Chapter Text
Thorin’s growls echoed around the throne room of Erebor, causing his advisors, petitioners, and sister-sons to shudder. Balin was the only one brave enough to step forward. His eyes crinkled around the edges and dismay was clear in his voice.
“Majesty, you know that you can not lead the expedition to the deepest levels. Though your line is secure, Erebor is not and we can not risk your loss. The structure of the mine-shafts was greatly compromised by the beast. You must appoint a delegation to survey the damage and terrain.” Though Balin’s words and tone were respectful, they only seemed to infuriate Thorin more.
“I must appoint a delegation?” Fili felt the hairs on his arms and neck raise, warning him, unnecessarily, of the impending storm. “You forget your place, Balin son of Fundin, which is to advise, not dictate my actions. How can I ask others to risk so much as I sit secure on my throne?” Recognizing both the iron in his uncle’s eyes and the threat in his voice, Fili’s gaze sought Kili. Nodding surreptiously, they began to inch towards the entrance of the royal chambers. Fortune, as she was want of late, smiled on the line of Durin and Thorin’s tirade distracted him from their departure. As the door closed silently behind them, Kili smiled widely at his brother.
“Uncle Bilbo?” Fili reached out and playfully tweaked one of Kili’s dark braids.
“Of course, Bilbo. Who else? To the kitchens, brother; my nose says Bilbo is baking.” Kili nodded and sniffed the air appreciatively. They raced noisily to the kitchen, but stopped suddenly at the door. Neither wished to risk waking Frodo, if he were asleep. Bilbo did indeed have some skill with conkers, afterall. Learning from past transgressions, Fili slowly and silently opened the door and peered inside. As he took in the scene, he shifted so Kili could see.
They were indeed baking, as the large assortment of cooling pastries attested. Two year-old Frodo was perched on a stool at Bilbo’s side, giggling as he patted a ball of dough into a vaguely round shape. Flour dusted his dark curls and his face and apron bore ample proof of various tastings. Both brothers grinned as Frodo looked in their direction and squealed as he tried to jump to the ground.
“Da! Ki’n’Fi here!” Bilbo whirled at just the right moment to prevent his son from toppling over and placed him on the floor. Pulling himself to an upright position, Frodo toddled to his cousins, who both knelt to catch him. Not at all uncertain, Frodo moved to the middle of the brothers and wrapped an arm around each of their necks. He patted sticky fingers in their hair and smiled widely. “Kiss!” The brothers complied and Kili stood first, sweeping Frodo into his arms.
“And what are you doing on this fine day, Prince Frodo?” Frodo pointed a pudgy finger towards the massive stack of baking.
“Da makin cakes for elves and I makin a cake for Papa.” Fili and Kili exchanged a glance over Frodo’s head and groaned together. Fili whistled.
“The elves! Of course, it’s the elves. I’d forgotten about their delegation. No wonder…” He trailed off as Bilbo approached, wet rag in hand for Frodo’s face and hands. Bilbo looked knowingly at the brothers as he scrubbed a squirming Frodo.
“Can I take it that his majesty is throwing a tantrum about something?” Fili and Kili exchanged glances again and Kili nudged his brother. Fili sighed.
“He and Balin are disagreeing loudly about the surveying of the deepest mines.” Bilbo’s face tightened quickly in anger and he put his hands over Frodo’s ears.
“Do you mean to tell me that my jackass of a husband is still trying to lead the expedition himself?” The brothers, unused to an angry Bilbo, simply nodded. “We settled this. We agreed that he would appoint a delegation..He knows how I feel…” The anger seemed to leave Bilbo as quickly as it came and for a moment he seemed to wilt. In the next moment, however, his spine stiffened in determination. The brothers almost felt sorry for their uncle as they watched Bilbo move into action. He whipped his apron off and called for Bombur. “I’m sorry about this, Bombur, but I’m going to need you to finish this last batch today. Also, can you pack a basket of Thorin’s favorites and have it sent to the door leading to the gardens?” Bombur simply nodded and set about his appointed tasks.
Bilbo then turned on Kili and Fili. “I’m going to need you lads to watch Frodo for a bit. He will need a bath and a nap. Can you handle that?” They nodded as Frodo yawned widely. Bilbo bussed a kiss on Frodo’s head and then moved towards the door. He twirled suddenly. “We will be in the gardens, if you need anything…” He met their eyes. “Don’t need anything.” He almost made it to the door before twirling on them again. “Do not touch any of the baking. It is for the feast.” As Kili opend his mouth to protest, Bilbo pointed a finger at them. “If I suspect that even one cake is missing, I will have Thorin assign you to separate patrol shifts for a month. Do we have an understanding?” Kili sputtered as Frodo giggled in his arms. Fili gave an exagerated bow.
“We hear and obey, Oh royal consort.” He raised his eyes just in time for Bilbo’s dirty apron to smack into his face. He turned to Kili and Frodo as they dissolved into laughter. “Our entire family is crazy. Come on, my lads, the youngest prince of Erebor has a date with a tub.” Fili wrapped his arm around his brother’s waist and brought his mouth closer to Kili’s ear, breath ghosting over flesh. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed how sweet you look with that babe in your arms.” Kili shivered and met Fili’s eyes over Frodo’s head. Blushing, he leaned into Fili’s embrace, letting his brother steer him.