Chapter Twenty-three

or "Durin's Sons"

Bilbo was becoming antsy. Almost two hours passed since Smaug had left the mountain in a fury. He and the dwarves were left in their small enclave, trapped. They only had the supplies in each dwarves bag and time to kill, with no knowledge of what was going on. Stuttering, he gave an account to how his meeting with Smaug went to Ori. He was not in the mood, but at least it was something to do. He felt that the young dwarf was in the same boat.

"Bilbo- this- this is." Ori spoke after a moment, looking at the notes in his journal.

"I was stupid to get him peeved and now we're trapped in a mountain?" The hobbit replied sarcastically.

"No- this is amazing. You kept wits with a dragon and survived the tale. And you managed to draw him away from his hoard- whether that was a good or bad thing…" The young dwarf trailed off, looking at the sealed door behind them.

Their conversation was one of the only ones that echoed in the small space. Although a couple other pairs were talking in low voices, what Ori had said sparked notice from the others.

"We waited here long enough." Thorin spoke up, with his arms crossed as he stood erect by the wall. His eyes were light as he stared in the direction Bilbo had gone. "We can gain no news here, and it does not sound like the dragon has returned. We need to survey inside and make a plan for when he comes back."

Some of the dwarves stared at Thorin like he was mad, and Bilbo swallowed yet could not refute the words. Balin was the next one to speak up. "I agree. There are safer areas in the mountain with small areas a dragon could not reach. We can plan there."

Dwalin spoke up from next to his brother. "If we are going to die, we might as well be comfortable and prepared." The tall dwarf said gruffly. Thorin nodded in approval and left without another word. The rest of the company was forced to follow, grabbing their bags before departing. Fili grabbed Thorin's since the eldest Durin left without it, Thorin's mind already on the treasures and home ahead that was lost to him a lifetime ago.

Bilbo was near the front of the group, so his ears picked up on the mutterings of Thorin and Balin. It was hard to catch all of it besides the tone of reminiscing, and Balin apparently disagreeing on what the first course of action was. Thorin wanted to search for the Arkenstone first, while Balin preferred to choose a room and hope for provisions and better weapons. Bilbo silently agreed with the Balin and gulped when Thorin glared at him, as if sensing his thoughts.

After a couple minutes of that look, he cleared his throat and glanced around. "So, uh… where are we? This place does sure look grand." He hoped that the dwarf did not catch the sarcasm in his voice. Erebor was cold, dark and uninviting. Bilbo could only imagine how much his statement was true in the past, instead of the bleak place it was now.

Fortunately, his ploy worked. Thorin's expression warmed, and he started to describe each hall they passed, in great detail, and talked of the history of the dwarves who lived here. It was not long before Bilbo started to smile, his mind's eye thinking of the escapades of a child Thorin through these halls.

The peaceful atmosphere disappeared when they entered the treasury. Most of the dwarves stopped in their tracks, lost in awe. Bilbo just stood their awkwardly, already having seen it and his opinion had not changed. Sure, he was in the same amount of awe, but it was layered with indifference. There was very little treasure that mattered to him. He patted his pocket comfortingly before he followed the dwarves inside.

Half of the Company made to slide down the piles of gold. Bilbo chuckled and shook his head, sitting on the nearby steps as he watched. He should be happy that all of them were home, and that all of his friends had this and the mountain back, at least until Smaug decided to return or not. The thought put the hobbit on edge and he gulped uneasily.

Despite the overall fear of the dragon, that was not what bothered him the most. He could not put his finger on it, but something was off. It made him stiff when he watched the dwarves talking amiably among the gold coins. It was like they lost the concern that a dragon may charge back in here at any second. He was not sure if they remembered any concerns at all. Bilbo sighed and hung his head. No one seemed to mind his attitude, being left alone. Even if it felt like he was on pins and needles, it was nice to be left alone to sort through his thoughts. He closed his eyes and for a second, allowed himself not to worry, and to think about their success.

The dwarves had the mountain. The Company of Thorin Oakenshield had the mountain. There was no longer a dragon here, and Bilbo successfully completed the task as burglar. The relief washed through him, with a tingle of self-doubt at the corner of his mind. There was yet one task he had to do, but he lacked courage in this moment to do it. The hobbit kicked at the gold beneath his feet.

His musings were interrupted with the sound of music. Bilbo opened his eyes and looked around for the source. He spotted Fili and Kili near a pair of harps, experimentally trying out a tune. Without recognizing it, Bilbo hummed along, glad to hear something on the light-hearted side. He watched as the two tried to drag Thorin over to play along. The eldest Durin was not having it and quietly dismissed them. Bilbo could not hear the words, but he frowned at the confused look on Kili's face and the upset one on Fili's.

