Hello my lovelies! Another chapter! I am very excited with writing these two, as no matter how many times I watch the movies I can't help but feel they're made for each other. No other way to look at it XD Lots more fluff on the way as Thorin heals. Smutt will come in later chapters, but for now it will just be cutesy as I feel like this is what they deserve - happiness!

haha anyway I'll stop boring you with my blabber, go on and enjoy Chapter 3

Chapter Three

By My Side

The world was dark around him. It was so still, deadly still, that Thorin's first thought had been that he had to be dead. His body felt numb and sore, hard to move even an inch. His eyes refused to open, and his head hurt – a pounding so hard against his skull he felt like he couldn't breath at first. Was death supposed to hurt? First he wiggled his fingers, feeling soft cloth beneath the rough skin of his finger pads, far too soft to be any bed left within the mountain. Second he tried to open his eyes, but could get only a few blinks at most before his heavy eye lids refused to open fully, yet again. Lastly he heard a voice. Softly it echoed in the nothingness as the world started to flood in around him, but the sound grew louder and he could make out only one word.

"Thorin? Thorin!"

So familiar was the voice, so soft the sound filling every ounce of body with warmth. Was death calling him home? Would he be guided to the afterlife, the halls of his father's, once and for all. No. This voice was something else, someone else. He knew this desperate plea. Realization hit him hard as he forced his eyes to open.

True enough, his ears had not failed him, Bilbo was hovered over his right side staring down at him. Thorin's vision was still blurry, in that the edges of his world were dark and clouded; it felt like everything around him was far away. But Bilbo he could see clearly. He moved his right arm to lift in an attempt to stroke the softness of the hobbit's cheek, but just as he did a sharp pain shot through his shoulder and his arm dropped back down.

Groaning he closed his eyes and wondered why the pain made his stomach do so many uneasy flips, feeling like the very bed he lay on was spinning in circles.

"Thorin, its okay. You're safe. You're alive." Bilbo's soft voice whispering at his side helped steady his mind long enough to open his eyes once again. He felt the hobbit's small hands grab onto his own, and though he wished to grip it with the same strength he felt he was unsure if his hand even followed his command.

"Bilbo.." Was all he could manage to speak out as the pounding began in his head again. He could hear his burglar speaking once more as someone else spoke softly in return, but the ache of his head made it hard to hone in on the words.

Before another minute passed by he felt himself sink back into the darkness, as if falling below the surface of black water.

xXx

Thorin found himself on top a frozen waterfall. The world around him cold and covered in ice, sparkling under the cloudless sky, and if it weren't for the immediate danger standing not but a few feet away from him he would have stayed a minute to admire the scenery below the mountain.

Focusing his eyes to the figure in front of him, at first unsure of who it was as the shape kept shifting form, but then the figure came full into view. Pale and scared with half an arm missing. Rage, that beyond any he had felt before, filled him. Filled him like a boiling heat rising from his feat so hot it began to melt the ice beneath him. Odd that he did not fall in.

Before he thought it, his body rushed forward clashing blades with the pale orc. A battle of strength with each blow the orc dealt, Thorin dodging and striking when he could. Blood and fog spun around them decorating the ground below. The small battle field than began to close in, darkness consuming the world beyond.

Thorin felt his body grow heavy, his back wet with sweat even in the frozen air of oncoming winter, as his sword hand began to loose strength. He was then distracted by the odd visions around him which costed him greatly a few seconds after. Suddenly he was alone, spinning around in sharp circles he looked for the pale figure in the shadows which now surrounded him.

"Come out you coward!" Thorin shouted out into the blackness. Only to be met by a piercing pain through his right foot. Looking down he saw the sword-arm of the pale orc pushing through the ice and his boot.

Crying out he tried to step away but was locked in place, his exclaim of pain echoing in his head as if bouncing back to him from stone walls. The pale orc bursting through the ice pinned him down with a blow to his face, but oddly he did not feel himself hit hard ground. It felt more as though he floated backwards onto something soft.

Staring up at the sky, black like a starless night, he watched as a small spot in the darkness began to grow – lighting up around him. As it got closer he saw more of the area around him, and as if from no where there was the hobbit. Bilbo's fear painting his features and worry filling his voice. Though as he watched those pink lips move he could not understand a word. Feeling his own mouth move Thorin was confused when he heard no words actually spoken.

