~Chapter Seven~

Of Shades and Blurred Whispers

Was it day two now? Bilbo couldn't exactly remember; to him it felt like ages. Had it been forever now that he had been sitting upon the stone steps that dove and curved towards the very edges of the golden pool that lay deep within the heart of the mountain? The very pool that Thorin was slowly drowning in right before Bilbo's eyes? And all he could do was watch and watch and watch. Watch as the very King of Erebor slowly slipped deeper and deeper into a septic enchantment that seemed to poison the whole disposition of the company and was now, slowly seeping its way into to Bilbo. He thought about this as he continued to sit there, on that same step, holding a plate of very cold, very stale food, watching Thorin trudge through his gold like gilded sand. Every once in a while Thorin would stop his laborious stroll and admire, through glazed eyes, his immense hoard of gold and treasure. Bilbo sighed; he felt almost welded down to these steps, he felt as though he had lived upon them his whole life, Bag End being only a fever dream, and this, this, was reality.

Bilbo felt his eyelids begin to lower and his vision became blurred; he hadn't had much rest lately and was now very much beginning to feel it. As his eyelids fell, causing his sight to darken, his ears still remained ever alert and it was then that he heard a very loud, very hard clatter of golden coins as if a heavy force has caused them to rush violently against each other. Bilbo was instantly snapped out of his dreariness, his eyes now wide and focusing on Thorin, who had fallen upon his mound of gold and was no longer moving. It took a while for Bilbo to register what was going on and after about 30 seconds it began to dawn on him. Although still a bit unsure, he shift on the step, his eyes narrowing to examine Thorin's very limp body.

"Thorin? Thorin?!" Bilbo called out worriedly. Not waiting for a response, Bilbo leapt from his seat and slid down the steps to where Thorin had fallen. He slipped through the gold, making a loud clatter as he did so, and awkwardly make his way down to Thorin. The king had fallen face down upon the gold and Bilbo tugged at his shoulders, positioning his body toward him. As he turned him over, he noticed Thorin's eyes had closed but were flickering ever so slightly. Not knowing what else to do Bilbo began to shake him.

"Thorin?! Wake up!" he shouted at him. Thorin's eyelids continued to flicker and as Bilbo continued to shake him, the crown that Thorin had been wearing so heavily, fell with a hard thud upon the gold. Bilbo paid no never mind to this as he began tapping Thorin's cheek fiercely trying to wake the dwarf up.

"Thorin…."Bilbo whispered to him. A small sigh left Thorin's lips and the unyielding flickering of his eyelids ceased, his eyes now droopily opening and remaining so. Thorin looked straight into Bilbo's eyes, piercing them as he did so.

"Bilbo?" he asked gently. Bilbo saw Thorin search his expression for the slightest hint of what had just happened. Bilbo grinned in relief.

"Are you alright? What happened, Thorin?" he asked. Thorin attempted to hoist himself up, but his strength failed him. Bilbo positioned Thorin steadily within his arms in order to secure him and keep him from falling again.

"Just stay down for a moment, you'll be alright." Bilbo assured him. Thorin groaned.

"I-it was as if my vision left me suddenly...I could not see...I could not feel…..." Thorin trailed off. Bilbo nodded.

"You are overtired. You have not slept, you've barely eaten. You need rest, Thorin." Bilbo advised. Thorin looked around, as though he was not sure of where he was.

"Where is everyone?"

"Most are in the keep. I believe the others are in the kitchen." Bilbo replied. Thorin nodded. "Here, let me help you to a cot." Bilbo offered. Thorin gave him a slightly reproachful look and squirmed within his grasp.

"Please, Thorin. You are no good to us dead." Bilbo said. Thorin's expression went from reproach to realization. As if what Bilbo had just said had unlocked a part of his mind that he had been avoiding all this time. Bilbo attempted to help Thorin to his feet and towards the bunks, and after a hesitating pause, Thorin let him.

"Where are Fili and Kili?" Thorin asked as they climbed the stairs, passing the plate of stale food Bilbo had let fall when he ran to Thorin's aid. Bilbo gave Thorin a fleeting glance.

