This is one of the most difficult stories I've ever read, and I've read thousands. I'm not good with angst, and sometimes stop reading particularly difficult stories because I can't deal with it. This story, I read in one day, and in one sitting, even though it tore my heart to shreds, because I desperately wanted to know if there was a good ending. A happy one, somehow, after all the hell everyone went through.

I'm glad I read it. Your words painted one of the most realistic pictures in my head of any stories I've read. You have the talent of being able to perfectly describe with words the things most can only see or feel.
Thank you for your story. Never feel ashamed of it, it is a work of art.

Oh, dear, Bilbo is going to strain himself for the sake of others again before he can even walk. He needs at least a week to heal, to sleep, and to eat and drink normally.

But he's not going to get it, is he?

I hope Bilbo survives all this, but it's not looking good. And it's far too late in the year to take him back to the Shire. He needs to be under armed guard and cossetted till he has a chance to heal-but will the political situation allow that to happen? Then again, this last murder attempt might give Thorin the excuse to finally take the necessary measures to keep Bilbo safe.

I'm surprised that people are concluding so fast that Thorin wants Bilbo in his bed, unless Thorin is giving more hints that way that aren't showing in the text-but if it gives him a reason to behave irrationally if Bilbo is hurt, well hey.

Now Thorin needs to the fastest and smartest talking of his life, if Bilbo is going to live.

Oh, Thorin's ploy is perfect (though admittedly he had help with it). If Bilbo's found dead, everyone know that Thorin was offering a reward for him alive, and that the Arkenstone is not in play.

Hope it works.

I hope that Bilbo survives till spring. It's not looking good.

And inviting *everyone* inside the Mountain could get...awkward.

Still, there's a lot to be said for checkbook diplomacy, and it's nice to see that Dain is talking about going back to the Iron Mountains, when he might have wanted to stay on longer, a lot longer.

Yes, Bilbo will always have the nightmares-he will certainly have them while he's there. I hope he survives the winter before he can return to the Shire.

Yup, there's a lot to be said for checkbook diplomacy. And then point out at the next accusation of gld-sickness, that an awful lot of people seem to have it these days.

But at the next break in the weather, or when Gandalf finally returns, Bilbo really should be escorted back to the Shire before he's murdered.

Bilbo's not going to live till spring, and the dwarves are too busy to notice it-while Bilbo makes sure nobody starves, nobody seems to have time to make sure he's fed. How long was he gone before anybody noticed?

Gahhhhh you almost made me cry more than once. Lol. This was an epic journey and I loved every minute of it. Absolutely wonderful fic!

"Wrong or right, I have never regretted my decision."

Y E S
LAWD

S og o. O d

I really enjoyed this thank you.

Good for Fili, for doing the right thing, and to Bilbo, for coming up with the idea.

I don't think Bilbo is going to last till spring. I don't think Gandalf believes he will, either.

It was amazing! Loved it :)

At some point everyone needs to sit down and wonder if they can cut a deal with Dain to give Thranduil enough so he’ll go away, enough to Bard and the Laketowners to rebuild, and then work out a deal that will make Dain happy enough to let the other dwarves stay alive. Balin’s out of it; Thorin doubts himself too much and won’t suck it up anyway, and Bilbo has been pushed too damn hard already. Fili and Kili may be high enough in rank, but is anybody going to listen to them since they are so young yet?

Winter is coming, and the Laketowners will starve the death over the winter if something isn’t done soon.