AN: So I got this prompt from vampygurl402, but it may be a little different than the original prompt. For instance, I have an OC in it, but the main pairing is still Bilbo/Thorin. I hope you like it anyways. Also, canonically, Samwise isn't alive yet. But for this story, he is.
OOOOO
Gandalf hadn't been to the Shire for many, many years. The last time must have been the party for Old Took, where he had happily set off fireworks. He still remembered, with fondness, little Bilbo Baggins and his mother. Bilbo had been a strapping young Hobbit, leaner and faster than most, and he had a good swing with his wooden sword. And his mother was as sweet as could be. But something must have happened between then and now, because the Bilbo Baggins he was looking at now was nothing like the lad he knew.
Bilbo was thin, absurdly so, with dark shadows beneath tired blue eyes. And most importantly, he couldn't seem to remember just a few hours ago when he and Gandalf had talked in the market. Indeed, he was looking at the wizard like he's never met him before in his life. Gandalf frowned down at the Hobbit who was smoking on the bench in front of Bag End and wondered just what had happened to make Bilbo like this.
"Can I help you?" Bilbo asked, and though he sounded perfectly normal, there was a slight fear in his voice.
"Bilbo lad, it's me Gandalf! We just spoke a few hours ago. Don't you remember?" Gandalf could visibly see Bilbo flinch. The Hobbit shook his head slowly and jumped up.
"Must have slipped my mind. You'll have to come by another day to remind me of what was said." With that, Bilbo Baggins fled into Bag End without even checking his mailbox or putting out his pipe. Gandalf watched him go with his lips set in a firm line. That was...puzzling. And worrying as well. A small golden head popped up from the other side of the garden hedges, making Gandalf jump a little.
"Don't worry bout it Mister Gandalf. Bilbo forgets a lot. Mama and Papa sometimes have to go check on him to make sure he remembers to eat." The young Hobbit, Samwise Gamgee if Gandalf remembered correctly, told him.
"I see. Are your mama and papa at home Samwise?" Gandalf asked. Little Sam nodded vigorously and gestured for Gandalf to follow him. The wizard eagerly followed. Sam hummed cheerfully as they walked, and Gandalf thought back to the earlier meeting he'd had with Bilbo. Gandalf had been puttering idly around the market, scoping out potential Burglars, when he'd seen Bilbo. The Hobbit was buying apples, a rather downcast look on his face, but whenever anyone looked at him or talked to him, he would smile brilliantly. That had been his first hint, he realized, that something was amiss. Bilbo looked so sad, when he thought no one could see him.
He had pulled Bilbo to the side to talk to him, and Bilbo had eventually asked Gandalf over for tea. Gandalf knew it was just so he could escape the Wizard, but he intended to take Bilbo up on his offer anyways. Yet when he arrived for tea, Bilbo had looked at him with no recognition in his eyes, and greeted him with an impersonal 'Good morning'. Gandalf had tried to be funny, by asking the following four questions, but when Bilbo didn't appear amused, or even comfortable, Gandalf knew something was off. It just...didn't seem right.
"Samwise! There you are! And...you brought a friend?" Daisy Gamgee, Sam's mother, glanced at Gandalf nervously.
"Mister Gandalf is here for tea! And he had questions about Mister Bilbo." Sam told his mother, skipping past her into their Hobbit hole. His little voice rang from inside, telling his papa that they had company. Daisy bit her lip lightly, as if considering the situation, but then she smiled and gestured for Gandalf to join them inside.
"It's been quite some time since Gandalf the Wandering Wizard came to the Shire." She stated, for lack of better conversation. Gandalf gave her a fond smile and took off his tall hat as he entered the short hole.
"It has been a while. And I suspect the time has not been kind to Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf pointed out. Daisy's smile faltered and she looked uncomfortable. She twisted her hands nervously and shifted from foot to foot.
"Well...we don't like to gossip." Daisy told him awkwardly. Hamfest Gamgee appeared next to his wife, and shared her grimace-smile. "Would you like tea Gandalf?" She asked just before the Wizard was about to ask a question. Gandalf muttered an agreement and followed the two Hobbits into their kitchen. He waited until Daisy had poured all three of them a good cup of tea and sat down to try and ask again.
