Bilbo arose the next morning feeling lighter, happier, and more energetic. It had been a long time since he had woke up without being physically drained and sleepy.
A stack of clean laundry had been placed in the nearest chair. Thank goodness for that. He had been meaning to wash his clothes, but someone had done it for him. He wondered who.
He shrugged, knowing that he would find this out later.
Once he had washed up and dressed, he left for the dining hall.
The corridors were rather silent as he made his way there. It must have been very early for it to be so quiet.
Bilbo was right, for the dining hall was empty. There were noises coming from the adjoining kitchen, however. He opened the door to find Bombur starting a fire preparatory to making breakfast.
"Good mornin', laddie," he greeted.
"Good morning, Bombur," he returned. "I will help you, if I may?"
He nodded. "I would appreciate that, Bilbo. Thank you."
They set to work immediately. Bilbo heated up the water that Bombur had carried in while the latter fried up the bacon and sausages. The former helped make the eggs and biscuits. He also made enough leaf and chamomile tea for more than twenty-seven Dwarves.
An hour or so later, voices were heard in the other room. All of the food had been cooked by that time, so they brought the platters in.
Everyone was sitting down and waiting to eat. Nearly all of them were talking amongst themselves, except for Thorin, who turned to watch them as they placed the trays on the table. He nodded to Bilbo with a tiny grin.
Bilbo's heartbeat sped up and his cheeks felt hot. He jerked his head in return, then looked for an empty chair.
Fíli and Kíli, who were on Thorin's right, waved to draw his attention.
"Over here, Mister Boggins! We saved you a spot!" the latter yelled cheerfully.
"It's Baggins, Kíli," Bilbo corrected him as Thorin rolled his eyes in irritation. Fíli chuckled.
He did not realize that the seat that Kíli offered him was the nearest one to said Dwarven King until he had sat down and made himself comfortable, but when he did, he suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Kíli frowned at him in worry. "Are you all right, Bilbo? Did I offend you?" he queried.
"No, no. Not at all. I'm fine, just very hungry."
He piled eggs and bacon onto his plate before another question was asked. He filled a mug with strong leaf tea and buttered two biscuits.
As Bilbo started to eat, he gazed at Thorin out of the corner of his eyes. He looked even better this morning after having a filling dinner and plenty of sleep for the first time in nearly a week. Even the shadows under his eyes had disappeared. He was just about his old self again, with the exception of a very dim shadow on his face, which showed that only remnants of the dragon-sickness lingered. But it was so faint that Bilbo wouldn't have seen it if he were across the dining hall. Other than that, nothing appeared to be wrong with him. Still, he couldn't help but wish that he had made a full recovery.
Thorin eventually noticed that he was looking at him. Genuine concern filled his expression. "What is it, Bilbo? Is there an important issue that you need to discuss with me? Is there anything wrong?"
He shook his head. "No. I was just thinking that you look well-rested."
Relaxing visibly, he smiled again. "I am, thank you. I feel more energetic than I have all week."
"That's good to hear."
"Mmm. Did you sleep well? Were you cold after you went to bed?"
"I was a little, but the blankets that you gave me helped. I must thank you again for your generosity."
Thorin waved his hand. "That won't be necessary, dear Bilbo. I only wanted you to be comfortable."
Kíli's mouth was half open as he raised an eyebrow. "Dear Bilbo? Since when did you two become such good friends, Uncle?" he demanded with an amused tone.
Fíli, Bofur, Nori, and Ori turned to hear Thorin's response. Even Balin appeared interested in what he would have to say. Not to mention all of them wanted to laugh about the "Dear Bilbo" question. The said Hobbit was discomfited as their attention was also focused on him.
"We have been good friends long before now. If you had noticed this, dear Kíli, just as you notice everything else because you never mind your own business, you wouldn't have asked me that asinine question," Thorin replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kíli huffed and rolled his eyes in embarrassment. His brother, Bofur, Nori, and Ori chortled over him having been told off. Bilbo smirked. Further down the table, he saw Balin's own eyes twinkling.
