Chapter Text
Bilbo didn’t understand why he and Gandalf couldn’t have a civilized conversation without the idea of an adventure coming up.
He had known the man since childhood, and Gandalf had been his only happiness when both of his parents had died, but regardless, the man was a meddler, and could worry the pants off of an respectable hobbit.
He didn’t know how this certain circumstance had occurred, all he knew was that it was quite unexpected, and entirely unwanted…
It was a sunny spring day when Gandalf had come to visit.
Bilbo was in his gardens, deciding to do the work himself for the afternoon, water bending some of the clear liquid from a nearby pail and scattering it into droplets so that all of his plants could be watered at once.
Bilbo was one of the few water benders in his area, and he took great pride in the fact that he was a master at it, even though it earned him odd looks now and then.
Today though, he enjoyed letting the extra energy out, and made a few loops around with the water, stretching his dexterous fingers, and letting the soothing feeling of bending lull him into security…Until he heard the garden door creaking open.
Lowering the water and putting on a scowl Bilbo turned around and came face to face with a certain wizard.
Overwhelmed, Bilbo let the water drop entirely and smiled widely at the man, rushing forward to hug him tightly around the knees, “Gandalf! I didn’t think you were coming until Old Took’s birthday next month!”
The wizard chuckled, patting the hobbit on the back, “indeed young Bilbo. But a better time came up, and so, here I am.”
Bilbo moved back a little so he could tilt his head up and grin at the man, “and I’m so glad for it. Tell me, was Erebor as magnificent as they say?”
The wizard had left the Shire last time to journey to the great mountain kingdom of Erebor for some diplomatic meetings that seemed to have made him a bit anxious.
Gandalf’s eyes lost a bit of their light, “ah…yes. Erebor stands tall and mighty. The halls shine with gold and jewels, but, perhaps we could talk about this inside with a spot of tea?”
Bilbo nodded quickly, “of course, of course. Come in.” He left the half-full pail behind and hurried to the nearby door of his house, opening it and scurrying in, “I want to hear all about the mountain!”
Gandalf sighed quietly to himself, “you might not just be hearing about it my young friend,” he muttered to himself as he followed the hobbit…
As they settled in with hot tea and scones with jam Gandalf told him of Erebor, the lovely mountain kingdom.
“Thorin, the King Under the Mountain, approached me with a problem while I was there,” the wizard explained, water bending his tea so that the lump of sugar he added melted quickly, “he needs a trainer for his nephew, Kili.”
Bilbo stared, pausing mid-chew as he gathered the words. Kili Durin was the newest Avatar, of the fire bending quality, and was apparently rather energetic and rebellious compared to the previous ones.
Gandalf continued on as though there had not been a pause, “Kili needs a water bending instructor it seems, as he had gone and learned the rest of the elements out of order. Thorin is desperate for someone who can put up with his nephew’s personality and compulsive need to learn.” He took a quick sip of tea, “I offered myself of course, but, it seems that I was too hasty and was soon called out on it. The Lady Galadriel communicated with me soon after I agreed and told me that I cannot train our young Avatar after all.”
Bilbo furrowed his brow, “but, why ever not? Surely you’re the most eligible to do so.” Gandalf had taught him a fair amount of water bending himself, and Bilbo was confident in saying that the man was one of the best teachers he had ever seen.
The wizard smiled slightly at him, “Lady Galadriel has sent me on a mission you see, and I cannot be in two places at once, so I had to go back and tell Thorin that I would find a replacement.”
Bilbo licked a bit of jam off of his lips, “and have you? Found a replacement that is.”
Gandalf looked at him over the rim of his cup, “I believe I have Mr. Baggins…”
Bilbo nearly choked, “what-no-I mean, I couldn’t! I’m just a hobbit, and I’m not even as good a bender as you are!”
Gandalf snorted, “you are the best bender I have ever taught, and I am sure that you will prove an apt teacher Bilbo Baggins. You have the patience of a saint with children, and you are gentle and kind in your practices.”
