A/N: here with a new lovely beta, enjoy the turmoil, and some Myazaki homage

Beta-ed: nanasawayuri

The following day Thorin felt strange. A decent night of sleep seemed like distant memory. He couldn't remember the last time he slept so well. It was a small wonder and he tried to figure out what made the difference in this night amongst others. He decided that the only new thing was spending time with Master Baggins. It seemed that Master Baggins had a soothing effect on his mind. That wasn't such a bad thing, Thorin decided, and as the day progressed he felt grateful because everything seemed lighter. At the midday Thorin looked upon his company and discovered them being battered and tired. He decided to take a longer break, they can afford themselves a bit slower pace. After all they did run a lot and they surely will run again soon.

He used that break to make sure the path before them was clear and sent Fili and Kili forward to find a good spot for a camp, the company deserved one night of sheltered sleep, and Fili and Kili had the benefit of running their energy that was left at the end of the day to defy him and mock around. Thorin feared that his sister was right in doubting in Kili's ability to stay safely, the boy was too reckless and confident, he was too young. Thorin should have left him behind, but how could he, what would be left for him in the Blue Mountains without his kin?

Thorin followed Master Baggins trying not to produce too much noise, again admiring the softness of his steps. When they entered the woods Thorin tried to compensate for Fili's rudeness but Master Baggins seemed unwilling to take it. Thorin didn't insist upon it, but as he watched him climb the tree with ease, like walking on pavement, Thorin started to wonder about the hobbit's composure. At times he seemed brave and calm, as if not surprised by anything, but at other times he seemed so timid, like some wild creature that roams wood lands. He wondered again what made him run last night. Usually master Baggins didn't display any special respect towards Gandalf, on contrary, it seemed that he mocked him most of the time, doubting his powers. That doubt was a foolish thing, Thorin knew, but it was understandable considering how rarely a good wizard would be permitted to use his magic to change the world around him. He would do it only in times of great need, not for amusement or pride. But why would the hobbit, that usually stood angry and proud before any attempt of shame, run away not bothering even to pretend he doesn't care?

By the time Master Baggins descended from the tree the question had grown so big that Thorin had to ask why he ran. Of course that his forwardness confused the small hobbit so Thorin tried to help him.

"I mean I understand embarrassment of being treated like a child," he said with understanding but then proceeded in his own restrictions of pride. He was thought he must never run from nothing, that he must stand tall and held his dignity in any given situation. As he spoke he understood how strange it sounded. Those rules couldn't even apply to him, he was after all for months on the road now and most of that time he spent running away from different perils, and that to a timid race like hobbits, running away must be credo, not shame.

But it still hit some hidden cord of pride within the small hobbit because Master Baggins stood tall defending himself and all Thorin could think was how cute he looked. He tried to stay serious, there was nothing more damaging to moral but to smile at those who defend themselves. But then his speech took unexpected turn.

"We hobbits aren't used to being treated with such familiarity. Honestly I don't know when another hobbit hugged me last, we just don't do stuff like that," Bilbo said. Even to Thorin, who considered himself to be a lone among dwarves, the one who isn't touched too often, that seemed cold and unfair.

"What do you do?" Thorin crossed with his palm just to remind himself that his hands still had use that they can touch, he himself could count the hugs he received during the years.

As Master Baggins explained the substitution for hugs Thorin could have maybe even believe him, it seemed that Master Baggins was a good liar, but while he talked he just looked like loneliest thing under the sky. "Hugging is silly business," he concluded. "We don't see the use in indulging it too often," he lifted his chin in act of pride and defiance. That was the final straw that made Thorin forget his detachment, pride and solitude that made him different, that made him stay away from too much familiarity. This hobbit before him just needed a hug and as Thorin closed his grip around him, that confirmed as much.

You can hide your face behind words but when someone is holding you to his chest, the trembling of feelings can resonate through your whole body. It seemed to Thorin that he could feel some sort of solitude and sadness wash over him and he took it.

"Hugging is mandatory when dwarves are in question," said Thorin and he didn't lie, even he had to fulfil his quota of hugs and clasps during the day. He held the small hobbit a bit longer feeling warmth towards him. It was a nice kind of warmness, it made a clear contrast to his daily determination. He finally let him go and smiled at the calm hobbit. He could stay as still as he wants, Thorin did feel him trembling from some inner turmoil. At the end of the day they all suffer the same feelings of shame, solitude, anxiety and anger, it was just a matter of companionship to make it all bearable. Thorin would have to keep an eye on master Baggins. After all he did abandon all of his waving kin that could give him comfort through smiles and handshakes. The wizard proved to be entangled into his own thoughts and plans and it was up to Thorin to keep his men at good speed, which now included this small hobbit.

Thorin turned to return to the company when master Baggins grabbed him by the hand signalling toward the bushes. Thorin looked at the enormous shadow and forgot all lessons of dignity, power, and respect. Standing tall, he pushed Master Baggins to the ground and pulled him in the bushes to hide from the beast that sniffed around them.

He pressed a finger to his lips to signal Master Baggins to stay still and quiet. As they hid, huge hooves appeared confirming what Thorin had feared. There was an enormous boar before them sniffing around his territory.

Leave some prints :)