Chapter 5

Bilbo greeted Kili; he liked that hunter very much and he was one of the few who did not seem afraid to look him in the eyes. Although it might be, probably because he had not gone to the bar for some time and he knew nothing about the changes that had arisen. However, he tried to forget about it and to think about more important things.

'Hello, Bilbo' cheerfully greeted the hunter. 'This is my brother, Fili.'

The human watched the other hunter who accompanied Kili; he seemed older, though he could not be sure, since all of them were immortal.

'I'm so glad to see you!' Kili exclaimed suddenly, leaning over the bar and taking Bilbo's face in his hands. Fili rolled his eyes, but he laughed, after a while.

The mortal tried to move away, knowing that this would cause problems, but it was too late. Kili kissed his forehead tenderly and suddenly the tension increased in the bar.

Five skin-changers approached menacingly toward the brothers, one of them had pushed away Kili from Bilbo and showed his sharp teeth to him.

Fili, upset because they had approached his younger brother, took one of the knives he had hidden in his jacket. Kili turned his back on the human, as if he wanted to protect him, even though he was on the other side of the bar.

'You can't touch him, it is forbidden' growled the skin-changer, without making another move.

Then the dark Thorin's figure grew between them. Bilbo was surprised to see him there and was even more surprised that he had not even noticed when he had entered the bar. Although his presence did not make him feel calm; his blue eyes shone with a light that showed how deep his anger was.

However, his presence made the five skin-changers took a few steps back, they seemed intimidated.

'I thought in this place the hunters and skin-changers could live in peace' Thorin began, trying to contain his anger. 'So tell me, why are you threatening my nephews?'

'The younger broke one of our rules,' said a skin-changer.

'That's not true! I have not...' Kili started, annoying but Thorin made a motion with his hand to silence him.

'What rule?'

'He touched the human.'

Thorin arched an eyebrow at Bilbo, but the mortal just looked away. He did not agree on how those skin-changers treated him but Eric had told him many times it was better not to protest.

Suddenly, the shoulders of the leader of the hunters tensed and without thinking he drew his sword and placed it before him.

'Humans are neutral,' he said firmly. 'You cannot forbid us...'

'The other humans are free, but this amhal'is has owner' interrupted the skin-changer.

Bilbo was startled to hear that strange word and he wondered if it was some kind of insult. He tried to find the look of his boss, looking for some explanation, but Eric was too preoccupied to notice something. However, he thought he watched Eric rolled his eyes at that word.

'Who reclaims him?' asked Thorin looking angrier.

'Our Lord, Smaug. And I do not think you want to face his wrath.'

'I'm not afraid of a lizard...'

All the skin-changers in the bar take the word as an insult to their leader and seemed ready to attack at any time.

Eric was getting nervous.

'They did not know about this new rule. I am sure that the "incident" is not gonna to repeat. I'll explain the hunters how things work around here' said Eric are, but no one seemed to pay attention. Suddenly desperate, he turned his head towards Bilbo: 'Do something.'

But the human had no idea how to stop it.

'I think that's enough, I'm sure that Smaug will be quite happy with the work you have done taking care of me without starting a fight...' he said.

'Will you tell him that?' asked one of them.

'Yes... of course. I'm very grateful to you...' Bilbo said, thinking that the words coming out of his mouth were increasingly less sense.

The skin-changers seemed to relax and they began to retreat.

'We'll be close if you need us.'

'Thanks, but I do not think it would be necessary.'

Fili and Kili looked pretty confused, but Thorin was tense. He had not put down the sword that was in his hand.

'Nobody tells me what to do' he murmured. Eric tried to calm him down, but it seemed that was not working...

'What if I offer you a drink? You do not even have to pay me, it's on the house.'

'Thorin, please' this time it was Bilbo who spoke. The hunter saw him in the eyes and slowly his anger was disappearing. Finally, he snorted and put the sword back into its sheath.

