Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Adad, are they here yet?" Frodo asked Thorin, for what felt like the tenth time that day, at least.

Thorin glanced up from where he was seated in a chair in his workshop, mending one of Frodo's old toy carts. Bofur had made it for Frodo's own introduction to the outside world, over nine years ago.

Meeting his son's blue eyes, Thorin shook his head.

"No, dashat. They are not. However, when they do arrive, at least one of them will knock on the door, and then you will know they are here."

Thorin watched Frodo huff while crossing his arms. The latter then blew on the fringe of brunet hair that had fallen over his eyes, after he came to a stop in the middle of the workspace.

Thorin smiled, then trained his gaze back down at what he was meant to be doing. The toy had a wheel or two that needed oiling, before it could be used by Frodo, or anyone else.

Carefully, he repositioned the little dropper he was using to apply oil into the crevices of the wheels and began to work again. However, no sooner than he had managed to remedy the stiffness in one wheel, did Thorin hear a dramatic, elongated sigh. That drew his eyes away from his task, back up to Frodo, again.

Once Frodo realized he had Thorin's attention, the Dwobbit said, "I'm bored."

Thorin raised an eyebrow.

"Have you tried helping your Papa in the kitchen?"

Frodo hopped to and fro, side to side, then said, "I did. He's all done now, so he sent me your way."

Thorin nodded.

He could surmise that might not be the whole truth of it, but rather than trying to discuss that with a child, said, "Come here, then. I think it's time you learn how to grease the wheels of this cart."

Frodo's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Thorin afforded him a smile, then motioned for him to come sit on his lap. Frodo did as he suggested. Soon after, Thorin was instructing his son on what they had discussed.

"That's so simple," Frodo said, when they were through.

Thorin chuckled.

"It can be, yes. Now, here." Thorin held out the toy to Frodo, who grasped it eagerly. "You can play with this, while we wait."

In his hands, Frodo held onto the cart, then spun the newly oiled wheels, and watched them turn. Meanwhile, his little legs swung in between Thorin's, from where Frodo was perched on his right thigh.

Thorin glanced away briefly to place the stoppered dropper back on his workbench behind him, before returning his gaze forward, to watch Frodo once again. The little Dwobbit had been running about their smial, feet pattering across the floor as he could barely contain his glee at the fact that his cousins would soon be there.

Fíli, Kíli and Ori were due any moment. However, they were also toting around a very precious new addition to the family, and the youngest member of the line of Durin; Niri. The pebble was only a handful of years old, and this would be her first time visiting Bag End.

Previously, Frodo had met his cousin beneath the Blue Mountains. The first time had been hours following her birth, while Fíli was resting his hands after being met with the famed 'Ri family strength during Niri's entrance into the world, as Ori had been clasping his hands quite tightly. Frodo had been allowed to stand beside the bed, where Ori laid holding the newly arrived babe. The Dwobbit had been curious, though largely unimpressed soon when he realized Niri was unable to play with him for some time.

After saying hello and babbling a bit to her, only to be met with a steady, brown-eyed stare and then a yawn, Frodo said, "Babies don't do much."

Over the years, Thorin, Frodo, and Bilbo had traveled back and forth to see Niri, as well as Fíli, Kíli, Dís and Ori, as the newest member of their family developed her stone sense. It was important to dwarrow that for the first five years of a dwarf's life, they be kept amidst the rocks they were likely to call home, to become attuned to the way the stones sang.

Niri's most recent fifth birthday had passed, and so for Frodo and Bilbo's own birthdays, they were bringing her to the Shire for her initial trip into the outside world. Frodo was ecstatic, and that was why he had been insistent that a toy he hadn't bothered with for some time, be properly working again. He wished to share the cart with Niri and play with the now walking pebble.

The last visit that they had made for Niri's birthday, she had been confidently making her way around on little legs. Meanwhile, there had been a light dusting of her chestnut beard across her chin, that had not been there at their last visit.

