Chapter Text
Dwalin Fundin was not a bad man, he was not a dangerous man, and he was definitely not a murderous man. He was a good man that had found a bad way of life. He had been working for A.Z.O.G for seven years now and he couldn’t imagine himself doing anything else. His great grandfather, his grandfather and his very own father had done what he did now, Dwalin knew it was the family business and he was the only one to ensure that the line prevailed, his brother had left to travel with his wife many years ago, when Dwalin was still a young teenager, and he had never come back (well, he did, but Dwalin chose to forget about them), Dwalin’s father had been furious and had fled a few months later, Dwalin didn’t know what or who had driven his father away, but Dwalin was luckily left with the house, the car and the pressure of being a hit mans’ sidekick, Dwalin didn’t mind his job; it put bread on the table and petrol in his car. But, Dwalin knew he wouldn’t want to be stuck there forever, bending over backwards for some strangers that Dwalin hated and strangers that hated him, he didn’t want to be like the blood thirsty men he had to work with and he wouldn’t want to spend the rest of his life being a mafia’s lapdog, he wanted to explore the world, to be like his elder brother and take off with the wind, not caring what he left behind! But, when he was sworn into the mafia, those plans changed instantly.
Dwalin walked slowly down the hallway as he lit the cigarette between his lips before fixing the tie on his suit, he took a long drag and looked at the signs that pointed him down the hall until he came upon the familiar large wooden door, Dwalin didn’t bother to knock instead he just pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be instantly hit by a wall of smoke and the stench of sour scotch, Dwalin took a deep drag on his cigarette as he stepped inside, the shutters were closed and the only light in the room was a small lamp that was settled on the large oak desk in the centre of the room, where a pair of pale hands were folded.
“Ah, Dwalin, I wondered when you were gonna show your ugly mug again.” A voice said from inside the dark office, Dwalin smirked around his cigarette and sat down in one of the large leather chairs.
“Well, ye’ know, we all gotta get back to work sooner or later.” Dwalin replied with a smirk as he leaned back in the leather chair.
“Good thing too, I got a job for you.” The man said as he took a quick swig from the scotch that was on his desk in a crystal glass, he passed Dwalin a brown folder with his scarred hand.
Dwalin took the folder from the outstretched hand and flicked it open, to see black and white surveillance pictures of a man with spikey hair looking over his shoulder as he was getting out of a large black car.
“Nori Rison, a new mafia boss that has taken up residence on ‘Erebor Street’, he’s been setting up guerrilla attacks on our men for a few weeks now-”
“And what? You want me to set up the snipers and blow the brain from his head?” Dwalin asked raising an eyebrow.
“Oh no, no, I could get any idiot to do that.” The pale man replied. “Keep reading.”
Dwalin flicked through the papers, this time there was a picture of a large mansion type house in black and white with many cars outside and another picture of the sharp haired man helping an elder man out the car followed by a smaller and younger man getting out on the other side of the car and looking up at the house, Dwalin couldn’t see his face but he could see his arse, and what a fine arse it was too.
“I have a special mission for you.” The pale man smirked before adding. “I need someone to get inside, inside their minds, inside their hearts; you’re the only man for this job, Dwalin.”
“Why me?” Dwalin asked and the scarred man snickered.
“Because no other man in my service has your…talents, of fitting in.” The man said with a shrug.
“Thank ye’, I will take that as a compliment.” Dwalin grunted with an eye roll.
“I need a man to get a job there and they already know many of my men.” The man replied. “I need someone to get inside that house and the others are…well… I don’t need to explain, do I?”
Dwalin nodded slightly, many of the men who he worked with just screamed serial killer and would definitely not be able to get a job in a home like the Rison’s.
“Why not just kill Nori and get it over and done with?” Dwalin asked as he took a drag from his cigarette.
“Because he has something I need.” The man said simply.
“And that is?” Dwalin questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“The men speak of a gem that is in the Risons’ possession,” The man said. “They call it ‘The heart of Erebor’ or ‘The Ristone’, they speak of it as being so ‘dazzling’ that many men have fallen for its beauty, but none of them have ever gotten near to it, and I need such a treasure in my possession.”
“So, ye’ want Nori for his information.” Dwalin stated and the man nodded before Dwalin added. “And there won’t be any bloodshed?”
The scarred man gave him a sickening smile and the murky light shined from his sharp yellowed teeth.
“I can’t promise that.” The man said with a chuckle.
Dwalin rolled his eyes, for once he just wanted a job that wouldn’t end in the loss of life, just once!
“So, can I trust you to do this?” The man asked, Dwalin pulled his large grey suit jacket up his shoulders and smashed his cigarette end into the crystal tray that was placed on the edge of the large oak desk.
“I’m yer man.” Dwalin said with a smirk.
