Chapter Nine

Bilbo Baggins, prince of the Shire wanted to be alone as the company entered the trolls hoard, the foul smell hitting his sensitive nostrils had him turning away from it. The food from the night prior wasn't settling so well in his stomach, his arms circled his midsection as the pain came and went. Bilbo clenched his teeth as trembles racked his body, the slight shake of his body wasn't missed by his guard.

"Please, my Prince." L'vren crouched in front of the hobbit , his warm brown eyes were so gentle that Bilbo almost gave in. Almost.

"No, L'vren. I'm fine." Again, the guard shook his head, he knew Bilbo was stubborn when it came to his health but right now he needed to be able to walk, he wasn't stupid. He knew the hobbit was hurt since the day of the rescue, did his prince really think that bandaging his shoulder and wrist would do anything? He understood why Bilbo didn't want help, especially those from the company, but he still had to receive medical help. His eyes wandered to the company, his dislike was evident since they first arrived to collect Bilbo. There were secrets that even he yearned to know, secrets that could potentially help him and help his prince. A select few dared approach them, the two princes fidgeted until they could no longer contain themselves and the little one, Ori was his name. But neither would stay long since Bilbo didn't want their company more than what was necessary.

L'vren bowed his head in defeat, he needed to make sure his prince forgave him for his inaction. "Forgive me."

"Oh, L'vren, you did your best. It wasn't your fault." But it was, the guard couldn't forgive himself for letting the company over power him, his job was to protect and he failed at that, what would his father say if he found out?

"There's nothing to forgive...just leave it be." Bilbo placed his finger beneath his guards chin and raised it up just enough where their eyes met. "I just need food is all." The royal guard snapped his brown eyes at the hobbits body, his clothes were looser and his skin lost it's natural glow. L'vren couldn't believe how easy it was for hobbits to lose weight rapidly and only in a matter of weeks. Clenching his teeth, the guard reached for one of his pockets and took out his share of nuts and seeds he managed to collect throughout the journey, "It's not much but it will fill you up."

"Thank you." L'vren was about to say more but a throat being cleared stopped him, both dwarrow and hobbit looked up at the tall wizard.

"Bilbo, my boy. Come with me I want to show you something."

"He is not well enough to move, whatever you need to show him can wait."

Gandalf's blue eyes soften, "Very well, I found this thinking you could use another blade."

The most enticing blade was presented to Bilbo, it was clearly forged by the elves due to the details and finery of the blade. The hobbit held out his hands, the blade was placed on his and Bilbo couldn't help but stare in awe. It was the right weight, both Silencer and the new one fit perfectly to him. Almost made for him. Bilbo had never called Silencer his, it never felt like it ever belonged to him, its master would always be Bandobras; he was just its caretaker. Now, holding the short sword and feeling its details underneath his fingertips, Bilbo could finally say he had his own blade. There was no way Silencer could ever be replaced, he would always keep the weapon on his person, but there was something about the new one that gave him chills. Giving a blinding smile at the wizard, Bilbo thanked him before handing L'vren his new sword. Gandalf soon left to see what the fuss was about between two dwarrows from the company.

Bilbo slowly munched on the nuts and occasionally stopped due to his stomache pain. The hobbit knew his guard was worried but he had to pull through it all by himself, he knew food would be scarce since everyone had their own portions and he in now way would ask for more. Bilbo was just happy that he had his guard with him, he was the only one who knew how many times he needed to consume food in order to have enough energy in the day. Letting out a sigh he felt slightly better after resting and getting a little shut eye, it didn't last long as he was roughly shaken awake. Without asking what was happening, he quickly stood up from the ground and took out Silencer, his second blade was still in L'vren's hands. He almost swayed sideways until two rough hands steadied him."Don't Go through the caves. The caves, they expect you there." Bilbo cringed in pain as an older man with a short brown hat and matted white hair peeking through the sides added more pressure to his hold and roughly shook him, "You need to get to the mountain, not the caves." Bilbo wiggled out of the mans hold, then raised his blade at him. Whoever the man was sounded crazier than his grandfather, Bilbo didn't have the energy to decipher what ever the man was telling him, he was tired and sleepy from all the events.

"Radagast, stop this nonsense at once and speak." Gandalf's ordered, the other man shakily moved away from the hobbit and made his way to the wizard. "They know, they want him." A slender finger pointed at the hobbit, Bilbo looked around in confusion as did everyone else, Thorin looked away in thought. Everyone went into a defensive stance when a howl could be heard close by. Bilbo couldn't help but look towards the leader of the company, he scowled as his eyes locked with Thorin's owns.