Both he (Bilbo) and Thorin were inwardly relieved that the subject was dropped. They had agreed the previous evening that they would not announce their pending courtship until it was the right time to, and not a minute before.
The rest of the meal passed by without any more prying questions or disagreements. Bilbo chatted with Fíli, Kíli, and Ori if he wasn't talking to Thorin. He also watched him stuff himself full with satisfaction.
He (Bilbo) was helping himself to sausages and was absentmindedly reaching for more biscuits when he saw that none were left. He felt slightly disappointed, as the biscuits were very tasty.
A boot nudged his left foot then. He ignored it, thinking that it was an accident, until it kept pushing him.
"Oh, what in Yavanna's name is going on now-?" he fussed in a low voice as he peeked under the table.
Thorin's hand was offering him a few biscuits. He swallowed thickly before taking them, turning pink when Thorin squeezed his arm gently. Bilbo was starting to see that Thorin was more affectionate than he believed himself to be.
He nodded to him with a grin and thanked him. Thorin winked back since none of the others were paying attention to him.
"I couldn't eat another bite in any case. My stomach is about to explode," he remarked.
"Ah. Well...thank you again," Bilbo murmured. He was unable to think of anything else to say.
Breakfast ended a short time later. Everyone left the dining hall to tend to whatever duties they had. Bilbo stayed to assist Bombur with clearing away the dishes and platters. Bifur and Kíli joined them, the latter wanting to have a talk with Bilbo. The former was going to help his cousin wash everything.
Kíli waited until the Bifur and Bombur were occupied with this dishes to drag Bilbo to the side.
"Begging your pardon, but is there something going on between you and Uncle?" he inquired in a whisper.
"No, not that I'm aware of," he lied. "Why?"
"Because I think there is. Or, at least, it may just be a one-sided issue."
Feigning confusion, Bilbo asked, "What exactly do you mean, Kíli? I'm afraid that I don't follow."
He glanced at Bifur and Bombur furtively, then turned back to him.
"I noticed that Uncle Thorin kept looking at you in a certain way during breakfast. It's like he thinks you are the Arkenstone itself, but as if you are more than it. Add to that, he has been taking you under his wing more often than not lately."
"Oh? Hmm. If that's true, then I haven't noticed it. Not the looks he has been giving me anyhow."
Kíli pursed his lips. "Well, whatever happens, just be careful. Uncle Thorin is quite overprotective about those he cares about. And if he feels something more than friendship for you, as I'm beginning to suspect he does, he will become possessive of you. Dwarves tend to be that way if and when they fall in love..."
"In love?! Oh, come now, Kíli. Really. Don't be ridiculous..." Bilbo gasped, afraid that he and Thorin had been found out.
Kíli then looked serious...and that was a rarity. "I mean it, Mister Bilbo. Don't reciprocate if you are unable to, or give him hope for something more than friendship if there is none," he admonished. "But whatever happens, I just hope that the both of you will be happy."
He clapped his shoulder with his trademark smile after saying this and left. Bifur and Bombur did not need anymore help, so Bilbo followed after him a minute later.
He spent the rest of the morning clearing out the halls with the others again, having second breakfast and Elevensies in between times by himself. He thought of what Kíli had told him during the entire time. Because it was him, Bilbo was not at all surprised that he noticed how Thorin felt about him. Nevertheless, he would have to tell him that they had to be careful around his nephew until they did not have to any longer.
Thorin himself had been nowhere to be seen; he was likely in the throne room. At least, Bilbo hoped that he was-or anywhere else-and not in the treasure hoard's chamber.
It was after dinner when Dwalin and Ori stepped into the corridor that everybody was working on. They had been keeping watch at the doors of the mountain.
