Clill, Thorin and Balin sat in the hallway as they listened to Bilbo and Gandalf try to discuss the quest. So far, Bilbo was being a coward, backing out of everything while Gandalf tried to show him that the quest was something he needed to do. Thorin looked down at Clill and wrapped his arms around her. At the moment, their future was uncertain. Success was riding on Bilbo's decision to join them.
"I'm sorry, Gandalf", Bilbo said. "I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit."
The three Dwarves looked down the hallway as Bilbo walked to the bedroom.
"Well, it appears we have lost our burglar", Balin sighed. "Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy-makers…hardly the stuff of legend."
"There are a few warriors amongst us", Thorin said not changing his mind.
"Old warriors", he said feeling too old and out of shape to do any battle.
"I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they came. Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
Clill looked at him with a sigh and nodded.
"I am with you till the end, my love", she said. "I will see this done."
"You don't have to do this", Balin said looking at the two of them. "You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, a life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor."
"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me", Thorin said holding the key in his hand. "They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me."
"Father, Thorin", Clill sighed. "This isn't a matter of reclaiming our homeland for me. For 60 that dragon has been sleeping on the grave of our daughter. Now is our chance to destroy that monster and give her the peace that she deserved. This journey isn't for me. This has to be done for Sidda's sake."
Balin nodded understandingly as he hugged her close to him.
"Then we are with you", he said looking at her and Thorin. "We will see it done."
Thorin looked down at his wife, seeing how tired she was. They were all tired. The night was getting late and they all had to leave first thing in the morning. The Dwarves gathered into the den to get some rest before morning. Thorin lit his pipe as he looked into the fireplace, the dancing flames bringing back the memory of that fateful day. He hummed softly as he wound down for the night.
"Thorin?" Clill said sitting beside him. "Sing me a lullaby…"
He held her hand in his as his humming grew louder. The Dwarves looked at their leader's deep voice warmed the atmosphere in the room.
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old"
"We must away ere break of day" Clill joined him.
"To find our long-forgotten gold" Balin joined.
The rest of the Dwarves looked and them and joined in singing.
"The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light"
Thorin looked down at Clill and took her hand in his. He pressed his lips against her hand in a kiss and held it to his heart. The light from the flames danced along the jewel necklace on her wrist, making it glitter.
"For you, Sidda…"
