Chapter four

"Due to some unforeseen changes, my brother was called to the Iron hills. He apologizes for the inconvenience." Thorin answered without showing any type of emotion.

Bilbo took a step back, the warmth of the coat not enough anymore. Wrapping his arms around himself he shook his head side to side, unable to comprehend. It made no sense to him, from his studies on dwarven culture he knew Frerin was supposed to be there, there were rules and they had been broken. Could it have been because Bilbo was a hobbit that the rules didn't apply? Certainly there were loopholes but why did it have to be Frerin, and not Thorin? He was the crown prince, it was his duty to deal with the important things. Then again, Frerin had his own duties as prince.

Arms still around his torso, Bilbo looked around with tears in his eyes. Green eyes searched for Frerin, Fili was the only one that came close to Frerin's description and appearance. He really wasn't there. Knowing there was nothing else he could do or say, he just looked at the bright side of everything. By the time they reached Erebor, Frerin would be awaiting his arrival. That somehow brought a smile to his face, just imaging the prince made him swell with happiness. Clearing his throat Bilbo remembered something he wanted to ask since he saw the crown prince's arrival.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home? I'm positive your kin would have been enough to escort me to the mountain." Everyone suddenly got quiet, he noticed Thorin's company stare at eachother then at their prince. Bilbo raised an eyebrow, from the corner of his eyes he saw as L'vren did the same. As the silence progressed, the hobbit knew there was something they were not telling him. The way his grandfather looked was enough confirmation.

"What are you hiding from me?" No one said a word.

"I believe it would best for you to go lie down, your body must be sore from last night. Rest would do you wonders." The Thain suggested.

"What? No. Tell me whats going on?!" Bilbo moved out of the way of one of the guards reaching hands, he turned to the Thain. "Is this why you look like this? What is so frightening that I have no right to know?"

"Please, Bil-"

"TELL ME!" Bilbo cringed at how he spoke to his grandfather, but he needed answers and if he had anything to go by, it was the attack from last night. He worried about his grandfather, he looked pale and ready to pass out at any given moment. He wanted to ease the pain somehow."Please."

The hobbit looked towards Thorin as he let out a breath, his blue eyes looked him over then at his grandfather. "You ask too many questions." There was a small smirk forming on his lips but it was gone as soon as it appeared. "You are being hunted down, the attack from last night will be one of many to come. My family as well as yours are being targeted. Frerin was sent to the Iron Hills for his own protection, my cousin Dain will be his guardian."

Hunted down, who or what would want him, a mere hobbit? The dwarves of Erebor had more to offer...At least now he knew why Frerin really wasn't present, his heart calmed knowing he was out of harm's way. Feeling lightheaded, Bilbo placed his hands on the table in front of him to steady himself. While trying to calm his breathing, his green eyes caught something peculiar about the map that was laid out on the table. Cocking his head to the side, his eyes widen in recognition. It was a map of the forbidden underground passages that led to the outside world, the ones that were barricaded for that same reason. Why would they need the blueprints for those passages?

"Why are they hunting us down?"

"You tell me."

Bilbo looked up suddenly at the accusation, Thorin's blue eyes on him. "Excuse me? How would I know! You should know more about this than me! What would they want with me and your family?" Outrageous, did the fool of a prince actually believe he knew anything about what was to come? The dizziness began to fade as anger took it's place.

"Only reason they would be after me is because I will marry your brother. That's not enough reason for anything."

Bilbo paused remembering something. It still made no sense to him but it could mean something, maybe help figure out exactly what those creatures wanted. What they wanted from him.

"Th-e Orc...mentioned something." Looking down at his hands clutching the table, he felt their gazed on him. From beside him he heard his grandfather inhale a shaky breath.

"When he h-had a hold of me...I told him to get it over with and kill me." The hobbit closed his eyes, his breath came out in pants as he recalled the memory, " He said he would have his fun with me...b-before delivering me. I don't know what he meant by that. Delivery me where? Who wants me?" Finally having enough confidence, he lifted his head to see everyone with wide eyes. In second the silence erupted into chaos, L'vren stood up from his spot and began pacing back and forth, Gandalf held onto the Thain as he swayed on the spot. Thorin's company huddled close to their prince, all of them voicing their opinions. He caught bits and pieces, a name here and there. One name stood out from the rest, Azog. With so much noise, Bilbo backed away from everything. Why? Why did everything have to be complicated. All he wanted was a simple life, a simple life with Frerin and be happy. Complications came from left and right, why did the universe mess everything up. Now, he had orcs hunting him down, not only him but the family he would be part of.

Although the shire kept their business apart from the outside world, they knew very well of Azog and his army that waged war right after the defeat of Smaug, was he still alive? What were they going to do? The underground kingdom of the hobbits was more secure, safer than anyplace else. If he set one foot out of the Shirelands his life would be lost, he would die in some horrific way. Worse, get captured, delivered and then tortured for who knows why. The mountain had tunnels and underground passages, but would it be enough to keep him safe? Did he have any options left? Any choices? Without thinking he said the first thing that he felt was right, the first thing that made him feel that he was in control.

