Thorin walked through the door bending a bit. He took of his cloak, hesitated briefly about putting it somewhere but no hand was offered so he folded around his hands. It was an old habit of his, to expect someone to take things from him on smallest hint of discomfort. It was a long time now since he had somebody at his back who would watch him closely reading his body signs to know what was needed. But it was hard to accustom to that lack of comfort. He didn't expect it really, it was a reflex more than a conscious though; it was a long time now since he learned to do everything by himself. Sometime he thought that things were better this way. Kili noticed as usual and Thorin smiled at him approaching. He gave the cloak to Kili without conscious thought because he was already focused on their alleged burglar.

As he set eyes on him he paused for split of second surprised by absurdly cute, defenceless, beardless creature.

"So this is the Hobbit" he said taking a step closer trying to find anything more on him, something at least a bit dangerous but as Hobbit talked his first assessment grew stronger, there wasn't an aggressive bone in this small sod.

"What's your weapon of choice?" nevertheless he gave him a chance to speak for himself, but as he examined him as good swords master would his first impression was confirmed. There is nothing to be expected from his small lean figure. He had no posture nor strength of a fighter.

There's been only mention of some child's play dwarves would never play.

"Thought as much" he said with a smirk looking back at that insecure squirming fellow that couldn't hold his gaze. As he called him a grocer he didn't mean nothing ill with it, although for a dwarf being a grocer was unthinkable, they had gold so others could deal with mud and leave the stone to them. For others being a grocer was a normal thing, mister Baggins looked like a pleasant grocer, one you could trust to give you fresh supplies and a joke to accompany it, he couldn't see why Gandalf wanted to drag him into perils way. Mister Baggins had a place here, he would be foolish to follow them.

He still hoped that Gandalf will change his mind but wizards were stubborn creatures so he sat quietly as others argued. Even after mister Baggins himself declared, with his gentle voice that had no strength even in protesting, himself not being a burglar wizard held his ground lashing out his rage. After that there wasn't anything to be done but do it his way. They needed him and after he gave Thorin Thrain's key it became even more clearly that this is the path Thorin must take.

Thorin gave the contract to mister Baggins without looking back, he wasn't the one to persuade him to do this in any way. As he read the contract Thorin leaned in to Gandalf. He's going to agree to wizard's terms but he won't be responsible when that little Hobbit gets hurt on the first intersection or will Thorin run after him when he runs back crying.

Thorin watched mister Baggins as he read the contract making face expressions that hid nothing from discomfort, surprise, and confusion. If he would in some strange way make it with them to the mountain it would be impossible imagine him going into Erebor's halls alone to face the dragon.

That thought got confirmed when the Hobbit spread himself on the ground just imagining dragon fire. He had a lively imagination, Thorin had to give him that.

Everyone got up. Some went to help Gandalf with unconscious Hobbit, others to clean up mess they made. Thorin had noticed it and was sure it wasn't little Hobbit's doing. Thorin leaned in the hall waiting for the fate to fall this way or another. He really didn't care. The key was in his hand, his path was laid before him. He'll walk it even if he had to do it alone.

Balin voiced out his doubts but eventually he agreed as he did always, standing by his side.

As chores were done they gathered by the fire. The pipe was handed in Thorin's hand so he smoke it. He stared at the flames as memories rolled in. There was a need in him to let them out so he let his voice to tell that story he knew so well. Braver men fell before dragon's flame, even Thorin was laid to the ground. Mentioning of Smaug didn't sit comfortably with Thorin's heart, but determination was there. His men came when he called upon them and he knew each one of them by heart. They would not falter him. If they all went into the flame, they'll go together.

As they spread around the house to get few hours of sleep before they go Gandalf murmured that his Hobbit will come around and wages fell. Thorin didn't partake in them. Soon there was peace full of snoring everywhere. Thorin walked quietly around Hobbit's home smoking his pipe. There were no hope he could sleep on a night like this so he looked around.

He hadn't much chance to look inside men's or Hobbit's homes but this looked like comfortable one. Clean too after it had been restored to its original state. Thorin looked at pictures, books, furniture. All was well made and it looked comfortable. Wizard was a fool when he thought Hobbit would leave this safe and cozy hole for dragging around in mud with rest of them.

His roaming brought him to a window from which he could see the sunrise. Thorin realized it was mister Baggins room only when small Hobbit snorted in his dream. He turned from the window just to see his expressive face frowning even in his dream. Thorin studied his features for awhile deciding what was on his face that made him look so vulnerable. Maybe was that he slept so deeply exposed to the world without fear? That was either really foolish, or brave, considering he had full house of strange dwarves he knew nothing about.

The house began to stir from restless dwarves that picked up their gear. Doors were open letting fresh morning air in. Thorin stood there moment longer deciding whether to wake mister Baggins to see them out or not. He decided against it. This way he'll stay in safety, wizards were risky beings, even though they couldn't change minds, they could influence them. Mister Baggins proved to resist that influence by now why test him further.

Thorin looked at pipe in his hand wondering to whom he should return it to. One look and simple wood and its making told him it was from their host. That's why he left it on the back of the chair.

"Come on, let's go" he said with low voice ushering everyone out.

"The contract" said Balin "Gandalf insists that you sign it."

"There's no time to be wasted" Thorin complained "soon all the village will awake, even from here rumours can spread."

He took the contract from Balin signed it swiftly and put on the table for Hobbit to see when they are safely gone.

"The time for words is gone" he said to Gandalf as he walked him out "he'll come or he won't."

"Agreed" said Gandalf with a heavy sigh and went up on his horse.

Soon they were all sited and on their way. Just as they reached the forest he could hear chatter of waken village. He didn't looked back. Gandalf lead on. Thorin felt comfortably in his saddle. This was his quest and he will give it all he has.

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