"Something is wrong with Bilbo." He said bluntly. Daisy and Hamfest exchanged glances before Hamfest sighed.
"Unfortunately, you're right." He said mournfully. Gandalf waited patiently for him to start. "To the other Hobbits, Bilbo is just fine. A bit of a recluse, a little odd, but fine. However, it's not true. Ever since Bungo and Belladonna died...he hasn't been the same. He doesn't eat much, and he rarely leaves Bag End. Daisy and I were just married at the time of their death, and we took turns going over to check on him." He began, stopping to take a long drink of tea.
"At first it was just the depression. It was manageable enough. We made sure he ate and tried to get him to sleep. But then...he started to see things. And hear things. He would talk about having lunch with his mother or going to market with his father. He would tell us about the songs and lullabies he would hear, when there was no one around. We didn't know what to do. Whenever we tried to tell him that it wasn't real, he would collapse in a fit and become unresponsive." Daisy continued, obviously trying to keep her voice from becoming choked with emotion.
"After a few years of these episodes, he started forgetting things. And people. We would go to check on him and he would act like he'd never met us before. We would have to introduce ourselves over and over again. He's been like this for so long...but for some reason he only lets us see it. Whenever he's in public, he's as normal as any Hobbit could expect. But in the privacy of Bag End, he's very much a different person." Hamfest looked at his wife again and gently squeezed her hand, as if to comfort her.
"He's only getting worse with time. We fear he may...fade away before long." Daisy admitted, looking up at Gandalf. "Perhaps...there's something you can do? You were such good friends with Belladonna. Surely you can help her son?" She pleaded. Gandalf sighed heavily but nodded.
"I shall do my best."
OOOOO
Bilbo Baggins didn't have many visitors. And by many, he meant any. Sometimes that nice man next door and his wife would come check on him, and he felt bad for never remembering their names. But they usually just walked in. To have someone knock, especially at this time of night, was very unusual. None the less, he tied his robe closed, and went to the door.
"Hello?" He asked, opening the door just enough so he could look out. There was a very tall man in grey clothes and a pointy grey hat. And he was looking at Bilbo like Bilbo should know who he was. But the Hobbit couldn't recall ever meeting him before. "Can I help you?" Bilbo asked sheepishly. Wasn't it a bit late for this man to be coming round?
"I can help you, Bilbo Baggins. Further to the point, you need help. So pack a bag, we'll be leaving in the morning." Bilbo's eyes widened almost comically.
"B-But I don't know- just who might you- this is all very unexpected- I can't just up and- and I don't know your name- where do you get off?" Bilbo jumped from question to question before he could finish any of them.
"I am Gandalf, and this is the third time we have met today alone! That my dear boy should be all the proof you need that you need help. And my name should be all the proof you need that I can give you that help." Gandalf thundered. "Now, pack a bag!" He ordered. Bilbo swallowed heavily and opened the door for the wizard.
"Y-You knew mother." He said quietly. Gandalf sighed.
"Yes. I did. And she would never stop yelling at me if I left you like this." Gandalf took Bilbo by his shoulders and led him back towards his room. "Just a few changes of clothes and whatever else you might need. You're going to be staying with a friend of mine in Rivendell. And when the company gets there, you'll join us." Bilbo sputtered, more questions popping into his head.
"Just wait one second! I've never met you a day in my life and all the sudden you think you can decide where I go and who I stay with?!" Bilbo demanded.
"You are in need of the healing home of Lord Elrond. By the time I convince the company to go through Rivendell, your mind will be appropriately soothed. I hope. And then you can join us on our journey. I have a Ranger standing by waiting to take you Imladris. You should be there a few weeks before the Dwarves get there." Gandalf told him.
"Wait, just wait." Bilbo huffed, and put his hand to his forehead. "Can you...promise me that this is for my own good?" He asked, his eyes searching.
"Bilbo, I can promise you with complete certainty that if you stay here, you will die. Trust me, little friend." Gandalf help the Hobbit's eyes for a long moment before sighing.
"Fine." He murmured. Gandalf grinned and shoved Bilbo a little into his room. The Hobbit started mechanically putting things in a pack that Gandalf vaguely recognized as Belladonna's. As Bilbo was packing, Gandalf rejoined the Ranger who was waiting outside Bilbo's gate.
