Work Text:
Bilbo was worried about Thorin. How could he not after turning the sword on him while he was escaping a dragon? Bilbo hadn’t known what to think at that moment, but Smaug’s words about Thorin being driven mad firmly planted itself at the forefront of his mind, unable to retract its claws. Even now as Thorin had the dwarves working tirelessly to search for the stone sitting quite comfortably in Bilbo’s pocket, he had to wonder if Thorin was truly of sound mind.
“What is that?”
Bilbo looked up as Thorin approached him, scrambling to his feet, before revealing the acorn Thorin demanded to see. And that one moment…changed everything. Thorin’s entire demeanor softened as Bilbo spoke of his hopes for the acorn. His attached memories to the little seed. How lucky he was to be alive. And at that moment, he couldn’t quite bring himself to say Bag End when he told Thorin where he would plant it.
“I thought Erebor might need some new life after all this.”
“That it would.” Thorin remarked softly, taking another step closer to him.
“And that way you can remember. Remember certainly how Erebor used to be, but mostly what it is now. A home returned to you.”
Thorin was now standing close enough for Bilbo to feel the heat radiating off his body. How badly he just wanted to lean forward into the dwarf, especially when Thorin took to tracing the acorn in his palm.
“Is that how you see it then?”
“How I see what?” Bilbo questioned.
“Erebor.” Thorin breathed, his eyes piercing straight through Bilbo. “Could it be a home to you?"
A small gasp seemed to steal all of Bilbo’s words away. Especially as Thorin’s fingers left the acorn to map the contours of his hand. Meanwhile, his steely blue gaze was locked on Bilbo as if in anticipation of his answer. Bilbo licked his suddenly dry lips as he tried to string together words again.
“I…That is…I think…”
“Thorin!” Dwalin’s voice carried to them before the dwarf appeared in the doorway. “The survivors of Laketown are streaming into Dale.”
Bilbo watched as Thorin’s expression immediately closed off, wanting to glare daggers at Dwalin for his untimely appearance. Thorin dropped Bilbo’s hand, and the hobbit mourned the loss as his gaze fell down to the little acorn. Unable to watch Thorin disappear after he was so close in getting the dwarf back. He was surprised when Thorin’s voice carried softly towards him. When he looked back up, he could see the warm expression had returned.
“I have something to show you. Will you meet me back here just before sunset?”
“O-Of course!” Bilbo answered, unable to hide the joy from his smile.
Thorin gave him a small nod, his eyes twinkling before following after Dwalin. Bilbo felt himself shiver in his glee. Perhaps not all was lost after all.
***
“Thorin! Where are we going?” Bilbo asked breathlessly as he was pulled through the dark and the rubble after the dwarf.
Thorin looked back over his shoulder to give Bilbo a coy grin.
“You’ll see.”
Bilbo huffed, but failed to summon any real heat, especially when Thorin squeezed the hand he was using to tug Bilbo along. Not that the hobbit had any reason not to trust the dwarf. Perhaps before, he might have. But when Thorin came back to meet him, it was like he was a completely different dwarf. The teasing and the heartfelt eyes. There was nary a trace of whatever Bilbo had conceived to be ‘goldsickness’. Could it all just have been stress? A hallucinogenic nightmare brought on by the silky words of a dragon?
“Ope, a bit of a climb here.” Thorin declared as he released Bilbo’s hand for a moment.
“Thorin, I can’t see.” Bilbo complained.
“There’s a pillar in front of you. Climb over it and I’ll help you on the other side.” Thorin’s voice carried to him.
Hesitantly, Bilbo reached out until he was able to feel the collapsed pillar Thorin spoke of. Luckily for Bilbo, it barely stood above his shoulders. Shouldn’t be too bad then as he gripped the stone and attempted to pull himself up and over. He could tell by Thorin’s light chuckles that he probably looked about as graceless as he felt. However, once he was at the top, two hands came around to support his waist, pulling him gently back towards the ground.
Bilbo’s breath caught at how close he was standing to Thorin. He could feel his heart pounding beneath his hand, and Thorin’s breath warm his cheek. Bilbo looked up, only to have the fond look in the king’s eyes by the fading orange light freeze him on the spot. Wait a minute. Where did the light come from?
Bilbo turned his head, shattering the moment completely. Thorin didn’t seem to mind as he tilted his head indicating they should move closer. A doorway stood before them, pouring the fading sunlight into the stone vestibule.
