Bilbo fussed unnecessarily in his meager tent, packing his bag as the dwarfs of the company came to and from, expressing grievances, thanks, or goodbyes. Not many had come, several were still injured and could not make it from their beds (whether this was due to their own inability or the healers not allowing their leave, Bilbo was not sure). At the moment, unfortunately, he did not have the time to find out. Legolas waited outside the tent, and Ilaurënda lay sleeping on what was going to be his bedroll. He supposed someone who needed it much more than he would promptly be put in it as soon as he and the young elf prince left. He gave a heavy sigh as he tied the cords on top of the pack that had been provided to him. An unknown dwarf had shoved it into his arms, the pack already filled with travelling necessities that they could spare. Bilbo had been packing the small belongings he had gathered, along with what Balin had come and told him was a part of his share of the gold.
"Enough to be comfortable in that hole of yours, Laddie. Not so much missy there will turn on ye." Balin had said, with a grim frown on his face. He was one of the few that had come to visit Bilbo, alongside Bofur, Bombur and also Gloin. Bofur and Bombur had come together, assuring Bilbo that the rest of the company was being well taken care of, and the ones that were awake but could not visit had told the two of them to express their goodbyes since they could not. Gloin had come to wish him well, and had the hobbit promise to come back as soon as he could to meet his wife and son, whom Gloin was convinced Bilbo would love. And the hobbit probably would, very dearly. He would just have to deal with one more drake than his contract had mentioned.
"Master Baggins, we must leave soon. If you are packed, we would still have time for you to visit the Oakenshields." Legolas chirped helpfully, his head poking into the tent with a small smile. The elf seemed too keen for his own good. Bilbo gave a small chuckle and nodded, shouldering his pack and gently scooping up the snoozing drake chick. Acting much like a cat would, she rolled around in his arms until she was tucked comfortably, her nose in between two of the buttons of his coat oddly enough. However appropriately un-oddly, she stayed stubbornly asleep.
'Probably wore her poor little self out healing Thorin…' Bilbo thought to himself. Albeit a tasking one, the chick was definitely a miracle, one that Bilbo was not going to second guess or chance ruining. If he had to sacrifice his life to ensure that Thorin Oakenshield lived to rule as King under the Mountain as he was meant to, well by all means this respectable hobbit would do just that! Nodding to himself, Bilbo turned and practically strutted up to the young archer.
"Yes, I am ready young prince. Thank you, by the way. It would be an awfully lonely journey back to the shire. Do you have someone to ensure you will make it back to the Greenwood?" Bilbo asked curiously, an eyebrow raised as the pair began to walk across the stone littered ground. Legolas seemed happy no matter the atmosphere, at least now. The hobbit looked up at him for a moment, also to avoid seeing the splattered and dried blood on the ground.
"I had no preference, if you had some person in mind…" the prince started cautiously, looking down at Bilbo.
"I honestly had no idea, I was just wondering what your father would think of you out traveling on your own. I certainly wouldn't want my child out and about that far from home all alone!" Bilbo guffawed, glancing ahead at the upcoming tents, the largest one in the center of the random cluster of smaller tents being their destination. Legolas gave a small chuckle.
"I would be fine on my own, Master Baggins, and I don't think any of your dwarf companions would be well enough to leave tonight nor want to suffer my presence." The elf replied shortly. Grumpily, Bilbo gave a defeated huff.
"I suppose you are right. But I would have you send correspondence to me the moment you arrive safely in the Greenwood!" Bilbo ordered, waggling a finger as he shifted an arm out from under the chick dozing away in the crook of his elbow. Legolas looked down at him fondly.
"Of course, if that is your wish Master Baggins." Legolas chuckled, bowing his head for a moment – conveniently to avoid a rope that was strung between two tents with drying white rags.
"And about that, you can call me Bilbo, you know." The hobbit grumped, returning his other arm to cradle the reptile.
"Only if you call me Legolas." The prince retorted playfully. Bilbo rolled his eyes and shrugged.
"If you insist, Legolas. Oh Thorin would pitch a fit if he knew we were on first name basis. Imagine it! He'd be spitting fire like this one's Pa." Bilbo laughed loudly. Legolas held back the flap of the tent.
"I believe he would pitch more of one if I were to enter with you as you said your goodbyes. I shall wait here, Bilbo. But keep in mind we mustn't tarry too much longer." Legolas insisted gently. Bilbo nodded and took a deep breath before ducking into the tent. Much to his surprise, as he had been expecting to see all three of the Oakenshields asleep, Kili was sitting upright in his pile of furs, watching Fili worriedly.
