Just a little over a year after retaking their home, the company was now leaving it. Even though it was the middle of the night, the company didn't care. Their hobbit was in danger but it was also more than that. Their king's heart was in danger as well. They all could see it as plain as day. The way he had acted around the hobbit on their quest. The way he acted when he found out Bilbo had left. The way he had reacted when the boy had delivered the news. All the color had drained from Thorin's face and he quickly turned away, shoulders shaking. Immediately he had ordered a horse saddled, something to carry him to catch up with Dain's army before they reached Moria. The company of course was not going to let Thorin go alone and had ordered horses of their own while Balin had spoken to Thorin in private. He seemed calmer the next time they saw him, ordering that Dis, his sister, be summoned. Upon her arrival, he named her Regent until his return and left to pack. Fili and Kili quickly filled their mother in and her soft expression spoke volumes and her ordering her sons to go with their uncle said even more.

Now they raced through the night, too far from the lake now to see it, traveling along the edges of Mirkwood on swift ponies. Traveling light, they were making good time. It was a much different journey now than the last, darker, colder.

It took them only a week to find Dain's army and the dwarves were not alone. Elves from Lotherien filled out the ranks. Everyone was grim faced, knowing that if the King Under the Mountain was leaving his kingdom, this was indeed an important task they undertook. Thorin immediately sought out council with Dain and Gandalf, who willingly gave it.

"Most of the hobbits who survived are now living in the Blue Mountains with the dwarves left there helping the hobbits set up their own towns and farms," Dain was standing by the entrance of his war tent while Gandalf and the company sat around a table. Thorin was standing at the other end of the table, looking over maps. "A few went to Bree and a few went south. I've sent riders to find them and lead them to the Blue Mountains if they want."

"How many orcs are in Moria?" Thorin glanced at his cousin, expression controlled.

"No more than a hundred by our reckoning," Dain nodded to Gandalf. "With maybe twenty hobbits. No one has left or entered since we arrived and there is no sign that anyone has in some time."

"We are planning on attacking tonight," Gandalf leaned forward, watching Thorin. "The goal is to rescue any hobbits still alive."

"And you assume how many are?" Thorin met Gandalf's gaze.

"Far fewer than those who entered," Gandalf gave a heavy sigh. "We believe they took 30 from the Shire. We found eight bodies along the path the orcs took to return and 6 more were hanging outside the gates. None were Bilbo."

Thorin's shoulders dropped a bit and he nodded, "When this is done, we are sealing the gates of Moria so that none may enter."

"Why? It was once a very prosperous city!" Dain frowned.

"Our ancestors dug too deep, cousin," Thorin shook his head. "Grandfather wrote of it before his passing, of something dark stirring in the deep. I fear the orcs' attack had something to do with it. When we are done, Moria is sealed."

"Very well," Dain bowed his head. "Will you lead the attack with me?"

"We will," Thorin nodded.

Under the cover of night, the dwarves, elves and wizard snuck up to the gates of Moria, flung wide open from the orcs mad dash to get inside. Thorin ignored the chains hanging from around the gate, obviously where hobbits had been hung. No sounds reached them as they crossed into the dark, cold caverns of Moria, ancient home of the dwarves.

"Can you feel it?" Gandalf whispered to no one in particular. "Can you feel the beast?"

Whatever he spoke of, they all could feel it. A slight trembling in the floor and the smell of fire was all they needed to know something shifted in the deep. They didn't have to go far, though, to find the orcs. They had set up camp a few chambers in from the gates, huddling together, fighting and yelling at each other. None, though, went near the door at the back. It was there, though, that Thorin spotted what was left of the hobbits. Chained to the wall up high so that they couldn't reach the floor with their toes, two hobbits hung. No orcs went near them, seeing as they hung on either side of the door. Neither moved and a deep fear started to fester in Thorin's heart. What if they were too late?

A cry went up in the orc ranks and one unlucky orc was shoved towards the door as what seemed to be the leader roared, "Feed the balrog! Or you'll be fed to it!"

"A balrog," Gandalf gasped. "We must be swift. Have some of your men go and start to close the gates."

Dain nodded, glancing at Thorin, "Go, before it's too late."

Thorin nodded before giving an almighty cry and charging forward, Orcist shining in the firelight. The orcs gave up a cry, but they had been caught unawares. Thorin easily cut through them, counting on his men to have his back as he made for the hobbits. It was hard to see a difference between the two. Both were bloody and dirty, but one was a little fatter and taller. Gandalf stayed at Thorin's side, easily knocking orcs about with his staff and sword. It was not long before the two were through the ranks and into the open space. Only the one orc stood before them, shaking as it stood between them and the hobbits. Thorin didn't give it a second thought, just slashed off its head as Gandalf raced forward. He pressed a hand to the fatter hobbits forehead and sighed, "He is dead."

"The other?" Thorin rushed to the other, reaching up to press a hand to the hobbit's neck. He gave a gasp and his eyes snapped open, locking on Thorin. Thorin gave a sigh of relief before slamming Orcist into the chains, cutting them. He caught the hobbit, pulling him close, "You are safe, my hobbit. You are safe. I am here, Bilbo. Nothing will hurt you."

"T-t-thorin," Bilbo forced out, voice raspy and weak as he just let Thorin hold him, unable to support his own weight. "It…it will come….."

At that moment, something roared in the deep, drawing everyone's gaze to the door. Thorin looked at Gandalf, who looked back, "Run."

"Retreat!" Thorin roared as he turned, lifting Bilbo up over his shoulder, Orcist in his other hand. Most of the orcs were dead anyway and those who weren't were turning tail and running. The dwarves followed, killing any they caught as they ran from whatever was moving in the deep. Another roar echoed behind them as Thorin and Gandalf drew level with the gates. They were almost closed now, just enough space for two dwarves abreast to get through. Gandalf followed Thorin through before turning and slamming the doors shut with a burst of magic. Another burst and rocks slid down the mountain, piling in front of the door. Distantly they heard another roar and everyone tensed, but Gandalf waved a hand, "He is sealed away. He cannot get out."

"Back to camp," Dain ordered as he made his way over to Thorin, who was setting his burden down on the ground, kneeling next to the weakened hobbit. "How is he?"

"Exhausted," Thorin shrugged out of his coat as Bilbo shivered. "I will not know the full extent of his injuries until he is clean."

"I did not think anyone would come," Bilbo was forcing his eyes open, focused on Thorin. "The Shire, Thorin…..t-the Shire…..they b-b-burned it…."

"Many of the hobbits survived and are living near the Blue Mountains. The dwarves are helping them build a home," Thorin wrapped Bilbo in his coat. "And we all came. We do not abandon one of our own."

Bilbo gave a small smile before his eyes slipped close, one hand gripping Thorin's coat. Thorin took the other, examining the shackles still attached to the thin wrists, "I will need tools to remove these."

"We'll have tools and healing supplies brought to your tent," Dain nodded as the rest of the company hovered nearby, Gandalf keeping them at bay. "Whatever you need just let me know."

"I will," Thorin nodded before scooping of Bilbo's form and standing. Dain rested a hand on Thorin's shoulder.

"He will heal, cousin," Dain gave a small smile. "And we all hope you don't mess up this chance."

"I don't know what you speak of," Thorin growled, making to move forward, but Dain's hand was firm.

"Dis sent a bird ahead of you," was all he said, squeezing Thorin's shoulder one last time before letting him go. Thorin blinked and nodded, sighing at his sister's meddling before heading towards the others.

"Let us get our hobbit home," Thorin looked over the company, who nodded back. Thorin nodded back and headed back towards camp.