"He sounds excited." The Ranger said with a smirk.
"He won't even remember this in the morning. You'll have to explain to him, and be patient with him. The sooner you get to Rivendell, the better." Gandalf explained, giving the Ranger a little extra bag of gold coins. "Motivation." The Wizard said coyly.
"Your Hobbit friend will get to the Elves, in one perfect piece." The Ranger promised.
"He better."
OOOOO
By the time Bilbo and the Ranger reached Rivendell, the Man was about ready to push Bilbo off the walkway and into the river below. Gandalf had said what to expect from Bilbo, the memory loss, the fear and anxiety, the manic depression and episodes. But he didn't mention the way Bilbo acted like a child most of the time. He didn't tell him how Bilbo would go from clingy to deathly afraid of him at a moments notice. He didn't mention the way Bilbo would cry the entire night and accuse the Ranger of kidnapping him when morning came. And he didn't mention how much it would weigh on the Ranger's heart. He didn't know Bilbo Baggins, but seeing anyone in such a state as the one Bilbo was in was heartbreaking. He was more than happy to hand the Hobbit over to Elrond. But when it came to leaving, he didn't know if he could. He wanted to make sure Bilbo would be okay.
"And you said that Gandalf sent him?" Elrond asked, his eye quirked as he looked down at the Hobbit who was currently cowering behind the Ranger. The Man fished in his pocket for the letter Gandalf had sent with him and handed the thick paper to the Elf in front of him.
"Said you could help. He also said he'd be following shortly with a company of Dwarves." The Ranger explained, absently patting Bilbo on his head to comfort the Hobbit. Bilbo was in a clingy mood at the moment. Elrond skimmed over the letter, making little faces every now and then, before glancing up at Bilbo. "Can you help him?" The Ranger couldn't help but ask. Bilbo may annoy the living patience out of him, but he was still bizarrely protective of the defenseless and looney Hobbit.
"I believe we can. Mental and behavioral conditions are tricky, but Imladris is a place of healing. Master Bilbo Baggins, I am Lord Elrond of Rivendell." Bilbo jumped when his name was said and shyly looked at Elrond.
"N-Nice to meet you." Bilbo murmured. Elrond smiled slightly and held out his hand for Bilbo to take. Bilbo looked up at the Ranger, as if he was asking for permission to shake the Elf's hand.
"Well, go on. Gandalf sent you here to meet him." The Ranger said gruffly. Bilbo swallowed and put his hand in Elrond's.
"Thank you for delivering him, master Ranger. You are welcome to stay and recover from your travels for a few days." Elrond invited before turning and walking away, keeping a firm hold on Bilbo's little hand. He didn't want the Hobbit to wander away or hurt himself. Manic cases such as Bilbo's always left room for surprises after all. The Ranger watched them go before sighing. He might as well stay. And it was not because he was worried about the Hobbit. It was because he was tired from traveling. That was it.
OOOOO
Gandalf was about ready to knock Thorin Oakenshield over the head and carry him to Rivendell! The Dwarf King in Exile was more stubborn that even Belladonna Took, and Gandalf never thought that would be possible. But, after a dangerous run in with some trolls, and being chased by an orc pack shortly after, he managed to trick Thorin and the company into entering Imladris. Besides, even if they didn't need Elrond's help with the map, they needed their burglar. Gandalf could only hope Bilbo was better.
After the Dwarves were sat down for dinner, Elrond led the Wizard away under the pretense of discussing the White Counsel.
"How is Bilbo?" Gandalf asked quietly as they walked.
"He is...better. But not completely healed yet. He still has episodes, though they are much fewer and further in between. And he is able to remember much better." Elrond explained.
"And, do you believe he is fit to join the journey?" Gandalf sounded more hopeful than he meant to, but Elrond didn't appear to notice. Or he was just kind enough not to mention it. The Lord Elf sighed and turned to Gandalf.
"I would not advise it. But, Bilbo is strong. He could do anything he set his mind to. Whether or not he'll remember he set his mind to something is another story." Elrond told him in a hushed voice. Gandalf nodded solemnly.
"I will keep an eye on Master Baggins. Is there some way you have found to calm him down in the midst of an episode?" Elrond opened his mouth to reply when the sound of shattering glass came from the end of the hallway, closely followed by frantic screaming.
