Chapter Two:
The Hobbit: Unconscious

It was freezing. Absolutely freezing.

Bilbo wasn't sure how much colder he could be, when he couldn't feel his toes and his fingers were numb and his nose was running.

And it wasn't even that cold.

"Bilbo?"

He rubbed his nose, looking towards Fili. The dwarf was watching him warily, his eyes assessing. It was no where close to the intensity that Gandalf could stare at him with, but it still made him uncomfortable.

Bilbo looked back ahead, focussing on not tripping over his own feet. "Yeah?"

"Are you feeling okay?"

Bilbo gave a slight shrug. Past was the sense of trying to fake normalcy; he could barely focus on keeping up with their party. The pounding in his head was relentless and really rather painful, and every so often, his vision blurred with a strong sense of vertigo.

He knew it was a minor miracle that he hadn't gotten sick again, or, at least, tripped over the rocky ground.

"Thorin!" Kili called.

Bilbo flinched from the shout, only noting the feeling of his stomach dropping out after he realized who Kili had just called for.

"Oh, no, no, I'm fine, I mean, really," Bilbo hurriedly said, "don't worry about me." He waved a hand dismissively, stumbling slightly. He thought that this was it for standing, that he was going down and he was going to be terribly scratched and bruised from the rocky terrain. But something caught his arm and pulled him back.

"Pick up those hobbit feet!" Bombur said, slapping Bilbo on the back before continuing ahead.

Bilbo just tried not to stumble again as Thorin fell back to join Kili.

"What is it?"

"Bilbo's ill," Kili replied.

"No," Bilbo said loudly, ignoring the pain blooming in his throat. He also tried to ignore the sudden flush of warmth, starting at the very back of his neck and creeping towards his cheeks, but he knew he was blushing nonetheless. "I'm fine."

"You look very peaky," Thorin said. Bilbo was surprised when, seconds later, the dwarf's hand was placed against his forehead. "You're warm as well. You have a fever, Bilbo."

Bilbo leaned away. "It doesn't matter. It'll go away on its own."

"Not without rest," Thorin said, before raising his voice. "Dwarves!"

The rest of the Company faltered in their steps, looking back towards Thorin and, by default, Kili and Bilbo.

Bilbo swallowed nervously, trying to swallow back the nausea. He refused, refused, to be ill while a company of dwarves were watching him.

"We're going to have a rest. Find some shelter, build a fire!"

The dwarves immediately dispersed, following out the orders of their respected leader, although they were none-too-quiet on wondering exactly why they were pausing on their journey.

"Really, this is senseless..." Bilbo murmured, shivering.

"You should have mentioned something earlier," Thorin said.

"I didn't want to hinder the journey..." Bilbo muttered, letting the pack he was carrying fall heavily to the ground.

"Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Baggins, you are one of our brothers. The health of our brothers is of utmost importance."

Bilbo blinked slowly, looking up at Thorin. That was nice, the sentiment, coming from someone like Thorin. They hadn't exactly been on great terms, right from their meeting in Bag End, but being called one of Thorin's brothers was a wonderful compliment.

Bilbo was too tired to properly respond.

"There's a clear cave over here, Thorin!"

"Good," Thorin replied, picking up Bilbo's pack. "Come along, Bilbo. You need rest, if nothing else."

Bilbo muttered something unconstructive in reply, picking up his feet to follow. However, when he moved again, vertigo seized his body again and the world swayed dangerously. He stumbled, reaching out for something to grasp for support, anything, but there was nothing within reach.

His legs collapsed out from under him and he dropped painfully to the ground, groaning slightly. Blackness exploded across his vision, and he was vaguely aware of someone saying his name before the darkness swallowed him whole.


Short chapter is short, but more will be revealed in upcoming chapters. I should mention, this takes place right after the end of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, where Thorin and Bilbo seem to be on good terms. I haven't gotten to this point in the book... so I don't know where or even IF the 'I accept you' moment appears in the book.

Thank you all for the support and, by all means, keep it up!

Happy Christmas!