Many Paths: Chapter Nine

[flakedice]

Title: Many Paths (9 of 10)
Author(s): Flakedice
Artist(s): charlies_dragon, penumbria_fics and croix_souillees
Fandom(s): The Hobbit
Type: Slash
Rating: Mature
Word Count/Art type: 44,550 words
Characters/Pairings: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield
Warnings/Spoilers: major character death, graphic violence, gore, torture, psychological torture, ptsd, (tiny bit of) self-harm, suicide (sort of), mental illness. (Please highlight to read)
Summary: Bilbo wakes up in Dale. With the memory of a battle won but lives lost, he finds an army of Men and Elves readying to attack Erebor. Bilbo tries to save his dwarves. Again and again.

MANY PATHS

CHAPTER IX

Bilbo threw the rope over the wall for the second time that night.

He would have to be back by dawn. If he was not on the wall when Bard revealed the Arkenstone was in his possession, Thorin would suspect the Company was to blame.

If he didn't survive…well, it wouldn't matter either way.

Bilbo glanced back at the flickering light, reflecting warm on stone walls. Allowed himself a moment to imagine Thorin was waiting for him by the fire instead of stalking the dais holding his cold stone throne.

He turned back to the wall and started the climb over the top. He didn't have much time.

And Ravenhill would take a long time to climb.

~x~X~x~

There were tunnels under Ravenhill. Ancient dwarven corridors that gave way to larger, rough-hewn tunnels carved out by were-worms. This was how Azog had set up his command centre on Ravenhill without anyone noticing.

It was also, Bilbo suspected, the same route that would later be used by Bolg. If he could cut it off, then at least one of the white orcs would no longer be a concern.

Or so he hoped.

Bilbo wasn't quite sure how he would be able to block the tunnel. Bofur, though, would probably be able to tell him.

But until then, Bilbo reflected grimly as he slipped quietly down an abandoned corridor, he had to take care of Azog.

Bilbo snuck down the corridor, keeping to the shallows along the walls. The ring was on his finger, making the world a rough patchwork of light and shadow.

Guttural voices sounded out in the tunnel ahead.

Bilbo desperately scanned his surroundings. Invisible he may be, but he didn’t want to risk the chance of brushing up against an orc.

There was small niche nearby, a fault in the cavern walls. It wasn't large enough to hide a dwarf but a hobbit might be able to fit inside.

The sound of the approaching orcs growing louder, Bilbo darted over, sucking in his stomach as he wormed into the thin crevasse. He wouldn't have fit a year ago but the journey from the Shire had stripped him of much of his soft padding. Bilbo held his breath, Sting held tightly in hand as the voices grew louder.

Two orcs appeared, swords in hand, scanning the tunnel as they walked. Their eyes slid over Bilbo where he was tucked into the wall without registering his presence.

They took up station either side of the tunnel leading up into Ravenhill's towers.

"Honlatu!" It was Bolg who snapped the command as he approached in the rough-hewn tunnel, half a dozen orc guards at his back.

Bolg. Bilbo held his breath as the white orc strode past, eyes briefly falling on the crevasse in which Bilbo hid, before walking on.

Heading up to the tower to meet with his father, probably. Bilbo had missed him somehow. And Bolg was early.

He hated to think what that meant for the battle ahead.

Bilbo watched until Bolg and the last of his guards had passed, their heavy footsteps fading into silence. When he was sure they had gone, he slipped out of his hiding place, keeping an eye on the guards who still stood at their post.

They didn't even blink.

He wouldn't be able to kill Bolg now, not if he wanted to kill Azog as well. Which meant he had to find a place to ambush the white orc, preferably out of sight and away from his guards.

Bilbo's eyes slid down towards the end of the tunnel where Bolg had emerged. First, though, he would do a little exploring.

~x~X~x~

Bilbo crept around the bend in the tunnel, keeping close to the rough-hewn wall. Guttural words, snarls and high-pitched squeals met his ears.

