Adopted from Gangel, chapter 'Lost and Found'. For those of you who have read it, you'll know it fixates on creating a parental relationship between Gloin and Bilbo. For those of you who haven't, well now you know. I've been lucky enough so far to only stumble upon fanfictions which hint at their friendship/relationship whatever you call it. I prefer to write them as a family because I, personally, can see it happening.
The chapter that inspired this work will not be placed into this particular story.
Unlike Gangel, this won't be a series of one-shots.

You see, in this, it starts in Bag End. It's a little bit AU-like because Bilbo is only 39 years old in this fanfic, and he's got more of that Tookish streak, so he adds his signature to the contract after hearing the Dwarrow's story. Then the Dwarves suddenly think, 'wait, how old is he?' Then all hell breaks loose. They decide he needs a guardian, and that's when the relationship between Gloin and Bilbo begins.

That's enough from me, I hope you enjoy the story!

Akhûnith- Khuzdul for 'one that is young'.

"I will sign the contract."

Gandalf hid a smile. He knew Bilbo would. You can't possibly grow up with Belladonna Took as your mother and not gain at least some part of her adventurous spirit. As he watched the son of his old friend sign the parchment, he noticed Oin was looking at Bilbo with his head turned to one side. Gandalf knew that look. It mean Oin suspected something. And he had a feeling he knew exactly what.

"Here, lad, how old are you?" Oin called over.

"Me? I'm 39." At the Dwarves' suddenly dazed expressions, he hastily added; "Years. I'm thirty nine years."

"Thirty nine... You let a child sign the contract?!" Balin asked Gandalf in stunned disbelief.

"Of course I didn't..."

"But, he's not even forty! He's a babe for Mahal's sake!" Bofur argued, looking over at the now rather irritated Hobbit.

"I," Bilbo said as loudly as he could over the rabble, "am not a babe or a child, thank you very much. I am of age, I'll have you all know!"

"Yes, lad." said Dwalin in an unintentionally patronizing tone.

"He can't unsign the contract, can he?" Nori wanted to know.

"What d'you mean, 'unsign' it?" Dori asked

"Well, can he scratch his name out?"

"That is enough!" Gandalf thundered. "If he has signed it, then that's that! He will be accompanying you and you will allow it!"

There was a short silence, broken by the soft clicking of a faraway clock's hands.

"He could have one of us as guardian, couldn't he?" Ori suggested.

"Yes! Very good, Ori!"

"But which one?" Bombur asked.

"Ooh, us!"

"Mahal forbid. Kili, you'd destroy the poor bugger if he was left in your care."

As the Dwarves argued, Gandalf stood and left the room, muttering about the lunacy of Dwarves and other things Bilbo didn't quite hear. He trotted after the Wizard, wondering just what was going on now.

"You see, Bilbo," Gandalf explained, suddenly kneeling in front of Bilbo to look him in the eyes. "Dwarves age differently to Hobbits. They come of age at 72 years, whilst Hobbits come of age at 33 years. That is why they're so worried, though I still believe they are overreacting over this whole thing."

"Why are they worried so over my age?"

"Children are more precious to Dwarves than any stone or metal the Earth has to offer. To them, you are a child. They probably feel regret at your signing it. Heaven knows what they'll do now. Probably assign Dori to you."

"Do I look like a child to you?" Bilbo asked.

"Well..."

Bilbo looked at the Wizard's twinkling, blue eyes and allowed himself to smile. Trust Gandalf to find the situation funny. "My poor father's probably spinning in his grave."

"Your mother would find this whole occurrence terribly amusing, Bilbo."

Bilbo chuckled. "She would."

Gandalf placed a hand on his shoulder. "Know this. The Dwarves will not harm you. You must try and trust them. Particularly as this guardianship is going to occur."

"Can't you be my guardian?"

"I won't always be there. Of course, I will be with you, but not always. They will be keeping that in mind, you see."

"Where will you be going?"

Gandalf huffed a small laugh. "Problems to deal with arise all the time, my dear Hobbit. I do not know what they are yet. Don't be afraid when I am not there. They will protect you."

Remembering all he'd seen from them and recalling Gandalf's words, Bilbo felt himself nod. "I know they will."

"Lad!" someone called from the room they'd vacated. "Come here, a minute, would you?"

Gandalf stood, smiling down at Bilbo. "Best be off now, Bilbo. Remember what I told you."

As Bilbo made his way to the Dwarves, he briefly wondered if, wherever she was, his mother was indeed laughing.

I went through three different situations to make Gloin and Bilbo bond before I found this one. Praises be to Ori the Plot Bunny! Hope it was enjoyed, please say if it was or wasn't!

Love from Shania. xx