Chapter 22
It was a very long process, and took much more of the weed than they first thought, but finally Bilbo was asleep with the poison completely out of his body.
Oin grunted. "Disappointed that none of ya thought of the wound being poisoned. Disappointed." He tutted and shook his head. "Poor healer I'd be, if I hadn't thought of it or seen the signs." He brushed off Thorin's gratitude and went to make himself some tea.
Thorin sat beside his son while he waited for Bard to bring the weapons they'd agreed on. He shook his head. "No matter what I do, Balin, I can never keep Bilbo out of danger."
Dwalin grunted. "Wrong kind of quest for that kind of wish."
Thorin snorted in self-loathing. "I know." He frowned and then glared at the wood. "Is the mountain truly worth this?"
Balin nodded. "Aye, lad. It is. A home, a birthplace of our people. We have already lost Khazad-Dum. We cannot lose another."
Thorin sighed and leaned against the wall. "I do not want my son to fall to the same disease that is in my line."
Balin frowned. "What?"
"The Arkenstone. It was the catalyst that brought my grandfather to insanity." He looked at Bilbo. "The same blood runs through his veins. I will not have the stone corrupt his heart as it did my grandfather and father."
Balin blinked rapidly. "Thorin, what are you saying?"
Thorin stared at Balin. "First act as King, that stone goes right back into the Mountain's heart, where it belongs. My line has ruled the Mountain before it was found, and it will rule the Mountain long after that thing erodes." There was a set to Thorin's jaw that told Dwalin and Balin that he was done with the conversation. Balin sighed.
"The others will not take kindly to this change."
Thorin barked a laugh. "And where were they when we fought for the Mountain? They were snug in their beds, dry, warm, and comfortable while we toiled and were hunted across the lands. No, I will not listen to their opinions when they were too weak to join me. They don't care enough about the mountain to even deserve to come back."
Dwalin grunted. "Be that as it may, we need people in order to survive."
Thorin sighed. "Yes, I know. But I am doing a complete change over from my old council. Balin is the only one that stays on. All the others will be forced into retirement."
Balin blinked. "Your father and your grandfather!"
"Are dead. Gandalf told me about my father." He sighed. "With them died an age long past. There will be changes during my reign." He looked down at his son. "I will make things safe for my boy."
Bard came back with the weapons. The Dwarves shouts of dismay and disgust woke Bilbo up. He was disoriented for a moment and then realized what was happening.
Fíli and Kíli filled him in what was going on. Balin sighed. "We've worked with less, Thorin. We can do it again."
Thorin shook his head. He looked over at Bilbo. "No. Nothing but real weapons, we cannot run the risk of being outnumbered again."
He looked at Bard. "Where can we find real weapons?"
Bard scoffed. "In the armory, but it is heavily guarded. You'll be caught."
Thorin nodded and then frowned. "We wait until night." Balin groaned. "Thorin! Be reasonable!"
Bilbo watched Bard as the man's face grew still. Uh-oh… Bard quickly left the house, whispering something to his son. Bilbo looked around frantically, wondering if they noticed that their cover was now blown wide open.
He growled slightly. No one noticed. "Idiots." He muttered. They waited until the cover of dark and then snuck out, or at least, most of them did. Bilbo was told to stay behind.
"I cannot run the risk of you getting caught. You are recovering. If you are taken to a prison, then your wound will get infected again. No, Bilbo, you are staying behind for now. I will come for you once we get our weapons."
Only they didn't. Fíli tripped on a loose board in the steps and the weapons clattered. Bard came back to find only Bilbo there.
"Your company is caught." Bilbo stumbled to his feet. Bard sighed. "They are trying to talk their way out of it." He scowled. "Why did you lie to me?"
Bilbo sighed. "Thorin is my father. I cannot disobey my father any more than Bain could disobey you." They left Bard's house and walked quickly to the Master's house.
Bard nodded slowly. "I understand."
"Thank you for providing us comfort and safety while we recuperated. I am in your debt. I owe you my life."
Bard waved that away. "Nothing of it. But I would be grateful if you did not bring calamity upon us by waking that Dragon." He raised his voice. "DEATH! DEATH IS WHAT YOU WILL BRING!" His voice drowned out the crowd.
Bard strode forward, leaving Bilbo to sneak into the group. He stood beside his father quietly. They watched as the Master and Bard battled against each other verbally. Bilbo looked around the crowd. This was their last chance.
"I will vouch for him!"
Everyone became quiet. Bilbo looked at Thorin only. "I will vouch to this Dwarf. He is honorable and will keep his word."
That seemed to settle it. Bilbo tried to ignore Bard's quiet, almost mournful, sigh. He had to stay with his father.
Thanks to everyone who alerted me about the mess up. I honestly have no idea what's going on. Hopefully, this will work!
If this still doesn't work, then feel free to look me up on this link. It's Archive of Our Own. My account is InkStainedHands1177. The story is under the same title as this one.
Hopefully that will work. ; )
Ink...
