The table cracked under the huge mass of dwarf and food on it. Everyone laughed, Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo walked in. Each of them had serious expressions. "What'd they say?" asked Fili, hoping his uncle did not give too much away.

"They told us what the map reads, we will be on our way soon enough." Thorin grunted, sitting down to eat. Bilbo sat in a small, dark, and quiet corner where he could stare at his paper in peace.

What is it that makes that paper so familiar?

Kili sat next to me and sighed. "He misses home, doesn't he?", I nodded. Home... That's where the paper is from. It is the same kind that my uncle has me buy from the market in Bree.

Bilbo must have gotten a complicated letter, because he seemed to be reading this one over and over, smiling each time.


We left at dawn, keeping silent, making sure not to alarm the elves of our departure.

Thorin told us that we'd be heading up the mountains to wait for Gandalf.

A/n: Sorry, short chapter. But I want all of the Thunder Battle to be in the next one soooooo yep.