Bilbo had saved the dwarves from trolls and orcs. She had escaped the goblin and found a ring essential to the quest (though they didn't know that). She had even let them raid her pantry until it was but a shell of its former self. No respectable hobbit would be seen with a pantry like that! She had even let them throw her respectability out the window.

And what did she get for it? Being told that she couldn't even bathe with them. Really, the nerve of dwarves! They were ten times as dirty as she was and yet they acted as though she was dirtier than them. Some of them had dirt in places Bilbo could never imagine them being. At least she tried to stay clean.

She shivered as she walked over to the smaller area where Thorin was busy bathing. Without her chest binding, she looked strange. Her long black hair floated in the water.

Bilbo got into the water and angrily crossed her arms over her chest. Thorin was the leader of the company and even she was forced over here.

"Your company is incredibly rude," she said. It was strange, being here with Thorin. Originally, the dwarf had hated her and acted as though she wouldn't mind if Bilbo suddenly got stabbed by an orc. Now? Now was a bit confusing. She felt Thorin's gaze on her, but she wasn't angry. She walked closer to Bilbo than normal. She would even smile at her. It wouldn't surprise Bilbo if she jumped in front of an orc to save Bilbo's life.

That quick decision had really turned things around for the two of them.

Bilbo couldn't complain about Thorin's attention. It was much better to have someone like you than to have them hate you. Having Thorin also be kind to her was great. It just wouldn't be enough if Thorin simply tolerated her.

Thorin raised a dark eyebrow. "And why is that?"

She remembered how Bofur had been one of the ones to talk her into leaving. He had been one of the kindest dwarves. Ori and Dori had done the same.

"They said I couldn't bathe with them." She snorted. "To think, I saved their lives!"

Thorin gave her a confused look. If this were a different time, she probably would have just gotten angry and complained. "But is that not polite?"

"Polite?"

Thorin frowned. "It must be a halfling issue. We mean no offense."

"Oh," Bilbo said. "I never thought of it that way." Her anger sudden;y felt out of place. Dwarves were a strange group, but Bilbo had mostly gotten used to them on this adventure. She'd tried to not offend them.

"They didn't want to appear rude."

"And I was almost scared that I was incredibly dirty."

Thorin snorted. "My nephews probably have dirt up their asses."

Bilbo began to wash herself. She thought over what she had learned. Hobbits really were a simple folk. Sharing baths was uncommon, but if it needed to be done it was done.

"You're always welcome here." Thorin smiled again. Bilbo could feel the woman's eyes on her face. "I won't make a single complaint about you." Her eyes wondered over Bilbo. "Though I must say, there is some dirt that's still sticking to your arm."

"What?" Bilbo quickly began to rub it away.

Thorin chuckled. "I think I might know a few more places we'll need to check."

If she thought that the dwarves kicking her out of the water was embarrassing, it compared nothing to them apologizing for doing so. They all mentioned dwarf related reasons, and it was ridiculous to hear every last one but Thorin do so. But she let them do so.

Later, she and Thorin laughed about it.