Banes, Bears, and Scares

This is an AU/Slash story. Eventual Bofur and Nori. I hope you like and tell me your opinions either good or bad.

I own nothing.

Chapter Eleven

Everyone sat watching…not much. The only real movement was Bifur struggling to get away from Beorn. Most had not realized that getting Nori to wake wasn't going to be a quick process. Many had believed that one call from Bofur would have the thief up and awake in no time. That hadn't been the case at all.

"This is taking forever," Gloin groaned before grunting as Oin slapped him on the shoulder and gestured over to the eldest and youngest Ri brother, "Oh. Nevermind."

Ori sighed from beside the table as he held the bandage to Nori's temple. He could feel the cold radiating off of his brother. Never had he thought that losing a brother could actually happen. Dori and Nori were always there for him. What would the world be like without Dori and Nori? Just Dori? No! There had to always be a Dori and Nori. That had to be.

"What is taking so long?" Dori griped pacing near the table, but avoiding bumping into Gandalf who was still chanting much softer now, "They've been at this for an hour and my brother looks terrible. I bet you Nori's being stubborn. That brother of mine is going to be the death of me. He is. My beard is falling out as we speak. I'm losing my beard!"

"Your beard is fine," Dwalin snapped leaning against the wall as Dori watched Ori's worried face for a moment, "But I do think that Nori is being stubborn. That is the word that defines your brother. He always has to complicate everything."

"Please stop saying such things about Nori," Ori begged, "We don't know if he can hear us. Would any of you want to wake up back in a world where everyone says such…mean things about you? I thought the whole point of this was to help Nori come back to us."

"You are right," Dori agreed with a sigh, "I'm just nervous. Nori's not looking good. I'm scared for our brother, Ori. I just fear that Nori's stubbornness will cause him to fight Bofur. I'm afraid that our brother is trying to withdraw."

"Stubborn," Dwalin voiced, "Just like you mentioned before. Nori takes the hardest route every time and never the straight and narrow. He'd make life a lot easier for himself and everyone else if he'd just drop his stubborn ways."

Just about everyone jumped when Dori hissed angrily as he whirled to stare at Dwalin.

"Stop insulting Nori when he can't defend himself," Dori challenged as he stalked over to the warrior, "You know nothing! You are close kin of the Durin line. You worked hard, but you had Thorin to rely on."

"Dori," Thorin began before growing silent at a wave of the eldest Ri's hand.

"No. I have the right to say this," Dori growled, "Dwalin, Balin, Oin, and Gloin where close enough cousins to have a bit of protection by the Durin line. What did the Ri family have? Nothing! Being so distantly related, nothing kept us from nearly starving. We survived on our own and Nori did the best he could with the rotten situation that all Erebor dwarves got handed after losing our home. Stubbornness is what helped Nori survive and keep my family from starving."

"I would have helped you," Thorin pointed out as Dori snorted, "I would have, Dori."

"No, you would not have," Dori denied as Thorin gaped, "Look. You had a lot to deal with losing Erebor, your grandfather, your brother, and later your father. Helping distant kin was the least of your worries. My mother knew that. I know that to this day, but Nori moved mountains to keep his family alive while sacrificing himself in the process. I should have realized that sooner. He meant well, but the world he delved in sucked him down and I wish to Mahal I had known he was being threatened earlier. That stubborn streak in Nori made him who he is to this day and I adore my brother."

"I understand, Dori," Thorin agreed looking pacified, "There are decisions in all of our lives that we have regretted, but it seems that Nori's youthful decisions led to his entrapment. I regret that very much. I will be paying off any debts that Nori owes to anyone. I didn't help then, but I can try now. Your family are kin and I won't allow my kin to suffer."

"That meant a lot to Nori when you said that you would help him before," Dori pointed out as Thorin seemed relieved, "My House holds no hard feelings for not getting assistance back then. Those were horrible times and many suffered greatly. I hope the days ahead will be better and Nori will be there with his One to have some peace. Though, I am hoping that maybe Bofur can help curtail some of my brother's…wilder tendencies."

"That will be the day," Dwalin chuckled while Dori glared before everyone startled at a loud gasp as Bofur threw his head back hissing in apparent pain, "What's happening? What's wrong with Bofur? Mahal, Nori's lost all color in his face completely!"

"Little Bird is resisting," Beorn answered as he stood with Bifur locked in one arm at his side as the dwarf swore loudly and kicked for all he was worth not liking the feeling of being hanging from the skin-changer's grip, "I feel it. Little Bird has denied himself attachments for so long that he cannot accept that Little Love has already forgiven him. He's withdrawing further in his mind and Little Love is trying to force him back out again. It's taken its toll on both of your comrades."

"I knew it," Dori gritted out as he stomped over to Nori's prone form, "You stop that immediately, Nori of the House of Ri! Do you hear me? You listen to Bofur and get your rump back here this minute. You're causing Bofur hurt and pain. I know that is not what you want. You've got Bofur worried, Ori worried, the whole damn company worried, and I'm losing my beard. Wake up! Wake up, Brother. We need you."

