Chapter Text
Dwalin stared up at the round green door. The hobbit he had gotten directions from, after a rather thorough integration which oddly involved hobbit children being used against him (and while very unfair, Dwalin couldn’t help but appreciate these peaceful folks way of getting information. It was very effective.), had told him he’d find the boys here. It didn’t look like a trap.
The burly dwarf stamped the rest of the way up, carefully opening the gate and closing it again as he went. Then the guard stared at the door for another few minutes. Finally he raised his fist and moved to knock.
The door swung open before he could. A small body ran into him as a woman’s voice called out over the child’s laughter, “Gimli come back here! Those cookies are for tea!”
Dwalin turned his stare down to meet Gloin’s little son’s wide eyes. The dwarfling suddenly twisted around Dwalin, calling out, “Amad, Adad!?!”
“Oh!” came a gasp of surprise.
The burly dwarf looked up from the child and stared some more. A small hobbit woman stared back. Her shock shifted to a frown. Then a broom slammed into Dwalin’s face. “Gimli get away from him!”
Dwalin stumbled back at the sudden, constant assault. Gimli had obediently moved out of the way and was giggling at the side. Dwalin couldn’t help the spew of curses falling from his mouth as he tried to get away from the Mahal damned broom without harming or scaring the lady.
“Nâmad! That’s Mister Dwalin!” Came a new shout.
Gimli crowed in excitement, “Nâmad’s beating up Mister Dwalin!”
The broom stilled and then moved away slightly. Dwalin peaked around it to watch the fierce little hobbit carefully. She stared with narrowed eyes. “You certain Kili? Get Fili.”
Kili, covered in white powder, nodded, “Ahuh.” He turned and leaned into the doorway to shout, “Fee! Nâmad’s beating up Mister Dwalin!”
Dwalin watched as a appealing blush spread across the hobbit lass' cheeks and ear tips. Fili and another dwarfling Dwalin had never seen before appeared in the doorway. The blood dwarf broke out into a grin. “Mister Dwalin!”
At Fili’s cry the broom suddenly vanished and the hobbit lass became a tomato. She fiddled with her apron for a moment before looking up at him with wide green eyes. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t-I mean, I couldn’t be sure you were kin of the boys. I’ve had some… incidents with folk.” She paused for a moment before turning sharply, “Kili, the cookies!”
Kili sprang into action and she followed, calling over her shoulder, “Fili have Mister Dwalin settled into the guest room would you?”
Dwalin allowed Fili and Gimli to drag him into the foray, pull off his cloak, and then drag him down a rounded wooden hallway. His bewilderment at what had just happened kept him from doing anything else. The last dwarfling trailed behind. Fili pushed open a door, revealing a room with a overly large bed.
The guard looked around as he dumped his things in a corner. It was a homey room even with the man size bed. Beyond the broom, there hadn’t been anything to indicate it was a trap. The boys being here basically removed all possibilities but he had to investigate some more before sending news.
He looked over at the three dwarflings. Gimli was pouting at him. Fili was frowning thoughtfully. The last was staring at him blankly.
“Sooo, ya lads doing good here?”
“Nâmad’s the best!” Shout Gimli. The little boy threw a fist in the air and then charged out of the room, odd braids flying through the air.
“Huh. Right.” Dwalin said looking over at the other two. The dwarflings grinned back.
“Gimli’s has been doing that lately.” Explained Fili. The room went quiet again. After a few minutes of staring Fili spoke up again. “Is Adad and Amad and Nâdad coming too?”
“Supposed to be checking ta make sure this ain’t a trap but ya they will be.” Answered Dwalin. Fili nodded seriously, joy glowing in his eyes, before wandering out of the room.
Dwalin looked at the last dwarfling. Brown-red hair was braid in multiple odd braids. “You’re the one with answers, right?”
The dwarfling folded his arms and glared up at him. “Don’t hurt my kurâmad!”
Eyebrows shot up.
“Tea time dears! Let Mister Dwalin know!” called the hobbit.
The dwarfling’s glare deepened. The child purposely stepped in front of the door.
“Ori!” Called the hobbit lass.
Dwalin smiled. “I won’t hurt yer ma, lad.”