“Prepare yourself, Master Baggins, for the greatest view on Arda.”
Bilbo had a playful response on the tip of his tongue, but that died the moment they stepped out onto the mountainside.
“Goodness Thorin!” Bilbo gasped. “When you’re right, you are actually right.”
The dwarf chuckled from beside Bilbo, draping his arm across his shoulders, but Bilbo hardly noticed as his eyes were locked on the range of snow capped mountains in the distance. The setting sun caught their sides making them look more purple than gray, as was their namesake. Even more captivating than that was the valley that stretched before them was the river cutting through the center before disappearing below the mountain in a gorgeous waterfall. The fact that the valley was currently barren could not detract from its beauty for long.
“I was thinking, if you weren’t opposed, that this might be the perfect place to grow your acorn.”
Bilbo whipped his head, jaw dropped as he shamelessly gaped at Thorin. “My acorn? Here?”
“If you’re amenable.” Thorin teased. “I could see an entire garden spanning this valley eventually if there were someone with a greenhand to maintain it.”
Bilbo felt heat rise to his cheeks as he coughed into his fist. “Well, I hate to disappoint you, Master Oakenshield, but I don’t have any Greenhand in my blood. That’s why I hired a Greenhand. However, I’m very good at checking up on references if you need a project manager.”
When Bilbo felt brave enough to look back up at Thorin, he found the dwarf looming far closer than before, that fond look returning in his cornflower blue eyes. There was a touch of a thick dwarven palm against his face before he was meeting Thorin’s lips. His hands got tangled in his mass of hair as he tried to bring him closer. Pressing their mouths together with an almost bruising force, finally getting to taste. Finally flaming the heat that always seemed to settle in his stomach whenever he saw the dwarf.
Air became a necessity, and Bilbo reluctantly pulled away only to smile at the same hesitance and longing burning in Thorin’s eyes. The dwarf gently pressed his forehead against Bilbo’s just holding him there.
“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.” Thorin groaned.
“Unless you’ve also wanted that since Beorn’s, I’m afraid I’ve got you beat.”
Thorin smirked as he said two words that had Bilbo pulling him down for another earth shattering kiss. “Bag End.”
The next time they pulled away, Bilbo could feel the relief coursing through him as he reached down to take Thorin’s hand.
“I’ve thought…I’ve worried that the sickness of your grandfather took you.” Bilbo confessed.
Thorin frowned, and Bilbo immediately cradled his hand as he pressed a kiss to his knuckles before looking back up at Thorin proudly.
“But I can’t tell you how happy and more importantly, proud I am that it’s not the case.”
Thorin weaved his other hand carefully through Bilbo’s curls, giving him a dreamy smirk.
“Your faith gives me strength, Ghivashel (treasure of all treasures). Thank you.”
Bilbo wrapped himself around Thorin, recreating the hug that changed everything as he closed his eyes in his euphoria. It was like a bad dream, and how silly of him to put stock in the words of a dragon.
“However…”
Bilbo looked up, only to see how sad and defeated the king had turned. His brows pinched together wishing he could ease the dwarf’s pain any way he could.
“I don’t believe we are past the goldsickness completely.” Thorin continued. “In fact, I fear it has taken the Company.”
Bilbo’s first thought was to dismiss Thorin’s concerns, unable to believe they would be betrayed for even a second by their friends. Yet, he knew the look in Thorin’s eyes well. Worry, paranoia, a hint of anger. Everything he had been looking at for the past few days believing it was the dwarf before him who had gone mad. He would not have taken it well if anyone had tried to blatantly deny it.
“Why…do you think that?” He asked carefully.
“They stay in the treasury, all day and night.”
Because Thorin ordered them to.
“They line their pockets with coins when they think I’m not looking.”
They were promised one-fourteenth of the treasure.
“And we still can’t find the Arkenstone! I hate to say it but I fear one of them has…”
Bilbo perked up as his hand went straight to his pocket. Thorin trailed off, at Bilbo’s odd behavior, and he found himself having to give Thorin a sheepish grin.
“Thorin…I meant to tell you earlier today, but then Dwalin came and…well, I think you should look at what I found. At least I certainly hope this is the right stone. Doesn’t seem like anything else in there.”
Thorin stared down at the glowing gem in Bilbo’s hand with a dumbfounded expression.
