Alright, I don't think the wait was that bad this time xD

Anyways, good news, I'm basically done everything I had to finish in order to write this chapter so who really knows if you're going to have to wait insane amounts of time for the next chapter xDD

The story is also coming to an end (about 3 - 5 chapters left...more 3 than 5, just saying xP) so...yeah xP

At this point I'd like to remind the world that I'm open to prompts and things like that (especially smutty ones hurhurhur) so if you want me to write anything or think that I might be interested in your idea, send it to meeee!

Thanks :D

Now ENJOY! Fav and review if you liked, tell me about your thoughts or school me about the wait periods!


PS: Anyone else pissed that Game of Thrones isn't airing an episode tonight?

PSS: Did anyone notice that, each chapter, the title only has 3 words? xD

PSSS: Sorry for the short chapter D:


"Thorin…" Dwalin said upon seeing his King return to the company, he also, subconsciously, got to his feet – as did the other Dwarves, "How did it go…?"

Thorin eyes were glued to the floor and there had been a long moment of silence before he raised them. His distraught appearance spoke for itself and instead of elaborating on what occurred, he spoke of something else. "I can no longer push away my return to Erebor," he said, "And though I know some of you wish to stay for longer, some of you do not have that luxury. Dwalin, Balin, Fíli, Oín and Gloín, you will accompany me tomorrow for the return journey."

"Wait…" Kíli said, peeling himself away from Ori, "What about me…? I don't have to go?"

Thorin smiled bitterly, "Would you really have really followed me if I ordered you to?"

"Not really…" Kíli admitted in a mumble.

"Exactly," Thorin sighed, "Thankfully, you're not my heir and so I don't have to order Dwalin to knock you out and help me drag you back to Erebor. If you want, you can stay here until Thranduil and or Bilbo dismisses you or come back with me," then he addressed the rest of the Dwarves, "the same goes for the rest of you."

There was a dull silence for a moment and it didn't take long for the King to conclude that he would be returning only with the people he named. "Very well," Thorin said, "Before I leave, all I ask is that you send Erebor a letter announcing your return when you are ready to do so." They all nodded simultaneously and thus their conversation ended.

The rest of the day seemed to pass by in an instant. Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, Oín, Gloín and Fíli spent a good portion of it preparing their things and organising their belongings. They were quiet for the most part, chatting only when those staying approached them but never mentioning Bilbo. It had been clear to all of them, by Thorin's distracted state, that the meeting had not necessarily gone well. None of them knew that Bilbo had refused seeing him at the last second and none of them knew that their stone-faced leader crumbled to bits upon being neglected.

The wounds were still fresh for Thorin. The feelings he had felt then and the door separating he from Bilbo were permanently etched in his mind forever. A part of him wanted to blame the Elves – specifically Thranduil – but the other part knew that it was only because he didn't want to blame himself. Nonetheless, he still loathed leaving Bilbo in Thranduil's care but, as much as he hated to admit it, the Elf-King was taking better care of the Hobbit than he ever could. Elves were known for excelling in the medical arts and so Thorin was partially comforted knowing that Bilbo would make a speedy and proper recovery – though he would never be permitted to see the positive change; Thranduil would make sure of it.

That night, Thorin didn't sleep. Perhaps one of the reasons was the insufferable snoring of his company – notably Bombur who breathed in night bugs daring to flutter above his face. However, he knew that his restlessness was also caused by the anxiety he felt towards leaving. He would be abandoning Bilbo again – though in good company this time – and would have to face the kingdom to which he lied. He had told them that he would discuss trading opportunities with Elrond, bring back Kíli and Ori who had caused quite a ruckus in their parting, and yet he would have done none of those things. How would he explain everything he had failed to do as to mask the fact that he had chased after one the kingdom of Erebor considered the worst traitor alive? Moreover, if he succeeded, could he change the public's opinion in regards to Bilbo as to give the latter possibility to return if he so desired it? Granted, the possibilities of Bilbo wanting to return were very small but still plausible…weren't they?

When the sun arose, Thorin found that the fact he hadn't slept wasn't incapacitating him much. He was surprised that Thranduil hadn't passed by to evict him immediately from his Halls but brushed the thought away; it didn't matter anymore. He and the others packed their things and brought them to the front gates where they were met with their ponies. The guards present explained that Thranduil had had them fetched some time after they had first arrived and kept them well fed. Thorin thanked them and, along with the others, prepared the beasts they needed and left the others for when the rest of the company would return. Then, they bid each other farewell.

