Chapter Text
Thorin stared up at the hobbit hole. He had been standing there for much too long, lost in thought. How was he going to pull this off? His people were counting on them, his family was counting on him... and he was a poor hero at best. After going to every dwarf he could think of he'd only been able to find 13 willing to assist him on this quest, most of them his kin. Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart were without doubt the most important things to him on this quest. However, he would have preferred to find those qualities in more dwarves.
Now he'd become so desperate that he was turning to a hobbit for assistance. Though these hobbits were quite possibly the cutest creatures he'd ever seen, that was not helpful when facing a dragon. Gandalf had insisted that hiring the halfling was essential to the quest, despite the fact that he already had a thief in his party. Then again, the wizard had presented a valid point that no dwarf could enter without detection into Erebor and supposedly these creatures were well suited for the work.
Well, for fair or foul, he needed to get in there (before the others noticed him out here). He walked up to the green door and knocked. The wizard opened the door and Thorin smirked, "Gandalf." He began walking inside and tried to come up with a valid excuse for why he hadn't arrived earlier, "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way... twice." Yes, that would work. "I wouldn't have found it at all, had it not been for that mark on the door."
"Mark? There is no mark on that door! It was painted a week ago!" He heard a strange voice say, and he gave a strained smile. Of course he was already starting trouble, this night couldn't possibly go smoothly.
"There is a mark there, I put it there myself." The wizard explained, clearing his throat. "Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company. Thorin Oakenshield."
For the first time, Thorin saw the Hobbit... Master Bilbo Baggins. He was... different than he'd expected. There was something about him, perhaps it was the way he walked or a tone in his voice but Thorin felt somehow drawn to this halfling. The hobbit had a kind, attractive (if hairless) face and golden curls that shone nicely in the firelight. Baggins seemed as uncertain as he about all this, and that was oddly comforting to him. Thorin unconsciously smiled at his new potential burglar and said, "So... This is the hobbit." He began to circle him, "Tell me Master Baggins, have you done much fighting? Axe or sword; What's your weapon of choice?" Please Mahal, let him know something about protecting himself. How could he possibly justify taking the halfling if he was unable to take care of himself?
"Well, I have some skill at conkers, if you must know." The halfling said playfully, then seemed to think better of it. "But I fail to see how that's relevant." Adorable. Very adorable. But not a great sign.
"I thought as much..." He turned slightly to the dwarves behind him, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." Then he smiled down at Master Baggins, thinking, "But you're still adorable." Honestly, he was tempted to bring him along simply for his company. Master Baggins seemed an affable sort, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd spoken to someone that didn't expect him to be majestic. Perhaps they could have been friends, sitting by the fire and smoking their pipes. Thorin had a feeling he could tell this hobbit what he thought and worried about and he wouldn't judge him or think less of him for it. It was a nice thought, but not a possibility.
Thorin sat down and began to eat, the food was delicious, as the company questioned him about his actions. Of course, his shield brother Dwalin cut right to the heart of it and asked about Dain. So, of course, he had to tell them that they would not come. He had mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, he could understand Dain not wishing to risk his people on a quest that "was not their own". However, that did not mean that he did not think he was a damned coward.
Afterwards, they took out the map and the hobbit brought out more light as they discussed their plans. When Smaug was brought up Master Baggins seemed very put off, especially as Bofur began to explain to him who and what Smaug was. Ori, the sweet boy, insisted that he was not afraid and Dori quickly sat him back down as Balin talked about how difficult it would be to put Smaug down with an army, let alone 13 of "neither the best, nor brightest".
"Thank you, Balin. That helps so very much, you should write motivational speeches." Thorin thought with a sigh.
Of course, the entire company erupted into chaos afterwards and Thorin knew he would have to say something to get them back on track. So he stood up and reminded them of the importance of their quest, how dire it was to finish it quickly, and rallied them with a battle cry.
Then... Balin. Thorin loved Balin, but he could bring rain to the brightest day; What with his logic and... and reasoning.
Though he did have a point. How would they get into the mountain?
"That, is not entirely true." Gandalf said, producing a key.
Thorin could only stare and ask in wonder, "How came you by this?"
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain. For safekeeping." Gandalf said softly. Then the wizard held the key out to Thorin and said, "It is yours now."
Thorin took it gently and began turning it in his hands, studying it reverently. He had not seen it in such a long time, it was like a memory of a memory. But it symbolized hope, and felt like his father was giving him one last gift... one of the most precious he'd ever gotten.
"If there is a key, then there must be a door." Fili said, looking around the table.
"There's another way in!" Kili said excitedly.