"Allow me to show you." Elrond sighed, pacing quickly to the chambers where the screaming was originating. The Elf threw open the doors to reveal Bilbo Baggins, sitting on the floor with his knees pressed to his chest, his hands over his ears, his eyes pressed closed, and screaming. There was a shattered glass bowl to his right and a Ranger crouching to his left, trying to calm him. "What happened?" Elrond demanded of the Ranger.
"He was carrying the bowl and must have dropped it on accident." The Ranger told him quickly.
"Bilbo! Bilbo!" Elrond also crouched, but in front of the Hobbit. He pulled Bilbo's hands away from his ears and spoke quickly in Sindarin. Bilbo's eyes popped open and he whimpered before latching himself onto Elrond, his arms circling the Elf's neck.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!" Bilbo babbled, sounding oddly childlike. The Ranger noticed the look the Wizard was sending Bilbo and stood.
"He resorts to the mind of a child during his episodes. He often calls out for his parents, but usually he'll accept comfort from anyone around." The Ranger gestured to Elrond as if proving his words. Bilbo was now curled up in the Elf lap, still murmuring apologies and sniffling. "Elrond has been teaching him a phrase in Sindarin. It means 'Fear not little fauntling, you are not alone.' If you're taking him on the journey, you should make sure all your Dwarves know the phrase. It calms him down very quickly." The Ranger added.
"You seem very concerned for Master Baggins." Gandalf pointed out. The Ranger might have flushed, if he were not a Ranger.
"It is hard not to grow attached to something as adorable as a Hobbit, especially when the Hobbit in question believes he is a child most of the time." The Ranger said proudly.
"G-Gandalf?" Bilbo sniffled from where he was huddled in Elrond's lap. The Wizard was a little surprised, but then he smile encouragingly.
"You remember me Bilbo?" Gandalf asked gently. Bilbo nodded. "Good. Wonderful. I am glad to see you-"
"What was that screaming?!" The door flew open again, Thorin Oakenshield barging in with Dwalin and Fili and Kili at his heals. The rest of the company stayed outside the door, peering in curiously. Bilbo yelped and buried his face in Elrond's robes, and Gandalf sighed with all the exasperation of a mother with thirteen children.
"That screaming, Master Oakenshield, is none of your concern. Return to the dinner hall, I will explain the situation there." Gandalf ordered. Thorin glared at him, then looked at the Hobbit who was trying to make himself invisible.
"Is that supposed to be our burglar?" He asked with a sneer. "I thought you said I would be surprised. Hobbits are too soft for a quest, wizard. This just proves it." Thorin added bitterly before turning and leaving, the company following their leader, though a few sent curious backward glances. Gandalf sighed and rubbed at his face.
"Charming, isn't he." The Ranger scoffed. Gandalf perked up almost immediately.
"Ranger! You care for Bilbo! You care for being paid! Help Bilbo survive this quest, and you can have his share of the treasure of Erebor." Gandalf spoke out loud, feeling a bit brilliant. The Ranger stared blankly at the Wizard for a few minutes before dissolving into ugly, forced laughs.
"You must be crazier than you look old man! I have a job, a duty, and I cannot abandon it for one Hobbit and thirteen Dwarves that I imagine I would hate!"
"What about for ten times the amount I paid you to bring Bilbo here? Twenty times!" That seemed to stop the Ranger in his tracks. "You can calm Bilbo, you know the Sindarin phrase. Help him through the quest, and through his role in the company, and you can have that and more." Gandalf proposed. The Ranger looked from Gandalf, to Bilbo, to Elrond, and then back to Bilbo. The Hobbit was looking at the two of them like they were speaking in Khuzdul or Black Speech. He obviously didn't understand what his position was in any of this, and he looked so vulnerable. The Ranger couldn't even imagine what would happen to the little thing if he went out on this quest by himself. Based off the actions of the Dwarves a few moments ago, he would be very much on his own.
"Alright. I'll do it. But you better deliver Wizard." The Ranger hissed before stooping to pick Bilbo up. The Hobbit readily let himself be transferred from Elrond to the Ranger and buried his face in the Ranger's neck as the Man walked away. Elrond smiled fondly at the two before standing to face Gandalf.