"They have not yet returned from Esgaroth." he said a bit solemnly. Bilbo turned and could see the worry and regret fill Thorin's face. All was silent between them until they reached the bunks. Bilbo help Thorin upon his cot, nodded and turned to go.

"I've doomed them, haven't I?" Bilbo heard Thorin say in a quivering voice behind him. He turned and saw Thorin holding his face in his hand, tears beginning to stream through his fingers. He rushed to his side and attempted to console him.

"You-you could not have known that Smaug would turn on Esgaroth...Thorin…" he said gently. You-"

"I've led my kin….my own nephews, to their-"

"No, Thorin, don't you say that." Bilbo interrupted. "Fili and Kili are alive, they are. And they will be here soon. I'm sure of it." he assured him. Thorin looked at him, his eye searching his expression. Bilbo himself was unsure of whether or not Fili and Kili were still alive, but he couldn't let Thorin know this. He smiled at him.

"Rest, Thorin. You'll feel better." he said and got up to leave.

"Bilbo." Thorin said as Bilbo reached the doorway. Bilbo turned and saw the pleading look in Thorin's eyes. He nodded.

"I'll be right outside."

oOo

Thorin could feel a slight breeze blow through his hair; the smell on it was of fresh pine and the summery night air. He placed his hand upon the green stone wall and could feel the coolness of it run through his fingers and up his arm; it was smooth and unscathed. He looked above him at the sprawling ceiling that flew hundreds of feet into the air. Large, golden lanterns hung from it, blazing brightly in the darkness. As they gently swayed back and forth, Thorin could feel a sense of peace fill him; this was Erebor. As he looked around himself, he noticed a slight heaviness upon his head. He reached up his hand and felt the outline of a heavy, metal crown that brimmed around his skull. He looked down and saw himself adorned in fine dark blue linen and a cloak of fur dawning his shoulders. Suddenly, Thorin realized he could hear raised and cheery voices coming from the mess hall. He turned to look and saw a strong, blazing glow emanate from the room. As he ventured toward the hall, Kili and Fili ran from out of the doorway laughing and carrying on. Thorin felt his eyes grow wide.

Fili? Kili?" he asked in awe. They looked at him, slightly confused at first, but then beamed at him.

"Uncle!" they said in unison.

"What are you doing out here, Uncle?" Fili asked happily. Kili nodded.

"Yeah! You should be joining in the celebration!" Kili added. Thorin simply stood and stared at them. They were dressed in robes as fine as his. Fili was adorned in tan linens, his shoulders holding a thick, green cloak upon them, held fast with a clasp of pure gold. Kili was dressed in blue linen, a shade slightly lighter and grayer than Thorin's. Around his shoulders was a heavy cloak of gray, held fast with a clasp of pure silver. Each of them had small, silver crowns around their heads.

"Ooooh I know what he's up to!" Kili grinned.

"Oh, what's that, Kili?" Fili asked sarcastically.

"He's out looking for him again." They both laughed. Thorin felt slightly annoyed. Who were they talking about?

"Must have sneaked off to have a nice smoke and a moment's peace. Uncle is too doting." Fili chuckled.

'Well, let's leave him to it Fili." Kili laughed and both headed out together, although Thorin could not tell where they were going.

A moment after they left, Thorin could hear footsteps approaching from behind him. As he turned to see who it was, a sense of fear and excitement washed over him. And through the flickering light of the lanterns that hung out above the entrance of Erebor, Bilbo emerged. Thorin felt his heart begin to pound; the thud of it rang in his ears. As he came closer, Thorin could make out the grin on his face. He came closer and Thorin could now make out every detail of him; he was dressed in fine red robes of dwarvish make. Gold lined the hems and his shoulders were covered with a dark, gray fur cloak, held around him with clasps of pure gold. And upon his brow a dwarvish crown, thick and plated with gold, but Thorin knew this wasn't just any crown, but one meant for a king. Thorin's eyes flew to inspect Bilbo's hand and that's when he saw it; a thick, golden ring, lined with small rubies, upon Bilbo's ring finger. Thorin caressed his thumb against his own ring finger and felt his wedding ring. He could feel his heart swell as Bilbo finally reached him.

