing to each flower and saying, "These are abatina, which means fickleness. Basils mean good wishes, and begonia means beware, and bittersweet meaning truth. This is candytuft, which means indifference, and a striped carnation which means refusal. And cyclamen symbolizes resignation, diffidence, or goodbye depending on the arrangement. So this particular bouquet is saying, 'Despite our differences, I have nothing but good wishes for you and yours. And though I am indifferent to his advances, you should beware of our encounters since you refuse to accept the truth. Goodbye,' And of course to top it off, a dirty ribbon to say that they will sully their good name if the continue with those horrid rumors."
The brothers blinked at her in shock, as a spiteful grin stretched her lips. Kíli then frowned as he asked loudly, "Wait, you are the one they were arguing about in the market? The one that was flirting with that woman's husband?"
Fíli frowned at the thought, but was surprised by how dark the Hobbit's face turned when she glared up at his brother and spat, "I did no such thing. All I did was thank him for informing me of good news. How is that in anyway flirting with her husband?" The younger brother shrunk down a bit and hid behind his brother, "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." When the Hobbit lass huffed in irritation and turned away, Kíli mumbled, "She's as scary as Uncle Thorin."
They both jumped when the lass was suddenly in front of them as she inquired, "You know Thorin Oakenshield?"
"Err... Yes, we're actually looking for him. We're supposed to be meeting with him now-" Fíli started, suddenly nervous with how close the beautiful lass was.
She grinned up at them, "Oh, he's with my Godfather in Bag-End. Come along, I'll show you the way."
With that, she spun towards the road, her blue skirt twirled before hitting her shins and bouncing every time she walked. Fíli's gaze stayed firmly on her back as Kíli asked, "Do we follow her?"
"What other choice do we have? Come on," Fíli answered, the two pulling the ponies down the road and shadowing the lass.
The lass didn't say anything the entire time, her back was firmly towards them, although she did stop a passing Pebble and instructed, "Give this to Lobelia Sacksville-Baggins would you?" The Pebble eyed the flora before giggling mischievously and running off down the dirt road.
When they were at the tallest hill, they stopped at the gate of a weird homes dug into the hill and were shocked when they saw their King of an Uncle outside pruning yellow flowers. He had dirt on his forehead, and forearms, sweat making his skin shine. A male Hobbit made his way to their Uncle's side, handing him glass of lemonade. The two Durin princes felt their jaws drop when their Uncle's voice softened at the small creature as murmured to him and gazed with what could only be described as love in his blue eyes. The small Hobbit next to him blushed deeply and chuckled before both turned their way when Arabella announced, "Uncle Bilbo, Irak'Adad! I found them!"
Fíli's and Kíli's eyes grew impossibly wide when their mother tongue, that was sacred and secret, came out of the hobbit lass's mouth. But it nearly caused their hearts to stop when their Uncle grinned at the girl and said, "Ah, Irak'nâtha, you're back! Good. You're Uncle and I just finished going through your pack."
The two brothers walked through the gate that the lass held open in a daze as they watched the girl run up to their Uncle and throw herself at him in a hug. Thorin chuckled and caught her easily, before putting her down and turning to his nephews, "Fíli, Kíli, I would like you to meet our Fourteenth and Fifteenth members, Arabella Tommins, and Bilbo Baggins."
The two turned to the Hobbits, Arabella curtseying and saying softly, "How do you do," when she was introduced, before both their brows shot up, when their Uncle rested his hand on Bilbo's shoulder, his thumb running circles softly. Even the tone in which Thorin used to introduce the male Hobbit had been enamored, causing the two brothers to shiver sickened by their Uncle's behavior. Thorin then flourished his hand towards them as he said to the Hobbits, "Bilbo, Bél, these are my nephews, Fíli and Kíli."
The two blinked dumbly before bowing at the same time and saying in Unison, "At your service."
Bilbo rushed up to them and hugged them tightly, the brothers exchanging worried glances as they caught tears in the older Hobbit's eyes before he hugged them, "Oh! It's so good to see you boys!" Fili and Kili had a conversation with their eyes before they shrugged and hugged the Hobbit back. They liked hugs as much as the next dwarf and it seemed by their Uncle's heated gaze on the Hobbit, they would be having another Uncle soon- if he wasn't already.
Bilbo sniffled and pulled away before looking over at the ponies and saying, "Oh, give me those, I'll just take them round back, they can rest there. Bella, would you be a dear and-"
"Start on luncheon? Yes Uncle," She finished as she made a hasty escape inside the Hobbit home. Bilbo sighed, his eyes taking on a worried tint as he exchanged a glance with Thorin. Thorin also frowned but gave a minute nod, the two seemingly having a conversation with their eyes. The brother's eyes volleyed between the two in question, wondering what was happening, and what they were missing.
Finally Bilbo said, "Thorin Dear, why don't you clean up, and get the boys settled."
"Of course," Thorin accepted the other male's order graciously, herding his befuddled nephews into the house, but not before scolding Kíli about wiping his feet on the doormat before entering.
The inside was much nicer than either brother expected, but they didn't get much time to really look around, as their Uncle had them in one of the many rooms and shut the door behind them.
Rounding on the older dwarf in confusion, both brothers frowned as Kíli asked incredulously, "When were you going to tell us you had a secret family?"