Nori's head snapped up at the words that echoed around the attic as Bofur looked up as well. That had been the first outside voice the toymaker had heard since arriving within Nori's mind.

"Dori?" Nori asked turning to face Bofur fully now, "That was Dori. Pain? Dori said you were hurting. You're in pain?"

"Ever since I woke up and found ye injured and sleepin' so deeply," Bofur agreed as Nori looked down again, "It hurt ta realize that ye were bein' threatened and felt ye had to let all your loved ones go. Do ye love me, Nori?"

"Yes. I never stopped," Nori answered immediately, "I've loved you from the moment you said, 'Hi. I Bo. Here my horsie Blaze ta make ya feel better.'"

"I remember that," Bofur chortled, "Ye were so sad and cryin' against your older brother's shoulder. I remember that my heart hurt ta hear ye upset and offered my toy ta ye ta help ye feel better."

"I remember. I still have Blaze, you know," Nori admitted, "I had been frightened by a bookshelf nearly falling on me and then I thought an angel had come to cheer me up. You were all green eyes and dark braids sitting in your cousin's arms as you waved at me so cheerfully. I loved you from that first moment, but what kind of a life can I ever offer you if you really are my Bofur? I'm a thief."

"Ye're me thief," Bofur hummed with a grin, "I remember that moment too. I saw a hazel-eyed, copper-haired, wood sprite that I knew was mine from tha moment we met. Your eyes spoke of mischief and happiness then. I want that for ye now."

"Bofur, I can't be trusted."

"I always know when ye are lyin'. Not a problem."

"I have a roaming heart. I just can't stay put for long."

"Absence makes tha heart grow fonder and I think that roamin' heart of yours has more ta do with protectin' your family and I than an actual want ta leave."

"I'll disappoint you just like I disappoint my family."

"Your family is not disappointed in ye and neither am I. We love ye, Nori."

"I…I take forever getting ready in the mornings."

"I don't so ye can use me time in front of tha mirror."

"I snore."

"Join tha club."

Nori chuckled as he moved a little closer to the wall that was separating Bofur from his lad. The toymaker was ecstatic at seeing the sparkle return to his thief's eyes. He was still worried about the head wound. It was trickling a lot of blood and didn't look like it was slowing down.

"Is it really you?" Nori asked flicking his eyes up to Bofur's, "I was so worried Bilbo and I wouldn't make it back in time and you would…you would leave. Is the dwarf's bane really out of your system?"

"It's me," Bofur laughed as Nori drew his knees up again to listen, "Dwarf's bane is well out of me system too. I'm just a bit weaker than I should be, but Gloin cursed me a good one. Turns out Oin made him clean tha buckets that I threw up in. I'm gettin' stronger from day ta day. Do ye know that Beorn has dubbed me 'Little Bird's Love?'"

Nori laughed then. It was a nice sound to hear.

"Little Bird's Love?" Nori echoed with a grin, "Where does he get his nicknames from? That is one of the most interesting creatures I think I've ever met."

"He is different," Bofur agreed, "Beorn has done a lot for us."

"I have him to thank for you getting better. I'm so glad that you are doing well," Nori offered before shuddering and looking like he was going to pass out suddenly.

"Nori? Nori! What's wrong?" Bofur demanded as his lad swayed, "Nori, answer me."

"I'm cold," Nori murmured looking sick.

"Ye need ta come with me," Bofur ordered scrambling his hands over the invisible wall to try and find an opening, "Ye need ta be seen by Oin. Nori, let me in. Nori? Nori! There has ta be an openin' in this. Dammit! Nori, please let me in."

Nori didn't answer as he tumbled to the ground from where he sat.

All eyes widened as Nori's back arched suddenly while he keened loud before going limp again. There was no denying that the dwarf sounded like he was in pain.

"What is happening?" Dori demanded as he turned on Beorn only to start as Nori shuddered once and convulsed hard.

Ori's hand slipped from the bandage at the movement and he toppled limp against the table as his hand brushed his brother's forehead. Bofur also slumped hard to the table still holding onto Nori with his head lying on the thief's shoulder. Even Gandalf looked strained as his chanting grew in pitch.

"Ori! Nori!" Dori yelled as he rushed forward only to be held back by Beorn, "I'll cut your damn hand off! Let me go!"

"No. You'll kill them all," Beorn hissed as Dori stilled, "Your mouse disrupted the link by accident when his hand slipped. Gandalf has been able to balance the link for now. The good news is Little Bird may be fading, but he still is fighting. Your eldest, younger brother needs to wake soon or I fear all three will be lost."

Thorin cursed loudly as Bifur howled in Beorn's grip and began to struggle like a hellion. All three, unconscious dwarves didn't look good in the least.

