The door closed and Kili set her back on her feet. He tried to help her straighten her clothes but she slapped his hands away and began to stomp down toward the market.

"Curse that Dwarf, and his entire bloodline!" She said angrily, even as confusion raged inside her. She didn't know what to make of him. One second he was royal and the next a royal jackass. One moment he looked like he wanted to kill her and the next looked to be in so much pain she simply wanted to hug him.

And that was all in just two meetings with him!

"There's no reason to curse all of us," Kili said, taking up pace beside her. "It's not our fault Uncle has a bad habit of not thinking before he speaks."

Bilba stopped dead in the middle of the path, so hard that Fili, walking behind her, nearly ran over her.

She turned to look at Kili. "Did you say Uncle?"

He nodded. "Afraid so."

Bilba nodded, that just figured. It wasn't the Pretty Twins, it was the Pretty Triplets. She wondered briefly what family reunions must be like. Were they all that pretty or was it just these three?

"Was he dropped on his head as a child?"

Fili looked confused. "What?"

"I'm just trying to figure out why he's such a jerk," Bilba muttered. "You two seem reasonable enough."

"You should meet our mother," Kili said cheerfully, only to grunt as Fili elbowed him sharply in the side.

Bilba shook her head at their antics, turned and began walking again, at a more measured pace. The sun was still in the process of rising and a cool breeze wound its way along the lane, sliding around her legs and up her body. It was a peaceful morning, as most were in the Shire, and she started to relax in spite of herself.

Only a few others were out and about, though the market was already set up and waiting for her. As Bilba went in she saw a number of girls her own age giving Fili and Kili appraising looks.

Oddly, enough, it reminded her of another comment Thorin made.

"How old are you two?"

Fili answered. "I'm 82, Kili is 77."

Bilba nodded, doing the math in her head. She knew most Dwarves lived around five hundred years, though they reached maturity within the first hundred, which probably put Fili and Kili right about....she snorted. "I knew it."

"What?" Kili asked.

"We're the same age, more or less!" She said her voice angry. "It's not perfect but, going by the respective lifespans of Hobbits and Dwarves, I'm close to the same age as you two. So Thorin OakenJerk lets the two of you along, but calls me a child!"

Fili raised an eyebrow. "OakenJerk?"

Bibla moved forward to a table and began looking through bread. "Well, it's a more apt name than Okenshield, isn't it? What kind of name is Oakenshield anyway? Oh, look, I have a shield, and it's made of wood! Who cares?" She turned to look at them suspiciously, "your last names aren't Oakenshield are they?"

Kili was unable to answer, doubled over as he was laughing. Fili merely looked amused. "No. Oakenshield isn't really a last name. It's a title, earned in battle."

Bilba snorted. "That's even dumber then."

Kili actually collapsed on his knees, both arms wrapped around his stomach as he laughed. Fili kicked him but it made no difference.

Bilba ignored them both and continued to look through the bread. He'd complained of her training, height, age, and gender and not a one of those things held any merit. He hadn't even ASKED about any training she might or might not have. Would he have been more willing to accept her had she been a young, untrained, small, male?

Probably, idiot Dwarf.

What does it matter? Her Baggins side whispered. You've already decided not to go. His not wanting you just means you won't have to worry about him trying to convince you.

It's not fair, that's why! Her Took side whispered back rebelliously. I could go if I wanted to.

And do what? End up like your mother?

Bilba stiffened, hand tightening on a loaf of bread.

Wouldn't you like to know what happened? That was her Took side again, fully awake now and unwilling to be put back to rest. Wouldn't you like to remember?

Did she?

Thunder crashed in her mind, rain slashing down in cold sheets. She remembered how the water ran off her as she stood in the Thain's foyer. She could see herself, head down as blood and water spread slowly across the wood floor. She'd been cold, so cold it felt like ice had eaten its way into her very bones and taken up permanent lodging. She'd never be warm again, couldn't even remember what it felt like to feel anything other than ice.

Don't you want to find them? An entire company of Dwarves, and a wizard. You couldn't be safer.

That was true. She recalled the map Fili showed her the night before, outlining the trip to Erebor.

You'll have to pass near Rivendell. You could go with them, just that far, retrace your steps from before.

Don't you want to know?

Did she?

"Bilba!"

Bilba started at the shrill voice, and looked next to her, only to immediately feel her heart sink as she found herself face to face with none other than Poppy Sackville.

Also known as the prettiest girl in Hobbiton, and well aware of it. Where Bilba was much too tall with a much too small frame, Poppy was the perfect size in every way. Where Bilba had short plain hair that refused to obey, Poppy had beautiful, long curls the color of honeysuckle that were always arrayed with ribbons and bows.

She also had a voice that grated on Bilba's nerves and pranced around everywhere with that stupid umbrella to keep the sun off her skin. And everywhere she went a crowd of eligible bachelors followed close behind.

