Before and after the wizard had found him were different universes for Thorin. In one before he was resigned with the world, it was unfair, cold and indifferent, but you had to carry on for those you love to help them across to their future, one they would find bearable. After the meeting with the wizard there was a hope that not all was in vain, that there is some bigger plan and that he could make a change, to right the wrong.
In later universe his life had no value anymore. It became a coin on the scale of destiny. His fate mattered not if he would be able to turn the scale their way. His fate became clear, he was to face that dragon again and conquer his fear.
The warrior in him was happy with later universe. He felt fortunate in some way that there is no one to cry for him when his fate came to be. His nephews would be sad, his people will mourn but that would be a bearable sorrow because he was distanced from them all. They could carry on without him, he was not needed beyond replacement. Fili would be a fine kind, the one to be loved for his kindness.
With that he surrendered to the faith. The wizard had his acceptance from the beginning, as soon as he spoke the words it was like Thorin knew it was coming, like there were no other way but to go back and face that dragon for better or for worse. It was something unbecoming a dwarf in resigning to the defeat without a chance at revenge.
Others will join him or they will not, he had to try, it would be shameful not to even try. Good part was that the wizard had a plan that sounded plausible.
Before the council of the dwarves Thorin had no power, he was just a youngling to them, the one without his own gold, army and throne, they had no reason to follow him but he had to ask. Blessing was the one thing he needed, not for himself but for his people, so they would be without blame after he's gone.
But with the Arkenstone in his hand he would have the power over them because for the dwarf given word was everything, they couldn't back down and keep their faces honoured. Thorin could feel that destiny, the Arkenstone in his hand and the army of dwarves behind him as they attack Smaug in his lair. But in the other hand he could feel steel of his sword and the burning flame that would end him. Either destiny was fine by him. Each one would go into songs and his destiny would be worthy of his name.
Gandalf had other plans, he tried to force a burglar upon them, like they weren't capable of venturing into the mountain themselves.
"The smell is the problem Thorin" Gandalf argued "Smaug would smell you from afar, new smell would be useful; it maybe wouldn't even break his slumber."
"No" said Thorin not wanting to listen any further "you can't convince me in taking a stranger into my company. The quest would fail before it would have chance to begin. I don't trust any man with my gold, or my life, they are traitors that would end you in your sleep." He lifted his hand to stop Gandalf to speak up. "Nor would I ever trust an elf, they are light on their feet but the dragon hates them as much as I do and they couldn't keep their word if the world would depend on it."
"Luckily" smiled Gandalf "I had someone else in mind, someone smaller. A Hobbit."
"A Hobbit?" laughed Thorin. "Small creatures are amusing to watch and seem enough benign but you could turn the world upside down before you could find one brave enough just to step out in the woods let alone to cross half of the world to face a dragon."
"If I could muster out one would you consider bringing him along?" Gandalf watched him intensively. "Or you would find a reason to disqualify their whole race too?"
"I'm not petty in that way" Thorin reclaimed him. "I just have experience that contradicts in trusting certain kinds of creatures, what would you do, make me trust Orcs?"
"Men and elves are the same as Orcs?" wondered Gandalf. "I'm in luck no wizard ever crossed your way. Now don't get offended" Gandalf raised his hand to calm Thorin down "burglar I will find and that's my condition to advise you in this venture. Don't mind me if I don't trust a dwarf to be on his best behaviour and doesn't do something rash like angering the dragon. I don't doubt that he would be irritated with you like I am."
Thorin smiled and relaxed. He didn't trust the man who couldn't get provoked.
"I'll gather my dwarves and discuss this, they need to know what's ahead. I'll discuss with them question of the burglar, they need to agree to take in the stranger even if it's a weakling like Hobbit is."
"I'll check up on him, to see if he's up for it, I haven't got a chance to go around there for quite some time. Even in a place like Shire there are things like natural death, it's inconvenient but I must remember creatures are susceptible to such discomfort."
With that they parted. He didn't expect that Gandalf would convince any Hobbit to act so out of their character, but old wizard proved to be convincing so he discussed the matter with his companions. He expected of them to be resistant to that idea but there were surprising turn of event.
He sent out the word and everyone he trusted gathered but there was one adding to their company.
Dori and Nori brought with them their brother Ori. Thorin had no problem with Ori, despite him being more of an artist and a scribe, he was reliable with a sword, and some good stories always come in handy on long travels. But there was a problem with numbers.
"Thirteen" said Bofur who always had a sense for making dramatic sitations more daring "there is thirteen of us, I hate to go towards dragon lair with that number."
"Don't be so skittish" said Dwalin "it's a bad number, so what, it's just a number."
"Can't say I like it" said Gloin "I wouldn't bet my money on thirteen ever."
"There's a wizard" said Kili "he could count as fourteen."
"Don't be naïve young one" said Balin "he's a wizard, he can't be bossed around, and he can't sign allegiance to Thorin. The wizards are strange creatures they come and go as they choose, they can't count as members of any company even the company of wizards."
Thorin watched Ori and knew he could not send him back. It would be shameful for a dwarf to be refused from such a noble quest and it would be Ori's first quest. He wasn't the best of fighters and there always been a reason to leave him behind. It wouldn't be fair to deny him this. Nori and Dori watched him with discomfort.
"Any number is less important than the aid we can get from every each one of us" said Thorin cutting through their chatter. "Every hand with weapon can mean our cutting through to our goal and our goal is far away, we can be sleighed any night before reaching our mountain. Ori is very welcomed to come along. We'll just have to consider that burglar wizard is forcing upon us. Even if he dies along the way there will still be starting our journey in better number."
That came through as agreeable.
"Now Ori, send out invitation for a confidential council to seven kingdoms, give them seven days to gather. During that time Bombur, Bifur and Bofur gather our supplies. Please discreetly, we're not announcing our attentions to everyone. Dwalin and Oin take care of gear and weaponry, no need to say to all equip well. Balin you'll go to the Blue Moutains and take care of businesses there, say only necessary to excuse our absence, leave explanation in case of need. Gloin report to your wife and get her blessing I don't want her to be chasing us throughout Middle Earth."
That caused some laughter that eased the tension.
"Fili, Kili find us suitable horses and ponies for supplies. Dori check out books and see what the signs are saying of our favour. Nori sort out your business, it goes the same as for Gloin; we need no search parties while we're gone. Leave what you can spare, take what you can't without."
"A pipe" said Bofur.
"A kettle" said Bombur.
With that they started a song and Thorin watched them with fondness.
"A pen" said Ori.
"A bow" said Kili.
"A bag of gold" said Nori.
"A sharp knife" sung Fili.
"Sharpest wife" adedd Gloin.
"Some luck" grumbled Dori.
"Khashak" added Bifur.
"What duck?" asked Oin.
"Keen mind" said Balin.
"An axe" growled Dwalin.
"A shield" he said for the end of the song.
With that they emptied their beer jugs.
"I'll see if the council will fill our numbers, I wouldn't like to count on that burglar to come along." Said Thorin quietly to Balin.
"Where is that wizard of yours anyway" said Kili who was inpatient to see a wizard for himself. "He's late."
"Wizards are never late" said strong voice from the door. "Nor they come in early, they always come in time."