Thorin stood with the rest of his company at the end of the dock with the elves that had gathered as well. The call had gone up that morning that a ship was on its way in. The last ship, they were saying, with some very special guests on board. Eomer said that Gandalf was on board, as well as the ringbearer, Frodo. When the ship before had arrived, the population of Valinor had been informed of the dark times that had over taken Middle Earth. The dwarves had been deeply saddened to hear of the troubles that plagued their burglar. For the last sixty years, Thorin had sat and watched through his watching pool the life of Bilbo Baggins, his burglar. Over that time, he had come to realize that he had missed out on something special when the little hobbit had been brought into his company. And he knew Bilbo regretted not telling Thorin how he felt all those years ago. If Bilbo ever joined them, Thorin would make right all the wrongs from back when he was a member of Middle Earth.
At first it had only been himself, Kili and Fili in their own mountain on the edge of a forest that housed the elves. It was in many ways similar to Erebor, but in so many ways different. His father and grandfather and brother lived in another mountain with more of their people on the other side of the forest, but the three had been given their own as a gift from Valar for their brave deeds. He also wished to allow their company to relax when they returned. Very few humans lived in Valinor, but those who did were noble and fair. Boromir of Gondor and Theodon, the king of Rohan, were some of the last men to arrive, looking tired and battle worn, but full of news. There was hope for Middle Earth as Frodo drew nearer Mount Doom and Mordor and a new king of Gondor had appeared out of the mists of the North. And now the last boat from Middle Earth was arriving. Thorin had not looking into his watching pool for some time, since it had become foggy and images were unclear. He knew all that he needed to know, though. Bilbo's health was fading quickly, he did not have long on Middle Earth. He knew the hobbits lived to the north, in a replica of the Shire, but very few had ventured to or from there. For all he knew, Bilbo could be there now, living happily in a hobbit hole, surrounded by family he had lost. He tried not to think of it often.
A call was raised as the ship coasted around the corner and into the bay. A beautiful elf ship glistening beneath a setting sun, its sails a shimmering silver. Figures could be seen as the ship pulled up to the dock, preparing to enter Valinor. Thorin knew that with time once you entered Valinor youth and health would flow back into you, but to each the time of the effects were different. Sometimes a few moments, sometimes many days. Many who died naturally and came were their young selves again immediately. Thorin had to wait a few days to heal. He could never say what determined the rates around here.
Gandalf was the first off, with Galadriel and Elrond on either side. A young hobbit followed, leading a much older Hobbit with the help of another elf. Other elves followed, running around the group to be reunited with loved ones. Gandalf came to a stop in front of Thorin and Co., smiling brightly, "And so we are whole once again, my friends. Gloin, I am happy to inform you Gimli is engaged very happily."
"To which dwarfette did he choose?" Gloin brightened. The mischievous glint to Gandalf's eyes had Thorin sighing heavily.
"To Legolas, Son of Thrandrul and Prince of Mirkwood. He is gladly taking the title of Consort to the King Under the Mountain, though, so have no fear. Erebor still is ruled by a dwarf," Gandalf was laughing by the end, as well as some of the others as Gloin fumed.
"That boy is gonna get it! No son of mine marries an elf!"
"But we know Legolas is not like his father," Balin cut in. "Nobler and wiser than that old tree-hugger ever was."
"I am amused that you find my nephew so fair," Elrond chuckled. "But I must agree on your view of my brother. He is quick to temper and not the wisest of thinkers. He was horrified when his son told him he was going to live in a mountain."
"And who else have you brought with you?" Dwalin glanced around the three to where the young hobbit was pointing something out the older, although Thorin could see the older was not really paying attention, just looking down at the water.
"Ah, yes, sorry, where are my manners," Gandalf and Galadriel moved out of the way so all could see the two. "Thorin and Co., may I introduce the ringbearer, Frodo Baggins."
Said hobbit looked up, nodding, "Hello. Gandalf, is there somewhere I can take Uncle? He needs to lie down."
"Oh, Bilbo, always causing trouble," Gandalf sighed. Thorin tensed before striding forward, ignoring the wary look from Frodo as he took Bilbo's other hand.
"We have lodgings for you and your Uncle not too far from here," Bilbo's hand was so frail in his. "Both of you shall regain your strength and health soon after some much needed rest."
"Thank you, Mister….." Frodo frowned at him as Bilbo looked up, pulling his hand from Frodo's to cup Thorin's face, his dull grey eyes lighting up just a little in the drawn, pale, wrinkled face.
"I know your face," the old man whispered. It was raspy and dull, so unlike the voice Thorin remembered scolding him all those years ago. "From a dream long forgotten. This, dear Frodo, is Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror, King Under the Mountain and a man I never thought to see again."
