Unblinking Eyes

He remembered Thorin’s pale, bloody face being lifted away by an eagle, taken from the battle, and the warring emotions of hope and dread Bilbo had felt in that moment. On the cliff side, when Thorin had approached him, Bilbo had felt confusion, then elation, as the dwarf spoke to him. He had finally felt accepted into the company, as a member of the company, rather than a tag-along.That was why he’d stayed silent when his injury had begun to worry him. He was concerned that he’d be seen as a weak hobbit once more, not worthy of the praise Thorin had given him, the recognition.