In which the Company are entirely too nosy about matters that are supposed to be a secret, and Bilbo learns that being concerned about propriety is overrated when you could be making friends instead.
Thorin Durin had lived in his new flat for approximately eighty four minutes when things started to go terribly, terribly wrong. The wrongness came in the form of a package, delivered to his door, wrapped in brown paper and string, with a small tag wishing him a very sincere welcome to the building.
“He looks more like a dryad than the Lord of the Underworld,” the newcomer remarked, coldly. In which Bilbo inherits the Underworld, Thorin can't get the hand of growing things, and neither of them have a clue what to do.
Thorin hadn’t really wanted to go on holiday. That was why he hadn’t been on one for over a decade – not, despite what his siblings might say, because he had problems letting go of work and letting other people have control over their own hotel, which definitely wasn’t his entire life, no matter what the opinions of his family might have been on the matter. In which people go on holiday, and find a little bit of home.
Forget-me-not: a small flower, with four petals, which are normally found in shades of blue with a pink or white centre. These are traditional flowers of intent in the Shire, used to express true love, and remembrance. In which Bilbo plans to leave Erebor, and Thorin tries to understand why.
"Thank you for listening," Thorin said, getting to his feet. "I hope to be able to return the favour, one day." The man on the bed didn't respond, but since he'd been in a coma for longer than Thorin had known him, that wasn't entirely surprising.
The battle is over, and the lost have been counted. There is too much death, too much blood, and in the middle of it sits one small Hobbit, left quite alone but for a body on the ground and the memory of what might have been. But he is a tenacious creature, and if there is one thing that he has learnt, it is not to give up hope. In which Bilbo Baggins goes on one last journey, and doesn't come back alone.
Bilbo liked Erebor, he really did. Even if everyone seemed convinced he was going to leave. In which soil causes international incidents, Thorin is over-dramatic, and dwarves are rubbish at keeping secrets. Oh, and they build a garden. Eventually.
When Bilbo finds a case of old family photographs, he becomes determined to find the original owners: what he does not expect is to become quite so involved in their lives, or that those photographs should prove quite so important.
Bilbo just didn't understand; why would anyone come in every day, order cake, and then not eat it?