"Your memory returns!" Frodo gasped.
"No, not quite. I just…remember him. We adventured together, did we not?" Bilbo frowned, the light that had entered his eyes slowly fading.
"That we did, Master Bilbo. But come, the day is late and you have traveled far," Thorin turned and led him down the dock. Frodo fell in with Gandalf and Galadriel, whispering urgently with them. Elrond had disappeared, as well as all of his dwarves but Balin, who took Bilbo's other side. One of the few of the company to visit Bilbo over the last 60 years, Balin had been a good friend of the hobbit.
"I know you as well," Bilbo weakly grasped Balin's hand. "Balin, my old friend, why do you look so young?"
"You will too, soon enough," Balin smiled. "It is the gift of the Grey Havens."
"Thorin, Balin," Gandalf called. "Frodo and I are going to stay with Galadriel for now till we can get Frodo to the Shire. Bilbo will be staying with you, as it should be."
"We will care for him, young Frodo. Do not fear. Your Uncle will not leave the sight of Thorin, ever," Balin smiled cheekily at Thorin, who glared back.
"I will visit tomorrow," Frodo called before Gandalf dragged him off.
"Where is Frodo going?" Bilbo frowned, turning to look back but Balin and Thorin kept him moving forward.
"He is going to stay with Gandalf while you stay with myself, Thorin and some of our friends," Balin replied calmly as they helped Bilbo up the steps to their current residence. Through the front open doors, Thorin could see the other 11 dwarves sitting around an already roaring fire with the couch closest to the fire still open as well as a chair. The dwarves were watching silently, some (Kili, Fili and Bombur) were barely containing their joy at seeing Bilbo while others (Dwalin, Bofur and Gloin) watched sadly as their friend hobbled up the steps.
"Why, there's so many!" Bilbo gasped, taking in all the dwarves. "All so young, so full of life. You remind me of someone….a group, from long ago. They ate me out of house and home and then dragged me across the land. Miserable I was…..but I can't remember….."Bilbo fell silent, looking deeply troubled.
"It is alright, Master Bilbo," Thorin gently patted his hand as he led Bilbo to the couch while Balin grabbed some stew. The others quickly set about passing out food and setting themselves up around the fire, watching while talking quietly as Thorin helped Bilbo sit. There was once a time that Thorin had thought Bilbo was one of the nimblest creatures he had ever met. Now, he was stiff with age and travel. Bilbo sat down with a groan and a few pops and Thorin quickly sat down next to him, between Bilbo and the arm of the couch for better support. Bilbo accepted the bowl from Balin with slightly trembling hands.
"Oh, dear, look at that," Bilbo sighed. "I used to write such lovely stories with these hands. Now I can barely hold a spoon. You must think me a terrible burden, Master Thorin."
"Never, Bilbo, never," Thorin held back a sigh as he accepted a bowl from Kili. Next to him Bilbo gasped, eyes going wide as he stared at the young dwarf.
"You are dead! I saw you, lying so still. You and your…..your brother! Oh, you poor child!" Bilbo looked to be on the verge of tears. Balin quickly took his bowl away as Thorin set his aside, pulling Bilbo into a hug, gently rubbing his back. Kili quickly knelt by Bilbo, holding the hobbit's hands.
"No, Bilbo, no. No longer dead. Fili and I are here, with you," Kili pleaded as the poor old hobbit shook, trying not to cry. Thorin just held him close, feeling just how small Bilbo was now.
"We are all here, Bilbo, all of us, together again," Thorin murmured to the little hobbit. "Nothing can take us apart now."
"I feel so cold," Bilbo whispered, shivering a little. Thorin pulled away, wiping away the few tears that had fallen.
"We can take care of that. Eat some soup, it'll warm you up," Balin handed the bowl back as Kili moved away, looking a little distraught before Fili and Ori pulled him into a hug. Thorin grabbed a fur blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped it around Bilbo before grabbing his soup and digging in, one eye on the old hobbit as he slowly ate, focused on the bowl. He looked so sad, so lost, it hurt to watch him but Thorin had made himself a promise many years ago. If he ever got a chance to be with Bilbo Baggins, he would stay with the hobbit, no matter what.
"He'll get better," Bombur whispered in Thorin's ear as he handed his king a cup of ale. "It'll just take time. You just gotta keep telling yourself that."
"Thank you, Bombur," Thorin offered small smile as the dwarf drew way, back his spot at the table. The dwarves had immediately noticed a change in their king when the hobbit had appeared. All had had their suspicions, but not is was confirmed. Their king was in love with the hobbit, which meant all of them would make it their duty to protect the little guy, no matter what.