#hobbit!reader

Bilbo’s cousin, a “Took” as he put it, eyes practically sparking with mischief as you watched him enter Bilbo’s home, a look that only seemed to increase the more dwarves that arrived, and Dwalin couldn’t help but sigh to himself.

You were the reason that Bilbo ultimately joined the quest and, at the same time, managed to invite yourself along.  Two hobbits were better than one, you said.

Dwalin suddenly found himself keeping a close eye on you, who, which he had really hoped wouldn’t happen, was drawn to Fili and Kili, the three of you getting along swimmingly, all the other dwarves weary when you’d sit and talk in hushed voices.  In watching the friendship grow as the journey went on it’s way, he also learned that, along with trouble making, you weren’t afraid to get your hands dirty.

Which is why he was furious you went into the cave on your own.

Most nights, you, Fili and Kili, went and explored the surrounding area, mostly to make sure it was safe, but all the others knew that it was easier not having the three of you around, knowing the chaos that the three of you could bring.  On this particular night, the three of you encountered a cave.

The two young dwarves didn’t want to go in, but you, quickly stealing one of Fili’s knives, had no such qualms, striding in even as the two of them called back after you.

The roar from the cave, quickly had Kili running back to the others, leaving Fili anxiously on guards.

Kili burst into the camp, everyone instantly on edge.  “I dunno what the hell's in there, but it's weird and pissed off, whatever it is.”

Once they got him to slow down and explain, Dwalin was the first to start moving, grumbling as he did, much to the amusement of some of them, knowing how he felt about you.

Dwalin even stormed past Fili as he spluttered at the mouth of the cave, trying to stop him and let everyone regathered, but Dwalin only had one track of mind.

Getting you out of there.

His grip was firm on his axe as he marched in, his teeth gritted, body tensing for whatever battle he was about to face.

The beasts growl rumbled through the cave and Dwalin squinted a little, trying to see it up ahead in the darkness, trying to push the worry of you into the back of his mind.

As he got closer, he could make out a small shape in the darkness, one he didn't recognise at first until he heard a very hurried ‘shhhh!’.

He pauses and blinks a few times, you slowly coming into view, gaze straight ahead, waving back at him to be quiet.

Dwalin slowed his footfall, but doesn't stop until he reaches you, joining you in a crouch as you look deeper in the cave.  “What are you doing Y/N?”

“Watching,” You whispered back.  “I'm alright before you ask.”

Dwalin fought the urge to grab you and drag you back to safety.  “It's not safe in here Y/N.”

“Oh pish posh,” You smile at him, patting his arm as you start to move forward.  “If there was any real danger, I wouldn't be in here.”

Dwalin did reach for you this time, only to discover that you were already out if reach.  “Y/N, you don't know what's down there!”

“I know, that's why I want to see.”

He growls and follows, not wanting to leave you on your own as another rumble echoes through the cave.  “Why can’t people just listen to me for once?”

You just smile, remaining silent as you creep further in, your hobbit feet naturally soft on the ground, keeping a keen eye moving to see what was making the noise, your grip firm on the dagger in your hand.

The growl was louder this time, sending a thrill down your spine, the Tookish curiosity getting the best of you as you continued slowly but steadily forward, eyes strained to see what was making the noise.

“Y/N!”  Dwalin hissed through the dark.  “This isn’t worth it!  We’re on enough of a dangerous journey as it is!”

You froze, your eyes finally adjusting the make out the large shape filling a good portion of the cave, the fur unmistakable, as well as the grumbling growl that was much too close for comfort.

Dwalin was there, his hand locking around your arm like a vice, his voice right by your ear.  “I told you, we need to go.”

A large, luminous, yellow eye opened in the dark, making you both freeze as the large form stirred, rising slowly from its place.

“Uh oh.”

The bear roared and before you even had a chance to react, Dwalin and grabbed you around the waist, picking you up and turning on his heel to run.

“Dwalin!”  You squeaked, helpless.  “Wait!”

But Dwalin wasn’t listening, charging from the cave and into the stunned group of dwarves outside, dropping you a little unceremoniously before he turned back towards the mouth of the cave, axe ready in hand.

The others all were ready, all watching as the growls followed from the cave, footfalls hurrying forward.

The bear came forward, sniffing at the air, eyeing the crowd of dwarves nervously and as it came a little more into the light, they all saw that it was only a young bear, still rather small compared to what an adult was.

“If you’d stopped and listened to me,” You said a little sarcastically.  “I could’ve told you that he was only a small fella.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous.”  Thorin said hotly as none of them moved from their defensive positions.

“I didn’t say he wasn’t,” You said, pushing through a couple of them. “But it also means that he’s less likely to attack.”

Sure enough, as soon as you said it, the bear made a noise and quickly slunk back into the darkness of the cave, leaving only a tense air behind.