Thorin furrowed his brows, "What?"
"You've been living a double life this entire time haven't you? Have you really been here when you've said you were going to find work in the villages of Men?" Kíli pressed on getting more distressed by the second. Before Thorin could open his mouth to deny it, Kíli glared at him, "Don't bother denying it! You've been acting weird for two weeks now since we found out about our fourteenth member being in the Shire. And you know things about Hobbits that aren't well known!"
Thorin stared at his youngest nephew, wondering if he really believed what he was saying. But one look at his oldest told him that yes, these two really thought he had snuck away to start a family elsewhere. 'What am I supposed to do now? If I deny they won't believe me, and if I tell the truth they'll think me insane,' Thorin thought before a wicked idea formed his head.
Taking a deep breath he covered his mouth to hide his smile as he said seriously, "I didn't want you to find out like this."
His boys let out a breath before Fili asked, "Why did you feel the need to hide it Irak'Adad? You know we wouldn't judge you."
Thorin closed his eyes and twisted his face trying to hold back his laughter as he thought, 'Focus Thorin, you are a secretly married Dwarf, and your beloved nephews found out about your Hobbit family. Now play the part of distraught Uncle.'
Sighing forlornly he admitted, "I didn't know what you two would think, what the Council would think. I found my One in a Hobbit, who has taken been taking care of his Goddaughter since she was a babe. They would surely not accept them."
The two Princes looked distressed as the came to comfort their Uncle. Thankfully for Thorin they hugged him so he didn't have to hide his face that was close to cracking with unfiltered laughter. Speaking into his frame Fíli comforted, "To hell what the Council thinks Uncle you deserve to be happy."
"That's right, and besides, I know our people would just be happy to see you finally find your One, none of our own people would judge." Kíli added.
Their words were enough to calm down Thorin's mirth, as he was warmed by their concern. Pulling away from them, he smiled at them and said, "Thank you. Both of you." Turning to Fíli he added, "And do not worry, had I said something sooner, you still would be heir."
Fíli just smile and brushed off his Uncle's worries before Thorin fully stepped away and opened the door, "Now you two, get cleaned up, Luncheon starts at 1. And something you must know about Hobbits early on, is they take their food very seriously, so don't be late." With that warning he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him before calmly going to his room.
When his door clicked shut, Thorin's back hit the door as he collapsed in a fit of silent laughter. Tears rolled down his cheeks, as he covered his mouth to muffle his mirth that was slowly growing in sound.
It took some time before he felt himself calm down enough not to lose it. When all his laughter was gone, he wiped away his tears as a grin stretched his cheeks to the point that it hurt as he thought, 'Oh.... Bilbo is going to either join me or kill me for tricking the boys.'
Finally feeling a semblance of calm, he stood up and opened the door in search of his One, 'I should tell him sooner rather than later.'
Notes:
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It took a little longer to write down, and edit, though I'm sure there are still some mistakes. Next chapter will probably be shorter than this one, and we'll get to see Thorin's pov of when he woke up as requested by @Seasonsheart. I hope the characters weren't too OOC or the Hobbits too chaotic for some, I just like to think that Thorin was a lot like his nephews before Erebor fell and so after he died and came back he would take more time to laugh. As for the Hobbits, I just like to think that they all have a bit of mayhem hiding beneath layers of propriety. They would have to if they were to survive the Wandering Years I'd imagine.
Anyways, if you guys are enjoying this story please leave a kudos or a comment, that would mean the world to me. Thank you! See you in the next chapter. :3
“Parting Glass.” Bounding Main - Beautiful Harmonies with a Maritime Flair, 6 May 2020, boundingmain.com/music/lyrics/parting-glass/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Chapter 5: The Beginning of a Half-Baked Plan and Befuddling Wizards
Summary:
Thorin get enlightened about the other forces at play, oh, and he puts the Grey Menace in his place.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
12 of Astron T.A. 2941
The last thing Thorin heard as he choked on his blood was Bilbo's heartbroken voice pleading with him to look up into the sky.
"Look, Thorin the eagles are coming."
The last thing Thorin felt before he drew his last breath was Bilbo's face pressed against his, and his soft hand clasped tightly around his own. And then, as the world began to fade around him, he felt drops of tears landing on his cheek, ones that he knew were not his own but his One's.
He tried to keep fighting, to make it back to his One, to hold his crying Hobbit and say, "It's alright Bilbo, I'm alright. We will be okay. I see them Ghivashel, I see the eagles."
But nothing came out, and the world around him disappeared.
He felt himself wandering in a deep fog, though it was dark, he wasn't completely unseeing. There was a light up head, that looked like a small beam of starlight. So towards the light he roamed, feeling the brush of tall grass against his thighs. Whispers of a little Pebble's giggle ran past him, causing him to pause as he searched for the cause. Thorin was immediately taken with the sight of a bright and pure light, a wisp shapeless and dancing a few feet ahead, it's laughter sparking something warm within his chest.
He jumped when another wisp joined the second, slightly dimmer than the first with something ominous blurring the edges of its light, say in a echoing voice that sounded like his Burglar, "Be careful my boy! Don't get too close to the river's edge!"
