A Hero's Sacrifice

The battlefield was a chaotic blur of clashing steel, roaring beasts, and cries of the wounded. Amidst this turmoil, Bilbo Baggins darted through the snow, his heart pounding in his chest. He had seen the Pale Orc, Azog, charging towards Thorin Oakenshield, and without a second thought, he ran to help his friend.

"Thorin!" Bilbo shouted, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. Thorin, locked in a fierce duel with Azog, glanced up, his eyes widening in surprise and concern.

"Bilbo, no!" Thorin yelled, but it was too late. Azog had seen the hobbit and swung his massive mace towards him. Bilbo, quick and agile, managed to dodge the first blow, but the second caught him squarely in the side, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Bilbo!" Kili and Fili cried out in unison, their faces pale with horror as they fought their way towards him. The other dwarves, too, saw their small friend fall and renewed their efforts to reach him.

Thorin, fueled by rage and desperation, fought with a ferocity he had never known. His sword clashed against Azog's, sparks flying with each strike. "You will pay for this!" Thorin roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield. With a mighty swing, he drove his sword through Azog's chest, the Pale Orc's lifeless body crumpling to the ground.

Ignoring the pain and exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him, Thorin rushed to Bilbo's side. The hobbit lay in the snow, blood staining the ground around him. His breaths were shallow, and his eyes were filled with pain.

"Bilbo, stay with me," Thorin pleaded, kneeling beside his friend. "You must stay with me."

Bilbo's lips trembled as he tried to speak. "I... I just wanted to help," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Thorin's heart ached at the sight of his brave little friend. "You did, Bilbo. You've helped more than you know," he said, his voice breaking. "You are the bravest hobbit I have ever known. You saved me, and you saved our company."

The other dwarves gathered around, their faces etched with grief. Kili and Fili knelt beside Bilbo, their eyes filled with tears. "Bilbo, you can't leave us," Kili said, his voice choked with emotion.

"You've become one of us," Fili added, his hand gently resting on Bilbo's shoulder. "Our brother."

Gandalf, who had been fighting his own battles nearby, hurried over as well. He looked down at Bilbo, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Oh, my dear Bilbo," he murmured, kneeling beside the hobbit. "You have always been the heart of this journey."

Bilbo's eyes flickered between them, a faint smile on his lips. "I... I never thought I would be a hero," he said, his voice growing weaker. "Just... just a simple hobbit."

Thorin took Bilbo's hand in his own, his grip firm and comforting. "You are a hero, Bilbo Baggins," he said, tears streaming down his face. "And I am grateful for your friendship. You have taught me the value of courage, of kindness, and of home."

Bilbo's breathing grew shallower, and his eyes began to close. "Thorin... I'm glad I met you," he whispered. "I'm glad... to have been part of your company."

Thorin's heart broke as he watched the light fade from Bilbo's eyes. "Rest now, my friend," he said softly. "You have earned it."

The dwarves stood in silence, their hearts heavy with grief. The battle raged on around them, but for that moment, they were united in their sorrow for the loss of their friend.

Gandalf placed a gentle hand on Thorin's shoulder. "Bilbo's sacrifice will not be forgotten," he said quietly. "He showed us all the true meaning of bravery and friendship."

Thorin nodded, his eyes still fixed on Bilbo's lifeless form. "He was the best of us," he said, his voice filled with a profound sadness. "And we will honor his memory."

As the battle drew to a close, the dwarves carried Bilbo's body from the field, their hearts heavy with the weight of their loss. They laid him to rest in a place of honor, surrounded by the beauty of the Lonely Mountain, a fitting tribute to the hobbit who had changed their lives forever.

In the days that followed, the company spoke often of Bilbo, sharing stories of his bravery and kindness. Though their hearts ached with sorrow, they found comfort in the memories of their friend. And as they looked out over the land they had fought so hard to reclaim, they knew that Bilbo's spirit would always be with them, a reminder of the power of friendship and the strength of a true hero.

Thorin often found himself gazing at the spot where Bilbo lay, his heart filled with both sadness and gratitude. "Thank you, Bilbo," he would whisper, a single tear tracing its way down his cheek. "For everything."

And so, the memory of Bilbo Baggins lived on in the hearts of those who had fought beside him, a testament to the enduring power of courage, loyalty, and love.