"I-I can't do this. I'm sorry." The prince of the Shire announced. Not waiting to be acknowledged, Bilbo turned around, sprinting away from everything, from the complications of life that offered him in that moment. Safe was the only thing on his mind, not even the thought of Frerin swayed his mind. As he ran from the room, he swore he heard his name being called out, he didn't turn to see had who called it out.

Shutting the door behind him, then locking it, Bilbo placed his hands on the door and leaned his forehead to it. "What did I just say?" No, it was for the best he told himself. If he left he would be putting the company in danger, but of they left their lives would still be in danger because of Thorin. If his family was being hunted down why in the world as he thinking of venturing out of his mountain to retrieve him? Why put his life at risk for him? All he was doing was placing his life in danger and the life of his kin. There was more to Thorin's story and he intended to find out, but not until he had a moment to think about everything. Huffing in anger, the hobbit reached inside his coat and took out a wrinkled piece of parchment paper. Unfolding it he moved away from the door then headed to his table, gently taking his mother's book out of the way he placed the paper on the table. Withlist everyone was too busy, Bilbo had taken the opportunity and slipped the map, he was just borrowing for the meantime. He had been correct, it was the map of the underground map had different colors adorning it, one that stood out more was a red line that lead from the military room all the way to the outskirts of the shirelands. If he was correct, that path lead to Bree. Moving things around he searched for his maps on middle earth, looked for all possible paths and routes. This is what they had been looking for, they were trying to figure out what was the safest path.

After carefully laying every single map of middle earth and its different cities and pathways on the floor, he began to inspect every single possibility. There was hope, there was still hope for him and for the Durin line to make it to the mountain without too much danger. If Azog and his kin interfere. He wasn't sure how long he was in his room, but he was so sure that he had found a better path to go through, they would be able to stop at Bree, restock on provisions and then avoid the troll market. It was perfect. He needed to speak to Thorin and his Grandfather, as an afterthought he should apologize to them for his outburst. Gathering the papers, Bilbo ran out with a smile on his face. Not sore from the run, Bilbo burst through the door, his mouth open and ready to reveal his ideas. He came to a stop, it was empty, if there had been any dwarves in that room they had not left any evidence. Where could they be? Sure enough they were either sleeping in already or even eating breakfast. What time was it?

"My Prince, they left ten minutes ago." Bilbo turned around and came face to face with his guard, L'vren.

"Left? Left without me…why?"

"Thorin heard what you said before leaving the room, he took your words as in you would not go along with them to the mountain. They think you are a coward."

"How dare he! I needed time to think...my emotions were conflicting." Bilbo prince of the Shire would prove to Thorin, son of Durin that he was no coward, and that he had no right to abandon him without consulting him about it first. "L'vren, pack your things. You're coming with me. Meet me here in five minutes, we will be heading out." L'vren said nothing as he followed his orders. Bilbo ran all the way back to his room, not even out of breath, Bilbo took the first things that were in his sight. He grabbed a pack and began throwing the necessities, his mother's book was the last item to be packed. Quickly changing into comfortable clothes and strapping the pack on his back, he ran out the room with the blue coat in his arms. Not even five minutes later he was back in the military room, his grandfather and L'vren were waiting for him. "Grandfather, I apologize for my outburst. I should not have spoken to you like that."

"Its alright by dear, Bilbo. You will be missed by all of us, just make sure to visit as often as you can. Prince Thorin came to protect you, now go and show him why he didn't waste his time."

"I will."

"Stay alert, remember you are being hunted down. Take this." The Thain sidestepped out the way, Silencer, Bandobras Took's sword. Bilbo thought he lost the sword the same day he lost his crown. "Promise me you don't show this sword in front of any goblin, Promise me."

Bilbo stammered but promised. He would question his grandfather some other time, right now he needed to catch up to Thorin and his company. One last hug and Bilbo and L'vren disappeared through a hidden door in the wall.

"I'm, sorry my Bilbo. But I cannot have you putting the Shire in danger. Please forgive me." The Thain knew exactly why his grandson and Thorin were hunted down. He just hoped that Bilbo made it safely to the mountain. He wondered if it was wise to return the sword to Bilbo, after all it was a major reason why they wanted him. "Dear brother, why did you take on the Goblin King?"

Up ahead, the hobbit prince and dwarven guard could make out various figures in the dark. The only source of light came from the wizard's staff. With renewed strength Bilbo jogged up the the front of the line, passing the ponies and the company he stopped right in front of Thorin. With his arms wide open and face filled with determination, he licked his lips before talking.

"Thorin!" The dwarrow in questioned lifted his eyebrow. " I am coming with you. I am not backing out of this alliance between our homes. I know the dangers. If I don't leave this place I will die...if I leave I might die on the way, but I will die happily knowing that I was not a coward. That I died above land and not underground. Hunted or not, I'm going." Bilbo waited for an outburst, what came next surprised him.

"Very well. Move out the way so we can continue." There was a glint in his blue eyes, Bilbo shuddered at the intensity of them.

"I still want answers, especially if Azog is involved." Thorin inclined his head in agreement.

"Another day. Let's move."

Author's note; Hello my lovely readers. I managed to update. I'm so proud of myself. Anyways, I hoped you guys enjoyed the chapter. This will be a slow burn, just a heads up. There are many hints in there, hoped you caught them. Till next update, Adios.