The first wisp giggled again, "Yes Uncle Bilbo!" Before the two rushed forward causing Thorin to call out, "Wait!" Thorin chased after them, pausing once more and taking in his changed surroundings. A great sturdy oak tree stood proudly beside him that creaked when the wind rustled it's branches and leaves. The wisps were now leaning against the tree, their voices now older and changed and still sounding muffled as though a wall was between him and them.
The bright wisp questioned, "Uncle Bilbo? Who is this drawing of?"
"Where did you find that?" The other wisp that was slowly darkening even more questioned before snapping, "Put that back! That is not to be messed with!"
Undeterred the other wisp pressed on, "Is this that dwarf you went on your adventure with? The one that you cry for sometimes?"
"That is none of your concern Frodo! Leave it be!" The wisp that he knew was his Hobbit snapped. Thorin frowned when the silence between the two drew on and he mumbled sadly, "Oh Bilbo, what is happening to you? Why is your light dimming?" He received no answer, but after a few minutes he heard his Hobbit say solemnly, "I'm sorry Frodo... I promise one day.... One day I will tell you all about my adventure and who this dwarf is. But... It hurts too much right now."
"Of course Uncle, I understand." The other wisp answered before the two moved onward again. So Thorin followed. And as he followed he heard echoes of conversation that were either happening or had happened, he didn't know. But he listened anyway.
"They say you are... Odd. Unsociable."
"Me? Odd? Unsociable? Bah, what nonsense. Now be a good lad and hang this up for me would you?"
"I'm old Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart."
Thorin's concern began to grow for now both of the wisps grew dark as the first one, the younger one said, "I wish the ring had never come to me."
The longer he walked with the wisps the dimmer they became as the dark ominous edge began to steal its light. Worried Thorin wondered out loud, "What could possibly dim their lights? What has that power?" Without realizing it, he had reached the starlight he was first walking towards, wincing when it became too bright and grew in size, swallowing him whole.
"We're giving you a second chance Thorin Oakenshield, change what has been done." A voice that brought warmth like the fire of a forge spoke clearly in his mind.
And with those words, Thorin sat up, taking a heaping gasp of breath as he called out, "Bilbo!"
When he opened his eyes, he found himself back in his room in the Blue Mountains. Looking around, he was immediately confused as the last thing he remembered was the battle, and dying. 'Why am I back here?' he wondered.
He was pulled out of his musings when he heard twin footsteps thundering up the steps before his bedroom door swung open and his nephews stood before him looking around slightly disheveled as if they had just woken up themselves, but holding weapons defensively. Fíli's blue eyes scanned the room as he held his twin swords around him and asked, "Where's the danger?!"
Kíli's bow was drawn as well before he looked over at his Uncle and cocked his head in confusion when all Thorin did was stare at them, "Irak'Adad? What's wrong?" Both boys lowered their weapons as Thorin continued to stare at them, their concern became more apparent the longer the King stayed silent.
A lump formed in Thorin's throat as he stared at his nephews, their bloodied and broken bodies flashing to the forefront of his mind unbidden. Slowly, he pulled away his quilt, his eyes watering the longer he looked at his beloved nephews who were exchanging worried glances between them. Fíli was the first to put his sword away as he asked, "Uncle? Are you alright?" He pulled both boys to his chest and cried silently as he hugged them tightly. The two stiffened as Kíli questioned, "Uncle?"
"Sorry, it's just good to see you again," Thorin answered with a watery smile as he finally pulled away.
The two brothers furrowed their brows as they once more exchanged a look before Kíli said, "But.. Uncle we saw each other last night at dinner?" Thorin blinked at his nephews, feeling himself grow just as confused as them, "Dinner?"
"Yes, Amad made your favorite-" Fíli began to explain but Thorin shook his head and insisted, "No, the last time we saw each other was at the Battle of Erebor? Do you not remember?"
Kíli frowned, "Uncle.... We haven't gone on the quest yet. Remember? We will be leaving soon."
"What? No, we already reclaimed Erebor, Fíli you were-" Thorin started but found the words stuck as suddenly everything before he woke up returned to his memory. Fíli tilted his head with furrowed brows, "Uncle, are you alright?"
Clearing his throat, Thorin shifted away from his nephews and spoke authoritatively, "Yes, I'm fine. I need to speak with Dwalin."
"Dwalin is in Iron Hills, and has been for the last decade," Kíli informed as he peered at Thorin apprehensively. Thorin nodded and cringed at his mistake, "Right... Er... Then I'll talk with Balin." With very little preamble he left the room only to turn back when his eldest nephew pointed out he wasn't dressed for the day.
19 of Astron- T.A. 2941
He had learned quickly that first week after asking discreetly (as discreetly as Thorin was able to be that is) around his original company if they remembered anything from the past. But alas, it seemed that only Thorin came back. As he brooded and planned to leave for Ered Luin early so as to go to the Shire and find his Hobbit, the day came that Fíli his beloved Heir awoke screaming one morning and seemed to be a completely different person. His change was so drastic the first day that Dís had come to him crying, "That is not my son! I fear that a changeling has taken his place while he slept!"
Thorin frowned as he stared after his nephew who only gazed at his brother indifferently, his eyes glazed over. He sighed before turning his eyes back to his sister and saying softly, "He is no changeling. That is Fíli."
