Bilbo smiled tightly. ‘Hardly rearing up at all, actually. The rumors were much worse than the truth.’ Since they kept anyone from uncovering the truth and taking care of my boy, they were far worse. Bilbo so wanted to throw the truth down in front of Rory. Do I want to hurt you? Shall I make you hurt like my boy? Shall I cut your heart out and hand it to you? Frodo, think of Frodo. He would say nothing that might keep him from taking his boy. He studied Rory’s face.