A howl tore through the trees, Bilbo held back a scream as he watched a warg jump above Thorin, its jaw snapping at him, The prince slayed the beast without breaking a sweat, he then turned to the company, "We need to move out, we don't know how many more there are. Now!" The company gathered their belongs then mounted on their ponies, Bilbo rode behind L'vren and galloped away in a hurried pace out of the forest. Thorin kept to the front but it didn't stop him from looking back and making sure everyone was accountable, he didn't need anyone dying in their journey ...especially the halfling. His cerulean eyes kept a lookout, he intended to kill anything before it reached any of his kin. Deep in his bones he felt the the threat approach them and he hoped to Durin that they made it out in time. Keeping the pace beside them was the man from earlier, Radagast the brown wizard, he rode on a sleigh that was powered by huge wild rabbits.

He had no time to ponder on anything as they came out of the forest and into a vast empty field, a few boulders were strewn across the valley but there weren't enough to cover them from threats that were gaining on them. "Move!" A loud horn was sounded, from all directions wargs appeared with their riders. Thorin's face twisted in disgust upon seeing the filthy orcs that approached them, if they were present then that meant that Azog was somewhere hidden, like the coward that he was. Dwalin caught up to his prince, "If we don't get out of here -"

"I know. Rivendell is our only safety." Thorin hated to say it but if he was right, somewhere around them was a hidden entrance to their home, Gandalf had to know where.

"Those tree huggers."

"Yes...get the wizard and tell him to show you the way. I'll stay back and round the others." Dwalin obeyed and galloped away to where the wizard was. Thorin waited a bit before turning his pony around. His heart dropped to his stomach at the scene before him, the halfling was running on foot as were his nephews and half of the company, their ponies laid dead around them. The wargs circled around them, Thorin almost let out a sigh of relieve as the brown wizard took out some of the riders yet it was not enough to help. Thorin took out his long sword with the intend of riding down the orcs , he slayed the few that came across him. Almost reaching his nephews he felt a heavy body slam into him, his breath left his lungs as he fell hard to the ground, the weight of the pony secured him underneath it.

"Uncle!" Kili screamed, his hand went to his back and grabbed the first three arrows ,he placed them on the bow and let them fly through the air. It hit its marker, the wargs let out a shriek , it's paws clawing at its face. That would at least give his uncle a few minutes to gather himself and get out from underneath the pony. "We have to go-"

"Were surrounded, he can manage on his own." Fili took command, up ahead was Dwalin trying to fight his way to them, his uncle was now fighting an orc that wouldn't die even after its many injuries. "Huddle together." Bilbo,Kili, and L'vren turned around and pressed their backs to each other.

"You made this a lot easier." One orcs said, his dark eyes solely trained on the hobbit, Bilbo visibly shuddered. "Yeah, last time they said that it didn't go so well for them." L'vren mumbled under his breathe. Bilbo was really getting sick and tired of being hunted down, couldn't one day go by without orcs and wargs? He just wanted to rest and make it to the mountain and not deal with anything anymore. Getting aggravated from everyone. His mood only worsened.

The battle raged on, the wargs attacked while the riders took on the rest of the company. Bilbo

fended as best as he could, his injures were still healing which made it impossible to raise his arm high enough to block every attack, his guard kept a close eye on him. A scream was heard all the way where Thorin stood, he quickened his pace thinking it was his nephews. Dwalin had made it through the circle and was crouched looking over a body. His blood ran cold, ignoring the incoming orcs he focus on the body. Pushing his kin aside he exhaled, Kili and Fili were both alright with minor injuries. "L'vren, y-your go-going to be a-alright." The hobbit prince sobbed, his hands applying pressure to the wound, blood had seeped through the clothes and coated Bilbo's hands. "Help him!" Bilbo desperately shouted, his eyes looking at everyone. "Thorin." Thorin didn't need to be told twice. The halflings green eyes were enough to make him do anything, he scooped the dwarrow up careful not to injure him further. There was only one problem, the orcs were closing in on them, Thorin looked to the side and found Bilbo standing beside him, Silencer and his new sword were at his side "I'll cover you. I won't let him die." Thorin couldn't help but send the halfling a smirk, he gave a nod before ordering the rest of the company to get ready.

There was no need to fight, the orcs that circled around went down one by one, everyone looked towards the horizon. A half a dozen of elven warriors appeared with their bow and arrows. The remaining orcs and wargs retreated back where they came from, Bilbo wasted no time. He gave Thorin a little push and he obeyed.

Author's note: I know...I said the chapter would be done since yesterday, I just needed to revise it one more time..sorry. Anyways, I'm not the greatest at fight scenes but I tried, hope you all enjoyed this chapter, until the next update, Adios.