This is a long chapter guys, break out the tissue box because there are going to be tears. Songs used, Sleepsong by Secret Garden and Perfect Ruin by Kwabs. Read, review, and TRY to enjoy.
Chapter 45
"Death of a King"
The Hobbit burglar was enjoying a smoke as the sun began to set against the rolling hills of Hobbiton. He contemplated how Torshar, Thorin, the twins, and all of his friends were fairing as he blew smoke rings out of his puckered lips. A smile spread to his face as he looked at the pipe the versifier had gifted him before he departed for home all those years ago.
The dark stained wood shimmered slightly as a small ray of sunlight bounced off, momentarily blinding the poor man. When his vision cleared, A Dwarf with red hair, and a matching beard, dressed in Erebor armor stood before his home with two pairs of horse reins in his hand, "Are you Bilbo Baggins?" he asked gruffly.
"Uh, yes… How can I help you sir?" he replied politely.
"Her Majesty, Queen Torshar, sent me to fetch you. His Majesty is dying." The Dwarf stated grimly.
Bilbo nearly dropped the pipe as he whispered in horror, "Thorin…"
"No, there has to be some way!" the queen shouted at the wizard who delivered the regretful news that he could offer no help to her ailing husband.
"There is no way, Torshar. Harar made his last curse fool proof. This is magic I have never encountered before." Gandalf stated as he stood before her desk in her study.
Torshar looked down at her fists as they shook then slowly released her death grip on air. Tears fell down her cheeks as the realization of the wizard's hard truth fell on her heart. She sniffled, "There has to be something…"
The Ishtari member carefully approached the distraught ruler and knelt beside her while laying a hand on her shoulder, "I wish there was more I could do, Torshar… You should tell Torim and Thlin…"
This she knew too well, but how would she find the words? Her voice barely came out as a whisper, "Send for them please… As well as the company…" the wizard nodded as he stood to his full height then exit the room.
Once everyone was gathered, Torshar stood and moved around to the front of her desk, "I have some grave news to report… Thorin is dying… At some point during their last encounter, Harar was able to curse him to the point that not even Gandalf can save our beloved king…" her voice quickly failed as the tears came in waves and sobs escaped her throat as she collapsed to her knees.
Thlin and Torim exchanged looks then hastily approached their mother and wrapped their arms around her as their own tears slowly began to fall; their mother whispering her apologies while hugging them close. Thlin buried her face in Torshar's shoulder while Torim lay his head on her other shoulder.
The company stood silent with their heads bowed when a voice spoke up, "Am I too late?!" the group quickly turned to find a gasping Hobbit.
"Bilbo?" Dwalin asked in confusion and surprise.
Torshar lifted her head in shock and relief, "Bilbo…"
The Hobbit burglar ran over and knelt before her, "The horses are a lot faster than I gave them credit for." he smiled slightly and earned a small smile from the queen, "Please tell me I'm not too late…"
"He still lives… We do not know for how much longer…" she answered.
The large group quietly entered the royal bedchambers as Gandalf explained, "I can keep him awake for a couple of hours but that is all…"
"Anything you can do so we can say our goodbyes is appreciated…" Torshar assured, "The company shall go first with Bilbo at the end then Dis and finally myself and the twins…"
With a unanimous nod, the wizard delicately cast his awakening spell; stirring the king from a deep sleep. He groaned sleepily and painfully as his weary eyes cracked open, "Gandalf…" he whispered hoarsely.
"Easy old friend, there is grave news I must deliver to you."
"I am dying…" the king stated.
"… Yes… A curse by Harar is the culprit. I have not the skills to help you I'm afraid." The grey robed man explained simply.
Thorin carefully sat up on his pillows and gazed at the people he cherished most in the world with a weary smile, "Come along friends…" he urged.
Many tears were falling as the Dwarves of the company finished their farewells and Bilbo stepped up to Thorin's bedside, "Bilbo…" the king coughed and tried to sit up completely only to be gently held down by his furry-toed friend.
"Lie still…"
"I am glad you're here… I wish to part from you in friendship… I never apologized for my words and my deeds at the gate that day… You did what only a true friend would do… Forgive me… I had been too blind to see… I'm so sorry… That I led you into such peril…" Thorin's voice cracked a bit as a few tears of his own began to fall.
The burglar smiled as he took his Dwarf friend's hand, "I'm glad to have shared in your perils, Thorin; each and every one of them. It is far more than any Baggins deserves."