The former whispered something in Balin's ear, who then turned to Bilbo, pursing his lips with a slight frown. He was clearly deep in thought about something. After a minute, he came to a decision and nodded. He then uttered a phrase in Khuzdûl to Dwalin before gesturing to Bilbo.
"Master Baggins, please come with me," he requested.
He inclined his head. "Certainly."
"What's goin' on, lads?" Bilbo heard Glóin ask as he followed him.
"Survivors from Laketown are entering Dale, and that accursed Elf-king Thranduil and Bard-that bowman who gave us houseroom-are approaching Erebor," Dwalin replied.
"What d'ya s'pose they're comin' here for?" Bofur queried next.
"I dunno, but we'll find out soon enough, I'll warrant."
Bilbo mulled over everything that was said. What did Thranduil and Bard's arrival have to do with why Balin needed him?
He asked him this, and he replied immediately, as if he had been expecting this question.
"I'm not the one who does. Thorin might. You're the only one who really helps him see reason besides me, and we both know how he feels about Elves, particularly Thranduil. Your presence alone has begun to keep him calm and level-headed. He will likely listen to whatever he has to say...even if he decides to agree to disagree with him."
"Ah. I hope you are right, then, for all our sakes."
"So am I."
Thorin was sitting in the throne room, reading what seemed to be a very important document. Bilbo smiled at how handsome and majestic he looked in his best Royal blue robes and silver crown.
Thorin looked up as they drew closer. "Yes? Is there a problem?" he inquired urgently, noticing Balin's serious expression.
He raised his eyebrows. "That remains to be seen. Dwalin and Ori saw Thranduil and Bard approaching the mountain not ten minutes ago. There are also other survivors entering Dale from Laketown," he responded.
Thorin scowled fiercely. "What does that Elf-scum want with us?" he demanded in a low, tight voice.
"I do not know for sure. Would you like me to have them brought here, so that he and Bard can tell us?"
He gave an exasperated sigh while laying the document aside. "Fine. The sooner they are here, the sooner the conversation will be over."
"Now, there's no need to be that way, laddie. At least try to be respectful and polite to him and Bard, please, or we'll all end up in a mess. That's the last thing we want or need right now," he stated, trying to placate him.
He did not comment on this.
Balin exhaled deeply, and with a smirk and cryptic wink at Bilbo, left the room. Now he and Thorin were finally alone with each other for the first time since the previous evening.
Bilbo walked up to him as soon as Balin was gone. "He's right, you know. From what you have told me about Thranduil's disposition, it seems as if he would go to war if the wrong thing was said. There are only fourteen of us. None of us would be able to hold off a full-fledged attack," he pointed out.
Thorin beckoned him over with an amused expression. "Yes, that is unfortunately true. I can only hope that he does not try to haul us back to Mirkwood to fill out our prison sentence," he muttered darkly.
Of course, they both knew that he was attempting to make a joke out of the situation.
Bilbo chuckled. "I doubt he came to do that. He wouldn't have come alone with Bard otherwise."
Thorin laughed also as he reached out to pull him gently onto his lap. "I can't argue with that logic. Do you and Balin always have to be right about everything?" he joked again.
"Oh, I'm quite sure that that isn't possible or true. No doubt we are often wrong about one thing or another. He's not perfect, and neither am I."
"You are to me, dearest Bilbo."
And with that, Thorin pressed his lips hard against his. Bilbo laid a hand on his cheek as he blushed over his compliment. He never felt more touched in his life.
"Good...to know...You are...to me too...dear Thorin," he gasped as Thorin trailed heated kisses along his jawline and neck. "Mmmm...we'll have to stop this soon before the others come. Kíli is already suspicious of us, or of you, at least."
He moved back with a puzzled look. "What do you mean?" he demanded.
Bilbo told him about what Kíli said to him after breakfast.
"I have no doubt that Balin secretly knows about us, however," he added. "I think that he heard our conversation yesterday, but he wouldn't tell me how much of it he heard. He supports us, though. He's trying to be subtle about it, but I can see through his some of actions that he does."