The hobbit stood up and hands in his pockets he strolled over to Thorin. He gave a slight smile and nodded in the direction where the other to retreated. "Was that necessary? I think after all we have been through, it isn't a good thing to be focused away from family." Bilbo's voice was sharp, he admitted that, but the smile remained on his face.

Thorin huffed. "Don't tell me how to treat my family. Let them enjoy themselves, I have other things to do." Bilbo crossed his arms and glared yet added no further comment. He would have to tell the brothers later that he enjoyed their music.

The dwarf prince appeared distracted for a moment, until he snapped himself out of it and gave Bilbo a firm nod. "Come with me." Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his heel and left. The hobbit stared after him, and it was only with a sharp gaze that Bilbo quickened his feet to catch up.

They walked away from the rest of the Company for a couple minutes Thorin apparently looking for something. Bilbo was anxious on what he wanted to talk about and shifted uncomfortably, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced through the hills of treasure. Finally, Thorin stopped and Bilbo stood there, curious as the dwarf bent down to pick something up.

When Thorin turned to face him he held the most beautiful piece of mail that Bilbo had ever seen. He never seen any before, but he knew what it was made of on sight. Mithril, one of the most precious metals on Middle Earth. Bilbo gaped at it and then looked up at the dwarf prince.

"Here, the first piece of your share, Bilbo." The way the dwarf said his name was filled with pride. It was like how one will talk to a younger relative, or one they did not expect much of first, and had all their expectations passed. Bilbo's first reaction was to shake his head to deny it; he did not need the fancy piece of mail. Before he could get a word out though, Thorin had draped the piece over his head.

The mithril shirt was lighter than he expected; it was top of the line defense in battle. "It is near impossible to pierce, Master Baggins, you should be safe with it on." Bilbo opened his mouth to ask why he would need it now with their journey done, but the words did not come. Instead he looked down at the gift.

It must be a fortune, and it was more practical than several chests of gold. He met Thorin's eyes and gave an honest smile. "Thank you. I am sure it will come to use." He really hoped that it did not need to. With the end in sight, practically here, was that too much to ask?

This was an awkward conversation, Bilbo speechless and Thorin expecting to be hailed for his gift, however a large portion of that disappeared as the dwarf gave Bilbo a brief hug. "Thank you," Thorin returned his the gratitude with sincerity. When the Durin pulled back, his blue eyes held the same emotion and honesty. It was the most clear and direct look Bilbo seen on his face all day.

"You're welcome." The words almost caught in his throat. He was about to say more, when Dwalin called his friend over and Thorin left his side.

Bilbo stared down at the ground, the cool metal and stone underneath his feet sending nerves up his spine. He waited for some of his quick wit, something to rebound from the situation. That was impossible.

Thorin left the others a half hour ago, tired of the concerned looks he received from the rest of his companions and the confused Fili and Kili, who were clueless on why he wasn't talking to them. The worried ones from Balin and Dwalin, even though neither dwarf wanted to mention it. Or worst of all, the mixture of anxiety and askance from Bilbo as he talked to him. The regal dwarf prince did not appreciate the looks. He was happy to be surrounded by wealth again and his family's heritage. It was something that no one else could understand. He wished to be alone, to remember what he lost and embrace what he had left. Which happened to be, in this case, a treasure room of gold.

Gold was not the treasure he tried to grasp on to this moment, as he left the echoing halls of the treasury and main area of Erebor. What he attempted to hold on to now was a much more personal matter, closer to his heart than he cared to admit to his friends, or even the family he had left.

When he reached the room in question; he realized with belated happiness that it had not changed much since it was fled years ago. Everything was covered in dust, yet there was no ash from the dragon's fire here. The quarters remained, for the most part, untouched by the dragon. Time, however, had done a number on it. Thorin lit the torch in the room and inspected the surroundings, remembering the quilt on the bed and a drawer than was pulled open years ago, half the contents taken out in a rush.

Standing in the corner of the room, he recalled what he told the others when he left: "Find the Arkenstone at any cost." Once he had that, Thorin could reclaim more from his past than he had in a very long time. He would make his dead family members proud and leave a legacy to the line of Durin at long last.

Thorin stayed there, even as the torch dimmed, and he was left standing in the dark.

Ori had never seen so much gold in his life. It was a miracle when he thought about it. That he was here, with a company of proud dwarves, surrounded by one of the largest treasures in Middle Earth. He was able to hold his head high as he watched with keen eyes the Company as they examined the benefits of their hard work.

The young dwarf put on a gold wrist guard and now sat high on a pile of gold. After time observing his friends, he now focused fully on the treasure before him. In his journal, he planned to sketch out the entirety of the treasury, at least the entirety from his angle. He worried he would not honor the glint off the masses, or else miss out the intricate way of the jewels, cups and artifacts shone throughout the room. It was a large task, and despite all the success he felt earlier, he did not know if he could do it. He took a deep breath and set to work.

