The fire was only embers when dawn broke over the trees. Thorin shifted, taking the warm body curled up beside him with him. Bilbo squeaked at the man handling, but calmed down when he realized it was Thorin. Bilbo was content to go back to sleep, but there was a pungent smell of pipe weed and it made him sneeze. Thorin groaned, but didn't wake up. Bilbo tried again to go to sleep, but another wave of smoke made him sneeze once again. He got up, angrily and was shocked to see Gandalf sitting on the log. Bilbo made a frightened sound, but soon relaxed at seeing the wizard. He gave the hobbit a knowing smile. Bilbo didn't like where that smile usually got him.
"What are you doing here?" Thorin groaned from his position on the ground and rolled over, looking for Bilbo with his hands. Gandalf watched the dwarf with a blank expression.
"I hear you've been up to no good." Gandalf looked at Bilbo again and Bilbo felt the tips of his ears redden. He wasn't sure if Gandalf was speaking of last night or of the Arkenstone. He ignored it either way hiding his embarrassment by gathering up his stuff. Sting was propped up on the log and he tied the halter around his waist. Gandalf blew a smoke ring at Bilbo.
"No more than usual, I presume." Gandalf put out his pipe and put it back in his coat. Thorin began to stir. Bilbo kneeled down in front of him and Thorin raised his head to look at Bilbo. His hair was mussed from sleep and the braids were untidy. Bilbo resisted the urge to run his hands through it while Gandalf was there. "Ignore the wizard." Bilbo stated and Thorin's eyes got large as he flipped around and saw the grand stature of Gandalf the Grey. Bilbo stood up, walking around to stand by Thorin. Thorin stood up in a haste and stared untrustingly at Gandalf. He had his hand on his sword and Bilbo put a hand on his shoulder.
"I am not a threat young dwarf." Gandalf chuckled and looked between the two. "I was planning on accompanying you to the mountain." Gandalf bent down to be eye level with both of them. "If that is alright with you, Master Dwarf?" Thorin looked from Gandalf to Bilbo, if this wizard was trusted by Bilbo then Thorin saw no reason why he shouldn't let him join. Thorin thought back to his father and he was almost glad the wizard showed up. Thorin nodded and Gandalf seemed pleased with himself. Gandalf turned and began to walk out of the camp. "Master Baggins, Master Dwarf, I believe if we are to make it on time we should not linger any longer." Bilbo said something under his breath and began walking. Thorin looked at them before running to the stump where he hid the satchel. He put it in his coat and brushed himself off before he heard Bilbo call,
"Thorin! Are you coming?" Thorin turned around and hurriedly walked to catch up with them.
xXx
It was noon when they reached the gates of Erebor. There were many dwarves walking around, some in armor others in common clothes. Thorin looked around in amazement at the structure. The battlements up top held dwarves with bows and arrows and some with axes. There were a few tall people – Humans – Bilbo called them. Bilbo explained that it wasn't usually a happy day for the royal family, but the common folk partied the day of to celebrate the Prince's birthday. Thorin was shocked to see so many dwarves once they entered the mountain. In all honesty he'd never seen so many people he hadn't known before and it scared him slightly, but with Bilbo beside him he couldn't complain. Bilbo led him to where the majority of the festivities were being held. With the increase of people he couldn't go far without someone stepping on his hair. Bilbo and Gandalf held the majority of it in their hands and looked around for a few young dwarves, practicing their braiding skills on one another. Bilbo motioned to them and they looked at Thorin like he was one of the royals that had come up to the upper levels. They readily agreed to braid Thorin's hair. Gandalf and Bilbo sat by a fountain, watching quietly as Thorin's hair was put into intricate braids.
A few guards passed by and Bilbo ducked his head. He would have to be weary with the guards on increased patrols because of the recent theft and the festival in full swing. Gandalf took great pleasure in watching Bilbo duck from the dwarves. He had his pipe in his mouth and eyed the hobbit. After nearly an hour of braiding, Gandalf nudged Bilbo with his elbow and Thorin stood in front of them with his hair braided away from his handsome face and a much more manageable length. There were a wide assortment of beads decorating his hair and Bilbo couldn't help but stare at the dwarf in front of him, a look of longing on his face. He longed to hold the dwarf once again and run his fingers through the soft, black locks. Gandalf quirked an eyebrow at Bilbo and Bilbo ignored him. He walked forward and guided Thorin through the tunnels. May that wizard get lost for all Bilbo cared! Thorin followed Bilbo and every so often would wander off to the next thing that caught his eye. Bilbo had a few near run-ins with the guards, but he would change their path mid stride to avoid being seen. Thorin didn't seem to mind, and if he did he hid his discontent.