Gandalf began explaining the plan, and what they would need. First and foremost, they would need a burglar. Poor Master Baggins walked right into that, saying they'd need an "expert burglar". He felt for the creature, he really did, but perhaps it was best to come right out with the truth that he was no burglar and they needed to find someone else.
"And are you?" One of the company asked.
Bilbo looked around the room, confused, "Am I what?"
"He said he was an expert!" Oin shouted happily.
"Me? No nononononono I'm not a burglar!" Master Baggins was quick to correct. "I've never stolen a thing in my life!" Well, at least their coin purses were safe.
"Then I'd have to agree with Master Baggins, he's hardly burglar material." Balin said. Thorin was glad that he hadn't been the one to say it.
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." Dwalin said, looking almost sympathetic, as the company agreed with him. It wasn't that Master Baggins seemed incapable, necessarily. Thorin was sure that he was perfectly capable at being a hobbit. He just was entirely unsuitable to be the one to try to burgle his way into Erebor past Smaug himself. If Thorin needed a proper cup of tea, however, he was sure Master Baggins would be a fine choice.
"Enough!" Gandalf shouted in an increasingly booming voice and making the room dark. How overdramatic. " If I say that Master Baggins is a burglar, than a burglar he is! Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet! In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And, while the dragon may be accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, the stench of hobbit is all but unknown to him which gives us a distinct advantage." He'd explained all of this to him before, and Thorin was reminded of why it had seemed perfectly logical at the time. Gandalf sat back down and leaned towards Thorin beseechingly, "You asked me to choose the 14th member of this company, and I have chosen Mister Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest." Well, he certainly hoped so! "And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know!" Gandalf looked around the room then his eyes settled on the hobbit and said lowly, "Including himself."
Gandalf leaned towards him again and looked into his eyes, "You must trust me on this."
Thorin wanted to say, "If you get this sweet creature killed, I will set your robe on fire!" But instead he sighed and said, "Very well, we'll do it your way." Behind him, he heard the hobbit try to stop him. "Give him the contract." All the halfling had to do was not sign the contract, and then they would all be blameless in this matter and could go about their merry way. Perhaps if they somehow did manage to retake Erebor Thorin could send Master Baggins some gold to pay for their room and board, maybe also with an invitation to come visit if he was so inclined. He truly did like the creature.
Balin handed Master Baggins the contract, and he rushed out with it.
As the hobbit was reading the contract Thorin leaned forward and said, "I cannot guarantee his safety." Perhaps that would finally put the wizard off this whole idea. Didn't he care about the hobbit at all? What could he be thinking sending this tiny, sweet creature off with them on a suicide mission? He was clearly fond of Master Baggins, so how could he do this? Furthermore, how could he do this to him? Even though he couldn't guarantee his safety, Thorin knew if Master Baggins came on this quest that he would be looking out for him as much as possible. How could he not? Master Baggins didn't deserve to be punished for agreeing to help a bunch of strange dwarrows that he did not owe anything to. It would become a distraction that he did not need.
But, of course, the wizard merely whispered, "Understood." In that moment, Thorin truly hated the wizard.
"Nor will I be responsible for his fate." Damn you, wizard. Damn you. What did he have to say to Gandalf to put him off this foolish idea?
Gandalf hesitated, then slowly said, "Agreed."
"I hope something eats you, old man." Thorin thought.
They heard Master Baggins reading the contract behind them and suddenly the hobbit squaked, "Incineration."
Then Bofur began to explain in further detail how terrifying and dangerous the dragon was, as the hobbit began to hyperventilate. All leading to Bilbo standing up and saying, "Nope..." Before fainting dead away.
Gandalf sighed and said, "You're very helpful, Bofur."
Thorin turned and went to the hobbit, picking him up easily and carrying him to an easy chair. Poor thing, at least that was the end of that. He'd have Dori brew him a nice cup of tea.
After a while, they saw the hobbit walk down the hall to his room and Balin said, "It appears we have lost our burglar." Yes, and it was a good thing too. Thorin watched the hobbit walk down the hallway, and couldn't help feeling a tinge of sadness. Though he was happy the hobbit would be safe, he was sad at the missed opportunity to get to know him and at the loss of the slight hope that Master Baggins would actually be able to pull off what Gandalf said he could. "Probably for the best. Earth rose against us..." After that Balin melted into sad musings about their unsuitableness for the quest.
"There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin said, smiling fondly at his old friend.
"Old warriors..."
"I would take each and every one of these warriors over the dwarves of the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart... I can ask no more than that." He meant it, with all his heart.
Balin, once again, tried to dissuade him from the quest. Telling him that he had a choice. Truly, Thorin wished he had a choice. But he could not reject this chance, especially not now that he had the key. Thorin expressed this to Balin, and Balin sadly agreed that they were with him.
They joined the rest of the company, and together they sang a song of their people.