Acorn
Anytime we step out boldly to make changes
we take a chance that we might fail.
But the only way to get better is to try.
~Joyce Meyer~
"It's odd"
Gandalf looked away from the two squirrels fighting over food to Bilbo snuggled up against him.
"What is odd?" the wizard asked.
"Finally understanding" said Bilbo.
"Oh?"
"I understand now, I'll be protected, instead of hurt"
"But?"
"But, even though I now understand, I still feel—"
"Afraid"
Bilbo nodded.
"My dear boy, a city wasn't built in a day" Gandalf smiled, fingers going through blonde curls, "these things take time. Yes, you now have the understanding, but it does not erase the years of suffering you had to endure"
Bilbo picked at the loose thread on Gandalf's robe, thinking over the wizard's words, "How do I start erasing the years?" the Carrier then asked softly.
"What you must understand Bilbo" Gandalf said, picking his words carefully, "is that you can't erase them, you can repress them, but they will return. Often more painful than before, what you can do, is make new years. Years so precious, that the old ones hold no power over you"
"That's sound lovely" the Carrier thought before asking, "And how do I start making them?"
~.~
Ori and Bilbo have their talk during a private dinner in the Dwarf's room, Bilbo was back to his usual eating habit, which Ori and the rest of the Company had made it one of their many missions concerning Bilbo to change. For now, Ori let Bilbo pick at his meal. Ori himself nibbled on his own food, patiently waiting for Bilbo to ask the first question.
"What is a Heat?" the Carrier blurted out when Ori was on his second cup of chamomile and lavender tea.
"It's something all Omegas of the races go through when they come of age" Ori explained after placing his cup on the saucer, "when in Heat, we are at our most fertile and near blinded by the need to be bred by an Alpha. Our Heat also makes an Alpha go into the Rut"
Ori frowned when Bilbo flinched at the words bred and rut but doesn't mention it.
"S-So by being blinded" Bilbo said, fidgeting with his napkin, "y-you m-mean w-we—"
"We don't settle for just any Alpha" Ori interrupted, understanding what the other was trying to say, "only our chosen Alpha is allowed to mount us during our Heats"
"Mount?"
"It's another word for bred"
"Oh….is there other words?"
Ori wondered if the reason why the other Omega was asking was because of a genuine curiosity, or because he wanted to know so to be on the safe side.
"There is mating" the Dwarf then said, " and also Bonding, but Bonding means more than just breeding. There is also the languages to consider, I could teach them to you if you want"
"I thought your language was forbidden to outsiders" Bilbo said before taking a sip of his tea.
That was true, but Ori was sure the Company wouldn't mind considering the situation, however to be on the safe side; he'll ask. It they say no, he'll just ask Gandalf to teach Bilbo. It was no secret that Tharkûn spoke and understood Khuzdul; Ori had his suspicions that all the wizards did.
"The Elven and Men sayings then, and we'll work out the Khuzdul ones some other time"
Bilbo nodded, "So if all Omegas go through the kind of Heat you described, then why was mine different?"
Ori shrugged, "I don't know, every Omega is the same in some things, and different in others. For example, in the Dwarven community, Dwarf Omegas and women make less than a third of the population. Male Omegas even less than that, more so in Middle-Earth in general, Men and Elven Omegas and women make up more than half. Even our Heats are different in terms of how often we have them."
Bilbo knew nothing of this, his parents knew the basics about male Omegas (that they could have children, his mother never talked about Omegas with her non-Hobbit friends, not because she didn't want to know. It just never occurred to her to ask, perhaps subconsciously she thought the Alpha Omega Tradition was the same as Hobbiton), the Breeders and the others in Hobbiton didn't care to teach him anything beyond him being strange and that was to be given to the Breeders. And to be honest, Bilbo isn't sure they knew much beyond that.
Now that he knew things were different beyond the border, he wanted to know more. So after drinking down the rest of his now less than warm tea, he asked another question.
"So, Ca-Omegas don't have to breed with an Alpha? No one makes them?"
"No" Ori's smile was knowing and sad, "no, the choice to mate with an Alpha, anyone for that matter. Is always the Omega's"
And didn't that sound nice, "choice", ever since he blossomed into an Carrier. He's never had that, never knew he could have that.