Ori, much like Bilbo with Frodo, read to Niri quite a bit. So, her ability to speak was progressing faster than some pebbles her age. According to Fíli, she chirped and chattered quite a great deal, at home. Though she was shy around those she didn't know or did not see for great lengths of time in between.

In the Blue Mountains, she was never too far from a family member, at least. While one day she might not be an only child, she was for the moment, so that was a good thing for when Ori and Fíli both were busy.

Bilbo cleared his throat, which made Thorin only slightly surprised. Both his husband and their son were quite light on their feet, managing to shock him at how they were able to enter a room without his notice if they were so inclined.

There was an apron on Bilbo, and his face had a bit of flour on his left cheek. Thorin grinned, seeing that.

"I see you've found something to occupy yourself with at last," Bilbo said, to Frodo.

Frodo hopped off of Thorin's leg, then ran towards his Papa. He held up the cart they fixed together, then said, "Adad taught me how to oil the wheels. Now Niri and I can play with this cart."

Bilbo nodded, a smile coming to his face.

"I'm sure your cousin will love that."

Frodo was quiet for only a moment, before he asked, "Do you think Niri will like this toy? It used to be my favorite, but she's," Frodo paused, then said quietly, "different."

Bilbo and Thorin shared a look, then Bilbo came to rest his hands on Frodo's shoulders.

"Everyone is different, lad. You enjoy playing with your carts and toy horses or gallivanting off into the wilds seeking out what we read about in your story books. Meanwhile, your cousin simply enjoys quieter pursuits. There's nothing wrong with that."

Frodo gazed up at Bilbo, and said, "She lines up her toys, rather than making noises with them, like Posey does."

Bilbo sighed.

"Yes. Posey plays that way, and Niri plays another. That is simply how we all are; we each do things in our own way."

Frodo quieted, clearly thinking over what Bilbo had said.

Thorin took that opportunity to add, "Niri may or may not enjoy your cart, but I am sure you two can find something to do with each other, now that she is older, and able to hold a conversation."

Frodo turned and scrunched his nose.

"Not a very long one."

Bilbo snorted.

"At one time, you were the same, Frodo. One day, you two can do more together. For now, you will just have to accept that your cousin is simply too young for certain things."

Frodo sighed.

Thorin said, "You love listening to us read books to you as she does with her own parents. Perhaps you could read to her?"

Frodo turned back towards him again, with bright eyes.

"That's a great idea, Adad. Thank you!"

Soon Frodo was running off, shouting something about going to the library to pick out his favorite books for when Niri arrived.

Chapter Text

It was nearly evening, and they had just sat down for dinner, when a knock sounded from the front door. Bilbo shared a look with Thorin, who stood up and went to it, with Frodo hot on his heels directly behind him.

Bilbo rose up to follow in their wake, whilst knowing the smial was soon to be bustling with energy it had not endured for quite some time. He was thrilled that they were having guests that they loved, though. It was simply a change of pace from before, and would take a slight bit of adjusting to again.

When he entered the hall, Fíli, holding Niri, walked in. Ori was entering soon after, but Kíli was nowhere to be seen.

Frodo went to Ori, who hugged him, whilst Niri clung to Fíli, staring at Thorin from her father's arms. She was wearing her own little pale blue traveling cloak, that Ori soon carefully divested her of, and made to put it away on the hook behind the front door that Thorin had installed himself some time ago.

Afterwards, Thorin gave Fíli a side hug, then to Ori a chaste embrace of his own, before he glanced around.

"Where is your nadadith?" Thorin asked.

Fíli and Ori shared a look, before the former said, "He's outside, securing our ponies."

"Alone?" Bilbo asked, hands going to his hips, perturbed by the clear omitting of information. There was not a chance that Kíli could accomplish that task on his own.

Fíli shook his head, then Ori said, "No. He's got his partner helping him."

