Chapter Text
For a moment, there was nothing. Only the deafening silence, But then.. his fingers twitched, that twitch turned into a full-body shiver, and the company watched with bated breath as their hobbit’s eyes fluttered semi-open.
The first thing Bilbo noticed was the burning but not entirely unpleasant feeling in his throat, the second thing was thirteen pairs of dwarven eyes staring down at him with a mix of pure relief and lingering terror.
Thorins voice was a hopeful whisper as he spoke:
“Master burglar..are you with us?”
Bilbo looked up at those Durin blue eyes, and the unmistakable wetness coating them. He felt a pair of hands gripping his own- the grip tentative but firm.
It took a moment for bilbo to find his voice, and when he did he managed a weak mumble
“W..where are..we?”
A group of relieved sights and chuckles that felt too sharp with concern escaped the company’s mouths.
“Thank the maker for not taking our hobbit!”
Bofur breathed, they all smiled at the Burglar but the lines of tension and concern remained clearly visible.
“Good to have you back my boy..”
Gandalf spoke as he and oin helped bilbo sit up. Bilbos eyes moved around the cave, the sun was setting and a pleasant fire was burning nearby the hobbit.
“Wha..happened..?”
Bilbo muttered, his voice coming out slightly raspy. But the company would much rather have their hobbit speaking in a quiet voice than not at all.
Kili answered him, his own face plastered with a relieved grin, as much (and maybe more) as anyone else. “You..passed out Bilbo..you were really really cold.”
Bofur chimed in softly. “Ye fell down in the middle of our conversation laddie..”
“It was...scary master Bilbo” Ori breathed quietly.
Bilbo looked at them. Truly unsure of what to say, part of him very touched by the obvious care of the people he calls friends, the other part felt guilty for being the source of Yavanna knows how much distress.
Bilbo tried to straighten fully, but the world tilted unpleasantly for a moment. Immediately several hands steadied him — Dwalin at his shoulder, Fili pulling the cloaks tighter around him, and Thorin’s hand still wrapped firmly around his own as if afraid Bilbo might vanish should he let go.
He pushed himself fully upright, the dwarven cloaks rustling in his lap. The texture as he would have expected, soft but strong. Thorin cleared his throat- bringing attention to him. There, Bilbo saw the genuine remorse on the kings face, an emotion Bilbo had once figured impossible.
“I…have much to apologize for Master Baggins, I have called you a burden..made it clear you had no place amongst us.. I’ve never been so wrong in all my life.”
Thorin lowered his gaze briefly, shame flickering openly across his face.
“You nearly died while under my care,” he said quietly. “I do not believe I shall forgive myself for that easily.”
Bilbo gasped as he felt himself melt into the warm embrace. A warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with Gandalf’s drink, nor the cloaks or the fire.
“Don’t apologize Master Oakenshield…I would have doubted myself too. But for what it’s worth, thank you Thorin.”
The company laughed, smiled and embraced each other. And of course their Hobbit. Apologies and forgiveness were exchanged. And prayers thanking the maker for not taking their Hobbit’s life. As outside the sun had set, and the moon had risen.
In the cold night air the stars shone bright.. full of promise for what was to come.
As the company settled down in their bedrolls once the laughter had turned into something softer.. and sounds of calm breathing filled the cave, Thorin embraced Bilbo, holding him close to him. Vowing to never let go
“Zann galikh, ziriz khî” Thorin whispered And finally, Bilbo closed his eyes, a smile resting softly on his lips as he realized he had found his family. And for the first time in many nights, he felt no cold at all.