"Just like I never knew that Breeders could be kind" he thought.
"What you went through, what you were taught was a lie." Ori said softly.
"I know that, I know that now, but it's hard—Gandalf said it will take time"
"And he's right"
Ori paused to eat more of his roasted beef, then after pouring himself another cup of tea, asked the question that had been on his mind since day one.
"Bilbo" he said hesitantly, "can you tell me what happened in Hobbiton?"
Bilbo picked at his food as he thought over the Dwarf's request, it's not a matter of if he could, but more along the lines of wanting too. He now knows that Gandalf had told the Company about the Tradition and the First Tasting, and he wanted to tell Ori everything else. About the abuse and isolation, the hallucinations, and the desire to take his own life. Of being trapped in a place that stopped being a home after his parents were killed. He wanted to tell Ori everything thing, then again, he doesn't want too. Doesn't want Ori, who he now realized was what an Omega should be, and what he wasn't.
He doesn't want Ori to know he was broken, and beyond fixing.
Seeing the other Omega's distress, Ori reached over the table and stopped the now trembling hands clenching the napkin tightly.
"You don't have to tell me" he said, voice soft, "or ever, if that is your choice, however when you are ready, know that I am here"
"…..Thank you"
~.~
After going over the conversations he had with both Ori and Gandalf, Bilbo came to the conclusion that his first step should be joining the Company in the pavilion. He is packing his belonging when there is a knock on the door, upon opening it he finds Lord Elrond standing there, the Alpha's hands behind his back.
"Good afternoon Bilbo" said Elrond with a smile.
"Afternoon" Bilbo smiled shyly back.
"May I come in?" the Elf then asked.
Bilbo nodded and stood aside to let the Elven Lord in, he kept the door open.
"You are packing" Elrond noticed.
"Yes" Bilbo nodded, going over to his bed where his bag was, "I've decided to house in the pavilion with Company for the duration of our stay"
"Any particular reason why?"
"Erm" Biting his bottom lip and scratching at his ear, the Carrier thinks about how to explain his decision, "I…I just thought it'd help"
Lord Elrond looked confused for a moment, then an expression of pure joy lit up his face, "I wish the best of luck" he then said.
"Thank you" Bilbo said, feeling a moment of genuine happiness over the fact that the Alpha approved of him taking this step, before curiosity took over.
"May I help you with something?" the Carrier then asked.
"Ah yes, I have something for you"
Realizing that the Elven Lord had his hands behind his back this whole time, the Carrier's curiosity grew. Elrond motioned for Bilbo to sit on the bed, once the Carrier was settled on the soft mattress, Elrond revealed what he had hidden behind his back.
The sheath was leather, with elegant vines like designs; Elrond gives it to Bilbo. The pommel was round and ball-shaped, the hilt was black and a unique guard sported a ring in the front. After a moment, Bilbo pulled out the blade, the steel gleamed in the late afternoon sun that filled the room. It was vaguely leaf-shaped with gentle curving edges, and words were engraved on it, words that Bilbo recognized as Sindarin.
"Maegnas aen estar nin dagnir in yngyl im" Elrond said suddenly, "Sting is my name; I am the spider's bane, the blade also glows blue when Orcs and goblins are nearby"
"It is a lovely blade" Bilbo said, admiring how the light bounced off the blade.
"It is indeed" Elrond nodded, "and while I know it cannot replace your mother's sword, I hope it serves you as well as her's did on your journey."
Startled, the Carrier looked away from the sword to the Alpha, "This is for me?" he asked surprised.
"Yes, after you told me what had happened, I thought a new one wouldn't be amiss, I hoped I didn't over step"
Bilbo looked back at the sword, powerful and beautiful in a way that only Elves could do, and it was his if he wanted it. A gift.
"Thank you" Bilbo said softly, "thank you very much"
Elrond bowed his head slightly, tasked complete, he gave one last smile before he made his way to the door.
"Oh yes, the crescent moon is tonight, will you be joining us in the map reading ?" the Elven Lord asked.
