Chapter Seventeen
"Take me back. Please. They're in danger." The hobbits pleads continued on while Thorin digested the news. Tunnels. There were tunnels underneath the Shire that could potentially lead anywhere, including the Lonely Mountain. But that was impossible, both Erebor and the Shire were miles apart, the distance was too great. Aside from the stretch of land between them, there were obstacles; areas where no tunnels had the possibility of staying upright. Azog must know something, as did the halfling. The sudden sound of commotion brought the dwarrow out of his musings, all of his kin were in the hobbits face firing questions that even he didn't have the answers to all of them.
"Enough!" Thorin's voice boomed, the command taking over everyone. Thorin felt Bilbo's body shift closer to his own. "First let's get down this rock and then we talk." Bilbo let out a sigh in relief, the company backed away and made their way down; treading carefully down the rocky plain.
The silence was deafening, no one said a word as they followed their king to be. Ori kept sending Bilbo worried glances each time the hobbit would stop. As they descended down the rock, Thorin felt a tug at the back of his coat, he didn't need to look back to know that it was his halfling. A small smile graced his face. "Alright. There is a six foot drop, those who can jump help those that cannot." Thorin didn't wait to hear his people speak out, mindful of Bilbo's positions he took several steps back before leaping off the rock, he tucked and rolled. After standing up and dusting himself, Thorin's moved closer to the rock formation and raised his arms. "Ready?"
Bilbo nervously looked around, there was a throbbing pain on his foot but not enough where he couldn't hold his weight. Limping forward, the hobbit risked it and looked down below. It was higher than he had expected. Thorin's still had his arms raised; with a look of encouragement in his blue eyes.
"I don't think I can." Thorin furrowed his eyebrows. His eyes searching for a different route, there wasn't.
"Just jump. Don't look anywhere else- just look at me." Thorin motioned how his hands, he bent his knees and steeled his feet, " I'll catch you." Trust me, was left unsaid. Bilbo bit his lower lip, not wanting to change his mind he leaped off without taking a running start. Thorin had to think fast, if he didn't position himself correctly, both Thorin and Bilbo would end up getting hurt.
Time slowed, Thorin held his breath, his eyes tracking the hobbits descent. The next moment, Bilbo crashed against Thorin's body sending them both backwards. His arms snaking around the dwarrows neck. Bilbo's snapped his eyes open, his cheeks heated at Thorin's intense gaze.
"I told you I would catch you." Bilbo was taken aback by the deep laughter. Coughing , Thorin set the hobbit down and straighten his clothes out before helping the rest of his kin down. Bilbo let himself get guided deep into the forest that surrounded them. It was bright an early the sun making its way to the highest point in the sky, Bilbo rubbed his tummy in an atempt to calm his hunger. "Here, eat before everyone questions you." It was Bofur, he handed Bilbo a chipped cup filled with soup that was salvaged from the goblins. The hobbit inhaled the aroma, steam surrounding his face. Thank you." Bilbo felt uneasy. The company took their offered cup then sat closely to the hobbit. Thorin took a spot next to him.
"What do you know about the tunnels?" Ori spoke up. He had parchment paper and ink ready to write. Gulping, the hobbit cleared his throat and thought back to anything that had to do with the Shire tunnels.
"I can't recall anything that could help, but. Wait. Does anyone have my coat?" Bilbo patted down his body in search of the map he took with him before the journey. "Is it this one?" Nori asked. Bilbo nodded. Nori walked up to Bilbo and handed the rolled up parchment , the hobbit couldn't question the dwarrow why he had it in the first place. The hobbit gave the dwarrow a little smile, before extending the map open.
"This is the Shire. And this line right here, is the tunnel we took to get to Bree," The hobbit pointed at the Shire then traced the tunnel they took. "You cannot see it but there are several extension to this tunnel." The company moved closer to the map, Thorin following every word trying to figure out a way to deal with their new problem.
"Ori!" The young dwarrow squeak in surprised.
"Yes?" He asked.
"May I borrow your ink, please?" Ori stuttered a yes then took out an extra container of ink and a feather. He handed to Dwalin that then handed it to to the person beside him until it reached Bilbo. The hobbit dipped the feather then moved his hand to several colorful lines on the map.
The hobbit worked in silence. The feather creating extensions to many of the lines; some of them ending with a cross while other continued to other regions of middle earth. Bilbo stopped right below the Misty Mountains. "If I had the other half. We might figure out if any of these tunnels connect to the lonely mountain."
"From this we can see that the tunnels stop here," Thorin pointed at the misty mountains. "That could be where they end. If they continue it would lead to Elven territory." Thorin concluded. The elves of Mirkwood were known to be secluded. Although they had helped Thorin's family in the past, Thranduil didn't believe he would let tunnels be built beneath their home. It was likely they may not know of them to begin with. "We will speak to Thranduil."
The silence evaporated at those words. Thorin had expected it. Not everyone tolerated the Mirkwood elves. He had his moments where he could not be in Thranduil's presence for long. But, Thorin had to reassure that there wasn't anything below Mirkwood. That there were no tunnels connecting to his mountain. "We cannot risk it. You will act accordingly. Now. Everyone eat, we leave in thirty minutes." A few grumbles here and there, the silence returned as everyone ate their soup. Bilbo stared down at the map. His eyes traveled up and through the trees where beyond the horizon he could picture the rolling his of the Shire.
