Chapter 29: Awake

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In which Thorin wakes.

"How do you know about The Hobbit?" asked Sara, sitting down on a rock, still struggling to process that Nori and Bifur could have found out. She was suddenly very grateful that Nori had insisted that she follow him away from the others and she realized his purpose in leading her here to the waterfall, for it would work to mask their words.

"First tell us how you came to have a complete record of our journey in your phone," said Nori, leaning back against the large rock behind him.

"What do you know?" she asked, resting her chin in her right hand wincing a bit at the pain in her wrist.

"That is our question for you. What have you been keeping from us?"

"Quite a bit," she said weekly, not meeting their eyes. "Unfortunately there is a lot I can't tell you." Bifur said something to Nori in dwarvish.

"Bifur has suspected for some time that you were hiding something. Several times he noticed inconsistencies in your supposed lack of knowledge." She was quiet for some time studying them.

"Such as?"

Nori shook his head. "Not until you tell us how you have a complete record of our journey in your phone."

"But how do you know about it?" she asked, her voice growing in irritation. "I had only had it for a few days. How did you find out?"

The two dwarves shared a short secret conversation that ended with Bifur pointing accusingly at Nori and then to Sara. Nori sighed and turned back to her. "I borrowed your phone when you passed out a couple nights ago," he said. Bifur added something in dwarvish before he too took a seat and bent to pick up several loose feathers setting them adrift in a puddle.

"Borrowed usually means you asked first," said Sara, scowling at the thief.

"It appears Bifur would agree with you, though I am inclined to disagree," said Nori succinctly.

"You would," she grumbled, picking up a stick at her feet.

"Regardless, we know, so explain it."

She blew out a breath. "I'm not entirely sure I can."

"Try," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. Sara heard metal clinking.

"I mean I'm not supposed to."

"Why?" asked Nori souldering off the rock.

"Because I advised her not to," said Gandalf, stepping around the boulder behind Nori. "I advised her to keep it a secret." The two dwarves turned, startled slightly by the wizard's sudden appearance.

"Figures you would have something to do with this," muttered Nori pulling his hands from his pockets to fold his arms over his chest once again.

"I advised her to keep this secret, partially for her own safety, and also because the knowledge she has is not relevant to this company."

"How is a complete chronicle of our march to Erebor not relevant to us?" countered Nori.

It was Gandalf's turn to look confused. "Whatever are you talking about Nori?" he asked.

"Gandalf," interjected Sara, pushing pebbles around in the dirt with her stick. "Things have changed since we left Rivendell. You have missed quite a lot."

His eyebrows rose. "How so Ms. Sara?"

"Well for one thing I have a copy of The Hobbit," she said. "And for another, we found out that I am likely from Middle Earth."

His eyebrows rose even further. "Explain," he said leaning on his staff. So she launched into an account of what had happened on the eighth day after they had left Rivendell. She explained how her necklace had broken, how Gloin had showed her it was a locket, and told him of the note and the SD card she found inside. She told him briefly about her grandmother and her search for her family. She showed him the craftmas mark inside her locket and finally explained how her grandmother had left her a digital copy of The Hobbit.

"I see," said Gandalf, stroking his white beard lost in thought.

"Well I don't," said Nori impatiently. "You have explained how you came to possess what you call The Hobbit, but that does not explain why such a thing even exists." Sara looked to Gandalf for guidance, but he was not paying attention.

"In for a dime, in for a dollar," she muttered, throwing the stick over Bifur's head and into the waterfall. Nori and Bifur already knew too much, so what would it matter if they knew more. She turned to face the two dwarfs. "Okay look," she said sighing. "I'm not quite sure how to tell you this, but you know those stories I'm always telling you?"

They nodded. "Like the ones you told this morning?" asked Nori.

"Yes," she said picking at her bandaging. "Well your quest for Erebor is just another one of those stories, another fairytale, one that has been written down in the book called The Hobbit. Lots of people have read it. It's quite a popular book." Nori and Bifur were frozen in shock but after a moment Bifur asked Nori something.

"Bifur wants to know if that is how you knew the password for the door into Moria?" translated Nori.

"Actually... no," she admitted, rubbing her temple. "That one's from The Lord of the Rings."