It was a half hour later when Dori came up to his vantage point and gave a disapproving look to his youngest brother. "Why are you up here? You can fall down and be buried in treasure!"

Ori gave a gruff sigh and closed his book shut. The rest of the Company was gathering down at the front of the room, where Bofur kept watch in case Smaug came back. Now, it appeared that everyone was readying for a meal. "I wanted to capture all this," he waved his hand at the expanse around him, "in my journal."

"Well, come along and eat. It's still important to do that." Dori replied and helped the smaller dwarf to his feet. Ori shrugged him off and followed him down.

"No one has had any luck finding the Arkenstone." Dori fretted on the way to the others. He crossed his arms and tapped lightly, eyes to the rest of the Company. "And no one knows where Thorin got off to. Our king needs to be able to eat a grand feast… of the little food we have."

By the time he spoke, they were close enough to be heard. Bombur gave a sad sound of agreement; however, he had put together quite a meal of the scant resources provided.

About a week had passed and not much changed for the dwarves. They extensively searched for the Arkenstone and organized the treasury the first few days. The second day, with the whole company of edge, news arrived that Smaug was dead. This came from a raven found outside the broken gates and brought to Thorin to receive. It was then they learned Bard slayed the beast, Lake-town was demolished, and the survivors were heading to Dale, more importantly the mountain.

After that the group was divided in two. One party will continue the search in the treasury, and the second party worked on building defenses and repairing the gate the best they could. Then the day came, a week later, where the defenses were set and the host of men were outside the gate.

Bilbo, for his part, did not understand the defensive nature that Thorin put on. The deal was to pay back for the provisions they took in Lake-town, and it was simply a good neighborly act to help them out when there was no home left for them. He believed that the dwarves understood that at least. Nevertheless, Thorin shut him down when he brought it up.

He was nervous when he waited by the gate as Dwalin went to retrieve Thorin. Bard and a couple other men were waiting outside, politely yet with weapons, which the dwarves took note of. Bilbo gave his best smile, though no eyes were on him, and watched with wary eyes at the encampment of men in Dale.

Thorin took several minutes to arrive, and the tension stretched on. None of the dwarves called down to converse with the men, and Bilbo thought it to be out of place if he did so. Besides, for the witty hobbit, no words or consolidations came in this instance. Trapped by his thoughts, he wondered where Thorin spent his time. Half of it was in the treasury, the other half he was a place unknown. What he did know of the dwarf was that he acted more erratic and reclusive as the days went on. He asked Balin about it, and the dwarf conceded that the dwarf prince may be falling to dragon sickness.

The term itself made Bilbo feel sick.

The clank of metal came from behind him, and Bilbo and the others turned around to greet Thorin. Several of the dwarves bowed, which the hobbit felt it odd, even if Thorin was close to be considered a king now. He believed such formalities were dropped for a quest like this. However, it did please Thorin, and that was good for this tense situation.

"Greetings, men of the lake, and Bard the Dragon-slayer." Thorin's deep voice rang down to those gathered below. Bard stiffened, apparently not used to the title yet. Or else he was on edge on how the dwarves found out. "What have you come here for?"

Bard momentarily was stunned at the question- at the fact that anyone would ask that when it was clear that what he wanted to say was 'we need help.' Then again, maybe the dwarves were too prideful to notice the need from others.

"We have come to ask for aid, and settle the debt your company left us, so we both can rebuild before winter settles in." No snow had yet come down over the East, however the clouds were grey and it was not far off. Bard believed he worded his response properly, yet Thorin was single-minded when he picked apart the statements.

"We owe no debt to you!" A couple of the dwarves gave Thorin a cursory glance, but no one felt the need to disprove that claim. Bilbo bit back his, eyes cast downward on the men beyond the gate. The mithril shirt he wore to appease his friends was heavy on his shoulders. He was given this gift as thanks, quite easily, and what did he do to deserve it, that the men didn't?

"You owe us for the supplies you were granted upon leaving Lake-town, and for sending the dragon on us, which destroyed our homes." Bard yelled back up, frustrated that Thorin was blind to that.

Thorin leaned over the gate, eyes narrowed dangerously. "The amount of gold owed for the supplies is not equal to the amount you need to rebuild. That the dragon chose to attack your settlement is an indirect consequence. When you have more to bargain with, a proper deal, then come back to us."

Bard looked like he was about to make an offer, yet Thorin had already turned around and left. He was left standing there, with no chance left for more words or progress. Confused, he beckoned his men with a scowl on his face before he made his retreat.

The rest of the dwarves mumbled approval, and Bilbo remained standing at the gates, watching the men leave. Surely, Thorin did not need to be so harsh? It unsettled him greater than he was already. He cast a glance to the fires lit in Dale and turned around to follow the Company.

