Bilbo hadn't taken kindly to Thorin showing up at his smial unannounced- even despite the invite to tea made long ago. The hobbit had gone pale then became tomato faced and blubbery. He just barely managed a 'come back in an hour' before he slammed his door shut in Thorin's face.
Thorin did as Bilbo asked, more than willing to give him time. Thorin thought he'd take a walk since the day was young and the Shire was beautiful. Certainly a place blessed by Yavanna herself, a sea of green every which way. Trees danced in the gentle breeze, giving shade to the flowers blooming in the grass beneath the great branches.
Thorin had walked for longer than he'd meant to, considering he was supposed to turn back towards Bag End. His nerves were so shot he hadn't been thinking properly and found himself lost. Of course, the extra walking when he'd been anticipating sitting in Bilbo's comfortable living room by now meant that his leg was acting up.
Thorin's left leg and hip hadn't been the same since he last fought Azog. It was partially why it took so long to get to Bilbo in the first place. Even now, it aches constantly. Sometimes more, like a blinding pain that takes all of his concentration. Sometimes less, to the point that he could almost forget it was there entirely. But it still remained.
Thorin found a tree to sit beneath a while when his limp became a staggering gait. He had thought he was alone.
"How come you're out here all alone?"
A little hobbit seemed to appear from nowhere, the boy doing a double take when he realized he was speaking to a dwarf and not a hobbit. He still remained friendly and curious, tilting his head the way a cat might.
"I came to visit Bilbo Baggins," Thorin began, hoping to not cause a scene or frighten the faunt. "He asked me to give him some time to er... get tea ready. Thought I'd take a walk."
The boy wrinkled his nose. "You're fibbing. No one visits my uncle."
Thorin's brow raised. On the occasion that they had spoken of family, Bilbo had only mentioned his late parents at length. "...I can assure you, I am here to visit him. My name is Thorin, I am..."
No word could accurately summarize what they were to each other, and Thorin flinched at the memory of Bilbo's look just a little while ago. Perhaps what they used to be, they were no longer.
"Thorin!" The boy exclaimed, his former reservedness disappearing in an instant. Starry-eyed, the boy hurriedly bowed. "Frodo Baggins, at your service!"
The dwarvish manners were adorable. Thorin was not immune to how little ones could pull at heartstrings with ease. Which was why he allowed young Frodo to take his hand, pulling him to his feet insistently despite the pain lingering in his leg.
"You must come to Bag End straightaway! Oh, uncle has told me so many stories about you. I bet he is so happy. You're much too far from the smial, did you get lost again? Uncle said you did that a lot. The roads all have names, do you not do that in the mountain?"
Thorin had been content to listen to Frodo prattle on as they set upon their march, for his experience with his own nephews led him to believe it best to simply listen. His mind was still preoccupied with what he might say to Bilbo, once the hobbit allowed him to speak.
"Wait a moment," Frodo said, stopping dead in his tracks. He peered up at Thorin curiously, a serious expression overtaking his face. "Mister Thorin sir, forgive me asking, but are you a ghost?"
"What makes you ask that?" Thorin was concerned. Did he look particularly ill?
Frodo pursed his lips, an expression certainly learned from Bilbo. "Well, I told you how my uncle told me lots of stories about you, right? Only at the end of his stories, you're always dead. He gets really quiet and sits by himself a while after he tells it, so I don't ask for your story as much anymore."
Stomach dropping, Thorin staggered as his leg began to give way. Masking his pain, Thorin found a soft spot in the grass to land. He leaned against a fence post, stretching his leg out before him in search of relief. "I must sit for a moment, Frodo. Would you sit with me and you can tell me the stories your uncle tells you?"
Frodo had only just finished retelling the tale of Bilbo's journey (and Thorin's supposed, tragic end) when a comely hobbit on a cart pulled by two donkeys passed by.
"Hullo Master Frodo! Who's your friend there?"
"Hi Mister Gamgee! This is one of uncle Bilbo's friends, Mister Thorin!"
Clearly, this hobbit had heard of Thorin in a similar way Frodo had. Instantly his expression fell and he tore his sunhat off to give a little bow of his head.
"Why, never expected to meet you! What are you doing in the grass here, rather than at Bag End? Mister Bilbo would be aflutter to see you, I should think!"
"He got lost," Frodo answered helpfully.
Thorin grimaced. "My old wounds keep me from making the journey back to Bag End swiftly. Thanks to young Master Frodo here, it is clear I have much explaining to do for... Mister Bilbo. I am anxious to do so."
"Well I'll be! I sure don't have a chariot, this is so dwarven craft, but if it is a help I'd be happy to cart you up to Bag End."
Frodo was already laying down in the back of the cart, his ease of comfort telling this was something he did often.
Gamgee was swift to hop off his cart and help Thorin to his feet. Thorin was surprised by the strength of the hobbit, how easily he got him up and into the cart with very little input needed on Thorin's part. Thorin's gratitude was immeasurable, but Gamgee wouldn't hear a lick of it.
"With how low his spirits were when he returned home... let three full harvests of perfectly good garden tomatoes rot because the lad couldn't eat..." Gamgee sighed and tutted, then chuckled good-naturedly. "Believe you me, no matter how he seems at first, he'll be very happy indeed to see you. He can be more sour than a crab apple at times but he's got a big heart right smack on his sleeve."
When the cart came to a stop before Bag End, Gamgee helped Thorin down from the cart.
"My thanks again. I shall call upon you soon to repay you this favor."
"Call for dinner sometime, it'll please my missus to no end to sit and sup with Mister Bilbo's famous dwarf. That'll be payment enough." Gamgee turned and looked at Frodo who was halfway out the cart. "Lad, why don't you come to ours for dinner? Allow your uncle some time. Sam's got some new toys he wanted to show you anyhow."
Thorin waved goodbye to Frodo and Gamgee as the cart began to pull away towards the sunset. As he turned to look at Bag End, his heart swelled knowing his One was inside. He had much to atone for, much to explain, comfort to give. Thorin could only pray it would go well, that Bilbo would hear him out.
With a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock.