'Okay, but you have to explain what exactly is going on. Why Smaug has reclaimed Bilbo? He can't...'

Yes, he can, because he has the power to do it.'

Thorin growled and watched the bartender with a scowl.

'This is your entire fault for bringing an amhal'is here. You should know that would happen.'

'What's that?' Bilbo asked, interrupting.

Thorin's blue eyes met his for a moment, the hunter smiled.

'How do you not know that?' Fili said, while his younger brother was leaning on the bar watching the mortal with fun.

'An amhal'is is a human like you,' started Kili, making Bilbo frown. The young hunter laughed. Without thinking, he reached out a hand to touch the hair of the mortal, which at that distance seemed so soft and... But Eric came on time and grabbed his wrist.

'Why can't you keep your hands off him for a second?' Eric growled. 'What part of "you cannot touch the human" you don't get? Do you wanna start a fight?'

Kili blushed and sat again.

'Sorry, for a moment I forgot it.'

'Try not to do it next time.'

'Smaug cannot do that, that rule does not work with humans' Thorin insisted, after a while, 'unless he agrees.'

Bilbo felt strange when the hunter approached him.

'Do you want this?' he asked. There was something strange about the way he said it, as if he was trying to hide their emotions.

'No, I do not belong to anyone,' said Bilbo, though his cheeks were completely flushed.

'But he has no choice, as I told him' said Eric.

Bilbo sighed, knowing he was right. Everything that had happened in the last days he thought it would be very difficult to get out of that city.

'I can protect you, if that's what you want' said Thorin, suddenly. His nephews watched him, surprised.

'No, you can't do it' protested Eric. 'The only way that Bilbo could get rid of Smaug is that someone else reclaims him and no one will do that.'

'Never mind, I'll be fine,' said the human. 'All that mattered to me is to know what happened to Drogo. Have you heard from him?'

Thorin shook his head.

'Not much, but it seems that he was looking for someone who could get him out of the city. I think his desire to get out has led him to Dol Guldur, but I'm not sure.'

Bilbo felt desperate. Apparently his only option was to go across the city to look for him.

The leader of the hunters was concerned. Ignoring the gesture of Eric he leaned closer to him, but he did not touch him.

'If your friend crossed, it will be impossible that you see him again. So I ask you, do not risk more, do not go to Dol Guldur.'

'I won't,' he said, to reassure him, but he would not keep his word.

He thought Thorin was going to touch his face, but his hand fell away from him at the last moment. But surely it was just his imagination.

'While you are in Dale I can protect you. You should consider leaving this job and find another safer for you...'

'No way,' said Eric, shaking his head. 'If Smaug comes and he does not see you here he is going to get angry.'

Thorin clenched his fists.

'I do not care what...'

'Please, Thorin, it's enough' Eric said. 'You know I appreciate you and I wish you consider me your friend as well, but you're making my clients feeling tense. Do not get me wrong, but I'd appreciate you leave here, just for today.'

The hunter frowned, his lips parted as if to protest, but his gaze fell on Bilbo and he relaxed.

'Fili, Kili, come on, lets get out of here.'

'I will come to see you tomorrow, Bilbo' Kili said, before his brother took his arm and dragged him away from there.

Eric sighed when he saw them leave.

'Now I understand why they think you're... well, you know.'

'No, I don't know!' said Bilbo, annoyed, 'I want you to explain me... What is an amjal?'

'Okay, but is only a legend...' his boss insisted. 'The correct word is amhal'is.'

Bilbo drew up a chair and sat down.

'Immortals have always found them truly amazing that we, insignificants humans, weak and unable to look after ourselves have survived so long,' Eric began. 'It's because of our vulnerability why they chose, many centuries ago, do not hurt us. However, long time ago (do not ask me when because I do not know), after this impenetrable city was built, began a strange legend about us. They believe that there are few humans that can... I do not know how to explain it... there are humans that are irresistible to them; the immortals find them very attractive. Some of them think that kind of humans are able to drive them mad, which essentially gives them power over them. The amhal'is are immortal's weakness, they are them curse. At least that's what they think.'