Bilbo flushed at all of the compliments but he still stammered out, “but the Avatar’s a prince! I wouldn’t know how to act or anything! I couldn’t treat him like I treat others!”
Gandalf huffed, “believe me Bilbo, once you meet Avatar Kili you will most certainly be able to treat him like all of the others.”
Bilbo stared worriedly at him, fiddling with a nearby teaspoon.
Gandalf sighed and reached over to pat his hand, “please Bilbo. You are the best I know of, and I feel that you would be perfect for the job. I will only trust the best for this adventure.”
More adventures.
Finally, Bilbo sighed, “alright…I’ll give it a try…but if it doesn’t work out I’m coming right back home and never thinking of adventures or anything of the sort again, got it?!”
Gandalf mysteriously nodded his head, “as you say Bilbo Baggins,” but even after he started eating a scone there seemed to be more behind his casual words…
Bilbo left the next day, packing only the bare minimum of things that he needed for the journey, and then joined Gandalf on the road.
The wizard had procured a pony, by the name of Myrtle, for him, so Bilbo at least did not have to walk the entire two week journey to Erebor.
Gandalf was a good traveling companion, as he spoke only when he felt the urge to, but did not begrudge Bilbo as he chattered on nervously about nearly everything in sight.
The journey did not last long it seemed, as Gandalf was there to watch after him, and Bilbo felt new and fresh with different scenery around him.
They arrived in Dale sooner than planned, after only a week and a half of traveling, and Gandalf told Bilbo that he needed to stop for a quick errand before they proceeded onward to Erebor.
Happy to prolong the inevitable Bilbo agreed and walked around the street to stretch his weary legs.
Merchants of every sort tried to coax him into buying exotic spices or handsome silk, but Bilbo declined them all, simply stopping every now and then to observe and admire.
After about twenty minutes he was distracted by a scene happening before him.
Nearby, in a shallow alleyway stood a gaggle of boys, surrounding something which was huddling in a corner.
Intrigued Bilbo moved nearer, surprised when he came close enough to see a scared looking boy curled up in the corner, shivering as the boys above him taunted him.
“An ugly little thing,” one of the boys said, his taller stature given to him by his lineage of Men, and being used for the wrong reason entirely.
“Yes,” another agreed, a hairy young dwarf, “we should take away those pretty jewels he’s wearing, better people deserve to wear them!”
Bilbo turned sour at that and put his hands on his hips, speaking up, “well then, who do you propose should wear them, because I don’t see anyone better in sight.”
The group turned around, staring at Bilbo with surprised and annoyed looks on their faces.
The first boy looked him up and down, “and who do you think you are? I don’t see a guards uniform on you.”
Bilbo frowned, “I don’t have to be a guard to stop bullying. Now, step away from the dwarfling, he’s had enough of your stupidity.”
The shaky dwarf stared up at him from behind the others, a worshipping look on his face as he latched onto a pack by his side.
The hairy dwarf scoffed, “as if you could do anything to us, stupid hobbit.”
Bilbo narrowed his eyes and reached for the small water flask at his waist, “alright,” he decided, “don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The dwarf opened his mouth again, but was surprised when it was suddenly covered with a thick coating of ice, obstructing any speech.
The others stared at him for a moment, shocked, before turning to look back at the hobbit, watching the swirling liquid hover by his open palm.
The hobbit scowled at them, “anyone else, or have you had a sufficient lesson of keeping your mouth shut?”
The boys’ grumbled but edged away from the alleyway, allowing for the previously cornered dwarf to emerge and rush past them, going to stand behind Bilbo.
The hobbit nodded, “good choice.” He bended the water back into the flask, “now, run along and go home, and don’t cause anymore trouble.”
The boys’ walked off, shooting glares at Bilbo the whole time.
Once they were out of sight Bilbo sighed and turned to look at the dwarf he had just defended.