Thorin smiled slightly as he squeezed his hand gently, "Farewell, Master Burglar… You have truly been a wonderful friend to all of us… I thank you…"
As Bilbo nodded and backed away, Torim and Thlin ran over and crawled onto the bed on either side of their chuckling father. Thlin wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder as she cried. Torim lay his head on his father's chest, listening to his heart beat as if trying memorize its rhythm. Thorin smiled as he wrapped his arms around his children and kissed their heads simultaneously, "You kids will obey your mother and Aunt Dis when I'm gone, right?"
"Yes, father…" they answered in unison with squeaky voices.
Thorin smiled as he held them and Dis approached then kissed his forehead, "I love you brother…"
"I love you too sister…"
While Dis walked away with silent tears cascading down her cheeks, the group turned to look at Torshar, who stood still as she gazed at her husband and children. This would be the picture etched her mind every time she would think of Thorin and the short life they shared together. Her tears continued to fall as she stayed stationary.
Thorin took notice and whispered to the little ones who reluctantly got off the bed and slumped over to Dis who knelt down and hugged them close. He beckoned his wife to approach and after a few more moments of silence she took the dreaded steps to the bed and sat down beside him, "Talk to me…" he urged.
"I… I can't…" she sniffled as she looked down at her hands and more tears fell.
"Then sing…" this made her raise her head and look at him.
"Sing…?"
"Yes… Sing me one last song…" he whispered.
The versifier gently took his hand and shook her head through the tears, "I… I can't…"
Thorin smiled and beckoned his children to return to the bed and as they got comfortable, "Sing them to sleep then…" he smirked slightly.
Squinting her eyes in a glare as she smiled slight and nodded, tucking everyone into the covers, "Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby,
Back to the years of loo-li, lai-lay,
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow,
Bless you with love for the road that you go,
May you sail fair to the far fields of fortune,
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet,
And may you need never to banish misfortune,
May you find kindness in all that you meet,
May there always be angels to watch over you,
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm,
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay,
May you bring love and may you bring happiness,
Be loved in return to the end of your days,
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you,
I'll just sit here for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay,
May there always be angels to watch over you,
To guide you each step of the way,
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm,
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay,
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay…" she sang sweetly and discovered Torim and Thlin were out cold but Thorin was still awake. The queen quietly stood, leaned over, and kissed her husband deeply; which he returned with equal passion.
After parting, Torshar walked over to the others and whispered, "Grab your traveling bedrolls, we shall all stay here tonight." Earning nods from the company they departed; Dis following to see if she could find one for herself.
Once changed into a modest sleeping gown, Torshar gently picked up Thlin as Thorin motioned for her to be laid on his chest with her body relaxing between his covered legs; the queen did as instructed and never stirred the sleeping girl. She then skillfully climbed under the covers and snuggled up to Thorin who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.
"Thorin…" she whispered, choking back tears, "Please… Don't leave me…"
Now it was the warrior king's turn to try to fight back tears but was quickly becoming unsuccessful, "I love you… More than you will ever know…"
"I love you too, Thorin…" she sniffled and held him close as the tears fell.
"How long can lovers stand to prove they were right?
Why did I fold my hand?
Why choose another fight?" the king sang quietly as the company began to file and spread their bedrolls out. Torshar lifted her head in surprise at the beautiful tone that was coming from her husband's throat.
"How long would we have gone to know we shouldn't stay?
I saw you walk the wire,
I watched you burn away
And somehow it moved me,
Your love has powers over me,
Oh what dream is this?
Somehow it towers over me,
Send your love to move me,
My world has powered over me,
In perfect ruins,
Somehow it towers over me,
Who said we had it all?
Our hearts no longer lie,
Who knew the veil would fall?
Who'd guess that we would cry?
What more were we to do?
Two souls who had their fill,
Your love it keeps me here,
You keep me wondering still,
And somehow it moved me,
Your love has powers over me,
Oh what dream is this?
Somehow it towers over me,
Send your love to move me,
My world has powered over me,
In perfect ruins,
Somehow it towers over me,
In perfect ruins,
Somehow it towers over me…" Thorin hummed the end of the song as he noticed Torshar had fallen into a deep sleep beside him. He smiled and gently kissed her forehead then made eye contact with Balin who lifted a leather satchel and earned a nod from the king before joining his wife and children in slumber.
The morning sun shone through the billowing curtains as a soft cool autumn breeze blew into the quiet room. The chills made Torshar stir a bit and snuggle closer to her husband, expecting to feel his high body heat, only to realize he was as cold as stone. Gasping in horror and shock, she bolted straight up in bed and checked Thorin's neck for a pulse but couldn't find one. She gently grabbed his face and soon began to sob loudly; waking everyone from their uneasy slumber.
Gandalf immediately came over and began to pull Torshar away as Dis and Bilbo grabbed the twins while their mother screamed in anguish, "NO! GIVE HIM BACK! THORIN!"