'What is happening..?" He questioned as the world spun around him once more. The only thing in focus were Bilbo's tears. Thorin felt his heart thump hard against his chest as he wished he could take the hobbit's pain away.

Reaching out he tried to touch Bilbo's face, but felt as though he was ripped backwards and falling further away from him. Calling out for the hobbit he used all his strength as he fell deeper into dark waters.

xXx

"Bilbo!"

Thorin's eyes shot open quickly with the hobbit's name still on his lips. He soon found he could not sit up, as though a heavy weight held him in place. Though it was not like he truly wanted to move from the soft cloud of a bed on which he slept, but something within him screamed that he needed to get to Bilbo first.

"Glad to see you finally come around." Gandalf's voice sounded from his left. Thorin weakly turned his head to look to the wizard.

"How long?" The dwarf questioned suddenly finding his throat very dry and his lips cracked making speaking hard to say the least.

"How long have you been asleep? Or do you mean how long since the battle? Or perhaps you mean how long since the last time you woke?" Gandalf smirked slightly as he toyed with words, something he enjoyed immensely. Thorin groaned.

"All?" Thorin had been too busy rolling his eyes and groaning out his answer to see an amused smirk play wider on the wizard's face.

"Two weeks since the battle at Erebor. You've been here, laid out, for most of that time, but its been almost a whole day since last you woke." Gandalf answered, his playful teasing done.

Thorin only frowned at the answer. If he'd been gone that long what had happened with everyone and everything else? Sighing he knew there wasn't enough time to even think on all that let alone ask the many questions that filled his mind. One thing at a time. He told himself and first thing first, he needed to know where Bilbo was.

"Bilbo?" He glanced back to his left questioning the wizard again, who only returned him a small smile.

"Look to your right." Was all Gandalf said. Turning his head to the right side of him, looking over the room as he did, at first Thorin saw only carved walls and winding wood. Irritation filling him as he realized he recognized this place, and could only mean on thing. Why the elves? But that irritation melted away the instant he saw the crumpled figure on the edge of his bed.

Arms folded to make his own pillow, Bilbo's head laid facing Thorin, honey hair casting shadows on his face as it hung over his eyes. His breathing slow and deep. Why was he sleeping there? Thorin wondered, hoping he hadn't been there too long.

"He hasn't left your side." Gandalf's voice seemed booming in the dead silence of the room even though he merely whispered, as if he'd read his mind. Thorin briefly closed his eyes, that being something he was afraid of. But why? Why should it not make him happy that the hobbit would stay and care about him as much as his actions showed? Thorin didn't understand himself. Sighing to himself the wizard stood.

"It's almost morning" Gandalf spoke as he walked to the door. Thorin hadn't even noticed how dark the room was with only the light of the fire glowing. "I'll go fetch Oin, or perhaps someone else. They'll want to check your wounds."

Thorin watched the wizard leave before he looked back to Bilbo's sleeping face. He watched his back rise and fall slowly with each breath and listened as the soft sound echoed into his ears, not noticing how his own shallow breaths slowly began to move in sync with the hobbit's. For how long he lay like this he wasn't sure, but it felt like hours before the door to the room opened once more.

Gandalf walked in first with Lord Elrond behind him and an elf had not met yet, but no one else.

"I'm glad to see you lucid, master Oakenshield." Elrond spoke as he stood at the end of the bed with Gandalf, while the other elf who had been carrying a large collection of things placed each one by one on the vanity table to the far left. "How are you feeling?" The kind elven lord asked.

"Hmm, well enough." Thorin answered though that was a lie. Honestly he'd like everyone to go away so he can simply rest and watch Bilbo at his side, but even as he thought the idea he questioned himself. Aside from the weird impulse, he was aching all over and felt heavy, with the addition of hunger seeming to eat his innards alive and thirst drying out his throat. Each word he spoke feeling like it would crack his very tongue down the middle. Both Gandalf and Elrond merely smirked knowing the stubborn dwarven king would not be honest.

"I need to dress your wounds, may I?" The elf he hadn't known was now at his side, clean bandages and a bowl at the side table. At least he had the decency to ask, though he would prefer Oin patch him up. He could only grunt in consent.

