A/N: After awhile let's commence again. Bilbo is stalking.
Excuse my lack of beta.
When Bilbo climbed down the tree he discovered there were no dwarves to be found, just allot of spiders. He put his ring on and to his horror discovered he can hear spiders talking, thinking, and casting their webs. All dwarves were already cocooned in helpless. Bilbo jumped around and freed them. Soon there was a fight and everyone were on their feet kicking and fighting.
Bilbo gave his share, but it was too hard to kill spiders while he could hear their voices, so he took his ring off just to lose it in the leaves. In that moment he forgot about the fight, about the dwarves, about surviving, all that mattered was his ring. He searched for it in panic terrified he won't be able to find it. But finally, he saw it in the nest of baby spiders.
He hated them in that moment, hated like he never hated anything before. He slew them stabbing them repeatedly in savage rage. When that subsided he took his ring happy that it's his again but then he sobered up feeling strange, like he was someone else for a moment.
There was no time to dwell upon that because soon elves were around them and these ones didn't seem friendly at all. Bilbo put his ring on and unseen followed his dwarves and woodland elves to their castle.
It was a relief really to not wander lost anymore, and these weren't goblins deep in their tunnels, maybe elves turn out to be trustworthy. Maybe they are lesser in politeness than their kin, but they still weren't orcs.
Bilbo followed Thorin when they separated him from the rest of the dwarves. They took him before the elven king and Bilbo got hopeful, maybe they'll sort this out between them. They obviously knew each other and although Thorin was hard on his tongue he surely knew how to talk to the king.
Everything seemed fine to Bilbo as he watched Thorin's proud back but then it all went terribly wrong. Thorin got mad and scorned the elven king in the way that wasn't revocable. Bilbo was terrified when the elven king showed his scarred face, it was truly horrifying to know that even elves can't heal from dragon's fire.
But even more terrifying was the way the elven king moved. He moved serpent-like like he's a dragon himself. Thorin stood firm before him not even flinching for a moment and Bilbo had to admire his courage. When he spoke his voice was strong and menacing like he could stand against the elven king in battle but it would be better if he was a bit less courageous, if he was a bit humble or at least lying. Why couldn't he lie to the elven king? He would let them all go but this way Thorin was led down and down into the dungeons.
Bilbo stood against a wall on the narrow staircase and watched helplessly how all his friends got captured and locked. What can he do? Nothing, he's just a small hobbit, no one important, no one brave or strong.
He did say to Gandalf that he found his courage but that was just a line to say instead of confiding in him about his ring. Elvish guards withdrew and Bilbo just stood there looking at Thorin in his cell. He just sat there looking at the wall calm and collected like he's waiting. There was no despair on his face. Was he really hoping he'll get out of this dungeon?
"All hope is lost," said Baling reflecting Bilbo's thoughts.
"Not all," said Thorin looking up and Bilbo frowned.
Did he just give him a sign? Did he know Bilbo followed them in? How could he be sure of that? How could he think Bilbo could find a way to save them? If he had a key he just might but he doesn't, guards have it.
That made him move, he sought out the guards and found them drinking. Next few days he spent walking around sneaking, searching for the exit. At least for himself even if he knew he won't use it on his own. He couldn't leave dwarves like this behind to sit in their cells.
As he walked around he stole food here and there, there was no point in him being hungry. He looked after the dwarves and it seemed that they fed them well too. When he could he would put extra portions on their plates when guards weren't looking.
These guards often weren't on their guard. They felt too safe and secured behind their walls. They ate and drink allot. Bilbo started to put an extra bottle on their table and they didn't notice that they are drinking more and more as days passed by.
That's how he discovered the door in the floor through which they sent their barrels out. Barrels had to end up somewhere. He could hear them splashing against the water. It was a way out, maybe their only way out.
Finally, he heard a conversation that confirmed that those barrels are indeed leaving the fortress and the forest. Now he only had to collect the keys from the guards and soon there it was a celebration night.
From time to time Bilbo would pause beside Thorin's cell thinking of something to say but his words would run dry. What would he say? And how would he explain himself being invisible? Dwarves would surely cause a commotion.
It was uncomfortable to be invisible all the time. The world looked different through the vision of the ring, everything looked threatening. Even Thorin looked distorted, dangerous, but Bilbo held himself still. Maybe he should announce at least that they'll go out soon but his voice betrayed him.
Instead of speaking he left and tended to his guards. He supplied them with their beverage and they drank like it was a matter of honor not to give up first. Soon they were sleeping soundly and Bilbo could take their keys easily.
Do send me a kiss ;)
