DISCLAIMER: SAME AS BEFORE, SEE EARLIER CHAPTAHS. DANKE.
Here's Chapter 9! Sorry for taking so long to upload it. Hope you all enjoy! Thanks again for all your wonderful reviews! They really bring a smile to my face :)
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Bilbo made his silent way as close as he dared, Thorin's fate hanging in the balance of what action he now took or did not take. The very thought was enough to make his legs shake with nervousness, knowing the orc could easily find him, ending with very unpleasant results for both himself and the unfortunate Dwarf. What was Bilbo even doing here? He was no warrior. How in the world was he going to stop the inevitable?
Placing his foot down, he inwardly winced as he snapped a twig. Perhaps it was his anxiety, or just ill luck, but the sound came very loud and audible indeed. The Orc looked up with a start, sniffing suspiciously. Taking Thorin by his neck he growled into the Dwarf's face.
"Are there anymore of your kind skulking about?" It's eyes narrowed, as if in readiness to read the Dwarf's response. However, he would be disappointed if he had hoped for civility, as the Dwarf growled back in defiance.
"I was just about to ask the same of you Scum."
The orc seemed amused by this show of open resistance, and answered back in obvious pleasure.
"Well, well, well. I was going to make it easy on you, but I guess not now eh? I'll keep all the fun to myself, why share anyway?" Leaning closer and hissing, "Maggot. I can smell your friend, and his fear. When I finish bleeding you, I'll find the runt and gut him" This however, some might say was a mistake to say, as by nature Dwarves do not give in to fate or threatening easily. This was Thorin's nature. His face full of rage, he suddenly twisted and with a violent motion he was able to land a sharp blow against the Orc, knocking his assailant to the ground.
Scrambling up, he glanced wildly about for his sword Orcrist, and saw it gleaming brightly among the dull leaves. The servant of Sauron had wanted nothing to do with it, as it was bound with bane for him and his kind.
Upon seeing the ancient blade, Thorin made a dash across the leaves, but the Orc rose with rageful countenance. Shrieking, he ran at Thorin with weapon drawn, and Bilbo saw that he would easily have Thorin before the Dwarf could make it to his sword.
Bilbo looked towards the ground and was about to close his eyes, not wanting to see what he thought was sure to follow, the death of a noble warrior. But once again fate intervened, as his foot slid among more than the usual leaves and twigs. It was cold and round, plain and ordinary, but that at that moment seemed to shine like a sign from above.
Bilbo grasped it within his hand, feeling the good weight of it and the perfect way that it fit into his hand, as if it was made for this moment. With a deep breath he stood up noisily from his hiding place, in full view and turning towards the creature. Upon seeing the Hobbit, Thorin's face took on for the first time a look of fear and shouted something frantically that the Hobbit could not understand. Time seemed to slow, as the Orc saw the Hobbit, eyes widening as he saw what was happening. It immediately changed its course, as did Thorin, now giving chase instead of being chased. But Bilbo's reflexes were too quick, with a strong pull of his arm he launched the stone with deadly accuracy.
A sickening crack sounded throughout the forest as it smacked into the Orc's skull. Eyes still wide, it fell back into the leaves, and moved no more.
Thorin stopped in mid-run, stumbling with exhaustion, he stood there for a moment catching his breath. Looking at the ugly remains of the orc and then back at the Hobbit, he questioned Bilbo between gulps of air.
"Where...Where did you learn to throw a stone like that?!"
Bilbo had his hands in his pockets and save for his torn jacket looked every bit the gentleman of Bag End, he then shrugged.
"A childhood pastime I suppose. Comes in handy now."
"You realize you might have been killed?" Thorin looked as if he disapproved.
Bilbo tightened his lips and answered, "Yes. And I might have been killed a dozen other times. If I hadn't taken any action, it's likely you would have been killed." He stood there, waiting for the Dwarf to start another argument, but instead Thorin merely looked at the orc and back to Bilbo. Looking at the Orc once more he did not turn back to the Hobbit, but merely stood there staring. Bilbo noticed the Dwarf's shoulders appeared hunched.
Bilbo gave a shout and most unceremoniously stumbled to Thorin's side, fearing that the Dwarf's wound was taking it's toll. What he found there however surprised him; he saw that Thorin's shoulders were shaking silently.
