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The forest much quieter than Bilbo had liked. Not the peaceful quiet of home or the comfort of Rivendell's stone paths, but the sort that made his skin prickle and heart beat just a tad faster. Looking around him, he saw nothing but miles upon miles of trees. He hugged his coat tight as he hurried after Thorin, who moved through the trees with purpose. There was a golden glow on the trees in in front of them as the sun began to set behind them and a cool breeze began to nip in the air. "We should have waited for the others. Or at least brought our weapons." Bilbo muttered. Thorin glanced back. "We were meant only to gather fire wood. It would be needless to weigh ourselves down. The company cannot halt every time the forest makes you feel uneasy, master Baggins." Bilbo huffed, "They don't make me uneasy, they make me alert. There's a difference." Thorin almost smiled.
CRACK.
The sound of a snapping branch echoed from behind them making them both freeze. Thorin turned first, eyes narrowing, every muscle in his body rigid. "We're being watched." He said. Bilbo's heart leapt straight into his throat. "Thorin?" A guttural snarl answered him. Bursting out from the trees behind them a pale eyed, raging orc charged towards them. Thorin grabbed a hold of Bilbo's arm, blindly dragging him down the steep decline of trees and dirt. Branches caught at their clothes and skin as the orc's heavy footsteps pounded not far behind. Trees flashed by not knowing what direction they were headed, Bilbo's lungs began to burn and his legs begun to ache, panic was beginning to set in. Thorin slowed, just long enough to swipe a fallen branch from the ground and swiftly slash the orc across the face. As the branch splintered and crumbled around them Bilbo grabbed a handful of dirt, a mix of twigs, muck and grime and launched it into the orcs soulless eyes. Thorin then booted the orc right in the centre of it's chest causing it to fall backwards and onto the ground. They didn't waste a single second and they turned and bolted the first chance they got.
"There!" Thorin Shouted as he pointed to a fallen tree, roots ripped from the ground leaving a small, dark hollow beneath. Thorin shoved Bilbo towards the opening, urgency overriding care and Bilbo stumbled, twisting as he shuffled into the cramped hiding place, his shoulder slamming hard against the solid roots. Pain shot through him, sharp and blinding. Bilbo gasped, biting back a cry as Thorin followed him in, maneuvering his body past the intertwined roots that dangled from the dirt ceiling. He pulled Bilbo close as the orc roared near by.
The space was impossibly tight, forcing them chest to chest. Thorin braced himself over Bilbo, shielding him from the opening. One arm resting beside Bilbo's head, the other wrapped strongly over his shoulders. Their bodies were pressed together, faces only inches apart. The pain in Bilbo's shoulder had faded away for a split second as his eyes were fixed on Thorin's. Bilbo's senses became heightened in that moment, Thorin's warm breath against his cheek, his long dark hair unfurled around them, all making the butterflies in his stomach flutter madly.
"Lie still." Thorin whispered, barely audible. Those words brought Bilbo back to reality, he gulped and then nodded, teeth clenched, his shoulder throbbing. A beastly shadow passed over the top of their heads from a small slit in the dirt above them. The orcs heavy footsteps causing a small shower of dirt to sprinkle across their bodies and a small sound of crackling roots. They could hear it now, the rasp of its breathing, the crane of its claws against the bark. Bilbo's heart pounded so loudly he feared it would give them away. Thorin shifted ever so slightly, pressing closer, nearly shielding Bilbo entirely. Their noses almost touching, Bilbo could see every detail on Thorin's face. The way he had slight wrinkles just around the corner of his eyes and that even in this dark and damp hole he could still see his electric blue eyes, like looking into a deep, endless lake. Thorin's gaze flickered down to Bilbo's. For a moment, neither of them looked away. The orc snorted, pacing above them, making Bilbo shudder slightly.
Bilbo tried to steady his breathing, which has been slightly more challenging than he had thought, with Thorin on top of him, a small hiss escaped him as he shifted. Thorin felt it immedietly. He looked down towards Bilbo' shoulder, eyebrows furrowed. "You're hurt." He murmured, barely louder than a breath. "I'm- fine." Bilbo whispered back, though his voice trembled. Carefully and slowly, Thorin started to adjust his grip. Angling his body so Bilbo's injured shoulder wasn't pressed up against anything. This brought them even closer, if possible.
The orc growled above, Thorin didn't even flinch, nor did he look away from Bilbo. His hand slid carefully to Bilbo's arm, fingers gentle as he steadied it against his own chest preventing it from moving any more. "Hold still." He said. "I won't let it worsen." His deep, rich voice slicing through time itself, calming Bilbo's nerves. "Really, ifs fin-" Bilbo was abruptly cut off by the footsteps of the approaching orc. They both stilled, holding their breath. Bilbo swallowed, his trembling hand instinctively gripping onto Thorin's sleeve. Slowly and deliberately, Thorin covered Bilbo's hand with his own. His grip was firm and reassuring making the blood rush up to Bilbo's cheeks, he'd hoped Thorin wouldn't notice in the low light.
Minutes stretched unbearably long. The orc lingered but eventually, with a frustrated grump, it turned and left. Only then did Thorin exhale. They waited, breathing in each others air. "I think its gone." Thorin whispered. Bilbo sighed with relief and immedietly winced. Thorin stiffened, "your shoulder-" "I think I landed on it Funny." Bilbo admitted, attempting a weak smile. "Of all the ridiculous ways to die, being crushed by a tree root would have been rather embarrassing." Thorin huffed softly. Not quite a laugh, but close. "You're not dying, and you're certainly not embarrassing." Thorin looked down at him, his expression softening in a way Bilbo hadn't seen before. "You're very brave,aster Baggins." He said quietly. Bilbo blinked, "I was terrified." "Bravery and fear are not opposites," Thorin began. " They often walk together."
For a moment longer neither moved. Not an inch. Bilbo became acutely aware of everything. The weight of Thorin's hand still over his own. The warmth of his body shielding him from the cold breeze. The fact that their faces were still far too close. Thorin seemed to notice it at the same time. He cleared his throat, he shifted back awkwardly out of the hollow and offered Bilbo a hand. "We should return to the others." Thorin said, looking everywhere except at Bilbo. "Yes." Bilbo agreed. "Let's... let's do that."
They started walking up the hill that they had rushed down just moments ago and as they were headed back through the woods Thorin kept just a little closer, marginally, but still noticeable. And Bilbo for once didn't mind the forest at all.
They arrived back to the camp to whistles and the odd cheer, making both of their cheeks flush slightly, which could be blamed on the newly lit fire. "And where have you two been?" Asked Bofur, mockingly, smiling as if he knew something the others didn't. "Hey! Wheres our firewood?" Asked Kili, nudging his brother on tje shoulder and laughing under his breath. "We were ambushed." Thorin said with a stern voice, clearly not appreciative of the company mocking him. The dwarves broke out in chatter, asking many questions all at once. Thorin reassured his companions. "There was only one and it gave up once we had disappeared, no doubt to return to the rest of its pack." A slight spit added to that last word. Once again the dwarves exchanged concerned looks and muffled conversation. "We shall have two on watch tonight. Keep your eyes and ears peeled." Thorin commanded. He then walked over to tje side of the campfire, glancing at Bilbo as he did.