There was no time for anything but action in the goblin caves. Bilbo was the only one not imprisoned by the horrible creatures, and he didn't stop to worry about how much Thorin had seen in the darkness of the cave. Nor did he stop to contemplate the insanity of one little hobbit going against an army of goblins, when the Company of hardy dwarves couldn't escape. If the usual voice mocked his hope for their survival, he didn't notice it.
Not that he'd suddenly found unshakeable confidence – no, Bilbo fought to keep his voice steady as he traded riddles and wordplay with Gollum, hand fiddling with the bright ring in his pocket. But he won the game, and for a moment he enjoyed the unfamiliar glow of satisfaction. When the enraged creature rushed Bilbo, the hobbit ran out of fear but also with a fierce determination that surprised him.
What didn't surprise him was Thorin's reaction to his absence. "He is long gone," the dwarf ended his predictable rant (honestly, did he schedule them or something?).
Still, it hurt that Thorin thought Bilbo would abandon them. He may not be particularly useful, but he was loyal.
"No," Bilbo said, slipping off the ring. "He isn't." Bilbo rather enjoyed the look on Thorin's face. The Company seemed happy to see him, and Bilbo was glad Gandalf didn't press for an explanation.
But his heart skipped a beat when Thorin insisted: "It matters. I want to know." There was a long, tense moment as the hobbit and the dwarf king locked gazes.
Was he talking about..? He wouldn't bring that up now, surely?
"Why did you come back?"
Bilbo stilled, partly relieved and partly… annoyed. He'd liked the feeling of success, of accomplishment, and before he realized it Bilbo was defending himself. He rambled a bit about doubt and Bag End and homes, and judging by how Thorin looked away guiltily, he'd managed quite the speech. What was with this newfound self-confidence?
Of course they had to start running again immediately, before Bilbo was done basking in the afterglow of stunning Thorin Oakenshield into silence.
Smoke filled his mouth. Flames flickered in the corners of his eyes. Bilbo watched Ori's mouth moving as he clung to Dori's feet. The hobbit couldn't hear a thing.
The world had slowed down and quietened with Thorin's first step towards Azog.
Bilbo flinched with every purposeful stride. Don't, he wanted to say, a bit hysterical. Thorin, don't. Just fall to your death like the rest of us, it'll be a great bonding experience.
But he could only watch. As Thorin started to run, Bilbo dimly noted intense music playing in his head. Of all times to go insane, now was… actually pretty good timing.
And then the idiot dwarf king was on the ground. He stubbornly rose but didn't stay up again for long.
Sound came thundering back to Bilbo as Thorin was busy playing chewtoy. Something fell into place at Thorin's screams, and the hobbit stood. Gathering his newfound confidence, as well as the insanity, Bilbo sprinted towards his end.
He'll never be sure what happened next. It gets hazy. But he does remember the sound of his letter-opener stabbing through orc flesh, and he remembers stumbling to stand before Thorin's limb body.
What an excellent way to die, he thought.
He'll wistfully recall that moment later, as he stands on a rock staring down a yelling dwarf king.