DISCLAIMER: SAME AS BEFORE, SEE FIRST CHAPTAH.
Well, here's chapter 8! Hope you all enjoy! Thank you for all the kind words! I lurv your comments! You guys are awesome. :)
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo OoOoO
"Bilbo! Wait!"
Bilbo heard the Dwarf call his name, an amazing feat in itself considering that Thorin usually referred to him either as Mr. Baggins or "the Burglar", but ignored him entirely. He walked with head held high with pride, despite the very unimpressive limp he walked with. While Dwarves are said to be as stubborn as the Earth itself, one must remember that Hobbits seem to have received their fair share of said stubbornness. Some might say that it has something to do with the Tookish side in our Mr. Baggins, as the Tooks were always considered queer folk, being thought to have fairy blood. At any rate, Bilbo's stubbornness was taking the Hobbit quickly away from where some, and especially Gandalf, would say that he ought to be.
This is not to say that Bilbo did not think of turning back. He had after all not left Thorin in the best of health, and the Dwarf had been breathing heavily when he left. The fool would certainly kill himself one part of him mused. But you have tried! Indeed, try is all one can do sometimes! The other said.
No. He had had enough. He was washing his hands of the matter. If Thorin wanted to starve or bleed to death that was his choice.
But this decision weighed heavily on the good fellow's heart. True, Thorin was a stubborn fool, but it was no cause to leave him alone. Especially in these woods.
Bilbo shuddered. He didn't quite fancy meeting what Thorin had earlier dubbed as their "friends". The Dwarf, in his condition would more than likely be killed or captured. With a sigh, he almost turned about when he heard a most welcome sound that grew into a smug smile on his face. The sound of someone hastily, and quite noisily, attempting to catch up with him.
"Well, well, well." the Halfling thought. His unimpressive limp took on a distinguishable cocky quality to it, if this is at all possible for one to have with a limp, and he kept on walking. Thorin would have to ask him to come back and apologize. Needless to say our Mr. Baggins looked forward to this with what can perhaps be considered a certain fiendish glee.
While he was thinking of his certain victory over the Dwarf Lord, he did not quite pay attention as to where he was stepping. As he placed his foot down he realized only too soon that his foot was falling farther than it ought to have. He had been so busy with his thoughts that he had not realized he had stepped into a ditch, and being unprepared and the terrain loose over he went, face first into the ground.
Bilbo moaned. This grand idea of his to walk out of Thorin's foolish 'adventure' with great dignity had ended with him falling on his face onto the ground. He spat out leaves morosely pondering of how in the world he was going to manage to get anywhere, let alone Home. His foot was not making things easy. Blast his clumsiness! Who ever heard of anyone injuring himself in a fight? Ridiculously absurd. But then again, this entire venture had been ridiculously absurd.
He felt strong hands pull him up from the ground, helping him to his feet. Thorin gave a small grunt as he bent in an unwise position, as his wound expressed deep disapproval. Bilbo gained his own feet and took a step back. Thorin leaned himself against a tree and held his side, but in a moment he turned to Bilbo with dark eyes flashing.
"What did you think you were doing?! Running off like that?!" The Dwarf growled, with deep breaths and angry features.
Bilbo set his jaw firmly and with his best business tone replied, "As I recall, if any member of this company is dissatisfied, he may leave the company at any given time. Such was my decision, and hence my...actions. Yes." Nodding he stared back at the Dwarf awaiting his answer.
Thorin stared for a moment, and then threw his free hand in the air in vexation. "And what, pray tell, have you to be dissatisfied with?!" His face looked as if trying to comprehend the motives of this strange Halfling. Why weren't all creatures like Dwarves?! The world would be a much simpler place!
Bilbo frowned. Thorin was on purposely evading him on this matter. Fine then.
"A great deal!" he turned quickly, limping away once more.
"Bilbo!" Thorin called softly, looking weary, much more weary than Bilbo had ever seen him.
Bilbo stopped stiffly and without looking at Thorin said in an annoyed tone, "What?"
But turned sharply and rapped out before Thorin could answer, "Oh. And isn't it MR. Baggins? Or better yet! The Burglar!?" The Hobbit fairly fumed with pent up frustration, his sharp voice turning to a shout. "I've tried MR. Oakenshield. Really, I have! You don't even make an attempt to be friendly at all! But no matter what I do, I'm a burden to you! I'd expect I'd have to kill thousands of monsters to gain any standing in your eyes! So since I am such a burden, it really shouldn't upset you if I choose to relieve you of myself!"
Thorin was taken aback. Remaining silent, the Dwarf mentally called himself fool in thousands of different ways as he saw how ungratefully he had behaved. Bilbo had saved his life! This was how he repaid such deeds? The Hobbit glared, and with a snarl not unlike the Dwarf's made as if to walk on alone into the now growing dark woodlands. It was then that Thorin spoke.
"Bilbo..." he began, "I...I...I did not know that I offended you...I am not well-versed in the customs...and ways of the Shire-Folk, and had no idea that such titles displeased you."
Bilbo was shocked. Thorin coughed, this was painful.
"You are right..and I admit...I have not treated you...as well as I ought to have...I have..wronged you Bilbo. And for that I am truly sorry." There it was out. Thorin shifted uncomfortably and then took a deep breath as the Hobbit simply stared.