"Then why is he like this? Why the sudden change?" Dís cried before she covered her mouth to muffle her distress as she said, "I can't lose him Thorin. I already lost too much, and he is too much like his father... It would be like losing Víli all over again." Thorin quietly observed the Golden Prince, his mind racing with thoughts as to why the sudden change in his demeanor. As far as he knew, Fíli still didn't remember anything, had no memory of the battle, or his One-
Thorin stiffened at his thoughts causing Dís to look up at him, "What brother? What is it?"
He didn't respond as his thoughts wandered to Bél, 'Could it be? Could they be connected more deeply now since they bonded the first time? Could he be missing her without realizing it? He may not remember but his Soul does..'
"Dís, I need the boys to come with me earlier than planned," Thorin voiced distractedly, before turning to the boys and telling them to get their things ready. The two turned to their mother but nodded and went to grab their packs when he growled out, "Hurry boys, we don't have all day." His sister scowled up at him, her feminine features may have softened her fierce glare, but not by much, "What? No! I have half a mind to keep them here!"
Thorin gripped his younger sister's arm calmly causing her to stop short in her tirade as she blinked her blue eyes up towards him. Thorin took a deep breath as he leveled, "Dís I would not ask if this was not important. And because you would not leave the matter be even if I asked you to, I will tell you the truth. Fíli and Kíli will meet their Ones on this quest."
Dís stared up at her brother in awe, "By my beard, have you been blessed with the Gift of Sight brother?"
Frowning, Thorin confessed with guilt and fear settling deep in his gut, "No, I have lived through the events of this quest before. We were able to reclaim Erebor, just as we have always planned it." His sister's brows pinched in confusion, "If what you claim is true.. then how are you...."
Her eyes widen as she processed Thorin's grim expression, "You didn't make it.. did you?"
"No," the eldest murmured as his eyes went to his nephews who were still unaware of anything around them as Kíli fussed over his withdrawn older brother. He felt Dís shift to turn her head and follow Thorin's gaze, her heartbreaking plea made the Exiled King's face twist in self contempt as she said, "No, please don't tell me... My boys? Not my boys?"
"I'm sorry namadith... I failed you," Thorin's voice cracked as his eyes went back to his nephews. It was quiet for a long moment, with just the two siblings crying before Dís sucked in a breath and asked, "What happened? Why is Fíli like this then?"
Thorin crossed his arms as he retold his sister of their from the beginning journey. He told her how they went to the Shire, and accosted a Hobbit, who didn't know they were coming, of all the food he had in his pantry. How Thorin had run into a nice Hobbit lass who was able to guide him up to Bag-End, and told him that Bilbo wouldn't have been expecting them since he made no mention of them to her. Thorin told her, that despite this lass' explanation, he still made a horrible first impression on their host once he saw him. He let Dís laugh at his expense as he begrudgingly confessed that he knew the moment he saw their Burglar that he was Thorin's One, he had just panicked and said the first thing on his mind. Dís joked at his misery, "Well I hope for your sake, my boys don't inherit your inability to flirt."
Thorin smirked at her then, "Interesting you mentioned that sis. You remember that Hobbit lass I mentioned? Well Fíli had stumbled and fell flat on his face when he first saw her." Dís groaned in embarrassment for her son and shook her head as she looked up to the sky, "Oh Mahal, where did I go wrong?" Thorin chuckled before going to to explain the other events that took place during their quest. He told her about the trolls, running from the orc party, resting at Rivendell, seeing a Thunder Battle- Thorin got his ear twisted harshly as Dís scolded, "Thorin that is no way to speak to your One! I thought Amad taught you better than that!" Fíli and Kíli eyed them curiously then, but wisely chose not to help their Uncle, instead going back to taking care of the ponies in their care.
Thorin hissed and smacked his sister's hand, "Ow, ow, ow! Would you like me to continue or not?!"
"Continue, obviously."
"Then let go!" He growled, getting a grumble of complaint from her as she complied. Sighing he rubbed his ears and asked, "Where was I at again?"
"The Thunder Battle," Dís said primly. Thorin nodded in thanks before diving back into the last year of his life. He spoke about the Goblin Caves, and company narrowly escaping with the help of Gandalf the Grey. Just when they thought they were safe, Azog had appeared. Dís had tensed when he told her how he recklessly went to face him off alone, and how he would have died had Bilbo not stood in front and protected him. Dís grinned at that, "You know, I would very much like to meet your Hobbit." Thorin felt his face warm as his lips twitched upward, "Hopefully this time, you will."
Going on, he explained that Fíli had approached him at the Shapeshifter's house, where he had asked for permission to begin a courtship with his One. Dís had seemed surprised, "The lass went with you all on this journey?"
"Aye, refused to be left behind. I guess she knew as soon as she met Fíli that he was her One, and she wasn't going to let him leave her. Despite it being for her own safety," he clarified as he shrugged. Dís hummed in thought so he took that as permission to continue, moving on to Mirkwood and the elves. When he got to the part of Kíli meeting his One, his sister's face twisted in disgust, "An elf?" Thorin sighed begrudgingly, "Aye, not my first choice either... But she wasn't bad....For an elf that is." Dís pinched the bridge of her nose, "That boy, why am I not surprised.."