The dwarf stared at him, dark eyes wide as he hugged his satchel close to his chest.
Bilbo swallowed awkwardly, “uh…are you alright? Did they hurt you?”
The other shook his head quickly, “no, no, but…wow! You were amazing! I haven’t seen a water bender in these streets in a long time! You were amazing! Could I ask you some questions on water bending some time, reading about it just isn’t the same.”
Bilbo startled, “um…alright…I suppose.” He remembered his manners then and held out a hand, “forgive me, I’m Bilbo Baggins.”
The dwarf clasped his hand quickly, shaking it haphazardly, “Ori, Ori Ri. I live in the mountain.”
Bilbo parted his lips in understanding, “oh, well, I’m actually on my way there now. I’m just waiting for a friend. Are you going there now? We could go together.” He didn’t want the lad out and about with bullies wandering around, what if they came back to seek revenge on him?!
Ori flushed, biting his lip, “well, I suppose I should go back. I snuck out earlier to observe Dale and write about it…I’m sure my brother’s worried.”
Bilbo chuckled, “alright then, come on, we can go and get my pony.”
They walked together, Ori excitedly asking him questions all the while. Finally, when they arrived back at the shop where Myrtle was tied Gandalf was standing by his own horse with his bright eyes twinkling as though he knew what kind of mischief Bilbo had just gotten into.
Bilbo climbed up on top of Myrtle, waving a hand at Gandalf, “Ori, this is my friend I was telling you about. Gandalf the Gray, a great wizard.”
Ori stared up at the man, his mouth hanging wide open, “y-you’re the wizard that visited Erebor not long ago. The new teacher for Prince Kili!”
Gandalf chuckled, reaching down to pluck the dwarf from the ground and place him before himself on the saddle of his pewter colored stallion.
“Actually, my dear dwarf, the hobbit who just introduced us is the Prince’s new teacher, and we’re on the way to tell the King that as we speak.”
Ori looked back at Bilbo with wide eyes, “y-you!”
Bilbo sighed, he had a feeling he was going to get that reaction from a great many people, and not in the same manner…
Erebor was a great and vast mountain as Bilbo soon found out.
The outside may have been gray and dreary looking, but the inside was anything but.
King Thorin had kept up his grandfather’s tradition of luxuriously decorating the palace walls with jewels, and Bilbo couldn’t stop himself from running his small fingers across a few veins of gold as they were led to the throne room.
They had parted ways with Ori once they entered the mountain, the young dwarf trudging off to find his older brother, and Gandalf and Bilbo were carted off by a pair of guards.
Now, as they entered the great throne room Bilbo could see why the dwarves were so talked about and envied. The entire room was filled with gold: golden statues, golden idols, and a golden throne on which a gold clad king sat.
Thorin Oakenshield Durin was a tall dwarf, and his piercing blue eyes betrayed neither his emotions nor bending.
The Durin family was the only line of fire bending dwarves known, and they had remained that way for centuries. They were masters at it, and had battled dragons a great many for their land, home, and kin.
Now, staring up at King Thorin Bilbo felt a shiver run down his spine.
The King stared down at them for a moment before standing up and pacing down the small set of stairs to stop a few feet in front of Gandalf.
“So,” he said in a deep voice, “this is the hobbit.”
Bilbo licked his lips, afraid to look away, but, Thorin was not looking at him, instead, he was looking at Gandalf with a dark expression.
“Are you sure he is fit for the task,” the king asked, his brows lowered.
Bilbo pursed his lips, feeling anger rising within him as Gandalf answered the inquiry.
“Of course. Bilbo is a master water bender and will be a match for Kili’s enigmatic personality. You will see, he will prove himself equal to the task.”
Thorin scowled but turned to look at Bilbo finally, his expression dour as he looked the hobbit up and down.
“You are not what I thought you would be,” he told the water bender, and Bilbo felt his anger soar then.
