Chapter Text
As he looked down upon the battlefield, Thorin Oakenshield stumbled and fell to the floor of ice. He could feel the ache deep in his bones, consuming everything. He had killed Azog, yet he knew it was a hollow victory, for his nephews had not survived. He would not either.
He coughed, and in his peripheral vision Thorin saw a familiar figure rushing to his side.
"Bilbo!" His voice came out weakly as he struggled to breathe.
"Don't move," urged Bilbo, meeting his eyes, before turning his gaze to the wound. "Don't move. Lie still."
Thorin watched, not quite able to catch his breath, as Bilbo's face crunched up in disgust and discomfort upon seeing his wounds.
Bilbo groaned, covering his face as though trying not to throw up. Perhaps he was, Thorin couldn't think straight. There was only one thing on his mind.
"I'm glad you're here," he breathed with difficulty. Bilbo shushed him as soon as he started talking. Thorin did not take his eyes of him as he stubbornly continued. "I wish to part from you in friendship."
Finally, Bilbo met his eyes. He protested. "You are not going anywhere, Thorin," he commanded, shifting his gaze back to the wound. Would he stop doing that? Thorin had to tell him. He HAD to. "You are going to live," Bilbo continued. His face was full of determination. Thorin knew better.
"I would take back my words and deeds at the gate," Thorin told him. "You did what only a true friend would do. Forgive me, I was to blind to see it."
It was true, that despicable dragon sickness had clouded his judgement, made him unable to see the truth. And while he hadn't noticed, Bilbo continued to save him, as he had done countless times before. He did not deserve his burglar.
Bilbo looked at him and scoffed, as though he were amused. Thorin knew he was not though. But it did not matter, he had to do this before it was too late, because Thorin knew.
Thorin Oakenshield would not be alive to see the battle end, for better or for worse.
"I'm so sorry," Thorin began, "that I have led you into such peril." This time it was Thorin who broke eye contact. He coughed as he felt the pain in his side worsen. Ah, he would not last long. He looked back: Bilbo was getting closer to say something.
"No, I'm.. I'm glad to have shared in your perils, Thorin," Bilbo said as he grabbed Thorin's hand. "Each and every one of them."
Thorin looked at him in disbelief. Then he saw. Bilbo's eyes were watching him, and they were filled with warmth. Thorin then realized Bilbo truly did see him as a friend. He suppressed a smile as he came to the realization that he was forgiven, even if he did not deserve it.
"It is far more than any Baggins deserves," Bilbo finished.
This time, Thorin did smile. As he grew more and more tired, Thorin Oakenshield spoke his last words to his loyal burglar and friend.
"Farewell, master burglar." Bilbo took a breath as though he wanted to protest, but he changed his mind and looked down.
"Go back to your books," Thorin continued, the smile not leaving his face, "and your armchair. Plant your trees, watch them grow."
Bilbo's eyes started to grow damp. Thorin wished he could offer him comfort, but he knew no words he could say would be truth. He was dying and knew he would soon take his breath for the last time. Determined to say one last thing, he groaned.
"If more people valued home above gold, the world would be a merrier place." He was now really struggling to breathe. The pain didn't exist anymore, he was completely numb by now.
"No. No, no, no. No. Thorin," Bilbo's voice broke as Thorin's vision slowly blurred. "Thorin, don't you dare."
When Thorin's vision dimmed, he heard silent pleas. His name was said with such desperation, that Thorin felt regret.
He regretted not being able to see his nephews one last time and see them grow. He regretted not knowing if his friends were alive. And most of all, he regretted not being able to tell Bilbo he loved him.
And as the war raged on, Thorin Oakenshield was not alive to see the battle end, for better or for worse.
He gasped for breath as he shot up. Thorin clutched his chest and frantically looked around. He was in a familiar room. This was where he had rested before coming to meet the Hobbit in the Shire.
He checked his wounds. Well, he would have if there were any. He was either completely healed or there were never any wounds to begin with.
"It could not have been a mere dream?" He questioned under his breath. It seemed wrong, but what else could it be? It's not as if Thorin could go back in time. He has never heard of anything like this.
Well, he wasn't going to ruin his one chance of fixing everything. He would be better. Although, he would have to be careful. He'd rather no one found out, for he didn't know the consequences.
