Aurthor's Note: Hi ...Hello I have no excuses other than life in general. Most importantly I finally got a new laptop after my old one's battery died on me. I find as I get older, I have less time to write, however I am currently in a great position for it so... that means you guys get to benefit. I'm back and I will be finishing this story this month. Thanks for your continued patience and as always please read, review and enjoy.
The next day was one of sun light birds chirping in the blue clear skies above. Flying circle around each other in merriment. Bilbo could almost forget for a second where he was and what was to come to past. It reminded him of his burrow, of the peacefulness of the Shire and the honest hobbit folk he'd left behind to go on a grand adventure.
Would he even make it back to the green hills and warm fire?
Here the laughter of young hobbits playing in the flower fields and crops hunting for treats and getting up to harmless mischief?
Bilbo frowned the weight of what he'd done, what he'd overcome, what he'd managed to survive against left him breathless his thoughts stuttering to a halt.
Would his luck hold out has it had on the way?
Thorin stared at the back of his Hobbit companion who had curve a spot of brotherhood forge through lived experiences and near-death encounters with concern. He had greatly underestimated the natured of hobbits. Bilbo had proven his worth more than he would ever to able to admit or express. Sensing eyes on him Bilbo sighed.
"Can we really do this, his hands clenched in his worn dwarven coat, pull of a miracle?"
Thorin opened his mouth to respond but stopped. Bilbo had been the unwavering rock that had gotten them through to Erebor. If he was doubting their odds, could he the emotionally constipated dwarf king be the comfort and support that Bilbo needed. Bilbo stayed with his back to Thorin. He couldn't face his friend with his doubts. Now was not the time to have a show of bad faith.
"I wish to be truthful, Thorin began glad Bilbo wasn't facing him, there are a great many things I thought I knew about the world, about myself and about my cause... Bilbo you've proven me wrong on a great many things and for that I am truly grateful."
Bilbo felt a wash of warmth flow from his stomach outward at Thorin's words. The dwarf wasn't one for wasting words or energy unless he deems is necessary. The weight of Thorin's hand on his right shoulder was heavy with comfort.
"We will do what we have always done when odds are so heavily stacked against us, Thorin's had squeezes Bilbo's shoulder, we shall look death in the face and show him the might of dwarves. Ah and of hobbits of course."
Bilbo turned his face a familiar set of determined that made the dwarves hopeful and a little scared. Their eyes locked and for a moment nothing was said as the sun shined on, and the birds played above them. A million things past between them and respect and understanding tied them together. Bilbo smiled pushing the urge to hug the dower dwarf.
In a flash with a loud thud an arrow embedded itself in the wall next to Thorin's head. Bilbo blinked a sharp twinge of pain flashed in his cheek. Blood started to flow from Thorin's face both realizing they'd almost been hit.
Horns sounded and, in the distance, a dark cloud rumbles and flashes with lighting over the valley of Erebor. Thorin's face turns twisted with hatred as he spotted his adversary in the distance. Wasting no time, he yanks Bilbo down into a crawl pushing him into cover of the mountain.
"Alert the others, he shouts as more arrows hail upon them, we have no time war has come to us. GO! Rally our forces."
Bilbo scrambles away doubts long forgotten and replaced with adrenaline and a strength to see this day through. His feet sound loud in his ears as he run faster than he ever run before. This would be the end of the struggle for Erebor and only time would tell which force would come out the victor.
Thorin pushes himself up as the arrows halt for a second, the smug face of his kin killer confident on his high perch. He would not prevail this day if Thorin had any say in it. The honor of his father, grandfather and Erebor was on the line. He may have been and still was a failure in many way's but he would not fail his people nor Erebor in this regard.
If he had to greet death he would do it with honor and grace befitted a great dwarven king, and walk hand and hand with his ancestors to the after life.