Inspired by a prompt I stumbled upon by lateforerebor on tumblr.

Summary: Bilba "Bell" Baggins decides that she's waited quite long enough to take her mother's advice and old stories and go on an adventure of her own. What she didn't expect was to end up in Ered Luin and be adopted by dwarves! AU, Pre-Quest, Undecided Pairings.

-;-

When Bilba Baggins finally decided to about adventuring, the seasons were just beginning to change from the gentle warmth of the spring to the heat of midsummer. One day, she simply packed her mother's old bag with the simplest of necessities, left a note on the door stating that she would return eventually, and set off.

She first set out north, crossing the White Downs and stopping at the Grey Havens. It was a beautiful place, and was fortunate as to meet several elves along the path. Growing up with tales of the elves from her mother, Bilba was absolutely fascinated by anything that they spoke of, and would indulge her questions, which at times surely seemed endless. However, they were travelling west for a reason, and as they set sail for the Undying Lands she could not help but shed a tear for them, having befriended them in her travels.

From there, the Hobbit lass turned south, travelling further along the coast and entering the lands of Harlindon. Elves had once dwelled amongst the plentiful place, but had evidently moved on, as she met no one in the strangely peaceful forests and plains, and in the dwellings she passed by.

It was then that she took in the mountains on the far horizon- Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains. Home to a dwarven colony that had- if her mothers were correct- taken refuge there some years before. And so, Bilba tossed her mane of copper curls over her shoulder, narrowed her hazel eyes, and started back east.

By now, the summer months were in full, and it wouldn't be long before they tapered off and the harvesting season would be upon the Shire. As she travelled, Bilba couldn't help but think of everything that her neighbors would be up to. No doubt Hamfast Gamgee would be beside himself if he allowed her garden to wane as the leaves turned brilliant hues of orange and yellow. The farmers would take to the orchards to pick apples, and there would be no shortage of sweet apple cider or apple pies.

She would miss it this year, she mused. But she would not dwell on it. She was a lass of forty and nine, and she wanted to go on an adventure before her half century next summer.

It took a full seven days for Bilba to approach the Blue Mountains, and she could not help but think them incredible to behold. Large, craggy peaks, small hills, and everything in between comprised the range, with a lush forest surrounding the southern edges. Thankfully, there was a road that ran through the southern forest that looped back up to the eastern side, where the settlement was located.

During one particular night, as she sat upon a log in a surprisingly large clearing puffing away on her Old Toby, Bilba couldn't help but think of her mother. Belladonna Baggins, who was a Took in all but name after marrying her father Bungo, had been such a free spirit. Her father, she recalled, had spent just as much time attempting to wrangle his wife as he did her when she was a faunt. More often than not, Belladonna would get into just as much, if not more mischief than she ever could hope to achieve.

A smile twisted her lips at the thought. Oh, how she'd grown into such a stiff and traditional Hobbit lass since her parents had passed. Such things were almost expected, however. It had not been easy, watching her vibrant mother fall ill, and eventually pass on. It had been harder to watch her father live on, though he had passed soon after- a broken heart, Bilba was certain, even if there had been others saying that it was simply his time.

Puffing out a final smoke ring, she put out her smouldering pipeweed and tucked in for the evening.

-;-

It took another day of full travelling before Bilba entered the city of the Blue Mountains. Dwarves on all sides awaited in a trade circle, full of laughter and warmth. It was clear that they were close, as the familiar ways that they greeted one another in their rough, gravelly tongue and shoulder slaps. In another circumstance, she witnessed a pair grasp the other's shoulders and head-butt- something that she had let out an involuntary squeak before flushing and hurrying along, drawing her cloak around her in hopes that no one would approach her and do the same.

So deep in thought she fell, as she took in the stone crafted buildings and streets, that she was almost bowled over by a massive dwarf who stormed out of a building to her right, hurling snarled words over his shoulder and throwing something that looked suspiciously like a knife back at the building.

Bilba barely even had time to jolt out of the way, her heart feeling as though it were about to beat right out of her chest.

Another dwarf was standing on the small porch that lined the front of the building, a snarl curling his own features as he spat back in their tongue. When the other had finally disappeared, the silver haired dwarf finally noticed Bilba.

"Oh my. I am terribly sorry about that, madam. A right foul tempered creature, he was- and a cook, no less. But none of that. Please, do come in."

Bilba hesitated, looking over the building. It was a single floor, as were most of the buildings that seemed to occupy this part of the city, with little decoration on the surface save for the sign that hung above the door. An intricately carved goose in flight was suspended in the wood, and she couldn't help but smile, reminded of the geese that journeyed overhead in the autumn.

"Thank you." She finally said, taking the opportunity for what it was- she was exhausted, and perhaps this dwarf would be able to point her in the right direction for lodgings of some sort.

"Of course, of course. Please, sit. Would you like a cup of tea?" the silver haired dwarf inquired, following the Hobbit into the warm interior of the building. Given how cool the mountains were, it was a welcome gift.

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly-" Bilba tried.

"Please, it is the least I can do for you- you look absolutely exhausted." He insisted, his features earnest as he directed her to a small table near the back of the room, closest to a small kitchen and the bar. "I'll be right back."

Bilba sighed and resigned herself to her fate, though she could honestly say that she was relieved to finally rest her aching feet. While Hobbits feet were far more hardy than normal folk, the amount of travelling that she had put herself through was taking its toll. And oh, to sit upon something softer than the moss and hard ground from these past weeks!

