Bilbo left Hobbiton and The Shire.
The dwarfs where already very far but, fortunately, they were walking slowly, and Bilbo was running very fast.
When he saw them at the horizon, he yelled at them.
– Hey! Wait!!!
A few meters ahead the dwarfs and Gandalf heard a familiar voice!
When they noticed it was from Bilbo, all of them felt excited!
All except Thorin, that felt so angry at the hobbit he couldn't look at him... After all he said to Bilbo about the dangers of the trip, the hobbit chose to ignore him and come.
Thorin's eyes filled with anger and fear as he furiously glanced at Bilbo.
Bilbo was very excited to see Thorin again after the words they shared, but when he saw his raged stare towards him, he felt like Thorin had played with his feelings... twice.
The dwarfs gave Bilbo a pony.
Thorin shook his head in disapproval and turned his sight away from Bilbo.
Bilbo was already regretting his decision. His heart was now aching again.
Later that day they found a cave to camp on the edge of a mountain.
Thorin didn't say a word to Bilbo all day.
----------
It was bedtime already, when they heard roars coming from a couple miles away.
–W-what is that?? – Bilbo stuttered.
Fili and Kili, (Thorin's nephews), loved a little smile, and they saw the perfect opportunity to joke with the situation.
– Those are orcs! – Fili muttered. – Thousands of them! And if they happen to find us, they will torture us before slowly killing us.
– Oh right, Master Boggins! You should have had some training before coming with us! But if you want, I can teach you, so that you can delay your death time! – Kili smirked.
– Enough! –Thorin shouted. – Do you think this is funny, you fools? Making jokes about orcs, is not something you should be doing! Have I made myself clear?
– Yes, uncle Thorin... – they murmured with their heads down.
Bilbo realized they were playing with him. It should be a family thing... To play with his emotions.
However, he had never seen an orc, and Thorin sounded like they were creatures up to no good.
Bilbo followed Thorin and finally gained the courage to talk to him.
– T-Thorin! – Bilbo stuttered – Can you explain to me what those orcs are?
– I believe you'd prefer to ask that to another dwarf, or perhaps Gandalf, because I don't think you would listen to me ... – Thorin retorted with a cold voice.
– Ah... – Bilbo sighed. – I actually thought you'd be happy to see me...
Thorin gulped as he stared into Bilbo's light green eyes, shining from the moonlight.
Deep down inside, he was glad to see Bilbo's tiny cute body in front of him again! It was mysteriously pleasant in some way.
However, the more he looked into those innocent forest green eyes, the more he felt anxious, because Bilbo would probably get killed. And his anxiety made him feel angry.
– No. I am not. – Thorin lied in an aggressive tone. – You have no idea what you've put yourself into...
Thorin went back to the cave and sat next to the fire to sleep.
Bilbo felt a pain growing inside his chest, so he gripped his shirt with his hand.
– Don't mind Thorin, lad! – said Balin smiling. – He's just scared. He has a major reason to hate orcs.
Balin told Bilbo about the Battle of Moria, where Thorin's father Thrain disappeared, and Thorin fought the pale orc that killed his grandfather, with a sword and an oaken shield. Abattle between dwarfs and orcs that ended so many lives.
– That day Azog promised he would put an end at Durin's line. – sighed Balin. – But he was never seen again, and Thorin thinks he is dead.
Bilbo's body felt shivers.
The only mad creatures he ever heard about were fantasies from his books. But now it was a real thing! Perhaps Thorin was right about Bilbo not being able to survive.
The hobbit glanced at Thorin and noticed he was still awake, staring at the fire with his eyes full of sorrow and wish for revenge.
Bilbo smiled at the thought of a strong warrior Thorin. It made him feel protected.
Thorin closed his eyes.
Bilbo climbed on a rock inside the cave to sleep on top of it.
-------
In the middle of the night, Thorin woke up feeling sick.
Everything was silent. Not even the sound of snores was able to be distinguished.
Thorin got up and only counted 10 dwarfs and Gandalf.
Fili, Kili and Bilbo were missing.
The light of the fire was almost extinguished, so he followed the moonlight.