Whatever, he was excellent at acting. This is going to be so easy.
Forget easy, he got lost again. Twice. He did not know how. Thorin blamed the shire, because his sense of direction could not be THAT bad.
Finally, he arrived at Bag End. Just like the first time, he heard singing and laughter. And again, just like the first time, the laughter stopped once he knocked on the door.
The door opened and he looked away from the garden Bilbo had missed so much. He came face to face with the wizard.
"Gandalf." He smiled. "I though you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way. Twice." Say the same thing. So far so good. Besides, it was not like he was lying.
"I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." He said while untying his cloak. He knew what words would follow.
"Mark?" Thorin could not stop the little jump his heart made upon hearing Bilbo's voice. He calmed himself as Gandalf and Bilbo argued about the door.
He turned around as Gandalf introduced Thorin as 'the leader of the company' to Bilbo. The sight of Bilbo surprised Thorin. He hadn't realized how much the Hobbit had changed in a year.
Thorin wondered what to say. Should he insult him again? He didn't want to. He had already made the mistake of underestimating this Hobbit.
"So, this is the Hobbit," he said, repeating himself. It had done him well so far. But what now?
"Pleasure to meet you," he settled with. Apparently, he should not have said this, as he was met with multiple raised eyebrows. Bilbo, on the other hand, seemed relieved someone had a small bit of manners.
"The pleasure is all mine," Bilbo responded. He appeared polite, but Thorin noticed a bit of annoyance. Understandable, he supposed.
"Well, come on," Gandalf urged, "There is still some food left."
As they made way to the table, Thorin saw Dwalin watch him with suspicion. He tried to reassure him by smiling. Which only made it worse, obviously, what was he thinking?
Mahal, this is going to be harder than he originally thought.
The food was delicious. He'd expected no less. As everyone drank in silence. Thorin wondered what to do. He could-
"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin?" A voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Balin. "Did they all come?" Everyone waited for an answer with anticipation.
Thorin sighed, the disappointment flooding back. "Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms." He said with a nod.
Everyone cheered, but they stopped when Dwalin interrupted with the question Thorin was dreading to answer: "And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?"
Dwalin looked at Thorin with an expectant look. "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin struggled to meet his eyes as he told the company they would not come. Unlike the rest, Dwalin didn't look surprised, not even disappointed. He just nodded.
"They say this quest is ours and ours alone," Thorin added and he took a huge sip of his beverage.
"Oh? You're going on a quest?" Asked Bilbo innocently. Thorin started at his voice. He hadn't noticed the Hobbit standing right behind him. He also remembered that Bilbo had no idea what was going on.
Before anyone could say anything, Thorin answered: "Aye, we are. Tell me, master Baggins, have you heard of The Lonely Mountain?"
Bilbo wasn't able to answer, for Gandalf cleared his throat. "Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light."
As Bilbo left, Gandalf frowned down at Thorin, who raised his eyebrows in response, challenging the wizard. Gandalf chose to ignore Thorin, though it did not go unseen. He cleared his throat once again.
"Far to the east," Gandalf began, "over ranges and rivers," He grabbed a piece of paper hidden in his robes, "Beyond woodlands and wastelands," He lay what turns out to be a map down on the table. "Lies a single, solitary peak."
Bilbo, who had returned, leaned over Thorin's shoulders. Inspecting the map with utmost concentration. "So that's the lonely mountain?"
"Aye, Oin has read the portents," began Gloin, "and the portents say it is time!"
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain," added Oin, "as it was foretold." He began to recite the prophecy: "'When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end.'" All Dwarves knew this sentence, for it was their only hope.
Bilbo, who was not a dwarf, but a hobbit, did not. "Uh.. what beast?"
Thorin remembered what had happened when Bofur told Bilbo of Smaug, so he quickly spoke up. "That would be Smaug, the dragon."
It was silent. No one had expected Thorin to speak up. Damn it. His mistake. Thankfully, Bofur came to his rescue by adding information.
Wait.
"The chiefest and greatest calamity of our age." Bofur told Bilbo. He gave some more descriptions, but before he could continue someone else spoke up, thank Mahal.
