Chapter One

Bilbo stared out across the battlefield, the battle that had just ended. Two people he considered friends were now dead and a third would be joining him soon. He didn't know what to do, he didn't know what he could do, but he knew he had to do at least something. He supposed that the only thing truly left to him was to ease Thorin's passing. Just to think about Thorin dying in that tent was hard, but to go in there was even harder.

He took a deep breath schooling his nerves, after all he had faced a dragon. Now he wished it was back again and the scions of Durin were safe, instead of this. "This never was supposed to happen." He said and a hand rested on his sholder, glancing up he met Balin's eyes staring sympathetically down at him.

"Aye it was not lad, but in my experiance all the wishing in the world will not change what is meant to be." He said and Bilbo's eyes filled with tears, he hastily wiped at them.

"I would give Thorin one last gift, to help ease his passing." Bilbo said and Balin frowned.

"What do you mean by that?"

"In the Shire before one dies, the family gathers around and sings for them. It is to help ease their passage into the next world." He said and Balin patted him on the arm.

"Lad do what you think is best and we will give you time to sing your song." He said gently and Bilbo nodded.

"Thank you." He said before walking over to Thorin's tent. He stared at the dented armor someone was removing from the dwarf king for a moment. Thorin's chest seemed to be caved in and he could tell his friend was in a lot of pain. For no matter what happened with the Arkenstone or the rest of it, Thorin was his friend. He walked over to Thorin and clasped his hand, eyes that were glazed over stared at him, as he began to sing.

"Far over the misty mountains rise,

The greatest king I ever knew lies.

The journey is behind, another is ahead.

Yet rest now, let no pain come,

Let memories of happier days come in its stead.

Oh I sing to my friend, who has courage to end.

Who for his people, anything he would try.

Slaying a dragon occured to him without one bat of the eye.

He climbed over mountains,

He travled through lands large and small.

Most of all he travled into my heart,

Little from the start did I find,

That You would never be forgotten,

You shall be always on my mind.

For you are a man loyal and true,

Throughout it all I was glad to know you."

"Lad do not stop singing, sing another song please." Balin said and Bilbo stared at him not understanding, but trusting Balin he started another song and another. He sang of mountains, of valleys, of great deads done and undone. He sang of love and good fortune, he sang of flowers and trees. He sang of many things until he close his eyes, letting the world fade away and focused only on the song. Time began to have no meaning as he sang, for the voices and songs of hobbits can last for days on end.

Finally his voice was spent, he opened his eyes and stared at Thorin. His face had some color to it and his chest that had once been badly damaged was repared. He looked at his friend for a moment and found that he could not look away. "Lad drink this." A cup was thrust into his hands and he gulped down the liquid, gasping at the burn. "That will help you recover your strengh, you did very well Lad." He clapped Bilbo on the back. "Thanks to you Thorin will live to be crowned king, although we will have to talk at a later date. Right now you need to rest." He said and already Bilbo felt his eyes drifting shut, the blackness rose up to meet him a moment later and sleep took him under.

He awoke hours or days later to a splitting headache, he groaned and then frowned as he realized that an arm lay across his chest. Someone handed him a glass and he drank from it, tasting bitter willowbark. He nearly gagged on the noxious brew, before gulping it down. He didn't much feel up to doing anything, other then lying back against the pillows. Still he turned his head and was startled by Thorin. Then again he was surprised that he hadn't noticed the snoring before now, but what was truly surprising was the smile on Thorin's lips. Bilbo realized that he had never seen the dwarf smile before. He seemed younger in sleep, as though some of the cares and worries had been taken from him for a time. Bilbo watched him a moment more, before turning his head and meeting Ori's eyes.

"How long has it been?"

"Since the battle or since you fell asleep?"Ori asked.

"Both I suppose." Bilbo said.

"It has been ten days since the battle and seven since you fell asleep. We were beginning to wonder when you would awaken."

"And Thorin?" Bilbo asked.

