Hey so I had a bit of time to write this new chapter. Will be honest this was quite hard to write. A bit angsty and trying to give as many of the Dwarfs a moment while trying to keep them in character. While they all haven't yet they all will I promise.
I hope you like it :D
The atmosphere was sombre, heavy almost as if the weight of the moon had been dropped onto their shoulders.
The Dwarf siblings had woken up about an hour after Thorin and were delivered the devastating news on their dear Burglar. Tear erupted from Kili's eyes immediately. Not caring who bared witness, he let sobs escape and the droplet flow freely down his cheeks. The brunette prince was always called out being to emotional and became easily attached. But enlightenment of what has happened, he didn't care. One of the best friends he has ever had in his life was now gone.
Fili meanwhile stared of into shock. Not able to completely take in what he was being told. How and why could this off happened?. 'No they are lying it isn't true but why say it if it wasn't. So many emotions flooded through his very core at once. Pain, despair, confusion, anger. He couldn't being himself to be angry at Kili, how in anyway could he of prevented this. Himself and Thorin on the other hand was a different story. No matter what it was Thorin's job to protect every member of the Company especially someone like Bilbo. How will Thorin make any sort of King if he cannot even protect the most innocent and vulnerable who are under his watch.
'Though how can he say he is any better?.' He was in line to become his uncles successor and even he didn't protect the smallest member of the Company. He made it his mission on this trip to protect Bilbo no matter what. Especially after Bilbo risked his own life putting himself between Thorin and Azog. His respect and fondness only grew more as the journey continued. As time and time again The Halfling got them all out of all sorts of bad situations. Proving to be one of the most fearless, smartest and loyal people he had ever met.
But now he is gone. His life snuffed out so cruelly.
No more will he be able to look upon that face. Those beautiful green eyes that were the window to the purest sole in Middle Earth. His friendly, youthful face that emitted compassion and warmth towards everyone. Never again will he hear his soft voice or see that amazing smile. The thought broke Fili the feeling of his heart breaking into millions of pieces.
'I'm so sorry Bilbo I let you down.'
Hours had now past and the intense silence still lingered over the Dwarfs. The majority still having not left the room they were brought to when looking for Thorin and the brothers. Only the small group had left to identify Bilbo's body.
Thorin was the most withdrawn of all. Not leaving the corner he had staggered after being delivered the devastating news. Members of the company had tried to talk him out of his comatose like state. But none of them succeeded. He just sat with his back to the rest of the Company. Staring at the same exact spot on the wall, unmoved. Not even when her heard the small group returning. The task had been given to Balin, Nori and Oin from extracting the remains and preparing them for burial.
" It is done. Bilbo is now out of the remains and is now ready to be put to rest." Balin announced to the group. He cleared his throat and looked to the floor before continuing. " All we need to decide now is to where."
For a few moments no one responded until Dori finally broke the silence. " I say we should keep him here until return taking back Erebor and then give him a heroes burial in the halls of our ancestors."
This response earned many of the company to shake their heads and mutter in agreement.
" Do you really think that is what Bilbo would want? Being laid to rest in a far distant land away from his kin. We owe it to him to get him back home to the Shire, the place he loved." Bofur interjected. Feeling agitated that many members of his group think it's a good idea to bury his friend so far away from his home. Bilbo never intended to stay with them after the mission. His heart always belonged back in the Shire.
" And how would you know what he would want? You don't know him more than the rest of us do. If he remains with us. He will be in the company of his dearest friends and companions." It was now Gloin's turn to respond.
" YOU KNOW NOTHING...Unlike most of you I accepted him into this Company from the start. Because of this he confined in me a lot longer than he did with you. What I brought away from our many long conversations. No matter what the outcome of our journey was, he wanted to return to the Shire. His home where you forget his parents are still. Do you really want to deprive him of not being buried alongside his father and mother. Or prevent their child not being returned and laid to rest with them?. The usual carefree and jokey nature of Bofur had now been replaced with upset and anger. Not something many of his companions had ever witnessed. Even in the most dyer of situations he had always kept a certain level of cool. But this sudden outburst caught many of the Dwarfs by surprise.
" You also forget that we are his family. You act as if none of us care about him. Yes at the start many of us felt he didn't belong and his coming was a mistake, he was a Hobbit after all. A small, fragile creature who could easily break. But I am not alone in changing my mind when he showed courage and selflessness. A true warrior despite his disadvantages." Gloin shot back.
" AND IT LITERALLY TOOK HIM THOWING HIMSELF AT AN ORC AND NEARLY DROWNING IN A RIVER TO PROVE THIS TO YOU!. He selflessness and bravery was clear the moment he ran through that tree line with the signed contract. Bilbo never had any reason or obligation to join our Company. If that moment didn't indicate his loyalty than I don't know what. He could of left at any time and nearly did when he was shunned and felt he didn't belong. But he sucked it up and stayed with us."
By now Bofur was breathing heavily. Feeling the heat radiate through his body through pure anger he was finding harder to contain. The hat wearing Dwarf turned, punched the nearest wooden pillar in frustration and then leaned his head against it. " And look where it got him."
Once again silence settled over the group. Most again hanging their heads in shame knowing that Bofur's words were true. It hit hard and painfully like a punch to the gut but he wasn't wrong. Bilbo was shunned, looked down upon and teased for a large part of their journey. Seen as a hindrance more than a valuable member. Putting himself in danger was what it took for them to change their perception of him. What kind of friends were they while he was alive?
