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Thorin II Oakenshield ([personal profile] honorbound_heir) wrote in [community profile] middlemuses2016-02-26 09:20 pm

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[One should not underestimate the ability of a thirsty dwarf to find ale. Even a dwarf that may not have the best sense of direction, and that has been thrown into completely unfamiliar territory. By whatever luck or good grace of higher powers, it turns out that Thorin and Bilbo do not have to travel far in order to find a tavern that looks rather like The Prancing Pony in Bree. The cobblestone road outside of it is cleaner, and the people - mostly humans - milling about this town seem less furtive and hurried than Thorin remembers. This place seems generally less perilous for the average traveler.

The warm glow from within the tavern shines through the slightly dingy windows, and the muffled sound of a merry crowd carries out into the night in brief snippets as patrons come and go.

Good enough.

Shouldering the pack that somehow managed to accompany him, and dropping a hand to the sword at his side, Thorin pulls the door open and heads inside without hesitation, knowing that Bilbo won't be far behind.]


((From over here, cause... reasons.))
experting: (⊚ my neck is breaking)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-28 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Better. Not perfect. But better. Bilbo likes to think himself clever when it suits him and he hopes, perhaps, with some time and effort, he can devise a way to fix this mess. … Who is he fooling? He's naught but a small hobbit, out of place and out of element, what can he possibly do? Still, he wants to try, however little he can, to figure this out. So he logs it away for another time, promising himself to revisit it when the shock ebbs away.

For now, he glances up to Thorin and then back to his mug, offering a minuscule nod. Okay. Yes, all right.

… Oh. Wait. Is he meant to—?

He hasn't moved. Still seated, he hasn't fallen into the typical routine of rushing to follow said leader. Instead, he stalls for the moment and glances upward once more. ]
Do you mean… for me to go, ah, with you? [ He supposes there's little sense in him sitting here, alone, amongst a crowd of uncertain intent. And he has to admit, quietly to himself, that he'd rather not let Thorin wander too far away when they've just found one another. But with all that said, Bilbo is never confident in what Thorin expects of him.

And he hasn't even finished his drink either, pfffft. ]
experting: (⊚ no hobbits allowed? oh)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-28 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ No, he does not want to sit here alone with his drink, thank you. The tavern, before, felt too loud and too crowded; now it's near overwhelming when he has no steady presence to focus on across the table. So he stares mournfully at his soon to be abandoned drink – he doubts very much they're allowed to disappear elsewhere with their cups, Thorin – and then stands. Turn, step, pause. Well, on second thought. It's not as though he's burglaring it. It's only up to one of the rooms, all of which are within the same vicinity.

Indecisive, he taps his fingertips against his pant leg for longer than necessary, and there, mind made up, turns back around to take drink in hand. Akin to a fauntling with greedy fingers in the cookie jar, Bilbo sneaks a borderline guilty gaze toward the barkeep, as though he's doing something he's not meant to, but of course, his dalliances are of no concern to anyone. That is, except... – ah, where'd he go?

Oh, there.

Squaring his shoulders to regain his confidence, Bilbo soon follows, weaving here and sidestepping there. He closes in at the stairs, the hard creak of that bottom step being the first, real indication that Bilbo is back where he should be and it's with one, last backward glance, that Bilbo follows Thorin upstairs, tight-lipped and clutching his mug close. ]
experting: (⊚ that's so interesting yes)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-28 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Minding his own business as it were, Bilbo falters in step when the other's attention is suddenly on him again. It's not as though Thorin makes him nervous – ha, all right, perhaps a little – and he's quite gotten over his need to stay out of Thorin's way whenever possible, but when one opens a door, one is meant to go through it, not stand about looking. The pause is short however and when he starts again, it's with a marginally quicker step until he's just within arm's length. ]

And I shall! [ Indignant, the words are spoken a touch more huffy than what's proper. Honestly, to even think he needs reminding. He's been contracted to burglar one thing and one thing alone; he shall not be adding other thievery to his conscious aside from a certain ring in his pocket, ahem.

With that, he holds Thorin's gaze a moment longer and then, well, he looks to the room, leaning, slightly, with the motion for a better view. A shuffle closer. Gaze back to Thorin, curious and questioning. Back to the room, once more, and finally, he settles on Thorin and stays, look expectant and brows raised. Well? ]
experting: (⊚ oh there you are)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-28 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Bilbo offers nothing beyond a hum, acknowledging but lacking any experience to correlate the comparison. Bree, yes of course, he knows of it, but the furthest destination one of his walking holidays ever took him had been Frogmorton. Wandering, he bypasses the bed stationed next to Thorin's and chooses another, further away, setting his mug on a low-set bedside table before poking curiously at the mattress. Men, can they do nothing correctly? First their ale, now their beds. It's more welcome than a rocky or beaten path, that goes without saying, but suddenly, he sorely misses his bedding of Bag End.