"What is it, Thorin?" Bilbo asked, his eyes staring straight into Thorin's. "Why aren't you in the hall, enjoying the celebration?" Thorin felt his body become paralyzed with tension and apprehension. How could he be sure this was all real? He felt it would take all his strength just to simply reach out and touch Bilbo. His hand quivered slightly as he raised it to Bilbo, gently caressing his arm.

"Bilbo?" was all he could ask. Bilbo gave him a playful look.

"Surely the king under the mountain is not ill this evening? What a sad thing it would be to send all of our lovely guests away!" Bilbo cried teasingly.

"Our guests?" Thorin asked. Bilbo lifted a hand to his forehead, grinning.

"Perhaps you are sick? Well, for better or for worse, remember! Perhaps we should send everyone away, dear husband, and retire to our chambers?" Bilbo said, raising his eyebrow.

Thorin felt as if his heart was about to burst. Husband? Chambers? Could it be that everything he had so dearly wanted was before him now? Could he really spend the rest of his days ruling Erebor side by side with the hobbit he loved? As he thought this, Bilbo had slid his hand down from Thorin's forehead to his cheek, now caressing it softly. Thorin let his hand travel from Bilbo's arm to his shoulder and up his neck, letting it linger there sensually. Thorin could feel Bilbo's breath now coming out in fast, tiny, warm puffs and his heart began to race. Thorin looked upon Bilbo, their lips now only centimeters apart; he hoped Bilbo couldn't hear the pounding of his heart. Thorin felt his heart skip a beat as Bilbo slipped his lips upon his and suddenly all felt completely and totally right with the world. As Thorin let his mouth explore Bilbo's, all he could think about was how much he truly loved this hobbit and all he could feel was the happiness welling up inside of him that all of this, all he ever wanted, was now, finally, his. After several seconds their lips parted and Thorin lovingly leaned his forehead against Bilbo's. However, the tiniest bit of doubt and fear still lay within his mind.

"Is this real?" he asked into Bilbo's mouth. He could feel Bilbo grin. Slowly, Bilbo dragged his lips across Thorin's, to his cheek, and up to his ear. He paused.

"Do you really think I would be here if it was?" Bilbo whispered back in a nasty, almost inhuman tone. Thorin quickly pulled away from him and saw the sick and maniacal grin that was spreading across Bilbo's face and felt feel his heart drop.

"Bilbo?" he asked in a hurt tone. Suddenly it was as if the very vision of Bilbo began to fade away, melting from Thorin's view as paint drips down a canvas. And as Bilbo faded, so did the whole of Erebor. All was dark, but not silent, for Thorin could hear the happy clamor that came from inside the mess hall turn and morph into scattered screams and the clashing of sword against sword. Thorin looked around wildly to see if where the noise might be coming from, but all was pure darkness. The sound of yelling and metal against metal became louder and louder, and Thorin was able to make out who was yelling.

"Thorin!"

It was Bilbo.

Metal clanked and clashed, harder and louder.

"Uncle!"

It was Fili.

Metal screamed and sang as it smashed and fell.

"Help us!"

It was Kili.

The sound of sharp, hot metal digging, piercing, into flesh filled the void. And then all was silent.

"Fili?! Kili?! BILBO?!" Thorin yelled into the nothingness. At first it seemed all was still and eerily silent, but then Thorin heard a small, tried breath of a voice breathe in and out weakly.

"Thorin…."

A single tear streamed down his cheek.

"Bilbo…."

oOo

As Thorin was ripped awake, he could hear his own screams reverberating off the stone walls. Sweat dripped from his brow and his fists were clenched tight. As Thorin aimed to catch his breath, Bilbo ran into the chamber, eyes looking around wildly.

"Thorin?! What's the matter?!" he asked excitedly. Thorin panted, wiping his brow. He looked around, feeling confused about where he was.

"Wh-where are we? What is this?" he asked. Bilbo gave him a dubious look.

"We are in the mountain, Thorin. This is Erebor." he replied. Thorin looked at the cracked and decaying stone pillars and walls. Outside the room an enormous lantern lay on the floor, rotting and rusting from years of disuse. Cobwebs littered the ceiling, and dust and ash caked everything. Thorin felt his breath return to him and in that moment of his most vulnerable point, he sighed.

THIS was Erebor.