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[ringoffire]

I knew Uncle Bilbo had accomplished great deeds, but seeing it for myself is far different! That dragon was frightful, though I think his gold frightened me more. For treasure to have such power...

It is a sickness. It reminds me of...foul things that I would rather forget.

[A darkness enters the small Hobbit's eyes.]

Will I be able to meet more Dwarves? I am fond of Gimli. And what of the Elves? Prince Legolas and Lord Elrond give me a good impression of them.

Comments

[golden_prince]

Frodo!

[ Legolas is quite glad to see the young hobbit. It feels as if it's been an age since they let Frodo and Sam head out on their own, and as necessary as it was, it's impossible not to worry about them. He's not sure what to make of the mention of Bilbo's journey, and dragons and gold, though. That was a long time ago, by hobbit standards, but not so long to him. ]

How much did you see?

[ringoffire]

Legolas! [He practically glows with happiness to see the Elf. It feels as if it has been forever since they parted ways, though perhaps the Prince sees time differently.]

All of it. I watched it, from beginning to end, and I... [Tears shimmer in his eyes.] It was not easy.

[golden_prince]

[ Legolas understands that. The Battle of Five Armies was, ultimately, a victory for elves, men, and dwarves, but it came at a very steep cost. His attitude toward dwarves then was less... friendly, but even so, he did what he could to help them in the end. But Tauriel... ]

I imagine it would not be. Your uncle was fortunate to see it through to the end, and to be able to return home to tell the tale.

[ringoffire]

[He is hesitant to bring up Legolas's losses. It doesn't seem right and it isn't his business. All the same, the Elf is getting an embrace.]

You were fortunate too. I'm glad.

[golden_prince]

[ His own losses were insignificant compared to some of the others. Honestly, the worst thing that he had to endure was seeing the pain and loss on Tauriel's face. Even if she didn't feel the same way about him, he would have done anything to save from that.

The embrace catches him slightly off guard, he's still getting used to such open gestures, but he returns it warmly. ]

I was.

So you want to meet more of your uncle's old friends, then?

[ringoffire]

[Losses, whether great or small, have an impact. They cause change. Frodo doesn't count what Legolas endured as any less than what Bilbo endured. Though he is young for a Hobbit and he has never felt the sting of love.]

I think so? Gimli has never been anything but kind. I think his kin must be the same.

[He pulls back from the embrace and finds a good place to sit.]

They were good to my Uncle. I should thank them while I can.

[golden_prince]

[ Legolas would hope that if Frodo were to ever have such feelings, that it would turn out to be a much less complicated situation. As for dwarves, well, things are quite different for Frodo, being a hobbit and Bilbo's nephew, than they are for an elf. Especially an elf that said fairly unkind things about them in the past. ]

I haven't known too many dwarves as well as I know Gimli, but I know that they are a stubborn, but honorable people.

[ His opinions have certainly changed over the last fifty years. ]

I have seen some of Thorin's compamy around here lately. I'm sure they would be pleased to meet you, too.

[ringoffire]

[He might be too scarred for love to take hold. All he really wants is peace now that the Ring is gone. The Elves will grant him that in Aman, but he has some time yet before he joins them.]

You have changed and I think it for the better.

[There is no judgement in the statement; just fact.]

Have you spoken to them?

[golden_prince]

[ This is not the same hobbit that he first met in Imladris, not quite. Legolas can see the change in his eyes, and it does not surprise him. Such a journey, carrying such a heavy burden, is not the sort of thing one ever truly leaves behind. He, too, has changed since then, and even more so since Thorin's time. He smiles, and then shakes his head. ]

Very briefly. Dwarves never forget, and do not easily forgive, an insult to their pride.

[ He did what he could to help Thorin, despite their previous animosity, even after his father chose to walk away from the battle at Erebor's doorstep, but does not necessarily expect that to soften the dwarf's attitude toward him or his people. ]

[onewhodares]

[A hobbit wanting to meet dwarves? It has to be kin of their former burglar.]

Thorin Oakenshield...at your service and your family's.

[ringoffire]

O-Oh no! I wouldn't ask anything of you! [Frodo flushes, shifting shyly.] You were - are - very important to my Uncle. He...isn't actually my Uncle. I only call him so because he is more deserving of the title than any I have lived with before.

[He was a little bit of a trouble-maker as a child.]

I suppose he would be my...cousin. My name is Frodo.

[onewhodares]

[A faint smile in remembrance of Bilbo and all he did for them.]

Master Baggins was a valuable member of the Company. Any kin of his is welcome in the halls of Erebor.

[Have a hearty slap on the back, Frodo.]

[ringoffire]

[He is knocked forward by that slap! Goodness! But his smile grows.]

I do not know if I will ever visit them. I have seen Moria. [Even if it was in disrepair. Thorin doesn't need to know about that.] Gimli led us there as a place of safety.

