Kelwtim2spar - As before, I thank you for your comments and support. Hope you like these next two chapters.

"I'll be alright. Just let me sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo clutched the cup of tea in his hands as he looked ahead into space.

Gandalf huffed, "You've been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit that was always running off in search of Elves, in the woods. He'd stay out late, come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young hobbit who would've liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the shire. The world is not in your books and maps. It's out there."

Bilbo narrowed his eyes, "I can't just go running off into the blue! I am a Baggins, of Bag End!" He was firm in what he was saying, and he wanted Gandalf to acknowledge that.

"You are also a Took. Did you know that your great, great, great, great uncle Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?"

He nodded his head.

"Yes, well he could! In the battle of Greenfields, he charged the goblin ranks, he swung his club so hard, it knocked the goblin king's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred years through the air, and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time."

Bilbo furrowed his brow, "I do believe you made that up."

Gandalf shrugged, "Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tail or two to tell of your own when you come back."

"Can you promise that I will come back?" he asked, very well already knowing the answer.

"No," Gandalf sighed, "and if you do, you'll not be the same."

"That's what I thought." Bilbo got to his feet, "Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong hobbit." He turned around and walked away. As he passed me in the hallway, my ears listened in on another on-going conversation that was taking place between the Dwarf king and one of his kin.

"It appears we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy makers. Hardly the stuff of legend." Balin sighed.

"There are a few warriors among us." Thorin replied.

"Old warriors." Balin smiled.

Thorin sat taller in his seat, "I would take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills, for when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, honor, a willing heart. I can't ask any more than that."

"You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor."

Thorin sighed, "From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me. They dreamed of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me."

"Then we are with you, Laddie. We will see it done." He paused for a brief second, "And we have an Elf with us. Gandalf may be right; she could be very valuable to this quest."

"That remains to be seen." Thorin replied. I could feel the hesitation and uncertainty in his tone.

I understand his hesitation, for my kin had betrayed them many, many years ago. I just hoped that I could be a part of something, so that I could right some of the wrong that had been done long ago.

Later that night, I took up residence in the hallway on an elongated seat near a window as the dwarves set up in the living room. They began to sing, signing about their kingdom and the beast that was now its ruler within. At the forefront of the song was none other than Thorin. His voice carried the others as they joined in, despite its darker meaning; it was beautiful and soothing to the ears.

As I sat by the window in the dead of night looking up at the stars, I was interrupted as I heard footsteps approaching from a far. I turned around on the seat as he stopped a few feet in front of me.

"Master dwarf." I greeted him as he stopped, his arms hung by his side with a gentle sway.

"Why have you really chosen to join this quest?" he asked sternly.

I looked up to him from where I sat and cleared my throat, "I meant what I said earlier, I have nothing to gain from helping you, nor have I anything to lose." He shifted his weight between his feet as I continued, hoping to convince him that what I was saying to be true. "Gandalf, an old friend of mine, came to me in the night and called upon a favor which, if you must know, I refused at first because the history between your kin and mine."

"You know of the tale?" he asked.

I smiled, "Do not take me for a fool, Thorin Oakenshield. I know that you know who I am, just as much as I know who you are."

He bowed his head and approached me, "May I?" he asked as he gestured to the empty seat to my left. I nodded and he took a seat.

I shifted my body so that I was facing him and him I. "Though we have never met. I know that you know who I am, and my kin."

"Aye." He replied, "Which is why I do not trust your reasons for being here."

"My intentions are true. I am not here to report back to the Elves of my homeland, I am simply here to offer my help." I said and he looked at me with wide eyes. "However, if you truly do not want me to join the quest, I'll take my leave at first light."

He dipped his head briefly, "You may join this quest." He got to his feet and took a few steps before stopping, keeping his back towards me as he spoke, "But do not cross me or my kin. I meant what I said earlier, I will not hesitate."

"Understood." I spoke softly as he left my sight and would not been seen again until first light.