"Kili, you're awake, oh good!" Bilbo cried, causing a yelp to come from his arms as the little emerald eyed drake was spooked awake. She gave an unhappy chitter and he got a nip on the neck for his excitement. He glared down at the drake as she rolled around in his arms once again, this time lying with her head on his arm so she could view the world ahead of her. Kili gave a startled gasp, looking up at the both of them.
"Bilbo, you're alive!" the dwarf exclaimed, eyes wide. Bilbo hurried over, reaching a hand out to the prince.
"When I was awake last they had told me they couldn't find you or your body…" tears began to leak from the young dwarf's eyes. Depositing the drake on Kili's lap Bilbo pulled the darker haired brother into a gentle hug.
"No, no I am fine…As is your uncle, and your brother. You all will be under the mountain soon enough, as is your right. The three of you are strong, so strong, Kili. And I refuse to cause you grief, no I am perfectly well, I promise you that young one." Bilbo hushed, combing his fingers through the shaggy brown hair. Kili sobbed into his shoulder.
"Fili and I…We didn't agree with Uncle, we didn't want you banished. Has he forgiven you?" Kili sniffled, pulling back some. Bilbo smiled and wiped one of the tears away.
"I believe so; he was not demanding I leave the tent earlier today. You will have to ask him for me when he awakes next. My little friend here has assured he will live, but unfortunately has also assured that I will not be here to make sure the three of you will recover fully." Bilbo replied sadly. The mentioned drake chick was currently digging herself a spot in Kili's lap. The dwarf looked down and gave a yelp.
"That's a dragon! What – Bilbo what is a dragon doing in my lap!" Kili whispered, eyeing her as if she were about to spout flames in his face. Bilbo pulled back, sitting on the edge of the furs.
"I found her egg next to the Arkenstone. I thought it to be a gem, and when the battle happened I had hid it in a little niche on the side of the mountain. When it had finished I went and got the yellow thing. I had meant to give it to Thorin as a peace offering, repayment for giving away the Arkenstone. But she hatched right then and there! Right here in this tent whilst you and your brother slept!" Bilbo chuckled, smoothing back a loose strand of Kili's hair. Kili's eyes had softened, transfixed on the small creature curled in his lap.
"Imagine our luck that she hatched then, and that Thranduil had heard the commotion and knew how to speak the language she was born with! Old Quenya, he had called it I think. She will learn Westron, and perhaps maybe one day she may learn khuzdul if she can return here. But she can heal! Can you imagine that? She hopped right out of my arms and onto Thorin, and I guess put him into a deep sleep and healed the wounds on his chest to the point where the healers could guarantee his life." Bilbo told, the younger brother grinning ear to ear. Bilbo smiled, he loved to see the boys so happy. Then Kili frowned.
"Bilbo…What do you mean, if she can return here? She can't stay?" Kili pleaded softly, a shaking hand rubbing the reptile's soft stomach. Bilbo shook his head.
"Unfortunately, Kili, she can't. And neither can I. As I've come to understand it, she thinks I'm her mother. Father? Oh whichever! She's bonded to me Beorn says, and if any of us want to live, we've either got to kill her which I will not allow, or raise her away from greed, wealth, magic or the cruelty of man. That means I have to go back to the Shire…Alone, and raise her." Bilbo explained quietly, a hand on Kili's shoulder. Kili's eyes watered again.
"But we only just got you back, Auntie!" Kili cried, before slapping both hands to his mouth with wide eyes. Bilbo smiled with mirth.
"Auntie? Well that is a new name for me. Why are you embarrassed young one? I am not. It makes me glad that you think me family, for I consider you mine. You and every single one of the company…All of you are my family." Bilbo's eyes sparkled with mischief for a moment.
"Don't tell anyone, but you and Fili are my favorites!" Bilbo whispered excitedly, earning him a soft laugh from the dwarf prince.
"But you still have to go?" Kili asked sadly. Bilbo nodded.
"I have to leave soon. I came to say goodbye to you all, but Thorin and Fili are still asleep. You shall have to take on the responsibility of telling them for me, alright? Now it's not like I'll be gone forever. I'll try and visit or you can visit me one day, once this little one has grown out of her impressionable age. Goodness knows when that will be though…" Bilbo lamented, looking down at the gold and green coils.
"I don't quite know what to do, really. Gandalf has disappeared, Beorn and Thranduil have both claimed that it is so this little drake doesn't go mad with the lust for Gandalf's magic and kill us all." The hobbit whispered mournfully. Kili gave a small smile.
"Hard to believe something so little as her could kill us all, huh Auntie?" Kili asked softly. Bilbo nodded, pressing a kiss to the top of Kili's head.