[onewhodares]

[Just think, his uncle spent a whole adventure with 12 such hardy dwarves. And survived somehow.]

The mines of Moria pale in comparison to the great halls of Erebor.

[He may be a little biased, but he's entitled.]

[ringoffire]

[Hobbits are far more resilient than they seem. Frodo too has proven that - just like his beloved Uncle.]

Tell me about them? [He loves stories and this is THORIN OAKENSHIELD. He has to have the best stories.]

[onewhodares]

[A rare chuckle.]

Your uncle has not told you about his adventures enough yet?

[Far be it from Thorin to turn away an eager hobbit looking for stories about dwarf history. He's told this story before after all.]

Long ago in my grandfather Thrór's time, our family was driven out of the Far North, and came back with all their wealth and their tools to the Lonely Mountain. It had been discovered by my far ancestor, Thráin the Old, but now they mined and they tunneled and they made huger halls and greater workshops. My grandfather was King under the Mountain again, and treated with great reverence by the mortal men, who lived to the South, and were gradually spreading up the Running River as far as the valley overshadowed by the Mountain.

[Thoughtful] Altogether those were good days for us, and the poorest of us had money to spend and to lend, and leisure to make beautiful things ...... So my grandfather's halls became full of armour and jewels and carvings and cups, and the toy market of Dale was the wonder of the North.

[ringoffire]

[He tilts his head, eyes dreamy. Truly, he could never hear enough.]

I asked him for the tale many times and he never refused. But there are inevitably parts that are outside of his knowledge or notice.

[Silence follows. The sort of silence that any experienced story-teller would cherish. It isn't an empty silence; it is a silence filled with curiosity.]

It sounds wonderful. If the Mines of Moria are poor compared to Erebor, I cannot imagine how ornate even the smallest of toys had to be in those days.

[And little Dwarf children... His features soften.]

Children are cherished amongst Hobbits too. They would love Dwarven creations and cherish them no matter how many years pass.

[But it had been lost. To Smaug. To Orcs. Frodo shivers.]

I know of Orcs and Trolls. I am glad to say I have never encountered a Dragon, though I saw a Balrog once.

[ever_watchful]

If you want to meet dwarves, laddie, you'll find no better place than Erebor. Baggins will ever be an honored name among those halls.

[ The old dwarf bows, smiling. ]

Balin, son of Fundin, at your service. How is your old uncle these days?

[ringoffire]

So King Thorin says! [He wishes he could see it. There is a certain longing in his eyes.] I do not know if it will be possible. I am needed in Hobbiton with Uncle Bilbo.

[His cute old Uncle is not always himself. Frodo's expression falls at the name.]

Lord of Moria. [A breath.] It is an honor. [He bows and smiles faintly.] The Ring has done much to him. He looks much older and his mind is failing. I try to keep him comfortable, but we are fated to go to the same place.

[ever_watchful]

Aye, I understand. The last time I saw your uncle, you weren't yet even a gleam in your mother's eye. I meant to go back to visit him again, but... [ He sighs, but the smile returns. ] Well, old age catches up with us all, sooner or later. This old dwarf isn't as spry as he used to be. I am glad to hear that you're looking after him.

[ringoffire]

I was born twenty-seven years after you departed the Shire initially. [Bilbo is his cousin, in fact, but Frodo has never had a better guardian.] He would have liked seeing you, Lord Balin. I can't say the same for his neighbors, though!

[Which is funny to him.]

I owe him a great deal. He ignored what everyone said about me and took me in as if none of it mattered. He told me stories and made me feel...important.

[ever_watchful]

[ Oh, yes. He chuckles, remembering those looks from the Shire folk. Especially the second time around. ]

Just Balin is fine, lad. Frodo, is it? I can't say I'm surprised, Bilbo always had a good heart and a sharp mind. If he took you in as he would a son, then he saw something special in you, make no mistake.

[ringoffire]

Yes, he told me right before he disappeared on his journey to Rivendell...

"You're a good lad, Frodo. I'm very selfish, you know. Yes, I am. Very selfish. I don't know why I took you in after your mother and father died but it wasn't out of charity. I think it was because... of all my numerous relations, you were the one Baggins that showed real spirit. "

[Now he knows what he meant by that.]

He went on an adventure and I had one of my own.

[ever_watchful]

So I've heard. I am sorry that you had to see Moria in such a state. The goblins... Well, I suppose you know the story now. Thank goodness that Bilbo had the presence of mind to pass on that mithril shirt. [ Otherwise Frodo might have ended up sharing his tomb, and that would have been a great shame. ]

[ringoffire]

[So he knows. Frodo winces sadly.]

I'm sorry...for what happened. [He tugs at the collar of his shirt, showing the mithril underneath.] Without this, I could have perished in your tomb or...elsewhere. Many places, actually.