DISCLAIMER: SEE EARLIER CHAPTAHS. DANKE.
Well here's the next bit! Sorry I took so long, life is crazy sometimes dontcha know? Time just flies by, and before you know it it's been a week! :P
Thank you for all your comments! They are really great inspiration and encouragement to me! :)
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"Running on ahead like that isn't going to help find your friend Mr. Baggins. You've got to watch your step in these places." Noeg advised, as Bilbo trotted on ahead clearly ill at ease.
Bilbo ignored this. The Hobbit felt guilty for leaving Thorin for so long, and the only solution he could see was to get back to the old storage room as soon as possible and hope that Thorin was still there. If he was not, it would be a long search. The caves had long since been abandoned, and with no Dwarves to keep the place in order, rooms changed or sunk into the depths, shifting and making new ones in their place. A constant and growing maze of stone.
A uncomfortable nervousness was welling up in the Hobbit, as he realized that Thorin was possibly his only means of ever hoping to see his Hobbit Hole again. That, combined with the fact that Bilbo had left the Dwarf only made him feel still worse. He should never have left.
"Bilbo?" Noeg questioned with arched eyebrow. "You alright?"
The Hobbit gave a queer nervous laugh at this. "Alright? No. I should say not. My friend," he gestured at the darkness, "Is out there. Somewhere. Hurt. Looking for me I shouldn't wonder. And it's all my fault." The Hobbit began moving forward even more quickly, "No. It's not going to be alright until I find him."
"Look Bilbo, I know you're upset." Noeg began, "But it's not going to get any better if you rush ahead and I have to fish you out of yet another pit."
"That wasn't entirely my fault." Bilbo countered, "Who in their right mind lays a trap in a passage anyway?"
"Oh I don't know." Noeg answered sarcastically, "Perhaps to take care of the uninvited, unsavory, and uncivilized visitors that abound in these parts."
Bilbo glared at him. "No one likes a clever clogs Noeg."
Noeg chuckled. "More's the pity. I'm afraid you're stuck with one."
"Just my luck." The Hobbit muttered. Noeg looked as if he had heard, his face taking on a gleeful look of delight. Perhaps Bilbo might have let that pass, but winced as the Dwarf began whistling a cheery tune.
"Oh Now you're just being annoying." Bilbo growled out, but the Dwarf didn't seem to hear him.
"Look!" Bilbo turned sharply, "Will you just stop that?"
"What?" Noeg looked around as if Bilbo might be talking to someone else. Finding no one he turned back to Bilbo.
"The whistling!" The Hobbit answered in a frustrated tone.
"Oh. That." Noeg shrugged, "Fine. If you're in such a sour mood then."
The Hobbit ignored this quip, trudging along forward with determination. If Thorin was in danger, then it fell to Bilbo to get him out of it. The trouble of it was however, that Noeg kept himself at an easy pace, carefully picking their way through the halls. The Hobbit was impatient to find the Dwarf, and wanted to get out of the caves at the nearest opportunity.
It was then that Noeg motioned for the Hobbit to stop, as he peered off into the darkness. Yet another delay. Bilbo gave a loud sigh.
"I don't like this one." Noeg said grimly. "We'll have to go another way."
"You don't seem to like any of them." Bilbo complained.
"I knew," Noeg began quietly, "A young Dwarf once. Much like yourself. Impatient. Rushing recklessly along these passages. You know what happened to him?"
"No...what?" Bilbo asked.
"He had the bad luck to walk straight into a cave-in. His lack of care cost him his life." The Hobbit detected a sense of bitterness in the Dwarf's voice. "He died. We weren't even able to recover the body."
"I'm sorry." The Hobbit said, "Was...was he a good friend of yours?"
"A good friend?" The Dwarf gave a sad smile. "I would say so. He was my brother."
"I'm so sorry!" The Hobbit managed.
"Don't be." Noeg replied, "It happened a long time ago. Probably before you were even born. Just do me a favor and don't make the same mistake." The Dwarf clapped Bilbo on the shoulder.
"You're right." Bilbo finally said with a sigh. "I just wish there was a faster way to go about this business and be done with it."
"When we come to the main halls, it should be safe. It's just these particular passages can be tricky." Noeg lifted the torch and gestured ahead. "We've been working our way upwards, and should come to your campsite in a short time."
Bilbo nodded wordlessly and followed the Dwarf through the cool stone passage.
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"Is this it?" Noeg asked Bilbo, pointing to the large oaken door that had been left slightly ajar. The Hobbit sighed in relief. All was quiet, and undisturbed. Perhaps Thorin had stayed after all. He almost thought he could hear the familar Dwarven snoring.
"Yes!" Bilbo said, "Noeg, I can't thank you enough. Really."
The Petty Dwarf chuckled and stroked his red beard. "You're a guest in my home Mr. Baggins. It was my duty after all." but then added, "And besides. It's been a bit of an adventure don't y' think?" Grinning the Dwarf slapped Bilbo on the back. "Come on then. Introduce me to your friend."
With Noeg's help Bilbo was easily able to open the doors, as they groaned and creaked on their rusty hinges. With a moan the doors protested at the sudden movement. What met their eyes however, was far from a happy sight.
Thorin was gone.
"He's gone!" Bilbo squeaked in dismay, "He's gone! I wasn't quick enough!"
"Bilbo!" Noeg attempted to calm his distraught friend, "Calm yourself! He can't have gotten far."
"What if he has? How on earth are we going to find him!?"
"Well." Noeg replied thoughtfully, "If he is gone, then I'd expect he'd be looking for you."
"And we have to retrace my steps." Bilbo finished Noeg's thought.
"Exactly!" Noeg beamed. "Do you remember the way?"
"I...I think I do." Bilbo furrowed his brow, willing himself to remember. He had always prided himself on having an exceptionally strong memory. Perhaps this was yet another moment where it would prove invaluable.
"Right." said Bilbo. "It's this way."
"Lead on." Noeg answered, as Bilbo followed the same path he had taken not too long ago that had nearly ended tragically. Noeg gave a sigh. He had really hoped to have more of a chat with the Hobbit then give him the grand tour of the Dwarf halls. But then again, it wasn't everyday that his days were this interesting.
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Perhaps an hour later found Bilbo and Noeg walking along a smooth hallway and nearing the same trap that Bilbo had unwittingly sprung upon himself. Both Noeg and Bilbo, sensing this, slowed their pace. Neither had any wish to repeat the events of earlier, having been lucky to escape with mere bumps and bruises. A few loose stones lay about, treacherously awaiting any unaware passersby.
Noeg then motioned for Bilbo to stop. Lifting the torch and casting its light far ahead revealed the ugly pit that had swallowed Bilbo only a few hours before. Bilbo shuddered, thinking of what fate he might have had if Noeg had not happened along. It was a good thing that his luck had been holding strong, at least so far. Now if only they could find Thorin quickly and be on their way...
"There's no possible way for anyone to find a way over that, and your friend doesn't appear to be here." Noeg thought out loud. "We'll turn back and begin the search fresh in another direction."
Seeing Bilbo's frustration the Dwarf added. "Bilbo. I give you my word that I will do all in my power to help you find your friend. We wi-" But before he could finish, an strong updraft came in a gust, blowing out the torch as easily as one blows out a candle.
"Don't move Bilbo." The Dwarf commanded. "Give me a moment to relight it."
Bilbo was only too happy to comply, fearing that any false move might send him tumbling down the deep hole once more. His sharp senses could hear the Petty Dwarf softly cursing beside him and fumbling in his pockets for something to light the torch with.
"Right." Noeg suddenly said. "Here it is." Bilbo heard the Dwarf strike something, and a flash followed. This being unsuccessful the Dwarf tried again.
"Takes a few tries sometimes to catch." The Dwarf mumbled, attempting to put Bilbo at ease. The flashes lit the cavern in brief intervals, giving an eery aura to the scene. Bilbo blinked as the light came sharply to his eyes and died yet again. Another curse from Noeg. The Hobbit took a step backwards.
Before he could do anything, Bilbo realized it was too late, and his foot was sliding along the stones and he had lost his balance and was falling. He gave a loud yelp as he crashed to the ground.
But instead of the hard and cold stones that he expected, he fell into something warm and having the distinct quality of being 'alive'. Scrambling away from it as fast as he could he felt yet another form bump into his back.
"Noeg!" he squeaked.
"It's me!" Noeg hissed back. "What is it?!"
"There's something alive over there!" The Hobbit pointed a shaky finger in the direction of the creature. unfortunately this did little good, as the darkness covered everything and anything.
"Keep facing it. Don't look away for a moment." The Dwarf ordered. Bilbo heard him strike something again, accompanied by the familar flash. Thankfully the torch lit this time to reveal a huddled form in the shadows. Bilbo's keen ears heard a soft ring as a blade was pulled out. Without a word Noeg pushed it into Bilbo's hand. The blade shone with a cold gleam. It was of Dwarvish make with an intricately carved olive-green pommel. Of plain materials, yet having a certain elegance to it. Dwarves take pride in their work, and regardless of the materials, each object was made as a work of art as well as functional. This blade being no different.
As Bilbo pointed it in readiness should the creature choose to attack, Noeg approached it slowly. Upon inspecting the form closer, it appeared to have human form, but smaller. Bending down cautiously, Noeg took it by the shoulder, turning it over to reveal a face.
"Thorin!" Bilbo gasped.
"So this is your friend?" Noeg asked.
Bilbo nodded. "Is he alright?"
Noeg placed a hand on the side of the Dwarf Lord's neck, checking for any vital signs. Furrowing his brow the Dwarf seemed displeased.
"He's alive." He finally said, much to Bilbo's relief, "But we need to get him back. I can't do anything here, and he isn't in a good way."
"Is he going to die?" Bilbo anxiously asked.
"No." said Noeg, "Not yet anyway. Come on. We need to get him back. I need your help. Feet or shoulders?"
"Feet." Bilbo said, not liking the prospect of carrying a (heavy) Dwarf at all.
"Come on then. He's not going to move himself." Noeg gestured for Bilbo to do his agreed part.
With a heave the Petty Dwarf and Hobbit lifted the larger Dwarf and began slowly making their way down the passage. Noeg grinned as he joked that Thorin had had one too many dinners. Bilbo was unable to appreciate it however, being too occupied with keeping his part from falling to the ground. Thorin was heavy, and the Hobbit was small. Noeg seemed to have very little trouble with it, but then again he was a Dwarf, and Dwarves are used to great and heavy loads for great distances. Hobbits hardly carry more than a good meal.
"This...is...ridiculous!" Bilbo grunted under his load.
Noeg chuckled, "Come on Mr. Baggins! Put your back into it!"
Bilbo gave the Petty Dwarf a murderous glare which only seemed to amuse the Petty Dwarf all the more. The Hobbit could only miserably remind himself that he was very sure this type of 'incident' had not been covered in the contract.