Hey guys and dolls! Sorry for the super long wait but here is OSAS 7!
Please don't forget review!
-iamnemesis
Chapter 7
When Thorin started yelling at the Halfling, Nico had to restrain himself from brutally maiming the dark haired dwarf. He felt a hand on his shoulder, Gandalf giving silent support. He was thankful to the Gray wizard, he couldn't lose control again.
Not after last time.
The two separated with soft smiles and, in turn, turned to the others who were cheering and clapping. Kili and Fili were holding on to each, spinning round and round... grateful to be alive. Bofur was holding on to anyone who came near him, his desperation and relief breaking through his cheery mask. Nico watched everyone celebrate from a distance, it wouldn't do to get attached. But of course, Bilbo came up to him, looking up at him with shining eyes.
"Thank you." He whispered, "Thank you, Nico."
It had been so long since someone thanked him, so long since he'd done the right thing. He was so overcome by silly emotions that he let himself be dragged over to the group by the 4ft hobbit. The group went quiet at the sight of the wizard. Nico bowed his head, and they did so in return. The first signs of trust from the paranoid dwarves.
"Can you still get us the information?" Thorin asked.
"Find me a hole, some wine and some nearby shadows and we're all good." He replied, losing the etiquette he had learnt in middle earth, and letting his old American speech find him again. He shook his head, disgusted at himself, he would not think back to those times again.
The dwarves looked confused at his manner of speech, but nodded along anyway. The request wouldn't be too hard to grant, after all.
Then Gandalf stepped up, "Bilbo, go scout the area... see if our enemies are still lurking around. We will be waiting over there for you." He pointed over to a big rock in the far distance.
Bilbo nodded and left, but not before sparing Nico a glance, silently reassuring him.
The company started their long walk over to the rock, they were silent as Nico carefully followed them; prepared to slip into the shadows at a moment's notice. The shadows were his security after all.
Nico was lost in his thoughts, he remembered that day... a day drowned in blood and flames, a day of pure, unaltered hatred. The day where he lost everything... and has yet to gain it back.
Why had he been forsaken? Why had he been abandoned?
But, no matter.
He had a quest to focus on, and a person to protect.
He wouldn't lose anybody else.