Your patience has been amazing! Again I want to thank you all for taking your time to read this. Only the insanity is mine! Note: I warned you I was tweeking things this is a fanfiction after all so please just play along
.
.
.
"Bilbo?" Thorin had heard his Hobbit coughing violently and came at once to see what was the matter.
The Halfling smiled sweetly at him "Sorry…Something got caught in my throat." Bilbo turned quickly to hide the blood that covered his lips, but the vibrant splash of color against his pale lips caught Thorin's eyes. The King Under the Mountain stormed over and gently captured his beloved's hand "You are ill…?" His tone was grave as he stared at the precious life force that was spilt before tenderly taking Bilbo's handkerchief and wiping it away.
Bilbo hummed and stuffed it in his pocket. "I have already talked to Oin discreetly….He does not know that I was asking out of anything but casual interest of course…"
Thorin felt himself go cold "And…?"
"Nothing can be done."
.
.
Thorin paced his study as his mind raced. He had confronted Oin himself and the Healer's reply was the same. They had no way of healing Bilbo with their capabilities and no way to contact Gandalf. If Oin was correct, which he usually was in matters of such seriousness, then Bilbo would only have a few more months at most. An idea fluttered against his mind like a moth's wing. There was one who could aide them…He hesitated only a moment before deciding that Bilbo's life was worth more to him, more than even his pride.
.
.
Frodo nearly bounced in excitement "We are going to see the Elves again?!" He was now a stripling for a Hobbit. In the haze between child and adult he was still very much innocent of the world and saw nothing unusual about the journey. Bilbo wanted to spare Frodo another loved one's death if he could be healed and didn't want to inform him unless there was no hope.
Thorin managed a small smile for the boy he had come to think of as a son "Yes I'm sure Estel will be very pleased to see you again."
The beaming smile Frodo gave proved that Elrond's foster child was not the only one longing to see his friend.
.
.
.
Waiting for them at Rivendell Elrond was pleased that the once strained feelings between the Elves and Dwarves had faded so that in an hour of need Thorin was not too proud to come to them. He hoped he would be able to cure Bilbo's mysterious illness. He had already sent messengers out to inform Mithrandil. The wizard would surely want to know of his old friend's illness.
He turned and saw that Estel was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his friend. Now a youth Aragorn still held fond memories of his Hobbit friend and had a special surprise planned for his visit. The children truly were a blessing in these darkening times.
"I see him!" Estel chirped before rushing off to meet Frodo's pony at the gate.
For the sake of the newly founded friendship between Elves and Dwarves Bilbo's life would have to be saved.
Frodo halted his pony as a long limbed dark haired youth came running up to him. He shied away until he heard his Uncle Thorin laugh softly beside him "That's Estel lad. Coming to meet you I would suspect."
Frodo stared at the youth with disbelief "But…He was younger than me when we met. By several years!"
"Yes." Thorin agreed still amused at the child's confusion "Men have a tendency to age faster than other races. What has been a blink in time for you have been several years for him, even with the elf blood in his veins."
Frodo's face became withdrawn as he somberly looked at Estel who was still riding towards them "So…He'll die before I grow up?" There was a small quiver in his voice though he was trying not to show it.
Realizing where Frodo's thoughts were going "Oh his aging will slow when he gets older. Do not worry Frodo you two will have a good long friendship."
Reassured Frodo's face brightened and he urged his pony faster to meet up with Estel.
Bilbo smiled as he watched and gave a sly look to Thorin "You're a good father you know."
Thorin's face reddened and he gruffly cleared his throat "Well…no sense in upsetting the lad…"
Bilbo hid a small smile as they continued on. He tried to keep his mind focused on lighter thoughts, but he couldn't help but wonder what would become of Frodo if the elves could not help him.
.
.
.
Elrond's face was heavy as he left the healing room. Bilbo had started to cough up blood and he had worked hard to stop it. The weight of his task was a heavy burden and he was having serious doubts he would be able to do much to aide Bilbo. It was almost as if a poison was spreading through him but he could find no source or sign of what type it might be.