"Yes, Balin had asked me too, and well, I sort of want to know what the map says"
"Just like his mother" Elrond thought amused as he nodded.
~.~
Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo hurried to keep up with Gandalf.
"Have your Company pack their things and wait, if I'm not back two hours before dawn, you leave without me" Gandalf said, "I'll catch up later, understand?"
Thorin nodded, and the three watched as Gandalf turned around and disappeared down the low lit hall.
"Come" Thorin then said quietly, "we have to inform the others."
They make it to the pavilion and Thorin informed the rest of the Company of the plan, more quietly then Bilbo thought possible the Dwarves packed most of their belonging before settling down and resuming their activities around the fire like normal.
After sitting down between Ori and Oin, Bilbo took out his pipe, and after lighting it, tried to push away the instinctive urges to run that always came whenever he was so close to the whole Company. It was harder to push away than the tension he now felt whenever he was only with one Alpha.
"Alright Bilbo?" Ori whispered around his own pipe.
"No" Bilbo whispered back, jumping when Oin accidently brushed against him, the elder Dwarf gives an apologetic smile and shifted further away.
After blowing out a stream of smoke, Ori lowered his pipe, "You don't have to stay," he said still whispering, "no one will upset with you if you go back to your room"
"No, I want to" Bilbo insisted lowering his own pipe, "besides it'll be easier if everyone is all together if we have to leave, also….it's not so bad. I mean, I haven't tried to stab anyone yet" he then said in attempted humor.
Ori smiled a little, "There is that"
Bilbo returned the smile.
"Bombur!"
Both Carriers look just in time to see Bofur throw a sausage to his brother who was sitting on a table, the large Dwarf caught it, the table creaked then broke bringing Bombur and the bowl of food that the Alpha had in his hand down with it. All the Alphas laughed.
Ori rolled his eyes, while Bilbo blinked confused as to what was so funny, he looked away from the laughing Alphas to Bombur who was struggling to get up. His fingers tapped against his pipe, then with a quick whisper to Ori for help the two go over to the still struggling Dwarf. Grabbing a hand each the two Carriers helped the Alpha up.
"Thank you" Bombur said once he was steady on his feet.
"….You could have gotten hurt" Bilbo said after a moment.
Around them the Company quieted down.
"I'm alright Master Baggins" Bombur blinked bemused.
"Bilbo" the Carrier said, he wasn't a Master to anything or anyone, and Baggins wasn't exactly a good name to have, "but you could have" he then said, "and they….laughed."
Thorin, the only one who didn't laugh, watched as the rest of the Company came to a realization and some of them flinched. Considering that Dwarves were the hardier race, their sense of humor was often more physical, and while it was normal for them. Someone of Bilbo's experience could see it as bullying or worse.
"It was a joke Mas—Bilbo" Bombur said after a moment, a smile on his face, "see, we Dwarves are a lot hardier then we look, and our sense of humor is often more physical than most. My brother meant no harm, nor did the others when they laughed" here his smile turned into a grin and his eyes became mischievous, "besides I'll get Bofur back later"
"Oi!" Bofur protested, though he didn't look upset.
Bilbo looked between the siblings, and then at Ori, who merely shrugged. Then back at Bombur.
"Dwarves are….odd" he then said.
Bilbo didn't understand why said Dwarves laughed.
~.~
They slip away right before dawn, quietly making their way through the sleepy halls, they make their way along the path that lead away from Rivendell just as morning broke. Bilbo stopped and turned around to look back at Rivendell. He wondered if Lord Elrond had finally noticed their absent, and if the Alpha will be angry.
"Bilbo"
Bilbo jumped and looked over his shoulder at Thorin who was coming toward him, the Alpha stopped and looked at Rivendell in the distance.
"Do you wish to stay?" Thorin asked, "you seemed to like it there"
"O-Oh" Bilbo stuttered, startled that the Alpha knew this, "u-um—"
"It's not too late" Thorin continued on, "I could escort you back, I doubt Elrond would mind, he seemed very fond of you"
"But I—"
Thorin looked at him curiously, Bilbo blushed under the intense gaze and started to fidget. "How am I supposed to make this work if I keep getting nervous every time he looks at me!"