"And what ais that?" asked the thief. Gandalf had come out of his reverie and pulled out his pipe listening.

"They are the books that tell of another adventure, one set in the future of middle earth about 60 years from now." Bifur asked something again.

"What did he say?" asked Sara, when no translation was forthcoming.

"He says that would explain a lot."

"Like what?" she asked, turning to Bifur.

"Like how you knew the name of Rivendell simply by knowing that Elrond lives there," said Nori. "How you knew the password into Moria, and how you seemed to already know that Gloin has a son named Gimli. Those and a few other smaller slips."

"Apparently," said Gandalf turning to Sara. "You are not quite as tight-lipped as we would have hoped. Do any of the others know or suspect?" he asked, addressing the dwarves.

"Not yet," said Nori, letting his hands drop to his side. "We wanted to talk to Sara first and there has been a lot going on lately. It's been rather difficult prying her away from the others."

"Good," said the wizard. "Keep it that way." Nori opened his mouth to argue but Sara cut him off.

"It doesn't matter Gandalf, I don't have the book anymore. It was with all the rest of my stuff when we got separated, and Ori and Oin were the only two who seem to have made it here with anything other than their weapons. I never got to this point in the book, so we still don't know about the future. Besides," she said kicking at a rock. "I'm not sure how reliable the information in the book really is."

"Actually," said Nori slyly. "That's not altogether true." He dug into his many pocketed coat and withdrew something wrapped in cloth and handed it to her. She pulled back the covering and gasped in surprise. It was her puzzle box.

"You had it all this time?" she asked.

"I grabbed it during the confusion in the goblin tunnels," he replied. She slid out the key piece and opened the box to see her solar charger and phone still intact.

"Well that's one problem solved," said Gandalf, blowing a purple smoke ring. "Now Ms. Sara, what did you mean about the information of The Hobbit being suspect?"

"The book and reality don't add up Gandalf. There are parts that are downplayed, missing, or downright contradictory."

"Such as?"

"Azog," said Nori and Sara at almost the same time. She looked at the dwarf.

"Just how much of the book did you read?" she asked as she closed the box and slipped it into the pocket of Ori's pants.

"I was most of the way through chapter three when Thorin relieved me of the watch and I was forced to return your phone or risk your notice," he admitted. "She's right Gandalf, there's definitely something wrong with the account in her book."

"Elaborate," said the wizard impatiently, waving them on as he continued to puff on his pipe. Together she and Nori began to describe the differences between reality and the book.

"This is troubling," said Gandalf, his pipe forgotten in his hand. "Very troubling indeed."

"You're telling me," said Sara, biting at her thumbnail. "The one guy everyone was hoping to see safely dead is not only alive but hunting Thorin, and now me too."

"You?" ask Gandalf. "Why would he be hunting you?"

"Gandalf," she said quietly, letting her hand drop to her lap. "He saw my birthmark."

"How did that happen?" he asked startled.

"I would rather not have to tell the story more than once," she said, pushing Bofur's hat back further on her head. "Suffice it to say that when he saw it, he told me he would be taking me to his master in Dol Guldur. Apparently his master has been searching for someone like me." Gandalf began to pace muttering under his breath. This had been going on for several minutes and Nori and Bifur had shared several words in dwarvish when finally the thief broke into the wizard's preoccupation.

"Gandalf, where have you been these many days? We looked to see you sooner?"

"I was gathering information at the behest of the White Council," he said, fixing his gaze on Nori. "I think it would be best to keep all of this between ourselves for now. At least until Ms. Sara has had a chance to finish reading the book. We can discuss what to do about it then." Nori once again looked ready to argue. "There is no sense worrying the others until we know for sure that there's anything to be done."

"I don't like keeping secrets like this from the others," said Nori. "It doesn't sit well with me."

"Only until Sara has read The Hobbit in its entirety," assured Gandalf. "Then we will be able to share all at once rather than have to give it to them in bits and pieces. Besides…" but here the wizard was cut off as Dory came puffing up to them.

"He is waking," said Dori. "Thorin is waking." The dwarves turned and ran back towards camp. Sara got to her feet but hesitated to follow after them, the last words Thorin had spoken to her coming to mind with a slight sting.

