Bilbo was correct, a few minutes of searching quickly located a cave, well, a hovel more precisely. It wasn't hard, all they need do was follow the stench emanating from it. As punishment for their foolishness the boys stayed behind to pack up the camp whilst the older Dwarfs and Ori, investigated. After the tongue lashing they'd just received they didn't have the heart to complain. They choked and coughed as they made their way down, the miasma was nauseating.
"Ugh it stinks." Gloin wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Careful what you touch." Gandalf warned as they spread out across the small cavern.
Most of the company were drawn to the chests of gold and various valuables in one corner while Thorin, ever the warrior, found himself in front of a stack of weapons. One in particular caught his eye despite the filth that covered it, it was engraved and shining silver with a jeweled scabbard. He unsheathed it slightly, the blade was clean and sharp still. Next to it was another, longer but just as beautiful.
"These were not made by any troll." Thorin wondered aloud.
"Indeed not, neither was it made by men." Gandalf added, examining them, "These were made by the Elves of the First Age."
Suddenly the swords did not seem so beautiful. Gandalf clearly saw the distain in his eyes because he scolded him.
"You could not wish for a finer blade."
Begrudgingly Thorin took the sword with him. Passing some of the company on his way, burying chests of gold coins and goblets.
"We're making a long term deposit."
With a small chuckle he continued outward, very much ready for some fresh air when his foot hit something metal. Carefully he prodded the ground with his shoe and uncovered another sword much like his own and the other that Gandalf had claimed. It was barely a dagger to an Elf but it would make a fine weapon for Bilbo.
-oOo-
"Here."
The Hobbit looked surprised when Thorin handed him a gift so soon after scolding him.
"It's a fine blade." Thorin admitted, "And it's too small for anybody else, you may as well make use of it."
"Thank you." Bilbo breathed.
"That sword is of Elvish make." Gandalf told them, "It will glow blue when Orcs or Goblins are close by, quite useful."
Bilbo grinned.
"Come on, brother!" Kili called, "Just because you got a shiny new sword doesn't mean you're excused from washing dishes!"
"Coming!"
Because of their delay with the trolls they set off late that day, which along with the fact that their ponies had bolted, put Thorin in another bad mood. Still, they stopped for lunch on schedule, mostly because if they didn't Bombur would most likely sit on somebody in a huff.
They were just finishing up their lunch of bread and dried meat when a loud howl floated through the air and soon they were all on their feet, weapons drawn.
"Was that a wolf!?" Bilbo squeaked, "Are there wolves out here?"
Normally he'd have been teased for such a frightened outburst but all present knew the fate of his parents and didn't dare tease him for his fear of canines.
"No, that's not a wolf..." Bofur started.
"Warg!" Dori cried, Thorin barely had time to turn before the creature had leapt down upon them, stopped by Bombur's heavy hammer smashing it's skull. A second barreled down the hill, stopped by Kili's arrow piercing it's eye.
"Quickly, there will be more on the way!" Thorin yelled, "Warg scouts mean an Orc pack."
"Come on!" Dwalin yelled, "This way."
They ran, weaving through the trees but soon the sounds of howls over the hills got louder and closer. To their chagrin, they soon ran out of trees and found themselves in the open, having no choice but to run between boulders to keep out of sight. Not that it would matter for long, the wargs clearly had their scent.
"Stay together." Gandalf whispered urgently, "Or they'll pick us off one by one. This way, quickly!"
"Where are you leading us?" Thorin asked.
Gandalf didn't answer. Thorin had no choice but to follow.
They huddled, under a small outcrop, they could all hear the warg above them, panting and growling. Thorin eyed Kili's bow, giving his nephew a short nod. Understanding the prince silently loaded an arrow and took aim.
It hit it's target but with disastrous results. The warg collapsed and cried out, alerting the rest of the pack. Thron's sword slicing it's throat silenced it but the damage was done. The rest of the pack, whom they could now see coming over the hill and drawing closer with every second, had seen them.
"They'll be on us in seconds! Move!" Thorin bellowed.
They began to run again, just then Thorin, who was bringing up the rear noticed Bilbo was not among them. Panicking slightly he turned, Bilbo was still standing under the outcrop, staring at the oncoming Orc pack.
"Move Bilbo!" Thorin yelled.
He stayed. Frozen in fear.
"Bilbo run!" Thorin ordered.
Still not so much as a flicker.
Lacking any better ideas the king ran back toward him and grabbed him by the arm, shoving him forwards in front of him. This seemed to break the trace he'd fallen under well enough.
"Move! Now!" Thorin yelled, pushing the Hobbit forward.
This time Bilbo bolted.
"Over here, Thorin!" Gandalf called, indicating to a boulder, which he slipped behind. A passage!
