A FIERCE AND JEALOUS LOVE

Based on The Hobbit trilogy, with some changes.

The characters, the places, the universe, etc. and the elements from the trilogy are the sole property of J.R.R. Tolkien and P. Jackson respectively.

/!\SPOILERS/!\ so if you didn't watch the films but want to read this story... Don't. Unless you don't care being spoiled. Anyway, you're adults. Or almost.

Notes :

This is a Bagginshield-centered short story. Yep, I finally got corrupted by this weird, yet not that weird, trend. Ah, dear Internet !

Sorry for the (numerous) mistakes and clumsy/hideous turns of phrase, English is not my mother language. I'll do my best !

Rainbows, pandas and unicorns x3


Chapter 3 : Missed opportunities


*At present*

Bilbo had barely had the time to think about how he felt about Thorin, he was already confronted to it. Through all the journey to Erebor, he would never have thought it would become so important and even urgent to ponder over it. The question had never come to his mind, not until that moment in the woods, a few hours after the Eagles had rescued them. And it had never come back ever since. Until then.

Thorin was here, facing him, in the grip of his sickness that could only be cured by a reciprocal love. And maybe they had it. Actually, everything Balin recounted to Bilbo made his memories of their conversation in the woods rise to the surface. Strangely, it made sense. Though it felt too sudden and absurd.

Anyhow, if there was a way to get him out of his madness, he had to try it as soon as possible. Even if he had no idea whether he was loved in return or not. Even it he was not even sure what he felt was love or just a growing friendship. Even if it seemed ludicrous. Even if there was a risk it would be useless. It was only a matter of time, then.

"Thorin...", he started with much hesitation and apprehension. "I..."

"Thorin !"

He was cut off by Dwalin's voice calling the King.

"The survivors from Laketown. They're streaming in to Dale. There is hundreds of them."

Bilbo sighed in annoyance and disappointment. He had an occasion, though premature, and he missed it because of that. No one was to blame, but it was a pity. Thorin turned back into what he was a few minutes before. On the defensive, bad-tempered, suspicious, arrogant.

"Call everyone to the gate", he ordered. "To the gate ! Now !"

And he walked out, leaving a confused and disillusioned Bilbo alone.

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

During the night, Thorin had ordered to build a wall to protect his domain. Though most of them were not convinced at all, they had to obey. So, they piled up the huge stones, all night long, with no respite. Even Kili's protests would not change his uncle's mind.

In the morning, Bard had come and tried to come to terms with the King, whose distrust and selfishness made him refuse any sort of agreement. He did not want to give any piece of the treasure, even if it was a due, even if he had promised it, even if Men were in need.

As Bard was leaving, Bilbo took his courage in his hands again and tried to reason him.

"What are you doing ? You cannot go to war !"

"This does not concern you", Thorin retorted.

What ? Was it none of his concern ? He was standing here with them, he had joined the Company, put himself in danger to defend their cause and save them many times. And then, all that would not concern him ?

"Excuse me, but just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of Elves, out there ! Not to mention several hundred angry fishermen", he protested. "We... We are, in fact, outnumbered."

"Not for much longer", the Dwarf answered with a smile, after a short moment of silence.

"What does that mean...?", the Hobbit asked in bewilderment.

"It means, Master Baggins...", Thorin started, coming closer. "You should never underestimate Dwarves."

The only thing Bilbo would have replied was "And you should not overestimate yourself". But, first, it was too risky, and second, he knew it would not change anything.

"We have reclaimed Erebor. Now, we defend it !", he concluded firmly.

Speechless, the halfling looked at Balin in confusion, only to see he was crying in despair quietly, clearly not recognizing the Dwarf King he used to know.

They all prepared for war, on Thorin's orders. While the Dwarves were gathering weapons and armors, the King called Bilbo from the distance. The intrigued Hobbit came to him, not feeling completely safe due to his authoritative tone and his huge armor. Thorin took a few steps forward in the middle of the hall, holding a silvered shirt that looked like a coat of mail in his hands.

"You're going to need this", he said. "Put it on."

Though a bit embarrassed and skeptical, the Hobbit obeyed and took his blue coat off.

"This vest is made of silver steel. Mithril, is was called by my forebears", Thorin explained, as Bilbo put the shirt on. "No blade can pierce it."

