The trees thinned and the grassed became corse as they finally exited Mirkwood and began to emerge on the plains. The light forest would continue for some miles, but at least the thick, oppressive vines and trees of the deep forest wee gone. Leaving the group traveling under the shady branches of oaks and maples with the only creatures visible squirrels and birds. It improved Bilbo's mood greatly.

Thorin still seemed somewhat awkward though, ever since he learnt his father was floating around he seemed, edgy. Bilbo knew Thrain and his son were never particularly close, but they did love each other, they certainly didn't know how to express it though.

Despite the fact that they were now in a much more open area their progress was slowed. Orc packs were frequent and hard to avoid. Luckily they hadn't been caught yet but there had been some close calls. Once, Kili had to cling to a branch at the top of a tree for almost a full hour as they circled around.

The constant running, hiding and adrenaline was beginning to take it's toll on them. Especially Bilbo, the Ring seemed to be draining his energy more than before. He was glad when he got to rest a bit, even if he was in a very cramped cave.

"I think they're gone..." Aragorn whispered, stepping out, "Thorin, come with me to check the East, Fili, Kili, you climb those trees o see if you can spot the orcs, Legolas, you check the west. Boromir, stay here and protect Bilbo with Thrain."

Boromir snorted, obviously thinking Thrain was useless, seeing as he had no physical presence. Thrain sulked, of course he denied he was sulking but he was. The ghost floated out of the cave and up onto the hill, brooding it seems ran in the family.

"This is pitiful." Boromir steamed, "We're barely making any progress at all."

"Some is better than none." Bilbo sighed, "I can't wait for all this to be over so we can go home."

"My home is ravaged by war." Boromir replied darkly, "There is nothing to look forward to returning. Only once city, built into the side of a mountain remains untouched."

"I'm sorry." Bilbo replied sincerely, "But I'm sure things will get better, up until a few years ago there was a dragon living in my home."

"If you'd give me that Ring I could sort it out now." The prince hissed, "I could save Gondor and place it under peaceful rule before it's thrown into the pit."

Bilbo felt himself pale.

"Boromir," he started slowly, "I can't give it to you."

The Hobbit found himself backing out of the cave as the human began to stalk toward him with a mad look in his eyes.

"Why not?" Boromir demanded, "It's already giving you power, you just want to keep it to yourself! I want to use it to help my people!"

"No, it's given me nothing!" Bilbo insisted, resisting the urge to draw his sword, even if the Ring was driving Boromir mad he didn't want to hurt him.

He wished Thrain was around but he was probably still floating about moping somewhere.

"Give it to me!" Boromir demanded, leaping forward, Bilbo stepped back, tripping over a root and ended up tumbling down a small hill with Boromir after him.

The two grappled, Boromir desperately trying to rip the Ring from around the Hobbit's neck but Bilbo's small size was in his favor and he squirmed out of the human's grip. Without thinking he slipped the Ring on and slipped behind a tree breathing heavily from fear. This is what he was scared of, his friends, the Fellowship turning against him for the Ring.

With Bilbo and the Ring seemingly gone Boromir seemed to regain his sense. He looked horrified with what he'd done, though he'd caused no real damage. Bilbo felt compelled to reveal himself but knew better, once he was back the Ring would start to take hold again. Who knows how long it would take before it started tempting Legolas and Aragorn, even his own family. He couldn't stand it.

"Bilbo!" Boromir yelled, "Bilbo I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, please come back, I know you're here somewhere."

Bilbo stayed, crouched behind the tree, conflicted.

"Boromir what are you yelling for, you'll bring the orcs back!" Aragorn chided as he appeared over the hill.

"I can hear them coming." Legolas added.

"Great work Boromir." Fili growled drawing his sword, "They'll be on us in a few minutes, we should head for some cover."

Bilbo saw Thrain appear at his side, apparently the power of invisibility had no effect on ghosts.

"This Fellowship will not work will it?" Bilbo sighed, Thrain shook his head.

