[ It's hard to say how long that Thorin would have remained like that, simply staring, lost in thought, but he is abruptly jolted out of the reverie by the sound of Bilbo's voice. He swallows hard and takes a deep breath as he finds his voice once again. He cannot entirely banish the whispers, but they're not drowning out all reason as they were before. ]
This, Master Burlgar, is why you were hired. It is the Arkenstone. The King's Jewel. With it, I would finally unite the dwarven clans to march upon the mountain, to defeat Smaug.
[ Of course, things did not go as planned.
He slowly shakes his head and looks up, suddenly focused on Bilbo's face. Through the haze, the particular memory of Bilbo's face as he was nearly suffocated at the gate floats to the surface, and Thorin is once again clearly aware of how close he came to killing his most loyal friend. Before he can begin to have second thoughts, he forcefully thrusts the gem into the hobbit's hands. His voice is rough, heavy with grief and shame, but grim determination, still. ]
When you go back, you must never allow me to see it, not until I am myself again. Keep it hidden for now. Please.
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This, Master Burlgar, is why you were hired. It is the Arkenstone. The King's Jewel. With it, I would finally unite the dwarven clans to march upon the mountain, to defeat Smaug.
[ Of course, things did not go as planned.
He slowly shakes his head and looks up, suddenly focused on Bilbo's face. Through the haze, the particular memory of Bilbo's face as he was nearly suffocated at the gate floats to the surface, and Thorin is once again clearly aware of how close he came to killing his most loyal friend. Before he can begin to have second thoughts, he forcefully thrusts the gem into the hobbit's hands. His voice is rough, heavy with grief and shame, but grim determination, still. ]
When you go back, you must never allow me to see it, not until I am myself again. Keep it hidden for now. Please.