“The Arkenstone. You’ve…had the Arkenstone?”
“Well you see, when I entered the treasury…”
“You’re…amazing!”
Bilbo gasped before giving a breathless chuckle as he was picked up and spun by Thorin. When he was set back on his feet, Thorin nearly bent him in half with the force of his kiss.
“You are truly the greatest treasure in my mountain.”
Bilbo giggled in response, looking up only to see Thorin’s eyes had settled on the Arkenstone once more. A warning tickled at the back of his mind, but he ignored it. He had made enough assumptions about Thorin. Instead, Bilbo gave an over exaggerated bow before presenting the stone.
“Your Majesty.”
Thorin smirked, but took the outstretched gem with glee. Bilbo almost would have been jealous of the pretty rock had the dwarf not thrown an arm around Bilbo’s waist pulling him in close to nuzzle into his neck. Goodness! Bilbo was going to have to get used to all this physical affection, not that he was even remotely complaining.
“Come! We should tell the Company of your discovery.”
Bilbo followed after Thorin with a quick wistful look back at his valley. There would be time to visit again soon, he was certain. He just hated how this felt like a goodbye. His fingers found the acorn again, remembering Thorin’s declaration and following his king with a large grin. Everything was all going to work out. There was no need for Thorin to know just how long he held onto the Arkenstone. Certainly not with all the other concerns on his plate, and Bilbo hoped the Company would be ecstatic not to have to dig in treasure all day anymore.
***
Bilbo kept his smile in place as much as he could after Thorin’s declaration, but something was wrong. The Company was not happy to see the Arkenstone in Thorin’s hands. While most watched with a blank expression, there were several who seemed downright angry at the sight. Alarm bells were sounded in his head. Perhaps Thorin had been right about this too! Just how much had Bilbo missed by being so concerned over Thorin’s mental wellbeing.
“And now, a reward for my ghivashel (treasure of all treasures) for finding the greatest treasure in the mountain.”
Bilbo tried not to be too offended by the sounds of disgust as Thorin held out a glittering piece of mail for him. He could tell from Balin’s gasp that this must be a great prize indeed.
“Oh Thorin, you don’t have to…”
Thorin gave him an imploring look, and Bilbo stopped his protests, swallowing thickly. It went against his hobbit sensibilities to accept something so fine without protest. Especially considering he hadn’t given the Arkenstone to Thorin right away and therefore didn’t deserve it. However, he felt obligated to show his support to Thorin in the light of so few of the others being able to.
“I mean, of course, my King. I accept your gift gladly.”
Bilbo slipped off his coat and vest allowing Thorin to help him get the blasted thing on. He was more than a little surprised by how lightweight the mail was considering it had to be made of some sort of metal, and when he felt it the cool rings were woven so tight, it was like lace. It was extraordinary for sure, and he was certain it was far too grand for a simple hobbit. However, Thorin smiled so brightly to see him clad so, his eyes almost hungry in a way that sent a shiver of excitement through Bilbo’s being.
“You have shown yourself to be a true friend, Bilbo Baggins. Something that is hard to come by these days. I hope to count you as such for years to come.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Bilbo breathed, his eyes twinkling as all he wanted to do was kiss him silly.
With that, Thorin concluded the ceremony of sorts and led Bilbo away. When they were out of sight of the Company Thorin wrapped Bilbo in his arms, and found his lips immediately. It seems he had the same idea as Bilbo.
“My clever, beautiful hobbit.” Thorin groaned between kisses.
Bilbo felt his ears wiggle as he pressed closer to Thorin, running his hands through his greasy hair and making his chainmail jingle every time it rubbed against Thorin’s own. Bilbo began to wonder just how far Thorin wanted to take this as he sucked on his lips and tongue when Thorin pulled just slightly away. His grin assured Bilbo of nothing being wrong.
“You can’t even imagine how badly I want you right now.”
Bilbo’s eyes flickered down to his crotch before giving a cheeky grin.
“I may have an idea.”
Thorin threw his head back in laughter before pressing his forehead against Bilbo’s own.
“If only we had more time.”
“More time?” Bilbo questioned in confusion.
“The men and elves send their armies against us. As if they haven’t degraded us enough, they surely mean to march us out of our mountain in chains while they loot our halls.”
Bilbo frowned. Just where was this coming from?