"I don't want to leave!" Bilbo then blurted out in frustration, gasping when he realized what he had done, "I'm sorry" he then said.
"No harm done" Thorin said, "if you wish to stay with us, we are honored to have you"
Bilbo isn't sure, but that felt like forever.
~.~
Their first night away from Rivendell, after dinner was served and Balin took first watch while everyone else settled down for the night. Thorin watched as Bilbo talked quietly to Ori before the two Omegas went over to the older Ri brothers with their sleeping mats. Ori talked to his brother who looked at Bilbo with surprise, the Omega looking everywhere but at them, fingers fiddling with his mat. Finally Dori nodded and Ori and Bilbo placed their mats between the two Alphas.
Usually when Packmates slept together, the Alphas would curl protectively around their Omega siblings, keeping their bodies between whatever dangers that may arise. However, since Bilbo could possibly lash out if he felt too smoothed, Nori kept a good enough distance that Bilbo would not feel uncomfortable but within reach should the Thief have to suddenly grab him.
"I was worried there for a moment" said Dwalin.
"How so?" Thorin asked looking at his cousin.
"He had warmed up to us a bit, the scent of fear lessening, then the whole Heat thing happened and well you saw how he reacted. If it wasn't for Ori, I don't think it we would still have our Burglar. Either way, I felt we may have taken three steps back after that, seeing what he did just now. I'm a little relieved"
"As am I" Thorin nodded, "he is healing, slowly, but he is healing"
Dwalin's lips twitched into a smile, eyes still watching the small Omega, whose stiff body was slowly starting to relax and his eyes growing heavy under the low rumble coming from both Dori and Nori that could be heard throughout the camp but no one said anything about it.
"He can't go back" the big Alpha then said, "if we somehow survive this journey, Bilbo cannot go back to Hobbiton. We can't let him"
"I imagine Ori has the same idea, and we won't. He is, after all, our Omega"
Early morning came, and Bilbo wakes up in Nori's arms, at some point during the night. He had rolled away from Ori and snuggled up with the red-headed Alpha. Nori, had his arms wrapped tightly around the Carrier, and with his nose shoved against the Dwarf's chest, the scent of Alpha was strong. After calming down his panicking instincts and rushing heart (and removing his fingers from his dagger), the Carrier realized that there was a familiar rumbling sound coming from the Dwarf and his hair was being nuzzled.
It was comforting.
With his finger absently playing with Nori's shirt, Bilbo thinks over his options, the first one is that he could roll over and snuggle back up with Ori. However, this was…well, it was nice. Nori wasn't doing anything but holding him like the time in the tent, and Ori, for all he complains about his brothers (mostly Dori) smoothing and babying him. He was always happy to be snuggled up with his siblings, almost in a similar way Bilbo was with Nori now. And it was just so…nice.
Decision made, Bilbo settled back down, and he's soon back asleep; hands clinging to Nori's shirt. Off in the land of sleep the Carrier did not see the Alpha look at his awake siblings that had been watching Bilbo's reaction, nor does he see the silent conversation between the three of them before Nori settled back down, nuzzling blonde curls.
~.~
Bilbo is not sure how they survived the Stone Giants' battle, and honestly he doesn't care. He just wanted to curl up and sleep for days.
"Right then" said Glóin as he dropped a bundle of wood on the floor, no one is sure where he found them, "let's get a fire started"
"No, no fires" Thorin ordered, "not in this place"
Something about it had the Alpha's instincts bristling and wanting to keep the two Omegas of the Pack near him.
"No fires?" said Glóin in surprise, "are you trying to freeze the Omegas to death?"
Briefly, Thorin looked uneasy at the thought of the Omegas being uncomfortable before he's expression harden and he stood toe to toe with a stubborn looking Glóin.
"It's alright" Bilbo spoke up, "I'm sure Ori and I will be fine with one night of no fire, besides, it looks like the storm is lifting"
Thorin and Glóin looked at each other before the red-headed Dwarf nodded and went over to help his brother, Thorin goes over to Bilbo, who once again looked nervous, but thankfully did not smell of fear.