"I'm not afraid," Ori said (not really convincingly) while standing up. "I'm up for it!" As the young Dwarf spoke, Dori looked in disbelief back at Nori, who was watching his little brother. "I'll give him a taste of Dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!" Ori added.
"Good lad, Ori!" Cheered Nori at the same time Dori commanded Ori to sit down. The brothers had always been different. All three of them. Nori was a thief, quite a good one at that, and was always up for a joke. Dori liked a good joke too, Thorin supposes, but he worried way more than Nori did. Especially when it came to Ori, the youngest.
Dori and Nori weren't as close as they used to be. Ori was really holding them together. Ori was a good lad, but young. He was kind and he was always writing, hence he was close with Balin.
Said dwarf spoke up, silencing the commotion. "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us," Balin looked around, "but we number just 13. And not 13 of the best, nor brightest."
That started yet another commotion. There were multiple Dwarves shouting at Balin and the murmuring was not stopping. Thorin was about to silence them, but Fili beat him to it.
"We may be few in number, but we're fighters," began Fili. "All of us! To the last dwarf!" He slammed his fist on the table.
Kili decided to help: "And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time."
While everyone started interrogating Gandalf, Thorin was watching his nephews. Fili and Kili were alive and well. Thorin, though ashamed to admit, had to hold back a cry. He wanted to trap them in a hug and hold them until the end of time. He couldn't do that though, so he just stared at them, hoping he could magically let them know he would reshape whole Middle-Earth if he had to for them.
The pain he had felt watching his dear nephews die was far worse than any physical wound. The despair he felt had made him want to clutch out his heart, just so it would stop. But he hadn't done that. Instead he'd went straight for Azog the defiler, that wretched orc. And it had cost him his life.
His inner turmoil was interrupted by a sudden hand on his shoulder. Thorin looked back to become face to face with Bilbo. He looked concerned.
"Are you okay?" The Hobbit asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. Thorin felt his face heat up.
"Oh, yes, I'm- I'm fine. " He mumbled, hoping no one noticed his how red his face was.
He should really stop with the short sentences. It wasn't really polite.
Bilbo, it seemed, had the same idea. He frowned, but decided to shift his attention back to the company. The arguing had gotten worse, Thorin noticed. He sighed and stood up.
"No more!" He yelled. Thankfully, everyone listened. He needed to convince them. So when everyone sat down he continued.
"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too?" The company looked at the table in shame, the silence unwavering.
"Rumors have begun to spread," He said. "The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years."
Thorin continued. "Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk."
Bombur ate a cookie in anticipation.
Thorin met Balin's eyes. "Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours?"
He was now looking around the room. Eyes finally settling on Fili and Kili. "Or do we seize this chance and take back Erebor?" He was now shouting encouragingly.
It worked, because everyone cheered upon hearing his words. He was glad everyone couldn't wait to go to the mountain, even if the quest was dangerous.
Well, almost everyone.
"You forget, the front gate is sealed." Balin said. The cheering ceased immediately. "There is no way into the mountain." He said with finality.
Thorin didn't worry, he turned to look at Gandalf, but found the wizard already looking at him with raised eyebrows. The wizard shifted his gaze to Balin.
"Well, that, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Gandalf said while a key seemed to appear out of nothing. He handed it to Thorin, who suddenly remembered he was supposed to be surprised.
"How came you by this?" He asked with feigned ignorance and wide eyes.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain." Gandalf answered. "For safekeeping." He added matter-of-factly, as though what he said before meant nothing. Thorin looked him in the eyes.
"And now you are giving it to me," he said, examining the key he was given. Gandalf side-eyed him. Why did he find that suspicious? Thorin is not THAT dense.
"If there is a key," he heard Fili say, "there must be a door." How sharp.
Gandalf nodded and pointed at some runes at the map. "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls."
"There's another way in." Kili said, grinning, as he put an arm around his brother's shoulder. Another sharp remark. Thorin was so proud of his nephews.
"Well, if we can find it," said Gandalf, "but Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." He sighed before continuing. "The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map, and I do not have the skills to find it."
Oh no. Please don't say it.
"But," Gandalf continued, "there are others in Middle-Earth who can."
Damn it.
Thorin watched Gandalf as he started speaking to Thorin only. "The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage." The wizard cast a glance at Bilbo, who looked at him surprised.