“Well,” he exclaimed, “excuse me my King! I was not told what sort of specimen I had to be to teach your nephew, the Avatar!”
Thorin stared at him for a moment before turning away, his thick hair escaping from under his crown and hiding his face, “you may just do,” he said after a moment of silence, turning and climbing back up to his throne.
Bilbo stared after him, confused and silent until Gandalf touched his shoulder lightly, signaling that it was time for them to leave the king.
Bilbo let himself be led away, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking back, oddly enough, as he did, he was met with stormy blue eyes that followed him until the throne room doors closed sternly behind them…
Gandalf said nothing of Bilbo’s behavior as he led them through the complex halls of the castle, instead, he stopped just outside of a door and turned to the hobbit, “listen to me Bilbo, the Avatar is a great believer in mischief, and he may try to trick you, with the help of his brother, Fili. So, be careful around them, and don’t let them rattle you too much.”
Bilbo stared up at him, “what are you saying? Aren’t you staying here for a few days until I get settled?”
Gandalf shook his head serenely, “I’m afraid not. My new task is eagerly awaiting, but I promise that I will return as soon as it is over.” He put a hand on Bilbo’s head, a motion that would usually annoy the hobbit if anyone else did it. “Take care Bilbo Baggins, and try your very best.”
Bilbo continued to look at him until the wizard left him and hurried back the way that they had come, his gray robes dragging along behind him until he was out of sight.
Sadly, Bilbo took a deep breath and steeled himself, turned to face the door, and opened it without another moment’s hesitation…
The room inside was a training area, and was in complete and total despair.
Training dummies were destroyed, and the whole room appeared to have scorch marks, even on the ceiling. The floor was ragged from earth bending, and shreds of mysterious parchment were strewn about.
Bilbo looked up in amazement as he observed the obvious culprits.
One of the dwarves was being backed into a corner, his dark hair flying into his face as he air bended a blast towards the other blonde dwarf.
The blonde dwarf grinned at the attack and sent a quick flare of fire the other’s way, making the brunette earth bend a shield to save himself.
Bilbo huffed out a puff of air and crossed his arms, waiting for the two to stop until he said something.
After a few more half-hearted bursts of bending the two gave up, panting for breath and laughing all the while.
Then, and only then, did Bilbo clear his throat, making the two look over at him.
The two dwarves heads turned towards him and Bilbo found himself caught in the stare of two pairs of eyes, one blue and the other a dark, dark brown.
After a moment of silence the brunette stood up quickly, nearly stumbling, and rushed over to Bilbo, a wide grin on his youthful face.
“Sifu Bilbo! Uncle Thorin said you would be arriving soon! It’s so good to meet you, I’m Kili!”
Bilbo blinked, he had never imagined the Avatar to be so laid back and carefree, but here he was, smiling happily at him, even as he panted, exhausted.
Bilbo cleared his throat again, managing a small bow, “it’s a pleasure to meet you Avatar Kili. I hope that I will be able to prove useful to your training.”
The Avatar frowned, opening his mouth to say something, but was cut off when the other dwarf swept forward, grinning broadly at Bilbo.
“I’m sure you’ll prove yourself useful,” the blonde said, his tone friendly and casual, not at all condescending. “I’m Fili by the way,” he said, swiping a lock of hair back from his face, “I’ll probably sit in when you’re training Kili some. I try to skip my princely duties as much as possible.” He gave the hobbit a wink and Bilbo simply stared.
Now that he looked closer he could see that this was the Crown Prince; the royal insignia shone golden on his outfit, and the deep red of fire benders adorned his clothes.
Bilbo shook himself from his stupor and gave a small smile, “just try not to disrupt your brother’s training too much.”
Fili blinked at him for a moment before tilting his head back and laughing richly, Kili smirking at him. Once he was finished he looked back at Bilbo, wiping at his eyes, “I like you Bilbo.
The other teachers always tried to separate us, they thought Kili would learn better that way.”