"You should have Oin look you over, just to make sure you aren't seriously injured " he said.
"O-O, I don't want to trouble him" the Carrier said.
Thorin nodded, "I understand, however, I would like it if you did, as a precaution. If you don't want too, then that is your choice"
Thorin then goes over to check on his nephews, Bilbo after some thought, goes over to Oin and asked to be looked over, Much to the relief of Thorin and the Company.
Bofur takes first watch after everyone settled down to rest, the storm had cleared up and the Stone Giants had stopped their fighting. The Miner was leaning back against the cave wall smoking his pipe, when he's startled by Bilbo suddenly appearing and settling down next to him.
"Sorry" the Omega whispered as not to wake the others.
"It's alright" Bofur whispered back after calming his racing heart, "can't sleep" he then asked.
Bilbo nodded, then to Bofur's surprise, cuddle close to him. The Miner is sure it's going to take a long time for him and the others to get use to this new affectionate Bilbo, granted, the Omega mostly snuggled or cuddled up with the Ri brothers and Bifur. And he was still nervous whenever Thorin approached him, and still gave Dwalin weary looks when the big Dwarf came near; but he no longer stuttered as much when he talked and willingly approached most of the Company to strike up a conversation. The Omega seemed to particularly like listening Bofur's stories and Balin's extensive knowledge of Dwarven history.
"Do you think Gandalf will be able to catch up with us?" Bilbo asked after a moment.
"I'm sure he will" Bofur said, "wizards seem to pop up when you less expect it, probably be here in the morning, even with the Stone Giants"
"I hope so"
"How long have you've known each other?" Bofur then asked curious, and to keep the conversation going.
"Mother and Gandalf had many adventures together" Bilbo said, "and after she married my father and settled down, he would visit often. I've known him since I was a child…he helped us a lot."
Bofur wanted to ask, is so very tempted to ask and find out what Gandalf didn't know or not tell them, but he doesn't. Doesn't have the confidence to bring up such a painful subject, instead, he slowly leaned in close to the Omega; making a small please sound when Bilbo moved in even closer, one hand gripping his shirt.
As the night grew longer, Bilbo started to doze and Bofur started carving to chase away boredom, when suddenly a blue light caught the Miner's eye.
"What's that?" he said.
Drowsy, Bilbo blinked at him before looking down at his sword, it was glowing blue.
"Oh no" the Carrier thought.
Suddenly there is a strange noise and cracks started to form on the floor.
"Wake up!" Thorin suddenly said, "Wake up!"
Before anyone could react, the floor of the cave collapsed downward and the Company falls.
~.~
Fili struggled against the horde of Goblins that was dragging him and the Company toward a dark hall, he looked over his shoulder, instinctively looking for his brother, Uncle and the Omegas, and sees Bilbo being roughly pulled along, the Omega's expression one of fear. Snarling and baring his teeth, the Heir kicked, punched and pushed his way toward Bilbo. He makes it there and is able to grab hold of the Omega's arm when suddenly he was pushed forward and both of them are falling into the dark…
Meanwhile the rest of the Company are dragged through tunnels, cursing and fighting along the way, and then suddenly they're brought to a platform where a massive Goblin was sitting on what was a throne.
"Well, well what is this?" said the Great Goblin.
~.~
"Fili, Fili, Fili!"
Fili groaned, and it took him a long while to open his eyes, green eyes stared worriedly down at him.
"Bilbo?"
Bilbo's worried expression turned into one of relief, and he smiled a little, before helping the Dwarf to sit up.
"What happened?" Fili asked, wincing at the sudden sharp pain coming from his head, he touched where he felt the pain and thankfully his hand did not meet blood but a really big forming bump.
"We fell, and landed in this" Bilbo said quietly, looking down.
Fili, careful of his hurting head, also looked down and sees that they are sitting in large mushrooms.
"Are you hurt?" the Alpha asked equally quiet.
Bilbo shook his head, jumping at a sudden noise in the dark, Fili looked in the direction the noise came from; but his Dwarven eyes, which are use to the dark, sees nothing. That didn't necessarily mean there was no danger.
"We need to move" Fili said and started to stand, he stumbled back and would have fallen on his backside it wasn't for the surprising strength of Bilbo, "thank you" he said.