Fili walked the halls of Erebor, with the majority of the awe and unease he felt upon first entering the mountain gone. Now, his practical mind thought how much it will take to rebuild the halls back to the glory he imagined it had in his childhood. Unfortunately, that was a long way off, and as heir apparent, it was depressing to think about. His shoulders heavy with the burden, it was nice to move alone to think.

However, planning ahead was a secondary purpose right now. His main goal was to find Thorin and drag him down to eat, and to discuss with Balin the best things to do moving forward. It had been a few days since the men of the lake had first talked of payment. Since that time, the elves of Mirkwood arrived to throw their own luck in the pile, and any progress made beforehand had disappeared. Fili really did not want the decisions to be left on him, although Thorin increasingly became less willing to compromise and to reach a conclusion any time soon.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he examined the corridors he entered. There was a great deal of space, with wide doors to all the rooms on the side. It was grander than other areas he explored, although time added to the bare simplicity of it all. It was cold stone that waited to be warmed and lived in once more. Thorin dictated that the company should either be in the treasury for the Arkenstone or watching the gate. Fili figured that this outing was acceptable; it was not like they saw Thorin much lately to berate them.

"Fee!" Apparently, Kili thought so too. The older of the two smiled as he brother ran to catch up with him. "No luck finding him?" The dark-haired dwarf asked, brushing the loose strands away from his face. He really needed to set that hair straight, Fili thought amusedly while he shook his head at the question.

"No. Dwalin said he was in this direction so hopefully we will find him soon."

The two fell to an agreeable silence, the closest they had to one in a while. There had been so many awkward moments between them the last few weeks. Fili hated to admit it, but it was hard to reach a comfortable state now. He worried about how their lives would change. They knew they were royal blood since they were born; nonetheless, that was different than actually being royalty. His relationship with his brother had to stay the same. That was his anchor and Fili was sure he would go insane otherwise.

They had not walked far when Kili pointed down the hall. "Look!" A light came from one of the rooms, as if someone was inside. Fili nodded, and they both jogged to see if their uncle was found at last.

When they pushed the door open Thorin turned to glare at them for disrupting his thoughts. Kili froze in place, and Fili looked weary. Once he realized it was them, the eldest Durin smiled. The sudden change of expression surprised them, and they shared a quick glance. Was it okay to proceed? It was difficult to tell with Thorin these days. At the same moment, they both decided that it was fine and stepped forward.

Thorin stood up from the bed he was sitting on and with a wave of his hand beckoned the two closer. Kili was at his side in seconds, and while Fili was slower, a smile spread across his face. Thorin embraced them, a brief hug, but it was there, and showed warmth that they missed from their uncle.

"How goes the search?" Thorin asked, business pushed to the forefront of the conversation. Kili deflated, disappointment on his face. Fili turned back to the door and thought through his response.

"There is no luck so far. The treasury is huge. I am sure it will show up soon. But Thorin, we came to tell you to come down for a meal. Your presence will boost everyone's confidence." In actuality, Thorin often made things tense with his demeanor lately, but the dwarves did miss him.

"Not yet," the regal prince was dismissive. Fili and Kili shared another look, unsure what to say next. Thorin broke the silence first and turned to survey the space around them. It was still dusty since the first day he visited, although he did clean some of the surfaces and cleaned the haphazard mess that was left. "This was my brother's room."

The two remained silent, eyes wide. It was not so much that they were surprised, but neither Thorin nor their mother Dis ever mentioned their deceased brother. Frerin always was a no-touch subject, only mentioned at vulnerable moments. Thorin, however, seemed calm as he mentioned it. For this brief moment, he accepted the fact that his brother was dead and that he lost him.

"Oh," Kili managed to find his voice and went over to the drawers, interested in looking around. Fili smiled sadly, and Thorin swelled with nostalgia and pride. Kili picked up the hair beads on display and recognized the Durin insignia instantly. It was the same that his whole family wore. The next bead was one he himself wore: a sign that indicated second son.

"I want you two to promise me something." Kili carefully placed the beads back down and returned to his family's sides. They both waited as Thorin put a hand on each of their shoulders, serious. "You need to remember yourselves and each other, no matter what happens."

"Of course." Fili replied like anything else would be stupid. Kili nodded his head vigorously, and wrapped his arms around the two for a group hug.

The three Durins stood there for a while in solidarity, content despite the fact tension was building in the world around them, that they were still a family.

A/N: This was a chapter I wanted to get done for a long time. I didn't want to get it up in a less-than-perfect state (which it is) but decided to bite the bullet anyway. I still plan to have this story finished by the New Year or quickly after it. Besides the chapters I've finished, I only have a few more to write. Cheers!