Bilbo's eyebrows raised, while Thorin repeated, "Partner?"

Ori nodded, while he removed his cloak. As he hung it up, he replied, "Yes. They joined us for this trip, so that you and Bilbo could meet them, at last."

"We were only just in the Blue Mountains not long ago," Bilbo said.

Fíli met his eyes, their daughter's brown ones still watching them, and all that transpired before her, from where she was perched in the former's steady hold.

"Yes. He thought Niri's birthday wasn't the time. However, now, with an extended stay on the horizon, that is not the case."

Thorin glanced at Bilbo, before the latter said, "This partner of his, are they important to him?"

Though he was not fond of learning there was a guest he had not been expecting soon to enter their smial, Bilbo understood if whoever it was had come, they might matter enough that he would just have to get over it. While it was a bit rude, if Kíli was nervous, there might have been a reason the lad hadn't said anything prior to their arrival.

Fíli and Ori both nodded.

"Well, then we will welcome them, as we would any of you," Thorin said, firmly.

Before any of the adults could talk again, Frodo was in front of Fíli, gazing up at Niri. Thus far, he had been contenting himself with hopping about as everyone else had spoken. However, his exuberance had clearly become too much for him to contain any longer, in the silence that had begun to elapse between them all.

"Hi Niri!" Frodo exclaimed, his voice rising a bit more than usual, in his excitement.

Niri ducked her head into the left side of Fíli's neck.

Fíli grimaced.

Ori said a moment later, "She's not fond of sudden noises, Frodo."

"Right. Sorry," Frodo replied, then exhaled heavily.

For a moment, everyone remained standing there, until Frodo said more quietly, "Adad and I fixed my toy cart so we can play with it. I also pulled out books for me to read to you. Would you like to see?"

Niri was silent for a bit, until she lifted her head then turned back to look at Frodo and nodded.

"Would you like me to set you down?" Fíli asked, while glancing at Niri.

"Down, peas," Niri said, quietly.

"Peas?" Frodo repeated, immediately, confusion quite evident.

Meanwhile, Fíli set Niri on the ground, where she wobbled only slightly. His hands remained nearby in case he presumably needed to reach out to her, or should she wish to grasp them, even.

Bilbo smiled seeing the gesture. Fíli and Ori both were loving parents to Niri, which shone through in everything they did, even small moments such as that one.

"She's struggling to say please," Ori said, walking over to Frodo and ruffling his hair.

Frodo turned to Ori, whilst replying, "Ah."

Soon, Frodo was holding out a hand.

"Follow me, Niri."

Niri looked up at Frodo, then with an unreadable expression, reached out and clasped her smaller hand into her older cousin's outstretched larger one. Shortly, they were walking towards the library.

Ori trailed behind, saying, "One of us should probably follow."

So, that left Bilbo, Thorin and Fíli in the entrance hall.

Fíli began removing his traveling cloak, hanging it beside Ori's and Niri's on the far wall, upon a hook as his husband had with the others. After, he gave both of his uncles a proper hug; Bilbo first, then a longer one with Thorin.

When they stepped apart, the door to the smial opened. In strode Kíli, alongside another dwarf of shorter height, who walked in directly behind him. Kíli smiled at Thorin, while his partner shut the door in their wake.

Soon, Thorin and Kíli were embracing, whilst the unknown dwarf came to stand beside Fíli at his right. Bilbo noticed out of the corner of his left eye, Fíli smiled down at them encouragingly, as he watched Thorin hold Kíli in front of him.

"It is good to see you both again," Thorin said, his and Kíli's foreheads resting together.

"I couldn't agree more, Uncle," Kíli replied, smiling at Thorin.

When Thorin stepped back, he said, "I see you've brought an unexpected guest with you. Care to introduce them?"

Kíli's face only briefly looked worried, before he grinned, broadly.

"Yes, I would."

