The morning broke over the camp bright and clear as bird song filled the air. It didn't take long for everyone to wake, all purposefully ignoring the bundle on the far side of camp as they packed the ponies. Thorin was the first of the two to wake, having always been a light sleeper. He watched his men work, content before realizing why. He looked down at the sleeping hobbit, looking peaceful, although bruised. Thorin sighed before gently shaking Bilbo, "Time to wake, Baggins. The others are almost ready to go."
"Few more minutes," Bilbo murmured, curling closer to Thorin. Thorin chuckled when Bilbo froze, eyes snapping open so he was looking into Thorin's chest. He looked up, turning red, into Thorin's face.
"Good morning," Thorin chuckled, smirking. So the hobbit could be flustered.
"Morning," Bilbo squeaked, unable to look away. Thorin chuckled again.
"The others are almost ready to go," Thorin pulled away, sitting up and cracking his back, shooting a glare at where Dwalin, Kili and Fili were making kissy faces. Balin took a moment to grab Bombur's spoon and whack them all on the back of the head.
"Oh, "Biblo blinked. "Oh, yes, of course. We should get going. Seems we've lost time this morning. Suns already up."
"I let them sleep in," Thorin stood, buckling on his sword. "We needed the rest, especially you."
"Just a few scratches," Bilbo huffed and tried to prove his point by sitting up. Thorin raised an eyebrow as Bilbo let out a gasp, and closed his eyes half way up, going pale. "Fine…just fine."
"No, you are not," Thorin crossed his arms. "And don't deny it. You look about ready to keel over. We can take another day if you need."
"Nope, don't," Bilbo pushed himself the rest of the way up, breathing hard. "We can go."
"Stubborn hobbit," Gandalf chuckled from his spot by the fire, smoking his pipe. "Don't overdo it."
"Shut up, Gandalf," Bilbo growled, glaring at the wizard. The other dwarves were either on their ponies or standing by them, looking amused. Thorin sighed and just picked Bilbo up, holding him steady while the hobbit swore in a language he didn't know, legs shaking.
"Dwalin, bring my pony over," Thorin called, not trusting Bilbo on his own. "Its alright to need help."
"So says the mighty dwarf king," Bilbo hissed as Dwalin strolled over, leading the pony.
"He sure has a temper, don't he?" Dwalin laughed as he passed Thorin his reins. "I'll pass him up."
"I can ride my own pony, thank you very much!" Bilbo growled at Dwalin as Thorin mounted his pony. The larger dwarf just chuckled, easily lifted Bilbo up to sit in front of Thorin, who wrapped an arm around Bilbo's waist. Bilbo's hands immediately gripped Thorin's arm. Thorin was sure if he didn't have his armor on, his arm would be bruising by the looks of the grip Bilbo was using.
"Relax," Thorin said softly into Bilbo's ear, noticing the sweat beading Bilbo's forehead. "I won't let you fall."
"Its not falling," Bilbo forced out as he tried to shift a little off his left leg and Thorin understood. He dropped his reins to he could grab Bilbo with two hands and got Biblo's left leg swung over to the same side as his right, getting any and all pressure off the injured leg. He picked up his reins once again, his arm around Bilbo as he kicked his pony forward. The others fell into line, Gandalf coming to ride right by them on their right side so Bilbo was facing him.
"And how are we feeling this morning?" Gandalf smiled brightly. Bilbo gave him a withering look. Gandalf laughed, "Come now, Bilbo, when was the last time you rode?"
"A very long time ago. Probably during the second age," Bilbo grunted.
"Then you should be enjoying this. No running around, exhausting yourself," Gandalf puffed on his pipe.
"I like running around," Bilbo huffed.
"You will be back at it before you know it," Thorin smirked, enjoying the closeness of the hobbit.
"The sooner the better," Bilbo frowned.
"I will scout ahead," Gandalf chuckled. "Behave yourselves, please?"
With that he kicked his horse forward, smirking. Thorin shook his head, his arm tightening around Bilbo a bit, "You sure you are alright?"
"I will be fine. I don't want to delay your quest anymore than it has to be," Bilbo glanced at Thorin before focusing ahead.
"Must you be so stubborn?" Thorin sighed.
"Says the dwarf king," Bilbo countered.
"I do say so," Thorin frowned. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing is wrong," Bilbo let go of Thorin's arm and gripped the front of the saddle instead.
"Something is wrong. I know it. Have I done something wrong?" Thorin frowned.
"No, you have done nothing wrong," Bilbo sighed. "It is me, I fear, me and my head. I will figure it out on my own. I always have."
"You aren't alone now, though," Thorin leaned forward so he was speaking into Bilbo's ear so only the hobbit could hear. "You have thirteen dwarves and a wizard who are greatly concerned for you."
"Greatly concerned?" Bilbo turned to Thorin, looking amused. "Really now?"
"Yes, very much so," Thorin smirked back. "I think we would be lost without our skinchanger."
"We? What about you?" Bilbo leaned a little closer. Neither noticed how the other dwarves had dropped back, smirking, giving the two some space.
"I find," Thorin started, then stopped, taking a deep breath. "I have found that I don't much care for my gold anymore. I think I have found something much more precious to me."
"Oh," the smile slipped from Bilbo's face, leaving him looking surprised.
"Yes, oh," Thorin smiled, pressing his nose against Bilbo's. "Is that all you can say?"
"I'm afraid so," Bilbo said softly, eyes wide.
"Then let me help," Thorin leaned forward to kiss Bilbo, but the hobbit tensed, eyes going dark as he jerked away, looking ahead.
"Orcs."