"Thorin has been given a sleeping tonic along with his pain tonic. His wounds are not yet completely healed, we should be taking him off the toics in a day or two. Knowing Thorin once he's fully lucid, he will not be telling any of us if he is hurting or not." Ori said looking fondly at Thorin. "We are raised to not show our pain, it is seen as a weakness to do so." He explained and Bilbo nodded. "If you do not feel up to moving about, I can get a few books from Erabor's library if you wish."

"There's still a dull ache in my head." Bilbo said. "Still I do not think that I would be able to read." He frowned, he wished he could because for all that he still felt weak, he didn't wish to sleep again.

"I would offer to read to you, but I am a healer first and a lover of books second. There are people that need my services elsewhere unfortunately. Otherwise I would read to you gladly."

"Thank you anyway, can you tell me why I am lying beside Thorin?"

"It was easier than moving you elsewhere." Ori replied and smiled at Bilbo. "Now take it easy, do not do anything too strenuous for the next few days alright."

"Alright." Bilbo agreed. "But..." He trailed off as Ori left the tent. Bilbo frowned looking up at the blue fabric above him, then to Thorin. His hair was unkempt and his beard was frightful, Bilbo wondered why no one had cleaned it, or taken care of it for that matter. He sat up gingerly and saw a small basen of water and a hair comb lying beside it. He wondered for a moment why Ori had placed such things beside him, rather then brushing out the hair himself. He shrugged and reached for the bowl, he carefully rubbed the water and soap through Thorin's beard, before cleaning it away again. He was pleased that the blood was gone from Thorin's beard now and wished that he could do his hair as well, but he didn't want to disturb Thorin.

He hesitated a moment, before gently placing Thorin's head in his lap. He then ran his fingers through the curly hair. He was surprised when Thorin sighed and seemed to relax further in his sleep. Bilbo smiled softly, before continuing to work on Thorin's hair. He had seen the dwarves braid their hair on multiple occations. He especially liked to watch Thorin do so, but for now he simply wanted to stroke the wet hair. He used his fingers rather than the brush to get the tangles out. It felt soothing somehow to stroke his friend's head, knowing that he would recover.

He got lost in the feel of it, before Ori returned and looked wide eyed at Bilbo for a moment. Bilbo didn't notice and Ori didn't say anything about it, as he set down several books. "I thought you might like to read something, now you are feeling a bit better.

"Thanks Ori, I really appreciate you going to the trouble of finding me something to read."

"Of course, unfortunately more than half of the library is written in Kuzdul and I thought you might to read about our culture." He offered a smile to Bilbo. "After all you are the friend of twelve dwarves and you should learn more about us."

"So I am no longer a friend to Thorin?" He asked and felt hurt.

"You are something more than that to Thorin. Just read the books Bilbo." He said and Bilbo looked confused at Ori, what did Ori mean by him being more than a friend to Thorin? Ori set the stack of books beside Bilbo and handed him two bottles. "Give these to Thorin when he wakes up."

"Thank you Ori." Bilbo said and Ori nodded, before leaving the tent. Bilbo didn't really feel like reading at the moment, instead he finished taking the knots out of Thorin's hair. After that he braided it gently careful of the laceration on Thorin's forehead. He finished his braids as Thorin started to moan in his sleep. Bilbo gently caressed his head, wishing that he could do more, first however Thorin had to wake up enough to take his tonics. Slowly Thorin's breathing changed and he eyes fluttered slightly. Bilbo held the tonic to his mouth. "Drink." He said gently and watched as Thorin emptied both vials. Thorin let out a sigh.

"Am I in the realms of my forefathers?" He asked, Bilbo was glad that his voice sounded strong and sure, as it always had.

"No not yet Thorin, not for a long while yet." Bilbo replied. "Rest now, recover your strength my friend."

"I am sorry Bilbo, forgive me..." He sighed.

"I forgive you Thorin, if you can forgive me." Bilbo replied.

"It seems so pointless now, I forgive you Bilbo." Thorin said and yawned. "I think..." He trailed off and started to snore, Bilbo laughed and stroked back his hair gently. He wondered what Thorin was about to say, but decided that it didn't really matter all that much. He gently moved Thorin's head off of his lap, before lying down. He felt tired suddenly and allowed sleep to take him.