Chapter Text
The soon-to-be king under the mountain stood on a balcony overlooking the city of Dale, the partying had finally died down. Many of the Townsfolk wished him and his company well for their journey in the morning. They seemed to be in good spirits, the company included, except Fili who worried for his brother, and Oin who kept careful watch over the healing prince. The mountain could be seen in the distance under the moonlight, Thorin watched it from where he stood and his thoughts dwelled on what tomorrow might bring.
“Mind if I join you?” The soft, unsure voice of his burglar sounded behind him. Thorin hummed in approval, the hobbit took his place beside him where he belonged. “It has been a lovely night, yes?” Bilbo asked, the dwarf nodded, “I have you to thank for that,” He responded. In the soft light of the room behind them, Thorin could see the hobbits' ears turn red as he stammered for a response. “Thank you, for vouching for me Master Baggins,” The dwarf turned his attention to the hobbit who looked down at his feet with his hands behind his back, “Of course, Thorin. How could I not?” He looked to the king, “You have many reasons, not to Bilbo,” He said softly, placing a hand on the Hobbits cheek which was cold to the touch, “I have been unnecessarily cruel for much of this quest,” Bilbo leaned into the touch seeking the warmth of Thorin's hand in the chill night. “I can attest to that,” The pair laughed, “I like to believe that is behind us now,” Thorin nodded, “Indeed Master Hobbit.”
The pair stared at each other for a moment, their faces adorned with loving smiles and soft eyes, “Will you stay?” Thorin asked softly, his other hand resting on Bilbo’s waist as they were now facing each other, the hobbit’s hand resting over his heart and the other cupping Thorin's hand upon his cheek. “Of course, I am sure we should both fit in the bed just fine,” Bilbo responded, Thorin's face grew serious and he shook his head, “No, well yes, I agree. What I mean to say is, after the quest, will you stay with me? By my side?” Bilbo tensed, his eyes grew wide, “Thorin, I am a hobbit of the shire, what would people think?” Thorin fought the instinct to roll his eyes, “Bilbo, amrâlimê, I do not care for what people think. They did not join me on this quest, you did. Your thoughts are far more important, your words carry more weight than any of the other kingdoms of dwarves combined” Bilbo looked at him, his eyes searching for any faults in his words, “How could I not stay with you? I would spend the rest of my life by your side, no matter how long or short that may be,” He responded.
The dwarvish King leaned in to kiss his burglar, Bilbo closed his eyes and met him halfway. “Come to bed with me,” Thorin whispered against his lips, “Yes, yes, thousand times yes,” Bilbo answered. The king walked Bilbo into the room, the hobbit shivered as his shirt hit the wooden floor of the Master of Lake town's home, it was freezing in this blasted Laketown, it was worth it for the way Thorin warmed him soon after.
-~-
Thorin stood vigil by the hobbit’s bedside, Oin and his healers had done their best to fix their burglar. Much of the company had come and gone, checking on the hobbits' status. Ori and Dwalin had brought quilts as well as knitted blankets to help keep their burglar as comfortable as possible while he rested. Oin was constantly checking the hobbit, redressing his wounds every so often. It had been a week since the Hobbit had been awake enough to do anything but drink water or have something easy enough to fill his stomach, though those moments were scarce and far between. Karin and Frodo could be found most nights curled up at the foot of the hobbits bed or in a chair with Thorin. The small family watched carefully for any signs of prospering life or coherency from the hobbit, though there was none to be found most nights.
The wizard had stayed longer than anyone expected and spent time switching off with Thorin while he made sure the children ate. Much of the kingdom sent their love and prayers to their king and his company, they hadn’t known about Karin and Frodo other than through whispers around the castle, Erebor was large and there were many levels between the king and his people, but word travels fast. Word of the injured Hobbit, his rumored One, spread like wildfire, the looks he and the children received told him all he needed to know. Not that he cared in all honesty, his One was fighting for his life, his children were scared of his fate. How could he even begin to care what they thought?