When he got outside the cave, he heard a loud grin and a painful scream.
He tried to run but he was so dizzy he could only walk.
Suddenly, he heard something approaching at his right side, and he saw 2 orcs grabbing Fili and Kili,
Thorin had a sword and an axe, and, although he was dizzy, he could easily kill them!
But then he heard another creature approaching his left side.
It was Azog, the pale orc. And he was grabbing Bilbo by his hair.
– Uncle Thorin!!!– Fili and Kili shouted in panic.
– Thorin...– Bilbo gasped out of strength.
The dwarf prince grabbed his weapons to kill the 3 orcs, but they also drew their swords at Fili, Kili and Bilbo's necks.
Thorin couldn't save the 3 at the same time so he panicked.
– Let them go!!!– Thorin screamed in agony.
The pale orc laughed at Thorin's desperation.
Thorin didn't know what to do, but he thought that the pale orc would spare Bilbo's life because he wasn't a Durin, so he had to save Kili and Fili first!
At that moment, one of the 2 orcs stabbed a knife into Fili's back.
– Kyahhhh~! – Fili yelled.
Thorin didn't think of anything else, he executed the 2 orcs that were grabbing his nephews.
Before he could sigh in relief, Thorin stared at the pale orc, Hoping that he would free Bilbo and fight with the Durin dwarfs.
But Azog noticed that the hobbit was very important to Thorin, so he coldly ripped Bilbo's head off, right in front of the prince.
–NOOOO!!!! BILBOOOO!!!!!– Thorin screamed.
--------
Thorin woke up sobbing.
When he realized it was all just a nightmare, he got up to see if everything was alright.
He found his nephews sleeping.
–Ah! Fili, Kili! – he sighed in relief.
However, he was not finding Bilbo, and his heart started to accelerate.
He was very worried about the hobbit, and was ready to search for him, when he saw Bilbo's feet on top of a rock in the middle of the cave.
Thorin ran to him to check if he was still breathing.
He was peacefully sleeping.
The dwarf caressed Bilbo's face.
He didn't understand what was happening with his mind, nor why was he having protective instincts towards the hobbit.
He sighed.
–Is everything alright, Thorin? – Gandalf asked with a grin.
Thorin felt his cheeks burning.
The wizard was the last person that could sense that Thorin was having some kind of affection for Bilbo.
That old man was very inconvenient, and it was very embarrassing.
Thorin kicked the rock where Bilbo was sleeping on, to pretend despise for him.
– Oh! Gandalf! Great thing you're awake! Now I can sleep, and you can watch for us.
Thorin needed to be sure for Bilbo to stay protected, so sat at the bottom of the rock were the hobbit was sleeping.
– "Sweet dreams"! – Gandalf smirked.
Thorin grunted and fell asleep.
--------
The next morning, Bofur woke up first.
– Good morning Gandalf! – he shouted. – Come on lads!! Wake up!
Bilbo woke up startled and fell from the rock on top of Thorin, who was already awake.
Thorin grabbed Bilbo by his waist.
– I-I'm sorry Thorin!... – Bilbo blushed.
Thorin was still grabbing Bilbo's waist because he was lost into the hobbit's eyes.
But when he realized what he was doing, he released Bilbo.
– More careful next time. – Thorin grunted with a blush.
Bilbo got up still recovering from the shame! Thorin's arms were so strong, he enjoyed it more than he should.
The company went on it the journey.
-------
A few days had passed.
Bilbo was very thoughtful... He was frightened about the trip and couldn't stop thinking why a prophecy would mention him.
- Is everything alright, Bilbo? – Gandalf questioned.
– Gandalf... – Bilbo sighed. – About that prophecy that talks about me... Can you explain it a little more?
That question got Thorin's attention.
He was also interested about it, for he wanted to know if Bilbo would survive.
– That, my dear Bilbo, is something I can't tell you now, because I also need answers. And that's why I'm heading to a place that has all the answers we need.
– Are you leaving us? –Bilbo questioned the wizard.
– Just temporarily. I know someone who has the last part of the prophecy and I need to know what it says.