But what he saw was worse.

An army of orcs were encamped in the massive tunnel. Hundreds of small fires flickered in twisted braziers, around which orcs, goblins and wargs gathered. In the distance, Bilbo could hear the reverberating moans of trolls. And the constant grinding feeding of the were-worms.

They were waiting. When Azog called the signal for battle, Bolg would prod the worms into motion and the entire horrid army would pour out onto the battlefield.

Unless Bilbo could stop them.

Bilbo edged into the cavern, warily eyeing the closest resting wargs. Their heads were resting on their paws, eyes shut. But even as Bilbo watched, the shadowy form of the wargs' spirits - overlaying their physical forms - lifted their heads and turned to regard him with burning eyes, their mouths open in silent snarls.

Bilbo shrank back against the wall, horror filling him. That had never happened before.

Physical ears were shifting now, heads lifting from paws until ghostly red eyes overlaid the physical ones.

It was time to leave.

Bilbo slowly edged backward, hands spread at his sides to avoid brushing against anything.

One of the wargs rose to its feet, a low growl spilling from its mouth. Its physical eyes couldn't see Bilbo but those red eyes in the invisible realm of the ring were fixed on him.

Another warg stood.

The orcs were taking notice now, hands on weapons. Standing and following the wargs' gaze, trying to see the threat their beasts had sensed.

Bilbo turned and ran.

~x~X~x~

It had become a game of cat and mouse. One where the odds were highly in favour of the cat.

Bilbo crouched, barely breathing, under an overhang of rock. One bloodied hand clasped to his mouth to muffle any sounds.

He'd tried to wipe it clean in the snow but the effort had been clumsy with only one uninjured hand.

He'd managed to kill Bolg but not unscathed. And not without notice.

It had been pure chance that Bilbo had fled into the tower only to come across the opportunity he had been searching for.

Bolg alone, separated from his guards.

Despite the alarm he had started - the same alarm that had called Bolg's guard back to the tunnels - Bilbo had been unable to ignore his good fortune.

Bolg had turned at the last minute. Too late for Bilbo to miss but fast enough for Bolg to catch Bilbo with his blade.

Bilbo had fled, knowing that in the uproar, Bolg's corpse would be discovered before long.

Azog now had orcs and wargs scouring the hill. Seeking footprints and a trail of blood.

Bilbo, unfortunately, had left a trail of both.

His battle with Bolg had been brief but bloody. Despite his battles on the journey to Erebor, and the hellish repetition of the Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo was not a warrior. It had taken several tries in the past to kill Bolg. And his recent success had been the result of luck more than strategy.

Bilbo knew he didn’t stand a chance against Azog and an entire army of orcs. His only choice now was to hide and hope he would not be found.

The chances of that were rapidly sinking.

A low growl sounded out. Dark and vicious.

Bilbo clutched Sting, the blade held awkwardly, point out, in his one good hand.

A large paw came into view. And then there was only a pair of large burning eyes and the warg's vicious snapping teeth.

~x~X~x~

The next night Bilbo climbed the gate and stayed in the mountain until dawn.

~x~X~x~

Bilbo studied the pile of stones before him. "So it would be possible to bring down a rockslide on an army?"

Bofur's eyebrows rose. "Possible? Of course. But it all depends on location and the stone." He gave Bilbo a worried look. "You shouldn't be getting ideas about those elves, though. They won't be placed properly for a 'slide."

Bilbo gave Bofur a look. "I'm not going to start a landslide to take out the elven army."

"It would be a good idea if we could manage it-" Bofur trailed off at Bilbo's look. "Right. But we aren't goin' to do that."

Bilbo suppressed a sigh. "What about a tunnel? How would you collapse one quickly?"

Bofur gave him a long look. "The only tunnels around here are dwarven."

If only that were true.

