Leona Baggins lives with her older brother Bilbo in the peaceful rolling hills of the Shire - that peace is short-lived when a wizard and a group of chaotic dwarves seek them out for an adventure of a lifetime.
- #2 in 'hobbit' [1/10/21]
- #1 in 'To...
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The dwarves marched, fully clad in armor and weapons, to the gate of Erebor in preparation for an attack. Leo and Bilbo remained stunned by Thorin's harsh words - the words of a man descending into madness with the voice of a greedy monster.
Leo stared longingly at Fili as he followed behind his kin enduringly. She admired his stoicism and his dedication to his kingdom, but his uncle's clouded judgment would mean he is walking into an unnecessary fight.
"Bilbo, this is ridiculous..."
"What do you suggest we do? Hm? Do you want to try and reason with Thorin now? Look at him! He's too far gone."
She gazed at him with pitiful eyes. "No one is ever too far gone, Bilbo. No one. Not even Thorin."
He watched her defeatedly and sighed. "I don't know about that but I'll play along with your optimism. What do we need to do?"
"I don't know...for starters, we need to get rid of the stone. I want to talk to Fili before he does something stupid...think of solutions, I'll do the same. Everything will be ok, Bilbo."
He nodded before Leo ran down the hall to catch up with the little army.
Leo weaved through the clanking dwarves until she found herself next to Fili who had not noticed her. She grabbed onto his hand to alert him of her presence but he didn't look down at her, just squeezed her hand. Once they made it to the main hall, she pulled Fili off to the side despite hearing Thorin beginning to barking orders.
"This cannot be happening. You can't do this!"
"I don't have a choice, Leo."
"Yes, you do! You don't have to go to war! You don't have to encourage him by obeying him!"
"He's still my uncle. This is still my home."
"You're uncle is being irrational! He's not thinking clearly because he's sick!"
"I know that! But I can't fix him! You've been trying for days now and he's only gotten worse!" Leo stared at him stunned, Fili had never been harsh towards her. He sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean that...you've done everything you can to help him and I'm very grateful. However, despite your efforts, Leo, he's not any better. Besides, you won't have to worry about yourself anyway because I told Thorin I didn't want you to fight."
"What?! Shouldn't that be my choice?"
"Oh, so you don't want us to go to war but now you want to fight? Who's being irrational now, Leo?"
Leo put her head in her hands to think and try and form "rational" thoughts again. "I don't want to fight with you, Fili."
"Then don't...I know this isn't an ideal situation but you have to understand what I'm fighting for despite the fact that our leader has gone insane. I'm the next in line for the throne and I'd like to have a throne to take on when it's my time. I want a home for the family I've dreamed of having. A home where my wife can live the life she deserves, to have everything she wants and needs, and never has to worry. I want a home where my children can grow up and feel safe and enjoy life. I want a kingdom where I can carry on Thorin's legacy even if it ends in madness."