"Take good care of Bilbo." Fíli told Kíli as he hugged him tightly. Then he placed a hand on Ori's shoulder as he addressed him, "And make sure my brother doesn't do anything stupid."

"Hey!"

"I will." Ori smiled.

"Bofur and Dori," Thorin said causing the two named to jolt, "I trust I can leave you both in charge of orchestrating your own return?"

"Yes milord." Dori assured with a deep bow.

"You needn't worry, Thorin," Bofur grinned familiarly, "We'll be just fine and we'll send you letters about Bilbo's condition whenever we can."

"That wouldn't be wise…" Thorin mumbled grimly, "The kingdom still views Bilbo as a traitor; it could be bad for my image if these letters were ever intercepted."

"Oh…" Bofur hummed disappointedly, "I suppose we can tell you everything when we return…"

"Not necessarily," Fíli declared as he imposed himself in the conversation, "When Kíli and I were lads, we invented our own language so we could say certain things and complain without being schooled. Kíli can write the letters in our made up language and I can read them."

"That…that would be good…" Thorin smiled softly, "thank you."

"It's time to go, Thorin." Balin declared as he mounted his pony, "we must leave Mirkwood before the night falls or else we'll be prey to its dangerous creatures."

"Right," Thorin nodded, and then he turned his gaze to the portion of the company he was abandoning. He beheld them once more before nodding to them in approval and climbing on his pony's saddle. "I will send word from Erebor when we arrive. If anything important happens in which I require your immediate return, I will send word."

"Sounds good." Bofur said cheerfully.

"Swell." Dori added quickly, glaring at Bofur who seemed to be hogging the role of temporary leader, "We'll be sure to return as quickly as possible if need be."

"Good," Thorin approved, then he looked specifically at Kíli, "You, behave."

"I will, I will, I will!" he growled in slight annoyance, "it's not as though I'll burn down Mirkwood while you're gone!"

And with that and a short smirk, Thorin ordered his pony to advance towards the opening gates. The others followed, forcing themselves not to look back or show any signs of regret but couldn't stop themselves from feeling it. More than anything, they hoped Bilbo would heal and be well ag—

"Wait!"

Thorin jerked his head back immediately, recognizing the voice, as his heart sped and drummed loudly. Running in their direction was a very thin and sickly Hobbit who was barely able to stay on his feet. Though they were still faraway from each other, Thorin could clearly see the desperate look on the other's face and couldn't help but feel a certain inkling of hope.

"Wait!" He begged between gasps, "Don't g—" But he tripped and fell before he could finish his sentence.

"Bilbo!" Thorin immediately jumped from his pony's back and ran towards the fragile Hobbit, but the other members of the company had already helped him up by the time Thorin had gotten to him. They stared at each other for a moment and the Dwarf King felt incline to simply touch the object of his affection but retained himself – he was not deserving of touching Bilbo after having mistreated him. "A-are you alright?" he asked instead.

"I—" but choked, Bilbo shut his mouth immediately. It was clear that the smaller Hobbit didn't want to cry even though he was so close to just bursting into tears. There was a long silence, in which Bilbo tried to gather his courage and when he thought he was ready, he looked at Thorin with great determination but crumbled to pieces upon having his gaze returned and cried. Upon seeing Bilbo so distraught, Thorin ignored the fact that he didn't deserve to touch Bilbo and gathered him into his arms.

The Hobbit was still very thin though there was a great amelioration from when they first met again over a month ago. He still fit perfectly against his chest and still gave Thorin the sensation that he was now complete. And thus they stayed in each other's embrace for a moment, surrounded by their friends who smiled at them warmly before Bilbo managed to recompose himself.

"I-I don't want you to leave…" Bilbo sobbed, "Don-n't leave m-me…"

"If that's what you truly wish," Thorin whispered, "Then I won't. I'll stay by your side until you tell me to leave."

"I don't w-want you to leave…" Bilbo repeated, looking up at Thorin, "Even if I t-tell you that I d-don't want t-to see you, I don't want you to l-leave."

"…I understand…" Thorin sighed, his grip around the little Hobbit tightened as he breathed in his sweet sent.

And for a long moment subsequent to that last statement, they stayed in each other's arms. Thorin forgot about Erebor and having to return to his kingly duties and stayed by Bilbo's side. And no matter what anyone said, no one could convince him to stray away from his Bilbo for he had been given the chance to mend what they once had and not Erebor or the Arkenstone would stop him from doing so.