"I'm sorry I have to go, Kili. I wish I did not, I had meant to gain your uncle's forgiveness, and eventually… I had hoped…" Kili looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"What is it?" the dwarf coaxed.
"Well I had meant to tell him that I love him…And if a dwarf king like him could ever come to love a meager grocer like myself." Bilbo chuckled, tears welling in his eyes. Bilbo couldn't bring himself to look at Kili, so he looked to the brother across from them with blurring vision.
"I had hoped that the four of us could become a family, or the five of us, when your mother returned from the Blue Mountains, if she liked me anyways. But I wasn't able to tell Thorin… Maybe tis for the best, little one, your uncle has a kingdom to rule. He cannot be distracted by a hobbit who gave away his greatest treasure…" Bilbo sobbed, unable to hold back his tears. He felt a soft flick on his cheek, and found the little golden drake awake and staring at him, her eyes also filled with tears. That old beautiful voice filled his head, and even though he could not understand the words the grief behind the voice was so powerful he could not stand. He fell to his knees, head in Kili's lap as the little drake curled around his neck, a high singing cry filling the air and his head. He felt tear drops on his head and he could only guess that Kili was crying as well. After a few moments Bilbo forced himself back to standing, clutching Kili as tight as he could without hurting him. As he pulled away he held the young dwarf's face in his two hands, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"I love you, Kili. No matter what happens and where I go, know this. You are my boy, no matter who your mother and father are. Mine, you understand? You make sure you and your brother stay well, or it won't be just your mother stripping your hide for getting into trouble!" Bilbo attempted to scold, the tears running down his face and the redness in his nose, ears and cheeks ruining the effect. Kili looked the same, nose running and tear streaming down his cheeks.
"I love you too Auntie. I'll tell Fee, I promise. We'll be good, too. You have to come back though, please! Promise me you'll come back some day!" Kili begged, and who could say no to that face? Bilbo pressed his forehead to the dwarf's.
"I promise you, Kili. I promise you and your brother I will come back some day, as soon as I can, as soon as this little one will let me. If I didn't have to I wouldn't leave. If I don't, she would kill you all, and I can't bear the thought of you precious boys gone from this world." Bilbo cried quietly. Kili hiccupped once and Bilbo smiled.
"I must leave now, or my guardian may become upset. We must get some distance in the few precious hours of sunlight we have from here." The hobbit whispered, running a hand over Kili's hair. Kili nodded, still crying.
"Be safe, Auntie. Write us as soon as you are safe!" Kili demanded, brows furrowing. Bilbo nodded, and gathered up the weeping drake, the voice still keening loudly both in his ears and in his mind. He hushed her for a moment before giving Kili one last squeeze of the shoulder. Unless he left now, Bilbo wouldn't be able to so he forced himself to ignore the sobs behind him, and walked from the tent.
Flat out ignoring Legolas, he headed to where he knew their horse to be. To ride faster and hasten their trip Bilbo would ride in front of Legolas with the drake in his arms. As it was an elven horse it would not tire as quick and Legolas and he would be able to ride through the night on some occasions. As he knew he would do, Legolas was right behind the hobbit, silent thankfully. Bilbo did not wish to explain the tears on his face or the sobs coming from the dragon in his arms. Approaching the horse, it skirted to the side at first, wary of the distressed hobbit and reptile. Legolas soothed the horse before taking Bilbo's pack and attaching it to the horse's saddle bags, then assisting the hobbit into the saddle. Legolas mounted the horse, and then paused. Bilbo looked out at the field of war, the stench of death and blood was heavy and Bilbo was reminded of how close he had come to losing his world. He may never get to love the mighty Thorin Oakenshield as he had hoped he might, but his love and his adoptive sons were alive and safe. That was all that mattered. His sacrifices be damned, they were worth it knowing his family, the boys and the rest of the company as well, were safe.
Taking in the last look at the damage, Bilbo bowed his head, and Legolas spurred the horse into full gallop into the forest. Within moments the stench of decay was behind them. As he looked to the setting sun, Bilbo and Ilaurënda wept freely, the elf staying blessedly silent as he let them wail their grief to the wilderness. It was not Legolas' right to invade the hobbit's privacy, Legolas knew this. So he didn't. He focused on the task at hand – get them as far from the mountain as he could in the first day and night. Then they could rest, once the hobbit and drake had exhausted themselves and recovered from their grief. They would have enough to grieve over in the shire – they had to learn to handle it now and no one but they could teach it to them. Legolas wished he could help them, but the only help he could provide was getting them to peace as fast as he could. He spurred and willed the horse to move faster. For the sake of not one golden heart, but two.