Then Thorin did something Bilbo had never seen him do. He laughed.
Turning to Bilbo with a grin Thorin slapped Bilbo heartily on the back, nearly knocking the poor fellow off balance and sending him tumbling into the leaves.
"Well I never!" he chuckled, "Slew an Orc with a stone!"
Bilbo looked slightly annoyed, "Look here, it isn't as if killing anyone with a stone is impossible. I would have used my sword, but as it is I am not very able on my feet."
"I believe you." Thorin replied, the mirth still in his eyes, "Nor am I complaining about the method you chose to use, as I am alive and a stone seems better suited for you then sword." The Dwarf picked up his weapon and sheathing it, and then began making his way as best as he could in a northward direction.
"Are you insinuating that I am unable to handle a sword properly?!" The Hobbit suddenly squeaked, growing very defensive and limping furiously after him.
"Oh no. Nothing of that sort." Thorin evaded, not stopping as Bilbo hobbled up beside him.
"Look! If you've got something to say, speak plainly!" The Hobbit was not in the mood for games.
Thorin was silent for a moment, as if weighing Bilbo's request and the proper choice of words.
"Very well," the Dwarf answered slowly, "I could not help but notice, the ease in which you wielded your..." he seemed to search for a fitting word here, "Weapon of choice. I would guess you have some years of experience in this matter."
"You guess rightly." Bilbo answered.
Thorin nodded and went on, "Your sword skills on the other hand..."
"Yes, yes I know! They're terrible." Bilbo sharply interrupted.
"Well, I would not put it that strongly... Doubtless, they require some aid." The Dwarf mused.
"It's not as if I've ever had any lessons." The Hobbit glumly answered.
Thorin looked at the Hobbit a moment, as he thought about what Bilbo had said. Perhaps if they survived this he should take some time...
"That should be mended. Perhaps I shall see to it." The Dwarf replied.
"What?" Bilbo looked as if he did not believe what he heard, "You-you mean you'll teach me?" The Hobbit asked, guessing the Dwarf's intentions, seeming genuinely pleased by the idea. The thought of finally being able to use his sword well excited him. Thorin smiled to himself at the Hobbit's enthusiasm.
"Perhaps." was all that the Dwarf answered with some amusement.
Both Hobbit and Dwarf fell silent, making their painful way to where Thorin thought, or rather hoped, they might meet with the rest of the company. It was also Thorin's hope that the Orcs would not dare to leave this particular forest, thinking that once beyond its boundaries they might rejoin the others safely. It was finally Bilbo who broke the silence.
"When I return to Bag End," he began. "I think I shall be only too happy to sit down again to a nice Hobbit meal."
Thorin did not demand the Hobbit's silence this time, perhaps it was because he was grateful for having his life saved, or perhaps it was because he too missed his home. Hearing another speak perhaps filled him with thought and desire of it, which in turn gave him stronger will to continue.
"Surely that is not all." The Dwarf encouraged the Hobbit.
Bilbo was surprised, but sensing the Dwarf's goodwill continued, "No. Not all. I think I shall drink a good pint of ale as well! Probably more!" He laughed at this, because he truly desired an ale at the moment, and did not wholly trust himself either.
To his even further surprise Thorin laughed as well. "And?" The Dwarf verbally prodded, "Is that all? Will you not walk all the ways you knew? Explore once again every secret place discovered in childhood? Run your hands over every object, no matter how insignificant? Visit all the places that are imprinted on your mind so well, that you can almost see them now?" At the end of this tirade of questioning, Thorin seemed to have a faraway look in his eyes, as if pondering his own home. Lost to him so long ago.
"Yes..." The Hobbit answered slowly, "You seemed to almost read my mind. How did you know that?"
The Dwarf was silent for a moment, and answered quietly, "It seems only natural."
Bilbo then decided that it might be wise to change the subject.
"So-um...How did your cooking turn out?"
The Dwarf looked confused for a moment. "Cooking?" he said.
"Yes, the one yesterday, you know, the one that was all wrong." Bilbo winced as he found himself adding the last part. He did not want another argument.
"Oh." The Dwarf seemed to then understand, "That. I didn't get a chance to find out. I expect it's burned to ashes by now."
Bilbo sighed in relief, at least Thorin had not paid any heed to what he had said, "Oh, pity."