Bilbo was weakening and he had no way to stop it.
Thorin had been waiting outside of the room and he had seen Elrond's unguarded expression. His heart grew unexpectedly cold. He had thought he would feel rage at the elf for failing to help them. Instead he found only grief. He could see that Elrond was as effected as he was and found the strength to reach forward and grasp his shoulder "You have done all you can Lord Elrond. I cannot ask for more than that."
The elf lord raised his downcast face and gave a thin smile as he placed his own hand over Thorin's "We can make him comfortable…I will be there until the very end."
Thorin took what solace he could with that.
.
.
.
Estel found Frodo out in the garden. Elrond had taken him aside and told him what was happening with Frodo's uncle. He stood a little way back and let Frodo have his space. He wished he knew what to say but all he could do was go and sit by his friend's side. They sat in silence for a time before Frodo simply laid his head on his shoulder and cried silently.
.
.
Bilbo managed a faint smile as Gandalf sat by his bedside. "Hello Gandalf." He said pleasantly as he tried to sit up but the movement demanded too much strength.
The wizard smiled sadly at him "Oh Bilbo…"
They sat quietly together for a time before Bilbo struggled to take something out of his pocket. "Gandalf…I think this might be the source of my illness… I found it in a cave in the mountains when the rest were taken by Goblins."
Gandalf eyed the simple gold ring. He remembered seeing it during their Quest for Erebor and regretted now that he had let the matter slide. He knew well enough not to take the ring in his hand. He felt a chill enter him as he began to suspect what ring it was.
"Oh Bilbo…" This time the words were dark indeed.
.
.
"For what purpose have you called me here Gandalf? I would like to be with Bilbo and Frodo as you can understand…" Thorin was pacing the small study Elrond had lent them for privacy like a caged animal.
"I do understand. But the matter I have to discuss with you is too serious to let wait."
He was familiar with that tone. Pausing in his pace Thorin turned slowly "What is this matter? And why is Bilbo not included?"
Letting slip a sigh Gandalf took a seat and laid a level look at Thorin "It was he who brought my attention to the matter and wished for me to be the one to discuss with you. We believe that the source of his illness is a magic ring he found on the journey to Erebor. He has had his suspicions for some time but only now sees that they were well founded."
Thorin's eyes darkened at the thought of a simple ring being the source of their grief. "Then if we rid him of it he'll be cured?"
There was a weary shake of the wizard's head as his answer "I'm afraid the damage to Bilbo has been done. Elrond has agreed to safe keep the ring here while I see what I can find about it. Tell no one about the ring Thorin. Even Frodo must be sworn to silence as well…"
Hearing this caused alarm in Thorin "Frodo! He sometimes plays with the ring…could he…?"
"No." Gandalf's answer was immediate "Bilbo swore that he has never let Frodo wear the ring because of its magical properties and I believe it is the wearing of the ring that leads to this illness. Frodo is safe."
Grimly Thorin accepted the news. Though it did help to know the cause of the illness and be reassured that Frodo had not yet been exposed. He was used to bearing his grief alone; after the loss of his grandfather and father, the loss of Erebor, the death of his brother, his sister and her husband these he had born alone in his solitude to be strong for those who needed him. Now he had another loss to grieve with a child who would be looking to him for strength.
When Gandalf opened the door to give him privacy he glimpsed Frodo with Estel's protective arm around him and Elrond looking on fondly. Perhaps this time…he would not be so alone. He turned his face away and focused on the paper upon the desk. It would only be right of him to inform the others in the former company of Bilbo's fate so that they could join him in his final days. Elrond had promised them hospitality as long as they needed.
.
.
He smiled softly to himself. He wouldn't be alone at all.
.
.
Hope that you are not going to kill me! More fluff coming up to help us get over this loss! Thank you for reading! *Don't kill me*