Balin looked, well, he looked miserable. And it was all because of Thorin and Bilbo. Dwalin looked away. It was all because them all. They were all to blame. They had all done the wrong choice and none of them had apologized, too afraid, too ashamed. And then Bilbo was gone and not a word left behind. Even Gandalf hadn't noticed. Dwalin couldn't but grin. Of course that old man hadn't, it was one of those reasons why he had hired Bilbo. Damn that old meddling goat. Of course Bofur had gone after, first of them who had finally gather his courage.
The phone ring and Dwalin heard Balin answer it. He didn't listen but looked outside where the first snow was landing making it all look so pure and clean, like nature herself was trying to erase the every single mark of the war. It didn't make him feel any better and he turned to see his brother who was ended the call. Balin smiled faintly.
"Good news brother?" Dwalin asked.
"Fili is awake."
"Good boy." Dwalin murmured when he lowered himself on the big chair opposite Balin's desk. "Anything about Thorin?"
"I think he's just angry."
"He's sulking I say."
Balin murmured something under his breath and rustled the papers and documents before him trying to do some works.
Thorin was still in intensive care and the visits were restricted. However, no one had wanted to visit, only Bali who had to do his work had been here. And Thorin to date hadn't wanted seen anyone. Only ones which he was asked was his nephews.
"I think I go to see him." Dwalin said. Balin looked up. "Fili?"
"No, well, him too. But no, I mean Thorin. It seems that too long time has passed him to mull over this whole situation. If Bofur went to the West Midlands to see Bilbo, I go to see Thorin." Dwalin decided but before he could get up and leave he saw Balin frown when he answered.
"Balin here." he looked up at his brother and mouthed Bofur's name.
"Calm down, what is it? What about Bilbo?"
Dwalin watched with growing worry how Balin's frown chanced back to look miserable and sad. There was something broken in his eyes before he leaned forward placing his elbows at the desk and his hand covering the eyes.
"Are you sure? Gandalf was there? No… Yes I tell them. Keep me up of the situation. Thank you Bofur. Yes, yes I do that. I think it's time."
Then he stared the phone and Dwalin guessed that Bofur had hung up.
"Bilbo?" Dwalin have to everything to keep his voice steady and Balin nodded and told what Bofur had said. "It can be nothing."
"Nothing my ass." Dwalin felt his anger to rise.
"Calm down. It seems that I go with you to see Thorin. I don't trust you to be very polite with him with the news."
"And you are?" Dwalin's brows shot up.
"More than you I'm sure." Balin visibly collected himself, placing his political mask against the world.
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say." Dwalin knew his brother better than anyone. And Balin being political meant more dangerous than Dwalin with his knives. Today he didn't felt sorry for Thorin.
#
Love isn't difficult, or it shouldn't be. It is right if it feels right to you both.
"Mother…"
"Bilbo, do you hear me?"
Bilbo whimpered in half conscious.
"You're in hospital. Your wound has inflamed and you have very high fever. We are going to try to lower it by icewater."
"You have been playing with my feelings!"
"Thorin…"
Elrond watched his friend with great concern. The infection was bad and he suspected a hospital virus. And no doubt about the pneumonia. Bilbo was in in serious problems like always.
"I'm sorry my friend."
"Stay or be gone, I don't care. You don't mean anything to me. Not amymore!"
"No Thorin… I wanted… help… Help me Thorin…"
Something was wrong with the whole situation, Elrond though when he helped the nurse. If his patient was also mentally and emotionally anguished that sure didn't help a bit.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"My mistake that I though with my feelings and not with the reasons. Say yes or no, but stop treating me like a fool!"
"I didn't, I never did… I love you…"
That stopped Elrond and he reached his hand and gently touched Bilbo's hot and sweaty temple.
"So you did fell in love in the end." He murmured and then looked at the nurse.
"Lets do this."
In Bilbo's delirious mind the pain and the dreams made him scream and he started to fight back. It was lucky that he was so out of it and weak that he couldn't do some serious damages to himself and to others around him. His instinct brought surface his training.
"Thorin!"
Thorin twisted his head gasping air and realized that Bilbo was running toward them.
"No, no…"
Also Azog turned to watch and grinned.
"Ah, your burglar."
"Leave him…" Thorin gasped but Azog just crushed harder and the small black spots started to dance in Thorin's eyes. He watched with terror how Azog raised his gun, noticed how Bilbo still running aimed his own. Two laud shot rang through the thin air.
"Bilbo!" Thorin woke up yelling his former lover's name but soon as he got up the pain in his chest get him back down. He swallowed hard and tried to gain control over his fast beating heart. If he closed his eyes he could still see how the pullet hit and Bilbo fell, never rising again.
"Thorin, should I call the nurse?"
With start Thorin realized that Balin and Dwalin were watching him from the door.
"No, no, don't. It doesn't matter. Why are you here?"
"We came because Bofur informed some bad news. And some good news." Balin stepped inside but Dwalin stayed in the doorway, blocking efficiently anyone to disturb them.
"What is new about the bad news?" Thorin tried to find more comfortable position.
"It's about Bilbo."
Thorin froze. Once, when Thorin had finally woken Balin had tried to say something about Bilbo but Thorin refused to listen. He didn't want to hear anything about Bilbo, but this time Balin rushed forward to inform him what Bofur had said. That Bilbo was back in hospital and they didn't know anything else.
Their king seemed little bit out of it all, looking puzzled. He looked at Balin, then Dwalin and finally remembered to breath again.
"You say, that he's alive?"
Now that wasn't what Dwalin had expected.
#
AN/ hah, what a mess! Misunderstandings and –communication are nasty nasty things. Alright, I truly try to update this once a week and hear, there's going to be beta, so just wait.