"You said the episodes were far and few in between." Gandalf said, again hopefully.
"Only a few times a week, at this point. But sometimes he slips into that childlike state without having an episode. You know the Dwarves will not let him join the quest, especially if they know of his condition." Gandalf sighed. Yes, he did know.
"There's no reason Thorin has to know. And the others will be content being oblivious." Gandalf decided. Elrond muttered something under his breath and walked away. Gandalf briefly considered if he was going to far with all of this, then shook his head. Bilbo Baggins was the ideal Burglar, the one the company needed. And the Hobbit didn't know it yet, but this adventure was just what he needed to sort himself out again. Gandalf was sure of it.
With that in mind, he returned to the dinner hall, and the grumpy Dwarf waiting for him. Thorin eyed the Wizard with all the hostility of a wild animal as Gandalf sat down next to him. Every eye was on him as the company waited for an explanation.
"That Hobbit is called Bilbo Baggins. He is to be the company's Burglar." Gandalf stated, right off the bat. He was naturally met with all kinds of groans and protests.
"Did ya see him? He was curled up in the Elf's lap like a Dwarfling." Dwalin hissed over the din.
"Bilbo has been sick for some time, and has been residing here as he heals. He is completely fine now, and ready for this journey." Gandalf continued, as if he was never interrupted by rude Dwarves. Again he was met by a wave of objections.
"He didn't look completely fine." Gloin barked.
"He had a short fainting spell. The screaming was a female attendant who was alarmed when Bilbo dropped the bowl he was holding. He will be just fine. And he is bringing a friend of his, a Ranger, who will know what to do should anything bad happen, or should his illness return." Gandalf spoke so calmly, so surely, that this time they were silent. Almost.
"The contract is for one Burglar. Not a Burglar and his nurse." Thorin practically snarled. "I was never confident in your choice of a Hobbit Burglar, and now I see I was right."
"Thorin Oakenshield you must trust me in this! The Dragon is accustomed to the scent of Dwarf but the smell of Hobbit is unknown to him. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet and invisible when they wish to be. Bilbo Baggins is the perfect choice, I am sure of it. He has more to offer than any of you know, even himself. And this journey will be very good for him as well. You would all be foolish to reject him just because of some preconceived notion that all Hobbits are unknowing busybodies with no idea of the world." Gandalf thundered. Again silence followed his words, but this time it remained unbroken for quite some time. Then Thorin gestured for Balin to hand him the contract, which the white haired Dwarf readily did.
"If he signs this, he can come. If not, we're leaving in the morning. Without him." Thorin said decisively, practically tossing the contract at the Wizard before leaving under a storm cloud. Thorin paced away until he found himself at the mouth of a large garden. He heard sounds further in and decided to investigate, as they didn't sound Elvish. He found himself looking at the Hobbit and the Ranger he'd seen earlier, but he hid himself so they could not see him.
"Are you sure you want to go Bilbo? You know it will be stressful, and if I know anything about Dwarves, it is that they are rude, unappreciative, greedy beings who will in all likelihood hurt you." The Ranger was saying to the little Hobbit, who was busy weaving a few long blades of grass together. Bilbo quirked his head to the side.
"Gandalf says the journey will help me. And I need help, I know I do. If mother could see me now...like this...she would weep." Thorin didn't get it. The Hobbit looked fine to him. Very...Hobbit-like. What could this innocent little thing know of needing help?
"You don't understand! This is dangerous, what they're trying to do. You'll have to face a Dragon, and undoubtedly several other horrors along the way!" The Ranger exclaimed, stopping the Hobbit's hands in his weaving. "You could die Bilbo." The Hobbit finally looked up at his companion and gave him a small smile that lacked bravado.
"I'm already dying Rhyn (AN: pronounced Rin). And this quest could save me. I could help the Dwarves get their home back. I could make friends." Bilbo told him, his smile growing to something real. "I won't be alone anymore." He added, his smile slipping. Rhyn sighed heavily and squeezed Bilbo's hand.
"You're not alone Bilbo Baggins. Not anymore. And you don't have to go on this quest. Not if you don't want to." He said firmly. Bilbo slid his hand out from Rhyn grip and put it on the Ranger's stubbly jaw.
