Chapter Twenty One

To the hobbit everything slowed, time itself had halted then sped up as his heart jumped to his throat. The Company surrounded their king to be, bloodied bandages laid discarded outside their perimeter.

Words left him. He tried forcing the questions out but he could feel the constriction in his chest tighten. He eased his way through the circle, hands shaking Bilbo almost broke down then and there.

The purple blotches had worsened. They paved their way across Thorin's chest then disappeared underneath his trousers. The odd thing was that the wound itself was fine, clean and well kept. "They shouldn't look like that, Oin! You said it was nothing to worry about."

In desperate need of answers, the hobbit turned to Oin. The medic held a small container, he dipped his fingers into the unknown substance and applied it all over the wounded area as well as the purple blotches around Thorin's chest.

"What is it for? Will it help?" The hobbit could not keep it together any longer, the voices around him grew louder and overlapped, he was unable to focus on one person or on one thing. Tears welled up. He kept telling himself to breathe, to focus on anything other than the scene before him. It proved hard to do.

"Please, just tell me what I can do to help him." his voice broke. He felt lost, useless. Thorin needed him.

Bilbo felt two arms land on his shoulders, pulling him away from the scene. He fought against their hold, pushing their hands away.

"Dear boy, listen to me." Bilbo stopped his thrashing, he turned around and gazed up. Gandalf features were fixed into a scowl, his blue eyes held understanding. "There is a way. The elves of Mirkwood."

The elves. That's right, their forest was beyond Beorn's home, not far but the problem would be finding the actual kingdom where King Thranduil and his kin resided. He knew they lived deep in the forest, beyond the crawling spiders that roamed the area as well as the rivers said to hold their drinkers captive.

Bilbo only hoped that the rest of the Company would follow. He knew some of them were not fully fond of the Mirkwood elves, let alone wanting to enter their kingdom. Even so, they had proved to be allies in the end. They would do anything for their king, even venturing into the forest.

"Are you sure they could help?"Bilbo didn't need false hope. He needed reassurance.

"Yes."

His princely upbringing shone through as he began to make preparations. "We need to begin packing, we need to find a way to carry Thorin, take turns and make sure we have enough food for everyone. I can always cut my rations if need be. Do you think Beorn would mind giving us provision?

The hobbit found himself walking back and forth in front of the wizard. Occasionally running his fingers through his hair before pulling at it in desperation.

"No, I wouldn't." Beorn's voice cut through Bilbo's ramblings. The skin changer towered both Gandalf and the hobbit casting a shadow as the sun rose high in the sky.

"Beorn! Are you sure we are not asking too much of you? You barely know anything about us."

"No. I do ask for my horses back." The man was of very few words. He turned around making his way to the king to be. Bilbo followed behind, Gandalf not far.

Excusing himself, Bilbo watched as Beorn bent at the waist and critically analyzed the purple blotches. The Company moved out the skin changers way, not before shooting wearily glances at him.

"This was not done by me. Nor an infection. Your people have done well in keeping his injuries clean. He's been poisoned. I've only seen it once. Long ago. If it continues. He could die."

"What!"

Those last few words sent the hobbit stumbling backwards, he cast his eyes towards Thorin. Words would not come forth. He struggled once more as the realization dawned on him. Poison, someone, somehow had poisoned their soon to be king. Who would do such a terrible thing. Many other thoughts circled about, but one would not leave the hobbit and it involved Thorin's younger brother. Frerin.

Frerin sat with his back against a boulder watching the comotion, he had no idea what was happening but from the raised voices coming from Thorin's so called guards he assumed it had something to do with his brother. Whatever it was, it didn't involve him.

Frerin brought his gaze to the high skies, endless clouds moved about, fingers splayed across his chest, the necklace his lover gifted him lay underneath. With a small smile he gathered the necklace, his green eyes captured the shards dazzling array of colors. The sun's rays furthered its beauty.

Out from the crowd Frerin spotted the hobbit moving away from everyone, his focus elsewhere. Frerin let a sly smile come across his face. He tucked the shard necklace back inside as he got to his feet, all the while watching the hobbit stand unprotected.

The small creature glanced his way, eyes narrowing in anger. Frerin raised an eyebrow in confusion. The hobbit stalked toward him, hands closed into fist, eyes narrowed into slits. The creature was showing more emotion then he'd ever seen. He quite liked the sight.

"I see you changed your-"

Frerin found himself stumbling sideways. Pain flared as his hand was already nursing his reddened cheek. It took him but a minute to gather himself. The prince ran his hand through his hair, moving tendrils of blonde hair away from his face then adjusted his garments.

He leveled Bilbo with a glare, hands clenched at his sides. His thoughts of earlier already forgotten.

"It was you, was it not!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. And if I were you, I would leave. Now." Frerin turned to leave only to be roughly turned around once more.

"How cou-"

Frerin had enough. He took a hold of the hobbit's smaller hands and pushed them away. He gathered Bilbo's shirt and brought the creature closer; faces inches apart. "I don't know what you're talking about. If you wanted something from me, this was the worst way to ask."

"You poisoned Thorin."

"What?"

Frerin narrowed his eyes at the creature, not believing one word. Not until he looked over and noticed the commotion, it had worsened. No one seemed to realize the hobbit was with him. He knew it was wrong to not care about his brother, but the way the hobbit felt against him made him not care in the least. Let them see for all he cared.