The next half hour was spent undressing his wound, cleaning it, and redressing the wrappings; and by the end of it Thorin found he was exhausted. Although the elf did all he could to not make the dwarf move for it might cause the wound to open back up, but Thorin still did just enough movement to help the elf to get the wrappings under him properly.

Lord Elrond and Gandalf engaged in conversation trying to inform him of things he needed to know, but Thorin couldn't focus his thoughts. He felt weak and worn out. Gandalf noticed this and Elrond sent for some food.

"Perhaps a meal before you rest. We were hardly able to get you to eat." Elrond waited in the room as the elf who dressed his wound left to go fetch a tray of food. Thorin found his eyes wandering to Bilbo. "Master Baggins did what he could, but even he couldn't get you to eat anything solid." Thorin's chest tightened but he wasn't sure if it was exhaustion, pain, or something else.

"If you can not manage to hold anything down, perhaps just a drink would stay your stomach." Gandalf added, the both of them knowing Thorin needed something in his body if he was going to have strength enough to heal properly. And when the food tray was finally brought back to the room Bilbo stirred.

As the elf placed the tray on the small bedside table to Thorin's left all other eyes turned to Bilbo. Slowly he rose, Thorin noticed his arms shake slightly, and then blinked a few times. As their eyes connected Thorin watched the expressions change from confusion to shock, then worry and relief.

"Thorin!" Bilbo stood straighter and leaned in closer, his hand reaching over and touching Thorin's forehead, all shakiness seeming to vanish. The dwarf king did not miss how the hobbit did so with no regard to personal space or any amount of shyness. "You're awake!" His round hazel eyes stared worriedly down at him and Thorin could only grin slightly, something in him warming at the thought that this little burglar cared so much.

"Yes."

"Perhaps you can both eat now then." Gandalf's voice cut in and Thorin watched Bilbo tense just a little before looking over his shoulder at the other occupants of the room.

"Uh, well, hmm, yes..I suppose." Bilbo's voice was soft and Thorin almost wondered if the others could even hear him. He guessed Bilbo's sudden reserve must be due to some issue between the wizard and himself, but he had no idea as to what. With a sigh Bilbo sat back down in the chair that was brought close to Thorin's bed side and looked once more to the laid out dwarf.

"Do you feel like you can handle solid food?"

Thorin only nodded, his throat aching with dryness, but he did his best to ignore it as he checked over Bilbo's features. Although he told himself it was merely the trick of the light, he thought Bilbo looked a little thinner than he remembered and that there were dark circles under his eyes. This worried the dwarf king greatly. Had he taken care of himself at all? Thorin wondered angrily. Bilbo had shown tendencies of being rather careless when it came to himself, but he thought the meal-loving hobbit would at least remember to eat properly. He sighed at himself; here he was worried about a hobbit when he could barely even lift his own arms.

Bilbo was handed the tray and then they were left in peace, with the promise of more visitors later. For the next few minutes there was silence between them as Bilbo broke off pieces of the thick slices of bread and handing them to Thorin's left hand so the dwarf could feed himself. He may have been mortally wounded but he wasn't completely crippled, his pride wouldn't let him be fed like a baby. Even if it was to be by the hobbit at his side. After a few bites of bread he watched Bilbo's shaky hands cut thinner slices of the cheese.

"You're shaking." Thorin managed to say as his left hand reached for the silver goblet not caring about what was in it. Bilbo quickly grabbed it off the tray and gently handed it over, trying to help him steady it in his large hand, though truthfully he was of no real help as he too was shaky. Their skin brushed against each other for the briefest of moments and Thorin wondered if Bilbo felt the same spark he did.

"I'm fine." Bilbo said simply, his eyes pointed down to the tray so Thorin wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or not. Taking a slow sip he tried not to think about anything too much; not the way Bilbo's honey colored hair shone in the light, or the way the aches of his body hurt less with the hobbit by his side, nor the uncertainty of what he was to do once he was strong enough to get out of this bed.

Bilbo handed off some slices of cheese once Thorin was done with the sweet wine, and took nibbles of food himself but Thorin did not notice that Bilbo seemed to be having a hard time keeping the food down. A few more minutes of silent eating went by between them, Thorin didn't mind the silence so much, before Bilbo spoke. His voice a whisper like that of a spring breeze blowing over Thorin.