"I want to. I could maybe make a difference. I know it's ambitious, and they probably won't see anything I do as helping. But I would know. And that would make me feel...important. It would make me feel like I have something to live for." Bilbo told him, that warmth returning to him.
"Bilbo. How did I wind up getting attached to the most stubborn, crazy Hobbit in the Shire?" Rhyn asked, but there was such deep fondness in his tone.
"Because you would get bored of the placid, sane Hobbits within an hour?" Bilbo guessed. Rhyn smiled and hugged the Hobbit to his chest.
"I think of you as my brother Bilbo. I'm not going to let you get hurt on this idiotic quest you insist on joining. You're not going alone." Bilbo gasped lightly.
"You're going with me?" Bilbo asked, awe on his adorable face. Wait...adorable? Where had that come from. He was just some snotty little Hobbit, like all the others. This little talk of his with the Ranger didn't change that. So why did Thorin feel like he was lying to himself even as he thought that?
"I wouldn't miss some life threatening trip through the wilds for anything." Bilbo turned a shrewd eye on his Ranger.
"Gandalf offered you money didn't he." Bilbo accused. Rhyn made an over exaggerated hurt face and slapped his hand over his heart, falling back like he'd been hit by something. Bilbo looked confused for a moment before smiling.
"Oh your cynicism hurts! Really, it burns, right in my heart!" He cried, making Bilbo giggle uncontrollably. Rhyn collapsed into loud, warm laughs as well, and Thorin decided to excuse himself. For some reason, it felt wrong eavesdropping on such playful, brotherly banter. Even if he wished, for some odd reason, that he could laugh with Bilbo Baggins as well.
OOOOO
Thorin wasn't sure who he disliked more. Rhyn, the Ranger who acted like a vicious guard dog every time someone said something remotely offensive to the Hobbit. Or Bilbo Baggins, for patiently putting up with everything said or done to him! When the Ranger was not within hearing range, the Dwarves would let loose a full armada of jokes and jibes and insults that had been pent up for when Rhyn turned away. And Bilbo simply laughed along with them, or turned his selectively deaf ear when the insults got too bad. It was like the Hobbit was perfect! And Thorin just couldn't bear it!
Every now and then Bilbo and Rhyn would disappear into the woods, or the brush, or behind some rocks. And some nights Thorin could hear Rhyn whispering to Bilbo in Sindarin as they sat huddled together. And every single time he saw it happening, he felt the most despicable stab of jealousy in his stomach. It was ridiculous, insane! He could not be having feelings for a Halfling! Least of all for Bilbo Baggins! The Hobbit had not proved himself one bit since joining the company. All he had done thus far was quietly accept every mile they walked, and every little quip at his expense. It was infuriating how subtly the Hobbit was worming his way into Thorin's heart.
He had half a mind to send the Hobbit and his Ranger right back to Rivendell. But Bilbo and Rhyn had signed the contract, and he couldn't just send them off without even an excuse. Well, an excuse better than 'I don't like him, and I like him too much'. Instead all he could do was bear it as day after day, Bilbo silently dug himself deeper and deeper into Thorin's every waking thought. And then came the thunder battle. Bilbo had almost been lost, only be saved by Rhyn. And oh was that just not the most maddening thing yet! It should have been Thorin, as leader of the company, who saved the Burglar. Not some Big Brother Ranger.
"I thought we had lost our Burglar." Dwalin grunted when Bilbo was back on solid ground. Rhyn's arms were so long that he had simply reached over the side and grabbed Bilbo by the back of his shirt. No majestic display needed. And the way Bilbo was clinging to his Ranger...it made Thorin just see red.
"He's been lost since he left his cozy Elf home!" Thorin snarled, unable to help himself. Not when he was so very angry and worried and by Mahal's name, Bilbo could have died! He could have died and Thorin would never be able to tell him his feelings! "He should never have come. Neither of them should have." Thorin spat the last sentence at the Ranger before turning and marching on, giving the order to find shelter.
It took him exactly six minutes after arriving in the cave to realize Bilbo and Rhyn weren't there. Trying to act cavalier, he made ready to charge out of the cave and find them, only to stop at the mouth. Bilbo was sitting a few yards away from the cave entrance, his back against the mountain wall and his face just plain exhausted. He didn't even seem to notice the rain that was still soaking him. Rhyn sat next to him, muttering that same stupid Sindarin phrase over and over. Finally Bilbo sniffled and looked over at Rhyn.