Ori nodded curtly before running out the door. “Coming Kurâmad!”
Dwalin stomped after the lad and quietly sat at his indicated seat. A large pot of tea and two large plates of delicious smelling cookies were laid out. Dwalin watched as the boys showed manners and waited until the hobbit served them a cup of tea each. He quietly accepted the small cup, engulfing it in his large hands. Mint and something sweet floated up from the pinkish tea.
The hobbit sat down and the boys immediately grabbed a couple of cookies. Dwalin watched the hobbit that was aunt and mother to the various dwarflings.
She seemed like a good enough lass. Caring for four rambunctious lads meant she had patience. The lovely blush and her words showed a politeness most dwarves didn’t bother with, with outsiders. (What was the point of being polite to someone that wasn’t going to be to you?)
Her attack by broom showed her ferocity; she might even know a thing or two on using staves. He’d have to ask at some point. The weapon would be a good option for someone with little reach.
Dwalin continued to watch, munching on delicious cookies and carefully siping surprisingly good tea. The hobbit fussed over each child but not so much that it was overbearing. It was just enough to keep each boy inline and fed.
“I’m all done!” shouted Gimli. His fists flew into the air at his shout, as if brandishing a sword in victory.
The hobbit simply smiled softly at the redhead. “Alright then, wash up and go play outside. Mister Dwalin and I have to talk.”
Gimli bounced out of the room, Kili following after. Fili grabbed another cookie before running off. Ori flashed a narrow eyed glare at Dwalin and, instead of following the other boys, climbed up into the hobbit’s lap and gave her a firm hug and kiss on the cheek. Then the last dwarfling flashed another glare at Dwalin and left the room.
Dwalin shifted, purposely stuffing another cookie in his mouth to avoid speaking first. The hobbit lass looked up at him, uncertainty and a small amount of worry gleamed in her startling emerald eyes. Dwalin shook his head slightly at the thought. They were green like one of the weeds outside, not emeralds. They were like grass. He found that thought repeating in his head as he watched her green eyes reflect her worries and relief at his presence.
“Mister Dwalin...I assume you’re here to take the boys.” The pain grew in her far too expressive eyes for a moment. “If you could wait a few weeks...The boys have been invited to a friend’s birthday party. I think they would like to stay for it.”
The dwarf shook his head. “I’m not takin’ them anywhere-uh...lass. I’ll send word to their family and wait here for everyone. Then we’ll head out.”
The inticing blush came back as he spoke. The hobbit lass spoke up, speaking in a rush, “I’m so so sorry! I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Bella Baggins. And you’re welcome to stay here at my home. Ther-”
Dwalin interrupted the rush of words, “Most appreciated Mrs. Baggins. I’d like to speak with your husband before I accept your offer though.”
“Oh I’m not married, Mister Dwalin.” She rose and poured him another cup of tea. The angle she was leaning at gave Dwalin a view of her soft breasts. Dwalin forced his eyes to the pinkish tea as she looked up at him through her lashes. Embarrassment tinged her voice, “You’ll find it difficult finding lodging elsewhere at the moment. We have midsummer's festival coming up and all the traders have already taken up the inn.”
Dwalin nodded jerkingly. “I accept then, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Her warm smile brought a flush to Dwalin’s ears. Dwalin jumped up as she picked up one of the half empty trays of cookies. She stared, startled by his sudden movements. He grabbed the plate, his hand brushing her’s in his rush. His blush grew. “I’ll help.” He stated with a gruff puff of air.
Her surprise turned to annoyance. “You’re a guest! Guests do NOT help clean up.” She snapped. Then she grabbed the plate back and stomped out of the room. Dwalin stared after her. His heart pounding at the image of her soft body going taut, her breasts rising under that bodice as she snapped at him.
Mahal’s beard, he had been taught better than this. Dwalin forced all the improper thoughts from his mind. He was here for the boys, not to ogle some soft, pretty thing.
Dwalin grabbed up the cast iron teapot and stomped off after the dratted lass. He was going to help clean up. He was going to be here for weeks!
