A/N: we're reaching the end of the first movie. Now Bilbo and then off to uncharted space between movies.
Thorin hang on to the tree trying not to fall thinking only of their survival when Azog came to sight. The beast that beheaded his grandfather was still alive. There made the hate within him to burst out making him cold and focused. The whole world became narrow and small, nothing existed any more than Azog's face as he scorned him and mocked his survival. Survival wasn't important anymore, it never was. Pride was all that was left to Thorin. Not his throne, nor crown, nor the jewels, nor the gold. All that was taken by Smaug. But Azog tried to take his pride, to make them small and scared. Damn him if he let himself be small and afraid infront of him. To give him something to be triumphant about.
If Thorin's time to die has come he surely won't go hanging from a tree falling into his death without even lifting his sword. Coward he never was. Azog challenged him and Thorin felt how his attention sharpens, the world was of no importance to him. Only thing that mattered was the chance to put his steel into Azog's scull. He descended from the tree determinate to fight, to give him the worth of his wrath but as any other thing this was denied to him also. His arms were weak, his stride slow, and his opponent strong and in higher ground. It wasn't long and he was tossed around by the mindless beast like he was a toy.
Soon he was on the ground giving up to his death. He can't get even that, even the glorious death will be denied to him. He'll die from the hand of the servant. It could be expected, everything else was taken already.
Just as he meant to greet his death something new happened. At first he didn't realize what it was, it came too fast but then he collided with the Orc and Thorin could see the small figure that was the Halfling as he fights violently for Thorin's survival. The fool, why would he do that? Doesn't he know that nothing is important anymore, that Thorin's survival isn't important anymore? But Halfling fought on like he can win and all Thorin could think of is that he have should made him go home, to safety, to his bed, armchair and books, away from the cruelty of the world. But there was nothing else he could do as the pain fell on him and everything went dark.
When the darkness came it wasn't soothing darkness because he fought it. There were his dwarves fighting maybe dying, and there was that foolish Halfling that thinks he could stand a chance against the Orc.
Thorin looked around in darkness expecting them to join him but none came. Were they sent elsewhere? Where do Hobbits go when they die? He should have died already.
But then, instead of his company in the darkness there was light. Thorin opened his eyes just to be met by Gandalf's smile. That damn wizard made them survive against all odds. But Halfling. He didn't wait with others on the tree, he ran, he fought. He surely died.
"Halfling?" was all Thorin could gather through his constricted throat.
"It's alright. Bilbo is here." Gandalf looked up with his face all lit up like it was normal thing for him to survive through this.
Thorin got up despite his aching body. He had to see the Halfling for himself. Thorin got up and find out that he really was there. Looking at him and smiling like nothing happened.
Thorin shrugged off worried dwarves of him and went towards the smiling Hobbit. His peace enraged him, didn't he know that he could have die out there that is a mere luck that he's standing here.
"But did I not say that you would be a burden" Thorin continued and Halfling's smile faded away but he still didn't moved away, holding his ground. "That you would not survive in the wild and that you have no place among us?" Thorin could hear how his voice is raw and menacing but Hobbit still didn't backed away of flinched holding his ground, showing that his bravery was still here that it wasn't just a moment of madness, looking Thorin right in the eye. But his eyes now showed the pain Thorin's unjust attack had inflicted on him.
Thorin paused and finally let his voice to loosen down. To this Hobbit he now owed his life and everything that comes after this moment on.
"I've never been so wrong in my life" Thorin admitted his fault for all to hear and reached for the Hobbit embracing him to his chest because nothing could transmit the depth of his gratitude.
Halfling was so small in his arms as he hesitantly accepted the contact. Thorin held him for a moment enjoying the feeling of being alive.
Apology was owed and Thorin had gave it but more than apology there was wonder. Wonder of this new moment the world has bestowed upon Thorin. There he was this Hobbit who owed them no loyalty and shared no blood with them but still he put his life to their disposal to reach their homes.
As they all turned to look at the Moutain Halfling showed his naïve optimism once more hopping that the worse is behind them. Although Thorin hadn't believe that for the first time he looked forward with hope. Maybe destiny had bestowed something better in front of them if it had sent them Halfling to care of them. That he will take as a good omen.