Chapter Text
It always begins with a spark King Thror’s words resounded on Thorin’s memory while he recovered an idea, a feeling, a battle, my boy. There is a moment of stillness, the world holding its breath in anticipation, silent; a spark, and then everything simple is.
Thorin had felt that spark in many ways, many times. But he was beginning to suspect that the time would come when one of those blasted sparks will cease to be only a metaphor and will ignite him in every aspect. Flames will melt the flesh away from his bones.
Just a moment ago he was about to be roasted like pork, besides a quest against a Dragon could very well in multiple sparks. Yes, roasted was begging to sound like a very plausible death. Thorin could still feel the roaring fire flaming up at him. Shivering at the memory he set his gaze upon de wizard, who was in turn talking with the hobbit.
Ah, the hobbit. The thrice damned hobbit; Thorin’s hands were itching, craving to squeeze the lithe neck until his eyes popped out. When victory was at hand the good for nothing let himself be capture by probably the most stupid and sluggish trolls in middle earth. And all because of the ponies his nephews had failed to guard.
Ah, his nephews. Now, those were necks he would definitely strangle. “Ow, ow ow. It was all Filli’s fault uncle!”
“Ah you liar! Those four were on your side of the watch.” Thorin’s hands tightened.
“Ouch! We are sorry! It won’t happen a second time we swear!” they replied in unison.
“Should have listened to your mother and never have brought you with me! If you make the same careless mistake again you will return directly to her”
Thorin said the words but didn’t really mean them. He was discharging all his fury on them, he knew, since another certain neck was out of reach. Sending the boys back to Dis would be a crueller fate than sending them against Smaug alone.
“Noo” Pleaded one “Please don’t” Pleaded the other “It won’t happen again!” Swore both.
“See that it doesn’t!” And with that he let go. Thorin dusted his hands and left the young ones in Dwalin’s capable hands, he would surely devise an excellent punishment for being robbed by three gigantic and very loud trolls.
Thorin questioned the wizard about his earlier disappearance in the morning. But was refuted by wizardry nonsense about looking ahead and behind. “You can look anywhere you want as long as you do it near us.” He replied. The wizard looked amused, which infuriated Thorin further.
“In any case, these Trolls must have had a lair somewhere around to hide from the sun, we should look for it; they are quite the hoarders. Who knows what we might find.” The wizard suggested.
Thorin nodded and the company began searching, He headed north since every other direction had already been taken and thought himself alone when a playful voice startled him. There it was, the spark. Flaring up his temper. Like a sword being readied for forging and about to be impacted by hammer.
“So, King. Quite the battle back there.” The hobbit commented, casually. And Thorin couldn’t really tell if he was being serious or was making fun of him. Wouldn’t be the first time. He opted for the latter and answered accordingly.
“Hmp..Thankfully the wizard made himself useful instead getting captured and ruining everything.” Unlike your helpless ass was left unsaid. The hobbit released a clean laugh so loud than a few birds nearby flew away startled.
“You really needn’t to stop on my account next time, o’ king, should have let them try to rip me apart. I can take care of myself, that I can guarantee you.”
“Didn’t seem like it, you were twirling and twitching like fish bait.”
“I never thought you care.”
“I don’t”
“Indeed.” Thorin turned to hobbit and saw him sporting his cheeky trademark grin, he rolled his eyes and decided to let the subject be for the time being.
“Well, perhaps I can make it up to you by finding the cave quickly so we can move on.” The hobbit offered. Thorin was taken aback by the suddenness of the proposal, unsure on how to respond, and after a pregnant pause he simple raised an eyebrow and shrugged. If the hobbit wanted to help then he wasn’t about to complain. “Be my guest”
“This way.” The hobbit said heading northeast and with a quick, quiet pace he seemed to manoeuvre easily through the forest making very difficult to Thorin to keep up. He felt like he was following a tiny very irritating wood elf. When the hobbit stopped, he did so abruptly and Thorin’s quick reflexes where the only thing that stopped him from crashing into the smaller back.