He wanted to go back. He needed to see that his family was okay, that they were out of danger. What if Azog captured someone else with royal blood!? His uncles have many children, anyone could open the door. Was his grandfather aware of the dangers? And if he did why did he want him sent away. Of course he told him the dangers of the goblins but deep down, Bilbo knew there was something deeper. Something he was missing. Bilbo looked down at the cold cup of soup, the aroma lingered but he didn't think his stomach could handle the thickness of it. With that in mind Bilbo placed the cup on the side, his eyes roaming the map again. His stomach grumbled a few times but he paid it no mind. Gnawing on his lower lip he didn't feel the intense gaze that was directed at him.
Frerin stood away from the rest of the Company and his brother. He was exhausted of dealing with his brother and to top it off the pain it caused him to be so far away from his lover. It wasn't a lie, he was married. His left hand came up to his neck, his fingers ghosting over the silver chain. A smile broke out but it didn't reach his eyes. His thoughts were interrupted as a sight caught his eyes, the gentle creature that followed his brother was currently doing just that. While he pretended to study the map his eyes followed Thorin. Frerin snorted, the thought of such a gentle creature pinning after his brother was baffling. His green eyes tracked the creature, dark brown curly hair that changed to a slight blonde at the end when the sun hit it, he had similar eye color to him but what intrigued him the most was how beautiful they were. It was rare sight; if he had known there was something as beautiful as that creature he wouldn't hesitate to make them his. He had to know who and what they were. He went to stand up but stopped his movements, his brother was making his way to the creature.
"Bilbo. Here." From behind. His back, Thorin brought out a warm cup of soup, Bilbo tilted his head and his eyes widen in surprise.
"No, it okay. I already have one." The hobbit said, he held up the cold cup tot Thorin, "see." Thorin chuckled, his hand outstretched.
"Take it. You're hungry."
"No."
"Bilbo." There was no anger in his voice but Bilbo knew he couldn't argue with the dwarrow. His stomach growled as the aroma assaulted his senses. Bilbo took the offered cup and slightly moved to the side to make room for Thorin. While Bilbo ate his food, Thorin assessed the map.
"Do you think Thranduil will help?" It seemed even Bilbo had his doubts.
"Do you know of him?"
"Only from books."
"There's not much of him in there. He's different from what the text says. He helped when Smaug arrived. But other than that, we don't know much of his past. I'm sure he will help."
"If you say so." Thorin didn't miss the way Bilbo closed in on himself. His arms wrapping protectively around his middle, his shoulders hunching. "What's wrong?"
The hobbit twisted around, his body facing Thorin but he still kept himself closed off.
"He's married. I don't have to go with you anymore."
The adrenaline had finally receded, and pure agonizing pain remained. Bilbo had no idea how to go about expressing his feelings...feelings he's never really experienced and it was concerning. His fingers gripped his shirt, lips quivered waiting for Thorin's response.
"You don't." Thorin paused. "But-
"Please, don't say it's for my safety. The contract was broken the moment he- your brother married someone else." Anger laced his voice. "Why?"
Bilbo's voice cracked, a sob left his lips before he could cover his mouth.
"He knew...we wrote each other, why? What did I do wrong."
"Nothing!" Thorin couldn't take it, Bilbo's broken sobs, to the way his hazel green eyes looked for answers in him. Instinctively he reached for Bilbo, his arms wrapping around the shaking body. He held him close.
"T-Thorin, take me back." Bilbo pleaded. Thorin held him closer.
"I can't."
"Why?" Bilbo pushed against Thorin's chest, his head coming up to search Thorin's face. Tears still streamed down the hobbits face, Thorin brought his hand up and wiped the tears away, his hand then settled on the curve of Bilbo's neck; thumb rubbing soothing circles.
Bilbo asked once again, "Why?"
"Because I-"
"We need to leave." The moment shattered. Bilbo scrambled away, the hem of his sleeve whipping away at the tears. Thorin cleared his throat and then turned around and came to face Nori. He had a mischievous grin but other than that he said nothing about what he witnessed.
"Sorry for interrupting. But we have to go." Thorin stood up, dusted his clothes and then looked down at Bilbo. He offered his hand and thankfully the hobbit took it. After Nori made a hasty retreat, Bilbo felt himself yanked forward. Thorin leaned down, his breath ghosting over Bilbo's ear.
"Don't think the conversation is over. Now, come with us." Bilbo shivered, he heard the command but it was still his choice. There was a choice , if Bilbo wanted, he could turn back and Thorin wouldn't stop him. It was his decision.
"Okay." And with that, the hobbit and dwarrow made their way back to the camp, everyone ready for the journey ahead.
Author's note; Super late, sorry, but I managed to post it. Wondering who Frerin married? Hopefully they will appear soon, they are important to the story. Anyways. Hoped it was enjoyable, I try my best, and until next update. Adiós.