But it did not seem that luck was with the Hobbit in this matter, for it seemed that Thorin had indeed heard the unwisely added remark. The Dwarf eyed the Hobbit for a moment and then replied quite firmly.
"It would have turned out well you know, if you had just given it a chance."
Bilbo nodded, pretending to agree. "I know, I know." he said.
But Thorin had still not been appeased, he still felt the need to prove to this Hobbit that the meal would have turned out quite well. It wasn't exactly his fault that the Hobbit had then decided to go down to the stream. If he had not got Thorin so flustered, he doubted he would have allowed Bilbo to go. Thorin mentally made a note to use the same recipe at the next available moment, he would show this Halfling.
"It still would have; I learned it as a Dwarf lad from my Grandmother, and-"
"Grandmother knows best" Both the Dwarf and Hobbit were surprised to find they had said the same thing at the same time. Bilbo's eyes were wider than usual. How did Dwarves know old Hobbit sayings? This was indeed odd. Thorin also seemed surprised, but then laughed. It must have been laughter of a contagious sort, because within a few moment Bilbo was laughing as well.
The two limping travelers traveled thus in friendly conversation with one another for many hours. Any casual observer would think it indeed odd. A Dwarf and a Hobbit? Dwarves were strange creatures enough, but from what was said Hobbits wanted little enough to do with traveling of any sort. Most even dreaded a short walk from their Hobbit Hole to the local Pub, taking much food in order to sustain themselves in this terrible exertion.
Dwarves were said to be friendly to none but themselves, taking care that their relations with those of the outside world were kept strictly to a business level. Both peoples kept good distance between themselves and the rest of Middle Earth, but yet here they were.
Bilbo would later write in his memoirs, saying that the afternoon was possibly one of the most enjoyable on that journey, laying aside the fact of his painful foot.
The sun had just begun to sink, clinging to the last of the day with its soft rays, when a sixth sense began to play up in Bilbo. He stopped to listen. Thorin, noticing the lack of movement beside him stopped as well, looking at Bilbo expectantly.
"There will be time enough to admire the scenery Bilbo. Come. We cannot linger."
"No. Wait. Do you hear that?" Bilbo looked puzzled, something was off.
The Dwarf visibly sighed, "No." he said. "I hear nothing."
"Shhh!" Bilbo hissed, motioning for silence from Thorin, who was quite shocked. As he had never been told by anyone, and much less a hobbit, to be quiet for a good many years. Thorin looked as if he was about to retort something to the Hobbit, when a great noise burst the silence around them.
A great horn sounded, and was accompanied by many harsh cries, undoubtedly from a great many Orcs. Both Dwarf and Hobbit jumped at its sound clawing its way into the peace that had been in the woods. Bilbo already knew what was tumbling off of Thorin's lips before it came.
"Run!" the Dwarf shouted, preparing himself to make a last desperate dash.
"I can't! You'll have to leave me behind Thorin! Now, or you'll never make it! I'll hold them off!" Bilbo shouted back, drawing his own sword bravely. He knew there was no way in Arda he would be able to do more than a hobble, and then it would be but a game to their pursuers. At least this way Thorin had a chance.
The Dwarf stared at Bilbo with a strange look in his eyes. Was it sorrow? Respect? Anger? Or a mixture of all three? Bilbo could not tell, but he suspected there was a good deal of frustration as well.
"Bilbo Baggins. In my entire life, I have left no one, no one, to a fate ending in death. This I have not done, and I will never do!" Thorin eyes flashed with a determinedness that Bilbo had not seen before. He knew that there would be no swaying the Dwarf, but he had to try.
"We've been over this before! Go!" Bilbo waved his hand frantically, the Orcs would soon be in view, then there would be no chance at all to escape.
"No!" Thorin shouted, "We both escape together, or not at all!"
"I can't run!" the Hobbit protested.
"On my back then with you!" The Dwarf then swooped Bilbo up before the Halfling could object, and started at a great speed away from the impending danger, which was growing louder as they came closer.
"You'll never make it!" Bilbo voice came full of concern and uneasiness, as he noticed the Dwarf's irregular breathing. The wound had not healed, and Thorin was still weary.
"Then," Thorin replied gravely, "Let us both hope and pray that I do, for both our sakes."