Chapter six

"Prince Bilbo. Please, you need to get up."

Ori shook the sleeping hobbit. He had strict orders from Thorin to wake him up. For the past ten minutes he couldn't get the hobbit to do anything other than sleep. Biting his lower lip he wondered if he should go to Thorin. That wouldn't be a wise idea, he thought. If he went to his prince while he was in a bad mood...no, he definitely was not going to go to him. Maybe he could get help from Dwalin, he was always trying to help him. No, it was his task and his alone. What could he do. Ori looked around the room, there on the counter was bowl filled with water. Tentatively he reached for the bowl and held it in his hands. Balancing it on one hand, he dipped his fingers in the water then splashed it on Bilbo's face.

Ori held his breath, the hobbit did not stir. He tried a few more times and with the same outcome.

"How about pouring the whole contents on his face." A dwarrow said, casually leaning against a wall, his hazel eyes studying his little brother.

"Nori! You shouldn't be here. Did Bilbo's guard see you?" Nori gave his younger brother a look.

"Of course not. He may be a dwarrow but he was around these gentle folk." Nori said as he pointed at the sleeping hobbit to make a point. Ori went back to figuring out how to wake up Bilbo. In the meantime he ignored Nori, his thoughts were elsewhere. He could do as his brother said but, he didn't want to do that to someone he considered a friend. Ori hoped at least Bilbo saw him that way. If he didn't find a way to wake him up then he would have Thorin's fury. Not wanting any of that, Ori turned and faced his brother, ready to ask for help.

What the young Scribe found was his brother handling one of Bilbo's blades and not just any blade, but Silencer."Nori!" The dwarrow grunted in acknowledgment, then went back to examining the sword in his hands. Beautifully crafted, could be Elven made no doubt. Nori was impressed, even though the blade was Elven made he recognized a finely crafted weapon. It was lightweight but the blade could do some serious damage. Taking the handle, Nori swung the weapon back and forth trying to get a feel for it. Perfectly made for a hobbit, it fitted the hobbit prince nicely. Too bad he won't have it for long, he wouldn't miss it. Assuring himself of that he gave it one last swing before placing it on the straps on his side. "Let's see how long he notices before it's gone."

"Nori, put that back. Bilbo wouldn't like your games. Put it back where it belongs." His older brother was notorious for making things disappear. With or without approval. That's why he was perfect for this mission.

"First name basis." Ori scowled. Looking away he focused on the hobbit before him, he gave him a quick shake. Nothing. "Let me help." The bowl of water was taken out of Ori's hands, he could only watch helplessly as his brother tipped the bowl. Water ran down in slow motion, straight at the hobbits calm face. Ori watched his brother smile at him before jumping out of the window. What could possibly go wrong now.

Bilbo sputtered and gasped as he tried to figure out what had just happened. He wiped his face, took off the sheets away from his body and got up. Blinking, his green eyes studied the room he was in. Simple, but very big, almost human sized. Were they still in Bree? What was he doing in a room? How long was he out?

"I'm sorry." The hobbit snapped his head to the side, Ori sat on a chair looking apologetic. His brown eyes avoiding him, and his hand fidgeting with each other. Bilbo wondered why he looked that way. He let out a sigh, it had been Ori that woke him up from his slumber. That is when the hobbit looked down at his clothes, his shirt and coat were partially drenched in water, his curly hair clung to the sides of his neck.

"I wouldn't wake up…" Bilbo said. It wasn't the first time anyone had to resort to throwing water at his face. He was almost used to it, almost. By the look on Ori's face, he was really beating himself over it.

"Ori."

The dwarrow scratched his cheek but didn't turn around. "Don't worry. This is not the first time someone has done this." That made the young scribes head snap back to look at him, his eyes asking for more information.

"I'm a heavy sleeper, especially if Ipass out. The first time, L'vren had gone to my grandfather for help. And you know what my grandfather did?" Ori shook his head no. "Well, he took a large bucket and poured it all over me. They had a laugh even days after the incident. Now, it's the most effective way to wake me up but not one I like." That was the wrong thing to say. Ori shrunk back into himself. Bilbo inwardly cursed, he walked over to Ori and sat on the edge of the bed, his green eyes searching Ori's brown ones. "If I ever pass out and won't wake up the next day or hours later, I want you to be the one to wake me up. I won't trust anyone else with this."

The hobbit prince's eyes stayed glued to Ori's face, he need to make sure that he didn't royally mess things up. He liked Ori, he was innocent but the spark in his eyes showed that he was strong and determined. Bilbo pleaded once more. As if he had been heard, a broad smile spread across the dwarrows freckled face. Releasing a breath, Bilbo smiled back.

"I would be honored, prince."

"Call me Bilbo, please."

