I actually added to the story in this chapter xD
Still don't own the characters and what not.
Over the next few days the dwarves, Gandalf, and Bilbo did not speak much and the overbearing silence almost drove them all mad.
"Bilbo, can I tell you a joke?" Kili whispered to him, but in dead silence, every ear in a mile radius could probably hear him. Bilbo only nodded and Kili smiled like a mad man.
"Why wouldn't the shrimp share his treasure?" Kili whispered when he got close enough to Bilbo's ear, so only he could hear the joke.
"I don't know, Kili, Why?" Bilbo thought over the joke and knew the answer already, but Kili looked so proud of himself and he didn't have the heart to ruin it.
"He was a little shellfish!" The heir of Durin burst out laughing at his own joke, the heir of Durin.
As it turns out, the laugh was only infectious to Fili and Bilbo. The trio became a giggling mess and the rest of the company looked rather relieved that there was no more deafening silence.
It was time to set up camp again near the misty mountains, they had lost track of the number of times they set up camp.
"Burglar, you take first watch." Thorin barked out an order, a very unusual order because he had never taken a night watch before. Instead of more arguing, he nodded his head and made sure sting was secure at his waist. He felt a bit proud that the king trusted him enough with watch.
By the time it was Bofur's turn to take the watch and let Bilbo get some sleep, Bofur was snoring loudly with the rest of the dwarves and Gandalf. Bilbo was incredibly tired, but seeing Bofur all snug in his blanket, oblivious to the world, prevented him from asking to be released of his watch duty. So, he sat there and continued to watch until the sun came up and the birds were chirping.
Thorin, Nori, Gandalf, and Dwalin were the first to wake and Bilbo was instantly relieved that he didn't have to keep his eyes peeled for disturbances. Thorin and Dwalin were deep in discussion and the wizard had gone for some peace of mind.
"Bilbo, have you yet to sleep?" Nori asked as he gathered things that Balin could fix for breakfast.
The conversation between the other two dwarves was forgotten and they looked over at the Halfling. Bilbo looked at Nori with tired eyes and smiled. "No, I have not. Bofur was in the land of nod and dwarves are quite stubborn, even in sleep."
Thorin looked very displeased with the answer and took long strides towards Bofur's sleeping form.
"Bofur, you absolute imbecile!" The king shouted in his ear. If everyone wasn't awake, they were now. Thorin yelled and Bofur apologized over and over again while the other dwarves watched in amusement, oblivious to the hobbit that was approaching Dwalin.
"Master Dwalin, do you have a minute?"
Dwalin looked down at an exhausted Bilbo and saw how nervous he was, and yet he didn't back away, so it must have been important if he hadn't run off yet. The hostile dwarf gave Bilbo a slight nod.
"I wanted to apologize for making you angry. I should have kept my mouth shut and I did not mean to provoke you."
That was the end of the tension between the two, although Dwalin was still hostile, but he was that way with everyone and their mother.
The company had begun travelling again with Bilbo by the king's side to ensure that Thorin could keep his eye on the worn out hobbit. It seemed the tension between them lessened quite a bit as well.
They had travelled a little way from the mountains before Bilbo was nodding off on the back of his horse.
"Halfling, you must ride with me. Gloin, guide his pony." Thorin barked out the order and hoisted Bilbo up on his pony to be sat in front of him.
"Master Baggins, will you please button up your shirt?" Thorin quietly whispered the question in Bilbo's ear. The sleepy hobbit was starting to doze off, but not before replying.
"It is quite hot and I will not engulf myself in layers for some silly custom. I was perfectly fine on my pony, just so you know."
Thorin had a few choice words for Bilbo then, but the Halfling in his arms was already fast asleep. If the some members of the company were a tiny bit jealous, they did not say.
They trotted their way toward Mirkwood and hadn't even put a dent in their travels across the field when Fili called for his uncle. Thorin turned to see his nephews, one pointing at an Orc pack on one side of the field and one pointing to a very large bear on the other.
Gandalf told them of a place they could go as the picked up speed. They- excluding Bilbo, who was very much asleep- agreed to let the wizard guide them to a house in the middle of the field, what other choice did they have?
As their speed reached its maximum, Bilbo jolted awake and nearly knocked Thorin off.
"Orcs and a bear, Gandalf is leading us to safety. Hold on, Ghivashel." Thorin's voice was full of panic and uncertainty. The poor, tired hobbit could hear his heart beating in his ears, he was pretty sure he could hear Thorin's as well.
Luck seemed to be on their side, instead of charging at them the bear chased off the large orc pack. Gandalf led them straight to the large house, they were safe for now.
The company was limited to quiet whispering and seemed to be having trouble keeping the noise level down. Mostly everyone was chatting, except Thorin, who was staring intensely at Bilbo and listening to Dwalin talk about the trail of Mirkwood. Bilbo felt the king's eyes on him, but shrugged it off.
"Balin, spare a moment for another question?" The hobbit moved closer to the wise dwarf to let him know to keep his voice down.
"Of course, dear boy. What is it?" Balin spoke lowly, led him to the far corner of the room, and for that Bilbo was grateful.
"I was just curious. I heard a word and I'm not sure what it means, that's all." Suddenly Bilbo didn't want to know what exactly the word meant, but Balin was patiently waiting for him to spit it out.
"What exactly does Ghivashel mean?" Bilbo glanced towards Thorin and saw him narrowing his eyes at them.
"Where did you…" Balin looked over his shoulder at his king and chuckled to himself.
"Treasure of all treasures." He gave Bilbo a quick pat on the shoulder and left him standing there with his mouth hanging open and eyes as wide as the moon.
He made his way to a room in the oversized house that was not occupied. He needed to think, needed to sit quietly. He had stared at the wall for almost an hour when he heard a small cough.
"Are you alright, Bilbo?" Thorin sat down beside him and made himself comfortable. Bilbo knew if he spoke now he wouldn't be able to keep himself from spilling his thoughts to this blasted dwarf, so he remained quiet.
"The silent treatment, eh? Can't say I blame you." He let out a sigh and moved so that he was facing the hobbit, Bilbo kept his eyes down and his thoughts to himself.
"You know, Ghivashel, I don't believe I've properly apologized to you. You saved my life and I called you unacceptable names, I am immensely sorry for my behavior towards you." His eye contact with the hobbit hadn't wavered and Bilbo finally began to crack.
"I know what it means, Thorin." Bilbo blurted out and instantly cursed his loose lips. Thorin looked at him with confusion and the hobbit let out a loud sigh.
"Treasure of all treasures, Ghivashel means treasure of all treasures. Also, your apology was accepted before you even made it, silly dwarf."