That evening the dwarf sat back and watched as the boys were handled expertly into baths and bed. He found himself watching her, eyes tracing the curves of her chest and hips far more often than he should. It took forever to write the letter to Thorin. Her sweet words of goodnight made him nearly spill the ink over his paper.
The next morning Dwalin watched as Bella Baggins guided Kili through cooking a batch of cheese scones. What should have been a mess and burnt coal (it was Kili cooking for Mahal’s sakes!), turned out to be absolutely amazing. She knew how to cook and she knew how to teach her craft to others.
Dwalin could feel himself falling and no matter the number of times he reminded himself why he was here, Dwalin couldn’t keep himself from watching her appreciatively. Every day passed by with Dwalin falling harder and harder.
A stack of dwarven letters came in the mail. One for Dwalin and the rest for Gimli, Fili, and Kili. Thorin had even sent one to little Ori, probably informing the child that his family would be found and informed of his location. The lads parents and uncle were heading this way. They’d be here in a week or so.
The boys were thrumming in excitement. Dwalin silently watched over the boys as Bella ran to the market for a special meal to commemorate the letters. He was fairly sure she was doing the meal more for herself them the boys. She loved them and she was about to lose them.
Dwalin blinked over at Fili as the boy cheerfully named off a list of things. “and forget-me-nots have to be in there! You remember that one the Greenhand gave, she especially liked those.”
The other boys mutter in agreement. Dwalin frowned. “She likes what?”
The boys looked over at him in surprise. “Oh, we’re just talking about flower meanings Mister Dwalin.” Explained Kili. “Hobbits take it very seriously, especially when you put them all in a bouquet.”
“Really?” Dwalin paused before adding, “What they use it for?”
“Courting and…” Dwalin didn’t hear any other explanation from Kili.
Flowers were used for courting. Could he? Dwalin stared blankly out over Bella’s garden. Should he? Dwalin thought about the her sweet smiles. “Lad, where’d you’d get information about flower meanings?”
“What?” Asked Kili in surprise. “Uh, in a book I guess.”
Fili leaned over and stared at Dwalin with a frown. “Why?”
Dwalin shrugged uncomfortably. Ori was glaring at him again. “A book eh? I’d get one for my brother, he'll like that.”
“Oh.” Fili wrinkled his nose but nodded. “Mister Balin would like that. You can get a copy at the market.”
The next day Dwalin went to the market and bought a book. He spent the next week, past midsummer’s festival, trying to decipher what it meant. Flowers all looked the bloody same. The drawings didn’t help much. It took hours of staring and comparing pictures and real flowers to start recognizing the differences.
Thorin, Dis, Vili, Gloin, and Brimli came to Bag End two days before the birthday party. Dwalin had been out in some partly hidden field comparing notes when they showed up. He missed the drama but he felt no qualms about glaring daggers at Thorin. The red puffiness of Bella’s eyes could only be his fault.
Thorin followed Dwalin the next day. “Ya don’t need to come.” Grumbled the guard as he tried to convince Thorin to leave. He didn’t need Thorin present while trying to understand flowers.
Thorin kicked a rock, his scowl firmly in place, “I’ve been ordered out of the house.”
“Dis not wanting you to screw up this mess more?”
Thorin’s scowl deepened. “No.” He voice became small, “The boys kicked me out till I can be nice to her.”
Dwalin chuckled and then groaned. So much for getting rid of the grumpy king. “Fine.” The guard suddenly turned off the road and trumped up the hill.
A valley of flowers growing wild came into view. Dwalin firmly ignored Thorin as he pulled the book out and rifled through the pages as he walked over to a group of flowers he hadn’t identified yet. Finding the page he had left off of, the dwarf squatted down and lifted the book up to stare at the drawing side by side with the live flower.
A few minutes of silence stretched out as Dwalin turned the page and stared some more. “Dwalin.” Thorin broke the silence. “What are you doing?”
“Comparing.”
“Weeds?”
“Flowers.”
Silence came back as Thorin sank down besides Dwalin and joined in the comparing. “Not the same.” The king said after a moment.
“You sure?”
“The leaves are all wrong.” Thorin pointed out.
“Damn.”
