Chapter sixteen
Thorin, future king of Erebor thought himself void of any real attachments to anyone except those that were close to his heart. His father and grandfather had tried various times to match him with high borns from the Irons Hills and the Blue Mountains. He declined each time, for he felt no one was deserving of his heart. That changed the moment he met Bilbo all those years ago when his family went to the Shire to spark an alliance. Thorin never realized what he felt that moment until now.
It seemed that feeling would not last. Bilbo was gently taken down from the giant eagle, he made sure to be the one to do so. He blamed himself for the halfling injuries, especially that of his swollen foot. The blood had stopped flowing but the dark vein like that traveled up was concerning. Infection. Suppressing the grimace, he pushed back Bilbo's curls form his face and Thorins couldn't help but trace his fingers around the halflings neck, it was red and signs of bruising were starting to show. The orc had hurt his halfling, somehow they had been quicker, Thorin was amazed at their speed but thankfully he could say that he was glad Azog was around. If it wasn't for him, and the chaos he created with the Goblin King, Thorin and the Company would not have escaped. He wondered what happened with the orc and goblin.
He brought his focus back to Bilbo, he studied halfling one last time before letting his nephews take over. He let Bilbo's head fall on Filis awaiting lap, Kili sat beside his brother while he ran his fingers through the hobbits curls. Thorin stood up and everyone of his kin backed away from him, even Gandalf looked the other way. He stalked towards Frerin, knowing his brother was in bad conditions he didn't care. He had brought it upon himself for leaving from the protection of the mountain. Frerin didn't react as his older brother grabbed him from the front of his shirt and pull him up.
"How could you? Tell me why, brother." Their faces were inches apart, Thorin's blue eyes held confusion, hate and hurt. He needed to know why he left the mountain, he knew his brothers feeling towards the contract. After years passed , after Frerin has stopped sending letters he knew from there on his brother had found something. His heart has shifted focus, he knew his position in the line of Durin, he was just a prince he didn't hold the crown, he didn't have to marry anyone. Frerin averted his green eyes.
"I could not fulfill something that I knew in my heart was wrong."
"It is your duty!"
Frerin brought his hands up and pushed against Thorin's chest, "Duty! All of you knew I didn't want this. I will not be forced to marry, I refuse." Frerin spat.
"You have no say in the matter. Once we go back home, you will marry."
"I said no! Father nor you can do anything anymore. I am already tied with another." Frerin confessed. Thorin stumbled backwards, it was a hit straight to his heart, not for him but for Bilbo. He wanted to believe his halfling felt something for him but, deep down Bilbo would be crushed by the confession, Frerin, the only one he had known since young.
"What?"
"I am married, Thorin." Frerin said defeated, he composed himself then turned his back to Thorin. The crown prince trembled in anger, he fistwd his hands and marched to his brother, ready to show him everything he has caused, his selfishness would not go unpunished. Before his hands could land on his brother, Bofur appeared then felt his arms twisting backwards. "What were you thinking? Tell me who it is! Tell me!" Thorin screamed at his brother, he struggled against Bofur's hold yet it didn't stop him from trying to lash out at Frerin.
"Thorin?" That soft whisper of his name was enough to penetrate Thorin's clouded mind. His body slacked, his struggling seized and Bofur finally let him go. It took several minutes before he could walk away from Frerin without lashing out again.
"Bilbo." The crown prince made his way to the hobbit, his head still rested on Fili's lap and Kili had not stopped his ministrations. Thorin stopped right before he could reach the hobbit, he looked down at the gentle creature.
"Thorin, are you hurt ?" A laugh left Thorin lips.
"I should be asking you that." Bilbo managed a smile. Everyone stayed quiet, Gandalf took out his pipe and went to the edge of the rock that overlooked the vast valley. The rest of the company decided to follow the wizard, they looked around to find a way down from the rock.
"Come here." Reluctantly Thorin crouched beside the hobbit. Everything thing about the journey has been hard on everyone, and Bilbo was the one suffering from most of it. Thorin wondered if Bilbo had heard the conversation about his brother. Just thinking about him put him in a sour mood. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Frerin clutching something around his neck.
"It's okay." With furrowed eyebrows, Thorin tilted his head to the side. Realization dawned upon him, Bilbo heard everything. "Bilbo."
"It's okay."
Bilbo knew he was a bad liar and he could tell from the way Thorin arched an eyebrow, Thorin decided to stay quiet, Bilbo was thankful for that. For now, he wanted to rest. He really was not okay but he couldn't feel anything. The adrenaline still courses through him so it was hard to distinguish his emotions and separate them from each other. The halfling still felt shock at Azog's words but he felt drained to even try to ask for answers, especially from the old grey wizard. Once he felt like himself and let things sink in with Azog and Frerin he would confront Gandalf.
"What happened? How did we get here." Bilbo's hazel green eyes fell upon his surroundings.