Now he sat once more beside Bilbo, the children resting in their rooms for the first night in what seemed like forever. He sighed and looked upon his beloved’s face, “I missed you so much,” He admitted in the quiet room, “More than all the gold in Erebor, more than Erebor itself, more than I can truly express.” Thorin held Bilbo's hand in his, “I am sorry it took me so long to write to you, to tell you to come home. I am sorry for letting the dragon sickness ruin me, ruin what we had,” He felt his throat tighten around the words. He sentenced Bilbo to death, he tried to throw him from the ramparts himself. How could he believe Bilbo would still love him after everything? Thorin lowered his head towards the bed, “I would give anything to start over again, to tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me, what you do to me,” The tears began to slip down his cheeks, soaking into his beard. Bilbo lay still as ever in the bed, Thorin wondered if this was Bilbo felt all those nights he had waited for Thorin and his nephews to wake. So much was left unsaid.
“Uncle?” A voice from the doorway pulled him from his thoughts, he sniffled and wiped his face, “Yes, Kili?” He answered trying to sound composed, his nephew made his way over and pulled up a chair beside him, “I just wanted to check on you,” Thorin nodded, “I will be alright,” He answered, whether it was truly to answer Kili or comfort himself he did not want to really know. “He is strong,” Kili looked at Bilbo, “He is a fighter, he made it thus far, survived trolls, orcs, wargs, goblins, elves,” he added slyly causing the king to chuckle, “That he has,” Kili put a hand on his uncle’s shoulder, “He will fight this too, and I have good faith that he will win,” Thorin admired Kili for a moment, he had grown so much over these last few years, he would make a great king if there ever be a need for him. Before he could speak another voice joined in, “Aye, if I remember anything about our burglar, he will rise through unspeakable odds.” Fili smiled at his uncle and brother. Thorin stood, Kili followed, “Thank you,” he said looking between the two before pulling them both into a tight embrace.
Dis watched the scene unfold from the door war, “Look at my boys,” She said fondly, they separated and turned towards the dwarrowdam, “You should get some sleep brother,” Dis suggested. Thorin looked back at Bilbo, who had not changed, “Relax, your hobbit will be there in the morning.” Reluctantly, Thorin allowed himself to be escorted out of the medical wing, casting one last look at the hobbit before leaving the room.
-~-
To everyone's horror, the hobbit was not there the next morning when Thorin returned. Panic flooded his senses, he alerted the company and demanded to know where his burglar was. Unsurprisingly none of them had seen nor heard of Bilbo since the night before. They quickly broke up in pairs and began searching for the Hobbit, where could one injured hobbit go? The company regrouped after an hour of searching, “Any luck?” Nori asked, they shook their heads. “No one has seen the blasted hobbit!” Dwalin growled, Dori looked around, “How could we lose him?” Oin adjusted his trumpet, “None of my healers saw hide nor hair of him since last night,” just then Bombur’s stomach growled. “Our hobbit is missing, hush, no time for food!” Bofur snapped looking at his brother's stomach. “Food,” Thorin muttered, “What was that laddie?” Balin asked, “Food! Food, Balin! Food!” The company looked at their king with confused expressions, “Food!” Thorin shouted and turned on his heel rushing down the corridor towards the kitchen. Bofur gasped, “He is right! Bloody food mates!” Bofur exclaimed and followed after the king laughing hysterically.
The company exchanged looks before following after the two, “What on middle earth-” Gloin was about to shout but stopped short at the hobbit sitting on the floor in the kitchen with various food surrounding him, he looked up at the company who had stopped at the entryway his mouth stopping its chewing motion while he held a loaf of bread in one hand and a piece of cheese in the other. Bofur whooped and cheered as the image set in, “Bilbo!” the hobbit blinked a few times rapidly snapping himself from his dazed state of eating. “Oh my! I am so sorry- I was just so hungry, I should have asked someone if it was oka-” the company swarmed him.
“Don’t apologize lad!”
“That's our hobbit, alright!”
“Right as rain!”
“Glad to see you back on your feet,”
Bilbo beamed under the excitement of his friends, he was now on his feet being embraced and clapped on the back. “Mr. Boggins! You scared the living daylights out of us!” Kili exclaimed, “Yes, I am so sorry,” Bilbo tried to get out but more voices joined in, “Could’ve waited and someone woulda brought ya somethin'’' Oín was looking at the burglar’s bandages and checking him over, “I would have made you a feast, I still can if that what you're needing,” Bombur looked around the kitchen thoughtfully, “We searched everywhere for you! I do mean that quite literally Mister Baggins,” Ori informed him, Bifur added something incoherent. A throat cleared and the company quieted, turning to look at the sound, Thorin stood at the back of the company where he watched the company clamor over the hobbit.