"Balin always knows when to be subtle, unlike Kíli and Fíli most of the time. They talk too much. I only hope that my nephew isn't telling everyone about what he suspects."
Snorting, Bilbo pointed out, "We would have known if he had. Everyone would have been asking us prying questions."
Thorin rolled his eyes at the idea of it. "True enough. But-" he continued with a grin. "-let us not concern ourselves with that until we have to."
He leaned in to kiss him again, but the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance.
Bilbo pecked him on the lips quickly before climbing off of his lap. Neither of them could been seen locked together in such an intimate position.
"You don't have to leave. I would like you to be here. Could you please stand where you usually do?...Thank you," Thorin murmured.
As the footsteps drew nearer, the expression on his face grew ever darker with contempt and hatred. Bilbo was almost afraid that it would end up getting stuck that way. He tried to relieve the tension with a smile, and it worked, if only a little.
King Thranduil and Bard the Bowman soon entered the hall. The whole company followed them, several of them brandishing their weapons.
Thorin stood, doing his utmost not to sneer at Thranduil as he and Bard bowed to him out of mere politeness and respect. He nodded to them in return. Óin pulled out his ear trumpet so that he could listen to their conversation.
"Welcome to the kingdom of Erebor, King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm and Bard of Esgaroth. I trust that your journey here went by smoothly?" he inquired as graciously as he was able.
"It has, King Thorin, son of Thráin. Thank you. However, I cannot say to same for Bard," Thranduil responded silkily while shooting him a hateful glare.
Bard inclined his head. "Yes. The trip to Dale has not been easy. Many of the people in Esgaroth had been injured or killed when Smaug attacked us, and our small town has been destroyed. Therefore, we decided to find shelter in Dale."
Thorin pursed his lips in sympathy. "I am very sorry to hear of your losses, and I hope that you would please accept my condolences..."
While he continued to speak to them, Bilbo was suddenly aware that Kíli was gazing at him with a frown. He turned to look at Thorin, then at him again, as if he was trying to figure something out. His eyes widened in realization after he continued to do this for another moment, and raised his hand to cover them with a silent chuckle. Fíli and Bifur whispered to him, clearly wanting to know why he was laughing. Kíli shook his head and did not answer them. Dwalin punched his arm and told him to "be serious!", making him wince.
"This isn't the time for any of your jokes!" he added in a hiss.
"...How was it that Smaug was killed?" Thorin asked next, not noticing them. Bilbo shifted his attention back to him.
"I murdered it with the last Black Arrow that my ancestor Girion possessed, which had been handed down to me," Bard explained. "I had used other arrows preemptively, but they did not work, of course."
Everyone exchanged shocked, but joyful glances.
"No, I would have thought not," Thorin agreed after a moment. "Still, I am grateful to you for ridding all of Middle Earth of that accursed beast. I will be sure to give you a substantial reward for doing so."
Bard waved his hand. "There will be no need for that, King Thorin. My reason for coming to Erebor has nothing to do with collecting a reward."
"I insist. I would like to give you one as a token of my thanks and gratitude," he declared.
He opened his mouth to protest, but thought it best not to. "Very well. Thank you," he conceded stiffly. "Now, if I may, I would like to tell you why I have come here?"
Thorin bobbed his head and motioned for him to do so.
"I have come in our hour of need to ask you to fulfill the promise that you gave us back in Laketown. We barely have enough food and blankets, or medicine for all those who are ill or wounded. Will you not aid us by providing the gold that you promised us?" he pleaded.
At the mention of gold, the almost-invisible shadow that was on Thorin's face darkened. Not by much, but enough for the ones who were standing close to him to notice. Greed filled his entire being.
There was no knowing what his initial reply would have been if his clouded eyes had not fallen on Bilbo when he looked up to give it.