"Kili! Shoot as many as you can down!" thorin yelled, "Dwalin, Gloin with me! Keep them at bay as long as you can! Fili, take Bilbo! The rest of you, follow the wizard!"
The king barely had the time to get the words from his mouth when the wargs and their riders were upon them. He cut down a dozen without even thinking, it was instinct by now, fighting orcs. The new sword he'd acquired sliced through them better than any other he'd owned in his lifetime. The herd was thinning.
"Let's move!" he called to those still out in the open before heading toward the passage, jumping over the rock and sliding down the small slope. He turned, ready for the wargs and their orc riders to follow them down but the never did. Instead there was the sound of a horn and then arrows flying through the air.
Somebody had come to their aid.
At one point the dead body of an orc tumbled down into the passage where the Dwarves now hid, a silver arrow sticking out of it's throat.
Elves.
The sounds of battle soon faded, followed by hoof beats. Clearly the Elves were not sticking around, or perhaps they were not aware that the company was hiding here in the ground. Either way, Thorin was glad not to speak to them.
"We're safe." Kili sighed, "That was a close one."
"Too close." Thorin growled glaring at Bilbo and marching straight up to his with a face like thunder.
"Never freeze like that!" He yelled, "You nearly got yourself killed, again! Doing nothing is worse that running away, you freeze you die!"
Bilbo shrunk in on himself.
"I have not spent years training you to fight only for you to freeze when faced with real danger!" Thorin continued, "If that happens again do not expect me to rescue you in time!"
It was true. DId he not realize it was only luck that had him reach Bilbo in time? Were he to freeze again there was no guarantee he would be able to reach him in time. If Bilbo was cut down because Thorin couldn't come to his aid in time he'd never forgive himself.
With that he turned and stormed down the passage at the back of the cavern, the now silent company following him in single file with the devastated Bilbo trailing alone behind Gandalf.
They traveled along the thin path for a few minutes before emerging at the side of a cliff face and continuing path. What the saw made them freeze.
A beautiful city, with towers and arches framed in gold sat across the green valley from them with a waterfall and river running through the middle.
"Rivendell." Bilbo breathed.
"Home to the Elves." Gandalf nodded.
"This was your plan all along." Thorin spat, "To seek refuge with our enemy."
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakensheild." Gandalf chided, "Not unless you make them yourself."
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing?" he seethed, "They will try to stop us!"
"Which is why you will let me, do the talking."
-oOo-
Despite his abysmal mood Bilbo couldn't help but be amazed at the beauty that was the home of the Elves. He'd never seen such a city, guiltily he realized it was the best of both worlds he belonged to, the massive stone architecture of the Dwarfs and the fresh air and greenery of Hobbits.
However, what small happiness the view had given him drained when he saw an Elf descending the stairs to meet them. It was the very same Elf who had saved him years ago from the warg on his way back from the Blue Mountains.
"Gandalf." The Elf smiled.
"Lord Elrond!"
The two then began a conversation in, what he assumed was Elvish. To his great surprise he was able to decipher the general meaning behind the words. Something about a hunt and orcs. It must have been Elrond's warriors who saved them.
"Strange, for orcs to venture so close to our borders." Elrond continued in the common tongue.
"Yes, well, that may have been us." Gandalf explained, Thorin stepped forward and Bilbo stayed behind him, praying Elrond didn't recognize him.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond greeted, stiffly, but not without some sincerity.
"You have your grandfathers bearing." Elrond explained, "I knew him when he ruled under the mountain."
"Indeed, he made no mention of you." Thorin replied harshly.
"I can see where your son got his sharp tongue." Elrond replied with a raised eyebrow.
Bilbo would have groaned had he been capable of speech. Like he needed another reason for Thorin to be angry with him.
Thorin certainly looked surprised, he turned to face Bilbo, as had the entire company. He did his best to stand up straight and proud but failed miserably.
"Ah yes, you're bigger since I saw you last." Elrond remarked with a smile, "And it seems you have finally acquired a blade."
"Ah, yes." Bilbo replied, not knowing what else to say.
"You know him?" Fili scoffed, looking a tiny bit betrayed and Bilbo felt guilt worm into his gut. To his brother's knowledge he'd never kept a secret from him or Kili.
"We met several years ago, briefly." Elrond answered for him, "Though one does not forget a Hobbit going by the name Thorinson so quickly."
Were it possible to be killed by a stare Bilbo would certainly have died under the scrutiny of Thorin's gaze by now.
"Now, Thorin do not look upon Bilbo as if he has committed travesty." Gandalf scolded.
"Indeed." Elrond agreed, "He was but a child at the time, without weapon to defend himself against a warg. Now come, I believe your company would like food?"
Just when Bilbo feels things couldn't get any wore, the visions are back but instead of the past, he's seeing the future...