----
Ori was not like his brothers, he did not hunger for power and riches he’d prefer to live a more adventurous life and make a difference in the world, he already went and gave to over ten different charities (Much to his brothers distaste), he wanted to run away from home and see the world and never look back, he would miss his brothers immensely but he didn’t want to sit around any longer and be pampered on, he knew his elder brother, Nori, was in a shady business but he was kept far away from it by his eldest brother, Dori, it was almost like living in one of the fairy-tale stories his mother used to read to him, the princess that had been locked away in a tower for her own good until a brave knight came charging in on a white horse and swept the princess off her feet and away to his castle. But this wasn’t a fairy-tale and there was no knight coming on a horse for him and there was definitely no happy ending-
There was a sudden soft knock at his bedroom door and Ori turned instantly in his chair, placing his silver pen down as he did so.
“Come in!” Ori called but still keeping his tone soft.
The door was pushed open gently and in walked the small curly haired man that Ori knew as Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins. The small man had only worked here for two years but Ori felt more comfortable with him than he did with any of his other ‘servants’. Ori did not like that word, but his brothers had insisted that that’s what he called the people who work for them. Bilbo took a slight bow but Ori waved the greeting off and Bilbo straightened his back instantly.
“Good morning, Master Ori,” Bilbo said with a smile. “Your brothers wish to see you.”
Ori groaned and spun back around in his chair to face out of the large stain glass window with a huff.
“Could you tell them I’m busy or something?” Ori pleaded and Bilbo smiled fondly.
“Afraid not,” Bilbo said with a giggle. “They seemed very serious.”
“When are they not serious?” Ori said under his breath but still loud enough for Bilbo to hear.
Bilbo shrugged and leaned against the door frame with a small pout and a pleading look, Ori turned back around in his chair to face the small man and sighed again as he ran a hand over his face.
“Fine, tell them I’ll be down in a moment.” Ori said with a forced smile and Bilbo nodded happily before he scurried out the room.
After a few moments Ori sighed and lifted himself from his desk before he pulled open the door and started walking quickly down the hallway and towards the living room where he suspected his brothers would be, he passed many ‘servants’ on the way and gave every one of them a friendly smile and an appreciative nod. The ‘servants’ nodded in reply before they continued their jobs, Ori was soon at the large oak door that lead into the living room, Ori straightened his jumper and pulled up his jeans before he turned the large brass knob on the door and walked into the large room with a smile on his face, but that smile soon melted away when he saw his brothers turning to him with solemn faces, sat next to each other with a large man sat across from them.
“Bilbo called for me,” Ori stated, breaking through the awkward silent. “He said you wanted to see me?”
“Yes, yes, sit down would you, Ori, please.” Dori said as he got up from his seat and gestured for Ori to sit next to Nori on the large leather sofa.
Ori shuffled awkwardly across the room and sat down next his brunet brother and across from the large brutish man, Ori swallowed nervously as he looked at the man, he was huge, probably about twice Ori’s size, he was covered in tattoos and scars and his head was bare, Ori lowered his gaze and looked at the man’s stylish grey suit before his grey haired brother gestured quickly to one of the servants in the corner of the room (probably to fetch some tea), Nori leaned back on the large sofa and rubbed the back of his neck, his mouth opening and closing.
“So, what’s going on?” Ori asked and Nori cleared his throat and opened his mouth again.
“It has come to my attention that the A.Z.O.G mafia have started catching onto my organization,” Nori started and Ori furrowed his brow, his brother never included him in the family business. “And, I’ve been thinking that maybe it is becoming…unsafe, for you.”
“Unsafe?” Ori asked furrowing his brow and Nori nodded, Ori felt a slight twinge of glee ran through him but he kept his cool and made his face straight. “So, I’m allowed to come out on missions with you? Am I allowed a gun? I’ll need some lessons though, just to make sure I don’t-”
“Whoa, whoa, who’s talking about guns!?” Nori asked with wide eyes and the feeling of glee inside of Ori was stomped out.
“I thought that-” Ori started.
“Ori, we’re not giving you a weapon, that’s far too dangerous!” Dori said with a small smile.
“Then how am I supposed to-” Ori started to question only to get cut off again by his brother.
“I’m hiring you a bodyguard.” Dori said quickly, obviously unsure of how his baby brother would react but judging by Ori’s now slacked jaw it wasn’t good.
“A bodyguard!? Someone to follow me around like a shadow and disrupt my whole life!?” Ori cried and his brother rolled his eyes and the bald man sat across from him made an entertained snort.
“It won’t be that bad-” Dori tried but Ori scoffed.
“Won’t be that bad, because that’s exactly what I need. Some muscled meathead watching my every move.” Ori snapped and Dori rubbed the back of his neck slightly.
“We’re only thinking about what is best for you.” Dori stated and Nori nodded his head in agreement.
Ori sighed and nodded before looking at Nori who was watching him with a raised eyebrow a brown folder in his hand.
“Who is my bodyguard?” Ori asked solemnly and Nori gestured across the small coffee table to the bald man who was now smirking at Ori.
“This is Dwalin, Dwalin Dukes, Your new bodyguard.” Nori said as if he had rehearsed it three days before hand.
Ori looked at the man across from him with an unimpressed expression across his face and the man continued to smirk as he stretched out his hand for Ori to shake.
“Dwalin, at yer service.” The man said in a thick accent.
Ori had to admit he found the man slightly appealing; he would never say that out loud, of course, if he did his brother would definitely not hire him and probably lock Ori in his room. Ori’s face slipped from its unimpressed expression before it turned into one of rage, he swatted the mans’ hand away and got instantly to his feet.
