Hello.
Thank you Dragonemperess, DearChibico and kodaful1 for following or favoriting!
To my reviews:
Dearreader - I should have mentioned this before, so I apologize for this, but the reason he does die is because when I first started this I had it planned out. Perhaps I should he should have lived, it's just I think had he the plot would have just been rough...? And I would have been picking at plot straws because like I said, I had everything set. But I do thank you for mentioning this and bringing it to my attention. I of course could try to change, if you like.
Also, where would you think he was most...evil and disliked? I will gladly go back and change it as best I can. Anyways thanks for the review!
aliena wyvern - Hahah, interesting feeling! Now I want to write a chapter where Thorin wakes up with Bilbo standing over his bed with a knife. No, lets not make them anymore out of character :) Thank you for the review!
DearChibico - Anger is good...Wait no it isn't! Scratch that! But thank you for finding this interesting and thanks for the review!
musicgal100189 - To be honest I kind of like making him go crazy. It's odd considering he a favorite character of mine, but watching the Battle of the Five Armies I was disappointed that this whole phase of insanity he goes through ends with him just kind of...deciding he's okay. I think I wanted to portray him as still unstable and growing even worse. Thank you for the review though!
shadewatcher - I agree but like in the movies and in the book, Dwalin especially and Balin are so loyal to him. I mean they do question his intentions, and I think it goes for the whole company as well. Save Fili and Kili and even Bombur (if we're talking book wise) would be the only ones that I think would disagree. But thank you for the review!
Please forgive any OOCs and errors you find in this chapter and please don't be afraid to mention. Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Favorite, follow or review if you like. Thank you!
The world was at the crest of fall With the forlorn days of summer behind and a winter desolation ahead, she felt a chill coil around her skin. Bilbo should have brought her coat, today weather was bringing a cringe. She equally should have stayed in her chamber, if not more so. But a gloom was harboring over the mountain, mostly produce by Thorin's current state that even Bombur seemed unpleasant to her. For now she had chose to endure the cold than the emotional death that was flourishing.
And that morning, as she stepped towards the edge of the rampart, she rejoiced that she had.
Galloping towards was a pallid house, it's rein a blurred brown in her view and upon it was a grey figure that as it emerged closer transformed into a human figure. She had already rushed down to entrance to greet him.
"Gandalf!" Bilbo cried as they met midway. Her tongue knew it would grow tire for she had much to say, it felt like a century since she had spoke, no less to him. But she found herself only asking, "What is it?" after finding his horse halted and him locked in position with only a vacant stare directed towards her.
But quickly his brow beneath the rim of his hat roused high and he said, "It seems as I have been deceived." And though he may have been impaired by age, he gracefully dismounted his steed and come forth.
With her mind wandering farther into confusion the only reply she could give was a light, force smile, not at all dimming her confusion, and a stiff chortle.
"It is good to see you, my dear, alive and well," he said, crouching to her height and resting a hand on her shoulder. "And I am sorry for the circumstances that have brought me here."
"Thrandin..." The name faded with the breeze.
"Yes. And a great many other things too," he said, his eyes now skimming the rampart. He was in search for someone, not that he hoped to see anyone. "Tell me, where is Thorin?"
"I...I don't know and I much rather not," she replied, still lost in her perplexity.
The wizard paused, have to register the thoughts swallowing his mind and having to look past to find his knowledge. "He is ill then," he then said, grim and steadily.
Bilbo did not want to reply, but this was the only question she had a proper answer for. But her timid attitude towards it already spoke for her.
"Dragon Sickness," said Gandalf, low, as if he didn't want to admit it. "It passes through the bloodline. Any offspring of Thorin's is at risk."
Her head bowed now. She had things she found strength to resist, yet had he caught her wounded expression he would have knew. Her behavioral has already aroused a great deal of suspension, she needed now anything to withdraw him from his questions.
"Gandalf...I thought Thorin had got better. The day of the battle, he seemed well, he seemed well even after that."
"Don't be a fool, if you can help it." His tone had sprung and sharpened. He never expected her to fall for this deception. "It is a sickness not one can control. And it prospers most when the mind is weakened."
"Thrandin's death..." She could quit with her ponder now, for Gandalf's sake, though she still had many questions, ones that needed time to be asked. But she impaired by the moment. This revelation exposed Thorin's plan.
That was why he let her stay, he saw her value, that is why he fed her all his lies. She was nothing more than a pawn. She always knew she was, and she always tried to deny it. What was left to propose anything different?
"He has tried for another heir, hasn't he?"
"Yes." It seemed all her strength could muster.
"And has he succeeded?"
Her assurance rested in no answers. "I...I don't know."
Gandalf's expression grimed, rebounding for a second with his thoughts. He had to be hasty now, time was a foe, but his actions could not be on a whim if he was to retrieve her freedom. "If you stay here any longer his sickness will worsen. He musten have a heir, not like this. Meet me on the outskirts of Dale before dawn tomorrow," he instructed and he would have continued had she not interrupted.
"What? I'm not leaving," she said, for once standing her ground. "Thorin maybe is sick, but he is my friend. Not to mention he will follow us to his death if I am..."
"That is why you will be in my protection. There is far too many places that he would wish to travel that you could stay. You will be in right hands. In time you might be even able to return home to the Shire."
"But...but this is my home."
Gradually he shook his head, not out of protest, but out of pity. "No, my dear, it is not. Not anymore." His eyes shifted towards the rampart, perceiving some sort of distant movement. Ambling down they had already advanced halfway pass the front gates. He lingered for too long. He would have to depart, not comforting to either them but it was best if they left without a set of inquiries from Thorin. "You are a brave soul, Bilbo , but a foolish one as well. But sensible just as well, well enough that I know you will be in Dale when I return."
Burdening his weight on his staff, his steps were hastened by the growing movements. He bid a farewell, so swift it melted in breeze the moment he spoke it. And she would let him run off, leaving her with only wonder, uncertainty that had yet registered in her mind, but she remembered the thing that kept her in Erebor.
"Gandalf!" she called and he shifted his head.
"Yes." The pace of his words gradual.
"I wanted to tell you this, but I found something much more than my courage in the tunnels..." Her head dropped, her chin bouncing off her chest as she did. "A...a..."
"A ring of power?"
"Yes. How did you - "
"You are not quite subtle as you believe. Nevertheless, you must chose if this is more important than your freedom, not to mention your future." He would say no more, not with time closing in like this. So for a second round, he bid a farewell and with a whip of the reins his horse galloped off towards the city.
Gandalf's word spoke true, she could admit that, but that ring, something was drawing her in. Her name was echoing from its call. Let it go...she had to. For her freedom she had to.