The next morning Thorin and Bilbo headed out on ponies for their hunting trip. Bilbo had calmed down since his unfortunate encounter with Dain. Thorin just wanted to get Bilbo out of Erebor and away from what had to be terrible memories. He also liked the idea of having the cute little hobbit all to himself, without lecherous cousins or pushy sisters anywhere around.

Bilbo had been so upset about Dain that he didn't really think about the trip again until they were actually leaving. He had enjoyed nature on his island, the glaciers floating majestically in the bays, snow covered mountain peaks and wide expanses of meadows. But mostly he enjoyed it from the balcony of the palace. Nature was just wonderful; from the proper distance. The Shire with its rolling green hills and sparkling little rivers had been lovely. At least thinking back it seemed lovely, at the time he had thought it was ridiculously boring. Oh how he would love that type of boring right now...maybe one day he could show both the Shire and his true home to Thorin.

They rode for most of the day and by the time they made camp it was early evening. Well,Thorin made camp, Bilbo just did whatever Thorin told him, he started by gathering wood which led to a splitter that Thorin got out for him. Followed by Bilbo jumping around like a crazed hobbit once he realized that several bugs from the wood had transferred over to him.

The area was beautiful but there was just entirely too much nature, too close and too personal for Bilbo. He jerked a little at every sound and sneaked glances at Thorin to see if he should be preparing to run from something. Thorin on the other hand found this behavior absolutely adorable and terribly amusing. His skittish little hobbit was finding every possible reason to stay as close to him as possible. Thorin pretended not to notice the 'what was that, should we run' glances Bilbo was giving him. He tried not to laugh when he sent Bilbo to get water from the nearby stream, the 'you mean alone, by myself' look on his face was priceless.

Bilbo was trying to get water just like Thorin had told him. He had the water skins, if only the little stream was closer to camp. He kept looking back to make sure he wouldn't get lost...what was that...oh, just a bird. A really big bird, actually a really big, evil looking bird. Bilbo hurried to the stream, that bird was obviously plotting something awful. The stream was small and the water crystal clear. Bilbo bent down to get the water and his foot started to slip he tried to catch himself but then he saw that bird fly past, well...a...bird anyway and turning quickly to see where that bird went to, he succeeded in twisting his ankle and falling into the water. Thorin heard the splash and came running. The sight that greeted him was precious. A soaking wet Bilbo, sitting in about two feet of water holding the water skins to his chest, wet curls plastered against his skin, water dripping from the tip of his nose, one shoe floating nearby and looking totally defeated while mumbling something about birds. When he looked up to see Thorin he tried to get up and slipped again, this time Thorin pulled his soggy hobbit out of the stream, retrieved the water skins, the shoe and tried but failed miserably not to laugh out loud.

Bilbo shyly grinned when he saw Thorin wasn't angry and profusely apologized for being so much trouble. As they started back to camp Thorin was still laughing and Bilbo was looking down while feeling probably the most embarrassed he had ever been. Then Thorin noticed the slight limp Bilbo had acquired due to twisting his ankle. This was not funny. His hobbit was hurt. Without a word or even caring that Bilbo was completely wet, Thorin scooped him up and carried him back to camp. Bilbo blushed a bright red and softly said, "Thank you Master Thorin, I'm so sorry to be this much trouble. I'll do better, really I will."

Thorin just chuckled, enjoying the feel of having Bilbo in his arms. When they got back to camp he placed the hobbit on the ground and stepped back to take a good look at him. He looked fine except for the way he was rubbing his ankle. Thorin gave Bilbo a blanket and told him to take off his wet clothing. Bilbo hesitated but then obeyed. He turned his back to Thorin who suddenly felt an overpowering need to count the stars that were just coming out, watch the slight breeze blow the leaves, and compare the shades of brown on the bark of several trees. Anything but look at his totally naked hobbit. Well except for a quick sideways glance, maybe two.

"Wrap the blanket around yourself and come close to the fire, Bilbo."

"Yes, Master Thorin." Bilbo's eyes were still downcast, he felt like an idiot, falling. into the stream and now here he sat; wet and naked with a sore ankle.

"Let me see that ankle. I assume you haven't been in the woods much."

"No Master I haven't." Bilbo turned bright red and stopped rubbing his ankle so Thorin could check it.

" It is twisted not broken or sprained. It will be a little sore but you'll be fine."

The rest of the night went rather well. Bilbo thought falling in the stream might not have been that bad a thing after all. He did end up with Thorin doing all the work of preparing and cooking dinner since he didn't want Bilbo to aggravate his ankle. It was a slight twist and he could walk; it was just a little sore, but Thorin wasn't taking any chances with his hobbit. He had let him walk around Erebor alone and Dain had grabbed him. He had sent him for water in a area the hobbit was unfamiliar with and he'd twisted his ankle, his cute little ankle. No, his hobbit was going to sit still and be safe, wrapped up all nice and snug in a soft blanket, against that even softer creamy skin, ...sitting there without a stitch of clothing on...

Thorin managed to cook a very tasty if somewhat well done dinner on the second try. He had completely burnt the first attempt, his mind wondering away from the cooking to...soft blankets and the treasures they concealed. But that was alright Bilbo seemed too sleepy to eat and as for himself Thorin liked his salt pork naked...no...no...no...well done...he like it...well done. Oh, for Mahal's sake, he muttered as he started for his bedroll. Then it occurred to him, what was he thinking, he couldn't let poor little naked...no...no...cold. poor little cold Bilbo sleep alone. Thorin pulled his bedroll beside Bilbo's. Bilbo who was still wrapped in the blanket and as close to the fire as he could get looked at him with questioning eyes but said nothing.

"Bilbo, you'll need to stay warm tonight after getting wet like that. The fire will eventually die down and in order to make sure you don't catch a cold...a very bad cold...possibly the flu...or pneumonia, I will sleep close to you and share body heat. It is the only way to be certain you are safe."

"Thank you Master Thorin."Bilbo said, clutching the blanket tighter and moving over to his bedroll. Very nice, Thorin...very diplomatic way to show me you are concerned and sleep close at the same time, without just ordering me around Bilbo thought keeping the blanket around him as he got into his bedroll.

Thorin placed an arm around Bilbo and pulled him close. Bilbo stiffened for a second then relaxed. Well, that is until an owl hooted then he tried to see just how close he could actually get to Thorin without crawling into the same bedroll. Thorin decided he truly loved owls and grinned as Bilbo cuddled even closer.

The next morning after getting dressed Bilbo, started breakfast. Thorin had gotten the campfire going again. Bilbo knew this was going to be a good day. He had survived the woods, that evil bird, the stream, and a night sleeping on the ground. So, he thought cheerfully to himself, nature had thrown its worst at him and he had won. That's when he heard the wolves.