I've reworked this one a little bit so we now have Thorin forgetting the events of the battle, that wasn't clear before.
Still don't own anything.
4. Thorin
Finally. Azog is dead. Our long rivalry is at an end. I killed him. I look down on the battle, standing shakily at the edge of the frozen waterfall which crowns Ravenhill. I can see tiny figures glinting far below, a sea of churning dots that makes my head spin unpleasantly. Suddenly, my legs give way and I fall, sprawling across the ice, which creaks beneath me. I gasp as pain shoots through me, spreading like fire from the wound in my chest. My head is spinning, my thoughts are a muddle. Did anyone else follow me up here? I cannot remember. I pray they did not.
I close my eyes, but instead of darkess, I am back in Erebor. Fíli and Kíli stand a few paces away from me. Fíli wears a crown, the same one I threw away not four hours ago. Turning, I can see the rest of the company, gathered around the throne at the far end of the hall.
They are all safe. I smile in relief.
Now, I have only one thing left to do.
As this thought forms in my mind, I hear the faint sound of feet running lightly across the ice. Hobbit feet, if I am not mistaken.
I am not. The hobbit himself appears out of thin air. Unexpectedly, I can see him clearly, kneeling next to me, his face full of concern. He sees the blood spreading across my front and pales, but he grits his teeth and examines my wounds. He recoils in shock, bowing his head. I know then that my fate is sealed, but I cannot pass on just yet. I need to speak to him, before the end.
"I tried to kill you," I whisper in horror. He shakes his head.
"No Thorin, you were not yourself," he tries to reassure me. It does not work, I am still filled with disgust at myself, at what I have become.
"I am truly sorry," I tell him, though I know words cannot atone for my actions. He just smiles sadly, gently pressing my hand between his smaller ones.
"I forgive you," he murmurs. I sigh in relief. I do not know why he forgives me so readily, but I am glad he does. Now I can be at peace. I squeeze his hand feebly; the small movement exhausts me.
"Fíli will make a good king," I murmur softly. "Better than me anyway." Bilbo bites his lip slightly, his head twitches to look behind him. I smile. He must have met them on his way here.
"Yes, he will," he agrees quietly.
"And Kíli," I continue, "with a little more training he will be an excellent Captain of the Guard." Bilbo nods, I can see his eyes filling with tears.
"I'll…I'll tell them you said so," he stutters, his voice cracking. Tears begin to fall, splashing onto my face. I cannot feel them, yet they warm my fading heart.
"You are a good friend, Master Baggins; I am glad to have met you. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." He shakes his head vigourously, as if he can change my fate by willing it. "But, sad or merry, I must leave it now." I continue, my breath now coming in short gasps; it takes all my remaining strength to draw the air into my lungs.
"It's been an honour," he chokes. I pull my lips into a smile. I have not smiled enough in my life.
"Farewell." I draw breath, one last time.