Kili grinned boyishly at Bilbo, his smile a little sheepish as the water bender frowned, “well…I most certainly will not keep you away from each other, if that makes you uncomfortable. Besides, I’m just a hobbit, what right do I have to tell princes, and the Avatar, what to do?”
Kili leaned forward and wrapped an arm around his shoulders nonchalantly, “you have every right,” he grinned down at Bilbo once more, “so, when do we begin?”
Bilbo didn’t even know what to say…
They didn’t begin training right away, instead, Kili and Fili departed, saying they had to clean up before their mid-day meal and other lessons, leaving Bilbo alone in the training room
with a promise that they would find someone to take him to his new room.
When the door shut behind them Bilbo sighed greatly and let the tension fall from his shoulders.
Looking around he tried to analyze how to best train his new pupil.
He was in the middle of looking at a dummy, contemplating teaching Kili how to use water bending for healing when the door slammed open, admitting a hulking figure inside.
Bilbo whirled around to stare at the figure, a dwarf, with a large tattooed body and armor on, a pair of axes seen just behind his shoulders, strapped to his back.
Bilbo gulped, hand inching towards his water flask, “can I help you?”
The dwarf grunted, “Bilbo Baggins?” His brows were raised and he looked far from impressed.
The water bender swallowed, “yes, that’s me.”
The man frowned for a moment, “I’m Dwalin, Captain of the Guard. You’re to come with me. I’ll show you around the castle and take you to your rooms.”
Bilbo blinked, “oh. Well, alright then. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The dwarf looked him over, saying that they were anything but acquaintance’s with his look before turning and trudging out of the door, leaving Bilbo to follow him.
Frowning at the dwarf’s back Bilbo waited a moment before walking off after him, the only sound in the training room the shutting of the great door behind him…
As they walked down the halls together Bilbo felt a great amount of awkwardness between them as his companion was completely silent and seemed a bit brooding.
“So,” Bilbo finally mustered, tired of the silence, “are you a bender?” He had assumed most dwarves with high stature were benders, but it would be rude to think so if the man was not.
“Yes,” Dwalin rumbled, “an earth bender. Metal bender too.”
Bilbo stopped in his tracks, staring openly at the other male, surprised and amazed.
Once Dwalin noticed he wasn’t following anymore he stopped too, scowling at the hobbit when he turned to look at him, “what?”
Bilbo merely blinked at him, “y-you’re a metal bender!”
The guard hunched his shoulders, his frown marring his face, “what of it. I’m sure there are plenty in Middle Earth. I am merely one of them.”
Bilbo scoffed and crossed his arms, “of course, and fire benders are common in the Shire.”
Dwalin gave him a blank look and Bilbo sighed, “they are not common where I come from,” he told the dwarf, shaking his head.
Dwalin snorted, “that may explain some things.”
Bilbo looked up at him, “what things?”
The dwarf was shut off again though, “nothing,” he said, “it does not concern you.” He turned and started walking again, calling back, “have you really never met a metal bender before?”
Bilbo shook his head, “no. I didn’t think they existed any more. I thought perhaps that particular bending style had gone away, or was perhaps just hidden from the world.”
Dwalin nodded, “dwarves are particular about who they share their secrets with.” He stopped then, just before another large door, “here are your lodgings. I’ll send someone with some food for you, then I’ll come and get you when its time for supper.”
Bilbo glanced at him, “am I not allowed to explore the castle?”
Dwalin’s expression turned dark, “there are things you may not be ready to see in these halls hobbit.”
Bilbo frowned at him, wanting to ask questions, but the dwarf was already walking away, leaving Bilbo to ponder his words…
Bilbo’s room was enormous, much bigger than any of his rooms back home, even larger than his sitting room.
A large canopy bed invited him to try it out but he ignored it in favor of setting down his bags and looking at the nearly empty bookshelves that were shoved against one of the walls.
They contained books on bending, mostly fire, but none on water.
