[ There are certain, inescapable questions that must be faced, should all of this turn out to be true. Thorin has already thought on such things, but as before, he really does have no choice in the matter. Whatever he should face if-... when he returns, so be it. He will not run from it, nor will he languish here on what could be called borrowed time. Home, family, duty... They call to him. He did not fight so fiercely, for so long, to reclaim his home to turn about and abandon it to avoid the possibility of death. Or to be exiled again, after everything he's been through, would be to suffer worse than from any mortal wound.
And then, of course, there is that matter of his burglar.
Even if Thorin is destined to join his ancestors upon his return, Bilbo may yet again see the Shire. Thorin does not think that he will ever see that oak tree with his own eyes, nor ever again return to sit by the fireplace in Bag End, or perhaps even walk the halls of his own kingdom, but if Bilbo does, then it will be enough. And he will fight to his last breath, and beyond, to see it done.
So, no, waiting is the last thing he wants to do, especially on account of his injuries, which he sees as an inconvenience, at worst. ]
I do not think that we stand to gain much from lingering here. How long would you suggest we wait?
[ It's clearly not a request for advice, but his tone implies that he does not intend to dismiss Bilbo's answer out of hand. ]
no subject
And then, of course, there is that matter of his burglar.
Even if Thorin is destined to join his ancestors upon his return, Bilbo may yet again see the Shire. Thorin does not think that he will ever see that oak tree with his own eyes, nor ever again return to sit by the fireplace in Bag End, or perhaps even walk the halls of his own kingdom, but if Bilbo does, then it will be enough. And he will fight to his last breath, and beyond, to see it done.
So, no, waiting is the last thing he wants to do, especially on account of his injuries, which he sees as an inconvenience, at worst. ]
I do not think that we stand to gain much from lingering here. How long would you suggest we wait?
[ It's clearly not a request for advice, but his tone implies that he does not intend to dismiss Bilbo's answer out of hand. ]