"Bilbo." Bofur leaned forward, his expression earnest. "You don't have to worry 'bout those tree-shaggers. Hastily built the gate may be but it will hold."

"I'm not worried about elves breaking into the mountain. Just looking for-" Bilbo paused, searching for words. "Options." He met Bofur's gaze. "I fear we might need them."

Bofur's mouth turned down, mirroring the curve of his hat, the brightness of his eyes dimming. "Options." His eyes flicked towards the door leading down the throne room and then back to Bilbo. He gave Bilbo a weak smile. "Right. Tunnel closure. First you need to-"

Bilbo listened, occasionally asking questions. Hoping he’d finally found an answer to Azog’s army.

~x~X~x~

The corridor ended abruptly, a pile of collapsed stone. No rough-hewn cavern cut through it.

Disbelieving, Bilbo ran his hands along it. The rock was firm, wedged tight and undisturbed for years.

Azog hadn't arrived yet.

Bilbo's hands fell. He slumped to the floor, setting his back against the wall.

There was nothing left to do but wait.

~x~X~x~

The sky was starting to lighten. Bilbo grasped the rope hanging down from the ramparts atop the gate and started to pull himself up.

Azog still hadn't arrived before he had left Ravenhill. Though Bilbo had begun to hear a distant grinding, a vibration in the stone at his back.

Too late for him to do anything about it.

Bilbo suspected it would be the same the next time he tried to turn events from their course. The repetition of events rarely fell in his favour.

~x~X~x~

Bolg ran towards him, about to elbow Bilbo as he passed.

Bilbo ducked. Thrust Sting with all his strength into the gap in Bolg's armour. He pulled the sword free with a twist to open the wound, even as he swung around to come up behind the orc.

He slashed at Bolg's leg as he rose behind him, slicing through the back of his knee and thigh.

Bolg let out a snarl, falling to one knee, lashing out with his sword.

Bilbo skidded back, a thin line of fire cutting across his face.

Even mortally wounded, Bolg was not going to be defeated so easily. He twisted, lunging forward to catch Bilbo by surprise.

Bilbo fell. Landing on snow that rapidly turned red.

He only had enough time to hope that Bolg's death would be enough of a change to save his dwarves and then he was gone.

~x~X~x~

Thorin was dying in the snow. But not in quiet resignation. He fought against it, clawing at life with the last desperate energy of his weakening body. Leaving a trail of blood as he furiously tried to drag himself across the snow to Bilbo.

There was a crunch of snow. A dark shadow flung across Bilbo's body, deepening the chill.

"Bilbo!"

Bilbo met Thorin's desperate gaze. They would not survive this. The knowledge was clear in the blood running down Thorin's face, spilling from his mouth. The anguish paling his face.

"Hon mata, Rani Khozdil!" Azog's words were ugly with satisfaction.

Bilbo closed his eyes against the sight of Azog's blade rising above his neck.

At least he wouldn't have to watch Thorin die this time.

~x~X~x~

"Bilbo." Thorin had melted out of the shadows, menacing and still.

Alive.

Bilbo pressed the back of his hand to his mouth tighter, shoulders shaking as he tried to muffle his sobs.

He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't.

A large hand rested lightly on his head. Hesitantly started to stroke through his hair as Bilbo started crying harder.

"It will be over soon." Thorin's voice was hard and soft at the same time, unyielding yet touched with gentleness.

Bilbo’s breath hitched.

"Erebor will stand strong once more." Thorin continued, voice quiet but as forceful as a vow. "We will no longer be forced to beg and scrape, to eke out our existence, scorned by men and elves." The last was practically spat out.

Thorin’s hand continued to gently stroke through Bilbo’s hair, gentle counterpoint to Thorin’s words. Bilbo’s shoulders shook under his touch, crying harder.

Thorin’s voice softened. "You have made this possible, Master Baggins." His voice hardened. "And all will know it when we are victorious tomorrow."

Bilbo let his tears fall, Thorin's hand gentle in his hair.

