In Broken Beats - Chapter 4

An uneasy feeling crept up Thorin's spine as he nudged his pony forward. It had been almost 8 years since he set foot in the Shire and he was unsure how he would be welcomed back or even welcomed at all.

The situation with his sister was the reason for his rather long delay. She had tried too many times to end her own life, and had to be on constant watch day and night.

As the years passed; the pain began to lessen, and she began to brighten again, until finally she had regained her strength and was able to be on her own yet again.

During that time, he had had the task of taking care of his nephews, taking from his experience of caring for Bilbo at times during his stay in Bag End. He enjoyed that time with both of them, but it made him think of the promise he made to a little brown eyed boy that he had come to adore.

He had found himself refraining from telling the two boys about the Shire, or of Bilbo. It was as if by telling them, that the Shire would turn out to be nothing more than a story, a dream, that it would no longer exist and his chest ached at the thought.

He was pulled from his thoughts as he crested over the hill, just making out a faint light in the distance and his heart began to race.

He dug a booted heel into his pony's side, spurring the pony to a fast trot. A jolt of nervousness struck him when he laid eyes on the familiar little green door.

He had made a promise to Bilbo all those years ago and he was making good on it today.

He slowed the pony to a halt, dismounted, and tied the reins to the fence.

He untied the saddlebags, pulling them off and throwing them over his shoulder with a soft smile. 'These gifts should more than make up for my long absence.'

He could faintly hear the click-clacking of silverware against china as he approached the door, and his smile grew.

He breathed in deep, his shoulders relaxed and the tension fled his limbs as he took in the faint floral scent of the air. Then he raised a hand and knocked three times on the round door.

The click-clacking went silent, then there was a scrapping noise as chairs were pushed back violently.

Then he heard pounding and stomping,that meant that bare feet were running rather than walking as they approached the door. Thorin rolled his eyes, 'Bilbo hasn't changed at all. Always in a hurry.'

His smile was quickly replaced by confusion when the door swung open. 'What in Durin's name?'

In front of him stood not the chubby, round-faced child he had left behind, but rather a teenaged version of Bilbo.

The slightly ruddy skin and baby fat was gone, replaced with fine features and clear, pale skin. Those brown eyes that once seemed too large for his body, now fit perfectly. His hair still kept that dark honey color, but was slightly longer, but still unkempt barely hiding slightly pointed ears.

He was smiling at him, bright and shining, with tears in his eyes and Thorin could not help but admit that Bilbo had grown into a breath-takingly handsome young man.

But before he could think anymore on it, Bilbo launched himself at him, wrapping his arms around his neck with a yell.

"Mister Thorin!"

All Thorin could do was wrap his arms around him as uneasiness filled him again. He gripped Bilbo's arms, noting the slight muscle build in them, and pushed him back a step, looking at him closely. He had gotten tall in his absence too. He reached the middle of his bicep.

"You've grown." He stated, obviously.

A jolt went through him when Bilbo tipped his head back and laughed. He gently punched Thorin's arm.

"Of course I've grown! You HAVE been gone for 8 years."

A voice from behind Bilbo caught his attention.

"We are so glad to see you again, Mister Thorin."

Thorin was shocked to see the amount of grey in both Bungo and Belladonna's curls and could only nod in greeting to either of them. 'Just how fast do Hobbits age?'

Bilbo dropped his chin to his chest. "We didn't think you were ever coming back."

He looked back down at Bilbo, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder before he spoke.

"Do you not remember? I made an oath to return, little one, and a dwarf never goes back on his oath."

When Bilbo lifts his head, the smile he gives in answer is blinding and Thorin feels rooted to the spot, smiling back nervously.

'Why, in Durin's name, am I suddenly feeling so nervous?'

He shifts his feet, when a weight on his shoulder reminds him of the saddlebags he brought with him.

He speaks again, patting the bag draped over his shoulder. "May we move into the sitting room? I have brought gifts back from my stay in Ered Luin."

Bilbo's eyes dance merrily as he bounces from foot to foot in his excitement, then grabs his hand just like he did 8 years ago, and pulls him with him down the hall.

Thorin shakes his head. 'You haven't changed at all, Bilbo. Not at all.'

When they were halfway down the hall, he yelled back, "Well, stop standing there, mum and da! Come on! Don't you want to see what Thorin brought us?"

Thorin laughs then, deep and booming, which in turn causes the young man with the curls of honey and eyes like earth to laugh and something loosens in his chest.