The air was thick with the scent of food. Whole plates were laid out, stacked and filled with food, most of it made by Bilbo himself. Thorin's mouth watered; dinner could not start soon enough.

He absently eyed the others as they walked in. Either he had come early and the others were running late, though Thorin hoped that they would not have to wait long for them. He had not eaten in hours.

His stomach grumbled. The food sat before him, calling out to him with it's scent and sight. Oh, he had never seen more beautiful food in his life. Now this was what king's should have been eating; Thorin's own royal kitchen could not compare.

Would Bilbo mind if he just took a small taste? Just a little, teensy tiny bit. He would just make sure that the food was wonderful.

He grabbed his fork and knife, then quickly cut off a small piece of steak. Yes, he would only eat this much... What harm would one taste do?

"Thorin, wait for the rest of us!"

Quickly, Thorin dropped his fork, the utensil making a large clinking sound as it hit the edge of the plate. His cheeks flamed red.

"Wait for everyone else," Bilbo scolded. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I did not make all of this food for you to eat every last bit."

"Bilbo, I-"

Bilbo's frown deepened. "Wait."

"I apologize."

Bilbo nodded. "Wait and I will forgive you."

A few of the company members snickered. Thorin turned even redder.

The king leaned back into his chair, then began to count everyone who arrived. More than half of them already had, and he hoped that he would not have to wait much longer. Thorin prayed to Aule that this was not a complete reunion; Gandalf had last been heard of heading to Rivendell, and by the time they saw the wizard again, whenever that was, the food would probably be cold.

"Stop brooding," Bilbo said.

Thorin snapped out of his thoughts. He looked over to Bilbo. "I was not brooding."

"And I did not make this food." Bilbo began to dig around in his pockets. "Why don't we do something to pass the time?" He smirked.

Thorin raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He pulled something from his pocket, something that he had probably gotten from Fili and Kili. He had noticed them with one earlier.

"A cracker?"

"Oh, what would be the harm?" He held it out. "Please?"

Thorin eyed his company again; a few more still needed to come.

"Fine."

"There's no need to sound so grumpy about it."

Thorin took one side of it, while Bilbo took the other.

"You know what this does, correct?" Thorin asked.

Bilbo nodded. "We should do this now."

Thorin and Bilbo both pulled. Looking away from Bilbo, he checked the door. Why was it taking everyone so long?

"You can do it, Uncle Thorin!" Kili yelled.

Taking advantage of Thorin's absentmindedness, Bilbo pulled apart the larger half than Thorin. The pop broke Thorin's thoughts.

"I win!" Bilbo grinned, then held up a small paper crown. he unfolded it, then placed it on his head.

"That is not fair-"

"I won." He chuckled. "We could play again. There is still time to waste." He smirked.

Some of the company members were laughing so loud that he was sure that the elves of Mirkwood could hear them.

"I guess this just goes to show that though you are the king, I am the one who wears the crown."