~x~X~x~

Bilbo found Fili standing on one of the walkways, looking down at Thorin as he searched amidst the gold. His face was grim, set. But Bilbo could see the fear in his eyes. The distance that he pulled around him as he regarded Thorin.

Bilbo wondered if Thorin had watched Thror in the same way. Knowing the sickness that was consuming the other dwarf. Feeling hopeless and fearful that the same sickness would one day snare him as well.

Bilbo suddenly couldn't stand it.

"He'll break free of it." He spoke softly but the words still seemed too loud.

Fili turned, a look of grim horror still in his gaze. "Like his grandfather did."

Which was not at all.

Bilbo's gaze fell on Thorin. Picking up handfuls of gold and letting them pour through his fingers. Sifting among gems and goblets. A satisfied glint in his eye.

"Thorin is not his grandfather." Bilbo turned back to Fili. "He set out on this quest to regain your home, not gold and gems. And unlike Thror, Thorin has learnt that home is worth more than coin. He may be held in sway by it now, but he will not remain so. Thorin is stronger than that." He reached out and touched Fili's arm. "And so are you."

Fili looked at him with wide eyes, mouth slightly open. He swallowed and looked down at Thorin. "You really believe that."

Bilbo's smile was crooked. "I know it." He stared down at Thorin, feeling Fili's gaze on his face. "It will take time but he will break free. Don't give up hope."

The words rang in his mind with renewed determination. Don't give up.

~x~X~x~

"What are you doing?"

Bilbo didn't jump. He had gotten used to Thorin gliding silently out of the shadows. He met Thorin's suspicious gaze with a small smile. "Thinking." The answer didn't seem to make much of an impact. "About Erebor," he expanded. "What it must have been like."

Thorin glanced at the halls around them, a slow, almost wary study. "It was once the jewel in the crown of the seven Dwarven Kingdoms." A disturbing glitter was in his eyes as he turned back to Bilbo. "And so it shall be again."

There had been a moment. A flicker of memory on his face. The gold sickness was not all-encompassing, Bilbo had learnt. It was like Thorin was drowning, breaching the surface every so often before being pulled under once more.

The aim was to break free of it entirely; Bilbo needed to pull Thorin to the surface and keep him there.

"Can you tell me about it?" Bilbo gave Thorin a small encouraging smile. "What was Erebor like when you lived here?" When it was filled with voices and laughter, not broken stone and cold gold.

Thorin gave him a surprised, almost uncertain look. But he didn’t turn away. “Glorious.” He finally answered. “Filled with light.”

Bilbo glanced at the cold stone around them. He could almost see it. The corridors come to life with dwarves bustling about to carry out their duties, their voices echoing with cheer and good humour. The great forges brought to life as dwarves created great works. The feasts and merriment.

Thorin would make a home for his people. A great kingdom.

Bilbo gazed up at Thorin, his sad smile softened with fondness. He would make a great king. All the more for the hardships he had endured, the strength with which he fought off his sickness.

That never changed. Thorin always broke free of it after the battle was joined.

“You will make it so again.” He slowly approached Thorin, each step clear and unthreatening. “I have no doubt.”

Thorin stared at Bilbo as if he wasn’t sure what to make of his words. His expression frozen, though his eyes- his eyes were vulnerable, almost disbelieving.

Bilbo smiled. “You have always been a great king, Thorin Oakenshield.” He stepped forward, head tilting back to hold Thorin’s gaze. “My king.”

Thorin’s lips parted, his eyes wide with shock.

"No matter what I have done, my actions were made with loyalty, honour and a willing heart." Bilbo reached up, hands slowly entwining with Thorin's cascade of dark silvered hair. Small fingers twining through the strands to pull him close.

Thorin, eyes wide in surprise, allowed it, making no move to pull away.

Bilbo pressed his forehead to Thorin's, eyes fixed on Durin blue. "I will save you if I can."

