When the others found out about the journey, most were excited…. until Gandalf filled them in on all the details. Most of the discussion went on without Thorin and Bilbo, who were shut away in Thorin's quarters. Bilbo had come down with a nasty cold and giving the severity of some of his wounds, Thorin was not letting him leave the room and didn't trust anyone else to watch him. Frodo had been allowed once, very quickly, to see that his uncle was ok. He was very understanding as to why he couldn't see his uncle. He knew little ones got sick easier than older folk and he was staying with a reasonably large family. Fili's wife, Bella, had ordered the others that Frodo was to stay with them, even though she was taking care of one of her own. That had been a surprise for everyone when she had shown up with Dis, carrying a babe. More of a surprise for Bilbo when he found out Gloin was not the only married dwarf in the company. But he was happy to hear Frodo was being well taken care of. Fili's quarters were right between Gloin's and Kili's and across from Balin's and Dis's, so he was in good hands. All were just down the hall from Thorin's. The King refused to be parted from his company, no matter their status.
So while Thorin made sure Bilbo stayed in bed, off his injured feet and getting over his cold, the others had gathered in the quarters Gandalf was using, seeing they were fairly large. All 12 of the dwarves were there, as well as Dis. Clara was helping Macy and Bella with all the little ones, seeing as it was good practice for her when she had so recently found out she was carrying. Balin had been ecstatic and Dwalin had hugged anyone he could get his hands on.
Dwalin now stood at the head of a large table in Gandalf's chambers, Balin by his side. Both brothers were grim, surveying the room before them. Gandalf sat at the other end, smoking his pipe now that he had said his piece, while the other ten dwarves sat around the table. Their faces wore varying degrees of worry and sadness and a few had a little fear in their eyes. None of them had even thought of the ring after everything, gone from their minds as quickly as it had come. Now, that blasted little piece of gold was causing Bilbo so much pain.
"Why did Bilbo need the Elves to care for him?" Ori broke the silence.
"The affects of the ring manifested themselves very quickly once the Necromancer felt its presence. Bilbo had suggested that we see how Radagast was doing on our way back and so we did, but drew too close to the ruins. It very nearly…very nearly killed Bilbo," Gandalf looked so old now. "He was so brave, though, through it all. So very brave, the foolish hobbit. And still brave now. He did not leave the ruins unscathed. I had to ride hard to get him to Elrond in time. He…he was stabbed by a Morgul blade trying to get away."
The older dwarves gasped, Balin going pale while Dwalin's grip on the table turned his knuckles white, "The laddie…is he alright?"
"He has not complained to me in sometime, but I expected that. I fear the closer to Mordor we draw, the more that will pain him and the more the ring will drag on him. You see, the ring is a power, a force all on its own. It whispers to him, tells him things, but Bilbo is strong enough to ignore it. He is gifted in that way, "Gandalf gave a small smile. "I left him in the care of Elrond while I went to aid Radagast and Galadriel and her elves to defeat the Necromancer. When I returned, I discovered more of the power of the ring. It is not yet completely awake, able to alert Sauron of its presence, but it is awake enough to cause Bilbo problems. It must be destroyed. Thorin has already offered to go with, but please do not feel you must leave your home."
"You and the laddie aren't leaving without us," Dwalin looked at Balin, who nodded.
"Aye. I still have life left in me for one more journey. Even if it be my last, it will be a glorious tale to tell," Balin nodded.
"Mother has already to protect Uncle," Fili spoke up. "And Bella threatened to make me sleep on the floor if I didn't make sure "the poor boy's uncle" didn't make it back."
"And she threatened to skin me if Fili was missing a braid," Kili added.
Bifur grunted something and Bombur and Bofur nodded before Bofur spoke, "We're in."
"Ori will go where Dwalin goes," Dori sighed, looking at his brothers. "And we can't let those two off on their own, now can we?"
"No, Ori will stay," Dwalin growled.
"I am not some simpering maid to order around," Ori glared at Dwalin. "I am going and that is final."
"I won't have you come. Its too dangerous," Dwalin growled back.
"If I can't go, you can't go. We took an oath, Dwalin, and I plan to keep my half of it," Ori slammed his fist on the table. The two glared at each other for a few minutes before Dwalin sighed and nodded.
"Very well, but you will not leave my side," Dwalin grunted. "I won't have you brothers removing what's left of my hair."
Everyone turned to Oin and Gloin, who were speaking softly in their corner. Oin said something and Gloin nodded before turning to the others, "We are coming. Gimli is old enough now to learn his own way. And would hate to think of what he would feel if I stayed behind while you all went off to protect the hobbit."
"Then that's settled," Gandalf nodded. "We'll start getting provisions ready. Bilbo must rest and heal, so we will not leave till spring. It will give Thorin and all of you time to prepare the mountain for whatever we unleash."
"What of Thorin and Bilbo?" Fili leaned forward, lightening the mood. "How are they fairing?"
"Thorin refuses to leave the hobbit," Dwalin shrugged, then paused at his brother's chuckle, raising an eyebrow.
"He called Bilbo my halfling," Balin chuckled. "And said that he had let something precious slip away for a silly reason. I think they are doing just fine."
"Wonderful!" Kili clapped his hands together. "About time for those two! Even Frodo noticed something."
"When do you think the happy news will be announced?" Gloin chuckled.
"Not for sometime," Gandalf shook his head, smiling. "There is much those two must talk through, but I think in the end we shall see the happy couple happily together on their own happy ending."