They parted for him, taking a step back allowing him to advance towards the hobbit. The room stood still as they watched the pair, “Master Bagg-” Thorin was silenced by a sudden embrace, Thorin tensed before he wrapped strong arms around the hobbit. The company blinked in surprise and Balin quickly ushered them out of the kitchen, despite the two prince's protest. When the pair pulled apart they stared at each other for a moment, taking in one another.
Thorin couldn’t help but tuck a stray hair behind the hobbit's ear. Bilbo looked at him lovingly and cupped his cheek while the other hand rested on Thorin's chest, “Your beard has grown,” The hobbit murmured, taking every inch of the king's face.”Indeed, you look as if you haven’t aged a day,” He replied. Bilbo blushed, a light dusting of freckles came into view now, one of the many things Thorin missed kissing in the early light before the rest of the company woke. Bilbo used to scrunch and wiggle his nose at the tickle of beard hairs on his face. Thorin missed that button nose and all of its expressions. “I am glad you’re safe and whole,” Thorin said, realizing he had gotten lost in his memories. “I could say the same to you, I was so worried Thorin, I put so much at risk because I was afraid of- of-“ Bilbo stammered, the king shushing him gently. “It’s okay, you are safe, our children are safe, I am safe.” Bilbo shut his eyes and nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I was a fool. I don’t know how you can forgive me,” Thorin blinked, “Forgive you? Bilbo, I should be the one to apologize,” the king shook his head, “I was the fool, Master Hobbit. I threatened your livelihood over treasure, I made you feel unwelcome, unsafe when I was blessed to even be in your presence…Bilbo Baggins, I am sorry for betraying your love,” Thorin finished.
The hobbit was silent for a moment searching Thorin's face, Thorin felt the pull to Bilbo. The hobbit must’ve seen what he was looking for, and they leaned toward one another. “Father!” “Uncle!” The kitchen doors busted open and two hobbits ran towards the pair, Bilbo jumped back before their lips had touched and turned towards his children with wide, teary eyes, “Karin! Frodo!” He exclaimed, “Easy, easy, papa is still healing,” he warned and they embraced him as gently as two excited faunts could manage. “I missed you so much, Uncle! I was so scared!” Frodo cried into his pant leg, Bilbo picked the small hobbit up as carefully as he could with an injured side. “It’s alright, my dear boy, Uncle is here.” Bilbo petted the soft black curls on top of Frodo’s head, “I’m here now, we are all safe,” he reassured them, Bilbo put another hand on top of Karin’s head and smiled down at the girl. “Why don’t we leave the kitchen for the dwarves to make breakfast? Mhm?” He suggested and the two children nodded.
Bilbo turned to look at Thorin who smiled at the scene and then scooped Karin up, “Come on younglings,” he announced, “This is Bomburs domain,” Bilbo smiled and leaned his head against Frodo’s crown after placing a gentle kiss there.
Being at the table surrounded by his company was something Bilbo only dreamed of doing since their journey, and to be sitting in the halls of one of the greatest kingdoms in Middle Earth, was a gift. Bilbo not only had his good friends, but his little family was whole again. Bombur and his cooks made a beautiful breakfast, Bilbo's second breakfast of the day. Dori was kind enough to make him some tea he had bought from Dale, whose markets were overflowing with beings from all over. Bilbo would count the lucky stars that he survived long enough to see this, his side aced somewhat but the tea soothed him. Karin was in the chair next to him and Frodo sat on his lap picking a biscuit off his uncle's plate.