“Here we are.” Thorin could see a cave a few meters away, all the trees around had broken branches and scratches screaming hey massive trolls passed through here, repeatedly Thorin could have found trail easily, he was sure of it, if only the hobbit hadn’t disrupted his concentration.
“Good job”
A truly marvellous sword, his new sword was. Thorin handled it with care, caressing the blade cautiously; marvelling at how light it was. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling at the moment, he was partly envious; the skill of the elves was simply another thing entirely. And he was partly awed by it.
“Nice sword.” He didn’t hear any footsteps heading his direction but when the hobbit spoke he was not surprised this time. Throin guessed he was finally adjusting to the new addition to the party’s antics. Everyone else was busy setting camp so they were relatively alone.
The spark ignited again, but instead of fury, curiosity.
“You’ve got one too.” Thorin commented, for the first time since leaving the shire initiating an honest conversation with him.
“Mine is rather small, hardly a sword. More like a big knife. I have no need for swords but Gandalf insisted.” The Hobbit answered inviting himself next to Thorin. “Do you know how to use it?” Thorin asked not really knowing why. The hobbit pondered the question for a moment before answering.
“No, I suppose I don’t. Hobbits are rather peaceful.” Thorin took the words carefully in. He wanted to ask about everything Gandalf had hinted, but the hobbit had never claimed to be anything else than a hobbit. He decided to ask.
“The wizard, told me you are not just any hobbit.” The hobbit grinned “Of course not, I am Bilbo Baggins, not a simple Underhill or Riverbend” Thorin growled at the hobbit’s elusiveness, tired of the secrets and half told truths. The hobbit closed his eyes at the sound and turned to the fire.
“You know exactly what I mean.” They were silent after that, neither stood up. The meal was enjoyed and the bedrolls placed near the fire; Gandalf curled against a tree smoking contently, keeping close as suggested. But Thorin and the hobbit remained seated. The group commented on the happenings of the day but quieted when the hobbit spoke.
“Are we going to stop on Rivendell?” Everyone groaned, repulsed by the mere thought of the elves.
“We have to lad, Gandalf tells us Lord Elrond may know how to read the map.” Explained Balin. “Much to our dismay.” Gloin added.
“Agh elves, I say we don’t bother and just head straight to Erebor” Said Dwalin bitterly “They will surely refuse to give us any kind of help” Whispers of agreement flowed freely through the camp. The hobbit smiled gently at the dwarves, Thorin noted, and replied.
“Don’t be so weary, Lord Elrond and the elves of Rivendell are not the same elves who turned you down. You will be surprised to find he will be happy to help.” Thorin frowned not feeling assured in the slightest and asked.
“You speak with much confidence, you know this elf then?” The hobbit sighed and fidgeted slightly before answering. “In a way I supposed, he may not recognize me though.”
“Why not?” Inquired Bofur loudly. Gandalf, wondering what Bilbo might disclose followed the conversation closely.
“I am not the same person he knew then”
“Who were you then?” Dori asked, Thorin was wandering the exact same thing, and was hoping that this time they will all receive some answers for a change.
“I can’t remember, not yet. Perhaps if he does recognize me, he will tell me because I want to know too.” Nobody was content with the response but did not voice their thoughts at least for the time being.
On the other side of the camp Gandalf realized that Bilbo’s awakening was not as complete as he had thought, and decided to address the matter later to Bilbo. Thorin scuffed and lit his pipe.
They continued talking for a while but sleep made everyone succumb to sweet nothingness. Only Thorin and the hobbit lingered in the same exact position. “I know you want answers, and are curious about me.” The hobbit stated solemnly after a moment of silence.
Thorin thought that to be an understatement, he was dying to know. Already wandering if the hobbits powers could be useful against Smaug or not.
