Thorin felt free as he climbed the hill he knew so well. It was as time hasn't passed, as he was still young. It surprised him to remember how old he felt then, how restricted he was, how he held himself to high and rigid standards.
Climbing on hills around Lonely Mountain was the only thing that resembled play, but even that was serious in his young mind. It was a task of getting to know his kingdom and its weaknesses. When he saw the camp in the canyon it proved as a good knowledge, as something that proved useful, but still.
Now, much later, and much older, he felt younger than then. He felt alive and when Master Baggins said that the view was beautiful he looked around and had to admit he was right. Everything was beautiful and breath-taking as Thorin sees it for the first time. When he was young he didn't see any beauty in the view he just saw perils.
The real danger was in front of them, one more on their journey but Thorin didn't fear it, he rejoiced the confrontation, he enjoyed the air, the mountain and the company. Master Baggins produced more sounds than usual behind him but he didn't look back to acknowledge his struggle with the mountain.
When Thorin had his struggles with the forest it was kindly unaddressed. Besides that, it gave him too much joy to hear Master Baggins not excelling at something, he feared that the amusement could be read on his face.
Halfway downhill they finally reached the cave Thorin remembered well. Just in time because the sun was already low on the horizon.
"We'll take shelter here for the night," he said to Master Baggins and got only a nod in return.
Thorin entered the cave and suddenly felt awkward. They were silent for the whole day of climbing, what to say now? Thorin looked at Master Baggins who sat down and looked miserable staring at the floor.
"Maybe we can have a fire tonight," he said thinking of the cold night and the darkness of the cave, perhaps Master Baggins thought on their last resort in a cave. "There were bushes downhill. The fire can't be seen from down there."
"Fire," said Master Baggins willingly and jumped out of the cave.
Thorin was left alone and felt strange about it. When was the last time when he was alone? In the elvish prison when he waited for Master Baggins to rescue them, but even there other dwarves were talking, making noise. To be completely alone was a really rare. Maybe before the journey started, that night when he searched for the house, the home of Master Baggins.
It was strange to think about it. That were the last moments before he met Master Baggins. He walked under the stars enjoying the night breeze, anticipating the journey. The memory felt fresh but so far removed, as he was a different dwarf then, the one in control and untrusting, the one always on the lookout for the traps world will place before him.
Then the door opened into hobbit's house and the world changed on him. He entered with such confidence and looked at the small hobbit thinking nothing of him, thinking he can't even walk the distance to the Lonely Mountain let alone enter it. He accepted his company thinking he'll get frightened and leave them soon and that Thorin personally will enter Smaug's lair.
How the world has changed, now, a half world away, he was not only ready to let that same hobbit to enter the mountain but he trusted him more than he would himself, he trusted that he'll enter and deliver them Arkenstone without any difficulties.
Thorin sat down and leaned against the rock solid and familiar. Usually, he would fall asleep fast but now the sleep eluded him as he waited for Master Baggins to return. It took him longer than needed to gather some branches.