Thorin pressed on, retelling her of their time in Laketown, then moving on to Erebor before Durin's Day to open the secret door. He recounted with pride that it was his One who figured out the riddle, and they were able to go inside, only to find that Smaug was still alive and just sleeping. Thorin wasn't as proud as he went on to explain that the details after that were murky, for as soon as he stepped into the mountain their family's curse took place in his mind. He remembered gifting his Hobbit a shirt of Mithril, knowing even then that his Hobbit was most precious and needed to be protected. He remembered casting Bilbo and Bél out from the ramparts after finding out his One had traded the Arkenstone to broker piece. Thorin admitted that had he been in his right mind, he would have seen the sense in it, but the gold sickness held onto him too tightly at that point.
He paused and sat down on a nearby stool before saying, "We fell during the Battle of the Five Armies. It was Dwarrow, Men, and Elves versus Orcs and Goblins. Azog the Defiler was there to end our line.. Dwalin, Fíli, Kíli, and I went up to Raven Hill to put an end to him for good. We both got what we aimed for in the end... Well, I guess that's not entirely true."
Dís furrowed her brow, "What do you mean?"
Thorin sighed before revealing to his sister, "Bilbo and Bél found us to warn us that it was a trap but it had been too late by then.... Fíli was regrettably the first to fall. He was captured by Azog, and held in his clutches to taunt us down below. But before he cut him down, Azog revealed that Arabella was pregnant." His sister gasped beside him causing him to look over at her as he said quietly, "I fear that is why he is like this. He doesn't remember her, but maybe something deep within him does.."
"You think he is feeling lost without his One? That he's feeling the loss of what he once had?" Dís questioned.
Thorin exhaled and turned ahead of him, "I believe so. It is the only thing that makes sense to me." Dís stared hard at her brother before nodding, "What do you need me to do?"
He blinked at his little sister in shock, "You believe me?" Dís scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You'd be a fool to lie to me about something like this. My boys' death is no laughing matter. And neither is yours as far as I'm concerned. So I ask again, what do you need from me?" Thorin smiled at her before instructing, "It would be wise to have our people ready to move to Erebor as soon as possible. We need to keep our people strong, and together. Scattered as we are, is leaving us too vulnerable."
Dís nodded, "Got it, anything else?"
"If you could write to Daín before he leaves and, convince him to gather more soldiers and supplies to help us during the last Battle that would be helpful. And if he cannot spare us soldiers, then help our people move back Erebor safely," Thorin suggested. Dís nodded and hummed before dusting off her skirts, "I guess I should say my goodbyes to the boys." Thorin frowned at her sad tone but sat up on his guard when she turned to him and glowered darkly, "I swear Thorin, if my boys fall in battle again, not even death will keep you safe from me."
Thorin bowed his head, "I won't fail you a second time. You have my word." Dís blinked back her tears as she gave him a curt nod and turned on her heel, marching towards her boys. Thorin watched her pull them in for a hug before standing up and going towards the three awaiting ponies with their packs and saddles strapped to them. Looking at his nephews he asked, "Are you ready?"
The brothers nodded, and Thorin gave them both a firm pat before mounting his steed, "Good, because we won't be making stops until we reach Ered Luin. We are already behind schedule." The brothers wordlessly copied their Uncle, and rode on either side of him. As the day progressed and Kíli played numerous pranks on his brother to get him to crack a smile, he thought, 'I promise Dís, Víli, your son's will be better protected this time, or I will die trying.'
25 of Astron- T.A. 2941
They had been at the Hobbit's home for a day now, and Fíli could say for certain that Arabella was avoiding him. And it was killing him on the inside, because whenever she was near, his soul would sing, and his heart soared. Fíli felt that if she were to ask, he would do any task in a heartbeat. It was this fact that had his brother almost convulsing on the floor in a fit of laughter over.
Fíli was out back brushing his pony, and watching as the pretty lass with dark brown hair and eyes as green as jaded stone worked in the vegetable garden a few feet away. She wore a tan tunic that flowed freely, that was tucked into loose breathable trousers. Fíli found that most Hobbit attire was cut off at mid calf to proudly present the hairy tufts on their overgrown bare feet. It was slightly bizarre to Fíli but he wasn't one to judge, it was just different. The gorgeous Hobbit had her wild mane of curls braided into one thick plait that ran down the middle of her back and stopped right above her bum. Drawing his eyes back up, he was set to admire the curves on her figure when Kíli's voice spoke next to him, "Whatcha doing there brother?"
Fíli yelped and jumped causing Arabella to look over at the two and crinkle her nose cutely before she turned back to her work on the tomato plants. Rounding on his brother, the Lion Prince growled, "What the hell Kíli? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Kíli just waved off his concerns as he too started to brush off his horse before saying, "Nonsense, you are much too young for that brother. Besides, I thought you ought to know that you've been brushing the same spot for twenty minutes now."
"What?" Fíli looked towards his pony and flushed realizing his baby brother was right and that Bongo was starting to shift uncomfortably. Wincing, he moved to a different side and apologized, "Sorry Bongo." His pony just huffed before going back to grazing, Daisy joining him. Kíli sighed, "Want to tell me why you're so distracted?" When Fíli's head turned once more towards the lass he frowned as he admitted, "I feel like she's avoiding me."
It was quiet for a moment before Kíli shrugged and said nonchalantly, "I mean, can you blame her with all the leering you do?"
Fíli turned back affronted, "I do not leer!"