Bilbo gave a small smile, then looked thoughtful around, "Which way should we go?" he asked.
Fili looked around, he sniffed the air and his ears twitched as he listened, finally he pointed to the right, "this way"
"Are you sure?" Bilbo asked nervously, it was very dark, he could barely see a thing, how could the Dwarf?
"Oh, I forgot about that"
His mother once told him that Dwarf had a feel about a mountain, that they could walk in the mountain's deepest depths blindfolded, and their eyes could see in the darkness as though it was daylight.
"Is it alright if I hold your hand?"
"B-Beg your pardon?"
"Is it alright if I hold your hand? So we don't get separated, and so I can guide through. You can hold onto the back of my coat if that's more comfortable"
Honestly the Alpha expected Bilbo to take hold of his coat, so he was surprised that after a moment his hand was taken by a smaller one. Still stunned, Fili stood rotted in place, blinking down at their linked hands.
"Fili?"
"Right, off we go then"
Carefully, and quietly as possibly, Fili lead them through….wherever they were.
"Do you think the others were able to escape?" Bilbo asked after a few moments of walking, voice still quiet.
"I'm sure they did" Fili said, glad that the darkness hid the uncertainty on his face.
"…..Mother, use to explore mountains and caves during her adventures, found a lot of things and creatures. She got lost once, similar to how we are now, expect for the Goblins. It's how she met one of her Dwarven friends"
Fili listened, he's never heard the Omega talk so much (usually the conversations were short ones and somewhat awkward, as Bilbo wasn't use to talking to others for a long period of time, though it was not for lack of trying on the Omega's part), nor has he freely spoke about his parents, not to mention the Omega's voice was pleasant to listen too, and the scent of fear was lessening.
"Mother said that when they met, he thought she was a stripling because of her lack of beard. Said that he was going to have words with her parents for letting one so young wonder into such a dangerous place."
"And did he?"
"Well, mother said he made it through the door before grandmother was scolding and hitting him with a rolling pin for trudging mud all over the carpet"
Fili chuckled.
"According to father, up to her death, Dain II Ironfoot always removed his shoes when entering the home of Adamanta Took….why did you stop?"
Fili, mouth agape, could do nothing but stare at the Omega, "Y-You know Dain?" he finally asked.
"My parents did" Bilbo said, "and he came to visit when I was babe, but never when I was older, so I don't have much of a memory of him, though I think I'd know his scent if I smelt it, is something wrong?"
"N-No, I'm just surprised, Dain is my cousin, and Lord of the Iron Hills"
"…Ah" What else was that to say? His mother and father never cared much for status, and the only one that they ever mention had a title was Lord Elrond.
"I'm surprised your grandmother was able to get Dain to do anything, he can be stubborn, a bit like Uncle Thorin "
"I thought all Dwarves were like that"
"Hey!"
"Not so loud!"
"You're being loud too!"
"Sssh!"
Fili's lips twitched as he was shushed, not at all upset.
He realized that perhaps in this darkness, he was starting to see who Bilbo really was.
~.~
Neither are sure how long they walk, with Fili leading them through the darkness, at one point they thought they heard someone singing, but figured it was their minds playing tricks on them and resumed their journey, albeit a bit quicker than before. Finally they pushed through a small space and came upon a tunnel and low light.
"Quickly!"
"Gandalf!" Bilbo cried out happily upon seeing the wizard, he let's go and rushed out the tunnel, Fili behind him.
"Bilbo! Fili!" Gandalf said surprised, "what are you two—never mind, quickly we must get out of this place!"
Without thinking much of it, Fili took Bilbo's hand once more and quickly they headed out the cave, the rest of the Company behind them. All of them ran down the steep tree-covered mountain side, stopping only when they were sure they were far enough away from the danger.
"Good, good, we're all here" Gandalf sighed happily after counting all fourteen members of the Company, "now then, Fili, Bilbo, tell us what happened to you two, why were you not with the others?"
