Saving Durin {Hobbit/Thorin}

Chapter 38: S.S. Dorkenshield

Chapter 38:

S.S. Dorkenshield

The boat trip across the icy lake seems to take twice as long as the previous time, probably because I have no one to converse with. Oin, as per the usual, talks very little as he can barely hear out of either ear. Fili seems upset by the elf's presence, so he broods in the corner, refusing to banter with me. Bofur is in a state of disrepair, being separated from his brothers, and his worry overcomes his typical talkative personality. Typhon has never been one for socializing, so he just rows near the front of the boat. That leaves Kili and Tauriel to converse with, but they are too busy whispering sweet-nothings to one another. I growl at them, hopping my way over the rowboat's benches to rest at their side.

"Whispers, whispers are no fun! Whispers are for everyone!" I chant in their ears, shocking them out of their private conversation. I grin at them as Kili looks at me with contempt and Tauriel just looks confused.

"Would you prefer that I shout out my confessions of love to the entire boat?" Kili asks, scowl illuminating his young face. Tauriel blushes at the newly acquired attention of everyone while I just continue to smirk at the couple.

"Most ardently...I have always been one for sappy love stories," I respond before turning my back on the two and searching for the arising shore in the distance. From behind me, Kili seems to mumble something about telling Thorin about that, but I pay no attention to him as I see the beach come into view.

My smirk rises into a smile as we move closer and closer to Erebor, the company, Sidel, and Thorin.

***************************Sidel's Point of View*****************************

In the comparatively dark hallways of Erebor, Bilbo and I rest for the return of my sister, and hopefully, the remainder of our company. Though Rudy said nothing before she flew to Laketown, I knew of her intended purpose and chose not to follow. I take it upon myself to watch over the company in my sister's absence, knowing she would want me to.

The dwarves present in the Mountain are currently looking for the Arkenstone, as they have been for the past eight hours. Given my "questionable motives," Thorin refuses to let me help, even throwing me out of the treasure hoard. Obviously, the king has gone crazy and I worry for my sister's ability to deal with this. Then again, if anyone is to break through the tough outer shell of the King Under the Mountain, it will be Erudian.

The wandering thoughts of our minds are returned to the reality by the shouting of dwarves at the front gates of Erebor. Bilbo and I speed down the dusty stairs, charging forth, into the entrance hall. We run, for what seems like miles, but it is actually feet before turning a corner to lay our eyes upon the disgruntled remainder of the company.

"Wait! Wait!" Bilbo shouts, drawing their attention from the intended path into the Lonely Mountain. Their heads whip around to watch our speedy address, releasing sighs and chuckles at our state.

"It's Bilbo and Sidel! They're alive!" Oin shouts, making my sister, who stands alone at the back of the group, roll her eyes.

"I told you that before!" she shouts, but Oin does not seem to hear or believe her. I laugh at that, unsurprised that the deaf and stubborn dwarf will not look her in the eye.

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" the hobbit yells as we finally stop at their side. Bilbo is panting hard from the run, so I rub circles into his back in order to calm him down.

"You need to leave. We all need to leave," Bilbo pants out, sending the company into confusion. Obviously, Erudian did not tell them of Thorin's state, probably to keep their minds from further worry. Surveying the rest of the arriving group, I notice Tauriel by Kili's side, their hands interlocked. I smile at them, happy for their coupling.