"Can't we do something?" Bombur questioned pulling at his braid, "I don't want to lose any of them."

"There isn't anything to do," Beorn denied, "I believe that Gandalf should be able to disengage the link if Little Bird is too far gone, but…."

"What?" Bilbo asked as the skin-changer trailed off.

"Gandalf will be able to possibly bring back Mouse, but Little Love will follow Little Bird," Beorn finished as everyone hissed, "You will lose them both. Little Love will not allow Little Bird to leave without him again. I felt that resolve from the moment Little Love woke to find his One in this sleep. The two are of the same heart."

"Ori," Dori blurted as the company looked at him in surprise as he hurried over to the limp, youngest Ri, "Ori, listen to me. Nori is fading. Help Bofur convince your daft brother that he is needed here. Go to Nori and let him know that he is family and family sticks together. Hurry, Lad. Ori, get to your brother. Go. Nori needs you and so does Bofur. Go help them come back to us. Hurry, Ori. Move."

Ori heard and followed the sound of yelling as he climbed unfamiliar stairs. He was shocked to see Bofur slamming himself against what looked like clear air as he shouted for someone to wake up. He gasped sharply when he saw his brother lying sprawled on the floor in the corner with a bloody temple.

"Nori!" Ori cried as he hurried over.

"Ori?" Bofur asked as he turned in shock, "What are ye doin' here? Gandalf said ta not touch either of us. Did ye do this ta Nori? Is ye bein' here now is what has done this ta me lad?"

"No," Ori disagreed as he hurried over and was held back as Bofur showed him the invisible wall, "Nori convulsed suddenly and I touched him by accident. I heard Dori's voice from outside of Nori's mind. He said that Nori's fading, Bofur. Nori, please listen to me. Brother, I want you to come back to us. So does Dori. We're family. We care for you so much and it would destroy us to lose you. Please wake up."

"Wake up, Nori," Bofur commanded as he again threw himself at the shield that was keeping him from reaching the still dwarf, "Wake up. Wake up now. Come on, Nori. I'm not leavin' without ye and now Ori is here ta come get ye. Ori came all this way ta help ye wake up. Come on, Love. Snap out of it."

Ori watched horrified as Nori remained still and unresponsive before he too began to push against the wall. He was terrified for his brother. He wanted his brother's eyes open now.

"Nori, you're scaring me and it hurts so much to see you like this," Ori admitted as he hit the wall, "Wake up. Bofur is hurting outside. This link is hurting him. Is that what you want? He doesn't look good and neither do you."

Nori stirred at that as Bofur stared and continued trying to reach him. His lad was looking too pale and that was scaring the toymaker.

"Wake up, Nori," Bofur ordered, "I'll stay right here no matter tha pain. I'm not leavin' ye behind. I was forced ta watch ye walk away from me once and I'll not go through that again. I'll endure whatever I need ta so I can get ye out of here."

"No," Nori breathed shaking his head as he trembled where he lay, "No. No pain. Not for you. Go back. Leave me."

Everyone watched as Nori shook his head as Ori's hand slipped to his brother's shoulder and Bofur's hands stayed strong. Dori gritted his teeth as Nori trembled while his hair whipped about with what was obviously a negative shake of the head.

"Is he in pain?" Bilbo squeaked as Nori paled some more and continued shaking his head.

"No that is pure, Nori stubbornness you are seeing, Bilbo," Dori snapped.

The company watched as the eldest Ri walked over with a look of determination. Beorn and Thorin were about to step in when Dori stopped and leaned over Nori.

"You listen to me good, Nori of the house of Ri, you stop this stubborn bull of yours this minute!" Dori yelled directly into his brother's ear, "Wake up! I was wrong, okay? Is that what you need to hear to wake up? You were not a bad influence on Ori. You were trying your hardest to make everything right again. I love you, Little Brother. Don't leave us. Bofur, Ori, and I need you. I'm sorry for assuming the worst about you. I'm so sorry, Nori. You must wake up again. We…I can't lose you, Nori. I can't survive that and neither can Ori."

Bofur and Ori listened as Dori's voice rang out. Nori stirred a little more and finally fluttered his eyes open again. The toymaker wanted to curse at how weak his One looked. Nori needed to wake up soon.

"Nori," Bofur voiced in relief, "Ye heard your brother. None of us can lose ye because we adore ye. I love ye, Dori loves ye and I am assumin' that Ori does too."

"I do. So much. You're my hero, Nori," Ori assured looking panicked as his brother curled into a ball, "Bofur, what's wrong with him?"

"He's hurtin'," Bofur hissed, "Nori, can ye help me get tha wall down?"

"I don't know how," Nori moaned as he shook on the floor, "Bofur, I'm cold. I want to go back with you, but I don't think I can. I'm so tired. Please just take my little brother and leave before I cause either of you anymore harm. I'm sorry. I can't go back with you. I can't."

To be continued…