I own nothing you recognize. Only original characters and storylines are my own.

Nightmares

Bilbo woke up with a start, his heart pounding, sweating profusely and in tears. As he tried to compose himself he felt the space beside him and closed his eyes in relief when his hand met a warm, hairy arm. An arm he knew well. Breathing deeply in an atempt to calm himself down further he lifted the arm and snuggled beneath it, needing the warmth and reassurance it provided. As he felt a snore reverberate from the chest he was pressd against into his back he sighed. As long as he could feel his mate he would be fine. With that thought he drifted off to sleep and this time he remained sleeping.

…

Thorin sat on the small desk that occupied the room he shared with Bilbo and stared at his hobbit. Bilbo had woken the night before shaking and in tears, it was becoming a common occurrence and this worried the king. His mate had always been so good natured and cheerful, even at the worst of times but he could find the light in the darkness. Now Bilbo walked like a ghost through the halls and slept fitfully if he slept at all. It tore at his heart to see his lover so distraught and he didn't know what to do to help him. Sighing, Thorin got out of his chair and walked back to the bed. He sat alongside Bilbo and ran his fingers through the curly locks on the hobbit's head. At the touch to his hair Bilbo stirred and Thorin moved away to keep from waking him but a small hand reached toward him.

"Thorin?" Bilbo asked as he opened his eyes slightly opening and the king took his lover's hand.

"Go back to sleep, you haven't been resting well." Thorin requested and Bilbo shook his head.

"I'm not tired, I just...I have a lot on my mind." Bilbo said and Thorin brought his hand to his lips and kissed each knuckle gently.

"Tell me, lighten your load." Thorin looked into his mate's eyes and Bilbo looked regretful for a moment.

"You have enough on your mind as it is my love. You're rebuilding your home, leading your people, my issues are my own and I don't need to add more troubles to your heart and mind." Bilbo explained and Thorin shook his head and squeezed Bilbo's hand.

"That is not how this works my love. You are my mate, the other half of my soul and your ills are mine. My heart has been heavy since this has started and I fear for you. Tell me what's wrong dear Bilbo so I can help you and ease both of our minds." Thorin pleaded and tears came to Bilbo's eyes. He stayed silent for a long moment and Thorin thought he was being stubborn but soon Bilbo sighed and began to talk.

"In my dreams you are back on the battlefield. Only this time your wounds are grave and you die along with dear Fili and Kili. There is always blood and screams and I felt you leave me. I cannot live without you Thorin, the need is so deep that even in dreams a part of me dies when you're gone." Bilbo explained as tears started to pour down his face and Thorin gathered him into his arms. "My mind weighs heavy with these false memories."

"You needn't fear my little burglar, I am here and will remain at your side. These dreams are nothing more than that, dreams. What can I do to ease your mind?" Thorin asked as he placed kisses on Bilbo's head and the hobbit took a deep breath and composed himself and looked his lover in the eye.

"Tell me about the battle of five armies. Tell me how you survived, how you killed your enemies. Leave nothing out. Once I know it all I can put this behind me. You have been trying to save me from the burden of knowing your pain and that action has caused my own pain and restless mind. Tell me Thorin so that I may sleep again untroubled." Bilbo pleaded and Thorin nodded before he got out of bed and reached for Bilbo's hand.

"Come with me, the bed is no place for these tales." Bilbo nodded and took Thorin's hand before the king brought him to the fireplace and sat him down in one of the comfortable chairs while he stood and looked into the flames. Then he began to tell the tale.

Thorin shook as he described the fear and the pain, the blood and gore that assailed him. His throat closed as he told of finding his beloved sister-sons bleeding and clinging to one another, fearing that they'd been taken before they'd been given a chance to truly live. He told of his fear that he'd lost Bilbo, the one who owned his heart and carried a piece of his soul. Tears poured down his face as he took Bilbo's hand in his and pressed kisses to that hand as he shared the joy he felt when he'd learned of Bilbo's survival. He poured out his heart to his little burglar and Bilbo sat solemnly and listened, knowing that his tears could come in time but now was the chance for his love to unburden his soul. Once the story came to an end Thorin knelt in front of Bilbo, his face in his hand as the enormity of what he'd been through hit him and Bilbo got out of the chair and held the shaking king in his arms, assuring him that he would always be there when Thorin needed someone to lean on and Thorin clutched him back desperately.

"I love you, my little burglar." Thorin said quietly and Bilbo smiled as he kissed the top of Thorin's head.

"I love you, my king." Bilbo answered back just as softly and Thorin rose to capture his lover's lips with his own and Bilbo allowed him to lift him in his arms and carry him to bed. Since the story had torn Thorin apart it was Bilbo's job to put him back together.

…

After the lovemaking Bilbo rested against Thorin's warm chest, utterly content and at peace. His love was with him and now he knew what he needed to know to keep his soul at peace. He soon fell into a peaceful sleep and Thorin rested his head against Bilbo's, sighing in relief as Bilbo slept soundly for the first time in months. While Bilbo slept Thorin remained awake. Telling the tale had been the balm he needed to heal from the damage inflicted by his experiences, his soul now had a chance to heal. Soon enough Thorin's eyes began to drift shut, he grew exhausted from the emotions brought forth from his tale and rested peacefully with his beloved in his arms.

…

Author's Note: Hello all, I've decided to work on my Thilbo Bagginshield story alongside my Fili and Kili stories. I'm doing this because I LOVE the Thilbo pairing and ship it hard and scenarios keep popping up in my head. This story will not be sequential and will be composed of snippets and short pieces that describe the life Bilbo and Thorin have together. Don't expect smut because I can't write it, but expect some fluffy, slashy goodness and the occasional angsty piece. Thank you for reading :)