Finally

[onewhodares]

[Thorin draws a breath, leaning against the nearest door frame. Tired but with a sense of pride that he has not felt in a long time. His tone almost irritated.]

Took you long enough. Where have you been?!

[A faint smirk.]

You thought I was lost for good? And yet here I am. I will not end my days cowering in the shadows.

[He straightens, gripping his sword once again.]

Take me to the fight.

Comments

[filidough]

I doubt any of us would expect you, of all dwarves, to cower anywhere, uncle.

[HI THORIN HI!]

[onewhodares]

[The hearty slap on the back is perhaps not as hearty as it once was but Thorin is very glad to see his sister's son again.] Fili...apparently my mundane underestimated the abilities of dwarves.

[Honestly thought the dragon sickness would be the end of him.] I have my honor once again.

[filidough]

[Just as Fili is elated to see his uncle safe and sound. At least here they have a chance for a new start.]

And for that, uncle, I am glad to hear.

[He grins warmly, throwing an arm around Thorin's shoulders.]

Where does your mun plan to take you on this new adventure, uncle?

[onewhodares]

[A warm smile as Thorin sheaths his sword.]

It matters not. Whatever is out there we shall meet it head on.

[He glances to the side before lowering his voice.] There may be another danger. This mundane is in league with Smaug. [Tis true, a muse owned before Thorin. And a scary one at that.]

[filidough]

Apparently that is quite common, uncle, for my mun has given in to the wiles of the serpent as well.

[You actually almost got Smaug instead of Fili, Thorin.]

We will have to be cautious. I am not fond of the idea of another confrontation.

[onewhodares]

[TWO Smaugs? The world is not yet ready for such horribleness...or epicness.]

[Thorin now grips the shoulder of Fili's jerkin almost protectively, glad that his nephew was here more than ever.] We will have to find the rest of the company. Strength in our numbers.

[filidough]

[But that's what makes it fun. ;D]

Aye. I have not seen many of them, sadly. My mun plays host to Bofur as well and our dear Burglar but outside of them, my path has only crossed with Kili once.

[onewhodares]

[I find your logic difficult to dispute.]

[Thorin remembers leaving Kili behind in Laketown....a decision that he is now regretting in hindsight.] Kili....was he well when you saw him?

[filidough]

[You, my dear fellow mun, have great friend potential.]

He was, yes.

[Fili hesitates for a moment, frowning slightly.]

Though he was having nightmares.

[onewhodares]

[I forsee our two Smaugs being let out of their cages at the same time and destroying the comm.]

[Thorin frowns as well, searching Fili's face for clues.] Nightmares? Of what?

[filidough]

[This most definitely needs to happen at some point.]

Of things to come. Of things that have happened. He would not tell me much, though.

[And it has him worried. Kili is always the optimist and yet...]

[onewhodares]

[Middle Earth version of the apocalypse.]

It is good that you watch out for him, Fili. When you are king...

[His words falter and Thorin has to take a moment to compose himself.]

[filidough]

[Yes. Yes good.]

Uncle..

[A sad smile is on his lips as he squeezes his uncle's shoulder. It's a hard thing to accept but he's come to terms with it; promise.]

It's going to be alright.

[onewhodares]

That my kin and blood should be destroyed...

[His anger burning again against Azog, may he never return.]

...Dain will have to carry on. He will do well. [How Thorin wishes he could have given the throne to his nephews.]

[filidough]

[Fili will never claim to understand, truly, what Thorin is feeling but he does have some idea at least. He feels as though he failed his family; failed the house of Durin.

But he was trying to push through it; really he was.]

He may be a rough soul but he has a good head about him. And the others are still there to make sure he does what needs to be done.

[onewhodares]

[He manages to raise a faint smile, sad though it might be.]

Indeed.

[filidough]

And, look on the bright side, uncle!

[Insert back slap here as he tries to lighten the mood.]

This place is rather full of second chances!

[burgling]

I for one will be happy when you're content not to fight.

[onewhodares]

Master Baggins...

[Regret tinges his words.]

[burgling]

Oh, are we back to that again? It's been awhile since I've been Mister Baggins.

[His smile is small and sad and far away. At least you're not calling him thief though.]

[onewhodares]

[His eyes to the floor, once again seeing a vision of the golden hall sweeping him away.]

You were right. I was much changed from myself...and I could not see it. [How was it that the smallest of their Company was the one unchanged from all the gold.]

[burgling]

[That sadness just turns fond.]

But you did, eventually. Perhaps not as soon as we might have liked, but you did! And much improved for it. I fear I may have been too late... I did try...

[And what were you suppose to do against the pale orc, Bilbo.]

[onewhodares]

I did not listen....yet your words stayed with me. [As did Dwalin's words, jolting him out of the dragon's sickness.]

[He straightens, hand on Bilbo's shoulder.] And now where does your journey take you? Home to your armchair?

[burgling]

[There was so much more to say than arguing about Thorin's attempt to have him tossed from the balcony, so Bilbo let it go. Thorin was apologising in his own way.]

If there's an armchair left, yes. Your home is returned, dragon and orc free. For that I am glad. I still have one more journey yet to go. I just hope it's a bit easier the going than the coming had been.

[There's not much room for hobbits here, despite the size. Dwarves had their cultural issues!]

[onewhodares]

[Thorin wasn't one to apologize to just anyone.]

Possibly. I doubt you will have need to make it alone.

[He suspected Gandalf would see his favorite burglar home.]

[burgling]

No...but I will have to make it without the Company I've become use to.

Thorin, I don't mind telling you that I'm dreading leaving, as much as I do miss my things. The journey here was difficult. I can hardly imagine the journey home.

[shires]

No one would ever accuse you of all people of cowering, I'd imagine.

[ it's spoken a little too wistfully to be dismissed ]