Chapter Thirteen

Months ago

Frerin

Fingers hovering above the handle, Frerin stepped back and let his pack slip off his shoulders. Giving it a kick, Frerin stepped around his bed and began pacing in front of it. His eyes constantly going to the door. All he had to do was walk over there, open the door and just leave. It wasn't as simple as he made it seem. There was a lot at stake. The Durin name for one.

His thoughts were interrupted as a knocked resounded, looking at the door wearily Frerin gave them permission to enter. Dis appeared behind the door her hair softly braided to the side. Frerin felt like screaming, asking her to leave him. But he didn't. She had something to say and he wanted to hear it. Frerin watched as her blue eyes scanned his room, her eyes widen as they landed on his pack. Frerin wasn't surprised in the least. "You can't."

"I can." Was his response, Dis let herself in and locked the door behind her. "Frerin, I know how you f-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Dis. You have no idea how I feel about all of this. You're far luckier to have married someone of your choice." His sister decided to stay quiet, Frerin was thankful but only for a moment as the youngest Princess opened her mouth again. "Please, leave." He pleaded. He didn't like where the conversation was headed.

"I can't, not unless I know you're staying."

Frerin could feel the emotions trying to burst out of him, the way they gripped at his ribs ready to break free. He kept them reined in, with a convincing nod to his sister , Dis finally unlocked the door and left clearly not believing him.

He dare not scream for his sister could still be out there. Waiting felt like forever but he needed to make sure no one would be able to hear him. It was time. Grabbing the first thing that came into contact Frerin threw it against the stone walls. Watching the object break into pieces made Frerin feel in control. Control, something he's been lacking since his birth. Screams filled the chambers with each object that broke. Furniture laid in broken piles, the pack still in the same spot. Frerin ran with his emotions, for once he let them dictate what to do. His finger wrapped around the straps then he placed it on his back.

Opening the door that would lead to his freedom, Frerin stepped out without so much as any guilty feelings. His family would take care of it. He wouldn't marry a stranger even if the contract said so. That burden would be someone else's.

Frerin actually did it. He left. Left the troublesome contract, his father and everything that tied him down. It was mid morning when Frerin stopped in his tracks. The outline of his brother and the company he decided to take with him were far, he could barely make out the wizard riding with them at the very back. Gandalf suddenly stopped, Frerin cocked his head to the side wondering what the wizard was doing letting the company get ahead of him. The second Prince of the Durin line was frozen in place, the wizard had angled his body in his direction. Even from far away Frerin could feel the old wizard's gaze heavily upon him.

Present

Thorin and company.

Thorin pushed the nearest goblin, they toppled over the staircase but another took its place as they shuffled the company forward. None could get their hands on their weapons, any that attempted either got pushed roughly or got hurt. Thorin mentally counted the group, Gandalf not hard to miss. Happy with the number his focus was on their path. Makeshift bridges hanged in every direction above them and below them, every single one of them dangerous and weak when passing through them.

Dwalin kept his body close to his for protection as well as Nori. At least he had protection from his shields.

For being at the mercy of the goblins and their Realm Thorin felt and eerie feeling at the silence that followed them. Their homes built inside the stones were empty, the once bright lights were dimmed. What was going on? As if reading his thoughts Nori spoke up, "Too silent, we could easily overtake these scouts." Dwalin agreed as well as Thorin yet he couldn't shake the feeling away. Even if they had a plan and overtook the Goblins they didn't know their way around their home. For all they knew they could be deep inside the mountain.

Thorin desperately tried getting the wizards attention but to no avail, it looked that Gandalf had his own thoughts plaguing him. Thorin turned his head to the left and then to the right, Dwalin and Nori were still beside him. Thorin looked up ahead once again at the boisterous laughter that surrounded them. The company all halted at once at the noise that carried throughout the mountain, the goblins at once had them moving.

Thorin's thoughts automatically went to Bilbo, what if he was not dead? What if he was captured like the rest of them? It was a stretch but the hope inside him wanted to believe it. Then again being at the mercy of these vile creatures was something Bilbo did not need to see. As much as a warrior his Hobbit was... he was still so gentle. Death would have been better.

Guilt made it's way to his heart, he should have seen it, the way Bilbo limped...should have seen the blood that pooled around his feet. The frail way he carried himself. Never in his entire existence had Thorin felt such a shame at his own actions, at his stupidity, at not treating his company with kindness. Just because Bilbo was promised to another it did not mean he had to unleash his wrath upon him. He had no fault in this. Nor did Frerin.

