Gosh, I hate classes. So much work and no time for Fanfiction. Life just isn't fair sometimes.
Bilbo had not seen much of Thorin after he found him. He saw him sleeping after they told the company Thorin was alive, but after that he had not seen Thorin at all. It had been four days since Bilbo found Thorin down in the tunnel. He kept hearing that he was doing better. At one point Bombur made warm strew, which was brought down to Thorin by Kili, yet Bilbo never saw Thorin. He had to wait with the rest of the company till Thorin was feeling well enough to see them. The hobbit knew the company was impatient to see their king. They would ask nonstop if they could see Thorin, but Oin would always say they had to wait till Thorin was doing better. So Bilbo waited.
Bilbo did not unpack his things. He still planned on going back to Bag End; he still missed his home and wanted to go back. Yet, the hobbit wanted to say his good-bye to Thorin. After everything that they went through together Bilbo could not will himself to leave, no matter how much he missed his books and armchair, without saying good-bye to Thorin.
Five days after Bilbo first found Thorin chained to the tunnel Oin said the king was feeling well enough to have visitors. The whole company cheered practically running down to the healing rooms to see him. Thorin was sitting up on his bed next to Fili and Kili, who he was leaning on to help hold himself up. The color had fully returned to face, the browsing around his wrist went down, and he did not look as thin as he did when they found him. Bilbo, in fact the whole company, smiled when they saw him. Thorin smiled back. A few members of the company tried to throw their arms around him for a hug, but Dwalin held them back and the group laughed. Thorin coughed a little as he tried to laugh back.
The members of the company took a seat, all cramming into the small space of the healing room. Thorin thanked them for coming and thanked his sister and Balin for running Erebor while he was healing. He turned to Bilbo and with his whole heart thanked him for finding him saying that he would have died many times over it wasn't for him.
"What happened, Thorin that night you went missing?" Balin finally asked.
Thorin shook his head. "It is a bit of blur," Thorin told them. He looked at his company, his friends and family, knowing they deserved the truth for their loyalty and kindness. "Before I was down in that tunnel I had been struggling with my family's sickness once more. At night, in my dreams, I would feel myself slipping into that madness once more." He glanced at Fili, the only one he told this to before now. "The night…I went missing I was struggling to keep the madness at bay. I went for a walk, hoping it would clear my mind, help put me at ease. That night, I was close to giving in once more."
A few members of the company looked at Thorin considered. Kili put his hand on his uncle's shoulder. "I was near the treasury, fighting off the call to the gold. It was taking everything I had, fighting a war inside myself. My mind was just starting to clear when I noticed I was no longer alone. There were three…no four...no I think it was three guards. They attacked me. I was too weak to defend myself. I was weak from not sleeping and trying to stay in control of myself. They came at me and…hit me over the head. After that…everything gets blurry. I think they were dragging me. I know they were talking, but…I can't remember what they said or their voices.'
'When I finally came too and was able to think clearly I was down in that tunnel. I tried to escape, but they had my feet and hands shackled. I couldn't get out of the bonds. I tried to yell out for help but my mouth gagged. I kept trying to get out, but soon it got cold. I began to lose feeling in my body. Everything went numb and felt tired. After that…I stopped trying. I thought I was doing to die, but Master Baggins found me and here I am."
Dwalin asked Thorin a few more questions trying to figure out who the guards were that attacked him. The head wound and the days in the cold made it impossible for Thorin to remember.
"You think they were working for Dain?" Thorin asked Dwalin. Fili had told him about what had happened after he went missing. Dwalin nodded. "Dain has always enjoyed power and riches. He harbors a deep hate for the race of men and great desire for the throne. I think Fili is right, Dain may have played a hand in what happened."
"What should we do?" Balin asked.
"Nothing," Thorin said his breathing getting slightly heavy. He began leaning on Kili even more. "If Dain is capable of getting to me and almost killing me then who knows what else he is capable of. I will handle Dain, I don't want any of you," he turned to Fili and Kili, "getting involved with this. I do not want anyone else getting hurt because of him. I will speak to my cousin about his actions as king and make it clear to him that we are now allies with the men of the lake and I will never allow us to make war with them again."
The company nodded in agreement and Bilbo smiled. Thorin told them to stay away from Dain, if possible, and to try not to let Dain know they think he was involved. The company agreed and changed the subject to a lighter discussion. Thorin leaned heavily on Kili as time went on. Noticing this, the company dismissed themselves. Only, Dis, Fili, Kili, Oin, and Bilbo remained.
"You should lay back down Thorin," Oin suggested and Thorin did was he was told. Bilbo watched as the healer talked with Thorin more telling him he still needs to take it easy. Fili and Kili told Thorin he did well and that he should be able to have enough energy to move around soon. Dis came over and spoke with her brother making her sons laugh as she joked with them. Bilbo smiled sadly to himself and left.
/
Thorin met with Dain three days after he met with the company. He finally had enough strength to stand on his own and could stay awake for most of the day. Thorin had returned to being early in the morning. His return was welcomed by loud cheers and clapping by the dwarves. Dain avoided Thorin, for the most part, yet Thorin tracked him down to have words with him about what happened.
Dain was in a smaller room filled with mining tools speaking with a friend of his from the Iron Hills when Thorin walked in. Thorin had his crown on and his grandfather's armor looking like a true king once more. Dain gave him a smile.
"Welcome back King under the Mountain," Dain said with a bow. His friend bowed as well. "I am sorry I missed your return celebration this morning. I had other matters to attend to."
"I'm sure you did," Thorin said under his breath.
Dain kept smiling, "you are looking well cousin; I hope you are feeling well too."
"I am, those assassins did not go a very good job of trying to kill me," Thorin said trying to get a reaction out of Dain, but didn't.
"Thank goodness for that. Have you had any luck finding those responsible?" Dain asked.
Thorin shook his head, "no, not yet, but we will." Dain nodded and began to walk away, "Dain, I am king; it would be wise to remember that."
"Of course," Dain said with another bow. "Despite what you may think, I have no desire for the throne, not any more at least. You are a great king Thorin; your subjects would follow you through anything, into any danger. They are loyal to you and follow any order you give them. I could never get that kind of loyalty from them. It's touching, it really is." Dain patted Thorin on the shoulder. "I hope you have a long kingship Thorin, I am sure it will be beneficial and merry for both of us." Dain left the room, his friend quickly following.
Thorin stood in place thinking over what Dain had said. Something about Dain's words was not sitting well with Thorin. He could hear Balin calling for him from another room. Thorin left not dwelling on the details, as long as Dain did not try anything to take the throne again, Thorin was content. He went to join the large celebration with his friends. Dain joined later as well, singing and dancing with the crowd. He did not try to take the throne from Thorin again.
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