Chapter 1 : Last of his kind

I started having strange dreams about orcs, dragons and dwarves long before I set out to help them. Now I was in the middle of nowhere, following after the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Something in that broody demeanor drove me closer and closer to the dwarf prince with each passing day. Then, one night I got a warning in my dreams. Perhaps from the creators themselves. I dreamed about the fall of Durin's line. First to fall was Fili, killed by a dragon that I presumed was Smaug, cutting his throat with the sharp claws. In front of his brother and uncle. And me, who couldn't believe what happened. Then, my point of view changed – I was inside the dragon, no like I saw it through the dragon's eyes. I was the dragon. I couldn't stop murdering my friends, I was exstatic and in frenzy. Until it was almost over and Thorin faced me. Kili was killed in between the fighting, I burned him to ashes without mercy.

Then, I saw from afar how the last of Durin's line was charging, heading for me with vengeance. In the dream the dragon (me) screamed and tears began to flow on their own. I was in sheer despair. Why?! In that moment I awoke.

"Lad! Snap out of it." Someone was gently shaking with me. My eyelids fluttered and I opened my eyes. It was dark, distant fire was burning out. It took some time before I recognized Balin, his expression was worried. "Are you okay?"

I cracked up a smile as best as I could, despite the horror I felt in my heart. "I am fine. Just a nightmare."

Someone snorted. I looked to the right and saw Dwalin who polished his greataxe, glancing at me through his sharp gaze. "A mighty loud nightmare, I say. What was it about? Losing all your handkerchiefs?"

He was making fun of me, but it was preferable to telling him and Balin what I dreamed about. We don't need more bad omens or bad predictions.

"It must be something I ate. I am sorry for waking you up." I apologized, my mind was slowly steading. It wasn't real. It cannot happen, can it? I am a hobbit. Simple hobbit, how could I suddenly become a dragon? It was most likely my fear and anxiety that magicked up that strange dragony perspective in my dream. If it were to happen, I'd stop it. Or at least die trying. I can't allow it. Why can I not allow it? I froze for a moment, contemplating exactly why I cannot allow it to happen. They weren't friendly to me... not from the start. It wasn't probably gonna happen. I'll worry about it when we're near the Lonely Mountain. Which was miles far from us. We still had ways to go...

I stood up, rolling up my bedroll. "Since I am up earlier, let me guard. You two get some sleep."

The brothers exchanged quick glances, then Dwalin shrugged and went off to sleep first. Balin followed after him, soon. Before he went to sleep, he said to wake up Thorin to guard with me. I wasn't sure it was a good idea, considering my dream and if I saw Thorin now, I'd probably act strangely. "Nonsense. I can keep watch alone. Ori kept watch alone yesterday."

"Lad, you're... pale. Are you sure you're okay?"

I laughed nervously. There's no hiding from Balin. He's a sharp one. "I will be fine. Just need to walk around a bit." The old dwarf put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Whatever you've dreamed about, know that it wasn't true."

I giggled. "Thank you, Balin. You're right."

"You go clear your head. I'll wake up Thorin before I go to sleep." I panicked. "No!" Balin turned to face me, his brow raised. "Lad, I have a feeling that dream wasn't a pleasant one and involved Thorin. Am I right?"

I shook my head, walking away. "Surely you jest! Go and wake him, Balin. I just didn't want to wake him up. He seemed really exhausted."

Balin didn't buy my bogus story, I saw it written on his face, nonetheless, he venutured off towards the other end of the camp where the rest of company slept peacefully. Better heed Balin's advice and clear my mind, lest he wake everyone and they'll question me till I spill out the beans. I'd rather not.

I wanted nothing more than seeing Thorin, his nephews, his friends to succeed. And live to tell stories about our venture. Creators willing, we will all survive whatever is coming our way. All of us. Unknowingly I wandered to the cliffs to the south not far from our campsite and there I sat down on the cold stone, thinking.

The soft footsteps alerted me that I won't be alone for much longer. Chances were it was the man who I dreaded to see this very chilly night. "You're far from camp." His tone was neutral, as if he was assessing my mood. He resumed his walking and halted behind me, his presence was like a magnet to me, drawing me in.

"I apologize. I'd make a terrible front gate guard of your kingdom once it's yours again. Oh, I've gotten ahead of ourselves. You'd have no use for me once I get the Arkenstone."