"Leave now, while it's safe, you can't wear that Ring for much longer or Sauron will have agents on you're tail, it's bad enough this place will soon be swimming with orcs."

Bilbo knew he was right, but it pained him to abandoned his father and brothers this way. He knew they'd worry.

"You'll come with me?" Bilbo asked, the ghost nodded.

It was Thorin who took in Boromir's guilty face and asked the question.

"Where's Bilbo?"

-oOo-

"Well?" Thorin demanded.

"I..." Boromir began, his hands curled into fists, "We, fought."

"Over what?" Thorin growled, stalking closer to the man.

"The Ring." Boromir admitted, "It got got to me, I frightened Bilbo badly, he disappeared and wont come back."

Boromir had barely finished speaking before Thorin's fist collided with his face, another would have landed if Legolas hadn't held the Dwarf back.

"You were supposed to be protecting him!" thorin growled, "Are you so weak that you fell for that Ring's lure so quickly! I swear to Mahal if you've hurt him-!"

"Orcs!" Fili interrupted, "Uncle deal with him later."

Thorin wished to continue but his nephews were right, orcs were appearing over the hill brandishing swords and black arrows. He just had to hope Bilbo stayed invisible and safe. Thorin's sword slashed right through the first orcs face with a dark splatter of blood.

Deep down he knew it was not Boromir's fault he had acted the way he did, he himself had fallen to a similar madness himself and hurt Bilbo much more seriously. As the fight continued Thorin realized these were no ordinary orcs, they were bigger and much stronger. It was like fighting Azog all over again, as if there were forty of him.

He turned to face another opponent but Legolas shot him down before Thorin could raise it sword. Instead his eyes locked with Bilbo, who was standing at the edge of the battle field. His face was serious, almost blank, even so Thorin understood what it meant. Bilbo was leaving to journey on his own. Thorin opened his mouth to yell at him to come back this instant but before his could Bilbo gave him a small smile and a nod before disappearing once more.

Thorin had no choice but to keep fighting, he'd never catch Bilbo. At least he had Thrain with him.

Thorin turned when he heard Fili and Kili yelled, to his horror they were being grabbed by the orcs twice their size and carried off like rag dolls.

"Fili! Kili!"

"Uncle!"

Conflicted Thorin glanced back in the direction he knew Bilbo would be running before turning and running to help his nephews. Aragorn and Legolas were doing a good job of taking out the remaining orcs, Boromir, like him, was going after those retreating with Fili and Kili in tow.

"Let me go!" Fili demanded, trying to dig on of his arrows into the orcs shoulder only to be thrust against the trunk of a tree, hard.

"Kili!" Fili cried as Kili's eyes rolled back into his head, "You slimy good for nothing-"

Thorin felt his blood boil as Fili was treated to the same treatment and went limp also. Aragorn and Legolas tried to come to their aid but were kept busy by the remaining orcs. Boromir and Thorin raced after them, one orc, twice Thorin's size smash him into a tree. Thorin heard the hit to his head more than he felt it, though his eyes suddenly went hazy.

"Thorin, watch it!" Boromir yelled, making Thorin wince from the sound in his daze.

Suddenly he was being thrown to the ground, though much more softly.

Thorin tried to stand but fell again, expecting to see another orcs but instead saw them retreating, Fili and Kili still in their grasp and Boromir kneeling on the ground before him.

With three arrows sticking out of his chest.

"You knocked me out of the way." Thorin groaned, bringing his hand to his head and pulling away to find it stained deep red, that was some hit.

"Now we're even for...what I did to Bilbo." Boromir gasped, leaning against a tree.

Thorin wanted to tell him that he was forgiven but the world started swimming again. No! This was no time to lose consciousness! He had to go after FIli and Kili, then he had to find Bilbo. He'd never do that if he passed out now.

However, even Thorin's stubbornness failed him sometimes and his eyes slipped closed.

Sorry this chapter took so long, I had to plan out the next few before I could be sure how this one would pan out.