His Bilbo's expression was a mixture of fear and desperate hope. For a long moment, it was the only thing he could see. Not his family and friends. Not Bard. Not that Elf-scum of a king. Just Bilbo's face.
No. He could not do this. He could not allow the dragon-sickness to take hold of him again. It had brought him nothing but turmoil, especially when it came to the Arkenstone, the gold, and his other treasures.
Furthermore, he could not let Bilbo down. The last thing he desired was to hurt the one he loved. He could not let down his nephews or friends either. He would give all of his gold and the Arkenstone away rather than betray those who were dear to him or let others starve.
Closing his eyes tightly, he willed away the sickness until it was as dormant as it had been since the previous afternoon.
Bilbo was doing his hardest to keep himself from beaming with pride and satisfaction when he opened them. Thorin nearly smiled himself, knowing that his technique had worked.
He finally nodded to Bard. "Yes, of course I will aid you and provide you with whatever else you need. I am not one to leave a promise that I made unfulfilled, especially to someone who has done the world a great service," he announced.
Bard knelt in front of him. "Thank you for your kindness and generosity, your Honor," he remarked. "I pledge my service to you, such as it may be."
"I thank you for that, but that will not be necessary. Your duty is to your children, to help the other survivors from Laketown in any way you possibly can, and to rebuild Dale. We will also help you however we can."
On that note, the former bowed his head before standing. He moved back so that Thranduil could have his say.
Thorin's mood changed as his attention shifted to him next. "And what, may I ask, is your reason for coming here King Thranduil?" he questioned with forced politeness.
"If you remember from when I had spoken to you in Mirkwood, King Under The Mountain, I believe that I had mentioned that I would like for you to return the gems that so rightfully belong to me," he replied in a voice that barely concealed the underlying malice.
Thorin bristled fiercely at him for having the audacity to speak to him as if he were a lowly Dwarf! He would not allow such presumption! Nor would he let himself be talked down to!
"What of it? I do believe that I had never agreed nor promised to return them to you at all. You were too preoccupied with locking me in your cell."
"Had you accepted my offer in the first place, I would never have done so. Not to mention you would have arrived here much sooner. I would have set you and your Company free."
"None of it matters any longer. Smaug has been slaughtered and Erebor has been reclaimed without your help."
"That you were able to at all astounded me, even more so when Bard told me how you planned to do it."
"I am surprised that Bard took it upon himself to when it was none of your concern in the end."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at him. "Perhaps not. But the fact that your insufficient actions had caused Smaug to destroy our closest trading center is."
He glared every member of Thorin's Company until his eyes fell on Bilbo, who in turn gave him a blank stare as he looked him over shrewdly.
"So, this is the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins of whom Bard told me a great deal of. Tell me, O great King Under the Mountain. What purpose was it to allow your most trusted Hobbit to go into the heart of the mountain to get the jewel that is your birthright? What king would put his loyal friends in such danger of a fire-breathing dragon that would have killed them in a mere blink of an eye?" he inquired, knowing that these questions would push his buttons.
And push Thorin's buttons they did. He was tense with fury and guilt. Fury that was directed at the accursed Elven king who dared to criticize and insult him. However, he was upset with himself for his lack of reasoning, for allowing himself to put those that he cared about in harm's way, and guilt for having done so.
Not to mention that the look on Bilbo's face was twisting the sword of guilt that he felt had plunged into his stomach. He had apologized to everyone, including him, the day before. They were more than happy to forgive him since they knew that he was not in his right mind after they had arrived in Erebor. However, Thranduil had caused the guilt that still lingered within him to intensify.
He pushed his emotions aside for the time being and sneered at him. "Well, if you were so concerned about your closest trading center being destroyed, perhaps you ought to have been the one to kill the dragon, since you were aware that tragedy may strike when we arrived here. Would it not have been more beneficial for Bard and his people if you had? They wouldn't be homeless as they are now, would they?" he demanded smoothly.
