Chapter 28
It was on the third day that Fíli gave a shout to catch his uncle's attention. Thorin turned and stared at his nephews. "What is it?" His voice was hoarse. He had been so deep in thought, deep in a struggle.
Fíli and Kíli both swallowed nervously. "Bilbo isn't eating. We've been in this mountain for six days. He refuses anything! Uncle, he's wasting away!"
Thorin frowned. "A person does not waste away from only a short fast like five days."
Kíli shook his head. "Ori told me that for Hobbits it's different. Their bodies are different. If they don't eat for a day, it feels like three days. That's why they have to eat so much. For Bilbo, it was tempered by the fact that he's only half Hobbit, but his metabolism is still much higher than ours. That's why he was able to drink Gloin under the table and not have a hangover the next morning! Even if it's five days it's like a month to Bilbo!"
Thorin's eyes widened as he realized that he was undoubtedly causing his son's fading. "No!" He quickly moved into a run and almost collided with Dwalin as the bigger Dwarf ran out of Bilbo's room
"Bilbo's gone!"
Thorin felt like Dwalin had stabbed him with those words. "WHERE?!"
Dwalin had no answer. Where could Bilbo possibly have gone to?
~meanwhile~
Bilbo huffed and slid down the rope. He was juggling a heavy box and himself while climbing down a rock mountain. Fun.
He finally reached the bottom and started running, slipping on his ring in the process. He quickly made his way to the camp of the Elves. His heart leaped for joy when he heard a voice that he did not think he would ever hear again.
Gandalf!
"…this is madness! There is an army of Orcs that are going to march on the mountain. We only have four days until that happens! We must forget everything about these slights! We cannot forget the real enemy!"
"Thorin won't forget those slights. He won't deal with the Elves because of how the King treated him in Mirkwood, and he won't deal with the Humans because of the new alliance between Men and Elves."
Gandalf turned quickly. "Bilbo Baggins! I am very glad to see you!" Gandalf knelt down and hugged his friend.
Thranduil stared at the creature. "Bilbo, son of Thorin Oakenshield?"
Bilbo nodded slowly. "I…I have brought these with me, in hopes that you might take them and just go." He set the box on the table and opened it. Thranduil stared.
"The white gems…" He looked at Bilbo. Bilbo nodded encouragingly. "I didn't want my only family to die in a war that could be avoided. I'm sure you understand and agree."
Thranduil smiled and nodded. "I agree, but what of the Men? King Bard needs money too. After all, he housed you, and if I am not mistaken, saved your life by providing the correct medicine."
Bilbo flushed. "I couldn't carry five sacks of gold down the mountain by myself."
Thranduil nodded. "I understand. Yes…very well then. You came down to give me these gems, hoping that I would just leave. However, I am willing to be the villain in this case. I, in hopes of gaining something for my friend, King Bard, will take another payment that has been offered." He nodded to his guards, who promptly grabbed Bilbo. Bilbo struggled and shouted, but nothing swayed the King.
Bard was shouting at Thranduil to be reasonable, but Thranduil only smiled. He spoke and everyone quieted. Gently caressing Bilbo's chin, he spoke. "I could see in Thorin's eyes how deeply he cares about his son. I understand. I care just as deeply for my own son." He looked at Bard and then at Gandalf. "I have no desire to go to war. The men are in no shape to fight. I have my gems, but the men need gold to survive. I will not see them starve. I am an Elf, distant, but not cruel."
He tilted Bilbo's face up by placing a finger under the Dwobbit's chin. "Payment in ransom money should be enough." He nodded to the guards. "Keep him warm and safe, but do not let him out of your sight. Also, search him."
They nodded and took Bilbo away. Gandalf was ridiculing Thranduil for his madness, demanding that there was another way, but Bilbo knew, short of freeing him himself, Gandalf would not be able to change Thranduil's mind.
You're a fool, Bilbo Baggins! Bilbo groaned to himself.
~the next morning~
Bilbo was put in chains, for dramatic affect according to Thranduil. The Elf-King was rather pleased with his plan, knowing that Thorin thought Bilbo more precious than anything in the mountain.
Bard shouted. "HAIL! IT IS BARD AND KING THRANDUIL. WE WISH TO SPEAK TRUCE WITH YOU!"
Thorin moved into view and leaned over the ramparts. He was pale and noticeably ragged. The Dwarves had been searching the entire mountain all night and morning long.
"WHAT IS IT? I ALREADY GAVE YOU MY ANSWER!"
Thranduil nodded. "Yes, you did. But I merely wanted to inform you that payment has been offered and accepted." He smirked and waved his hand. Bilbo was shoved forward. "Your son came forward to give me my gems in hopes that I would leave and no one would have to die. However, he had nothing to give for the men of Dale. So…I decided to take him instead."
Thorin stared at his son. "Bilbo…"
Bilbo looked up at his father. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." Tears had tracked down his dirty cheeks.
Thorin glared at Thranduil. "What is the ransom?" He spat the word.
"Ten bags of gold, each bag equal in weight to your fat friend there." Thranduil nodded towards Bombur.
Thorin closed his eyes and tilted his head towards the skies. His heart was torn. The gold…gold…his son…precious gold beyond all imagining. He thought of how the light glittered along the gems and lit up the gold…
His eyes snapped open. His decision was made.
