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Chapter 1: Introductions

The company had ridden out from Erebor as soon as they had received Bilbo's letter telling of the death of his relatives. They had learnt during the quest that, like dwarves, hobbits took family very seriously, they considered Bilbo family and therefore wanted to be there for him in any way they could.

When Bilbo answered the door to them it was with a sad, grateful smile. His complexion was pasty and drawn from lack of sleep and his clothes were dishevelled. Putting it politely he looked bloody awful.

They filed into the kitchen, each of them giving Bilbo's shoulder a squeeze or offering their condolences. When he moved to make tea for them all Dori took the pot from him and gently pushed the hobbit into a chair whilst Balin went and retrieved biscuits and cake from the pantry. They knew that Bilbo would not want to be a poor host even if he was mourning still.

"How've you been keeping Lad?" Gloin asked, wanting to break the silence. Bilbo shook his head ruefully,

"Truthfully? I'm exhausted. Things got a little ...complicated after Primula and Drogo passed."

"Complicated how?" Fili asked

"Their son-my nephew. They named me as his guardian, something which caused a bit of dispute given my...past exploits and the company I keep."

"I am sorry if we have made life here hard for you my friend." Thorin said, Bilbo waved it away,

"You have nothing to be sorry for Thorin. Truth be told I think the lads inheritance when he comes of age played a part in so many suddenly wanting to take him in, especially those thrice-cursed Sackvilles. Speaking of Frodo-" Bilbo rose from his seat and disappeared down the hall. There was silence once again as the dwarves sat pondering how anyone could be callus enough to use a child for their own gain. Bilbo returned a few minutes later with a small, dark-haired fauntling clutching the back of his waistcoat.

"Frodo lad, you remember the dwarves I told you all about?"

Frodo nodded, big blue eyes never leaving the group as Bilbo introduced them one by one, each of them giving the child a smile or small wave, except Bofur who doffed his hat and earned a small giggle.

A knock at the door sent Frodo hurtling back down the hall. Bilbo offered the dwarves an apologetic smile before going to see who it was. After a brief conversation at the door Bilbo returned.

"He's been doing that every time there's someone at the door. He thinks it's someone come to take him away."

"We won't allow them." Thorin said, making his way over to Bilbo, spying Frodo peering from around a door he beckoned the fauntling over. After an encouraging smile from his uncle Frodo shyly made his way over to the intimidating dwarf, who knelt down slowly so as not to send him running again and gently took him by the shoulders.

"You are as much a part of our family as your uncle little one, and if anyone wishes to take you away then they shall have to go through us first."

The others loudly voiced their agreement and Bilbo found himself smirking at the thought of Lobellia Sackville faced with thirteen extremely protective dwarves.