This is updated 14.8, now chapters 1-3 are betaed by Jackie-B-123, more is coming.
Thanks Jackie.
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Bilbo stepped out of the tent, out of the life of Thorin Oakenshield. He stepped toward Gandalf who was waiting, not noticing his worried face, too deep in his own thoughts. He looked around, still not noticing the others from the company watching him. Some watched with worry, some with pity, and some were trying to understand.
"I'm tired. I want to go home now." Bilbo's voice was harsh, cold and quiet. He didn't notice how his knees dipped, how he wobbled, and his gaze turned up to the sky for the first time noticing that it was morning, that the sun was rising and the air was cool. He felt himself floating and he smiled, remembering the Eagles, and how they saved him from the orcs.
"Bilbo!"
There were voices, so many voices around him, but he just shut them out and continued to watch the sky.
"Home."
No voices.
He closed his eyes.
No cold, hard ground underneath him. No hands holding him, carrying him through the hastily put together camp of men, elves and dwarves. No sound of dying people, or the wounded ones, because although they had won there wasn't any time to celebrate. He shut everything out. His friends, his companions from this foolish adventure, all of them. There was nothing but green hills over and over again, and the sunny sky above him along with the laughter of his cousins and family. The door of Bag End, green and round like always, and without any marks.
No mess-making wizards and dwarves.
"Home."
And he smiled.
Gandalf ran like fire was at his heels toward the elven king's tent.
"Thranduil!"
The king looked up, and frowned, taking the small body.
"What happened?"
"He collapsed. I think he took a nasty blow on his head." Gandalf watched how Thranduil carefully lowered the too light body of the hobbit to the too big bed, fast looking over the wounded body. The mithril shirt had protected him well, but in the always bare feet were some deep cuts and some of the ribs were broken and bruised. When he finally put his hands over Bilbo's temple, he knew that something was wrong, more than just a blow to the head and a concussion.
"What else… happened?" Thranduil asked again quietly with his eyes closed. Gandalf slumped down on to the nearest chair. He seemed defeated.
"Thorin happened."
"Is the King Under the Mountain dead?"
"No. He'll recover."
"And his goldlust?"
"Gone."
"Then… It's something that he has said to the hobbit." Thranduil sighed, finally rising and ordering his healers to tend to the hobbit's injuries. He then turned to look at the wizard.
"To his mind, to his heart, and to his soul, I cannot to anything. I'm sorry."
For a moment Gandalf gaped, looking terrified as he realized what may have happened. Then he replaced his mask and rose.
"Can you…"
"I named him Elvellon. He'll be under my care. Don't worry. Now go, you're needed elsewhere. And if you can, find my foolish son." With the grace of the elves Thranduil turned his back to the wizard to look after his patient.
Slowly Gandalf left to face the dwarves. Some of them were waiting just outside of Thranduil's tent.
"I cannot give you good news." Gandalf looked at them, hiding his fury.
"Is he… Alive?" Bofur asked with worry, nervously twisting his hat in his hands.
"Alive, yes. In a sense. Do any of you know what happened between him and Thorin just a moment ago?"
They looked at each other and Nori stepped forward.
"I…heard. Not out here please."
Gandalf sighed and gestured for the sneaky dwarf to show the way, and although everyone else was curious they allowed them to go alone, only watching them leave.
"I will stay and wait." Ori said, looking nervously at the tent and its guards. Bofur stayed with him.
Nor found a small, quiet corner, and looked around to see if there was anyone nearby who would hear them.
"He… Bilbo came in and… He apologized for the whole Arkenstone… accident."
"Accident indeed." Gandalf muttered.
"Thorin… forgave him. He said that he understood. And Bilbo was happy. He… He said…" Nori blushed.
"That he loves that fool of kings." Gandalf guessed, and Nori nodded.
"Finally."
"But… Thorin didn't take it so well."
Gandalf stared in disbelief.
"He didn't take it well?"
"He said he could never love Bilbo back. That it would be better for him to go home to the West, and… never come back."
"Fool, such a fool." Gandalf couldn't believe what he had heard. "He told Bilbo to go home to the Shire."
"Yes."
"Home."
Nori nodded.
"So, now he's at home."
Nori blinked. "What?"
Gandalf, with a great effort, calmed himself before heading toward the dwarf king's tent."
"Out of my way." He yelled at Dwalin who stepped aside, suddenly looking very terrified to face the great wizard.
"You foolish dwarf!"
Thorin looked up from his bed, looking pale and powerless. "Tharkûn?"
"I hope you are satisfied now!"
"I don't follow…." Thorin frowned but Gandalf pushed forward.
"Sure you don't. With your words you have denied something very important from Bilbo Baggins."
There was a hint of red on Thorin's cheeks, "Do not say his name…"
"I will say it so many times that you will understand! You denied his love toward you and ordered him to go home, didn't you?"
"Yes I did. I don't see how…" Thorin tried to rise, but his wounds stopped him in the middle and he tumbled back with a grimace.
"No, you don't. You're a dwarf. He is a hobbit. And hobbits… when they find their love they find their home. And you denied them both from him when you obviously love him back!"
Thorin tried to sit up again, his eyes burning.
"I… I don't love him! I can't! I can't after what I did to him! How can I? He deserves better than me! He can't love me! No! I… He…" Suddenly Thorin gasped to breath and Oin was there with Dwalin and Balin trying to calm their king.
"Fool." Gandalf repeated. "Why didn't you say so? Now he is out of our reach. He's your heart, and you're his Soul. And now you have truly lost him, maybe forever."
He left behind the foolish king of the dwarves, heading back to see Thranduil and tell him what had happened. Maybe, only maybe, there was a way to bring back their little burglar.
