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Bilbo desperately wished that everyone would leave him be. Maklon had been sitting next to him since he had settled on the bed though at least Bilbo had been able to send Dwalin off.

"You do not need to sit with me, Maklon, I am quite well – much more so than I thought I would be."

Maklon did not look convinced.

"You surely have something better to do than sitting with me while I rest."

"Will you be resting, Bilbo?"

"Oh yes, this morning took a lot out of me – I will have the tea Violet is making and then close my eyes."

Maklon thought about it for a few moments, then he nodded and stood up. "I will be in the sitting room if you need anything."

"Thank you," Bilbo said, glad that he could finally relax. Now only to get rid of Violet – Bilbo knew that it would not be as easy to get the other hobbit to leave him alone. He closed his eyes and rested back against his pillows, unable to get the image of Thorin as the dwarf stood above him out of his mind. Thorin had been so angry when he had seen Bilbo, so convinced that the hobbit had been unfaithful while they had been on the road – or perhaps only after Bilbo had left. Though the way he had looked at Bilbo towards the end, especially when Dwalin and Dori had been arguing had been heartbreaking in a way Bilbo was still unsure of. Bilbo had wanted to believe that when Thorin found out about the babies he would have been over the moon – explaining that he had been wrong and wanted to be with Bilbo. Bilbo twisted further into the pillow under his head and let the pain wash over him.

"I know you are upset, Bilbo," Violet said, startling him. "However, I think perhaps you should wait until you speak to Thorin again before you lose all hope."

Bilbo sniffed and twisted around to look at her. "You hate him."

"But I was watching him and I think he is hurting too. He is no better than any other male at hiding his emotions. Perhaps you should hear him out."

"He thought I was an unfaithful cad who would sleep with Dwalin and he banished me because of a gem – a shiny, pretty gem."

"You are hurt, rightfully so, however you might regret remaining angry forever – it is not a healthy way to live your life."

"Violet, he…"

"I know," Violet said, smoothing a hand through his hair. "Drink your tea. I am going to go and knit in the sitting room while you rest. If you need anything please call."

Bilbo nodded and sat up slightly to sip at his tea knowing it would ease some of the tension in his abdomen. His lower back was in spasm now that he was lying down and he had a headache. He knew he would not sleep though, instead lying back down when he was finished with his tea. He could not think of anything but Thorin. He was not sure why Violet was suddenly his advocate but something about it would not leave his mind.

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