Defended with Shield and Body

So ends the line of Durin

{ This chapter is longer than the others I think but I didn't want to make it into two aha much death and destruction }

Bilbo lay unconscious on the ground as Dwalin and Fili charged at Bolg, one blinded by rage, the other defending him.

Dwalin had promised Thorin to protect him and his kin, and so far he had failed already. Guilt flooded through him and he slashed more recklessly at Bolg.

Fili forced himself to stop crying because he couldn't focus well and together with Dwalin he drove Bolg backwards.

That was when they heard Thorin cry out.

Fili's golden head whipped around, only barely blocking Bolg's attack. The elder dwarf looked from Fili to Bolg to the ice behind them. Thorin was somewhere out there not having a great time.

"Go to him, I've got this." Fili said to him, again lunging at Bolg.

Dwalin frowned. He'd taught the boy well, but was he really good enough? Then again, his king and best friend was getting himself killed.

Cursing inwardly and hoping he would make the right decision, he left Fili alone and ran off to find Thorin.

Fili took a deep breath and fought Bolg, ducking the blows aimed at him and every now and then managing a hit. It didn't even seem to affect the orc, and that angered the young prince.

He began to tire, for he had not slept in days and now he had been fighting all day already. He focused on how these orcs killed his brother and did his best.

Fili drove Bolg more and more back, but the orc didn't even care. He seemed to smirk even, if orcs could do such a thing. Fili frowned, before his eyes widened. He had walked into a trap.

All of a sudden orcs appeared out of nowhere, grabbing him and holding him by his arms and legs. They did not instantly kill him, which surprised him.

Instead, they decided to take him to Thorin and Dwalin, he who had now gained consciousness again even though his life was leaving him fast.

~~~~~~

Dwalin arrived at Thorin's side as he fell, catching him so he wouldn't hit the ice. "No..." he breathed, choking back tears.

Thorin looked up at him, guilt flooding his face and he cast his eyes down again and coughed.

"I'm sorry... I should've listened to you."

Dwalin shook his head, tears blinking in his eyes. "No, Thorin, it's okay. It's not your fault lad, 't was the gold."

Thorin managed a weak smile. "I'm glad you fought with me, and I know I can trust you with keeping Fili safe and helping him be a better king than I could ever be." He coughed again.

The other dwarf had paled slightly, knowing he'd left Fili alone. He nodded though. "I will. Though you are, and always will be my king."

That was when the orcs appeared.

Thorin's eyes widened, and Dwalin turned so he could see, gasping lowly.

Bolg held Fili as he dragged him towards an edge. "This is where your filthy line ends, Oakenshield. This is your payment."

The look on Fili's face was not fear, only guilt and remorse. He had told Dwalin he would be fine, and now he was getting himself killed. He could see the knuckles turning white around his axe.

"Go! Take Thorin and leave!" He cried, before a sword impaled him and all he could manage were gasps and groans.

Bolg dropped him, and he fell backwards on the ice, his face pale and his blue eyes wide open.

Dwalin left Thorin alone, running after Bolg and attacking all the orcs in his way with his two-headed battle axe.

Thorin could only watch in horror.

If only Fili had lived.

As Dwalin ran off to kill Bolg, Bilbo had regained consciousness as well and he found Thorin a few minutes later. Thorin thought he was going to die alone by now.

Bilbo gasped, running towards him and checking his wounds, gagging in disgust at all the blood.

Thorin took his hand as he tried to clean his wound and managed to shake his head. "I'm done for.. I knew this day would come."

Bilbo shook his head, unwilling to accept that his... his what actually... that Thorin would die.

"I wish to take back what I said at the gate. I wish to take back everything I have done.. I wish to-"

"Shut up Thorin, it's all right. I forgive you, you pigheaded moron." Bilbo said, chuckling sadly.

Thorin smiled lightly.

"I'm sorry to have led you through such perils, my burglar.."

Bilbo shook his head again. "Oh no, I am glad to have shared in your perils, it is far more than any Baggins deserves.." Tears were shimmering in his eyes by now.

"Go back to your books. And your armchair.. Plant your acorn, so you will always have an oak to shield your home.."

Bilbo sobbed and held onto Thorin's hand, wanting to speak but he couldn't.

"If more of us.. valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, this world would be a merrier one.. Farewell, Bilbo..."

Thorin's eyes slowly closed, and his hand slipped from Bilbo's. "No no no no, don't you dare! The eagles are coming don't you see...?" Bilbo didn't manage further, breaking down into sobs now that he knew Thorin was dead.

The eagles came and carried all three dwarves back to the mountain, Thorin in front, and then Fili and then Kili.

Dwalin, who had managed to kill Bolg in the end, even though the orc had given him a nasty scar across the face, and Bilbo walked back to Erebor themselves.

Dwalin felt guilty, knowing he'd sworn to protect them, and failed. He would tattoo their marks into his body as a sign of grief and as a memory.

Bilbo simply felt sad. He'd come so far with these dwarves, seen so much with them, and grown very fond of them too. And now only ten remained, of the thirteen that once stood on his doorstep.