"What if he's right?" Bilbo asked weakly, and Thorin felt a stab at his heart.
"He's not Bilbo. You've done more already than he could ever realize. And I can see the change in you. I can see your smiles are brighter. And you haven't had an episode in nearly two weeks now!" Rhyn said with fake enthusiasm, and Thorin stopped for a moment to wonder what he meant by 'episode'. Gandalf had said Bilbo was completely fine. Bilbo sighed and put his head on Rhyn's shoulder.
"Why does he hate me so much?" Bilbo wondered aloud. Rhyn wrapped his arm around Bilbo's shoulder and kissed the top of his head.
"Because he's an idiot." The Ranger said with a coy smirk. Then his eyes flicked up to Thorin, and the Dwarf King flinched a little. Rhyn knew he was there, probably knew from the second he came to the mouth of the cave. But Bilbo didn't. "The most idiotic male to ever walk Middle Earth." He added, his smirk turning into a small glare. Thorin fought the urge to storm out and snarl at the Ranger, instead turning and fuming back to his place in the cave. About ten minutes later the two returned. Rhyn took one step in the cave and frowned.
"What is it?" Bilbo asked.
"It's a trap. Collapsible floor, most likely Goblin work. We should move on. Unless you want to meet the Goblin King." He said, his voice strong and serious. Everyone looked at Thorin, who clenched his jaw but nodded.
"Pack up, get out of the cave as soon as you can. We walk until we find a suitable cave." Everyone could hear what he really meant. A cave without a booby trap that only a Ranger would notice, of course. They were all packed and back out on the mountain road within five minutes. None of the Dwarves mentioned that were it not for Rhyn they would probably all be captives of Goblins by morning. But Bilbo did.
"You're brilliant, Rhyn. You probably just saved our lives!" He gushed. Thorin, though he was four bodies away from the pair, felt his vision going red again. It made no sense! He shouldn't be jealous of Rhyn, not when they were simply 'brothers'. Yet here he was, fuming.
"Bilbo, any Ranger would be able to see that, it's what we're trained for." Rhyn dismissed it so easily. But Bilbo was insistent.
"You're not just any Ranger, you're my Ranger! My Ranger who just saved us all!" Bilbo exclaimed, and oh the words Thorin wanted to yell.
"Burglar! Enough! If I wanted to hear gloating I'd rather it be from the source than a bystander!" Thorin didn't know why he kept lashing out at Bilbo, especially when he wanted Bilbo to like him. To laugh with him and talk to him about the things he talked to Rhyn about. But he had never been the brightest of Dwarves, as Dis frequently reminded him. Bilbo fell silent behind him, and after a few moments, he heard Rhyn murmuring that Sindarin phrase soothingly. "And you, Ranger, enough with the frilly Elvish. If I wanted to hear that I would brain myself for loosing my mind." Thorin snarled. Rhyn ignored him and continued reciting the phrase.
By morning the exhausted company had found no safe caves to stay in. But they had found themselves all the way on the other side of the mountain, right on the edge of some cliffs decorated with pine trees. And Rhyn wore that worried frown again.
"Ranger, is something unsettling you?" Fili asked with a snicker.
"Something does not feel right." Rhyn murmured. Just then the air was split by howls and snarls and then they were running and climbing, up into the pine trees. Bilbo didn't know what was going on, but suddenly they were being tipped and they were jumping from tree to tree until they were in the very last one. There was one massive white orc at the front of the others, and he spoke in Black Speech to Thorin. And though Bilbo didn't understand what was being said, he could see the pain and hate and blood lust in Thorin's eyes.
Suddenly there was fire, and through it stepped Gandalf, staff raised and fiery pine cone in hand. He pushed the orcs and wargs back with his fire, but the pine tree the company was in started falling before they would cheer for their victory. At some point, Gandalf joined them in the tree to save Dori and Ori. And then Thorin was charging off onto the cliff, towards the big white orc. And Bilbo, for some reason, just couldn't bear the thought of seeing Thorin die. He glanced at Rhyn, who was busy keeping Fili and Kili from falling to their dooms, then unsheathed the tiny little sword Gandalf had gifted to him.