Thorin watched fondly from where he sat across the way, Bofur had caught Bilbo's attention with a story. Thorin spent a lot of time becoming jealous of the dwarf, Bofur had a way of pulling others into his orbit without any effort at all. The dwarven king would simmer in his saddle watching from beside Balin as Bilbo's attention was constantly grabbed by any number of the dwarves. At first, he believed it was because why would anyone like this insufferable hobbit? Why should any one of his dwarves even bother? Then Bilbo came back, time and time again, Bilbo saved his life more than once, more than he could make up in his lifetime. Then he acknowledged the jealousy he felt when the other dwarves stole Bilbo's attention. He felt a twinge of that now, but he pushed it away. The hobbit was his one, there was no doubt, the young dwobbit beside him was all the proof he needed to know. Her black curls, green eyes, button nose, beautiful sideburns would eventually become solid mutton chops with age. The proof of their love sat in a chair amongst her extended family, his one, in his prosperous kingdom.
Bilbo met his eyes and caught the king staring, Thorin didn’t even have the decency to blush and look away, he continued to look, giving the burglar a gentle smile. It was returned easily and Bofur made an exaggerated gesture breaking their eye contact as he invested his whole body for his tale. Dwalin barked at him to knock it off, but Bofur proceeded to jump on the table, and with a metal spoon in hand, he demonstrated a fight he had with another dwarf over a beautiful dwarrowdam.
The whole table was now adding their commentary and Bofur began arguing with different members about how to court properly. Bilbo searched for Thorin's eyes amongst the chaos that erupted, exchanging amused looks Bilbo excused himself kissing Karins and Frodo’s heads leaving them to watch the company in their truest form. Thorin silently excused himself as well, silently tipping his head to the exit, Bilbo smiled following the king without any hesitation. Once at the exit, Thorin offered the hobbit his arm, “Shall we?” Bilbo chuckled, “I do love them all very dearly I swear– but yes, please,” Thorin chuckled, “Of course,” he agreed.
They walked in silence for a long while, nothing needed to be said. The weight of Bilbo’s arm and the warmth of his person was enough. It wasn’t until they reached the outer wall of Erebor overlooking the open land before them that Bilbo spoke. “Only in my wildest dreams did I believe I’d be here again,” he said softly, Thorin nodded, “I thought I would never see you again,” Bilbo turned to him, “I would’ve never kept your kin away from you, no matter how afraid I was that you wouldn’t want to see me.” The dwarf turned his head in shame, “I wish I never made you feel unwelcome, I wish-“ the hobbit shushed him. “I wish for so much Thorin, I wish to change my past choices, but I know I can not.” The king signed, “Even so, I wish it all the same, Bilbo how can you stand here before me?” The other eyes widened, “Thorin, how could I not? I- I love you, you daft thing,” Bilbo's ears turned that beautiful shade of pink. Thorin decided at that moment to let go, to embrace everything he’d been wanting since the moment his one left and he pulled the hobbit into a kiss. Bilbo gasped and leaned into the kiss with a soft sigh through his nose, his hands moved to the burglar's waist and bilbos found his way around the taller one’s neck.
When they pulled apart Bilbo looked up at Thorin with soft eyes, “I love you too, Bilbo, my burglar, my one,” Bilbo kissed him again, Thorin wrapped his arms around his waist and Bilbo reached up to wrap his around the Dwarf’s neck, he pulled back with a hiss of pain. Thorin looked at Bilbo alarmed, “It’s okay, just forgot my stomach…” Thorin blushed, “Yes, I should have been more aware that you are healing, my-” Bilbo put a finger to his lips, “Hush, no more apologizing.” The Hobbit said sternly, “Of course, my apolo-” Thorin cut himself short at the look Bilbo gave him and cleared his throat. He was rewarded with a kiss to the cheek, Bilbo then turned to look over at the large valley before Erebor, travelers making their way to dale horses and wagons in tow. Thorin wondered what Bilbo saw, in this valley soaked with blood and death, a city once scorched by dragons fire, what did the hobbit see? Did he remember the horrors of battle? Did Bilbo simply reflect on their journey, the good and bad times they had? The soft smile on Bilbo’s face reminded Thorin about the hope he held even in the darkest of times, Bilbo knew how to inspire others, maybe it was none of the dark things Thorin’s own mind conjured up. Maybe even after everything, Bilbo saw hope here too, a life here, with their children, with their friends, with Thorin. A home he helped reclaim, if anyone deserved a place in Erebor it would be Bilbo.