The Hobbit Imagines IV

Imagine Thorin dying

Marco Borsato - Rood

At that moment, as Thorin and Azog stand in front of each other, one of them about to die, he realizes what he has thrown away.

In the many years of wandering from place to place, hoping to find shelter and food he had kept many things from himself. Among those things are warmth, a comfortable bed once they settled into the Blue Mountains and love.

There has been a dwarf by his side for many decades now. He can't remember seeing them when they were little but his father told him many times that he did.

Sometimes he tried to remember. He really did. But he was so young back then that it doesn't matter how hard he tries.

In the years that they were together they never spoke about how they looked at each other. Never did they say anything about the tension that they both felt when they were together. It wasn't important when the growling stomache's of thousands could be heard from inside.

Even after they had found a home, Thorin was too busy following up about stories of his father. 

He traveled alone on those searches. At first others had followed him but they had given up hope. And Thorin didn't wish to surround himself with people who believed in lies.

There was still hope in his heart. It was the last piece of him that held on to his father.

Dis even told him that he should give up the search. His own sister betrayed him. So it felt to him. 

Maybe his father was lying somewhere, waiting for Thorin to find him. How would he feel, thinking that someone was still out there looking for him while in reality they had given up on him. 

So he continued. 

He spend year after year after year, searching for his lost father. In his absence there were others who looked after his kingdom for him. Since he wasn't of age until he was 80 years old, he had a little more freedom. But princes had their duties as well.

He had to come back every so often to solve problems that had arised during his absence.

And then he would leave again, once news arrived of another sighting of his father. Some mentioned that he was seen at Dol-Goldur. The council forbad him to go searching for him there.

No army would come with him.

They still wouldn't go with him when he went on his quest to reclaim Erebor. Only a few dwarves followed him because there was a wizard on their side. Some of them would have followed anyway, for others, Thorin knew, it would have been too much of a risk.

He could see that they had honor in their hearts, they didn't come with him for the gold. And why would they since many called it a suicide mission.

At the start of their journey they also managed to persua a hobbit to come with them. Only at the end would Thorin know what true strength that little creature held. 

He was like gold, it wouldn't show it's true power until you worked with it. 

And his most dear companion had followed him also, without hesitation. He couldn't deny the pang of guilt he felt once he found out that you had signed up as well. Would he lead you to your death?

He had done everything in his power to make sure you stayed behind. But like him, you had seen too much and weren't discouraged quickly. So you came along.