"Azog. Seeing that you were going to die, he attached the goblin king." Bilbo's eyes widen in surprise. " \One way or another, we know Azog wants you alive. But we don't know for what purpose. While Azog and the goblin king fought we were able to intercept you before anything else happened. And thankfully some of Gandalf friends arrived to save us."
"Friends?"
"Yes, eagles."
"Eagles!" Bilbo exclaimed. Surprised he jerk up, Thorin's hands pushed him back down.
"Calm down, halfling. We rest here tonight, tomorrow we will find a way down."
As everyone laid asleep, Bilbo laid awake. The cool night air pierced through the coat Thorin had draped around him when he thought Bilbo was asleep. The hobbit clutched the fabric and let a small tear run down his cheek then soon more followed. The energy that it took him to repress his feeling had finally cracked, without his permission his mind conjured images of Azog, the goblin king and it kept replaying Frerin's confession. As much as he willed the pain to go, his mind replayed it over and over again. Enough, please. Even with his injuries, the halfling uncovered his body then quickly regretted it. Bringing the coat back to his chest, Bilbo waited until his eyesight adjusted, Fili, Kili and Thorin all laid close to him. The rest of the company were scattered around. Ori was snuggled up on his two brothers. His gaze passed Frerin until they landed upon the wizard.
He was seated at the edge of the rock, smoking his pipe. The hobbit needed answers, Gandalf would provide them. Careful as to not wake the others, Bilbo took his time to let his strength get back to him, he stood up at a slowed pace. Bilbo knew his injuries were better but not enough to walk by himself. "Here my boy." Gandalf's staff was offered to him, the wizard still sat at the edge with his arm outstretched. Bilbo hesitantly wrapped his hands around the staff, surprisingly it wasn't heavy. The hobbit took his time , he used the staff to steady himself as he lowered himself beside the wizard. "Thank you."
"You're most welcome," Gandalf took his staff back. "You want answers."
"Yes."
Gandalf took the pipe out of his lips and placed on the side. "You're parents didn't die the way you think. They're were wargs involved but also Orcs. Have you ever wondered why your parents crossed the frozen lake?"
"Yes. But grandfather told me not to ask questions."
Gandalf hummed in thought. The hobbit was patient but once in a while the silence got to him, annoyed that the wizard said nothing he opened his mouth. " They're hiding something, that I know." He knew this because since his parents died. His grandfather has been very cryptic since then, he would question it but soon his thought would be on Frerin
Scrunching his nose in disgust, Bilbo once was embraced by the silence. Gandalf signed.
"Do you remember how only those of Royal blood can open certain doors underneath the Shire?"
"Yes."
"Your parents-your mother in particular was targeted."
"Why? I don't get it? Why would Azog want my mother?" Bilbo questioned. He finally looked over at the wizard, his green eyes pleading for answers. Bilbo mentally went over Gandalf's words, the only thing that stood out was about opening doors. "I don't understand."
"My boy, you do."
Bilbo looked away, his mind on overdrive as he tried his best to figure out what the wizard meant. Why couldn't Gandalf just tell him, he knew the answer but why did he want the hobbit to figure it out? He was about to ask the wizard but decided against it. Took blood ran in him as it did once in his mother. His hands came up and Bilbo studied each one of them. He was a Took and his blood opened- with a sudden gasp Bilbo turned his head back to the wizard.
"Are you certain?" The question lingered in the air, Bilbo already knew the answer but he wasn't prepared to actually hear it. The grey wizard nodded his head. All the sounds evaporated in that single moment. The hobbit was unaware of the tears that fell for the deaths of his parents, nor dwarrows that had awaken as the rays of the sunlight brightened the rock they had slept on. The numbness consumed the hobbit, it wrapped around until he could no longer see Thorin desperalty shaking him.
"What's happening to him!" Thorin stopped, the halfling was not responding. The crown prince moved his nephews aside, he moved behind Bilbo and placed his arms around he hobbit's middle and pulled back. The edge of the rock was dangerous considering had been shaking the halfling. Thorin moved around and crouched in front of the hobbit, his hands coming u to cup Bilbo's soft face. "Bilbo? Look at me." Nothing.
Desperation clawed at the crown prince. He gently shook Bilbo and yet he still remained unresponsive. "Bilbo!" Hazel- green eyes moved slightly, and Thorin took that as sign.
"Look at me, what's wrong? Tell me."
"The tunnels." Confused, Thorin furrowed his eyebrows.
"What tunnels?"
"We have to..we need to go backā¦.Thorin, please take me back." Bilbo took hold of both of Thorin's forearms, fingers digging into the skin. "He wants the tunnels. I thought they were destroyed."
"You're not making any sense. Calm down, Bilbo."
"The Shire, Thorin. Azog wants the tunnels underneath. Do you remember I mentioned I was the only one who could open the door that would lead us to Bree?"
"Yes, but-
"There are more hidden doors. One was in the center of a frozen lake. Those tunnels lead to various places, places where Azog could easily gain control if he so wanted."
Authors note: Alright, things are heating up. Frerin is married to someone else, guys! -gasp- I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter, I'm trying my best, really...until the next update! Adios.
