A/N: Hello and welcome to another chapter! As always, thank you so much for all your comments, kudos and follows! You have no idea how much it means to me :)

*Tharkûn is the name the dwarves gave Gandalf.

Chapter Seven

Thorin's mind was elsewhere that evening. It was a strange occasion under normal circumstances, but truth be told, these circumstances were anything but normal. Something shifted in the air that night and he knew that things would be different. Not simply because of Ellie's reappearance, although that was undoubtedly part of the reason, but it was as though the great Mahal himself had planned something greater than what perhaps Thorin could understand.

It was, however, most curious that Ellie just happened to appear at such a pivotal moment. Even though neither of them spoke of it, Thorin had not forgotten that it had been a very long time since he last saw Ellie. Obviously, he knew that it was not on purpose and that he should not be angry about it, especially as there was so much else to be angry about, but he couldn't help but be a little disappointed. Even then, the sheer joy he felt over seeing Ellie again after so long quickly dominated his inner emotional turmoil.

Should he perhaps tell somebody about her and if so, whom? Dwalin was out of the question, he would just simply laugh at Thorin and then carry about his business as if nothing had ever happened. Balin, wise as he was, would try to reason with Thorin and perhaps suggest that it was merely the stress of recent travels and events that conjured up the image of his childhood imaginary friend.

Fíli and Kíli were both out of the question. Not only because they were too young to understand the complexity of it all, but because if word of it got back to Dís, Thorin knew that he would never hear the end of it. Had Ellie been a dwarrowdam, then perhaps it might be considered some sort of prophetic mission and that he should take her as his wife.

By dwarrow customs, Thorin should have taken a wife long ago, yet he never did. Perhaps a part of him hoped or maybe even knew that Ellie would return one day, but what good would that do? She wasn't physically present in this world, even if he could see and touch her? Not to mention there was no telling how long she would be around for or when he would see her again. At 195 years of age, Thorin should really have gotten used to it all by now, but whenever Ellie appeared it was as if he became a different dwarf altogether and not necessarily in a bad way.

Perhaps, he thought as he exhaled a large ring of smoke which then vanished, perhaps this was indeed Mahal's doing. Thorin wanted to go back outside and talk to Ellie again, but a while ago Gandalf had decided to sit on the bench and enjoy some peace and quiet (for which Thorin did not blame him) and the wizard had yet to return inside. So, Thorin sat in Bilbo's living room where several dwarves were sleeping and snoring with their stomachs quite comfortably full with food and drink.

As for the esteemed Mr Baggins, well, there was a part of Thorin who doubted whether or not the hobbit was indeed up for the task of being their burglar. If anything, Bilbo seemed to have rather a long stick up his behind and despite his friendy-enough act as a host, it was clear that the hobbit did not much care for having dwarves in his company. After all, whatever would the neighbors think? Thorin could also tell that Bilbo was indeed a very proud hobbit and for that the dwarf prince could not fault him. After all, Thorin was a tremendously proud dwarf and there was nothing wrong about that, unless you let it get to your head.

Bag End was a well looked after hobbit hole and Thorin could see why Bilbo loved it so much. It would be hard for him to spend so much time away from the comforts of his armchairs and homemade cake (even though Bombur's cake was also good) and it was that which worried Thorin. Their journey ahead would not be a comfortable one by any stretch of the word and if Bilbo was not up to the task, it could endanger their whole quest.

Gandalf had, at any rate, made it very clear that under no uncertain terms were they to doubt Bilbo's abilities as a burglar. Not even Thorin would go against the words of Gandalf the Grey, even if he had doubts.

"Something on your mind, Master Dwarf?" came Gandalf's voice.

The wizard walked into the living room and sat down on one of the rare empty chairs.

Perhaps, Thorin wondered, Gandalf was the one to talk. He was a wizard after all, and what good company was a wizard who wielded magic like a sword if they did not believe in impossible things. No doubt Gandalf had witnessed a few impossible things in his lifetime, however far back that lifetime stretched.

"Seems like perhaps you have things on your mind, Gandalf." replied Thorin, "You were out for quite some time. On a chilly evening nonetheless."

"Hmm," said Gandalf, "Is that so? Well, there are lots of things to consider for our journey ahead, is there not?"

"Aye, indeed. Do you think Mr Baggins will be able to handle it all?"

The wizard pulled up the chair by the hearth which still had a few glowing embers remaining. A single blue flame danced on the coals and a still silence filled the air.

"He might not look it," said Gandalf "Or even know it himself, but our Mr Baggins has a great deal more courage in him than it seems. Besides, we all know that appearances can be deceitful and that sometimes people surprise you."

"Hmm," Thorin exhaled another smoke ring, "There's a lot of that going around lately."

"Well, one should think that we can speak freely amongst friends."

"Aye,"

"Bilbo kindly made up his best guest bedroom for you. If I were you, I'd consider an early night given that we have an early start tomorrow. I shall sit and watch the fire for a little while longer."

"Yes, perhaps you are right."

Thorin stood up and stretched out, becoming aware of how much more tired he was than he previously realised. He began to walk towards the corridor, but then stopped and slightly turned towards Gandalf.

"Gandalf," he began "Seeing as we are such good friends, if I were to share something with you, it would stay between us?"

"Aye, it would. Is there something you wish to share?"

As Thorin looked up at the window, he didn't see Ellie there and he wondered if perhaps she was simply out of sight or if she had disappeared again.

"No," Thorin lied, "You are right, though. I should get some sleep. Goodnight, Tharkûn."

"Goodnight, Thorin. May you dream of home."

Home.

For quite some time, Thorin had long since given up on ever returning to his home. In fact, when Ellie disappeared for so long, he thought that perhaps that was a sign that he would never return to Erebor, nor ever see her again. Then Gandalf showed up with his map and his idea of a quest to reclaim Erebor and now Ellie suddenly reappeared.

Coincidence or not, that night when Thorin closed his eyes, he thought for the first time in a long while, of Erebor and his home under the mountain.

To be continued….

Perhaps not a very interesting chapter, but I wanted one from Thorin's point of view as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts!