DISCLAIMER: SAME AS BEFORE SEE EARLIER CHAPTERS.
Author's note: Sorry I took so long and this one is so short! Life's been getting a bit crazy for me. :P
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Thorin gave out a groan. To put it simply, he felt terrible. It was true that Dwarves were very hardy folk, able to withstand greater injuries than man or Hobbit, but the last few hours had definitely taken their toll. Giving a hiss as his eyelids opened and let the firelight in, he could not help but wonder if it was better being unconscious. His head felt as if someone had attempted to squash it, a soft ringing as he cleared his senses. Giving another low moan as his head ached mercilessly, he pulled his hand up to soothe his roaring temple.
What in Durin's name happened?
"Thorin!" came a warm and friendly voice, sounding as if greatly relieved.
The voice sounded familiar. Very familiar indeed. But with the world swimming about him and his head seeming to scream for his full attention, Thorin couldn't place it. Struggling to sit up, he glared at the creature's shape defiantly.
"Thorin! It's me!" Now the voice seemed deeply concerned.
Thorin snorted mentally. The voice ought to be concerned. He was a Dwarf warrior, and something to be reckoned with, although not in the best state. But appearances were everything. He would not let his guard down.
Although Thorin did not realize it, the voice actually belonged to our Mr. Baggins. Who upon finding the Dwarf had been overjoyed that his friend had finally woken, but was now deeply worried at the Dwarf's obvious lack of recollection. In fact the Dwarf seemed almost delusional.
"Get back." Thorin growled, looking as if he truly meant it.
The Hobbit quickly tried to remember what one was supposed to do in these situations, but despite having heard many such stories, could not remember one solution save for coffee. Unfortunately, that was unable to be had in the present situation. But wait! An old remedy suddenly came to the Hobbit. Of course! This had to work.
"Sorry Thorin!" The Hobbit said as politefully as could be managed, what he was about to do was not often carried out with royalty. But royalty or not, Thorin needed to wake up.
"But.." the Hobbit continued, suddenly taking a quick step towards the Dwarf, "You leave me...no choice!" With a quick and deft movement, the Hobbit's hand swung forward, meeting the Dwarf's face. Falling back more because of the shock of the sting, rather than the force of the blow, Thorin gasped, blinking owlishly and staring at the Hobbit. Closing his eyes and shaking his head vigorously, as if to clear his muddled head, the Dwarf looked up at the Hobbit once more. Recognition dawning on his features.
"Bilbo..." The Dwarf slowly said, looking puzzled.
Bilbo gave a sigh of relief, allowing his tired frame to finally sink down into a sitting position next to the Dwarf. For one of Bilbo's size carrying large and heavy Dwarves is hard work, and he had not allowed himself to rest while Thorin was unconscious, but seeing the Dwarf now awake and aware of his surroundings leaned his grateful body against the cool cave wall.
Giving a friendly grin the Hobbit began, "You know for a moment there I thought yo-" But was interrupted by Thorin, who seemed very displeased at being unable to understand what had exactly happened.
"First things first." The Dwarf growled darkly, "Where. Have. You. Been." The Dwarf's features were dark and fierce, and despite his health looked as if he would box the Hobbit's ears should he give the wrong answer.
Bilbo had the grace (or wisdom) to look ashamed. "I'm sorry Thorin." He said, meaning every word, "I was wrong to leave. I put both of our lives in danger, and well...been a plain fool." The Hobbit stiffened, readying himself for the torrent of angry words that were sure to come from Thorin. Although it pained the Hobbit to admit it, the Dwarf was well within his rights to be angry. Bilbo, though unwittingly, had nearly sabotaged the entire journey. Almost causing both of them a long and painful death.
"I am sorry Thorin." Bilbo finished, emphasizing his apology.
Thorin first appeared as if he was going to say something rather cutting, but suddenly looked as if he thought better of it. Muttering something darkly under his breath, the Dwarf leaned back against the cave wall with a sigh, closing his eyes and breathing deep ragged breaths.
"It's alright." The Dwarf finally managed, but so quietly that the Hobbit barely caught it.
"What?!" Bilbo said in disbelief. "You're...You're not angry?"
" 'Course I am." The Dwarf replied, eyes still closed, "Even a Hobbit of the Shire should know better than to run off. And don't think you've gotten out of anything. You've got a long lecture coming. Members of the Company cannot simply decide to go exploring whenever it pleases them, otherwise we will have anarchy."
Bilbo, despite himself, smiled. It was good to have Thorin back. Battered, but alive. The Dwarf's face had a haggard appearance, and everything about him spoke exhaustion. His breath came in ragged gasps, and although Bilbo was overjoyed to have him back, He could not help but feel somewhat frightened at seeing his friend thus. Thorin had always seemed a pinnacle of strength that could never fall, leading the company safely from danger to danger, always leading the way.
The Hobbit shivered, wishing that Noeg would return. The Petty Dwarf had said that he must travel back to his home in order to procure the ingredients needed that would help Thorin. Seeing Thorin almost seeming as if he was purely focussing on existing caused a nameless dread to begin to grow inside the Hobbit. Thorin was far from being in the best of health, and Bilbo did not like to think of what might come. Bilbo fiddled with his pocket nervously, but there was no pocket watch. He had left his behind. The emptiness in the air seemed to have their fate fixed, and was invisibly counting down the minutes. Was Thorin going to die? Would they make it to Gandalf on time?
As Bilbo was thinking these morose thoughts, Thorin's voice cut through his musings.
"One thing I am curious about Mr. Baggins." The Dwarf began.
"Look. We're not doing a business agreement or anything, why not just call me Bilbo?" Bilbo corrected with a little irritation. Why did Dwarves act as if everything was a business proposition and must be handled accordingly?
"Bilbo." Thorin amended his statement with an amused smile, "I can't help but wonder, how in Arda's name did you manage to find me?"
It was now Bilbo's turn to be amused, "I suppose I'll have to blame it on luck." The Hobbit smirked.
"Well it seems to me," Thorin mused outloud, "That the Valar has given you an unusually great amount. Rather unfair of them; I might even write a letter of complaint someday."
Bilbo gazed at the Dwarf, not quite knowing what was meant. Was Thorin making a joke? To him? Thorin didn't make jokes, and usually said as little as possible to the Hobbit. Thorin turned slightly with some difficulty, looking Bilbo in the eye and raising a quirky eyebrow. The action appeared alien to Thorin's features, and Bilbo couldn't help but stare.
The Dwarf rolled his eyes, "That was a jest you know Bilbo. I'm not entirely unable to have a good joke when the mood takes me."
Thorin appeared somewhat ruffled that his joke did not have the desired effect, and Bilbo could swear he had something of a pouty look that perhaps a boy might have if things did not go his way. It was so curious that Bilbo suddenly felt laughter bubbling up from his very toes.
Thorin looked slightly uncomfortable at the sound of merriment coming from the Hobbit.
"It's a little late to laugh at it don't you think?" he asked, annoyed.
Bilbo shook his head, chuckling softly and slapping his thigh. He attempted to take a draw of his pipe, but it ended disastrously. The Hobbit was immediately torn between peals of laughter and coughing from the smoke.
Thorin frowned and crossed his arms, disliking the situation immensely. Hobbits were strange creatures, and found the most unremarkable things either breathtaking or hilarious. Clearly, a mistake had been made somewhere when they were first made.
He lay back, against the cool wall, feeling weariness come over him once more. Let the Hobbit laugh if it made him feel better. Why should he care? The Dwarf glared at a corner of the cave, ignoring Bilbo and his doings.
A small hand suddenly patted Thorin on the shoulder. Looking upwards Thorin found the Hobbit smiling warmly.
"I'm glad you're alright Thorin." Bilbo said, and he meant it. "It's good to have you back."
Thorin felt his cheeks grow hot with embarrassment It was he who was supposed to rescue the Hobbit. The events had shaped strangely and gone the exact opposite. He shrugged and mumbled something, but the Hobbit either did not hear or was too happy to pay it any heed.
Thorin sighed, he did not like these situations. It was true, Dwarves were very different from these Halflings. But, he'd rather have Dwarves any day, at least they made sense. He began thinking of his company, of his nephews and friends, of where they might be, and if they were alright. Even as these thoughts crossed his mind, he felt sleep tugging at his eyelids once more. The Hobbit had fallen to tending the fire with his back turned to the Dwarf.
"Tomorrow..." The Dwarf half-muttered, "we need. need to make haste if we are to reach the c..company."
"Not in your condition." Bilbo answered firmly. "You're not going to be going anywhere for a few days at least."
The Dwarf's eyes shot open. Did his ears deceive him? Had the Halfling said 'no'?
"I am perfectly fit to travel." The Dwarf growled, "We will break camp and leave tomorrow, so let there be an end to it."
"Thorin," Bilbo began, exasperated with the foolish Dwarf's stubbornness. "You can hardly walk, or have you forgotten that you've been poisoned?"
Thorin gave a soft gasp, how had the Halfling known? How long had he known?
"Yes," The Hobbit frowned, as if reading his thoughts, "I know all about that."
Thorin for perhaps once in his life, had nothing to say. His mind had absolutely no way of dealing with this problem, which had been unexpected if anything. He had not felt this way since long ago as a Dwarfling, being caught red handed and no way to get out of the situation.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Bilbo asked quietly.
"It was nothing more than a scratch." The Dwarf said, but then decided to answer truthfully and added, "...at the time"
Bilbo crossed his arms, "I've heard of bearing one's wounds, but this," He gestured with his hand, looking almost lost for words, "is bordering on ridiculous."
The Dwarf bristled at this, "I did what was necessary." he retorted.
"It was stupid." Bilbo snapped, "You carried me, while you were poisoned!"
"It was either that or I could have left you behind!" Thorin barked.
"That's what you should have done!" Bilbo shouted, "You almost killed yourself!"
"Really?" Thorin snarled, "Well as I see it I've done both of us a favor. We're both alive." He closed his eyes, feeling tired and not wanting to argue anymore.
"Thorin-" Bilbo began earnestly.
"Mr. Baggins." The Dwarf said coldly, "I am tired. Do not wake me unless at the utmost emergency."
Bilbo's shook his head in exasperation. The Dwarf was really ridiculous. Thorin thought that no one else's advice mattered other than his own, that just because of his title he could have the last say, that because of his lineage he was never wrong. If one could call pride a disease, it had certainly manifested itself in this Dwarf.
He leaned against the wall looking at Thorin. Perhaps it was imagined, but at times it seemed as if Thorin and Bilbo could be friends, as in real friends. But always, there was that wall between their friendship. That invincible wall of pride. The Hobbit growled under his breath. If Thorin did not want to be friends and merely wanted to argue all the time then it could not be helped. A man made his own decisions and had to abide by them. Bilbo could not change that.