"Why do you not go with them?" asked Galdalf watching her carefully.

"Last time I was around Thorin, he was kind of mad at me," she said running her finger up and down the gold chain around her neck. "And I think that once he finds out what happened, he will not be any happier with me."

"Come we will go together," offered the Wizard companionably. They walked in silence for a while but Sara finnalt broke it.

"Gandalf what did you mean when you said you were gathering information for the White Council?"

"Ah," said the wizard, giving her a knowing look. "The Lady Galadriel suggested it would be prudent to see if the morgul blade was indeed from the tombs of Angmar, and once the idea was suggested Saruman insisted that I depart immediately. I'm sorry I was detained."

"Saruman insisted?" asked Sara dubiously. "But he was the one who doubted your information the most. Why would he change his mind so quickly?"

"I'm not sure," said Gandalf. "Saruman's sentiments have fluctuated more and more in recent decades."

"What did you find?"

"The graves were empty," he said, his expression somber.

"But how? Lord Elrond said they could not be opened."

"I don't know for certain," he admitted tucking his pipe away. "There is much I do not understand and it troubles me. I do not like all the uncertainty and unexplained events and actions."

They could see camp and were not surprised it was empty for the company had crowded into the nest. As her feet sank into the downy feathers that carpeted the interior of the nest, Sara saw Fili and Kili at Thorin's side with Oin. Gandalf, Balin, Dwalin and Gloin were close by and the others stood clustered a few steps further back. She spotted Bilbo to her left hanging back from the rest looking uncomfortable and went to stand with him, unwilling to penetrate the more intimate circle surrounding Thorin.

"I thought Dori said Thorin was awake," she said.

"That he is close to waking up," corrected Bilbo. They watched together in silence though it was difficult to see anything through the group of dwarves gathered in front of them, especially for Bilbo who's diminutive height did not aid him. Nonetheless, Sara could tell the moment that Thorin woke.

"Uncle Thorin!" exclaimed Kili, as the others clapped for each other on the back or talked happily.

"Do you think he will still be displeased with us?" asked Bilbo, mirroring the thoughts in Sara's mind. She shrugged.

"I would hope not," she said. "But it is Thorin, so who knows. He probably thinks I'm dead anyway." The dwarves talking had ceased and Dwalin stood in front of Bilbo looking down expectantly at the hobbit.

"Thorin wishes to see you Master Baggins," said the warrior.

"Me?" squeak Bilbo, rubbing one foot on top of the other as he was want to do when unsure of himself. Dwalin only nodded and gestured for Bilbo to follow him. Sara followed them closer to the group and stood just behind Bofur and Bombur, watching Fili and Kili help Thorin to sit up.

"Bilbo Baggins," said Thorin sternly, looking over at the hobbit sitting beside him. "Did I not say you would be a burden, that your foolishness and recklessness would lead to your death?" Bilbo's face fell by degrees the Thorin spoke and Sara felt heat rising in her chest as she clenched her fists. "Did I not say that you do not belong in this company, that it would be better if you went home to your books and gardens? Did I not say so Mr. Baggins?"

"Yes," said Bilbo quietly his eyes on the ground. "You did." Why was Thorin being so cruel, throwing these words back in Bilbo's face and after he had risked his own life to save the stubborn dwarf. She was about to push forward and defend Bilbo but when Thorin's voice came again it was a completely different tone.

"And yet you come back and proved that I have never been so wrong in all my life," said Thorin dragging Bilbo into an embrace. Bilbo's face was slack with shock but Sara noticed the smiles and pleased looks of the others. Thorne released a confused but hopeful Bilbo.

"I am sorry I doubted you," he said sincerely.

"No," said Bilbo, his ears a bit pink. "It doesn't matter. I have doubted myself too. I am not a hero or warrior; not even a burglar," he said smiling sheepishly.

"It does matter," insisted Thorin. "I want to know. Why after everything did you come back. I know that at times you have longed to be home, so why, why did you come back?"

"You're right," admitted Bilbo. "I often think of Bag End. I miss my books, my armchair and my garden. Most of all I miss my stocked pantry." A smile quirked on Thorin's lips. "You see," continued Bilbo. "That's where I belong. That's home to me and that's why I joined your company and why I came back, because you don't have one, a home. It was taken from you; but I will help you take it back if I can." He looked around to his friends who were listening intently. "Everyone should have a place to call home."