"Maybe." Thorin simply replied, his eyes were probably glued on me. I could feel him burning circles into my back. "Balin told me you had a really bad dream. Wanna talk about it?"

"Why the sudden interest?" I asked.

"Do you always answer a question with a question?" Thorin said in dry tone.

"When I try to avoid and unpleasant topic, yes."

"Was it that bad?"

I didn't answer. Thorin sighed and sat down next to me, hanging his fur coat around my shoulders. I blinked. "You looked like you'd freeze to death. I don't want to lose the only burglar we have to cold. Be grateful, Master Baggins."

His coat was warm and it instantly set my temperature to normal. I drew it closer, enclosing it around my neck. "I knew you were cold."

I chuckled. He can be attentive and unpredictably nice, when he wants. "Thank you, Thorin. I owe you."

Now it was his turn to slightly smile. I saw his lips curl up a bit. "Now let's go back to camp and keep watch properly, shall we?"

I nodded and stood up, covered in Thorin's coat. I probably looked ridiculous. My father would fret and expire from the embarrassment and improperness, but you take what you can, right? It was better than freezing down to the very bones.

We got back and sat down on the grass, staring far in the distance in the direction of Lonely Mountain. What if there's the Smaug dragon I kept hearing so much about in the past two months? How do we kill such a beast? I was sure it won't surrender Erebor if we ask nicely and leave to find another hoard of gold. The dwarves didn't think too far into the future. Also, the wizard was the one who got me spirited on this fool's errand quest. I glanced at the sleeping stature of Gandalf, frowning. Thanks a lot, I thought.

"A gold piece for your thoughts, Master Baggins."

"They are worth more than that, but I shall elaborate, if you wish. I was thinking about the night you visited me in Bag End and invited me to join you. Now I am not certain it was a good idea."

Thorin crossed his arms, watching me intently. "What prompted you to change your mind? Why did you come after us?"

"I don't know. I don't know what it's like to lose your homes to a catastrophe. I don't know what it's like to live in exile, thinking about that one moment when something went terribly wrong. I know one thing though, how it feels to lose someone important to you."

The dwarf sat closer to me, because I reduced my voice volume to whispering. I didn't want anyone else to hear it. Sharing it with Thorin was hard enough. "When the Baranduin froze over during one of the extremely cold and grueling winters, Shire was invaded by starving, giant wolves. They were savage, killed many hobbits. I was only a young lass, less than twenty years old. My parents instructed me to barricade the home from inside. They went out into the cold weather to battle the savage beasts. There weren't many volunteers, because obviously hobbits aren't exactly warrior material, as you've noted by now." Thorin snorted at that, but otherwise remained silent. So I continued. "They told me they'd return soon once they rid Shire of the wolves. Two days passed and I was growing worried. I knew something bad has happened. I went outside, looking for them. I didn't get far – the wolves were at my doorstep, waiting for me. Their mouths were spewing with blood, the crazed eyes haunting me. I was paralyzed with fear. I couldn't move. The closest of them was leaping towards me and then a ball of fire was shot at the wolf. It cried out and died immediately. It was him." I motioned towards Gandalf, who slept for once. "He saved me from them, killed them all. He said to me that he's just arrived here. I don't know if it was fate or I had the creators blessings that day, but I survived. I searched with Gandalf for survivors. Almost everyone survived thanks to the brave acts of the courageous women and men that took arms to defend their loved ones. And they paid... the ultimate price. When we found my parents... they were dead."

Thorin's eyes glimmered with sympathy. "I am sorry. I didn't know you had lost someone, too. "

I waved, chuckling quietly. "Don't feel sorry. You've had it worse than me. It's me who should be sorry for my inadequate actions in the past. I'll try to be worthy of being one of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield from now on." I said with determination. Thorin shook his head. "You've become worthy the moment you stepped over the doorstep and ran to meet us."

I was thankful it was so dark outside and hopefully Thorin won't notice me blushing. He rarely showed this side to me. I think this was the first time. We didn't speak much prior to the troll incident. "Thorin?"

"Yes?"

"What if the dragon will be there when we arrive?"