The Elven-king's nostrils flared. He could also detect a hint of embarrassment crossing his features. It didn't help that several members of the Company were whispering with amusement behind him. Even Bilbo looked thoughtful; it was as if he could not doubt that there may have been some merit to his claims. As for Bard, he felt it best not to get involved. He just remained in an impassive silence.
Thorin had to prevent himself from grinning smugly. He knew that they were now even, if he had not won this argument at least.
"You may have whatever gems are yours and hie yourself out of my kingdom. I do not wish to waste any more of my time debating with you. I have enough on my plate as it is," he stated. He turned to the others. "See to it that they are given that which they need, please. Make sure that Bard, especially, receives three extra chests of some of our finest treasure as his reward. Bard, King Thranduil, you may take your leave," he stated, nodding to them.
Bard bowed low while Thranduil simply inclined his head. The latter made to follow the Company when he frowned at Bilbo pensively, then at Thorin before turning to look at Bilbo a second time. He quirked an eyebrow, but did not say anything as he left. However, a mirthful smile threatened to split his face.
"What is so funny?" Bard asked.
"I will explain later," was all he would tell him. "Oh, and King Thorin, I would like to discuss reestablishing our trade routes upon my next visit."
He nodded. "Very well. I will be expecting you, then," he said in a half-bored voice.
Balin explained how they would divide the treasure when Thranduil and Bard caught up with him and the others. Dwalin offered to total up the amounts that would be provided, but Glóin shoved him.
"Excuse me, but I'm the one who's the treasurer here, and you know it. What do ya take me for? An Orc who can't count?" he asked in offended dignity.
They were still bickering even after they had left the room. Thorin and Bilbo shook their heads in amusement.
"Dwalin and Glóin are cousins, sure enough," the latter commented. He knew that nearly everyone except Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur were related to Thorin.
He chuckled. "Yes. Do you want to join them? I know you hate standing there for no reason. Besides, I have to read all of these tedious documents..." he remarked, gesturing to a number of scrolls. "...so you will definitely end up growing bored."
"Only if you think it's best."
"No need to look so disappointed. We can talk later when and if I am not busy."
"I look forward to it. I expect I will see you at supper, then."
They shared a long, passionate kiss. Bilbo soon moved away from him to breathe when he remembered what happened moments ago.
"Er...Thorin...Kíli and Thranduil seem to find us hilarious. I noticed that they kept looking between us before they either smiled or laughed. I couldn't understand why. We weren't doing anything that would make them suspicious. I was only standing there, and you were just sitting here having your conversation."
He rolled his eyes a second time. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Bilbo. It is likely just an asinine private joke."
But then, Thorin glanced at the spot where he had been standing and pictured himself residing in his throne. A minute later, he understood why they were making a fuss about it.
Not that he truly cared. He already knew that Bilbo was going to...
"What is it, Thorin?" he queried, distracting him.
He realized that he had been smirking. "It's nothing, Bilbo. Why don't you join the others now, and make sure that Thranduil doesn't make off with anything that doesn't belong to him?"
"All right. Oh, and I am proud of you...about earlier, I mean."
"Thank you. I tried my best not to let it overcome me."
"You did very well. Don't doubt it."
After kissing each other one last time, Bilbo left the room.
The transactions with Bard and Thranduil went by without too much trouble. The latter sneered a few cutting remarks, but because he knew that he was outnumbered by fourteen Dwarves, he kept his mouth shut for the most part. He did not attempt to steal anything...not that he would have been able to without being seen. Everybody was grateful for this. None of them were in the mood for a confrontation.
Some time later, he and Bard had received what they wanted/needed and returned to Dale, their sacks loaded heavily with gold.
Bilbo sighed after they had disappeared and lit his pipe. He felt tired now, and wished for the day to be over. Or at least, that the hours would pass by quickly until it was suppertime.
He certainly didn't want to miss that part of the day.