"I'm..Well, I'm glad you're awake." His eyes lifted to meet Thorin's and if his eyes hadn't been loosing their strength he would have sworn he saw them glisten with tears. With a small smile shared between them, Thorin soon found himself drifting back to sleep. But this time he did not fall into those dark, nightmarish waters, and instead fell into a deep sleep.

"Thorin!"

"Thank Mahal."

"'Bout time you got your arse up."

"And feeling better by the look of you."

It was now late afternoon, or so he had been informed, and his kin were now standing about his bed. Fili by his side, where Bilbo had watched over him, Balin and Dwalin at the end of the bed and Oin to his left. Oin had brought him a herbal tea to drink which helped him feel stronger, and each of them had so many questions. He saw relief pour from each of their faces, and to know that they cared for him as deeply as he loved his kin made Thorin feel even better.

"We thought we might loose you there for a while." Fili spoke honestly as he sat in the chair. Something within Thorin wanted to talk Fili out of the chair in case Bilbo came back. But upon his waking he'd been told the hobbit was forced into his own bed for much needed sleep, and Thorin hoped he was getting it.

"You doubted me?" Thorin teasingly raised an eyebrow to his sister-son, who in turn smirked big.

"'Course we didn't." Dwalin cut in, who was met in agreement by Balin and Oin.

"But its the wee one that you'll have to convince." Balin added with a smirk shared by the rest of the party.

"Whats your meaning?" Thorin didn't like this feeling that he had missed something important and now everyone else was using it as a joke he would never understand.

"Ah well, Bilbo of course." Fili chuckled as though it was an obvious fact.

"He's earned the rest he's getting." Oin spoke as he pushed up his sleeves to feel Thorin's forehead. "No fever. That's good."

Thorin sighed to himself. If Bilbo had been so careless with himself that everyone else was worried then maybe he really should be concerned. He had been trying to convince himself over the last hour that Bilbo was fine and just needed rest, but by the looks of his kin's faces it may be more serious.

"He hardly left your side." Fili winked at Thorin, and though he wished to pop his sister-son on the head for his unsaid comment it made him rather happy. "Kept you alive." But then he saw the faces of his kin drop slightly. Had he truly been in such horrible condition? Thorin remembered the battle well, even if his dreams tried to distort memory and trick him into fear. He remembered re-directing the pale orc's blade at the last moment to pierce his shoulder instead of his heart, the pain of the blade still vivid in his mind. But he did not think himself so weak that a wound like that would kill him, did none of the others have faith in his strength?

"I'll check in with him in a few hours." Oin spoke as he sat back. The four of them just wanted a moment to witness how well Thorin was improving before they left him alone to rest. "He's just as stubborn as you." A small smile appeared on all their faces and Thorin sighed.

He was really beginning to wish they would stop looking at him the way they were when they spoke of Bilbo, as if they were all expecting something to happen. He had a vague idea what was going on in their minds, and although he could admit he had a soft spot for Bilbo he was sure it was nothing more than friendly companionship for the hobbit. And honestly, he hadn't given himself time to think on it more. Thorin only knew that when he thought of Bilbo he tended to picture him holding that small acorn, speaking of home with tender longing. There was something about that secret shared moment that had helped bring him out of his sickness.

The dwarves stayed and spoke merrily for a while, informing Thorin that things were secure for now and under control but only that – saying it would be better to talk when Thorin was stronger. But as time passed the four dwarves noticed their king showing tiredness so they left him with kind farewells so he could get some much deserved rest.

Four days later~

Thorin was now walking around. Bilbo had never been more relieved, though it had been a hell of its own trying to convince the dwarf king to use a walking stick when he left his room. Fili, Oin and even Balin had tried but none could get the stubborn oaf to agree, but when Bilbo asked him – very simply – Thorin caved. Bilbo wasn't sure what the difference was but he was definitely happy to see his king walking the halls of Rivendell.

Bilbo was slowly keeping pace at Thorin's side, but wasn't fully aware that he was smiling up at the dwarf. Also unaware it was his first full-fledged smile in weeks.

"What are you grinning for?" Thorin, a little bitter in defeat, asked in a gruff tone as he stared side-long at Bilbo. "Think you've won just 'cause I'm using this thing?" He held the stick in his left hand and used it to alleviate some of the weight off his right foot. The wound was healing perfectly but the area was still a bit tender, and even though Thorin hadn't admitted to it hurting even in the slightest it was Bilbo who suggested the idea of the walking-stick first. Everyone else seemed to agree. And fighting four dwarves about something once they got an idea in their heads was a hard task and he didn't have the strength to argue.