"Fee, that's all you've been doing since you've met her," Kíli snarked back with a sharp grin. Scoffing Fíli rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to the task at hand. Brushing his pony swiftly, he tried to finish quickly so he could hide away. Kíli watched him and frowned before saying, "Look Fíli, just talk to her. She looks at you just as often when you are not looking."
Pausing in his strokes, Fíli looked at his brother before sighing dejectedly, "What would I even say? I've tried approaching her many times already and she avoids me."
Unbeknownst to the two brothers, Arabella had been listening the whole time and her heart throbbed with guilt for her Home. Her downcast eyes remained on the dirt as she thought, 'I need to find a better way to do this. I can't continue to ignore him, I'm just hurting the both of us.'
With a drawn out sigh, she stood up and dusted her hands before approaching the brothers who were busy talking quietly to themselves. She stopped a few feet away from the bickering brothers. Putting on a pleasant smile, she cleared her throat bringing a pair of brown and blue eyes towards her figure. Blushing slightly she looked down in slight shame as she admitted, "I know I have been rather... Standoffish towards you both. And I hope I can remedy that. We will, after all, be spending a lot of time together on the road." Looking up shyly through her lashes, she made eye contact with Fíli as she requested, "Would you mind accompanying me to the Market so I can help Uncle Bilbo prepare for tomorrow's dinner?"
Fíli blinked owlishly at her before being nudged none too gently forward by Kíli who was smirking at the pair and answered for the both of them, "Of course he would! And I would love to as well, but unfortunately Uncle Thorin has requested that I help with chores around the house, so I must decline." Arabella's eyes sparked with laughter at Kíli's melodramatic acting, his head hung low and his hand over his heart as if he wasn't setting the two up.
'Oh, it is so good to see you haven't changed nadad,' Bella thought remembering that Kíli had been the one to push them in similar situations the first time around as well. Her mischievous brother in all but blood had always been in their corner from the first moment that Fíli had unceremoniously tripped and landed at her feet. It seemed this time around it was no different.
Fíli gave his brother a questioning look before his head whipped towards Bella as she suggested, "Let me just wash off this dirt and then we can leave? Unless you are also busy?"
Fíli's brows rose and he shook his head vehemently, "No, no. I'm not busy at all. I just finished brushing Bongo as well, we can leave when you're ready." Fíli felt he had been struck by lightning by the blinding smile that Arabella had sent him, "I'll be right back, give me a second."
The brothers watched the Hobbit lass walk in the Smial, neither saying a word until the door closed behind her. Kíli then grinned and elbowed his brother as he whispered, "There, I gave you a chance, don't screw it up," before he also followed the lass inside leaving Fíli to stand there wondering if his heart would be able to last this quest if Arabella kept smiling at him like that.
Bilbo watched from his bench in the front of his Smial as Fíli and Arabella walked down Bag-Shot Row and towards the busy market streets below. The iciness that was thick between them throughout most of the morning and all of last night seemed to have dissipated now. Arabella was comfortably leaning into Fíli's space, although not so much as to be deemed inappropriate, but with their arms linked she hugged him closer as she pointed out different aspects of the Shire. Fíli had also seemed to have lost some of his awkwardness as his stature was more relaxed at her side. His usual swagger wasn't all back yet, but he did smile more, and joke, and-
'Was that a wink?' Bilbo thought as a smile wrestled its way around his pipe. He chuckled before turning his attention to the opening door where Thorin and Kíli came out of his Smial next. Kíli ran down the steps and opened the gate, going the opposite direction of his brother. Although he did look over towards the mated pair and grinned, he had told his Uncles he wanted his brother to stop being a ninny and talk to the girl that had "his mustache braids in a twist." His words, not Bilbo's.
As Kíli started down the other way, Bilbo called after him, "Kíli lad! Don't get too close to the river's edge!"
Kíli shot him a mischievous grin as he called back, "Yes Auntie Bilbo!"
Bilbo chuckled and shook his head, missing the way Thorin's head turned towards him, as the Hobbit corrected, "That's Uncle to you dear boy! None of this Auntie business!"
The young dwarf responded with laughter as he remedied, "Yes Uncle Bilbo!" Then off he went, racing down the hill exploring all the Shire had to offer. Bilbo sighed in contentment, watching as Thorin came and sat next to him and mumbled softly, "He calls you Uncle Bilbo already?"
Bilbo turned and eyed his Home with faux annoyance, "And whose fault is that hm? You convinced both of your nephews we have been married for years now in secret." The two older men shared a laugh, Bilbo pulling out his favorite Old Toby to share with his Home who accepted it graciously. Lighting up his own pipe, Thorin took a deep breath before exhaling slowly and saying, "Well, it does make things easier does it not? Than pretending we don't know each other?"
"Aye, it does," Bilbo agreed softly as the two sat in comfortable silence, just admiring the beauty of the Shire. Blowing out a smoke ring, Bilbo glanced over towards Thorin and frowned at his Dwarf's troubled countenance. Sighing, he sat straighter as he urged, "Alright, out with it Thorin. What's troubling you?"
Thorin turned, his thick brows quirking in a silent question. Bilbo huffed, "I can tell something has been on your mind. And has been since Arabella came to Bag-End. So what is it?"
