Morning came sooner for Bilbo. He had apparently moved during the night, as he was back on his own side of the bed. Thorin was lying in the same position, his head slightly tilting to his right, his wild hair scattered over his pillow. Bilbo was tempted to give him a kiss, but he knew that Thorin's keen warrior senses would have stirred at the lightest touch. He didn't want to disturb his rest, so he simply watched.

It wasn't long before Thorin woke on his own, however. He breathed deeply, and turned his head to look for Bilbo. His eyelids weighed down and his eyes were rather hazy. Bilbo smiled to him sweetly.

"How are you?" asked Thorin with a mild drawl.

"I'm great," said Bilbo, propping himself up on an elbow.

"You are not upset with me?"

"No, I'm quite fond of you in fact," quipped Bilbo. "Why on earth would I be upset with you?"

"I hurt you," said Thorin, genuine remorse in his voice. "Last night, I hurt you."

"No, you didn't hurt me," said Bilbo, lying back down closer to Thorin and placed the palm of his hand on the side of his face. "You didn't," he repeated, gazing closely into the dwarf's eyes.

"I know you were in pain. I knew then. I should have stopped."

"What? Stopped?" Bilbo withdrew his caress and shot back up on his elbow. "Now, that would have probably upset me." Thorin's guilty look brightened a little. "It was actually quite, well, quite extraordinary," said Bilbo, smiling. "Look, you were tired and in need of comfort. I always feel privileged to give it."

"Bilbo," started Thorin shaking his head slightly, but Bilbo interrupted him.

"No, not another word. In fact, you still look tired. Do you want to sleep some more?"

Thorin sighed and stretched a bit. "I should go," he said, sounding as if he had badly wanted to say yes.

"Oh, just another half hour, for me. I promise I'll wake you up."

"Half an hour?" asked Thorin, his eyes opening wider in a look of hope.

"Not a minute longer," winked Bilbo, putting on his best reassuring grin.

"Mmm, fine," accepted Thorin, closing his eyes promptly. He allowed his head to slant to his right again and fell asleep immediately.

Bilbo remained awake, keeping watch. He didn't want to break his promise, or miss the opportunity to give Thorin a wake-up kiss.