"Welcome, King to be." Thorin snapped out of his thoughts at the voice, it was deep and raspy from screaming too often. The Crown Prince shifted his gaze up and met the Goblin King himself. He was the same as the last time his kin attacked his kind, the gash around his left eye had yet to heal. Courtesy of his brother Frerin. Surprise registred at what he was seeing. When had they arrived to their destination? Was he that deep into his thoughts? His head quickly moved side to side looking for his faithful Sworn shields and found them missing.

Everyone was missing.

Thorin panicked only slightly, he breathed in through his nose and exhaled through his mouth to calm down, it worked. His blue eyes darkened, he glared up at the Goblin King, his gaze unwavering. "Where are my kin?" Thorin asked, his eyes roaming the area. From the looks of it they were on some kind of pedestal, all the way to the left and right from them were thousands of goblins situated in a huge wide circle. Like an arena. The Goblin King let out a cackle, with his wart infected finger he pointed just beyond them, towards the arena. Thorin wasted no time, he swiftly moved forward but stopped before the edge. He ignored the smaller goblins surrounding him waiting to hold him back.

The whole company was down there, all of them removed of their weapons. Even Gandalf was left without his staff. Oh. they were in trouble. "Oh I have a surprise for you, Dwarf." The Prince turned around and faced the King, his eyes searching, the goblin just pointed with his head back to the arena. Thorin looked back and almost leaped off the high rock in order to get to the one person he had to ask for forgiveness, the only one that matter in that moment, Bilbo.

Anger erupted inside him at the way his Halfing was treated, he watched as a small crate like box that was smaller than Bilbo, made it to center of the arena. He was forced out of it, his hands bound and his face showed exhaustion and pain but Bilbo kept his head up in defiance. He was clearly shaken.

"BILBO!" The scream that tore through Thorin's lips cut through Bilbo's panicked thoughts. The halfling desperately sought out the voice, his eyes landed on the highest rock where the Goblin King stood and beside him on the pedestal looking down at him was Thorin. Tears sprung to his eyes, he bit his lip to muffle the sob that wanted to escape. "Uncle!" Bilbo tore his gaze away from Thorin and looked behind him, the Company all rushed to his side. Kili, Fili and Ori were the firsts to his side. Oin soon followed, assessing all of his cuts and bruises. " Anybody have a knife? We need to cut the restraints." Hidden in the deep folds of his clothes, Nori produced a small dagger, Fili took the offered dagger and cut the bounds. Bilbo massaged his wrists, "Thank you." He couldn't get much out as Kili and Fili engulfed him in a hug, his body protested from the pain but he held onto them.

"You need to leave." Fili raised an eyebrow at the Hobbit Prince, Kili soon followed. " You? We...we're not leaving without you Uncle."

"No, you all have to find a way out. I'm in no shape to follow." Bilbo responded. He was still on the ground, his arms shaking as he tried lifting himself up. "I'm losing blood as we speak, my arm is bruised and my head is pounding. I don't think I can even fight." Kili squatted in front of the hobbit, "We have found you. We won't leave you not after our Uncle Thorin has finally accepted his feelings."

"Accepted his feelings?"

Kili gave Bilbo the brightest of smiles, Bilbo felt his heart skip a beat at the statement, it couldn't be could it? "Towards you, Bilbo. He accepted his feelings for you." Ori finished for Kili, a soft smile on his gentle face.

His head swam at the revelation, emotions came and went, the pounding in his head only increased. But the warmth that spread like fire made him smile. His hazel-green eyes looked up and they instantly locked with Thorin's blue. They held sadness and anger, and a hint of softness in them when he would look into them. Reserved just for him. Thorin held the gaze, he tried conveying his feelings, promises of getting him out. "That is not the surprise I had for you, Prince."

Thorin turned around, no sword or dagger at his disposal but he had his fists. Oh how he wanted to kill the vile creature. His movements were stopped by the goblins. "What more could you have? My kin are not at your disposal." Thorin felt at ease, the goblins never left their home, they would never set foot in dwarven land. They had no other person whom to use against him. He was wrong, the Goblin King cackled once more, "Don't be so sure. Bring out the other one." The noise rose, every goblin stood up, their eyes sparkled with bloodlust.

The gasps coming from down below had the Crown Prince running back to see whom they had taken out. A figure stumbled out with their hands bound behind them, Blonde hair that usually shone like spun gold was dull and filled with grime. Thorin knew this person, even if their appearance was different. This person was Frerin. Knees weak, Thorin felt his body fall, he paid no attention to the pain. Why was he here? He was supposed to be home.

Author's note; Whelp, there's Frerin, he shouldn't be there. Tsk tsk. I will be explaining how our dear Prince made it into the hands of the Goblins. There are more surprises to come. Not just this typical love triangle- oh things are going to get heated. I will try to update more frequently. I'm just happy for those who are still sticking to it. Thanks you. Till next update, Adios.