Not that he'll breathe a word of complaint in his current company.

He glances to Thorin then. It's not surprising, yet it still jars his sheltered sensibilities; he hasn't been in Hobbiton in some time, he should start expecting less than polite conversation, especially between comrades in... arms? Hm. Still. A price on his head. That big, white orc had indeed traveled quite the distance to hunt Thorin down, so it's not a surprise, no, but he has to wonder if it's the same or if there's another price for such a thing to circle within the gossip lines of Men. ]


Lucky then, that this is not Bree. [ Not that he feels any safer for it, thank you Thorin, a fact made obvious by the way his gaze slides toward the door. They will be fine. No one gave them so much as a second glance. But he remains standing anyway, awkwardly so, neither shrugging off his coat nor unbuckling his weapon in favor of finding a comfortable perch upon the bed. Someone must play guard while Thorin bathes; Bilbo is an unfitted one, but, well... ]
experting: (⊚ done and done)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-28 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Initially, he doesn't mean to look, because any sort of undressing deserves some privacy, but even so, he's learned long ago that there isn't room for shy sensibilities when living practically on top of each other on a quest, so he does peek, eventually. … Probably enough? Ha. What a mess. The fact that he moves about nonetheless, as though unhampered by wounds that should be tended to... – is that a stubbornness all dwarves share or is this trait specific to Thorin?

Bilbo's very close to grumbling, but he waits for Thorin to disappear behind the partition and then, only then does he expel the worry, no, the frustration with a heavy-laden sigh.

Right. So.

He ought to leave it be but he ignores such warnings of self-preservation and crosses over to the dwarf's bed. He doesn't have much idea what to do with the plate or chainmail; however, he picks the tunic up. Sweat, blood and grim – he wrinkles his nose and frowns from one tear to the next, contemplating, before, slowly, bringing himself to fold it. Dwarves, always so inconsiderate of their surroundings, especially when they're within someone else's establishment. The clothing may be in need of disposing, but there's no sense in leaving the pieces scattered about, dirtying up the bed, the floor. Hmph, honestly, do they even possess manners? ]


It's not... terrible being here. [ Not always. He sets the tunic beside the pack and then begins on the next layer. ] There are pleasant places to visit. [ Softer now. ] Though, I'm afraid none feel quite like home.
experting: (⊚ oh um about that)

1/3 icoooons. it's a ridiculous habit but.

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's comforting in a way just to listen to such determination, however, Bilbo would have been happier to hear such an admission if it had come sooner. Instead, there's only faint awareness on his part. Good, great even... but more importantly, what's that? He pauses, hands still full of cloth, caught between setting it on the pile and letting go. Lips parting in silent wonder, he inches up on his toes and leans his weight on his hands, peering over, closer...

And he jerks back. No, he shouldn't. He shakes his head; hard. What's he thinking? Looking through Thorin's things; how, how rude.

He clears his throat and ducks his head, mentally berating and trying his very hardest to not let his gaze wander back toward the curious, very curious splendor of light. As much as hobbits swear by their desire to remain within their boxed in worlds, they have a nosiness to them, one that usually only feeds into a need to gossip and to know all about everyone within the Shire borders. Well, Bilbo's world has expanded greatly, with wider boarders and a larger assortment of faces, so he can't help it. Can't help being curious about Thorin too. ]
experting: (⊚ do i need to be here or)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ … But he really shouldn't.






Should he? ]
experting: (⊚ can you not)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ He glances to the partition, listening for anything beyond the occasional splash and then he hooks his fingertips on the edge of the pack, inching it back just so. The gap is small but it's nothing to diminish the light. Again, he tells himself not to, that the newfound trust between Thorin and himself is not something to trifle with…

But he pokes at the cloth anyway, nudging it away to widen the gap. Huh. ]
… What's this? [ It's a question for himself but one he, absentmindedly, voices nonetheless. ]
experting: (⊚ can i come?)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Guiltily, he jumps a little and jerks his head toward the voice, only feeling marginally better to find... nothing. No one. No Thorin. Good. ] N-Nothing. [ His breath catches on the word and well, Bilbo's never boasted of ever being a good liar. In fact, he would be proud to admit that he's rather truthful. Usually. Right now he wouldn't mind a bit of skill though, because all he can do now is clench his eyes closed and scrunch his expression in tight; quite convincing there, Master Baggins. ]

It's only... [ He scrutinizes the pack, the bed and then down, observing his placement in the whole arrangement. Thinking better of it, he takes one, two, three steps away, broadening the distance between him and said pack, as though erasing any involvement in the affair. No. Nope. He hasn't been anywhere near it; certainly hasn't been riffling through any packs or clothes or jewels.