"But, if we are careful and clever," Gandalf continued, "I believe that it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar!" Said Ori, trying to help. Ah, this is the part where the burglar finds out he is the burglar.
"Hmm, and a good one too," agreed Bilbo. "An expert, I'd imagine." He truly had no idea what he had gotten himself into, had he?
"And ARE you?" Demanded Gloin. Everyone was looking at Bilbo with anticipation.
"Am I what?" asked Bilbo, his voice laced with confusion.
"He said he's an expert!" Exclaimed Oin. Damn his hearing. A few cheers were heard.
"Me?" Asked Bilbo like they were crazy. "No. No, no, no. I'm not a burglar." He scoffed. "I've never stolen a thing in my life."
"Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with mister Baggins," said Balin, "He's hardly burglar material."
Thorin had never wanted to grab Balin by his throat before. If only these Dwarves knew.
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves," agreed Dwalin.
Okay, both the brothers are going to get their ass beat.
The dwarves started chattering, each sharing their own opinion on the matter. Bilbo, it seemed, agreed with Balin and Dwalin. Gandalf had enough.
"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar," he yelled, "then a burglar he is."
Everyone had shut up after the first word, even Dwalin.
"Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet," Gandalf added more calmly." In fact, they can pass unseen by most, if they choose." He was right, Thorin thought, Bilbo always seemed to magically dissappear whenever necessary, as though he could turn invisible.
"And," Gandalf continued," while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him. Which gives us a distinct advantage."
He said down and turned to Thorin. "You asked me to find the 14th member of this company, and I have chosen mister Baggins."
Thorin was ready to agree with him, but Gandalf wasn't done. "There's a lot more to him than appearances might suggest.
"And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know." He accused the Dwarves with a hint of anger. Gandalf turned to Bilbo. "Including himself."
"Of course," said Thorin, hoping to get this over with. He trusted Bilbo to go with them once more. He knew what to do. Bilbo had told him the song had been the deciding factor.
"Give him the contract," commanded Thorin as he heard Bilbo protesting behind him.
"It's just the usual," said Balin while handing over the contract. "Summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth."
"Funeral arrangements?" Asked Bilbo in disbelief. He opened the contract, which was, to be fair, big. He mumbled as he read the contract.
"Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including but not limited to... lacerations?" Gandalf turned his head in surprise as Bilbo read the contract aloud.
"Evisceration?" Bilbo turned the page. "'Incineration'?" He demanded.
Bofur, please, don't.
Bofur did not listen to Thorin's thoughts. "Oh, Aye, He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye."
Bilbo took a deep breath as Balin asked if he was okay.
Sadly, Bofur was not done.
"Think furnace with wings." He said as though he were explaining a game.
"Air. I- I need air," Bilbo said. Thorin had to stop this before it was too late.
Apparently it was already too late, as Bofur continued and Bilbo fell to the floor, despite trying not to.
He and Balin watched Bilbo walk away after having a conversation with Gandalf.
"It appears we have lost our burglar," Balin sighed.
Thorin was still watching him go. Despite knowing Bilbo will join them, he still felt his stomach turn as Bilbo walked away from him. He remembered all the times he had sent the Hobbit away. He regrets all of it now, even if the Hobbit does not remember.
I'll make it up to you. I promise.
A sharp cough interrupted his thoughts. Thorin turned to see Balin looking at him.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Thorin asked him. He should have been listening.
Balin sighed. "Nevermind." Then his face turned serious. "You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people.
"You have built a new life for us in the blue mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor."
Although it was tempting, Thorin knew he couldn't do it. Not when he knew what the orcs were up to. They would try to claim Erebor. And thence try take over Middle-Eart piece by piece. No doubt will Smaug work with them.
"My grandfather and father both dreamt of the day when the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland," he said. Balin sighed as he looked away from Thorin.
"There is no choice, Balin," he said with finality. "Not for me."
It brought him some comfort to know he now said it with a different reason than before.
"Then we are with you laddie," said Balin. "We will see it done."
Thorin is thankful to have such great and loyal friends. He did not deserve them after all he had done.
They all stood by the fireplace, humming solemnly. They sang of Erebor and that fateful day.
As they were singing, Thorin couldn't help but feel relieved. For he knew their quest would not be without a burglar.