“But it is true when I say I don’t remember everything. I will be your burglar and rob the arkenstone for you isn’t that enough?” Thorin turned to the hobbit and stared right into his golden pits. “It is” For now.
“Good” The hobbit smiled, “you should try to sleep.” Thorin wanted to argue nevertheless he was feeling tired, the ordeal with the trolls was finally taking toil on him.
“Someone must keep watch.” He replied stubbornly anyway.
“I will, don’t worry no big trolls can sneak on me.” The hobbit joked, “I’ll wake you up if there is anything.” Thorin wasn’t comfortable with the arrangement, however he did set his bedroll and lay down; his entire body aching in bliss.
“I could teach you” Thorin offered after watching the hobbit’s smooth and pale hands cleaning his pipe. The hobbit’s corner of his mouth lifted but his eyes remained fixed on his pipe.
“Teach me what?” Thorin cursed himself, he believed he had only thought it not actually said the words. He must have been way more tired than he had assumed.
“How to handle you long knife.” Fuck it, he thought. As much as the hobbit irritated him, he was also very captivated by the mystery of his persona.
“That’ll be nice, thank you.” Yes, it always begins with a spark.
“I thought you said the land was well protected, wizard.” Thorin reproached three days later.
“It is Thorin. Those trolls were most likely an isolated case” Gandalf replied a little exasperated. “But you can’t deny it was at the end a happy occurrence, we found many things inside their cave.”
“It was fortunate but I wouldn’t call it happy.” Thorin said dismounting his pony, another day had come and was slowly dying as the moon climbed the sky. He glanced discreetly at the hobbit, as had been his habit for the past days.
He was aware of their arrangement but neither had spoken about it since that night; and so the hobbit remained untrained and he unsure on how to address the matter. Thorin was sure that the moment when their lessons began and become public knowledge he would never hear the end of it from his kin. They were nosy like that.
The hobbit was sharing something funny with Bofur since they were both laughing like maidens before handsome men while Bofur brushed his pony. Thorin sighed and instructed his nephews to find something edible. He wasn’t a social person that much was clear to everyone. He couldn’t come closer to the hobbit and begin talking about the weather or some other nonsense.
“What about the lessons you promised to give Bilbo?” The meddling wizard asked from behind. Thorin groaned, so much for no one knowing.
“What about them?” He countered.
“You should start as soon as possible, once we leave Rivendell the real danger will appear.” Thorin sighed and gazed at the hobbit, again. The wizard was right, as long as the hobbit claimed to be just a hobbit he must be treated as such and Thorin had to assume he knew nothing about defending himself.
“So much for being Master of Fire, Thunder and Wind.” The wizard frowned and gave him a disapproving look. “He has not fully awakened yet, he holds extraordinary power. He simply can’t remember how to use it,” The wizard explained. “In the meantime those lessons will prove to be very helpful.”
Thorin felt his stomach sink horribly low, that strange sensation akin to something heavy at the back of the throat appeared. In common words; he felt nervous and hated himself because of it. The hobbit should be the one feeling nervous and ashamed! What kind of creature did not know how to defend itself? The doomed-to-die kind.
Still he walked across the camp, gave some orders while he was at it and cleared his throat when he stood behind the hobbit. Both he and Bofur turned; it took a nod and a look for the latter to take the hint, Bofur bowed and left walking merrily.
“May I help you with something, o king?” The hobbit asked watching curiously the exchange.
“It is I who may help you” Replied Thorin “Grab your knife and follow me.” Immediately every pair of eyes where following them too. The hobbit looked quite enthusiastic while Thorin particularly blank, although his heart was beating madly inside his ribcage. Thorin removed his long fur vest and began stretching his arms; Bilbo stood awkwardly waiting for instruction. He didn’t wait for long.
“What are you waiting for? Warm your muscles up; it’ll not do to have you injured on the first session.” The hobbit raised an eyebrow and began copying Thorin’s movements. Thorin smirked feeling a little better and he even permitted Balin to whisper some tips at the hobbit. After a few more minutes the lesson began.
