Having his grandfather along side him was more comforting than he'd imagined. Though he still found it odd how one moment Thrain could touch, even pick objects up and then the next float right through them. Apparently it took a lot of concentration for him to connect with the physical world, Bilbo shivered, how awful it must be to be unable to feel anything without intense concentration.

Though Bilbo couldn't reply, Thrain still spoke to him, telling him of good paths to take up ahead or on the slower part of the journey, stories of Thorin from when he was younger. It was hard to hide his smiles at those times. Bilbo was glad to have a reason to smile, he found it harder every day, with the Ring pressing down on his chest.

Especially because there were few smiles to be had. Legolas often spotted orcs now that they had come to the edge of Mirkwood. Soon they would be on the plain of Rohan, where they would cross the rivers into the swampland before the blackened mountains of Mordor. Luckily, the orcs hadn't been close yet, the Elf always spotted them several hundred yards away through the trees by climbing one every half hour or so.

He could tell the group was uneasy, especially Boromir. He and Aragorn were constantly having whispered arguments and sharp words, which Gandalf scolded them for but they never ceased. Bilbo knew Boromir didn't want the Ring destroyed, he wished to use it to rid the world of Sauron and then to help his land of Gondor.

"Do not let yourself be alone with that man, Bilbo." Thrain warned, "He is a good man, but he is also desperate and there is nothing more dangerous with a desperate being."

-oOo-

They were about to set up camp for the night when Legolas began looking to the sky suspiciously.

"I can hear birds, eagles." He muttered, "But something sounds off, I hear voices as well, up in the sky."

Gandalf's face darkened with suspicion before quickly hustling them toward a small stone ridge.

"Quickly, get out of sight!" He warned, just as the familiar brown eagles passed overhead.

"But I thought the Great Eagles were friends of your, Gandalf." Fili whispered in confusion.

"Look, on their backs, Orcs!" Fili replied, "And somebody in white!"

"Saruman." Gandalf sneered, "A traitorous wizard whom I once called friend. He's imprisoned and enchanted those eagles, see the black bands over their eyes?"

"So they are looking for us." Thorin growled, pushing Bilbo further into the shadows.

"I will go," Gandalf told them quickly, "No matter what you see or hear you must stay out of sight. Do not leave this place for at least an hour, understand?"

"Gandalf, what are you going to do?" Bilbo asked fearfully.

Gandalf gave him a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Bilbo felt fear and doubt creep into his heart all the more.

The wizard disappeared around the edge and Kili moved to follow but Thorin held him back sternly. Bilbo looked to his father for comfort and Thorin just stared forward, no doubt he was feeling the same crushing anxiety.

After a few minutes the tension seemed to bleed away and the cries of the eagles seemed to fade but then another shot up into the sky from quite close to them.

"Foot soldiers joining the group?" Boromir guessed.

But the eagle and it's rider didn't join the others, rather it circled the sky before a large flash of light shot out and knocked one of the orcs right of it's mount's back.

"It's Gandalf!" Fili grinned, "He found another eagle!"

"How?" Aragorn puzzled.

They all shrugged.

All except Bilbo that is who's eyes were glued to Gandalf and his eagle as they circled and fought. He flinched with the white wizard fired fire bolts at their friend, luckily he dodged them. Quickly, the wizard began leading the group away until they were barely small specks on the horizon. But soon several dozen birds were circling Gandalf and Bilbo began to lose hope.

He will lose... The Ring taunted, he will die...it will be your fault...

Shut up! Bilbo thought to himself, keeping his eyes on Gandalf as he was surrounded.

"Come on Gandalf..." Kili whispered as the birds closed in.

The group watched in horror as the sky above the battle turned grey before spitting out rods of lightning. Bilbo screamed when he saw one hit the eagle Gandalf was riding and it began to fall but Thorin grabbed him and quickly silenced the sound.

"Shhh Bilbo!" He hissed, "We can't give ourselves away!"

The Hobbit watched with tears stinging his eyes as the small dot on the horizon that was his friend fell until it disappeared behind the close by mountain range. The Ring was buzzing with glee at Bilbo's sorrow, the Hobbit couldn't help but picture poor Gandalf's broken body somewhere among the rocks.

-oOo-

They stayed huddled under the incline for some time after they witnessed Gandalf's fall, long enough for the sun to set and Saruman to disappear. Thorin kept Bilbo close, he could tell the Hobbit was crying and most likely blaming himself though it wasn't his fault.

"Come, we need to move while we have cover of darkness." He urged gently to the others.

Fili, Kili and Bilbo were all silent as they walked, Bilbo looked at his feet, it was a wonder he didn't walk into a tree. Of course Thorin felt great sadness at Gandalf's loss, he'd been a true and loyal friend for many years now. He would miss the wizard greatly.

"Shut up."

"Bilbo?"

Thorin turned to see Fili giving his youngest brother a strange look.

"Sorry." The Hobbit muttered, "I'm just tired."

"We're you talking to the Ring just now?" Kili added worriedly.

"No! ...Maybe, I don't know. Leave me alone." The Hobbit snapped, pushing forwards and walking on his own ahead of Thorin and the others.

Aragorn and Boromir shot serious looks at the Dwarf king, Thorin did his best to ignore it.

Soon enough they found a small cave to spend most of the night in, though Bilbo refused to go in deeper with the rest of them and instead sat on a log outside. No matter how much Fili or Kili pleaded the Hobbit simply refused to go inside, insisting he needed 'air'.

"I'm worried." Fili told the group when they returned, "He's been getting more and more withdrawn ever since we left Erebor."

"The Ring is obviously taking it's toll." Boromir replied, "As I said it would."

"Not is not the time." Aragorn hissed, "Thorin, perhaps you can talk to him."

"You don't think he'll go mad do you?" Kili whispered.

"He's stressed." Thorin argued stubbornly, "I'll go talk to him."

The king made his way to the front of the cave and slowly stepped outside where Bilbo was sitting with his back to him on the log. Thorin was about to call out a greeting but before he could Bilbo began to talk, apparently to himself.

"Do you think Gandalf was in pain when he died?" He asked, "Did it hurt when you died?"

Thorin felt his eyebrows shoot upwards.

"Sorry, I guess that was insensitive." Bilbo sighed after a few moments of silence, "Do you think...do you think wizards go to the same place Dwarfs go when they die?"

More silence.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Hopefully where ever he is he's happy."

"Bilbo." Thorin spoke up finally, making the Hobbit jump, "Who are you talking to?"


Busted!