Ori nodded enthusiastically, " I should leave, you need to change." Bilbo then remembered he was still soaking wet, and he was mostly positive that if he didn't change he would catch a cold. After saying his goodbyes to Ori, he quickly made his way to his leathered pack. He took out fresh clothes and in no time he was making his way down to the where Ori instructed him to meet him and the rest of the company.

The atmosphere was unlike he's ever seen before, never having been out he was taken aback by the scenery. Everything and everyone was eerily quiet. A few heads turned to his direction, he gulped before searching out the company. The lights around the place were too dimmed. How was he supposed to find them? It was dark, there were shadows in every corner but none looked familiar. L'vren was not outside his door either. Was he late? Did they leave him again? No, he was sure they wouldn't do that again, his speech should have been enough to prove himself. Plus, his guard wouldn't just leave him behind...what if something bad happened to him while he was getting ready? Standing in the middle of the corridor, several people bumped into him, now he was nervous. Feeling naked without any weapon, Bilbo turned around and ran up the stairs to his room. Bursting through, he gathered his pack and arranged his weapons accordingly to his person. One last item was left, Silencer. Said weapon was nowhere to be found. "Not again." Huffing in anger, he turned the whole room upside down. The room was a mess afterwards. "Where could it be?" All he's done since the beginning of the trip was hope, hoped that the company and Thorin and Gandalf were waiting for him downstairs, hoped that they had his weapon.

Bilbo internally screamed, he swore not five minutes ago the place had not been that packed. There were at least a dozen or more at the inn. He took a quick peek, if he was quiet and moved around the hoard of people he could reach the exit. Hiding, Bilbo mentally prepared himself, giving a once over at his hidden weapons he took a step out. No one turned his way, weaving his way through the crowd, he almost let out a relieved sigh that turned into a gasp. The hobbit was roughly spun around. A tall looming figure looked down at him, they're face obscured by the dirty brown cloak. If it had been quiet before, now it was worse. Everyone turned to look at the commotion, none of the humans made any moves to help the hobbit. Some even stood up and made their way to them. " A hobbit. Haven't seen your kind in a long time. What are you doing outside your hole?"

"I hear there's threats against your people, is that why you left your hole, cause you know they will all die?"

Threats against his people? What were they talking about? What did they mean. He figured they would recognize him because he was going to get married to non other than prince Frerin, but that wasn't the case. Could that be why his grandfather looked out of it? Is that why he wanted him gone? He needed answers. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I hear rumors-"

"Yes, a bounty on a hobbit prince." One cut in.

"Would you happen to be that hobbit?" Another one said, he hunched down to Bilbo's eye level, the hobbit scrunched his nose at the foul smelling man. "Me? Be that hobbit? No...like you said I'm just running away." Really, that was the best lie he could come up with. Mentally face palming himself he looked around to see what was the best escape route.

"You just said you didn't know what we were talking about, do you think us to be fools?"

Bilbo was in serious trouble, he needed a way out and fast. From the inside of his sleeve, he smoothly took out the knives hidden there. Bilbo was ready to attack.

"You found our prisoner." That voice, Bilbo could recognize that voice just about anywhere. A tingle ran down his spine as Thorin's deep voice resonated around the room. He ignored the feeling and the images that appeared before him, he blushed remembering that it was Thorin that had saved him once again. Bilbo wanted to scream, Thorin stood behind him, his heat wrapping around Bilbo and making him squirm in place. It felt the same when the crown prince had jumped behind him on the horse. Bilbo, Stop. It wasn't the right time to think or feel anything in that moment, there were in serious trouble. Somehow, Thorin's hand found its way on Bilbo's shoulder, his fingers squeezing down. The hobbit winced but kept still. Thorin was not happy.

"Prisoner?"

"Yes, now, we will be on our way. Excuse us." Thorin said, using his hand on Bilbo's shoulder, he guided him behind himself. As Bilbo moved, Thorin stopped him and whisper into his ear, " You have a death wish or what, Halfling?" His cold blue eyes snapped something in Bilbo. It did not just made him feel some sort of way, it made him irritated. He felt powerless, weak and simple compared to the crown prince, he was a warrior. He may not be as skilled as his company and his kin but he was highly trained in the art. He would prove he didn't need saving. Thorin moved to turn around and leave with Bilbo but someone in the crowd shouted his name out, someone had recognized him. Thorin unsheathed his blade, the orange glow illuminating it further. "Stay behind me, don't do anything stupid."

Author's note; Hello my lovely readers, hoped you enjoyed this chapter, I had fun writing it. Sorry I had to end it right there, it seemed appropriate. I know I'm not giving any answers, just know I will get there. Anyways, there will be some action in the next chapter and hopefully some answers. Till next chapter, adios.