Chapter Text
The festival had taken weeks to put together. Merchants moved from far across Middle Earth just to set up crowded booths, some gave up trying to get a spot and strapped trays to themselves to peddle their wares. The spring time of the new year beckoned everyone out of their homes and to be under the warm sun and on the soft grass.
Bilbo pressed his hand against his vest and felt his stomach tumble as he looked himself in the mirror. His ceremonial shirt fit the fine embroidery of his vest and his simple pants kept everyone’s eyes where they should be. He looked good, but that didn’t stop the fluttering in his stomach. “Do you think I may need something more?” He asked his helper.
“I thought hobbits were supposed to enjoy the simple things in life.” Bofur asked with a grin next to Fili.
“Well yes, but for such an occasion. I feel under dressed.” Bilbo turned himself this way and that in the mirror trying to see every aspect of himself. Something was missing but he did not know what.
“You’re waring the finest,” Fili went to stop the halfling from fidgeting. “You look wonderful Bilbo.” He took Bilbo’s hands into his and squeezed the smaller hands. “You will take Uncle’s breath away.”
“Breath!! Oh, oh dear. Oh dear me.” Bilbo took his hands away from his soon to be nephew-in-law. “That is what is missing. The flowers. Where am I to get flowers at a time like this?!”
“I thought you said you didn’t want a bouquet!” Bofur stiffened, as the best man it was his duty to make sure Bilbo had everything that he needed for this occasion.
“Not a bouquet. At the shire when a couple wed we have flowers in our hair, it is a time old tradition and I cannot be seen without! I must have Baby’s Breath for purity, apple blossoms for good wishes to bountiful harvests and I must have -“ He continued to rattle on a list that were a must. Bofur scrambled for a quill and parchment and wrote everything down. There have been several flower vendors and he was certain he could get everything in time, if not then they would be fashionably late. He quickly ran out of the room when Bilbo was done and was down the hall.
“Oh, oh my goodness.” Bilbo waved on his feet before being seated in a comfortable chair by Fili. He clutched onto the youth’s kind hand, “I cannot believe I forgot such a thing. What a fool I am.”
“Bilbo… does the groom need the flowers too?”
“I-I suppose not, he already has his crown to ordain his head.”
Fili patted Bilbo’s hand, “I’ll go fetch something for you to drink. You look pale.”
When he left all that he could hear was a shout of a fret, “Nothing but water! I dare not risk staining these garments!”
It wasn’t long until Bofur came tumbling into the room with a large wooden basin filled to the brim with flowers. “Where do we start?” He asked out of breath.
Much to his relief Bofur’s skill at toy making was easily applied to weaving flowers into Bilbo’s hair. He added a few braids to make sure they stay in place and soon Bilbo was looking himself in the mirror once more making with full satisfaction, completely forgetting about the water that Fili had gone to fetch a while ago.
There was a knock on the door with Balin peaking in, “You ready laddy?” He smiled when he saw the two and nodded. “Aye, you be ready. Come with me then, it’s time.”
All the nerves came crushing back into Bilbo’s stomach all at once and he grabbed onto Bofur’s arm to steady himself. He rambled idle chit chat as they walked down the great halls of Erebor with a death grip on Bofur’s arm cutting off the blood circulation. The dwarf didn’t mind. It was his best friend’s wedding and he was more than happy to suffer a numb arm. When they got outside the music started, a practiced mix between traditional dwarven and shirefolk. Baskets of flower petals were held up high on poles, jostled to send the petals fluttering down while long soft fabrics of spring colors waved in the air. There was quite the crowd, many of their friends from their journey were there with family and friends of their own. People from the Took family, some elves even came and smiled upon the happy moment.
Down the aisle he walked with only Bofur to hold him up, only once did he stop to wave at someone, Gandalf holding up young Frodo. The small hobbit excitedly waved back as did the wizard.
When they got to the alter Bilbo hesitated, not because he was nervous but because he saw that Thorin had taken off his crown, instead there were flowers, like his, woven into his hair. Bilbo broke into a bright smile and missed Kili stepping closer to Thorin to keep the man from stumbling from having his breath stolen.
“Who gives this hobbit?” the presiding dwarf asked.
“I, Bofur, give my best friend to the care of our King, Thorin.”
The man nodded and Bofur let Bilbo walk to his place next to Thorin before going to his to the side.
For Thorin and Bilbo the vows were a blur, the ceremony happening without their notice. Rings were exchanged and it was announced they could exchange their first kiss as a bound couple.
Bilbo reached up and touched some of the flowers in Thorin’s hair, “I thought you wanted to have your crown.”
Thorin smiled lovingly, “Fili told me of your custom and I wish to share it with you as you wish to share with me. Besides, what is a crown that I cannot share with my bride?”
He then pulled Bilbo close and sealed their lips together. The crowd erupted in delight and music and both knew the true festivities were only to begin.