Afterwards, he stepped back, then held out a hand towards his partner. They came forward, and laced their fingers in his, as he said, "Uncles, this is Blær."

Blær bowed towards them, then said, "Blær, child of Fær. At your service."

"Thorin, son of Thráin, at yours," Thorin responded, a bow of his own soon bringing him low momentarily, before he rose up again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Blær. I'm Bilbo Baggins, son of Belladonna and Bungo Baggins," Bilbo said.

They glanced at Bilbo, and smiled; their brown eyes appeared far less worried than before. The expression on their face, meanwhile, revealed dimples in their cheeks as well, in their smooth, dark brown skin.

"Thank you both, for welcoming me into your home. Even if this knucklehead swore it was better to surprise you than give warning beforehand."

They lightly grasped Kíli's forearm, then smiled up at him. Kíli, grinned down at them unrepentantly, in return.

Bilbo chuckled.

"Yes, well. While we would have appreciated forewarning, you are quite welcome here. As are our nephews, and anyone important to them, too."

Blær turned, and their magenta coloured, shoulder-length hair, which was styled in thin, intricate braids that were far more detailed than any the rest of their family sported, swung slightly as they did.

A large smile engorged their face, before they said, "It is most appreciated."

Bilbo nodded in their direction, then clapped his hands together.

"Well, I imagine you lot are hungry, after all of your travelling. Would you care to come sit and eat with us? We prepared more than enough food for everyone."

Thorin chuckled.

"What he means is that we have enough to feed a smial's worth of dwarrow, and then some."

Bilbo glanced at Thorin, who wore an amused expression he could see even in his profile, as his husband gazed towards their guests.

"I would rather be prepared than left wanting, especially with visitors present."

Thorin turned and smiled directly at him. It lit up the dwarf's eyes, as he glanced down at Bilbo. The sight never ceased to make his heart pound just a bit out of time, whenever faced with it.

"No one is ever left wanting, when dining in your company, Ghivashel."

Bilbo smiled, then grasped Thorin's hand, to begin leading everyone to the food.

Once in the dining area, he said, "If Niri and Frodo are engrossed in their time together, I think making a plate for Ori would be best."

"I'll do it," Fíli said, then set about making his husband a well-stacked plate.

Not long after, he was walking off to presumably give Ori his food.

In Fíli's absence, Bilbo sat down with Thorin, Kíli and Blær.

"So, tell us how you met," Thorin said, while resuming eating his food that had sat while they greeted everyone.

"Would you like to tell him, or should I?" Blær asked.

Bilbo noticed Kíli looking bashful, which was so unlike him. Even so, their younger nephew smiled, before saying, "Blær here apprenticed with Óin, and I met them while they were learning more from him about healing."

Blær rolled their eyes, an indulgent smile on their face directed at Kíli, before they turned to look at Thorin.

"He was my most frequent patient, in fact. I saw him at least thrice a week, for a while."

"Most frequent, and also favorite," Kíli asserted, a cheeky note laced into his words, as he smiled in much the same manner.

Blær snorted.

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

Kíli placed a hand on his chest.

"You wound me."

Blær shook their head.

"Oh, you need no help doing that. Mahal, I would have thought you might be injuring yourself on purpose or faking your scrapes to see me, but no. You really are just a magnet for danger, or a glutton for punishment."

Thorin laughed heartily, as he reached for a cloth to wipe his face.

"It should not surprise you then, that he has been that way since he himself was but a pebble."

Blær smiled fondly at Kíli, before they turned back to Thorin once again.

"It does not. Dís has said as much."

Thorin nodded, after wiping his beard.

"Good. At least you know what you're getting into."

Their warm brown eyes flicked over to Kíli.

"I do. Though, even knowing, I am glad to have met him, still."

Kíli's right hand reached out and held Blær's, squeezing it upon the table, before he shot them a smile.

"And I you, Kurdulu."

