Clarity of Vision, Chapter 18

[mithen]

Title: Clarity of Vision, Chapter 18
Relationship: Thorin/Bilbo
Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Fíli, Kíli, Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, Gandalf, Galadriel, Celeborn
Fandom: Hobbit
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Rating: G
Word Count: 4200
Story Summary: In a Middle-Earth where Erebor never fell, a shadow remains in the heart of the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo Baggins

Comments

[zolac_no_miko]

PLOT TWIST~! :DDDD

Also PLEASE GALADRIEL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE RING.

[mithen]

If Galadriel were at her full power, maybe she'd be able to tell what was up, but.... ;_; No such luck, I'm afraid!

But yes, there should totally be a big DUH DUN DUHHHHH sting at the end of this chapter, lol...

[starsandsea]

Thorin let his thoughts wander with the soothing motion of Bilbo's hands in his hair, dreaming of the day he would be King Under the Mountain. He would convince Bilbo to stay as his page, to comb out his hair with a golden comb. He would dress the halfling in jeweled robes and seat him at his side on a chair set with amethysts, listening to music from a harp of gold with the great arching halls of Erebor above them. He would--

He shook his head, banishing the image. What was he thinking? Even if he were not an exile, he would only become king when his grandfather and father were both dead. That day was--Mahal grant it--still far in the future. No, such thoughts were beneath him, even if it were entirely natural to wish to reward those who had served him so loyally and well.

That felt wrong again, but he couldn't figure out why. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers and frowned.

Oh, oh, Thorin! *pets him gently*

"He told me that you would not tolerate any 'ridiculous elvish remoteness,'" she said, dropping her voice

[mithen]

Oh, oh, Thorin! *pets him gently*

Gahhh, poor Thorin, this really hurt to write!

Ahhh, OMG, Arwen! I was hoping she would turn up, and she was even more awesome than I expected! :D

*grin* I didn't put her in the character list because I was hoping for a bit of the element of surprise! Since she's there now, it made sense for her to be patrolling (especially since Gandalf has had them on the lookout!)

My emails with you really shaped how Thorin and Celeborn interacted, so I'm thrilled it worked for you!

And not many people can be too surprised the glass was a red herring, but I'm happy to finally confirm it! :) More soon, I very much hope!

[ilovetobefree]

Part I:

"He's doing better, isn't he?" murmured Bilbo to Fíli, watching Thorin talk with Dwalin about a drinking-song of Erebor as they walked along.
Fíli's eyes followed his uncle. "Stay near him in the night anyway," he said.
You are a smart boy, Fíli.

"I rather liked it," he said, "It kept my hands busy."
"If you wish," Thorin said, "You may keep doing it."
"Well, if you insist," Bilbo said, settling down next to him and starting to untangle a knot in Thorin's hair with diligent fingers.
I loved this dialogue.

Thorin nearly pointed out that he hadn't insisted, but bit the words back.
*grin*

Thorin was lost in another of his reveries, his eyes far away, and so Fíli stepped into the front of the group without comment and led them deeper into the elvish forest.
Fíli! *hugs him*

"Lower your weapon, elf," said Thorin, striding forward. Seeing his nephew in danger had seemed to galvanize him; he stepped between Fíli and the elf, meeting her eyes.
Great move Thorin!

"I don't--I don't think we've been properly introduced," he

[mithen]

Fíli! *hugs him*

Yes, he gets to stay in the forefront a bit longer, yay! Though Thorin is going to be re-energized at the end of this visit, so he might be able to step up and do more...

:lol Kíli. :) But I’m glad for the ‘not hunting’ order. (I understand it’s needed sometimes though) :)

*grin* I'm more with the elves on this one, myself...

And oh, I can't wait to see what the big battle in Dol Goldur looks like in the movies! I'm pretty sure it'll be quite dramatic indeed...

[ilovetobefree]

"I am quite well, Mr. Baggins," said a familiar voice, and Gandalf stepped from an alcove, leaning on his staff.
YAY!

"Thorin son of Thráin son of Thrór," she said, "I know this glass well. I was there when it was forged.
And I swear to you that it had no magical properties of any sort."
Oh, so there must be something else and there is still hope! It must be! :)

Well, being sick sucks (thankfully, I feel better today, glad for it :)), but there are some good things about it too, you know? I just can stay in my bed,doing nothing else that reading my lovely stories and webpages and writing comments. This is not bad at all. :D
I LOVED this chapter so much! The storyline, all the awesome dialogue and so many amazing and favorite characters! And the endind - there is new hope again, I believe in it! :)
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful chapter!

[mithen]

Oh, so there must be something else and there is still hope! It must be! :)

Hope is never lost forever--not when you have hobbits in your party! *grin*

I'm so sorry to hear you've been so sick--but I do hope this managed to bring you something of a smile in the middle of it! I'll do my best to get something else up soon--but I hope you're healthy well before that!

[shirebound]

What an incredible blending of canon and creativity. I admire this story so much!

He sat, feeling the comb running through his hair, and other memories filtered back to him faintly, like hints of light glimpsed in the heart of an black opal: Bilbo's voice coaxing him to eat; a small warm presence near him at night, guarding over him.

Something about this reminds me of how Sam kept Frodo grounded and sane and comforted for so long.

[mithen]

Something about this reminds me of how Sam kept Frodo grounded and sane and comforted for so long.

You're right, it does echo that! I hadn't seen it, but it definitely does... *ponders happily*

I'm so glad you're enjoying--and I hope to have an update up pretty soon!