Now Poppy stood with a basket on her arm, a hat perched on her head, and that idiotic umbrella even through the sun was barely up, eyeing Kili like he was the next item she wanted to put in her basket.

"Sorry to interrupt your daydream," Poppy said a false smile on her lips. "I just wanted to meet your guests!"

Bilba put the bread down and turned to where Fili and Kili were...apparently comparing knives to see who had the longest. Neither had given the slightest notice to Poppy but both obediently straightened up and paid attention when Bilba cleared her throat, loudly, twice.

"Fili, Kili, this is Poppy. Poppy, may I present the Pre--" She stumbled just before the words Pretty Twins could launch out of her mouth, and recovered with "Princes, Fili and Kili."

Yes, Princes, that is what she meant to say. Fili was giving her a suspicious look, and Bilba tried to look as innocent as possible.

Beside her, Poppy was gaping. Then, with a gasp, she put the basket down and dropped into a curtsey that nearly had her on the ground.

"Your Highnesses!" She said her voice husky. "I am honored to meet you."

Bilba snorted, she looked ridiculous.

Poppy jumped up, and practically jumped Fili and Kili, both of whom immediately backed away sending her pleading glances.

Bilba raised an eyebrow, pretending to be oblivious to their predicament, and then casually helped herself to Poppy's basket. Thanks to Kili she'd left the house without one and they HAD said they'd help her shop.

Casually, she sauntered away, leaving the two behind her. As she did she saw a number of Poppy's friends arriving and couldn't hide the grin that spread across her face.

She had no trouble getting everything she wanted, filling her basket until it dragged at her arm. As she moved through the market slowly filled up, the sun rising higher into the sky at the same time. The breeze vanished and a pleasant warmth spread through the area.

Without warning, Fili appeared at her side reaching to take the basket from her. His hair was mussed and his clothing was in disarray as though he'd had multiple people pulling on his sleeves.

"That was a low trick."

Bilba shrugged. "Says the one who abandoned his brother in order to make his own escape."

She deliberately looked over to where Poppy and several of her cohorts were even then literally hanging on Kili's arms. He, in turn, had a look of long suffering and also murderous intent every time he shot a look in Fili's direction.

Fili looked entirely unrepentant. "That's not a trick, it's survival. He'll be fine."

"If you say so."

"You know, you didn't have to mention we were Princes."

"You didn't have to throw me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes," Bilba responded reasonably."

Fili sighed. "He really isn't that bad."

Bilba looked at him in confusion. "Who? Kili?"

"No," Fili said, adjusting the basket on his arm. "Thorin. You have to think about how it would look to the others if he sent you in to face a dragon while he waited outside."

"I don't see why he's trying to impress anyone in the first place," Bilba muttered. "If they were decent they'd help him without forcing him to meet ridiculous requirements first."

Bilba spotted Fram heading into the market and her heart jumped in her chest. She waved at him, hesitantly, and then grinned as he smiled and waved back.

Fili made an annoyed sound, and looked about to speak again, but Fram arrived at that moment. Bilba jumped, she hadn't realized he was actually heading over.

"Bilba! You're out early!"

His eyes slid over to Fili, assessing, and he smiled. "I see your guests are still here."

Bilba stumbled over her words, hands twisting in the fabric of her skirt once more."They're leaving today." She flapped one hand uselessly in Fili's direction. "I'd like to introduce you to Fili. The one over there being accosted is his brother, Kili."

Fram's voice was neutral. "Pleased to meet you, I'm sure."

Bilba cringed; he didn't think Fili or Kili had designs on her did he? That's all she needed was for him to think she was preparing to run off with a pair of Dwarven Princes!

Fili somehow managed to bow perfectly even loaded down with food as he was. When he straightened back up his face was blank and his voice, to her surprise, was utterly devoid of the warmth she'd heard in it up to this point.

The resemblance to Thorin was suddenly striking.

"If you're done shopping, Bilba," he said. "I'll take these back for you. Also, Uncle wanted the bill given to him. He planned to tell you himself, before he got sidetracked."

Sidetracked, Bilba thought, that was certainly one way of looking at it.

"Thank you," she said. "Though it's not necessary. I was happy to host."

Lies, and more lies.

Fili nodded again, his bearing every bit as regal as Thorin, and left. On his way out he snared Kili with ease from the midst of the throng of girls.

"Did you find out why they were here?"

"What?" Bilba turned from watching the two walk away, to look at Fram again. "Oh, yeah. It's kind of complicated actually."

"Well," Fram said. "I'm all ears. I'd love to hear it."

He held an arm out, and Bilba nearly passed out from joy. Shakily she reached out and slid a hand through his arm. He smiled and turned her toward the dock that led out to the lake.