“And to make matters worse, my company does not seem to support me.”
Bilbo softened at this before giving Thorin a soft chaste kiss. The company’s attitude was definitely a problem. A problem Bilbo intended to solve. And if they were truly goldsick and intended to harm Bilbo, that’s what his ring was for.
“I’ll deal with the company. And then we’ll sort out this nasty business with Bard and Thranduil together. You shall never have to carry such burdens alone again.”
Thorin laughed again before pressing another kiss to Bilbo’s lips and his cheeks and his forehead.
“How did I ever get so lucky as to meet you?”
“A grumpy dwarf I know once told me he doesn’t believe in luck. We make our own luck.”
Thorin pinched Bilbo’s side, and the hobbit jumped away howling in laughter.
“Cheeky thing. Be off with you or else.”
“Or else what?” Bilbo pressed.
“Or else I’ll ravage you.” Thorin promised, his eyes dark with desire.
Bilbo felt himself go breathless. “That doesn’t sound like much of a threat. Can we turn it into a promise instead?”
Thorin pressed another long, lingering kiss to his lips that had Bilbo’s toes curling.
“Very well. It’s a promise.”
Bilbo was practically skipping as he dodged the rubble of Erebor’s halls to find the company. He thought he would start with Balin. The older dwarf was usually capable of seeing common sense, and he was the one who warned Bilbo about giving the stone to Thorin. It was Bilbo’s best test for whether the company truly suffered from goldsickness. He didn’t know what he would do if that turned out to be the case.
He blamed his distracted state for what happened next. Thoughts full of Thorin and what he would do to him later, Bilbo didn’t even notice the boots sneaking up on him until it was too late. One hand was pressed over his mouth and another wrapped around his middle as Nori whispered in his ear.
“You’re coming with us, Burglar. ”
***
“Let me go! Let ME GO!” Bilbo demanded, fighting Nori and Bofur the entire time they hauled him along.
They had his hands bound behind his back so there was no chance of reaching his pocket, leading him further and further away from the main halls and the treasury. There was very little chance Thorin could hear him, and it was a fact that was blaring in Bilbo’s mind. He’s never been so terrified of his friends than he was right now. He had no idea what they were capable of under the influence of the goldsickness. And that was the only explanation for this behavior. His friends would never treat him as such otherwise.
“Quit making such a fuss, hobbit. We’re almost there.” Nori grunted.
“He’s certainly a slippery thing.” Bofur commented as Bilbo briefly managed to get out of his hold before he tightened it again.
A room appeared at the end of the hallway, and Bofur and Nori all but shoved him inside before closing the door behind him. Bilbo stumbled for a moment, regaining his balance, only to look up and feel his heart plummeting. They were all here. The whole company. Going along with this insane plan to…what? Ransom him to Thorin for treasure? They already had a fourteenth share each! Why would majority of the treasury not be enough?
“By Mahal…I said lead Bilbo to us! Why is he tied up?” Balin cried aghast, giving Bilbo pause.
“Because the little sneak kept reaching for his magic ring. I figured this was the better option to him being invisible and running back to tell Thorin on us.” Nori explained.
Bilbo turned to Balin with hope in his eyes. Maybe they weren’t all gone just yet.
“Please, my friend. You must see this is madness! You’re all sick, but it’s okay. We can help you find a cure. You just have to let me go.”
Everyone ducked their heads, avoiding Bilbo’s gaze except for Dwalin who gave a snort.
“It’s not us who are mad, Hobbit.”
“I’m not mad.” Bilbo defended.
“No, but your friend is.” Nori snapped.
“My frie…”
Bilbo’s eyes dropped to the mithril just visible under the collar of his shirt. He could feel his cheeks blazing as he wondered if the others were aware of just what kind of regard Thorin truly held for him. He imagined from some of the smirks on their face that the answer was ‘yes. They were quite aware.’
“Bilbo,” Balin stated, trying to get the conversation back on track. “Thorin…he’s sick. Very sick. And you giving him the Arkenstone…might have just pushed him into the abyss.”
Bilbo shook his head, ears ringing, as he denied everything Balin was telling him. Thorin wasn’t sick! Bilbo checked, he…he has been making odd claims but that could just be stress!
“He told me he loved me.” Bilbo confessed quietly.
Gloin was the one to speak up in the deafening silence that followed. “Lad, I need you to think long and hard because your answer might just change everything. Did he actually say that?”