"Why, that's when your job begins, Master Baggins. We need a burglar for this. We'll talk more on that topic when we're inside Erebor. For now, don't think about it." I nodded, but the lump in my throat couldn't be swallowed so easily. I felt uneasy and I shivered uncontrollably. Thorin who took mistook my chills of dread for natural chills leaned closer, grabbed my wrist and forcefully drew me against him chest. I squealed but he quickly covered my mouth. "Shh. Don't wake them up. We'll have a long night ahead of us."

His grip was strong and no to mention he was warm. "B-but..." I stuttered, unable to form normal sentences, ashamed of my flustered state. Don't think too much about it, Bilbo. I am just a bit cold and he simply shares his body heat with me. In wilderness, it was normal. Or so I heard when I was a younger hobbit. Now I wasn't so sure if it was a good idea. I tried to withdraw, but he pulled me in again. "Stop struggling, Master Baggins. Despite lending you my coat, you're still cold. Seriously, hobbits are so fragile. I am doing you a favor."

I fumbled against his chest, giving up on escaping. If he won't let me go, then so be it. "Fine, if you insist Thorin. But I am not guarding and neither are you when we stay like this."

A cool breeze brushed over the trees and it passed past us. The wind played with Thorin's mane. "The wind is calm tonight. South winds are said to be tied with good omens. I say nothing will happen. And soon it'll be daybreak. Just stay like this until it's time to go."

"Okay." I murmured softly.

It was awkward, but I was content with the situation. Thorin wasn't one to let someone into his personal space. I must be... special? No, he simply looks out for me when we're on watch. Best not get too hopeful. I might have some deeper affections, but it's not gonna happen. I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, I was curled up in my bedroll, without Thorin's coat. The dwarf was standing above me. "You were too tired, so I let you sleep. The sun is rising. Wake up the others. I'll look around and find the path in the meantime."

I got up and looked around. The sun was rising up on the horizon. We're moving so soon? Durin's day is closing in, maybe that's why. We don't have time to dally here.

When we were on the road again, I couldn't help but start thinking about the dream again. What was it exactly? A result of my troubled mind? Warning? Or maybe premonition?

"Master Baggins." Thorin's deep voice tore me from my inane pondering to the reality. I was on the tail of group and he was in front. Everyone glanced at us curiously. "Come over here. I might need your help."

My help? I was good in cartography, but so were Balin and at least two other elder dwarves. I walked past Ori, Nori, Bofur, Dwalin, Gloin and finally reached Gandalf, Balin and Thorin. "What can I help with?"

Thorin showed me his maps. "There are two ways. I wanted to consult with you, Gandalf and Balin about the course of our quest."

Gandalf rolled his eyes. "Stop being so frivolous, Thorin! You need help from Lord Elrond! None of us can read moon runes, only he can. We are going to Rivendell. We have to."

"No. I don' trust elves. They abandoned my folk and left us for the dead. I am not going to plead for his help!"

Thorin was adamant on this, but Gandalf was right. We don't have a clue about the door's whereabouts. "If I may..." I inserted myself into their minor exchange of opinions. "You may, that's why I have called you over." Thorin spoke.

"Right. Eh, I think we should go to Rivendell. Without help we won't find the hidden door in time. I know dwarves and elves don't have the best relations, but let's put them aside. I heard that Lord Elrond is of noble sort. He will help us and we'll go on our way."

The dwarf was thinking, until he gave his maps to Balin. "Fine. I see your point. Let's go to that damned place, get the location of door and we leave."

I could see how relieved Gandalf and Balin were. Thorin could be stubborn. "Then it's settled. We must change our heading then. Go northeast." Gandalf instructed the group.

I went back to my position, but when Kili and Fili came to talk to me, I knew they were up to their tricks. "Mister Boggins, you persuaded our uncle. Not many people get to change his mind. I applaud you."

"It's true. Only our mother, Dwalin and Balin have got him to change his mind about something. You must be something then."

"I'll take that as compliment." I retorted, fastening my pace. I didn't want to think about it that way. He just values my opinions because of my unique position in his quest. It's not like he has personal interest in someone as mundane and ordinary as myself. My mood dropped and I was once more reminded that I left my life behind for them for my unrequited love at first sight.

That was my motivation.

And the hope that the dwarf could fall for me as we traveled.

It was wishful thinking. I knew that.

But I am here and I will aid them. To the end.