[ It's obvious enough that Thorin knows now that his father is dead, truly, and he's not so unreasonable as to hope that he could will things otherwise. That does not change the fact that he's just as determined to find out for himself, and try as he might, he cannot entirely banish the persistent, foolish hope that somehow, against the odds, they're all wrong. That he's wrong this time. The others don't know that Gandalf found him alive at all - it seemed unnecessary to speak of since that revelation was immediately followed up by Gandalf's grim confirmation that he was now, indeed, dead. That he had suffered such torment in Dol Goldur, for how long even Gandalf could not - or perhaps would not - say. Nor do they know that his last words were 'Tell Thorin I love him. Tell my son that I loved him.'
Gandalf had not wanted him to come this way. He had said everything he could to convince Thorin otherwise, and Thorin had said nothing. Had the wizard known, then, that his advice would be ignored yet again? Thorin can only imagine that he did. He must have recognized that look of dwarven stubbornness. But Thorin does not expect his help here. Gandalf didn't say precisely what happened, but gave the distinct impression that it would be very unwise of him to return this way.
... No, Thorin couldn't have known that he was that close. Just as he could not have known that his grandfather was doomed to die on Azog's blade, and that he would be too late to save his brother. Thorin has done right by his people, how could he not? But his family? His own blood? At the end of the battle, he stood alone among the loss and ruin. As hard as he fought, it wasn't enough to save those closest to him, and while that may not be the most fair observation one could make, he sees it as being starkly, unavoidably accurate. He's felt that way for a long time.
It's all too evident in his eyes. This isn't something that he's been willing to discuss with anyone, not even his sister, but he has never allowed himself to turn away from it.
Bilbo, though, is both close enough to see it, and to know. Thorin has slowly and steadily laid bare so much of himself already, and this is no exception, no matter how painful a matter it might be. He takes a deep breath with something not too far from resignation, but his intent gaze is a bit harder to read. ]
How can you know that?
[ He can't see it, but he has come to trust Bilbo's judgment as much as his own. Does Bilbo know that he is the only one that Thorin would listen to here? That he is listening? Even though Bilbo has seen him at his lowest. Bilbo has seen him fail. That is perhaps part of the reason why his opinion matters so much here. ]
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Gandalf had not wanted him to come this way. He had said everything he could to convince Thorin otherwise, and Thorin had said nothing. Had the wizard known, then, that his advice would be ignored yet again? Thorin can only imagine that he did. He must have recognized that look of dwarven stubbornness. But Thorin does not expect his help here. Gandalf didn't say precisely what happened, but gave the distinct impression that it would be very unwise of him to return this way.
... No, Thorin couldn't have known that he was that close. Just as he could not have known that his grandfather was doomed to die on Azog's blade, and that he would be too late to save his brother. Thorin has done right by his people, how could he not? But his family? His own blood? At the end of the battle, he stood alone among the loss and ruin. As hard as he fought, it wasn't enough to save those closest to him, and while that may not be the most fair observation one could make, he sees it as being starkly, unavoidably accurate. He's felt that way for a long time.
It's all too evident in his eyes. This isn't something that he's been willing to discuss with anyone, not even his sister, but he has never allowed himself to turn away from it.
Bilbo, though, is both close enough to see it, and to know. Thorin has slowly and steadily laid bare so much of himself already, and this is no exception, no matter how painful a matter it might be. He takes a deep breath with something not too far from resignation, but his intent gaze is a bit harder to read. ]
How can you know that?
[ He can't see it, but he has come to trust Bilbo's judgment as much as his own. Does Bilbo know that he is the only one that Thorin would listen to here? That he is listening? Even though Bilbo has seen him at his lowest. Bilbo has seen him fail. That is perhaps part of the reason why his opinion matters so much here. ]