"You're actually apologizing?" Bilbo finally blurted out, still not believing what had happened.
Thorin nodded without saying a word, quickly looking away. He hated these, nasty uncomfortable things apologies. But he felt better, knowing he had done the honorable and right thing. Thank the Valar Gandalf was not here, the wizard would be very smug about the entire business. Thorin could not help but think it was the wizard's personal pastime to enjoy watching kings and those of royal blood humbled. Well, luckily for Gandalf Thorin was a grown and mature dwarf. There was a time when such persons that enjoyed these amusements would suffer from Thorin's terrible and devilish pranks of vengeance that would certainly drive the message home. The Dwarves of the Blue Mountains always complained of Fili and Kili's antics, well they should have seen the Prince of Erador's forms of revenge! Perhaps someday he would have a word with Fili and Kili concerning the wizard...
The Hobbit blinked. "Well then...How are we going to go about traveling? I can't walk, well...and well you're not in the best of condition."
"We get along as best as we may." Thorin said resolutely, grimly setting his jaw. He limp to the other side of the tree where some branches grew low. Taking out Orcrist he looked regretful for a moment.
"I am truly loathe to use such a blade for such mean work. But unfortunately it cannot be helped." Stretching himself so that he might reach, he swung Orcrist, the blade biting through the wood with impressive results. Within a few moments he had cut a stout staff for both himself and Bilbo. The moment he had finished he leaned against the tree, eyes closed with a pained expression on his face.
"Are you alright?" Bilbo narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, yes." The Dwarf replied hastily. Too hastily.
"Thorin..."Bilbo prodded. The Dwarf was obviously not telling the truth.
"You nor I are healers. But what does it matter? I am alive, and that is enough is it not?" Thorin gave a weary smile as if trying to convince the Hobbit. It was then that Bilbo noticed Thorin was sweating, but not because of his exertion. The wind was cold yet comfortable, and there was no cause for the Dwarf to have this reaction, that is unless Dwarves had different anatomies then the other peoples of Middle Earth. Bilbo remembered how his cousin had used to fill his head with ridiculous tales, saying that even the hearts of Dwarves rather than being of flesh and blood were in fact of stone.
Bilbo was about to protest when they heard a bird cry out and the forest grow very quiet. Thorin narrowed his eyes, looking into the area behind them. The breathing of both Hobbit and Dwarf seemed like hissing kettles that were boiling over, Thorin took a step forward, straightening his muscular form and ignoring whatever ailed him. With a hand signal he commanded the Hobbit to draw his sword and to follow silently.
They had not gone far forward when Thorin suddenly grabbed Bilbo, pulling him into the cover provided by the ferns and a few useful trees. Putting a finger to his lips he warned Bilbo to make no sound, and carefully inched up to look.
It was an orc, not nearly as impressive as the first, and obviously but a scout. But all the same it posed a dangerous threat to the wounded travelers. Bilbo saw Thorin's battle scarred hands tighten around Orcrist's elegant hilt, knowing that he intended to do battle if necessary. Time seemed to slow as the Orc got nearer, and the sound of it sniffing grew louder. It's discovery of their hiding place was inevitable.
Bilbo's heart crawled to the back of his throat, beating for all it was worth.
Thorin began to move closer to the unsuspecting enemy, and Bilbo made as if to follow. Thorin, noticing the Hobbit following with sword drawn and grim face smiled sadly as if remembering some fond memory, but then shook his head. Bilbo looked confused and looked as if he was about to ask Thorin to explain, but Thorin held a hand up in a commanding manner, and with surprising stealth for a Dwarf inched his way closer to the Scout.
Bilbo crawled to a better viewing place. He could see Thorin approaching the orc, but clearly he wasn't able to ignore his protesting body completely, and sadly it could be easily seen.
An annoying gnat began flying about his face, tickling his ears and nose. Shaking his head viciously and swatting at it with his hand in an attempt to discourage it from it's decided goal. It then flew up to his eye, causing him to blink. When the light returned to his eye once more he gasped. Thorin was still there, looking very confused, but the orc had disappeared entirely!
Looking around, fearing that it might even be behind him he held Sting firmly. Hearing an inhuman screech followed by a roar from Thorin and a clang. He turned quickly to see that the orc had pounced on the unsuspecting Dwarf, with Thorin now on his back with a knife to his throat.
Bilbo frantically glanced about, hoping that someone might be there to help yet knowing there would be no one.
"What to do?! What to do!?" He thought with a panicking sense of urgency. Thorin was about to be killed, and he had no idea what to do.
He couldn't run and help Thorin, regardless of his foot the orc would kill the Dwarf instantly. He was no warrior, and had little if any experience with these foul creatures. He had to do something, he knew it. There was no way around it. With a gulp, Bilbo crawled as close as he could to the scene without being spotted. Heart jumping every time he heard a leaf crunch or twig snap.
As he came closer he heard the orc speaking, taking a look his heart stopped. If he did not act now, Thorin would come to a most horrible and tragic end, and all in defense of Bilbo.
"sneak up on me Beardling? I don't think so." it snarled, stretching it mottled skin across it's face into a grin,. Throwing the orcblade into the air and catching it expertly, the orc pinned the Dwarf's neck down with it's merciless iron clawed hand, and licked the twisted black blade with a malicious gleam in his eyes.