Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 19

Balin and Poppy led Bilbo away from the company as the Dwarves silently bid him farewell, moving back towards the cliff outside to wait. Though many wondered if they would ever see the burglar again.

"This is as far as we go," Balin said, breaking the silence. "You don't have to do this. There's no shame in walking away."

"Balin, I promised," Bilbo gave a reassuring smile. "And I intend to keep it." The old Dwarf chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"It never ceases to amaze me the courage and loyalty of Hobbits."

The comment made Poppy smile.

"What does it look like, exactly? The Arkenstone? There's bound to be other items of worth down there."

"There's only one Arkenstone," he said seriously. "Believe me, you'll know it when you see it."

Bilbo nodded, facing his nervous looking cousin. "Everything will be alright, Poppy," he reassured.

"I believe you," she answered. "But we're still family so I can't help but worry." The young woman then stepped forward giving him a tight hug that was returned instantly. "Just be careful," the Half-breed then whispered.

"I promise."

As the two reluctantly let go of each other Balin and Poppy began to depart when the Dwarf paused for a moment.

"Oh, Bilbo," Balin called after him. The Hobbit turned around. "If there is, by any chance, a dragon down there... don't wake it up."

The worry instantly returned to Poppy's expression as her cousin hesitantly glanced back down the path he was about to travel on before her shirt sleeve was tugged on. The older Dwarf pulled her around the corner out of sight.

"Will he be alright?" Poppy asked softly.

"I believe so, lass. Have faith in him."

Of course she did. But up against a dragon... she wasn't sure how her cousin would fair. Coming to the entrance once more, Thorin's attention quickly snapped towards them. No words needed to be said as Balin nodded that indeed the Hobbit had gone inside. Poppy saw the mild relief in the prince's expression. Why couldn't she feel that way?

As the minutes began to tick by, the Half-breed moved off to the side of the cliff, the farthest point away from the staircase to stare off into the distance. She needed time alone from the silent Dwarves as they waited. It grew late, but there was no time for sleep, too anxious to do anything of the sort. Thorin in turn stared out over the lake far below wondering if maybe the Hobbit became lost in the vast network of halls. A haze clouded over his mind at the thought. That their quest to take Erebor would only be prolonged by the burglar's lack of direction and he would be denied his home further–

"You are not the only one to be concerned."

The voice drew Thorin's attention from those dark thoughts, seeing Balin at his side. The Dwarf stared in the opposite direction, staring at Poppy.

"She'll worry herself sick before Erebor is reclaimed in just this time alone," Balin added.

"She has a kind heart," the prince muttered.

The older Dwarf's eyes flickered up towards the prince. "You should speak to her. Even if Poppy doesn't show it, she needs some comfort with the unknown looming ahead."

With a short nod, he moved across the space, coming to quietly stand by her side. "How large is your treasure chamber?" she wondered having sensed his presence.