Since I am going away from the original layout/plan I had on this story when I first began it (but Thorin, if you remember, decided to become friends with our dear hobbit...), it is getting more challenging to write these chapters (because the original story is almost done and I am not anywhere near to finishing this one yet) but... no fear (at least I think), I honestly do not know where I am going with this but Bilbo and Thorin will have a happy ending... and everyone in the Mountain too. Please keep reviewing and following and favoriting! :)

As Captain Jack Sparrow says this in At Worlds End... Count on that.

Anyone know him? No. Oh, well... Enjoy this chapter...

Bilbo woke the next morning to his waistcoats on the small table next to the bed. He smiled and got out of bed to take a shower. When he returned to the room, he put on the dark green waistcoat with the brass buttons and some tan pants, that had obviously been tailored in Dale because they were a bit loose, and ventured out into the hallway. He came to the end of the hall and cautiously peeked into Thorin's open doorway.

Thorin was in the midst of getting ready for his kingly duties, which means Bilbo chose the wrong (or right) time to look in the room. The dwarf was shirtless and standing with his back to the door in only his trousers. Bilbo choked on the air and pressed himself against the wall. He took a deep breath and knew he should return to the room, but curiosity got the best of him. Slowly, he returned his gaze to Thorin.

The dwarf reached for a white tunic, similar to the one Bilbo saw him in the first day he was here, and shrugged it on. The cloth, unfortunately, covered most of his muscles though Bilbo could see the muscles in his arms contract with every move he made. Bilbo looked longingly at the king as the dwarf continued to get dressed. Above the white tunic was Thorin's mithril shirt that was followed by heavy armor. The hobbit gaped at how all that armor made Thorin look even more majestic; though Bilbo won't admit that he believed the dwarf looked most majestic with his shirt off. He quickly ducked back into the hall as Thorin turned to retrieve his pants. Cautiously, Bilbo looked into the room to see Thorin finish pulling them on. Involuntarily, the hobbit licked his lips in anticipation. Then, the dwarf threw on his royal cloak and haphazardly tied it and turned for the door. Bilbo squeaked as he heard the door close and footsteps approaching the hall. He had just enough time to freeze as Thorin collided with him.

Bilbo fell to the floor at the unexpected contact while Thorin fell next to him, grumbling so. "I'm sorry," Bilbo squeaked quietly.

It appeared to take Thorin a few seconds to figure out he had knocked down Bilbo, because he had a slight frown upon his face. When he came to his senses, he quickly stood and pulled the confused hobbit up as well. "Are you alright?" he asked, checking Bilbo to make sure nothing was damaged during the fall. "I did not see you... I... Are you sure I did not hurt you?"

Bilbo was confused for a minute; Thorin was... concerned... about him... about his well-being. A hint of a smile was on his face as he thought about how to answer the dwarf's question. He could either tell the king the truth and that he was not hurt... or he could lie and see what Thorin would do. He chose the latter.

Wincing ever so slightly, Bilbo laid a hand over his bandaged front and the look of pure fear on Thorin's face was absolutely priceless.

"I am so sorry," Thorin apologized, resting a hesitant hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "Please, I will do anything."

A small smile tugged at the hobbit's lips as he looked at Thorin who had his head down in shame. "I'm fine."

Thorin looked up. "Are you sure? I mean, I should have been more careful... I... should have seen you... I-"

"Thorin," Bilbo said, now truly smiling. "I am fine. Don't worry about it. I was only teasing you."

The dwarf king looked stunned for a minute before grumbling and rolling his eyes. "Do not do that. I was really scared that I had hurt you."

Bilbo laughed lightly and Thorin scowled. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see what you'd do. I assure you that I am fine and you didn't hurt me." He couldn't contain his smile when the dwarf narrowed his eyes at him; he knew Thorin would never hurt him... again. Wait, again? No, he didn't. It was coming back to him now. Uh oh. "Thorin?" he asked quietly, frowning slightly.

"What is it?" Thorin replied, watching the hobbit's frown deepen.