Bilbo nodded immediately even as his mind began to whirl thinking back on all their interactions of late. His insistence slowed, and his thoughts went numb. He’s never…actually said it. He’s not confessed anything about his regard except his desire to ravage him. However, Bilbo hasn’t exactly said it to Thorin either. What’s it matter if the words have been spoken or not? So lost in his thoughts, Bilbo didn’t even realize he was being released until his hands flopped down to his sides. He glared at Nori for good measure as he rubbed his wrists.
“Under the goldsickness,” Gloin continued as if reading Bilbo’s mind. “You can love nothing more than the gold. Even if that person is your One. Make him say it Bilbo. You have to if we want the old Thorin back.”
“Why would I do that? Why should I trust you not to be as goldsick as you claim Thorin to be after everything you’ve done? Friends don’t kidnap each other after all!”
Everyone looked around, sharing sheepish looks when Fili stepped forward. He stopped right in front of Bilbo before gently bumping his head.
“I love you, Uncle Bilbo.”
Kili followed soon after declaring his love for his ‘Uncle Bilbo’ as well. After that everyone in the company declared their love in some form or another. If they couldn’t tell Bilbo they loved him, they declared their love for their brother or their wife and children in Bombur and Gloin’s case. Bilbo felt himself so overwhelmed by the magnitude of what was happening that a tear or two escaped his eyes.
“Okay,” He finally agreed quietly when everyone finished. “Okay, I’ll try.”
“We can ask nothing more, Master Baggins. Thank you for always being the most courageous of the lot of us.” Balin stated kindly.
It didn’t feel like courage. In fact, as a stone seemed to sink deep into his stomach at the mere thought of Thorin not saying it, Bilbo would rather put on his ring and run far away.
***
Bilbo found Thorin in the treasury amongst the gold which did not bode well for what he was about to do. He could feel his hands shaking as he approached the king.
“Bilbo!” Thorin greeted brightly as soon as he spotted him. “How did it go?”
Bilbo thought about telling him about his haphazard kidnapping, but decided he didn’t need Thorin incensed if he was going to get him to say ‘I love you’. What if they weren’t there yet? What if Thorin didn’t love him? Just liked the idea of having sex with him?
“Bilbo?” Thorin questioned, his brows knitting in concern.
“Fili told me he loved me.” Bilbo blurted, confusing them both. “You know in a ‘I think of you as an uncle’ kind of way.”
“Okay?” Thorin responded.
“I love them too, so you know.” Bilbo continued as he walked closer to Thorin. “They’re like the nephews I’ve never had. I hope you don’t mind.”
Thorin’s smile turned breath-takingly bright. “No, it brings me great joy to know you care for my sister-sons.”
Care. Not love.
“Because you love them, right?”
Thorin gave him another perplexed look. “Bilbo, where is this coming from?”
“I’m just…trying to establish a base here. You love Fili and Kili. Do you…love me? I mean, it’s alright if you don’t. I understand if it’s too soon. Leggy Goold used to say ‘you should never use the l-word unless you’ve danced with that person at least three times, but he was a bit promiscuous after all and…”
Thorin silenced Bilbo’s ramblings with a kiss. It was so gentle, yet insistent, that Bilbo just wanted to melt into a pile on the floor. Thorin’s smile when he pulled away was soft and indulgent, and Bilbo couldn’t believe for a moment that he even thought to doubt this dwarf. Then he opened his mouth and Bilbo’s heart plummeted.
“I treasure you.”
Bilbo took a step back, his eyes wide and knees knocking. Thorin looked so lost and hurt, that Bilbo felt himself ache.
“What’s wrong, ibinê (my gem)?”
“Say you love me. If that’s how you feel, then say it. Those exact words.”
“Bilbo, what’s gotten into you?” Thorin demanded.
“I need to hear those words Thorin.”
“Why?” He questioned, his brow raised in suspicion. “Why do you need to hear it all of a sudden?”
“Because…”
“Because?”
“Because I fear for your mind!” Bilbo finally snapped.
Thorin stopped, his expression pained before a dark look overtook him. He began stalking towards him, and Bilbo backed up for every step Thorin took forward.
“I thought we had already been through this before.”
“I didn’t know what to look for then.”
“And you do now?”
