Bilbo and Thorin sat in the large room as the dwarf sat on his throne. It was silent, except for the cries of war coming from outside. Bilbo dared to glance at Thorin who kept his eyes fixed straight ahead.
He had to get out of there and do something to help. No, he would not abandon the dwarf. With a deep breath, he slowly got up and approached the dwarf on his throne.
"Thorin, you must see reason. You are not yourself," Bilbo said, carefully.
Thorin did not even look at him. "I do not recall giving you permission to speak."
"You don't have any power over me and you certainly are going mad."
Thorin's eye twitched and he stood up. Bilbo silently cheered. Thorin was now giving him his attention. He approached the hobbit and grabbed his throat.
"Mad? Is that how you all see me? I restore the glory that this kingdom once was and they call me mad?!" Thorin cried.
Bilbo choked but managed to speak. "Restore its glory, indeed. It's..filled with empty halls and..ruled by a king blind to what he truly is."
Thorin released Bilbo and turned to stare at his throne. Struggling to catch his breath after several coughs, Bilbo decided to sit back down and remain silent. However, he wasn't going to abandon Thorin. He knew that the fearless dwarf was still underneath all the selfishness. All Bilbo needed was a way to bring him back again. But, time was something he didn't have.
Balin appeared before them, begging for Thorin to assist them. "Thorin, they have begun fighting outside. We must aide our kin. Please, listen to reason."
Thorin sat on his throne, emotionless and careless. "I will not listen to any advice. I require none, for I am the king."
Balin and Bilbo exchanged a glance. Bilbo took a deep breath and tried to speak again. "How can you abandon your people? They are in need of your help."
Thorin snapped back at him. "This gold and kingdom is in need of my protection."
"Gold is replaceable! Your people are not!" Bilbo argued.
"You know nothing, you foolish, little nothing!"
"If you refuse to help them, you are no better than the elves who refused to aide your ancestors when this kingdom was destroyed."
Balin stared at Bilbo, wishing he hadn't spoken up. Thorin looked uneasy and was silent for a moment.
"How dare you? How dare you use my ancestors against me? To try and persuade me?" Thorin replied, hoarsely.
Bilbo shook his head. "I am only using the truth. Your kin are out there and they are in need of your help. Will you do nothing?"
Balin glanced at Thorin, noticing his hesitance. Thorin breathed heavily and began to narrow his eyes at the hobbit.
"Very well. I shall make the decision easier for the wizard," Thorin said, grabbing Bilbo by his shirt collar.
He dragged him away as Balin tried to stop them. "Thorin, no! Stay this madness!"
The proud dwarf would not listen. He dragged the hobbit away until they reached the outside on the rampart. It truly was a bloody mess outside. Everyone was fighting as the orcs poured onto the land. In the midst of it, Thorin spotted Gandalf. With all his anger, he called out to him.
"Hear me, wizard! I want the stone in my hand or else this theif's blood will be spilled!" Thorin shouted.
Gandalf paused and looked up at the frightened hobbit. Thorin took out his sword and held it again Bilbo's throat. Bilbo shut his eyes as Gandalf hurried towards the rampart. He looked up at Thorin and tried to reason with him.
"Give me Bilbo and we can settle this reasonably, Thorin."
Thorin shook his head, his face filled with madness. "No. Give me the stone. Give it to me!"
Gandalf just stood there, eyeing Bilbo. Thorin brought the blade oser to his throat and gave it a small cut. Bilbo gasped and felt a small sting.
"Here, Thorin. Please, do not put any further harm upon the hobbit. He has done nothing against you," Gandalf pleaded, holding the stone up to Thorin.
Thorin's face darkened. "Nothing? He has betrayed me, lied to me, and yet all would try to persuade me that I am mad."
Gandalf began to grow impatient. He held up the stone and tossed it up. One of the dwarves caught it and Thorin gasped in awe. They all marveled at it's bright color. Bilbo closed his eyes in defeat. The dwarves had won and Thorin was only about to get more insane.
Gandalf glanced at Bilbo and back at Thorin. "Lower him down."
To Bilbo's surprise, he felt Thorin's grip loosen as he slowly let him go. Then, he dragged him back. Gandalf reached up his hand and cried out.
"Bilbo! Thorin!"
Balin and the other dwarves watched and protested as Thorin dragged Bilbo back into the cave. He threw the hobbit down and raised his sword.
Bilbo felt his hands shaking as he sat up, prepared to beg for his life. "Thorin, please..."
Balin watched in horror. "Thorin, don't!"
The cave was then filled with the sound of a slashing sword. Balin fell to his knees and the rest of the company stared with jaws hanging open. Bilbo opened his eyes but felt no pain. His hands had been cut free from the rope. He dared to glance up at Thorin who was staring at him.
He reached down and grabbed Bilbo by his curly hair and sneered in his face. "Get. Out."
Letting him go, Bilbo sunk to the floor in shock. Thorin entered the cave in silence. Balin hurried to Bilbo and helped him up. He gasped for breath and almost let a sob escape him.
"Go, Bilbo. Quickly!" Balin said, taking Bilbo towards the rampart.
Without any protest, Bilbo climbed down to greet Gandalf. He embraced the hobbit and kneeled down to look into his eyes.
"My dear Bilbo. You lucky, remarkable hobbit."
"Gandalf.." Bilbo breathed.
Gandalf pulled him away. "Quickly, we must join Bard and Thrandiul."
A/N: Whelp, I hope you are liking the story so far. Poor Bilbo! But, not to worry, he won't be giving up on Thorin so easily. He's not one to do so! More to come...