"Bilbo." Thorin's arms had fallen so now his hands rested on Bilbo's shoulders.

Bilbo stared at him, heart beating faster as he saw the softened, bewildered expression on Thorin's face. It was fast shifting into a concerned frown but for now, the gold sickness had receded. "Bilbo-"

It was one of the few times Thorin had used his name. Bilbo let his eyes flutter shut for a moment, drawing strength from it. Beneath the madness, Thorin's regard for him was still there.

Bilbo's hands clutched at the thick fur, so different from the thinner pale ruff that Thorin had always worn. The fur that would end up bloodied and cold.

"When you join battle-" His voice frayed and Bilbo cleared his throat. "Wear armour like that you wore to begin this quest." Thorin would not touch any armour from the treasury for fear of succumbing to the gold sickness again. But the armour he chose would keep him safe if Bilbo could help it.

Thorin's grip had tightened on his arms as he spoke; he was frowning down at Bilbo now. "Bilbo." It was a deep rumble, almost a growl. But his eyes were still clear.

Bilbo knew it wouldn't last long.

"I do not want to lose you, Thorin." And the words had never been more truly spoken. Fiercely, with all the conviction he had lacked on their first journey. Yet Bilbo had lost Thorin Oakenshield too many times to count.

He might lose him today. He might forever be stuck, fated forever to be lost to grief and despair as he lost everything.

But Bilbo would not lose this chance; he would not leave things unsaid between them.

He wouldn't again. Not even if Thorin never returned his regard.

Surprise had silenced Thorin. He was staring at Bilbo with that stunned fond open gaze Bilbo had seen before. All burdens shed in the warmth of his affection, making him look like a younger dwarf.

One who had decades of life before him.

Bilbo surged forward, rising up on his toes to press his lips against Thorin's.

It wasn't much of a kiss. Bilbo's dry chapped lips on Thorin's shock-slack mouth.

Bilbo pulled away, slipping out of Thorin's slack grip and into shadow.

Not willing to see what response his actions would bring.

"Keep Fili and Kili close." He called out as he hurried away, ring slipping too easily on his finger. He felt ill and full of dread. All too close to resignation.

Bilbo fought the feeling off.

"Azog still hunts you and wants you dead." It was as much warning as he could give. The balance between telling all and something Thorin would take seriously.

"Bilbo!" It was a shout. There was a heavy clatter and the sound of cursing.

Bilbo moved faster. Unable to watch Thorin descend into gold sickness once more. Focusing on what he could change rather than what he could not.

He had to sneak past an army of Elves and Men to reach Ravenhill.

He had a white orc to take care of.

~x~X~x~

Azog's blade swept through the room, clanging off the stone wall.

Bilbo ducked, scrambling sideways out of range. He darted forward, slashing at Azog's leg.

He scored a glancing blow, but the strike revealed his location.

Azog swung around, blade arcing through the air.

Bilbo, expecting the move, went low and lunged upward.

This time Sting sank deep, piercing through skin and flesh. Bilbo thrust Sting deeper, just to be sure.

Azog let out a deep snarl. He lashed out with an arm, catching Bilbo in the side.

Bilbo hit the wall hard, head connecting with a loud crack.

His last sight was of Azog staggering backwards, Sting imbedded deep in his side.

~x~X~x~

Bilbo's eyes cracked open. For a long moment, he simply stared up at the wooden beams.

Next time, he would do better.

~x~X~x~

Black Speech:
Honlatu! - 'You watch!'
Hon mata, Rani Khozdil! - 'Watch him die, Dwarf King!'

~x~X~x~

On to Chapter Ten

~x~X~x~

Comments

[amberos.livejournal.com]

Wow! I didn't even know the Hobbit had a big bang.
Thank you!
bilbo/thorin my fav!
Bon appetit :D

[flakedice.livejournal.com]

It's been going on for a few years. You can find it here.
You're most welcome :)
:D