Author's note: Rather than do a large amount of searching for translations, please note that anything written in italics is being spoken in elvish.

"Someone's coming!"

Thorin's shout of warning echoed through the clearing, following swiftly after the sudden flight of birds disturbed from their rest. Gathering together, the company moved as a unit through the trees, weapons out as they prepared to defend against the threat. Countless thoughts ran through their heads, none coming even slightly close to reality when the curious figure that was approaching revealed itself.

Snapping branches and the thudding of rapid footsteps left them all tense, and the group nearly jumped out of their skins when sound was given form. A strange sled drawn by overly large rabbits came careening into their immediate vicinity, its driver screeching something terrible.

"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" The tall man yanked the sled to a violent stop, eyes wild under his dirty brown hat. He wore robes to match, and carried a gnarled staff that looked similar in appearance to Gandalf's. At his appearance the wizard in question relaxed visibly, lowering his staff to rest on the ground as he approached the newcomer.

"Radagast! Whatever are you doing here?" he asked lowly, frowning in concern as his friend continued to struggle for words.

The company moved off a ways, allowing the wizards to have some privacy for their conversation, and trying to shake off the unease that something else was not right. Bilbo was feeling especially jumpy, his ears nearly twitching as he listened for any sound that might back up his discomfort.

"Alright there Bilbo?" Frerin asked him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. A howl from close by interrupted Bilbo's response, the hobbit stiffening in fear, his eyes seeming to retreat into a nightmare. Suddenly he shook himself from his trance and threw himself into Frerin, knocking the dwarf to the ground. "Durin's beard Bilbo, what...?" the dwarf squawked indignantly, stilling as he heard the low growl. The company looked up as one, to see a warg standing right where Frerin had been only moments before, unaware of the danger.

With a snarl the beast leaped at them, and somehow Frerin managed to extricate his arm from under Bilbo's shaking form, slashing at the attacker with his sword. He downed it with Dwalin's help, and the one that followed after was shot to the ground by Kili, Thorin making sure it was dead. Once the immediate danger had passed Frerin tried to get to his feet, only to look up pleadingly as the hobbit remained prone over him, trembling and pressing his face into the dwarf's chest. "Umm, Bilbo?" he asked haltingly. "You're sort of crushing me."

"Are they gone?" the hobbit replied, his voice muffled in the fur trimmed jacket Frerin wore.

"Aye, but we don't have much time," Thorin broke in, pulling Bilbo to his feet as Fili and Kili assisted their cousin, yanking his clothes back into place and teasing him mercilessly. A small shoving match began, ending as swiftly as it had started when Thorin leveled them with a glare. "Boys, enough. Those were warg scouts, which means an orc pack is not far behind," he said grimly.

His words proved true, and the company was forced into a swift run through the plains, their mounts having sensed the danger far sooner and bolted for safety. Dodging around rocks and skimming over the uneven terrain, they tried to take advantage of the lead Radagast had given them through his diversion. It didn't last. Before long they were running in earnest, the enemy having given up chasing the swiftly retreating wizard and going for easier prey. Not even the combined efforts of Frerin and Kili's archery was driving them back, and soon they were surrounded.

It was Gandalf that rescued them again, popping up from behind a boulder and summoning them with a sharp yell. "This way you fools!" The dwarves were quick to follow him into the tunnel he had uncovered, Bilbo fast in the lead. None too soon it seemed, for only moments later a ringing horn call sounded from above, and the sounds of someone engaging their enemy rang through the plains. One of the slain orcs tumbled down to where they were hidden, coming to rest at Thorin's feet, and he yanked the arrow out of its neck in disgust.

"Elves," he cursed, looking darkly above as he tossed the shaft aside.

Bilbo gave him a small frown but didn't comment, instead following Gandalf as the group decided to take the path they had been offered. The hobbit knew exactly where they were headed, and it was difficult to keep from smiling, especially when they broke out into the open and the familiar waterfalls and soothing atmosphere of Rivendell came into view. They climbed down into the valley by means of a small path, ending up in a courtyard bordering the sanctuary. Bilbo was entirely at his ease even as the dwarves huddled closely together, their faces closed off with suspicion and unease.

That feeling only doubled at the sound of swift horses approaching, and the same horn from before. "Close ranks!" Thorin ordered fiercely, placing Bilbo in the center of a protective circle of weaponry.

"Oh really," the hobbit huffed in annoyance, shoving his way out to the front of the group as he saw who was in the lead of the procession. "Lord Elrond!" he called out cheerfully. "Mae govannen mellon nin!" (well met my friend) Behind him the dwarves lowered their weapons a fraction, grumbling in disapproval of this interaction.

"Master Bilbo!" Elrond smiled in amusement. "We saw you no more than a fortnight ago, whatever brings you back so soon?"

Bilbo just laughed. "I found myself some new traveling companions more my size," he joked, pleased to hear some of the dwarves sniggering in approval. "I'm afraid they are a little on edge being here," he admitted, drawing an understanding nod from the tall elf.

"Come," Elrond beckoned to them regally. "There is food and sleep to be found here. Rest easy and know that none who seek refuge in this valley shall be harmed. Especially if they are friends of master Bilbo." His words were enough to break the tension, and Gandalf smiled proudly at the hobbit who had managed to put them at ease. Thorin was even smiling, shaking his head in wry amusement.

"What's so funny?" Bilbo asked him, confused with how rapidly he had changed his tune.

"I should have expected this," the dwarf admitted with a chuckle. "When we met your mother she had just gotten back from a visit here. Like mother like son as they say."

"Aye," Balin interjected. "It seems you can help us in more ways than one."