Foot falls caught Bilbo's ears, as he saw Kíli lean over to kiss Blær on the cheek. When he turned, it was to see Fíli reappearing.

"How are the children getting on?" Bilbo asked.

There was a lull in conversation as Fíli sat near Thorin, before he responded. In that time, Bilbo ate some of his own food, which had remained largely neglected, up until that point.

After the sounds of a scraping chair ceased, he heard, "Just fine. Ori's sitting off to the side eating, while Niri is playing with the cart and Frodo reads aloud to them both. Once they tire themselves of it, I imagine she will eat and fall asleep on my chest."

"Much like you on mine or your Amad's, when you were young, Irak'dashat," Thorin said.

Fíli smiled towards Thorin, before nodding.

"She's a bit clingy when in a new place, but we remembered her favorite blanket Ori knitted her, so that should help. Mahal knows without it, one of us would be on our way back now to get it."

Bilbo knew that, all too well.

Frodo had a favorite comfort item, too; a stuffed rabbit Dori had sewn for their child, before he had been born. And woe betide the fool who would hide it from him.

Everyone lapsed into silence for a while, consuming their food. When Bilbo had finished his own, then wiped his face, he glanced over everyone else who had ventured to visit.

"Speaking of sleep, your rooms are made up. The fresh linens are where they normally are. Find me, should anything be amiss."

"Thank you, Uncle Bilbo," Kíli and Fíli said, nearly in unison.

It was scary how they still managed to do that, even many years past majority.

Blær nodded.

"Yes, thank you for having me, even if I was an unexpected addition to your plans."

Bilbo shrugged.

"Unplanned or not, anyone important to our nephews is welcome here." He paused, then added, "Though, I must ask, have you met many Hobbits?"

Blær shook their head.

"A few, here and there, in the Blue Mountains, but otherwise no."

Bilbo nodded.

"Well, in that case, I must inform you that for a Hobbit's birthday, it is typical to give gifts, rather than receive them. So, in the room I imagine you'll be sharing with Kíli, there is one for him. However, seeing as you are all meant to stay for a week, I shall gather one for you as well."

"That's unnecessary," they replied, politely.

"Please, consider it a welcome to the family from me to you."

"And me," Thorin added.

Blær shared a look with Kíli, then said, "Well, though surprising, I'll agree to it."

Bilbo smiled, and nodded firmly.

"Good."

They fell into the ease of readying the table for everyone else to join, as there was still the matter of a certain Dwobbit's own birthday to attend.

Soon, they were all gathered around, Frodo sitting at the head of the table. A cake with candles sat before him, to denote his 15th birthday. As a Dwobbit, that meant he was closer to the age of a pre-tween, than not. Young, he still very much was.

They sang for him, and Bilbo, too.

Afterwards, Fíli was cutting the cake with a knife he produced from goodness knows where. He took to handing out smaller plates laden with a slice to anyone wanting one, while the gifts for everyone were brought out, and the cake was eaten.

To honor both his Hobbit and Dwarf heritages, Frodo had chosen to both give as well as receive presents. So, the traditional Hobbit gifts were disbursed to everyone first, then he was allowed his.

A new sword and shield crafted by Thorin was the first, while a blank, leather-bound journal from Bilbo was another. A nice stationery set came from Ori and Fíli. Meanwhile, Kíli had brought him a new, hand-strung bow and quiver.

To everyone else, Frodo had allotted them handmade gifts, including Blær, whom he had rustled up one from somewhere. He was the consummate Dwobbit; both giving and enjoying the presents he had been bestowed.

As Frodo was examining his new weapons, Fíli rocked Niri to sleep while humming softly to her, as she was swaddled in a lilac knitted blanket, alongside his own arms. Meanwhile, Ori showed Blær around the smial, and Thorin went outside with Kíli to share a pipe.

Sitting with a mug of warm tea, watching everything transpire, Bilbo decided though unexpected, it was a lovely birthday indeed.