“See.”  You said with a sigh.  “Honestly, not everything has to be bad all the time.”

Dwalin rounds on you.  “And not everything is as nice as your little hobbit hole.”

You raised an eyebrow at him as there a few worried glances at Dwalin. “I realise that.”

“You could have died in there.”  He marched forward, towering over you.  “And if Fili and Kili weren’t there, we would never have known!”

“Well, I'd like to think at least one of you would've noticed I was missing.” You said calmly, although there was no missing the hint of a smile tugging at your lips.  “And despite what you think, I am aware of the dangers of the wild, I explored the forest around Buckland enough and trust me, there are dangers in there that you could only dream of Mister Dwalin.”

It was Bilbo that interrupted the stunned silence that followed, in which Dwalin stared at you, debating with himself on how to answer.  “Y/N...have you still been looking? After all this time?”

Your gaze turns slightly sad, making Dwalin's chest ache as you turned to Bilbo.  “Less so in recent years, but yes Bilbo, I have.”

“That's why you joined the quest, wasn't it?” He asked quietly.

You give half a smile and seemed to become aware of the rest of the company watching you, shrugging it off.  “Well, I think at any rate that's enough excitement for one day.  Shall we return to camp?”

Not waiting for a response, you head back in the direction of camp, the dwarves shifting a little anxiously, Dwalin's gaze on your back.

“What happened Bilbo?” He asked as the hobbit went to follow.

Bilbo sighed, a little sadly.  “Her brother went into those woods, just out of his tweens, and never came back.  She shrugs it off most of the time, but it still weighs heavily on her.”

No one said anything on the way back to camp and there was an odd silence as they all ate and settled in for sleep that night.

You'd offered to take watch, not feeling tired, sitting a little bit away and staring out at the lands around you.

You started a little as a weight rests on your shoulders, only to look up and find Dwalin resting a blanket around you.

“It's a cool night lass,” He said quietly, pulling his hands away. “Don't need you catching a cold.”

He goes to walk away, but you suddenly found you could use the company. “Dwalin?”

If you didn't know any better, he swallowed as he stopped, glancing back.

“Can you stay?” You asked quietly.  “Please?”

Dwalin nods and, perhaps a little awkwardly, sits next to you, leaving a little space but not wanting to meet your eye.

The silence dragged on for a moment.

“I'm sorry.” You said quietly, drawing his gaze finally, although you kept your eyes facing forward.  “For earlier.”

Dwalin opened his mouth to reply, sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I am sorry too, it was not my intention to get angry at you, I was just...” He trailed off, not wanting to say too much.

“Worried.” You finished for him with a soft smile.  “I know.”

Again, a silence passes between the two of you, Dwalin realising that he was not made for this sort of stuff.

“He was only a year older than me, you know,” You said quietly, a hint of sadness in your voice.  “He and his friends decided to go explore beyond the borders.  His friends came back, a little pale and worried because they'd lost him in the woods, but were sure he'd come back, as the days went on, it was clear he wasn't coming back, and it didn't matter how far we dared go, there was no sign of him.”

Now, he knew he had to be.  “I'm sorry Y/N.”

“It's been twelve years you know,” You continued, pulling the blanket a little tighter around you.  “And still I would go out into that forest, just for any sort of answer, I guess I'm now here, partly because maybe he got further, he always did want an adventure, and partly to also escape.  It's hard when you're family wants you to go on with your life, to settle, think about home and children, and yet you know you can't do that, that your heart is calling you elsewhere.”

Dwalin's heart thudded a little louder in his chest, but he quickly shook his head.  “Sometimes you hobbits really are too peaceful for your own good.”

This made you smile and finally look at him.  “I know, it's infuriating, isn't it?” You give a soft laugh, shaking your head.  “It made me a bit of an outcast really, wondering the wilds as I did, ignoring the advice of the elders, maybe that's why I spent so much time with Bilbo, he was less obvious about it, but I knew he felt the pull beyond the borders too.”

Another silence fell as Dwalin debated what to say to this, in his heart, he knew the answer, but saying it out loud was something else entirely, he didn't like to think of himself as someone who wore his heart on his sleeve.

Suddenly, before he could say anything, your hand was resting on his, your smile genuine as he stared at you, stunned.  “It's okay, I'm sure I can talk enough for the both of us.”

Dwalin returned your smile, feeling himself relax, finally, and he can't help but open up his arm.  “Come here Y/N.”

You smile and move closer, snuggling into his side, but not before pecking his cheek in a small kiss, making heat creep up his neck as he rested an arm around you.

“If you want,” He said after a little while.  “When this is over, I can come and help you look for your brother.”

You sigh, content for the first time in a long time.  “Thank you Dwalin.  You don't need to do that.”