"I ask your forgiveness for the words I spoke the other night," said Thorin, his voice a bit rougher than normal.

"You have it," replied Bilbo quietly without hesitation.

"You are a most gracious hobbit," said Thorin. "I only wish..." A pained look crossed his face and the muscles in his jaw worked.

"Cheer up uncle," said Fili bracingly. "All is not so bleak as it seems."

"How can you speak of cheer when you have lost the one you would have made your heart sister?" asked Thorin despondently. "Can your affections be so easily forgotten, my sisters son? I did not think you so callus or fickle."

"But uncle," said Kili, standing. "Sara is here!" He drew Sara from behind Bofur and Bombur and brought her to stand before Thorin. His gaze locked and held hers for several moments before he wordlessly held out a hand to her, beseeching. She took his hand and knelt by his side.

"Sara," he breathed. "But how? You were dead."

"It was a bluff," she said quietly. "Azog meant to distract and deceive you all." He was watching her intently, his eyes glistening a bit more than usual as he swallowed thickly. He let go of her fingers, instead lifting his hand to the side of her face, his calloused thumb resting gently on her cheekbone.

"Sara I…" he began, but he was cut off by a wolf whistle from Bofur. Sara looked away from Thorin to see Dwalin giving the toymaker a glare to rival dragonfire. Thorin let his hand slip from her face but his fingers curled around hers again in a firm grip.

"Aren't you still angry with me?" she asked, as he pulled her closer to sit by his side, never relinquishing his hold on her hand.

He grimaced. "My words to you the other night were born of worry, not anger. But regardless of how I said them, I know they wounded you and for that I apologize. I was merely concerned for your safety, and sought to protect you in future."

"I thought you said I should not expect anyone to protect me," she said slyly as Fili and Kili pushed closer to her and Thorin. He sighed.

"I told you before," he said holding her gaze. "Many things have changed since that day in front of the inn." Sara's stomach gave a little lurch.

"Like what?" she asked quietly. "You didn't answer me last time." Bofur said something loudly in dwarvish that caused an angry flush to rise on Thorns face, but it was Dwalin's reaction that surprised Sara. The warrior stomped over to the cheekily grinning Bofur and wrapped an arm around his neck dragging away the snickering dwarf muttering something about a reprobate.

"Will you grant me your forgiveness?" asked Thorin, tugging gently at her hand, bringing her attention back to him.

"As long as you don't expect me to stand by and do nothing if someone is in danger, especially someone I care for," she said.

"I prefer you safe," he said seriously. "Will you refrain from unnecessary risks?"

"The unnecessary ones," she agreed.

He huffed. "That is all I will get from you isn't it?" She nodded. "Very well," he said, shaking his head wearily. "But you must stay closer to me and the others on our journey back to the Blue Mountains. I won't see you put in harm's way again."

"Journey home?" asked Kili confused. "What about Erebor?"

Thorin's face fell once again. "It's lost," he said releasing Sara's hand to run his own through his hair in frustration, grimacing in pain with the movement. "The key to Erebor is lost somewhere in the goblin tunnels and without a way into the mountain our quest is for naught." All the dwarves were somber at these words save one. Nori stepped forward and Sara was confused when he held a small leather pouch out the Thorin, who upon seeing the offered item tried to get to his feet a hopeful look on his face but was forced back down by a rather stern Oin and the pain in his shoulder. Nori placed the pouch carefully in Thorin's hand and Sara watched as he unlaced the opening and withdrew a small tin, several hair beads and ties, his pipe, and finally the ornate silver key to the secret door of Erebor.

"What else do you have in there?" asked Sara pointing at Nori's jacket.

Nori shrugged. "I took what I knew to be most important."

"You have done well," said Thorin.

"I'm only sorry I could not find the map as well," said Nori.

Thorin shook his head. "We got all we needed from the map, we know the location of the door. The key is what matters," he said looking to Nori. "If our adventure proves fruitful I will see that you are given a place where your specific talents and skills will be appreciated and put to good use." He turned to Gandalf. "I

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