Thorin was looking at some of the merchant's wares. They varied from stone works, to gems, to weapons, to seeds for crops. Thorin seemed to take a particular interest in the weapons they had available. The dwarf merchant who owned the stand came up to Thorin and started to talk with him about the weapons. He motioned to Thorin's own sword and Thorin knew his was nothing compared to these finely crafted wares. The dwarf persisted and Thorin unsheathed it, showing to the merchant. The merchant held it and used one eye to look down the blade. He said that it wasn't half bad, made in Erebor in fact. All it needed was a date with a whet stone and a good sharpening and it would be good as new. The dwarf then asked for the name of the sword. Thorin furrowed his eyebrows together. He told him it didn't have a name. The dwarf handed back the blade and Bilbo returned to Thorin's side, something in his hand. Thorin sheathed the sword and looked at Bilbo. The hobbit was holding out a closed hand. Thorin looked at the hobbit confused. He opened his hand and revealed a hair bead. It was silver that shined in the light and had a symbol on it. Bilbo explained it was the symbol of the mountain. It distinguished the Lonely Mountain dwarves from dwarves of other mountains. Thorin thanked Bilbo and took the bead. He put it in his pocket next to the satchel.
Thorin and Bilbo were standing in line, Thorin's hunger getting the better of him. Bilbo didn't mind the break for food anyways. It had been a while since he'd had second breakfast or even breakfast for that matter. They were standing, talking amicably to each other when Bilbo saw a group of guards cross a corner and look around. Bilbo didn't want to leave the line, for he wouldn't know how to explain it to Thorin without it sounding lame to his own ears, so Bilbo did the only thing he could think to do. He went from standing beside Thorin to standing in front of him. He reached up and grabbed Thorin's cheeks. The dwarf looked ready to refuse, but Bilbo didn't give him time before his lips were on his and Thorin's hands were on Bilbo's hips. His hair fell around Bilbo and hid his face from the guards as Thorin pulled Bilbo closer to him. They continued to embrace before someone cleared their throat next to them and Gandalf handed them each a chuck of bread and some cheese. Thorin blushed furiously and Bilbo noticed that the line had gone around them and the guards gone. They moved and found a bench to enjoy their supper. Gandalf disappeared again in the throng of the crowd. Even if he was nearly tall as three dwarves, he had a way to blend in when he wanted to.
Bilbo and Thorin sat in companionable silence despite the roar of the crowd and laughter echoing inside the mountain. Once they finished eating a group of dwarves had gathered around them. They had some instruments and they began to sing. A merry tune that soon everyone joined in on. It was a song that Bilbo had often heard Bofur or Fili and Kili singing. He knew the lyrics well enough. He tapped his foot to the sound of the beat and hummed the tune under his breath. Soon there were dwarves – full of ale presumably – who stood up and began to dance in a wide circle. There were children running around between the gaps that the dwarves made in their circle. Thorin felt a longing to sing alone with them, but he knew not the words. He sat watching the scene unfold before his eyes. He was smiling despite not knowing the song. The song ended and horns blew all around the mountain. Everyone looked up smiling and laughing. Bilbo brushed off his vest and got up.
"Come." Thorin followed Bilbo as he led him through the spiraling twists and turns of the kingdom.
"Where are we going?" Thorin asked. He worried about finding his way back out of the kingdom. He hoped Bilbo knew where he was going. He had heard other dwarves talking in the kingdom and they didn't seem to speak Thorin's language. He didn't know if any of them besides the ones Thorin had met at the bar even spoke his tongue. All he knew is he didn't want to get lost in these corridors and not be able to ask for directions. Bilbo had a determined look on his face as he managed the rights and lefts of the mountain, so Thorin trusted him to not get lost. Bilbo slowed down when he came across a set of doors. There were no dwarves this far into the mountain and it pleased Thorin that he wouldn't have to worry about all of the attention. He pretended it didn't bother him, but he saw the looks the other dwarves gave him. It was a mixture of awe and disbelief. It only left him confused and shaken. Bilbo opened the doors and they were on a balcony covered in snow from the last winter that hadn't yet melted in the early spring. It over looked river and it was just around the corner from the front gates. Dale was in the distance and Bilbo cleared the bench of snow so he could sit down. There were stairs leading somewhere down the mountain, but Thorin was content with looking over the balcony at the world below him. It was so different from his view at his tower.