The Exiled King stared at the Hobbit for a long moment before he let out a sigh and turned back to look at the Shire, "Before I came back, I saw.. well heard some things I didn't quite understand. Conversations between you.. and a Frodo?" Thorin paused and looked back at Bilbo once more at his Hobbit's sharp gasp. Thorin's blue eyes stared into his Bilbo's hazel ones imploringly, "Who is.. was he?"
The Hobbit took a deep inhalation of his Old Toby, nervously biting the end of his pipe. Taking a few moments to compose himself, he replied, "Frodo will be my cousin's child. He hasn't even been conceived yet. But in our first life, my cousins passed away in a horrible accident, leaving poor Frodo an orphan. I had just gotten back from Erebor after your.... And I found that my belongings were auctioned off and I was declared dead, and this poor fauntling was being passed around from family to family with no one to care for him.
"It took a while, to get everything settled, but I got custody of Frodo. I wanted to do right by at least one Faunt, I had already failed Arabella, having just received news of her fading. I couldn't let Frodo go down the same fate. But... I unknowingly did," Bilbo's voice cracked as he looked down at his lap in shame. Thorin rubbed his One's back, "Ghivashel, I am sure you did the best you could. No one can blame you-"
"But it is my fault Thorin, I gave Frodo that blasted ring!" Bilbo interjected with tears leaking down his face. Thorin's thoughts wandered to who he now knew was Frodo and what he said when he was wandering lost in that field, "I wish the ring had never come to me."
A fear so sudden overtook him when flashes of a lone tower with a fire red eye entered his mind, as well as a being so dark and evil that many feared to speak his name. Thorin trembled slightly as he thought, 'It cannot be that... Can it? It has been lost for thousands of years.' Turning to Bilbo he asked wearily, "What ring?"
Bilbo didn't say anything causing Thorin to repeat himself more urgently, "Bilbo, what ring?" His Hobbit looked up and shuddered, his face ladened with guilt as he whispered, "The Ring."
"No," the dwarf automatically denied although deep down he knew it to be true.
"I found it Thorin, on this quest. Down in the Goblin Tunnels," Bilbo explained. Thorin looked towards the Shire, his left hand cradling his head, while the other held his pipe. Bilbo frowned as he took in his Home's distressed state, "You asked me once how I escaped the Goblin Tunnels. That ring was how. It turned me invisible."
Thorin's eyes widened as they searched the garden in front of him, "That's how you were able to go through Mirkwood undetected."
Bilbo hummed in acknowledgement as he added, "And sneak past Smaug, although the coins didn't help keep my footsteps quiet." Thorin furrowed his brows as he brought his pipe back to his lips, and mumbled around it, "This certainly complicates things. Those abilities would be useful, but..."
"It's the One Ring," Bilbo finished grumpily. He glared down at his feet as he admitted, "After finding out what I carried around for years, I sometimes wondered if it because of me that your gold sickness took such a drastic turn." The Dwarf frowned, "What do you mean?" Bilbo's nose twitched as he fought off more tears, confessing, "I found the Arkenstone the same night we fought Smaug. I had it in my pocket the whole time." The Hobbit turned his gaze to his Dwarf when he heard his sharp breath. The smaller male flinched at the anger and betrayal reflecting in Thorin's eyes, but still Bilbo explained, "I thought at the time that I kept it in my pocket to save you from your mind, but neither Fíli or Kíli were affected. Just you, which begs the question-"
"If you had the One Ring, which craves power, and the Arkenstone which is a symbol to our people of the right to rule, was it really my family's curse or our bond that doomed us?" Thorin finished, Bilbo nodding with slight apprehension as he added, "I would like to believe that if I didn't have that blasted Ring, my actions would be different. But I'm not sure."
Thorin sighed heavily, his eyes looking over the rolling green hills as he contemplated what Bilbo had revealed. It hurt to hear Bilbo's confession but the Dwarf King could admit, given the circumstances, he still was more impressed with Bilbo. 'The fact that he gave both symbols of power away, and both had detrimental outcomes on his soul, is no easy feat,' Thorin pondered as he gazed at his One who was still smoking his pipe. The Dwarf could tell that his Burglar's actions had caused him a great deal of grief, so he leaned over and planted a kiss on his hairline as he rumbled, "Do not fret Amrâlimê, we will figure this out together."
Bilbo sniffed and leaned into Thorin's chest. Planting another tender kiss on the top of his honey curls, Thorin murmured, "I'll go make you some tea."
"Thank you dear," Bilbo mumbled after him, watching as Thorin stood and walked inside.
Sighing, Bilbo puffed his pipe and closed his eyes, trying to enjoy the late morning rays of sun that beat down on him. His thoughts began to wander towards the journey ahead, and what routes they should and shouldn't take. As much as he'd like to avoid the trolls, Thorin and Bilbo needed their weapons, and Rivendell... Well both he and Thorin knew what was on the map, and where the secret door was hidden. So really, that was up to Thorin if they went back there. The Goblin Tunnels, he would rather avoid at all costs, but he didn't know if he could risk someone else finding the Ring. But if they avoided the Goblin Tunnels they could avoid meeting Azog again...
Bilbo felt a puff of smoke hit his nose causing him to cough and open his eyes. A tall shadow stood by his mail post causing him to blink up at it and say stiffly, "Good morning."
