"What of your burglar, did you manage to get one?" asked Thorin looking around wizard's robe in search of small creature, there was no one in sight. "I thought as much" he smirked at empty space "we'll manage without one."

"I found him, and he will be suitable for our quest" answered Gandalf determinably. "Only it will took a few days to stir his curiosity" he continued in more apologetic tone "he'll be ready by the next full moon."

"So our burglar is indecisive one" Thorin smirked.

"That is the best kind" said Gandalf with determination "eager ones always want more than their pay."

"True" Thorin agreed.

"He'll need some convincing" Gandalf kept explaining "you know of Hobbits, it's harder to them to get behind Shire's borders than to travel throughout Middle Earth."

"I wouldn't know, I haven't heard of any that did so" Thorin was suspicious.

"Bilbo's ancestors did that occasionally, I knew few of them personally, they always seem to surprise, you'll see."

"So our burglar got a name" sighed Thorin knowing that it would be hard to get Gandalf to change his mind and numbers did convince others.

"Bilbo Baggins, nice little fellow. A bit feisty and defensive but brave enough for the challenge."

"I'll believe it when I see it" said Thorin not giving in.

"We'll gather at his place then" Gandalf said taking that as acceptance.

"His place?" Thorin was surprised. "We'll have to travel to the Shire, wouldn't be easier to gather in Bree?"

"Shire is a good place to gather and start from. We would be spotted in Bree. You'll see, it will be easy to find his place, I left a marking on his door it will be visible on the full moon" Thorin looked at him sceptically so he added "I think we can be ready till then."

Balin sighed not happy with all the pressing rush.

"Just so, I'll have to get a move on right away. Diplomacy doesn't stand swiftness. I'll make it back by the full moon if I hurry."

Gandalf draw them a map to show the way to Bilbo's home but his style of drawing paths got more than one dwarf to look confused.

"We can gather here and go there together" offered Gandalf with a kind smile when he looked at their faces.

"And march into Shire like and invasive army?" mocked Thorin. "We'll get attacked by forks and brooms. No, we'll split up. Dwarves with supplies go in first. Dwalin go in first with our gear, then Kili and Fili with horses, rest of you can stick to Gandalf."

"Yes, Bilbo could react better if we go in slowly, we don't want to scare the fellow right away" Gandalf agreed. "Whether Bilbo decides to go or not at least we'll be shaded from curious looks we would get elsewhere. And there will be food there, plenty of it."

Mentioning of food got that arrangement sealed. Thorin walked Balin to the door.

"Be careful when the dwarves call you into meeting" said Balin quietly. "I won't be back in time to assist you."

"Do you suggest that dwarf's kings would ruin our quest? They have on their hearts our loss as well. With our wealth theirs rises too" Thorin was offended. "They are our kin, not foreigners."

"No, nothing like that" Balin calmed him. "But it's one thing to take our mountain back, they would like that more than us, that would get us away from the same gold lines" Thorin had to agree with that. "Another thing is to take King's jewel and command them to go into the battle with a dragon of all things. Let's take things slowly, step at a time. Maybe would be best to tell them that we're reclaiming our homeland, that we'll check whether that dragon still breathes or not. They don't need to know our further plans. It's not sure anyway we'll get that far. This way they'll remember us better."

Thorin bowed his head like he did often when hard decisions came his way. He'd like nothing better but to be honest and blunt, it would suit his direct nature, but business of the king were often hidden ones, even for the one without a crown or a kingdom. Balin was right and he knew that, kings got used to be without a king to whom they would answer. They had an oath to the king's jewel and they would honour it if they had to but maybe they would stop it from happening. That's why Thorin nodded. Balin's advice proved to be wise in more than one occasion.

Bearing Balin's advice in mind he got though the meeting talking as little as he could, but observing everything. Balin's advice proved to be sane one. They agreed to their quest but just so. No help was offered, not supplies, no troops.

He left the meeting with a heavy heart, disappointment in others grew in time. Now it had reached his own kin. They were truly alone in their exile, everything they got they had to make it for themselves. That thought lifted some of the weight of his heart because he was headed to those who showed their true worth. And best of all they were headed towards their mountain. For better or for worse he will at least try. Hopefully that attempt will go better than of his father before Moria.

He walked slowly enjoying the night. He will not make it in time to meet up with others.

There were no problems to the borders of the Shire but from there all paths looked the same. There were trees, grass, plants everywhere. Not a stone sign anywhere. He tried to picture wizard's map but it had no resemblance to the meek hills before him. There were no one to ask for directions, every doors were shut closed like the night was filled with goblins and fires. Finally he saw the blue shimmer on the next hill. That proved to be wizard's marking. He could hear laughter and commotion from the inside, familiar voices. That brought a smile to his face. His men were here.

He opened the small gate and went up the stone stairs that weren't all that bad made, but it could be cut more precisely. He stood in front of round doors for the moment pausing, composing himself. His people always expected a king of him and he gave them that. There wasn't much he could offered them, but he could stand tall for them. All their hardship was easier that way, they had a feeling that he's leading them somewhere meaningful. He sure hoped to be so.

With that he knocked with determination like everything else he did. Determination meant that he knows where he's going and what needs to be done. He crossed his arms behind him and looked up to the moon low on the horizon. For the moment he hoped that in spite of everything against them they will succeed he was willing to pay a price for that. With that Gandalf opened up the door and smiled at him.