… Except, there's still that folded pile, so that might put a damper on his deniability.

On that thought, he crosses his arms and shuffles away some more, still eyeing the glow. ]
There's a light. Coming from your pack.
experting: (⊚ plsbegoneplsbegone)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ … This doesn't feel right. The way Thorin moves, how he kneels, the strain in his voice; something's wrong. But with memories not yet made and experiences yet to be lived, Bilbo only feels an unease toward the unfamiliar, rather than the sinking dread the stone will inevitably cause him. For now, he settles for a frown and lets his hands relax to his sides, waiting, hoping for some clarification on what to do next.

He just doesn't understand.

He remembers the troll hoard. How Nori, Gloin and Bofur emerged, mouths twisted in wide grins; long term deposit, indeed. Bilbo's yet to witness the infamous greed of dwarves firsthand but as he may forget from time to time, there's some very distinct differences between their races, one of which he's presently being made well aware of.

He steps closer then, slow and uncertain, peering at the stone, but soon finding his attention much more interested in the way Thorin watches it himself. He's so focused. So intent. Bilbo swallows and the uncertainty twists, just the barest bit more. ]
… And what's that? [ Oddly, he almost wishes not to ask, but. Heart of the Mountain? Erebor? What is it? Or more importantly, what is it to Thorin? ]
experting: (⊚ me insult you? no i'm nice)

[personal profile] experting 2016-02-29 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ P-Pardon? He's knocked back a step, partly from the force and the rest from the sheer surprise of suddenly having his hands full. Startled – and more so confused – he blinks down at the Arkenstone, altogether at a loss with the current turn of events. Never allow him to see it, until he is himself again? Does this have to do with the madness? Dragon sickness?

But...

But it's just one gem. A right pretty one, he'll say that much, but... doesn't Thorin need this to unite the clans and take back the mountain? Isn't that what he just said?

Good sense tends to leave Bilbo at the worst of times and instead of scrambling to follow orders – and to heed that ever-present anxiety he's been weathering since Thorin walked into the room – Bilbo frowns, stalls, and worse, disobeys. Truthfully, the please should be more than enough to silence any disagreement – for that's not something to take lightly when Thorin is involved – but he just can't seem to clear the hurdle of misunderstanding, not when the conversation has taken such a swift about-face. ]
Thorin. You're speaking in circles. Isn't this what you need? [ He doesn't offer it back, no, but still he stands as he is, unmoving to hide or conceal, palms barely enclosing the gem. ]
experting: (⊚ i refuse to argue)

LOL you editted like. 3, 4 times? i kept getting notifs while i was out. i laughed.

[personal profile] experting 2016-03-01 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Is that what he'd done? What he will do? Watching Thorin carry himself about, both unsteady and uncertain, is a curious thing to observe and in some small way, it almost hurts for a reason Bilbo can't entirely name. In the end, he shies his gaze and drops it low, staring at the stone he supposedly took upon himself to burglar away. Keeping a precious, family heirloom from Thorin and knowingly opening himself up to his impending wrath, hm; it doesn't sound like something he would do. Right? A Baggins would follow his contract. A Baggins wouldn't stray from the grain. He's meant to be a burglar, true, but he likes to think he'll be an honest one. To do something so – in his current mind – unexpected, rash…

… Things must have truly deteriorated for him, of all people, to stand up to Thorin.

He still doesn't understand. Not really anyway. It's to be expected though; he won't know the full extent of circumstance and doubt that fueled the debacle, not until he's lived through it himself. Lovely. As though he hasn't already suffered enough dread for the end of their journey. The dragon is meant to be the worst part, but now he's beginning to wonder…

Sighing, he shakes his head and with only a hint of his earlier reluctance, shifts, intending to shove the Arkenstone in his pocket. However, he thinks better of it and he suddenly wants it a touch further away. So he silently finds his way over to his bed and peels back a corner of his pillow, plopping the Arkenstone down and under. There. Out of sight. Out of mind? No. He does have questions, of course he does, and maybe he'll ask another time, when Thorin is in a better state, because Bilbo thinks, maybe, it'll do him good to be more prepared for the disaster this stone brings. For now? He keeps his palm pressed into the pillow a moment longer and then dismisses the discussion with a simple— ]
I suppose it shall make more sense when the time comes.