"What do you mean by that? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say you feel good on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on? Hm?" The tall shadow asked in amusement. Bilbo blinked up at it, clearing his vision even further and fighting off his smile at his familiar friend, "Why, all of them at once I suppose."
Gandalf's brows furrowed as he grumbled, "Hmm."
Bilbo puffed his pipe, trying his best to repeat his anxious demeanor the first time around. As far as Bilbo could tell, Gandalf had no inkling of recognition for his old friend, so Bilbo played his part of stuffy a Baggins, "Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen," the old wizard mumbled in a sage tone. Bilbo fought off a smirk, clearing his throat and scowling up at the Wizard when Gandalf said, "I'm looking for someone to share an adventure with."
Before Bilbo could answer the Grey Wizard, Thorin had decided to make an entrance by announcing loudly, "Tharkûn."
Bilbo smiled up at Thorin who stopped to stand next to the Hobbit. The Dwarf rested his hand on Bilbo's shoulder, causing Gandalf's eyes to immediately go towards it as well as his bushy brows to shoot upward as he greeted, "Thorin... I must say, I didn't expect to see you so soon. Or to be so... Well acquainted with our Burglar."
Bilbo gasped dramatically and pointed his pipe at Gandalf as he scowled, "Now see here, I haven't stolen a thing in my life!" Thorin gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze as he added, "You are lucky, you meddlesome wizard, that I deemed it important to come early to see that our fourteenth member was actually prepared. Master Baggins had no clue of our quest that he had supposedly agreed to weeks ago."
At that, Gandalf sputtered and turned a light shade of red, "Well... Uh.... I, you see....."
Bilbo had to look away to hide his chuckles as Thorin growled impressively up at the old wizard, "Also, I don't think I need to tell you how important this is to me. So if you could refrain from calling our mission an adventure, I'd greatly appreciate it." Gandalf coughed and turned away, "Right.. er.. well yes. I suppose.." he trailed off though, his brows furrowing once more when he saw a laughing Fíli and Arabella make their way up towards the front gate. The two young adults barely gave the others a glance as they hauled their goods inside, Arabella blushing brightly when Fíli muttered something in her ear before going in. She wasn't far behind him, her laughter ringing brightly before the muffled sounds of conversation came from inside the Smial.
Gandalf blinked at the green door, before looking over at Thorin and asking, "A new development?"
Thorin tilted his head and shrugged in lieu of an answer. Gandalf frowned, "You have no problems with that?" Glaring up at the wizard, the King snapped, "No. I don't."
Gandalf's frown only deepened as he eyed both of them, "You two have changed much since the last time we met.. and I'm not sure what to make of it." Thorin folded his arms and grumped, "Well figure it out somewhere else," before he turned back around to go inside, slamming the door behind him. Bilbo sighed and looked up at the Wizard, "We'll see you tomorrow at Supper."
Gandalf nodded and turned to leave, only to stop when another one of Thorin's nephews came bounding up the hill, with leaves in his hair and a wide grin on his face. He held a large toad in his hands as he pushed past the gate and Gandalf (almost knocking the old wizard off his feet) and stopping in front of the Hobbit, "Uncle Bilbo! Uncle Bilbo! Look!! Isn't this the biggest toad you've ever seen?"
Bilbo smiled up at the dark haired Dwarf fondly, unbothered by the wart covered amphibian being thrust in his face, "Yes, it's really quite impressive Kíli. Where in Yavanna's Garden did you find it?" The Grey Wizard stood there watching the strangely domestic scene in front of him as the young Dwarf Prince launched into his story; that he knew without a doubt was greatly exaggerated.
'What a strange turn of events,' the Grey Wizard thought as he slowly wandered down the hill, bemused by all he just witnessed at Bag-End.
Notes:
Hi, I hope this chapter was entertaining for ya'll. I will admit, I really liked writing it, even if it was more rushed. And for that I'm sorry. I also hope you like the diversion of Dis finding out, I haven't read another like this. If there is, that is totally awesome! Yay for subverting tropes! Although there is a reason I have her knowing now, I have a plan for her later.
Next chapter is the Dinner party. So stay tuned for that. If you liked this chapter, please leave a kudos or a comment below, let me know what ya'll think. I love reading ya'll comments. They are super sweet. ;3 Until the next chapter!
Khuzdul words and meanings:
Ghivashel: treasure of all treasures
Irak'Adad: Uncle
namadith: little sister
Amad: Mother
nadad: brother
Amrâlimê: my love
Tharkûn: "Staff-man" name for Gandalf the Grey
Seasonsheart on Chapter 2 Wed 16 Apr 2025 12:42PM UTC
Last Edited Wed 16 Apr 2025 12:44PM UTC
Comment Actions
ChubbyDragonQueen on Chapter 2 Wed 16 Apr 2025 02:08PM UTC
Comment Actions
Seasonsheart on Chapter 3 Fri 18 Apr 2025 01:11PM UTC
Comment Actions
ChubbyDragonQueen on Chapter 3 Fri 18 Apr 2025 01:28PM UTC
Comment Actions
Seasonsheart on Chapter 5 Fri 25 Apr 2025 06:14PM UTC
Comment Actions
ChubbyDragonQueen on Chapter 5 Sat 26 Apr 2025 04:55AM UTC
Comment Actions