"I... you... no," Bilbo rambled, not really making sense of the sentence in his head. "I-"

There was a knock on the chamber door. Thorin closed his eyes and muttered under his breath as he nearly stomped to the door. He flung it open to find a guard standing there with an envelope in his hand. Thorin grabbed it and said, "Thank you," rather hotly and the guard bowed and disappeared down the corridor. He shut the door with a loud click and murderously tore the envelope open. He quickly scanned the paper and saw a few words that caught his eye. Taking a deep breath, he leaned against the door and slowly ready every word.

"Thorin?" Bilbo asking, walking into the room.

"What?" the dwarf answered, his eyes still glued to the paper.

"Is everything okay?"

"Mhmm?" he replied, half because he had not heard the question and half because he was still trying to process what the letter read. He lifted his head in time to see Bilbo turn back to the hall. "Bilbo," he called and the hobbit returned. "I am sorry, I did not hear you. Please ask me again."

"I asked if everything was okay," he repeated, looking down at his hairy feet.

Thorin let out a gruff sigh. "No, I cannot say that everything is alright." He smiled at Bilbo who looked up, hoping that he would tell him what was wrong. "My sister, Dis, is coming to Erebor... She does not know... Kili is dead."

Bilbo gasped and hesitantly walked to Thorin until he was directly in front of the dwarf. "Are you going to be okay?... With her here?"

"She is my only sister... I have to..."

"Thorin?" Bilbo tried, catching the dwarf's gaze. "I... I want to... help. If you will let me?"

He saw both relief and fear pass over Thorin's face. The king's jaw clenched and his eyes became an icy blue. Bilbo felt truly scared Thorin was going to hurt him. The dwarf lifted his arm and Bilbo had half a mind to duck and cover but didn't. He did, however, freeze in place and close his eyes in anticipation of either a hit, a punch, or a shake. None came, but when one did, Bilbo squeaked in surprise and opened his eyes.

Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain, Lord of Erebor, the strongest and bravest dwarf Bilbo had ever met, was clinging to him. Not just hugging him, but clinging to him. Bilbo looked down and saw Thorin's shoulders shake; the dwarf king was... crying.

"Thorin?" Bilbo asked. "Are you okay?"

He felt the other shake their head in response. "What are you-"

"Bilbo," Thorin sobbed, holding the hobbit tighter. "I cannot. I cannot. You cannot. I cannot."

The hobbit frowned. "You cannot what?" he asked, wrapping his own arms around Thorin's royal cloak... which was pretty hard to do since he was wearing his armor.

"I hurt you. I tried to kill you. Dis, if she, when she finds out that Kili is dead, I cannot. The Arkenstone, you stole, I tried... I cannot-"

"Thorin!" Bilbo exclaimed, pulling back from the tear-stained dwarf and cupping his bearded face. "You needn't worry."

"What?" Thorin looked confused though his dark sapphires hurt Bilbo.

"I am here, and we are friends... right?" Bilbo asked and the dwarf nodded. "When is she coming?"

"Tonight," Thorin whispered.

"Well," Bilbo began. "I cannot guarantee what will happen, but I promise you that I am here."

"But I hurt you," Thorin pressed. "I tried to kill you... I cannot-"

"You didn't."

"What?"

"You didn't try to kill me."

Thorin's eyes grew wide and Bilbo swore he saw anger flood through them. "Then who did?!" he demanded, raising his voice more out of anger towards whoever did this than Bilbo for not telling him.

"I... it started to come back to me a couple of days ago, but now I-"

Another knock came from the door Thorin had returned to leaning on. "I am so sorry, Bilbo. I have to oversee the mines today and hold a meeting."

Bilbo smiled and nodded. "I understand."

"Maybe we can talk about this tonight," Thorin suggested and was relieved when Bilbo nodded. "Alright, I will just... then... go... now." He smiled though he desperately wanted to assure Bilbo that he would be back, but he figured the hobbit already knew that. "I will be back later."

"Okay," Bilbo answered and watched as Thorin gave him an awkward smile and disappeared out the door.