Bilbo lit his pipe and lazily made smoke rings into the growing darkness. There were a few lanterns scattered around the balcony. They illuminated it well enough. Thorin turned back to Bilbo and sat next to him on the bench. He grabbed some of the snow that was on the ground and made a small creature out of the snow. Bilbo watched as his dwarf continued to make figures out of the snow and place them on a section of cleared balcony. Bilbo wiggled his fingers to keep from shaking from the cold. Thorin must have noticed because he took off his jacket and placed it around Bilbo's shoulders. Bilbo took a deep breath and smiled at Thorin. Thorin returned to making figures, but didn't get far before he saw something flickering in the night sky. He looked up and saw the first lantern float delicately into the night sky. In his rush to run to the edge of the balcony he nearly tipped over the bench. Bilbo scrambled to catch himself, but his smile didn't darken in the slightest. Thorin watched as hundreds of lights were released into the night. It was everything Thorin imagined and more. Thorin turned around to look at Bilbo's reaction when he noticed that Bilbo was holding out a light. Thorin sat down next to Bilbo again and took his light while Bilbo lit his own. They released them and watched as they joined the others in their ascent. Thorin watched the lights while Bilbo kept his eyes firmly locked on Thorin.
The amazement in his face made Bilbo's heart race. It made Bilbo's chest tighten to think he wouldn't be able to see Thorin after this. After this he wouldn't have any reason to stay with the dwarf. Or if the dwarf even wanted him to stay after this. Bilbo noticed that Thorin stopped watching the lights and his gaze was focused on Bilbo. It was full of sadness. His blue eyes tinted with it.
"Thorin," Bilbo grabbed the dwarf's hand. "What's wrong?" Thorin looked down. Bilbo used his other hand to lift up Thorin's head. Thorin looked on the verge of tears. "Thorin?" The dwarf took a deep breath.
"Now what?" Bilbo finally understood. He cupped Thorin's jaw and it made Bilbo's whole body sing when Thorin leaned into his touch. Bilbo swiped his thumb over Thorin's cheek. With his dream to see the lights fulfilled there was nothing left for him to do but to return to the tower. He didn't want to return. And he didn't want to think this was the last time he would ever see Bilbo. It pained him to no end to think that he would have to part from his hobbit and be confined to the same four walls he had lived his entire life.
"You could," Bilbo started out. He was nervous about his proposal. "Come with me?" Thorin was reminded of the satchel when Bilbo made his proposal. How would he feel once he had the satchel back? Would he still offer Thorin to come with him or would he leave Thorin, just like that? Thorin reached forward and dug into the coat. Bilbo stiffened at the response. He calmed when he felt Thorin searching the pockets. Thorin grabbed the satchel and Bilbo looked down between them.
"I was going to give this to you earlier…" Thorin trailed off. Bilbo looked at the satchel, but pushed it aside.
"I don't need that anymore." Thorin felt his heart race. Did that mean he accepted Thorin as his companion? That despite the satchel if Thorin were to say yes then Bilbo would take him?
Before Thorin could do anymore deep thinking, Bilbo closed the distance and kissed him. It was different then their other kisses. It was slow and full of emotions. It nearly brought Thorin to tears. They continued this for some time before Bilbo pulled back rather abruptly. Thorin looked at him confused. "Bilbo?" Thorin scanned his face looking for signs of regret or disapproval. Bilbo stopped and looked behind Thorin.
"Uh say here," Bilbo looked at the satchel and then back behind Thorin. "I'll be right back I promise." Thorin was confused, but the look in Bilbo's eyes said he would return, so Thorin sat on the bench while Bilbo grabbed the satchel and went down the flight of stairs that were off the side of the balcony. Thorin sat in silence for some time before his worries began to cloud his mind and he stood up pacing the balcony.
Bilbo sauntered down the stairs to where he saw the lantern. It was different from the others, namely because it wasn't currently floating through the air. Bilbo saw the two human lackeys he worked with getting the stone. He didn't even want to come up with an excuse to get himself out of this situation. He threw the stone at their feet. They looked at him with a menacing eye.
"You think we want that with what you've got waiting for you upstairs?" They stood up and began to walk towards the hobbit. Bilbo unsheathed his sword and dodged the attack that was coming his way. He was crafty but he couldn't take on two humans.
"Thorin! Run!" Thorin was startled by the yelled that pierced the night. He saw Bilbo at the base of the stairs, fighting off the two humans from before. Thorin went to run down, but Bilbo screamed at him again. "No! Go to Gandalf! You can't let them catch you!" In his attempt to warn Bilbo he was hit and Thorin felt the wind leave his lungs. He wanted to save Bilbo, but he knew he had to get help. Bilbo was looking up at him from his position being pinned against the ground. His eyes were pained and scared. Thorin didn't move for some time. His emotions swirling around making him just stand there. Bilbo's eyes got wide and Thorin didn't have time to react before there was a sack over his head and he was being pulled away. "Thorin!" Bilbo screamed.
"Bilbo!" Thorin screamed back but as his body finally freed itself from fear there was a sharp pain on his head and his world went black.
in response to tay, this is my first story so besides a few changes I'm going to stay very Tangled plot because I'm nervous about making any mistakes. I don't want to mess up or say something to make myself sound stupid, so when I get more comfortable I will maybe post my next story without depending so heavily on the Tangled plot.