Bilbo looked up a little confused, then quickly glanced away with a small blush on his cheeks, smile fading but not completely gone.

"I didn't realize I was."

Thorin smirked as he saw the slight pout of his mouth, it was massive fun teasing the little hobbit. He could now see why Fili and Kili enjoyed it so much.

"You don't have to walk with me every time." Thorin spoke quietly, just for Bilbo to hear as elves were coming up near them. Even though the elves were nearly everywhere they were Thorin had to admit secretly to himself he was beginning to enjoy the walks he had begun to take with Bilbo these last two days. Having conversation with just the hobbit was proving to be rather delightful, even if they were rather short.

"You'd get lost otherwise." Bilbo looked up at him with a smirk on his lips, his hazel eyes glinting with a joy Thorin was starting to notice more and more each day that passed.

Thorin was quite pleased to see the hobbit doing better as well. Just three days ago it seemed like all energy was drained from him, dark circles and slouched posture; however looking down at him now Thorin was pleased to see the light back in Bilbo's face. Even if he still looked far skinnier than Thorin remembered him looking weeks ago, and he couldn't help but feel it was his fault. The fact that Bilbo was teasing him now helped to relax Thorin, knowing the hobbit was feeling better.

"I would not." Thorin mumbled under his breath trying to hide a smile. It felt good – too good – to be with Bilbo like this.

Thorin had been told to only walk around the halls of Rivendell once a day – at most – but these last two days walking with Bilbo had made him feel stronger each and every time, dare he say each and every step. There was something about Bilbo that Thorin found that just being by his side made him feel ease. This was the second walk of the day that they were taking together, and already he was feeling strong, and hungry. His appetite returning to him after days of eating nothing but soups.

Their earlier walk that morning had been a quick turn about around the halls, mostly quiet but a few words were shared then. To Thorin's surprise Bilbo didn't seem much of a morning person, and just that morning he had heard him mumbling on about how he'd rather take a bath and laze with breakfast in his room. He had almost felt bad, hiding behind his door – as he was waiting for the hobbit to join him – but when he saw Bilbo's face light up even just a little, when they locked gazes with each other, set something within him to life.

"You ready?" Bilbo asked, and Thorin hadn't realized they were already at the great hall. This afternoon's walk was to a meeting with the part of his kin that still stayed with him in Rivendell. There were many things they needed to discuss and now that he had more strength there was no more lazying in bed with Bilbo caring for him.

Thorin nodded and Bilbo opened the door, as he had been forbidden to use his right arm for anything other than lifting food to his mouth.

Balin and Dwalin were already sitting at the oval table, which was centered in the rounded room, to the left of the chair at the west end of the table – Lord Elrond was already seated at the east end of the table. Gandalf seated next to Elrond, and Fili to the left of the wizard. Oin was busy at a table to the far wall pouring everyone a small cup of tea while they waited. When Thorin stepped through the double wooden doors everyone looked his way and his kin smiled. Bilbo shut the door behind the both of them as they stepped through and Thorin took his seat at the west end of the table.

"You look stronger." Elrond commented with a respectful bow of his head. Bilbo sat in the empty chair to Thorin's right.

"Someone's doing a great job of caring for you." Fili leaned one elbow on the table and winked over at Balin, obviously missing his younger brother who liked to joke just as much as he. Balin being the only one who still smirked at his jokes, where as everyone else was getting quite tired of them.

Thorin sighed, but didn't miss the slight coloring of Bilbo's cheeks.

"You have answers for me, Fili?" He glared at his nephew, Fili cleared his throat.

"Mm, yes." Straightening up he began to tell Thorin of all that had transpired starting the day he was lifted by the eagles. About how the four of them decided to follow their king to Rivendell only a few hours behind, but had made sure to leave the mountain in the hands of the rest of the company. Them along with the dwarves of the iron hills, knowing it would be secure and safe under their protection. He went on to explain what happened with Kili, and how he was alright and growing closer – and closer – to Tauriel. A comment Elrond didn't miss the underlining joking tone, though his face showed not what he was thinking. Fili went on to explain that he had left Kili in charge, with Dain at his side and the rest of the company to speak for Thorin's half, and as Bilbo watched Thorin's face quite closely he wasn't sure what to make of his expression. He seemed to be calmly listening, but Bilbo feared at some point the damn would break and he would shout in anger about something.