" Bofur's right" everyone turned their heads to look at the source of the voice.
" Bilbo should be taken back to where he belongs. It may hurt us dearly but our Hobbit needs to be returned to his parents. It is the least we can do for him now." Kili was now standing. His head held high and putting on the strongest voice possible. Despite feeling the enormous amount of grief and sadness inside.
" I second that. Bilbo needs to be returned to the Shire after our mission is over." Fili agreed and standing up alongside his brother.
At this point the majority of the Dwarfs opinions had been changed and were now nodding and quietly responding in agreement. But still with a couple of exceptions.
" I just don't see why. I mean the only kin who cared deeply about him are no longer alive. He will be so far away from us once he is taken back." Gloin quietly explained but loud enough so his fellow companions could hear.
" That may be true but we cannot deprive our Burglar of his true final resting place." Attention was now drawn to the sombre voice in the corner. Thorin who still up until now had not moved or spoken. Stood up from the stall he had been sitting on and turned to face his followers.
" Bofur and my nephews are right. I am the most guilty of them all not seeing Bilbo as a valued member of our Company for the longest time. I am the one who put most of the doubts in your heads and almost drove him away at one point. What kind of leader or king am I that it took him jumping in front of a Orc's blade. OR literally loosing his life for me to realise how much I truly care about him. This is part of our mission now to take back Erebor. Then return our Hobbit home where he can rest in peace." Thorin could feel the last few words he spoke catch in his throat.
The Company looked on at their King. Finally swaying the last doubts they had knowing it was definitely the right thing to do.
Thorin cleared the lump in his throat and suppressed the huge wave of grief he could feel trying to burst out. " OK I need everyone to start getting organized and head back to collect our belongings. I will speak to The Master to see if we can choose a new place to stay. While we plan and prepare for the next part of the journey. I will also need to know if there is a safe place we can keep Bilbo until our return."
Everyone began to move after their orders were given. To which at this point Balin walked up to Bofur who was tiring the laces on his boots and tapped the younger Dwarf on the shoulder. Looking up he saw the white haired Dwarf looking down at him.
"You ok?" he questioned as he straighten up.
Balin gave him a small smile and shook his head. " Yes I'm quite alright laddie it's just I wanted to catch a minute with you."
Bofur looked at him somewhat confused. " Ok did you need me to do something or am I going to get a scolding for loosing my temper a bit earlier?"
"Not at all it just I know how much Bilbo meant to you. It was obvious you saw him as like a wee brother. So I can imagine this must be a hard time right now especially."
Bofur looked to the floor and shrugged. He could feel the tears begin to build in the corners of his eyes. But using all the willpower he had to not let them fall. " You right on the money there. I honestly did."
Balin signed in agreement. He then put his hands into his large cloak pockets and pulled out a small neatly folded up blue coat. " That's why I think you should be the one to have this. To remember him by."
The other Dwarf looked up and his eyes went wide. He took the coat that was being handed to him he then looked at Balin unable to speak.
" It may not be in the best condition, amazing it survived at all to be honest. But I guess Men's wool must be pretty fire resistant."
By now the tears couldn't be held back any longer but Bofur didn't care. All his sadness was being to release. He gripped the garment even tighter as if his life depended on it. "Thankyou."
Balin smiled. Putting his hand on the younger Dwarfs shoulder, giving it a strong squeeze before heading out the door. Where the rest of the Company had exited not long before.
Bofur stood there for a few minute unable to take his eyes of Bilbo's coat. Feeling the material under his fingers. This small precious garment was his only thing that could still connect him back to his Hobbit. What a blessing it wasn't also destroyed he was undeniably grateful. Thanking the higher power he still had something of Bilbo with him. Eventually his hand fell to inside the pockets.
Bofur's face then turned confused as this fingers felt something within one of them. Something round and metal. Curiously he pulled the item out of the pocket and held it up in front of him.
It was a ring.
There we are. Again I will give all the Dwarfs time in this. Just working out who would do and say what. Speaking of which I found it so difficult to decide which Dwarf should find the ring.
First I thought obviously Thorin. But I have read a few fanfics already where he discovered it. Same with Fili and Kili but I nearly went with Fili. But in the end I settled on Bofur. I just love his and Bilbo's connection in the films, even thought short they stuck out to me. Especially the one in An Unexpected Journey where Bilbo is about to leave and they have a heart to heart moment. Also in Battle of Five Armies were Bofur catches Bilbo about to climb down the ramparts and head to Dale. ( seriously why did they cut that scene from the theatrical cut?) again a pretty heartfelt exchange.
Bofur seemed to be the first Dwarf to accept Bilbo and not judge him. Yeah he teased him when they were all at Bag End but I always put it down to more his personality and carefree and jokey attitude. Not to be spiteful or having a bias attitude towards Hobbits being weak. Bilbo's first Dwarf friendship seemed to be between him and Bofur. Also Balin was considered he also had a strong friendship with Bilbo early on. But I wanted the connection to be more closer to that of a brother relationship. Balin I could see more as Bilbo being more like a grandson to him. Also with Bofur like Bilbo. I don't think the thing will begin corrupting him as quickly as it would the others. But that's just personal preference and for this story. Tbh I don't think it would but I'm not sure. I'm a bit fan of Tolkien but I'm not an almighty knowledge bearer of Middle Earth lore
Anyway again I hope it was ok and feel free to comment :D