“Very well.” Thorin started placing a hand on his waist, the other grabbing his new sword firmly. He needed to get used to it anyway. “It is evident you are not very strong and that your opponents will most likely be taller than you.”
Bilbo raised an eyebrow and twitched his mouth, not amused. “So you will have to learn how to use your enemy's strength against them.” Thorin grabbed with both hands his sword and took an offensive position. He observed intently the hobbits first reaction, which would have been a pitiful attempt of a defensive position if he had had a shield with him. Since he hadn’t, it wasn’t even that.
“No hobbit, you have no shield on your left arm. Here be still,” Thorin placed himself behind him and began correcting his posture. “ Legs open, knees flexed. Now that position was your first reaction so lets work on that.” He instructed guiding the smaller arms into a more appropriate stance.
“Grasp the sword like this.” He said taking the hobbit’s hand “Firmly, or you might lose your grip. Good” He retreated then back to his spot, still smelling the hobbit’s fresh aroma. Thankfully he was focused on the lesson and Thorin’s body ignored the feeling of the hobbit in his arms, for now.
“Lift a little more your left arm Bilbo.” Counselled Balin from afar. The hobbit did as told. Thorin copied his stance and continued. “Your are grasping your sword with one hand and it is pointed to the ground, yes? But one arm might no be enough for you to deflect the attack. If I had a shield I would do this.”
Thorin proceeded to block an imaginary attack with his imaginary shield and strike an imaginary foe with his sword. “But you have no shield. So you will have to do this.” Thorin repeated his move but instead of blocking with his imaginary shield he moved his legs and rotated his body while grabbing his sword with both hands, deflecting the imaginary attack and finishing his foe with a strike.
“You need to use both hands however, even though we all use both hands while handling our swords” The dwarves nodded in agreement. “You have no Longsword, and when you are not attacking or defending you may grasp your knife with one hand and use your free arm for balance or dodging.”
“So I grab it with both hands just before being attacked or attacking?” The hobbit questioned while practicing the movement. “Aye.” Thorin approved “In the last moment, your have quick reflexes so once you understand the concept you will be able to use your foe’s momentum against them fairly easily, you are quick enough.”
Thorin watched the hobbit closely as he continued practicing what he had been told. The sun was sinking on the Horizon casting an ethereal golden glow on the field. The shadows contrasted sharply the last strands of light and within that magical atmosphere even the Hobbit’s clumsy movements appeared a well-executed dance.
“Lets continue.”
Three days later they forded a river with much difficulty, Thorin’s pony seemed to be particularly heavy and he needed to dismount it for a fall in the slippery stones could have been fatal to both. That resulted in him being drenched to the bone, freezing under his wet garbs.
Some others had the same problem as he, particularly Bombur, no pony would have been able to fight the stream with his weight crushing down on them. Dwalin did too as he was even taller than him. And of course the hobbit, since he was not even riding a pony to begin with but he was the only whose teeth were not clattering, apparently not bothered by the cold at all.
The far bank was slippery and steep, when they finally got to the top Thorin saw the Misty Mountains had marched very close to them. Their immensity was an impressive view; he glanced at the hobbit, as per usual, and saw him taking the sight greedily with awed eyes.
“Ugh I am drenched.” Whined Oin, while removing his wet clothes, Thankfully the weather had improved over the days and the sun was a little bit warmer.
“We must not stop, the path that follows flickers and we need to stick by it or we might lost it.” Gandalf said taking the lead.
“Give them a moment Gandalf, to catch their breath” Thorin turned to the hobbit and his jaw almost drop when he realized not a single drop of water was dripping from his clothes when everyone else had a little pool under their feet. Thorin eyes narrowed. Stupid hobbit, the least he could do was drying everyone else.