'And why do they think I am one of those humans?' asked Bilbo. I am insignificant... I've always been...'

Eric rolled his eyes.

'In case you have not noticed it, Bilbo, you will never be insignificant here. If you do not remember, before Smaug saw you and he became so possessive of you, this bar was full of immortals who wanted to see you.'

Bilbo blushed, but shook his head.

'You're exaggerating.'

'No. However, they, the amhal'is or the Beautiful People as they call them, do not exist. Still, you must be careful, Bilbo, you're quite...'

The mortal shook his head, now that he knew he wished he had not asked.

'I don't want to talk about it. I'm not interested. All I want is to find Drogo.'

Eric frowned.

'You told Thorin that you didn't going to go there.'

'I'm not gonna giving up, no matter if I have to go to Dol Guldur.'

'As you wish, I'd say there is very dangerous, but I think no one will dare to hurt you. However, you don't know in what kind of trouble he was, so I think it is best to ask for help.'

Bilbo knew that Eric could only refer to one skin-changer.

'Do you think he would help me?'

Eric rolled his eyes.

'You weren't listening last night? Smaug would give you everything you want; you just have to ask for it.'

The human felt nervous suddenly.

'Sure, but you already know' Eric continued, 'he will want something in return. So you better think carefully before asking for help.'

Bilbo nodded, though he knew there were no options, time passed and he had no idea where Drogo was or what had happened to him.

After everything that had happened that day, Bilbo was tired when he and Eric finally closed the bar and left. The dawn was coming but it was still dark, and Bilbo was a little frightened when a tall figure approached them in the shadows.

'You're looking for trouble, Thorin' said Eric, who had recognized him.

But the hunter ignored him and approached Bilbo.

'I'll walk with you to your apartment; it is very dangerous for you to walk alone at this hour.'

Bilbo smiled.

'Thanks, but I'll be fine, you don't have to do this.'

'If you don't accept my company then I will follow you,' said Thorin, decided.

The human sighed, knowing he had no choice.

'Don't do this, Thorin, you will just make Smaug angry' Eric warned him, before seeing them go.

Walking with Thorin made Bilbo feel uncomfortable because the hunter did not speak during that time, but his beautiful blue eyes were looking at him constantly. So he was glad when they reached the building. He hoped Thorin did not think to accompany him every night...

'I can protect you' he said, suddenly, before Bilbo decided to walk to his apartament.

'No thanks, I don't want to get you in trouble,' said the human, turning to look him in the eyes. 'I'll be fine, besides, you heard Eric, I need someone who...'

'I could do it' Thorin interrupted him. 'I've been thinking about it and I think it would be the best option. I will reclaim you. I can deal with Smaug for you.'

Bilbo was surprised; he stepped back, something had changed in Thorin's eyes.

'I can do it, Bilbo,' he insisted, 'if you let me. This is the only way I could protect you completely, not just against Smaug, but against everyone...'

Suddenly, the human heart began to beat rapidly. Thorin was trying to say what he thought? No, maybe he was just misinterpreting things... But the hunter grabbed his waist and pulled him towards him.

But if I reclaim you, then you would have to live with me, you'd have to share my bed' Thorin slowly stroked his face, Bilbo tried to get away, but he was very strong and he did not want to let him go, 'you'd have to belong to me completely...'

And before Bilbo could say anything, Thorin kissed him. And he had to admit that the hunter's warm lips were not unpleasant to him, and his touch was so compelling that for a moment he could not help but kissed him back. However, after a moment, he managed to react and move away. And he found something more disturbing, he felt guilty because he remembered Smaug.

What was happening to him?

'Think about it, Bilbo' Thorin said before disappearing into the darkness.

He was increasingly worried and confused. It was as if the city wanted him to forget Drogo and put these 'obstacles' on his way. But he could not forget his friend because Primula and Frodo were waiting for them.