He was alone with the gentle creature. The Company unaware . The corner or his lips quirked up. Frerin brought the hobbit closer.

"You know. I don't mind you being here."

"Let me go." Bilbo went to push away but Frerin only maneuvered his left hand around his lower back; bringing him closer, fingers playing with the hem of Bilbo's shirt.

"No, I don't think I will."

Bilbo panicked, he could see what Frerin had in mind, his eyes flickered down to his lips and Bilbo felt revulsion. Gulping down the sensation he used his hands and pushed Frerin's face away. There wasn't a whole lot of space between them but it was enough for Bilbo to angle his body and connect his knee to the dwarrows groin. Frerin groaned in pain, but his hold on Bilbo never loosen it only infuriated him.

"You disgust me. Your brother is dying and you don't have one inkling of love for him. You don't care about him and it shows."

Whatever it may be Frerin let go of the gentle creature, not so gentle anymore if he thought about it. His words having struck him in a way he never saw coming. It was surreal. He questioned himself . Certain issues and circumstances made him dislike his brother. That was all. He may be a coward but he would not poison anyone, especially his own blood. It was disgraceful.

Bilbo let himself relax the moment Frerin was gone from his view. The feelings that Frerin invoked inside him lingered on his skin. It sickened him to recall the sensations. Even so, Bilbo didn't let himself linger in those feelings.

"Are there any changes?"

"Bilbo?"

The Company made a path to where their king laid, Bilbo did not hesitate and made it to Thorin's side. The king to be laid upon a makeshift bed, four handles on each corner to pick up and carry, a dark brown blanket strewn across his torso.

"How are you feeling?" Bilbo ran his hands through Thorin's dark locks."Are you ready to leave?"

"As long as you're by my side,"

"Always." Bilbo smiled. Thorin closed his eyes, sleep claiming him.

After making sure they had everything ready for their journey. They all ate in silence, the food was tasteful but none of them could enjoy it to its full potential. At least they would have enough energy.

Not wanting to waste the day, Bilbo turned to the Company. "Is everyone ready?"

"Yes uncle." Fili replied. His brother stood beside him wearing the most determined expression. It warmed Bilbo, the rest of the Company agreed with nods of their heads. Dwalin, Nori, Oin and Kili strode to either side of Thorin's makeshift bed and took a handle each. After saying their goodbyes to the skinchanger they set course.

The sun hit the horizon the moment they reached the outskirts of Mirkwood. As they had decided Bifur and Gloin awaited them, the horses Beorn lented were long gone. "Anything out of the ordinary?" Gandalf leaned against his staff, catching his breath.

"If you mean having to be threatened by an elf, then yes." Gloin answered with a sneer.

Bilbo watched in fascination as a tall elven warrior stepped out of the darken forest. She was beautiful, long red hair flowed behind her with each step she took. She wore a dark green outfit that matched well with her eyes.

"My name is Tauriel, I will be escorting you."

"How did you know we would be coming? King Thranduil could not have known." Balin asked.

"You are correct to assume but our King has watchers posted around the forest as well beyond it. It is of no surprise you are here. I do ask to speak to Prince Thorin." Tauriel ordered.

Bilbo looked around waiting for someone to step up and speak. As no one did , Bilbo took the initiative until Kili spoke up. "My uncle is in no condition to speak. He is...unwell," Kili walked around his brother. "He's been injured. We seek help."

"And you are?" Bilbo could feel the tension in the air. It came as a surprise that not only did some of the company not like elves, it seemed they thought the same of dwarves. After decades of alliance, Bilbo couldn't wrap his head around the amnesty between them

" Prince Kili, Thorin's heir alongside my brother, Prince Fili."

Bilbo could see Ori scribbling like a mad man, occasionally looking between Kili and Tauriel.

"I thought you'd be taller." Tauriel smirked down at Kili. Bilbo though the young prince would fall for the bait but it only did the opposite. Kili could not keep the bright smile off his face even after Gandalf stepped up.

"We only wish to get Thorin to health, if it's not too much , I'm sure the dwarves of Erebor would be grateful to you and to King Thranduil , they'll follow any order you give them."

Tauriel inspected the small Company, her eyes landed on the smallest of the bunch. Bilbo awkwardly tilted his head in acknowledgement. The elven warrior only cocked her head to the side in curiosity.

"Very well. Scouts, send word to our King."

The sounds of leaves rustling could be heard within the forest, Bilbo squinted his eyes only now noticing that not even five steps into Mirkwood a dozen or so elves were poised for battle; their arrows drawn.

"Follow me. The day is no longer on our side. Keep close, and don't stray from the path or myself. If you find yourself lost, well, that would be bad." Tauriel winked at Kili which only intensified his smile.

"Before we leave. Is there someone named prince Frerin?" The disgraced prince stepped up, arms crossed, a glint of anger in his eyes. "What do you want with him?"

"Does Thremil mean anything?"

AUTHOR's NOTE; oh snap, is that another chapter. Yes it was. I've been watching and reading a lot and it's been helping me write this. Wonder who Thremil is...but I'm sure you guys already guessed. Thanks for sticking around until the next chapter. Adios.