Bilbo knew he was doing the right thing. As he trudged towards the tent where the wood elf Thranduil and Gandalf were staying over their wait. The Arkenstone weighed heavy in his pocket as well as his consciousness. He sighed as he entered the tent.

"Ah, Bilbo!" Gandalf smiled kindly as the hobbit came in, he looked down on the hobbit and frowned, "How is our king under the mountain?"

"Not being very kingly… he's worked us hard these past few weeks, trying to find the Arkenstone… he even believes one of us stole it…" Bilbo frowned, sitting down wearily.

Gandalf realised for the first time how weary the hobbit had become. The hobbit had changed since leaving his shire… for one thing he was braver, as Gandalf knew he would be, and he was also a lot thinner… Gandalf worried the hobbit hadn't been eating, and since the news of Thorin over working his men his intuition told him the other dwarves were also being mistreated. "He's getting dragon sickness… yet i know no one in that company would steal from their king" he grumbled.

Thranduil eyed the hobbit as he winced in fear, "And yet one of them has." he said as he tilted his head.

Bilbo sighed and nodded, "That's why I'm here…" he said as he pulled the arkenstone from his pocket.

Gandalf gasped, "My dear Bilbo," he frowned in concern, "Do you realise what you've done?"

"I know, but I'm taking it as my fourteenth share." Bilbo said, defiance rising in his tone.

"Thorin won't see it that way," Gandalf answered, pacing the room.

Thranduil chuckled, "He won't, but luckily for him his only option is to go on his word. To help the people. Then he may have his precious stone back," he spat.

"From what I hear, Thranduil, you did not help the people. Not even when the dragon attacked the village." Bilbo spoke up. Thranduil gave him an astonished look, to which Bilbo replied, "The way I see it, you're almost as bad as Thorin."

"And yet your helping me." Thranduil frowned, "Why?"

"I'm not doing it for you." Bilbo scowled, "I'm doing it for those people, they are as much without a home as Thorin once was, and I pity them." he said, pointing outside the tent to the crowds of hungry men, women and children.

Gandalf saw the anger flicker across Thranduil's face, "You do realise what Thorin is going to think, Bilbo?"

He nodded, becoming weary again, "I know… but whatever his actions, he must keep his word so he can get his stone back." He turned to the elven king, "I trust you do keep your word?" he said and turned to leave.

"Bilbo?" Gandalf called after him. Bilbo turned, "Good luck my boy. I hope you get out of this one," the wizard smiled kindly.

"I hope so too." Bilbo replied, looking worried before he turned to leave, he hesitated as he went to step outside of the tent. "Gandalf?"

"Yes, Bilbo?" he asked.

The hobbit hesitated again, looking uneasy, "If anything does happen, I want you to be here for me and the Dwarves,"

"You have my word, Bilbo Baggins." he smiled and nodded. Bilbo looked a little happier as he left the tent. Gandalf found the nearest chair and collapsed into it, "Thorin, if you harm that hobbit so help me-"

"You fear for his life?" Thranduil asked.

Gandalf sighed, "I believe the other dwarves will save him to the best of their abilities. But Thorin is sick, and a sick man will do insane things…"

"Well, let us hope our hobbit isn't too harmed then," the elven king snarked.