As they walked, Bilba shot a look over her shoulder and saw Poppy staring at her, a strange look on her face. She couldn't help smirking, before turning back and allowing Fram to lead her to a small bench at the end of the dock.

It was far enough away to give the feeling of being alone together but still close enough to the market, and the rest of Hobbiton, to be in full public view.

Bilba sat down next to him, her body nearly vibrating with happiness. She was sitting with Fram. She was talking to him, just the two of them!

He reached out and clasped her hands in his. "Well? Let's have it."

And so Bilba told him, everything Fili had explained to her the night before. And, then, because she had gone that far, she told him what she had been thinking about that morning. How going would mean retracing the final steps of her parents.

"I mean, the chances are slim," she said. "The wild is a big place, and I can't remember the precise path we took. Not that but I'm not even sure I WANT to know what happened. But, still...."

Her voice trailed off and she fell silent.

Next to her Fram stared down, his face lost in thought, his hands still clutching hers.

Bilba studied him, the crease in his forehead as he considered her words, the veins in his hands as he clutched her hands. Why had she never felt the urge to draw him? She should try, she thought, after her portrait of Fili of course, and maybe Kili...and maybe Thorin though she'd die before letting him know about it.

The only sound was the quiet lapping of the water against the pillars supporting the dock, and the distant sounds of the market.

"Bilba," Fram said finally. "I think you should go."

Bilba nearly fell off the bench in shock. "You do?"

He nodded, and finally lifted his head. His eyes were a simple brown, nothing like the jewel tone blue of Thorin's eyes, or even the rich copper of Fili's, or the pure, clear black of Kili's.

"Not the entire way of course," he continued, "just to Rivendell. I think you owe it to yourself, and your family, to at least try and find out what happened."

Bilba looked down, a heavy feeling settling in her stomach. "It's a dangerous journey," she said. "And a long one. I could be gone for months."

"It won't be forever. I'll still be here when you get back."

Bilba's breath stilled. Did that mean what she thought it meant? Slowly she raised her eyes to meet his. "Do you really mean that?"

He nodded. "I do. You said it yourself; you'll be safe with an entire company of Dwarves, and a wizard no less."

"But," Bilba stammered, "It's not proper!"

He grinned, one side of his mouth twitching upward, and mirth entered his eyes. "Nothing wrong with a little impropriety now and then, right? Keeps life interesting! At least that's what your mother always used to say."

He was right; she did use to say that. Bilba wondered how it was he remembered that and she didn't.

"They're not looking to do escort duty," she said. "And, besides, their leader doesn't even want me there."

Fram scoffed. "You're Bilba Baggins. I have no doubt you can think of something, some way to convince them to let you go."

A warm glow spread through her, Fram really thought that highly of her.

"I don't know," she said. "Just up and leaving like that. Usually it'd take weeks to plan, but they said they're heading out immediately."

Fram's hands tightened on hers. "Tell you what. Why don't you let me move into Bag End while you're gone and look after things for you? That way, you'll have nothing at all to worry about. You can focus 100% on your trip."

Bilba stared at him. "You would do that for me?"

He nodded. "Of course. Like you said, it won't be that long, right? You'll be back before you know it."

Bilba's heart swelled with adoration. Just the thought of Fram living in her house, walking through her halls, sleeping in her guest room, was enough to positively make her swoon.

"I'll think about it," she whispered, and his face lit up with a smile.

"Good. Let me know what you decide." He patted her hand, and stood up.

Bilba watched as he walked to the end of the dock and vanished into the market once more. Just before he disappeared entirely she saw Poppy making a beeline for him. Any other time the sight would have had her a basket of nerves, but now she simply lifted her chin, and felt at peace.

Fram supported HER. Fram wanted to help HER. She'd never had a male interested in her before. They always seemed to worry her mother might have had too much influence on her. Even as proper and respectable as she behaved there always seemed to be a cloud on her that she could never quite dispel.

It was one of the things that led to her living alone in Bag End all these years, and was one of the main reasons she'd never been courted.

But maybe that could all change now. Over the years, she'd watch girl after girl be courted by young gentle Hobbits.

It was finally going to be her turn.

Fram said he would wait for her, and he supported her, even if it wasn't entirely proper.

During the course of her tale the sun had climbed steadily higher in the sky, until it now hung almost directly over her head.

Carefully she made her way back across the dock and through the marketplace. Several Hobbits called out greetings to her and she responded in kind, her mind quietly working.

She passed Priscilla's door, and nearly stopped to speak to her. At the last moment she changed her mind. Priscilla would be dead set against her going, and Bilba realized she didn't want to be told no.

She wanted to stop fearing the past.

She wanted to find out what happened to her mother, father, and Bungo.

She wanted to prove to Fram that his belief in her was not misplaced.

Lluvatar, help her; she wanted to go on an adventure.