– The last part? – Bilbo freaked out. – You didn't read the whole prophecy? But does it speak about me? Is my name on the part you've read? How would you know I am supposed to be the burglar?
– You know, Bilbo. – Gandalf smiled. – When I first met you as a child, you were very scared of the world, hiding behind your mom every time something scary happened.
But surprisingly, the second time I met you, a few years later, at a party in Hobbiton... you were a lot more comfortable with yourself and a very brave kid that would search for every little adventure he could! Including, watching the Starway elves at the woods by yourself!
You would confront everyone that dared to mess with your mom, but you were always be so polite and kind with them, that they would feel inspired to be better hobbits! I admired that in you!
And I know you have spirit of adventure!... At least you had back then...
The prophecy speaks about a creature from the Shire with an innocent and pure heart...
So, if that creature exists... I suppose it has to be you!
When Thorin heard Gandalf's words, he felt so angry at the wizard, he gasped.
One year before that day, Gandalf told Thorin that Bilbo Baggins' name was written on that cursed prophecy. The old man lied to him!
It could be any creature from The Shire, but Gandalf chose the only one that Thorin cared about... Master Baggins, the most adorable and vulnerable of all the hobbits (from Thorin's point of view).
Thorin's levels of stress increased at that moment, and his bad temper came back.
He wanted Bilbo to be safe and go home at all the costs.
– You suppose? So you're not sure if this hobbit will be worth the trip? – Thorin shouted coldly. – What if he gets us all killed?... This random brat won't last long! We don't need him!
Bilbo glanced at Thorin's eyes, in pain.
The poor hobbit was having passionate feelings about the dwarf prince...but every time they argued, the intensity of the feelings decreased.
Thorin gazed at Bilbo, his eyes were the only thing that could calm him.
When he realized what he said, he instantly regretted his behavior.
– Thorin... – Bilbo sobbed in pain. – Why would you say those words, back at my house, making me believe you enjoyed my presence...only to humiliate me countless times?
I guess you weren't genuinely worried for me to come because you cared about me... It was just another way to call me weak and trying to stop me to come with you, to not cause any trouble...
Why do you feel the need to hurt me?
– M–master~... – Thorin stuttered.
Thorin was interrupted as Bilbo left the trail they were following.
The hobbit jumped off his pony and walked away from them, to be alone and think.
The dwarfs went silent.
They knew Thorin was a very complicated male that hated everyone... But he wasn't disrespectful for those who wanted to help him.
Gandalf frowned at the prince.
– I never considered you as an inconsiderate dwarf because everyone who follows you likes you, Thorin... And you may have your anger moments, but there are limits!
Bilbo came here to help you despite being terrified.
The prophecy didn't say his name but...even if you can't see it... Bilbo is a great hobbit, and he has many qualities!
If I say the prophecy speaks about Bilbo, then Bilbo it is! – Gandalf exclaimed. – He will be your burglar and help you as it is written on that prophecy!
Now, if you permit me. I'll go to search for the place where our questions will be answered. Take care of Bilbo.
Gandalf changed his horse's direction and parted on his search for his answers.
The dwarfs guarded their ponies to camp.
Thorin got de off of his pony and followed Bilbo.
Bilbo sensed someone approaching, and then saw it was Thorin.
His heart was hurting so bad, he couldn't face the dwarf.
– Please...don't you dare to approach... I don't want to look at you right now. – Bilbo grumbled. – You know what, Thorin?... I came because I was so happy at the thought of seeing you again! Thinking those apologies were real... and that you wanted to see me.
But now... by watching your reactions towards me... I feel disgusted by you.
Bilbo said that, and tears came to his eyes. He wasn't feeling those words, but Thorin needed to stop feeling superior and humiliate him.
Thorin felt those words like knives straight into his heart.
Somehow, he knew he deserved it, but he couldn't stay there and face Bilbo.
The prince left the hobbit alone with his tears and went for a walk.
----------
A few minutes later, Thorin heard Fili and Kili scream and ran to them.
–What happened?? – Thorin asked, startled.
–Trolls!!! They took the ponies... and Master Boggins! – Kili shouted.
Thorin shuddered.