"Nori and Ori have been helping Dale settle in a bit, though Kili says we didn't have much to offer. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur are getting the smithies and mines in running condition, and that the ironfoot have been helping keep things going on that end" Fili continued with a few remarks from the table adding in details here and there. "Gloin is helping Kili deal with Dain, who – last he told me – was trying to push things and control perhaps a bit too much." Fili was talking almost a mile a minute. There was so much to say and so much still left unsaid. Dwalin cut in telling of what he set up before following after Thorin, of how some of the Mirkwood elves were still camped out and how Bard was still ever persistent.

That was when the air became tense. Bilbo focused closer in on Thorin. They all knew how he'd felt about all this mere weeks ago, but that was due to a sickness he no longer had. Thank Yavanna. So Bilbo wondered would he still be reluctant and stubborn, or would he give what was owed. Bilbo himself had been unaware that the exchanges of gold and the starlight gems had already been made, as he hadn't been there for that conversation the week before between the other dwarves.

"And has anything been done yet?" Thorin's voice sounded tense but not necessarily angry. Still the dwarves approached cautiously, Elrond and Gandalf watched closely as well.

"It was too long of a wait to hold out for you, you understand?" Balin started, cautious. "There was much needed to be done and nothing to be had but gold."

"So..We, um.." Fili tip-toed his words out, a little nervous of his uncle's rage might show through. "Well, I, told Kili to honor the deals and promises made. If we are nothing, we are dwarves of our word." Though Bilbo saw the nervousness plain in his eyes he admired how Fili looked no where but Thorin's eyes, standing his ground and being firm in his choice.

"And the elves?" Thorin's face unreadable, not angry, nor relieved, just a still calm.

"Gave them back the gems, nothing more." Dwalin said flatly. He wasn't prone to like the elves either, but he knew when some things needed to be done. And he seemed quite done with all this cautious wording.

Everyone was silent and staring at Thorin.

"Very well." His deep voice echoed against the silence, though the walls were hardly present to reflect the sound. Bilbo felt himself release a breath he hadn't been holding, and when he closed his eyes for a moment he didn't catch the sideways glance Thorin had given him.

The conversation went on for at least an hour though it felt like much longer to Bilbo. They talked of the burial ceremony that was held without their king, Fili informed them of Dain's ever growing forcefulness. Of how Kili had sent a note stating there seemed to be more and more Ironfoot dwarves there than should be, and of how there was tension between said dwarves and the Mirkwood elves. And still, the congress between all eight of them went on. They spoke of what was next to come, and what Rivendell would do to help. Gandalf pitched in his thoughts every few sentences, though Bilbo remained silent. He had found it better – over the last almost two years – to observe and listen rather than make an opinion.

He was, after all, just a hobbit unaware of what dwarf life under the mountain was supposed to be. Knowing well enough of what life on the road with the thirteen of them was like, was to say the least, quite different from what their culture at its best would be. So he kept his mouth shut and waited to find out what would come next. Glad to just be there to witness it all.

The talking might have gone on even longer had it not been for the deep, and loud, rumble of Bilbo's stomach. All eyes turned to him and he felt heat rise and spread from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He hadn't realized how hungry he was. Fili and Balin broke out in laughter.

"Oh master Baggins! What wonderful timing!" Fili was nearly falling out of his chair with laughter.

"I'd second that motion." Balin joked, as most of them secretly had been begging for lunch. Dwalin merely smirked and when Bilbo chanced a glance to Thorin he was met only with an understanding smile, blue eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky. It seemed to Bilbo that he was taking all this new in rather well, and felt a good meal was well deserved.

"Then lets end this so we may all enjoy a warm meal." Elrond had stood and nodded to Bilbo, secretly thankful the hobbit had indirectly ended all that endless chatter. Though he cared for the company of dwarves more than he would have ever admitted, their kind could talk for hours on end.

Lord Elrond and Gandalf left first, Gandalf mumbling about how he had preparations to make, though for what Bilbo was unsure. The rest of the company waited for Thorin to lead the way, out of respect.

