Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Thirteen: Pointless Small Talk

Dwalin had done a full search of the cave and declared it looked safe enough for their nights rest. Bella conveniently had taken a spot furthest away from the others. The woman was slumped up against the cave wall when she overheard Balin trying to reason with the leaders decision to continue on in the early morning instead of waiting for the wizard to join but Thorin made it clear that he couldn't wait around for the wizard. They had to keep going. Bella looked around and found the hobbit sitting by himself near the entrance of the cave.

The storm continued to roar outside, not planning on quitting anytime soon. The woman noticed that Bilbo needed a friend, but part of her knew he also wanted to be alone. Gloin had managed to save some of the wood from being completely drenched by the rain but Thorin would not have a fire going in the cave. He didn't want to alert anyone of their presences which was going to make for a cold night. Thorin's men made noticeable grumbles at this and they began setting up their sleeping spots. The prince had ordered Bofur to take the first watch for half the night and then Dwalin would take the other.

Thorin was smoking his pipe when he noticed Bella was sitting on a rock, still awake and he wandered over to her. "You should be getting some rest Bella. Dawn will be here soon." He informed her.

"Well if that's the case, why are you still up? You need your rest as well." Bella retorted, shifting in spot to now look at the dwarf.

"I don't sleep much these nights." Thorin mumbled.

"I've noticed. I've noticed you do an awful lot of pacing around when you think the rest of us are sound asleep." The woman added and the dwarf was surprised and remained silent. "You know what you said to Bilbo was uncalled for. He is trying his best, but you are to bloody stubborn to allow him the chance to prove his worth!" Bella hissed.

"The the only thing this hobbit has proved is to be nothing more then a problem and an inconvenience to this company." Thorin stated.

"You mean an inconvenience to you." Bella muttered. "Why is it so hard for you to give him a chance? You gave me a chance. I want to know. Why did you decide to stay in Rivendell. You had every reason to leave, but you didn't?" Bella questioned. Thorin got up from ground and paced around a bit before turning to look at the half-breed.

"Why are you afraid of being left behind?" Thorin challenged. Bella smirked. She should of known only Thorin would be the one to deflect a question with another question and a question she was not so inclined to answer. She rolled on her side, glaring at the cave floor.

"I don't want to talk about it." She hissed, quietly.

"Yes, so you've told me the last time I asked. You know sooner or later I will find out." Thorin promised.

The woman rolled back over to look at the prince. "Hmmm. Well unless you can read minds, I don't think you should be making promises you can't keep." She declared before turning away.

"I swear, you have got to be the most stubbornness woman I have ever come across." Thorin growled in frustration.

"Why should I answer a personal question when you can't even answer a simple question I just asked." Bella pressed.

"You know what. Forget that I even came over here. I forgot how annoying you could be." Thorin grumbled and he walked away. Bella turned back over and starred at the dwarf's back as he walked away and narrowed her eyes in confusing. He thought 'she was annoying?' Bella snorted at that remark and pulled her cloak over her and tried to get some sleep.

Later in the night, Bilbo woke up. He had, had so much on his mind since he and the others had left Rivendell and what Thorin said made his decision a whole lot easier for him. The hobbit got up, packed up his bag and grabbed his stick and began tiptoeing his way passed the dwarves. The only person he felt guilty for not telling that he was doing this, was Bella. She had been nothing but a true friend to him, accepted him for who he was, stood up to Thorin every time the dwarf tried to make him feel so small. Bilbo looked at the sleeping half-breed and felt a pit in stomach. He was going to miss her dearly and he hoped she would be alright.

Before he could make it out of the cave, he had forgotten Bofur was on watch and stopped him and demanded to know why he was leaving. Bilbo again felt guilty, Bofur had become another friend and the hobbit could tell he was hurt by this. The dwarf tried everything to convince this halfling that he belonged on this quest that he was apart of this company, but all Bilbo could hear in his head was Thorin's harsh words repeating in his head and he finally lost it with Bofur and quickly apologize for his outburst, unaware that Thorin had been listening the entire time and looked over at the sleeping woman, wondering maybe if he had been a little too harsh to the company burglar.

Bofur wished his friend all the luck in the world that he made it back home safe. The two of them said their goodbyes and just as Bilbo turned to leave out the cave, the dwarf demanded what that glowing blue light was. The hobbit instantly looked at his sheathed weapon and pulled it slightly out and his face instantly filled with fear, remembering what the wizard had told him about when the sword glowed. It meant that orcs or goblins were near by.

Thorin heard Bofur and then looked at the sand around him and noticed it was sinking. " Wake up. Wake up!" Thorin yelled. The dwarves and Bella all woke up and before any of them had time to grab their weapons or to even react the floor of the cave opened up and the company fell down into the chasm; yelling and screaming.