“The company told me…”
“The COMPANY?!” Thorin roared, shocking Bilbo into slipping and falling on the gold. “Of course they would turn you against me! And you actually fell for it?! Do you not trust me?!”
“I trust you!” Bilbo shouted back at him. “I trust the real you! The Thorin who wouldn’t go back on his word when dealing with the men. The Thorin who would never doubt the loyalty or love of his kin! You have changed Thorin Oakenshield, whether you see it or not!”
Thorin took another step, reaching out as if to snag Bilbo by the collar of his shirt, and the hobbit panicked. Slipping on his ring and out of sight of the sick king, he scrambled to his feet running for the door. Pausing just for a moment when he heard Thorin call out his name, followed by a litany of apologies. Tears in his eyes, he ran back to the company. They needed to know that Thorin was as sick as they feared.
***
Bilbo didn’t get another chance to see Thorin again during the battle that followed until he arrived just in time to pitch a rock at Azog’s head, saving Fili’s life in the process. He had been to see both his honorary nephews in the healing tents. Fili’s leg was broken but should heal. Kili managed to escape with naught more than a good sized gash in his side, thanks to Fili and Tauriel’s quick actions that kept it from ramming through his heart. Then there was Thorin.
Bilbo wandered into the tent, after many company member’s encouragement, almost unable to stand the sight of Thorin so broken and weak. His final showdown with Azog nearly cost him his life, but thanks to Thranduil’s better nature was able to save him.
As soon as Bilbo was close enough to make out the steady breathing of the body before him, Thorin’s sky blue eyes lazily drifted towards him before widening in surprise. He tried to push himself up in a seated position, but Bilbo quickly rushed to his side. He gently pushed him back down with whispered soothing demands.
“Don’t get up. Rest now. You’re okay, Thorin.”
“Bilbo, I love you.” Thorin rasped, his throat rough with disuse.
Bilbo froze, almost unable to believe what he was hearing.
“Thorin, it’s okay. You don’t have to…”
“No!” Thorin urged with a groan before shakily reaching for Bilbo’s hand. “I need you to know…I’m not sick. Not anymore. You broke through the madness, you saved me Bilbo.”
Bilbo smiled weakly. He was glad to hear it. So glad to know Thorin was free. But a part of him still mourned.
“And is that why you say it?” He asked brokenly. “Because you can?”
Thorin shook his head, his breathing becoming laborious.
“Because it is the truth. I do love you. And I need you to know that. Even if you must leave me for your Shire. I will plant a thousand acorns to honor you.”
“Okay, shh now.” Bilbo ordered, noticing his increased agitation.
He ran his free hand through Thorin’s hair, squeezing back on the hand still trapping his own. There was still one more matter that needed to be cleared up.
“I could never leave you. I love you, Thorin. But you should know…I hadn’t just stumbled upon the Arkenstone. I had it in my pocket. Ever since our battle with Smaug.”
Thorin gave him a perplexed look, and Bilbo continued to run his hand soothingly through Thorin’s hair. As if that would stave the anger he knew the dwarf should be feeling, and yet, Thorin’s next words stole his breath away.
“Why should that matter, azyungel (love of all loves)?”
“Because.” Bilbo blurted with not a clue where he was going with it. “I…stole from you! I knew you desired that stone, but would have gladly hidden it from you. I…”
“But you didn’t.” Thorin interrupted.
He shakily brought Bilbo’s hand up to press a kiss against his knuckles.
“You kept it out of a desire to see me well, and entrusted it to me when you thought it was right to do so. Truly Bilbo, you are no Burglar.”
Bilbo laughed alongside him as he pressed a kiss to Thorin’s forehead, far too relieved to feel anything else. Bilbo began to daydream about living in Erebor and having many years with his dwarf staring out on the mountainside where they shared their first kiss. Their conversation did wonders for Thorin as he finally was able to settle down. His body relaxed and his eyes closed against his will, ready to drag him back into the healing power of sleep. Strangely, it brought to mind another promise made by the dwarf king.
“You know,” Bilbo smirked. “You owe me a ravaging.”
Thorin’s laugh was more like a cough, but a grin remained fixed in place.
“I promise, amrâlimê (my love). As soon as I am able to.”
“And after that?”
“Many times after that.”
Bilbo petted his head until he fell asleep, thinking that was certainly a promise worth holding onto. Bilbo reached in to grab at the little seed that had led him to this point. How lucky he was indeed.