“So…” Thorin leaned forward, staring at Dwalin in honest confusion. “Why?” Dwalin’s face and ears turned beat red. Thorin’s eyebrows rose at the reaction. “Right then.” Thorin pointed at the new picture. “The petals are off, I think.”
Dwalin pulled the book close and squinted at the lines. “Damnit.” Growled the burly dwarf. The rest of the afternoon slid by, the two comfortably sitting in the quiet summer day.
The next morning Dwalin was gone before first breakfast. He didn’t turn back up until Bella was cleaning up from second breakfast. Everyone was getting ready for the party.
Dwalin watched the hobbit as she hummed away, cleaning a pot. He shifted back and forth before clearing his throat.
Bella looked up at him and frowned. “You missed first breakfast and second breakfast. You’ll have to wait till luncheon if you’re hungry.”
“Uh, right.” Dwalin shifted again.
She tilted her head, the sunlight igniting her hair into glowing threads of gold. Dwalin’s mouth went dry. “Did you want something else?” Dwalin pulled his arm back from behind his back and shoved the bouquet of flowers at her. Her eyes widened at the flowers. “Oh.” She gasped softly.
The bouquet had white heliotrope, white jasmines, white larkspur, pink myrtle, and a single burst of purple snapdragons all tied together with ivy. Bella carefully took the flowers from him and plucked the snapdragon out before looking shyly up at Dwalin. His heart hammered as she stared at him.
“Will you braid them in my hair?”
Dwalin flushed and nodded. He couldn’t guess if this meant anything in particular but to be allowed to braid her hair was more than he could have ever hoped for. This had just been a fool’s decision. He hadn’t expected the lovely hobbit lass to show any interest back.
“What about those?” Ask Dwalin, nodding to the snapdragons.
Bella looked back over at the flowers before shaking her head, “They don’t work with the rest of the message.” She looked up at him with an intent stare. “I don’t want anyone mistaking the message.”
The dwarf flushed in embarrassment at getting a flower wrong. The bloody things all look the same. He was amazed he had gotten most of the flowers right.
Bella hummed happily, paying no mind to his thoughts as she pulled him along to the living area. She guided him to sit in one of her wingback chairs and gave him back the flowers before vanishing. Soon the flowers were set in a bowl and a comb took their place in his hands.
She then slid down in front of him. Dwalin carefully, hesitantly brushed her hair. His mind scattered as he tried to remember a single braid. Nothing came to mind.
A noise to the side startled him from his thoughts. Bella didn’t seem to react, content to sit between his legs. The other dwarves were all standing staring at them. Vili was hold Ori back, hand over the lad’s mouth. Thorin was giving him a slightly shocked stare but helpfully guided the equally shocked Kili and Fili away. Vili flashed a grin that was matched by Gloin and Gimli. Dis helpfully pulled her hair out and carefully, visibly weaved a basic braid. Brimli helpful dragged the rest of the males from the doorway.
Dwalin flushed at the audience and their actions. He flashed a hand symbol that the children shouldn’t see but he didn’t care. They should be minding their own damn business.
He turned back to Bella’s hair and took a section of it, carefully weaving the basic braid Dis had just shown him. He redid the braids a couple of times. Once because they fell apart as soon as he let go. Twice because they weren’t thick enough to hold a single flower. But finally, when they were nearly late for the party, he finished.
“There.” Dwalin announced, his voice rough as worry thrummed. Would she approve?
Bella rose with a smile and glanced at a mirror. Her hands trailed over the messy braids and flowers. Her expression softened in the mirror’s reflection. She suddenly twirled around to face him, plucked a few of the remaining flowers form the bowl and stepped over to him. “It’s perfect.” She breathed, “Thank you.”
Dwalin stilled as Bella rose up on her tip toes and pressed a soft kiss on his hairy cheek. She then slid a couple flowers into his hair and skipped from the room.
“Very smooth.”
“Shut up.” Growled Dwalin, his cheeks and ears still pinked. He couldn’t keep the pleased smile off his face.
Thorin chuckled. “Guess I’ll have to try and accept her now?”
“I’ll beat the shit outta ya if ya don’t.”
The king clapped Dwalin’s shoulder before following everyone out to the party tree.