Soft murmurs from the others in the tavern- for that was what she assumed it to be- drew her attention, and Bilba took a moment to appreciate the companionable atmosphere. Large rugs decorated most of the surfaces available- namely the floor, though there were several tapestries and delicate weavings hanging from the walls and suspended overhead. Windows decorated the walls sparsely, soft amber light from the sunset shining through- it was almost like being in a smial again.

"Ah, here we are, my dear." The silver haired dwarf returned, placing two earthenware mugs down and producing a beautifully painted green teapot. "I'm afraid I still haven't introduced myself. I am Dori, son of Ri, owner of this establishment- at your service."

Bilba straightened herself, silently berating her for her terrible manners.

"I am Bilba Baggins of the Shire, at yours, Master Dori." She replied, watching the silver haired dwarf as he carefully poured tea into her mug and then his own, taking the seat opposite her and cradling his mug.

"Oh, there is no need for the formality, Miss Bilba." Dori chuckled, waving her off. "I am but a humble tea master who somehow managed to turn a teashop into a tavern. Inevitable, I suppose, but nonetheless it pays enough to put food on the table."

"Though it seems you are down one cook." She offered tentatively, earning a faint snort and a scowl.

"Aye." He agreed before a call came from in the kitchen. "Pardon me a moment."

He hurried off, and a flurry of foreign words were exchanged before silence fell. Bilba, against her better judgement and her rather potent curiosity, couldn't help but get up and poke her head around the corner of the kitchen. Warm, earthy scents assaulted the tired Hobbit's nose, and she inhaled contentedly before taking in the harried looking dwarf that was single-handedly chopping vegetables as though his life depended on it. There was no sign of Dori- perhaps he had stepped out for a moment- but all Bilba could think of was her Hobbit-y manners.

"Excuse me." She inquired, carefully stepping into the room and earning a slightly concerned look from the cook, "do you need some help with those?"

"Nay lass." The heavy accented tone of the dwarf replied, eying her up. "Though if you've a moment there'll be some root veg'tables that need peelin'."

"It would be my pleasure, Master…?" Bilba replied, rolling up her sleeves and rinsing her hands in the tub available.

"Rorin, son of Borin." The dwarf replied, his thickly braided beard shifting as he offered her a warm grin.

"A pleasure. Bilba Baggins." She introduced, quickly making herself at home across the counter from Rorin and getting to work. "It seems as though you're down a dwarf- I'm happy to help."

"Aye." The larger dwarf replied, rather charmed by the small female that had suddenly made herself at home in his kitchen. "I thank ye, Miss Baggins."

"Oh, none of that. It's Miss Bilba or Bilba." The Hobbit scoffed, her fingers nimbly moving the short blade around a potato. "Now, you just direct me to what you need done and I'll do my best to do it."

"That sounds mighty fine, Miss Bilba." Rorin grinned before returning to his work, slightly less harried than the moments before.

-;-

Dori returned from his business out in the alley huffily, wondering when on earth fights would stop starting there.

Upon re-entering his tavern, he frowned at seeing the table that he had left the Hobbit empty, her bag still next to the seat.

How odd. Perhaps she had gone to relieve herself.

It wasn't until his barkeep, a pleasant fellow by the name of Gard, gestured him over with a faint smile on his features.

"Yer lass is churning out food like no tomorrow." He said, jutting a thumb towards his kitchen. "Jus' wandered in and started helping Rorin. Rather friendly sort, she is."

"In the kitchen?" Dori asked faintly. Oh no, no, his kitchen was sacred and only those pre-approved by him were allowed to cook in there! He ran a tight ship- he didn't need any strange lass from the Shire stepping in a doing who knows what to his dishes!

"Aye, and somehow managing to keep Rorin right on track, to boot." Gard chuckled lowly. "From what I gather, she's preppin' and servin' the dishes. The lads appreciate the effort- Kildar was never so friendly with them."

Some of the tension bled out of Dori at the news, and he turned as the Hobbit exited the kitchen, trays evenly balanced on her hands and forearms as she nimbly navigated the room, depositing the dishes right where they belonged and awarding the men with a warm smile.

At catching sight of Dori, the small lass strode over, her features twisting into an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry for stepping in like that, Master Dori, I just couldn't help but notice that poor Master Rorin was attempting to keep up with everything on his own and I offered to help and I completely understand if you would like me to leave." Bilba said in a rush, ducking her head slightly and adjusting the skirts she was wearing. Despite the dirt and grime on her, her appearance was oddly endearing, and Dori couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.

"It seems as though no harm has been done, and so I shall forgive you, Miss Bilba. I can't help but notice your skill with serving."

"Oh, that." She chuckled. "I used to serve at the tavern in Hobbiton when I was younger."

"Hm." Dori nodded, an idea coming to mind. "Miss Bilba, would you perhaps consider working here during your stay? It would only be as long as it takes to find another cook."

"Me? Work here?" she squeaked. "Master Dori, I am honored, but I'm afraid I must find accommodations before I could consider taking you up on your generous offer!"

"I have a room free at my home at the moment- my younger brother Nori's- if you would help in the kitchens here, you are welcome to it for however long you might stay in Ered Luin."

It was Nori's room, but the blasted creature was never home long enough to use it anyway, so Dori felt confident enough in offering it to the pleasant lass before him. There was something oddly endearing about her demeanor, something that perhaps reminded him of Ori just enough to offer such a thing.

She gaped at him a long moment before a smile slowly crept across her features.

"Master Dori, I would be happy to accept your offer." She beamed at him, offering a hand to shake, which he did with pleasure.

"Well then, off you go." He shooed. "I'll take care of your bag until we're ready to leave."

Bilba nodded, curtsied briefly, and scurried back to the kitchen with one of the brightest smiles the silver haired dwarf had ever seen on her admittedly fair features.