The Hobbit looked at himself, then the King, in total confusion and incredulity.

"I look absurd ! I'm not a warrior, I'm a Hobbit."

"It is a gift", Thorin replied. "A token of our friendship."

Albeit flattered, Bilbo did not feel fine about being given this. Why him ? Why not one of his Dwarves fellow ? Why not Fili, for example, who was meant to be the next King ? Or Dwalin, probably his most devoted peer and strongest warrior ?

"True friends are hard to come by", Thorin said, before grasping the halfling's shoulder and take him a bit farther. "I have been blind, but now I begin to see. I am betrayed !"

"Betrayed ?", Bilbo asked, trying to appear stunned, though he felt his fear coming up.

"The Arkenstone..."

The King came a bit closer, making his burglar even more uncomfortable and afraid. If he were to learn what really happened to the Arkenstone, Bilbo could definitely say goodbye to his home, his garden, his armchair and his books.

"One of them has taken it."

As he tried not to show his relief, the Hobbit looked at the other Dwarves from the distance, as if to search which one could be involved.

"One of them is false..."

"Thorin... The quest is fulfilled. You've won the mountain. Is that not enough ?"

"Betrayed by my own kin...", he went on.

"No, uh... You... You made a promise to the people of Laketown. Now, is this treasure truly worth more than your honor ? Our honor, Thorin. I was also there, I gave my word."

"For that I am grateful, it was nobly done", Thorin smiled at him. "But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown", he said in a contemptuous tone. "This gold...", he stopped, breathing loudlier. "Is ours... And ours alone..."

He moved back, his eyes filled with a dark terrifying gleam.

"By my life... I will not part... With a single coin. Not... One... Piece of it."

As the Dwarves walked along the hall, armed for war, Bilbo kept on staring at the King with fear and despair. He was no longer the Dwarf he used to be. He was talking like the dragon, using the same words. As if he was becoming the dragon itself.

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Out of the dark halls of the Mountain, next to the rampart, Bilbo tied a rope to get down the wall. He had to warn the others about what would happen if they attacked Erebor. The Dwarves would never surrend, especially Thorin. He would defend his kingdom and its treasures to the end. A war was useless.

He could not find nor time or strength to tell Thorin about his feelings, so he had to try to play for time. Again. Maybe love was the only way to get rid of the sickness and his obsession for the Arkenstone, but maybe trading it for peace would work. At least, if his sentimental confessions proved to be pointless, this could be another chance to reason with the King.

"You should be inside..."

The Hobbit started and turned away.

"Out of the wind", Bofur said.

"No, I... Uh... Needed some air", he justified. "Place still stinks of dragon."

The Dwarf answered nothing, he just came closer, smiled slightly just for form and lowered his eyes. He was preoccupied.

"The Elves have been moving their archers into position... The battle will be over by tomorrow's Eve... Though I doubt we will live to see it."

He was more than preoccupied. He knew they were on the road to ruin.

"These are... Dark days", the halfling found to say.

"Dark days indeed", the Dwarf smiled again with more conviction this time. "No one could blame a soul for wishing themselves elsewhere", he said coming closer.

Bilbo was not sure he understood why he said these words. Maybe because he wanted him to protect himself from their Dwarves business. Or maybe because he knew the Hobbit was about to escape. After all, he was not a fool, he might have seen the rope. But he did not say a word about it.

"Must be near midnight ! Bombur's got the next watch. It'll take a bit to wake him."

He walked down the stairs to go back inside.

"Bofur !"

The Dwarf looked at him with a questioning gaze. Bilbo hesitated. He was not certain he could tell him about all those weird and a bit risible stories.

"I will see you in the morning", he finally said with a firm tone, trying to hide his lie.

"Goodbye, Bilbo", the Dwarf answered with a faint smile.

He walked down again, head down, as if he was walking straight to his grave. He seemed completely distraught. And sad. And... Hopeless.

No ! He could not let him leave this way. There was still hope. Something could still be done, whether if was about love or about trade. And he would certainly not tell him he wanted to sneak out and warn the others. But he could not let his friend with such a few hope. Because, yes, Bofur was a real friend to him, he had probably been among the ones who had shown most attention and understanding towards him. He had to confess.

"Bofur, come back !"


I didn't know where else I could end this part x) So, any idea of what's next (veeeeery hard to guess, haha) ? See ya next chapter !