The hobbit sighed and instead moved to sit on the window seat, staring out of a thoughtfully provided window, the nearby rocky hills making Bilbo sigh. He missed his home already.
But he had a job to do, so, he straightened up and went to unpack, trying to give himself some small comfort in the things he had brought from his hobbit hole…
Dwalin, true to his word, showed up much later to retrieve Bilbo for the evening meal.
They walked down to the feast hall, the sound of chatter and music echoing around them as they moved ever closer.
Bilbo tried to squelch his nervousness as they edged closer, but he couldn’t. The thought of meeting all of the dwarves was just too overwhelming, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread in meeting perfect strangers.
Dwalin shoved the hall’s doors open, causing for there to be a slight lapse in conversation as most of the dwarves stopped to look at the newcomer.
Then, they spotted Bilbo.
Silence.
Bilbo gulped and twisted his hands behind his back, clutching the blue material of his vest tightly as Dwalin grunted at the other dwarves.
“Problem?” He asked them, striding forward to go and sit near the head of the long table where the king was seated, drinking from a rich golden goblet.
Bilbo’s nervousness increased tenfold.
Until one small voice called out to him.
“Mister Bilbo!”
The hobbit looked around, finally pinpointing the voice as Ori stood up, waving at him, “come sit with me,” the small dwarf said happily, prompting Bilbo to move himself and trod over to the young one.
The others took up their chatter again as Bilbo sat down, Ori smiling at him.
“It’s good to see you again,” Ori said as he handed him a cup filled with ale, “I was hoping you would join us for supper tonight. I thought you might have been busy.”
Bilbo smiled gently at him, taking a sip of the proffered drink, it tasted weak on his tongue, “I’m afraid I won’t be busy until tomorrow when the Avatar’s lessons start.”
“Tomorrow?!” A new voice cut in then and Bilbo turned to look at Kili, whom he had not even noticed until then.
“Yes,” Bilbo said calmly as he reached for a piece of bread, “we need to get started right away. Water bending is not something to wait for. You must be ready for change at a moments notice and accept it.”
Fili nudged his brother in the side and chuckled at his appalled expression.
“But,” Kili protested, “I thought I had to study it first, you know, with books and all.” He looked annoyed at the prospect of reading but Bilbo scrunched up his nose.
“Bending isn’t something you really study,” he said, “it’s just something you do. You’re born with the instinct to do it.” He was aware that others were listening in to their conversation but Bilbo was too enraptured to pay much attention.
Kili nearly knocked over his goblet as he leaned forward in haste, “so, I don’t have to read about water bending, I can just start doing it?!”
Bilbo stifled a small laugh by taking a bite of bread, “I suppose so. Besides, I haven’t seen a single water bending scroll in Erebor. Reading about it might be a bit difficult then.”
“Forgive us then,” the deep voice of the king interrupted, “for being unprepared for your teachings. No water bender has lived in Erebor since we parted ways with the elves.”
That had been a very long time ago indeed.
Bilbo glanced over at the king, those blue eyes piercing, “I wasn’t trying to offend you,” the hobbit clarified, “I should have brought my own scrolls if I intended to teach the Avatar with them.”
Thorin continued to stare at him but Bilbo abandoned his gaze to instead nibble on a small bit of ham.
Fili looked between his uncle and the water bender, smirking, “perhaps you would like to attend some of Kili’s lessons Uncle,” he crowed loudly, making Bilbo look up at him in surprise.
Fili continued, blue eyes alight, “this way you can see how the hobbit teaches, and perhaps you may learn a bit yourself. I’ve heard using other element’s techniques can be quite useful in a battle.”
Thorin narrowed his eyes at his nephew and angrily bit into a roll, chewing and swallowing before replying, “perhaps I will go and watch,” he said, glaring daggers at the golden haired prince.
Kili looked ill at the thought and Bilbo hoped that he didn’t look quite as peaky as the Avatar, no matter how he felt…