Chapter Five

Bilbo's Turmoil

As I kneeled down besides the unconscious Bilbo, I noticed Hetti wave her hands near Bilbo's head.

"Hetti, what on earth are you doing?" I asked her.

"I'm trying to cool him down!" was her reply.

"Perhaps you could make Bilbo a nice cup of tea instead." I suggested to her kindly.

"Yes of course!"

Hetti got up and walked away. What Hetti was doing before, was not helping Bilbo. It looked like Hetti was about to take of and fly around The Shire. Returning my attention back on Bilbo and Gandalf, I watch as Gandalf mutters something under his breath and finally Bilbo flutters his eyes and slowly opens them.

Bilbo slowly sits himself up, I made sure he stayed where he was, until I was positive he had colour back in his cheeks.

"I am truly sorry." said Bofur looking at Bilbo then at me.

"It's not me you should be apologising too!" I reply glancing at Bofur "It's Bilbo."

"I'm f-fine." said Bilbo, placing his hand on his forehead for a second before slowly getting up with my help.

"Are you really alright?" I ask him, as I lead him to a chair.

"I don't know." admitted Bilbo, quietly.

Hetti came back with a steaming cup of tea and handed it over to Bilbo, clearly looking worried at Bilbo. As was I come to think about it, we had never seen Bilbo faint before and it was one that we did not want to witness ever again.

Bilbo smiles at Hetti and I and says,

"I'll be all right, let me just sit quietly for a moment."

I nod my head and walk away from Bilbo, though I stayed by the doorway where Loki was residing. Hetti looked at me with a pained look on her face.

"He will be alright won't he?" she asked me.

"His just had a shock. It's not every day you hear about dragons in one seating," Hetti's green eyes darted over to where Bilbo was, who was now sipping his tea "but, he'll be fine. He is a Baggins after all."

"I think I'll turn in for the night." whispered Hetti, walking in the hallway.

I realised Hetti was petrified and I quickly followed her in the hallway.

"Hetti," I began, Hetti turned around and faced me "Bilbo will be fine."

"I know it's just seeing him keel over like that, it reminded me of the fire!"

I furrow my eyebrows, what was she talking about?

"What fire?" I just watch her, not understanding "What are you talking about?"

I took no notice that Balin and Thorin were nearby probably listening in but, I wanted to know what Hetti was talking about.

"The fire in the foster home," replied Hetti "I remember seeing Mother Jane trying to reach out for us when the fire first swept thoughout the home," I saw Hetti going pale "She was outside by our window and she tried desperately to break the glass, but no matter what, the glass just would not shatter."

"I just don't remember!" I reply to her, catching Thorin's concerned look on his face.

"No, you were unresponsive because of the smoke," continuted Hetti, as I return my attention on her "I watched Mother Jane banging against the window when she suddenly stumbled and fell. Just when I thought we would perish, a man came charging through the doorway, which I now realise was Gandalf."

I do remember waking up the next day, in a completely different bed but I had no idea there was a fire in the foster home we both lived in before staying with Bilbo.

"What do you mean she fell?"

I was trying to undertand what Hetti had confessed to me.

"One minute she was banging against the window."

"Yes you said that already."

"Then she keeled over and when I saw Bilbo I thought...-," Hetti trailed of nearly in tears.

I quickly embraced her, holding her protectively.

"It's alright," I reasured her "Bilbo is fine. His right this second drinking his tea in content."

I gently pulled away from her and touch her face.

"I would like to go to bed," whispered Hetti as I gently tucked a strand of her now loose bun, behind her ear "It's been a strange night!"

I snorted, nodding my head.

"It sure has, I shall keep an eye on Bilbo. Go on, get some sleep." I reply, letting go of her,

Hetti nods then smiles at me, before walking of.

"I do love your drawing of us all," I heard Hetti say, causing me to turn around and face her again "I know I said it a million times over but, you really are a gifted artist."

"Hetti don't exaggerate!" I exclaimed.

"I'm not and on that note, I'm now going to 'bedfordshire'. Goodnight Elaina."

"Night Hetti." I replied, shaking my head.

Turning around, I sighed before I headed back towards the living quarters. I smiled at Balin who was near the doorway and I was completely surprised to see a smile on Thorin's face watching me intently.

'Why is he smiling at me?' I thought to myself.

"You've been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who always was running off in search of elves and the woods, who'd stay out late, come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young Hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps, it's out there." I heard Gandalf say and I walk to where Loki was residing, watching Bilbo and Gandalf.

"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of Bag End." exclaimed Bilbo.

"That has never stopped you before Bilbo!" I mutter under my breath, taking no notice of the little laugh from Loki.

"You are also a Took. Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?" said Gandalf.

"Yes." whispered Bilbo.

So had I and thought Bulroarer seemed quite the character.

"Well he could." continuted Gandalf in his soothing voice "In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time."

Okay, not quite the story I knew but still a good story none the less.

"I do believe you made that up!" remarked Bilbo, glancing up at Gandalf.

"Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back." points out Gandalf, catching my gaze.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' I thought to myself.