The wizard then looked pointedly at where Fili was still holding Bilbo's hand, the Alpha looked at their linked appendages, and how close they were standing next to each other and quickly let go. The Dwarf's cheeks red, Bilbo looked at him, bewildered. Clearing his throat, Fili went over to stand next to his brother and Uncle.
"Why were you holding his hand and standing so close?" Kili asked his brother, while Bilbo told Gandalf, Ori, and Dori what happened. The young heir grinning when his sibling's cheeks get darker.
"I would like to know as well" said Thorin, a hint of teasing in his voice and to which his eldest missed, "I taught you better than that Fili" he knows his nephew didn't do anything, but it was still fun to tease him.
"Nothing happened!" Fili insisted, the blush going up to his ears.
"Drekh kobor" Bifur growled, glaring at the blonde Alpha.
"I didn't do anything! I was just holding his hand so I could help lead him out of the cave, he doesn't have Dwarven eyes!"
Bilbo paused in his storytelling to look at the group, head titled and curious as to why most of the Company was now glaring at Fili, while said Dwarf stuttered and flailed his arms.
"Stop teasing the lad" said Dwalin, "he's looks moments away from keeling over."
Deciding that it was another odd Dwarven trait, Bilbo turned back to an amused Gandalf to continue on with his tale when there was a sudden howl in the distance, and then they were running once more. Somehow they all ended up hanging in a tree that was dangling over a cliff, and Bilbo looked on as Thorin pulled himself up and walked down the leaning trunk toward Azog and his Pack with his sword drawn. The Alpha Dwarf charged at his enemy and is knocked down, Bilbo felt something stir in him. It was dark thing that snarled and clawed to get out. To get out and do….something.
Something Bilbo couldn't name, but that didn't stop him from pulling himself up onto the tree just as the White Warg grabbed the fallen Thorin between its deadly jaws, Thorin cried out in pain before he managed to strike the beast with his sword and is thrown onto a flat rock. With the dark thing growing louder, Bilbo withdraw Sting as one of the Orc approached Thorin to finish him off. With a cry, the Carrier ran and tackled the Orc.
The two roll around on the dirt before Bilbo is able to stab the Orc in the heart, killing it, quickly he pulled out the weapon and stood protective in front of the now unconscious Thorin.
Azog growled.
Bilbo gulped but stood his ground, Sting at the ready.
"Vras ta" Azog said to his Orcs.
As the Wargs and Orcs close in, Bilbo widen his stance and prepared himself, they were not going to get anywhere near Thorin, the dark thing inside him purred at the decision. Then, Fili, Kili and Dwalin are charging, plowing into the Wargs and Orcs fighting them off. Bilbo stared in surprise for a moment before he joined in. He managed to wound and kill a few before Azog and his White Warg send him flying, stunning him. Azog grinned and advanced toward the Carrier. He doesn't get further, for Bifur and Bofur suddenly plowed into Azog, both fighting him back and away from Bilbo.
A cry, a loud, proud and ferocious, overlapped the sounds of battle. Great flapping wings kick up dirt as one Eagle after another picked up a Dwarf and Gandalf. Bilbo's eyes widen in alarm when an Eagle came closer, than he was snatched up from the ground.
The sound of Azog's angry shout was the last thing he heard.
~.~
The first thing that Thorin said upon opening his eyes is "Bilbo?"
"It's alright" Gandalf reassured, "Bilbo is here, he's safe"
Bilbo made a soft noise when Ori suddenly gave him a small shove from behind toward the two, he looked over his shoulder and Ori nodded encouragingly, nervously biting his bottom lip; the Carrier goes over and kneeled down next to Thorin.
"Are you injured?" Thorin asked weakly.
Bilbo shook his head, "A little bruised, nothing a little rest can't cure I'm sure"
Thorin stared at him, "You came to my aid" he then said, "nearly got yourself killed"
"O-Oh I-You were hurt" Bilbo stuttered, "a-and A-Azog, I c-couldn't let them, y-you—"
Bilbo stopped and his eyes widen when one of Thorin's hand came up and cupped his cheek, it was rough feeling, very warm, and very gentle.
"Thank you" Thorin smiled.
Bilbo's cheeks are red, his body is sore and now that the danger had passed, he's very much tired; but he is smiling.
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