“This isn’t fair.” Ori stated to his eldest brother and Dori didn’t reply so Ori continued. “I don’t need a bodyguard! I-”
“Enough!” Nori shouted as he got to his feet, towering over Ori. “This is not up for discussion, you will accept Dwalin as your bodyguard and you will be glad of it!”
Ori felt tears prick his eyes, but he wouldn’t dare to let them fall, instead he turned instantly as he ran back out of the door and towards his bedroom, Dori looked at Nori and shook his head in disapproval before he marched out of the room to follow his baby brother, Nori sighed before he marched over to a servant and whispered to him before marching out of the room and following the directions of his brothers. Leaving Dwalin to chuckle and smirk slightly under his beard.
----
Dwalin was soon directed to the servant quarters, they were small apartment size rooms on the edge of the building, the rooms were only permitted for the servants that had no place to go or for those of low income, the rooms were rent free and Dwalin couldn’t ask for anything better really, his own house was far too large and very uncomfortable, and it never really felt like home to him, well, neither did the servant quarters but it was a start.
The raven haired servant- Thorin- he had introduced himself as, had lead him down to the private quarters as he revealed that they were now roommates (which Dwalin didn’t mind, he hadn’t a roommate since his brother had left all those years ago.) and had left him there to get ready for his first day as Ori’s bodyguard, Dwalin had been slightly impressed by the small man’s attitude towards him, it showed Dwalin that the small man had some balls, and Dwalin respected that, he wasn’t what Dwalin had expected, not what he expected at all.
There was suddenly a soft knock at the door and Dwalin gave a gruff shout and the door creaked open slightly, and the empty space in the frame was now occupied by a small man with bright blue eye and large curls of blond sandy hair.
“Hello,” The man said friendly. “My names Bilbo Baggins, I am the main butler for the house of Rison.”
The blond man stepped into Dwalin’s room and gave him a firm handshake, Dwalin smiled slightly at the short man.
“I’m Dwalin, Dwalin Dukes.” Dwalin lied, his boss had given him a name change because if someone was to type ‘Dwalin Fundin’ into a computer, it would bring up all Dwalin’s past records and no one would dare to hire him, besides hit men of course.
“Pleasure to meet you, Dwalin Dukes.” Bilbo said with a wide grin. “I bring news from my master, and good friend, Ori Rison, He wishes to speak with you in his chambers.”
“Aye alright, where are his chambers?” Dwalin asked as he pulled off his tie and placed it over the back of a chair.
“I will escort you.” Bilbo replied with a warm smile.
Dwalin nodded before he dumped his heavy bag onto the large leather sofa in the middle of the room and followed the small man out, Bilbo scurried quickly down the hall and they were soon out of the private quarters and back to the main building, Dwalin made a quick note of everything, the least guarded doors, the exits, the best places for cameras and speakers, and the best places he could get pissed in the dark, but he realised that the only place he could do that in was in his room, maybe that Thorin man would like to join him?
Bilbo suddenly stopped after they had walked down many hallways, obviously Dori and Nori had placed their youngest room to the back of the house to keep him safe, or to keep him hidden.
Bilbo tapped lightly on the door and Ori called out for him to enter, Bilbo turned to Dwalin and gestured to the door, he nodded his thanks to the small man before he turned the large brass doorknob and pushed the door open.
Dwalin’s jaw went slacked at the size of Ori’s room, it was double the size of his own shared room and had large stain glass windows that made the walls light up and shine like a rainbow, there was a large oak desk in the corner of the room and a large leather sofa, Dwalin stepped inside the room hesitantly and closed the door softly behind him before he walked in further until he spotted the small man who was curled up on his bed and sniffling into his knees.
“Uh, Master Ori?” Dwalin asked as he stepped back slightly, he wasn’t good with ‘emotions’ or trying to ‘comfort’ others, he was more of a stay out of it and hope that they sort it by himself, he cursed the small man for shoving him in here, that Bilbo was definitely on top of his hit list now.
Ori looked up and instantly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Oh, sorry Mister Dwalin, I didn’t hear you come in.” Ori stated as the tears stopped rolling down his cheeks.
“It’s alright, laddie,” Dwalin replied with a shrug. “Uh, The short lad in the tux said ye’ wanted to see me?”
Ori looked at him with a furrowed brow obviously unsure who he was referring to, Dwalin cleared his throat and tried again.
“Bilbo Baggins sent for me.” Dwalin tried again and Ori nodded.
“Yes, I-I just wanted to say, that I am sorry for my behaviour in the living room earlier today-” Ori started but Dwalin stopped him.
“No, it’s fine lad,” Dwalin stated. “I’ve had worse, honestly.”
Ori looked at him with sorry eyes before he nodded slightly.
“You are excused,” Ori stated before he quickly added. “but I will need to see you first thing in the morning.”
“And ye’ will.” Dwalin said before he bowed slightly and walked towards the door, leaving the small man to watch his back in confusion, trying to figure out the large strange man his brother had brought to him, Dwalin could only smirk.