A bit tired after all that thought and speaking, thinking, and planning Thorin stood and leaned on his stick though he tried to seem as though he didn't need it too much. Unconscious of how he waited until Bilbo was at his side before limping slightly to the open doors and down the halls. Lunch would be taken in a small gathering hall, as it had been the day before, and when they got there – finally after walking for a good long couple minutes – it seemed to be the same as they left it. All but the food they had eaten, the table was in the same position, the chairs just as they moved them, the lanterns handing on the over- hang and fallen leaves strewn all over the ground.

Taking their seats at the shortened tables made of stone, the six of them on cylinder seats around a circle table, it was not too long before the food was brought. The conversation that kept them while they waited was simple, speaking mainly of how hungry they each were. Thorin remembered how Bilbo had commented not two days ago how it was scenes like this that made Rivendell so beautiful to look at. And though he could agree, he was not blind, he still preferred the hall of Erebor. Hoping soon he would be able to show his hobbit just how magnificent they could be.

A mini feast is what was placed before them. Bilbo was so thankful too, now with Thorin eating solid food and as they all ate together Bilbo was finally finding his own appetite. Which was something remarked upon by both Thorin and Balin. Bilbo smiled slightly unaware of how much he'd made them worry.

"You got to make sure you keep that fluff about you." Fili teased poking at Bilbo's side – as he was sitting next to him. "Thorin doesn't like 'em too skinny." Then winked as he bit into a meaty leg of an animal Bilbo wasn't positive of what it actually was. Nor did he have time to think about it as he began coughing hard on the crumbly biscuit he'd grabbed off a silver tower, chocking and spitting out chunks of the bread onto the stone table. He hadn't expected to hear a comment like that out of the blue, but he should have known with Fili by his side he would be teased.

Without hesitation Thorin was patting gently on Bilbo's back and glared hard at Fili. Not for a minute was his nephew going to let up on his jokes, and though Thorin was slowly becoming aware of what everyone else saw he still did not want to spring it too fast onto the little hobbit. Especially when he wasn't exactly sure they were correct. Oh, Fili was definitely right about him not being happy Bilbo had lost weight, and he did in fact prefer to bed someone with a softness to the touch. But none of that needed to be said at the table, let alone before he had given himself time to think about what he wanted, or more of who he wanted.

"Ah, just joking." Fili rolled his eyes – when Bilbo still wasn't looking – and patted the hobbit's shoulder.

But after that little remark Bilbo found it hard to eat to his hearts content, even as his stomach still grumbled. His heart was beating far to wildly for him to relax and with each bite he couldn't help but feel like everyone would think he was eating only to keep Thorin's interest. However much he knew that was just his paranoia talking in the back of his mind; but that thought only made him wonder to himself if he wanted the dwarf king's sole interest, which had him blushing lightly as heat rose to his face. Oh Yavanna help me.

What a fool he had become.

The next day it was decided that they would pack up and head back to Erebor. Thorin needed to be with his people and he needed to get things under his own hands. Elrond's healer was still unsure if Thorin was wholly ready to be taking a trip like that just yet, but dwarf's were nothing if stubborn and their king was ready to get away from Rivendell. It had been a nice vacation of sorts but he longed for the stone halls of home.

He had been a bit surprised at Bilbo's own excitement. When he'd thought the hobbit would seem a bit sad at the news, instead he smiled warmly.

"It will be nice to see how everyone is doing." Bilbo had smiled directly at him, and Thorin had felt his chest tighten. Sighing to himself when the hobbit wasn't looking he was beginning to feel like a down right fool. Too much green air was going to his head, he needed to be in the deep of the mountain and centered on his home and people before he lost himself completely.

So the next hours were spent packing and preparing to venture on the morn. Ponies were given for the six of them, though they had suggested taking a carriage for Thorin – he had refused. And the last night they spent in Rivendell Bilbo got the best sleep he had in the last few weeks. His mind cleared of worry, at seeing Thorin be more like himself than ever. Knowing the worst was over and they could focus on fixing the things that were left too long to the chaos of a dragon. So much had left his hobbit shoulders he simply curled up in warm blankets and let himself relax into soft pillows, before he knew it he was fast asleep.

I'll post chapter 4 soon ^.^ Review and Favorite! Please, it helps keep me motivated and positive. Else I think no one likes what I write XD (I'm high maintenance ha ha ha.. T^T)