Bilbo glances back at his cup of tea, pondering what Gandalf had said before saying quietly,

"Can you promise that I will come back?"

"No. And if you do, you will not be the same." admitted Gandalf.

Bilbo placed his cup of tea on a coaster on the side table, then got up. He looked up at Gandalf.

"That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit."

With that, Bilbo walked past me into the hallway.

"Bilbo!" I say to him, but he doesn't stop, he carries on walking towards his room.

He steps in and closes the door behind him. Never have I seen him act like this.

I leaned against the hallway wall, watching the room that now had Bilbo in it.

"Elaina," began Gandalf and I glance at him "Could you try and talk to Bilbo?"

I turn my whole body so that I am now facing Gandalf probably now.

"What can I do?...It seems Bilbo has already made up his mind. You can't force people to do what they don't want to do!" I pointed out to him.

"Yes normally I would agree with you Elaina but, Bilbo needs a push in the right direction, much like yourself." said Gandalf.

I was dumbstuck. True, Thorin had given his approval for Hetti and I too accompany them on his quest, but the way Gandalf spoke, it was like he was seeking answers that only he knew about.

"I beg your pardon?" I reply, frowning at him "What has this quest got to do with me?"

"You are needed as much as Bilbo, though not as a burglar." grinned Gandalf.

I was completely lost, why was I needed as much as Bilbo? It really made no sense to me. Glancing back at Bilbo's door I whisper,

"Fine, I'll try and persuade Bilbo to go on your quest but I can't promise anything!"

"Thank you Elaina." smiled Gandalf, stepping back in the living quarters.

Taking a deep breath, I walked towards Bilbo's room. Unaware that Loki, Thorin and Balin were watching me intently. I gently knock on Bilbo's door.

"Go away!" I heard Bilbo from the other side of the door say.

"It's me Elaina." I reply.

I hear footsteps and slowly the door opens and out comes Bilbo looking at me with worry all over his face.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him gently.

"I have a little bump on the back of my head, but other than that fine."

Despite myself I chuckled, causing Bilbo to grin back at me.

"It might knock some sense into me!" laughed Bilbo, which did undo me as we both roar with laughter.

Trying to contol my laughing, Bilbo looked at me with a serious look on his face.

"What do you think I should do Elaina?" whispered Bilbo.

I knew what he was talking about and I was very surpised that he went straight to the quest topic.

"Do what only you think is right Bilbo. Never let anyone make you do things, that you do not want to do," I pause then said "What does your heart tell you Bilbo?"

"Well, I am curious about seeing what is further out there but, I am a little scared, truth be told Elaina!" replied Bilbo.

I kneel down a little and embrace him saying,

"There is nothing wrong with being scared Bilbo. Somewhere in this scary situation, is a light named 'courage.' You just have to reach out and grab it." I whisper unware that Balin was smiling.

"What if I miss my change and don't manage to grab this 'courage'?" asked Bilbo looking worried.

We look at one another and I place my hand on my chest, noticing Bilbo give me a lopsided grin.

"Then I will pleade myself to grab the courage myself and hand this courage for you." I say quitely to him pulling away from him.

"That means a lot to me Elaina..I'll think about what you've said." smiled Bilbo before going back in his room.

Getting up, I whispered,

"Courage comes from within."

"It appears we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy-makers, hardly the stuff of legend." I heard Balin say, making me look his way.

"There are a few warriors amongst us." admitted Thorin shaking his head watching me, which I was unaware of.

"Old warriors." said Balin.

"I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they came. Loyalty. Honor. A willing heart," I noticed Thorin look at me then, his eyes never left mine. "I can ask no more than that." replied Thorin.

A small smile appeared on my face as I just heard that, unaware that Loki and Thorin had seen that.

"You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, a life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor." said Balin with pride in his voice.

Thorin shakes his head.

"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me." Thorin takes the key around his neck out and shows it to Balin "They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me." replied Thorin.

'What an earth has happened here?' I thought to myself.

"Then we are with you, laddie. We will see it done." said Balin.

o0o

I am now sitting where Bilbo sat eariler. All the dwarves are in here as well and I was thinking about what Hetti said, that Mother Jane had slumped over and yet I had no idea and I was quite upset about it.

I was brought back to the present when I heard humming. I turn my head and saw every dwarf watching Thorin, who was standing over the fire place with his pipe in his hand.

Thorin then surprised me further by singing closely followed by the others.

"Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells,
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught,
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, on twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.

Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves,
And harps of gold, where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.

The pines were roaring on the heights,
The wind was moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale.
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon.
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled the hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Far over the Misty Mountains grim,
To dungeons deep and caverns dim,
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!"

I realise I had tears in my eyes, which I discreetly discard or so I thought, before going outside, gathering my thoughts together.

~~Thorin's POV~~

As I finished our lament, I noticed the Lady Elaina brush her eye then retreat out of the room. It was time to have a talk with this Lady. I had no idea what to say, but I wanted her to understand that this quest could get dangerous and that she should be prepared.

That was all in my head, as I saw her walk out in the front garden. I only hoped we would have a prober conversation and not have an argument. I really was not in the mood for one of those, that was for sure.