He surprised more than just himself by tackling the white orc's henchman. He didn't know how to use a sword, but he just brought it down again and again until the orc was still and then he jumped up to put himself between the white orc and Thorin. The massive creature looked at him curiously, and smelled the air. He did it again and the look on his face went from confused to interested. Bilbo wondered if orcs could smell mental unrest, because he was pretty sure he was a few moments from a full blown episode. Oh Rhyn would be so upset.
The white orc spoke in Black Speech but when he saw the lack of understanding on Bilbo's face, he rolled his eyes and grunted a few times. A henchman started stalking towards Bilbo on his warg and the Hobbit couldn't help but stumble back a few steps. The way the white orc was looking at him...it didn't set well at all. And he was getting closer and closer every minute to a psychotic break, he could just feel it.
A wave of Dwarves, and one Ranger, were suddenly hurling themselves at the orcs and wargs, beating them away from their King and their Burglar. Rhyn gathered Bilbo in his arms and tossed the unresponsive Halfling over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He wasn't going to chance Bilbo getting hurt or killed because his brain was currently snapping. The white orc growled threateningly at the Ranger and raised his mace to hit Rhyn. He was stopped by the sound of arriving Eagles, and the screams of his men as they were picked off one by one. He glanced at the Halfling and the Ranger once more before the pair were picked up and dropped onto an awaiting eagle.
Azog's angry growl could be heard by all of the company as they flew away. All except the unconscious Thorin and the currently zoned out Hobbit. It took every second of the hours long flight for Rhyn to bring Bilbo back to his mind. And when he did, Bilbo was so scared. He clutched Rhyn as close as possible and he didn't let go even after the eagles dropped them off on the tall, oddly shaped rock. Gandalf immediately rushed to the still Thorin and Bilbo could only watch in anxious worry as the Wizard tried to revive him.
"The Halfling?" Thorin asked as soon as his eyes opened.
"It's alright. Bilbo is here. He's quite safe." Gandalf assured Thorin, but the Dwarf didn't look relieved as he struggled to stand. He looked angry. Dwalin and Fili helped him up and Thorin promptly shrugged off their helping hands once he was on his feet. And he turned glaring eyes on Bilbo, who was partially hidden behind Rhyn.
"You! What did you think you were doing?! You nearly got yourself killed!" Thorin hissed, stumbling forward a few steps. Rhyn tensed up, ready to defend his brother from the enraged Dwarf King. Thorin didn't even appear to notice. "Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us." Thorin went on, snarling his hurtful words with realistic venom. Bilbo looked down at his feel, a feeling of deep pain settling in his chest. He knew he should have went back to Rivendell after the Thunder Battle. He was so intensely looking away from Thorin that he didn't see the softening of the Dwarf's hard features. "I have never be so wrong in all my life." Thorin said warmly and practically shoved Rhyn out of the way to bring Bilbo into a large hug.
Rhyn watched the Dwarf King warily, hand on the hilt of his sword, but he didn't pull Thorin away. Anyways, Bilbo was smiling, so he obviously didn't want Rhyn to interfere. Thorin pulled away to hold Bilbo at arms length, a small smile on his black and blue face.
"I am sorry I doubted you. And I am sorry I have been so very unpleasant towards you." Thorin told him, his voice easing away the pain in Bilbo's chest. "The Ranger as well." Thorin muttered after a pointed look from Rhyn. The Hobbit giggled and shrugged.
"We knew what we signed up for. But thank you for the apology." Bilbo gave a shy smile. Thorin smiled back and they stood like that for a few moments before Thorin's eye caught on something behind the Hobbit. Far, far in the distance...there was a solitary lonely peek. Bilbo reattached himself to Rhyn's side and they all gazed peacefully at the sight of their destination. For some reason, being able to see it, so close yet so far away, was more of a moral booster than anything. And the company walked down the stairs of the Carrock with smiles on their faces and hope renewed. Everybody except Rhyn. Who wasn't so happy about the way Thorin was looking at his little brother.
OOOOO
AN: So this is just the first chapter, there is more to come. I don't know when I'll have more, or the rest, up. Hopefully quickly. Feel free to leave a comment or question.