A few hours later they continued, following Gandalf through a vast field of crumbling rocks covered with green moss, no trees or even bushes could be seen. They walked up hill heading closer to the mountains no valley in sight.
It was sunset again when they finally spotted little valleys with a strong stream running at the bottom and at last a much wider one crossed their path.
Stupid Elves.
“Ah here it is, at last.” Said Gandalf who even though seemed to know the way pretty well still had trouble walking through the rocky path. Behind the bushes and green pleasant views rested Rivendell. The waterfalls’s mist along with the natural magic of the elves gave the place an outer world sensation of peace. And Thorin hated it, stupid elves.
“Friends!” A long tall elf appeared, soon many others followed. It wasn’t long before Thorin felt overwhelmed by all the fuss they were making with their singing and dancing. Two identical elves came out from the trees and bowed to Gandalf and him. “Welcome to Rivendell! Our father awaits you.”
“Thank you” Thorin responded gruffly. Gandalf quickly dismount and began chatting with them cheerfully “You deviated a little from the path old friend, had you continued you would have fell directly into the water. The rocks are treacherous but once we cross the bridge it’ll be different.”
Thorin followed them paying attention to the road beneath his feet and ignoring the lousy elves. The rest of the company had mixed reviews about the place. Dori, Ori and Nori were fascinated by the views whereas Oin and Gloin view everything with sceptical eyes.
Bofur, Bombur and his nephews joined the elves and even shared a laugh or two. Bifur rambled madly in Khuzdul while leading his pony away from the tasty weed. Dwalin and Balin followed their King closely, ready to protect him if the situation came to it.
The hobbit, Thorin noticed, continued his sight-seeing commenting occasionally his opinions with Ori. The Hobbit much to his surprise had proved to be a very capable pupil and in three days had manage to get a hold on the basic concepts of sword fighting. Maybe in a few weeks he would be ready to spar with some of the company.
Thorin had to admit that in the few weeks they have travelled together, his repulsion against the hobbit’s company had diminished. Something he would only confess under torture.
Soon they crossed a bridge so narrow only one person at the time could walk over the stones. The gates of the last homely house opened revealing a welcoming party on the other side preceded by a very tall, dark haired and fair elf Thorin guessed was the famous Lord Elrond. The twins bowed and each took either side of his father, the three together looked like exact copies. But lord Elrond carried an air of greatness around him, like most royals did. He briefly wondered if he possessed the same grace.
“Thorin son of Thrain.” Elrond greeted him bowing slightly. Thorin bowed back. Lord Elrond then greeted Gandalf and addressed the rest in Sindarin. Thorin frowned, he knew absolutely nothing about the elves’ language and couldn’t understand a single word.
“What is he saying?” Exclaimed furiously Gloin, voicing everyone’s anger “Is he offering us insults?!” Gandalf chuckled.
“He is offering you food master Gloin” The stormy look on their faces disappeared “Oh! Lead the way then” The twins introduced themselves as Elladan and Elrohir before showing the company the way to their accommodations.
“Is everything living up to you expectation, o King?” The annoying low-pitched voice asked. Thorin gave him a smirk, not wanting to accept the fact that the few minutes a day he shared with the hobbit, aside from their lesson, were slowly becoming the highlight of his day.
“It is worse, I am dreading the food they’ll give us. Rabbit food surely.” The hobbit laughed freely.
“It’ll be my pleasure to watch you try to eat it.” Thorin scoffed at his statement.
“You enjoy our torment far too much, hobbit.” Bilbo’s grin widened and shrugged. “What can I say? “What can you, indeed.” They followed the twins into a great hall, but before entering a voice hold them back.
“Master Baggins, King Thorin” Lord Elrond said before approaching them. “King Thorin please enjoy our hospitality, Master Baggins may I speak to you for a moment before you enjoy your meal?” The hobbit nodded and Thorin clearly sensing his dismissal followed the rest, wandering if Lord Elrond had after all recognized the hobbit.