I'll keep it… safe. [ One, two, three, and there, he presses his hand back to his side and turns to Thorin. ] But that's enough of that. [ There's an emphasis to his voice now; a courage his wants to convey but doesn't fully feel. Not initially. Once he starts, the pent up exasperation lends itself easily to his words and really, perhaps it's not so difficult to turn the conversation away afterall. ] I know you dwarves are particularly keen about ignoring your well-being, but if you've had your fill of, of bleeding on things you shouldn't, I think we ought to wrap those. [ Well. There is one hitch. And that's when the ease slows, just a little, enough for a slight hesitance. ] … If you happen to have something of use within your pack, that is.
experting: (⊚ fine be a dick that's cool)

/shields your eyes

[personal profile] experting 2016-03-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Of course it isn't! Ridiculous. So utterly ridiculous. Though, of course, this is coming from the dwarf who charged down the trunk of a burning tree to face the white orc and his pack, so self-preservation isn't a trait that should be associated with Thorin. Ever.

Trying his best not to give into some less than polite urges and oh, perhaps roll his eyes, he pads over to the bed as Thorin pokes and prods himself. It's a touch taller than a bed should be and so Bilbo has to hop more than he'd like, a tad ungratefully too; soon he settles though and rearranges to sit comfortably.

He picks up the roll of cloth and then, hm. Is it simply because he's closer? Or is it the mere fact that he can actually look without feeling as though he shouldn't? Either way, the damage looks worse than he originally thought.

There it is, the up-swelling of exasperation again. This Bilbo may not be as bravely outspoken as Thorin's Bilbo, however, uncertainty can only detour the uptight nature of his carefully crafted sensibilities for so long. Order, logic, there's a routine to Bilbo, one that he falls back on whenever he encounters someone doing something particularly foolish. And he's been finding that dwarves, especially, do many, many foolish things.

So it can't be helped, the way his voice drawls, dry and unimpressed. ]
If this is nothing, I wonder then, what something would be. [ He's seen Thorin nearly bitten in two, and judging by that nasty scar, this Thorin may have been close to being skewered; so what's the standard? Or are dwarves incapable of admitting pain? ]
experting: (⊚ are you srs?)

it didn't work. you still edited LOL

[personal profile] experting 2016-03-01 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ooc; ok. I actually spent too much time trying to pinpoint his injuries in the movie. LIKE YOU SAID, right temple area, mid-torso (but that's already been “healed”), his dumb right foot. I think there's his right bicep, but it's hard to tell if that's an injury or just blood splatter... in a line that looks very much like a tear. I'd imagine it couldn't be anything too bad, otherwise, hurr, swinging a sword would be difficult even with adrenaline. NONETHELESS, this is what we're going with, okok. ]

[ Flesh wound? Ha. Small price? Ha. He presses his lips tight, preventing the scoff from escaping, and instead, he scoots, dallying between the wounds of the arm and head, weighing, deciding... before settling on the easier first.

He thinks he can understand Thorin's ridiculousness single-mindedness, if he really tries and squints for the reasons, but justified as Thorin may be to avenge his grandfather and all else who fell at Moria, Bilbo can't support the execution.

How can he? He loves his stories and his books and admittedly, there is an almost novelesque poetry to Thorin's revenge. The once exiled prince, now king, standing against the bane of his line, fighting such cruelty and villainy so that his kin can finally rest in peace. Sounds fine on its own... but story books aren't meant to end with the hero ridden with scars and bleeding out. ]


Perhaps next time, you can avoid being run through yourself. [ It's clipped more than he intends, really. Even if he thinks Thorin needs a stern talking to every so often to balance out his surprising recklessness. Just not by him that is, erm. ] There are those of us who would rather see you… [ Alive. And he rips the cloth free with more force than necessary, startled and dismayed with even the idea of Thorin dea—enough of that. ] … whole and hale. [ He offers instead, gaze not meeting. And with that, he slips the cloth in-between and around his bicep, wrapping, wrapping, his frown growing steadily with the motion. ]

it still exists.

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-01 23:33 (UTC) - Expand

LOL. get out :l

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-02 06:32 (UTC) - Expand

/readies tally paper

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-03 00:48 (UTC) - Expand

LOL i almost feel bad now.

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-03 17:36 (UTC) - Expand

immensely. c:

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-03 23:19 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-08 03:50 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-08 16:23 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-08 23:37 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-09 02:12 (UTC) - Expand

/tally

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-09 04:24 (UTC) - Expand

/stamps complete on thread.

[personal profile] experting - 2016-03-09 17:02 (UTC) - Expand